The Fourteenth regiment Rhode Island heavy artillery (colored) in the war to preserve the Union, 1861-1865.

Preface

A MEETING of the Fourteenth Rhode Island Heavy Artillery Veteran Association was held March 29, 1898, at which time a committee was appointed, consisting of Gen. Nelson Viall, Maj. Richard G. Shaw, Capt. Joshua M. Addeman, and Lieuts. Lester S. Hill and Zephaniah Brown, to make arrangements with Snow & Farnham for publishing the history of the regiment, and also to petition the General Assembly for an appropriation to assist in defraying the expenses of the same. In compliance with the action of the Association the Committee presented their petition to the General Assembly, and a resolution was passed by that body authorizing the State to appropriate $600 for the purchase of two hundred copies of the history.

Having been appointed to compile the history, I have endeavored to faithfully record the services of our regiment. It formed a part of the Union forces that guarded and protected the Mississippi River, and it received the commendations of its commanding officers, one of whom, Maj. -Gen. Thomas W. Sherman, a native of Rhode Island, and a distinguished officer of the regular army, pronounced the Fourteenth " a noble regiment."

My thanks are due to the Committee and all others who have aided me in the preparation of this work, and especially to Capt. Joshua M. Addeman, who has kindly revised the proof sheets and allowed me to quote freely from his Personal Remi?iisce?ues of Two Years with the Colored Troops. That the history may be acceptable to my comrades and the public is my earnest desire.

w. h. c.

CHAPTER I. Page

Colored Troops in the War of the Revolution — Col. Christopher

Greene, Lieut.-Col. Jeremiah Olnev, and Maj. Samuel Ward Ordered to Recruit a Black Regiment in Rhode Irland — Conduct of the Rhode Island Troops at the Battle of Rhode Island in 177S — Gen. Nathanael Greene's Opinion of Them — Colored Troops in the War of the Rebellion. .... 1

Chapter II

Formation of the Regiment — Recruiting and Organization of the First Battalion on the Dexter Training Ground — Parade in Providence — Removal of the First Battalion to Dutch Island — Visit of the Governor and Presentation of Colors — Addresses by Gov. James Y. Smith, Hon. Henry B. Anthony, Senator in Congress, Rt. Rev. Thomas M. Clark, and Others — Letter of Gen. Silas Casey, President of Examining Board at Washington, D. C 5

Chapter III

First Battalion Returns to Dexter Training Ground — Presentation of a Color to the Battalion — Its Departure for New Orleans — Arrival at that City — Battalion Proceeds to Fort Esperanza, Texas — Letter of Capt. Phanuel E. Bishop Concerning the Movements of the Battalion — Visit of General Dana — Company Ordered to Aransas Pass. ...... 19

Chapter IV

Second Battalion Departs for New Orleans with Capt. Nelson Kenyon in Command — Captain Addeman's Account of the Voyage — Arrival at New Orleans — Ordered to English Turn — Life in Camp — Arrival of Maj. Richard G. Shaw — The Battalion Ordered to Plaquemine, La. — Burning of the Steamer "J. H. Russell." 27

VI CONTENTS.

CHAPTER V. Page

Color Presented to the Third Battalion — Small-pox on Dutch Island — Departure of the Battalion for New Orleans — Arrival at that City — Description of the Voyage — Ordered to Camp Parapet — Lieutenant-Colonel Viall Assumes Command of the Post — Captain Southwick's Description of the Place — First Battalion Evacuates Fort Esperanza and Proceeds to Camp Parapet — Capt. George A. Spink with his Company Ordered to Garrison Fort Banks — School for Enlisted Men — A Paper Published by the Enlisted Men Entitled -' The Black Warrior." 37

Chapter VI

The Second Battalion at Plaquemine, La. — The Place Threatened by the Appearance of Guerillas and Parties of Rebel Cavalry — The Red River Campaign — Attack on Plaquemine by a Body of Rebel Cavalry — Capture and Murder of Three Men of the Battalion — Captain Addeman's Graphic Account of the Skirmish — General Benton's Report .51

Chapter VII

The First Battalion Ordered to Fort Jackson — Description of the Country Adjacent to the Fort — Its Unhealthy Locality — Sickness and Death in the Battalion — Extract from "Whip, Hoe and Sword" — Death of Capt. Henry Simon — Captain Fry's Letter — A Military Execution. 63

Chapter VIII

Lieut. -Col. Warren D. Smith, Inspector-General of the Defences of New Orleans, Inspects the Second Battalion at Plaquemine — Commendatory Letter of Gen. N. P. Banks — Gen. Thomas W. Sherman Visits the Battalion — Captain Addeman's Description of Guard and Picket Duty at Plaquemine — Amusements in the Battalion — Baton Rouge — Description of the Place. 69

Chapter IX

Col. J. Hale Sypher Appointed Colonel of the Regiment — His Arrival in the Department — Assumes Command of the Regiment, with Headquarters at Plaquemine — Correspondence Between Capt. W. B. Ratcliffe, Commanding Confederate Forces West of Atchafalaya, and Colonel Sypher, Concerning Alleged Ill-Treatment of Citizens — Colonel Sypher's Reply — Illegal Traffic and Smuggling Between the Lines. .... 77

CONTENTS. Vii

CHAPTER X. Page

Settlement of New Orleans — General Jackson's Defence of the Place in 1815 — Occupation by the Federal Forces in 1S62 Under General Butler — He is Succeeded by General Banks — Resume" of Affairs in the Department of the Gulf — Situation of New Orleans — Notable Buildings — St. Charles Hotel — The French Quarter 84

Chapter XI

Location of the Several Battalions of the Regiment in August, 1864 — Affairs in the Third Battalion — Picket Duty on the New Orleans and Jackson Railroad — Company Funds of the Battalion — Battalion Council of Administration Appropriates Four Hundred Dollars for the Purpose of Organizing a Band — The Band a Success — Letter of a Correspondent from Fort Banks to the " Providence Evening Bulletin," Giving a Description of the Fort and Adjacent Country and Affairs at the Post — Strength of the Regiment Dec. 31, 1S64 — Parade of the Third Battalion in New Orleans. ...... 94

Chapter XII

Description of the Mississippi River — Floods and Crevasses — Captain Addeman's Account of His Journey Through a Portion of Louisiana which had been Devastated by Flooding Waters. 109

Chapter XIII

Olhcers' Recitations at Plaquemine — Issuing of Rations to Destitute Persons by the United States Government Schools Organized for the Enlisted Men. . . . . . . .112

Chapter XIV

Major Comstock Assumes Command of the Third Battalion — Major Fitzwater Transferred to the First Battalion — That Battalion Ordered to Brashear City — Great Rejoicing Over Lee's Surrender at Appomattox — The Confederate Forces Under Gen. Kirby Smith West of the Mississippi Still Keep Up a Show of Resistance — News of the Assassination of President Lincoln — Expressions of Sorrow — Escape of the Rebel Ram "Webb" from Red River — Passes by All Our Forces on the Mississippi Until Disabled a Few Miles Above Fort St. Philip, When She Was Deserted and Blown Up 116

VI II

CONTENTS.

Chapter XV

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Chapter XVI

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the Regiment at Portsmouth Grove ]1 ° lsbandme ^ of

• 144

Roster

Personal Sketches ''''•'■• 151

ILLUSTRATIONS

Col. J. H.Sypher

Lieul-Col. Nelson Viall

Maj. Joseph J. Comstock

Maj. Richard G. Shaw

Surgeon Benoni Carpenter

Assistant Surgeon Joseph R. Draper

Lieut. Joseph Cary Whiting, Jr.

" John B. Peirce Capt. Thomas W. Fry .

" Henry Simon

Joel Metcalf, Jr. .

" George Bucklin .

" George W. Cole .

" Joshua M. Addeman

" Charles C. Cragin

" George A. Spink

" Anthony Richmond R;

" Henry K. Southwick

" Phanuel E. Bishop Lieut. Zephaniah Brown

" John E. Wardlow

" C. Henry Barney

" William H. Chenery

" Warren Ralph

" Allen F. Cameron

" George W. Weeden

" Charles L. Stafford

" Charles P. Gay .

" Daniel J. Viall .

11 Herbert D. Leavitt

" Lester S. Hill

" John A. Reynolds

" James Dodds

" James P. Brown .

" Martin S. Smith

" Benjamin D. Jone*s

" Pardon Mason

" Herbert F. Bennett oppos te title page.

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LIEUTENANT-COLONEL

THE

fourteenth regiment Rhode Island Heavy Artillery

(Colored)

1861 — 1865

Chapter I

Colored Troops in the War of the Revolution — Col. Christopher Greene, Lieut. -Col. Jeremiah Olney, and Mat. Samuel Ward Ordered to Recruit a Black Regiment in Rhode Island — Conduct of the Rhode Island Troops at the Battle of Rhode Island in 177S — Gen. Nathanael Greene's Opinion of Them — Colored Troops in the War of the Rebellion.

IN the War of the Revolution we learn that the colored soldier proved a valuable auxiliary to the Continental forces. While there were only a few distinct organizations of colored troops, yet side by side with their white compatriots they fought gallantly for American Independence, from Bunker Hill to Yorktown. Negroes and mulattoes were found among the large body of raw but gallant patriots which comprised the army that had suddenly assembled around Boston, and their services were freely accepted in regiments composed for the most part of whites. After the battle of Monmouth, June 28, 1778, they were to be found in eighteen brigades in the main army under General Washington.

Gen. Nathanael Greene in writing from Valley Forge in the winter of 1778, to his brother, says :

" The Rhode Island troops have done themselves great honor ; the reputation of the officers is in high estimation. The soldiers of the two regiments are put into one ; and Colonel Greene and all his officers are coming home to recruit a Negro regiment."

The General Assembly by enactment authorized a general enlistment of slaves for the patriot army ; and, upon passing muster before Colonel Greene, they were to be immediately discharged from the service of their masters or mistresses, to be absolutely free, and to receive pay, bounty, etc., precisely like other soldiers.

In compliance with this act Col. Christopher Greene, Lieut- Col. Jeremiah Olney, Maj. Samuel Ward, seven captains, twelve lieutenants, six ensigns, one paymaster, one surgeon and mates, one adjutant, and one chaplain were ordered home to Rhode

Island to recruit for this regiment. This is said to have been the first instance in the history of the country of the employment of colored troops as an organized body.

At the battle of Rhode Island, which occurred August 29th of that year (1778), Arnold, the historian, says: "And now it was that the newly-raised black regiment, under Col. Christopher Greene, 1 justified the hopes of its leaders and contributed in no small degree to decide the fortunes of the day. Headed by their major, Samuel Ward, and posted in a grove in the valley, they three times drove back the Hessians, who strove in vain to dislodge them, and so bloody was the struggle that on the day after the battle the Hessian colonel who had led the charge applied for a change of command, because he dared not lead his regiment again to action lest his men should shoot him for causing them so great a loss."

No less an authority than General Greene wrote the next day after the engagement : " The black regiment was one of three that prevented the enemy from turning the flank of the American army." These colored troops conducted themselves so creditably that Alexander Hamilton was in favor of raising levies of Negroes in the South on the Rhode Island plan. A writer at that time said: "If we had arms for 3,000 such black troops as I could enlist in Carolina, I should have no doubt of success in drawing the British out of Virginia, and subduing East Florida before the end of July."

Mention is made of the Rhode Island colored troops in January, 1 78 1, by the Marquis de Chastellux in his " Travels," who wrote : "At the passage to the ferry, I met a detachment of the Rhode Island regiment, the same corps we had with us all the last summer, but they have since been recruited and clothed. The greater part of them are Negroes or mulattoes ; but they are strong, robust men, and those I have seen had a very good appearance."

1 This gallant officer was afterwards barbarously murdered by an assaulting party of the British, near Croton Bridge, New York. After being first wounded, he was taken into the woods and his body shockingly mutilated. About forty of the Rhode Island regiment were killed or taken prisoners in this tragic affair,

It is stated that the Oswego Expedition was probably the last active service of these colored soldiers. In February, 1783, Washington directed that a detail be made from the Rhode Island regiment, and, in connection with a body of New York troops, under the command of Col. Marinus Willett, proceed to the British trading post at Oswego, on Lake Ontario, and surprise and capture the garrison at that post. "After a tedious night march on snow shoes, the detachment found itself at daybreak five miles from the post, and surprise being out of the question, they returned having accomplished nothing. The result was attributed to the treachery or ignorance of the Indian guide, who is said to have lost his way. This night march was a terrible trial to these colored soldiers ; many of them were so badly frost-bitten that they were discharged from the service and disabled for life."

At the commencement of the War for the Union there were many colored citizens of the free states who desired to serve the country by bearing arms against its enemies. The laws of the United States, and of the several states, however, then recognized only white citizens as soldiers, and prejudices and unfounded opinions as to their military capacity co-operated to exclude this portion of the people from the burden and duty as well as the glory of fighting for their country. Radical anti-slavery men, and many others who comprehended the character and magnitude of the Rebellion early advocated not only the enlistment of the colored citizens of the free states into the armies, but the organization and arming of the able-bodied slaves who came within the lines of the Federal forces, and the employment of them in suppressing the Rebellion. Public opinion of the North, at first, did not sustain these views, and in the border states they were strenuously opposed. Strange as it may seem to us now some of its opponents were also found among the Union soldiers in the field.

Is it a marvel that when there was such a diversity of opinion in the North in regard to the enlistment of colored troops, there should have arisen a prejudice against them by the Confederates, especially when their former slaves were found arrayed against them in the ranks of the Union army, and when they met their colored foes in battle and were themselves the victors oftentimes an indiscriminate slaughter of black soldiers followed. Nor were the white officers who commanded them spared the indignities committed against the enlisted men.

The following extract from a resolution passed by the Confederate Congress needs no comment :

" Sec. 4. That every White person being a commissioned officer or acting as such, who, during the present war, shall command Negroes or mulattoes in arms against the Confederate States, or who shall arm, train, organize, or prepare Negroes or mulattoes for military service against the Confederate States, or who shall voluntarily aid Negroes or mulattoes in any military enterprise, attack or conflict, in such service, shall be deemed as inciting servile insurrection, and shall, if captured, be put to death, or be otherwise punished at the discretion of the court."

On the reception at Richmond of General Hunter's and General Phelps's proceedings with reference to the enlistment of Negro soldiers for the Union armies, Jefferson Davis issued an order directing that said generals be not only regarded as public enemies of the Confederacy, but as outlaws ; and that, in the event of the capture of either of them, or of any other commissioned officer employed in organizing, drilling, or instructing slaves, he should not be treated as a prisoner of war, but held in close confinement, for execution as a felon, at such time and place as he (J. D.) should order. It is not recorded that any one was ever actually hanged under this order.

As the war progressed the great assistance rendered the Union cause by the employment of colored troops was fully manifested in all the Federal armies. When the Confederates observed what a valuable acquisition the colored troops were to the Federals, some of their ablest statesmen and generals advocated utilizing them on their own side ; and no one more strongly urged this policy than Gen. Robert E. Lee, the foremost soldier of the Confederacy.

From the beginning to the end of the conflict it is estimated that there were 178,975 Negro soldiers in the United States volunteer army, and of this number 36,847 were killed, wounded, or missing. They participated in 449 battles, and served in nearly every military department of the United States.

Chapter II

Formation of the Regiment — Recruiting and Organization of the First Battalion on the Dexter Training Ground — Parade in Providence — Removal of the First Battalion to Dutch Island — Visit of the Governor and Presentation of Colors — Addresses by Governor James Y. Smith, Hon. Henry B Anthony, Senator in Congress, Rt. Rev. Thomas M. Clark, and Others — Letter of Gen. Silas Casey, President of Examining Board at Washington, D. C.

AS in the Revolution Rhode Island contributed her quota of colored soldiers in the War for Independence, so in our late civil strife our commonwealth recruited and sent to the front a full regiment of heavy artillery composed entirely of colored men, with the exception of the field and line officers, who were white. Early in the war the attention of Governor Sprague was turned to the enlistment of colored men as soldiers. The War Department having signified a readiness to accept a colored regiment from Rhode Island, the governor, on the 4th of August, 1862, directed the following order to be issued for the enlisting of a sixth regiment to " consist entirely of colored citizens " :

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.

Providence, Aug. 4, 1S62.

General Orders, No. 36.

The Sixth Regiment authorized by the Secretary of War, under date of October 23, 1S61, will consist entirely of colored citizens. Enlistment will commence immediately.

Camp will be established under direction of General Robbins, who is directed to organize the Regiment.

The Quartermaster-General will furnish rations and equipment on requisition.

Our colored fellow-citizens are reminded that the Regiment from this State in the Revolution, consisting entirely of colored persons, was pronounced by Washington equal, if not superior, to any in the service. They constitute a part of the quota from this State, and it is expected they will respond with zeal and spirit to this call.

The Commander-in-Chief will lead them into the field, and will share with them, in common with the patriotic soldiers of the Army of the Republic, their trials and dangers, and will participate in the glories of their successes.

By order of the Commander-in-Chief,

EDWARD C. MAURAN,

Adjutant- General.

This call excited a lively interest among the colored people of the State. Public meetings were held in Providence, the subject freely discussed, and a general readiness expressed to form a colored regiment in Rhode Island. A rendezvous was opened and about one hundred men enrolled, but owing to uncertainty whether they were to be employed as soldiers on equal terms with other volunteers, or be assigned to labor with pick and spade, together with other causes, the enterprise for the moment failed.

The purpose of raising a colored regiment though temporarily suspended, was not, however, abandoned. Since the first proposition at which the War Department, from prudential considerations, hesitated, public opinion had been rapidly outgrowing its prejudice. Circumstances had changed. Things appeared in a new aspect, and the clearly revealed popular feeling authorized the government to take a more decided step. In the summer white men were not so eager to enlist as at the beginning of the war. Another draft was impending and the quota of the State must be filled. Hon. James Y. Smith who had been elected governor at the May session of the General Assembly in 1863 obtained permission from the authorities at Washington to organize and enlist a colored company of heavy artillery. This was granted June 17, 1863. On the 4th of August the permit was extended to a battalion, and finally a full regiment of twelve companies.

Capt. Thomas W. Fry, who had served as first lieutenant in the Third Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, was assigned to the command of Company A, the first company to be recruited for the battalion, and he was directed to report to Col. Nelson Viall, who was at that time engaged in recruiting and organizing the Thirteenth Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers on the Dexter Training Ground in Providence.

The order issued from the Adjutant-General's office authorizing the organization of this company reads as follows :

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, &c.

Providence, July 19, 1S63.

General Orders, No. 24.

Authority having been received from the War Department to raise one Company of Heavy Artillery to serve for three years or during the war, to be composed of colored men, a camp for that purpose is hereby established at Dexter Training Ground, in the City of Providence, where recruits for the same will be received.

The Quartermaster-General will issue the necessary tents, equipments, etc., upon requisition of William H. Helme.

The Company will be organized as follows : One captain, one first lieutenant, one second lieutenant, one first sergeant, one quartermaster-sergeant, four sergeants, eight corporals, two musicians, two artificers, one wagoner, and 122 privates.

By order of the Commander-in-Chief,

EDWARD C. MAURAN,

Adjutant-General.

At this time Rhode Island was not wholly free from bitter expressions in regard to the draft, and the governor having reason to believe in consequence of the riots in New York city, that a system of patrol would be necessary, placed the charge of the State property in Colonel Viall's hands. The Thirteenth and the colored company of heavy artillery co-operated with the militia in performing guard duty in the city and its environs. A system of signals was established by firing the guns of the United Train of Artillery, which would assemble at short notice the various military organizations at their respective armories. A company was detailed to guard the quartermaster's stores of the State at the Fall River Iron Works Building on South Main Street ; another company acted as guard at night at the Burnside Rifle Works, and a company of cavalry also patrolled the streets of the city.

The ordnance stores were removed from the State Arsenal to a vessel below Fox Point wharf, where a sufficient force was stationed until the excitement had subsided.

In August, 1863, another order was issued granting authority to raise a second company of heavy artillery. The following is a copy of the order :

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, &c.

Providence, Aug. 14, 1863.

General Orders, No. 26.

The Second Company of Heavy Artillery, to be composed of colored men, to serve for three years or during the war, will be organized without delay.

The organization of the Company and location of the camp will be the same as that of the first company. (See General Orders, No. 24, current series from this office.)

The Quartermaster-General will issue the necessary camp equipage, equipments, etc., upon the requisition of Capt. Henry Simon.

By order of the Commander-in-Chief,

EDWARD C. MAURAN,

Adjutant- General.

The camp of the colored companies on the Dexter Training Ground was designated as " Camp Fremont," in honor of Maj.- Gen. John C. Fremont, the first candidate for the presidency of the United States nominated by the Republican party in 1856.

Meanwhile orders were received from the department at Washington to discharge all six months' regiments and recruit only for three years. Accordingly as the Thirteenth Regiment had less than two companies they were disbanded.

On the 9th of September, 1863, in accordance with authority granted by the War Department to raise a regiment of heavy artillery composed of colored men, Col. Nelson Viall was commissioned as major. Colonel Viall was a veteran of the Mexican War, and had also won distinction as colonel of the Second Rhode Island Volunteers in the Army of the Potomac. He set himself to the task of organizing and recruiting the first battalion of the regiment with commendable zeal.

The order detailing Colonel Viall to this command reads :

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, &c.

Providence, Sept. 9, 1863.

General Orders, No. 30.

In pursuance of authority received from the War Department, one Regiment of Heavy Artillery to be commanded by Col. Nelson Viall, and composed of colored men, will be organized without delay.

The 1st, 2d, 3d and 4th Companies organized under General Orders, Nos. 24, 26, 29, current series from this Department, will constitute the First Battalion of said Regiment.

By order of the Commander-in-Chief,

EDWARD C. MAURAN,

Adjutant-General.

The camp which had been established on the Dexter Training Ground and known as " Camp Fremont," was changed to " Camp Smith," in recognition of the untiring efforts of the governor in raising and equipping the regiment.

On Sunday, August 24th, the battalion under Colonel Viall attended service at the Free Congregational Church in Roger Williams Hall. The unusual appearance of such a column of colored troops in the United States service attracted much attention, and their soldierly and gentlemanly bearing elicited general commendation. The large hall was completely filled, the troops occupying the body of the house. The exercises were appropriate and interesting. The singing consisted of three hymns : 1st. " My country 'tis of thee." 2d. " Blow ye the trumpet, blow." 3d. " Ye soldiers," etc., a camp song, with the John Brown chorus. The hymns were printed on slips and the battalion joined with great heartiness in the singing. The services were conducted by the pastor, the Rev. J. C. White. His text was chosen from Acts, vii. 26, and I. Kings, ii. 2. Notwithstanding the historical character of the sermon, the necessary length to cover the ground desired, and the extreme heat and crowded condition of the house, the attention was marked, and the impression most hopeful.

August 28th, the battalion under Colonel Viall made a street parade in the city. The battalion at that time consisted of two companies. The first company was commanded by Capt. Thomas W. Fry, and the second by Capt. Henry Simon.

The Providence Journal of this date, says of this parade : " The appearance of three hundred muskets in our streets in the hands of as many sturdy, stalwart black men, was a novel sight in Providence, and we are sure it was looked upon with unusual interest. In the ranks were men well worthy of more notice than we shall be able to give them. Look, for instance, at the two Freeman boys at the right of the line in the first company. Peter, the file leader, is a splendidly formed man, huge, muscular, and powerfully built. Charles Freeman is his equal in all that goes to make up the physical man. Though they are of the same name and fashioned after the same colossal mould they are in no other way relatives. Peter is from the border and from slavery. Charles is of Rhode Island stock and hails from Bristol. Jeremiah Noka, who is not much inferior and stands near the right, is also a noteworthy specimen of a Rhode Islander. He is one of the purest examples which a modern intermingling of African blood has left to us of the once all powerful tribe of Narragansetts. His fine shape, his decided Indian cast of features, his genial and winning smile, his generous expression, inevitably recall the memory of the lost Narragansetts. Sergeants Jenkins," Phenix, and Howland, of this city, are well known and capable men, and well drilled soldiers.

" Corp. William L. Humbert was one of the first to volunteer, and has sacrificed quite a business by enlisting. Being a tailor we saw him quite full of business yesterday in his tent sewing on the chevrons for the non-commissioned officers. We notice, too, that he has sewed them upon his own coat sleeve. Corp. George Black is a fine manly fellow, worthy of his place. He was drafted, but was too anxious to go to make the effort which some white men do to get exempt, although he had a widowed mother dependent upon him for support.

" Sergt. Charles A. Jackson, of the second company, was the first man to enlist in the first company. He worked so long and industriously to fill the ranks of the first, that he lost his preferment in it, and was transferred to the second, where he became a sergeant. There are many other excellent soldiers in both of these companies ; a vast proportion of them are of superior moral worth, and they are trusty and faithful men."