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 Articles Indexed by TopicFranklin County : African-Americans in the WarNote: When you select an article from the list below you will be taken to the appropriate page of the newspaper. You may need to scroll down in order to find the particular article you are interested in reading. |
Semi-Weekly Dispatch, July 19, 1861, p. 3, c. 1:
"Got a Prize and Off for Home."
Reports that an African-American man dressed in uniform
passed through Chambersburg the previous Sunday. The man had been a servant to one of the
officers of the Eighth Regiment and was on his way home.
Semi-Weekly Dispatch, February 4, 1862, p. 1, c. 3:
"Whipped to Death."
Reprints a letter describing the treatment by Samuel Cox, of the
Southern forces, of a slave whom Cox whipped to death for informing the federal commander
where Cox had hidden arms for the use of Southern troops.
Semi-Weekly Dispatch, April 29, 1862, p. 2, c. 5:
"Affairs at Yorktown."
Reports on troop movements near Yorktown and discusses the
activities of escaped slaves and slaves being used to build fortifications for the Confederacy.
Valley Spirit, April 30, 1862, p. 5, c. 4:
"The Niggers are coming--Fine Prospects Ahead."
Notes the arrival in Philadelphia of over
one hundred former slaves, who were met by
a crowd of taunting whites and eventually by a welcoming committee of local blacks. It is
rumored that some abolitionists will try to get them employment at the local navy yard. The
author protests this action, saying it puts blacks in competition with white mechanics. He argues
that the freed blacks should stay in the South to work on plantations.
Valley Spirit, February 11, 1863, p. 2, c. 3:
"The Negro Soldier Bill."
The editors extract several statements from the Congressional
debate over Thaddeus Stevens's "negro soldier bill." Mr. Wadsworth of Kentucky argues that the
aim of the bill was to entrench blacks in the cotton states who would then be able to exterminate
or drive out the whites. Wright of Pennsylvania thought that if things were so bad that the Union
needed blacks to help, than things were too far gone that the blacks would be of any use. He
added that the solution to the military problems was to put McClellan at the head of the army.
Diven of New York said he thought the President already had the authority to call up black
troops
Valley Spirit, March 18, 1863, p. 1, c. 7:
"'We learn from the Boston papers . . .'"
Reports that black soldiers in Boston protested
their segregation into separate units. The editors state that no black troops have been raised yet in
their community and that it would take a draft to do it.
Valley Spirit, March 25, 1863, p. 3, c. 1:
"Negro Recruits."
A black recruiting officer visited the area last week, but as far as the
editors could tell, did not enlist any recruits.
Valley Spirit, April 29, 1863, p. 3, c. 2:
"Negro Recruits."
The editors note the departure for Massachusetts of forty or fifty black
recruits for the black army regiments being formed there.
Franklin Repository, August 5, 1863, p. 5, c. 2:
"The Retaliation Order."
Lincoln issues a retaliation order that says that, for every Union
soldier killed illegally, a Confederate soldier will be executed, and when any man
is forced into slavery, a Confederate soldier will be forced into heavy labor until the slave is
free.
Franklin Repository, August 19, 1863, p. 5, c. 2:
"'The skedaddling . . .'"
Complains that the names of the black contrabands have been added
to the draft along with those of the "cursed disloyal population."
Franklin Repository, September 2, 1863, p. 4, c. 3:
"'Jeff. Davis has issued . . .'"
Scoffs at Jefferson Davis's offer to enlist blacks in exchange for
their freedom and fifty acres of land. The Repository points out that blacks already possessed
their freedom and that Davis possessed no land to give.
Franklin Repository, September 2, 1863, p. 8, c. 2:
"The Draft."
Describes the "jolly" and agreeable atmosphere during the draft proceedings.
The author notes that twelve blacks in Chambersburg and twenty-three in Antrim Township were
drafted. Despite the objections heard to black enlistment, all seemed "pleased" with the drafting
of blacks.
Franklin Repository, November 25, 1863, p. 2, c. 2:
"Hon. Joseph Holt on Employing Slaves as Soldiers."
Excerpts a letter from Joseph Holt to
Secretary Stanton. Holt reasons that the government may use the right to seize property to justify
the use of slaves against the rebels.
Franklin Repository, December 2, 1863, p. 4, c. 1:
"Rebel Atrocities."
Reports the terrible conditions of the military prisons and the tentative
expectations for prisoner exchanges. The Repository questions the fate of captured black
soldiers. They may have been executed or sold into slavery.
Franklin Repository, December 30, 1863, p. 4, c. 3:
"Our Negro Troops."
Reports the rebel policy on black Union troops as stated in the
Richmond Enquirer on December 17. The Enquirer states that all captured black soldiers have
been executed, and that none will be taken prisoners as "'our troops understand what to do in
such cases.'" The Repository deems this order "suicidal madness" considering the number of
blacks serving the Union who will fight even harder, expecting execution upon capture.
Franklin Repository, December 30, 1863, p. 4, c. 3:
"'Congress was brought . . .'"
Reports the efforts by Congressman Harding to exclude black
soldiers from the bounty bill. Fernando Wood and a number of peace men abandoned Harding,
and the bounty bill, including funds for blacks, passed.
Franklin Repository, February 17, 1864, p. 3, c. 5:
"Miles O'Riley on the 'Naygurs.'"
Miles O'Riley, a New York Irishman and Union soldier,
"who is in the habit of saying that he has seen such a plenty of white men killed in this war, that he
has no objection now to letting the 'Sambos' take their fair share of death and wounds," composed
lyrics expressing this sentiment, and the Franklin Repository printed them.
Valley Spirit, March 9, 1864, p. 4, c. 3:
"'It is now reported . . .'"
Notes a report that points to the cowardice of black troops as the
cause for the disaster in Florida.
Franklin Repository, March 30, 1864, p. 4, c. 4:
"The Black Soldiers in Florida."
The troops of the 54th Massachusetts 8th United States and
the 1st North Carolina are commended for their bravery, quickness, and patience in the "desperate
battle of Olustee, or Ocum Pond as it is termed in the official dispatch of Beauregard."
Franklin Repository, April 27, 1864, p. 1, c. 6:
"Rebel Savagery."
Provides further descriptions of rebel brutality toward black Union troops
at Fort Pillow. The rebels murdered surrendered black soldiers.
Franklin Repository, May 11, 1864, p. 8, c. 1:
"Rebel Atrocities."
Grisly descriptions of the "fiendish atrocity of the rebel victors" at Fort
Pillow, after they had captured the fort on April 12, 1864. The narrative is taken from a larger
report compiled as a result of the official investigation of The Committee on the Conduct of the
War, and is based on eye-witness accounts of the cruel murders of hundreds of white and black
soldiers.
Franklin Repository, July 6, 1864, p. 2, c. 1:
"Washington."
Reports news from the Washington correspondent on the wounded in Union
hospitals, the "gallant charge of Duncan's Black Brigade" on the outer works of Petersburg, and
the Senate's passage of the conscription bill ending commutations and increasing the number of
drafted men.
Franklin Repository, July 27, 1864, p. 4, c. 1:
"'A Bedford County Correspondent . . .'"
The Repository dispels the rumors--supposedly
spread by copperheads--that the amendment granting suffrage to soldiers includes black
soldiers.
