The Negro was now a soldier, legally, "constitutionally." He had donned the uniform of an American soldier; was entrusted with the honor and defence of his country, and had set before him liberty as his exceeding great reward. Rejected at first he was at last urged into the service--even _drafted_! He was charged with the solution of a great problem--his fitness, his valor. History shall record his deeds of patriotism, his marvellous achievements, his splendid triumphs. FOOTNOTES: [91] Charleston Mercury, April 30, 1861. [92] They were, no doubt, from Massachusetts. [93] New York Herald, Tuesday, August 5, 1862. [94] Greeley, vol. ii, pp. 517, 518. [95] Many of these had previously been in the three months', nine months', and three years' service, from which they had been honorably discharged. [96] This gives Colored Troops enlisted in the States in rebellion; besides this, there were 92,576 Colored Troops (included with the white soldiers) in the quotas of the several States. CHAPTER XIX. NEGROES AS SOLDIERS. JUSTIFICATION OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN THE EMPLOYMENT OF SLAVES AS SOLDIERS.--TRIALS OF THE NEGRO SOLDIER.--HE UNDERGOES PERSECUTION FROM THE WHITE NORTHERN TROOPS, AND BARBAROUS TREATMENT FROM THE REBELS.--EDITORIAL OF THE "NEW YORK TIMES" ON THE NEGRO SOLDIER IN BATTLE.--REPORT OF THE "TRIBUNE" ON THE GALLANT EXPLOITS OF THE 1ST SOUTH CAROLINA VOLUNTEERS.--NEGRO TROOPS IN ALL THE DEPARTMENTS.--NEGRO SOLDIERS IN THE BATTLE OF PORT HUDSON.--DEATH OF CAPTAIN ANDRE CALLIOUX.--DEATH OF COLOR-SERGEANT ANSELMAS PLANCIANCOIS.--AN ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OF PORT HUDSON.--OFFICIAL REPORT OF GEN. BANKS.--HE APPLAUDS THE VALOR OF THE COLORED REGIMENTS AT PORT HUDSON.--GEORGE H. BOKER'S POEM ON "THE BLACK REGIMENT."--BATTLE OF MILLIKEN'S BEND, JUNE, 1863.--DESCRIPTION OF THE BATTLE.--MEMORABLE EVENTS OF JULY, 1863.--BATTLE ON MORRIS ISLAND.--BRAVERY OF SERGEANT CARNEY.--AN ACCOUNT OF THE 54TH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT BY EDWARD L. PIERCE TO GOVERNOR ANDREW.--DEATH OF COL. SHAW.--COLORED TROOPS IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.--BATTLE OF PETERSBURG.--TABLE SHOWING THE LOSSES AT NASHVILLE.--ADJT.-GEN. THOMAS ON NEGRO SOLDIERS.--AN EXTRACT FROM THE "NEW YORK TRIBUNE" IN BEHALF OF THE SOLDIERLY QUALITIES OF THE NEGROES.--LETTER RECEIVED BY COL. DARLING FROM MR. ADEN AND COL. FOSTER PRAISING THE EMINENT QUALIFICATIONS OF THE NEGRO FOR MILITARY LIFE.--HISTORY RECORDS THEIR DEEDS OF VALOR IN THE PRESERVATION OF THE UNION.