Progress and Achievements of the Colored People: Containing the Story of the Wonderful Advancement of the Colored Americans—the Most Marvelous in the History of Nations—Their Past Accomplishments, Together With Their Present-day Opportunities and a Glimpse Into the Future for Further Developments—the Dawn of a Triumphant Era. A Handbook for Self-improvement Which Leads to Greater Success — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
Progress and Achievements of the Colored People: Containing the Story of the Wonderful Advancement of the Colored Americans—the Most Marvelous in the History of Nations—Their Past Accomplishments, Together With Their Present-day Opportunities and a Glimpse Into the Future for Further Developments—the Dawn of a Triumphant Era. A Handbook for Self-improvement Which Leads to Greater Success
John Stuart Mill · en
The War of 1812 also brought out Colored Americans to drive the
foreigner from our shores, and in both great wars the fighting ability
and courage of Colored Americans have been amply tested, weighed in the
balance, so to speak, and not found wanting.
The heroism displayed by thousands of Colored Americans in the great
Civil War, not only convinced the world of the sincerity and patriotism
of Colored Americans, but impressed the nation as well. The result of
this devotion to country and its interests, opened the eyes of the
government to an element of strength which it had recognized but had not
fostered to any great extent.
It is different now, for the government takes from the ranks of Colored
Americans its best and ablest men, satisfied from experience that
whatever duties are imposed upon them will be ably and intelligently
performed.
FORCE OF CHARACTER
Along this line, the struggle of Colored Americans to acquire by force
of character and education, a high station and to fit themselves for any
position of honor in the government, has met with success.
Not only in the army and navy, but in the halls of Congress, the Colored
American has demonstrated his wisdom, sagacity, and statesmanship.
It is historical that the first martyr in the Boston massacre, a
resistance to British tyranny, was the Negro, Crispus Attucks. In the
War of Independence so many of the Colored Americans made themselves
conspicuous in their fight for national independence, that they were
recognized by Congress and the States as national defenders.
At the siege of Savannah, October 9, 1779, it was the Black Legion under
Count D’Estaing that covered the retreat and repulsed the charge of the
British, saving from annihilation the defeated American and French army.
In the War of 1812, the Colored American was conspicuous for his
bravery. One-tenth of the crews of the fighting ships on the Great Lakes
were Colored Americans. In the great picture of Perry’s victory on Lake
Erie, may be seen a Colored American sailor.
Two battalions of five hundred Colored Americans distinguished
themselves under General Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans. In 1814,
2,000 Colored Americans enlisted for the war and were sent to the army
at Sackett’s Harbor, where they performed deeds of valor.
RECORDS OF THE WAR DEPARTMENT
During the great Civil War, 178,975 Colored Americans took up arms and
fought side by side with the men of the North to maintain the nation.
The records of the War Department at Washington show that the Negro
troops were engaged in many of the bloodiest battles of the war,
distinguished themselves more especially at Port Hudson, Fort Wagner,
Milligan’s Bend, and Petersburg.