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JUNE, 1863      DOUGLASS' MONTHLY.      843
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commissions, because such men are unworthy the name of soldiers.

I hope to hear that in this splendid division, as I know it to be, veterans as Napoleon would call them——for you are veterans——I hope to hear before I leave that I shall be able to raise at least a regiment from among you.——I don't want to stop at one, nor at two.  I must have two at least.  It is possible that I can procure four.  I would like to raise on this river twenty regiments at least before I go back.
     
I shall take all the women and children and all the men unfit for our military organizations, and place them on these plantations; then take the regiments and put them in the rear;  They will guard the rear effectively.  Knowing the country well, and familiar with all the roads and swamps, they will be able to track out the accursed guerrillas and run them from the land.  When I get the regiments raised you may sweep out into the interior with impunity.

Recollect, for every regiment of blacks I raise I raise a regiment of whites to face the foe in the field.  This, fellow soldiers, is the deter mined policy of the Administrrtion.  You all know full well, when the President of the United States, though said to be slow in coming to a determination, when he once puts his foot down it is there, and he is not going to take it up.  He has put his foot down;  I am here to assure you that my official influence shall be given that he shall not raise it.
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THOMAS SIMS RETURNED TO BOSTON.
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THE STORY OF THE FUGITIVE.

Thomas Sims, well known as the first of the persons sent South from this city under the provisions of the Fugitive Slave law, arrived here, last night, with his family.  He came direct from the vicinity of Vicksburg, having escaped from that city only three weeks ago.  It will be remembered that the master of Sims resided in Savannah, Ga., and that, under the order of the United States Commissioner, Sims, at early dawn, was escorted by the police, under City Marshal Tukey, protected by military, the whole under the direction of United States Marshall Freeman, to Central Wharf, where he was placed on board a vessel which conveyed him to Savannah.  Ever since that time he has been held as a slave.

From Mr. Sims we have gathered the following particulars of his experience since his enforced departure from this city:  Sims says that after being taken back to Savannah he was kept in jail for some time, and would have been severely punished but for the sympathy manifested for him at the North.  Soon after he was taken to Vicksburg, where he remained for ten or twelve years, working for the benefit of his master at his trade as brick layer.  He is married, and has one child about eight years of age.  He escaped from Vicksburg in a 'dug-out' boat, accompanied by his wife and child and three other men.  He started directly for Boston, and would have been here before had he not been detained at Cincinnati by the illness of his wife and child.——His report is that the rebels at Vicksburg are in a desperate condition.  They have meat occasionally, but the larger portion of their living is bread and molasses.  He thinks that within a year the rebels would give in, even if our army should not make any further move against them.  Sims remained in Vicksburg up to the time of his escape, but his wife had been removed to a plantation some miles out of the city.  He and his friends having obtained the boat, which they concealed, to escape.  He was allowed to go in and out of the city without restraint, and having hired a horse he went out at night and got his wife and child.  They were fortunate in being able to pass the pickets, and with the men of the party they embarked in the boat and put out into the stream.  The men were all armed, and had determined, if discovered, to fight for their lives.  It was a moonlight night, and at one point they passed a rebel battery, but providentially the moon obscured by a cloud just at this time, and they were not seen.
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The fugitives report that the slaves are now allowed greater privileges than before the war commenced, and in consequence of their being little cotton planted their work is slight.  They came away comfortably clothed, but were able to bring nothing with them.  Sims wore a new pair of shoes, for which he paid $20.  They were clumsily made, and would sell here for about $1.  In regard to matters at Vicksburg, the testimony of Sims is quite conclusive.  He states that the rebel army is upon short rations, and is in a terrible condition.  Many, and possibly even a majority of the force present would gladly give up the contest, but a reign of terror prevails.

He fully confirms the statement of one of the correspondents from Vicksburg that two whole regiments had recently made full arrangements to revolt and allow the Federals to enter the place, but that their plans were discovered, the ringleaders shot, and the soldiers set to work with the negroes upon the fortifications.

He also states that the poor soldiers of the rebel army have been shot for the expression of the wish that the war might come to an end, even if it resulted in the triumph of the North.  Upon suspicion of the entertainment of peace sentiments, both citizens and soldiers have been imprisoned.  The country for miles had been swept of provisions, and even these were entirely exhausted two weeks before Mr. Sims left.

Sims had an interview with Gen. Grant after his escape, and received from him permission to pass through his lines en route for Boston.  As he has been for the passed year engaged in peddling among the soldiers, having bought his time of his master, he has undoubtedly acquired considerable knowledge of the sentiments of the troops.  He says that their number has been largely overstated.

In connection  with this event, it might be stated that [[next two lines unreadable due to fold and tear in paper]]  The sum of $1,000 was raised here and offered to his master.  It was declined and $2,000 asked; the sum of $1,800 was then offered, but the breaking out of the war put a stop to further negotiations.——Boston Traveller.
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DR. AUGUSTE, THE NEGRO SURGEON, MOBBED BY THE BALTIMORE SECESSIONISTS.
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The Baltimore Gazette of last Friday has the following account of an outrage committed in this city upon Dr. Auguste, the colored surgeon from Canada who has recently received a professional appointment in one of the negro regiments, with the rank of major:

About ten o'clock yesterday morning, a negro, dressed in the uniform of a United States officer, and wearing shoulder-straps indicating that he ranked as a major, entered a train of cars at the President street depot, about starting for Philadelphia.  He was scarcely seated when a white man entered the car, and walking up to him tore off one of his shoulder-straps, and then passed out.  Immediately afterwards another white man approached the negro, tore off the other shoulder-strap, and left the car.  The negro then went out of the car and reported the transaction to the detachment of the Provost Guard which is always present at the arrival and departure of trains, and he was taken in charge and conveyed to the office of Colonel Fish, Provost Marshall.

He stated his grievance to that officer and claimed his protection, asserting that he was an officer of the United States Government.——Upon Col. Fish demanding his papers, he exhibited a commission as surgeon in the United States army with the rank of major, signed by Secretary Stanton, whereupon Col. Fish assured him of the fullest protection by the military authorities, and dispatched a guard with him to the President street depot to arrest whomsoever he should recognize as the parties engaged in tearing off his shoulder-straps.  Upon arriving at the depot the arrest of Charles Hancock and Harrison Wilson, as the parties who had 'insulted' him, and one of whom he also charged with kicking him.——
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They were taken before Col. Fish, who committed them to the Middle police station.——This free 'American, of African descent," it is here proper to state, is one 'Dr. Auguste', and has been in charge of the 'contraband' hospital at Washington, but is now on furlough for the purpose of visiting Boston.  As he desired to go to Philadelphia, between twelve and one o'clock he started again for the depot, accompanied by a guard of several soldiers in uniform, with some detectives in citizens' dress, all of who carried concealed arms, under command of Lieutenant Morris, of the Provost Guard.  A crowd collected in the neighborhood of the Provost Marshall's office to witness the departure of the sable officer, and as the procession moved off the crowd followed increasing in number as they passed along.  No disturbance occurred, nowhere, until the party reached the corner of Pratt and President streets, where, as they stepped upon the pavement, a young man named James Dunn walked up and dealt the negro a stunning blow over the nose and mouth, causing the blood to flow in great profusion.

As soon as the negro officer recovered from the effects of the blow, he ran off and attempted to pass into a house in the vicinity, but a woman suddenly closed the door and he was compelled to seek refuge elsewhere.  Just at this moment a portion of the guard reached him and told him to stand still, as they would protect him.  While this was going on, Lieut. Morris had seized Mr. Dunn, and after the flourish of fire arms on both sides, mingled with cries of 'lynch the scoundrel, 'hang the negro,' etc., matters quieted down, and the negro was taken to the depot and placed in the cars in charge of Major Geo. H. Roberts or Robertson, who resides at No. 1,011 Arch street, Philadelphia, and who volunteered to see the negro safely through to Philadelphia.

Dunn, with two or three others, including an artillery soldier, belonging to one of the hospitals here, and who, when arrested, was driving off every negro within reach of him, were taken to Col. Fish, but all of them were dismissed, with the exception of Dunn, who was sent to the Middle District Police Station.  What will be done with him, and the others there confined is not known.  This negro is apparently about twenty-five years of age, of a light brown complexion, and talks quite intelligently.  He stated that he had been in Baltimore for two days past, but if this is true, he did not appear upon the streets, as the feeling evinced yesterday demonstrated that his appearance would have been the signal for trouble, as this dislike of 'free Americans of African descent' is participated in by citizens of different shades of political opinion.
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ARMING THE NEGROS---WHAT THE SOLDIERS SAY ABOUT IT.
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The Wisconsin State Journal correspondent gives the following report of the proceedings at Helena, Arkansas, on the 6th instant after Adjutant-General Thomas (whose speech we have printed) had announced his mission, and the orders of the Government to arm the negros:

Major Gen. B.M. Prentiss, after the cheering had subsided which greeted his appearance, indorsed in a forcible and eloquent speech the policy announced by Adj't. Gen. Thomas, and said that 'from the time he was a prisoner, and a negro sentinel with firm step, beat in front of his sell, and with firmer voice commanded silence within, he prayed God for the day of revenge, and he now thanked God that it had been done.'

Turning to Gen. Thomas, the speaker continued:  'Yes!  tell the President for me.  I will receive them in the lines——I will beg them to come in——I will make them come in! and if any officer in my command, high or low, neglects to 'receive them friendly and treat them kindly,' I will put him outside the lines.  [Tremendous applause.]  Soldiers, when you go to your quarters, if you hear any one condemning the policy announced here to-day, put him down as a contemptible, Copperhead traitor.  Call them what you please, Copperheads,
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Transcription Notes:
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