This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1868 Excerpt: ...contrabands to the pioneer corps of each division. They were paid ten dollars a month, with the same rations and clothing as enlisted men, and were "used for the purpose of saving every soldier, as far as possible, for the ranks." The plan had worked to a charm. The blacks proved unexpectedly faithful, zealous, and ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1868 Excerpt: ...contrabands to the pioneer corps of each division. They were paid ten dollars a month, with the same rations and clothing as enlisted men, and were "used for the purpose of saving every soldier, as far as possible, for the ranks." The plan had worked to a charm. The blacks proved unexpectedly faithful, zealous, and tractable; the whites, already quite willing to arm them with the spade, were losing their old antipathy against arming them with the musket. Thomas enlisted all these pioneers in his negro regiments except those of the vehement Logan, who swore that he would not give his up--and did not. Grant, did nothing in a half-hearted way, but entered zealously into the movement, and reported to Halleck: --f "At least three of my corps commauders take hold of the new policy of arming the negroes, and using them against the enemy, with a will. They at least are so much of soldiers as to feel themselves under obligations to carry out a policy which they would not inaugurate, in the same good faith and with the same zeal as if it were of their own choosing. You may rely on my carrying out any policy ordered by proper authority to the best of my ability." The General, conscious that he might be removed any day, was also thoroughly confident of ultimate success if "let alone." He wrote to his father: --"The Government asks a good deal of me, but not more than I feel fully able to perform." March seventh. f April nineteenth. 294 His Anxiety About Vicksburg. fissi A friend calling one evening, found Grant alone in his office, the ladies' cabin of the Magnolia. He said: --' The problem is a difficult one, but I shall certainly solve it. Vicksburg can be taken. I shall give my days and nights to it, and shall surely take it.&quo...
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