|
 January
1863 had been a month of great jubilation for blacks and
all freedom-loving persons urging the abolition of human
slavery for it was on the first day of that month that the
Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Lincoln, took
effect. That document decreed that slaves in the states then
in rebellion would henceforth and forever be free. But the
federal government had made no provision for the enlistment
of blacks into the Union army.
It was Governor
John A. Andrew of Massachusetts, an ardent abolitionist,
who first asked permission to raise two regiments of black
troops. There followed an authorization by the War Department,
giving the Governor the authority to enlist volunteers, including "persons
of African descent, to be organized in separate Corps." As
a result, Andrew announced the formation of the Massachusetts
54th Regiment and called upon the ex-slave/abolitionist Frederick
Douglass to assist in recruitment efforts.
It was Douglass'
stirring editorial, "Men of Color, to Arms," comparable to
Patrick Henry's and Woodrow Wilson's similar calls in other
crises that roused the nation to action. The editorial was
reprinted in newspapers throughout the north and made into
broadsides that were placed in many public locations. Additionally,
Douglass' first two recruits were his sons, Charles and Lewis.
During April and
May Douglass' recruitment efforts took him through western
New York state where he was successful in urging many young
black men to sign up. By the end of May 1863, the all-black
54th Regiment sailed from Boston Harbor for South Carolina.
And the rest of the story is a record of gallantry that was
brilliantly portrayed in the award-winning movie Glory.
Douglass' moving
message in "Men of Color, to Arms," was a challenge to black
men to "fly to arms, and smite with death the power that
would bury the government and your liberty in the same grave." He
concluded his message:
"Remember that
in a contest with oppression, the Almighty has the attribute
which can take sides with the oppressor. The case is before
you. This is our golden opportunity. Let us accept it, and
forever wipe out the dark reproaches unsparingly hurled against
us by our enemies. Let us win for ourselves the gratitude
of our country, and the best blessings of our posterity through
all time."
Our thanks
to Mr. William W. Layton, who allowed us to use this
article, taken from his book of reminiscences, Layton
Looks at Life. Copies available by calling 540-837-1544.
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