feel that some policy ought to be adopted whereby the
lives of Colored soldiers could be protected against the inhuman
treatment bestowed upon them when captured by the rebels. In the
spring of 1863, the "Tribune," referring to this subject, said,
editorially:

"The Government has sent Adj.-General Thomas to the West with
full authority to arm and organize the negroes for service
against the Rebels. They are to be employed to protect the
navigation of the Mississippi and other rivers against
guerrillas, and as garrisons at fortified posts, and are
evidently destined for all varieties of military duty. Seven
thousand soldiers who listened to this announcement at Fort
Curtis received it with satisfaction and applause. Gen. Thomas,
heretofore known as opposed to this and all similar measures,
urged in his address that the Blacks should be treated with
kindness; declared his belief in their capacity, and informed the
officers of the army that no one would be permitted to oppose or
in any way interfere with this policy of the Government.

"It is not directly stated, but may be inferred from the
Despatch, that the negroes are not to be encouraged to enlist,
but are to be drafted. At all events, the policy of the
Government to employ Black Troops in active service is definitely
established, and it becomes--as indeed it has been for months--a
very serious question what steps are to be taken for their
protection. The Proclamation of Jefferson Davis remains
unrevoked. By it he threatened death or slavery to every negro
taken in arms, and to their white officers the same fate. What is
the response of our Government? Hitherto, silence. The number of
negroes in its service has already increased; in South Carolina
they have already been mustered into regiments by a sweeping
conscription, and now in the West apparently the same policy is
adopted and rigorously enforced.

"Does the Government mean that the men are to be exposed not
merely to the chances of battle, but to the doom which the
unanswered Proclamation of the Rebel President threatens?

"Every black soldier now marches to battle with a halter about
his neck. The simple question is: Shall we protect and insure the
ordinary treatment of a prisoner of war? Under it, every negro
yet captured has suffered de