ons of
color to meet the wants of the State shall not tender their
service, the Governor is empowered, through the sheriffs of
the different counties, to _press_ such persons until the
requisite number is obtained."

A few months after, the Memphis _Avalanche_, of September 3rd, 1861,
exultingly announced the appearance on the streets of Memphis, of two
regiments of negroes, under command of confederate officers. On the 7th
of September, again the _Avalanche_ said:

"Upwards of 1000 negroes armed with spades and pickaxes have
passed through the city within the past few days. Their
destination is unknown, but it is supposed that they are on
their way to the 'other side of Jordan.'"

Nor were the negroes in Virginia behind those of the other Southern
States. In April, the Lynchburg _Republican_ chronicled the enrollment
of a company of free negroes in that city, also one at Petersburg.

Thus instead of revolts among the negroes, slaves and free, as predicted
by some Union men at the North, many became possessed of a
fervor,--originating generally in fear,--stimulated by an enthusiasm of
the whites, that swept the populace like a mighty sea current into the
channel of war. The negro who boasted the loudest of his desire to fight
the Yankees; who showed the greatest anxiety to aid the confederates,
was granted the most freedom and received the approval of his master.

The gayly decked cities; the flags, bunting and streamers of all colors;
the mounted cavalry; the artillery trains with brazen cannons drawn by
sturdy steeds; followed by regiments of infantry in brilliant uniforms,
with burnished muskets, glittering bayonets and beautiful plumes;
preceeded by brass bands discoursing the ever alluring strains of the
quick-step; all these scenes greatly interested and delighted the negro,
and it was filling the cup of many with ecstasy to the brim, to be
allowed to connect themselves, even in the most menial way, with the
demonstrations. There was also an intuitive force that led them, and
they unhesitatingly followed, feeling that though they took up arms
against the National Government, freedom was the ultimatum. Many of
those who enlisted feared to do otherwise than fight for slavery, for to
refuse would have invited, perchance, torture if not massacre; to avert
which many of the free blacks, as well as some of the slaves, gave an
apparent acquiescence to the fervor of their lesse