er wrote again to General Phelps:

"NEW ORLEANS, August 2, 1862.

"GENERAL:--By the act of congress, as I understand it, the
president of the United States alone has the authority to
employ Africans in arms as a part of the military forces of
the United States.

"Every law up to this time raising volunteer or militia
forces has been opposed to their employment. The president
has not as yet indicated his purpose to employ the Africans
in arms.

"The arms, clothing, and camp equipage which I have here for
the Louisiana volunteers, is, by the letter of the secretary
of war, expressly limited to white soldiers, so that I have
no authority to divert them, however much I may desire so to
do.

"I do not think you are empowered to organize into companies
negroes, and drill them as a military organization, as I am
not surprised, but unexpectedly informed you have done. I
cannot sanction this course of action as at present advised,
specially when we have need of the services of the blacks,
who are being sheltered upon the outskirts of your camp, as
you will see by the orders for their employment sent you by
the assistant adjutant-general.

"I will send your application to the president, but in the
mean time you must desist from the formation of any negro
military organization.

"I am your obedient servant,

"BENJ. F. BUTLER, _Major-General Commanding._

"Brigadier-General PHELPS, _commanding forces at Camp Parapet._"

General Phelps' resignation was accepted by the Government. He received
notification of the fact on the 8th of September and immediately
prepared to return to his farm in Vermont. In parting with his officers,
who were, like his soldiers, much attached to him, he said: "And now,
with earnest wishes for your welfare, and aspirations for the success of
the great cause for which you are here, I bid you good-bye." Says
Parton:

"When at length, the government had arrived at a negro
policy, and was arming slaves, the president offered General
Phelps a major-general's commission. He replied, it is said,
that he would willingly accept the commission if it were
dated back to the day of his resignation, so as to carry
with it an approval of his course at Camp Parapet. This was
declined, and Gen