THE BLACK BRIGADE.                     13

necessary qualifications in all of the above-named gentlemen
to constitute them true men of honor, right, and justice; but it
is left for you, our gallant Colonel, to combine all virtues in
one.
  "Therefore, as a small expression of the high esteem the
members of the Black Brigade entertain for you, they all, each
and every one, present you this sword, the emblem of protection,
knowing that, whenever it is drawn, it will be drawn in favor of
freedom. And should you be called on, under other circum-
stances, to demand the services of the Black Brigade, you will
find they will rally around your standard in the defense of our
country."
  The Colonel accepted the sword with a few appropriate words
of acknowledgment; when the Brigade, with music playing,
banners flying, with their commander at their head, marched
through the streets of Covington to the pontoon bridge, and
across to Cincinnati.
  Passing through the principal streets in this order, the Black
Brigade, so ignominiously recruited, so insulted and outraged
at its going forth, was every-where received with kindly en-
thusiasm. Halting at the corner of Fifth and Broadway, they
were dismissed by Colonel Dickson, with the following address:

   "SOLDIERS OF THE BLACK BRIGADE!  You have finished the
work assigned to you upon the fortifications for the defense of
the city. You are now to be discharged. You have labored
faithfully; you have made miles of military roads, miles of
rifle-pits, felled hundreds of acres of the largest and loftiest
forest trees, built magazines and forts. The hills across yonder
river will be a perpetual monument of your labors. You have,
in no spirit of bravado, in no defiance of established prejudice,
but in submission to it, intimated to me your willingness to
 defend with your lives the fortifications your hands have built.
 Organized companies of men of your race have tendered their services
 to aid in the defense of the city. In obedience to the policy of the
 Government, the authorities have denied you this privilege.
 In the department of labor permitted, you have, however, ren-
 dered a willing and cheerful service.  Nor has your zeal been
 dampened by the cruel treatment received. The citizens, of




			

OHS Archives/Library Pamphlet Collection

Black Brigade of Cincinnati: Being a Report of Its Labors and a Muster-Roll of Its Members; Together with Various Orders, Speeches, Etc. Relating to It.

H.