THE BLACK BRIGADE.                     19

Newport.  A handsome National flag, presented to them by
Capt. Jas. Lupton, was borne in their midst, and their march
was enlivened by strains of martial music, from a band formed
from the ranks, of their own motion. They were cheered on
their way to their work by the good words of the citizens who
lined the streets, and by the waving handkerchiefs of patriotic
ladies. As they passed the different regiments in line of battle,
proceeding to the fortifications, mutual cheers and greetings
attested the good feeling between these co-workers in the same
cause.
  The section of work assigned to their special care, lay be-
tween the Alexandria road and Licking river, along the Ceme-
tery ridge and Three-mile creek. It embraced the making of
military roads, the digging of rifle-pits and trenches, the felling
of forests, and the building of forts and magazines. The men
commenced their work in the rifle-pits, on their arrival at
Cemetery ridge.
  Every thing had to be improvised; the Quartermaster and
Commissary departments required immediate attention, and
gave most trouble; but in a few days all was in working order.
The men discovered a special aptitude for camp life, and with
grass, brush and trees, made "Camp Lupton" an agreeable
summer residence. New accessions were received to the ranks
every day; colored men singly, in squads and companies, from
every part of Southern Ohio, joining them, until they exceeded
700, independently of the details made for special duties. Upon
the section assigned them they continued to labor until the 20th.
During this time they worked faithfully, always doing more
than was required of them, and receiving again and again the
commendation of the Engineers in charge, to the effect that they
were the most efficient working men in the service. There was
no occasion for compulsion, and for discipline, but a single in-
stance. They labored cheerfully and joyfully. They made
miles of military roads, miles of rifle pits; felled hundreds of
acres of the largest and loftiest forest trees; built forts and mag-
azines. Some displayed a high order of intelligence, and a
ready insight into the work they were doing, often making
valuable suggestions. Upon one occasion, one of them suggest-
ed a change in the engineering of a military road ascending a




			

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.