20                  THE BLACK BRIGADE.

steep hill. The value of the change was obvious when named,
and admitted by the Engineer, yet he ordered the road to be
made as originally planned, and deprecated further suggestion.
  They committed no trespass on private property. In one
instance, upon changing the camp, a German asked me if they
could not remain longer, as they protected his grapes. They
were not intimidated by any danger, though compelled to labor
without arms for their protection.
 During the few days that the soldiers stood in line of battle,
expecting an attack, the Black Brigade was working nearly a
mile in front of the line of battle, and with nothing between it
and the enemy but the cavalry scouts. Upon the occasion that
it moved upon St. John's Hill, over-looking Licking Valley, so
far was it in front of the lines that Colonel Jonah R. Taylor, of
the 50th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, then in command as Acting
Brigadier General of the forces nearest it, supposing it was the
enemy, sounded the alarm, ordered out a battery to bear upon
it, and, in his trepidation, actually ordered it to be fired upon;
but this was prevented by the good sense of the officer in com-
mand of the battery, who refused obedience, and when pressed
fired blank cartridges, and then induced the sending of a flag
of truce. This was received with becoming formality, and the
fears of the redoubtable commander were allayed. The men
were fully advised as to their position, but said they would go
wherever they were ordered.
  During the first week they labored, as did the whole fatigue-
force, without compensation. During the second week they
received a dollar a day per man; and during the third week
a dollar and a half-as did also all the fatigue-force, black and
white.
  Upon the 20th their labors were ended; the siege of Cincin-
nati had been raised: the banners of rebellion had receded,
never to return, and the men with happy hearts, with the good
will of soldier and citizen, returned to the city and were dis-
missed to their homes. And thus closed, in joy and happiness,
a service that had been commenced with violence, in anxiety
and gloom.
  I was much indebted to the intelligent and efficient aid I
received from the gentlemen composing my staff-volunteers to




			

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.