March 6, 1863

March 6, 1863

---In Detroit, Michigan, rather severe race riots are followed by a pamphlet whose unnamed author details with condemning exactness the depredations enacted upon the black population of the city:

A THRILLING NARRATIVE FROM THE LIPS OF THE SUFFERERS OF THE LATE DETROIT RIOT, MARCH 6, 1863, WITH THE HAIR BREADTH ESCAPES OF MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN, AND DESTRUCTION OF COLORED MEN'S PROPERTY,

NOT LESS THAN $15,000.

DETROIT, MICH.  PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR.  1863.

But before giving a thorough account of the riots, he offers this remarkable Preface paying tribute to the steadfastness of the African-Americans who volunteer to fight even in the face of persecution from Northern whites:

PREFACE.

The present state of affairs in relation to the colored people is one of great perplexity; and is not only so on account of the South, but also in the North.

There certainly is something mysterious about them. On the one hand they are being mobbed, and everything that is sacred to a people to make a country or home dear are denied them, in many of the large Northern cities. And on the other hand they are marching off to the call of the Government as if they were sharing all the blessings of the most favored citizens!

And it is equally mysterious to see the bitter opposition that a class of men, professing loyalty to the Government of the United States, should have against the colored soldier going out and facing the canon's mouth in defence of a Government that appears to be unable to give them any protection from the rage of the rebels in the South, or their enemies in the North.

But one thing the colored man knows, that the class of men of the same politics as those South are doing the mobbing North; so they are not only ready to suffer, but to die in the cause that promises over three millions of their race liberty.

Whatever, therefore, our treatment may be, so far as the rage of the enemies of freedom may be! Whatever, through cowardice, a ruthless mob of such men may inflict upon our people, they will not be deterred from the duty they owe to their God, themselves and posterity, to do all they possibly can to undo the heavy burdens and let the oppressed go free! . . .

AUTHOR.

---Captain John Maffit, CSN, commanding the CSS Florida, reports having seized the merchant steamer Star of Peace, which the Southerner’s condemn and burn at sea.