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Good Description of the Colored Troops & Contraban

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Autograph Letter Signed, "W.W. Peters" 4p. quarto, Gen’l Court Mart’l, Columbus, Kentucky, June 18, 1864, and reads in part: "...I suppose that you are aware that several of the new Reg’ts are here and there is a strong probability of the Old Reg’ts here at Cairo & Paducah being sent to Memphis soon to join A.J. Smith’s Expedition, the 138th has gone to Cairo & the 132d to Paducah. Now the question is, what are we going to do, I can’t tell certainly, but this much, Lt. Gooding is a going to remain as Judge Advocate of the District. I think another court or a military commission will be appointed soon....The 100 day men were put on duty at the Military Prison when they came here in place of the Negro’s whom they relieved. Yesterday three of the Rebel prisoners got by digging and left in the day time. This morning I see the contrabands have taken their place again. It is a hard joke on the ‘Daisies’ as the 100 days men are called. For the last few days they have been trying some of the 34th N.Y. Vols for impressing upon some of the 4th U.S. Col’d, most of the witnesses are colored. It seems strange to be taking down the testimony of those who but a short time ago must yield without a murmur to the lash of the overseer...some of them give in their evidence as sensibly as any witnesses...while others are monstrously ignorant and luicrous. It is nothing uncommon to see them while sitting around the Guard House with a book in their hands. If I were so disposed I could get into the 4th Heavy Artillery ‘Col’d’ here, as Orderly sergt and run the risk of promotion..." VG.

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