The “Black Hero”

– Many of our citizens will be able to call to mind an eccentric mulatto boy named Dave, who accompanied Capt. Brent, of the Louisville Legion, on his Southern Expedition. On Sunday, during the battle of Shiloh, Dave stood by the side of Capt. Brent during the nine hours’ engagement and aided him in cheering and encouraging the men. He has earned and received the cognomen of the “Black Hero,” and is a great favorite with the Legion. – Lou. Journal.

Is not that very dreadful? Think of the horrible consequences of firing the Southern heart by arming the blacks! Think, too, of the Northern sympathizers with niggerdom; they could never survive the arming of a few negroes. We beg the Journal to expostulate with the Louisville Legion. We beg the Journal not to indulge in commendation of “black heroes.” – Who shall answer for the consequences?

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 2