I found it in the New York Times....

http://www.nytimes.com/1865/04/08/news/north-carolina-affairs-wilmington-citizens-rejoicing-occupation-city-our-troops.html

CINCINNATI, Friday, April 7.

The Jackson Free Trader, of the 20th ult., says of Gen. FORREST: "We have just been informed that a few days since this truly noble man and distinguished officer called out twenty-six of his own negroes and said to them, all of you who are willing to become soldiers for the war, step forward and I will give to every one who does so, his free papers Twenty-five of them immediately advanced, only one refusing, who was a peace man, but he would drive a wagon for his master during the year."

Now I need to find the Jackson Free Trader

David Upton