Chapter XVIII: Employment of Negroes as Soldiers

The Question of the Military Employment of Negroes.--The Rebels
take the First Step toward the Military Employment of
Negroes.--Grand Review of the Rebel Troops at New
Orleans.--General Hunter Arms the First Regiment of Loyal Negroes
at the South.--Official Correspondence between the Secretary of
War and General Hunter respecting the Enlistment of the Black
Regiment.--The Enlistment of Five Negro Regiments authorized by
the President.--The Policy of General Phelps in Regard to the
Employment of Negroes as Soldiers in Louisiana.--A Second Call
for Troops by the President.--An Attempt to amend the Army
Appropriation Bill so as to prohibit the Further Employment of
Colored Troops.--Governor John A. Andrew, of Massachusetts,
authorized by Secretary of War to organize Two Regiments of
Colored Troops.--General Lorenzo Thomas is despatched to the
Mississippi Valley to superintend the Enlistment of Negro
Soldiers in the Spring of 1863.--An Order issued by the War
Department in the Fall of 1863 for the Enlistment of Colored
Troops.--The Union League Club of New York City raises Two
Regiments.--Recruiting of Colored Troops in Pennsylvania.--Major
George L. Stearns assigned Charge of the Recruiting of Colored
Troops in the Department of the Cumberland.--Free Military School
established at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.--Endorsement of the
School by Secretary Stanton.--The Organization of the
School.--Official Table giving Number of Colored Troops in the
Army.--The Character of Negro Troops.--Mr. Greeley's Editorial on
"Negro Troops."--Letter from Judge-Advocate Holt to the Secretary
of War on the "Enlistment of Slaves."--The Negro Legally and
Constitutionally a Soldier.--History records his Deeds of
Patriotism. 276