Chapter XX: The Gold Leaf

No Sabbath in war times, we are told, and there was no exception in this case. The following morning (Sabbath), in accordance with the appointment, Delany reported himself at the office of the adjutant general, who accompanied him to the war department. Here the secretary, making the necessary inquiries of the adjutant, received the parchment from him. History repeated itself--the Hebrew in the palaces, the Hun in high places. At that moment the great war minister of our revolution, affixing his official signature, made an epoch in the history of a hitherto unrecognized race, and a pledge in the name of the nation to them irrevocable through all time. It seemed remarkable that in two hemispheres this man should be selected from among so many others to represent marked events in the history of his race! Says Lamartine, “We should not despise any, for the finger of destiny marks in the soul, and not upon the brow.”

So long had Delany fought against error and injustice towards his race, that it seemed almost hopeless to witness, in his day, the faintest semblance of recognition of their right in this land, and for him to be the first to receive that appointment seemed indeed to promise an age “of better metal.”

While the interesting ceremony was being performed, a major general entered the apartment, followed soon after by Senator Ben Wade, of Ohio, now president of the Senate, before whom the new officer was addressed for the first time with a military title.

“Gentlemen,” said the secretary, “I am just now creating a black field officer for the United States service.” Then, addressing himself directly to the new officer, he said, “Major Delany, I take great pleasure in handing you this commission of _Major_ in the United States army. You are the first of your race who has been thus honored by the government; therefore much depends and will be expected of you. But I feel assured it is safe in your hands.”

“Honorable Secretary,” replied the major, as the secretary concluded his remarks, “I can assure you, whatever be my failure to meet the expectations concerning me, on one thing you may depend,--that this parchment will never be dishonored in my hands.”

“Of this I am satisfied. God bless you! Good by.” With a hearty shake of the hand, the secretary concluded, when the first black major in the history of the republic left the department.

If the war had not ended so soon after the major received his commission, there exists no doubt but that his merits would have received further recognition. It is unlikely that the government would have given an unmeaning promotion, and thus debar him from rising to the higher ranks of the army through the same medium as other officers. On returning to the office of the adjutant general, the adjutant remarked, “Major Delany, you have now a great charge intrusted to you,--a great responsibility, certainly, and much will be expected of you, both by your friends and others. You have now an opportunity, if the war continues, of rising in your position to the highest field rank--that of a major general.”

His reply was, that he hoped to be able to perform his duty, so as to merit the approval of his government and his superior officers, and, as a matter of course, intimated courteously that further promotion would not be unacceptable to him.

The following commission is in the usual form; but, being the first on the records of our country credited to a colored American, we reproduce it here.

_The Secretary of War of the United States of America._

TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS, GREETING:

Know ye, that, reposing special trust and confidence in the
patriotism, valor, fidelity, and abilities of MARTIN R. DELANY,
the President does hereby appoint him Major, in the One Hundred
and Fourth Regiment of United States Colored Troops, in the
service of the United States, to rank as such from the day of
his muster into service, by the duly appointed commissary of
musters, for the command to which said regiment belongs.

He is therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the
duty of Major, by doing and performing all manner of things
thereunto belonging. And I do strictly charge, and require, all
officers and soldiers under his command to be obedient to his
orders as Major. And he is to observe and follow such orders
and directions, from time to time, as he shall receive from me
or the future Secretary of War, or other superior officers set
over him, according to the rules and discipline of war. This
appointment to continue in force during the pleasure of the
President for the time being.

Given under my hand at the War Department, in the City of
Washington, D. C., this twenty-sixth day of February, in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.

By the Secretary of War.

EDWIN M. STANTON, _Secretary of War._

C. W. FOSTER, _Assistant Adjutant General Volunteers_.

(_Indorsement._)

Mustered into the United States Service, February 27, 1865.

HENRY KETELLAS, _Captain 15th Infantry,
Chief Muster and District Officer_.

ADJUTANT GENERAL’S OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 1865.

Sir: I forward herewith your appointment of Major in the U. S.
Colored Troops; your receipt and acceptance of which you will
please acknowledge without delay, reporting at the same time
your _age_ and _residence_, when appointed, the _state_ where
_born_, and your full _name_ correctly _written_. _Fill up_,
_subscribe_, and return as soon as possible, the accompanying
_oath_, duly and carefully _executed_.

You will report in person to Brevet Major General R. Saxton,
Beaufort, South Carolina.

I am, sir, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

C. W. FOSTER,
_Assistant Adjutant General Volunteers._

Major MARTIN R. DELANY, _U. S. Colored Troops._

WAR DEPARTMENT, A. G. OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, D. C., Feb. 27, 1865.

CAPTAIN HENRY KETELLAS, _15th U. S. Infantry_, _Commissary of
Musters_:

I am directed by the Secretary of War to instruct you to muster
Major Martin R. Delany, U. S. Colored Troops, regiment into the
service of the United States, for the period of three years, or
during the war, as of this date.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

(Signed) C. W. FOSTER,
_Assistant Adjutant General Volunteers_.

Official copy, respectfully furnished for the information of
Major Martin R. Delany, U. S. Colored Troops.

C. W. FOSTER,
_Assistant Adjutant General Volunteers_.

WAR DEPARTMENT, A. G. OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 1865.

Brevet Major General R. SAXTON, _Supt. Recruitment and
Organization of Colored Troops, Dept. of the South, Hilton
Head, S. C._

General: I am directed by the Secretary of War to inform you
that the bearer, _Major M. R. Delany_, U. S. Colored Troops,
has been appointed for the purpose of aiding and assisting
you in recruiting and organizing colored troops, and to carry
out this object you will assign him to duty in the city of
Charleston, S. C.

You will observe that the regiment to which Major _Delany_ is
appointed is not designated, although he has been mustered
into service. You will cause Major _Delany_ to be assigned to,
and his name placed upon the rolls of, the first regiment of
colored troops you may organize, with his proper rank, not,
however, with a view to his duty in such regiment.

I am also directed to say, that Major _Delany_ has the entire
confidence of the Department.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

(Signed) C. W. FOSTER,
_Assistant Adjutant General Volunteers_.

Official.

C. W. FOSTER,
_Assistant Adjutant General Volunteers_.