Chapter XXV: Camp of Instruction

The 105th Regiment United States Colored Troops was now ordered to be raised, and Lieutenant Colonel Hutchins to take command. This was designed to form the basis of the camp of instruction, with the colonel as commander. This, at the time, was of vast importance in character, interest, and purpose, as well as great in the object of its establishment. The importance of this will not seem to be overestimated, because it must be borne in mind that no authentic action of the military had yet been ordered for the avowed object of emancipation.

The following order was the first move towards the accomplishment of that end, worded in that peculiar style of caution which distinguished all of Major General Saxton’s orders, when not definitely directed by the war department:--

HEADQUARTERS SUPERINTENDENT OF RECRUITMENT
AND ORGANIZATION COLORED TROOPS,
DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
BEAUFORT, S. C., May 3, 1865.

_Special Order. No. 19._

Lieutenant Colonel R. P. Hutchins, 94th Ohio Volunteers,
assistant superintendent of recruiting, Charleston, S. C., will
at once commence the organization of the regiment, of which he
will be appointed colonel, and to be known as the 105th United
States Colored Troops.

The men will be recruited as rapidly as possible at Charleston,
S. C., and the camp established at or near that city.

Lieutenant Colonel Hutchins will communicate to these
headquarters the names of such officers and men as he may think
competent to be appointed to lieutenancies in his regiment, and
the necessary orders will be issued, if the nominations meet
with the approval of the general superintendent.

By order of

Brevet Major General R. SAXTON,
_General Superintendent of Recruiting_.

STUART M. TAYLOR, _Asst. Adjutant General_.

The order for the camp having been received, the selection of ground was now the object of attention, resulting in the choice of the extensive race-course, where once the _élite_ of the city were wont to gather to witness the races under the auspices of the South Carolina Jockey Club, and where the blood of some of her best have been shed in accordance with the “code of honor.” But now this has been made sacred by the sufferings, death, and burial-place of the Union prisoners, and was as familiar to the recruit as his own home; for had he not been there braving detection and death in many forms to bear some little comfort, time and again to the helpless prisoners? Had they not entered even the frowning, dingy jail while the shelling of the city was most furious, under the plea of selling provision to the imprisoned Union officers, and carried rough plans and information which were turned to account by those officers? Therefore, their camp, beside the graves of the Union martyrs, was but a fitting spot. To hasten the accomplishment of this, handbills, the first to call authentically for recruits, were now issued, carefully constructed, and silent regarding all but two classes of officers; the lieutenants being either of the recruits, or those already officers, the non-commissioned being designated from the recruits. This, Delany says, was “like beginning in the right direction, and contemplating what has been set forth:”--

ATTENTION, CHARLESTONIANS!

RALLY ROUND THE FLAG!

CHARLESTON, S. C., April 28, 1865.

_To the Free Colored Men of Charleston:_

The free colored men in this city, between the ages of eighteen
and forty-five, are hereby earnestly called upon to come
forward to join the

CHARLESTON REGIMENT,

now to be organized. It is the duty of every colored man to
vindicate his manhood by becoming a soldier, and with his
own stout arm to battle for the emancipation of his race. I
urge you by every hope that is dear to humanity, by every
free inspiration which a sense of liberty has kindled in your
hearts, to be soldiers, until the freedom of your race is
secured. The prospect of your future destiny should be enough
to call every man to the ranks. But in addition, you are to
have the

PAY, RATIONS, AND CLOTHING,

our other soldiers receive.

Let a full Regiment of the Colored Freedmen of Charleston be
under arms, to protect the heritage which has been promised to
your race in this department.

_Pay of Artillery, Infantry, and Cavalry Soldiers._

Grade. Pay per Pay per
month. year.
Sergeant Major of Cavalry, Artillery,
and Infantry, $26 $312
Quartermaster Sergeant, Cavalry,
Artillery, and Infantry, 22 264
Commissary Sergeant, 22 264
Orderly Sergeant, 24 288
Sergeants, 20 240
Corporals, 18 216
Privates, 16 192
Musicians, 16 192
Principal musicians, 22 264

In addition to the pay as above stated, one ration per day
and an abundant supply of good clothing are allowed to each
soldier. Quarters, fuel, and medical attendance are always
provided by the government, without deduction from the
soldier’s pay. If a soldier should become disabled in the line
of his duties, the laws provide for him a pension; or he may,
if he prefer it, obtain admission into the “Soldier’s Home,”
which will afford him a comfortable home so long as he may wish
to receive its benefits. It is the intention to make this an
excelsior regiment. All desired information given at Recruiting
Office, No. 64 St. Philip Street, corner Calhoun.

M. R. DELANY,
_Major 104th United States Colored Troops_.

R. P. HUTCHINS, _Colonel_,
Office No. 123 Calhoun Street.

Colonel Hutchins had now ceased to be assistant to the general, and was hastening preparations for the camp of instruction. Recruits were fast coming in, companies were forming with alacrity. Some of the best young men in Charleston had their names enrolled with high expectations, looking forward to the camp. Besides this, independent regiments were fast being formed, and three battalions were already in motion in anticipation of entering the service to share the glory of the unknown movement.

At this time many of the fugitive citizens were returning to the city, among them some of the best officers of the rebel army, and the city was gradually awakening into life.

The headquarters of the major presenting a scene always of active life, its attraction was still more enhanced, as the fine brass band of Wilson, drum-major in the service, was in full attendance, discoursing music from the corridors, and enlivening the entire neighborhood, and parading the streets with martial pomp.

The major, taking an honest pride in his battalion, writes, “This splendid new battalion now performed its duties when parading the streets. They were commanded by acting Captain Shadd, who was well qualified for an officer, besides being a young gentleman of fine literary attainments. Conscious of his abilities, he took pride in his duties, and discharged them satisfactorily. Nobly assisted as he was by his acting assistant First Lieutenant Toussaint L’Ouverture Delany, and a newly recruited non-commissioned officer, the almost entire duties of the command devolved upon him on parade. Had the condition of the country required a continuance of this movement to completion, this noble young man, so assiduous and diligent, would have had a position worthy of him.”