CHAPTER XVIII

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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

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