Quincy Adams Gilmore to Henry W. Halleck regarding improving the conditions of African-Americans in his department - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

Keyboard Shortcuts

The full content of this document is only available to subscribing institutions. More information can be found via www.amdigital.co.uk

Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC05034
From Archive Folder	Unassociated Civil War Documents 1863
Title	Quincy Adams Gilmore to Henry W. Halleck regarding improving the conditions of African-Americans in his department
Date	14 December 1863
Author	Gillmore, Quincy Adams (1825-1888)
Document Type	Correspondence
Content Description	Gillmore, commanding the Department of the South, discusses the measures for improving the condition of African Americans in his department with Halleck, United States General-in-Chief. States "The wisdom of the course pursued, (under my uniform rule to treat the white and the colored soldier alike,) has been fully vindicated upon the field of battle and in the trenches. Every vestige of the prejudice and ill feeling, which existed, between the white and the colored troops ... has disappeared under the excitement of an active campaign ... " States that the troops in the Department of the South should be organized numerically as United States Colored Troops. Requests the establishment of a board for the examination of candidates for commissions in colored regiments. Suggests equal pay for all soldiers. Requests that provisions are made for the families of African American soldiers by allowing them to acquire land in advance of the regular survey. Reports that he has enclosed a duplicate of a letter to Edwin McMasters Stanton, Secretary of War, recommending the consolidation of several South Carolina volunteer regiments under Colonel Littlefield (possibly Milton Littlefield). States that Brigadier General Rufus Saxton, who previously organized the 5th Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers, does not object to the consolidation. Written on "Department of the South, Headquarter in the field" stationery. Accompanied by a paper backing. 1 full length engraving of Gillmore included.
Subjects	Civil War Military History African American History African American Troops Soldier's Pay Battle Land Transaction Children and Family Surveying
People	Gillmore, Quincy Adams (1825-1888) Halleck, H. W. (Henry Wager) (1815-1872) Littlefield, Milton Smith (1830-1899) Saxton, Rufus (1824-1908) Stanton, E. M. (Edwin McMasters) (1814-1869)
Place written	Folly Island, South Carolina
Theme	African Americans; The American Civil War; Children & Family
Sub-collection	Papers and Images of the American Civil War
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945
Transcript	Show/hide Folly Island, S. C., Dec. 14th 1863 Maj. Gen H. W. Halleck General-in-Chief U. S. A. Washington D.C. Sir I desire to urge upon the attention of Government certain simple measures for bettering the condition of the colored people in this Dept., colored Soldiers in particular. The policy of the Government, in organizing regiments of colored troops, upon this coast, and the value and general efficiency of that class of soldiers, [struck: they] [inserted: have] had a fair trial and a successful issue under my own eye. The wisdom of the course pursued, (under my uniform rule to treat the white and the colored soldier alike,) has been fully vindicated upon the field of battle and in the trenches. Every vestige of the prejudice and ill feeling, which existed, between the white and the colored troops of this command, during a period of inactivity, has disappeared under the excitement of an active campaign, of which the labors and dangers were shared alike by both classes. [2] I request attention to the following points. First. The colored volunteers in this Dept. are derived from the States of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, and in forming them into regiments they should be designated as U.S. Colored regiments with the appropriate numbers. This would materially simplify their organizations and increase their efficiency. Second. A Board for the examination of candidates for commissions in colored regiments should be appointed in this Dept. Third. The pay of the white soldier and of the colored soldier should be the same. All distinctions calculated to raise in the mind of the colored man a suspicion that he is regarded as an inferior being should be scrupulously avoided. Every dictate of sound policy suggests this course even if we regard the matter as still an experiment of doubtful results, which it is not. Fourth. The families of colored soldiers should be provided for by allowing them to locate upon and cultivate land in advance of the regular survey and sale thereof. This is important as a military measure by making the soldier contented with his lot, in secur[3]ing to him a home [strikeout] [inserted: for] his family during the war, and for himself when the war is over. I enclose herewith the duplicate of a letter addressed this day to the Secy. of War recommending the consolidation under Col. Littlefield (4th S.C. Vols) of fragments of the 3d 4th & 5th S.C. Vols. Brig. Gen. R. Saxton who had commenced the organization of the 5th S.C. Vols., under his special authority from the War Dept. to raise five thousand S.C. Vols., offers no objection to this plan. There are urgent reasons why it should be carried into immediate effect. Very Respectfully Your Obt Servant Q. A. Gillmore Maj. Gen. Comg.

Previous Item Next Item