Recruiting Colored Troops
In 1863, Frederick Douglass began recruiting black soldiers across the North, participating in a larger effort that by the end of the war, brought nearly 200,000 African American men into the Union forces. This letter addressed to Douglass in Rochester, New York, gives him his travel orders: Sir, I am instructed by the Secretary of War to direct you to proceed to Vicksburg, Mississippi, and on your arrival there to report in person to Brigr General L. Thomas, Adjutant General, U. S. Army, to assist in recruiting colored troops.
In 1863, Frederick Douglass began recruiting black soldiers across the North, participating in a larger effort that by the end of the war, brought nearly 200,000 African American men into the Union forces. This letter addressed to Douglass in Rochester, New York, gives him his travel orders: Sir, I am instructed by the Secretary of War to direct you to proceed to Vicksburg, Mississippi, and on your arrival there to report in person to Brigr General L. Thomas, Adjutant General, U. S. Army, to assist in recruiting colored troops.