of the Eighth Illinois Volunteers, I am taking
the liberty to ask that, if you should recommend any increase in the
Army you give the Negro a chance in the manner, and for reasons I shall
further explain.
You will notice by my service with the 8th Illinois that I am a
colored man, and as such am offering these suggestions, which, in the
main, are just.
If the increase is sufficient, we should have:
TWO COAST ARTILLERY COMPANIES.
ONE REGIMENT OF FIELD ARTILLERY (In these branches we are not
represented at all).
ONE REGIMENT OF CAVALRY.
The above to be embodied in the Regular Army and to be officered as
you think fit.
But my main object is: Three Regiments of Infantry officered from
COLONEL DOWN WITH COLORED MEN. I should not have these Infantry
Regiments of the regular service for the reason that to appoint officers
to the rank of Colonel, Majors, etc., would not be fair to the regular
service officers, and would interfere with the promotion of the same,
but I would have them rank as volunteers. Give them the name of
"IMMUNES," "FOREIGN SERVICE REGIMENTS," or any other name that you
choose.
My further reasons are as to officering these regiments, that there
would be many misfits in such organizations and I would leave it so that
you or the President could remove them without prejudice from the
service, but to fill by OTHER COLORED MEN the vacancies that might
occur. I should officer these regiments with Spanish War veterans,
non-commissioned officers of the retired and regulars, but should
appoint all 2d Lieutenants from the schools of the country giving
military training.
The 2d Lieutenants upon passing the regular army examination could be
placed in the eligible list of the regular army, but NOT until at least
two years' service with these regiments. You could set a time limit on
these regiments if you so desire, say ten or twelve years duration;
either mustered out or in the regular service.
"Now Mr. Secretary, I have striven to meet any objections which might be
made by the Army on account of social prejudice, etc. With this thought
I should send these regiments to some foreign post to serve where there
are dark races; to the Philippines, Mexico, or Haiti. The object lesson