Browse Items (17 total)
- Collection: Black Maryland and the Military
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White officials in Queen Anne's County challenge the recruitment of free people of color as temporary slaves
William T. Chamgbers to Col. William Birney reporting arrest of Col. J.P. Creager for recruiting among free people of color on the grounds that "when a free colored man hires himself for a year, or short period of time, he is a slave for the length…
White officers discuss how to handle a Black New York soldier who enlisted in a white unit stationed at Fort McHenry
William Lee (capt NY vols) to Adj of NY Vols writing that he received a group of 46 men in which there was a Black man, George Tankard of NY. Lee states that he has put Tankard to work in the kitchen, and he feels that it would be unsafe to drill or…
Two escaped Black Marylanders reveal hidden rebel weapons cache to the army
Lt D. C. Clark to Capt Chas Corbit enclosing two affidavits from formerly enslaved Black Marylanders revealing the location of a hidden cache of rebel weapons as well as the details of their escape to join the Union Army.
Several surgeons of Black regiments write to Lincoln complaining about having to serve under a Black officer, Surgeon Alexander Augusta
J.B. McPherson et. al. to Lincoln protesting the assignment of Surgeon Alexander Augusta. Claim their commitment to "bettering" Black Americans but assert that it is beneath their dignity to serve with him as their superior officer. A subsequent…
Report that free Black Marylanders were held in jail to compel them to enlist in the Army
Lt. M. Karney (cmdg post at Newton) to Lt. James C. Mullikin reporting on the conditions of the jail in Princess Ann, where several Black prisoners are held, apparently without charges. Some appear to have been enslaved and at least one discharged…
Maryland Governor Augustus Bradford complains to Lincoln about the liberation of enslaved prisoners from jail in Prince George's County
A.W. Bradford to Lincoln complains that a troop of colored soldiers committed an outrage in Prince Georges County by freeing prisoners from the county jail. Bradford asks Lincoln to have those guilty of this outraged punished and orders issued to…
Kent County officials arrest army recruiting officers for enlisting enslaved men against the wishes of their enslavers
John Frazier (pro mar) to H.W. Hoffman reporting that judges in Kent have ordered the arrest of several citizens, including the Deputy Pro. Mars. for alleged interference with the enlistment of Black soldiers. Frazier states that “This is done to…
Governor Bradford complains to Lincoln that Black Marylanders have been unjustly freed from jail by Black soldiers
A.W. Bradford to Lincoln complains that a troop of colored soldiers committed an outrage in Prince Georges County by freeing prisoners from the county jail. Bradford asks Lincoln to have those guilty of this outraged punished and orders issued to…
General William W Morris acknowledges orders to fire a salute in Baltimore celebrating the end of slavery in Maryland
Bt Brig Genl W W Morris to Major James R Ross (AAAG) acknowledging receipt of orders to fire a salute from Federal Hill in celebration of the free state of Maryland following the passage of the new state constitution abolishing slavery.