White officers discuss how to handle a Black New York soldier who enlisted in a white unit stationed at Fort McHenry

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 house the Black soldier with the white ones. Asks that the man be moved immediately to USCT—request granted.

9/20/1864

Fort McHenry, MD

New York Army Officer to the Headquarters of a New York Regiment


Fort McHenry, M.D. September 20th 1864
Sir I have the honor to Report to the Major Comdg 91st N.Y. Vols. the following viz, on the 17th inst I received 46 recruits from Depot and N.Y.S. one of them is a negro name George Tankard Enlisted in town Platsburg, N. York State by Capt. Glendon. I have assigned him for the present to the Kitchen, it will be next to impossible to quarter him with the company or to drill him with them, and yet by his enlistment he is entitled to all the rights and subject to all the duties with other enlisted men, and must be reported the same. I think under these circumstances it will be difficult to enforce Discipline in the company, I therefore most Respectfully Submit the case to Majr Comdg 91st Regt. hoping some steps may be taken to remedy the evil I am Sir Very Respectfully Your Obdt. Servt.
Wm Lee, Capt 91st
N.Y Vols comdg, E, Co
To E. G. Shirly
Lieut & Act, Adjt,
91st N.Y. Vols


[Endorsement] Head Qrs. 91st NY v vols
Fort McHenry Sept 20th /64
Respectfully forwarded to Hd Qrs, 2nd Separate Brigade, 8th AC, with the recommendations that the negro with in referred to, be transferred to a Colored Regiment or Company—
Wm J. Donslow
Major Comdg


[Endorsement] H’d Qr’s 2d S.B. 8th A C
Dept of Baltimore
Ft McHenry Sep 22/64
Respectfully refer'd to Dep H'd Qrs 8th A.C, approving the recommendation of Majr Donslow comdg the 91st N.Y. Vet Vols [. . . .]


[Endorsement] Head-Quarters, Middle-Department
EIGHTH ARMY CORPS, Baltimore, Md Sept 22d 1864.
Respectfully forwarded to the Adjutant General U.S. Army And recommended. G
Lew. Wallace
Maj. Genl. Commanding


[Endorsement] War Dept. A.G. Office,
Sept. 26”, 1864.
Respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War, with the recommendation that Private George Tankard (colored) 91st New York Vols. be transferred to a colored regiment.
C.W. Foster
A.A. General Vols.
E.B. Vol 1 Page 462.
order sent.
Approved By order of the Secretary of War
Jas A. Hardie
Col Ins Genl
USA
W. Dept Sept 27/64 Transfer him to [the?] 31st U.S. Col'd Inf.


Capt Wm Lee to Lieut E. G. Shirly, 20 Sept. 1864, L-264 1864, Letters Received, ser. 360, Colored Troops Division, RG 94 [B-104].