Pacific Commercial Advertiser: 'Negro Soldiers' 1863

Negro Soldiers
Source: Pacific Commercial Advertiser, Honolulu. July 23, 1863, page 3. 

HARRISBURG, Penn., June 18 -Gov. Curtin has issued a general order stating that colored troops will be mustered into the service of the United States, and forbidding colored men from leaving State to join organizations in other States.

New York, JUNE 11. -The Evening Post says the Committee of citizens who recently visited Washington, to lay before the President the project of raising a division of 100,000 colored soldiers, reported that the President fully approves of the proposition, declaring himself ready, as soon as a sufficient number could be raised, to make them a part of a command for Gen. Fremont. If it should be deemed expedient he would create a department so as to enable him to carry out his combination of white and black regiments. A series of public meetings in the rural counties are to be held to initiate the measure.

Stanton has given assurance within a day or two of his purpose to protect the negro soldiers in the service of the United States, at all hazards. He will hold white rebels as hostages for the safe delivery of loyal negro soldiers, who may fall into the hands of the enemy. If a negro soldier is hung by Jeff Davis, a white rebel soldier will be instantly executed. An announcement to that effect will soon be made. It is said that Mr. Stanton is sanguine of raising a colored army 200,000 strong, before the year closes.