Civil War: Executive Department- Military Communications/Correspondence Received, 1860-1866

Authority to raise the 14th Heavy Artillery, 1863

Letter to Colonel Charles E. Bailey, Aide de Camp to Governor Smith concerning the presentation of the Regimental Flag for the Fourteenth Regiment of Heavy Artillery by the colored ladies of New York. Flag designed by a man of color Mrs. James J. Spelman, 37 Park Row, New York, January 2, 1864

Correspondence of John H. Williams to Gov. Sprague recommending Rev. John Mars, a man of color for position in the 6th Regiment, 1862.

Correspondence from John Norris to Governor Sprague offering services in the proposed 6th Regiment of Infantry to be comprised of soldiers of African-American descent.

L.C. Lockwood to Gov. Sprague inquiring if Rhode Island will accept companies from New York offering service as Chaplain.

Letter from Lemuel Freeman to Gov. Sprague a man of color seeking to enlist in proposed regiment and inquiring as to the amount of bounty and aid.

Major J. J. Comstock communication to the Governor concerning unrest among the enlisted men of his command over the issue of pay. Informing of the arrest of men belonging to Battery A who refused to fall out for inspection due monthly pay of $7.00 being offered instead of $13.00 given to White soldiers HQ, Fort Esperanza, Texas, April 16, 1864

War Department Order approving request of Rhode Island to raise of Colored regiment of Artillery to be designated the Fourteenth Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, September 11, 1863

Letter from William B. Ellis, M.D. to Adjutant General Mauran offering to serve in the regiment of "colored men."

William H. Johnson to Governor William Sprague former enslaved man from Richmond – offering to enlist in Proposed Sixth Rhode Island Regiment & “assist General McClellan in taking my old home”. Albany, NY, August 7, 1862

William H. Johnson to Adjutant General Edward C. Mauran, a man of color “seeking privilege to fight for his country”. New Bedford, MA, August 10, 1862