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- GLC#
- GLC03428.02
- Type
- Letters
- Date
- December 27, 1863
- Author/Creator
- Birney, William, 1819-1907
- Title
- to John Angel James Creswell
- Place Written
- Maryland
- Pagination
- 3 p. : docket ; Height: 25 cm, Width: 19.8 cm
- Primary time period
- Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1877
General Birney discusses the recruitment of African American troops with Creswell, a United States Representative from Maryland. Expresses his hope to "enable the First District to meet its full quota in colored troops," with Creswell's support. Discusses slaveholders' conspiracies intended to prevent enslaved people from enlisting, including the mistreatment of enlisted enslaved people's wives and children. States that a Mr. Vickers, from Kent County, Maryland (possibly George Vickers), indicted a Mr. Gardner for encouraging his enslaved people to enlist. States that Vickers also attempted to burn one of Birney's boats. Hopes to utilize some of his own officers as recruiters. Reports that he requested a second steamer from General Henry Hayes Lockwood. Encourages Creswell to support legislation for United States Colored Troops, including equalization of pay, freedom for enlisted men's wives and children, and permanency of the U.S.C.T. branch of the service, so that officers of African American troops can obtain a permanent commission and officer-status in the regular service. Written at camp near Bryantown, Maryland.
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