Birney, William, 1819-1907 to John Angel James Creswell
Order a pdf of this item here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03428.02 Author/Creator: Birney, William, 1819-1907 Place Written: Maryland Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 27 December 1863 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 25 x 19.8 cm. Order a Copy
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.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.