Gillmore, Quincy Adams, 1825-1888 to Henry W. Halleck

Gillmore, commanding the Department of the South, discusses the measures for improving the condition of African Americans in his department with Halleck, United States General-in-Chief. States "The wisdom of the course pursued, (under my uniform rule to treat the white and the colored soldier alike,) has been fully vindicated upon the field of battle and in the trenches. Every vestige of the prejudice and ill feeling, which existed, between the white and the colored troops ... has disappeared under the excitement of an active campaign ... " States that the troops in the Department of the South should be organized numerically as United States Colored Troops. Requests the establishment of a board for the examination of candidates for commissions in colored regiments. Suggests equal pay for all soldiers. Requests that provisions are made for the families of African American soldiers by allowing them to acquire land in advance of the regular survey. Reports that he has enclosed a duplicate of a letter to Edwin McMasters Stanton, Secretary of War, recommending the consolidation of several South Carolina volunteer regiments under Colonel Littlefield (possibly Milton Littlefield). States that Brigadier General Rufus Saxton, who previously organized the 5th Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers, does not object to the consolidation. Written on "Department of the South, Headquarter in the field" stationery. Accompanied by a paper backing. 1 full length engraving of Gillmore included.