Mussey, Reuben D., 1833-1892 [Report on the status of U. S. colored troops in the Department of the Cumberland]

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GLC#
GLC08951
Type
Documents
Date
10 October 1864
Author/Creator
Mussey, Reuben D., 1833-1892
Title
[Report on the status of U. S. colored troops in the Department of the Cumberland]
Place Written
Nashville, Tennessee
Pagination
45 p. : Height: 25 cm, Width: 20 cm
Primary time period
Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1877
Sub-Era
The American Civil War

Detailed account regarding recruitment, military efficiency, and attitude of whites toward colored troops in the Department of the Cumberland. Mussey has just suceeded Major George L. Stearns as "commisioner for organization U. S. Colored troops in the Department of the Cumberland," so his report focuses largely on his predecessors tenure. Gives a general history of Stearn's tenure. States public sentiment first opposed recruitment of colored troops, but that Stearns worked to improve attitudes. Colored soldiers have performed well in limited duty. Discusses success of recruiting in various states, and prospects for the future. In the last section, titled "Personal," sees "The organization of colored troops as a very important, social, humanitarian as well as military measure and a providential means of fitting the race, freed by this war, for their liberty." Has "more hope and more faith than ever in the capacity of the negro to make a good soldier, and a good citizen." Report sent to "C. W. Foster...Chief of the Colored Bureau." Accompanied by manila envelope with brief description of document that comes from a previous auction.

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