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.

Summary of Content: 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 slaves from enlisting, including the mistreatment of enlisted slaves’ wives and children. States that a Mr. Vickers, from Kent County, Maryland (possibly George Vickers), indicted a Mr. Gardner for encouraging his slaves 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.

People: Birney, William, 1819-1907., Creswell, John Angel James, 1828-1891., Gardner, Mr., fl. 1863., Lockwood, Henry Hayes, 1814-1899., Vickers, George, 1801-1879.

Historical Era: Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1877

Full Transcript: Camp near Bryantown, Charles Co. Md,, Dec. 27, 1863., , Hon. John A. J. Creswell:, , Dear Sir,, Your favor of the 17th came to hand on the 20th inst., At the time, my plan was formed to use all the officers available for the purpose, for recruiting on the Eastern Shore. I had been waiting for them. Twelve arrived on the 20th and I instantly dispatched them to join the six already there. They are now, I presume, actively at work. I hope the results will answer your expectations. My wish is to enable the First District to raise its full quota in colored troops. With the earnest and active cooperation of your friends throughout the District, this may be accomplished. There are men enough., The slaveholders work against us with all the means in their favor. They maltreat the wives & children of men who [2] leave, and tell the men the most appalling stories of the massacre that awaits them in the army. Some add promises to pay them wages for labor and a few pay some trifle to give hope of future rewards for staying. In Kent Co., Mr. Vickers and his accomplices have procured the indictment of Mr. Gardner for telling slaves to enlist. This Vickers pretends at Washington that he is a Union man. I know that he has been the most determined opponent the Government has had in his county. At one time, he was, as I have been credibly informed, privy to a conspiracy to burn one of my boats. There was no evidence except that of colored people and I did not ask for his arrest, but made my preparations to shoot every man who might make the attempt., If the War Dept. will allow the three regiments now here to remain until April, I can use all the officers of the lower grades as recruiting officers. Act on this suggestion but do not mention my name in connection with it. If the regiments now organized should be ordered away, it will stop recruiting, because all their officers must go with them. [3], My operations on the Eastern Shore have been retarded by the want of a second swift steamer. I have asked one of General Lockwood., The legislation needed for the U.S. Colored Troops is, 1. Equalization of pay., 2. Freedom of the wife & children of each enlisted man. What a shame for the Government to allow the wives & children of its soldiers to be slaves! , 3. Permanency of this branch of the service. An officer in the U.S.C.T. risks more than any other. He ought to have a permanent commission and be made an officer in the regular service. At present, he is appointed and removeable at pleasure., Very Truly Yours,, Wm Birney,, Brig. Gen. U.S.V., [docket], Col. Wm Birney, Decr 14th 1863.

Keywords/Subjects: Civil War, Military History, Union forces, Union general, African American History, African American Troops, Government & Civics, Conscription, Recruitment, Women’s History, Children & family, Slavery, Contrabands, Confederate States of America, Wartime pillaging & destruction, Law, Transportation, Soldiers’ Pay, Emancipation

Sub Era: The American Civil War, African Americans and Emancipation

Background: Vickers, who was part of the Democratic Party and political adversary of the Republican member Creswell, served as a United States Senator from Maryland 1867-1872.