War Department General Order 143: Creation of the U.S. Colored Troops (1863)
GENERAL ORDERS,
Channeled Song: “Acknowledge Me” by Prince
Interpretation: Wanting people’s attention.
No. 143
Channeled Song: “5, 6, 7, 8” by Steps
Interpretation: A sequence of numbers.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Channeled Song: “War” by Edwin Starr
Interpretation: The War Department.
ADJUTANT GENERAL’S OFFICE
Channeled Song: “Soldier” by Destiny’s Child
Interpretation: A General officer.
Washington, May 22, 1863.
Channeled Song: “One Moment in Time” by Whitney Houston
Interpretation: A specific place and time.
I – A Bureau is established in the Adjutant General’s Office for the record of all matters relating to the organization of Colored Troops, An officer, will be assigned to the charge of the Bureau, with such number of clerks as may be designated by the Adjutant General.
Channeled Song: “Good Intentions” by Disclosure featuring Miguel
Interpretation: Wanting to provide newly-freed slaves an opportunity to make money.
II – Three or more field officers will be detailed as inspectors to supervise the organization of colored troops at such points as may be indicated by the War Department in the Northern and Western States.
Channeled Song: “More, More, More” by Andrea True Connection
Interpretation: Needing more than three field officers.
III – Boards will be convened at such posts as may be decided upon by the War Department to examine applicants for commissions to command colored troops, who, on Application to the Adjutant General, may receive authority to present themselves to the board for examination.
Channeled Song: “The Power” by SNAP!
Interpretation: Being given the power to present themselves to the board.
IV – No persons shall be allowed to recruit for colored troops except specially authorized by the War Department; and no such authority will be given to persons who have not been examined and passed by a board; nor will such authority be given any one person to raise more than one regiment.
Channeled Song: “Control” by Janet Jackson
Interpretation: Wanting to control who could recruit troops.
V – The reports of Boards will specify the grade of commission for which each candidate is fit, and authority to recruit will be given in accordance.
Channeled Song: “The Power” by SNAP!
Interpretation: Giving the authority to recruit.
Commissions will be issued from the Adjutant General’s Office when the prescribed number of men is ready to muster into service.
Channeled Song: “Get Ready” by The Temptations
Interpretation: Making sure they have enough troops.
VI – Colored troops may be accepted by companies, to be afterward consolidated in battalions and regiments by the Adjutant General.
Channeled Song: “Reunited” by Peaches & Herb
Interpretation: Consolidating troops.
The regiments will be numbered seriatim, in the order in which they are raised, the numbers to be determined by the Adjutant General.
Channeled Song: “Formation” by Beyoncé
Interpretation: Telling how they will be identified.
They will be designated: “---- Regiment of U.S. Colored Troops.”
Channeled Song: “Who Are You” by The Who
Interpretation: Saying how they will be identified.
VII – Recruiting stations and depots will be established by the Adjutant General as circumstances shall require, and officers will be detailed to muster and inspect the troops.
Channeled Song: “Get Together” by The Youngbloods
Interpretation: Creating places to muster.
VIII – The non-commissioned officers of colored troops may be selected and appointed from the best men of their number in the usual mode of appointing non-commissioned officers.
Channeled Song: “The Choice Is Yours” by Black Sheep
Interpretation: Telling how they’ll make their selections.
Meritorious commissioned officers will be entitled to promotion to higher rank if they prove themselves equal to it.
Channeled Song: “The Best” by Tina Turner
Interpretation: Only wanting to promote the best.
IX – All personal applications for appointments in colored regiments, or for information concerning them, must be made to the Chief of the Bureau; all written communications should be addressed to the Chief of the Bureau, to the care of the Adjutant General,
Channeled Song: “Send For Me” by Atlantic Starr
Interpretation: Telling people how to contact him.
BY THE ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR:
Channeled Song: “Reasons” by Earth, Wind & Fire
Interpretation: Knowing that people will try to use this as a way to recapture slaves.
E.D. TOWNSEND,
Channeled Song: “Say My Name” by Destiny’s Child
Interpretation: Stating his name.
Assistant Adjutant General
Channeled Song: “Fill Me In” by Craig David
Interpretation: Filling in for the Adjutant General.https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/war-department-general-order-143
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