Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-12-08
Morning, December 8. 1868.
Enlistment of Colored Troops.


ADJUTANT GENERALS OFFICE
WASHINGTON. D. o. Oct. Sd, 1868.
GENERAL ORDERS,
No. 1923.
WHEREAS the exigencies of the war re-
quire that colored troops should be recruited
in the States Of Maryland, Missouri and
Tennessee, it is
Ordered by the President,
That the Chief of the Bureau for organi-
zing Colored Troops shall establish recuit-
ing stations at convenient places within said
States, and give public notice thereof, and
be governed by the following regulations:
LIST. None but able bodied persons shall
be enlisted.
I'd. The State and County in which the
enlistments arc made shall be credited with
the recruits enlisted.
Sd. All persons enlisted into the military
service shall forever thereafter be FREE.
4th. Free persons, and slaves with the
written consent of their owners, and slaves
belonging to those who have been engaged
in or given aid and comfort to the rebel
lion, may be now enlisted the owners who
have not been engaged in, or given aid TO the
rebellion, being entitled to receive compen-
sation as hereinafter provided.
9th. If within thirty days from the date
ofopening enlistments, notice thereof and of
the recruiting stations being published, q
sufficient number of the description of per-
sons aforesaid TO meet the exigences Of the
service should not be enlisted, then enlist
ments may be made of slaves without requi-
ring consent Of their owners, but they may
receive compensation as herein provided for
owners offering their slaves for enlistment.
9th. Any citizen of said States who shall
offer his or her slave for enlistment into the
IL. H.. l..
cepted, receive from the recruiting officer
certificate thereof, and become entitled to
compensation for the service or labor fsaid
slave, not exceeding the sum of three hun
dred dollars, upon filing valid deed of
manumission and of release, and making sat
isiactory proof of title. And the recruiting
officer shall furnish to any claimant des-
criptive list Of any person enlisted and
claimed under oath 10 be his or her slave
and allow any one claiming under oath that
his or her slave has been enlisted without
his or her consent the privilege of inspecting
the enlisted men for the purpose Of identi-
fcaton.
7th. A board of three persons. shall be APP
pointed by the President TO whom the rolls
and recruiting lists shall be furnished
for public information. and on demand ex-
hibited TO any person claiming that his or
her slave has been enlisted against his or
her will.
9Th. If any person shall, within ten days
after the filing of said rolls, make claim for
the service oil any, person SO enlisted, the
board shall proceed to examine the proof of
ute, and II valid shall award just compen-
sallon, not exceeding tnree hundred d9llars
i9r each slave enlisted belonging ~ inc
claimant ana upon the claimant ming
yalla deed oil inanulnlssloh ana release oil SER
wee the BOARD snail give the claimant GER
tneate OF me sum awarded which, on presen-
Iatlop, snail be paid by the Chlet oil the
BUREAU
9ln. All enllstments OF colored troops IN
the state Of Maryland otherwise than in ac-
den.
ooa aoSn; al peI1oI WHO II or nus , p G gu
m s Of the United States or wi who in anv
way has given or shall give aid or comfort
to the enemies OF the Government, shall be
permitted to present any claim or receive
compensation for the labor or service of any
slave, and all claimants shall file with their
claims an oath of allegiance to the Govern
ment of the United States.
By order of the President.
(Sgned,) II. D. TOWNSEND,
Assistant Adjutant General.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
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