New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-03-12
Examination Of OHlccrs for Coiored Troops
Mode OF AppIicaiion-EIan'in "ti"" -
Requisite QuaiiGcntions-Frec Military
School Mt Philadelphia.
IF The N. y. Tribune.


School mt PhiIadefphiE.
Conctponaruee Of The N. y. Tribune.
WARRINGTON n. g., March T. itti.
The Board for the examination of applicants
FOR commissions IN regiments Of ooored troops holds
daily sessions and is never without candidates. In
order to save time expense and dsappoiuaent TO Per
sons desiring 10 appear before thi. Board tse following
observations are submitted
Applications 10 be examined should he made by letter
OF In person Major c. W. Foster Chief Of the Colorcd
Bureau, War Department, Washington, ID. {. Appli'
should be recommended by some weIkno"n eiti'
rem or officer ofthe army With the permit granted by
Major Foster the npplieaptAvais bis turn TO be exam
ned by Gen Casey and officers on his sta all OF whom
have been selected from the volunteer service and have
lad much practical experience Ia command Of troops
The candidate il first examined in tactics " ascertain
II be is capable Of handling, dscplining and drilling
troops He Is next examined in army regulations 10
ascertain IL be Is capable Of providing FOR and suhsst
ing troops for Il would be nhuman 10 trust TO the care
OF An officer ignorant Of the routine OF military duties
body OF helpless men, to 10 governed only by military
law. lie Is then examined In arithmetic, 10 learn
whether he Is apebe Of making out soldiers dcsorpt
i've list FINAL statement and keeping accounts. This
is demonstrated be necessary by the fact that largo
.
BILE Of discharxing such duty.
The applicant is then examined in history and goog.
rnpy 20 show whether not he 10 totally htera" for
IL Is deemed unwise 10 put man in command Of negro
troops AS ilterate as themselves.
II the candidate is Intercepted in law. divinity or
Mathematics IL is because he PROCESSES to be learned in
the profession on which he is examined His profes
lonsl ability down 10 bis credit the score Of
general knowledge. Has the candidate been lawyer.
be answer something o. to the law IL not, the In
ference is fair that he Is pettiioTvr; and II hunbug
IN his procession there would be poor encourage
ment for trying make him efficient officer j. he
preacher he should be able to questions in dyin
ity; because ignorant in his chosen vocation be pre-
.uIned 20 be ignorant altogether. But knowledge OF
divinity tho higher mathematics is not absolutely neo
essary 20 the military education required for officers In
regiments Of coored trools. Candidates are not
lected from any particular walk Of life. It's insisted
upon, however that the appointees possess thorough
tnowledge Of tactics and regulation, together with
reasonable English education.
As cGss farmers sons who have had the advantages
good common schools the moat gent and are
best fitted by habit and education Tor the command
sought.
There are many persons, and among them Members
Of Congress- who regard the regiments Of colered troops
Of sort Of privileged sinecure for poor relations and
are often offended at their failure through this Board
to promote to responsible positions young men wholly
unfit FOR the Office. There Others vain enough 10
suppose Tat fow months service regardless Of real
ability to command Is a sufficient passport 70 high posi-
ton In these regiments. Others think that any
body Is good enough to command negro troops" but
the Board Of opinion that unless the colorcd regiments
are Differed by men much superior TO tho majority OF
officers In the volunteer service they will b. OF very lit
tic service to the Government.
Intelligent men Of good habits. and OF fair military
knowledge are much needed. Officers who are capable
Of inspiring the confidence Of these troops and
Y able but willing also to instruct guide and lead
them are almost certain to be commissioned Men De.
void OF knosledgo aud character should not apply.
large number of priyates have passed for leuten-
ants while eorporals and sergeants hayo passed for
captains and In few instances for higher grades; but
applicants must study tactics thoroughly before coming
10 the examination. and not rely on what they have
picked up in the service. otherSise they are almost
certain 10 be rejected
Tie examinations are conducted with opon doors. and
arc witnessed by citizens and soldiers from all parts Of
the country, and who have witnessed them have
complained that they were unfair, or too severe A
party Of intelligent and benevolent gentlemen from
sent for that purpose witnessed tho
and went homo and established FREQ mil
itafy school for the Instruction Of young for OIL.
GERS Of colored troops. In this school young men Of
fair education and military experience. are In
structed 10 all things desirable and necessary In an
officer Many Of Its pupils already commissioned and
In service.
Tho gratifying reports from the regiments which have
boon ohcered In pursuance Of tho recommendations OF
the Board show these regiments TO DO well dscip
lined arms and accouterments In good order com.
pany and reglmontal books well kept" and Command.
ing Generals tell Us they already show great profci
ency In regimentai and brigade drill"
eince tho organization Of the Board 1876 applicants
nave oeeh e1amined Of these eight have been recon-
mended for Colonies twenty for Lieut. Colonies thirty for
Maors ono hundred and seventy nine for CAPTAINS two
hundred and eight for First Leuenass three hundred
and fhy'tsV for Second Lsaiepant, spa SsYsp bun.