New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-01-20
FAY OF COLoaRD TROOPs.

The War Department, b. an order OF Deem
Der ~, authorized Gen. Gilmore TO enlist AID
organize all the colored troops that can be re-
crted within his Experimentation pay aud
allowance 10 be the same rs now granted 70
colorcd troops, viz: ten dollars month, less
three dollars for clothing. In obedience TO the
Department, Gen. Gilmore has promulgated its
order, and he's appointed Col Littefeld super.
intendent Of tho recruiting service; but bis
second oct IL to send Col Littlefield TO Wash
ington on an euand Of Justice TO tie colorcd
troops already under bis command. He urges
that Congress shall pass an act retrospective in
its character, giving oolorcd troops, from the
date Of their enlistments, the same pay md OIL
lowaDce5 for clothing provided by law for white
soldiers. This recommendation II based on
such a statement Of facts as ought 10 secure i'm
mediate attention. Here are some Of the facts;
The 5ilh Massachusetts, left home May 2S,
1863. The regiment has lost ~ killed in bat
tie, 90 by disease, l55 wounded, 1l5 missing
(prisoners). When these men enlisted they
were promised $40 a month and the usual al
lowances for clothing. Now mark: Every
man who died in battle, or by disease. died
actually in debt 10 the Government. For cloth
ing which they wore tho Government charged
them more thanit paid them for their services,
and the men who gave their lives 70 tho coun-
try IN the memorable assault On Fort Wagner
are brought in debt on the Qnertermas'ers ac-
counts for the uniforms which the Rebels
stripped from their bodies after death. 1hN
regiment now asks to BE paid from the date Of
its enrolment, OF 20 be mustered ont Of tie
service. The Jst North Carolina enlisted also
on the understanding that they were to have
the same pay as white soldiers. Thoy have
been seven months in the service, and the aver
age amount charged 10 each man for clothing Is
SJl, leaving $40 due to each for tho whole
term OF His enlistment-leas ihan 80 month.
And there ere due aud unpaid to tho regiment
about $4,000 for work done ia the Quarter
masters Department ia North Carolina before
they enlisted.
The Sd U. s. Colored Volunteers hes lost nine
men killed in battle, each one Of whom IL
charged with $50 worth Of clothing and credited
with half that amount ~ pay. Zach dies in
debt to the Government, Leaving no bounty or
pension or provision of any kind ior his family.
OF the eighteen men who died from disease, the
same is true; and The clothing issued 10 those
living has absorbed more than lour-iflhs of
their pay.
The 18th Massachusetts, has been In service
since June, 1868. The average amount OF
clothing charged TO each man is $50, and there
remained due to each for seven months service
sly. And IN eyefv regiment Of colrrcd troops
now in the United States service, whether
raised North or South, substantially the same
state Of facts exists.
Now, in the face Of such treatment a. this
how can colored troops be asked 10 enlist The
facts are known TO every negro in Gen. Gill
more's Department, and he sees that he has
40 tight 10 attempt any turtle SrecrIiling until
the injustice Is repaired. Col. 1ittlefeld goes
to lay the facts before the Military Authorize
and Committees of Congress. We lay them
before the country also. We say again that il
Is not enough to pass such bill a. has been
in the House, which provides only
Tor future pay. The colorcd Regiments
ought to have been, and By the existing laws
might have been, paid in full from tho begin
ming, like other soldiers. but thoy were not.
The plain duty of Congress now /, to pay of all
arrearages BY an act which shall at the same
'ims put al troops IN the service, white apd