The Portland daily press., 1864-05-13
Commissions in CoIored Regiments.

An erroneous impression prevails quite ex-
tensively In the community in relation to the
authority of Governors of States over COM
missions to officers In colored regiments
Governors have no power whatever in the
matter. Ali applicants for commissions in
these troops must present themselves before
an Examining Board, and prove their fitness
for the position. Such board is in session at
2l2 F St., Washington.
The following General Order gives informa-
ton how to get before the Board, and other
items Of interest TO those desiring such COM
missions:
WAR DEPARTMENT, Adj't Gems Office,
Washington, May %, 1864.
General Orders No. 144.
The following Rules are prescribed for the
guidance OF Boards in examining applicants
for commissions Ia regiments of colored
troops:
!. The Board will sit every day, except
Sunday, from O'Clock A. M. TO 8 o'clock p.
NJ. The place OF sitting TO be provided by
the Quartermaster Department, aud public no
tice given.
3 The Board will make to the Adutant
General, for record in the Bureau for Colored
Troops, reports OF all persons examined
whether approved or rejected; the reports
will be made weekly, or oftener when specially
called for.
g. Each applicant must exhibit to the Board
authority from the Adjutant General TO APP
pear before 1t. Such authority Wilt be given
upon satisfactory recommendations of good
moral character and standing in the commu-
nifty In which the applicant resided; or, If in
the military service. on testimonials from his
Commanding Officers. All such recommen-
dations will be filed in the Bureau for Colored
Troops.
L. Each applicant shall be subjected to a
fair but rigorous examination, as to physi-
cal, mental and moral fitness to command
troops.
9. The Board shall specify for what grade of
commission the several applicants are ht and
shall also classify and number them according
70 merit or proficiency.
@. Appointments to each grade shall only
be made from the candidates approved by the
Board, and In the order of merit recommend
ed by 1t.
7. The report oil. the Board, If adverse, shall
be exclusive; and no person rejected by it shall
be re-examined.
8. Other instructions will be communicated
TO Boards. IL required.
BY order of the Secretary of War.
X. ID. TOWNSEND. Asst Adj't Gen.
Persons in the army desiring to inform
themselves more thoroughly in military mat
tiers, have the privilege of free instruction at
the military school in Philadelphia, upon the
conditions explained in the following General
Order:
WAR DEPARTMENT, Adj't Gems Office,
Washington, March 29th 1854.
General Orders No. I24.
Burroughs, not to exceed thirty days in
each case, to the non commissioned officers
and priyates OF the Army who may desire TO
enter the free military school at Philadelphia,
may be granted by the Commanders of Ar
mics and Departments, when the character,
conduct and capacity of the applicants are
such as TO warrant their immediate and supe-
rior Commanders in recommending them for
commissioned appointments in the regiments
Of colored troops.
Z. ID. townsend, Asst Adj't Gem
The foregoing comprises full information
and instructions upon the whole NATTER
Ken. Jou~.