The age-herald., 1898-05-28
BIRMINGHAM'S
 NEGRO COMPANY Says That It Will Not Volunteer
 Except WITH ITS OWN OFFICERS A Letter SeLt to the Governor Last
 Night.
THEY DON'T WANT WHITE OFFICERS
And Will Do All They Can to Prevent other Negroes From Volunteering They VIII be Refused and Another
 Company Taken.


 ham met last night and passed resolu- tion to the effect that they would go to the front as volunteers for the state of Alabama if they were allowed to go under colored officers of their own choice, but that they would not go otherwise.
 This meeting was held at Governor John ston's request for the purpose of seeing whether they would volunteer under white officers or not. He stated to them, through a member of his staff Colonel A. H. Stevens. of this city that the govern ment would not accept colored troops un- less they were offlcered by white men, and that if they wished to go at all they must go under these regulations. The Troy, Huntsville and Montgomery colored com panies have all signifed their willingness to serve under white officers, and the fol- lowing have been appointed by the gov ernor to command the Montgomery com pany: Francis G. Caffey, captain; Chas. H. Scott, first lieutenant and w. Temple Seibles, second lieutenant. The command of the other companies have been offered to trained military men and in cases where they are declined, others will be appointed.
 Gov. Johnston Was Willing
 The governor has signified his willingness to commission colored officers of the col ored companies. and no longer than last Sunday he told an Age-Herald reporter that he thought that some of the officers at least of the colored battalion would be negroes. But since that time the presi- dent and the war department have in structed Governor Johnston that colored companies with colored officers would not ha tad 1.xr4 ingly there was nothing for him to do but to appoint white officers for such of the colored companies that were willing to go under these conditions.
 Several speeches were made by the off, cers of the company and other prominent negroes at the meeting last night, all of them being in favor of volunteering with their own officers or not at all Chairman Vaugn of the republican state executive committee was presented and made a speech to the effect that the company had taken an open, straightforward course with the governor, and if their services were refused with negro officers, then it was for them to decide the future. Some of the negroes said they voted not only against the company's going under white officers, but would do all they could to prevent other negroes from going.
 Letter Sent to the Governor
 The following is the text of the letter sent to Governor Johnston:
 Under a call issued some time ago for the formation of a colored battalion to re- spond to the proclamation issued by the president of the United States, the colored citizens of Birmingham responded. It was thought, and it is yet to be hoped that col ored men will be allowed to officer this command. We regret to learn through an officer of your staff that under the present arrangements it is not possible to accept this command unless officered by white men. By a resolution adopted by this company tonight it was decided that in the event you felt disposed to commission colored officers this company now awaits your or- ders. If these officers do not come up to the required regulations of the army and are dropped, we request that other colored officers of fitness and ability be selected in their stead.
 "We beg to say that our request applies only to company officers. We believe we have asked nothing out of reason, and we beg your careful consideration of this re- quest as loyal and true Americans, desir- ous as any other Alabamians to foster and encourage the patriotism of our people," The letter was signed by M. L. Fowlkes, captain; W. L. Saunders, first lieutenant, and E. F Carlisle, second lieutenant.
 VIII Not Be Called
 The impression now seems to be In local military circles that the Birmingham col- ored company will not be called upon at all. There can be no doubt under the pres ent circumstances what Governor John- stons answer will be. There are many other coored companies in the state ready and willing to go under white officers, and it is thought no further efforts will be made to get the local company to volunteer.