Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-01
WANT NEGRO TROOPS
The President viii Ask for the Eight
Virginia Companies.
WILL COMPLETE The STATES QUOTA
The Total Number Wanted Will Include
Recruits for White Regiments.
THE QUESTION AS TO OFFICERS.
IL ts Not Known Whether Colored
Men VIII Communicable Secretary
of the Navy Wants Naval Battalion
Mustered in.
THE QUESTION AS TO OFFICERS.


men each, after which they would be
mustered into the national service.
The telegram further stated that these
companies, with the number needed TO
recruit the present white regiments to
their full strength, would complete the
quota of Virginia under the present call.
The telegram from General Corbin was
not an order or formal request for
troops. The message was forwarded to
Governor Tyler after it had been referred
to Acting -AdJutant-General Stern. No
reply had been received from the Gov
| ernor at a late hour last night.
] The message from General Corbin was
| in reply to telegram to the President
from Governor Tyler. asking him to ac-
! cept the colored companies. The officers
and men of the two battalions Of colored
! Virginia troops were almost, if not quite,
the first of the State volunteers TO tender
their services to the Governor, ready for
| duty wherever ordered and his Excel
| lency has frequently expressed the desire
| that he could show his appreciation of
| their prompt display of patriotism.
THE QUESTION OF OFFICERS.
The question as to whether the negro
companies and battalions will be allowed
TO retain their present colored officers was
at once raised when it was known yes
terday that the negro troops would be
mustered in. There are four regiments Of
oolored troops in the regular army, but
all the commissioned officers are white
men. 1t is not known whether the Presi-
dent will accept colored officers, or
whether the white officers Of the regular
and volunteer armies would be willing to
receive them.
Alabama furnished several colored COM
ranies as portion of her quota, but the
Governor Of that State removed the negro
officers and placed white men in their
places. This raised a great uproar among
the men, aDd it seems probable they will
not volunteer 1t is stated by one of the
men that they would have been perfectly
willing to accept white officers had they
only been allowed to choose them. The
Governor of Alabama appointed them
without any election
So far as could be ascertalned, IT is
the sentiment among officers here that
the company and battalion commanders
Of the negroes should be white men, but
that the rank and file of the companies
should at least choose the former. ii is
not known what the Governor will decide
in the matter, but it is believed he favors
white officers whether by election or
otherwise cannot be known.
There is no reflection on the colored
officers, but it is believed the companies
could be handled much more effectively
by white officers. Ii is recognized that IT
requires a man of moral stamina, sound
judgment, and considerable practical bust
ness ability to command company, in
dependent of a thorough knowledge of
tactics and much physical courage.
SOME WHO ARE TALKED OF.
The Virginia colored troops TO be fur
nished the National Government will have
to be differed by three field officers, in
Guiding a lieutenant-colonel and two ma
jors. Speculation is already rife as to
whom the Governor will appoint in case
white officers are to have these positions.
1t is generally regarded as pretty GER
tain that Leutenant-Colonel George
Wayne Anderson. of the old First Regi-
ment, and Major j. II. Derbyshire, of the
same, and Major Sol. Cutchins, of the
Blues Battalion, can have the positions
of Northumberland and majors OF the
battalions IL they care TO accept.
There are two battalions of colored in
fantry in Virginia with headquarters in
Richmond and Petersburg, respectively.
The First Battalion, with headquarters in |
this city, is commanded by Major j. b. |
Johnson, and is composed of Companies |
A, b, and c, commanded by William \. |
Hankns, Charles B. Nichols, and walter |
s. Cowan, respectively.
Tho Second Battalion is commanded by |
Major William H. Johnson, of Petersburg, |
with headquarters in that city. The bat |
TALON is composed of Companies a, &, |
and ID. of Petersburg. commanded by /
Captains Pleasant Webb. j. A. c. Stevens, |
and James e. Hill, respectively, and Com
pany 3, Captain Peter Shepherd, and |
Company Il, Captain Edward Gould, both
the latter stationed in Norfolk.
In the last annual report of the Adju-
tant-General the strength OF the First
Battalion is given as Is officers and 1870
men; of the Second Battalion, Il offcers
and pa men, making a total of sc officers
and 4S4 men.
ORDERED TO RECRUIT UP.
The colored companies were ordered by
the Authenticated to recruit up TO
their maximum strength at the same time
such orders were sent to the command
j
strength of the companies at present is
not known, but IL is thought to be con-
siderably greater than at the time of the
last report of the Adjutant-General.
Major Johnson, who commands the First
Battalion, is the ranking major in the
Virginia service. and has been for some
time his commission bearing date or
lime 20. 1892. The last annual report OF
The Adjutant- General, discussing the
First Colored Battalion, says: "The ma
Tor commanding is thoroughly compe-
tent"
The report speaks highly of the physi-
,al appearance Of the men, but says their
lriu Is lacking in snap. The two Norfolk
companies are highly complimented
WANTS THE NAVAL BATTALION.
Acknowledgement Stern yesterday re-
,eived a communication from the Secre-
-ary of the Navy stating that it was
desired that the Virginia Naval Battalion
De mustered into service as soon as
possible. and requesting that the men
,e ordered to be in readiness. A number
II the officers and men of the battalion
nave been mustered into the navy indi-
yidually, but IL is now proposed TO mus
er in the battalion as a whole.
II Is the intention Of the department |
o have the officers and men examined,
md they will then be assigned 10 the
iuty they are capable of discharging |
rhe officers will not be mustered in with
heir present rank, as were those in the
state Hand service,
rbe Removal TO Forest Hill Park.
A. . .S,oottro ~ tha comnanv and a,td |