The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-28
NO COLORED REGIMENT.
secretary of War Says Gov. Mounts
Scheme Is Impossible.

secretary on war says Gov. Mounts
Scheme Is Impossible.
Governor Mount had hoped to furnish
regiment of colored men to the War De-
partment in addition to the quota assigned
the State under the second CALL but a mes
sage from General Aiger. secretary of war,
ends this idea. Governor Mount telegraphed
to the secretary of war yesterday:
'Wiil you accept, in addition to Indiana's
quota of second cali, regiment of colored
troops, completely differed by thoroughly
competent colored men? Many of these are
thoroughly trained; all are ready and will
ing"
He received the following reply:
1T will be Impossible to accept a colored
regiment in addition to your quota under
second call but if you are willing to offer
a colored regiment within limitations of
your quota it will he gladly accepted 1t is
suggested that the field and staff officers
and captains should be as far as possible
trained military men and that first and
second lleutenants should be given to men of
color. Phis has been determined upon in the
organization of volunteers at large and pos
slbly the captains might be coored if suit
able men Of military knowledge could be
found for all the places.
Under this rule it will be impossible for
the Governor to furnish a colored regiment.
A regiment would have to be made up
largely of Indianapolis and Evansville col
ored men. AS there is but one company to
come from Indianapolis and none from
Evansville under the plan of furnishing the
quota by congressional districts, it is plain
there would not be enough colored COM
panies to form d regiment. Then there is
some question as to whether the colored
men would consent to serve in a regiment
unless 1t were Differed by colored men.
Colored companies withdrew from the Ma
uOnal Guard on this account, A number of
colored men said yesterday that they were
beginning to realize that a mistake was
made when the Governors offer to allow the
formation of a colored battalion with it's
own battalion major was rejected This
that time, gave them higher commanding
officers than they could have under the
regular army regulations. an assertion
which is borne out by the telegram from
the secretary of war. If the Governors
proposition had been accepted four colored
companies, organized with their own cap
tains and battalion major would have been
IN the service before this. AT best under
the order received yesterday the highest
rank would be captain and more likely first
and second lieutenants.
The Governors reason for asking to be
allowed to furnish an entire regiment, Off
cered by colored men, in addition to the
call was because he knew that if he were
limited to the quota there would be no
opportunity of forming a colored regiment,
as the companies would have to come from
Indianapolis, Evansville and Terre Haute,
mainly indianapolis, and those towns be-
tween them are not entitled to more than
two or three more companies. Every other
not allowed to furnish the companies it
considers itself entitled to send to the serv-
ice and these cities were allowed to send
more than they were entitled to.