Raynors HCA 2016-10
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/21/2016
Booklet, “FREE MILITARY SCHOOL FOR APPLICANTS FOR COMMANDS OF COLORED TROOPS, NO. 1210 CHESTNUT STREET, PHILADELPHIA. ESTABLISHED BY SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE FOR RECRUITING COLORED REGIMENTS. JOHN H. TAGGART, LATE COLONEL 12th REGIMENT PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES, PRECEPTOR.” John H. Taggart, Philadelphia: King & Baird, Printers, 1863. 12pp. Original black coated paper wrappers, printed in gold. Front wrapper detached but present. Front and rear wrappers heavily chipped. Some edge wear and a few closed foredge tears to the text, which is in otherwise very good condition. The Free Military School for Applicants for the Command of Colored Regiments opened in Philadelphia in 1863 under preceptor John H. Taggart, once a colonel of the 12th Pennsylvania Reserve. This text describes the urgent need for officers to command black troops, lists the qualifications required of the applicants, and offers hints to those interested. By the date of this pamphlet's publication, the school had received more than 1500 applications, of which 560 had been accepted. Officers accepted to the school underwent rigorous training and, once they passed, were sent into the field with a regiment of African-American soldiers. The school was formed and supported by the Philadelphia Supervisory Committee for Recruiting Colored Regiments, chaired by Thomas Webster, with Cadwalader Biddle as Secretary. The Committee also appealed to the local community of free African-Americans to join the ranks of the military by issuing announcements calling for them to fight for the United States, for those still enslaved, and to prove their equality as citizens. The school remained open until late 1864.
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