d Battalion appears to have been the only large aggregation of Negroes in this war, though Connecticut, New York, and New Hampshire each furnished one separate company in addition to individuals scattered through their other organizations, so that the close of the war, there were very few brigades, regiments, or companies in which the Negro was not in evidence. The free Negro appears to have gone in from the beginning without attracting or calling out special comment. Later, as men grew scarcer and necessity more pressing, slaves were taken in also, and then the trouble began. Those who held slaves did not care to lose them in this way. Others, who had not, did not think it the thing in a war for avowed freedom to place an actual slave in the ranks to fight. Some did not want the Negro, bond or free, to take part as a soldier in the struggle. On 7 November 1775, Earl Dundore, commanding the forces of His Majesty the King, issued a proclamation offering freedom and equal pay to all slaves who would join his armies as soldiers. It did not take the colonists long to find out their mistake, although General Washington, in accordance with the expressed will of his officers and of the Committee of Safety, did on 17 November 1775, issue a proclamation forbidding the further enlistment of Negroes. Less than two months later, on 30 December 1775, he issued a second proclamation again authorizing the enlistment of free Negroes. He advised Congress of his action and stated, he would recall it if so directed. But he wasn't. The splendid service rendered by the Negro and the great and pressing need of men was such, that although the opposition continued from some sections, it wasn't strong enough to get recognition. So the Negroes went and came, as did other men.
             E. Preview of Main Points: I am going to speak to you a little about the commander of the 54th Massachusetts (Negro) Infantry. I am going to tell you about their battles and about...