A paper in Lynchburg, Virginia, commenting on the enlistment of 70 free Negroes to fight for the defense of the State, concluded with "three cheers for the patriotic Negroes of Lynchburg."(20)
Two weeks after the firing on Fort Sumter, several companies of volunteers of color passed through Augusta on their way to Virginia to engage in actual war. Sixteen well-drilled companies of volunteers and one Negro company from Nashville composed this group. (21) In November of the same year, a military review was held in New Orleans. Twenty-eight thousand troops passed before Governor Moore, General Lowell and General Ruggles. The line of march covered over seven miles in length. It is said that one regiment comprised 1,400 free colored men.(22) The Baltimore Traveler commenting on arming Negroes at Richmond, said: '' Contrabands who have recently come within the Federal lines at Williamsport, report that all the able-bodied men in that vicinity are being taken to Richmond, formed into regiments, and armed for the defense of that city."(23)
20. Greely, The American Conflict, Vol. II p. 522. The Lynchburg Republican (The American conflict: a history of the great rebellion in the ..., Volume 2, Greely, 1867)
21. Ibid, p. 277.
22. Ibid, p. Vol II, p. 522.
23. The Baltimore Traveler, Feburary, 4, 1862.
Memphis Tennessee, Recruitment advertisement
The announcement of the recruiting read: "Attention, volunteers: Resolved by the Committee of Safety that C. Deloach, D. R. Cook and William B. Greenlaw be authorized to organize a volunteer company composed of our patriotic free men of color, of the city of Memphis, for the service of our common defense. All who have not enrolled their names will call at the office of W. B. Greenlaw & Co." The Journal of Negro history, Volume 4 By Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, inc. 1919, page 244.
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