"The free colored people of this place, to the number of 36, have tendered their services for the defence of this city, and voluntarily taken the oath of allegiance. I understand they are to be furnished the necessary arms, and that a more loyal corps is not to be found in the Confederacy's limits."

http://www.nytimes.com/1861/07/12/news/letter-from-pensacola.html

*******

The paper trail ends here - as far as I know.

Anyone know more about this?