s of a soldier be accorded him. On his record in arms, not
excluding his manifest capacity to command, the colored soldier,
speaking for the entire body of colored citizens in this country, only
demands that the door of the nation's military training school be
freely open to the capable of his race, and the avenue of promotion
from the ranks be accessible to his tried efficiency; that no
hindrance prevent competent colored men from taking their places as
officers as well as soldiers in the nation's permanent military
establishment.

FOOTNOTES:

[26] Headquarters Department of the Gulf,
New Orleans, August 22, 1862.
General Orders No. 63.

"Whereas, on the 23d day of April, in the year eighteen
hundred and sixty-one, at a public meeting of the free
colored population of the city of New Orleans, a military
organization, known as the 'Native Guards' (colored), had
its existence, which military organization was duly and
legally enrolled as a part of the militia of the State, its
officers being commissioned by Thomas O. Moore, Governor and
Commander-in-Chief of the militia of the State of Louisiana,
in the form following, that is to say:

The State of Louisiana.
(Seal of the State.)

By Thomas Overton Moore, Governor of the State of Louisiana,
and commander-in-chief of the militia thereof.

"'In the name and by the authority of the State of
Louisiana: Know ye that ---- ----, having been duly and
legally elected captain of the "Native Guards" (colored),
first division of the Militia of Louisiana, to serve for the
term of the war,

"'I do hereby appoint and commission him captain as
aforesaid, to take rank as such, from the 2d day of May,
eighteen hundred and sixty-one.

"'He is, therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge
the duties of his office by doing and performing all manner
of things thereto belonging. And I do strictly charge and
require all officers, non-commissioned officers and privates
under his command to be obedient to his orders as captain;
and he is to observe and follow such orders and directions,
from time to time, as he shall receive from me, or the
future Governor of the State of Louisiana, or other superior
officers, according to the Rules and Articles of War, and in
conformity to law.

"'In testimony whereof, I hav