Image: Peter Enlists into the 1st Louisiana, Emancipation, Apple+ (2022)
Payroll
The pay for black soldiers who enlisted into the military service of the United States were guided by the Militia Act, July 17, 1862.
Militia Act of 1862 and Second Confiscation Act: CHAP. CCI.–An Act to amend the Act calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections, and repel Invasions, approved February twenty-eight, seventeen hundred and ninety-five, and the Acts amendatory thereof, and for other Purposes.
SEC. 12. And be it further enacted, That the President be, and he is hereby, authorized to receive into the service of the United States, for the purpose of constructing intrenchments, or performing camp service or any other labor, or any military or naval service for which they may be found competent, persons of African descent, and such persons shall be enrolled and organized under such regulations, not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws, as the President may prescribe.
SEC. 13. And be it further enacted, That when any man or boy of African descent, who by the laws of any State shall owe service or labor to any person who, during the present rebellion, has levied war or has borne arms against the United States, or adhered to their enemies by giving them aid and comfort, shall render any such service as is provided for in this act, he, his mother and his wife and children, shall forever thereafter be free, any law, usage, or custom whatsoever to the contrary notwithstanding: Provided, That the mother, wife and children of such man or boy of African descent shall not be made free by the operation of this act except where such mother, wife or children owe service or labor to some person who, during the present rebellion, has borne arms against the United States or adhered to their enemies by giving them aid and comfort.
SEC. 14. And be it further enacted, That the expenses incurred to carry this act into effect shall be paid out of the general appropriation for the army and volunteers.
SEC. 15. And be it further enacted, That all persons who have been or shall be hereafter enrolled in the service of the United States under this act shall receive the pay and rations now allowed by law to soldiers, according to their respective grades: Provided, That persons of African descent, who under this law shall be employed, shall receive ten dollars per month and one ration, three dollars of which monthly pay may be in clothing. ($10.00 - $3.00 = $7.00)
. . . .
APPROVED, July 17, 1862.
Army Rank Colored White
Private $7.00 $13.00
Corporal $7.00 $13.00
Sergeant $7.00 $17.00
First Sergeant $7.00 $20.00
QM Sergeant $7.00 $21.00
Sergeant Major $7.00 $21.00
1st Lieutenant $105.50 $105.50
Captain $115.50 $115.50
Major $169.00
Lt. Colonel $181.00
Colonel $212.00
Note: Enlisted men were paid the same rate regardless of rank. Officers were responsible for paying for their own uniforms and equipment.
The disparity in pay was a result of political compromise and was met with immediate dissatisfaction with white abolitionists and the African-American community. Both USCT officers and enlisted men were insulted by the lower pay issued to colored soldiers in the army. Some men refused to accept their pay in protest, officers wrote home complaining to their congressmen and the War Department about the pay discrimination. The main issue was about whether black soldiers would be treated as equals to other soldiers.
Major John C. Chadwick, 92nd U.S.C.T., was one of many white officers of colored regiments who protested the unequal pay. “They have been mustered into service of the United States as soldiers; they have been called upon, and still are, to do all the duties of such, and to undergo all the hardships and privations, as such. And they were told that they were to receive the same pay as white troops; told by their officers that they were to receive the pay of their grades in accordance with the regulations for the government of the armies of the United States. It does not seem to be in accordance with the principles of justice, equity, and honor, that these soldiers of the United States Army, should receive less pay per month, for the same services, than any other United States Soldiers of the same grade and class; and in their name and on their behalf, I most earnestly and respectfully protest, and pray that this evident injustice may be speedily rectified, that the seeds of discord and discontent may not be sown or take root.”
When U.S. Attorney General Edward Bates gave his opinion to President Lincoln that black soldiers should receive equal pay as soldiers, the matter was pushed forward. In mid June 1864 Congress adjusted the pay of U.S. Colored Troops which had been set to the equivalent of contraband laborers such as those working with the U.S. Military Railroad under the Quartermasters Department. It also authorized back pay for all of the men to January 1, 1864. Those who were free at the beginning of the war had back pay authorized to the date of enlistment. For the men of the 97th US Colored Infantry it was done through General Order 105 of August 1864 (see service records of privates Brazee and Garrison below).
Pay for all soldiers, white or black, was not received every month, nor during campaign. Therefore, when a soldier was paid it was for several months pay. Anywhere from two to six months at a time, all at once. This resulted in huge amounts of money in a soldier's pocket only a few times a year.
In 1865 Congress authorized back pay for all U.S. Colored Troops regardless of free status at the war's start. Pay and the clothing allowance for all soldiers, black and white, was uniformly increased in mid-64, also retroactive to Jan. 1, 1864. As such, men who had been paid $7 a month ($10 with $3 deducted for clothing) got $16 and up, plus $4 clothing allowance, plus an extra $9 for every month they were underpaid, with more for Non-Commissioned Officers.
Militia Act of 1862 and Second Confiscation Act: CHAP. CCI.–An Act to amend the Act calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections, and repel Invasions, approved February twenty-eight, seventeen hundred and ninety-five, and the Acts amendatory thereof, and for other Purposes.
SEC. 12. And be it further enacted, That the President be, and he is hereby, authorized to receive into the service of the United States, for the purpose of constructing intrenchments, or performing camp service or any other labor, or any military or naval service for which they may be found competent, persons of African descent, and such persons shall be enrolled and organized under such regulations, not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws, as the President may prescribe.
SEC. 13. And be it further enacted, That when any man or boy of African descent, who by the laws of any State shall owe service or labor to any person who, during the present rebellion, has levied war or has borne arms against the United States, or adhered to their enemies by giving them aid and comfort, shall render any such service as is provided for in this act, he, his mother and his wife and children, shall forever thereafter be free, any law, usage, or custom whatsoever to the contrary notwithstanding: Provided, That the mother, wife and children of such man or boy of African descent shall not be made free by the operation of this act except where such mother, wife or children owe service or labor to some person who, during the present rebellion, has borne arms against the United States or adhered to their enemies by giving them aid and comfort.
SEC. 14. And be it further enacted, That the expenses incurred to carry this act into effect shall be paid out of the general appropriation for the army and volunteers.
SEC. 15. And be it further enacted, That all persons who have been or shall be hereafter enrolled in the service of the United States under this act shall receive the pay and rations now allowed by law to soldiers, according to their respective grades: Provided, That persons of African descent, who under this law shall be employed, shall receive ten dollars per month and one ration, three dollars of which monthly pay may be in clothing. ($10.00 - $3.00 = $7.00)
. . . .
APPROVED, July 17, 1862.
Army Rank Colored White
Private $7.00 $13.00
Corporal $7.00 $13.00
Sergeant $7.00 $17.00
First Sergeant $7.00 $20.00
QM Sergeant $7.00 $21.00
Sergeant Major $7.00 $21.00
1st Lieutenant $105.50 $105.50
Captain $115.50 $115.50
Major $169.00
Lt. Colonel $181.00
Colonel $212.00
Note: Enlisted men were paid the same rate regardless of rank. Officers were responsible for paying for their own uniforms and equipment.
The disparity in pay was a result of political compromise and was met with immediate dissatisfaction with white abolitionists and the African-American community. Both USCT officers and enlisted men were insulted by the lower pay issued to colored soldiers in the army. Some men refused to accept their pay in protest, officers wrote home complaining to their congressmen and the War Department about the pay discrimination. The main issue was about whether black soldiers would be treated as equals to other soldiers.
Major John C. Chadwick, 92nd U.S.C.T., was one of many white officers of colored regiments who protested the unequal pay. “They have been mustered into service of the United States as soldiers; they have been called upon, and still are, to do all the duties of such, and to undergo all the hardships and privations, as such. And they were told that they were to receive the same pay as white troops; told by their officers that they were to receive the pay of their grades in accordance with the regulations for the government of the armies of the United States. It does not seem to be in accordance with the principles of justice, equity, and honor, that these soldiers of the United States Army, should receive less pay per month, for the same services, than any other United States Soldiers of the same grade and class; and in their name and on their behalf, I most earnestly and respectfully protest, and pray that this evident injustice may be speedily rectified, that the seeds of discord and discontent may not be sown or take root.”
When U.S. Attorney General Edward Bates gave his opinion to President Lincoln that black soldiers should receive equal pay as soldiers, the matter was pushed forward. In mid June 1864 Congress adjusted the pay of U.S. Colored Troops which had been set to the equivalent of contraband laborers such as those working with the U.S. Military Railroad under the Quartermasters Department. It also authorized back pay for all of the men to January 1, 1864. Those who were free at the beginning of the war had back pay authorized to the date of enlistment. For the men of the 97th US Colored Infantry it was done through General Order 105 of August 1864 (see service records of privates Brazee and Garrison below).
Pay for all soldiers, white or black, was not received every month, nor during campaign. Therefore, when a soldier was paid it was for several months pay. Anywhere from two to six months at a time, all at once. This resulted in huge amounts of money in a soldier's pocket only a few times a year.
In 1865 Congress authorized back pay for all U.S. Colored Troops regardless of free status at the war's start. Pay and the clothing allowance for all soldiers, black and white, was uniformly increased in mid-64, also retroactive to Jan. 1, 1864. As such, men who had been paid $7 a month ($10 with $3 deducted for clothing) got $16 and up, plus $4 clothing allowance, plus an extra $9 for every month they were underpaid, with more for Non-Commissioned Officers.
Bounties
Evidence suggests that bounties were paid to some of the men of the Native Guards and the 1st Louisiana Engineers, but not to every soldier, and not promptly. Two different recruitment ads found in the October 25th, 1862 issue of l'Union newspaper in New Orleans, Louisiana advertise both money and property to be given to soldiers as an enticement to enlist. Both advertisements are for the 3rd Regiment Volunteers Louisiana (Native Guard) and offering $100.00 bounty or 160 acres at the end of the war, $38.00 advance. Pay $13.00 to $22.00 per month depending on rank. Corporals and Sergeants were required to be bilingual in French and English. Two different recruiting stations and different recruiting officers: Louis N. Fouche at No. 96 rue des Champs-Elysees, and A. St Leger and A. Johnson at the junction of the ramparts and St. Anne (across from Cango square [Louis Armstrong Park] today).
The National Archives has many examples of quite a few, but not the majority, of enlisted men in the 97th USCT receiving bounties. There does not appear to be any uniformity in bounty amounts. For example, Private Willis Hope of the 97th US Col'd Infantry was a transfer from the 1st U.S. Colored Infantry into the regiment that occurred in April of 1865 at New Orleans, LA. He is on record of receiving a bounty of $100.00. $33.33 had been paid with the remainder still due. He was sent to Fort Gaines, Starks Warf, and then to Mobile, Alabama. Others received $300.00. such as with Private William Hill of Company F. as the war was coming to a close. He was born in Sampson, Alabama and by April 20th of 1865 he was in Mobile, Alabama where he mustered in for a three year commitment. He was referred to as an "Alabama Recruit" on his paperwork, listed as a "laborer" and was promised a $300.00 bounty. He apparently went to Fort Gaines for a while then back to Mobile. When the regiment was mustered out a few months later, April 6, 1866, private William Hill owed the US $.08 and the U.S. still owed him $200.00 still unpaid from the bounty. Some members of the Corps d’Afrique did not receive the bounty they were promised when enlisting in the Native Guard until 1867. The link connects to Freedmen's Bureau records that lists several examples of bounties due and paid to soldiers and families. |
Conscription
Once men of African descent were authorized into military service, it also meant that those men between the ages of 20 to 45 were available for the draft under the Conscription Act which went into effect April, 1, 1863. These men did not receive a bounty and their service records show that they were conscripted men. Forcing black men directly from slavery into the army was not well received and it's practice was frowned upon.
Sources:
Service Records, National Archives
Hollandsworth, Louisiana Native Guards
Service Records, National Archives
Hollandsworth, Louisiana Native Guards
Death and Disease
The overwhelming number of deaths of men in the U.S. Colored Troops were from illness and disease. Numerous articles and research papers have been written about the subject. The 97th U.S. Colored Infantry was no exception. Besides the National Archives service records. this link goes to the Freedmen's Bureau records that lists some of the contrabands in the Corps d'Afrique who were hospitalized and either died or discharged due to illness.