True there was, prior to his appointment, one of like rank, but differing in position—that of Dr. Augusta, of Canada, who was accepted after a most rigid examination, as is customary in such cases.
But in the appointment of this field officer there existed an indisputable recognition of the claims of his race to the country. With this interpretation those who formerly hesitated in accepting the policy of the administration now upheld it with confidence. And from the golden leaf of promise, borne upon the shoulders of the first black officer, a light clear and steady seemed to shine forth, illumining with a strange, wild splendor the hitherto dark pages of his people’s history, heralding the glory of the future to them.
Before he left Washington, he communicated with colored men, as far as was prudent, to make the necessary preparation in the event of a black army being organized, to be commanded by black officers. For in the Union army there were many men, from the North especially, of fine talent and scholastic attainments, who, from their experience and knowledge gained in the military campaigns, could at once be made available.
Certain leading spirits of the “Underground Railroad” were invoked. Scouts incog. were already “on to Richmond,” and the services of the famous Harriet Tubman, having been secured to serve in the South, had received her transportation for Charleston, S. C.
These arrangements being effected, he went to Cleveland, Ohio, to meet a council of his co-laborers, in order to enforce suitable measures by which the slave enlistment might be prevented, and to demoralize those already enrolled, as rumors had reached the North of such enlistment having been started at Richmond.
With his friend George Vosburg, Esq., in the lead, whom he likens always to “a flame alive, but unseen,” the most active measures were instituted at this council, as their proceedings show.
These gave evidence that the appointment of one of their number was recognized by them as an appeal, though the day was far spent of the country’s need for the aid of the colored men of the North, and at the first certain sound they hastened with their offerings.
A few days were spent at his home, preparing for his departure; and being delayed on the way by a freshet, he did not reach New York until the second day after the departure of the steamer for Charleston. While it delayed the principal measures, it gave him a week in New York, in which to perfect preliminary arrangements. Here business of importance was entered upon, and the eloquent William Howard Day, M. A., was chosen to arrange the military policy of the underground railroad relative to the slave enlistment.