Q. A. Gillmorhe to H. W. Hauueck, December 14, 1863

Maj. Gen. H. W. Hauueck, General-in-Chief, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.:

Sir: I desire to urge upon the attention of the Government certain simple measures for bettering the condition of the colored people of this department, colored soldiers in particular.

The policy of the Government in organizing regiments of colored troops upon this coast, and the value and general efficiency of that class of soldiers, has had a fair trial and a successful] issue under my owneye. The wisdom of the course pursued (under my uniform rule to treat the white and the colored soldier alike) has been fully vindicated upon the field of battle and in the trenches. Every vestige of the prejudice and ill feeling which existed between the white and the colored troops of this command, during a period of inactivity, has disappeared under the excitements of an active campaign, of which the labors and dangers were shared alike by both sinseos

I request attention to the following points:

the States of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, and, in forming them into regiments, they should be designated as United States colored regiments, with the appropriate numbers. This would materially simplify the organizations and increase their efficiency.

Second. A board for the examination of candidates for commissions in colored regiments should be appointed in this department.

should be the same. All distinctions calculated to raise in the mind of the colored man a suspicion that he is regarded as an inferior

128 S.C. AND G. A. COASTS, AND IN MID. AND E. FLA. _[Cuar. XL,

being, should be scrupulously avoided. Every dictate of sound policy suggests this course, even if we regard the matter as still an experiment of doubtful results, which it is not.

Fourth. The families of colored soldiers should be provided for RY allowing them to locate upon and cultivate land in advance of

e regular survey and sale thereof. This is important as a military measure by making the soldier contented with his lot, by securing to him a home for his family during the war and for himself when the war is over.

I inclose herewith the duplicate of a letter addressed this day to the Secretary of War, recommending the consolidation, under Colonel Littlefield (Fourth South Carolina Volunteers), of fragments of the Third, Fourth, and Fifth South Carolina Volunteers.

the Fifth South Carolina Volunteers, under his special authority from the War Department to raise 5,000 South Carolina volunteers, offers no objection to this plan. There are urgent reasons why it should be carried into immediate effect.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,