Eng., Aug., 1865; First Lt, Nov., 1865.
JOHN M.SEAKLES, 1st N.Y.Mounted Rifles, June 15, 1865; Mustered out, &c.
Appendix B The First Black Soldiers It is well known that the first systematic attempt to organize colored troops during the war of the rebellion was the so-called "Hunter Regiment." The officer originally detailed to recruit for this purpose was Sergeant C.T.Trowbridge, of the New York Volunteer Engineers (Col.
Serrell).

His detail was dated May 7, 1862, S.O.84 Dept.

South.
Enlistments came in very slowly, and no wonder.

The white officers and soldiers were generally opposed to the experiment, and filled the ears of the negroes with the same tales which had been told them by their masters,--that the Yankees really meant to sell them to Cuba, and the like.

The mildest threats were that they would be made to work without pay (which turned out to be the case), and that they would be put in the front rank in every battle.