He told the recruiting officer that he wished to be assigned to a colored regiment.
"Why do you wish that," said the officer, looking at Harry with an air of astonishment.
"Because I am a colored man." The officer look puzzled.

It was a new experience.

He had seen colored men with fair complexions anxious to lose their identity with the colored race and pose as white men, but here was a man in the flush of his early manhood, to whom could come dreams of promotion from a simple private to a successful general, deliberately turning his back upon every gilded hope and dazzling opportunity, to cast his lot with the despised and hated negro.
"I do not understand you," said the officer.

"Surely you are a white man, and, as such, I will enlist you in a white regiment." "No," said Harry, firmly, "I am a colored man, and unless I can be assigned to a colored regiment I am not willing to enter the army." "Well," said the officer, "you are the d----d'st fool I ever saw--a man as white as you are turning his back upon his chances of promotion! But you can take your choice." So Harry was permitted to enter the army.

By his promptness and valor he soon won the hearts of his superior officers, and was made drill sergeant.