Gov. Tyler Refuses to Remove Colored Officers
June 18, 1898
Summary
Virginia's governor joins other states in exercising their right to allow African American officers to remain in their posts.
Transcription
Gov. J. Hoge Tyler has decided that the Colored troops shall be commanded by their own Colored Officers. To remove them he declares would be to violate his oath of office, and he cannot comply with the wishes of those who made the demand upon him.
Major J. B. Johnson of Richmond will command the First Battalion, Virginia Volunteer Infantry, and Major W. H. Johnson of Petersburg will command the Second Battalion, Virginia Volunteer Infantry. The War Department has decided to muster in both officers and men as they are. The salary of a Major in the regular army is said to be about Three Thousand Dollars per year. This no doubt accounts for the opposition. Gov. Tyler, of Virginia, Sir!
Major J. B. Johnson of Richmond will command the First Battalion, Virginia Volunteer Infantry, and Major W. H. Johnson of Petersburg will command the Second Battalion, Virginia Volunteer Infantry. The War Department has decided to muster in both officers and men as they are. The salary of a Major in the regular army is said to be about Three Thousand Dollars per year. This no doubt accounts for the opposition. Gov. Tyler, of Virginia, Sir!
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Upper Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Cali Hughes
Files
Citation
“Gov. Tyler Refuses to Remove Colored Officers,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed January 20, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1408.