The War Department and Colored Officers
July 9, 1898
Summary
John Mitchell, Jr. receives a response from the United States War Department clarifying their policy on the issue of African American troops in the war.
Transcription
A letter to the Secretary of War
The Assistant Adjutant General makes reply.
No definite policy laid down—no colored captains in the regular army.
The states more liberal than the government.
The following Correspondence will explain itself:
Office of The Planet,
311 N. 4th Street.
June 7, 1898
Hon. Russel A. Alger,
Secretary of War,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir: —I see it stated that it is not the policy of the government to place colored troops, and that companies of state troops with colored officers in command of colored troops, and that companies of state troops with colored officers are to be mustered in only with white officers.
Please advise whether of not this is the policy of your department.
Very truly yours,
John Mitchell, Jr.
The letter was referred to the Adjutant General’s Office as the following reply will indicate:
War Department
Adju’t General’s Office
Washington, June 30, ’98.
Mr. John Mitchell, Jr.,
311 North Fourth St.,
Richmond, Va.
Sir: —In reply to your letter of the 7th instant, I have the honor to inform you that the Government has laid down no definite policy in regard to the commissioned officers fo colored troops.
There are companies and battalions of state troops in service with colored officers, and also with white officers and there are regiments of U.S. Volunteers in which the field, staff and captains are white and the lieutenants colored.
Very respectfully,
H. O. S. Hertland,
Asst. Adjutant General
The Assistant Adjutant General makes reply.
No definite policy laid down—no colored captains in the regular army.
The states more liberal than the government.
The following Correspondence will explain itself:
Office of The Planet,
311 N. 4th Street.
June 7, 1898
Hon. Russel A. Alger,
Secretary of War,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir: —I see it stated that it is not the policy of the government to place colored troops, and that companies of state troops with colored officers in command of colored troops, and that companies of state troops with colored officers are to be mustered in only with white officers.
Please advise whether of not this is the policy of your department.
Very truly yours,
John Mitchell, Jr.
The letter was referred to the Adjutant General’s Office as the following reply will indicate:
War Department
Adju’t General’s Office
Washington, June 30, ’98.
Mr. John Mitchell, Jr.,
311 North Fourth St.,
Richmond, Va.
Sir: —In reply to your letter of the 7th instant, I have the honor to inform you that the Government has laid down no definite policy in regard to the commissioned officers fo colored troops.
There are companies and battalions of state troops in service with colored officers, and also with white officers and there are regiments of U.S. Volunteers in which the field, staff and captains are white and the lieutenants colored.
Very respectfully,
H. O. S. Hertland,
Asst. Adjutant General
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Upper Right Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Cali Hughes
Citation
“The War Department and Colored Officers,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed January 20, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1434.