Doc Evaluation #four
James Henry Gooding, an African American Soldier,
Pleads for Equal Therapy, 1863
Morris Island, South Carolina
September 28, 1863
Your Excellency, Abraham Lincoln
Your Excellency will pardon the presumption of an humble particular person like myself, in addressing you, however the earnest solicitation of my comrades in arms apart from the real curiosity felt on my own within the matter is my excuse, for putting earlier than the Government head of the Nation our Widespread Grievance.
On the sixth of the final Month, the Paymaster of the Division knowledgeable us, that if we’d determine to obtain the sum of $10 (ten dollars) monthly, he would come and pay us that sum, however that, on the sitting of Congress, the Regt. [regiment] would, in his opinion, be allowed the opposite three (three). He didn’t give us any assure that this is able to be, as he hoped; definitely he had no authority for making any such assure, and we can’t suppose him performing in any manner .
Now the primary query is, are we Troopers, or are we Laborers? We’re totally armed, and outfitted, have finished all he numerous duties pertaining to a Soldier’s Life, have carried out ourselves to the whole satisfaction of Common Officers, who had been, if something, prejudiced towards us, however who ow accord us all of the encouragement and honors due us; have shared the perils and labor of decreasing the primary strong-hold that flaunted a Traitor Flag; and extra, Mr. President, to-day the Anglo-Saxon Mom, Spouse, or Sister should not alone in tears for departed Sons, Husbands and Brothers. The affected person, trusting descendant of Afric’s Clime have dyed the bottom with blood, in protection of the Union, and Democracy. Males, too, your Excellency, who know in a measure the cruelties of the iron heel of oppression, which in years passed by, the very energy their blood is now being spilled to keep up, ever floor them within the mud.
However when the battle trumpet sounded o’er the land, when males knew not the Good friend from the Traitor, the Black man laid his life on the altar of the Nation – and he was refused. When the arms of the Union had been overwhelmed, within the first 12 months of the battle, and the Government referred to as for extra meals for its ravenous maw, once more the black man begged the privilege of aiding his nation in her want, to be once more refused.
And now he’s within the Conflict, and the way has he carried out himself?…Obedient and affected person and stable as a wall are they. All we lack is a paler hue and a greater acquaintance with the alphabet.
Now you Excellency, we’ve got finished a Soldier’s obligation. Why can’t we’ve got a Soldier’s pay? You warning the Insurgent chieftain, that america is aware of no distinction in her troopers. She insists on having all her troopers of no matter creed or shade, to be handled in response to the usages of Conflict. Now if america exacts uniform it of therapy of her troopers from the insurgents, wouldn’t it not be effectively and constant to set the instance herself by paying all her troopers alike?
We of this Regt. Weren’t enlisted below any “contraband” act. However we so not want to be understood as ranking our service of extra worth to the Authorities than the service of the ex-slave. Their service is undoubtedly value a lot to the Nation, however Congress made specific provision touching their case, as slaves freed by navy necessity, and assuming the Authorities to be their non permanent Guardian. Not so with us. Freemen by delivery and consequently having the benefit of pondering and performing for ourselves as far as the Legal guidelines would permit us, we don’t think about ourselves match topics for the Contraband act.
We attraction to you, Sir, because the Government of the Nation, to have us justly handled. The Regt. Do pray that they be assured their service might be pretty appreciated by paying them as American Troopers, not as menial hirelings. Black males, chances are you’ll effectively know, are poor; three dollars monthly, for a 12 months, will provide their needy wives and little ones with gasoline. In case you, as Chief Justice of the Peace of the Nation, will guarantee us of our entire pay, we’re content material. Our Patriotism, our enthusiasm could have a brand new impetus, to exert our power an increasing number of to assist our Nation. Not that our hearts ever flagged in devotion, spite the evident apathy displayed in our behalf, however we really feel as if our Nation spurned us, now we’re sworn to serve her. Please give this a second’s consideration.
Be certain to make use of the Chicago Model Format for the project. Learn the doc effectively then write details about the doc.
Contemplate: After studying the doc – write a “hook” an attention-grabbing starting of your paper; who’s writing the doc; why are they writing the doc: who’re they writing to: what are they requesting: Why did their select to jot down to the person.
Be certain your narrative is one and a half to 2 pages. Don’t write previous two pages and there’s no want for a “cowl web page”.
