Meeting in Washington DC demands protection for black Union prisoners of war

In Washington, D.C., leading African-American residents met on the subject of black enlistments into the Union Army.  One speaker, W.A. Crofutt, asked that President Lincoln to do all in his power to protect black Union soldiers taken prisoner from Confederate ill-treatment, even if the Union had to threaten retaliation against CSA prisoners in Northern hands.  A petition was passed and sent to the White House. (By John Osborne) 
Source Citation
"News From Washington: Progress of Recruiting for the Negro," New York Times, May 20, 1863, p. 1. 
    Date Certainty
    Exact
    Type
    Battles/Soldiers
    How to Cite This Page: "Meeting in Washington DC demands protection for black Union prisoners of war," House Divided: The Civil War Research Engine at Dickinson College, https://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/index.php/node/39555.