"Impetuous Charge of the First Colored Rebel Regiment," November 5, 1864, political cartoon

IMPETUOUS CHARGE OF THE FIRST COLORED REBEL REGIMENT [By Our Prophetic Artist. "The time has come for us to put into the army every able-bodied negro man as a soldier. We have learned from dear-bought experience that negroes can be taught to fight. I would free all able to bear arms, and put them in the fight at once. They will make much better soldiers with us than against us, and swell now the depleted ranks of our armies." - HENRY W. ALLEN (Rebel Governor of Louisiana) to JAMES W. SEDDON (Rebel Secretary of War), September 26, 1864. "The Consription of Negroes should be accompanied with freedom and privilege of remaining in the State. When it is once understood that freedom and a home in the South are the privileges offered by the Confederate Authorities, not only will desertion from our ranks be infrequent, but the drafted negroes of the Yankee Armies will exchange services. Nor should this important subject be prejudiced with questions about putting negroes on an equality with our friends, brothers, and fathers." - Richmond Enquirer, October 18.