From the Richmond Enquirer, 3/23/1865

CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA

WAR DEPARTMENT,
ADJ'T AND INSP'R GEN'LS OFFICE,
Richmond, March 11, '65.

Sirs – You are hereby authorized to raise a company or companies of negro soldiers under the provisions of the act of Congress, approved March 13, 1865.

When the requisite number shall have been recruited, they will be mustered into the service for the war, and muster rolls forwarded to this office.

The companies, when organized, will be subject to the rules and regulations governing the Provisional army of the Confederate States.

By command of the Secretary of War.

(Signed)                                   JOHN W. RIPLEY. A. A. G.

To Major J. W. Pegram, Major T. P. Turner, through Gen. Ewell.

COLORED TROOPS.
AN APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA.

It will be seen by the order of the Secretary of War, published above, that the undersigned have been authorized to proceed at once with the organization of companies to be composed of persons of color, free and slave, who are willing to volunteer under the recent acts of Congress and Legislature of Virginia. It is well known to the country that General Lee has evinced the deepest interest in this subject and that he regards prompt action in this matter as vitally important to the country. In a letter addressed by him to Lieutenant General Ewell, dated March 10th, he says: "I hope it will be found practicable to raise a considerable force in Richmond." * * * * "I attach great importance to the first experiment, and nothing should be left undone to make it successful. The sooner this can be accomplished the better!"

The undersigned have established a rendezvous on 21st, between Main and Cary Streets, at the building known as "Smith's Factory," and every arrangement has been made to secure the comfort of the recruits, and to prepare them for service. It is recommended that each recruit be furnished, when practicable, with a gray jacket and pants, cap and blanket and good serviceable pair of shoes, but no delay should take place in forwarding the recruits in order to obtain these articles.

The Governments, Confederate and State, having settled the policy of employing this element of strength, and this class of our population having given repeated evidence of their willingness to take up arms in defence of their homes, it is believed that it is only necessary to put the matter before them in a proper light to cause them to rally with enthusiasm for the preservation of the homes in which they have been born and raised, and in which they have found contentment and happiness, and to save themselves and their face from the barbarous cruelty invariably practiced upon them by a perfidious enemy claiming to be their friends.

Will not the people of Virginia, in this hour of peril and danger, promptly respond to the call of our loved General in Chief, and the demand of the Confederate and State Governments? Will those who have freely given their sons and brothers, their money and their property to the achievement of the liberties of their country now hold back from the cause their servants, who can well be spared, and who would gladly aid in bringing this fearful war to a speedy and glorious termination?

Let every man in the State consider himself a recruiting officer and enter at once upon the duty of aiding in the organization of this force by sending forward recruits to our rendezvous. Every consideration of patriotism, the independence of our country, the safety of our homes, the happiness of our families and the sanctity of our firesides all prompt to immediate and energetic action for the defence of the country. Let the people but be true to themselves and to the claims of duty and our independence will be speedily secured and peace be restored within our borders.

J. W. PEGRAM
Major, &c., P. A. C. S.,

THOS. P. TURNER
Major, &c., P. A. C. S.

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