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DocsTeachThe online tool for teaching with documents, from the National Archives National Archives Foundation National Archives

Letter Requesting Copy of Act of Congress Equalizing Pay of Black Soldiers

6/6/1864

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Lieutenant Colonel Louis Wagner, 88th Division of Pennsylvania Volunteers, Commander Camp William Penn, sent this letter to the Adjutant General of the United States requesting an official copy of the act of Congress which equalized black soldiers' pay.

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165

Head Quarters Camp Wm Penn
Chelten Hills Pa.
June 4th 1864.

Comdg Officer
32nd Regt U.S.C.T.
Sir
I have the honor to report that Franklin Procter of your Regiment was received at this Post as a straggler on the 28th of May and that Gus Allen C.D. was received as a straggler June 3rd

I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully
Your obdt Servant
Louis Wagner
Lt Col 88th Vols.
Comdy Post.

Head Quarters Camp William Penn
Chelten Hill Pa.
June 6th 1864

Adjutant General U.S.A
Washington D.C.
Sir
I have the honor to ask for an official copy of the act of Congress passed during last month placing colored Troops on an equal footing with white troops in regard to pay and clothing from January 1st 1864.

The Paymaster of this Department refuses to pay more than Seven Dollars $7.00 per month, never having been notified of any change in the amount of pay

I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully
Your obdt Servant
Louis Wagner
Lt. Col 88th Pa. Vols.
Comdy Post.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Provost Marshal General's Bureau (Civil War).
National Archives Identifier: 81214824
Full Citation: Letter from Louis Wagner to Adjutant General of the United States Requesting Copy of Act of Congress Equalizing Pay of Black Soldiers; 6/6/1864; Letters Sent, January 1864 to June 1865; Letters Sent, 7/23/1863 - 6/10/1865; Records of the Provost Marshal General's Bureau (Civil War), Record Group 110; National Archives at Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/wagner-adjutant-general-equalizing-pay, March 27, 2023]
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