David Hunter (photo citation: 111-B-3580) in South Carolina issued proclamations that emancipated slaves in their military regions and permitted them to enlist, their superiors sternly revoked their orders. Frémont (photo citation: 111-B-3756) in Missouri and Gen. The Lincoln administration wrestled with the idea of authorizing the recruitment of black troops, concerned that such a move would prompt the border states to secede. In Boston disappointed would-be volunteers met and passed a resolution requesting that the Government modify its laws to permit their enlistment. army (although they had served in the American Revolution and in the War of 1812).
They were turned away, however, because a Federal law dating from 1792 barred Negroes from bearing arms for the U.S.
News from Fort Sumter set off a rush by free black men to enlist in U.S. The issues of emancipation and military service were intertwined from the onset of the Civil War. "Once let the black man get upon his person the brass letter, U.S., let him get an eagle on his button, and a musket on his shoulder and bullets in his pocket, there is no power on earth that can deny that he has earned the right to citizenship."
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