Eleven Muster Rolls. Partly-printed Documents, filled out and signed by the commanding officer, and signed with an 'x' by the soldiers. Large folio, folded to legal docket size; some light wear at folds. Attached to the Muster rolls are two

Eleven Muster Rolls. Partly-printed Documents, filled out and signed by the commanding officer, and signed with an 'x' by the soldiers. Large folio, folded to legal docket size; some light wear at folds. Attached to the Muster rolls are two additional documents, leaves of absence. Should Be Seen. Bermuda Hundred, Virginia, March-April, 1865 E1500-2500 The Lincoln administration, drawing legal authority from the Confiscation Act of July 17th, 1862, began to enlist colored soldiers as early as summer of 1862 Official enlistment, however did not begin until 1863, amidst great opposition from many Northen politicians. With the aid of Frederick Douglass, 120 colored infantry regiments were formed, many displaying extraordinary valor. In all, a total of 178,895 colored troops fought from 1863-1865 The 19th was involved in the battles of Hatcher's Run and Yellow Tavern. Bermuda Hundred was a supply depot which came under frequent fire. These muster rolls list the names of hundreds ofAftican-Americans who fought in defense of the Union. Among the commanding officers whose signatures appear are: Captain Thomas S. Stewart, his servant, Thomas Darsey, Colonel Henry G. Thomas, with a notation in red of his appointment to Brigadier General, Captain George Wilson, 2nd Lieut. W. S. Faulkner, 2nd lieut. C. B. Wilson and his servant Leny Murphy, Captain Danl. Mason, Captain James Pickard, 2nd lieut. 1 A. Arbuthnot, and Captain William Welsh. The other two documents are elaborate quartermaster's payment slips providing transportation for private Frank Lloyd from Bermuda Hundred to Harper's Ferry, approved by General Butler; the other for Sgt. Judson Matthews, approved by General Heckman sp?.