Thomas Webster and the "Free Military School for Applicants for Commands of Colored Troops"

THOMAS WEBSTER AND THE "FREE MILITARY SCHOOL FOR APPLICANTS FOR COMMANDS OF COLORED TROOPS" Keith Wilson On 26 December 1863 a small academy opened at No. 1210 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. With one staff member, Chief Preceptor Col. John H. Taggart, and two students, the "Free Military School for Applicants for Commands of Colored Troops" began its shortbut turbulent history. From this humble beginning developed a unique military educational institution that sought to prepare an exclusively white student body for the task of commanding black troops. The rationale for the Free Military School rested upon a belief that the innately inferiorblack soldiers, who had suffered at the hands of the slaveholders and racially prejudiced Northern whites, needed to be commanded by especially sensitive and intelligent white officers.1 This study seeks to describe and explain the origin, growth, and eventual demise of the Free Military School. In addition, it attempts to place this institution in an ideological and bureaucratic context by discussing the impact of racial beliefs on the school's program and by exploring the complex relationship that developed between the school authorities and the War Department. The Free Military School had its origin in the movement to recruit Pennsylvania blacks into the Union army. Early inJune 1863, the special federal government agent, George L. Stearns, had been actively pursuing a vigorous policy of black recruitment. At a meeting held before a large audience at Union League House, Philadelphia, 8 June 1863, Stearns pointed out that there was a need for Pennsylvania to harvest its own rich recruiting grounds. In thecourse of this meetingitwas decided to seek the approval of the secretary of war, Edwin Stanton, for the recruitment of three black regiments to serve for a maximum of three years. A memorial was drafted to this effect by Thomas Webster, an 1 See Dudley T. Cornish, The Sable Arm: Negro Troops in the Union Army, 1861-1865 (New York, 1956), pp. 217-21 forabrief, generaldiscussion on theroleoftheFreeMilitary School during the Civil War. John H. Taggart, a printer by trade, had commanded a regiment of the Pennsylvania ReserveDivisionduring the Peninsula Campaign. M. D. Hardin, History of the Twelfth Regiment (New York, 1890), pp. 198-98. 102CIVIL WAR HISTORY active Union League member, signed by many leading citizens of Philadelphia, and sent to Stanton on 10 June 1863.2 As proof of their earnestness, those who signed the memorialpledged to raise the funds necessary "to defray extraordinary expenses for recruiting not allowed by Government." Shortly after receiving this memorial, Stanton sent a brief but encouraging reply authorizing the raising of three black regiments and requiring that efforts be made to liaise with Maj. George L. Stearns.3 Upon receipt of Edwin Stanton's letter of approval, a committee was formed to implement a program ofblack recruitment. Thomas Webster was elected chairman; Caldwalader Biddle, secretary; and Singleton A. Mercer, treasurer. Although membership included many members of the Philadelphia Union League Military committee, which was actively promoting white enlistment, this new committee acted independently. Underthechairmanship ofThomas Websterthe committeeemphasized its special roleby calling itself: "The Supervisory Committee for Enlistment of Colored Troops."4 The Supervisory Committee vigorously set about the task of raising funds. Gen. Robert E. Lee's recent invasion of Pennsylvania acted as a great catalyst to fund raising and black recruitment. Indeed, by midJuly a recruitment fund of over $25,000 had been established.5 The committee also made strenuous efforts to secure the support of leading black citizens. As early as 24 June 1863, a large meeting of "respectable colored citizens" was held at Franklin Hall, Philadelphia, to promote Negro recruitment. This was followed by another meeting arranged by thirty leading black citizens at which Frederick Douglass was the main speaker.6 By 30 July, Webster was able to report to Secretary Stanton that the Supervisory Committee was working well with Major Stearns and that already one regiment had been raised. In addition, Webster advocated making Philadelphia the logical center for the recruitmentof Northern Negroes.7 This proposal ignored the strong resistance to black recruitment prevalent in the city.8 2 Stearns claimed that already over 1,100 black Pennsylvanians were in the Union army serving in the Fifty-fourth...