What Role Did Butler Play In The Recruitment Movement
When Union forces began recruiting and training, Butler encountered a problem, many of these men knew only domestic and field work and even more of a bigger problem, they were illiterate. Butler appointed Lt. Col. J.B. Kinsman and Eaton as chief of a Department of Negro Affairs; this meant that they were to serve as aids to persons who gave secular and religious instruction to blacks in Virginia and North Carolina. In March 1863, Secretary of War Edward M. Stanton, ordered the beginning of the systematic recruitment of Negroes. Though Butler began a process of educating blacks, he now was facing another difficult task, of how to properly train these men. The recruiting process was difficult, there was a communication barrier and these slaves
had no training; “child-like” minded slaves. This caused frustration and tiered the patience and intelligence of Butler and his men. Black men could rarely perform the work of non-commissioned officers and often required more oral instructions than white regiments. Besides facing problems in recruitment and training, black soldiers often felt like they were second class soldiers and often realized, that a promotion to a higher rank in the regiment, was not going to occur because of their status; a lack of education was to be blamed. Although Butler was no abolitionist and was seeking no equal rights for black troops, he did believe that they had potential. December 5, 1863, Butler gave out General Orders No. 46, here it is easy to see how Butler begins to ask for certain rights for blacks. These orders consisted of sixteen different orders, in which Butler wanted blacks, to rise above the second class soldier; “In consideration of the ignorance and helplessness of the negroes, arising from the condition in which they have been heretofore held, it becomes necessary that the Government should exercise more and peculiar care and protection over them than over its white citizens…” Butler realized, that these men were limited in the past, he realized that they had no education and no training and no rights, though Butler still believes that the white race is superior, he also believes it his right along with his fellow commanders, to do right by these men.
had no training; “child-like” minded slaves. This caused frustration and tiered the patience and intelligence of Butler and his men. Black men could rarely perform the work of non-commissioned officers and often required more oral instructions than white regiments. Besides facing problems in recruitment and training, black soldiers often felt like they were second class soldiers and often realized, that a promotion to a higher rank in the regiment, was not going to occur because of their status; a lack of education was to be blamed. Although Butler was no abolitionist and was seeking no equal rights for black troops, he did believe that they had potential. December 5, 1863, Butler gave out General Orders No. 46, here it is easy to see how Butler begins to ask for certain rights for blacks. These orders consisted of sixteen different orders, in which Butler wanted blacks, to rise above the second class soldier; “In consideration of the ignorance and helplessness of the negroes, arising from the condition in which they have been heretofore held, it becomes necessary that the Government should exercise more and peculiar care and protection over them than over its white citizens…” Butler realized, that these men were limited in the past, he realized that they had no education and no training and no rights, though Butler still believes that the white race is superior, he also believes it his right along with his fellow commanders, to do right by these men.