"Truly yours, "SILAS CASEY, "_Major-General_. "TO THOMAS WEBSTER, ESQ., _Chairman_, "1210 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia." In reference to applicants the following letter was written by the Adjutant-General: "GENERAL ORDERS, } "No. 125." } "WAR DEPARTMENT," "ADJUTANT-GEN.'S OFFICE, "WASHINGTON, March 29, 1864. "Furloughs, not to exceed thirty days in each case, to the non-commissioned officers and privates of the army who may desire to enter the Free Military School at Philadelphia, may be granted by the Commanders of Armies and Departments, when the character, conduct, and capacity of the applicants are such as to warrant their immediate and superior commanders in recommending them for commissioned appointments in the regiments of colored troops. "By order of the Secretary of War. "E. D. TOWNSEND, "_Assistant Adjutant-General_." The organization of the school was as follows: _Chief Preceptor._ JOHN H. TAGGART (Late Colonel 12th Regiment Pennsylvania Reserve Corps), _Professor of Infantry Tactics and Army Regulations_. _Assistant Professors._ _MILITARY STAFF._ ALBERT L. MAGILTON (Graduate of West Point Military Academy, and late Colonel 4th Regiment Pennsylvania Reserve Corps), _Professor of Infantry Tactics and Army Regulations._ LEVI FETTERS (Late Captain 175th Pennsylvania Regiment), _Professor of Infantry Tactics and Army Regulations._ STUDENT DANL. W. HERR (Late 1st Lieutenant Co. E., 122d Pennsylvania Regiment), _Post Adjutant._ STUDENT J. HALE SYPHER, OF PENNSYLVANIA, _Field Adjutant._ STUDENT LOUIS M. TAFT. M.D. (Graduate of University of Penn.), _Surgeon._ _ACADEMIC STAFF._ JOHN P. BIRCH, A.M., A. E. ROGERSON, A.M., _Professors of Mathematics, Geography, and History_ Wm. L. WILSON, _Librarian and Phonographic Clerk._ STUDENT CHARLES BENTRICK, SR., _Postmaster._ JAMES BUCHANAN (COLORED), _Messenger._ Within less than six months 1,051 applicants had been examined; 560 passed, and 491 were rejected. Four regular classes were formed, and in addition to daily recitations the students were required to drill twice every day. The school performed excellent work; and furnished for the service many brave and efficient officers. By December, 1863, 100,000 Colored Troops were in the service. About 50,000 were armed by that time and in the field.