Everywhere they were winning golden laurels by their aptitude in drill, their patient performance of the duties of the camp, and by their matchless courage in the deadly field. The young white officers who so cheerfully bore the odium of commanding Colored Troops, and who so heroically faced the dangers of capture and cruel death, had no superiors in the army. They had the supreme satisfaction of commanding brave men to whom they soon found themselves deeply attached. It was a school in which the noblest and purest patriot might feel himself honored and inspired to the performance of deathless deeds of valor. The following tables indicate the manner in which the work was done. _Analysis of Examination of Applicants for Command of Colored Troops, before the Board at Washington, of which Major-General Silas Casey is President, from the organization of the Board to March 29th, 1864, inclusive._ Number accepted and for what rank recommended. --------------------------- Colonels. | Lieutenant-Colonels. | | Majors. Rank. | | | Captains. | | | | 1st Lieutenants. | | | | | 2d Lieutenants. Number | | | | | | Number examined. | | | | | | rejected. Colonels 4 - - 2 - - - 2 Lieutenant-Colonels 3 - 2 - - 1 - - Majors 9 2 3 1 2 - - 1 Captains 68 3 7 8 20 5 3 22 1st Lieutenants 52 3 - 4 10 8 7 20 2d Lieutenants 24 - - - 9 2 3 10 Sergeants 505 - 1 - 62 75 133 234 Corporals 230 - - - 23 46 64 97 Privates 449 - - - 26 57 124 242 Civilians 429 1 6 15 48 49 94 216 -------------------------------------- 1,773 9 19 30 200 243 428 844 Students of the Philadelphia Free Military School 94 2 4 6 28 25 25 4 -------------------------------------- 1,867 11 23 36 228 268 453 848 _Analysis of the Examination to 31st March, 1864, of the Students of the Philadelphia Free Military School, before the Board of Examiners at Washington, for Applicants for Command of Colored Troops, Major-General Silas Casey, President._