Christian A. Fleetwood, Sergeant-Major, Fourth U. S. C. T. Alfred B. Hilton, Color Sergeant, Fourth U. S. C. T. Charles Veal, Corporal, Fourth U. S. C. T. Milton M Holland, Sergeant-Major, Fifth U. S. C. T. James Brownson, First Sergeant, Fifth U. S. C. T. Powhatan Beatty, First Sergeant, Fifth U. S. C. T. Robert Finn, First Sergeant, Fifth U. S. C. T. Thomas R. Hawkins, Sergeant-Major, Sixth U. S. C. T. Alexander Kelly, First Sergeant, Sixth U. S. C. T. Samuel Gilchrist, Sergeant, Thirty-sixth U. S. C. T. William Davis, Sergeant, Thirty-sixth U. S. C. T. Miles James, Corporal, Thirty-sixth U. S. C. T. James Gardner, Private, Thirty-sixth U. S. C. T. Edward Ratcliffe, First Sergeant, Thirty-eighth U. S. C. T. James Harris, Sergeant, Thirty-eighth U. S. C. T. William Barnes, Private, Thirty-eighth U. S. C. T. Decatur Dorsey, Sergeant, Thirty-ninth U. S. C. T. After each war, of 1776, of 1812, and of 1861, history repeats itself in the absolute effacement of remembrance of the gallant deeds done for the country by its brave black defenders and in their relegation to outer darkness. History further repeats itself in the fact that in every war so far known to this country, the first blood, and, in some cases, the last also, has been shed by the faithful Negro, and this in spite of all the years of bondage and oppression, and of wrongs unspeakable. Under the sun there has nothing been known in the history of any people more marvellous than these facts! Oh, to the living few, Comrades, be just, be true. Hail them as heroes tried, Fight with them side by side; Never in field or tent, Scorn the Black Regiment. It is but a little thing to ask, they could ask no less: _be just_; but, oh, the shame of it for those who need be asked! There is no need for panegyric, for sounding phrases or rounded periods. The simple story is eloquent with all that is necessary to make the heart swell with pride. In the hour allotted me to fill, it is possible only to indicate in skeleton the worth of the Negro as a soldier. If this brief sketch should awaken even a few to interest in his achievements, and one be found willing and fitted to write the history that is their due, that writer shall achieve immortality. ------------------------------------------------------------------------