Item No. 2791509

“Soldiers of the Republic! At last justice has been awarded you by the representatives of the nation in Congress, and you stand before the law upon an equality with your heretofore more favored fellow soldiers of the North.”

An important original wartime copy of General Orders No. 15 issued May 1, 1864, by General Edward W. Hinks to his division of United States Colored Troops, in which the general informs his men that the Congress would adopt an act bringing their pay to an equal level with that of white soldiers.

The standard rate of pay for a white private was $13. But since their first enrollments in the Army, the pay for black soldiers had been only $10, from which $3 was withheld for their clothing account. After months of pressure, the Senate passed a pay equity measure in April 1864, which was then approved by the House and signed by President Lincoln, becoming law on June 15, 1864.

Edward W. Hinks was a prewar newspaper printer from Maine who, after the outbreak of the war, became colonel of the 19th Massachusetts. He would be wounded at Glendale and Antietam in 1862, spending much of the following year recuperating. In the spring of 1864 he would return to the field in command of the 3rd Division of the 18th Army Corps, composed of ten USCT regiments of infantry and dismounted cavalry. Hinks would lead his division in the opening attacks on Petersburg of June 9 and 15, where his men distinguished themselves and earned several Medals of Honor.

Hinks’s inspirational May 1 order reads, in full:

Head Quarters
3d Division, 18th Corps d’Armee
Camp Hamilton, Va., May 1st, 1864.

General Orders,
No. 15.

Soldiers of the Republic! At last justice has been awarded you by the representatives of the nation in Congress, and you stand before the law upon an equality with your heretofore more favored fellow soldiers of the North.

Induced by no promise of bounty, urged by no consideration of pay, you have taken arms in the cause of your country, prompted only by your patriotism and love of liberty; relying with confidence upon the gratitude and sense of justice of the people, to accord to you the rights that a mistaken polity had withheld.

Your confidence has not been misplaced. By an act that has passed the Senate of the United States, and been favorably reported to the House of Representatives, you are to be paid hereafter as all other soldiers of the nation are paid.

The General Commanding congratulates you upon this indication of a national appreciation of your worth as soldiers, and recognition of your rights as men, and accounts it an auspicious omen that the initial action of Congress upon this measure was coincident with his assuming command of this Division.

He has carefully observed your soldierly bearing and rapid acquirement of military knowledge. He is conscious that no regiments in the army are better officered than those of this Division, and he will endeavor to secure a Division organization that shall merit the confidence of his command.

He hopes to lead yo soon to victory, and in the hour of triumph we will not visit the wrongs we have suffered upon the persons of the foe, whom the fortunes of war may place in our power, but will be magnanimous to the fallen and humane to the defenseless, offering, if they will receive it, the lesson of humanity due from men.

By command of Brigadier General E. W. Hinks:
Solon A. Carter
Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant General.

The document measures about 5” x 7 3/4” and is in excellent condition. There is but one horizontal crease in the top margin.