Annotation
[1] ALS, RPB. General Schenck had telegraphed Lincoln on June 30 that he had ``four thousand able bodied Negroes at work on fortifications. . . . I sent papers ten days ago urging and recommending a proposition to create from among them a regt. of Sappers & Miners.'' (DLC-RTL). On July 4, Schenck telegraphed again (received 8:40 P.M.), ``to suggest that somebody . . . be authorized to accept the services of . . . these blacks, who are now willing to be enrolled. . . .'' (OR, I, XXVII, III, 528). On July 6, Secretary Stanton telegraphed Schenck, ``The chief of Bureau for Organizing Colored Troops will issue an order for organizing a regiment in your department. . . .'' (OR, III, III, 470-71).