Black Parallel Politics

Free Black pastor Benjman Howard reports on having been arrested and sold by the state of Maryland for preaching

Benjman Howard, apparently intended for D.C. Assistant Commissioner C. H. Howard, reporting that he had been a preacher in Annapolis and bought a house there in 1857. Was arrested in 1862 for preaching and jailed until Feb. 1863 when he was sold away…

A Black recruiter explains that enslaved Marylanders want to join the Union Army, but only if they are paid and treated equitably

G.A. Hackett to Col. Lawrence (AAG) relating his experiences in recruiting Black soldiers (slave and free) in and around the area of Middle River, Baltimore County. Following up on Gen. Wallace’s advice that recruiting expeditions should take place…

Black Surgeon Alexander Augusta writes about the discrimination his wife endured on the train from Baltimore to Washington, D.C.

A.T. Augusta (surgeon, 7th USCT) to Maj. Gen. Lewis Wallace (cmdg Middle Department & 8th Army Corps) alleging that the Baltimore & Ohio R.R. charges Black passengers the same fare yet forces them into the front car of the train, which is filled with…

Black residents of Baltimore petition for redress after they are prevented from renting a concert hall to host a lecture by Frederick Douglass

B.R. Hawley to Edwin M. Stanton (sec of war) writing that Black residents of Baltimore have been unable to rent either the Maryland Institute Hall or the Templers Hall for a lecture meeting at which the announced speaker was Frederick Douglass. The…

Union officer orders local officials in Havre de Grace to permit Frederick Douglass to give a lecture there

Brig. Gen. H.H. Lockwood to Lt. Col. Lawrence (AAAG) opposing intention of town authorities of Havre de Grace to prevent Frederick Douglass from speaking there. Says Douglass's speeches are sensible and would do much good.

White trustees of a Black church refuse to allow them to employ a Black pastor

Several documents beginning with deposition of David Lucket, complaining that white trustees of church at Oxon Hill, MD prevent Black parishioners from employing a Black minister. Require a white one. The underlying reason for this requirement by…

Black pastors petition the Secretary of War to partner with the A.M.E. Church

A.W. Wayman, D.A. Payne, John M. Brown, M.F. Stuby, & James Lynch to Edwin Stanton responding to Stanton's order authorizing the Methodist Episcopal Church to oversee all Southern Methodist Churches. Wayman et al. inform Stanton of the existence of…

Postmaster at New Town reporting on the burning of Black churches and attacks on Black residents and their property

James Murray (postmaster, New Town MD) to Maj. Gen. Wallace reporting on the burning of the Black M.E. Church in Worchester County. Another Black chuirch burned in Somerset Co. See C-4141 for another letter from Murray. File includes a massive number…

Black Surgeon Alexander Augusta reports on his ejection from a segregated streetcar in Washington D.C.

Surgeon Alexander Augusta describes his ejection from a streetcar for being Black. "I attempted to enter the car, and he pulled me out and ejected me from the platform. The consequence was I had to walk the whole distance through rain and mud, and…

Army officials levy a tax on rebel sympathizers to raise money to rebuild Black churches burned down by arsonists

Lt. J.E. Mobray to Brig. Gen. Lockwood recommending taxation of rebel property in order to raise money to rebuild Black churches that were burned in Somerset County. Subsequent order implements recommendation, taxing disloyal and "disaffected"…

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