Black Surgeon Alexander Augusta writes to Senator Henry Wilson regarding his low pay as a Black soldier despite holding the rank of major

Black Surgeon Alexander Augusta writes to Senator Henry Wilson regarding his low pay as a Black soldier despite holding the rank of major

Dr. Alexander T. Augusta to Sec. of War--Surgeon Alexander T. Augusta was in the army nearly one year until he was transferred to Baltimore, MD. At his new post the paymaster insisted that he was to get $7 month, just as all Black troops do. He wrote to Sen Wilson for assistance and soon received directions for the paymaster to pay him according to his rank as a surgeon.

9/28/1863

Baltimore, MD

B-47

Black Surgeon to the Chairman of the Senate Military Affairs Committee and War Department Report


Baltimore Md April 5th 1864
Sir, I beg leave most respectfully to inquire if the bill now pending to increase the pay of Colored Troops, will include commissioned officers?
My reason for asking the question is that I have been commissioned for a year, and always has recd' pay as a Surgeon, But when I called upon Paymaster Ettings, in Baltimore a few days since for my pay he, refused to give it to me: and said I was only entitled to seven dollars $7) per month.
The matter has been refered to higher authority, and I am unable to say what disposition will be made of it. But if the Bill in question does not make provision you will please have a clause inserted that will cover the whole ground I remain Sir Your obedient Servt
A T Augusta, M.B.
P.S. An answer at your earliest convenience will be thankfully received.


[Endorsement] Respectfully referred to Major F. M. Vincent AAG. War Department for consideration & the proper action H Wilson


[Endorsement] War Dept. A.G. Office. April 12" 1864. Respectfully referred to Brig. Genl. E. A. S. Canby A.A. Genl. U.S. Army.
It is not understood that under existing laws the pay of an officer is affected by his color. By order C. W. Foster Asst. Adjt. Genl. Vols.


[Washington, D.C.] April 15, 1864
Sir: I am instructed by the Secretary of War to acknowledge the receipt of the communication of Surgeon A. T. Augusta, U.S. Colored Troops, stating that the Paymaster at Baltimore had refused to pay him more than Seven dollars per month and in reply I am directed to state that the subject was submitted from the Paymaster Generals Office April 12, & it was decided that Surgeon Augusta was entitled to pay according to his rank V.R. Y.O.S.


Surgeon A. T. Augusta to Senator Henry Wilson, 5 Apr. 1864, and Col. & Ins. Genl. to Hon. H. Wilson, 15 Apr. 1864, W-87 1863, Letters Received, ser. 360, Colored Troops Division, RG 94 [B-47].