Envelope to Captain Ben C Lincoln Colored Troops Key West Civil War Abolitionist

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Envelope to Captain Ben C Lincoln Colored Troops Key West Civil War Abolitionist:
$11.99

Envelope only- Addressed to Captain B.C. Lincoln Key West Colored Troops. Approx 5 1/4 X 2 3/4.Lincoln Held the rank of Captain from 1863-1864 which dates this letter in that time frame. Post mark is for march 29 which makes my best guess at 1864.
A fervent patriot and devout Christian, Benjamin Lincoln\'s strong abolitionist beliefs led him to take a commission with the 2nd U.S. Infantry (Colored).

Lincoln, Benjamin C., 1840-1865

Rank: Pvt., Cpl., Capt. (18 July 1863), Maj. (August 1864)

Regiment: 39th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. Co. G (1862-1865) 2nd United States Infantry Regiment (Colored). Co. B (1863-1866)

Service: 1862 August 7-1863 July 21 1863 July 26-1865 March 9

In May, 1863, Ben assumed a new clerical post when he was transferred to Washington, D.C., to work on detached duty with the Headquarters staff of General John Henry Martindale, Military District of Washington. In this setting, Lincoln was able to arrange for a brief visit by Dora in May, temporarily ironing out things in their relationship and easing his mind, but at the same time, the comparative luxury of a clerk\'s position in an urban post made him feel more as if he were evading hardship than fulfilling his patriotic obligations. This unease led him at times to assume an almost defiant stance toward the opinions of others. In June, for instance, he wrote to Dora: \"now when I accept a situation (which not one enlisted man in the regiment would refuse) here in the City, they talk about my want of patriotism, now as I know I am just as much serving my country here as in the ranks, I care not for anything they say\" (1863 June 22). When the 39th Massachusetts left the city in July, 1863, Lincoln was ordered to return to the 39th, but refused, arguing that he now reported to Martindale\'s staff. When threatened with a reduction in rank and imprisonment, he appealed to the colonel of the 39th, who supported him, but he was nevertheless, upbraided by Major Tremlett, setting his mind against ever rejoining his old regiment and more strongly in favor of securing a commission.

In June, Lincoln had begun to prepare himself for the examination to become as officer in a colored regiment. Told that a commission in a colored regiment would not bring the same respect in society as one in a white regiment, and that colored regiments would bear the brunt of the fighting, Lincoln was not dissuaded. Confident that he could do well on the exam, but still insecure about his chances for a commission, he asked Rev. Winkley to obtain the backing of Sen. Charles Sumner, and received it, followed in mid-July by a commission as Captain in the 2nd U.S. Infantry (Colored). Shortly after Lincoln accepted this commission, Winkley wrote, discussing the importance of the Christian chaplain and the Christian mission of the officer, and advising Lincoln to \"look well to those black soldiers.,\" adding, \"This nation owes them a mighty debt. We must pay it\" (1863 September 5).

Lincoln\'s reasons for applying for duty with a colored regiment are complex and remain somewhat obscure. His ambitions for higher status must certainly have played a role, but it is also likely that his strong abolitionist beliefs were a guiding factor. Lincoln was part of a knot of friends from Pine Street, including Charlie Brown, Sam Hall, Thayer, and John E. Bradlee - who applied for or received commissions in colored regiments. Harry Walker\'s gleeful response to the assault by African American troops at Port Hudson in 1863 seems typical of the reaction of the Pine Street Associates, \"Certainly, one thing is proved if it needed to be proved -- the black will fight!\" (1863 June 9). Another friend, Sam Hall, ultimately decided not to accept a commission in a colored regiment, but nevertheless felt that after the performance of the 54th Massachusetts (Colored) Infantry at Fort Wagner, the \"experiment\" of arming African Americans had been proved successful, adding that he respected any man who took charge of \"colored\" troops \"against all prejudice\" (1863 August 26). Despite this, Lincoln was never inclined toward placing himself (or his men) in danger, and it was clear to him, as well as to his friends, that a commission in a colored regiment was likely to place him in harm\'s way. He was willing to fight, but never eager

More information regarding Lincoln can be found here :

William L. Clements Library

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