Letter from Colonel Edward Hallowell to the Governor of Massachusetts
2/24/1864
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This item is a copy of a letter sent by Colonel Edward N. Hallowell to Governor John A. Andrew of Massachusetts recommending Sergeant Stephen Swails. It is located in the regimental descriptive book of the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts Infantry.
Additional details from our exhibits and publications
Recognizing the abilities of 1st Sgt. Stephen A. Swails, Col. E. N. Hallowell recommends in the letter, at left, that Swails be promoted to second lieutenant. Massachusetts Governor John A. Andrew commissioned Swails on March 11, 1864. In order to accept, Swails had to be discharged from the enlisted ranks. In the letter at right, Maj. Gen. J. G. Foster denies this request because Swails is “of African descent.” Foster finally approved the discharge in 1865, and Swails’s seniority was adjusted to May 14, 1864—the day he was assigned duty as a second lieutenant.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Adjutant General's Office.
National Archives Identifier: 594699
Full Citation: Letter from Colonel Edward Hallowell to the Governor of Massachusetts; 2/24/1864; Records of the Adjutant General's Office, Record Group 94. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/1-letter-from-colonel-edward-hallowell-to-the-governor-of-massachusetts, December 8, 2024]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
