Document analysis #4 james henry gooding

Doc Analysis #4

James Henry Gooding, an African American Soldier, 

Pleads for Equal Remedy, 1863

Morris Island, South Carolina

September 28, 1863

Your Excellency, Abraham Lincoln

​Your Excellency will pardon the presumption of an humble specific particular person like myself, in addressing you, nevertheless the earnest solicitation of my comrades in arms other than the actual curiosity felt by myself inside the matter is my excuse, for placing sooner than the Authorities head of the Nation our Widespread Grievance. 

​On the sixth of the ultimate Month, the Paymaster of the Division educated us, that if we might decide to acquire the sum of $10 (ten dollars) month-to-month, he would come and pay us that sum, nevertheless that, on the sitting of Congress, the Regt. [regiment] would, in his opinion, be allowed the alternative three (three). He did not give us any guarantee that this is ready to be, as he hoped; undoubtedly he had no authority for making any such guarantee, and we will not suppose him performing in any method .

​Now the first question is, are we Troopers, or are we Laborers? We’re completely armed, and outfitted, have completed all he quite a few duties pertaining to a Soldier’s Life, have carried out ourselves to the entire satisfaction of Widespread Officers, who had been, if one thing, prejudiced in direction of us, nevertheless who ow accord us all the encouragement and honors due us; have shared the perils and labor of lowering the first strong-hold that flaunted a Traitor Flag; and further, Mr. President, to-day the Anglo-Saxon Mother, Partner, or Sister mustn’t alone in tears for departed Sons, Husbands and Brothers. The affected particular person, trusting descendant of Afric’s Clime have dyed the underside with blood, in safety of the Union, and Democracy. Males, too, your Excellency, who know in a measure the cruelties of the iron heel of oppression, which in years handed by, the very power their blood is now being spilled to maintain up, ever flooring them inside the mud.

​Nonetheless when the battle trumpet sounded o’er the land, when males knew not the Good good friend from the Traitor, the Black man laid his life on the altar of the Nation – and he was refused. When the arms of the Union had been overwhelmed, inside the first 12 months of the battle, and the Authorities known as for further meals for its ravenous maw, as soon as extra the black man begged the privilege of aiding his nation in her need, to be as soon as extra refused. 

​And now he is inside the Battle, and the best way has he carried out himself?…Obedient and affected particular person and steady as a wall are they. All we lack is a paler hue and a higher acquaintance with the alphabet.

​Now you Excellency, we have got completed a Soldier’s obligation. Why can’t we have got a Soldier’s pay? You warning the Rebel chieftain, that america is conscious of no distinction in her troopers. She insists on having all her troopers of regardless of creed or shade, to be dealt with in response to the usages of Battle. Now if america exacts uniform it of remedy of her troopers from the insurgents, would not it not be successfully and fixed to set the occasion herself by paying all her troopers alike?

​We of this Regt. Weren’t enlisted under any “contraband” act. Nonetheless we so not need to be understood as rating our service of additional value to the Authorities than the service of the ex-slave. Their service is undoubtedly worth quite a bit to the Nation, nevertheless Congress made particular provision touching their case, as slaves freed by navy necessity, and assuming the Authorities to be their non everlasting Guardian. Not so with us. Freemen by supply and consequently having the good thing about pondering and performing for ourselves so far as the Authorized pointers would allow us, we do not take into consideration ourselves match matters for the Contraband act.

​We attraction to you, Sir, as a result of the Authorities of the Nation, to have us justly dealt with. The Regt. Do pray that they be assured their service is likely to be fairly appreciated by paying them as American Troopers, not as menial hirelings. Black males, chances are high you may successfully know, are poor; three dollars month-to-month, for a 12 months, will present their needy wives and little ones with gasoline. In case you, as Chief magistrate of the Nation, will assure us of our total pay, we’re content material materials. Our Patriotism, our enthusiasm may have a model new impetus, to exert our energy an rising variety of to help our Nation. Not that our hearts ever flagged in devotion, spite the evident apathy displayed in our behalf, nevertheless we actually really feel as if our Nation spurned us, now we’re sworn to serve her. Please give this a second’s consideration.

​Make sure to utilize the Chicago Mannequin Format for the challenge. Be taught the doc successfully then write particulars in regards to the doc.

Ponder: After learning the doc – write a “hook” an attention-grabbing beginning of your paper; who’s writing the doc; why are they writing the doc: who’re they writing to: what are they requesting:  Why did their choose to jot right down to the particular person.

Make sure your narrative is one and a half to 2 pages. Do not write earlier two pages and there isn’t any need for a “cowl internet web page”.