Charley's Enterprise
The “enterprise” which Charley is talking about here is his
intention to be promoted into a Colored Regiment. The help that Mr. Gunn apparently gives him
is aid in the form of letters of recommendation. These could be extremely important actually, depending
on what was said. In the earlier days of
the United States Colored Troops (USTC), people who were abolitionist were
desired before those who weren’t. This
was because abolitionists were thought to be more sympathetic to black men,
however in reality this wasn’t always the case.
If the letters of recommendation at all showed that Charley was an
abolitionist, which he was, they would have given him a much better chance at
promotion.
Charles likely desired to join the USCT because of his abolitionist beliefs, which he says came directly from Mr. Gunn. He joined the war in part because of his belief in abolition, and saw the war from the start as something that was based on the abolition of slavery. He might have seen promotion as an opportunity to help black men reach a higher social status, or some other similar reason. However, promotion into a Colored Regiment had other benefits that could have persuaded Charles. For one, promotion into a Colored Regiment was one of the few ways for an enlisted man to become a commissioned officer which brought with it a raise in pay, and many other benefits of becoming an officer, such as the chance for promotion to even higher ranks. Charles, growing up poor, probably would have liked the increased pay, and, within his letters, he does mention money on more than one occasion. Also, his good friend Romey Loveridge had joined the U.S.C.I before Charley, and this too may have helped him reach his decision.
While we may never be able to definitely say exactly why he desired to be a part of the USCT, the above reasons are some of the likeliest reasons, especially the ideas of abolition, and the influence of Mr. Gunn. I find it hard to imagine Mr. Gunn taking as strong an interest is Charley’s “enterprise” if abolition was not somehow involved.
Charles would eventually join with the 9th U.S.C.I. Romulus had already joined the 3rd U.S.C.I.
Charles likely desired to join the USCT because of his abolitionist beliefs, which he says came directly from Mr. Gunn. He joined the war in part because of his belief in abolition, and saw the war from the start as something that was based on the abolition of slavery. He might have seen promotion as an opportunity to help black men reach a higher social status, or some other similar reason. However, promotion into a Colored Regiment had other benefits that could have persuaded Charles. For one, promotion into a Colored Regiment was one of the few ways for an enlisted man to become a commissioned officer which brought with it a raise in pay, and many other benefits of becoming an officer, such as the chance for promotion to even higher ranks. Charles, growing up poor, probably would have liked the increased pay, and, within his letters, he does mention money on more than one occasion. Also, his good friend Romey Loveridge had joined the U.S.C.I before Charley, and this too may have helped him reach his decision.
While we may never be able to definitely say exactly why he desired to be a part of the USCT, the above reasons are some of the likeliest reasons, especially the ideas of abolition, and the influence of Mr. Gunn. I find it hard to imagine Mr. Gunn taking as strong an interest is Charley’s “enterprise” if abolition was not somehow involved.
Charles would eventually join with the 9th U.S.C.I. Romulus had already joined the 3rd U.S.C.I.