1864 Confederate Circular Calling for "All White Men" to Enlist

A CSA Circular for the recruitment of "all white men" between 17 and 50 years old. 2pp (front and back), measuring 8" x 6", Richmond, dated April 19, 1864. The circular is produced by the Office of Orders & Detail in the Confederate Navy Department, calling for the recruitment of "all white men, residents of the Confederate states, between the ages of seventeen and fifty; hereafter on person embraced by the terms of that law will be entitled to bounty, on enlisting in the Navy or Marine Corps…" Signed by Commander in Chief "Jno K. Mitchell." Flattened folds with toning and foxing throughout. Mounting residue along the left edge on verso.

Unlike their northern combatants, the Confederate Army continued to refrain from using black men to boost their military numbers. Although not all Southerners were slaveholders, the majority accepted that they were fighting to perpetuate the institution of slavery. It would not be until late 1864 that some Confederates began suggesting arming black men in the Confederate Army, though opponents believed the idea to be "suicidal" and in direct conflict to the Confederate ideology. On March 13, 1865 General Order 14 was finally passed (by a single vote) to authorize the enlistment of black soldiers. This last desperate attempt came too late, however, as very few African American companies could be raised before Richmond was captured by the Union.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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