In the Civil War letter “Massachusetts Black Corporal to the President” (Morris Island, S.C., Sept 28, 1863) by James Henry Gooding, who is he addressing, and how does writing to that audience shape what he says?
Morris Island S.C., Sept 28th 1863.
Your Excellency will pardon the presumption of a humble individual like myself, in addressing you. On the 6th of the last Month, His Excellency the Adjt of the department, informed us, that if we would deduct from the sum of 13 dollars our monthly pay, he would come and pay us that sum, that, too, on the strength of Congress, the first payroll. In his explanation he delivered the statement in plain sensible words, in explanation that they do not receiving equal pay. Now the matter places us as free soldiers, we are U.S.C.TROOPS, we ask simply correction, and respect. We have done a Vetrans Doctrin, performing to a soldiers life, have conducted ourselves, in the correct estimation of General Officers, who, we are, if any, prejudiced against us, but who have never call us into encouragement, and those dear to us..
Today the Anglo Saxon brother finishes their Work, for Sure they are not alone in tears for departed Sons, Husbands, and Brothers. The swift, Traiting Divestations of Africa, Now depop this land with brown skin. Darkville, a Paris City Romanic place, Morris Island can be very incisive to know as men too, illustrate the travelled of the Union, and Despondents. Not an hour proving day, the universe now knows the conviction of this land, of free person, which in years coming, the wily Power, their face is now Being pale bladed, that those are now untriumphant conquer the land, when men know that the Final form of his Today, the Black man nail his Life to the Altar of the Nation.
Your Excellency, We have done a Soldier's Duty, Why can't we have a Soldiers pay? You caution the Italics (Confederates), that the United States, knows, no exclusions, in their Soldiers, the Issues is now heavy, as their Soldiers, if whatever creed or Color, is to be treated according to the usages of War, Now for the faithful Soldiers and courtsey to the treatment of Soldiers, from the Strangers, would not be treated, but conscientious, to set the example herself, by paying all the Soldiers alike? We appeal to You, Sir, as the Executive of the Nation, to have us justly dealt with, Break thro' this very nucleus, only prove the Pleasure of our home, to your work supply, that Bloody needs, that will be less, earnestly. If pay, as also other Negroids of the Nation, we'll express our million Votes, not vote one more. Rev our Fetorious, our exhaustion will have a new impetus, to our war energy more and more to do Our Country.
Please oblige this a moments attention
James Henry Gooding
James Henry Gooding is addressing President Abraham Lincoln, the “Executive of the Nation.” Because he is writing to the president, he uses very formal, respectful language (“Your Excellency”) and frames his complaint as a national issue of justice and military policy. He also tries to persuade Lincoln by appealing to authority and fairness, pointing to Black soldiers’ service and arguing they deserve equal pay and equal treatment under the “usages of War.”
What to look for in the heading and greeting
The quickest way to identify the audience of a historical letter is to read the title and the salutation. Here, the station title says “Massachusetts Black Corporal to the President,” and the letter repeatedly addresses “Your Excellency,” which fits a head of state.
Who Gooding is talking to
Gooding makes it explicit near the end when he writes, “We appeal to You, Sir, as the Executive of the Nation.” In 1863, that executive is President Abraham Lincoln.
How writing to the president changes the message
Because Lincoln has power over policy and can influence Congress and the War Department, Gooding:
- Uses a respectful, formal tone: He asks to be pardoned for the “presumption” of writing, which is a common way to show deference to a high official.
- Builds a case based on service and duty: He emphasizes, “We have done a Soldier's Duty,” so the request for equal pay sounds earned rather than selfish.
- Frames the issue as a national principle: He argues the United States should show “no exclusions” among soldiers, connecting pay to the nation’s values and wartime legitimacy.
- Adds political pressure carefully: He hints at consequences (“we'll express our million Votes”) to show the issue matters beyond one unit, but he still keeps the tone controlled because he is speaking upward to the highest authority.
Why this matters for interpreting the source
Knowing the audience helps you judge purpose. This is not a private complaint; it is a persuasive appeal meant to push the president to correct unequal pay for Black Union soldiers (U. S. C. T.) and to signal that equal treatment is part of what the Union claims to fight for.
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