In the Civil War letter “Massachusetts Black Corporal to the President” (Morris Island, S.C., Sept 28, 1863), why did James Henry Gooding write to President Lincoln, and what was he hoping to achieve?
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 wrote to President Lincoln to protest the unequal pay given to Black Union soldiers in the U. S. Colored Troops, who were being offered less than the promised $13 per month. He argues that they have done a soldier’s duty and therefore deserve a soldier’s pay and equal respect under U. S. policy. He hopes Lincoln will correct the pay injustice by ordering equal pay for Black troops and setting a national example of fair treatment.
What this question is asking you to look for
You need Gooding’s purpose for writing and the concrete outcome he wants. In a persuasive letter like this, those usually show up where the author states a problem (unequal pay), gives reasons (service and sacrifice), and then directly appeals to the person with power to change it (the President).
The problem Gooding describes
Gooding explains that an adjutant told the soldiers they would have to accept a deduction from the $13 monthly pay. That means Black soldiers are not receiving equal pay compared to white soldiers, even though they are serving as official Union troops.
Gooding’s main argument
He stresses fairness: they are “free soldiers,” they are doing “a Soldier’s Duty,” and they have conducted themselves well in the eyes of officers. His logic is simple and moral: if the government claims to fight for the Union and freedom, it should not create “exclusions” based on race in how it treats its soldiers.
What he wants Lincoln to do
Gooding is asking the President, as “the Executive of the Nation,” to fix the policy and ensure equal treatment by paying all soldiers alike. He also frames it as leadership: the United States should “set the example” in justice and proper wartime conduct.
Why his letter is also political pressure
Near the end, he hints that unfair treatment could affect Black political support (“we’ll express our million Votes”). That is meant to raise the stakes and push the government toward action, not just sympathy.
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