Click to Enlarge
On July 22, 1864, Private Wilson Wood of the 6th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery was captured by Confederate forces and held in a prison camp.
The letter from Col. William P. Hardeman alerting Union forces to Wood's capture reinforced Confederate policies toward African American prisoners.
In responding to this letter, Brig. Gen. J.M. Brayman explained, "When the United States made negroes soldiers it assured towards them the same obligations as were due to any others who might wear its uniform and bear its flag."
National Archives and
Records Administration
Compiled Service Records,
Records of the Adjutant General's Office,
1780's-1917, RG 94
