Sixth Virginia Volunteer Infantry, Second Battalion, Colored, Camp Poland, Tenn., October 27th, 1898.

To the Adjutant General, U.S.  Army, Washington, D.C.

Sir—­We, the undersigned officers of the Sixth Virginia Volunteer Infantry, stationed at Camp Poland, Knoxville, Tenn., have the honor to respectfully submit to you the following: 

Nine officers of this command who had served the state militia for a period ranging from five to twenty years were ordered examined.  They resigned for reasons best known to themselves.  We the remaining officers were sanguine that Negro officers would be appointed to fill these vacancies, and believe they can be had from the rank and file, as the men in the various companies enlisted with the distinct understanding that they would be commanded by Negro officers.  We now understand through various sources that white officers have been, or are to be, appointed to fill these vacancies, to which we seriously and respectfully protest, because our men are dissatisfied.  The men feel that the policy inaugurated as to this command should remain, and we fear if there is a change it will result disastrously to one of the best disciplined commands in the volunteer service.  They are unwilling to be commanded by white officers and object to do what they did not agree to at first.  That is to be commanded by any other than officers of the same color.  We furthermore believe that should the appointments be confirmed there will be a continual friction between the officers and men of the two races as has been foretold by our present commanding officer.  We express the unanimous and sincere desire of seven hundred and ninety-one men in the command to be mustered out rather than submit to the change.

We therefore pray that the existing vacancies be filled from the rank and file of the command or by men of color.  To all of which we most humbly pray.

(Signed)

J.B.  JOHNSON, Major 6th Va.  Vol.  Inf.  PLEASANT WEBB, Capt. 6th Va.  Vol Inf.  BENJ.  A. GRAVES, Capt. 6th Va.  Vol.  Inf.  JAS. C. SMITH, 6th Va.  Vol.  Inf., 1st Lt.  L.J.  WYCHE, 1st Lt. 6th Va.  Vol.  Inf.  CHAS. H. ROBINSON, 1st Lt. 6th Va.  Vol.  JOHN H. HILL, 1st Lt. 6th Va.  Vol.  Inf.  JNO.  K. RICE, 1st Lt. 6th Va.  Vol.  Inf.  EDWIN T. WALKER, 1st Lt. 6th Va.  Vol..  C.R.  ALEXANDER, 1st.  Lt. and Sarg. 6th Va.  Vol.  Inf.  JOHN PARHAM, 2nd Lt. 6th.  Va.  Vol.  Inf.  JAS. ST. GILPIN, 2nd Lt. 6th Va.  Vol.  Inf.  W.H.  ANDERSON, 2nd Lt. 6th Va.  Vol.  Inf.  GEORGE W. FOREMAN. 2nd Lt. 6th Va.  Vol.  Inf.  FREDERICK E. MANGGRUM, 2nd Lt. 6th Va.  Vol.  Inf.  RICHARD HILL, 2nd Lt. 6th Va.  Vol.  Inf.  JAMES M. COLLIN, 2nd Lt. 6th Va.  Vol.  Inf.  FIRST ENDORSEMENT.  Headquarters 6th Va.  Vol.  Inf.  Second Battalion, Colored, Camp Poland, Tenn., Oct. 28, if Respectfully forwarded.

I have explained to the officers who signed this paper that their application is absurd, but they seem unable to see the points involved.