PREFACE.

The material out of which the story of the colored regulars has been constructed has been collected with great pains, and upon it has been expended a serious amount of labor and care.  All the movements of the Cuban campaign, and particularly of the battles, have been carefully studied by the aid of official reports, and conversations and correspondence with those who participated in them.  The work has been performed with an earnest desire to obtain and present the truth, hoping that the reader will be inspired by it to a more profound respect for the brave and skilled black men who passed through that severe baptism of fire and suffering, contributing their full share to their country’s honor.

It is also becoming in this place to mention with gratitude the encouragement given by the War Department both in granting me the time in which to do the work, and also in supplying me with documents and furnishing other facilities.  By this enlightened course on the part of the Department great aid has been given to historical science, and, incidentally, very important service rendered to the cause of freedom and humanity.  A struggling people has been helped and further glory reflected upon the Government.  The President, himself, has manifested a kindly interest in the work, and has wished that the story of the black soldiers should be told to the world.  The interest of the Commanding General of the Army is shown in his letter.

Thus encouraged from official sources and receiving the most hearty words of cheer from friends, of whom none has been more potent or more earnest than Bishop B.W.  Arnett, D.D., of the African M.E.  Church, I have, after five months of severe labor, about completed my task, so far as I find it in my power to complete it; and trusting that the majesty and interest of the story itself will atone for any defects in the style of the narration, the volume is now offered to a sympathetic public, affectionately dedicated to the men whose heroic services have furnished the theme for my pen.

T.G.  Steward. 
Wilberforce, Ohio, September, 1899.

LETTER FROM GENERAL MILES.

Headquarters of the Army, Washington, August 5, 1899.

Rev. T.G.  Steward, Chaplain 25th Infantry, Wilberforce, Ohio.

Dear Sir:—­Your letter of the 20th ultimo was duly received, but my time has been so much engrossed with official duties, requiring my presence part of the time out of the city, that it has not been practicable to comply with your request earlier; and even now I can only reply very briefly.