were men of high character, and its losses by death were just twenty, or but little over one-fourth the number that occurred in the immune regiment.  An efficient auxiliary society to this regiment was formed of colored ladies of Chicago who forwarded to the sick in Cuba more than six hundred dollars worth of well chosen supplies, which did much for the comfort of those in the hospital; but this would not account for the great difference in the death rate of the two regiments.  Though not immune, the Eighth Illinois fared very much better than the so-called immune regiment, although the latter had the benefit of white officers.  The experience of the Twenty-third Kansas did not differ in any important respect from that of the Eighth Illinois.  Both regiments returned to their homes in March, 1899, and were mustered out of the service, leaving behind them good records for efficiency.

The Sixth Virginia Regiment consisted of eight companies and was under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Richard C. Croxton, of the Regular Army, white, with Majors J.B.  Johnson and W.H.  Johnson, colored.  It was mustered into service during the latter part of the summer and went into camp near Knoxville, Tennessee.  Here an order came from Corps Headquarters, at Lexington, Kentucky, directing that nine of the officers, including one major, should appear before a board of examiners in order to give evidence of their fitness to command.  The officers named, regarding this as uncalled for, immediately tendered their resignations.  The vacancies thus created were filled by the Governor of the State, the appointees being white men.  These white officers on arriving at the camp and finding themselves unwelcome, immediately followed in the wake of their colored predecessors, and tendered their resignations.

The difficulties arising from this friction were somehow adjusted, but in what manner the reports available at this time do not show.  Moving to Macon, Georgia, the regiment remained in the service until some time in the winter, when it was mustered out.  Much was said by the local papers to the detriment of the men composing this regiment, but viewing their action from the standpoint of the civilian and citizen, it does not appear reprehensible.  They had volunteered with the understanding that their own officers, officers with whom they were well acquainted, and in whose friendship they held a place, should command them, and when they saw these officers displaced and white strangers put in their stead, they felt a pardonable indignation, and took their own way of expressing it.  As soldiers, their conduct in resisting authority, cannot be commended.

The Third North Carolina Volunteer Infantry was organized as were the regiments of Illinois and Kansas, above described.  The officers of the North Carolina Regiment were all colored men of that State and were men of character and note.  Its commanding officer, Colonel Young, had held responsible positions under both State and National Governments, had been editor of a paper and member of the State Legislature and Major in the State militia.  In character, he was above reproach, being a strict teetotaler and not even using tobacco.  The regiment made a good record, but did not see any active service.