American Historical Ephemera & Photography, including African Americana

WEBSTER, Thomas H., and John Henry TAGGART (1821-1892). Free Military School for Applicants for Commands of Colored Troops. Philadelphia: King & Baird, 1863.

8vo. (Toning, some soiling.) Original black printed wrappers (covers detached, chipping and losses along edges). Provenance: C.H. Hart (ownership inscription); Historical Society of Pennsylvania (institutional stamp).

FIRST EDITION. The Free Military School of Philadelphia opened its doors on 26 December 1863. Its founding was spearheaded by Philadelphia businessman Thomas Webster, who following President Lincoln's issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation resolved to put his fortune towards the training and advancement opportunities of African-American soldiers. The Free Military School trained its students in math, history, military strategy, and army regulations and did so with the aim of producing as many officers as was possible. Webster would also fiercely advocate to President Lincoln and Secretary of War Edwin Stanton for equal pay and treatment of soldiers trained at his school in the Union Army. Col. John H. Taggart was appointed as the school's chief preceptor, a position he held until its closing at the end of 1864, after which time he opened a private school for officers in Richmond which remained open until the end of the war. The present copy was owned by Charles H. Hart, who according to records at the time of his enlistment on 15 January 1864 was 21 years of age and working as a waiter in Philadelphia. He was assigned to the 31st US Colored Infantry for a term of three years; the 31st was a key player in many of the Civil War's most pivotal final moments including the sieges of Petersburg and Richmond, the Battle of Appomattox Court House and finally, Robert E. Lee's surrender to General Ulysses S. Grant on 9 April 1865.