370
●
(MILITARY—CIVIL WAR.)
Pass for a Contraband named Alexander.
Partially printed document, accomplished by hand. (WGC)
Portsmouth, VA, 1862
[400/600]
“PASSING”
371
●
(MILITARY—CIVIL WAR.) EMERSON, MOSES, MUSICIAN.
Small
archive of material relating to Moses Emerson, member of the Corps d’Afrique
band.
Includes Emerson’s 1861 identification on a sheet of Commonwealth of
Massachusetts stationary, his 1864 furlough to New Orleans, a handwritten note to the
effect that Emerson had been mustered into the 47th Regiment of Massachusetts State
Volunteers, his mustering out papers from 1865 and his marriage certificate from 1891.
S
HOULD BE SEEN
. (WGC)
Vp, 1861-1891
[2,500/3,500]
Moses Emerson was born in New Hampshire in 1831, apparently of mixed parents (his skin
color is described as “light complexion”) He enlisted in the 47th Massachusetts Infantry on
October 7, 1861 as a musician, his papers identifying him as “an artist.” Emerson, in a sense
had, “passed” the color line. Officially, colored troops did not enter the service until 1863. On
September 20th, 1862 he was mustered into Company “D” as a musician. The 47th was
then moved to New York and from there, embarked for New Orleans where they were to be
stationed. On September 23, 1863 Emerson became a member of Band No. 1 of the Corps
d’Afrique in New Orleans. The Corps d’Afrique was formed in New Orleans shortly after the
city’s fall to Union Forces in April of 1862 and was formed around the Louisiana Native
Guards. The latter were militia units formed from property-owning free blacks who were refused
the opportunity to serve in the Confederate army. Later units were formed from newly freed
blacks from nearby plantations. Emerson was mustered out at New Orleans on August 2nd,
1865. His mustering out papers, handwritten, were ordered by Major General Phillip K.
Sheridan and signed by George Lee, assistant adjutant general at New Orleans. These docu-
ments tell a very interesting story of “passing” and service in the Union Army before blacks
were officially allowed to enlist; Emerson is listed in both Moebs (Black soldiers, Black sailors,
Black ink, and the official Registry of Colored Troops. Moses Emerson died January 10th,
1920 at Hubbertson, MA.
371
