Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, April 17, 1863

Today two brigades of our division were reviewed by Adjutant General Thomas of the United States Army. Afterwards we were closed in "mass by divisions" and the general made a speech to us on the "contraband" question. They expect to raise negro regiments and expect to raise 20,000 in the West, who are to be officered by white men. He said he had the power to issue commissions to those who were desirous of becoming officers, but the rush had been so great that the applications had to be limited to sixty from each regiment; more than that number have applied, or will apply, from our regiment. General Sanborn, our brigade commander, told General Thomas as they rode by that our regiment was the best drilled of the new troops he had seen.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 12