Barker, Abraham

The Free Military School for Command of Colored Regiments was administrated by The Philadelphia Supervisory Committee for Recruiting Colored Regiments.

In January 1863 Lincoln enacted the Emancipation Proclamation and deemed it necessary to raise regiments of African American troops to serve in the war. In response, the Philadelphia Supervisory Committee for Recruiting Colored Regiments opened the Free Military School for Applicants for the Command of Colored Troops at 1210 Chestnut Street in December 1863. Under the guidance of Preceptor Colonel John L. Taggart, students attended a variety of classes from math and history to command tactics and army regulations. Some students even attained hands-on experience at the nearby Camp William Penn in Montgomery County, the area's first training grounds for African American soldiers that had been founded earlier in 1863. At the end of their education, students were sent before a Board of Examiners, and those who passed were commissioned a rank (from captain to colonel) and sent into the field with an African American regiment. Thomas Webster, a businessman from Philadelphia, was one of the Free Military School's primary founders. He was one of the first people in Philadelphia to broach the notion of raising local African American regiments. Webster served as chairman of the Free Military School for its duration and, additionally, sought proper compensation for African American soldiers (who were then paid at about the half the rate as white soldiers and received no bounty). Webster became a well-known figure in national military circles and he kept in touch with those at the highest commands, including Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton and President Abraham Lincoln. The school itself remained a fixture on Chestnut Street until it closed in late 1864. During its year of service, the school helped raise eleven free African American regiments, including the 3rd Regiment under Colonel C.B. Tilghman, the 25th Regiment under Colonel G.A. Scroggs, and the 45th regiment under Lieutenant Colonel E. Thorn. Among the Free Military School's supporters were numerous local figures such as Henry Carey Lea, Thomas P. Stotesbury, William H. Ashhurst, John A. McCallister, John S. Newbold, and Abraham Barker. Barker, an ardent abolitionist and member of the Union League of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, served as chairman of the finance committee for the Supervisory Committee for Recruiting Colored Regiments. This committee helped raise money for both the Free Military School and Camp William Penn.

From the description of Abraham Barker collection on the Free Military School for Applicants for the Command of Colored Regiments (circa 1863-1895, undated ; bulk 1863-1864). (Historical Society of Pennsylvania). WorldCat record id: 122540479