During the latter part of 1863 many Negroes enlisted in the Union Army. The enrollment and organization of these men was especially active in the Department of the Gulf. The African-American soldiers were invariably put under white officers.
These officers came mostly from the ranks of regiments that had seen combat. But to secure a commission in this service a considerable amount of knowledge of military tactics was required, and candidates had to pass a rigid exam before a board of experts. Many ambitious young men, who saw little opportunity for promotion in his own regiment, began to study military tactics. They then went before the examiners and later secured a commission.
While stationed at New Orleans many men left the 130th Illinois Infantry in this way. That trend continued in New Iberia this month and a several of the best men in the regiment were lost to promotion.
