THOMAS WEBSTER, Esq.,
Chairman Supervisory Committee,
1210 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa.:

SIR: By direction of the Secretary of War, you are hereby authorized to raise one regiment of infantry to be composed of colored men and to be enlisted and mustered into the service of the United States, for one, two, or three years, or during the war. The officers all to be mustered for three years or during the war. The instructions heretofore furnished from this office, relative to organization and appointment of officers in the case of other colored regiments raised by you will govern in this case. The regiments will be known and designated as the Twenty-fourth U. S. Colored 'troops.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, &c.,