January 14, 1864---Civil War, Civil Rights

JANUARY 14, 1864:             

First Sergeant Stephen Swails 54^th Massachusetts U.S.C.T. writes a letter to the Army’s Paymaster demanding that he receive---as per the law effective January 1st---equal pay as due a white First Sergeant ($20 per month as opposed to the $7 he received). Failing that, Swails asks to be mustered out of the Army.