Cooks pay

[Johan Steele]

I have a bit of a question that I thought might be answered here. In looking over the rolls for several Minnesota Regiments I noticed in the remarks section: Cook (colored) Roughly one to two colored notations per company. Were these men paid as Privates? And here is the curious question: if so, were they paid as white Privates? I'm just curious, from the two Regiments I noted this trend at least thirty men went on to become officers in various USCT Regiments. I wonder if this was common practice throughout the west. Any ideas or comments?

[markj]

Re: Cooks pay

Hi,

This may refer to the practice of enlisting "African Under-Cooks." Such men were, from what I can tell, formally enrolled into regiments and paid the princely sum of $10/month. For example, at least four were enrolled into the 32nd (1st German) Indiana Volunteer Infantry in August 1863. At least one died from disease and another subsequently deserted.

I believe reference is made to these types of enrollments in the revised 1863 Army Regulations.

Regards,

Mark Jaeger