General orders issued by the War Department in 1863 authorized the enlistment of “two under cooks of African descent” to assist regular company cooks, who were white.

The majority of men who served as under cooks were escaped slaves. Most fled the homes and plantations where they toiled at the first sight of invading federal troops.

GENERAL ORDERS No. 323.
WAR DEPT., ADJT. GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Washington, September 28, 1863.

In section 10, act of March 3, 1863, it is enacted "That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, authorized to cause to be enlisted for each cook (two allowed by section 9) two undercooks of African descent, who shall receive for their full compensation $10 per month and one ration per day; $3 of said monthly pay may be in clothing."

For a regular company, the two undercooks will be enlisted; for a volunteer company, they will be mustered into service, as in the eases of other soldiers. In each case a remark will be made on their enlistment papers showing that they are undercooks of African descent. Their names will be borne on the company muster-rolls at the foot of the list of privates. They will be paid, and their accounts will be kept, like other enlisted men. They will also be discharged in the same manner as other soldiers.

By order of the Secretary of War:

E. D. TOWNSEND,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
http://www.lwfaam.net/cworders/go_323.htm

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