Below is the reason why the Richmond Daily Dispatch could not claim Virginia alone as the first to form Black companies. The formation of Black Confederate troops in other states was already known throughout the South in 1865.

Richmond Daily Dispatch.
Thursday morning...April 25, 1861

New Orleans, (Via Charleston,)April 22.-- A meeting was held here to-day to clear the city of Abolitionists and suspected persons. Two are under arrest.

The free negroes have organized a company to defend the State.

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Richmond Daily Dispatch.
Wednesday morning...May 8, 1861

The N. O. Picayune says that fifteen hundred free negroes of that city have enrolled themselves as ready, if allowed, to perform military duty, and "fight, shoulder by shoulder, with the citizens, as their fathers did in 1814. "

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Richmond Daily Dispatch.
New Orleans, Nov. 24, 1861

From New Orleans.

Grand Review of troops — a Regiment of 1,400 free negroes in the line — the black flag.

--Over twenty-eight thousand troops were reviewed here on yesterday by Gov. Moore, of Louisiana, Major General Lovell, and Brigadier-General Ruggles. The line was over seven miles long.
One regiment, numbering 1,400, were free colored men.

The military display was one of the grandest exhibitions ever witnessed on this continent. One of the companies displayed a black flag, with the motto "We give and take no quarters."

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David Upton