"...relying implicitly upon the loyalty of the free colored population of the city and State for the protection of their homes, their property, and for Southern rights from the pollution of a ruthless invader, and believing that the military organization which existed prior to the 15th of February, 1862, and elicited praise and respect for the patriotic motives which prompted it, should exist for and during the war, calls upon them to maintain their organization and to hold themselves prepared for such orders as may be transmitted to them"

Here goes that question of "Loyalty" of "free coloreds" and even slaves again. Everybody seems to think that the southern blacks were totally apolitical or unionist in 1861, and that once Lincoln issued the E.P. that none of them rode the fence or had a different opinion. This goes back to that 1% argument.