LT. WILLIAM DOMINICK MATTHEWS, 1ST BLACK POLICEMAN IN THE UNITED STATES, RECRUITER OF THE 1ST AND 2ND KANSAS COLORED INFANTRY IN 1862

http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/204528 THIS MAN WHO BECAME THE FIRST BLACK POLICEMAN IN THE NATION AFTER THE CIVIL WAR, IN LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS, RECRUITED THE 1ST AND 2ND KANSAS COLORED VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, AT THE INSTANCE OF KANSAS U.S. SENATOR JAMES LANE IN 1862. THOUGH PROMISED A CAPTAIN'S COMMISSION FOR HIS RECRUITMENT EFFORT, POLITICIANS IN WASHINGTON, D.C. BALKED AT CONFERRING SUCH LINE-OF-COMMAND AUTHORITY ON ANY BLACK MAN. LIEUTENANT WAS HIGH AS HE REACHED. EVEN SO, THIS FREE MAN, WILLIAM DOMINICK MATTHEWS, IS WORTHY OF REMEMBRANCE AS A RECRUITER; UNION OFFICER; NATION'S FIRST BLACK POLICEMAN, AND EARLY BOARDING HOUSE OWNER. MATTHEWS RALLIED, ORGANIZED, DRILLED, ARMED BLACK MEN TO FIGHT AT THE 'BATTLE OF ISLAND MOUND, MO.' OCTOBER 28-29, 1862, WHOSE VICTORY THERE OVER TWICE-LARGER CONFEDERATE IRREGULARS, CONVINCED PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON ISSUING HIS THREATENED "EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION" ON JANUARY 1, 1863. IT ENABLED THE ENLISTMENT OF BLACK SOLDIERS IN THE UNION ARMY FROM THE SLAVES FREED BY HIS EXECUTIVE ORDER IN THE CONFEDERACY, AS A 'MILITARY MEASURE,' AND ENLISTMENT OF FREE BLACKS IN THE NORTH. SO, THIS LITTLE-KNOWN MAN'S UNDER-APPRECIATED EFFORT WON FREEDOM FOR AFRICANS IN AMERICA, AND IT PRESERVED THE UNITED STATES ALSO!