Editorial Rooms of The Crisis
Twenty-six Vesey Street. New York

National Association 
    for the                                         W.E.Burghardt Du Bois
Advancement of Colored People

June 17th 1913.

Major Charles Young,
c/o War Department,
Washington, D.C.

My dear Young:-

              You probably know that the 
state of New York has provided for a Negro 
regiment.  Of course, we want you as its execu-
tive, and Major General O'Ryan, the head of the 
National Guard, and Colonel Watson also want 
you.  I am sending you a copy of the memoran-
dum which Mr. Villard has just sent me.  I 
am also writing the Secretary of War.  I write 
you to ask first, that you persuade yourself 
without hesitation as this is the biggest and 
best chance for us and that you must accept, 
and secondly, to get you to give me any pointers 
as to how to push the thing through as soon as 
possible.  We have got some other big things 
on foot in New York and with you at the head 
of the regiment we will put this state at the 
head of the Negro race in the place of Alabama.

               I hope you are well and happy.  
We all send best love.

Very sincerely yours,

W.E.B. DuBois

			

Charles Young Collection

Letter from W.E.B. DuBois to Charles Young