February 5, 1863, The New York Herald
Since it seems to be now resolved that we are to have a negro army to put the finishing touches on the rebellion, it is to be hoped that no time will be lost in commencing a draft for that purpose. The one hundred and fifty thousand suggested by Mephistopheles Stevens should, at least, be enrolled in the twinkling of an eye. This terrible army should be clothed not in red breeches alone, as already proposed, but in red coats also, so that they may look extremely ferocious, and as nearly like the British negro Zouaves as possible. We can fancy such a negro army marching to the rescue of the country, and the excitement they would produce. Let us have the black army, then, with red coats as well as red breeches.