The Saber and Scroll Journal Volume 1, Issue 1, April 2015 | Page 54

trying occasion, and in the discharge of their duties displayed the utmost coolness
and bravery.” 7
In 1863, Fribley made two major decisions, changing his life forever.
Realizing that death might happen soon, Fribley settled his account with God in
April 1863: “Read . . . ‘How to Turn a Christian’. Did me much good. I this day
choose to be and resolve to be a Christian.” 8 On July 8, 1863, Fribley applied to the
War Department for command of a black troop. The War Department established
examination boards to qualify black troop officers: “The army hoped to assure the
Union leadership that if the USCT regiments performed poorly, it was not because
of any fault of their officers. The test examined the officers in six areas: tactics,
regulations, general military knowledge, math, history, and geography.” 9 On July
27, Fribley sent an additional application to report for the examination. On August
20, he received permission to report for the examination in Washington. He spent
the next week studying and left August 31 for Washington. Candidates usually
waited an additional week before appearing before the board: “Candidates reported
promptly each morning and learned whether or not they would be tested that day.
If they were too far down the list, the officer merely dismissed them for the day,
and the process repeated the next day, Monday through Friday.” 10 Fribley appeared
before Major General Casey on September 19 and passed the board as “Colonel of
first class.” 11 On September 26, he received orders to report to Lieutenant Colonel
Wagner. Fribley took command of the 8th USCT October 3.
For the next few months, Fribley drilled his regiment. “During drill the
men had to learn various military commands that they would need in combat. They
also had to be able to understand and execute commands quickly. On the
battlefield, not following an order immediately could mean injury or death.” 12
Fribley held Marshal and Sergeant’s school in the evenings of November. After
recruiting ten companies, Fribley officially received his appointment as colonel on
November 23 and spent that day mustering in and purchasing his new uniform. The
next few days, he raised money for supplies for the regiment and found musicians
for the band. The 8th USCT moved into wooden army barracks in December 1863.
Fribley purchased musical instruments and two howitzers, organized companies,
and continued drills throughout December. “The sham battle was quite good
indeed considering the fact of there being no artillery.” 13 January 7 brought
frustration to Fribley and his wife when they went to Philadelphia by train for
business and to run errands. Fribley felt disappointed by the amount of his pay. He
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