Civil War Slave Soldier Bounty and Legal Documents

Two legal documents regarding Robert Washington an enlisted slave soldier of the 7th Regiment of U.S. Colored Troops. The full page (11.75"X8.5") document is an application for an attorney to represent his claim for "Bounty" (an amount paid for serving in the military). Notice his "Mark" in place of his personal signature. The small paper is the actual receipt paid. Both documents include Tax Stamps. It is extremely difficult to find any Civil War documents directly relating to slave soldiers............................................ "I Robert Washington an enlisted slave colored man, Volunteer of Co. K of the 7th Regiment of United States Colored Troops do constitute and appoint DANIEL T. OREM of the County of Dorchester in the state of Maryland, my True and lawful attorney for me and my name to collect, demand, receive and receipt for the state of Maryland Bounty to which I may be entitled by virtue of my enlistment as a Volunteer in said Regiment, under the Provisions of the law or laws passed at the late session of the General Assembly of Maryland, and also Baltimore City Bounty to which I may be entitled, under the provisions of any ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore. Witness my hand and seal the 6th day of June 1865. Robert (his X mark) Washington Attest: Witnessed by Co. Commander. Anthony J. Malloy On this 6th day of June A.D. 1865, before the subscriber, O. E. Pratt Lt. Col. 7th U.S.C.T Adjutant, personally appeared Robert Washington whose name is subscribed to the foregoing letter or Power of Attorney, in my presence, and who is known to me to be the identical person he describes himself to be in said letter or Power of Attorney to be his act and deed for the purpose therein mentioned; at the same time the said _______ ____________ Made oath in due form of law, that at the time of his enlistment, as above mentioned, he was a resident of Worcester Co in the State of Maryland, and I hereby certify that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of the above mentioned claim. O E Pratt Lieutenant 7th Regt. U.S.C.T."