Congress was downsizing the Army for peacetime; Stevens offered an amendment, which became part of the bill as enacted, to have two regiments of African-American cavalry.
Congresul reducea dimensiunile Armatei pe timp de pace; Stevens a oferit un amendament, care a devenit parte a proiectului de lege așa cum a fost el adoptat, de a avea două regimente de cavalerie formate din afro-americani.