The Sun.
London, England, 1865-03-16 00:00:00

Negro Soldiers.

The Richmond Sentinel, of the 23d ult., contains
the following letter from the Confederate Com-
mander-in-Chief, embodying his views on the ques-
tion of negro soldiers :

Head-quarters C. S. Armies, Fob. 18, 1865.

Hon. E. Barksdale, House of Representatives, Richmond,
—Sir,—l have tho honour to acknowledge the receipt of
your letter of the 12th inst., with reference to the employ..
ment of negroes as soldiers. I think the measure not
only expedient but necessary. The enemy will cer-
tainly use them against us if he can get possession
of them, and as his present numerical superiority will
enable him to penetrate many parts of the country, I
cannot see the wisdom of the policy of holding them
to await his arrival, when we may by timely action and
judicious management use them to arrest his progress. I
do not think that our white population can supply the ne-
cessities of a long war without overtaxing its capacity and
imposing great suffering upon our people, and I believe we
should provide resources for a protracted struggle, not
merely for a battle or a campaign.

In answer to your second question, I can only say that,
in my opinion, the negroes, under proper circumstances
will make efficient soldiers. I think we could, at least, do
as well with them as the enemy, and he attaches great im-
portance to their assistance. Under good officers and good
instruction I do not see why they should not become soldiers.
They possess all the physical qualifications, and their habits
of obedience constitute a good foundation for discipline
They furnish a more promising material than many armies
of which we read in history, which owed their efficiency
to discipline alone. I think those who are employed should
be freed: It would be neither just nor wise, in my opinion,
to require them to serve as slaves. The best course to
pursue, it seems to me, would be to call for such as are
willing to come with the consent of their owners. An im-
pressment or draft would not be likely to bring out the best
class, and the use of coercion would make the measure dis-
tasteful to them and to their owners.

I have no doubt that if Congress would authorise their
reception into service, and empower the president to
call upon individuals or states for such as they are willing
to contribute, with the condition of emancipation to all
enrolled, a sufficient number would be forthcoming to
enable us to try the experiment. If it prove successful,
most of the objections to the measure would disappear, and
if individuals still remained unwilling to send their negroes
to the army, the force of public opinion in the States would
soon bring about such legislation as would remove all ob-
stacles. 1 think the matter should be left as far as possible
to the people and to the States, which alone can legislate as
the necessities of this particular service may require. As
to the mode of organising them, it should be left as free
from restraint as possible. Experience will suggest the
best course, and it would be inexpedient to trammel the
subject with provisions that might, in the end, prevent the
adoption of reforms suggested by actual trial.—With great
respect, your obedient servant, _ _

R. E. LEE, Galore.