Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-03-21
views Of the Rebel Chiefs about the ARM
ing Of Negroes.

views Of tfe heDel OhtelB about the ARM
ing of Negroes.
A Washington correspondent Of the New
York Tribune, who left Richmond 9 short
time since, and who when there was Oblig-
ed to occupy an official position in the
Rebel War Office, furnishes the follOWin
interesting statement Of the views held at
headquarters in Richmond about srming
negroes;
There has been q great deal Of discus
sion in the Rebel Cabinet during the last
six or eight months as to the propriety and
expectancy Of srming the slaves. Govern
ors Shorter of Alabama, Brown ofGeorgis,
Bonham Of South Carolina, Pettus Of Mis-
sissippi, and other distinguished Rebels
have addressed letters to the Rebel Presi-
dent in favor Of the. proposition. Govern
or Brown urged that the large aceessions
to the slave population Of his State rem
dered il necessary that the emigrsnts
should be provided for in some way by the
Government, IS there was little or no en-
ployment for them, and many Of them were
in starving condition, and he knew Of
no way in which they could be so prohta-
bly, used as in the army. Messrs. Seddon,
Memminger and Wstts long ago declared
themselves in favor of such q measure,
while Benjamin, Mallory and Regsn ex-
pressed themselves in opposition to it.
The opposition Of Mr.. BeDjsmin, hoWev-
er, is not very great he merely argues
that the necessity has not yet arisen for
the adoption Of SO desperate an expedient,
but he says when it is proved that they
have not white men enough to carry the
war to successful issue, ne will advocate
the srmiDg, if necessary, Of every able
bodied negro in the COnfederacy. 1t is
understood that the Rebel Presidents
views on the subject coincide with those
entertained by Benjamin. There can be
no doubt that IS dernier resort the Reb.
els will try the experiment, dangerous SIS
it may be, Of srming their "negro prop
erty."
In truth there are q considerable num-
Der Of negroes bearing arms in the Rebel
army now. They are not so employed by
any order Of the War Department, nor are
they generally formed in companies by
themselves, but when they fight they fight
side by side with the white soldier. These
negroes for the most part bslong to the Of
6cers and men ef the commands TO which
they are attached. In the Confederate ser
vice private may, il he choose, be accom-
panied by a servant, on paying certain
sum for his rations. This is not allowed
by any regulation, but is q privilege that
has been permitted from the beginning Of
Of the war and in the cavalry especially
q large number Of men, as well as officers,
have their servants to feed and take care
Of their horses, cook, and do such chores
as may be required Of them. Many, in
/ feet most Of these negroes have been favor
ties with their young masters ct home and
sre greatly attached to them, and if given
q swig or two Of Rebel lightning (corn
whisky are ready to fight to the death by
their sides.
When an engagement is about TO take
place such Of these negroes as are willing
to fight are equipped and go into the battle
with their masters. In March last was
sent ss courier by the Secretary Of War to
General J. E. B. Stuart, and was with his
command in Colonel Ovens 1.-THE Sd Vir-
ginis) regiment, belonging to Fitzhugh
Lees brigade, at the battle Of Kelly's Ford
This regiment Is very aristOorstic one,
being composed Of young men, nearly eye
~ one Of whom claims to be of sn ?. F.
v, and there sre fully q quarter as many
negro servants In the command as soldiers.
At the battle referred to, these negroes
fought msgnihcently by the side Of their
masters, and several Of them were killed.
The servant of Mcclellan, Adjutsnt Of the
regiment, displayed courage and desper-
alton that challenged the sdmiration Of sll
who saw him, and the day after the fight
he received from Colonel Owen the pres
ent Of handsome sword for his bravery.
This Adjutant Mcclellan, by the by. is
first cousin of General George B. Nc
Clellan, the Union hero Of the seven days
battles around Richmond. He is g tGe-sjm-
lie Of the General, at least in appearance,
and for his devotion to the Rebel cause
was recently promoted to Major on Gene
raj Stusrts staff.
But TO return for moment to the negro
soldiers General Bragg, in communios-
ton to Mr.. Seddon, state that at the battle
at Stone River four companies Of negroes
which had been formed out Of servrnts at
tsched to the army, and oficered by white
men, conducted themselves with great
credit exhibiting fearless determination
not excelled by the best troops in his COM
msnd. He recommended the immediate
organisation Of 100000 soldiers Of this
GLASS, to be distributed in companies and
regiments in the armies then in the field.
But you may rest assured that, although
there are few slaves who would fight for
their masters in aid Of the Rebellion, that
nine out Of ten Of them have now too large
a sense Of freedom to assist in riVeting
tighter the chains Of bondage upon them
selves and fellows and 1 believe that the
srming Of 200, 900 Of them would in effect
be equal to an addition Of 800, 900 soldiers
to our armies.