Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-08-18
LETTER FROM GEN. SHERMAN.
ON NEGROES AND THEIR RECRUITMENT I'm
THE REBEL STATES.
Correspondence Of the Boston Journal.
NASHVILLE, (TENN. } AUGUST a, 1876

Correspondence Of the Boston Journal
NASHVILLE, (TEsE.) AUGUST a. 1864
To the Editor Of the Boston Journal
intended TO devote this letter to the subject of
regiments and recruitment in the rebel States but will
defer what have to say to give place to Gen. SHERMAN
from whom the subjoined communication has just been
received 1t is evidently intended for publication as the
last paragraph shows. The first State agent, who was
furnished with pass from Gen. Webster here, on report
ing himself at the 'front.' produced order or private let
ter from Gen Sherman directing that more such passes
should be granted Hence large numbers of agents from
New York Ohio Connecticut and other States have been
kept waiting his pleasure The restriction is removed to-
day. But very plain that long Gen Sherman
tnues in command, there will be little recruiting
done in the neghborhood of his army THIS is the letter
HD'QRs MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, near atlanta, Ga, July 80, 1864.
JOHN A. SpooNER, Esq, Agent for the Commonwealth OF
Massac husetts, Nashville, 4 enn
SIR: Yours from Chattanooga, July %, is received,
tfylng me OF your appointment by your Stale as Lieu
tenant Colonel and Provost Marshal of Georgia. Alabama
Mississippi under the act of Congress approved July
A. 1864 to recruit volunteers to bs credited to the State
respectively
you pass through lines to those States, and have
had considerable experience those States would suggest
recruiting depots to be established at Macon aud Copm-
bus, Mississippi Selma, Montgomery, and Mobile Aaha-
ma and Columbus Miledgeville, and Savannah Georgia.
do not that the law restricts you to black re.
cruts but you at liberty to collect white recruits also
1t is waste of time and money to open rendezvous 10
Northwest Georgia. for you have not seen an
able bodied man, black white, there fit for soldier,
who not in this army the opposed to it.
You speak OF the impression going abroad that am OPP
posed to the organization of col0ed regiments My opn-
usually very positive and there is reason why
you should not know them Though entertaining pro
found for Congress- do doubt their wisdom
in the passage of this law:
1st Because civilian agents about are q
nuisance.
ID. The duty of citizens to fight for their country Is
too sacred to be pedded off by buying up the
fuse of other States.
Sd. 1t is upust to the brave soldiers and volunteers
who are fighting those who compose this army do to
place them par with the class of recruits you alter
4th The negro 10 transition state, and s not The
equal of the white man
9Th. He is liberated from his bondage by act of war,
and the armies in the field entitled to all his assistance
in labor and htng addition to the proper quotas OF
the States
9th This bidding and banterng for recruits white aud
black has delayed the reinforcement OF our armies at the
times when such achievements would have enabled Us to
make our success permanent
7th The law is experiment which, pending war, is
unwse and unsafe and has delayed the universal draft
which firmly believe will become necessary to overcome
this wide spread resistance offered and also believe
the universal draft will be wise AMI bsnefca for under
the providence of God it will separate the sheep from the
goats and demonstrate what citizens will fight Tor their
country and what will only talk
No will infer fom this that not friend of the
negro well the white contend that the treason
reb lion of the freed the slave snd the armies
have have safe points more
than those of any general officer in the army but prefer
negroes for pioneers teamsters cocks and servants
others gradually to experiment in the art Of tho soldier
beginning with the duties of local Rarrsons such
had at Memphis, Vlcksburg, Natchez, Nashville, and
Chat anooga; but would draw the poor FIR
too large proportion gifts active athletic young for
must remain to seek homes and provide for the
old and young the feeble and helpless
The of my peculiar notions but assure you
they shared by large proportion Of fighting
You may show this to the agents of the other States in
the same business as yourself
am, &c.
T. W. SHERMAN MSier General