Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-02-28

The Richmond Sentinel OF Thursday, Feb
ruary 23d, says: The following letter, from
the Commapder-in-C Chief, is published be-.
cause The importance and urgency of the
question at issue override all the considcra-
lions which might prompt less public use
of it. With the great mass,of our people,
nothing more than his letter is needed to
settle every doubt and silence every objec-
tion. The few who may insist on opposing
what General Lee says, will incur not only
the imputatiOn of presumption, but re-
sponsibility to the country which no man
could support. The opinion of General
Lee may be repudiated or il may be adopt
ed, but it is too clear and unequivocal to be-
compromised or evaded: ,g-,ss,7
HEADQUARTERS, c. S. ARMIES, Feb. Is.
Hon. E. Bdrksdale, House Of Representatives,,
Richmond
SIR--I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your letter of the 18th inst,
with reference to the employment OF me-
groes as soldiers. / think the matter not
only expedient but necessary. The enemy
will certainly use them against us if he gets
possession of them. As his present numer-
ical superiority will enable him to penetrate
many parts of the country, can't 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. do not think that
our white population can supply the neces-
stiles of long war without OvertaXing its
capacity and imposing great suffering ON
our people, and believe we should provide
for a protracted struggle-not merely for a
battle or campaign. 4ts,.
In answer to your second question, can
only say that in my opinion the negroes,
IL. al cfa m
ficient soldiers. | think we could do at
least as well with them as the enemy, and he
attaches great importance to their assist
ance. Under good officers and good in
structions, do not see why they should not
become soldiers. They possess all physical
qualities, and their habits of obedience con-
stitute a good foundation for discipline.
They furnish more promising material than
many armies of which we read in history
which owed their efficiency to discipline
alone. think that those who are employed
should be freed. 1t would be neither just
or wise, in my opinion, to require them TO
remain as slaves. The course to pursue, IL
seems to me, would be TO call for such as
are willingto come with the consent of their
owners. An impressment or draft would
not be likely to bring out the best class, and
this course would make the war more dis
tasteful to them and their owners. have
no doubt that If Congress would authorize
their reception into service, and empower
the President to call upon individuals or
States for such as are willing to contribute,
with the condition of emancipation to all
enrolled, a sufficientnumber would be forth
coming to enable us to try the experiment.
lift prove successful most of the objections
to the measure would disappear, and if in
diyiduals still remained unwilling to send
their negroes to the army, the force of pub
lie opinion in the States would soon bring
about such legislation as would remove all
obstructions. / think the matter should be
left as far as possible to the people and to
the States, which done, Congress can legis-
late as the necessities of this particular SER
vice may require. III
'A As to the mode of organizing them, 1t
should be left as free from restraint as pos
sible. Experience will suggest the best
course. 1t would be inexpedient to tram
mel the subject with provisions that might
in the end prevent the adoption of reforms
suggested BY actual trial.
With great respect your obedient servant,
lSignedI r. E. LEE, Gen1.