Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1865-03-16
From the Confederate.
Letter from Gen. Lee. on the Negro
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Letter from Gen, Lee. on the Negro
--- Enlistment.
The following letter from Gen. Lee, on
the subject of putting negroes into the ar
my, clearly defines his views on that i'm
portant subject: ...
HEADQUARTERS, G. s. ARMIES,
--.. February 18th, 1865.
Hon. e. Barhsaaze, House Of Representa-
tipes, Richmond:
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your letter of the 18th inst,
with reference to the employment of ne.
groes as soldiers I think the measure not
only expedient, but necessary. The enemy
will certainly use them against us if he can
tget possession of them and as his present
numerical superiority will, enable him to
penetrate many parts of the country. !
cannot see the wisdom of the policy of hol-
ding them to await his arrival, when we
may, by timely action aud judicious man.
agement, use them to arrest his progress.
I do not think that our white, population
can supply the necessities of long war
without overtaskiug its capacity and i'm.
posing great suffering upon our people ;
and 1 believe we should provide resources
for protracted struggle-not merely for a
battle or a campaign.
In answer to your second question, can
only say that, in.my opinion, the negroes,
under proper circumstances, will make eff:
cient soldiers. I think we could at least
do as we'll with them as the enemy, and he
attaches great Importance to their assis'
tance. Under good officers and good in
structious, do not see why they ahoald
not become soldiers. They possess all the
physical qualifications, and their habits Of
obedience constitute good foundation for
discipline. They promise more promi-
sing material than many armies of which
we read in history, which owed their eff
ciency to discipline alone. Think those
who are employed should be free. 1t 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 cali for such as are willing to come with
tho consent of their owners. An impress.
ment or draft would not be likely to bring
out the bss. class, and the use of coercion
would make the measure dfstasteful to them
and IN THAR owners
I have no doubt that if Congress would
authorize their reception in the service,
and empower the President to call upon
individuals or States for such as they are
willing to contribute, with che condition
,of emancipation to all enrolled, sufficient
number would be forthcoming toaeuable us
ito try the experiment. If it proved sue
cessful, uoss Of the objections to the mea-
sure would disappear, and if individuals
still remained unwilling to send their ne
groes to the army, the force of public opin-
ion in the States would soon bring about
such Legislation as would remove all obsta-
cles. tEink'the matter should be left, as
far as possible, to the people and to the
States, which alone can legislate as the ne.
cessities'of,this particular service may re-
quite. Asto the mode of organizing 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, General.