The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-05-01
COlOred COnfederates.

Gen. Lee in regard to the use OF ne
groes in the Confederate army suggests
that the "whole story" is not told by
that single document, and I beg to
offer your readers some additional
official information on the subject, OBJ
tanned from an accomplished and gal
liant Confederate officer.
Major Mark Newman, at present a
leading merchant and honored citizen
of Sandersville, Ga, has presented to
the Georgia Historical Society, of Saw
annah, to preserve in its archives, the
original copy of the following docu-
ment, which, as Adjutant of the Forty
ninth Georgia regiment. he drew up
and circulated among the officers Of
that command for their signatures:
CAMP FoRTY-NINTH GEORGIA Reel
MENT, NEAR PETERSBURG, March Is, 1865.
GU. ". II. Taylor, A. A. G.-Sir:
The undersigned, commissioned officers
of this regiment, having maturely con-
sidered the following plan for recruit
ing this regiment, and having freely
consulted with the enlisted men, who
almost unanimously agree to it, respect
fully submit it, through you, to the
Commanding General for his consider
alton:
First.-That our companies be per-
mitted to fill up their ranks with negroes
to the maximum number, under the
recent laws of Congress.
Second THAT the negroes in those
counties of Georgia, from which our
companies came, be conscripted in
such numbers and under such regula-
tons as the War Dedartment may deem
proper.
Third.-That after the negroes have
been so conscribed an officer or enlisted
man from each company be sent home
to select from the negro conscripts such
who may have owners, or may belong
to families of whom representatives
are in the company, or who, from for
mer acquaintance with the men, may
be deemed suitable to be incorporated
with their companies.
For the purpose of carrying out more
effectually and promptly the plan, as
indicated under the third head, it is
respectfully suggested that each man
in the regiment be required to furnish
list of relatives, friends or acauaint-
ances in his county, of whom it is likely
that negroes may be conscribed, so as
to facilitate the labors of the officer or
man who may be detailed to bring the
negroes to the regiment.
When in former years, for pecuniary
purposes, we did not consider it dis
graceful to labor with negroes in the
same field, or at the same work bench,
we certainly will not look upon it in
another light at this time, when an end
so glorious as our independence is to
be achieved. We sincerely believe that
the adoption throughout our army of
the plan here most respectfully sub
mitted, or some similar one to it, will
insure speedy availability of the ne
gro element in our midst for military
purposes, and create, or rather cement,
a reciprocal attachment between the
men now in service, and the negroes,
highly beneficial to the service and
which could probably not be otherwise
obtained.
We have the honor to be, very re-
spectfully,
j. L. JORDAN, Colonel.
| J. b. DUGGAN, Major.
NJ. NEWMAN, Adjutant.
l.. L. VEAL, First Lieutenant Com
pany A.
L. l.. WILLIAMS, Captain Com
panies b and Ct.
J. +. DUGGAN. Captain Company
L. NJ. ANDREWS, Captain Company
d.
CIR. WALDEN, Lieutenant Com
pany f.
S. j. JORDAN, Lieutenant Com
pany II.
A. G.. BRooKs, Lieutenant Com
pany +.
WILLIAM r. MuLLALY, Captain
Company l.
r. S. ANDERSON, Captain Company
Ct.
Headquarters THOMAS BRIGADE,
March IS. $780, Respectfully for
warded, approved.
EDWARD L. THOMAS,
Brigadier General.
HEADQUARTERS Wilcox LIGHT DIV
IsIoN, March 81, 1S65.-Respectfully
forwarded, believing that the method
proposed within, is the best that can be
adopted. G. NJ. WILCOX,
Major General.
HEADQUARTERS THIRD CoRPs, A. n.
Va, March %, 1865. --Respectfully for
warded. The plan proposed is COM
mended as worthy Of attention and
consideration II HPTu