Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-03-15
Col. A. p. Aldrich Wants the NegrS
Placed Hors de Combat.


SIR-The threatened advance of the
enemy through our State exposes large
number of negroes to capture, which, If
possible, should be prevented. do not
recommend to families to desert their
homes, because some have not the means
to move. Most OF the residences out of
the line of march have been taken up,
and experiences has shown that refugees
have not generally bettered their condi-
ton in leaving the comforts by which
they were surrounded to seek new resi-
dences, unless they possessed very ample
means. | am therefore not at all sur
prised that many have determined to
stand their ground and hold to their
homesteads rather than seek safety IN
flight.
What | most fear, and what desire TO
call your attention to, is the number OF
ahle-bOdied young negroes that may fall
into the hands Of the enemy. l hold it to
be criminal in a slave-owner to allow his
young fellows 10 be captured. 1t not only
deprives the COnfederacy OF an abe
bodied labOrer. but it furnishes the InYad-
ing army with good recruit, who makes
at least as as good a soldier as the ignOr-
ant and debauched foreigner. In the opin-
ion Of many who have seen service. he Is
much better material. Now, what L at
present wish to bring TO your attention is
the necessity Of making some arrange
ment by which these recruits from our
labOrers may be put out of the reach OF
the enemy, either by the owner of the
slave or hv the State at the expense of the
owner. 1t is very common reply now
Of men who own slaves to say: 81 do
not intend to move; 1 nave no place to go
TO, no land on which to put my negroes,
and, if l had, no money with which TO
move and support them"
Is it not much better tor man who has
two, ten, or fifty young fellows to sell a
third or One-half of them to raise the
means to save the remainder, than to give
all of them - the enemyS What good
does it do for South Carolina to call out
three or four thousand militia, old men
and boys incapable of active service,
without competent officers, not having the
ordinary camp equipage and supplies,
with no discipline, mere mob, while at
the same time we give to the enemy eight
or ten thousand able-bOdied negroes,
strong, healthy, active, accustomed TO
discipline, in the very prime OF life, who
will be Immediately distributed among an
army of veterans and made good troops
against their late mastersg
Is It not our policy 10 remove this fight
ing material before the enemy comes, nay,
to kill all who will not go, rather than to
have to kill them after they are armed
and put In the ranks against us2 l there
fore regard Il as a matter or the greatest
Importance that you at once issue such
orders as will save these labOrers to the
COnfederacy and will keep them out OF
the ranks OF the enemy, or, if you nave
not the authority, and do not choose to
assume so large a responsibility, that
YOU convene the Legislature for that pur-
pose. The danger is pressing, and, in nv
opinion, any power that you may assume
will be cneertullY sanctioned, and any
movement in this direction will be
promptly legalized. Very respectfully.
your Obedient servant,
To Coz. Ndgrath.
A SECOND LETTER on THE SAME DAY.
THE OAKS, Jan. Is, 1863
MY DEAR GOvERNOR-I am afraid YOU
will think me afflicted with the ''CdcOetheS
scribendi' (if that is the right way to
write IT'D, but the fact is l have been a
good deal among our people in the last
week, getting up this militia OrganiZa-
ton. and do not like the feeling which l
see prevailing. There is a good deal of
dependency, and it is very common 10
hear, I'VE are gone. Sherman will over
run the country. There is no use to try
anv longer.o
know this is the result of the first
shock, aud as the people become accus-
toned to the state OF things more health
full disposition Will prevail; but yet, have
been impressed that some Of our largest
slave owners talk in this way. | have not
heard them myself but | cannot doubt it.
Gen, Hagood is now with US, and we have
conferred freely. He agrees with me
that it will be criminal TO allow
our young fellows to fall into the
hands of the enemy. Ny sons are
also at home. They are all in the SER
vice, and, as you know, have had oppor-
tunities to form opinions entitled to
weight and consideration. They all agree
that while the negro does not make
soldier to compare with the men who NIL
up our ranks, he does make soldier who
compares fayorably with the soldiers who
fill up the ranks of the Yankee army, and
generally is a better soldier than the emil
grant and the Yankee negro.
wish you would take this matter IN
your own hands, and order the thing done
at once. / know you are not afraid OF
responsibility, aud lift is right that you
have the nerve to do 1t. But II you think
it ia better to have the sanction OF the
legislature, and that your order may De
disregarded because there IS no law lot
it, then call the Legislature together to
do il. But | am afraid ii you do call 1t
thew NAV get up debate on the subject,
and IL the vote should be against the re-
commentator you will feel yourself
trammelled. l would rather do the thing
first and get the sanction of the lawmak-
ing power afterward. know this matter
is so important that it Will commend IT.
self to your serious attention, and nave
only brought it TO your notice because in
the multitude and magnitude of affairs
now pressing on you you may not think
of it In time. Yours truly.
AP. ALDRICH.
Cor. -Hdgrath.