The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-21

couraged on witnessing such bareface official
disregard of their services and their sufferngs.
1t is more to be wondered at that greater
number did not desert than did, although for
my part / do not deem desertion from the
colors justihable under any provocaton or cir
cumstances.
About the middle Of the winter, if mistake
not, proposition was preached in Congress to
enlist regiments of negroes who might volunteer
for the service, the corps to be Differed entirely
by white men. OF course the proposition was
prompted by sheer desperation, and / doubt
whether enough negro volunteers could have
been found in the entire confederacy to form a
brigade even if freedom had been offered on vol
unteering. But the sapient legislators at the
bidding of Mr.. Davis, it is to be presumed, had
no idea of offering this condition. They
actually wanted the negro to fight to perpetuate
his own slavery. After hot debate, if l recol
and the bill sheved. Had negro volunteers been
called for earlier in the war, with the condition
of freedom on enlistment attached, perhaps a
corps sufficient could have been raised to per-
form garrison and prison duty, and such like.
and equal number of white troops would
have been released for service in the field. But,
as usual. in their bungling manner, the authori-
ties moved too late. They always locked the
stable after the horse had been stolen.
Despite the fact that the Confederacy was al
most at its last gasp, the old crazy cry that
France and England had decided to recognize
the confederate government was raised about
the middle of January and with such circum-
stances particularly that the rumor gained Gre
dence in the camps and believe the Richmond
papers gave some credit thereto The next de-
sire of the Southern heart for peace was that
the blockade of the ports should DO raised.
Whether the confederate authorities started
this canard or not don't say, but for the time
being it exercised an inspiriting effect upon the
troops. There were also rumors of negotiations
for peace being on the tapis. 1t was known that
Francis p Blair, ST., had of late made several
visits to Richmond. Finally, it was announced
that peace commission, with Vice president
Stephens at the head, had set out for Fortress
Monroe to confer with President Lincoln. Mr..
Lincoln's terms were simple-"Let the confed
crate armies lay down their arms, other terms
to be referred for subsequent discussion" The
first condition imposed by Mr. Davis was "Sepa
ration-other matters to be settled after
ward" Thus negotiations were blocked,
may say before they were begun, and
as Mr.. Davis doubtless intended they should be,
for he could not have credited Mr. Lincoln with
such phenomenal stupidity as to yield when he
had the game virtually in his own hands, the
principle for which he had been contending for
four years-the indissoluble union of the States.
Mr. Davis has since said, l understand, that he
would not consent to Mr.. Lincoln's terms, be-
cause he feared the people of the confederacy
would not sanction his action. don't think he
had any such fear for, as | have said the people
IN the face on continuance of the contest, and
it would have been only common good sense to
have made the best terms possible before being
irretrievably ruined.
Now have stated, as we'll as can remember,
what heard and felt as a subordinate in Lees
army during the winter referred to, and l am
sure have set down naught in malice.