The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1885-05-21
NEGROES AS SOLDIERS.
A Let,cr OF Con. Leo Advising Their Uso
in tho Confederate Army.

WASHINGTON. May lin speech
delivered in the Confederate Houae Of
Representatives, in February, 1866, by
Mr.. L. Barksdale, Of Mississippi, on the
bill to authorize the employment of
negro trooPs by voluntary enlistment, ho
quoted letter of Gen. Lee, which, Il is
said, has not been generally published.
Mr. Barksdale, who Is member.elect Of
the 49th Congress, furnished copy of
the letter from his musty files. 1t is as
follows: .t
HDQRs. CoNFED'TE STATES ARMIES, |
February 18, 1866. !
+. BarFsdale, House of Representa-.
tives, Richmond Sir-I have the honor
to acknowledge the receipt Of your letter
of the 18th inst, with reference to be
employment of negroes as soldiers. I
think the measure not only expedient
but necessary. The enemy will certainly
use them against Us II he can get possess.
ion OF them, and as his present numeri.
cal superiority will enable him to pene.
trate many parts Of the country, cannot
SEQ the wisdom OF the policy Of holding
them 10 await his arrival, when We may,
by timely action and judicious manage.
ments use them to arrest his progress. I
do not think that our white population
can oupply the necessities Of q long war
without oyertaxing its capacity and
imposing great suffering upon our people ;
and believe we should provide resour-
ces for ,protracted struggle, not merely
Tor q battle or q campaign. g$.
In answer TO your second question I
can only say that In my opinion the
negro urder proper circumstances will
make an efficient soldier. 1 think we
could do as we'll with them as the enemy,
aud he attaches great Importance to their
assistance. Under good officers and good
instructions / do not see why they should
/ not become soldiers. They possess all
habits Of obedience constitute good
foundation for discipline. They furnish
q more promising material than many
armies Of which we read in history.
/ / which owed their efficiency to diHcipline
alone. think those who are emDioyed
should be freed. It would be neither
just or wise, in my opinion, to require
them to serve % slaves. The best course
to purBne, 1t seems to me, would be to
call for such as are willing to come with
tho consent of their owners. An inn.
pressment or draft would not be likelv Ia
bring out the beat class, and the use OF
correction would make the mesaure dis.
tasteful to them and to their owners.
I have no doub. that If Congress would
authorize their reception into service and
empower the President to cali upon
individuals or States Tor such as thew are
willing TO contribute, with the condition
Of emancipation to- all enrolled. a sufi.
cient number would be forthcoming tc
enable US to try the experiment. If 4
prove successful most Of the objection,
~ the measure would disappear, and i
individuals Etill remained unwilling I,
sond their negroes to the army, the fore,
ef public opinion in the Stsfes woul
coon bring about such legislation a
would remove all obstacles. L think th
matter should be left "a far as possible
the people and to tho States, which alo1
can legislate rs the necessities Of th
particular service may require. Aa!i
the mode Of organizing them, &c sk,S;a.lI
be left as free from restraint as possibl
Experience will suggest the best cours
and 1t would be inexpedient to trammt
the subject with provisions that Nigh
in the end prevent Che adoption of reform
suggested by actual.trial. s,Ff
With great respect, your. obedien
servant,
r. E. LEE, General.