The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1885-05-21
NEGROES AS SOLDIERS.
A Letter Of Con. Leo Advising Their Use
in the Confederate Army.

WASHINGTON, May 11.-1n a speech
delivered in the Confederate House OF
Representatives, in February, 1865, by
Mr.. E. Barksdale, of Mississippi, on the
bill to authorize the employment of
negro troops by voluntary enlistment, he
quoted letter of Gen. Lee, which, it is
said, has not been generally published.
Mr.. Barksdale, who is member.elect of
the 49th Congress, furnished q copy of
the letter from his musty files. It is as
follows:
HDoRs. CoNFED'TE STATES ARMIES, |
February 18, 1865. !
E. Barksdale, House of Representa-.
tires, Richmond: Sir-I have the honor
to acknowledge the receipt of your letter
of the 18th inst, with reference to the
employment of negroes as soldiers. I
think the measure not only expedient
but necessary. The enemy will certainly
use them against us if 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, I cannot
see the wisdom of the policy of holding
them to await his arrival, when we may,
by timely action and judicious manage.
ment, use them to arrest his progress. I
do not think that our white population
can supply the necessities of long war
without overtaxing its capacity and
imposing great suffering upon our people
and I believe we should provide resour.
ces for protracted struggle, not merely
for battle or campaign.
In answer to your second question
can only say that in my opinion the
negro urder proper circumstances will
make an efficient soldier. I think we
could do as we'll with them as the enemy,
and he attaches great Importance to their
assistance. Under good officers and good
instructions I do not see why they should
not become soldiers. They possess all
the physical qualifications, and their
habits of obedience constitute good
foundation for discipline. They furnish
more promising material than many
armies of which we read in history,
which owed their efficiency to discipline
alone. I think those who are employed
should be freed. 1t would be neither
just or wise, in my opinion, to require
them to serve as slaves. The best course
to pursue, it seems to me, would be to
call for such as are willing to come with
the consent of their owners. An i'm
pressment or draft would not be likely to
bring out the best class, and the use of
correction would make the mesaure dis
tasteful to them and to their owners.
have no doubt that if Congress would
authorize their reception into service and
empower the President to call upon
individuals or States for such as they are
willing to contribute, with the condition
of emancipation to all enrolled, sufi.
cient number would be forthcoming to
enable US to try the experiment. If it
prove successful most of the objections
to the measure would disappear, and if
individuals still remained unwilling to
send their negroes to the army, the force
of public opinion in the States would
soon bring about such legislation as
would remove all obstacles. I think the
matter should be left as far as possible to
the people and to the States, which alone
can legislate as the necessities of this
particular service may require. As to
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,