Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-08-01
COLORED SOLDIERS.
GENERAL r. +. LEES POSITION WITH
REGARD TO EELIsTING NEGROES.
Letters on This Subject Which Have Just
Come to Light Through the
Century

The Century Magazine says; The subioin.
ed letters, which contain their own ex-
pisnaiion, are sent TO us through the Hon.
w. J.. Wilson, NJ. C., by the Hon. Andrew
Hunler, Of Chalestown, w. Va, who as
sures us that they have not before appeared
III print:
RICHMOND, January Z, 1865.
10 General r. 4. Ire:
Dear General II regret that In the success
sion OF stirring events since the commence
ment OF the present war | have had so little
opportunity TO renew our former 20 the at
least, exceedingly agreeable acquaintance,
and particularly that ] have 50 rarely, II
ever. met With a suitable occasion 10 inter-
change views with you upon the important
public questions gbich have been and are
stil pressing on n With such intense interest.
II would have demanded, indeed, In view
OF the scarcely less than awful weight Of care
and responsibility Providence and your
country layf thrown uDOn YOU. and which
you will pardon me for saying has been
erandly mc.no ordinarily favorable oppor-
lunity b hsfS induced me to iutrude upon
your oVer-burdenod time and attention for
sueh n purpose; and IN approaching you
deem. OF vital Importance, | Offer no other
apology than the momentous character OF the
issue fixed upon the hearts and minds Of
every southern patriot.
refer 10 the great question now stirring
the public mind as 10 the cxpediency aud
proprieiy OF bringing 10 bear against our re-
leBtless enemy the element OF military
strength supposed TO be found in our negro
population; in other words, and more pre-
cisely, the wisdom and sound policy.
under existing circumstances, OF con-
yerting such portions OF this popula.
tion as NAV be required into soldiers, TO aid
In maintaining our great struggle for inde-
pondence and national existence.
The subject is one which recent events
have forced upon our attention with intense
Interest, and in my Judgment we ought not
longer to defer its solution; and although
the President I'm his late annual message mas
brought it to The attention oi Congress, 1t Is
maDliestly subject In which the several
states OF the Coniederacy must and ought TO
act the most prominent part, both'i giving
the question its proper solution and in carry
ing out any plans that be mss devise on the
subject. As member ~ the Virginia Sem
ate, having 10 act upon the subject, have
given 1t much earnest and anxious re-
Election, and do not hesitate 10 say here, in
advance OF the full discussion which II will
doubtless undergo. that the general OBJ
jectiOas 10 the proposition itself, as well as
the practical difficulties IN the way Of carry
Ing it out, have been greatly lesscned r. /
have more thoroughly examined them. But
it is not TO he disguised that public sentiment
is greatly divided on the subject; and be-
adcs many real objections. n mountain Of
pr,jldicc growing out Of our ancient modes
Of regarding the institution Of southern
slavery will hive to be met aud overcome be-
fore we can attain TO anything like that de-
gree Of unaninity so extremely desirable in
this and all else connected with our great
struggle. Ia our former contest for liberty
and independence lie who was then at the
head OF our armies and who became the Fa-
thcr OF his Country did not hesitate 10 give
his advice on all great subjects INVOLVING the
success Of that contest end the safety and
welfare oi bis country, and in dong 50 per-
hlps rendered more essential service than he
did in the field; nor do | perceive why,
upon such a subject aud IN such crisis as
The present. we should not 5aVe the benefit
Of your sound judgment and matured wis
dom. Pardon me therefore for asking. 10 be
used not only for my guidance, but publicly
As the occasion may require: Do you think
that Ly a WiselV-deUscd plan and iudcious
selection negro soldiers can be made effective
and reliable in maintaining this war in be-
half OF toe southern Statcsg Do you think
that the calling into service OF sHch numbers
uf this population a. the cXigency may de-
nsnd would affect inluriousiy, 10 any mate
rial extent. the institution OF southern
slavery Would not the Introduction OF this
element OF strength into our military opera
tons Justify in some degree a more liberal
scale of exemptions or details, and by thus
In laa al
portion Of the intelligent and directing labor
II the country (as seems 10 be needed have
a beneficial bearing upon the question Of sub
sistence and other supplies?
Would not, in your judgment, the intro
duction OF such policy increase, In other
regards, our power Of defence against the re-
lenlIess warfare The enemy is now waging
against usl
These are but some OF the leading inquiries
whica suggest themselves. But beg, Gene.
raj. If from a sense OF duty aud the prompt
ings OF your elevated patriotism, overriding
unwise and ill.timed delicscy, you consent
10 reply 10 these inquiries, for the pur-
pose before frankly Indicated, that you will
give me your views, as fully as your engage
mepts will allow, upOn every other question
that may occur to you as likely to conduce to a
wise decision Of this graycand, rs deemed by
many, vitality important subject with high
est esteem, your obedient servant,
ANDREW lIUNTER.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA.
January II, 1865.
Hon. Audreir H1ntcr, Rcam0nd, Va;
Dear Sir.--I have received your letter Of
the 7th instant. and, without combining my
self to the order Of your intorrogatOries, will
endeayor 10 answer them by statement OF
my views on the subject. l shall be most
ff .op ooutrfhufa n tho coluf,on ~