The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-06-10
Hillsborough, N. c., Apr. 10, 1865.
H., Er,,uo,nu proo;dont Davis Char

quote
Hillsborough, N. c., Apr. 10, 1865.
His Excellency, President Davis, Char
lotte, N. c.:
Ny Dear Sir: Having seen the
terms upon which it is proposed to ne
gotiate (for surrender Of Jonston's ar
my I trust I may be pardoned for
writing to you in relation to them.
Most Of our officers look only at the
military side Of the picture at pres
emit, but you will regard it in other as
poets also. The military situation is
very gloomy, I admit, but is by no
means desperate, and endurance
and determination will produce a
change.
There are large numbers of the Ar
my Of Northern Virginia who have es-
cared, and of these many will return
to our standard, if they are allowed
to enter the calvary service. Many
of the cavalry who escaped will also
join us if they find we are still max
ing head against the enemy. There
are now less than $1,000 to so, 1000 men
in arms on this side Of the Missippi;
on the other side there are as many
more. Now the question presents it.
self, shall we'disband these men at once
or shall we endeavor to concentrate
them?
If we disbaud we give up at once
and forever all hope Of foreign inter
vention. Europe will say, and say
Justly, "Why should We interfere if
you choose to re-enter the Union?'
But if we keep any organization, how
ever small, in the field, we give Eu-
rope the opportunity of aiding US.
The main reason urged for negotiation
is to spare the infection of any fur
Their suffering on the people. Moth
ing can be more fallacious than this
reasoning. No suffering which can be
inflicted by the passage over the coun-
try of the Yankee armies can equal
what would fall on US if we return to
the Union. \ No sacrifice
would be too great to escape this train
Of horrors, and I thinkitfar better for
US to fight to the extreme limits of our
country rather than to reconstruct the
Union upon any terms.
If we cannot use our Infantry here,
let it disband, calling upon them for
volunteers for the cavalry, collect all
our mounted force, and move toward
the Mississippi. When we cross that
river we can get large accessions to
the cavalry, and we can hold Texas:
As soon as forces can be organized and
equipped, send this heavy cavalry
force into the country Of the enemy,
and they will 500 show that we are
not conquered. If I had 10000
mounted men here [ could force Sher-
MIA to retreat in twenty days. Give
me a good force Of calvary and l will
take them across the Mississippi, and
if you desire to 60 in that direction it
will give me great pleasure to escort
you.
Ny own mind is made up as to my
course: I shall fight as long as my
government remains in existence !;
when that ceases to live I shall seek
some othr country, for I shall never
take the "oath of allegiance" I am
sorry that we paused to negotiate,
for, to my apprehension, no evil can
equal that Of a return to the Union.
I write to you, my dear sir, that you
may know the feelings which actuate
many of the officers Of my command.
They are not subdued, nor do they de-
spair. For myself I beg to express
my heartfelt sympathy with you, and
to give you the assurance that my con-
fdence in your patriotism has never
been shaken. If you will allow me to
do so I can bring to your support many
strong arms and brave henrts-men
who will fight to Texas, and who, if
forced from that State, will seek re-
fuge in Mexico rather than in the
Union.
With my best wishes, I am, very
respectfully and truly, yours,
WADE HAMPTON.