Year: 1865

(from the Confederate.)


Letter from Gen. Leo on the Negro Ealistnsnt.
The following letter from Gen. Lee, on the SUBJ
ject of putting negroes into the army, clearly de.
fines his views on that important subject:


HEADe'Rs, CONFEDERATE STATES ARu1rs,)


February 18th, 1866.
Hon. T. BarAsdah, Heass Of Representatives, Rich


noid:


SR:-I have the honor to acknowledge the re.
cspt of your letter of the 18th ns, with reference
to the employment of negroes as soldiers. think
the measure not only expedient, but necessary
The enemy will certainly use them against US if he
can get possession of them and as his present nu-
mercsl superiority will enable him to penetrate
many parts of the country, T cannot see the wisdom
OF the policy of holding them to await his arrival
when we may by timely action aud judcious man.
agement, use them to arrest bis progress. I do not
think that our white population can supply the
necessities of long without overtasking its Ca
pacity and imposing great suffering upon our peo-
pie; and believe We should provide resources for
= protractsd struggls-not merely for battle or
campaign.


In answer to your second question, can only
say that in my opinion, the negroes, under proper
circumstances, will make efficient soldiers. think
We could at least do well with them as the enemy,
and 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 the physical qualifications, and their
habits Of obedience constitute good foundation for
discipline. They promise more promising mate
rial than many armies of which we read in history,
which owed their efficiency to discipline alone.
think those who are employed should be Free 1t
would be neither just nor 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
Tners. An impressment or draft would not be
likely to bring out the best Glass; and the of CO.
ercion would make the measure distasteful to them
and to their owners


have n0doubt that if Congress would author.
ize their reception into the service, and empower
the President to call upon individuals States for
such as they are willing to contribute, with the
condition of emancipation to all enrolled, . suffi.
cient number would be forthcoming to enable us to
try the experiment. If it proved 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. think
the matter should be left as far as possible to the
people and to the States, which alone can eglslate
As the necessities of this particular may
qure As to the mede of organizing them, it
should be left a free from restraint as possible
Experience will suggest the best course, and it
would be inexped.ent to trammel the subject with
provaions that might, in the end, prevent the
adoption Of reforms suggested by actual trial.


With great respect


Your obedent servant,
R. 3. LEE, General