| The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of
the Union andConfederate Armies. Series IV - Volume I. Washington:
Government Printing Office, 1900.
NOTE: The first letter addressed to the Confederate States' Secretary
of War by a citizen of Helena, Arkansas. The second letter is the reply
from that office.
"HELENA, ARK., July 17, 1861.
Hon. L. P. Walker:
DEAR SIR: I wrote you a few days since for myself and many others in
this district to ascertain if we could get negro regiments received for
Confederate service, officered, of course, by white men. All we ask is
arms, clothing, and provisions, and usual pay for officers and not one
cent pay for negroes. Our negroes are too good to fight Lincoln hirelings,
but as they pretend to love negroes so much we want to show them how much
the true Southern cotton-patch negro loves them in return. The North cannot
complain at this. They proclaim negro equality from the Senate Chamber
to the pulpit, teach it in their schools, and are doing all they can to
turn the slaves upon master, mistress, and children. And now, sir, if you
can receive the negroes that can be raised we will soon give the Northern
thieves a gorge of the negroes' love for them that will never be forgotten.
As you well know, I have had long experience with negro character. I am
satisfied, they are easy disciplined and less trouble than whites in camp,
and will fight desperately as long as they have a single white officer
living. I know one man that will furnish and arm 100 of his own and his
son for their captain. The sooner we bring a strong negro force against
the hirelings the sooner we shall have peace, in my humble judgment. Let
me hear from you.
Your old friend,
W. S. TURNER
********************************************
CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA, WAR DEPARTMENT
Richmond, August 2, 1861.
W. S. TURNER, Helena, Ark.:
SIR:
In reply to your letter of the 17th of July I am directed by the Secretary
of War to say that this Department is not prepared to accept the negro
regiment tendered by you, and yet it is not doubted that almost every
slave would cheerfully aid his master in the work of hurling back the fanatical
invader. Moreover, if the necessity were apparent there is high authority
for the employment of such forces. Washington himself recommended the enlistment
of two negro regiments in Georgia, and the Congress sanctioned the measure.
But now there is a superabundance of our own color tendering their services
to the Government in its day of peril and ruthless invasion, a superabundance
of men when we are bound to admit the inadequate supply of arms at present
at the disposal of the Government.
Respectfully,
A. T. BLEDSOE,
Chief of Bureau of War.
 |
| Emory college, the Robert W. Woodruff Library special collection
"Senate, February 27, 1865.--Ordered to lie on the table and be
printed. By Mr. Simms."
RESOLUTIONS
"Passed at a meeting of Kentucky soldiers, held at Camp Lee, near
the city of Richmond, in relation to the prosecution of the war and placing
Negroes in the army as soldiers."
" At A meeting of Kentucky soldiers, held at Camp Lee, near Richmond,
Va., on the 25th February, 1865, almost four hundred privates and non-commissioned
officers from the 2nd, 7th, and 11th Kentucky Cavalry Regiments, Duke's
Brigade, being present, who were recently released from northern prisons.
On motion, Serg't H.H. Barlow, was called to the chair and Richard Wintersmith
appointed Secretary."
"The object of the meeting being explained, W.W. Kendall, Thos.
D. Henry, W.S. Wheatly, J.C. Brashear, and John Funell were appointed to
draft resolutions expressive of the sentiments of the meeting. After consultation
they offered the following preamble and resolutions which were unanimously
adopted."
"Whereas, after long suffering and imprisonment, we are again on
our often hoped and prayed for Southern soil, endeared to us by the associations,
perils, and pleasures of the past, and doubly sacred because it is now
the burial-ground of so many of our comrades and brothers; we desire, at
this our earliest opportunity, to let our countrymen and fellow soldiers,
as also our northern foes and traducers know the unchanging and undying
sentiments of Kentuckians. Therefore,"
"Resolved 1st, That to win our independence we should resort to
every honorable means and cheerfully make every sacrifice. We know the
fate that awaits us should the enemy succeed in crushing our gallant armies,
and rather than submit let us exhaust every resource and use every means
of defeating him."
"2d. That we heartily endorse the conduct of our illustrious Chief
Magistrate in designating independence as the only basis on which we could
or ought to negotiate for peace with the United States, and we know that
declaration filled the hearts of thousands of our fellow-prisoners with
new hope and joy and confidence."
"3d. That we will take up the gauntlet which the enemy have again
thrown down, with renewed energy, devotion and determination, and trusting
in God, with the guidance of our President, our glorious hero and Chief-Commander,
and our gallant and gifted, tried and true Secretary of War, we will, on
the battle-field, submit to the arbitrament of the sword, the issue of
independence or subjugation, and prove our determination to die freeman
rather than live slaves."
"4th. That we approve of the policy of placing Negroes in the
army as soldiers, and respectfully urge our members of Congress to pass
such laws as will make them most available to our cause."
"5th. That we tender to Lieutenant-Colonel J. B. McCreary, of the
11th Kentucky Cavalry, our sincere thanks for the kind attention and many
favors extended to us since our arrival in Richmond, and we request him
to present these resolutions to our members in the Confederate States Congress
and to the Richmond papers for publication."
"On motion the meeting adjourned. H.H. Barlow, Chairman. R.M. Wintersmith,
Secretary." |
