MANSFIELD, OHIO, Aug.
24, 1862.
Dear Brother:
Your letter of Aug. 13, with enclosures, was received. I
have read carefully your general orders enclosed and also your order on the
employment of negroes. I see no objection to the latter except the doubt and
delay caused by postponing the pay of negroes until the courts determine their
freedom. As the act securing their freedom is a military rule, you ought to
presume their freedom until the contrary is known and pay them accordingly. . .
.
You can form no conception at the change of opinion here as
to the Negro Question. Men of all parties who now appreciate the magnitude of
the contest and who are determined to preserve the unity of the government at
all hazards, agree that we must seek the aid and make it the interests of the
negroes to help us. Nothing but our party divisions and our natural prejudice
of caste has kept us from using them as allies in the war, to be used for all
purposes in which they can advance the cause of the country. Obedience and
protection must go together. When rebels take up arms, not only refuse
obedience but resist our force, they have no right to ask protection in any
way. And especially that protection should not extend to a local right
inconsistent with the general spirit of our laws and the existence of (which
has been from the beginning the chief element of discord in the country. I am
prepared for one to meet the broad issue of universal emancipation. . . .
By the way, the only criticism I notice of your management
in Memphis is your leniency to the rebels. I enclose you an extract. I take it
that most of these complaints are groundless, but you can see from it the point
upon which public opinion rests. The energy and bitterness which they have
infused into the contest must be met with energy and determination. . . .
Such is not only the lesson of history, the dictate of
policy, but it is the general popular sentiment. I know you care very little
for the latter. . . .
It is sometimes passionate, hasty and intemperate, but after
a little fluctuation it settles very near the true line. You notice that
Fremont, Butler, Mitchell, Turchin and Cochran are popular, while Buell,
Thomas, McClellan and others are not. It is not for military merit, for most
persons concede the inferiority in many respects of the officers first named,
but it is because these officers agree with and act upon the popular idea. . .
.
I want to visit you in Memphis and if possible go see the
64th and 65th. If it is possible or advisable, let me know and give me directions
how to get there. It is but right that I should see the regiments I organized,
and besides I should like to see you if I should not incommode you and
interfere with your public duties. . . .
Since my return I have spent most of my time in my Library.
I have always felt that my knowledge of American politics was rather the
superficial view of the politician and not accurate enough for the position
assigned me. I therefore read and study more and speak less than usual. . . .
We all wait with intense anxiety the events impending in
Virginia. We all fear results for a month to come. Now is the chance for the
rebels.
Affectionately yours,
JOHN SHERMAN
SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The
Sherman letters: correspondence between General and Senator Sherman from 1837
to 1891, p. 156-8
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