HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field,
Gaylesville, Ala., October 25, 1864.
Hon. E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War, Washington,
D.C.:
SIR: I do not wish
to be considered as in any way adverse to the organization of negro regiments,
further than as to its effects on the white race. I do wish the fine race of
men that people our Northern States should rule and determine the future
destiny of America; but if they prefer trade and gain, and leave to bought
substitutes and negroes the fighting (the actual conflict), of course the
question is settled, for those who hold the swords and muskets at the end of
this war (which has but fairly begun) will have something to say. If negroes
are to fight, they, too, will not be content with sliding back into the status
of slave or free negro. I much prefer to keep negroes yet for some time to come
in a subordinate state, for our prejudices, yours as well as mine, are not yet
schooled for absolute equality. Jeff. Davis has succeeded perfectly in
inspiring his people with the truth that liberty and government are worth
fighting for, that pay and pensions are silly nothings compared to the prize
fought for. Now, I would aim to inspire our people also with the same idea — that
it is not right to pay $1,000 to some fellow, who will run away, to do his
fighting, or to some poor negro, who is thinking of the day of jubilee, but
that every young and middle-aged man should be proud of the chance to fight for
the stability of his country, without profit and without price; and I would
like to see all trade, commerce, and manufactures absolutely cease until this
fight is over, and I have no hesitation or concealment in saying that there is
not, and should not be, the remotest chance of peace again on this continent
till all this is realized, save the peace which would result from the base and
cowardly submittal to Jeff. Davis' terms. I would use negroes as surplus, but
not spare a single white man, not one. Any white man who don't or won't fight
now should be killed, banished, or denationalized, and then we would
discriminate among the noisy patriots and see who really should vote. If the
negroes fight and the whites don't, of course the negroes will govern. They
won't ask you or me for the privilege, but will simply take it, and probably
reverse the relation hitherto existing, and they would do right. If, however,
the Government has determined to push the policy to the end, it is both my duty
and pleasure to assist, and in that event I should like to have Colonel Bowman,
now commanding the District of Wilmington, Del., to organize and equip such as
may fall into the custody of the army I command.
I am, with respect, your obedient servant,
W. T.
SHERMAN,
Major-General, Commanding.
SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of
the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume
39, Part 3 (Serial No. 79), p. 428-9
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