O.R.--SERIES IV--VOLUME II  Correspondence, Orders, Reports, And Returns Of The Confederate Authorities, July 1, 1862-December 31, 1863. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Mobile, Ala., November 7, 1863. Maj.General SAMUEL COOPER,  Adjt. and Insp. Gen., C.S. Army, Richmond, Va.: GENERAL: I again call your attention to my request to accept into the Confederate service the company of creoles of Mobile, because I think that perhaps the War Department is not exactly informed about the people I have reference to. When Spain ceded this territory to the United States in 1803, the creoles were guaranteed all the immunities and privileges of the citizens of the United States, and have continued to enjoy them up to this time. They have, many of them, negro blood in the degree which disqualifies other persons of negro race from the rights of citizens, but they do not stand here on the footing of negroes. They are very anxious to enter the Confederate service, and I propose to make heavy artillerists of them, for which they will be admirably qualified. Please let me hear at your earliest convenience if I may have them enrolled in a company, or in companies if I can find enough of them to make more than one company. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DABNEY H. MAURY, Major-General. [First indorsement.] ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE, November 20, 1863. Respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War. An application to have a company of creoles at Mobile accepted into Confederate service. By order, &c.: JOHN W. RIELY, Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General. [Second indorsement.] [NOVEMBER] 24, 1863. Our position with the North and before the world will not allow the employment as armed soldiers of negroes. If these creoles can be naturally and properly discriminated from negroes, the authority may be considered as conferred; otherwise not, unless you can enlist them as "navvies" (to use the English term) or for subordinate working purposes. J. A. S., Secretary.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

O.R.--SERIES IV--VOLUME III  CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, REPORTS, AND RETURNS OF THE CONFEDERATE AUTHORITIES FROM JANUARY 1, 1864, TO THE END CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA, WAR DEPARTMENT, Richmond, Va., November 24, 1864. Maj. E. B. BRIGGS,  Georgia Militia, Columbus, Ga.: SIR: Your letter of the 12th instant asking authority to raise a regiment of colored troops, should Congress authorize their formation, has been received. In reply you are informed that it is not probable that any such policy will be prescribed by Congress, and the Department is not prepared to consider such applications. Respectfully,  JAMES A. SEDDON,  Secretary of War

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

O.R.--SERIES IV--VOLUME III CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, REPORTS, AND RETURNS OF THE CONFEDERATE AUTHORITIES FROM JANUARY 1, 1864, TO THE END. HDQRS. GEORGIA RESERVES AND MIL. DIST. OF GEORGIA, Macon, Ga., January 8, 1865. Hon. JAMES A. SEDDON,  Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.: SIR: …  I think that the proposition to make soldiers of our slaves is the most pernicious idea that has been suggested since the war began. It is to me a source of deep mortification and regret to see the name of that good and great man and soldier, General R. E. Lee, given as authority for such a policy. My first hour of despondency will be the one in which that policy shall be adopted. You cannot make soldiers of slaves, nor slaves of soldiers. The moment you resort to negro soldiers your white soldiers will be lost to you; and one secret of the favor with which the proposition is received in portions of the Army is the hope that when negroes go into the Army they will be permitted to retire. It is simply a proposition to fight the balance of the war with negro troops. You can't keep white and black troops together, and you can't trust negroes by themselves. It is difficult to get negroes enough for the purpose indicated in the President's message, much less enough for an Army. Use all the negroes you can get, for all the purposes for which you need them, but don't arm them. The day you make soldiers of them is the beginning of the end of the revolution. If slaves will make good soldiers our whole theory of slavery is wrong--but they won't make soldiers. As a class they are wanting in every qualification of a soldier. Better by far to yield to the demands of England and France and abolish slavery, and thereby purchase their aid, than to resort to this policy, which leads as certainly to ruin and subjugation as it is adopted; you want more soldiers, and hence the proposition to take negroes into the Army. Before resorting to it, at least try every reasonable mode of getting white soldiers. …. For heaven's sake try it before you fill with gloom and despondency the hearts of many of our truest and most devoted men by resorting to the suicidal policy of arming our slaves. Sincerely, yours,  HOWELL COBB,  Major-general.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLVI/2 UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN AND SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA, NORTH CAROLINA (JANUARY 1-31), WEST VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, AND PENNSYLVANIA, FROM JANUARY 1, 1865, TO MARCH 15, 1865. HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS, February 27, 1865. Maj. Gen. G. K. WARREN:  A colored refugee, just escaped from the rebel lines, 4 p.m., reports that the enemy is moving his heavy guns from the lines in front of Petersburg toward Richmond, via the Chesterfield route. Last Tuesday he saw the guns moved through the streets of Petersburg himself, and knows that advantage is taken of every dark night to get guns to the rear. They are also moving cotton and tobacco to Lynchburg. His name is John Roberts, and appears intelligent; was servant to officer in signal corps, and was afraid of being put in the rebel ranks as a soldier (though he says he knows the niggers there will not fight). A company was formed of niggers who all voted not to fight the Yankees. They were then whipped and the company disbanded. Knows nothing about the movement of troops either to or from Petersburg. Respectfully,  H. W. RYDER,   Major and Provost. Marshal. P. S.--I shall forward this man immediately, unless the major-general wishes to see him.  H. W. R.  [Indorsement.] The negro has been sent to headquarters.  G. K. WARREN,   Major-General of Volunteers.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

O.R.--SERIES IV--VOLUME III CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, REPORTS, AND RETURNS OF THE CONFEDERATE AUTHORITIES FROM JANUARY 1, 1864, TO THE END. GENERAL ORDERS No. 14. ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE, Richmond, Va., March 23, 1865. I. The following act of Congress and regulations are published for the information and direction of all concerned:   AN ACT to Increase the military force of the Confederate States. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That, in order to provide additional forces to repel invasion, maintain the rightful possession of the Confederate States, secure their independence, and preserve their institutions, the President be, and he is hereby, authorized to ask for and accept from the owners of slaves, the services of such number of able-bodied negro men as he may deem expedient, for and during the war, to perform military service in whatever capacity he may direct. SEC. 2. That the General-in-Chief be authorized to organize the said slaves into companies, battalions, regiments, and brigades, under such rules and regulations as the Secretary of War may prescribe, and to be commanded by such officers as the President may appoint. SEC. 3. That while employed in the service the said troops shall receive the same rations, clothing, and compensation as are allowed to other troops in the same branch of the service. SEC. 4. That if, under the previous sections of this act, the President shall not be able to raise a sufficient number of troops to prosecute the war successfully and maintain the sovereignty of the States and the independence of the Confederate States, then he is hereby authorized to call on each State, whenever he thinks it expedient, for her quota of 300,000 troops, in addition to those subject to military service under existing laws, or so many thereof as the President may deem necessary to be raised from such classes of the population, irrespective of color, in each State, as the proper authorities thereof may determine: Provided, That not more than twenty-five per cent. of the male slaves between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, in any State, shall be called for under the provisions of this act. SEC. 5. That nothing in this act shall be construed to authorize a change in the relation which the said slaves shall bear toward their owners, except by consent of the owners and of the States in which they may reside, and in pursuance of the laws thereof. Approved March 13, 1865. ...   By order:  S. COOPER,  Adjutant and Inspector General.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLVI/3 CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN AND SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, AND PENNSYLVANIA, FROM MARCH 16, 1865, TO JUNE 30, 1865.--#3 RICHMOND, VA., April 1, 1865. General R. E. LEE,  Commanding Armies, &c.: SIR: I have been laboring, without much progress, to advance the raising of negro troops. You must judge how far you can consistently detach officers to recruit. I called for the recommendations made by you, and so few names were presented that I infer you do not find it desirable to rely on officers sent to recruit for their own commands; therefore have directed that orders be given to the commanders of Reserves in the several States to employ their officers to recruit negroes. If there be an officer or soldier to whose command the masters would prefer to intrust, and the slaves would prefer to go, he can be appointed when the company or battalion reaches its destination. I have prepared a circular letter to the governors of the States invoking their aid, as well by appeals to the owners as by recommendations to the legislatures, to make the most liberal provisions for those who volunteer to fight for the safety and independence of the State. ... Respectfully, yours,  JEFF'N DAVIS.