One hundred fifty years ago, on July 7, 1863, the Trans-Mississippi Confederacy addresses its need for manpower: HEADQUARTERS TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT, Shreveport, La., July 7, 1863. Lieut. Gen. T. H. HOLMES, Commanding District of Arkansas. GENERAL: I am instructed by Lieutenant-General Smith to say it is very important to increase the military strength of this department. There are many soldiers detailed as teamsters whose places could be well supplied by negroes. It is, therefore, recommended that an appeal be made to the patriotism of the people to hire negro men for teamsters, and that proper persons be employed to visit the different slave counties with your appeal, and use every effort to induce the owner to hire as many as he can spare from his plantation; and after every effort has been used and the necessary number not obtained, then, with great prudence, a pro rata assessment should be made upon the slaveholders, and the number required be impressed, in accordance with the law of impressment; but this should be done with great precaution, so as to wound the sensibilities of the people as little as possible, for it is of the first importance to obtain not only our full strength in the field, but keep those at home loyal and zealous in support of our cause and efforts. I am, general, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, S. S. ANDERSON, Assistant Adjutant-General.
Posted on: Sun, 07 Jul 2013 10:20:00 +0000
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