Barbour Lewis to Richard Yates

Memphis, Tenn.,

Mch. 30, 1863

Dear Sir

Mr. Dubois told me the other day that you were still in Washington. I suppose you are not there now, but, as you may be, will venture to send a few lines to you. Mr. Edward Kirby wrote to me sometime since that you informed him that you had received my letters in regard to a Colored Regiment of Cavalry and had written to Washington in my favor, and also had written to me. I have not received your letter, but I thank you most heartily for your kindness. I have received no information from the War Department in regard to my application, and most likely will not. I am afraid that the President has been scared out of his plans of Enlisting Colored troops, but

he will find them needed badly in the Cotton States next Summer and Fall. There is now a great opportunity to raise thousands of them in this Department, here, at Helena, Providence, and Elsewhere. I have this day sent on an application to the President for Authority to raise 5000 in this Department and to select for their Commissioned Officers Men who have distinguished themselves by service in the ranks or as Non Commissioned Officers thus far during this war. I could give them in that way far better Officers than any Regiment in the Service now has, and would soon make of them the very best troops in America. I want to use them as an active flying and ranging force in Mississippi and Alabama or wherever and how they could be made most efficient. I could make them terribly effective. One thing

We aught to aim at this coming season is to prevent our enemy from raising any crops. We must deprive them of all services from their slaves. I could accomplish a tremendous work in that way if allowed to. We aught to raise in the Cotton States an immense Army of Blacks and Subsist them entirely upon the enemy. In one word we aught to destroy slavery for them utterly and forever, and then just as fast as we conquer a state, call a state convention, allowing only true Union Men to vote, (if they are only ten or 20 in a county,) disfranchise all Rebels and Emancipate all Slaves. Such work by a State Convention would be final and irrevocable and make us secure of the Machinery of Government, give us the Control

of their Elections with reliable Congressmen, &c.. It would make us sure of four millions of free and loyal blacks. But we can only get at the slave masses and arouse them now by Black troops. They must see their own race in arms and treated as soldiers. Then they will rise, and when they do, this cursed Rebellion will wilt like Jonah's gourd! Will you please aid me in this plan? If I could see the President I think he would grant me the authority I ask. I can raise these men in 60 days. If I am once allowed to raise them and to officer them with our best veteran Illinois soldiers who have no other prospect of shoulder straps and sympathize with the whole grand object aimed at, I will do honor to our State by what I will accomplish.

Most Respectfully Yours

Barbour Lewis

Capt. Co. G. 1st Mo. Cav.

Capt Barbour Lewis

Memphis Tenn March 30 1863

Learns the Governor is still in Washington - writes in refference to the raising of Negroe Regts - thanks the Governor for the letters and the interest he has taken in this matter for him.

File

Recd Ex O April 22d 1863