Confederate States of America's Plan to Put Slaves in the Trenches

NOTE: The war ended before such a plan could be implemented.

Researched and Compiled by Bennie J. McRae, Jr.

In order to disarm opposition as far as possible and to produce prompt action, I proposed that those slaves only who might volunteer to fight for their freedom should be at once sent to the trenches. Excerpt from a letter by Secretary of State J. P. Benjamin to General Robert E. Lee - February 11, 1865

• J. P. Benjamin, Secretary of State - Richmond, Virginia - February 11, 1865
  
  
• President Jefferson Davis - Richmond, Virginia - March 13, 1865
  
  
• Officers of Camp Forty-ninth Georgia Regiment - Near Petersburg, Virginia - March 15, 1865 - (Including endorsements)
  
  
• John W. Riely, Assistant Adjutant-General - Richmond, Virginia - March 15, 1865
  
  
• President Jefferson Davis - Richmond, Virginia - March 24, 1865
  
  
• General Robert E. Lee - Headquarters C. S. Armies - March 24, 1865
  
  
• President Jefferson Davis - Richmond, Virginia - March 25, 1865
  
  
• General Robert E. Lee - Headquarters C. S. Armies - March 27, 1865
  
  
• Lieutenant Colonel Charles Marshall, Assistant Adjutant General - Two letters dated March 27 and 30, 1865
  
  
• President Jefferson Davis - Richmond, Virginia - March 30, 1865
  
  
• Lieutenant General J. Longstreet - Headquarters First Army Corps - March 30, 1865
  
  
• Lieutenant General J. Longstreet - Headquarters First Army Corps - March 30, 1865
  
  
• President Jefferson Davis - Richmond, Virginia - April 1, 1865
  
  

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SOURCE: United States War Department. THE WAR OF THE REBELLION: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1880-1901.

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