| Location | Centreville, Maryland |
|---|---|
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Names Mentioned | – |
| Date | August 22, 1863 |
| Document Title | William T. Chambers to the Secretary of War |
| Document Description | In this letter, William T. Chambers, a civilian agent who recruited for the Union Army on Marylandâs Eastern Shore, wrote to the Secretary of War to present his case for the recruitment of the enslaved men within the Union to the army. He argues that by not allowing for this, the Union was helping to line the pockets of slaveholders: in Marylandâs case, where the state had a roughly equal amount of free and enslaved people and relied heavily on the labor of freedmen, he states that slaveholders could easily avoid the draft via substitution or paying a commutation fee, and quickly make any lost money back with âthe exorbitant prices they will demand for the hire of their slavesâ as the value of labor skyrocketed due to the war. Chambers emphasizes that slaveholders were likely to have southern sympathies, thus allowing for the recruitment of enslaved Maryland men would help weaken the rebellion. (From Free At Last, 338-339.) |
| Transcription | Centreville, Queen Anns Co., Md. Augst 22d 1863 Dear Sir: While I believe in the wisdom, and justness of intention on the part of the Government in all its efforts to put down the rebellion, you will allow me to call your attention to one thing which is very unjust, unfair, and which bears very hard on a large majority of the loyal men of Maryland, viz. the drafting and recruiting free colored men and leaving out the slaves. In this (Queen Anns) County, nearly all the slave holders are disloyal men and are doing all they can against the Government, while nearly all of the non-slaveholders are loyal and true men to the Government. By taking away the free colored men, you take away the labour from the very men who are doing their utmost to sustain the Government, and give every aadvantage to the men who oppose the Government. It ought not be so. In nearly every case between master and slave, the slave is the only loyal man and anxious to fight for the country, but is prohibited from doing so. Can you not remove the barrier so that all the slaves who wish to, may join the army also? Under existing laws the disloyal men of this county will be benefitted rather than hurt by the draft. If they happen to be drafted they will either pay the three hundred dollars, commutation money, or put in substitutes, and soon more than get their money back by the exorbitant prices they will demand for the hire of their slaves. But if you will allow the slaves to go, you strike a deeper blow against the rebellion than can be given in any other way. Sincerely hoping that you will give the matter due consideration, and speedily order the recruiting of slaves, I am, with great respect, your humble and obedient servant. William T. Chambers |
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[Author (if known)], Documents from the Freedmen and Southern Society Project, [Date (if known)], Enduring Connections: Exploring Delmarva’s Black History, Nabb Research Center, Salisbury University.
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