Near Lake Providence, April 13th 1863Dear Sarah, Zetty, and Vernon,
It has been several days since I wrote to you. I thought I would wait to see if something new would not turn up, so I could write you a big letter, but the longer I wait the less I have to write. The negroes is all the news here now, and of course, I will write about them, but it will [be] nothing new to you as you will [have] heard it all in the Chicago Tribune before you get this, as I saw a Tribune reporter at all the Negro meetings. Lieut Gen Thomas was here a few days ago, and made a speech at Ransom's headquarters. Our whole division was here. His speech was short, but to the point. He said he was sent west to visit the army, and tell every man and officer that the negroes was free, as free as the wind that blows, and that they had to be treated as men and women. That instead of sending them out of our lines, they was to be encouraged to come in, and that the President was going to raise rights of them and arm them. He said any officer not following these instructions or abusing the negroes or driving them outside of our lines, and he finding it out, the ink would not dry on his pen until he wrote his dismissal. His speech was met with shouts and hurrahs by a large majority. Maj Gen McPherson (Corps comd) endorsed it with a brilliant speech. McArthur (division comd) did the same, and several others of less note. I never in all my days seen such enthusiasm, but it was not a unanimous thing. A good many are bitterly opposed to it. Now Sarah, what do you think of William M. Parkinson, Captain of a negro Reg.
©2006 C.S. Parkinson