HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE G

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
Mobile, Ala., November 7, 1863.

 General SAMUEL COOPER,
Adjt. and Insp. Gen., C.S. Army, Richmond, Va.:

GENERAL: I again call your attention to my request to accept into the Confederate service the company of creoles of Mobile, because I think that perhaps the War Department is not exactly informed about the people I have reference to. When Spain ceded this territory to the United States in 1803, the creoles were guaranteed all the immunities and privileges of the citizens of the United States, and have continued to enjoy them up to this time. They have, many of them, negro blood in the degree which disqualifies other persons of negro race from the rights of citizens, but they do not stand here on the footing of negroes. They are very anxious to enter the Confederate service, and I propose to make heavy artillerists of them, for which they will be admirably qualified. Please let me hear at your earliest convenience if I may have them enrolled in a company, or in companies if I can find enough of them to make more than one company.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

DABNEY H. MAURY,

Major-General.

 [First indorsement.]

ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE,
November 20, 1863.

Respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War. An application to have a company of creoles at Mobile accepted into Confederate service.

By order, &c.:

JOHN W. RIELY,

Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Second indorsement.]

[NOVEMBER] 24, 1863.

Our position with the North and before the world will not allow the employment as armed soldiers of negroes. If these creoles can be naturally and properly discriminated from negroes, the authority may be considered as conferred; otherwise not, unless you can enlist them as "navvies" (to use the English term) or for subordinate working purposes.

J. A. S.,

Secretary.

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.

[Civil War - CSA Letters]

[Civil War]