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“YOU AND I ARE INIMICAL TO THE POLICY OF ARMING NEGROES”
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SHERMAN, WILLIAM TECUMSEH. Autograph Letter Signed, “W.T.
Sherman / M.G.,” to General John Gray Foster, in pencil, explaining why General Rufus
Saxton was appointed for the purpose of recruiting black soldiers, directing any complaints
to Secretary of War Stanton, requesting that he convey to Grant his movements and to
Easton the availability of provisions, and ordering destruction of the railroad. 1 page, 4to,
“Head-Quarters, Military Division of the Mississippi” stationery; silking to verso and recto,
horizontal folds. (AKF)
“In the Field, 4 miles S of Hickory Hill,” 1 February 1865
[4,000/6,000]
“
. . . I cannot modify my orders relative to General Saxton having the charge of recruiting
blacks. . . . I think the impression at Washington is that both you and I are inimical to the pol-
icy of arming negroes, and all know that Saxton is not, and his appointment reconciles that
difficulty. If anything serious occurs correspond directly with Mr. Stanton . . . . Let Grant know
I am in motion, and telegraph to Easton that if Slocum has to wait for provisions it will be
dead loss [sic], as we are eating up ours. Let Hatch continually feel the Salkehatchie, and the
moment the enemy lets go, get the railroad broken back to the Edisto.”