June 9, 1861---"The New Contraband."

JUNE 9, 1861:    

In a Letter To The Editor of The New York Times a citizen known to posterity only as “W.” advocates the arming of Contrabands as troops in the Union Army:

The New Contraband.

“To the Editor of the New-York Times:

Much inquiry has arisen as to the disposal that is to he made of the slaves who are escaping from their masters, now in armed rebellion against the United States, and seeking protection amid the Federal forces. And in this view you very pertinently introduce into your journal of this date the proposal of the Haytian Emigration Agent to provide them, under certain conditions, with free farms in Hayti; and you suggest that "it maybe worth consideration whether, if the negroes be set at liberty, we may not aid the Haytians by sending the negroes who escape to our lines from the seceding States to swell the army of the Haytian Republic."

This seems to me to be a very good thought, and may well be worth consideration as an eventual disposal of the fugitives; but, with your leave, I would suggest a provisional use that may be made of them, which would not only render them much more valuable for the above or any like ulterior purpose, but which would be of very great temporary advantage to ourselves.

It seems to me that the fugitives from rebel masters -- who will never dare to reclaim them -- and the derelict slaves -- whose masters have run away -- may, very profitably to us and to the advantage of our arms, be organized as sappers and miners.

In time the number of them on our hands will be such that a sufficient contingent could be supplied from this source to each of our corps d'armee.

Of their peculiar fitness for the duties of Sappers and Miners, particularly in the campaigns that we have in prospect, there can be no doubt. And, in the minds of those who have seen black troops organized, drilled, educated and led by white officers, there can be as little doubt of the general soldierly qualities of the negro race; indeed their aptitude for arms is surprising to those who have seen them only as they are in the Southern States.

Even the slaveholders are now admitting that in the quondam "chattel" there are the qualities of a man; for they are enrolling their free negroes.

Why shall we not follow their example and make as good use of the freed ones?

W.”