erate government having been made, but, on
the contrary, laudations from the entire Southern press of the
perpetrators of the massacre, I may safely presume that
indiscriminate slaughter is to be the fate of colored troops that
fall into your hands. But I am not willing to leave a matter of
such grave import, and involving consequences so fearful, to
inference, and I have therefore thought it proper to address you
this, believing that you would be able to indicate the policy
that the Confederate government intend to pursue hereafter on
this question.

If it is intended to raise the black flag against that
unfortunate race, they will cheerfully accept the issue. Up to
this time no troops have fought more gallantly, and none have
conducted themselves with greater propriety. They have fully
vindicated their right (so long denied) to be treated as men.

I hope that I have been misinformed in regard to the treatment
they have received at the battle of Bryce's Cross-roads, and that
the accounts received result rather from the excited imaginations
of the fugitives than from actual fact.

For the government of the colored troops under my command, I
would thank you to inform me, with as little delay as possible,
if it is your intention, or the intention of the Confederate
government, to murder colored soldiers that may fall into your
hands, or treat them as prisoners of war, and subject to be
exchanged as other prisoners.

I am, General, respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. C. WASHBURN, _Major-General, Commanding_.

GENERAL WASHBURN TO GENERAL FORREST.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WEST TENNESSEE, }
MEMPHIS, TENN., June 19, 1864. }

Major-General N. B. FORREST, _Commanding Confederate Forces:_

GENERAL: Your communication of the fourteenth instant is
received. The letter to Brigadier-General Buford will be
forwarded to him.

In regard to that part of your letter which relates to colored
troops, I beg to say that I have already sent a communication on
the subject to the officer in command of the Confederate forces
at Tupelo.

Having understood that Major-General S. D. Lee was in command
there, I directed my letter to him--a copy of it I enclose. You