say in your letter that it has been reported to you that all the
negro troops stationed in Memphis took an oath on their knees, in
the presence of Major-General Hurlbut, and other officers of our
army, to avenge Fort Pillow, and that they would show your troops
no quarter.

I believe it is true that the colored troops did take such an
oath, but not in the presence of General Hurlbut. From what I can
learn, this act of theirs was not influenced by any white
officer, but was the result of their own sense of what was due to
themselves and their fellows who had been mercilessly
slaughtered.

I have no doubt that they went into the field, as you allege, in
the full belief that they would be murdered in case they fell
into your hands. The affair at Fort Pillow fully justified that
belief. I am not aware as to what they proclaimed on their late
march, and it may be, as you say, that they declared that no
quarter would be given to any of your men that might fall into
their hands.

Your declaration that you have conducted the war, on all
occasions, on civilized principles, cannot be accepted; but I
receive with satisfaction the intimation in your letter that the
recent slaughter of colored troops at the battle of Tishemingo
Creek resulted rather from the desperation with which they fought
than a predetermined intention to give them no quarter.

You must have learned by this time that the attempt to intimidate
the colored troops by indiscriminate slaughter has signally
failed, and that, instead of a feeling of terror, you have
aroused a spirit of courage and desperation that will not down at
your bidding.

I am left in doubt, by your letter, as to the course you and the
Confederate government intend to pursue hereafter in regard to
colored troops, and I beg you to advise me, with as little delay
as possible, as to your intentions.

If you intend to treat such of them as fall into your hands as
prisoners of war, please so state; if you do not so intend, but
contemplate either their slaughter or their return to slavery,
please state _that_, so that we may have no misunderstanding
hereafter. If the former is your intention, I shall receive the
announcement with pleasure, and shall explain the fact to the
colored troops at once, and