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To John A. Dix1Jump to section
Major General Dix Executive Mansion,
My dear Sir: Washington, January 14, 1863.
The proclamation has been issued. We were not succeeding---at best, were progressing too slowly---without it. Now, that we have it, and bear all the disadvantage of it, (as we do bear some in certain quarters) we must also take some benefit from it, if practicable. I therefore will thank you for your well considered opinion whether Fortress-Monroe, and York-Town, one or both, could not, in whole or in part, be garrisoned by colored troops, leaving the white forces now necessary at those places, to be employed elsewhere. Yours very truly A. LINCOLN
Annotation
[1] ALS, IHi; ADfS, DLC-RTL. Dix replied on January 15:
``I have just received your `private and confidential' letter, and hasten to reply to it by the special messenger who brought it.
``You do not ask my opinion in regard to the policy of employing colored troops; and I infer that this is a question, which has been decided. I therefore, answer only the special inquiry proposed to me. . . .
``I regard this Fortress . . . as second to no other in the Union. It is the key to the Chesapeake Bay. . . . In a political point of view . . . the tranquillity . . . of Maryland may depend on the possession of this Fortress. . . .
``Under these circumstances I think this post should be held by the best and most reliable troops the country can furnish. . . .
``The question of employing colored troops at Yorktown may be determined by a totally different class of considerations. The position is of little practical importance. . . .
``If it be decided to employ colored troops any where, I know no place where they could be used with less objection. The proper garrison is 4000 men. One half of that number at least should be white troops. . . .'' (DLC-RTL).