President Lincoln on the importance of Black soldiers to the Union cause
A month after the Second Battle of Fort Wagner, President Lincoln wrote a letter to his friend James C. Conkling. Lincoln recounts the contribution of black soldiers to the war effort since their enlistment: “I know as fully as one can know the opinions of others, that some of the commanders of our armies in the field who have given us our most important successes, believe the emancipation policy, and the use of ‘colored’ troops, constitute the heaviest blow yet dealt to the rebellion; and that, at least one of the most important successes, could not have been achieved when it was, but for the aid of black soldiers.” Lincoln is quick to point out that the commanders who held those views are not confined to men of abolitionist or Republican sway, but have formed their opinions solely on the basis of military successes.
These opinions, Lincoln believes, are worthy rebuttals to the arguments of those who disagree with the wisdom and integrity of arming black men. Lincoln adds that “while you (Conkling) will not fight to free negroes, some of them seem willing to fight for you.” He suggests that if that is the case, then Conkling should fight “exclusively to save the Union.” He also reiterates the importance of black soldiers to the Union cause, acknowledging that their input lessens the burden on the white soldier. Lincoln asks rhetorically, “Why should they do anything for us if we do nothing for them?” “If they stake their lives for us,” Lincoln says, “they must be prompted by the strongest motive – even the promise of freedom. And the promise being made must be kept…”
In a thinly veiled attack on those opposed to the Emancipation Proclamation and black enlistment, Lincoln states that after the war ends, black men will be able to look back with pride, knowing that they “have helped mankind on to this great consummation” whereas some white men, will be unable to forget that “with malignant heart and deceitful speech” they “strove to hinder it.”