is work they are fitted to do. It must either be
done by them or my soldiers, now drilled and disciplined.
You have said the location is unhealthy for the soldier; it
is not to the negro; is it not best that these unemployed
Africans should do this labor? My attention is specially
called to this matter at the present time, because there are
reports of demonstrations to be made on your lines by the
rebels, and in my judgment it is a matter of necessary
precaution thus to clear the right of your line, so that you
can receive the proper aid from the gunboats on the lake,
besides preventing the enemy from having cover. To do this
the negroes ought to be employed; and in so employing them I
see no evidence of 'slave-driving' or employing you as a
'slave-driver.'

"The soldiers of the Army of the Potomac did this very thing
last summer in front of Arlington Heights; are the negroes
any better than they?

"Because of an order to do this necessary thing to protect
your front, threatened by the enemy, you tender your
resignation and ask immediate leave of absence. I assure you
I did not expect this, either from your courage, your
patriotism, or your good sense. To resign in the face of an
enemy has not been the highest plaudit to a soldier,
especially when the reason assigned is that he is ordered to
do that which a recent act of congress has specially
authorized a military commander to do, _i. e._, employ the
Africans to do the necessary work about a camp or upon a
fortification.

"General, your resignation will not be accepted by me, leave
of absence will not be granted, and you will see to it that
my orders, thus necessary for the defense of the city, are
faithfully and diligently executed, upon the responsibility
that a soldier in the field owes to his superior. I will see
that all proper requisitions for the food, shelter, and
clothing of these negroes so at work are at once filled by
the proper departments. You will also send out a proper
guard to protect the laborers against the guerilla force, if
any, that may be in the neighborhood.

"I am your obedient servant,

"BENJ. F. BUTLER, _Major-General Commanding._

"Brigadier-General J. W. PHELPS, _Commanding at Camp Parapet._"

On the same day, General Butl