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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e21bd9b --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #50130 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/50130) diff --git a/old/50130-0.txt b/old/50130-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 9838349..0000000 --- a/old/50130-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,12177 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Negro in The American Rebellion, by -William Wells Brown - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you’ll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: The Negro in The American Rebellion - His Heroism and His Fidelity - -Author: William Wells Brown - -Release Date: October 4, 2015 [EBook #50130] -Last Updated: November 2, 2016 - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NEGRO IN THE AMERICAN REBELLION *** - - - - -Produced by David Widger from page images generously -provided by the Internet Archive - - - - - - - - - -THE NEGRO IN THE AMERICAN REBELLION - -_His Heroism and His Fidelity_ - -By William Wells Brown - -_Author of “Sketches of Places and People Abroad,” “The Black Man,” Etc_ - -Lee & Shepard, 149 Washington Street - -1867 - - - - -PREFACE. - -Feeling anxious to preserve for future reference an account of the part -which the Negro took in suppressing the Slaveholders’ Rebellion, I have -been induced to write this work. In doing so, it occurred to me that a -sketch of the condition of the race previous to the commencement of the -war would not be uninteresting to the reader. - -For the information concerning the services which the blacks rendered -to the Government in the Revolutionary War, I am indebted to the late -George Livermore, Esq., whose “Historical Research” is the ablest work -ever published on the early history of the negroes of this country. - -In collecting facts connected with the Rebellion, I have availed myself -of the most reliable information that could be obtained from newspaper -correspondents, as well as from those who were on the battle-field. To -officers and privates of several of the colored regiments I am under -many obligations for detailed accounts of engagements. - -No doubt, errors in fact and in judgment will be discovered, which I -shall be ready to acknowledge, and correct in subsequent editions. The -work might have been swelled to double its present size; but I did not -feel bound to introduce an account of every little skirmish in which -colored men were engaged. - -I waited patiently, before beginning this work, with the hope that -some one more competent would take the subject in hand; but, up to the -present, it has not been done, although many books have been written -upon the Rebellion. - -WILLIAM WELLS BROWN. - -Cambridgeport, Mass., Jan. 1, 1867. - - - - -THE NEGRO IN THE AMERICAN REBELLION - - - - -CHAPTER I--BLACKS IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND IN 1812. - -_The First Cargo of Slaves landed in the Colonies in 1620.--Slave -Representation in Congress.--Opposition to the Slave-Trade.--Crispus -Attucks, the First Victim of the Revolutionary War.--Bancroft’s -Testimony.--Capture of Gen. Prescott.--Colored Men in the War of -1812.--Gen. Andrew Jackson on Negro Soldiers._ - - -I now undertake to write a history of the part which the colored men -took in the great American Rebellion. Previous to entering upon that -subject, however, I may be pardoned for bringing before the reader the -condition of the blacks previous to the breaking out of the war. - -The Declaration of American Independence, made July 4, 1776, had -scarcely been enunciated, and an organization of the government -commenced, ere the people found themselves surrounded by new and trying -difficulties, which, for a time, threatened to wreck the ship of state. - -The forty-five slaves landed on the banks of the James River, in the -colony of Virginia, from the coast of Africa, in 1620, had multiplied -to several thousands, and were influencing the political, social, -and religious institution’s of the country. Brought into the colonies -against their will; made the “hewers of wood and the drawers of -water;” considered, in the light of law and public opinion, as mere -chattels,--things to be bought and sold at the will of the owner; driven -to their unrequited toil by unfeeling men, picked for the purpose from -the lowest and most degraded of the uneducated whites, whose moral, -social, and political degradation, by slavery, was equal to that of the -slave,--the condition of the negro was indeed a sad one. - -The history of this people, full of sorrow, blood, and tears, is full -also of instruction for mankind. God has so ordered it that one class -shall not degrade another, without becoming themselves contaminated. So -with slavery in America. The institution bred in the master insulting -arrogance, deteriorating sloth, pampered the loathsome lust it inflamed, -until licentious luxury sapped the strength and rottened the virtue of -the slave-owners of the South. Never were the institutions of a people, -or the principles of liberty, put to such a severe test as those of -the American Republic. The convention to frame the Constitution for -the government of the United States had not organized before the -slave-masters began to press the claims of their system upon the -delegates. They wanted their property represented in the national -Congress, and undue guarantees thrown around it; they wanted the African -slave-trade made lawful, and their victims returned if they should -attempt to escape; they begged that an article might be inserted in the -Constitution, making it the duty of the General Government to put down -the slaves if they should imitate their masters in striking a blow -for freedom. They seemed afraid of the very evil they were clinging so -closely to. “Thus conscience doth make cowards of us all.” - -In all this early difficulty, South Carolina took the lead against -humanity, her delegates ever showing themselves the foes of freedom. -Both in the Federal Convention to frame the Constitution, and in the -State Conventions to ratify the same, it was admitted that the blacks -had fought bravely against the British, and in favor of the American -Republic; for the fact that a black man (Crispus Attucks) was the first -to give his life at the commencement of the Revolution was still fresh -in their minds. Eighteen years previous to the breaking out of the war, -Attucks was held as a slave by Mr. ‘William Brown of Framingham, Mass., -and from whom he escaped about that time, taking up his residence in -Boston. The Boston Massacre, March 5, 1770, may be regarded as the first -act in the great drama of the American Revolution. “From that moment,” - said Daniel Webster, “we may date the severance of the British Empire.” - The presence of the British soldiers in King Street excited the -patriotic indignation of the people. The whole community was stirred, -and sage counsellors were deliberating and writing and talking about the -public grievances. But it was not for “the wise and prudent” to be the -first to _act_ against the encroachments of arbitrary power. “A -motley rabble of saucy boys? negroes and mulattoes, Irish Teagues, -and outlandish Jack tars” (as John Adams described them in his pica in -defence of the soldiers) could not restrain their emotion, or stop to -inquire if what they _must do_ was according to the letter of any law. -Led by Crispus Attucks, the mulatto slave, and shouting, “The way to get -rid of these soldiers is to attack the main guard; strike at the root; -this is the nest,” with more valor than discretion, they rushed to King -Street, and were fired upon by Capt. Preston’s Company. Crispins Attucks -was the first to fall: he and Samuel Gray and Jonas Caldwell were killed -on the spot. Samuel Maverick and Patrick Carr were mortally wounded. - -The excitement which followed was intense. The bells of the town were -rung. An impromptu town meeting was held, and an immense assembly was -gathered. - -Three days after, on the 8th, a public funeral of the martyrs took -place. The shops in Boston were closed; and all the bells of Boston and -the neighboring towns were rung. It is said that a greater number of -persons assembled on this occasion than were ever before gathered on -this continent for a similar purpose. The body of Crispus Attucks, the -mulatto slave, had been placed in Faneuil Hall, with that of Caldwell, -both being strangers in the city. Maverick was buried from his mother’s -house, in Union Street; and Gray from his brother’s, in Royal Exchange -Lane. The four hearses formed a junction in King Street; and there the -procession marched in columns six deep, with a long file of -coaches belonging to the most distinguished citizens, to the Middle -Burying-ground, where the four victims were deposited in one grave, over -which a stone was placed with this inscription:-- - - “Long as in Freedom’s cause the wise contend, - - Dear to your country shall your fame extend; - - While to the world the lettered stone shall tell - - Where Caldwell, Attucks, Gray, and Maverick fell.” - -The anniversary of this event was publicly commemorated in Boston, by -an oration and other exercises, every year until after our national -independence was achieved, when the Fourth of July was substituted for -the Fifth of March, as the more proper day for a general celebration. -Not only was the event commemorated, but the martyrs who then gave up -their lives were remembered and honored. - -For half a century after the close of the war, the name of Crispus -Attucks was honorably mentioned by the most noted men of the country -who were not blinded by foolish prejudice. At the battle of Bunker Hill, -Peter Salem, a negro, distinguished himself by shooting Major Pitcairn, -who, in the midst of the battle, having passed the storm of fire -without, mounting the redoubt, and waving his sword, cried to the -“rebels” to surrender. The fall of Pitcairn ended the battle in favor of -liberty. - -A single passage from Mr. Bancroft’s history will give a succinct -and clear account of the condition of the army, in respect to colored -soldiers, at the time of the battle of Bunker Hill:-- - -“Nor should history forget to record, that, as in the army at Cambridge, -so also in this gallant band, the free negroes of the colony had their -representatives. For the right of free negroes to bear arms in the -public defence was, at that day, as little disputed in New England as -their other rights. They took their place, not in a separate corps, -but in the ranks with the white man; and their names may be read on the -pension-rolls of the country, side by side with those of other soldiers -of the Revolution.”--_Bancroft’s History of the United States_, vol. -vii. p. 421. - -The capture of Major-Gen. Prescott, of the British army, on the 9th of -July, 1777, was an occasion of great joy throughout the country. Prince, -the valiant negro who seized that officer, ought always to be remembered -with honor for his important service. The exploit was much commended at -the time, as its results were highly important; and Col. Barton, very -properly, received from Congress the compliment of a sword for his -ingenuity and bravery. It seems, however, that it took more than one -head to plan and to execute the undertaking. The following account of -the capture is historical:--. - -“They landed about five miles from Newport, and three-quarters of a -mile from the house, which they approached cautiously, avoiding the main -guard, which was at some distance. _The colonel went foremost, with a -stout, active negro close behind him, and another at a small distance: -the rest followed so as to be near, but not seen._ - -“A single sentinel at the door saw and hailed the colonel: he answered -by exclaiming against, and inquiring for, rebel prisoners, but kept -slowly advancing. The sentinel again challenged him, and required the -countersign. He said he had not the countersign, but amused the sentry -by talking about rebel prisoners, and still advancing till he came -within reach of the bayonet, which, he presenting, the colonel suddenly -struck aside, and seized him. He was immediately secured, and ordered -to be silent on pain of instant death. _Meanwhile, the rest of the men -surrounding the house, the negro, with his head, at the second stroke, -forced a passage into it, and then into the landlord’s apartment. The -landlord at first refused to give the necessary intelligence; but, on -the prospect of present death, he pointed to the general’s chamber, -which being instantly opened by the negro’s head, the colonel, calling -the general by name, told him he was a prisoner.”--Pennsylvania -Evening Post_, Aug. 7, 1777 (in Frank Moore’s “Diary of the American -Revolution,” vol. i. p. 468). - -There is abundant evidence of the fidelity and bravery of the colored -patriots of Rhode Island during the whole war. Before they had been -formed into a separate regiment, they had fought valiantly with the -white soldiers at Red Bank and elsewhere. Their conduct at the “Battle -of’ Rhode Island,” on the 29th of August, 1778, entitles them to -perpetual honor. That battle has been pronounced by military authorities -to have been one of the best-fought battles of the Revolutionary War. -Its success was owing, in a great degree, to the good fighting of the -negro soldiers. Mr. Arnold, in his “History of Rhode Island,” thus -closes his account of it:-- - -“A third time the enemy, with desperate courage and increased strength, -attempted to assail the redoubt, and would have carried it, but for -the timely aid of two Continental battalions despatched by Sullivan to -support his almost exhausted troops. It was in repelling these furious -onsets, that the newly raised black regiment, under Col. Greene, -distinguished itself by deeds of desperate valor. Posted behind a -thicket in the valley, they three times drove back the Hessians, who -charged repeatedly down the hill to dislodge them: and so determined -were the enemy in these successive charges, that, the day after the -battle, the Hessian colonel, upon whom this duty had devolved, applied -to exchange his command, and go to New York, because he dared not lead -his regiment again to battle, lest his men should shoot him for having -caused them so much loss.”--_Arnold’s History of Rhode Island_, vol. ii. -pp. 427, 428. - -Three years later, these soldiers are thus mentioned by the Marquis de -Chastellux:-- - -“The 5th [of January, 1781] I did not set out till eleven, although I -had thirty miles’ journey to Lebanon. At the passage to the ferry, I met -with a detachment of the Rhode-Island regiment,--the same corps we had -with us all the last summer; but they have since been recruited and -clothed. The greatest part of them are negroes or mulattoes: they -are strong, robust men; and those I have seen had a very good -appearance.”--_Chastellux’s Travels_, vol. i. p. 454; London, 1789. - -When Col. Greene was surprised and murdered, near Points Bridge, New -York, on the 14th of May, 1781, his colored soldiers heroically defended -him till they were cut to pieces; and the enemy reached him over the -dead bodies of his faithful negroes. - -That large numbers of negroes were enrolled in the army, and served -faithfully as soldiers during the whole period of the war of the -Revolution, may be regarded as a well-established historical fact. And -it should be borne in mind, that the enlistment was not confined, by any -means, to those who had before enjoyed the privileges of free citizens. -Very many slaves were offered to, and received by, the army, on the -condition that they were to be emancipated, either at the time of -enlisting, or when they had served out the term of their enlistment. The -inconsistency of keeping in slavery any person who had taken up arms for -the defence of our national liberty had led to the passing of an order -forbidding “slaves,” as such, to be received as soldiers. - -That colored men were equally serviceable in the last war with Great -Britain is true, as the following historical document will show:-- - - -GENERAL JACKSON’S PROCLAMATION TO THE NEGROES. - -_Headquarters, Seventh Military District, Mobile, Sept. 21, 1814_. - -To the Free Colored Inhabitants of Louisiana. - -Through a mistaken policy, you have heretofore been deprived of a -participation in the glorious struggle for national rights in which our -country is engaged. This no longer shall exist. - -As sons of freedom, you are now called upon to defend our most -inestimable blessing. As Americans, your country looks with confidence -to her adopted children for a valorous support, as a faithful return -for the advantages enjoyed under her mild and equitable government. As -fathers, husbands, and brothers, you are summoned to rally around the -standard of the Eagle to defend all which is dear in existence. - -Your country, although calling for your exertions, does not wish you -to engage in her cause without amply remunerating you for the services -rendered. Your intelligent minds are not to be led away by false -representations. Your love of honor would cause you to despise the man -who should attempt to deceive you. In the sincerity of a soldier, and -the language of truth, I address you. - -To every noble-hearted, generous freeman of color, volunteering to serve -during the present contest with Great Britain, and no longer, there will -be paid the same bounty, in money and lands, now received by the white -soldiers of the United States; viz., one hundred and twenty dollars in -money, and one hundred and sixty acres of land. The non-commissioned -officers and privates will also be entitled to the same monthly pay, and -daily rations, and clothes, furnished to any American soldier. - -On enrolling yourselves in companies, the Major-General Commanding will -select officers for your government from your white fellow-citizens. -Your non-commissioned officers will be appointed from among yourselves. - -Due regard will be paid to the feelings of freemen and soldiers. You -will not, by being associated with white men in the same corps, be -exposed to improper comparisons or unjust sarcasm. As a distinct, -independent battalion or regiment, pursuing the path of glory, you will, -undivided, receive the applause and gratitude of your countrymen. - -To assure you of the sincerity of my intentions, and my anxiety to -engage your invaluable services to our country, I have communicated my -wishes to the Governor of Louisiana, who is fully informed as to the -manner of enrollment, and will give you every necessary information on -the subject of this address. - -ANDREW JACKSON, - -_Major-General Commanding._ - -[Niles’s Register, vol. vii. p. 205.] - -Three months later, Gen. Jackson addressed the same troops as follows:-- - -“To the Men of Color. Soldiers! From the shores of Mobile I collected -you to arms. I invited you to share in the perils and to divide the -glory of your white countrymen. I expected much from you; for I was not -uninformed of those qualities which must render you so formidable to an -invading foe. I knew that you could endure hunger and thirst, and all -the hardships of war. I knew that you loved the land of your nativity, -and that, like ourselves, you had to defend all that is most dear to -man. But you surpass my hopes. I have found in you, united to these -qualities, that noble enthusiasm which impels to great deeds. - -“Soldiers! The President of the United States shall be informed of your -conduct on the present occasion; and the voice of the Representatives -of the American nation shall applaud your valor, as your general now -praises your ardor. The enemy is near. His sails cover the lakes. But -the brave are united; and, if he finds us contending with ourselves, it -will be for the prize of valor, and fame its noblest reward.”--_Niles’s -Register,_ vol. vii. pp. 345, 346. - -Black men served in the navy with great credit to themselves, receiving -the commendation of Com. Perry and other brave officers. - -_Extract of a Letter from Nathaniel Shaler, Commander of the -private-armed Schooner Gen. Tompkins, to his Agent in New York, -dated_,-- - -“At Sea, Jan. 1, 1813. - -“Before I could get our light sails in, and almost before I could -turn round, I was under the guns, not of a transport, but of a large -_frigate!_ and not more than a quarter of a mile from her.... Her first -broadside killed two men, and wounded six others.... - -“My officers conducted themselves in a way that would have done honor to -a more permanent service.... - -“The name of one of my poor fellows who was killed ought to be registered -in the book of fame, and remembered with reverence as long as bravery is -considered a virtue. He was a black man, by the name of John Johnson. -A twenty-four pound shot struck him in the hip, and took away all the -lower part of his body. In this state, the poor brave fellow lay on the -deck, and several times exclaimed to his shipmates, ‘_Fire away, my boy: -no haul a color down._’ The other was also a black man, by the name of -John Davis, and was struck in much the same way. He fell near me, and -several times requested to be thrown overboard, saying he was only in -the way of others. - -“When America has such tars, she has little to fear from the tyrants of -the ocean.”--_Niles’s Weekly Register, Saturday_, Feb. 26, 1814. - - - - -CHAPTER II--THE SOUTH-CAROLINA FRIGHT. - - -_Denmark Vesey, Peter Poyas, and their Companions.--The -deep-laid Plans.--Religious Fanaticism.--The Discovery.--The -Trials.--Convictions.--Executions._ - - -Human bondage is ever fruitful of insurrection, wherever it exists, and -under whatever circumstances it may be found. - -An undeveloped discontent always pervaded the black population of the -South, bond and free. Many attempts at revolt were made: two only, -however, proved of a serious and alarming character. The first was in -1812, the leader of which was Denmark Vesey, a free colored man, who had -purchased his liberty in the year 1800, and who resided in Charleston, -S.C. A carpenter by trade, working among the blacks, Denmark gained -influence with them, and laid a plan of insurrection which showed -considerable generalship. Like most men who take the lead in revolts, he -was deeply imbued with a religious duty; and his friends claimed that -he had “a magnetism in his eye, of which his confederates stood in great -awe: if he once got his eye on a man, there was no resisting it.” - -After resolving to incite the slaves to rebellion, Denmark began taking -into his confidence such persons as he could trust, and instructing them -to gain adherents from among the more reliable of both bond and free. - -Peter Poyas, a slave of more than ordinary foresight and ability, was -selected by him as his lieutenant; and to him was committed the arduous -duty of arranging the mode of attack, and of acting as the military -leader. Poyas voluntarily undertook the management of the most difficult -part of the enterprise, the capture of the main guard-house, and had -pledged himself to advance alone, and surprise the sentinel. Gullah -Jack, Tom Russell, and Ned Bennett,--the last two were not less -valuable than Peter Poyas; for Tom was an ingenious mechanic, and made -battle-axes, pikes, and other instruments of death with which to carry -on the war,--all of the above were to be generals of brigades, and -were let into every secret of the intended rising. It had long been the -custom in Charleston for the country slaves to visit the city in great -numbers on Sunday, and return to their homes in time to commence work -on the following morning. It was, therefore, determined by Vesey to have -the rising take place on Sunday. The slaves of nearly every plantation -in the neighborhood were enlisted, and were to take part. The details -of the plan, however, were not rashly committed to the mass of the -confederates: they were known only to a few, and were finally to have -been announced after the evening prayer-meeting on the appointed Sunday. -But each leader had his own company enlisted, and his own work marked -out. When the clock struck twelve, all were to move. Poyas was to lead a -party ordered to assemble at South Bay, and to be joined by a force -from James’ Island: he was then to march up and seize the arsenal and -guard-house opposite St. Michael’s Church, and detach a sufficient -number to cut off all white citizens who should appear at the -alarm-posts. A second body of blacks, from the country and the Neck, -headed by Ned Bennett, was to assemble on the Neck, and seize the -arsenal there. A third was to meet at Governor Bennett’s Mills under the -command of Rolla, another leader, and, after putting the governor and -intendant to death, to march through the city, or be posted at Cannon’s -Bridge, thus preventing the inhabitants of Cannons-borough from entering -the city. - -A fourth, partly from the country and partly from the neighboring -localities in the city, was to rendezvous on Gadsden’s Wharf, and attack -the upper guard-house. A fifth, composed of country and Neck blacks, was -to assemble at Bulkley’s Farm, two miles and a half from the city, -seize the upper powder magazine, and then march down; and a sixth was -to assemble at Vesey’s, and obey his orders. A seventh detachment, under -Gullah Jack, was to come together in Boundry Street, at the head of King -Street, to capture the arms of the Neck company of militia, and to take -an additional supply from Mr. Duguereron’s shop. The naval stores -on Meg’s Wharf were also to be attacked. Meanwhile a horse company, -consisting of many draymen, hostlers, and butcher boys, was to meet at -Lightwood’s Alley, and then scour the streets to prevent the whites from -assembling. - -Every white man coming out of his own door was to be killed, and, if -necessary, the city was to be fired in several places; a slow match for -this purpose having been purloined from the public arsenal, and placed -in an accessible position. The secret and plan of attack, however, -were incautiously divulged to a slave named Devany, belonging to Col. -Prioleau; and he at once informed his master’s family. The mayor, on -getting possession of the facts, called the city council together for -consultation. The investigation elicited nothing new, for the slaves -persisted in their ignorance of the matter; and the authorities began to -feel that they had been imposed upon by Devany and his informants, when -another of the conspirators, being bribed, revealed what he knew. Arrest -after arrest was made, and the mayor’s court held daily examinations for -weeks. After several weeks of incarceration, the accused, one hundred -and twenty in number, were brought to trial: thirty-four were sentenced -to transportation, twenty-seven acquitted by the court, twenty-five -discharged without trial, and thirty-five condemned to death. With but -two or three exceptions, all of the conspirators went to the gallows -feeling that they had acted right, and died like men giving their lives -for the cause of freedom. A report of the trial, written soon after, -says of Denmark Vesey, “For several years before he disclosed -his intentions to any one, he appears to have been constantly and -assiduously engaged in endeavoring to imbitter the minds of the colored -population against the whites. He rendered himself perfectly familiar -with those parts of the Scriptures which he could use to show that -slavery was contrary to the laws of God; that slaves were bound to -attempt their emancipation, however shocking and bloody might be the -consequences; and that such efforts would not only be pleasing to the -Almighty, but were absolutely enjoined, and their success predicted, in -the Scriptures. - -“His favorite texts, when he addressed those of his own color, were -Zech. xiv. 1-3, and Joshua vi. 21; and, in all his conversations, he -identified their situation with that of the Israelites. Even while -walking through the streets in company with another, he was not idle; -for, if his companion bowed to a white person, he would rebuke him, and -observe that all men were born equal, and that he was surprised that any -one would degrade himself by such conduct; that he would never cringe -to the whites, nor ought any one who had the feelings of a man. When -answered, ‘We are slaves,’ he would sarcastically and indignantly reply, -‘You deserve to remain slaves;’ and if he were further asked, ‘What can -we do?’ he would remark, ‘Go and buy a spelling-book, and read the fable -of Hercules and the wagoner,’ which he would then repeat, and apply it -to their situation. - -“He sought every opportunity of entering into conversation with white -persons, when they could be overheard by slaves near by, especially in -grog-shops, during which conversation, he would artfully introduce some -bold remark on slavery; and sometimes, when from the character of the -person he was conversing with he found he might be still bolder, he -would go so far, that, had not his declarations in such situations been -clearly proved, they would scarcely have been credited. He continued -this course till some time after the commencement of the last winter; by -which time he had not only obtained incredible influence amongst persons -of color, but many feared him more than they did their masters, and one -of them declared, even more than his God.” - -The excitement which the revelations of the trial occasioned, and -the continual fanning of the flame by the newspapers, was beyond -description. Double guard in the city, the country patrol on horseback -and on foot, the watchfulness that was observed on all plantations, -showed the deep feeling of fear pervading the hearts of the -slave-holders, not only in South Carolina, but the fever extended to the -other Southern States, and all seemed to feel that a great crisis had -been passed. And, indeed, their fears appear not to have been without -ground; for a more complicated plan for an insurrection could scarcely -have been conceived. - -Many were of opinion, that, the rising once begun, they would have taken -the city, and held it, and might have sealed the fate of slavery in the -South. The best account of this whole matter is to be found in an able -article in the “Atlantic Monthly” for June, 1861, from the pen of Col. -T. W. Higginson, and to which I am indebted for the extracts contained -in this sketch. - - - - -CHAPTER III.--THE NAT TURNER INSURRECTION. - - -_Nat Turner.--His Associates.--Their Meetings.--Nat’s Religious -Enthusiasm.--Bloodshed.--Wide-spread Terror.--The Trials and -Executions._ - - -The slave insurrection which occurred in Southampton County, Na., in -the year 1831, although not as well planned as the one portrayed in the -preceding chapter, was, nevertheless, more widely felt in the South. Its -leader was Nat Turner, a slave. - -On one of the oldest and largest plantations in Southampton County, -Va., owned by Benjamin Turner, Esq., Nat was born a slave, on the 2d of -October, 1800. His parents were of unmixed African descent. Surrounded -as he was by the superstition of the slave-quarters, and being taught by -his mother that he was born for a prophet, a preacher, and a deliverer -of his race, it was not strange that the child should have imbibed -the principles which were afterwards developed in his career. Early -impressed with the belief that he had seen visions, and received -communications direct from God, he, like Napoleon, regarded himself as -a being of destiny. In his childhood, Nat was of an amiable disposition; -but circumstances in which he was placed as a slave brought out -incidents that created a change in his disposition, and turned his kind -and docile feeling into the most intense hatred to the white race. - -The ill-treatment he experienced at the hands of the whites, and the -visions he claimed to have seen, caused Nat to avoid, as far as he -could, all intercourse with his fellow-slaves, and threw around him a -gloom and melancholy that disappeared only with his life. - -Both the young slave and his friends averred that a full knowledge of -the alphabet came to him in a single night. Impressed with the belief -that his mission was a religious one, and this impression strengthened -by the advice of his grandmother, a pious but ignorant woman, Nat -commenced preaching when about twenty-five years of age, but never went -beyond his own master’s locality. In stature, he was under the middle -size, long-armed, round-shouldered, and strongly marked with the African -features. A gloomy fire burned in his looks, and he had a melancholy -expression of countenance. He never tasted a drop of ardent spirits in -his life, and was never known to smile. In the year 1828, new visions -appeared to Nat; and he claimed to have direct communication with God. -Unlike most of those born under the influence of slavery, he had no -faith in conjuring, fortunetelling, or dreams, and always spoke with -contempt of such things. Being hired out to a cruel master, he ran away, -and remained in the woods thirty days, and could have easily escaped to -the Free States, as did his father some years before; but he received, -as he says in his confession, a communication from the Spirit, which -said, “Return to your earthly master; for he who knoweth his Master’s -will, and doeth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes.” It was not -the will of his earthly but his heavenly Master that he felt bound to -do; and therefore Nat returned. His fellow-slaves were greatly incensed -at him for coming back; for they knew well his ability to reach Canada, -or some other land of freedom, if he was so inclined. He says further, -“About this time I had a vision, and saw white spirits and black spirits -engaged in battle; and the sun was darkened, the thunder rolled in the -heavens, and blood flowed ‘in streams; and I heard a voice saying, ‘Such -is your luck, such are you called on to see; and let it come, rough or -smooth, you must surely bear it!’” Some time after this, Nat had, as -he says, another vision, in which the spirit appeared and said, “The -Serpent is loosened, and Christ has laid down the yoke he has borne for -the sins of men; and you must take it up, and fight against the Serpent, -for the time is fast approaching when the first shall be last, and the -last shall be first.” There is no doubt but that this last sentence -filled Nat with enthusiastic feeling in favor of the liberty of his -race, that he had so long dreamed of. “The last shall be first, and the -first shall be last,” seemed to him to mean something. He saw in it the -overthrow of the whites, and the establishing of the blacks in their -stead; and to this end he bent the energies of his mind. In February, -1881, Nat received his last communication, and beheld his last vision. -He said, “I was told I should arise and prepare myself, and slay my -enemies with their own weapons.” The plan of an insurrection was now -formed in his own mind, and the time had arrived for him to take others -into the secret; and he at once communicated his ideas to four of -his friends, in whom he had implicit confidence. Hark Travis, Nelson -Williams, Sam Edwards, and Henry Porter were slaves like himself, and, -like him, had taken their names from their masters. A meeting must be -held with these, and it must take place in some secluded place where -the whites would not disturb them; and a meeting was appointed. The spot -where they assembled was as wild and romantic as were the visions that -had been impressed upon the mind of their leader. - -Three miles from where Nat lived was a dark swamp, filled with reptiles, -in the middle of which was a dry spot, reached by a narrow, winding -path, and upon which human feet seldom ever trod, on account of its -having been the place where a slave had been tortured to death by a slow -fire, for the crime of having flogged his cruel and inhuman master. The -night for the meeting arrived, and they came together. Hark brought -a pig, Sam bread, Nelson sweet potatoes, and Henry brandy; and the -gathering was turned into a feast. Others were taken in, and joined the -conspiracy. All partook heartily of the food, and drank freely, except -Nat. He fasted and prayed. It was agreed that the revolt should commence -that night, and in their own masters’ households, and that each slave -should give his oppressor the death-blow. Before they left the swamp, -Nat made a speech, in which he said, “Friends and brothers! We are -to commence a great work to-night. Our race is to be delivered from -slavery, and God has appointed us as the men to do his bidding; and -let us be worthy of our calling. I am told to slay all the whites we -encounter, without regard to age or sex. We have no arms or ammunition, -but we will find these in the houses of our oppressors; and, as we go -on, others can join us. Remember that we do not go forth for the sake -of blood and carnage; but it is necessary, that, in the commencement -of this revolution, all the whites we meet should die, until we have an -army strong enough to carry on the war upon a Christian basis. Remember -that ours is not a war for robbery, and to satisfy our passions: it is a -struggle for freedom. Ours must be deeds, and not words. Then let’s away -to the scene of action.” - -Among those who had joined the conspirators was Will, a slave, who -scorned the idea of taking his master’s name. Though his soul longed to -be free, he evidently became one of the party as much to satisfy revenge -as for the liberty that he saw in the dim distance. Will had seen a dear -and beloved wife sold to the negro-trader, and taken away, never to be -beheld by him again in this life. His own back was covered with scars, -from his shoulders to his feet. A large scar, running from his right eye -down to his chin, showed that he had lived with a cruel master. Nearly -six feet in height, and one of the strongest and most athletic of his -race, he proved to be the most unfeeling of all the insurrectionists. -His only weapon was a broad-axe, sharp and heavy. - -Nat and his accomplices at once started for the plantation of Joseph -Travis, with whom the four lived; and there the first blow was struck. -In his confession, just before his execution, Nat said,-- - -“On returning to the house, Hark went to the door with an axe, for the -purpose of breaking it open,--as we knew we were strong enough to murder -the family should they be awakened by the noise; but, reflecting that -it might create an alarm in the neighborhood, we determined to enter the -house secretly, and murder them whilst sleeping. Hark got a ladder, and -set it against the chimney, on which I ascended, and, hoisting a window, -entered and came down stairs, unbarred the doors, and removed the guns -from their places. It was then observed that I must spill the first -blood. On which, armed with a hatchet, and accompanied by Will, -I entered my master’s chamber. It being dark, I could not give a -death-blow. The hatchet, glanced from his head: he sprang from the bed, -and called his wife. It was his last word. Will laid him dead with a -blow of his axe.” - -They went from plantation to plantation, until the whole neighborhood -was aroused; and the whites turned out in large numbers to suppress the -rebellion. Nat and his accomplices fought bravely, but to no purpose. - -Reinforcements came to the whites; and the blacks were overpowered and -defeated by the superior numbers of the enemy. In this battle, many were -slain on both sides. Will, the blood-thirsty and revengeful slave, fell -with his broad-axe uplifted, after having laid three of the whites dead -at his feet with his own strong arm and his terrible weapon. His last -words were, “Bury my axe with me.” For he religiously believed, that, -in the next world, the blacks would have a contest with the whites, and -that he would need his axe. Nat Turner, after fighting to the last with -his short sword, escaped with some others to the woods near by, and was -not captured for nearly two months. When brought to trial, he pleaded -“not guilty,” feeling, as he said, that it was always right for one to -strike for his own liberty. After going through a mere form of trial, -he was convicted and executed at Jerusalem, the county-seat for -Southhampton County, Ya. Not a limb trembled, or a muscle was observed -to move. Thus died Nat Turner, at the early age of thirty-one years, a -martyr to the freedom of his race, and a victim to his own fanaticism. -He meditated upon the wrongs of his oppressed and injured people till -the idea of their deliverance excluded all other ideas from his mind; -and he devoted his life to its realization. Every thing appeared to -him a vision, and all favorable omens were signs from God. He foretold, -that, at his death, the sun would refuse to shine, and that there would -be signs of disapprobation given from Heaven. And it is true that the -sun was darkened, a storm gathered, and more boisterous weather had -never appeared in Southampton County than on the day of Nat’s execution. -The sheriff, warned by the prisoner, refused to cut the cord that held -the trap. No black man would touch the rope. A poor old white man, -long-besotted by drink, was brought forty miles to be the executioner. - -Fifty-five whites and seventy-three blacks lost their lives in the -Southampton Rebellion. On the fatal night, when Nat and his companions -were dealing death to all they found, Capt. Harris, a wealthy planter, -had his life saved by the devotion and timely warning of his slave Jim, -said to have been half-brother to his master. After the revolt had been -put down, and parties of whites were out hunting the suspected blacks, -Capt. Harris, with his faithful slave, went into the woods in search of -the negroes. In saving his master’s life, Jim felt that he had done his -duty, and could not consent to become a betrayer of his race; and, on -reaching the woods, he handed his pistol to his master, and said, “I -cannot help you hunt down these men: they, like myself, want to be free. -Sir, I am tired of the life of a slave: please give me my freedom, or -shoot me on tire spot.” Capt. Harris took the weapon, and pointed it at -the slave. Jim, putting his right hand, upon his heart, said, “This is -the spot; aim here.” The captain fired, and the slave fell dead at his -feet. - - - - -CHAPTER IV.--SLAVE REVOLT AT SEA. - - -_Madison Washington.--His Escape from the South.--His Love of -Liberty.--His Return.--His Capture.--The Brig “Creole.”--The -Slave-traders.--Capture of the Vessel.--Freedom of the Oppressed._ - - -The revolt on board of the brig “Creole,” on the high seas, by a number -of slaves who had been shipped for the Southern market, in the year -1841, created at the time a profound sensation throughout the country. -Before entering upon it, however, I will introduce to the reader the -hero of the occasion. - -Among the great number of fugitive slaves who arrived in Canada towards -the close of the year 1840, was one whose tall figure, firm step, and -piercing eye attracted at once the attention of all who beheld him. -Nature had treated him as a favorite. His expressive countenance painted -and reflected every emotion of his soul. There was a fascination in the -gaze of his finely cut eyes that no one could withstand. Born of African -parentage, with no mixture in his blood, he was one of the handsomest -of his race. His dignified, calm, and unaffected features announced at -a glance that he was endowed with genius, and created to guide his -fellow-men. He called himself Madison Washington, and said that his -birthplace was in the “Old Dominion.” He might have been twenty-five -years; but very few slaves have any correct idea of their age. Madison -was not poorly dressed, and had some money at the end of his journey, -which showed that he was not from amongst the worst-used slaves of the -South. He immediately sought employment at a neighboring farm, where he -remained some months. A strong, able-bodied man, and a good worker, and -apparently satisfied with his situation, his employer felt that he had -a servant who would stay with him a long while. The farmer would -occasionally raise a conversation, and try to draw from Madison some -account of his former life, but in this he failed; for the fugitive was -a man of few words, and kept his own secrets. His leisure hours were -spent in learning to read and write; and in this he seemed to take -the utmost interest. He appeared to take no interest in the sports and -amusements that occupied the attention of others. Six months had not -passed ere Madison began to show signs of discontent. In vain his -employer tried to discover the cause. - -“Do I not pay you enough, and treat you in a becoming manner?” asked Mr. -Dickson one day when the fugitive seemed in a very desponding mood. - -“Yes, sir,” replied Madison. - -“Then why do you appear so dissatisfied of late?” - -“Well, sir,” said the fugitive, “since you have treated me with such -kindness, and seem to take so much interest in me, I will tell you the -reason why I have changed, and appear to you to be dissatisfied. I -was born in slavery, in the State of Virginia. From my earliest -recollections I hated slavery, and determined to be free. I have never -yet called any man master, though I have been held by three different -men who claimed me as their property. The birds in the trees and the -wild beasts of the forest made me feel that I, like them, ought to be -free. My feelings were all thus centred in the one idea of liberty, of -which I thought by day and dreamed by night. I had scarcely reached my -twentieth year, when I became acquainted with the angelic being who -has since become my wife. It was my intention to have escaped with her -before we were married, but circumstances prevented. - -“I took her to my bosom as my wife, and then resolved to make the -attempt. But, unfortunately, my plans were discovered; and, to save -myself from being caught and sold off to the far South, I escaped to the -woods, where I remained during many weary months. As I could not bring -my wife away, I would not come without her. Another reason for remaining -was that I hoped to get up an insurrection of the slaves, and thereby -be the means of their liberation. In this, too, I failed. At last it -was agreed, between my wife and I, that I should escape to Canada, get -employment, save my earnings, and with it purchase her freedom. With -the hope of attaining this end, I came into your service. I am now -satisfied, that, with the wages I can command here, it will take me -not less than five years to obtain by my labor the amount sufficient to -purchase the liberty of my dear Susan. Five years will be too long for -me to wait; for she may die, or be sold away, ere I can raise the money. -This, sir, makes me feel low spirited; and I have come to the rash -determination to return to Virginia for my wife.” - -The recital of the story had already brought tears to the eyes of the -farmer, ere the fugitive had concluded. In vain did Mr. Dickson try to -persuade Madison to give up the idea of going back into the very grasp -of the tyrant, and risking the loss of his own freedom without securing -that of his wife. The heroic man had made up his mind, and nothing -could move him. Receiving the amount of wages due him from his employer, -Madison turned his face once more towards the South. Supplied with -papers purporting to have been made out in Virginia, and certifying -to his being a freeman, the fugitive had no difficulty in reaching the -neighborhood of his wife. But these “free papers” were only calculated -to serve him where he was not known. Madison had also provided himself -with files, saws, and other implements, with which to cut his way out of -any prison into which he might be cast. These instruments were so small -as to be easily concealed in the lining of his clothing; and, armed -with them, the fugitive felt sure he should escape again were he ever -captured. On his return, Madison met, in the State of Ohio, many of -those whom he had seen on his journey to Canada; and all tried to -prevail upon him to give up the rash attempt. But to every one he would -reply, “Liberty is worth nothing to me while my wife is a slave.” When -near his former home, and unable to travel in open day without being -detected, Madison betook himself to the woods during the day, and -travelled by night. At last he arrived at the old farm at night, and hid -away in the nearest forest. Here he remained several days, filled with -hope and fear, without being able to obtain any information about his -wife. One evening, during this suspense, Madison heard the singing of a -company of slaves, the sound of which appeared nearer and nearer, until -he became convinced that it was a gang going to a corn-shucking; and -the fugitive resolved that he would join it, and see if he could get any -intelligence of his wife. - -In Virginia, as well as in most of the other corn-raising slave-States, -there is a custom of having what is termed “a corn-shucking,” to which -slaves from the neighboring plantations, with the consent of their -masters, are invited. At the conclusion of the shucking, a supper is -provided by the owner of the corn; and thus, together with the bad -whiskey which is freely circulated on such occasions, the slaves are -made to feel very happy. Four or five companies of men may be heard in -different directions, and at the same time, approaching the place of -rendezvous; slaves joining the gangs along the roads as they pass their -masters’ farms. Madison came out upon the highway; and, as the company -came along singing, he fell into the ranks, and joined in the song. -Through the darkness of the night he was able to keep from being -recognized by the remainder of the company, while he learned from the -general conversation the most important news of the day. - -Although hungry and thirsty, the fugitive dared not go to the -supper-table for fear of recognition. However, before he left the -company that night, he gained information enough to satisfy him that -his wife was still with her old master; and he hoped to see her, if -possible, on the following night. The sun had scarcely set the next -evening, ere Madison was wending his way out of the forest, and going -towards the home of his loved one, if the slave can be said to have a -home. Susan, the object of his affections, was indeed a woman every way -worthy of his love. Madison knew well where to find the room usually -occupied by his wife, and to that spot he made his way on arriving -at the plantation; but, in his zeal and enthusiasm, and his being too -confident of success, he committed a blunder which nearly cost him -his life. Fearful that if he waited until a late hour, Susan would -be asleep, and in awakening her she would in her fright alarm the -household, Madison ventured to her room too early in the evening, before -the whites in the “great house” had retired. Observed by the overseer, a -sufficient number of whites were called in, and the fugitive secured ere -he could escape with his wife; but the heroic slave did not yield until -he with a club had laid three of his assailants upon the ground with his -manly blows; and not then until weakened by loss of blood. Madison was -at once taken to Richmond, and sold to a slave-trader, then making up a -gang of slaves for the New-Orleans market. - -The brig “Creole,” owned by Johnson & Eperson of Richmond, and commanded -by Capt. Enson, lay at the Richmond dock, waiting for her cargo, which -usually consisted of tobacco, hemp, flax, and slaves. There were two -cabins for the slaves,--one for the men, the other for the women. The -men were generally kept in chains while on the voyage; but the women -were usually unchained, and allowed to roam at pleasure in their own -cabin. On the 27th of October, 1841, “The Creole” sailed from Hampton -Roads, bound for New Orleans, with her full load of freight, a hundred -and thirty-five slaves, and three passengers, besides the crew. Forty of -the slaves were owned by Thomas McCargo, nine belonged to Henry Hewell, -and the remainder were held by Johnson & Eperson. Hewell had once been -an overseer for McCargo, and on this occasion was acting as his agent. - -Among the slaves owned by Johnson & Eperson, was Madison Washington. He -was heavily ironed, and chained down to the floor of the cabin occupied -by the men, which was in the forward hold. As it was known by Madison’s -purchasers that he had once escaped, and had been in Canada, they kept -a watchful eye over him. The two cabins were separated, so that the men -and women had no communication whatever during the passage. - -Although rather gloomy at times, Madison on this occasion seemed very -cheerful, and his owners thought that he had repented of the experience -he had undergone as a runaway, and in the future would prove a more -easily-governed chattel. But, from the first hour that he had entered -the cabin of “The Creole,” Madison had been busily engaged in the -selection of men who were to act parts in the great drama. He picked out -each one as if by intuition. Every thing was done at night and in the -dark, as far as the preparation was concerned. The miniature saws and -files were faithfully used when the whites were asleep. - -In the other cabin, among the slave-women, was one whose beauty at once -attracted attention. Though not tall, she yet had a majestic figure. -Her well-moulded shoulders, prominent bust, black hair which hung in -ringlets, mild blue eyes, finely-chiselled mouth, with a splendid set of -teeth, a turned and well-rounded chin, skin marbled with the animation -of life, and veined by blood given to her by her master, she stood as -the representative of two races. With only one-eighth of African blood, -she was what is called at the South an “octoroon.” It was said that her -grandfather had served his country in the Revolutionary War, as well -as in both Houses of Congress. This was Susan, the wife of Madison. -Few slaves, even among the best-used house-servants, had so good an -opportunity to gain general information as she. - -Accustomed to travel with her mistress, Susan had often been to -Richmond, Norfolk, White-Sulphur Springs, and other places of resort for -the aristocracy of the Old Dominion. Her language was far more correct -than that of most slaves in her position. Susan was as devoted to -Madison as she was beautiful and accomplished. - -After the arrest of her husband, and his confinement in Richmond jail, -it was suspected that Susan had long been in possession of the knowledge -of his whereabouts when in Canada, and knew of his being in the -neighborhood; and for this crime it was resolved that she should be -sold, and sent off to a Southern plantation, where all hope of escape -would be at an end. Each was not aware that the other was on board “The -Creole;” for Madison and Susan were taken to their respective cabins at -different times. On the ninth day out, “The Creole” encountered a rough -sea, and most of the slaves were sick, and therefore were not watched -with that vigilance that they had been since she first sailed. This was -the time for Madison and his accomplices to work, and nobly did they -perform their duty. Night came on, the first watch had just been -summoned, the wind blowing high, when Madison succeeded in reaching -the quarter-deck, followed by eighteen others, all of whom sprang to -different parts of the vessel, seizing whatever they could wield as -weapons. The crew were nearly all on deck. Capt. Enson and Mr. Merritt, -the first mate, were standing together, while Hewell was seated on the -companion, smoking a cigar. The appearance of the slaves all at -once, and the loud voice and commanding attitude of their leader, so -completely surprised the whites, that-- - - “They spake not a word; - - But, like dumb statues or breathless stones, - - Stared at each other, and looked deadly pale.” - -The officers were all armed; but so swift were the motions of Madison -that they had nearly lost command of the vessel before they attempted to -use them. - -Hewell, the greater part of whose life had been spent on the plantation -in the capacity of a negro-driver, and who knew that the defiant looks -of these men meant something, was the first to start. Drawing his old -horse-pistol from under his coat, he fired at one of the blacks, and -killed him. The next moment Hewell lay dead upon the deck, for Madison -had struck him with a capstan bar. The fight now became general, the -white passengers, as well as all the crew, taking part. The battle was -Madison’s element, and he plunged into it without any care for his own -preservation or safety. He was an instrument of enthusiasm, whose value -and whose place was in his inspiration. “If the fire of heaven was in -my hands, I would throw it at those cowardly whites,” said he to his -companions, before leaving their cabin. But in this he did not -mean revenge, only the possession of his freedom and that of his -fellow-slaves. Merritt and Gifford, the first and second mates of the -vessel, both attacked the heroic slave at the same time. Both were -stretched out upon the deck with a single blow each, but were merely -wounded: they were disabled, and that was all that Madison cared for for -the time being. The sailors ran up the rigging for safety, and a moment -more he that had worn the fetters an hour before was master of the brig -“Creole.” His commanding attitude and daring orders, now that he was -free, and his perfect preparation for the grand alternative of liberty -or death which stood before him, are splendid exemplifications of -the true heroic. After his accomplices had covered the slaver’s deck, -Madison forbade the shedding of more blood, and ordered the sailors to -come down, which they did, and with his own hands dressed their wounds. -A guard was placed over all except Merritt, who was retained to navigate -the vessel. With a musket doubly charged, and pointed at Merritt’s -breast, the slaves made him swear that he would safely take the brig -into a British port. All things now secure, and the white men in chains -or under guard, Madison ordered that the fetters should be severed from -the limbs of those slaves who still wore them. The next morning “Capt. -Washington” (for such was the name he now bore) ordered the cook to -provide the best breakfast that the storeroom could furnish, intending -to surprise his fellow-slaves, and especially the females, whom he had -not yet seen. But little did he think that the woman for whom he had -risked his liberty and life would meet him at the breakfast-table. The -meeting of the hero and his beautiful and accomplished wife, the tears -of joy shed, and the hurrahs that followed from the men, can better be -imagined than described. Madison’s cup of joy was filled to the brim. -He had not only gained his own liberty, and that of one hundred and -thirty-four others, but his dear Susan was safe. Only one man, Howell, -had been killed. Capt. Enson, and others who were wounded, soon -recovered, and were kindly treated by Madison, and for which they proved -ungrateful; for, on the second night, Capt. Enson, Mr. Gilford, and -Merritt, took advantage of the absence of Madison from the deck, -and attempted to retake the vessel. The slaves, exasperated at this -treachery, fell upon the whites with deadly weapons. The captain and his -men fled to the cabin, pursued by the blacks. Nothing but the heroism of -the negro leader saved the lives of the white men on this occasion; for, -as the slaves were rushing into the cabin, Madison threw himself between -them and their victims, exclaiming, “Stop! no more blood. My life, that -was perilled for your liberty, I will lay down for the protection of -these men. They have proved themselves unworthy of life which we granted -them; still let us be magnanimous.” By the kind heart and noble bearing -of Madison, the vile slave-traders were again permitted to go unwhipped -of justice. This act of humanity raised the uncouth son of Africa far -above his Anglo-Saxon oppressors. - -The next morning “The Creole” landed at Nassau, New Providence, where -the noble and heroic slaves were warmly greeted by the inhabitants, who -at once offered protection, and extended hospitality to them. - -But the noble heroism of Madison Washington and his companions found -no applause from the Government, then in the hands of the slaveholders. -Daniel Webster, then Secretary of State, demanded of the British -authorities the surrender of these men, claiming that they were -murderers and pirates: the English, however, could not see the point. - -Had the “Creole” revolters been white, and committed their noble act of -heroism in another land, the people of the United States would have been -the first to recognize their claims. The efforts of Denmark Vesey, Nat -Turner, and Madison Washington to strike the chains of slavery from the -limbs of their enslaved race will live in, history, and will warn all -tyrants to beware of the wrath of God and the strong arm of man. - -Every iniquity that society allows to subsist for the benefit of the -oppressor is a sword with which she herself arms the oppressed. Right is -the most dangerous of weapons: woe to him who leaves it to his enemies. - - - - -CHAPTER V--GROWTH OF THE SLAVE-POWER. - - -_Introduction of the Cotton-gin.--Its effect on Slavery.--Fugitive Slave -Law.--Anthony Burns.--The Dred Scott Decision.--Imprisonment for reading -“Uncle Tom’s Cabin.”--Struggles with Slavery._ - - -The introduction of the cotton-gin into the South, by Whitney of -Connecticut, had materially enhanced the value of slave property; the -emancipation societies of Virginia and Maryland had ceased to petition -their Legislatures for the “Gradual Emancipation” of the slaves; and the -above two States had begun to make slave-raising a profitable business, -when the American Antislavery Society was formed in the city of -Philadelphia, in the year 1833. The agitation of the question in -Congress, the mobbing of William Lloyd Garrison in Boston, the murder -of the Rev. E. P. Lovejoy in Illinois, and the attempt to put down -free speech throughout the country, only hastened the downfall of the -institution. - -In the earlier days of the Antislavery movement, not a year, sometimes -hardly a month, passed that did not bear upon its record the report -of mobs, almost always ferocious in spirit, and sometimes cruel and -blood-stained in act. It was the first instinctive and brutal response -of a proslavery people convicted of guilt and called to repentance; and -it was almost universal. Wherever antislavery was preached, honestly, -and effectually, there the mobocratic spirit followed it; so that, in -those times, he who escaped this ordeal was, with some justice, held to -be either inefficient or unfaithful. Hardly a town or city, from Alton -to Portland, where much antislavery labor was bestowed, in the first -fifteen years of this enterprise, that was not the scene of one of -these attempts to crush all free discussion of the subject of slavery by -violence or bloodshed. Hardly one of the earlier public advocates of the -cause that was not made to suffer, either in person or in property, -or in both, from popular violence,--the penalty of obedience to the -dictates of his own conscience. Nor was this all: official countenance -was often given to the mad proceedings of the mob; or, if not given, -its protection was withheld from those who were the objects of popular -hatred; and, as if this were not enough, legislation was invoked to the -same end. It was suggested to the Legislature of one of the Southern -States, that a large reward be offered for the head of a citizen of -Massachusetts who was the pioneer in the modern antislavery movement. A -similar reward was offered for the head of a citizen of New York. Yet so -foul an insult excited neither the popular indignation nor legislative -resentment in either of those States. - -Great damage was done to the cause of Christianity by the position -assumed on the question of slavery by the American churches, and -especially those in the Southern States. Think of a religious kidnapper! -a Christian slave-breeder! a slave-trader, loving his neighbor as -himself, receiving the “sacraments” in some Protestant church from the -hand of a Christian apostle, then the next day selling babies by the -dozen, and tearing young women from the arms of their husbands to feed -the lust of lecherous New Orleans! Imagine a religious man selling -his own children into eternal bondage! Think of a Christian defending -slavery out of the Bible, and declaring there is no higher law, but -atheism is the first principle of Republican Government! - -Yet this was the stand taken, and maintained, by the churches in the -slave States down to the day that Lee surrendered to Grant. - -One of the bitterest fruits of slavery in our land is the cruel spirit -of caste, which makes the complexion even of the free negro a badge -of social inferiority, exposing him to insult in the steamboat and the -railcar, and in all places of public resort, not even excepting the -church; banishing him from remunerative occupations; expelling him from -the legislative hall, the magistrate’s bench, and the jury-box; and -crushing his noblest aspirations under a weight of prejudice and -proscription which he struggles in vain to throw off. Against this -unchristian and hateful spirit, every lover of liberty should enter his -solemn protest. This hateful prejudice caused the breaking up of the -school of Miss Prudence Crandall, in the State of Connecticut, in the -early days of the antislavery agitation. - -Next came the burning of Pennsylvania Hall, one of the most beautiful -edifices in the City of Brotherly Love, simply because colored persons -were permitted to occupy seats by the side of whites. - -The enactment by Congress of the Fugitive Slave Law caused the friends -of freedom, both at home and abroad, to feel that the General Government -was fast becoming the bulwark of slavery. The rendition of Thomas Sims, -and still later that of Anthony Burns, was, indeed, humiliating in the -extreme to the people of the Northern States. - -On that occasion, the sons of free, enlightened, and Christian -Massachusetts, descendants of the Pilgrim Fathers, bowed submissively to -the behests of a tyranny more cruel than Austrian despotism; yielded up -their dignity and self-respect; became the allies of slave-catchers, the -associates and companions of bloodhounds. At the bidding of slaveholders -and serviles, they seized the image of God, bound their fellow-man with -chains, and consigned him to torture and premature death under the lash -of a piratical overseer. God’s law and man’s rights were trampled upon; -the self-respect, the constitutional privileges, of the free States, -were ignominiously surrendered. A people who resisted a paltry tax upon -tea, at the cannon’s mouth, basely submitted to an imposition tenfold -greater, in favor of brutalizing their fellow-men. Soil which had -been moistened with the blood of American patriots was polluted by the -footsteps of slave-catchers and their allies. - -The Boston Court House in chains, two hundred rowdies and thieves sworn -in as special policemen, respectable citizens shoved off the side-walks -by these slave-catchers; all for the purpose of satisfying “our brethren -of the South.” But this act did not appease the feelings, or satisfy the -demands, of the slave-holders, while it still further inflamed the fire -of abolitionism. - -The “Dred Scott Decision” added fresh combustibles to the smouldering -heap. Dred Scott, a slave, taken by his master into free Illinois, and -then beyond the line of 36° 30’, and then back into Missouri, sued for -and obtained his freedom on the ground, that, having been taken where by -the Constitution slavery was illegal, his master had lost all claim. -But the Supreme Court, on appeal, reversed the judgment; and Dred -Scott, with his wife and children, was taken back into slavery. By this -decision in the highest court of American law, it was affirmed that no -free negro could claim to be a citizen of the United States, but was -only under the jurisdiction of the separate State in which he resided; -that the prohibition of slavery in any Territory of the Union was -unconstitutional; and that the slave-owner might go where he pleased -with his property, throughout the United States, and retain his right. - -This decision created much discussion, both in America and in Europe, -and materially injured the otherwise good name of our country abroad. - -The Constitution, thus interpreted by Judge Taney, became the emblem of -the tyrants and the winding sheet of liberty, and gave a boldness to -the people of the South, which soon showed itself, while good men at the -North felt ashamed of the Government under which they lived. - -The slave-holders in the cotton, sugar, and rice growing States began to -urge the re-opening of the African slave-trade, and the driving out from -the Southern States of all free colored persons. - -In the Southern Rights’ Convention, which assembled at Baltimore, June -8, 1800, a resolution was adopted, calling on the Legislature to pass -a law driving the free colored people out of the State. Nearly every -speaker took the ground that the free colored people must be driven out -to make the slave’s obedience more secure. Judge Mason, in his speech, -said, “It is the thrifty and well-to-do free negroes, that are seen by -our slaves, that make them dissatisfied.” A similar appeal was made to -the Legislature of Tennessee. Judge Catron, of the Supreme Court of -the United States, in a long and able letter to “The Nashville Union,” - opposed the driving out of the colored people. He said they were among -the best mechanics, the best artisans, and the most industrious laborers -in the State, and that to drive them out would be an injury to the State -itself. This is certainly good evidence in their behalf. - -The State of Arkansas passed a law driving the free colored people out -of the State, and they were driven out three years ago. The Democratic -press howled upon the heels of the free blacks until they had all been -expatriated; but, after they had been driven out, “The Little Rock -Gazette”--a Democratic paper--made a candid acknowledgment with regard -to the character of the free colored people. It said, “Most of the -exiled free negroes are industrious and respectable. One of them, Henry -King, we have known from our boyhood, and take the greatest pleasure in -testifying to his good character. The community in which he casts his -lot will be blessed with that noblest work of God, an honest man.” - -Yet these free colored people were driven out of the State, and those -who were unable to go, as many of the women and children were, were -reduced to slavery. - -“The New Orleans True Delta” opposed the passage of a similar law by the -State of Louisiana. Among other things, it said, “There are a large free -colored population here, correct in their general deportment, honorable -in their intercourse with society, and free from reproach so far as the -laws are concerned; not surpassed in the inoffensiveness of their lives -by any equal number of-persons in any place, North or South.” - -And yet these free colored persons were not permitted by law to school -their children, or to read books that treated against the institution -of slavery. The Rev. Samuel Green, a colored Methodist preacher, was -convicted and sent to the Maryland penitentiary, in 1858, for the -offence of being found reading “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” - -The growth of the “Free-Soil” party, which had taken the place of the -“Liberty” party; and then the rapid increase of the “Republican” party; -the struggle in Kansas; the “Oberlin Rescue Trials;” and, lastly, the -“John Brown Raid,” carried the discussion of slavery to its highest -point. - -All efforts, in Congress, in the proslavery political conventions, -and in the churches, only added fuel to the flame that was fast making -inroads upon the vitals of the monster. - - - - -CHAPTER VI.--THE JOHN BROWN RAID. - - -_John Brown.--His Religious Zeal.--His Hatred to Slavery.--Organization -of his Army.--Attack on Harper’s Ferry.--His Execution.--John Brown’s -Companions, Green and Copeland.--The Executions._ - - -The year 1859 will long be memorable for the bold attempt of John Brown -and his companions to burst the bolted door of the Southern house of -bondage, and lead out the captives by a more effectual way than they had -yet known: an attempt in which, it is true, the little band of heroes -dashed themselves to bloody death, but, at the same time, shook the -prison-walls from summit to foundation, and shot wild alarm into every -tyrant-heart in all the slave-land. What were the plans and purposes -of the noble old man is not precisely known, and perhaps will never be; -but, whatever they were, there is reason to believe they had been -long maturing,--brooded over silently and secretly, with much earnest -thought, and under a solemn sense of religious duty. As early as the -fall of 1857, he began to organize his band, chiefly from among the -companions of his warfare against the “Border Ruffians” in Kansas. Nine -or ten of these spent the winter of 1857-8 in Iowa, where a Col. Forbes -was to have given them military instruction; but he, having-fallen out -with Brown, did not join them, and Aaron D. Stevens, one of the company, -took his place. - -About the middle of April, 1858, they left Iowa, and went to Chatham, -Canada, where, on the 8th of May, was held a convention, called by -a written circular, which was sent to such persons only as could be -trusted. The convention was composed mostly of colored men, a few of -whom were from the States, but the greater part residents in Canada, -with no white men but the organized band already mentioned. A -“Provisional Constitution,” which Brown had previously prepared, was -adopted; and the members of the convention took an oath to support it. -Its manifest purpose was to insure a perfect organization of all who -should join the expedition, whether free men or insurgent slaves, and to -hold them under such strict control as to restrain them from every act -of wanton or vindictive violence, all waste or needless destruction of -life or property, all indignity or unnecessary severity to prisoners, -and all immoral practices; in short, to keep the meditated movement -free from every possibly avoidable evil ordinarily incident to the armed -uprising of a long-oppressed and degraded people. - -And let no one who glories in the revolutionary struggles of our fathers -for their freedom deny the right of the American bondsman to imitate -their high example. And those who rejoice in the deeds of a Wallace or a -Tell, a Washington or a Warren; who cherish with unbounded gratitude the -name of Lafayette for volunteering his aid in behalf of an oppressed -people in a desperate crisis, and at the darkest hour of their -fate,--cannot refuse equal merit to this strong, free, heroic man, who -freely consecrated all his powers, and the labors of his whole life, to -the help of the most needy, friendless, and unfortunate of mankind. - -The picture of the Good Samaritan will live to all future ages, as the -model of human excellence, for helping one whom he chanced to find in -need. - -John Brown did more: he went to _seek_ those who were lost that he might -save them. - -On Sunday night, Oct. 16, John Brown, with twenty followers (five of -them colored), entered the town of Harper’s Ferry, in the State of -Virginia; captured the place, making the United-States Armory his -headquarters; sent his men in various directions in search of slaves -with which to increase his force. - -The whole thing, though premature in its commencement, struck a blow -that rang on the fetters of the enslaved in every Southern State, and -caused the oppressor to tremble for his own safety, as well as for that -of the accursed institution. - -John Brown’s trial, heroism, and execution, an excellent history of -which has been given to the public by Mr. James Redpath, saves me from -making any lengthened statement here. His life and acts are matters of -history, which will live with the language in which it is written. But -little can be said of his companions in the raid on slavery. They were -nearly all young men, unknown to fame, enthusiastic admirers of the old -Puritan, entering heartily into all of his plans, obeying his orders, -and dying bravely, with no reproach against their leader. - -Of the five colored men, two only were captured alive,--Shields Green -and John A. Copeland. The former was a native of South Carolina, having -been born in the city of Charleston in the year 1832. Escaping to the -North in 1857, he resided in Rochester, N.Y., until attracted by the -unadorned eloquence and native magnetism of the hero of Harper’s Ferry. -The latter was from North Carolina, and was a mulatto of superior -abilities, and a genuine lover of liberty and justice. The following -letter, written a short time before his execution, needs no -explanation:-- - -“Charlestown, Va., Dec. 10, 1859. - -“My dear Brother,--I now take my pen to write you a few lines to let you -know how I am, and in answer to your kind letter of the 5th inst. Dear -brother, I am, it is true, so situated at present as scarcely to know -how to commence writing: not that my mind is filled with fear, or that -it has become shattered in view of my near approach to death; not that I -am terrified by the gallows which I see staring me in the face, and -upon which I am so soon to stand and suffer death for doing what George -Washington, the so-called father of this great but slavery-cursed -country, was made a hero for doing while he lived, and when dead his -name was immortalized, and his great and noble deeds in behalf of -freedom taught by parents to their children. And now, brother, for -having lent my aid to a general no less brave, and engaged in a cause -no less honorable and glorious, I am to suffer death. Washington entered -the field to fight for the freedom of the American people,--not for the -white man alone, but for both black and white. Nor were they white men -alone who fought for the freedom of this country. The blood of black men -flowed as freely as that of white men. Yes, the _very first_ blood -that was spilt was that of a negro. It was the blood of that heroic -man (though black he was), Crispus Attucks. And some of the _very last_ -blood shed was that of black men. To the truth of this, history, though -prejudiced, is compelled to attest. _It is true_ that black men did an -equal share of the fighting for American independence; and they were -assured by the whites that they should share equal benefits for so -doing. But, after having performed their part honorably, they were by -the whites most treacherously deceived,--they refusing to fulfil their -part of the contract. But this you know as well as I do; and I will -therefore say no more in reference to the claims which we, as colored -men, have on the American people.... - -“It was a sense of the wrongs which we have suffered that prompted the -noble but unfortunate Capt. Brown and his associates to attempt to give -freedom to a small number, at least, of those who are now held by cruel -and unjust laws, and by no less cruel and unjust men. To this freedom -they were entitled by every known principle of justice and humanity; -and, for the enjoyment of it, God created them. And now, dear brother, -could I die in a more noble cause? Could I, brother, die in a manner and -for a cause which would induce true and honest men more to honor me, and -the angels more readily to receive me to their happy home of everlasting -joy above? I imagine that I hear you, and all of you, mother, father, -sisters and brothers, say, ‘No, there is not a cause for which we, with -less sorrow, could see you die!’” - -“Your affectionate brother, - -“John A. Copeland.” - -“The Baltimore Sun” says, “A few moments before leaving the jail, -Copeland said, ‘If I am dying for freedom, I could not die for a better -cause. _I had rather die than be a slave!_’ A military officer in charge -on the day of the execution says, ‘I had a position near the gallows, -and carefully observed all. I can truly say I never witnessed more firm -and unwavering: fortitude, more perfect composure, or more beautiful -propriety, than were manifested by young Copeland to the very last.’” - -Shields Green behaved with equal heroism, ascending the scaffold with -a firm and unwavering step, and died, as he had lived, a brave man, and -expressing to the last his eternal hatred to human bondage, prophesying -that slavery would soon come to a bloody end. - - - - -CHAPTER VII--THE FIRST GUN OF THE REBELLION. - - -_Nomination of Fremont.--Nomination of Lincoln.--The Mob Spirit.--Spirit -of Slavery.--The Democracy.--Cotton.--Northern Promises to the -Rebels.--Assault on Fort Sumter.--Call for 75,000 Men.--Response of the -Colored Men._ - - -The nomination of John C. Fremont by the Republican party in 1856, and -the large vote given him at the election that autumn, cleared away all -doubts, if any existed as to the future action of the Federal Government -on the spread and power of slavery. The Democratic party, which had -ruled the nation so long and so badly, saw that it had been weighed, and -found wanting; that it must prepare to give up the Government into the -hands of better men. - -But the party determined to make the most of Mr. Buchanan’s -administration, both in the profuse expenditure of money among -themselves, and in getting ready to take the Southern States out of the -Union. - -Surrounded by the men who believed that the Government was made for -them, and that their mission was to rule the people of the United -States, Mr. Buchanan was nothing more than a tool,--clay in the hands -of the potters; and he permitted them to prepare leisurely for disunion, -which culminated, in 1860, in the nomination of Abraham Lincoln for the -presidency. - -The proslavery Democracy became furious at the prospect of losing the -control of the situation, and their hatred of free speech was revived. -From the nomination of Mr. Lincoln to his inauguration, mob-law ruled -in most of the cities and large villages. These disgraceful scenes, -the first of which commenced at the antislavery-meeting at the Tremont -Temple, Boston, was always gotten up by members of the Democratic party, -who usually passed a series of resolutions in favor of slavery. New -York, Philadelphia, Albany, Buffalo, Troy, Cincinnati, and Chicago, all -followed the example set by Boston. - -These demonstrations were caused more by sympathy with the South, and -the long-accustomed subserviency of the Northern people to slaveholding -dictation, than to any real hatred to the negro. - -During all this time the Abolitionists were laboring faithfully to widen -the gulf between the North and South. - -Towards the close of the year 1860, the spirit of compromise began to -show itself in such unmistakable terms as to cause serious apprehension -on the part of the friends of freedom for the future of American -liberty. The subdued tone of the liberal portion of the press, the -humiliating offers of Northern political leaders of compromises, and the -numerous cases of fugitive slaves being returned to their masters, sent -a thrill of fear to all colored men in the land for their safety, and -nearly every train going North found more or less negroes fleeing to -Canada. - -At the South, the people were in earnest, and would listen to no -proposals whatever in favor of their continuance in the Union. - -The vast wealth realized by the slave-holder had made him feel that the -South was independent of the rest of the world. - -Prosperity had made him giddy. Cotton was not merely king: it was God. -Moral considerations were nothing. The sentiment of right, he argued, -would have no influence over starving operatives; and England and -France, as well as the Eastern States of the Union, would stand aghast, -and yield to the masterstroke which should deprive them of the material -of their labor. Millions were dependent on it in all the great centres -of civilization; and the ramifications of its power extended into all -ranks of society and all departments of industry and commerce. It was -only necessary to wave this imperial sceptre over the nations; and all -of them would fall prostrate, and acknowledge the supremacy of the power -which wielded it. Nothing could be more plausible than this delusion. -Satan himself, when about to wage war in heaven, could not have invented -one better calculated to marshal his hosts, and give promise of success -in rebellion against the authority of the Most High. But, alas! the -supreme error of this anticipation lay in omitting from the calculation -all power of principle. The right still has authority over the minds of -men and in the counsels of nations. Factories may cease their din; men -and women may be thrown out of employment; the marts of commerce may be -silent and deserted: but truth and justice still command some respect -among men; and God yet remains the object of their adoration. - -Drunk with power, and dazzled with prosperity, monopolizing cotton, and -raising it to the influence of a veritable fetich, the authors of the -Rebellion did not admit a doubt of the success of their attack on the -Federal Government. They dreamed of perpetuating slavery, though all -history shows the decline of the system as industry, commerce, and -knowledge advance. The slave-holders proposed nothing less than to -reverse the currents of humanity, and to make barbarism flourish in the -bosom of civilization. - -Weak as were the Southern people in point of numbers and political -power, compared with those of the opposite section, the haughty -slave-holders easily persuaded themselves and their dependents that they -could successfully cope in arms with the Northern adversary, whom they -affected to despise for his cowardly and mercenary disposition. Proud -and confident, they indulged the belief that their great political -prestige would continue to serve them among their late party associates -in the North, and that the counsels of the adversary would be -distracted, and his power weakened, by the fatal effects of dissension. - -The proslavery men in the North are very much to blame for the -encouragement that they gave the rebels before the breaking out of the -war. The Southerners had promises from their Northern friends, that, -in the event of a rebellion, civil war should reign in the free -States,--that men would not be permitted to leave the North to go South -to put down their rebellions brethren. - -All legitimate revolutions are occasioned by the growth of society -beyond the growth of government; and they will be peaceful or violent -just in proportion as the people and government shall be wise and -virtuous or vicious and ignorant. Such revolutions or reforms are -generally of a peaceful nature in communities in which the government -has made provision for the gradual expansion of its institutions to -suit the onward march of society. No government is wise in overlooking, -whatever may be the strength of its own traditions, or however glorious -its history, that human institutions which have been adapted for a -barbarous age or state of society will cease to be adapted for more -civilized and intelligent times; and, unless government makes a -provision for the gradual expansion, nothing can prevent a storm, -either of an intellectual or a physical nature. Slavery was always the -barbarous institution of America; and the Rebellion was the result of -this incongruity between it and freedom. - -The assault on Fort Sumter on the 12th of April, 1861, was the dawn of -a new era for the negro. The proclamation of President Lincoln, calling -for the first 75,000 men to put down the Rebellion, was responded to -by the colored people throughout the country. In Boston, at a public -meeting of the blacks, a large number came forward, put their names to -an agreement to form a brigade, and march at once to the seat of war. -A committee waited on the Governor three days later, and offered the -services of these men. His Excellency replied that he had no power to -receive them. This was the first wet blanket thrown over the negro’s -enthusiasm. “This is a white man’s war,” said most of the public -journals. “I will never fight by the side of a nigger,” was heard in -every quarter where men were seen in Uncle Sam’s uniform. - -Wherever recruiting offices were opened, black men offered themselves, -and were rejected. Yet these people, feeling conscious that right would -eventually prevail, waited patiently for the coming time, pledging -themselves to go at their country’s call, as the following will show:-- - -“Resolved, That our feelings urge us to say to our countrymen that we -are ready to stand by and defend the Government as the equals of its -white defenders; to do so with our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred -honor, for the sake of freedom and as good citizens; and we ask you to -modify your laws, that we may enlist,--that full scope may be given to -the patriotic feelings burning in the colored man’s breast.”--_Colored -Men’s Meeting, Boston_. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII--THE UNION AND SLAVERY BOTH TO BE PRESERVED. - - -_Union Generals offer to suppress Slave Insurrections.--Return of Slaves -coming into our Army._ - - -At the very commencement of the Rebellion, the proslavery generals -in the field took the earliest opportunity of offering their services, -together with those under their commands, to suppress any slave -insurrection that might grow out of the unsettled condition of the -country. Major-Gen. B. F. Butler led off, by tendering his services -to Gov. Hicks of Maryland. About the same time, Major-Gen. Geo. -B. McClellan issued the following, “_To the Union Men of Western -Virginia_,” on entering that portion of the State with his troops:--“The -General Government cannot close its ears to the demands you have made -for assistance. I have ordered troops to cross the river. They come as -Your friends and brothers,--as enemies only to the armed rebels who are -preying upon you. Your homes, your families, your property, are safe -under our protection. All your rights shall be religiously respected. -Notwithstanding all that has been said by the traitors to induce you to -believe our advent among you will be signalled by an interference with -your slaves, understand one thing clearly: not only will we abstain -from all such interference, but we shall, on the contrary, _with an iron -hand_, crush any attempt at insurrection on their part.” - -Slaves escaping from their masters were promptly returned by the -officers of the army. Gen. W. S. Harney, commanding in Missouri, in -responding to the claims of slave-holders for their blacks, said,-- - -“Already, since the commencement of these unhappy disturbances, slaves -have escaped from their owners, and have sought refuge in the camps -of United-States troops from the Northern States, and commanded by a -Northern general. _They were carefully sent Back to their owners._” - -The correspondent of “The New-York Herald” gave publicity to the -following:-- - -“The guard on the bridge across the Anacostia arrested a negro who -attempted to pass the sentries on the Maryland side. He seemed to feel -confident that he was among friends, for he made no concealment of his -character and purpose. He said he had walked sixty miles, and was going -North. He was very much surprised and disappointed when he was taken -into custody, and informed that he would be sent back to his master. He -is now in the guard-house, and answers freely all questions relating to -his weary march. Of course, such an arrest excites much comment -among the men. Nearly all are restive under the thought of acting -as slave-catchers. The Seventy-first made a forced march, and the -privations they endured have been honorably mentioned in the country’s -history. This poor negro made a forced march, twice the length--in -perils often, in fasting,--hurrying toward the North for his -liberty! And the Seventy-first catches him at the end of his painful -journey,--the goal in sight,--and sends him back to the master who even -now may be in arms against us, or may take the slave, sell him for a -rifle, and use it on his friends in the Seventy-first New-York Regiment. -Humanity speaks louder here than it does in a large city; and the -men who in New York would dismiss the subject with a few words about -‘constitutional obligations’ are now the loudest in denouncing the -abuse of power which changes a regiment of gentlemen into a regiment of -negro-catchers.” At Pensacola, Slemmer did even more, putting in irons -fugitives who fled to him for protection, and returning them to their -masters to be scourged to death. Col. Dimmick, at Fortress Monroe, told -the rebel Virginians that he had not an Abolitionist in his command, and -that no molestation of their slave-system would be suffered. - -Gen. D. C. Buell, commanding in Tennessee, said, in reply to a committee -of slave-holders demanding the return of their fugitives,-- - -“It has come to my knowledge that slaves sometimes make their way -improperly into our lines, and in some instances they may be enticed -there; but I think the number has been magnified by report. Several -applications have been made to me by persons whose servants have been -found in our camps; and, in every instance that I know of, the master -has removed his servant, and taken him away. - -“I need hardly remind you that there will always be found some lawless -and mischievous persons in every army; but I assure you that the mass of -this army is law-abiding, and that it is neither its disposition nor its -policy to violate law or the rights of individuals in any particular.” - -Yet, while Union soldiers were returning escaped slaves to rebels, -it was a notorious fact that the enemy were using negroes to build -fortifications, drive teams, and raise food for the army. - -Black hands piled up the Sand-bags, and raised the batteries, which -drove Anderson out of Sumter. At Montgomery, the capital of the -confederacy, negroes were being drilled and armed for military duty. - - - - -CHAPTER IX--INTELLIGENT CONTRABANDS - - -_James Lawson.--His Bravery.--Rescue of his Wife and Children.--He is -sent out on Important Business.--He fights his Way Back.--He is Admired -by Gens. Hooker and Sickles.--Rhett’s Servant.--“Foraging for Butter and -Eggs.”_ - - -I spent three weeks at Liverpool Point, the outpost of Hooker’s -Division, almost directly opposite Aquia Creek, waiting patiently for -the advance of our left wing to follow up the army, becoming, if not -a participator against the dying struggles of rebeldom, at least a -chronicler of the triumphs in the march of the Union army. - -During this time I was the guest of Col. Graham, of Mathias-Point -memory, who had brought over from that place (last November) some thirty -valuable chattels. A part of the camp was assigned to them. They built -log huts, and obtained from the soldiers many comforts, making their -quarters equal to any in the camp. - -They had friends and relatives. Negroes feel as much sympathy for their -friends and kin as the whites; and, from November to the present time, -many a man in Virginia has lost a very likely slave, for the camp -contains now upwards of a hundred fat and healthy negroes, in addition -to its original number from Mathias Point. - -One of the number deserves more honor than that accorded to Toussaint -L’Ouverture in the brilliant lecture delivered by Wendell Phillips. He -is unquestionably the hero of the Potomac, and deserves to be placed by -the side of his most renowned black brethren. - -The name of this negro is James Lawson, born near Hempstead, Virginia, -and he belonged to a Mr. Taylor. He made his escape last December. -On hearing his praises spoken by the captains of the gunboats on the -Potomac, I was rather indisposed to admit the possession of all the -qualities they give him credit for, and thought possibly his exploits -had been exaggerated. His heroic courage, truthfulness, and exalted -Christian character seemed too romantic for their realization. However, -my doubts on that score were dispelled; and I am a witness of his last -crowning act. - -Jim, after making his escape from Virginia, shipped on board of “The -Freeborn,” Flag-gunboat, Lieut. Samuel Ma-gaw commanding. He furnished -Capt. Magaw with much valuable intelligence concerning the rebel -movements, and, from his quiet, every-day behavior, soon won the esteem -of the commanding officer. - -Capt. Magaw, shortly after Jim’s arrival on board “The Freeborn,” sent -him upon a scouting tour through the rebel fortifications, more to test -his reliability than anything else; and the mission, although fraught -with great danger, was executed by Jim in the most faithful manner. -Again Jim was sent into Virginia, landing at the White House, -below Mount Vernon, and going into the interior for several miles; -encountering the fire of picket-guards and posted sentries; returned in -safety to the shore; and was brought off in the captain’s gig, under the -fire of the rebel musketry. - -Jim had a wife and four children at that time still in Virginia. They -belonged to the same man as Jim did. He was anxious to get them; yet it -seemed impossible. - -One day in January, Jim came to the captain’s room, and asked for -permission to be landed that evening on the Virginia side, as he wished -to bring off his family. “Why, Jim,” said Capt. Magaw, “how will you be -able to pass the pickets?” - -“I want to try, captain: I think I can get ‘em over safely,” meekly -replied Jim. - -“Well, you have my permission;” and Capt. Magaw ordered one of the -gunboats to land Jim that night on whatever part of the shore he -designated, and return for him the following evening. - -True to his appointment, Jim was at the spot with his wife and family, -and was taken on board the gunboat, and brought over to Liverpool Point, -where Col. Graham had given them a log-house to live in, just back of -his own quarters. Jim ran the gauntlet of the sentries unharmed, never -taking to the roads, but keeping in the woods, every foot-path of which, -and almost every tree, he knew from his boyhood up. - -Several weeks afterwards another reconnoissance was planned, and Jim -sent on it. He returned in safety, and was highly complimented by Gens. -Hooker, Sickles, and the entire flotilla. - -On Thursday, week ago, it became necessary to obtain correct information -of the enemy’s movements. Since then, batteries at Shipping and Cockpit -Points had been evacuated, and their troops moved to Fredericksburg. -Jim was the man picked out for the occasion, by Gen. Sickles and Capt. -Magaw. The general came down to Col. Graham’s quarters, about nine in -the evening, and sent for Jim. There were present, the general, Col. -Graham, and myself. Jim came into the colonel’s. - -“Jim.” said the general, “I want you to go over to Virginia to-night, -and find out what forces they have at Aquia Creek and Fredericksburg. If -you want any men to accompany you, pick them out.” - -“I know _two_ men that would like to go,” Jim answered. - -“Well, get them, and be back as soon as possible.” Away went Jim over to -the contraband camp, and, returning almost immediately, brought into our -presence two very intelligent-looking darkies. - -“Are you all ready?” inquired the general. - -“All ready, sir,” the trio responded. - -“Well, here, Jim, you take my pistol,” said Gen. Sickles, unbuckling it -from his belt; “and, if you are successful, I will give you $100.” - -Jim hoped he would be, and, bidding us good-by, started off for the -gunboat “Satellite,” Capt. Foster, who landed them a short distance -below the Potomac-Creek Batteries. They were to return early in the -morning, but were unable, from the great distance they went in the -interior. Long before daylight on Saturday morning, the gunboat was -lying off at the appointed place. As the day dawned, Capt. Foster -discovered a mounted picket-guard near the beach, and almost at the same -instant saw Jim to the left of them, in the woods, sighting his gun at -the rebel cavalry. He ordered the “gig” to be manned, and rowed to the -shore. The rebels moved along slowly, thinking to intercept the boat, -when Foster gave them a shell, which scattered them. Jim, with only one -of his original companions, and two fresh contrabands, came on board. -Jim had _lost the other_. He had been challenged by a picket when some -distance in advance of Jim, and the negro, instead of answering the -summons, fired the contents of Sickles’s revolver at the picket. It -was an unfortunate occurrence; for at that time the entire picket-guard -rushed out of a small house near the spot, and fired the contents of -their muskets at Jim’s companion, killing him instantly. Jim and the -other three hid themselves in a hollow, near a fence, and, after the -pickets gave up pursuit, crept through the woods to the shore. From the -close proximity of the rebel pickets, Jim could not display a light, -which was the signal for Capt. Foster to send a boat. - -Capt. Foster, after hearing Jim’s story of the shooting of his -companion, determined to avenge his death; so, steaming his vessel close -in to the shore, he sighted his guns for a barn, where the rebel cavalry -were hiding behind. He fired two shells: one went right through the -barn, killing four of the rebels, and seven of their horses. Capt. -Foster, seeing the effect of his shot, said to Jim, who stood by, “Well, -Jim, I’ve avenged the death of poor Cornelius” (the name of Jim’s lost -companion). - -Gen. Hooker has transmitted to the War Department an account of Jim’s -reconnoissance to Fredericksburg, and unites with the army and navy -stationed on the left wing of the Potomac, in the hope that the -Government will present Jim with a fitting recompense for his gallant -services.--_War Correspondent of the New-York Times_. - -On Thursday, beyond Charlestown, our pickets descried a solitary -horseman, with a bucket on his arm, jogging soberly towards them. He -proved to be a dark mulatto, of about thirty-five. As he approached, -they ordered a halt. - -“Where are you from?” - -“Southern Army, cap’n,” giving the military salute. - -“Where are you going?” - -“Coming to yous all.” - -“What do you want?” - -“Protection, boss. You won’t send me back, will you?” - -“No, come in. Whose servant are you?” - -“Cap’n Rhett’s, of South Carliny: you’s heard of Mr. Barnwell Rhett, -editor of ‘The Charleston Mercury’? His brother commands a battery.” - -“How did you get away?” - -“Cap’n gove me fifteen dollars this morning, and said, -‘John, go out, and forage for butter and eggs.’ So you see, boss (with a -broad grin), I’se out foraging! I pulled my hat over my eyes, and jogged -along on the cap’n’s horse (see the brand S.C. on him?) with this basket -on my arm, right by our guards and pickets. They never challenged me -once. If they had, though, I brought the cap’n’s pass. And the new -comer produced this document from his pocket-book, written in pencil, -and carefully folded. I send you the original:-- - -_“Pass my servant, John, on horseback, anywhere between Winchester and -Martinsburg, in search of butter, &c., &e._ - -_“A. BURNETT RHETT, Capt. Light Artillery, Lee’s Battalion.”_ - -“Are there many negroes in the rebel corps?” - -“Heaps, boss.” - -“Would the most of them come to us if they could?” - -“All of them, cap’n. There isn’t a little pickanniny so high (waving his -hand two feet from the ground) that wouldn’t.” - -“Why did _you_ expect protection?” - -“Heard so in Maryland, before the Proclamation.” - -“Where did you hear about the Proclamation?” - -“Read it, air, in a Richmond paper.” - -“What is it?” - -“That every slave is to be emancipated on and after the thirteenth day -of January. I can’t state it, boss.” - -“Something like it. When did you learn to read?” - -“In ‘49, sir. I was head waiter at Mrs. Nevitt’s boarding-house in -Savannah, and Miss Walcott, a New-York lady, who was stopping there, -taught me.” - -“Does your master know it?” - -“Capt. Rhett doesn’t know it, sir; but he isn’t my master. He thinks I’m -free, and hired me at twenty five dollars a month; but he never paid -me any of it. I belong to Mrs. John Spring. She used to hire me out -summers, and have me wait on her every winter, when she came South. -After the war, she couldn’t come, and they were going to sell me for -Government because I belonged to a Northerner. Sold a great many negroes -in that way. But I slipped away to the army. Have tried to come to you -twice before in Maryland, but couldn’t pass our pickets.” - -“Were you at Antietam?” - -“Yes, boss. Mighty hard battle!” - -“Who whipped?” - -“Yous all, massa. They say you didn’t; but I saw it, and know. If you -had fought us that next day,--Thursday,--you would have captured our -whole army. They say so themselves.” - -“Who?” - -“Our officers, sir.” - -“Did you ever hear of old John Brown?” - -“Hear of _him?_ Lord bless you, yes, boss: I’ve read his life, and have -it now in my trunk in Charleston; sent to New York by the steward of -‘The James Adger,’ and got it. I’ve read it to heaps of the colored -folks. Lord, they think John Brown was almost a god. Just say you was a -friend of his, and any slave will almost kiss your feet, if you let -him. They sav, if he was only alive now, he would be king. How it did -frighten the white folks when he raised the insurrection! It was Sunday -when we heard of it. They wouldn’t let a negro go into the streets. -I was waiter at the Mills House in Charleston. There was a lady from -Massachusetts, who came down to breakfast that morning at my table. -‘John,’ she says, ‘I want to see a negro church; where is the principal -one?’ ‘Not any open to-day, mistress,’ I told her. ‘Why not?’ ‘Because a -Mr. John Brown has raised an insurrection in Virginny.’ ‘Ah!’ she says; -‘well, they’d better look out, or they’ll get the white churches shut -up in that way some of these days, too!’ Mr. Nicholson, one of the -proprietors, was listening from the office to hear what she said. Wasn’t -that lady watched after that? I have a History of San Domingo, too, and -a Life of Fred. Douglass, in my trunk, that I got in the same way.” - -“What do the slaves think about the war?” - -“Well, boss, they all wish the Yankee army would come. The white folks -tell them all sorts of bad stories about you all; but they don’t believe -them.” - -John was taken to Gen. McClellan, to whom he gave all the information -he possessed about the position, numbers, and organization of the rebel -army. His knowledge was full and valuable, and is corroborated by all -the facts we have learned from other sources. The principal features of -it I have already transmitted to you by telegraph. At the close of the -interview, he asked anxiously,-- - -“General, you won’t send me back, will you?” - -“Yes,” replied the general, with a smile, “I believe I will.” - -“I hope you won’t, general. If you say so, I know I will have to go; but -I come to yous all for protection, and I hope you won’t.” - -“Well, then, I suppose we will not. No, John, you are at liberty to go -where you please. Stay with the army, if you like. No one can ever take -you against your will.” - -“May the Lord bless you, general. I _thought_ you wouldn’t drive me out. -You’s the best friend I ever had; I shall never forget you till I die.” - And John made the salute, re-mounted his horse, and rode back to the -rear, his dusky face almost white with radiance. - -An hour later, he was on duty as the servant of Capt. Batchelor, -Quartermaster of Couch’s Second Division; and I do not believe there -was another heart in our corps so light as his in the unwonted joy of -freedom.--_New York Tribune._ - - - - -CHAPTER X--PROCLAMATIONS OF FREMONT AND HUNTER. - - -_Gen. Fremont’s Proclamation, and its Effect on the Public Mind.--Gen. -Hunter’s Proclamation; the Feeling it created._ - - -While the country seemed drifting to destruction, and the -Administration without a policy, the heart of every loyal man was -made glad by the appearance of the proclamation of Major-Gen. John C. -Fremont, then in command at the West. The following extract from -that document, which at the time caused so much discussion, will bear -insertion here:-- - -“All persons who shall be taken with arms in their hands within these -lines shall be tried by court martial, and, if found guilty, will be -shot. The property, real and personal, of all persons in the State of -Missouri, who shall take up arms against the United States, or who shall -be directly proven to have taken active part with their enemies in -the field, is declared to be confiscated to the public use, and their -slaves, if any they have, are hereby declared free men.” - -The above was the first official paper issued after the commencement of -the war, that appeared to have the ring of the right kind of mettle. But -while the public mind was being agitated upon its probable effect -upon the Rebellion, a gloom was thrown over the whole community by -the President’s removal of Gen. Fremont, and the annulling of the -proclamation. This act of Mr. Lincoln gave unintentional “aid and -comfort” to the enemy, and was another retrograde movement in the Way of -crushing out the Rebellion. - -Gen. Fremont, before the arrival of the President’s letter, had given -freedom to a number of slaves, in accordance with his proclamation. His -mode of action may be seen in the following deed of manumission:-- - -“Whereas, Thomas L. Snead, of the city and county of St. Louis, State of -Missouri, has been taking an active part with the enemies of the United -States, in the present insurrectionary movement against the Government -of the United States; now, therefore, I, John Charles Fremont, -Major-General commanding the Western Department of the Army of the -United States, by authority of law, and the power vested in me as such -commanding general, declare Hiram Reed, heretofore held to service or -labor by Thomas L. Snead, to be free, and forever discharged from the -bonds of servitude, giving him full right and authority to have, use, -and control his own labor or service as to him may seem proper, without -any accountability whatever to said Thomas L. Snead, or any one to claim -by, through, or under him. - -“And this deed of manumission shall be respected and treated by all -persons, and in all courts of justice, as the full and complete evidence -of the freedom of said Hiram Reed. - -“In testimony whereof, this act is done at headquarters of the Western -Department of the Army of the United States, in the city of St. Louis, -State of Missouri, on this twelfth day of September, A.D. eighteen -hundred and sixty-one, as is evidenced by the Departmental Seal hereto -affixed by my order. - -“J. C. FREMONT, - -“_Major-General Commanding._” - -“Done at the office of the Provost-Marshal, in the city of St. Louis, -the twelfth day of September, A.D. eighteen hundred and sixty-one, at -nine o’clock in the evening of said day. - -“Witness my hand and seal of office-hereto affixed. - -“J. McKINSTRY, - -“_Brigadier-General, Provost-Marshal_.” - -The agitation in the public mind on account of the proclamation and its -annulment, great as it was, was soon surpassed by one still more bold -and sweeping from Major-Gen. David Hunter, in the following language, -issued from his headquarters, at Hilton Head, S.C., on the 9th of -May:-- - -“Headquarters Department of the South, Hilton Head, S.C., May 9, 1802. - -“General Orders, No. 11: - -“The three States of Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, comprising -the Military Department of the South, having deliberately declared -themselves no longer under the protection of the United States of -America, and having taken up arms against the said United States, it -became a military necessity to declare them under martial law. This was -accordingly done on the 25th day of April, 1862. Slavery and martial -law in a free country are altogether incompatible. The persons in these -three States, Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, heretofore held as -slaves, are therefore declared forever free. - -“DAVID HUNTER, - -“_Major-General Commanding._ - -“[Official.] - -“_Ed. W. Smith, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General._” - -But, before Mr. Lincoln was officially informed of the issuing of the -above order, he made haste to annul it in the terms following: -“That neither Gen. Hunter nor any other commander or person has been -authorized by the Government of the United States to make proclamation -declaring the slaves of any State free; and that the supposed -proclamation now in question, whether genuine or false, is altogether -void, so far as respects such declaration. - -“I further make known, that, whether it be competent for me, as -Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, to declare the slaves of any -State or States free, and whether at any time or in any case it -shall have become a necessity indispensable to the maintenance of the -Government to exercise such supposed power, are questions which, -under my responsibility, I reserve to myself, and which I cannot feel -justified in leaving to the decision of commanders in the field.” - -These words of the President were hailed with cheers by the proslavery -press of the North, and carried comfort to the hearts of the rebels; -although the Chief-Magistrate did not intend either. However, before the -President’s proclamation reached Carolina, Gen. Hunter was furnishing -slaves with free papers, of which the succeeding is a copy:-- - - -“DEED OF EMANCIPATION. - -“It having been proven, to the entire satisfaction of the -general commanding the Department of the South, that the bearer, -named----------------, heretofore held in involuntary servitude, has -been directly employed to aid and assist those in rebellion against the -United States of America. - -“Now, be it known to all, that, agreeably to the laws, I declare the -said person free, and forever absolved from all claims to his services. -Both he and his wife and children have full right to go North, East, or -West, as they may decide. - -“Given under my hand, at the Headquarters of the Department of the -South, this nineteenth day of April, 1862. - -“D. HUNTER, - -“_Major-General Commanding._” - -The words, “forever free,” sounded like a charm upon the ears of the -oppressed, and seemed to give hopes of a policy that would put down the -Rebellion, and leave the people untrammelled with slavery. - - “God’s law of compensation worketh sure, - - So we may know the right shall aye endure! - - ‘_Forever free!_’ God! how the pulse doth bound - - At the high, glorious, Heaven-prompted sound - - That greets our ears from Carolina’s shore! - - ‘_Forever free!_’ and slavery is no more! - - Ere time the hunter followed up the slave; - - But now a Hunter, noble, true, and brave, - - Proclaims the right, to each who draws a breath, - - To lift himself from out a living death, - - And plant his feet on Freedom’s happy soil, - - Content to take her wages for his toil, - - And look to God, the author of his days, - - For food and raiment, sounding forth His praise.” - -Deep indeed was the impression left upon the public mind by the orders -of both Fremont and Hunter; and they hastened the policy which the -President eventually adopted, to the great gratification of the friends -of freedom everywhere. - - - - -CHAPTER XI--HEROISM OF NEGROES ON THE HIGH SEAS. - - -_Heroism of Negroes.--William Tillman re-captures “The S. G. -Waring.”--George Green.--Robert Small captures the Steamer -“Planter.”--Admiral Dupont’s Opinion on Negro Patriotism._ - - -In the month of June, 1861, the schooner “S. J. Waring,” from New -York, bound to South America, was captured on the passage by the rebel -privateer “Jeff. Davis,” a prize-crew put on board, consisting of a -captain, mate, and four seamen; and the vessel set sail for the port of -Charleston, S.C. Three of the original crew were retained on board, -a German as steersman, a Yankee who was put in irons, and a black man -named William Tillman, the steward and cook of the schooner. The latter -was put to work at his usual business, and told that he was henceforth -the property of the Confederate States, and would be sold, on his -arrival at Charleston, as a slave. Night comes on; darkness covers the -sea; the vessel is gliding swiftly towards the South; the rebels, one -after another, retire to their berths; the hour of midnight approaches; -all is silent in the cabin; the captain is asleep; the mate, who has -charge of the watch, takes his brandy toddy, and reclines upon the -quarter-deck. The negro thinks of home and all its endearments: he sees -in the dim future chains and slavery. - -He resolves, and determines to put the resolution into practice upon the -instant. Armed with a heavy club, he proceeds to the captain’s’room. He -strikes ‘the fatal blow: he feels the pulse, and all is still. He next -goes to the adjoining room: another blow is struck, and the black man -is master of the cabin. Cautiously he ascends to the deck, strikes the -mate: the officer is wounded but not killed. He draws his revolver, and -calls for help. The crew are aroused: they are hastening to aid their -commander. The negro repeats his blows with the heavy club: the rebel -falls dead at Tillman’s feet. The African seizes the revolver, drives -the crew below deck, orders the release of the Yankee, puts the enemy in -irons, and proclaims himself master of the vessel. - -“The Waring’s” head is turned towards New York, with the stars and -stripes flying, a fair wind, and she rapidly retraces her steps. A -storm comes up: more men are needed to work the ship. Tillman orders the -rebels to be unchained, and brought on deck. The command is obeyed; and -they are put to work, but informed, that, if they show any disobedience, -they will be shot down. Five days more, and “The S. J. Waring” arrives -in the port of New York, under the command of William Tillman, the negro -patriot. - -“The New-York Tribune” said of this event,-- - -“To this colored man was the nation indebted for the first vindication -of its honor on the sea.” Another public journal spoke of that -achievement alone as an offset to the defeat of the Federal arms at -Bull Run. Unstinted praise from all parties, even those who are usually -awkward in any other vernacular than derision of the colored man, has -been awarded to this colored man. At Barnum’s Museum he was the centre -of attractive gaze to daily increasing thousands. Pictorials vied with -each other in portraying his features, and in graphic delineations of -the scene on board the brig; while, in one of them, Tillman has been -sketched as an embodiment of black action on the sea, in contrast with -some delinquent Federal officer as white inaction on land. - -The Federal Government awarded to Tillman the sum of six thousand -dollars as prize-money for the capture of the schooner. All loyal -journals joined in praise of the heroic act; and, even when the news -reached England, the negro’s bravery was applauded. A few weeks later, -and the same rebel privateer captured the schooner “Enchantress,” bound -from Boston to St. Jago, while off Nantucket Shoals. A prize-crew was -put on board, and, as in the case of “The Waring,” retaining the colored -steward; and the vessel set sail for a Southern port. When off Cape -Hatteras, she was overtaken by the Federal gunboat “Albatross,” Capt. -Prentice. - -On speaking her, and demanding where from and whence bound, she replied, -“Boston, for St. Jago.” At this moment the negro rushed from the -galley, where the pirates had secreted him, _and jumped into the sea_, -exclaiming, “They are a privateer crew from The ‘Jeff. Davis,’ and -bound for Charleston!” The negro was picked up, and taken on board “The -Albatross.” The prize was ordered to heave to, which she did. Lieut. -Neville jumped aboard of her, and ordered the pirates into the boats, -and to pull for “The Albatross,” where they were secured in irons. “The -Enchantress” was then taken in tow by “The Albatross,” and arrived -in Hampton Loads. On the morning of the 13th of May, 1862, the rebel -gunboat “Planter” was captured by her colored crew, while lying in the -port of Charleston, S.C., and brought out, and delivered over to our -squadron then blockading the place. The following is the dispatch from -Com. Dupont to the Secretary of War, announcing the fact:-- - -“U. S. Steamship Augusta, off Charleston, May 13, 1862. - -“Sir,--I have the honor to inform you that the rebel armed gunboat -‘Planter’ was brought out to us this morning from Charleston by eight -contrabands, and delivered up to the squadron. Five colored women -and three children are also on board. She was the armed despatch -and transportation steamer attached to the engineer department at -Charleston, under Brig.-Gen. Ripley. At four in the morning, in the -absence of the captain who was on shore, she left her wharf close to the -government office and head-quarters, with the Palmetto and confederate -flags flying, and passed the successive forts, saluting as usual, by -blowing the steam-whistle. After getting beyond the range of the last -gun, they hauled down the rebel flags, and hoisted a white one. ‘The -Onward’ was the inside ship of the blockading squadron in the main -channel, and was preparing to fire when her commander made out the white -flag. - -“The armament of the steamer is a thirty-two pounder, on pivot, and a -fine twenty-four-pound howitzer. She has, besides, on her deck, four -other guns, one seven-inch, rifled, which were to be taken on the -following morning to a new fort on the middle ground. One of the four -belonged! to Fort Sumter, and had been struck, in the rebel attack, on -the muzzle. Robert Small, the intelligent slave; and pilot of the boat, -who performed this bold feat so skilfully, is a superior man to any who -have come into our lines; intelligent as many of them have been. His in -formation: has been most interesting, and portions of it of the utmost -importance. The steamer is quite a valuable acquisition to the squadron -by her good machinery and very light draught. The bringing out of this -steamer would have done credit to any one. I do not know whether, in the -view of the Government, the vessel will be considered a prize; but, if -so, I respectfully submit to the Department the claims of the man Small -and his associates. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, - -“S. F. DUPONT, - -“_Flag-Officer Commanding._” - -The New-York “Commercial Advertiser” said of the capture, “We are forced -to confess that this is a heroic act, and that the negroes deserve great -praise. Small is a middle-aged negro, and his features betray nothing of -the firmness of character he displayed. He is said to be one of the most -skilful pilots of Charleston, and to have a thorough knowledge of all -the ports and inlets of South Carolina.” - -A bill was introduced in Congress to give the prize to Robert Small and -his companions; and, while it was under consideration, the “New-York -Tribune” made the following timely remarks: “If we must still remember -with humiliation that the Confederate flag yet waves where our national -colors were struck, we should be all the more prompt to recognize the -merit that has put in our possession the first trophy from Fort Sumter. -And the country should feel doubly humbled if there is not magnanimity -enough to acknowledge a gallant action, because it was the head of a -black man that conceived, and the hand of a black man that executed it. -It would better, indeed, become us to remember that no small share of -the naval glory of the war belongs to the race which we have forbidden -to fight for us; that one negro has captured a vessel from a Southern -privateer, and another has brought away from under the very guns of the -enemy, where no fleet of ours has yet dared to venture, a prize whose -possession a commodore thinks worthy to be announced in a special -despatch.” The bill was taken up, passed both branches of Congress, -and Robert Small, together with his associates, received justice at the -hands of the American Government. - -The “New-York Herald” gave the following account of the capture:-- - -“One of the most daring and heroic adventures since the war commenced -was undertaken and successfully accomplished by a party of negroes in -Charleston on Monday night last. Nine colored men, comprising the pilot, -engineers, and crew of the rebel gunboat ‘Planter,’ took the vessel -under their exclusive control, passed the batteries and forts in -Charleston Harbor, hoisted the white flag, ran out to the blockading -squadron, and thence to Port Royal, _via_ St. Helena Sound and Broad -River, reaching the flagship ‘Wabash’ shortly after ten o’clock last -evening. - -“‘The Planter’ is just such a vessel as is needed to navigate the -shallow waters between Hilton Head and the adjacent islands, and will -prove almost invaluable to the Government. It is proposed, I hear, by -the commodore, to recommend the appropriation of $20,000 as a reward to -the plucky Africans who have distinguished themselves by this gallant -service, $5,000 to be given to the pilot, and the remainder to be -divided among his companions. - -“‘The Planter’ is a high-pressure, side-wheel steamer, one hundred and -forty feet in length, and about fifty feet beam, and draws about five -feet of water. She was built in Charleston, was formerly used as a -cotton boat, and is capable of carrying about 1,400 bales. On the -organization of the Confederate navy, she was transformed into a -gunboat, and was the most valuable war-vessel the Confederates had at -Charleston. Her armament consisted of one thirty-two-pound rifle-gun -forward, and a twenty-four-pound howitzer aft. Besides, she had on -board, when she came into the harbor, one seven-inch rifle-gun, one -eight-inch columbiad, one eight-inch howitzer, one long thirty-two -pounder, and about two hundred rounds of ammunition, which had been -consigned to Fort Ripley, and which would have been delivered at that -fortification on Tuesday had not the designs of the rebel authorities -been frustrated. She was commanded by Capt. Relay, of the Confederate -Navy, all the other employees of the vessel, excepting the first and -second mates, being persons of color. - -“Robert Small, with whom I had a brief interview at Gen. Benham’s -headquarters this morning, is an intelligent negro, born in Charleston, -and employed for many years as a pilot in and about that harbor. He -entered upon his duties on board ‘The Planter’ some six weeks since, -and, as he told me, adopted the idea of running the vessel to sea from -a joke which one of his companions perpetrated. He immediately cautioned -the crew against alluding to the matter in any way on board the boat; -but asked them, if they wanted to talk it up in sober earnestness, to -meet at his house, where they would devise and determine upon a plan to -place themselves under the protection of the Stars and Stripes, instead -of the stars and bars. Various plans were proposed; but finally the -whole arrangement of the escape was left to the discretion and sagacity -of Robert, his companions promising to obey him, and be ready at a -moment’s notice to accompany him. For three days he kept the provisions -of the party secreted in the hold, awaiting an opportunity to slip away. -At length, on Monday evening, the white officers of the vessel went on -shore to spend the night, Intending to start on the following morning -for Fort Ripley, and to be absent from the city for some days. The -families of the contrabands were notified, and came stealthily on board. -At about three o’clock, the fires were lit under the boilers, and the -vessel steamed quietly away down the harbor. The tide was against her, -and Fort Sumter was not reached till broad daylight. However, the boat -passed directly under its walls, giving the usual signal--two long pulls -and a jerk at the whistle-cord--as she passed the sentinel. - -“Once out of range of the rebel guns, the white flag was raised, and -‘The Planter’ steamed directly for the blockading steamer ‘Augusta.’ -Capt. Parrott, of the latter vessel, as you may imagine, received them -cordially, heard their report, placed Acting-Master Watson, of his ship, -in charge of ‘The Planter,’ and sent the Confederate gunboat and crew -forward to Commodore Dupont.” - - - - -CHAPTER XII--GENERAL BUTLER AT NEW ORLEANS. - - -_Recognition of Negro Soldiers with Officers of their own -Color.--Society in New Orleans.--The Inhuman Master.--Justice.--Change -of Opinion.--The Free Colored Population._ - - -When Major-Gen. Butler found himself in possession of New Orleans, he -was soon satisfied of the fact that there were but few loyalists amongst -the whites, while the Union feeling of the colored people was apparent -from the hour of his landing; they having immediately called upon the -commander, and, through a committee, offered their services in behalf -of the Federal cause. Their offer was accepted, as the following will -show:-- - -“Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, Aug. 22, 1862. - -“General Order, No. 63: - -“Whereas, on the twenty-third day of April, in the year eighteen hundred -and sixty-one, at a public meeting of the free colored population of -the city of New Orleans, a military organization, known as the ‘Native -Guards’ (colored), had its existence, which military organization was -duly and legally enrolled as a part of the military of the State, its -officers being commissioned by Thomas O. Moore, Governor, and Commander- -in-Chief of the Militia, of the State of Louisiana, in the form -following, that is to say:-- - -“‘The State of Louisiana. - -[Seal of the State.] - -“‘By Thomas Overton Moore, Governor of the State of Louisiana, and -Commander-in-Chief of the Militia thereof. - -“‘In the name and by the authority of the State of Louisiana: - -“‘Know ye that----------------, having been duly and legally elected -Captain of the “Native Guards” (colored), First Division of the Militia -of Louisiana, to serve for the term of the war, - -“I do hereby appoint and commission him Captain as aforesaid, to take -rank as such, from the second day of May, 1861. - -“‘He is, therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge the duties -of his office, by doing and performing all manner of things thereto -belonging. And I do strictly charge and require all officers, -non-commissioned officers, and privates under his command to be obedient -to his orders as Captain; and he is to observe and follow such orders -and directions, from time to time, as he shall receive from me, or the -future Governor of the State of Louisiana, or other superior officers, -according to the Rules and Articles of War, and in conformity to law. - -“‘In testimony whereof, I have caused these letters to be made patent, -and the seal of the State to be hereunto annexed. - -“‘Given under my hand, at the city of Baton Rouge, on the second day of -May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two. - -“‘(Signed) - -“‘THOMAS O. MOORE. - -“‘By the Governor. - -“‘P. D. HARDY, _Secretary of State_.” - -[INDORSED.] - -“‘I, Maurice Grivot, Adjutant and Inspector-General of the State of -Louisiana, do hereby certify that----------------, named in the within -commission, did, on the twenty-second day of May, in the year 1861, -deposit In my office his written acceptance of the office to which he is -commissioned, and his oath of office taken according to law. - -“‘M. GRIVOT’”_Adjutant and Inspector-General La_.’ - -“And whereas such military organization elicited praise and respect, and -was complimented in general orders for its patriotism and loyalty, and -was ordered to continue during the war, in the words following:-- - -“‘Headquarters Louisiana Militia, - -“‘Adjutant-General’s Office, Mardi 24, 1862. - -“‘Order No. 426: - -“‘I, The Governor and Commander-in-Chief, relying implicitly upon the -loyalty of the free colored population of the city and State, for the -protection of their homes, their property, and for Southern rights, from -the pollution of a ruthless invader, and believing that the military -organization which existed prior to the 15th February, 1862, and -elicited praise and respect for the patriotic motives which prompted it, -should exist for and during the war, calls upon them to maintain their -organization, and hold themselves prepared for such orders as may be -transmitted to them. - -“‘II. The colonel commanding will report without delay to Major-Gen. -Lewis, commanding State Militia. - -“’ By order of - -“‘THOS. O. MOORE, _Governor_. - -“‘31. GRIVOT, _Adjutant-General_.’ - -“And whereas said military organization, by the same order, was directed -to report to Major-Gen. Lewis for service, but did not leave the city of -New Orleans when he did: - -“Now, therefore, the commanding-general, believing that a large portion -of this military force of the State of Louisiana are willing to take -service in the volunteer forces of the United States, and be enrolled -and organized to ‘defend their homes from ruthless invaders;’ to protect -their wives and children and kindred from wrongs and outrages; to shield -their property from being seized by bad men; and to defend the flag of -their native country as their fathers did under Jackson at Chalmette -against Packingham and his myrmidons, carrying the black flag of ‘beauty -and booty’. - -“Appreciating their motives, relying upon their ‘well-known loyalty and -patriotism,’ and with ‘praise and respect’ for these brave men, it is -ordered that all the members of the ‘Native Guards’ aforesaid, and all -other free colored citizens recognized by the first and late governor -and authorities of the State of Louisiana as a portion of the militia -of the State, who shall enlist in the volunteer service of the United -States, shall be duly organized by the appointment of proper officers, -and accepted, paid, equipped, armed, and rationed as are other volunteer -corps of the United States, subject to the approval of the President of -the United States. All such persons are required to report themselves -at the Touro Charity Building, Front Levee Street, New Orleans, where -proper officers will muster them into the service of the United States. - -“By command of - -“R. S. DAVIS, _Captain and A.A.A.G._ - -“_Major-Gen. BUTLER_.” - -The commanding general soon discovered that he was amongst a different -people from those with whom he had been accustomed to associate. New -Orleans, however, though captured was not subdued. The city had been for -years the headquarters and focus of all Southern rowdyism. An immense -crowd of “loafers,” many without regular occupation or means, infested -the streets, controlled the ballot-boxes, nominated the judges, selected -the police, and affected to rule every one except a few immensely -wealthy planters, who governed them by money. These rowdies had -gradually dissolved society, till New Orleans had become the most -blood-thirsty city in the world; a city where every man went armed, -where a sharp word was invariably answered by a stab, and where the -average of murdered men taken to one hospital was three a day. The mob -were bitter advocates of slavery, held all Yankees in abhorrence, and -guided by the astute brain of Pierre Soulé, whilom ambassador to Spain, -resolved to contest with Gen. Butler the right to control the city. They -might as well have contested it with Bonaparte. The first order issued -by the general indicated a policy from which he never swerved. The -mob had surrounded the St. Charles Hotel, threatening an attack on the -building, then the general’s headquarters; and Gen. Williams, commanding -the troops round it, reported that he would be unable to control the -mob. “Gen. Butler, in his serenest manner, replied, ‘Give my compliments -to Gen. Williams, and tell him, if he finds he cannot control the mob, -to open upon them with artillery.’” The mob did that day endeavor -to seize Judge Summers, the Recorder; and he was only saved by the -determined courage of Lieut. Kinsman, in command of an armed party. From -this moment the general assumed the attitude he never abandoned, that of -master of New Orleans, making his own will the law. He at first retained -the municipal organization; but, finding the officials incurably -hostile, he sent them to Fort Lafayette, and thenceforward ruled alone, -feeding the people, re-establishing trade, maintaining public order, and -seeing that negroes obtained some reasonable measure of security. Their -evidence was admitted, “Louisiana having, when she went out of the -Union, taken her black code with her;” the whipping-house was abolished, -and all forms of torture sternly prohibited. - -The following interesting narrative, given by a correspondent of “The -Atlantic Monthly,” will show, to some extent, the scenes which Gen. -Butler had to pass through in connection with slavery:-- - -“One Sunday morning, late last summer, as I came down to the -breakfast-room, I was surprised to find a large number of persons -assembled in the library. - -“When I reached the door, a member of the staff took me by the arm, and -drew me into a room toward a young and delicate mulatto girl, who was -standing against the opposite wall, with the meek, patient bearing of -her race, so expressive of the system of repression to which they have -been so long subjected. - -“Drawing down the border of her dress, my conductor showed me a sight -more revolting than I trust ever again to behold. - -“The poor girl’s back was flayed until the quivering flesh resembled -a fresh beefsteak scorched on a gridiron. With a cold chill creeping -through my veins, I turned away from the sickening spectacle, and, for -an explanation of the affair, scanned the various persons about the -room. - -“In the centre of the group, at his writing-table, sat the general. His -head rested on his hand, and he was evidently endeavoring to fix his -attention upon the remarks of a tall, swarthy-looking man who stood -opposite, and who, I soon discovered, was the owner of the girl, and -was attempting a defence of the foul outrage he had committed upon the -unresisting and helpless person of his unfortunate victim, who stood -smarting, but silent, under the dreadful pain inflicted by the brutal -lash. - -“By the side of the slave-holder stood our adjutant-general, his face -livid with almost irrepressible rage, and his fists tight clenched, as -if to violently restrain himself from visiting the guilty wretch with -summary and retributive justice. Disposed about the room, in various -attitudes, but all exhibiting in their countenances the same mingling of -horror and indignation, were other members of the staff; while near the -door stood three or four house-servants, who were witnesses in the case. - -“To the charge of having administered the inhuman castigation, Landry -(the owner of the girl) pleaded guilty, but urged, in extenuation, -that the girl had dared to make an effort for that freedom which her -instincts, drawn from the veins of her abuser, had taught her was the -God-given right of all who possess the germ of immortality, no matter -what the color of the casket in which it is hidden. - -“I say ‘drawn from the veins of her abuser,’ because she declared she -was his daughter; and everyone in the room, looking upon the man and -woman confronting each other, confessed that the resemblance justified -the assertion. - -“At the conclusion of all the evidence in the case, the general -continued in the same position as before, and remained for some time -apparently lost in abstraction. I shall never forget the singular -expression on his face. - -“I had been accustomed to see him in a storm of passion at any instance -of oppression or flagrant injustice; but, on this occasion, he was too -deeply affected to obtain relief in the usual way. - -“His whole air was one of dejection, almost listlessness; his -indignation too intense, and his anger too stern, to find expression, -even in his countenance. After sitting in the mood which I have -described at such length, the general again turned to the prisoner, and -said, in a quiet, subdued tone of voice,-- - -“‘Mr. Landry, I dare not trust myself to decide to-day what punishment -would be meet for your offence; for I am in that state of mind that I -fear I might exceed the strict demands of justice. I shall therefore -place you under guard for the present, until I conclude upon your -sentence.’ - -“A few days after, a number of influential citizens having represented -to the general that Mr. Landry was not only a ‘high-toned gentleman,’ -but a person of unusual ‘amiability’ of character, and was consequently -entitled to no small degree of leniency, he answered, that, in -consideration of the prisoner’s ‘high-toned’ character, and especially -of his ‘amiability,’ of which he had seen so remarkable a proof, he had -determined to meet their views; and therefore ordered that Landry give a -deed of manumission to the girl, and pay a fine of five hundred dollars, -to be placed in the hands of a trustee for her benefit.” - -It was scenes like the above that changed Gen. Butler’s views upon the -question of slavery; for it cannot be denied, that, during the first -few weeks of his command in New Orleans, he had a controversy with Gen. -Phelps, owing to the latter’s real antislavery feelings. Soon after his -arrival, Gen. Butler gave orders that all negroes not needed for service -should be removed from the camps. The city was sealed against their -escape. Even secession masters were assured that their property, if not -employed, should be returned. It is said that pledges of reimbursement -for loss of labor were made to such. Gen. Phelps planted himself on the -side of the slave; would not exile them from his camp; branded as cruel -the policy that harbored, and then drove out the slave to the inhuman -revenge that awaited him. - -Yet the latter part of Gen. Butler’s reign compensated for his earlier -faults. It must be remembered, that, when he landed in New Orleans, he -was fresh from Washington, where the jails were filled with fugitive -slaves, awaiting the claim of their masters; where the return of the -escaped bondman was considered a military duty. Then how could he be -expected to do better? The stream cannot rise higher than the spring. - -His removal from the Department of the Gulf, on account of the crushing -blows which he gave the “peculiar institution,” at once endeared him to -the hearts of the friends of impartial freedom throughout the land. - -The following imitation of Leigh Hunt’s celebrated poem is not out of -place here:-- - - -“ABOU BEN BUTLER.” - - “Abou Ben Butler (may his tribe increase! ) - - Awoke one night down by the old Balize, - - And saw, outside the comfort of his room, - - Making it warmer for the gathering gloom, - - A black man, shivering in the Winter’s cold. - - Exceeding courage made Ben Butler bold; - - And to the presence in the dark lie said, - - “What wantest thou?” The figure raised its head, - - And, with a look made of all sad accord, - - Answered, “The men who’ll serve the purpose of the Lord.” - - “And am I one?” said Butler. “Nay, not so,” - - Replied the black man. Butler spoke more low, - - But cheerly still, and said, “As _I am Ben_, - - You’ll not have cause to tell me that again!” - - The figure bowed and vanished. The next night - - It came once more, environed strong in light, - - And showed the names whom love of Freedom blessed; - - And, lo! Ben Butler’s name led all the rest.” - - --_Boston Transcript._ - -It is probably well known that the free colored population of New -Orleans, in intelligence, public spirit, and material wealth, surpass -those of the same class in any other city of the Union. Many of these -gentlemen have been highly educated, have travelled extensively in this -and foreign countries, speak and read the French, Spanish, and English -languages fluently, and in the Exchange Rooms, or at the Stock Boards, -wield an influence at anytime fully equal to the same number of white -capitalists. Before the war, they represented in that city alone fifteen -millions of property, and were heavily taxed to support the schools of -the State, but were not allowed to claim the least benefit therefrom. - -These gentlemen, representing so much intelligence, culture, and wealth, -and who would, notwithstanding the fact that they all have negro blood -in their veins, adorn any circle of society in the North, who would be -taken upon Broadway for educated and wealthy Cuban planters, rather than -free negroes, although many of them have themselves held slaves, have -always been loyal to the Union; and, when New Orleans seemed in danger -of being re-captured by the rebels under Gen. Magruder, these colored -men rose _en masse_, closed their offices and stores, armed and -organized themselves into six regiments, and for six weeks abandoned -their business, and stood ready to fight for the defence of New Orleans, -while, at the same time, not a single white regiment from the original -white inhabitants was raised. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII--THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FREE. - - -_Emancipation in the District.--Comments of the Press.--The Good -Result.--Recognition of Hayti and Liberia.--The Slave-trader Gordon._ - - -For many years previous to the Rebellion, efforts had been made to -induce Congress to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia, without -success. The “negro-pens” which adorned that portion of the national -domain had long made Americans feel ashamed of the capital of their -country; because it was well known that those pens were more or less -connected with the American slave-trade, which, in its cruelty, was as -bad as that of the African slave-trade, if not worse. It was expected, -even by the democracy, that one of the first acts of the Republicans -on coming into office would be the emancipation of the slaves of the -District; and therefore no one was surprised at its being brought -forward in the earliest part of Mr. Lincoln’s administration. The bill -was introduced into the Senate by Hon. Henry Wilson of Massachusetts. -Its discussion caused considerable excitement among slave-holders, -who used every means to prevent its passage. Nevertheless, after going -through the Senate, it passed the House on the 11th of April, 1862, by -a large majority, and soon received the sanction of the President. The -Copperhead press howled over the doings of Congress, and appeared to -see the fate of the institution in this act. The “Louisville Journal” - said,-- - -“The President, contrary to our most earnest hopes, has approved the -bill for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia. - -“We need hardly say that the President’s reasons for approving the -bill are not, in our opinion, such as should have governed him at this -extraordinary juncture of the national history. They are not to us -sufficient reasons. On the contrary, we think they weigh as nothing -compared with the grave reasons in the opposite scale. - -“The enemies of the country will no doubt attempt so to use the act by -representing it as the first step towards the abolition of slavery -in the States; but this representation, if made, will be a very gross -misrepresentation. The Republicans, as a body, our readers know full -well, always declared that Congress had the constitutional power to -abolish slavery in the District of Columbia, and that Congress ought to -exercise the power. They, however, have always declared, with the same -unanimity, that Congress does not possess the constitutional power -to interfere with slavery in the States. And they now declare so with -especial distinctness and solemnity. - -“We, of course, except from the scope of the remarks we have now made -such abolitionists as Sumner and his scattered followers in Congress. -With the exception of these few _raving zealots, of whom most -Republicans are heartily ashamed,_ the men who voted to abolish slavery -in the District of Columbia avow themselves as resolutely opposed to -interfering with slavery in the States as the men who voted against the -measure are known to be. Their avowals are distinct and emphatic. - -“We hope that the majority in Congress are at length through with -such tricks, and will henceforth leave in peace the myrtle of party -eye-sores, while they split the oak of the Rebellion.” - -However, the predictions and hopes of the “Journal” were not to -avail any thing for the slavemongers. The Rebellion had sounded the -death-knell of the crime of crimes. Too many brave men had already -fallen by the hands of the upholders of the barbarous system to have it -stop there. The God of liberty had proclaimed that-- - - “In this, the District where my Temple stands, - - I burst indignant every captive’s bands; - - Here in my home my glorious work begin; - - Then blush no more each day to see this sin. - - Thus finding room to freely breathe and stand, - - I’ll stretch my sceptre over all the land, - - Until, unfettered, leaps the waiting slave, - - And echoes back the blessings of the brave.” - -The “Press,” Forney’s paper, spoke thus, a few days after slavery had -died in the District:-- - -“The emancipation of slaves in the District of Columbia was one of -the most suggestive events of the age. It was an example and an -illustration. The great idea of the past century, the idea which had -associated and identified itself with our institutions, was at last -tried by a practical test. Good results came from it; none of the evils -dreaded and prophesied have been manifested. It was a simple measure -of legislative policy, and was established amid great opposition and -feeling. Yet it was succeeded by no agitation, no outbreaks of popular -prejudice. The District of Columbia is now a free Territory by the -easy operation of a statute law,--by what enemies of the measure called -forcible emancipation; and yet the District of Columbia is as pleasant -and as prosperous as at any period of its history. There has been no -negro saturnalia, no violent outbreak of social disorder, no attempt -to invade those barriers of social distinction that must forever exist -between the African and Anglo-Saxon [?]. It was said that property would -depreciate; that there would be excesses and violences; that the negro -would become insolent and unbearable; that the city of Washington would -become a desolated metropolis; that negro labor would become valueless; -that hundreds of the emancipated negroes would flock to the Northern -States. We have seen no such results as yet; we know that nothing of the -kind is anticipated. We have yet to hear of the first emancipated negro -coming to Philadelphia. Labor moves on in its accustomed way, with the -usual supply and demand. We do not think a white woman has been insulted -by an emancipated negro; we are confident that no emancipated negro has -sought the hand of any fair damsel of marriageable age and condition. - -“Society is the same in Maryland and Kentucky. In accomplishing -emancipation in the District of Columbia, we have shown the timid -that their fears were but of the imagination, the mere prejudices of -education. Slavery has been the cancer of the Southern social system. -We employ an old metaphor, perhaps, but it is a forcible and appropriate -illustration. It rooted itself into the body of Southern society, -attacking the glands, terminating in an ill-conditioned and deep -disease, and causing the republic excruciating pain. It became schirrous -and indurated. It brought disaster and grief upon them, and the sorest -of evils upon us. It brought us blood and civil war, ruined commerce and -desolated fields, blockaded ports, and rivers that swarm with gunboats -instead of merchant vessels. It was tolerated as a necessary evil, until -its extent and virulence made it incumbent upon us to terminate it as -such, or to be terminated by it. The champions of this institution, not -content with submitting to the toleration and protection of our great -Northern free community, have made it the pretext for aggression and -insult, and by their own acts are accomplishing its downfall. The -emancipation of slavery in the District of Columbia was the necessary -and natural result of the Southern Rebellion. It is but the beginning of -the results the Rebellion must surely bring. The wedge has only entered -the log, and heavy blows are falling upon it day by day.” - -Great was the rejoicing in Washington and throughout the Free States; -for every one saw “the end from the beginning.” Our own Whittier strung -his harp anew, and sung,-- - - “I knew that truth would crush the lie,-- - - Somehow, sometime the end would be; - - Yet scarcely dared I hope to see - - The triumph with my mortal eye. - - - But now I see it. In the sun - - A free flag floats from yonder dome, - - And at the nation’s hearth and home - - The justice long delayed is done.” - -With the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, commenced a -new era at our country’s capital. The representatives of the Governments -of Hayti and Liberia had both long knocked in vain to be admitted -with the representatives of other nations. The slave power had always -succeeded in keeping them out. But a change had now come over the dreams -of the people, and Congress was but acting up to this new light in -passing the following bill:-- - -“_Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United -States of America in Congress assembled_, That the President of the -United States be, and he hereby is, authorized, by and with the consent -of the Senate, to appoint diplomatic representatives of the United -States to the republics of Hayti and Liberia, respectively. Each of the -said representatives so appointed shall be accredited as commissioner -and consul general, and shall receive, out of any money in the treasury -not otherwise appropriated, the compensation of commissioners provided -for by the Act of Congress approved August 18, 1856: _Provided_ that the -compensation of the representative at Liberia shall not exceed $4,000.” - -The above bill was before the Senate some time, and elicited much -discussion, and an able speech was made by Hon. Charles Sumner in favor -of the recognition of the independence of Hayti and Liberia. To use his -own expressive words, “Slavery in the national capital is now abolished: -it remains that this other triumph shall be achieved. Nothing but the -sway of a slave-holding despotism on the floor of Congress, hitherto, -has prevented the adoption of this righteous measure; and now that that -despotism has been exorcised, no time should be lost by Congress to see -it carried into immediate execution. All other civilized nations have -ceased to make complexion a badge of superiority or inferiority in the -matter of nationality; and we should make haste, therefore, to repair -the injury we have done, as a republic, in refusing to recognize -Liberian and Haytian independence.” - -Even after all that had passed, the African slave-trade was still being -carried on between the Southern States and Africa. Ships were fitted out -in Northern ports for the purpose of carrying on this infernal traffic. -And, although it was prohibited by an act of Congress, none had ever -been convicted for dealing in slaves. The new order of things was to -give these traffickers a trial, and test the power by which they had -so long dealt in the bodies and souls of men whom they had stolen from -their native land. One Nathaniel Gordon was already in prison in New -York, and his trial was fast approaching: it came, and he was convicted -of piracy in the United States District Court in the city of New York; -the piracy consisting in having fitted out a slaver, and shipped nine -hundred Africans at Congo River, with a view to selling them as slaves. -The same man had been tried for the same offence before; but the jury -failed to agree, and he accordingly escaped punishment for the time. -Every effort was made which the ingenuity of able lawyers could invent, -or the power of money could enforce, to save this miscreant from the -gallows; but all in vain: for President Lincoln utterly refused to -interfere in any way whatever, and Gordon was executed on the 7th of -February. - -This blow appeared to give more offence to the commercial Copperheads -than even the emancipation of the slaves in the District of Columbia; -for it struck an effectual blow at a very lucrative branch of commerce, -in which the New Yorkers were largely interested. Thus it will be seen -that the nation was steadily moving on to the goal of freedom. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV--THE BLACK BRIGADE OF CINCINNATI. - - -_The Great Fright.--Cruel Treatment of the Colored People by the Police. ---Bill Homer and his Roughs.--Military Training.--Col. Dickson.--The -Work.--Mustering Out.--The Thanks._ - - -Hatred to the negro is characteristic of the people of Cincinnati; more -so, probably, than any other city in the West. Mobs in which the colored -citizens have been the victims have more than once occurred in that -place, to the utter disgrace of its white inhabitants,--mobs resulting -often in the loss of life, and always in the destruction of property. -The raid of John Morgan in the month of July, 1862, and, soon after, the -defeat of the Union troops in Kentucky, had given warning of impending -danger. This feeling of fear culminated on the first of September, in -the mayor of Cincinnati calling on the people to organize and prepare -for the defence of the city, in the following proclamation:-- - -“Mayor’s Office, _City of Cincinnati_. - -“In accordance with a resolution passed by the City Council of -Cincinnati on the first instant, I hereby request that all business of -every kind or character be suspended at ten o’clock of this day, and -that all persons, employers and employees, assemble in their respective -wards, at the usual places of voting, and then and there organize -themselves in such manner as may be thought best for the defence of the -city. Every man, of every age, be he citizen or alien, who lives -under the protection of our laws, is expected to take part in the -organization. - -“Witness my hand, and the corporate seal of the city of Cincinnati, this -second day of September, A.D. 1862. - -“GEORGE HATCH, _Mayor._” - -At two o’clock on the morning of the same day, the mayor issued another -proclamation, notifying the citizens that the police force would perform -the duty of a provost-guard, under the direction of Gen. Wallace. - -The mayor’s proclamation, under ordinary circumstances, would be -explicit enough. “Every man, of every age, be he citizen or alien,” - surely meant the colored people. A number thought themselves included -in the call; but, remembering the ill-will excited by former offers -for home defence, they feared to come forward for enrolment. The -proclamation ordered the people to assemble “in the respective wards, at -the usual places of voting.” The colored people had no places of voting. -Added to this, George Hatch was the same mayor who had broken up the -movement for home defence, before mentioned. Seeking to test the -matter, a policeman was approached, as he strutted in his new dignity of -provost-guard. To the question, humbly, almost tremblingly, put, -“Does the mayor desire colored men to report for service in the city’s -defence?” he replied, “You know d------d well he does’nt mean you. -Niggers ain’t citizens.”--“But he calls on all, citizens and aliens. If -he does not mean all, he should not say so.”--“The mayor knows as well -as you do what to write, and all he wants is for you niggers to keep -quiet.” This was at nine o’clock on the morning of the second. The -military authorities had determined, however, to impress the colored -men for work upon the fortifications. The privilege of volunteering, -extended to others, was to be denied to them. Permission to volunteer -would imply some freedom, some dignity, some independent manhood. For -this the commanding officer is alone chargeable. - -If the guard appointed to the duty of collecting the colored people -had gone to their houses, and notified them to report for duty on the -fortifications, the order would have been cheerfully obeyed. But the -brutal ruffians who composed the regular and special police took every -opportunity to inflict abuse and insult upon the men whom they -arrested. The special police was entirely composed of that class of the -population, which, only a month before, had combined to massacre the -colored population, and were only prevented from committing great -excesses by the fact that John Morgan, with his rough riders, had -galloped to within forty miles of the river, when the respectable -citizens, fearing that the disloyal element within might combine with -the raiders without, and give the city over to pillage, called a meeting -on ‘Change, and demanded that the riot be stopped. The special police -was, in fact, composed of a class too cowardly or too traitorous to aid, -honestly and manfully, in the defence of the city. They went from -house to house, followed by a gang of rude, foul-mouthed boys. Closets, -cellars, and garrets were searched; bayonets were thrust into beds and -bedding; old and young, sick and well, were dragged out, and, amidst -shouts and jeers, marched like felons to the pen on Plum Street, -opposite the Cathedral. No time was given to prepare for camp-life; in -most cases no information was given of the purpose for which the men -were impressed. The only-answers to questions were curses, and a brutal -“Come along now; you will find out time enough.” Had the city been -captured by the Confederates, the colored people would have suffered no -more than they did at the hands of these defenders. Tuesday night, Sept. -2, was a sad night to the colored people of Cincinnati. The greater part -of the male population had been dragged from home, across the river, but -where, and for what, none could tell. - -The captain of these conscripting squads was one William Homer, and in -him organized ruffianism had its fitting head. He exhibited the brutal -malignity of his nature in a continued series of petty tyrannies. Among -the first squads marched into the yard was one which had to wait several -hours before being ordered across the river. Seeking to make themselves -as comfortable as possible, they had collected blocks of wood, and piled -up bricks, upon which they seated themselves on the shaded side of the -yard. Coming into the yard, he ordered all to rise, marched them to -another part, then issued the order, “D----n you, squat.” Turning to the -guard, he added, “Shoot the first one who rises.” Reaching the opposite -side of the river, the same squad were marched from the sidewalk into -the middle of the dusty road, and again the order, “D--n you, squat,” - and the command to shoot the first one who should rise. - -The drill of this guard of white ruffians was unique, and not set down -in either Scott or Hardee. Calling up his men, he would address them -thus: “Now, you fellows, hold up your heads. Pat, hold your musket -straight; don’t put your tongue out so far; keep your eyes open: I -believe you are drunk. Now, then, I want you fellows to go out of this -pen, and bring all the niggers you can catch. Don’t come back here -without niggers: if you do, you shall not have a bit of grog. Now be -off, you shabby cusses, and come back in forty minutes, and bring me -niggers; that’s what I want.” This barbarous and inhuman treatment of -the colored citizens of Cincinnati continued for four days, without a -single word of remonstrance, except from the “Gazette.” - -Finally, Col. Dickson, a humane man and gentlemanly officer, was -appointed to the command of the “Black Brigade,” and brutality gave way -to kind treatment. The men were permitted to return to their homes, to -allay the fears of their families, and to prepare themselves the better -for camp-life. The police were relieved of provost-guard duty, and on -Friday morning more men reported for duty than had been dragged together -by the police. Many had hidden too securely to be found; others had -escaped to the country. These now came forward to aid in the city’s -defence. With augmented numbers, and glowing with enthusiasm, the Black -Brigade marched to their duty. Receiving the treatment of men, they were -ready for any thing. Being in line of march, they were presented with -a national flag by Capt. Lupton, who accompanied it with the following -address:-- - -“I have the kind permission of your commandant, Col. Dickson, to hand -you, without formal speech or presentation, this national flag,--my -sole object to encourage and cheer you on to duty. On its broad folds is -inscribed, ‘_The Black Brigade of Cincinnati_.’ I am confident, that, in -your hands, it will not be dishonored. - -“The duty of the hour is _work_,--hard, severe labor on the -fortifications of the city. In the emergency upon us, the highest and -the lowest alike owe this duty. Let it be cheerfully undertaken. He is -no _man_ who now, in defence of home and fireside, shirks duty. - -“A flag is the emblem of sovereignty, a symbol and guaranty of -_protection_. Every nation and people are proud of the flag of their -country. England, for a thousand years, boasts her Red Flag and Cross -of St. George; France glories in her Tri-color and Imperial Eagle; ours, -the ‘Star-spangled Banner,’ far more beautiful than they,--_this dear -old flag!_--the sun in heaven never looked down on so proud a banner of -beauty and glory. Men of the Black Brigade, rally around it! Assert your -_manhood_; be loyal to duty; be obedient, hopeful, patient: Slavery will -soon die; the slave-holders’ rebellion, accursed of God and man, will -shortly and miserably perish. There will then be, through all the coming -ages, in very truth, a land of the free,--one country, one flag, one -destiny. - -“I charge you, _men of the Black Brigade of Cincinnati_, remember -that for you, and for me, and for your children, and your children’s -children, there is but _one flag_, as there is but one Bible, and one -God, the Father of us all.” - -For nearly three weeks the Black Brigade labored upon the -fortifications, their services beginning, as we have seen, Sept. 2, and -terminating Sept: 20. - -When the brigade was mustered out, the commander thanked them in the -following eloquent terms:-- - -“_Soldiers of the Black Brigade!_ You have finished the work assigned to -you upon the fortifications for the defence of the city. You are now -to be discharged. You have labored faithfully; you have made miles of -military roads, miles of rifle-pits, felled hundreds of acres of the -largest and loftiest forest trees, built magazines and forts. The hills -across yonder river will be a perpetual monument of your labors. You -have, in no spirit of bravado, in no defiance of established prejudice, -but in submission to it, intimated to me your willingness to defend -with your lives the fortifications your hands have built. _Organized -companies of men of your race have tendered their services to aid in the -defence of the city_. In obedience to the policy of the Government, the -authorities have denied you this privilege. In the department of labor -permitted, you have, however, rendered a willing and cheerful service. -Nor has your zeal been dampened by the cruel treatment received. The -citizens, of both sexes, have encouraged you with their smiles and words -of approbation; the soldiers have welcomed you as co-laborers in the -same great cause. But a portion of the police, ruffians in character, -early learning that your services were accepted, and seeking to deprive -you of the honor of voluntary labor, before opportunity was given you to -proceed to the field, rudely seized you in the streets, in your places -of business, in your homes, everywhere, hurried you into filthy pens, -thence across the river to the fortifications, not permitting you -to make any preparation for camp-life. You have borne this with the -accustomed patience of your race; and when, under more favorable -auspices, you have received only the protection due to a common -humanity, you have labored cheerfully and effectively. - -“Go to your homes with the consciousness of having performed your -duty,--of deserving, if you do not receive, the protection of the law, -and bearing with you the gratitude and respect of all honorable men. -You have learned to suffer and to wait; but, in your hours of adversity, -remember that the same God who has numbered the hairs of our heads, who -watches over even the fate of a sparrow, is the God of your race as well -as mine. The sweat-blood which the nation is now shedding at every pore -is an awful warning of how fearful a thing it is to oppress the humblest -being.” - -A letter in “The Tribune,” dated Cincinnati, Sept. 7, giving an account -of the enthusiasm of the people in rallying for the city’s defence, -says, “While all have done well, the negroes, as a class, must bear away -the palm. When martial law was declared, a few prominent colored men -tendered their services in any capacity desired. As soon as it became -known that they would be accepted, Mayor Hatch’s police commenced -arresting them everywhere, dragging them away from their houses and -places of business without a moment’s notice, shutting them up in -negro-pens, and subjecting them to the grossest abuse and indignity. Mr. -Hatch is charged with secession proclivities. During the recent riots -against the negroes, the _animus_ of his police was entirely hostile -to them, and many outrages were committed upon that helpless and -unoffending class. On this occasion, the same course was pursued. No -opportunity was afforded the negro to volunteer; but they were treated -as public enemies. They were taken over the river, ostensibly to work -upon the fortification; but were scattered, detailed as cooks for white -regiments, some of them half-starved, and all so much abused that it -finally caused a great outcry. When Gen. Wallace’s attention was called -to the matter, he requested Judge William M. Dickson, a prominent -citizen, who is related by marriage to President Lincoln, to take the -whole matter in charge. Judge Dickson undertook the thankless task: -organized the negroes into two regiments of three hundred each, made -the proper provision for their comfort, and set them at work upon the -trenches. They have accomplished more than any other six hundred of the -whole eight thousand men upon the fortifications. Their work has been -entirely voluntary. Judge Dickson informed them at the outset that all -could go home who chose; that it must be entirely a labor of love with -them. _Only one man_ of the whole number has availed himself of the -privilege; the rest have all worked cheer, fully and efficiently. One of -the regiments is officered by white captains, the other by negroes. The -latter, proved so decidedly superior that both regiments will hereafter -be commanded by officers of their own race. They are not only working, -but drilling; and they already go through some of the simpler military -movements very creditably.. Wherever they appear, they are cheered by -our troops. Last night, one of the colored regiments, coming off duty -for twenty-four hours, was halted in front of headquarters, at the -Burnet House, front faced, and gave three rousing cheers for Gen. -Wallace, and three more for Judge Dickson.” - - - - -CHAPTER XV. PROCLAMATION OF FREEDOM. - - -_Emancipation Proclamation.--Copperhead View of It.--“Abraham Spare the -South.”--The Contrabands Rejoicing.--The Songs.--Enthusiasm.--Faith in -God.--Negro Wit.--“Forever Free.”_ - - -On the 22d of September, 1862, President Lincoln sent forth his -proclamation, warning the rebel States that he would proclaim -emancipation to their slaves if such States did not return to the -Union before the first day of the following January. Loud were the -denunciations of the copperheads of the country; and all the stale -arguments against negro emancipation which had been used in the West -Indies thirty years before, and since then in our country, were newly -vamped, and put forward to frighten the President and his Cabinet. - -The toleration of a great social wrong in any country is ever -accompanied by blindness of vision, hardness of heart, and cowardice -of mind, as well as moral deterioration and industrial impoverishment. -Hence, whenever an earnest attempt is made for the removal of the wrong, -those without eyes noisily declare that they see clearly that nothing -but disastrous consequences will follow; those who are dead to all -sensibility profess to be shocked beyond measure in contemplating the -terrible scenes that must result from the change; and those who have no -faith in justice are thrown into spasms at the mention of its impartial -administration. For a whole generation, covering the period of the -antislavery struggle in this country, have they not incessantly raised -their senseless clamors and indignant outcries against the simplest -claim of bleeding humanity to be released from its tortures, as though -it were a proposition to destroy all order, inaugurate universal ruin, -and “let chaos come again?” - -“The proclamation won’t reach the slaves,” said one. “They wont heed -it,” said another. - -“This proclamation is an invitation to the blacks to murder their -masters,” remarked a Boston copperhead newspaper. “The slaves will fight -for their masters,” said the same journal, the following day. - -“It will destroy the Union.”--“It is harmless and impotent.”--“It will -excite slave insurrection.”--“The slaves will never hear of it.”--“It -will excite the South to desperation.”--“The rebels will laugh it to -scorn.” Delegation after delegation waited on the President, and urged a -postponement of emancipation. The Kentucky Congressional delegation did -all in their power to put back the glorious event. Conservative old-line -Whigs and backsliding antislavery men were afraid to witness the coming -day. - - “Abraham, spare the South, - - Touch not a single slave, - - Nor e’en by word of mouth - - Disturb the thing, we crave. - - ‘Twas our forefathers’ hand - - That slavery begot: - - There, Abraham, let it stand; - - Thine acts shall harm it not,” - -cried thousands who called at the White House. Washington, Alexandria, -and Georgetown were crowded with “contrabands;” and hundreds were -forwarded to the Sea Islands, to be occupied in cultivating the deserted -plantations. As the day drew near, reports were circulated that the -President would re-call the pledge. The friends of the negro were -frightened; the negro himself trembled for fear that the cause would be -lost. The blacks in all the Southern departments were behaving well, as -if to deepen the already good impression made by them on the Government -officials. Rejoicing meetings were advertised at the Tremont -Temple, Boston, Cooper Institute, New York, and the largest hall in -Philadelphia, and in nearly every-city and large town in the north. -Great preparation was made at the “Contraband Camp,” in the District of -Columbia. At the latter place, they met on the last night in December, -1862, in the camp, and waited patiently for’ the coming day, when they -should become free. The fore part of the night was spent in singing and -prayer, the following being sung several times:-- - - “Oh, go down, Moses, - - Way down into Egypt’s land; - - Tell king Pharaoh - - To let my people go. - - Oh, Pharaoh said he would go cross, - - Let my people go. - - But Pharaoh and his host was lost, - - Let my people go. - - _Chorus_--Oh, go down, Moses, &c. - - - O Moses, stretch your hands across, - - Let my people go. - - And don’t get lost in the wilderness, - - Let my people go. - - _Chorus_--Oh, go down, Moses, &c. - - - You may hinder me here, but you can’t up there, - - Let my people go. - - He sits in heaven, and answers prayer, - - Let my people go. - - _Chorus_--Oh, go down, Moses, &c.” - -After this an old man struck up, in a clear and powerful voice, “I am -a free man now: Jesus Christ has made me free!” the company gradually -joining in; and, before the close, the whole assemblage was singing in -chorus. - -It was quite evident, through the exercises of the day and night, that -the negroes regard the condition of the Israelites in Egypt as typical -of their own condition in slavery; and the allusions to Moses, Pharaoh, -the Egyptian task-masters, and the unhappy condition of the captive -Israelites, were continuous; and any reference to the triumphant escape -of the Israelites across the Red Sea, and the destruction of their -pursuing masters, was certain to bring out a strong “Amen!” - -An old colored preacher, who displays many of the most marked -peculiarities of his race, calling himself “John de Baptis,” and known -as such by his companions,-from his habit of always taking his text, as -he expresses it, from the “regulations ob de 2d chapter of Matthew, ‘And -in those days came John de Baptis,’” came forward, and, taking his -usual text, went on to show the necessity of following good advice, and -rebuked his hearers for being more lawless than they were in Dixie. - -Then came another contraband brother, who said,-- - -“Onst, the time was dat I cried all night. What’s de matter? What’s de -matter? Matter enough. De nex mornin’ my child was to be sold, an’ she -was sold; an’ I neber spec to see her no more till de day ob judgment. -Now, no more dat! no more dat! no more dat! Wid my hands agin my breast -I was gwine to my work, when de overseer used to whip me along. Now, no -more dat! no more dat! no more dat! When I tink what de Lord’s done -for us, an’ brot us thro’ de trubbles, I feel dat I ought go inter his -service. We’se free now, bress de Lord! (Amens! were vociferated all -over the building.) Dey can’t sell my wife an’ child any more, bress de -Lord! (Glory, glory! from the audience.) No more dat! no more dat! no -more dat, now! (Glory!) Presurdund Lincum hav shot de gate! Dat’s what -de matter!” and there was a prolonged response of Amens! - -A woman on her knees exclaimed at the top of her voice,-- - - “If de Debble do not ketch - - Jeff. Davis, dat infernal retch, - - An roast and frigazee dat rebble, - - Wat is de use ob any Debble?” - -“Amen! amen! amen!” cried many voices. - -At this juncture of the meeting, an intelligent contraband broke out in -the following strain:-- - - “The first of January next, eighteen sixty-three,-- - - So says the Proclamation,--the slaves will all be free! - - To every kindly heart ‘twill be the day of jubilee; - - For the bond shall all go free! - - - John Brown, the dauntless hero, with joy is looking on; - - From his home among the angels he sees the coming dawn; - - Then up with Freedom’s banners, and hail the glorious mom - - When the slaves shall all go free! - - - We’ve made a strike for liberty; the Lord is on our side; - - And Christ, the friend of bondmen, shall ever be our guide; - - And soon the cry will ring, throughout this glorious land so wide, - - ‘Let the bondmen all go free!’ - - - No more from crushed and bleeding hearts we hear the broken sigh; - - No more from brothers bound in chains we’ll hear the pleading cry; - - For the happy day, the glorious day, is coming by and by, - - When the slaves shall all go free! - - - We’re bound to make our glorious flag the banner of the free, - - The first of January next, eighteen sixty-three; - - Of every loyal Northern heart the glad cry then shall be, - - ‘Let the bondmen all go free!’ - -‘No Compromise with Slavery!’ we hear the cheering sound, The road to -peace and happiness ‘Old Abe’ at last has found: - -With earnest hearts and willing hands to stand by him we’re hound, While -he sets the bondmen free! - -The morning light is breaking: we see its cheering ray,-- - -The light of Truth and Justice, that can never fade away; - -And soon the light will brighten to a great and glorious day, - -When the slaves shall all go free! - -And when we on the ‘other side’ do all together stand, - -As children of one family we’ll clasp the friendly hand: - -We’ll be a band of brothers in that brighter, better land,-- - -Where the bond shall all be free! - -After several others had spoken, George Payne, another contraband, made -a few sensible remarks, somewhat in these words: “Friends, don’t you see -de han’ of God in dis? Haven’t we a right to rejoice? You all know you -couldn’t have such a meetin’ as dis down in Dixie! Dat you all knows. -have a right to rejoice; an’ so have you; for we shall be free in jus’ -about five minutes. Dat’s a fact. I shall rejoice that God has placed -Mr. Lincum in de president’s chair, and dat he wouldn’t let de rebels -make peace until after dis new year. De Lord has heard de groans of de -people, and has come down to deliver! You all knows dat in Dixie you -worked de day long, an’ never got no satisfacshun. But here, what you -make is yourn. I’ve worked six months; and what I’ve made is mine! Let -me tell you, though, don’t be too free! De lazy man can’t go to heaven. -You must be honest, an’ work, an’ show dat you is fit to be free; an’ de -Lord will bless you an’ Abrum Lincum. Amen!” - -A small black man, with a rather cracking voice, appearing by his -jestures to be inwardly on fire, began jumping, and singing the -following:-- - - “Massa gone, missy too; - - Cry! niggers, cry! - - Tink I’ll see de bressed Norf, - - ‘Fore de day I die.. - - Hi! hi! Yankee shot’im; - - Now I tink dc debbil’s got’im.” - -The whole company then joined in singing the annexed song, which made -the welkin ring, and was heard far beyond the camp. - - I. - - “Oh! we all longed for freedom, - - Oh! we all longed for freedom, - - Oh! we all longed for freedom, - - Ah! we prayed to be free; - - Yes, we prayed to be free, - - Oh! we prayed to be free, - - Though the day was long in coming, - - Though the day was long in coming, - - Though the day was long in coming, - - That we so longed to see, - - That we so longed to see, - - That we so longed to see, - - Though the day was long in coming - - That we so longed to see. - - - II. - - But bless the great Jehovah, - - But bless the great Jehovah, - - But bless the great Jehovah, - - At last the glad day’s come, - - At last the glad day’s come, - - At last the glad day’s come. - - By fire and sword he brought us, - - By fire and sword he brought us, - - By fire and sword he brought us, - - From slavery into freedom. - - From slavery into freedom, - - From slavery into Freedom; - - By fire and sword he brought us - - Front slavery into freedom. - - - III. - - We’ll bless the great Redeemer, - - We’ll bless the great Redeemer, - - We’ll bless the great Redeemer, - - And glorify his name, - - And glorify his name, - - And glorify his name, - - And all who helped to bring us, - - And all who helped to bring us, - - And all who helped to bring us - - From sorrow, grief, and shame, - - From sorrow, grief, and shame, - - From sorrow, grief, and shame, - - And all who helped to bring us - - From sorrow, grief, and shame. - - IV. - - And blessed be Abraham Lincoln, - - And blessed be Abraham Lincoln, - - And blessed be Abraham Lincoln, - - And the Union army too, - - And the Union army too. - - May the choicest of earth’s blessings, - - May the choicest of earth’s blessings, - - May the choicest of earth’s blessings, - - Their pathways ever strew, - - Their pathways ever strew, - - Their pathways ever strew! - - May the choicest of earth’s blessings - - Their pathways ever strew! - - V. - - We’ll strive to learn our duty, - - We’ll strive to learn our duty, - - We’ll strive to learn our duty, - - That all our friends may see, - - That all our friends may see, - - That all our friends may see, - - Though so long oppressed in bondage, - - Though so long oppressed in bondage, - - Though so long oppressed in bondage, - - We were worthy to be free, - - We were worthy to be free, - - We were worthy to be free: - - Though so long oppressed in bondage, - - We were worthy to be free.” - -Just before midnight, Dr. Nichols requested all present to kneel, and -to silently invoke the blessing of the Almighty. The silence was almost -deadly when the clock announced the new year; and Dr. Nichols said, “Men -and women (for you are this day to be declared free, and I can address -you as men and women), I wish you a happy new year!” An eloquent prayer -was then offered by an aged negro; after which, all rose, and joined in -singing their version of “Glory! glory! hallelujah!” shaking each -other by the hand, and indulging in joyous demonstrations. They then -promenaded the grounds, singing hymns, and finally serenaded the -superintendent, in whose honor a sable improvisatore carolled forth an -original ode, the chorus of which was, “Free forever! Forever free!” - - “Ring, ring! O Bell of Freedom, ring! - - And to the ears of bondmen bring - - Thy sweet and freeman-thrilling tone. - - On Autumn’s blast, from zone to zone, - - The joyful tidings go proclaim, - - In Liberty’s hallowed name: - - Emancipation to the slave, - - The rights which his Creator gave, - - To live with chains asunder riven, - - To live free as the birds of heaven, - - To live free as the air he breathes, - - Entirely free from galling greaves; - - The right to act, to know, to feel, - - That bands of iron and links of steel - - Were never wrought to chain the mind, - - Nor human flesh in bondage bind; - - That Heaven, in its generous plan, - - Gave like and equal rights to man. - - Go send thy notes from shore to shore, - - Above the deep-voiced cannon’s roar; - - Go send Emancipation’s peal - - Where clashes North with Southern steel, - - And nerve the Southern bondmen now - - To rise and strike the final blow, - - To lay Oppression’s minions low. - - Oh! rouse the mind and nerve the arm - - To brave the blast and face the storm; - - And, ere the war-cloud passes by, - - We’ll have a land of liberty. - - - Our God has said, “Let there be light - - Where Error palls the land with night.” - - Then send forth now, O Freedom’s bell, - - Foul Slavery’s last and fatal knell! - - Oh! speed the tidings o’er the land, - - That tells that stern Oppression’s hand - - Has yielded to the power of Right: - - That Wrong is weak, that Truth is might! - - Then Union shall again return, - - And Freedom’s fires shall brightly burn; - - And peace and jot, sweet guests, shall come, - - And dwell in every heart and home.” - -“Free forever! Forever free!” - -No pen can fitly portray the scene that followed this announcement. -Every heart seemed to leap for joy: some were singing, some praying, -some weeping, some dancing, husbands embracing Wives, friends shaking -hands, and appearing to feel that the Day of Jubilee had come. A sister -broke out in the following strain, which was heartily joined in by the -vast assembly:-- - - “Go down, Abraham, away down in Dixie’s land, - - Tell Jeff. Davis to let my people go. - - - Our bitter tasks are ended, all onr unpaid labor done; - - Our galling chains are broken, and our onward march begun: - - Go down, Abraham, away down in Dixie’s land, - - Tell Jeff. Davis to let my people go. - - - Down in the house of bondage we have watched and waited long; - - The oppressor’s heel was heavy, the oppressor’s arm was strong: - - Go down, Abraham, away down in Dixie’s land, - - Tell Jeff. Davis to let my people go. - - - Not vainly have we waited through the long and darkened years; - - Not vain the patient watching, ‘mid our sweat and blood and tears: - - Go down, Abraham, away down in Dixie’s land, - - Tell Jeff. Davis to let my people go. - - - Now God is with Grant, and he’ll surely whip Lee; - - For the Proclamation says that the niggers must be free: - - Go down, Abraham, away down in Dixie’s land, - - Tell Jeff. Davis to let my people go.” - -Thus ended the last night of slavery in the contraband camp at -Washington. - -The morning of Jan. 1, 1863, was anxiously looked for by the friends of -freedom throughout the United States; and, during the entire day, the -telegraph offices in the various places were beset by crowds, waiting to -hear the news from the Nation’s capital. Late in the day the following -proclamation made its appearance:-- - -_Washington_, Jan. 1, 1863.--I Abraham Lincoln, President of the United -States of America, do issue this my Proclamation:-- - -Whereas, On the 22d day of September, in the year of our Lord one -thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, a proclamation was issued by -the President of the United States, containing, among other things, the -following, to wit:-- - -“That, on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord, -one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as -slaves within any State or any designated part of a State, the people -whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be -then, henceforward, and forever, free; and the Executive Government of -the United States, including the military and naval force thereof, will -recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act -or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any effort they may -make for their actual freedom; that the Executive will, on the first day -of January aforesaid, by proclamation, designate the States and parts of -States, if any in which the people therein respectively shall then be -in rebellion against the United States; and the fact that any State or -people thereof shall on that day be in good faith represented in the -Congress of the United States by members chosen thereto, at elections -wherein a majority of the qualified voters of such States shall have -participated, shall, in the absence of strong countervailing testimony, -be deemed conclusive evidence that such State and the people thereof are -not then in rebellion against the United States. - -“Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, by -virtue of the power in me vested, as Commander-in-Chief of the Army -and Navy of the United States in times of actual rebellion against -the authorities and Government of the United States, and as a fit and -necessary war measure for suppressing this rebellion, do on this, the -first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred -and sixty-three, and in accordance with my purpose so to do, publicly -proclaimed for the full period of one hundred days from the date of the -first above-mentioned order, do designate as the States and parts -of States wherein the people thereof respectively, are this day in -rebellion against the United States. The following, to wit:-- - -“Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, -South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. - -“Louisiana (except the parishes of St. Bernard, Placquemines, -Jefferson, St. John, St. Charles, St. James, Ascension, Assumption, -Terre Bonne, Lafourche, St. Mary, St. Martin, and Orleans, including -the city of New Orleans), Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South -Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, except the forty-eight counties -designated as West Virginia, and also the counties of Berkley, Accomac, -Northampton, Elizabeth City, York, Princess Anne, and Norfolk, including -the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth, which excepted parts are for the -present left precisely as if this proclamation were not made. - -“And by virtue of the power, for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and -declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States -and parts of States are, and henceforward shall be, free; and the -Executive Government of the United States, including the military and -naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of -such persons. - -“And I hereby enjoin upon the people so declared to be free to abstain -from all violence, unless in necessary self-defence; and I recommend -to them, that, in all cases where allowed, they labor faithfully for -reasonable wages. - -“And I further declare and make known, that such persons, if in suitable -condition, will be received into the armed service of the United States, -to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other places, and to man -vessels of all sorts in said service. And upon this, sincerely believed -to be an act of justice warranted by the Constitution, and upon military -necessity, I invoke the considerate judgment of mankind and the gracious -favor of Almighty God. - -“In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of -the United States to be affixed. - -“Done at the city of Washington, this first day of January, in the -year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the -independence of the United States of America the eighty-seventh. - -[L. S.] (Signed) “_ABRAHAM LINCOLN_. - -“By the President. - -“Wm. H. Seward, _Secretary of State_.” - -This was the beginning of a new era: the word had gone forth, and a -policy was adopted. - - “The deed is done. Millions have yearned - - To see the spear of Freedom cast: - - The dragon writhed and roared and burned; - - You’ve smote him full and square at last.” - -The proclamation gave new life and vigor to our men on the battle-field. -The bondmen everywhere caught up the magic word, and went with it from -farm to farm, and from town to town. Black men flocked to recruiting -stations, and offered themselves for the war. Everybody saw light in -the distance. What newspapers and orators had failed to do in months was -done by the proclamation in a single week. Frances Ellen Harper, herself -colored, cheered in the following strain:-- - - “It shall flash through coming ages; - - It shall light the distant years; - - And eyes now dim with sorrow - - Shall be brighter through their tears. - - - It shall flush the mountain ranges, - - And the valleys shall grow bright; - - It shall bathe the hills in radiance, - - And crown their brows with light. - - - It shall flood with golden splendor - - All the huts of Caroline; - - And the sun-kissed brow of labor - - With lustre new shall shine. - - - It shall gild the gloomy prison, - - Darkened with the age’s crime, - - Where the dumb and patient millions - - Wait the better coming time. - - - By the light that gilds their prison, - - They shall seize its mouldering key; - - And the bolts and bars shall vibrate - - With the triumphs of the free. - - - Like the dim and ancient Chaos, - - Shuddering at Creation’s light, - - Oppression grim and hoary - - Shall cower at the sight. - - And her spawn of lies and malice - - Shall grovel in the dust; - - While joy shall thrill the bosoms - - Of the merciful and just. - - - Though the morning seems to linger - - O’er the hilltops far away, - - The shadows bear the promise - - Of the quickly coming day. - - Soon the mists and murky shadows - - Shall be fringed with crimson light, - - And the glorious dawn of freedom - - Break resplendent on the sight.” - - - - -CHAPTER XVI.--THE NEW POLICY. - - -_A New Policy announced.--Adjutant-Gen. Thomas.--Major-Gen. -Prentiss.--Negro Wit and Humor.--Proslavery Correspondents.--Feeling in -the Army.--Let the Blacks fight._ - - -Attorney-Gen. Bates had already given his opinion with regard to the -citizenship of the negro, and that opinion was in the black man’s favor. -The Emancipation Proclamation was only a prelude to calling on the -colored men to take up arms, and the one soon followed the other; -for the word “Emancipation” had scarcely gone over the wires, -ere Adjutant-Gen. Thomas made his appearance in the valley of the -Mississippi. At Lake Providence, La., he met a large wing of the army, -composed of volunteers from all parts of the country, and proclaimed to -them the new policy of the administration; and he did it in very plain -words, as will be seen:-- - -“_Fellow-Soldiers_,--Your commanding general has so fully stated the -object of my mission, that it is almost unnecessary for me to say -any thing to you in reference to it. Still, as I come here with full -authority from the President of the United States to announce the -policy, which, after mature deliberation, has been determined upon by -the wisdom of the nation, it is my duty to make known to you clearly and -fully the features of that policy. - -“It is a source of extreme gratification to me to come before you -this day, knowing, as I do full well, how glorious have been your -achievements on the field of battle. No soldier can come before soldiers -of tried valor, without having the deepest emotions of his soul stirred -within him. These emotions I feel on the present occasion; and I beg you -will listen to what I have to say, as soldiers receiving from a soldier -the commands of the President of the United States. - -“I came from Washington clothed with the fullest power in this matter. -With this power, I can act as if the President of the United States were -himself present. I am directed to refer nothing to Washington, but -to act promptly,--what I have to do to do at once; to strike down the -unworthy and to elevate the deserving. - -“Look along the river, and see the multitude of deserted plantations -upon its banks. These are the places for these freedmen, where they can -be self-sustaining and self-supporting. All of you will some day be on -picket-duty; and I charge you all, if any of this unfortunate race come -within your lines, that you do not turn them away, but receive them -kindly and cordially. They are to be encouraged to come to us; they are -to be received with open arms; they are to be fed and clothed; _they are -to be armed._ - -“This is the policy that has been fully determined upon. I am here to -say that I am authorized to raise as many regiments of blacks as I can. -I am authorized to give commissions, from the highest to the lowest; and -I desire those persons who are earnest in this work to take hold of it. -I desire only those whose hearts are in it, and to them alone will I -give commissions. I don’t care who they are, or what their present rank -may be. I do not hesitate to say, that all proper persons will receive -commissions. - -“While I am authorized thus in the name of the Secretary of War, I have -the fullest authority to dismiss from the army any man, be his rank what -it may, whom I find maltreating the freedmen. This part of my duty I -will most assuredly perform if any case comes before me. I would rather -do that than give commissions, because such men are unworthy the name of -soldiers. - -“This, fellow-soldiers, is the determined policy of the Administration. -You all know, full well, when the President of the United States, though -said to be slow in coming to a determination, once puts his foot down, -it is there; and he is not going to take it up. He has put his foot -down. I am here to assure you that my official influence shall be -given that he shall not raise it.” Major-Gen. B. M. Prentiss, after -the cheering had subsided which greeted his appearance, indorsed, in -a forcible and eloquent speech, the policy announced by Adjutant-Gen. -Thomas, and said, that, “from the time he was a prisoner, and a negro -sentinel, with firm step, _beat_ in front of his cell, and with firmer -voice commanded silence within, he prayed God for the day of revenge; -and he now thanked God that it had come.” Turning to Gen. Thomas, the -speaker continued, “Yes: tell the President for me, I will receive them -into the lines; I will beg them to come in; _I will make them come in!_ -and if any officer in my command, high or low, _neglects to receive them -friendly, and treat them kindly, I will put them outside the lines_. -(Tremendous applause.) Soldiers, when you go to your quarters, if you -hear any one condemning the policy announced here to-day, put him -down as a contemptible copperhead traitor. Call them what you please, -copperheads, secesh, or traitors, they are all the same to me: _enemies -of our country_, against whom I have taken a solemn oath, and called God -as my witness, to whip them wherever I find them.” - -Congress had already passed a bill empowering the President “to enroll, -arm, equip, and receive into the land and naval service of the United -States, such a number of volunteers of African descent as he may deem -equal to suppress the present rebellion, for such term of service as -he may prescribe, not exceeding five years; the said volunteers to be -organized according to the regulations of the branch of the service into -which they may be enlisted, to receive the same rations, clothing, and -equipments as other volunteers, and a monthly pay not to exceed that of -the volunteers.” - -Proslavery newspaper correspondents from the North, in the Western and -Southern departments, still continued to report to their journals that -the slaves would not fight if an opportunity was offered to them. Many -of these were ridiculously amusing. The following is a sample:-- - -“I noticed upon the hurricane-deck, to-day, an elderly negro, with a -very philosophical and retrospective cast of countenance, squatted -upon his bundle, toasting his shins against the chimney, and apparently -plunged into a state of profound meditation. Finding by inquiry that he -belonged to the Ninth Illinois, one of the most gallantly-behaved and -heavily-losing regiments at the Fort-Donelson battle, and part of which -was aboard, I began to interrogate him upon the subject. His philosophy -was so much in the Falstaffian vein that I will give his views in his -own words, as near as my memory serves me:-- - -“‘Were you in the fight?’ - -“‘Had a little taste of it, sa.’ - -“‘Stood your ground, did you?’ - -“‘No, sa; I runs.’ - -“‘Run at the first fire, did you?’ - -“‘Yes, sa; and would ha’ run soona had I know’d it war comin’.’ - -“‘Why, that wasn’t very creditable to your courage.’ - -“‘Dat isn’t in my line, sa; cookin’s my perfeshun.’ “‘Well, but have -you no regard for your reputation?’ ‘“Refutation’s nuffin by the side ob -life.’ - -“‘Do you consider your life worth more than other people’s?’ - -“‘It’s worth more to me, sa.’ - -“‘Then you must value it very highly.’ - -“‘Yes, sa, I does; more dan all dis wuld; more dan a million of -dollars, sa: for what would dat be wuf to a man wid de bref out of him. -Self-perserbashum am de fust law wid me.’ - -“‘But why should you act upon a different rule from other men?’ - -“‘Because different men set different values upon dar lives: mine is not -in de market.’ - -“‘But if you lost it, you would have the satisfaction of knowing that -you died for your country.’ - -“‘What satisfaction would dat be to me when de power ob feelin’ was -gone?’ - -“‘Then patriotism and honor are nothing to you?’ - -“‘Nuffin whatever, sa: I regard dem as among de vanities; and den de -gobernment don’t know me; I hab no rights; may be sold like old hoss any -day, and dat’s all.’ - -“‘If our old soldiers were like you, traitors might have broken up the -Government without resistance.’ - -“‘Yes, sa; dar would hab been no help for it. I wouldn’t put my life in -de scale ‘ginst any gobernment dat ever existed; for no gobernment could -replace de loss to me.’ - -“‘Do you think any of your company would have missed you if you had been -killed?’ - -“‘May be not, sa; a dead white man ain’t much to dese sogers, let alone -a dead nigga; but I’d a missed myself, and dat was de pint wid me.’ - -“It is safe to say that the dusky corpse of that African will never -darken the field of carnage.” - - - - -CHAPTER XVII.--ARMING THE BLACKS. - - -Department of the South.--Gen. Hunter Enlisting Colored Men.--Letter to -Gov. Andrew.--Success.--The Earnest Prayer.--The Negro’s Confidence in -God. - - -The Northern regiments stationed at the South, or doing duty in that -section, had met with so many reverses on the field of battle, and had -been so inhumanly treated by the rebels, both men and women, that the -new policy announced by Adjutant-Gen. Thomas, at Lake Providence and -other places, was received with great favor, especially when the white -soldiers heard from their immediate commanders, that the freedmen, when -enlisted, would be employed in doing fatigue-duty, when not otherwise -needed. The slave, regarding the use of the musket as the only means of -securing his freedom permanently, sought the nearest place of enlistment -with the greatest speed. - -The appointment of men from the ranks of the white regiments over the -blacks caused the former to feel still more interest in the new levies. -The position taken by Major-Gen. Hunter, in South Carolina, and his -favorable reports of the capability of the freedmen for military -service, and the promptness with which that distinguished scholar and -Christian gentleman, Thomas Wentworth Higginson, accepted the colonelcy -of the First South Carolina, made the commanding of negro regiments -respectable, and caused a wish on the part of white volunteers to seek -commissions over the blacks. - -The new regiments filled up rapidly; the recruits adapted themselves to -their new condition with a zeal that astonished even their friends; -and their proficiency in the handling of arms, with only a few days’ -training, set the minds of their officers at rest with regard to their -future action. The following testimonial from Gen. Hunter is not without -interest:-- - -“Headquarters Department of the South, - -“Hilton Head, Port Royal, S.C., May 4, 1863. - -_“To His Excellency the Governor of Massachusetts, Boston, Mass._ - -“I am happy to be able to announce to you my complete and eminent -satisfaction with the results of the organization of negro regiments in -this department. In the field, so far as tried, they have proved brave, -active, enduring, and energetic, frequently outrunning, by their zeal, -and familiarity with the Southern country, the restrictions deemed -prudent by certain of their officers. They have never disgraced their -uniform by pillage or cruelty, but have so conducted themselves, upon -the whole, that even our enemies, though more anxious to find fault with -these than with any other portion of our troops, have not yet been -able to allege against them a single violation of any of the rules of -civilized warfare. - -“These regiments are hardy, generous, temperate, patient, strictly -obedient, possessing great natural aptitude for arms, and deeply imbued -with that religious sentiment--call it fanaticism, such as like--which -made the soldiers of Cromwell invincible. They believe that now is -the time appointed by God for their deliverance; and, under the heroic -incitement of this faith, I believe them capable of showing a courage, -and persistency of purpose, which must, in the end, extort both victory -and admiration. - -“In this connection, I am also happy to announce to you that the -prejudices of certain of our white soldiers and officers against these -indispensable allies are rapidly softening, or fading out; and that we -have now opening before us in this department, which was the first -in the present war to inaugurate the experiment of employing colored -troops, large opportunities of putting them to distinguished and -profitable use. - -“With a brigade of liberated slaves already in the field, a few more -regiments of intelligent colored men from the North would soon place -this force in a condition to make extensive incursions upon the main -land, through the most densely populated slave regions; and, from -expeditions of this character, I make no doubt the most beneficial -results would arise. - -“I have the honor to be, Governor, - -“Very respectfully, - -“Your most obedient servant, - -“D. HUNTER, - -“_Major-Gen. Commanding.”_ - -Reports from all parts of the South gave corroborative evidence of the -deep religious zeal with which the blacks entered the army. Every thing -was done for “God and liberty.” - -Col. T. W. Higginson, in “The Atlantic Monthly,” gives the following -prayer, which he heard from one of his contraband soldiers:-- - -Let me so lib dat when I-die I shall _hab manners_; dat I shall know -what to say when I see my heabenly Lord. - -“‘Let me lib wid de musket in one hand, an’ de Bible in de oder--dat if -I die at de muzzle of de musket, die in de water, die on de land, I may -know I hab de bressed Jesus in my hand, an’ hab no fear. - -“‘I hab lef my wife in de land o’ bondage; my little ones dey say eb’ry -night, “Whar is my fader?” But when I die, when de bressed mornin’ -rises, when I shall stan’ in de glory, wid one foot on de water an’ one -foot on de land, den, O Lord! I shall see my wife an’ my little chil’en -once more.’” - -“These sentences I noted down, as best I could, beside the glimmering -camp-fire last night. The same person was the hero of a singular little -_contre-temps_ at a funeral in the afternoon. It was our first funeral. -The man had died in hospital, and we had chosen a picturesque burial -place above the river, near the old church, and beside a little nameless -cemetery, used by generations of slaves. It was a regular military -funeral, the coffin being draped with the American flag, the escort -marching behind, and three volleys fired over the grave. During the -services, there was singing, the chaplain deaconing out the hymn in -their favorite way. This ended, he announced his text: ‘This poor -man cried, and the Lord heard him, and delivered him out of all his -trouble.’ Instantly, to my great amazement, the cracked voice of the -chorister was uplifted, intoning the text, as if it were the first verse -of another hymn. So calmly was it done, so imperturbable were all the -black countenances that I half began to conjecture that the chaplain -himself intended it for a hymn, though I could imagine no prospective -rhyme for _trouble_, unless it were approximated by _debbil_; which is, -indeed, a favorite reference, both with the men and with his reverence. -But the chaplain, peacefully awaiting, gently repeated his text after -the chant, and to my great relief the old chorister waived all further -recitative, and let the funeral discourse proceed. - -“Their memories are a vast bewildered chaos of Jewish history and -biography; and most of the great events of the past, down to the period -of the American Revolution, they instinctively attribute to Moses. -There is a fine bold confidence in all their citations, however, and the -record never loses piquancy in their hands, though strict accuracy may -suffer. Thus one of my captains, last Sunday, heard a colored exhorter -at Beaufort proclaim, ‘Paul may plant, _and may polish wid water_, but -it won’t do,’ in which the sainted Apollos would hardly have recognized -himself. - -“A correspondent of the Burlington “Free Press” gives an account of a -Freedmen’s meeting at Belle Plain, Va. “Some of the negro prayers and -exhortations were very simple and touching. One said in his prayer, ‘O -Lord! we’s glad for de hour when our sins nailed us to de foot of de -cross, and de bressed Lord Jesus put his soft arm around us, and tole us -dat we’s his chilien: we’s glad we’s sinners, so dat we can be saved by -his grace.’ Another thus earnestly prayed for the army of freedom: - -“‘O Lord! bress de Union army; be thou their bulwarks and ditches. O -Lord! as thou didst hear our prayer when we’s down in de Souf country, -as we held de plow and de hoe in the hot sun, so hear our prayer at dis -time for de Union army. Guard’em on de right, and on de lef,’ and in -de rear: don’t lef’ ‘em ‘lone, though they’s mighty wicked.’ Another (a -young man) thus energetically desired the overthrow of Satan’s empire: -‘O Lord! if you please, sir, won’t you come forth out of de heaven, and -take ride ‘round about hell, and give it a mighty shake till de walls -fall down.’ - -“A venerable exhorter got the story of the Prodigal Son slightly mixed, -but not so as to damage the effect at all. He said, ‘He rose up and went -to his fader’s house. And I propose he was ragged. And I propose de road -dirty. But when his fader saw him coming over de hill, ragged and dirty, -he didn’t say, “Dat ain’t my son.” He go and meet him. He throw his arms -round his neck and kiss; and, while he was hugging and kissing him, he -thought of dat robe in de wardroom, and he said, “Bring dat robe, and -put it on him.” And when dey was a putting on de robe, he thought of de -ring, dat splendid ring! and he said, “My son, dat was dead and is alive -again, he like dat ring, cos it shine so.” And he made dem bring de -ring and put it on his hand; and he put shoes on his feet, and killed de -fatted calf. And here, my friends, see defection of de prodigal for his -son. But, my bredren, you are a great deal better off dan de prodigal’s -son. For he hadn’t no gemmen of a different color to come and tell him -dat his fader was glad to hab him come home again. But dese handmaid -bredren has kindly come dis evening to tell us dat our heabenly Father -wants us to come back now. He’s ready to gib us de robe and de ring. -De bressed Lord Jesus stands leaning over de bannisters of heaven, and -reaching down his arms to take us up. O my friends! I ask you dis night -to repent. If you lose your soul, you’ll never get anoder. I tell you -all, if you don’t repent you’re goin’ straight to hell; and in de -last day, when de Lord say to you, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into -everlastin’ fire,” if you’re ‘onorable, you’ll own up, and say it’s -right. O my friends.! I tell you de truth: it’s de best way to come to -de Lord Jesus dis night.’”. - -Regiment after regiment of blacks were mustered into the United-States -service, in all the rebel States, and were put on duty at once, and were -sooner or later called to take part in battle. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII.--BATTLE OF MILLINERS BEND. - - -_Contraband Regiments; their Bravery; the Surprise.--Hand to hand -Fight.--“No Quarters.”--Negroes rather die than surrender.--The Gunboat -and her dreadful Havoc with the Enemy._ - - -On the 7th of June, 1863, the first regular battle was fought between -the blacks and whites in the valley of the Mississippi. The planters had -boasted, that, should they meet their former slaves, a single look from -them would cause the negroes to throw down their weapons, and run. Many -Northern men, especially copperheads, professed to believe that such -would be the case. Therefore, all eyes were turned to the far off South, -the cotton, sugar, and rice-growing States, to see how the blacks -would behave on the field of battle; for it is well known that the most -ignorant of the slave population belonged in that section. - -The following account of the fight is from an eye witness:-- - -“My informant states that a force of about five hundred negroes, and two -hundred men of the Twenty-third Iowa, belonging to the second brigade, -Carr’s division (the Twenty-third Iowa had been up the river with -prisoners, and was on its way back to this place), was surprised in camp -by a rebel force of about two thousand men. The first intimation that -the commanding officer received was from one of the black men, who went -into the colonel’s tent, and said, ‘Massa, the secesh are in camp.” - The colonel ordered him to have the men load their guns at once. He -instantly replied, “We have done did dat now, massa.” Before the colonel -was ready, the men were in line, ready for action. As before stated, -the rebels drove our force towards the gunboats, taking colored men -prisoners and murdering them. This so enraged them that they rallied, -and charged the enemy more heroically and desperately than has been -recorded during the war. It was a genuine bayonet-charge, a hand-to-hand -fight, that has never occurred to any extent during this prolonged -conflict. Upon both sides men were killed with the butts of muskets. -White and black men were lying side by side, pierced by bayonets, and -in some instances transfixed to the earth. In one instance, two men--one -white and the other black--were found dead, side by side, each having -the other’s bayonet through his body. If facts prove to be what they are -now represented, this engagement of Sunday morning will be recorded as -the most desperate of this war. Broken limbs, broken heads, the mangling -of bodies, all prove that it was a contest between enraged men: on -the one side, from hatred to a race; and, on the other, desire for -self-preservation, revenge for past grievances, and the inhuman murder -of their comrades. One brave man took his former master prisoner, -and brought him into camp with great gusto. A rebel prisoner made a -particular request, that _his own_ negroes should not be placed over him -as a guard. - -Capt. M. M. Miller, of Galena, III., who commanded a company in the -Ninth Louisiana (colored) Regiment, in a letter, gives the following -account of the battle:-- - -“We were attacked here on June 7, about three o’clock in the morning, by -a brigade of Texas troops, about two thousand five hundred in number. -We had about six hundred men to withstand them, five hundred of them -negroes. I commanded Company I, Ninth Louisiana. We went into the fight -with thirty-three men. I had sixteen killed, eleven badly wounded, and -four slightly. I was wounded slightly on the head, near the right eye, -with a bayonet, and had a bayonet run through my right hand, near the -forefinger; that will account for this miserable style of penmanship. - -“Our regiment had about three hundred men in the fight. We had one -colonel wounded, four captains wounded, two first and two second -lieutenants killed, five lieutenants wounded, and three white orderlies -killed, and one wounded in the hand, and two fingers taken off. The list -of killed and wounded officers comprised nearly all the officers present -with the regiment, a majority of the rest being absent recruiting. - -“We had about fifty men killed in the regiment and eighty wounded; so -you can judge of what part of the fight my company sustained. I never -felt more grieved and sick at heart, than when I saw how my brave -soldiers had been slaughtered,--one with six wounds, all the rest with -two or three, none less than two wounds. Two of my colored sergeants -were killed: both brave, noble men, always prompt, vigilant, and ready -for the fray. I never more wish to hear the expression, ‘The niggers -won’t fight.’ Come with me, a hundred yards from where I sit, and I can -show you the wounds that cover the bodies of sixteen as brave, loyal, -and patriotic soldiers as ever drew bead on a rebel. - -“The enemy charged us so close that we fought with our bayonets, hand to -hand. I have six broken bayonets to show how bravely my men fought. -The Twenty-third Iowa joined my company on the right; and I declare -truthfully that they had all fled before our regiment fell back, as we -were all compelled to do. - -“Under command of Col. Page, I led the Ninth and Eleventh Louisiana when -the rifle-pits were retaken and held by our troops, our two regiments -doing the work. - -“I narrowly escaped death once. A rebel took deliberate aim at me with -both barrels of his gun; and the bullets passed so close to me that the -powder that remained on them burnt my cheek. Three of my men, who saw -him aim and fire, thought that he wounded me each fire. One of them -was killed by my side, and he fell on me, covering my clothes with his -blood; and, before the rebel could fire again, I blew his brains out -with my gun. - -“It was a horrible fight, the worst I was ever engaged in,--not even -excepting Shiloh. The enemy cried, ‘No quarter!’ but some of them were -very glad to take it when made prisoners. - -“Col. Allen, of the Sixteenth Texas, was killed in front of our -regiment, and Brig.-Gen. Walker was wounded. We killed about one hundred -and eighty of the enemy. The gunboat “Choctaw” did good service shelling -them. I stood on the breastworks after we took them, and gave the -elevations and direction for the gunboat by pointing my sword; and they -sent a shell right into their midst, which sent them in all directions. -Three shells fell there, and sixty-two rebels lay there when the fight -was over. - -“My wound is not serious but troublesome. What few men I have left seem -to think much of me, because I stood up with them in the fight. I can -say for them that I never saw a braver company of men in my life. - -“Not one of them offered to leave his place until ordered to fall back. -I went down to the hospital, three miles, to-day to see the wounded. -Nine of them were there, two having died of their wounds. A boy I had -cooking for me came and bogged a gun when the rebels were advancing, and -took his place with the company; and, when we retook the breastworks, I -found him badly wounded, with one gun-shot and two bayonet wounds. A new -recruit I had issued a gun to the day before the fight was found dead, -with a firm grasp on his gun, the bayonet of which was broken in three -pieces. So they fought and died, defending the cause that we revere. -They met death coolly, bravely: not rashly did they expose themselves, -but all were steady and obedient to orders.” - -This battle satisfied the slave-masters of the South that their charm -was gone, and that the negro, as a slave, was lost forever. Yet there -was one fact connected with the battle of Milliken’s Bend which -will descend to posterity, as testimony against the humanity of -slave-holders; and that is, that no negro was ever found alive that was -taken a prisoner by the rebels in this fight. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX--RAISING BLACK REGIMENTS AT THE NORTH. - - -_Prejudices at the North.--Black Laws of Illinois and -Indiana.--Ill-treatment of Negroes.--The Blacks forget their Wrongs, and -come to the Rescue._ - - -In the struggle between the Federal Government and the rebels, the -colored men asked the question, “Why should we fight?” The question was -a legitimate one, at least for those residing in the Northern States, -and especially in those States where there were any considerable number -of colored people. In every State north of Mason and Dixon’s Line, -except Massachusetts and Rhode Island, which attempted to raise a -regiment of colored men, the blacks are disfranchised, excluded from the -jury-box, and in most of them from the public schools. The iron hand -of prejudice in the Northern States is as circumscribing and unyielding -upon him as the manacles that fettered the slave of the South. - -Now, these are facts, deny it who will. The negro has little to hope -from Northern sympathy or legislation. Any attempt to engraft upon -the organic law of the States provisions extending to the colored man -political privileges is overwhelmingly defeated by the people. It makes -no difference that here is a pen, and there a voice, raised in his -behalf: the general verdict is against him; and its repetition in any -case where it is demanded shows that it is inexorable. We talk a great -deal about the vice of slavery, and the cruelty of denying to our -fellowmen their personal freedom and a due reward of labor; but we are -very careful not to concede the corollary, that the sin of withholding -that freedom is not vastly greater than withholding the rights to which -he who enjoys it is entitled. - -When the war broke out, it was the boast of the Administration that the -status of the negro was not to be changed in the rebel States. President -Lincoln, in his inaugural address, took particular pains to commit -himself against any interference with the condition of the blacks. - -When the Rebellion commenced, and the call was made upon the country, -the colored men were excluded. In some of the Western States into which -slaves went when escaping from their rebel masters, in the first and -second years of the war, the black-laws were enforced to drive them -out. Read what “The Daily Alton Democrat” said for Illinois, in the year -1862:-- - -“_Notice to the ‘Free Negroes.’_--I hereby give public notice to all -free negroes who have arrived here from a foreign State within the -past two months, or may hereafter come into the city of Alton with the -intention of being residents thereof, that they are allowed the space of -thirty days to remove; and, upon failure to leave the city, will, -after that period, be proceeded against by the undersigned, as by -law directed. The penalty is a heavy fine, to liquidate which the -law-officer is compelled to offer all free negroes arrested at public -auction, unless the fine and all costs of suit are promptly paid. I hope -the city authorities will be spared the _necessity_ of putting the -above law _in execution_. All railroad companies and steamboats are also -forbidden to land free negroes within the city under the penalty of -the law. No _additional_ notice will be given. Suits will positively be -instituted against all offenders. - -“JAMES W. DAVIS, - -“May 27, 1862.” - -“_Prosecuting Attorney Alton-City Court._” - -The authorities of the State of Indiana also got on the track of the -contrabands from the rebel States; and the old black-laws were put forth -as follows:-- - -“Any person who shall employ a negro or mulatto who shall have come into -the State of Indiana subsequent to the thirty-first day of October, in -the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, or shall hereafter -come into said State, or who shall encourage such negro or mulatto -to remain in the State, shall be fined in any sum not less than ten -dollars, nor more than five hundred dollars.” - -The following will show how Illinois treated the colored people, even -after the proclamation of freedom was put forth by President Lincoln. - -“The Whiteside (Ill.) Sentinel” says the following official notice -is posted in the post-office and other public places in the city of -Carthage, Hancock County, Ill. It is a practical exemplication of the -Illinois “black-laws.” The notice reads as follows:-- - -“_Public Sale_.--Whereas, The following negroes and one mulatto man -were, on the fifth and sixth days of February, 1863, tried before the -undersigned, a Justice of the Peace within and for Hancock County, Ill., -on a charge of high misdemeanor, having come into this State and county, -and remaining therein for ten days and more, with the evident intention -of residing in this State, and were found guilty by a jury, and were -each severally fined in the sum of fifty dollars, and the judgment was -rendered against said negroes and mulatto man for fifty dollars’ fine -each, and costs of suit, which fines and costs are annexed opposite to -each name, to wit:-- - - Age. Fine. Costs. - - John, a negro man, tall and slim, about. 35 $50 $33.17 - - Sambo, a negro man, about 21 50 32.17 - - Austin, a negro man, heavy set, about 20 50 30.10 - - Andrew, a negro man, about 50 30 33.00 - - Amos, a negro man, about 40 50 29.67 - - Nelson, a mulatto man, about 55 50 30.07 - - -“And whereas. Said fines and costs have not been paid, notice is -therefore given that the undersigned will, on Thursday, the nineteenth -day of February, A.D. 1863, between the hours of one and five o’clock, -p.m., of said day, at the west end of the Court House, in Carthage, -Hancock County, 111., sell each of said negro men, John, Austin, Sambo, -Andrew, Amos, and said mulatto man, Nelson, at public auction, to the -person or persons who will pay the said fine and costs appended against -each respectively for the shortest time of service of said negroes and -mulatto. - -“The purchaser or purchasers will be entitled to the control and -services of the negroes and mulatto purchased for the period named in -the sale, and no longer, and will be required to furnish said negroes -and mulatto with comfortable food, clothing, and lodging during said -servitude. The fees for selling will be added on completion of the sale. - -“_C. M. CHILD, J.P_. - -“Carthage, Feb. 9, 1863.” - -It will be seen that these odious laws were rigidly enforced. With what -grace could the authorities in those States ask the negro to fight? Yet -they called upon him; and he, forgetting the wrongs of the past, and -demanding no pledge for better treatment, left family, home, and every -thing dear, enlisted, and went forth to battle. And even Connecticut, -with her proscription of the negro, called on him to fight. How -humiliating it must have been! And yet Connecticut, after appealing to -black men, and receiving their aid in fighting her battles, retains -her negro “black-laws” upon her statute-book by a vote of more than six -thousand. - - - - -CHAPTER XX.--FIFTY-FOURTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. - - -_Its Organization.--Its Appearance.--Col. Shaw.--Presentation of -Colors.--Its Dress-Parade.--Its Departure from Boston._ - - -The Fifty-fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry was -called into the service of the United States by the President, under an -act of Congress, passed July 21, 1861, entitled “An Act to authorize the -Employment of Volunteers to aid in enforcing the Laws and protecting’ -Public Property.” Recruiting began Feb. 9, 1863, in Boston. A camp of -rendezvous was opened at “Camp Meigs,” Readville, Mass., on the 21st of -February, with a squad of twenty-seven men; and, by the end of March, -five companies were recruited, comprising four hundred and fourteen -men. This number was doubled during April; and, on the 12th of May, the -regiment was full. - -Orders being received for it to proceed to the Department of the South, -the regiment broke camp on the 28th of May, and took cars for Boston. -After passing through the principal streets, and reaching the Common, -they prepared to receive the colors which were to be presented by the -Governor. - -The regiment was formed in a hollow square, the distinguished persons -present occupying the centre. The flags were four in number, comprising -a national flag, presented by young colored ladies of Boston; a national -ensign, presented by the “Colored Ladies’ Relief Society;” an emblematic -banner, presented by ladies and gentlemen of Boston, friends of the -regiment; and a flag presented by relatives and friends of the late -Lieut. Putnam. The emblematic banner was of white silk, handsomely -embroidered, having on one side a figure of the Goddess of Justice, with -the words, “Liberty, Loyalty, and Unity,” around it. The fourth flag -bore a cross with a blue field, surmounted with the motto, “_In hoc -signo vinces._” All were of the finest texture and workmanship. - -Prayer having been offered by the Rev. Mr. Grimes, Gov. Andrew presented -the various flags, with the following speech:-- - - -PRESENTATION SPEECH OF GOV. ANDREW. - -“Col. Shaw,--As the official representative of the Commonwealth, and by -favor of various ladies and gentlemen, citizens of the Commonwealth, and -friends of the Fifty-fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, I -have the honor and the satisfaction of being permitted to join you this -morning for the purpose of presenting to your regiment the national -flag, the State colors of Massachusetts, and the emblematic banner which -the cordial, generous, and patriotic friendship of its patrons has seen -fit to present to you. - -“Two years of experience in all the trials and vicissitudes of war, -attended with the repeated exhibition of Massachusetts regiments -marching from home to the scenes of strife, have left little to be said -or suggested which could give the interest of novelty to an occasion -like this. But, Mr. Commander, one circumstance pertaining to the -composition of the Fifty-fourth Regiment, exceptional in its character -when compared with any thing we have seen before, gives to this hour -an interest and importance, solemn and yet grand, because the occasion -marks an era in the history of the war, of the Commonwealth, of the -country, and of humanity. I need not dwell upon the fact that the -enlisted men constituting the rank and file of the Fifty-fourth Regiment -of Massachusetts Volunteers are drawn from a race not hitherto connected -with the fortunes of the war. And yet I cannot forbear to allude to the -circumstance, because I can but contemplate it for a brief moment, since -it is uppermost in your thoughts, and since this regiment, which for -many months has been the desire of my own heart, is present now before -this vast assembly of friendly citizens of Massachusetts, prepared to -vindicate by its future, as it has already begun to do by its brief -history of camp-life here, to vindicate in its own person and in the -presence, I trust, of all who belong to it, the character, the manly -character, the zeal, the manly zeal, of the colored citizens of -Massachusetts and of those other States which have cast their lot with -ours. (Applause.) - -“I owe to you, Mr. Commander, and to the officers who, associated with -you, have assisted in the formation of this noble corps, composed of men -selected from among their fellows for fine qualities of manhood,--I owe -to you, sir, and to those of your associates who united with me in the -original organization of this body, the heartiest and most emphatic -expression of my cordial thanks. I shall follow you, Mr. Commander, your -officers, and your men, with a friendly and personal solicitude, to say -nothing of official care, which can hardly be said of any other corps -which has marched from Massachusetts. My own personal honor, if I -have any, is identified with yours. I stand or fall, as a man and a -magistrate, with the rise or fall in the history of the Fifty-fourth -Massachusetts Regiment. (Applause.) I pledge not only in behalf of -myself, but of all those whom I have the honor to represent to-day, the -utmost generosity, the utmost kindness, the utmost devotion of hearty -love, not only for the cause, but for you that represent it. We will -follow your fortunes in the camp and in the field with the anxious eyes -of brethren and the proud hearts of citizens. - -“To those men of Massachusetts, and of surrounding States who have now -made themselves citizens of Massachusetts, I have no word to utter fit -to express the emotions of my heart. These men, sir, have now, in the -Providence of God, given to them an opportunity which, while it is -personal to themselves, is still an opportunity for a whole race of men. -(Applause.) With arms possessed of might to strike a blow, they have -found breathed into their hearts an inspiration of devoted patriotism, -and regard for their brethren of their own color, which has inspired -them with a purpose to nerve that arm, that it may strike a blow -which, while it shall help to raise aloft their country’s flag--_their_ -country’s flag, now as well as ours--by striking down the foes which -oppose it, strikes also the last blow, I trust, needful to rend the -last shackle which binds the limb of the bondman in the rebel States. -(Applause.) - -“I know not, Mr. Commander, when, in all human history, to any given -thousand men in arms there has been given a work so proud, so precious, -so full of hope and glory, as the work committed to you. (Applause.) And -may the infinite mercy of Almighty God attend you every hour of every -day, through all the experiences and vicissitude of that dangerous life -in which you have embarked! may the God of our fathers cover your heads -in the day of battle! may he shield you with the arms of everlasting -power! may he hold you always most of all, first of all, and last of -all, up to the highest and holiest conception of duty; so that if, on -the field of stricken fight, your souls shall be delivered from the -thraldom of the flesh, your spirits shall go home to God, bearing aloft -the exulting thought of duty well performed, of glory and reward won -even at the hands of the angels who shall watch over you from above! - -“Mr. Commander, you, sir, and most of your officers, have been carefully -selected from among the most intelligent and experienced officers who -have already performed illustrious service upon the field during the -last two years of our national conflict. I need not say, sir, with how -much confidence and with how much pride we contemplate the leadership -which we know this regiment will receive at your hands. In yourself, -sir, your staff and line officers, we are enabled to declare a -confidence which knows no hesitation and no doubt. Whatever fortune may -betide you, we know from the past that all will be done for the honor of -the cause, for the protection of the flag, for the defence of the right, -for the glory of your country, and for the safety and the honor of these -men whom we commit to you, that shall lie either in the human heart or -brain or arm. (Applause.) - -“And now, Mr. Commander, it is my most agreeable duty and high honor -to hand to you, as the representative of the Fifty-fourth Regiment of -Massachusetts Volunteers, the American flag, the star-spangled banner -of the Republic. Wherever its folds shall be unfurled, it will mark -the path of glory. Let its stars be the inspiration of yourselves, your -officers, and your men. As the gift of the young ladies of the city -of Boston to their brethren in arms, they will cherish it as the lover -cherishes the recollection and fondness of his mistress; and the white -stripes of its field will be red with their blood before it shall be -surrendered to the foe. (Applause.) - -“I have also the honor, Mr. Commander, to present to you the State -colors of Massachusetts,--the State colors of the old Bay State, borne -already by fifty-three regiments of Massachusetts soldiers, white men -thus far, now to be borne by the Fifty-fourth Regiment of soldiers, -not less of Massachusetts than the others. Whatever maybe said, Mr. -Commander, of any other flag which has ever kissed the sunlight, or been -borne on any field, I have the pride and honor to be able to declare -before you, your regiment, and these witnesses, that, from the -beginning up till now, the State colors of Massachusetts have never -been surrendered to any foe. (Cheers.) The Fifty-fourth now holds in -possession this sacred charge in the performance of their duties as -citizen-soldiers. You will never part with that flag so long as a -splinter of the staff, or a thread of its web, remains within your -grasp. (Applause.) The State colors are presented to the Fifty-fourth by -the Relief Society, composed of colored ladies of Boston. - -“And now let me commit to you this splendid emblematic banner. It -is prepared for your acceptance by a large and patriotic committee, -representing many others beside ladies and gentlemen of Boston, to whose -hearty sympathy, and powerful co-operation and aid, much of the success -which has hitherto attended the organization of this regiment is due. -The Goddess of Liberty, erect in beautiful guise and form (liberty, -loyalty, and unity are the emblems it bears),--the Goddess of Liberty -shall be the lady-love whose fair presence shall inspire your hearts; -liberty, loyalty, unity, the watchwords in the fight. - -“And now, Mr. Commander, the sacred, holy cross, representing passion, -the highest heroism, I scarcely dare to trust myself to present to you. -It is the emblem of Christianity. I have parted with the emblems of -the State, of the nation,--heroic, patriotic emblems they are, dear, -inexpressibly dear, to all our hearts; but now, _In hoc signo vinces_, -the cross which represents the passion of our Lord, I dare to pass into -your soldier hands; for we are fighting now a battle not merely for -country, not merely for humanity, not only for civilization, but for the -religion of our Lord itself. When this cause shall ultimately fall, if -ever failure at the last shall be possible, it will only fail when the -last patriot, the last philanthropist, and the last Christian shall -have tasted death, and left no descendants behind them upon the soil of -Massachusetts. (Applause.) - -“This flag, Mr. Commander, has connected with its history the most -touching and sacred memory. It comes to your regiment from the mother, -sister, friends, family relatives, of one of the dearest and noblest -soldier-boys of Massachusetts. I need not utter the name of Lieut. -Putnam in order to excite in every heart the tenderest emotions of fond -regard, or the strongest feeling of patriotic fire. May you, sir, and -these, follow not only on the field of battle, but in all the walks and -ways of life, in camp, and hereafter, when, on returning peace, you -shall resume the more quiet and peaceful duties of citizens,--may you -but follow the splendid example, the sweet devotion mingled with manly, -heroic character, of which the life, character, and death of Lieut. -Putnam was one example! How many more there are we know not: the record -is not yet complete; but, oh! how many there are of these Massachusetts -sons, who, like him, have tasted death for this immortal cause! Inspired -by such examples, fired by the heat and light of love and faith which -illumined and warmed these heroic and noble hearts, may you, sir, and -these, march on to glory, to victory, and to every honor! This flag I -present to you, Mr. Commander, and your regiment. _In hoc signo vinces_ - - -RESPONSE OF COL. SHAW. - -“_Your Excellency_,--We accept these flags with feelings of deep -gratitude. They will remind us not only of the cause we are fighting -for, and of our country, but of the friends we have left behind us, who -have thus far taken so much interest in this regiment, and who, we know, -will follow us in our career. Though the greater number of men in this -regiment are not Massachusetts men, I know there is not one who will not -be proud to fight and serve under our flag. May we have an opportunity -to show that you have not made a mistake in intrusting the honor of the -State to a colored regiment!--the first State that has sent one to the -war. - -“I am very glad to have this opportunity to thank the officers and men -of the regiment for their untiring fidelity and devotion to their work -from the very beginning. They have shown that sense of the importance of -our undertaking, without which we should hardly have attained our end. -(Applause)” - -At the conclusion of Col. Shaw’s remarks, the colors were borne to their -place in the line by the guard, and the regiment was reviewed by the -Governor. Thence they marched out of the Common, down Tremont Street, -down Court Street, by the Court House, chained hardly a decade ago to -save slavery and the Union. Thence down State Street, trampling on -the very pavement over which Sims and Burns marched to their fate, -encompassed by soldiers of the United States. - -“Their sisters, sweethearts, and wives”--a familiar quotation in the -notices of previous departing regiments, but looking a little odd -in this new place--ran along beside “the boys,” giving their parting -benediction of smiles and tears, telling them to be brave, and to show -their blood. - -They marched in good time, and wheeled with a readiness which showed -that they had a clear idea of what was required, and only needed a -little more practice to equal the best regiments that left the State. - -The regiment marched down State Street at a quarter past twelve o’clock -to the tune of “John Brown,” and was vociferously cheered by the vast -crowds that covered the sidewalks and filled the windows. Nowhere was -the reception of the regiment more hearty. - -All attempts to express the feeling of the crowd or the soldiers seem to -read stale and flat. Yet, as Goldsmith said that the weakest jokes were -received as wit by the circle of the happy vicar, so these attempts -were treated as successes by the happy crowd. One man said it was a -verification of Shakspeare:-- - - “Know you not _Pompey?_ - - You have climbed up to the walls and battlements - - To see _Great Pompey_ pass the streets of Rome.” - -One fact should be chronicled. Their regimental banner, of superb white -silk had on one side the coat-of-anns of Massachusetts, and on the other -a golden cross on a golden star, with _In hoc Signo Vinces_ beneath. -_This is the first Christian banner that has gone into our war_. By a -strange, and yet not strange, providence, God has made this despised -race the bearers of his standard. They are thus the real leaders of the -nation. - -On reaching the wharf at a quarter before one, every thing had been -placed on board through the efforts of Capt. McKim; the guns were placed -in boxes, the horses put aboard, and the men began to embark. At four -o’clock, the vessel steamed down the harbor, bound for Port Royal, S.C. - - -THE COMPLETE ROSTER OF THE REGIMENT. - -Colonel.--Robert G. Shaw. - -Lieut.-Colonel.--Norwood P. Hallowell. - -Major.--Edward N. Hallowed. - -Surgeon.--Lincoln R. Stone. - -Assistant Surgeon.--C. B. Brigham. - -Captains.--Alfred S. Hartwell, David A. Partridge, Samuel Willard, John -W. M. Appleton, Watson W. Bridge, George Pope, William II. Simpkins, -Cabot J. Russell, Edward L. Jones, and Louis F. Emilo. - -1st. Lieutenants.--John Ritchie, Garth W. James, William H. Hemans, Grin -E. Smith, Erik Wulff, Walter H. Wild, Francis L. Higginson, James M. -Walton, James M. Grace, R. K. L. Jewett. - -2d Lieutenants.--Thomas L. Appleton, Benjamin F. Dexter, J. Albert -Pratt, Charles F. Smith, Henry W. Littlefield, William Nutt, David Reid, -Charles E. Tucker, and William Howard. - -Many of the men in the Fifty-Fourth had once been slaves at the South; -some had enjoyed freedom for years; others had escaped after the -breaking out of the Rebellion. Most of them had relatives still there, -and had a double object in joining the regiment. They were willing to -risk their lives for the freedom of those left behind; and, if they -failed in that, they might, at least, have an opportunity of settling -with the “ole boss” for a long score of cruelty. - - “From many a Southern field they trembling came, - - Fled from the lash, the fetter, and the chain”; - - Return they now, not at base Slavery’s claim, - - To meet the oppressor on the battle-plain.” - -“The following song was written by a private in Company A, Fifty-Fourth -(colored) Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers, and has been sent to us -for publication by a friend of the regiment.”--Boston Transcript. - - “Air.--‘Hoist up the Flag.’ - - “Fremont told them, when the war it first begun, - - How to save the Union, and the way it should be done; - - But Kentucky swore so hard, and old Abe he had his fears, - - Till every hope was lost but the colored volunteers. - - - Chorus.--Oh! give us a flag all free without a slave, - - We’ll fight to defend it as our fathers did so brave: - - The gallant Comp’ny A will make the rebels dance; - - And we’ll stand by the Union, if we only have a chance. - - - McClellan went to Richmond with two hundred thousand brave: - - He said, ‘keep back the niggers,’ and the Union he would save. - - Little Mac he had his way, still the Union is in tears: - - Now they call for the help of the colored volunteers. - - Chor.--Oh! give us a flag, &c. - - - Old Jeff says he’ll hang us if we dare to meet him armed: - - A very big thing, but we are not at all alarmed; - - For he first has got to catch us before the way is clear, - - And ‘that’s what’s the matter’ with the colored volunteer. - - Chor.--Oh! give us a flag, &c. - - - So rally, boys, rally, let us never mind the past: - - We had a hard road to travel, but our day is coming fast; - - For God is for the right, and we have no need to fear: - - The Union must be saved by the colored volunteer. - - Chor.--Oh! give us a flag, &c.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXI--BLACKS UNDER FIRE IN SOUTH CAROLINA. - - -_Expedition up the St. Mary’s River.--The Negroes Long for a -Fight.--Their Gallantry in Battle._ - - -The Department of the South, under Major-Gen. Hunter, was the first in -which the negro held the musket. By consent of the commanding-general, I -give the following interesting report from Col. T. W. Higginson:-- - -“On Board Steamer ‘Rex Deford,’ Sunday, Feb. 1, 1863. - -“_Brig-Gen. Saxton, Military Governor, &c_. - -“_General_,--I have the honor to report the safe return of the -expedition under my command, consisting of four hundred and sixty-two -officers and men of the First Regiment of South-Carolina Volunteers, who -left Beaufort on Jan. 23, on board the steamers: John Adams,’ ‘Planter,’ -and ‘Ben Deford.’ - -“The expedition has carried the regimental flag and the President’s -proclamation far into the interior of Georgia and Florida. The men -have been repeatedly under fire; have had infantry, cavalry, and even -artillery, arrayed against them; and have, in every instance, come -off, not only with unblemished honor, but with undisputed triumph. At -Township, Fla., a detachment of the expedition fought a cavalry company -which met us unexpectedly, on a midnight march through pine woods, and -which completely surrounded us. They were beaten off with a loss on -our part of one man killed and seven wounded; while the opposing party -admits twelve men killed (including Lieut. Jones, in command of the -company), besides many wounded. So complete was our victory, that the -enemy scattered, hid in the woods all night, not returning to his camp, -which was five miles distant, until noon next day; a fact which was -unfortunately unknown until too late to follow up our advantage. Had I -listened to the urgent appeals of my men, and pressed the flying enemy, -we could have destroyed his camp; but, in view of the darkness, his -uncertain numbers and swifter motions, with your injunctions of caution, -I judged it better to rest satisfied with the victory already gained. - -“On another occasion, a detachment of about two hundred and fifty men, -on board the ‘John Adams,’ fought its way forty miles up and down a -river, the most dangerous in the department,--the St. Mary’s; a river -left untraversed by our gunboats for many months, as it required a boat -built like the ‘John Adams’ to ascend it successfully. The stream is -narrow, swift, winding, and bordered at many places with high bluffs, -which blazed with rifle-shots. With our glasses, as we approached these -points, we could see mounted men by the hundreds galloping through the -woods, from point to point, to await us; and, though fearful of our shot -and shell, they were so daring against musketry, that one rebel actually -sprang from the shore upon the large boat which was towed at our stern, -where he was shot down by one of my sergeants. We could see our shell -scatter the rebels as they fell among them, and some terrible execution -must have been done; but not a man of this regiment was killed or -wounded, though the steamer is covered with bullet-marks, one of which -shows where our brave Capt. Clifton, commander of the vessel, fell dead -beside his own pilot-house, shot through the brain by a Minie-ball. -Major Strong, who stood beside him, escaped as if by magic, both of -them being unnecessarily exposed without my knowledge. The secret of our -safety was in keeping the regiment below, except the gunners; but this -required the utmost energy of the officers, as the men were wild to -come on deck, and even implored to be landed on shore, and charge on the -enemy. Nobody knows any thing about these men who has not seen them in -battle. I find that I myself knew nothing. There is a fiery energy about -them beyond any thing of which I have ever read, unless it be the French -Zouaves. It requires the strictest discipline to hold them in hand. -During our first attack on the river, before I got them all penned -below, they crowded at the open ends of the steamer, loading and firing -with inconceivable rapidity, and shouting to each other, ‘Never give it -up!’ When collected into the hold, they actually fought each other for -places at the few port-holes from which they could fire on the enemy. - -“Meanwhile, the black gunners, admirably trained by Lieuts. Stockdale -and O’Neil (both being accomplished artillerists), and Mr. Heron, of the -gunboat, did their duty without the slightest protection, and with great -coolness, amid a storm of shot. - -“No officer in this regiment now doubts that the key to the successful -prosecution of this war lies in the unlimited employment of black -troops. Their superiority lies simply in the fact that they know the -country, which white troops do not; and, moreover, that they have -peculiarities of temperament, position, and motive, which belong to them -alone. Instead of leaving their homes and families to fight, they are -fighting for their homes and families; and they show the resolution and -sagacity which a personal purpose gives. It would have been madness -to attempt with the bravest white troops what I have successfully -accomplished with black ones. - -“Every thing, even to the piloting of the vessel, and the selection of -the proper points for cannonading, was done by my own soldiers; indeed, -the real conductor of the whole expedition at the St. Mary’s was -Corporal Robert Sutton, of Company G, formerly a slave upon the St. -Mary’s River; a man of extraordinary qualities, who needs nothing but a -knowledge of the alphabet to entitle him to the most signal promotion. -In every instance where I followed his advice, the predicted result -followed; and I never departed from it, however slightly, without having -reason for subsequent regret. - -“I have the honor to be, &c., - -“T. W. HIGGINSON, - -“_Col. Com. First Regiment South-Carolina Vols._” - - - - -CHAPTER XXII--FREEDMEN UNDER FIRE IN MISSISSIPPI. - - -_Bravery of the Freedmen.--Desperation of the Rebels.--Severe Battle. -Negroes Triumphant._ - - -While the people along the banks of the Mississippi, above New Orleans, -were discussing the question as to whether the negro would fight, if -attacked by white men, or not. Col. Daniels, of the Second Regiment -Louisiana Volunteers, gave one side of the subject considerable of a -“hist,” on the 9th of April, 1863. His official report will speak for -itself. - -“Headquarters, Ship Island (Miss.), April 11, 1863. - -“_Brig.-Gen. Sherman, commanding Defences of New Orleans_. - -“_Sir_,--In compliance with instructions from your headquarters, to keep -you promptly informed of any movements that the enemy might be known -to be making up the Mississippi Sound, upon learning that repeated -demonstrations had been made in the direction of Pascagoula, by -Confederate troops ashore, and in armed boats along the coast; and, -furthermore, having reliable information that the greater part of the -forces at Mobile were being sent to re-enforce Charleston, I determined -to make a reconnoissance within the enemy’s lines, at or near -Pascagoula, for the purpose of not only breaking up their -demonstrations, but of creating a diversion of the Mobile forces from -Charleston, and precipitating them along the Sound; and accordingly -embarked with a detachment of a hundred and eighty men of my command on -United-States Transport ‘General Banks,’ on the morning of the 9th of -April, 1863, and made for Pascagoula, Miss., where we arrived about nine -o’clock, a.m., landed, and took possession of wharf and hotel, hoisted -the stars and stripes upon the building, threw out pickets, and sent -small detachments in various directions to take possession of the place, -and hold the roads leading from the same. Immediately thereafter, a -force of over three hundred Confederate cavalry came down the Mobile -Road, drove in the pickets, and attacked the squad on the left, from -whom they received a warm reception. They then fell back in some -confusion, re-formed, and made a dash upon the detachment stationed -at the hotel, at which point they were again repulsed; Confederate -infantry, meanwhile, attacking my forces on the extreme left, and -forcing a small detachment to occupy a wharf, from which they poured -volley after volley into the enemy’s ranks, killing and wounding many, -with a loss of one man only. The fight had now extended along the road -from the river to the wharf, the enemy being under cover of the houses -and forest; whilst my troops were, from the nature of the ground, -unavoidably exposed. The Confederates had placed their women and -children in front of their houses, for a cover, and even armed -their citizens, and forced them to fight against us. After an hour’s -continuous skirmishing, the enemy retreated to the woods, and my forces -fell back to the hotel and wharf. Then the enemy sallied forth again, -with apparently increased numbers, attempting to surround the hotel, and -obtain possession of the wharf; but they were again repulsed, and driven -back to their cover,--the forest. It was here that Lieut. Jones, with a -detachment of only seven men, having been placed on the extreme right, -cut his way through a large force of the enemy’s cavalry, and arrived at -the hotel without losing a man, but killing and wounding a considerable -number of the enemy. - -“After continuous fighting, from ten o’clock, a.m., to two o’clock, -p.m., and on learning that heavy re-enforcements of infantry and -artillery had arrived from the camps up the Pascagoula River, I withdrew -my forces from the hotel, and returned to Ship Island. The enemy’s -loss was over twenty killed, and a large number wounded. From my own -knowledge, and from information derived from prisoners taken in the -fight, and from refugees since arrived, the enemy had over four hundred -cavalry and infantry at Pascagoula, and heavy re-enforcements within -six miles of the place. Refugees who have arrived since the engagement -report the enemy’s loss as greater than mentioned in my first report. - -“The expedition was a perfect success, accomplishing all that was -intended; resulting in the repulse of the enemy in every engagement with -great loss; whilst our casualty was only two killed and eight wounded. -Great credit is due to the troops engaged, for their unflinching -bravery and steadiness under this their first fire, exchanging volley -after volley with the coolness of veterans; and for their determined -tenacity in maintaining their position, and taking advantage of every -success that their courage and valor gave them; and also to their -officers, who were cool and determined throughout the action, fighting -their commands against five times their numbers, and confident -throughout of success,--all demonstrating to its fullest extent that the -oppression which they have heretofore undergone from the hands of their -foes, and the obloquy that had been showered upon them by those who -should have been friends, had not extinguished their manhood, or -suppressed their bravery, and that they had still a hand to wield the -sword, and a heart to vitalize its blow. - -“I would particularly call the attention of the Department to Major -F. E. Dumas, Capt. Villeverd, and Lieuts. Jones and Martin, who were -constantly in the thickest of the fight, and by their unflinching -bravery, and admirable handling of their commands, contributed to the -success of the attack, and reflected great honor upon the flag under -and for which they so nobly struggled. Repeated instances of individual -bravery among the troops might be mentioned; but it would be invidious -where all fought so manfully aud so well. - -“I have the honor to be, most respectfully, - -“Your obedient servant, - -“_N. U. DANIELS,_ - -“_Col. Second Regiment La. N. O. Vols., Commanding Post._” - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII--BATTLE OF PORT HUDSON. - - -_The Louisiana Native Guard.--Capt. Callioux.--The Weather.--Spirit of -the Troops.--The Battle begins.--“Charge.”--Great Bravery.--The -Gallant Color-bearer.--Grape, Canister, and Shell sweep down the Heroic -Men.--Death of Callioux.--Comments._ - - -On the 26th of May, 1863, the wing of the array under Major-Gen. Banks -was brought before the rifle-pits and heavy guns of Port Hudson. Night -fell--the lovely Southern night--with its silvery moonshine on the -gleaming waters of the Mississippi, that passed directly by the -intrenched town. The glistening stars appeared suspended in the upper -air as globes of liquid light, while the fresh soft breeze was bearing -such sweet scents from the odoriferous trees and plants, that a poet -might have fancied angelic spirits were abroad, making the atmosphere -luminous with their pure presence, and every breeze fragrant with -their luscious breath. The deep-red sun that rose on the next morning -indicated that the day would be warm; and, as it advanced, the heat -became intense. The earth had been long parched, and the hitherto green -verdure had begun to turn yellow. Clouds of dust followed every step and -movement of the troops. The air was filled with dust: clouds gathered, -frowned upon the earth, and hastened away. - -The weatherwise watched the red masses of the morning, and still hoped -for a shower to cool the air, and lay the dust, before the work of death -commenced; but none came, and the very atmosphere seemed as if it were -from an overheated oven. The laying-aside of all unnecessary articles -or accoutrements, and the preparation that showed itself on every side, -told all present that the conflict was near at hand. Gen. Dwight, whose -antecedents with regard to the rights of the negro, and his ability -to fight, were not of the most favorable character, was the officer -in command over the colored brigade; and busy Rumor, that knows every -thing, had whispered it about that the valor of the black man was to be -put to the severest test that day. - -The black forces consisted of the First Louisiana, under Lieut-Col. -Bassett, and the Third Louisiana, under Col. Nelson. The line-officers -of the Third were White; and the regiment was composed mostly of -freedmen, many of whose backs still bore the marks of the lash, and -whose brave, stout hearts beat high at the thought that the hour had -come when they were to meet their proud and unfeeling oppressors. The -First was the noted regiment called “The Native Guard,” which Gen. -Butler found when he entered New Orleans, and which so promptly offered -its services to aid in crushing the Rebellion. The line-officers of -this regiment were all colored, taken from amongst the most wealthy and -influential of the free colored people of New Orleans. It was said that -not one of them was worth less than twenty-five thousand dollars. The -brave, the enthusiastic, and the patriotic, found full scope for the -development of their powers in this regiment, of which all were well -educated; some were fine scholars. One of the most efficient officers -was Capt. André Callioux, a man whose identity with his race could not -be mistaken; for he prided himself on being the blackest man in the -Crescent City. Whether in the drawing-room or on the parade, he was ever -the centre of attraction. Finely educated, polished in his manners, a -splendid horseman, a good boxer, bold, athletic, and daring, he never -lacked admirers. His men were ready at any time to follow him to -the cannon’s mouth; and he was as ready to lead them. This regiment -petitioned their commander to allow them to occupy the post of danger in -the battle, and it was granted. - -As the moment of attack drew near, the greatest suppressed excitement -existed; but all were eager for the fight. Capt. Callioux walked proudly -up and down the line, and smilingly greeted the familiar faces of his -company. Officers and privates of the white regiments looked on as they -saw these men at the front, and asked each other what they thought would -be the result. Would these blacks stand fire? Was not the test by which -they were to be tried too severe? Col. Nelson being called to act as -brigadier-general, Lieut-Col. Finnegas took his place. The enemy In his -stronghold felt his power, and bade defiance to the expected attack. At -last the welcome word was given, and our men started. The enemy opened a -blistering fire of shell, canister, grape, and musketry. The first shell -thrown by the enemy killed and wounded a number of the blacks; but on -they went. “Charge” was the word. - - Charge!” Trump and drum awoke: - - Onward the bondmen broke; - - Bayonet and sabre-stroke - - Vainly opposed their rush.” - -At every pace, the column was thinned by the falling dead and wounded. -The blacks closed up steadily as their comrades fell, and advanced -within fifty paces of where the rebels were working a masked battery, -situated on a bluff where the guns could sweep the whole field over -which the troops must charge. This battery was on the left of the -charging line. Another battery of three or four guns commanded the -front, and six heavy pieces raked the right of the line as it formed, -and enfiladed its flank and rear as it charged on the bluff. It was -ascertained that a bayou ran under the bluff where the guns lay,--a -bayou deeper than a man could ford. This charge was repulsed with -severe loss. Lieut-Col. Finnegas was then ordered to charge, and in a -well-dressed steady line his men went on the doublequick down over the -field of death. No matter how gallantly the men behaved, no matter how -bravely they were led, it was not in the course of things that this -gallant brigade should take these works by charge. Yet charge after -charge was ordered and carried out under all these disasters with -Spartan firmness. Six charges in all were made. Col. Nelson reported to -Gen. Dwight the fearful odds he had to contend with. Says Gen. Dwight, -in reply, “Tell Col. Nelson I shall consider that he has accomplished -nothing unless he take those guns.” Humanity will never forgive Gen. -Dwight for this last order; for he certainly saw that he was only -throwing away the lives of his men. But what were his men? “Only -niggers.” Thus the last charge was made under the spur of desperation. - -The ground was already strewn with the dead and wounded, and many of the -brave officers had fallen early in the engagement. Among them was the -gallant and highly cultivated Anselmo. He was a standardbearer, and -hugged the stars and stripes to his heart as he fell forward upon -them pierced by five balls. Two corporals near by struggled between -themselves as to who should have the honor of again raising those -bloodstained emblems to the breeze. Each was eager for the honor; and -during the struggle a missile from the enemy wounded one of them, and -the other corporal shouldered the dear old flag in triumph, and bore it -through the charge in the front of the advancing lines. - - “Now,” the flag-sergeant cried, - - “Though death and hell betide, - - Let the whole nation see - - If we are fit to be - - Free in this land, or bound - - Down, like the whining hound,-- - - Bound with red stripes aud pain - - In our old chains again.” - - Oh! what a shout there went - - From the black regiment! - -Shells from the rebel guns cut down trees three feet in diameter, and -they fell, at one time burying a whole company beneath their branches. -Thus they charged bravely on certain destruction, till the ground was -slippery with the gore of the slaughtered, and cumbered with the bodies -of the maimed. The last charge was made about one o’clock. At this -juncture, Capt. Callioux was seen with his left arm dangling by his -side,--for a ball had broken it above the elbow,--while his right hand -held his unsheathed sword gleaming in the rays of the sun; and his -hoarse, faint voice was heard cheering on his men. A moment more, and -the brave and generous Callioux was struck by a shell, and fell far in -advance of his company. The fall of this officer so exasperated his men, -that they appeared to be filled with new enthusiasm; and they rushed -forward with a recklessness that probably has never been surpassed. -Seeing it to be a hopeless effort, the taking of these batteries, order -was given to change the programme; and the troops were called off. But -had they accomplished any thing more than the loss of many of their -brave men? Yes: they had. The self-forgetfulness, the undaunted heroism, -and the great endurance of the negro, as exhibited that day, created a -new chapter in American history for the colored man. - -Many Persians were slain at the battle of Thermopylæ; but history -records only the fall of Leonidas and his four hundred companions. So -in the future, when we shall have passed away from the stage, and -rising generations shall speak of the conflict at Port Hudson, and the -celebrated charge of the negro brigade, they will forget all others in -their admiration for André Callioux and his colored associates. Gen. -Banks, in his report of the battle of Port Hudson, says, “Whatever doubt -may have existed heretofore as to the efficiency of organizations of -this character, the history of this day proves conclusively to those who -were in a condition to observe the conduct of these regiments, that the -Government will find in this class of troops effective supporters -and defenders. The severe test to which they were subjected, and the -determined manner in which they encountered the enemy, leaves upon my -mind no doubt of their ultimate success.” - -Hon. B. F. Flanders paid them the following tribute:-- - -“The unanimous report of all those who were in the recent battle at Port -Hudson, in regard to the negroes, is, that they fought like devils. They -have completely conquered the prejudice of the army against them. Never -before was there such an extraordinary revolution of sentiment as that -of this army in respect to the negroes as soldiers.” - -This change was indeed needed; for only a few days previous to the -battle, while the regiments were at Baton Rouge, the line-officers of -the New-England troops, either through jealousy or hatred to the -colored men on account of their complexion, demanded that the latter, -as officers, should be dismissed. And, to the disgrace of these white -officers, the colored men, through the mean treatment of their superiors -in office, the taunts and jeers of their white assailants, were -compelled to throw up their commissions. The colored soldiers were -deeply pained at seeing the officers of their own color and choice taken -from them; for they were much attached to their commanders, some of whom -were special favorites with the whole regiment. Among these were First -Lieut. Joseph Howard of Company I, and Second Lieut. Joseph G. Parker, -of Company C. These gentlemen were both possessed of ample wealth, and -had entered the army, not as a matter of speculation, as too many have -done, but from a love of military life. Lieut. Howard was a man of more -than ordinary ability in military tactics; and a braver or more daring -officer could not be found in the Valley of the Mississippi. He was well -educated, speaking the English, French, and Spanish languages fluently, -and was considered a scholar of rare literary attainments. He, with his -friend Parker, felt sorely the humiliation attending their dismissal -from the army, and seldom showed themselves on the streets of their -native city, to which they had returned. When the news reached New -Orleans of the heroic charge made by the First Louisiana Regiment, at -Port Hudson, on the 27th of May, Howard at once called on Parker; -and they were so fired with the intelligence, that they determined to -proceed to Port Hudson, and to join their old regiment as _privates_. -That night they took passage, and the following day found them with -their former friends in arms. The regiment was still in position close -to the enemy’s works, and the appearance of the two lieutenants was -hailed with demonstrations of joy. Instead of being placed as privates -in the ranks, they were both immediately assigned the command of a -company each, not from any compliment to them, but from sheer necessity, -because the _white officers_ of these companies, feeling that the -colored soldiers were put in the front of the battle owing to their -complexion, were not willing to risk their lives, and had thrown up -their commissions. - -On the 5th of June, these two officers were put to the test, and nobly -did they maintain their former reputation for bravery. Capt. Howard -leading the way, they charged upon the rebel’s rifle-pits, drove them -out, and took possession, and held them for three hours, in the face of -a raking fire of artillery. Several times the blacks were so completely -hidden from view by the smoke of their own guns and the enemy’s heavy -cannon, that they could not be seen. It was at this time, that Capt. -Howard exhibited his splendid powers as a commander. The negroes never -hesitated. Amid the roar of artillery, and the rattling of musketry, -the groans of the wounded, and the ghastly appearance of the dead, the -heroic and intrepid Howard was the same. He never said to his men, “Go,” - but always, “Follow me.” At last, when many of their men were killed, -and the severe fire of the enemy’s artillery seemed to mow down every -thing before it, these brave men were compelled to fall back from the -pits which they had so triumphantly taken. At nightfall, Gen. Banks paid -the negro officers a high compliment, shaking the hand of Capt. Howard, -and congratulating him on his return, and telling his aides that this -man was worthy of a more elevated position. - -Although the First Louisiana had done well, its great triumph was -reserved for the 14th of June, when Capt. Howard and his associates in -arms won for themselves immortal renown. Never, in the palmy days of -Napoleon, Wellington, or any other general, was more true heroism shown. -The effect of the battle of the 27th of May, is thus described in “The -New-York Herald,” June 6:-- - -“The First Regiment Louisiana Native Guard, Col. Nelson, were in this -charge. _They went on the advance, and, when they came out, six hundred -out of nine hundred men could not be accounted for. It is said on every -side that they fought with the desperation of tigers_. One negro was -observed with a rebel soldier in his grasp, tearing the flesh from his -face with his teeth, other weapons having failed him. There are other -incidents connected with the conduct of this regiment _that have raised -them very much in my opinion as soldiers. After firing one volley, they -did not deign to load again, but went in with bayonets; and, wherever -they had a chance, it was all up with the rebels.”_ - -From “The New-York Tribune,” June 8:-- - -“Nobly done, First Regiment of Louisiana Native Guard! though you failed -to carry the rebel works against overwhelming numbers, you did not -charge and fight and fall in vain. That heap of six hundred corpses, -lying there dark and grim and silent before and within the rebel works, -is a better proclamation of freedom than even President Lincoln’s. A -race ready to die thus was never yet retained in bondage, and never can -be. Even the Wood copperheads, who will not fight themselves, and try to -keep others out of the Union ranks, will not dare to mob negro regiments -if this is their style of fighting. - -“Thus passes one regiment of blacks to death and everlasting fame.” - -Humanity should not forget, that, at the surrender of Port Hudson, not a -single colored man could be found alive, although thirty-five were known -to have been taken prisoners during the siege. All had been murdered. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV--GENERAL BANKS IN LOUISIANA. - - -_Gen. Banks at New Orleans.--Old Slave-laws revived.--Treatment of Free -Colored Persons.--Col. Jonas H. French.--Ill Treatment at Port Hudson._ - - -Gen. Banks’s antecedents were unfavorable to him when he landed in New -Orleans. True, he was from Massachusetts, and was a Republican; but he -belonged to the conservative portion of the party. The word “white” in -the militia law, which had so long offended the good taste and better -judgment of the majority of the people, was stricken out during the last -term of Gov. Banks’s administration, but failed to receive his sanction. -In his message vetoing the bill, he resorted to a laborious effort of -special pleading to prove that the negro was not a citizen. The fact -is, he was a Democrat dressed up in Republican garments. Gen. Butler -had brought the whites and blacks nearly to a level with each other as -citizens of New Orleans, when he was succeeded by Gen. Banks. The latter -at once began a system of treatment to the colored people, which showed -that his feelings were with the whites, and against the blacks. The -old slave-law, requiring colored persons to be provided with passes to -enable them to be out from their homes after half-past eight o’clock at -night was revived by Gen. Banks’s understrappers, as the following will -show:-- - -“_St. Charles Hotel, New Orleans, Jan. 25._ - -“On Tuesday evening last, at half-past eight o’clock, while passing up -St. Charles Street in company with F. S. Schell, Esq., the artist of -‘Frank Leslie’s Pictorial,’, who is attached to the Banks Expedition, -I was suddenly accosted by two colored women, one of whom, a beautiful -mulatto very tastily attired, besought me to protect her from the -watchmen, who, she said, were following close behind her on the opposite -side of the street, and were about to arrest her and her mother for -being out without passes. - -“I offered her and her mother all the protection in my power until they -should reach their home, which was but a few blocks distant; and I had -but scarcely made the proffer, when two powerful and muscular watchmen -came running across the street, club in hand, and at once proceeded -to arrest the women. I inquired of the officers by what authority they -arrested slaves or free colored people. They informed me that they were -acting under orders received from the chief of police, Col. Jonas H. -French. - -“The women begged, with tears in their eyes, for their liberty, that -they might return to their homes, where a sister was lying dangerously -ill, and towards whom they were hastening when seized by the watchmen. -Being enough of a ‘Yankee abolitionist’ to feel a glow of indignation -at this flagrant violation of human rights, and, as I supposed, illegal -assumption of power, I proceeded to the prison or watch-house, adjoining -the city hall, from the roof of which flies the flag of freedom. - -“What a sight was revealed to me on my visit to that prison! Such a -scene may I never be permitted to visit again! Securing permission, I -went into the corridor, from which lead the cells. There I saw, in one -cell, fifteen feet by twenty feet, fifty colored women and girls packed -like so many cattle: there were six or eight wooden berths, with _pine -mattresses_ and _oak pillows_, for these poor creatures to rest their -limbs upon. Of course, the most of them were obliged to stand uprightly, -or lie upon the wet flooring of the cell. - -“I never shall forget the emotions that arose within my bosom as I stood -intently gazing upon the sorrowing faces of these unfortunates as they -cast wistful glances through the heavy iron bars of their cell, and in -supplicating tones implored me to secure them their release. One pretty -young girl of fifteen, with a beautiful face, whose complexion was -that of a pretty Boston brunette, and with long flowing hair, slightly -crimpled, was sobbing as though her heart would break for her mother. -She was terrified at the surroundings of her new position, and the -hideous yells of drunken soldiers and sailors in the next cell. - -“There were confined in this cell several women, who, in New York or -Boston, would pass for white women without the slightest difficulty or -suspicion. And there were many darker countenances in that cell, that -were intelligent, and indicated the existence and beating of hearts -beneath those tinged and sable hues. In the opposite cells were over one -hundred colored men and boys of all colors, from the ebony, thick-lipped -African, to the mulatto, and delicately-tinged colored man. They were -there from all ages, from the little child of nine years, to the aged -and decrepit negro of seventy-five. There were the dandy darkey, slave -and free; the laborer, slave and free; the mechanic and waiter, slave -and free. - -“Some of these men were the fathers, husbands, and brothers of the women -in the opposite cells. It was but a little while after, when, the jailer -having barred the door which leads into the stone corridor, I heard -distinctly the swelling notes of ‘John Brown’s body lies mouldering,’ -&c., and shortly after the grand chorus of an ancient Methodist hymn, -‘For Jesus’ sake, we’ll serve the Lord.’ The next evening, I visited the -cells, and found that nearly all who had been imprisoned the previous -evening had been released on paying a fine of one dollar and a quarter -for free people, and one dollar and a half for slaves. - -“There were several likely-looking negro-girls still in the cell, and -three mothers. All of these mothers had sons in the Union army, enlisted -in the colored Native-Guard Regiment. One of them had _three_ sons in -one regiment; the other had two sons, her only children; and the only -child of the third, a boy of nineteen years, was a sergeant in a colored -company. These mothers were all the _property_ of rebels; for they told -me their masters and mistresses swore they would ‘never take the oath -of allegiance to the abolition Yankee Government.’ I asked them how -they happened to be imprisoned, and was informed that their masters and -mistresses had them ‘sent to prison for safe-keeping.’ - -“One mother told me she was always treated well until her sons joined -the negro regiment, since which time she had been whipped and otherwise -sadly abused. She was not allowed so much liberty at home, and her -mistress had put her off on a short allowance of food, because she did -not prevent her sons from enlisting. - -“Here is a verbatim copy of the official order requiring the arrest by -the police of all colored people found in the streets. Beyond the simple -written notice, nothing more has been made public in regard to this -important matter:-- - -“_Office Chief of Police._ - -“‘_Lieut. J. Duan_,--You are hereby ordered to arrest all negroes out -without passes after half past eight, P.M. - -“‘By order of - -“‘Col. J. H. French, - -“‘_Provost-marshal General and Chief of Police._’” - -“Notices of this kind were sent to all the station-houses, and were -posted in the offices. It is a most despotic law to put in force at such -an hour as this, to protect the property, in the shape of human flesh -and blood, in God’s creatures, belonging or _owned_, as they say, by the -very fiends who have no compulsion at shedding the precious life’s blood -of our sons and brothers, husbands and fathers. - -“We, who profess to be Christian people, contributing blood and treasure -for the suppression of this cursed Rebellion, are now called upon to -provide cells for the safekeeping of their slaves.”--_Correspondence of -The Boston Traveller._ - -The following private letter (says “The New-York Tribune”) from a -colored man in New Orleans, cancelling an order he had previous sent to -New York for a banner, may throw some light on the state of things in -the Southern metropolis:-- - -“Sir,--If you have not had the banner commenced, it is useless to have -it made at all, as, since the issuing of the President’s proclamation, -Jonas H. French has stopped all of our night-meetings, and has caused us -to get permits to hold meetings on Sunday, and sends his police around -to all of the colored churches every Sunday to examine all of the -permits. He had all the slaves that were turned out of their former -owners’ yards rearrested and sent back; those who belonged to rebels as -well as those who belong to loyal persons. The slaves were mustered -into the rebel army. He has them confined in jail to starve and die, -and refuses their friends to see them. He is much worse than our rebel -masters, he being the chief of police. Last night, after Gen. Banks left -the city, Col. French issued a secret order to all the police-stations -to arrest all the negroes who may be found in the streets, and at the -places of amusement, and placed in jail. There were about five -hundred, both free and slave, confined, without the least notice -or cause,--persons who thought themselves free by the President’s -proclamation, from the parishes of Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, -Catahoula, Concordia, Aragules, Jaques, Iberville, West Baton Rouge, -Point Coupee, Filiciana, East Baton Rouge, St. Helena, Washington, St. -Samany. Free persons of color from any of these parishes, who are found -within the limits of the city, are immediately arrested and placed in -jail by order of Col. French. Therefore it is useless to have the banner -made, as there is no use for it since Gen. Butler has left. R. K. T.” - -All colored persons, even those who had been born free, and had -resided in the city from infancy, were included in the order of the -provost-marshal. It is a fact beyond dispute, that both officers and -soldiers under Gen. Banks’s rule in Louisiana manifested a degree of -negro hate that was almost unknown before their advent. - -At the siege of Port Hudson, this prejudice against the blacks was -exhibited by all, from Gen. Banks down to the most ignorant private. A -correspondent in “The Boston Commonwealth,” dated at Port Hudson, July -17, 1864, says,-- - -“Thus, in the siege of Port Hudson, no one knew an instance of such -terrible assaults, without possibility of success, but only repeated -in obedience to Gen. Dwight’s order to ‘continue charging till further -orders.’ The white troops were unanimous in praising the valor of -this devoted regiment. How was it when the provisions of Paragraph 11, -Appendix B, Revised Army Regulations, 1863, were carried out? A General -Order from Gen. Banks authorizes ‘Port Hudson’ to be inscribed on every -banner but those of the colored regiments, which are _overlooked_. Do -those people who speak so loudly in praise of these regiments at Port -Hudson know they are the only ones not authorized to inscribe ‘Port -Hudson’ on their flags? Does _Adjutant-Gen. Thomas_ know it? The -only inscription on the banner of the glorious Seventy-third is the -blood-stain of the noble sergeant who bore it in this fierce assault, -and the rents made in the struggle of the corporals to obtain the dear -rag from the dying man who had rolled himself up in its fold. Regiments -which were ridiculed as cowards and vagabonds have Port Hudson on their -flags. Let us be cautious how we praise the First Native Guards: they -have it not on their flag. Thank God there were thousands of honest -privates in the ranks of the white regiments who will tell the story -of the First Native Guards! The changes of its designation and -consolidation with other regiments will not entirely obliterate its -fame. The blood of the heroic Callioux and his fellow-victims at Port -Hudson will cry to Heaven, and will be heard. - -“And how has it run in the campaign of 1864? This same devoted regiment -followed the army of Gen. Banks to Pleasant Hill; but Fort Pillow rushed -red on the general’s sight, and he dare not let them fight. They were -therefore made to ‘boost’ along the wagon-trains of the white troops; to -build the greater part of the famous bridge which saved the fleet, and -got Lieut.-Col. Bailey a star; to endure the kicks and insults of white -soldiers: the officers to be put in arrest by inferior officers of white -regiments, and returned to Morganzia. - -“Every available man is detailed daily, rain or shine, to work on the -fortifications under the jeers of loafing white soldiers and officers.” - -“The labor-system adopted by Gen. Banks for the freedmen was nothing less -than slavery under another name. Having no confidence in the negro’s -ability to take care of himself, he felt that, even in freedom, he -needed a master, and therefore put him in leading-strings. The general -evidently considered that the wishes of the white planters, whether -rebel or not, were to be gratified, although it were done at the expense -of the black man. In reconstructing the civil authorities of the city -of New Orleans, he carried out the same policy of ignoring the rights -of the colored people, as will be seen by the following extract from a -petition of the colored citizens to President Lincoln:-- - -“Your petitioners aver that they have applied in respectful terms to -Brig.-Gen. George F. Shepley, Military Governor of Louisiana, and to -Major-Gen. N. P. Banks, commanding the Department of the Gulf, praying -to be placed upon the registers as voters, to the end that they might -participate in the re-organization of civil government in Louisiana; and -that their petition has met with no response from those officers.” - -This petition was signed by the men, who, when the city was threatened -by the rebels during the siege of Port Hudson, took up arms for its -defence; all of whom were loyal to the American Union. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV--HONORS TO THE NOBLE DEAD. - - -_Capt. André Callioux.--His Body lies in State.--Personal -Appearance.--His Enthusiasm.--His Popularity.--His Funeral.--The great -Respect paid the Deceased.--General Lamentation._ - - -The death of Capt. André Callioux created a profound sensation -throughout Louisiana, and especially in New Orleans, where the deceased -had lived from childhood. This feeling of sorrow found vent at the -funeral, which took place on the 11th of July, 1863. We give the -following, written at the time by a correspondent of a New-York -Journal:-- - -_“New Orleans, Saturday, Aug. 1, 1863._” “The most extraordinary local -event that has ever been seen within our borders, and, I think, one of -the most extraordinary exhibitions brought forth by this Rebellion, was -the funeral of Capt. André Callioux, Company E, First Louisiana National -Guards. Here, in this Southern emporium, was performed a funeral -ceremony that for numbers and impressiveness never had its superior -in this city; and it was originated and carried through in honor of a -gallant soldier of the despised race, to enslave which, it is said, will -soothe this State back into the Union. - -“Capt. Callioux was fine-looking, and, in his military dress, had an -imposing appearance. I remember seeing him at Gen. Banks’s headquarters, -in company with at least fifteen of our prominent military officers; and -he was a marked personage among them all. In the celebrated assault and -repulse on Port Hudson by Gen. Banks, Capt. Callioux fell, at the head -of his company, on the 27th of May last, while gallantly leading it -on to the enemy’s works. His body, along with others of the national -regiments, after the battle, lay within deadly reach of the rebel -sharpshooters; and all attempts to recover the body were met with a -shower of Minie-bullets. Thus guarded by the enemy, or, I might -say, thus honored by their attention, the body lay exposed until the -surrender of the place, the 8th of July, when it was recovered, and -brought to this city to receive the astonishing ovation connected with -the last rights of humanity. - -“The arrival of the body developed to the white population here that -the colored people had powerful organizations in the form of civic -societies; as the Friends of the Order, of which Capt. Callioux was a -prominent member, received the body, and had the coffin containing it, -draped with the American flag, exposed in state in the commodious hall. -Around the coffin, flowers were strewn in the greatest profusion, and -candles were kept continually burning. All the rights of the Catholic -Church were strictly complied with. The guard paced silently to and fro, -and altogether it presented as solemn a scene as was ever witnessed. - -“In due time, the band of the Forty-second Massachusetts Regiment -made their appearance, and discoursed the customary solemn airs. The -officiating priest, Father Le Maistre, of the Church of St. Rose of -Lima, who has paid not the least attention to the excommunication and -denunciations issued against him by the archbishop of this diocese, then -performed the Catholic service for the dead. After the regular services, -he ascended to the president’s chair, and delivered a glowing and -eloquent eulogy on the virtues of the deceased. He called upon all -present to offer themselves, as Callioux had done, martyrs to the cause -of justice, freedom, and good government. It was a death the proudest -might envy. - -“Immense crowds of colored people had by this time gathered around -the building, and the streets leading thereto were rendered almost -impassable. Two companies of the Sixth Louisiana (colored) Regiment, -from their camp on the Company Canal, were there to act as an escort; -and Esplanade Street, for more than a mile, was lined with colored -societies, both male and female, in open order, waiting for the hearse -to pass through. - -“After a short pause, a sudden silence fell upon the crowd, the band -commenced playing a dirge; and the body was brought from the hall on the -shoulders of eight soldiers, escorted by six members of the society, and -six colored captains, who acted as pall-bearers. The corpse was conveyed -to the hearse through a crowd composed of both white and black people, -and in silence profound as death itself. Not a sound was heard save the -mournful music of the band, and not a head in all that vast multitude -but was uncovered. - -“The procession then moved off in the following order: The hearse -containing the body, with Capts. J. W. Ringgold, W. B. Barrett, S. J. -Wilkinson, Eugene Mailleur, J. A. Glea, and A. St. Leger (all of whom, -we believe, belong to the Second Louisiana Native Guards), and six -members of The Friends of the Order, as pall-bearers; about a hundred -convalescent sick and wounded colored soldiers; the two companies of the -Sixth Regiment; a large number of colored officers of all native guard -regiments; the carriages containing Capt. Callioux’s family, and a -number of army officers; winding up with a large number of private -individuals, and the following-named societies:-- - -Friends of the Order. - -Society of Economy and Mutual Assistance. United Brethren. - -Arts’ and Mechanics’ Association. - -Free Friends. - -Good Shepherd Conclave, No. 2. - -Artisans’ Brotherhood. - -Good Shepherd Conclave, No. 1. Union Sons’ Relief. Perseverance Society. - -Ladies of Bon Secours. - -La Fleur de Marie. - -Saint Rose of Lima. - -The Children of Mary Society. - -Saint Angela Society. - -The Immaculate Conception Society. The Sacred Union Society. - -The Children of Jesus. - -Saint Veronica Society. - -Saint Alphonsus Society. - -Saint Joachim Society. - -Star of the Cross. - -Saint Theresa Society. - -Saint Eulalia Society. - -Saint Magdalen Society. - -God Protect Us Society. - -United Sisterhood. - -Angel Gabriel Society. - -Saint Louis Roi Society. - -Saint Benoit Society. Benevolence Society. - -Well Beloved Sisters’ Society. - -Saint Peter Society. - -Saint Michael Archangel Society Saint Louis de Gonzague Society. Saint -Ann Society. - -The Children of Moses - -“After moving through the principal down-town streets, the body was -taken to the Bienville-street cemetery; and there interred with military -honors due his rank. - -“Capt. Callioux was a native of this city, aged forty-three years, and -was one of the first to raise a company under the call of Gen. Butler -for colored volunteers. ‘The Union,’ of this city, a paper of stanch -loyalty, which is devoted to the interests of the colored people, -speaking of Capt. Callioux, says ‘By his gallant bearing, his -gentlemanly deportment, his amiable disposition, and his capacities as a -soldier,--having received a very good education,--he became the idol of -his men, and won the respect and confidence of his superior officers. -He was a true type of the Louisianian. In this city, where he passed his -life, he was loved and respected by all who knew him. - -“‘In Capt. Callioux, the cause of the Union and freedom has lost a -valuable friend. Capt. Callioux, defending the integrity of the sacred -cause of liberty, vindicated his race from the opprobrium with which it -was charged. He leaves a wife and several children, who will have the -consolation that he died the death of the patriot and the righteous.’ - -“The long pageant has passed away; but there is left deeply impressed on -the minds of those who witnessed this extraordinary sight the fact that -thousands of people born in slavery had, by the events of the Rebellion, -been disinthralled enough to appear in the streets of New Orleans, -bearing to the tomb a man of their own color, who had fallen gallantly -fighting for the flag and his country,--a man who had sealed with -his blood the inspiration he received from Mr. Lincoln’s Emancipation -Proclamation. The thousands of the unfortunates who followed his remains -had the flag of the Union in miniature form waving in their hands, or -pinned tastefully on their persons. - -“We would ask, Can these people ever again be subjected to slavery? -Are these men who have been regenerated by wearing the United-States -uniform, these men who have given their race to our armies to fight our -would-be oppressors,--are these people to be, can they ever again be, -handed over to the taskmaster? Would a Government that would do such -a thing be respected by the world, be honored of God? Could the -Christianized people of the globe have witnessed the funeral of Capt. -Callioux, there would have been but one sentiment called forth, and that -is this,--that the National Government can make no compromise on this -slave question. It is too late to retreat: the responsibility has been -taken, and the struggle must go on until there is not legally a slave -under the folds of the American flag.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI.--HE NORTHERN WING OF THE REBELLION. - - -_The New-York Mob.--Murder, Fire, and Robbery.--The City given up to -the Rioters.--Whites and Blacks robbed in Open Day in the Great -Thoroughfares.--Negroes murdered, burned, and their Bodies hung on -Lamp-posts.--Southern Rebels at the Head of the Riot._ - - -The partial successes which the rebels had achieved at Bull Run, Ball’s -Bluff, and Big Bethel, together with the defiant position of Gen. Lee on -the one hand, and the bad management of Gen. McClellan on the other, had -emboldened the rebels, and made them feel their strength. - -Those who had served out their terms of service in the Union army were -not very anxious to re-enlist. The Conscript Act had been passed by -Congress, and the copperhead press throughout the land was urging the -people to resist the draft, when the welcome news of the surrender -of Vicksburg and Port Hudson came over the wires. The agents of the -Confederacy were at once despatched to New York to “let loose the dogs -of war.” - -As the blacks of the South had assisted in the capture of Vicksburg and -Port Hudson, the colored people of the North must be made to suffer for -it. - -The mob was composed of the lowest and most degraded of the foreign -population (mainly Irish), raked from the filthy cellars and dens of the -city, steeped in crimes of the deepest dye, and ready for any act, no -matter how dark and damnable; together with the worst type of onr native -criminals, whose long service in the prisons of the country, and whose -training in the Democratic party, had so demoralized their natures, that -they were ever on the hunt for some deed of robbery or murder. - -This conglomerated mass of human beings were under the leadership of men -standing higher than themselves in the estimation of the public, but, if -possible, really lower in moral degradation. Cheered on by men holding -high political positions, and finding little or no opposition, they went -on at a fearful rate. - -Never, in the history of mob-violence, was crime carried to such -an extent. Murder, arson, robbery, and cruelty reigned triumphant -throughout the city, day and night, for more than a week. - -Breaking into stores, hotels, and saloons, and helping themselves to -strong drink, _ad libitum_, they became inebriated, and marched through -every part of the city. Calling at places where large bodies of men -were at work, and pressing them in, their numbers rapidly increased to -thousands, and their fiendish depredations had no bounds. Having been -taught by the leaders of the Democratic party to hate the negro, and -having but a few weeks previous seen regiments of colored volunteers -pass through New York on their way South, this infuriated band of -drunken men, women, and children paid special visits to all localities -inhabited by the blacks, and murdered all they could lay their hands on, -without regard to age or sex. Every place known to employ negroes -was searched: steamboats leaving the city, and railroad depots, were -watched, lest some should escape their vengeance. - -Hundreds of the blacks, driven from their homes, and hunted and chased -through the streets, presented themselves at the doors of jails, -prisons, and police-stations, and begged admission. Thus did they -prowl about the city, committing crime after crime; indeed, in point of -cruelty, the Rebellion was transferred from the South to the North. - -These depredations were to offset the glorious triumphs of our arms in -the rebel States. - - Peaceful o’er the placid waters rose the radiant summer sun, - - Loyal voices shouted anthems o’er the conquest bravely won; - - For the walls of Vicksburg yielded to the Union shot and shell, - - While Port Hudson, trembling, waited but a clearer tale to tell. - - - But, alas! day’s golden image scarce had left its impress there, - - When above a Northern city rose the sounds of wild despair: - - Fiends and demons yet unnumbered rallied forth in bold array; - - Deeds of darkness, scenes of carnage, marked the traitors’ onward way. - - - Blind to feeling, deaf to mercy, who may judge the depth of crime? - - None but God may know the misery traced upon the Book of Time. - -The following account of the mob is from “The New-York Times” July 14, -1863:-- - -“The Orphan Asylum for Colored Children was visited by the mob about -four o’clock. This institution is situated on Fifth Avenue; and -the building, with the grounds and gardens adjoining, extends from -Forty-third to Forty-fourth Street. Hundreds and perhaps thousands of -the rioters, the majority of whom were women and children, entered the -premises, and, in the most excited and violent manner, ransacked and -plundered the building from cellar to garret. The building was located -in the most healthy portion of the city. It was purely a charitable -institution. In it there was an average of six or eight hundred homeless -colored orphans. The building was a large four-story one, with two wings -of three stories each. - -“When it became evident that the crowd designed to destroy it, a flag -of truce appeared on the walk opposite, and the principals of the -establishment made an appeal to the excited populace; but in vain. - -“Here it was, that Chief-Engineer Decker showed himself one of the -bravest of the brave. After the entire building had been ransacked, and -every article deemed worth carrying had been taken,--_and this included -even the little garments for the orphans, which were contributed by the -benevolent ladies of the city,--the premises were fired on the first -floor._ Mr. Decker did all he could to prevent the flames from being -kindled; but, when he was overpowered by superior numbers, with his own -hands he scattered the brands, and effectually extinguished the flames. -A second attempt was made, and this time in three different parts of the -house. Again he succeeded, with the aid of half a dozen of his men, in -defeating the incendiaries. The mob became highly exasperated at his -conduct, and threatened to take his life if he repeated the act. On -the front steps of the building, he stood up amid an infuriated and -half-drunken mob of two thousand, and begged of them to do nothing so -disgraceful to humanity as to burn a benevolent institution, which had -for its object nothing but good. He said it would be a lasting disgrace -to them and to the city of New York. - -“These remarks seemed to have no good effect upon them, and meantime -the premises were again fired,--this time in all parts of the house. Mr. -Decker, with his few brave men, again extinguished the flames. This -last act brought down upon him the vengeance of all who were bent on -the destruction of the asylum; and but for the fact that some firemen -surrounded him, and boldly said that Mr. Decker could not be taken -except over their bodies, he would have been despatched on the spot. The -institution was destined to be burned; and, after an hour and a half of -labor on the part of the mob, it was in flames in all parts. Three or -four persons were horribly bruised by the falling walls; but the names -we could not ascertain. There is now scarcely one brick left on another -of the Orphan Asylum. - -“At one o’clock yesterday, the garrison of the Seventh-avenue arsenal -witnessed a sad and novel sight. Winding slowly along Thirty-fourth -Street into Seventh Avenue, headed by a strong police force, came the -little colored orphans, whose asylum had been burned down on Monday -night. The boys, from two and three to fifteen years of age, followed by -little girls of the same ages, to the number of about two hundred each, -trotted along, and were halted in front of the arsenal. - -“Then came a large number of men and women, several having babes -in their arms, who had been forced to seek refuge in adjacent -station-houses from the fury of the mob. Most of them carried small -bundles of clothing and light articles of furniture, all they had been -able to save from the wreck of their property. The negroes who had -sought safety under the guns of the arsenal were then taken out, -and ordered to join their friends outside. The procession was -then re-formed, and, headed by the police, marched back again down -Thirty-fifth Street to the North River. - -“A strong detachment of Hawkins’s Zouaves guarded the flanks of the -procession; while a company of the Tenth New-York Volunteers, and a -squad of police, closed up the rear. Col. William Meyer had command -of the escort; and on arriving at the pier, where a numerous crowd had -followed them, he placed his men, with fixed bayonets, facing the people -to keep them in check; and the negroes were all safely embarked, and -conveyed to Ricker’s Island. - -“The poor negroes have had a hard time. Finding they were to be -slaughtered indiscriminately, they have hid themselves in cellars -and garrets, and have endeavored, under cover of darkness, to flee to -neighboring places. The Elysian Fields, over in Hoboken, has been a -pretty safe refuge for them, as there are but few Irish living-in that -city. They have a sort of improvised camp there, composed mainly of -women and children.” - -Blacks were chased to the docks, thrown into the river, and drowned; -while some, after being murdered, were hung to lamp-posts. Between forty -and fifty colored persons were killed, and nearly as many maimed for -life. But space will not allow us to give any thing like a detailed -account of this most barbarous outrage. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII--ASSAULT ON FORT WAGNER. - - -_The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment.--Col. Shaw.--March to the -Island.--Preparation.--Speeches.--The Attack.--Storm of Shot, Shell, -and Canister.--Heroism of Officers and Men.--Death of Col. Shaw.--The -Color-sergeant.--The Retreat.--“Buried with his Niggers.”--Comments._ - - -On the 16th of July, the Fifty-fourth Regiment (colored), Col. R. G. -Shaw, was attacked by the enemy, on James Island, in which a fight of -two hours’ duration took place, the Rebels largely outnumbering the -Union forces. The Fifty-fourth, however, drove the enemy before them in -confusion. The loss to our men was fourteen killed and eighteen wounded. -During the same day, Col. Shaw received orders from Gen. Gillmore to -evacuate the island. Preparations began at dusk. The night was dark and -stormy, and made the movement both difficult and dangerous. The march -was from James Island to Cole Island, across marshes, streams, and -dikes, and part of the way upon narrow foot-bridges, along which it was -necessary to proceed in single-file. The whole force reached Cole -Island the next morning, July 17, and rested during the day on the -beach opposite the south end of Folly Island. About ten o’clock in the -evening, the colonel of the Fifty-fourth received orders directing him -to report, with his command, to Gen. George C. Strong, at Morris Island, -to whose brigade the regiment was transferred. - -From eleven o’clock of Friday evening until four o’clock of Saturday, -they were being put on the transport, “The Gen. Hunter,” in a boat which -took about fifty at a time. There they breakfasted on the same fare, and -had no other food before entering into the assault on Fort Wagner in the -evening. - -“The Gen. Hunter” left Cole Island for Folly Island at six, a.m.; and -the troops landed at Pawnee Lauding about nine and a half, a.m., and -thence marched to the point opposite Morris Island, reaching there about -two o’clock in the afternoon. They were transported in a steamer across -the inlet, and at four, p.m., began their march for Fort Wagner. They -reached Brigadier-Gen. Strong’s quarters, about midway on the island, -about six or six and a half o’clock, where they halted for five minutes. - -Gen. Strong expressed a great desire to give them food and stimulants; -but it was too late, as they had to lead the charge. They had been -without tents during the pelting rains of Thursday and Friday nights. -Gen. Strong had been impressed with the high character of the regiment -and its officers; and he wished to assign them the post where the most -severe work was to be done and the highest honor was to be won. - -The march across Folly and Morris Islands was over a sandy road, and was -very wearisome. The regiment went through the centre of the island, and -not along the beach, where the marching was easier. - -When they had come within six hundred yards of Fort Wagner, they formed -in line of battle, the colonel heading the first, and the major the -second battalion. This was within musket-shot of the enemy. There -was little firing from the enemy; a solid shot falling between the -battalions, and another falling to the right, but no musketry. At this -point, the regiment, together with the next supporting regiment, the -Sixth Connecticut, Ninth Maine, and others, remained half an hour. The -regiment was addressed by Gen. Strong and by Col. Shaw. Then, at seven -and a half or seven and three-quarters o’clock, the order for the charge -was given. The regiment advanced at quick time, changed to double-quick -when at some distance on. - -The intervening distance between the place where the line was formed and -the fort was run over in a few minutes. - -When about one hundred yards from the fort, the rebel musketry opened -with such terrible effect, that, for an instant, the first battalion -hesitated,--but only for an instant; for Col. Shaw, springing to the -front and waving his sword, shouted, “Forward, my brave boys!” and with -another cheer and a shout they rushed through the ditch, gained the -parapet on the right, and were soon engaged in a hand-to-hand conflict -with the enemy. Col. Shaw was one of the first to scale the walls. He -stood erect to urge forward his men, and, while shouting for them to -press on, was shot dead, and fell into the fort. His body was found, -with twenty of his men lying dead around him; two lying on his own body. - -The Fifty-fourth did well and nobly; only the fall of Col. Shaw -prevented them from entering the fort. They moved up as gallantly as any -troops could, and, with their enthusiasm, they deserved a better fate. - -Sergeant-major Lewis H. Douglass, son of Frederick Douglass, the -celebrated orator, sprang upon the parapet close behind Col. Shaw, and -cried out, “Come, boys, come, let’s fight for God and Governor Andrew.” - This brave young man was the last to leave the parapet. Before the -regiment reached the parapet, the color-sergeant was wounded; and, -while in the act of falling, the colors were seized by Sergt. William -H. Carney, who bore them up, and mounted the parapet, where he, too, -received three severe wounds. But, on orders being given to retire, the -color-bearer, though almost disabled, still held the emblem of liberty -in the air, and followed his regiment by the aid of his comrades, and -succeeded in reaching the hospital, where he fell exhausted and almost -lifeless on the floor, saying, “The old flag never touched the ground, -boys.” Capt. Lewis F. Emilio, the junior captain,--all of his superiors -having been killed or wounded,--took command, and brought the regiment -into camp. In this battle, the total loss in officers and men, killed -and wounded, was two hundred and sixty-one. - -When John Brown was led out of the Charlestown jail, on his way -to execution, he paused a moment, it will be remembered, in the -passage-way, and, taking a little colored child in his arms, kissed -and blessed it. The dying blessing of the martyr will descend from -generation to generation; and a whole race will cherish for ages the -memory of that simple caress, which, degrading as it seemed to the -slaveholders around him, was as sublime and as touching a lesson, and -as sure to do its work in the world’s history, as that of Him who said, -“Suffer little children to come unto me.” - -When inquiry was made at Fort Wagner, under flag of truce, for the body -of Col. Shaw of the Massachusetts Fifty-fourth, the answer was, “We have -buried him with his niggers!” It is the custom of savages to outrage the -dead, and it was only natural that the natives of South Carolina should -attempt to heap insult upon the remains of the brave young soldier; -but that wide grave on Morris Island will be to a whole race a holy -sepulchre. No more fitting burial-place, no grander obsequies, could -have been given to him who cried, as he led that splendid charge, “On, -my brave boys!” than to give to him and to them one common grave. As -they clustered around him in the fight: as they rallied always to the -clear ring of his loved voice; as they would have laid down their lives, -each and all of them, to save his; as they honored and reverenced him, -and lavished on him all the strong affections of a warm-hearted and -impulsive people: so when the fight was over, and he was found with the -faithful dead piled up like a bulwark around him, the poor savages did -the only one fitting thing to be done when they buried them together. -Neither death nor the grave has divided the young martyr and hero from -the race for which he died; and a whole people will remember in the -coming centuries, when its new part is to be played in the world’s -history, that “he was buried with his niggers!” - - They buried him with his niggers!” - - Together they fought and died. - - There was room for them all where they laid him - - (The grave was deep and wide), - - For his beauty and youth and valor, - - Their patience and love and pain; - - And at the last day together - - They shall all be found again. - - - They buried him with his niggers!” - - Earth holds no prouder grave: - - There is not a mausoleum - - In the world beyond the wave, - - That a nobler tale has hallowed, - - Or a purer glory crowned, - - Than the nameless trench where they buried - - The brave so faithful found. - - - “They buried him with his niggers!” - - A wide grave should it be. - - They buried more in that shallow trench - - Than human eye could see. - - Ay: all the shames and sorrows - - Of more than a hundred years - - Lie under the weight of that Southern soil - - Despite those cruel sneers. - - - “They buried him with his niggers!” - - But the glorious souls set free - - Are leading the van of the army - - That fights for liberty. - - Brothers in death, in glory - - The same palm-branches bear; - - And the crown is as bright o’er the sable brows - - As over the golden hair. - -Only those who knew Col. Shaw can understand how fitting it seems, when -the purpose of outrage is put aside and forgotten, that he should have -been laid in a common grave with his black soldiers. The relations -between colored troops and their officers--if these are good for any -thing, and fit for their places--must need be, from the circumstances -of the case, very close and peculiar. They were especially so with Col. -Shaw and his regiment. His was one of those natures which attract first -through the affections. Most gentle tempered, genial as a warm winter’s -sun, sympathetic, full of kindliness, unselfish, unobtrusive, and gifted -with a manly beauty and a noble bearing, he was sure to win the love, -in a very marked degree, of men of a race peculiarly susceptible to -influence from such traits of character as these. First, they loved -him with a devotion which could hardly exist anywhere else than in the -peculiar relation he held to them as commander of the first regiment -of free colored men permitted to fling out a military banner in this -country,--a banner that, so raised, meant to them so much! But, then, -came closer ties; they found that this young man, with education and -habits that would naturally lead him to choose a life of ease, with -wealth at his command, with peculiarly happy social relations (one -most tender one just formed), accepted the position offered him in -consideration of his soldierly as well as moral fitness, because he -recognized a solemn duty to the black man; because he was ready to throw -down all that he had, all that he was, all that this world could give -him, for the negro race! Beneath that gentle and courtly bearing which -so won upon the colored people of Boston when the Fifty-fourth was in -camp, beneath that kindly but unswerving discipline of the commanding -officer, beneath that stern but always cool and cheerful courage of the -leader in the fight, was a clear and deep conviction of a duty to the -blacks. He hoped to lead them, as one of the roads to social equality, -to fight their way to true freedom; and herein he saw his path of duty. -Of the battle two days before that in which he fell, and in which his -regiment, by their bravery, won the right to lead the attack on Fort -Wagner, he said, “I wanted my men to fight by the side of whites, and -they have done it;” thinking of others, not of himself; thinking of that -great struggle for equality in which the race had now a chance to gain -a step forward, and to which he was ready to devote his life. Could it -have been for him to choose his last resting-place, he would, no doubt, -have said, “Bury me with my men if I earn that distinction.” - - Buried with a band of brothers - - Who for him would fain have died; - - Buried with the gallant fellows - - Who fell fighting by his side; - - Buried with the men God gave him, - - Those whom he was sent to save; - - Buried with the martyred heroes, - - He has found an honored grave. - - - Buried where his dust so precious - - Makes the soil a hallowed spot; - - Buried where, by Christian patriot, - - He shall never be forgot; - - - Buried in the ground accursed, - - Which man’s fettered feet have trod; - - Buried where his voice still speaketh, - - Appealing for the slave to God; - - - Fare thee well, thou noble warrior, - - Who in youthful beauty went - - On a high and holy mission, - - By the God of battles sent. - - - Chosen of Him, “elect and precious,” - - Well didst thou fulfil thy part: - - When thy country “counts her jewels,” - - She shall wear thee on her heart. - -One who was present, speaking of the incidents before the battle, says -of Col. Shaw,-- - -“The last day with us, or, I may say, the ending of it, as we lay flat -on the ground before the assault, his manner was more unbending than -I had ever noticed before in the presence of his men. He sat on the -ground, and was talking to the men very familiarly and kindly. He told -them how the eyes of thousands would look upon the night’s work they -were about to enter on; and he said, ‘Now, boys, I want you to be men!’ -He would walk along the line, and speak words of cheer to his men. - -“We could see that he was a man who had counted the cost of the -undertaking before him; for his words were spoken ominously, his lips -were compressed, and now and then there was visible a slight twitching -of the corners of the month, like one bent on accomplishing or dying. -One poor fellow, struck no doubt by the colonel’s determined bearing, -exclaimed, as he was passing him, ‘Colonel, I will stay by you till I -die;’ and he kept his word: he has never been seen since. For one so -young, Col. Shaw showed a well-trained mind, and an ability of governing -men not possessed by many older or more experienced men. In him the -regiment has lost one of its best and most devoted friends. Col. Shaw -was only about twenty-seven years of age, and was married a few weeks -before he joined the army of the South.” - -The following correspondence between the father of Col. Shaw and Gen. -Gillmore needs no comment, but is characteristic of the family:-- - -“_Brig-Gen. Gillmore, commanding Department of the South._ - -“_Sir_,--I take the liberty to address you, because I am informed that -efforts are to be made to recover the body of my son, Col. Shaw, of the -Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment, which was buried at Fort Wagner. My -object in writing is to say that such efforts are not authorized by me, -or any of my family, and that they are not approved by us. We hold that -a soldier’s most appropriate burial-place is on the field where he has -fallen. I shall, therefore, be much obliged, general, if, in case the -matter is brought to your cognizance, you will forbid the desecration of -my son’s grave, and prevent the disturbance of his remains or of those -buried with him. With most earnest wishes for your success, I am, sir, -with respect and esteem, - -“Your most obedient servant, - -“_FRANCIS GEORGE SHAW._ - -“New York, Aug. 24,1863. - -“_Headquarters Department of the South,_ Morris Island, S.C., Sept. 5, -1863. - -“_F. G. Shaw, Esq., Clifton, Staten Island, N.Y._ - -_Sir!_ I have just received your letter, expressing the disapprobation -of yourself and family of any effort to recover the body of your son, -the late Col. Shaw, of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteers, buried -in Fort Wagner; and requesting me to forbid the desecration of his grave -or disturbance of his remains. - -“Had it been possible to obtain the body of Col. Shaw immediately after -the battle in which he lost his life, I should have sent it to his -friends, in deference to a sentiment which I know to be widely prevalent -among the friends of those who fall in battle, although the practice is -one to which my own judgment has never yielded assent. - -“The views expressed in your letter are so congenial to the feelings of -an officer, as to command not only my cordial sympathy, but my respect -and admiration. Surely no resting-place for your son could be found -more fitting than the scene where his courage and devotion were so -conspicuously displayed. - -“I beg to avail myself of this opportunity to express my deep sympathy -for yourself and family in their great bereavement, and to assure you -that on no authority less than your own shall your son’s remains be -disturbed. - -“Very respectfully, your obedient servant, - -“_Q. A. GILLMORE_, - -“_Brigadier-General commanding_.” - -The following address of the Military Governor of South Carolina to the -people of color in the Department of the South pays a fit tribute to the -memory of the lamented Col. Shaw:-- - -_“Beaufort, S.C., July 27, 1863._ - -“_To the Colored Soldiers and Freedmen in this Department._ - -“It is fitting that you should pay a last tribute of respect to the -memory of the late Col. Robert Gould Shaw, Colonel of the Fifty-fourth -Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers. He commanded the first regiment of -colored soldiers from a free State ever mustered into the United-States -service. - -“He fell at the head of his regiment, while leading a storming-party -against a rebel stronghold. You should cherish in your inmost hearts the -memory of one who did not hesitate to sacrifice all the attractions of -a high social position, wealth and home, and his own noble life, for -the sake of humanity; another martyr to your cause that death has added; -still another hope for your race. The truths and principles for which he -fought and died still live, and will be vindicated. On the spot where he -fell, by the ditch into which his mangled and bleeding body was thrown, -on the soil of South Carolina, I trust that you will honor yourselves -and his glorious memory by appropriating the first proceeds of your -labor as free men toward erecting an enduring monument to the hero, -soldier, martyr, Robert Gould Shaw. - -“_R. SAXTON,_ - -“_Brigadier-General and Military Governor._” - -We are glad to be able to say, that the noble proposition of Gen. Saxton -met with success. - -Col. Shaw was singularly fortunate in being surrounded by officers, like -himself, young, brave, and enthusiastic. Major Hallowed, the next in -command, was wounded while urging forward his men. Adjutant G. W. James, -Capts. S. Willard, J. W. M. Appleton, E. L. - -Jones, G. Pope, W. H. Simpkins, C. J. Russell, and C. E. Tucker, and -Lieuts. O. E. Smith, W. H. Homan, R. H. Jewett, and J. A. Pratt,--were -severely wounded. A large proportion of the non-commissioned officers -fell in the engagement or were badly wounded. Among these was Sergt. R. -J. Simmons, a young man of more than ordinary ability, who had learned -the science of war in the British army. The writer enlisted him in the -city of New York, and introduced him to Francis George Shaw, Esq., who -remarked at the time that Simmons would make “a valuable soldier’.” - Col. Shaw, also, had a high opinion of him. He died of his wounds in the -enemy’s hospital at Charleston, from bad treatment. The heroic act -of Sergt. Carney, to which we have already alluded, called forth -the following correspondence, which needs no comments, from the -Adjutant-General’s Report of the State of Massachusetts for the year -1865:-- - -“_New York, 596 Broadway, Boom 10,_ _Dec. 13, 1865._. - -“_To Adjutant-General of Massachusetts, Boston._ - -“_Sir_,--Will you be pleased to give me the name of some officer of -the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts colored regiment, so that I can obtain -information concerning the famous assault that regiment made on Fort -Wagner? I wish to learn the facts relating to the wounded color-bearer, -who, though wounded severely, bore the flag heroically while crawling -from the parapet to his retreating or repulsed regiment. It would make a -splendid subject for a. statuette. - -“Respectfully, - -“_T. H. BARTLETT,_ - -“_Sculptor_.” - -I immediately forwarded the letter to Col. Hallowell, with a request -that he would furnish me with all the facts relating to the incident -which he possessed. The following is Col. Hallowell’s reply:-- - -“_Boston, Dec. 18, 1865._ - -“_William Schouler, Adjutant-General._ - -“_Dear Sir_,--Your letter of the 15th to my brother, enclosing one from -Mr. Bartlett, and requesting me to furnish a statement of facts relating -to Sergt. Carney, of the Fifty-fourth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, -is received. The following statement is, to the best of my knowledge and -belief, correct; but you must remember it is made up principally from -hearsay, no one person having seen every incident, except the sergeant. -During the assault upon Fort Wagner, July 18, 1863, the sergeant -carrying the national colors of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts -Volunteers fell; but, before the colors reached the ground, Sergt. -Carney, of Company C, grasped them, and bore them to the parapet of the -fort; where he received wounds in both legs, in the breast, and in the -right arm: he, however, refused to give up his trust. When the regiment -retired from the fort, Sergt. Carney, by the aid of his comrades, -succeeded in reaching the hospital, still holding on to the flag, where -he fell, exhausted and almost lifeless, on the floor, saying, ‘The old -flag never touched the ground, boys.’ At the time the above happened, I -was not in a condition to verify the truth of the statements made to me; -but they come to me from very reliable parties, and from very different -people; so, after a close cross-examination of the sergeant (who was -known as a truthful man), I have concluded that the statement I have -made is substantially correct. - -“Sergt. Carney was an African, of, I should think, full blood; of very -limited education, but very intelligent; bright face, lips and nose -(comparatively) finely cut, head rather round, skin very dark, height -about five feet eight inches, not very athletic or muscular; had lived -in New Bedford, Mass., for many years. Hoping this will be of service to -Mr. Bartlett, I have the honor to be, very respectfully, - -“Your obedient servant, - -“_E. N. HALLOWELL_, - -“_Late Colonel, &c._” - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII--THE SLAVE-MARTYR. - - -_The Siege of Washington, N.C.--Big Bob, the Negro Scout.--The -Perilous Adventure.--The Fight.--Return.--Night Expedition.--The Fatal -Sandbar.--The Enemy’s Shells.--“Somebody’s got to die to get us out of -this, and it may as well be me.”--Death of Bob.--Safety of the Boat._ - - -The siege of Washington, N.C., had carried consternation among the -planters of the surrounding country, and contrabands were flocking in by -hundreds, when, just at day-break one morning, a band of seventeen came -to the shore, and hailed the nearest gunboat. The blacks were soon taken -on board, when it was ascertained that they had travelled fifty miles -the previous night, guided by their leader, a negro whom they called -“Big Bob.” This man was without a drop of Anglo-Saxon blood in his -veins, if color was a true index. It was also soon known that he was a -preacher, or had been, among his fellow-slaves. These men all expressed -a desire to be put to work, and, if allowed, to fight for “de ole flag.” - -“Big Bob” sported a suit of rebel gray, which his fellow-slaves could -not; and the way in which he obtained it was rather amusing. In the -region from which they escaped, the blacks were being enrolled in the -rebel army; and Bob and his companions were taken, and put under guard, -preparatory to their being removed to the nearest military post. Bob, -however, resolved that he would not fight for the rebel cause, and -induced his comrades to join in the plan of seizing the guard, and -bringing him away with them; which they did, Bob claiming the rebel -soldier’s clothes, when that individual was dismissed, after a march -of thirty miles from their home. Bob made an amusing appearance, being -above six feet in height, and dressed in a suit, the legs of the pants -of which were five or six inches too short, and the arms of the coat -proportionally short. - -A few days after the arrival of the contrabands, their services were -needed in an important expedition in the interior. These negroes, upon -being told what was wanted of them, although knowing that the enterprise -would be attended with the greatest danger, and would require the utmost -skill, volunteered their services, and, upon being furnished with arms -and implements, immediately started upon the expedition. Being landed -upon a point some little distance from Washington, they succeeded in -penetrating the enemy’s country, arresting three very important rebels, -and conveying them to the fleet. In the return march, the rebels -complained at their being made to walk so far and so fast; but Bob, the -captain of the company, would occasionally be heard urging them along -after this style: “March along dar, massa; no straggling to de rear: -come, close up dar, close up dar! we’re boss dis time.” On the arrival -of the party, the blacks were highly complimented by the commander. - -A week had scarcely passed, and the slaves rested, before they were sent -upon a more difficult and dangerous expedition; yet these men, with Bob -to lead them, were ready for any enterprise, provided they could have -arms and ammunition. Once more landed on shore, they started with a -determination to accomplish the object for which they had been sent. -They had not gone far before they were attacked by a scouting-party -from the rebel camp, and four of the whites and one of the blacks were -killed: one also of the latter was wounded. However, the rebels were put -to flight, and the negroes made good their escape. Still bent on obeying -the orders of the commander, they took a somewhat different route, and -proceeded on their journey. Having finished their mission, which was the -destroying of two very large salt-works, breaking up fifty salt-kettles, -a large tannery, and liberating twenty-three slaves, some of whom they -armed with guns taken in their fight with the rebels, Bob commenced -retracing his steps. The return was not so easily accomplished, for the -enemy were well distributed on the line between them and the gunboats. -After getting within four miles of the fleet, and near Point Rodman, a -fight took place between the colored men and the rebels, which lasted -nearly an hour. The blacks numbered less than forty; while the whites -were more than one hundred. The negroes were called upon to surrender; -but Bob answered, “No, I never surrenders.” And then he cried out, -“Come on, boys! ef we’s captud, we’s got to hang; and dat’s a fack.” - And nobly did they fight, whipping their assailants, and reaching the -gunboats with but the loss of three men killed and ten wounded. Bob and -his companions were greatly praised when once more on the fleet. - -But Bob’s days were numbered; for the next day a flat full of soldiers, -with four blacks, including Bob, attempted to land at Rodman’s Point, -but were repulsed by a terrible fire of rebel bullets, all tumbling into -the boat, and lying flat to escape being shot. Meanwhile the boat stuck -fast on the sand-bar, while the balls were still whizzing over and -around the flat. Seeing that something must be done at once, or all -would be lost, Big Bob exclaimed, “Somebody’s got to die to get us out -of this, and it may as well be me!” He then deliberately got out, and -pushed the boat of, and fell into it, pierced by five bullets. - - “The surf with ricochetting balls - - Was churned and splashed around us: - - I heard my comrades’ hurried calls, - - “The rebel guns have found us.’ - - - Our vessel shivered! Far beneath - - The treacherous sand had caught her. - - What man will leap to instant death - - To shove her into water? - - - Strange light shone in our hero’s eye; - - His voice was strong and steady: - - ‘My brothers, one of us must die; - - And I, thank God! am ready.’ - - - A shell flew toward us, hissing hate, - - Then screaming like a demon: - - He calmly faced the awful fate, - - Resolved to die a freeman. - - - He fell, his heart cut through with shot: - - The true blood of that martyr - - Out from his body spurted hot - - To flee the shame of barter. - - - We lifted up the brave man’s corse; - - We thought him fair aud saintly: - - The rebel bullets round us hoarse - - We heard, but dull and faintly. - - - ‘ Tis ever so: a great deed wrought, - - The doer falls that moment, - - As if to save the God-like thought - - From any human comment. - - - Heroes are dead men by that fact; - - Fame haunts our grave-yards, sighing, - - ‘Alas! that man’s divinest act - - Should be the act of dying.’” - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX--BATTLE OF OLUSTEE, FLORIDA. - - -_The Union Troops decoyed into a Swamp.--They are outnumbered.--Their -great Bravery.--The Heroism of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts.--Death of -Col. Fribley._ - - -The battle of Olustee was fought in a swamp situated thirty-five miles -west of Jacksonville, and four miles from Sanderson, in the State of -Florida. The expedition was under the immediate command of Gen. C. -Seymour, and consisted of the Seventh New Hampshire, Seventh Connecticut -(armed with Spencer rifles, which fire eight times without loading), -Eighth United-States (colored) Battery, Third United-States Artillery, -Fifty-fourth Massachusetts (colored), and First North-Carolina -(colored). The command having rested on the night of the 19th of -February, 1884, at Barbour’s Ford, on the St. Mary’s River, took up its -line of march on the morning of the 20th, and proceeded to Sanderson, -nine miles to the west, which was reached at one o’clock, p.m., without -interruption; but, about three miles beyond, the advance drove in the -enemy’s pickets. The Seventh Connecticut, being deployed as skirmishers, -fell in with the enemy’s force in the swamp, strengthened still more by -rifle-pits. Here they were met by cannon and musketry; but our troops, -with their Spencer rifles, played great havoc with the enemy, making -an attempt to take one of his pieces of artillery, but failed. However, -they hold their ground nobly for three-quarters of an hour, and were -just about retiring as the main body of our troops came up. - -The Eighth (colored), which had never been in battle, and which had been -recruited but a few weeks, came up and filed to the right, when they met -with a most terrific shower of musketry and shell. Gen. Seymour now came -up, and pointing in front, towards the railroad, said to Col. Fribley, -commander of the Eighth, “Take your regiment in there,”--a place which -was sufficiently hot to make the oldest and most field-worn veterans -tremble; and yet these men, who had never heard the sound of a cannon -before, rushed in where they commenced dropping like grass before the -sickle: still on they went without faltering, until they came within two -hundred yards of the enemy’s strongest works. Here these brave men stood -for nearly three hours before a terrible fire, closing up as their -ranks were thinned out, fire in front, on their flank, and in the rear, -without flinching or breaking. - -Col. Fribley, seeing that it was impossible to hold the position, passed -along the lines to tell the officers to fire, and fall back gradually, -and was shot before he reached the end. He was shot in the chest, told -the men to carry him to the rear, and expired in a very few minutes. -Major Burritt took command, but was also wounded in a short time. At -this time Capt. Hamilton’s battery became endangered, and he cried out -to our men for God’s sake to save his battery. Our United-States flag, -after three sergeants had forfeited their lives by bearing it during the -fight, was planted on the battery by Lieut. Elijah Lewis, and the men -rallied around it; but the guns had been jammed up so indiscriminately, -and so close to the enemy’s lines, that the gunners were shot down as -fast as they made their appearance; and the horses, whilst they were -wheeling the pieces into position, shared the same fate. They were -compelled to leave the battery, and failed to bring the flag away. The -battery fell into the enemy’s hands. During the excitement, Capt. Bailey -took command, and brought out the regiment in good order. Sergt. Taylor, -Company D, who carried the battle-flag, had his right hand nearly shot -off, but grasped the colors with the left hand, and brought them out. - -The Seventh New Hampshire was posted on both sides of the wagon-road, -and broke, but soon rallied, and did good execution. The line was -probably one mile long, and all along the fighting was terrific. - -Our artillery, where it could be worked, made dreadful havoc on the -enemy; whilst the enemy did us but very little injury with his, with the -exception of one gun, a sixty-four pound swivel, fixed on a truck-car -on the railroad, which fired grape and canister. On the whole, their -artillery was very harmless; but their musketry fearful. - -Up to this time, neither the First North Carolina nor the Fifty-fourth -Massachusetts had taken any part in the fight, as they were in the -rear some distance. However, they heard the roar of battle, and were -hastening to the field, when they were met by an aide, who came riding -up to the colonel of the Fifty-fourth, saying, “For God’s sake, colonel, -double-quick, or the day is lost!” Of all the regiments, every -one seemed to look to the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts with the most -dependence on the field of battle. This regiment was under the command -of Col. E. N. Hallowell, who fell wounded by the side of Col. Shaw, -at Fort Wagner, and who, since his recovery, had been in several -engagements, in all of which he had shown himself an excellent officer, -and had gained the entire confidence of his men, who were willing -to follow him wherever he chose to lead. When the aide met these two -regiments, he found them hastening on. - -The First North Carolina was in light marching order; the Fifty-fourth -Massachusetts was in heavy marching order, with knapsacks, haversacks, -canteens, and every other appurtenance of the soldier. But off went -every thing, and they double-quicked on to the field. At the most -critical juncture, just as the rebels were preparing for a simultaneous -charge along the whole line, and they had captured our artillery -and turned it upon us, Col. James Montgomery, Col. Hallo-well, and -Lieut.-Col. Hooper formed our line of battle on right by file into line. - -The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts went in first, with a cheer. They were -followed by the First North Carolina (colored). Lieut.-Col. Reed, -in command, headed the regiment, sword in hand, and charged upon the -rebels. They broke when within twenty yards of contact with our negro -troops. Overpowered by numbers, the First North Carolina fell back -in good order, and poured in a destructive fire. Their colonel fell, -mortally wounded. Major Bogle fell wounded, and two men were killed -in trying to reach his body. The Adjutant, William C. Manning, wounded -before at Malvern Hills, got a bullet in his body, but persisted -in remaining until another shot struck him. His lieutenant-colonel, -learning the fact, embraced him, and implored him to leave the field. -The next moment the two friends were stretched side by side: the colonel -had received his own death-wound. _But the two colored regiments had -stood in the gap, and saved the army!_ The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, -which, with the First North Carolina, may be truly said to have saved -the forces from utter route, lost eighty men. - -There were three color-sergeants shot down: the last one was shot three -times before he relinquished the flag of his country. His name was -Samuel C. Waters, Company C, and his body sleeps where he fell. The -battle-flag carried by Sergt. Taylor was borne through the fight with -the left hand, after the right one was nearly shot off. The rebels -fired into the place where the wounded were being attended to; and -their cavalry was about making a charge on it just as the Fifty-fourth -Massachusetts appeared on the field, when they retired. - -Had Col. Hallowell not seen at a glance the situation of affairs, -the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteers would have been killed or -captured. When they entered the field with the First North Carolina, -which is a brave regiment, they (the First North Carolina) fired well -while they remained; but they gave way, thus exposing the right. On the -left, the rebel cavalry were posted; and, as the enemy’s left advanced -on our right, their cavalry pressed the left. Both flanks were thus -being folded up, and slaughter or capture would have been the inevitable -result. We fell back in good order, and established new lines of battle, -until we reached Sanderson. Here a scene that beggars description was -presented. Wounded men lined the railroad station; and the roads -were filled with artillery, caissons, ammunition and baggage-wagons, -infantry, cavalry, and ambulances. The only organized bodies ready -to repel attack were a portion of the Fortieth Massachusetts Mounted -Infantry, armed with the Spencer repeating-rifle, the Fifty-fourth -Massachusetts Volunteers, and the Seventh Connecticut, commanded by Col. -Hawley, now governor of Connecticut. - -An occurrence of thrilling interest took place during the battle, which -I must not omit to mention: it was this:-- - -Col. Hallowed ordered the color-line to be advanced one hundred and -fifty paces. Three of the colored corporals, Pease, Palmer, and Glasgow, -being wounded, and the accomplished Goodin killed, there were four only -left,--Wilkins the acting sergeant, Helnian and Lenox. The colors were -perforated with bullets, and the staff was struck near the grasp of -the sergeant; but the color-guard marched steadily out, one hundred and -fifty paces to the front, with heads erect and square to the front; and -the battalion rallied around it, and fought such a fight as made Col. -Hallowell shout with very joy, and the men themselves to ring out -defiant cheers which made the pines and marshes of Ocean Pond echo -again. - -The attachment which the colored men form for their officers is very -great, often amounting to self-sacrifice. Thus when Major Bogle fell -wounded, one of his soldiers sprang forward to rescue him, and bear him -to the rear. At that instant a rebel sergeant fired, and wounded -the black man in the shoulder. This, however, did not force him to -relinquish his purpose, but appeared to add to his determination; and -he had his arms around the wounded officer, when a second ball passed -through the soldier’s head, and he fell and expired on the body of his -superior, who was taken prisoner by the enemy. - -Although these colored men had never been paid off, and their families -at home were in want, they were as obedient and fought as bravely as the -white troops, whose pockets contained “greenbacks,” and whose wives and -children were provided for. - -The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts went into the battle with “Three cheers -for Massachusetts, and seven dollars a month.” - -It is well known that the general in command came to the colonel and -said, “The day is lost: you must do what you can to save the army from -destruction.” And nobly did they obey him. They fired their guns till -their ammunition was exhausted, and then stood with fixed bayonets -till the broken columns had time to retreat, and though once entirely -outflanked, the enemy getting sixty yards in their rear, their undaunted -front and loud cheering caused the enemy to pause, and allowed them time -to change front. They occupied the position as rear guard all the way -back to Jacksonville; and, where-ever was the post of danger, there was -the Fifty-fourth to be found. - -When the forces arrived at Jacksonville, they there learned that the -train containing the wounded was at Ten-Mile Station, where it had -been left, owing to the breaking down of the engine. The Fifty-fourth -Massachusetts, fatigued and worn out as it was, was despatched at once, -late at night, to the assistance of the disabled train. Arriving at -Ten-Mile Station, they found that the only way to bring the wounded -with them was to attach ropes to the cars, and let the men act as motive -power. Thus the whole train of cars containing the wounded from the -battle of Olustee was dragged a distance of ten miles by that brave -colored regiment. All accounts give the negroes great praise for -gallantry displayed at this battle. Even the correspondent of “The -New-York Herald” gives this emphatic testimony: “The First North -Carolina and the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, of the colored troops, _did -admirably._ The First North Carolina _held the positions it was placed -in with the greatest tenacity, and inflicted heavy loss on the enemy. It -was cool and steady, and never flinched for a moment. The Fifty-fourth -sustained the reputation they had gained at Wagner, and bore themselves -like soldiers throughout the battle._” A letter from Beaufort, dated -Feb. 26, from a gentleman who accompanied Gen. Seymour’s expedition, has -the following passage relative to the conduct of the Fifty-fourth in the -repulse in Florida:-- - -“A word about the terrible defeat in Florida. We have been driven from -Lake City to within seven miles of Jacksonville,--fifty-three miles. The -rebels allowed us to penetrate, and then, with ten to our one, cut -us off, meaning to _‘bag’ us; and, had it not been for the glorious -Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, the whole brigade would have been captured -or annihilated._ This was the only regiment that rallied, broke the -rebel ranks, and saved us. _The Eighth United-States (colored) lost -their flag twice, and the Fifty-fourth recaptured it each time_. They -had lost, in killed and missing, about three hundred and fifty. They -would not retreat when ordered, but charged with the most fearful -desperation, driving the enemy before them, and turning their -left flank. If this regiment has not won glory enough to have -shoulder-straps, where is there one that ever did?” - - - - -CHAPTER XXX--BATTLE OF POISON SPRINGS, ARKANSAS. - - -_Hand-fought Battle.--Bravery of the Kansas Colored Troops.--They -die but will not yield.--Outnumbered by the Rebels.--Another severe -Battle.--The heroic Negro, after being wounded, fights till he dies._ - - -The battle of Poison Springs, Ark., between one thousand Union and -eight thousand rebel troops, was one of the most severe conflicts of the -war. Six hundred of the Union forces were colored, and from Kansas, some -of them having served under old John Brown during the great struggle in -that territory. These black men, as it will be seen, bore the brunt -of the fight, and never did men show more determined bravery than -was exhibited on this occasion. They went into the battle singing the -following characteristic song:-- - - “Old John Brown’s body lies a mouldering in the grave, - - While weep the sons of bondage, whom he ventured to save; - - But though he lost his life in struggling for the slave, - - His soul is marching on. - - Glory, glory, Hallelujah! - - Glory, glory, Hallelujah! - - Glory, glory, Hallelujah! - - His soul is marching on! - - John Brown was a hero, undaunted, true, and brave, - - And Kansas knew his valor, when he fought her rights to save; - - And now, though the grass grows green above his grave, - - His soul is marching on. - - He captured Harper’s Ferry with his nineteen men so few, - - And he frightened ‘Old Virginny’ till she trembled through and -through: - - They hung him for a traitor, themselves a traitor crew, - - For his soul is marching on, &c. - - - John Brown was John the Baptist, of the Christ we are to see,-- - - Christ, who of the bondman shall the Liberator be; - - And soon throughout the sunny South the slaves shall all be free, - - For his soul is marching on, &c. - - The conflict that he heralded, he looks from heaven to view, - - On the army of the Union, with its flag, red, white, and blue; - - And heaven shall ring with anthems o’er the deed they mean to do, - - For his soul is marching on, &c. - - - Ye soldiers of freedom then strike, while strike ye may, - - The death-blow of oppression in a better time and way; - - For the dawn of old John Brown has brightened into day, - - And his soul is marching on. - - Glory, glory, Hallelujah! - - Glory, glory, Hallelujah! - - Glory, glory, Hallelujah! - - And his soul is marching on.” - -The following graphic description of the battle will be read with -thrilling interest:-- - -“_Official Report of Major Richard G. Ward, commanding First Kansas -Colored Regiment at the battle of Poison Springs._ - -“_Headquarters First Kansas Colored Vols.,_ _Camden, Ark., April 20, -1864._ - -“_Col. J. M. Williams, commanding Escort to Forage-train._ - -“_Colonel_,--In conformity with the requirements of the circular issued -by you, April 19, 1864, I submit the following report of the conduct of -that portion of the escort which I had the honor to command, and of the -part taken by them in the action of the 18th inst:-- - -“I marched from the camp on White-Oak Creek, with the six companies left -with me as rear-guard, about seven o’clock, a.m. When I arrived at the -junction of the Washington Road, I found the Eighteenth Iowa Infantry -and a detachment of cavalry waiting to relieve me as rear-guard. At -this moment I received your order to press forward to the front, as your -advance was skirmishing with the enemy. Upon arriving, agreeably to your -order, I placed one wing of this regiment on each side of the section of -Rabb’s Battery, to support it, and awaited further developments. - -“After your cavalry had ascertained the position of the enemy’s force -on our right flank, and Lieut. Haines had planted one of his pieces in -a favorable position, I placed Companies A, B, E, and H in position to -support it. We had hardly got into position here, before our cavalry -were forced back upon our line by an overwhelming force of the enemy. -Lieut. Henderson, commanding detachment Sixth Kansas (than whom a -braver officer never existed), was severely wounded, and I ordered Corp. -Wallahan, Company M, Sixth Kansas, to form his men on my right. He had -scarcely formed them, ere Lieut. Mitchell, commanding detachment Second -Kansas Cavalry, was also driven in, when he was placed upon the extreme -right under your personal supervision. - -“The line of battle was now nearly in the form of the segment, of a -circle, the convex side being outward, or toward the enemy. Companies -C and I being on the north side of the road facing toward the east; -Companies D and F on the south side of the road, facing in the same -direction, whilst on my extreme right the men were drawn up in line -facing due south. It was now about half past eleven o’clock, a.m. -These dispositions were scarcely made ere the enemy opened a severe and -well-directed fire from a six-gun battery, at the distance of about one -thousand yards. This battery was near the road, due east of our line. -At the same time a howitzer battery, reported to me as having four guns, -opened on the south opposite my right, at a distance of six or seven -hundred yards. Although this was much the severest artillery fire that -any of the men had ever before been subjected to, and many of the -men were thus under fire for the _first time_, they were as cool as -veterans, and patiently awaited the onset of the enemy’s infantry. - -“Just after twelve o’clock, the enemy’s batteries slackened their fire, -and their infantry advanced to the attack. From the position of the -ground, it was useless to deliver a fire until the enemy were within one -hundred yards. I therefore reserved my fire until their first line was -within that distance, when I gave the order to fire. For about a quarter -of an hour, it seemed as though the enemy were determined to break my -lines, and capture the guns; but their attempts were fruitless, and they -were compelled to fall precipitately back, not, however, before they -had disabled more than half of the gunners belonging to the gun on the -right. - -“Again they opened their infernal cross-fires with their batteries, and -through the smoke I could see them massing their infantry for another -attack. I immediately applied to you for more men. - -“Companies G and K were sent me. I placed Company K upon the extreme -right (where the cavalry had rested, but which had now retired), and -Company G upon the left of Company B. Shortly after these dispositions -were made, the enemy again advanced, this time in two columns yelling -like fiends. Lieut. Macy, of Company C, whom you had sent out with -skirmishers from the left, was driven in; and I placed him, with his -small command, between Companies G and B. At this moment, yourself and -Lieut. Haines arrived on the right, and I reported to you the condition -of the gun, only two men being left to man it, when you ordered it to -the rear. Just as the boys were preparing to limber, a large body of the -enemy was observed making for the gun in close column, whereupon private -Alonzo Hendshaw, of the Second Indiana Battery, himself double-loaded -the piece with canister, and poured into the advancing column a parting -salute at the distance of about three hundred yards, and then limbered. -The effect was terrific. Our infantry redoubled their fire, and again -the massed columns sullenly retired. - -“Three different times the enemy were thus repulsed; and, as they were -massing for the fourth charge, I informed you that I believed it would -be impossible to hold my position without more men on my right and -centre. You replied that I should have them if they could be spared from -other points. I held my position until you returned; when, seeing your -horse fall, I gave you mine for the purpose of going to the Eighteenth -Iowa to form them in a favorable position for my line to fall back upon. -Agreeably to your order to hold the ground at any and all events until -this could be done, I encouraged the men to renew their exertions, -and repel the coming charge, intending, if I succeeded, to take that -opportunity of falling back, instead of being compelled to do so under -fire. My right succeeded in checking the advance; but, my left being -outflanked at the same time that my left-centre was sustaining the -attack of ten times their number, I ordered to fall back slowly toward -the train, changing front toward the left, to prevent the enemy from -coming up in my rear. We here made a stand of about ten minutes, when I -perceived that the enemy had succeeded in flanking my extreme right, and -that I was placed in a position to receive a cross-fire from their two -lines. I was then compelled, in order to save even a fragment of the -gallant regiment which for nearly two hours had, unaided, sustained -itself against Price’s whole army, to order a retreat. - -“Although a portion retired precipitately, the greater portion of them -kept up a continued fire the whole length of the train. I ordered the -men to retire behind the line of the Iowa Eighteenth, and form; but, -alas! four companies had lost their gallant commanders, and were -without an officer. By your aid, and the assistance of the few unharmed -officers, I succeeded in collecting a few of the command, and placing -them on the left of the Iowa Eighteenth. As they were slowly forced -backward, others took position in the line, and did all that could be -done to check the advance of the overwhelming forces of the enemy. I -sent a small force to assist Lieut. Haines in his gallant and manly -efforts to save his guns; and, had it not been for the worn condition of -the horses, I believe he would have succeeded. Accompanying this, I -send the reports of company commanders of the losses sustained by their -respective companies. It will be noticed that the heaviest punishment -was inflicted upon Company G, from the fact that it was more exposed to -the galling cross-fires of the enemy. - -“You will see that I went into action with about four hundred and fifty -enlisted men, and thirteen officers of the line. Seven out of that -gallant thirteen were killed or wounded. Five are reported dead on the -field: Capt. A. J. Armstrong, Company D; Lieut. B. Hitchcock, Company G; -Lieuts. Charles J. Coleman and Joseph B. Samuels, Company H; and Lieut. -John Topping, Company B. The cheerful offering of the lives of such -noble men needs not the assistance of any studied panegyric to bespeak -for it that spirit of lasting admiration with which their memories will -ever be enshrined. - -“Four companies fought their way to the rear, without a commissioned -officer. One hundred and thirteen men are killed, and sixty-nine -wounded,--some of them mortally. I cannot refrain from mentioning the -names of Capt. B. W. Welch, Company K, and Lieut. E. Q. Macy, Company -C. both of whom were wounded, as among the number of sufferers who -have earned the thanks and merit the sympathy of the loyal and -generous everywhere. Any attempt to mention the names of any soldier in -particular would be unjust, unless I mentioned all; for every one, as -far as I could see, did his duty coolly, nobly, and bravely. On the -right, where the enemy made so many repeated attempts to break my line, -I saw officers and men engaged in taking the cartridges from the bodies -of the dead; and, upon inquiring, found that their ammunition was nearly -expended. - -“The brave and soldier-like Topping was killed in the first charge; and -the gallant young Coleman, commanding Company H, was shot down in the -second charge. At what particular period of the engagement the other -officers fell, I am unable to state. To Capt. John R, Gratton, Company -C; Capt. William H. Smallwood, Company G; Lieut. R. L. Harris, Company -I: Lieut. B. G. Jones, Company A; Lieut. John Overdier, Company E; -Lieut. S. S. Crepps, Company F; and Adjutant William C. Gibbons, I -would tender my heartfelt thanks, for the faithful, efficient, and manly -performance of the most arduous duties, while subjected to the hottest -fire. - -“The loss in arms and clothing is quite serious; but, from the exhausted -state of the men, it is strange that as many of them brought in their -arms and accoutrements as did. Out of seventy-eight hours preceding -the action, sixty-three hours were spent by the entire command on duty, -besides a heavy picket-guard having been furnished for the remaining -fifteen hours. You are also reminded that the rations were of necessity -exceedingly short for more than a week previous to the battle. - -“We were obliged to bring our wounded away the best we could, as the -rebels were seen shooting those who fell into their hands. The men who -brought in the wounded were obliged to throw away their arms; but the -most who did so waited till they reached the swamps, and then sunk them -in the bayous. - -“I am, colonel, very respectfully, - -“Your obedient servant, - -“_R. G. WARD,_ - -“_Major First Kansas Colored Volunteers._‘’’ - -“Since this Report was published, official information has been received -at Fort Smith, that Capt. Armstrong and Lieut. Hitchcock are prisoners -of war in Arkansas, and not killed as reported. - -“Yours, - -“J. BOWLES, - -“Lieutenant-Colonel First Kansas Volunteers.” - -Eight days later, the same colored regiment had a fight with a superior -force in numbers of the rebels; and the subjoined account of the -engagement will show with what determination they fought. - -“On the 29th, we skirmished in the forenoon. In the afternoon, the -venturing-out of a detachment beyond the distance ordered brought on a -severe though short general engagement. At least one hundred and twenty -of the rebel cavalry made a charge upon this detachment of twenty-four -men. Before we could bring up re-enforcements, these fearfully -disproportioned parties were engaged in a desperate hand-to-hand -encounter. I was on the field, doing, with the other officers, the -best we could to bring up re-enforcements. There was no flinching, no -hesitation, or trembling limbs among the men; but fierce determination -flashing in their eyes, and exhibiting an eager, passionate haste to -aid their comrades, and vindicate the manhood of their race. The air was -rent with their yells, as they rushed on, and the difficulty manifested -was in holding them well in rather than in faltering. Among the -detachment cut off, of whom only six escaped unhurt, nothing I have -ever seen, read, or heard in the annals of war, surpasses the desperate -personal valor exhibited by each and every man. Bayonets came in bloody, -as did the stocks of guns; and the last charge was found gone from -cartridge-boxes. - -“During the fight, one poor fellow received a mortal wound, but would -not go to the rear. He told his officer that he could not live, but -would die fighting for the flag of liberty; and continued to load and -discharge his rifle until he fell dead on the field of glory. - - “The ball had crushed a vital part,-- - - He could not long survive; - - But, with a brave and loyal heart, - - For victory still would strive; - - - His rifle ‘gainst the traitor foe - - With deadly aim would ply; - - And, till his life-blood ceased to flow, - - Fight on for liberty. - - - His skin was of the ebon hue, - - His heart was nobly brave: - - To country, flag, and freedom true, - - He would not live a slave. - - - His rifle flashed,--a traitor falls: - - While death is in his eye, - - He bravely to his comrades calls, - - ‘Fight on for liberty!’ - - - He looked upon his bannered sign, - - He bowed his noble head,-- - - ‘Farewell, beloved flag of mine!’-- - - Then fell among the dead. - - - His comrades will remember well - - The hero’s battle-cry, - - As in the arms of death he fell,-- - - ‘Fight on for liberty!’ - - - And still for liberty and laws - - His comrades will contend, - - Till victory crowns the righteous cause, - - And tyrant power shall end. - - - Though low in earth the martyr lies, - - Still rings his battle-cry: - - From hill to hill the echo flies,-- - - ‘Fight on for liberty!’ - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI--THE MASSACRE AT FORT PILLOW. - - -_Assault and Capture of the Fort.--“No Quarter.”--Rebel -Atrocities.--Gens. Forrest and Chalmers.--Firing upon Flags of -Truce.--Murder of Men, Women, and Children.--Night after the -Assault.--Buried Alive.--Morning after the Massacre._ - - -Nothing in the history of the Rebellion has equalled in inhumanity and -atrocity the horrid butchery at Fort Pillow, Ky., on the 13th of April, -1864. In no other school than slavery could human beings have been -trained to such readiness for cruelties like these. Accustomed to -brutality and bestiality all their lives, it was easy for them to -perpetrate the atrocities which will startle the civilized foreign -world, as they have awakened the indignation of our own people. - -We have gleaned the facts of the fight from authentic sources, and they -may be relied upon as truthful. The rebels, under Forrest, appeared, and -drove in the pickets about sunrise on Tuesday morning. The garrison -of the fort consisted of about two hundred of the Thirteenth Tennessee -Volunteers, and four hundred negro artillery, all under command of -Major Booth: the gunboat “No. 7” was also in the river. The rebels -first attacked the outer forts, and, in several attempts to charge, were -repulsed. They were constantly re-enforced, and extended their lines to -the river on both sides of the fort. The garrison in the two outer forts -was at length overpowered by superior numbers, and about noon evacuated -them, and retired to the fort on the river. Here the fight was -maintained with great obstinacy, and continued till about four, p.m. The -approach to the fort from the rear is over a gentle declivity, cleared, -and fully exposed to a raking fire from two sides of the fort. About -thirty yards from the fort is a deep ravine, running all along the -front, and so steep at the bottom as to be hidden from the fort, and not -commanded by its guns. The rebels charged with great boldness dawn the -declivity, and faced, without blanching, a murderous fire from the guns -and small-arms of the fort, and crowded into the ravine; where they were -sheltered from fire by the steep bank, which had been thus left by some -unaccountable neglect or ignorance. Here the rebels organized for a -final charge upon the fort, after sending a flag of truce with a demand -for surrender, which was refused. The approach from the ravine was up -through a deep, narrow gully, and the steep embankments of the fort. The -last charge was made about four, p.m., by the whole rebel force, and was -successful after a most desperate and gallant defence. The rebel army -was estimated at from two thousand to four thousand, and succeeded by -mere force of numbers. The gunboat had not been idle, but, guided by -signals from the fort, poured upon the rebels a constant stream of shot -and shell. She fired two hundred and sixty shells, and, as testified to -by those who could see, with marvellous precision and with fatal effect. -Major Booth, who was killed near the close of the fight, conducted the -defence with great coolness, skill, and gallantry. His last signal to -the boat was, “We are hard pressed and shall be overpowered.” He refused -to surrender, however, and fought to the last. By the uniform and -voluntary, testimony of the rebel officers, as well as the survivors -of the fight, the negro-artillery regiments fought with the bravery and -coolness of veterans, and served the guns with skill and precision. -They did not falter nor flinch, until, at the last charge, when it -was evident they would be overpowered, they broke, and fled toward the -river: and here commenced the most barbarous and cruel outrages that -ever the fiendishness of rebels has perpetrated during the war. - -After the rebels were in undisputed possession of the fort, and the -survivors had surrendered, they commenced the indiscriminate butchery -of all the Federal soldiery. The colored soldiers threw down their -guns, and raised their arms, in token of surrender; but not the least -attention was paid to it. They continued to shoot down all they found. A -number of them, finding no quarter was given, ran over the bluff to the -river, and tried to conceal themselves under the bank and in the bushes, -where they were pursued by the rebel savages, whom they implored to -spare their lives. Their appeals were made in vain; and they were all -shot down in cold blood, and, in full sight of the gunboat, chased and -shot down like dogs. In passing up the bank of the river, fifty dead -might be counted, strewed along. One had crawled into a hollow log, and -was killed in it; another had got over the bank into the river, and had -got on a board that run out into the water. He lay on it on his face, -with his feet in the water. He lay there, when exposed, stark and stiff. -Several had tried to hide in crevices made by the falling bank, and -could not be seen without difficulty; but they were singled out, and -killed. From the best information to be had, the white soldiers were, to -a very considerable extent, treated in the same way. H. W. Harrison, one -of the Thirteenth Tennessee on board, says, that, after the surrender, -he was below the bluff, and one of the rebels presented a pistol to -shoot him. He told him he had surrendered, and requested him not to -fire. He spared him, and directed him to go up the bluff to the fort. -Harrison asked him to go before him, or he would be shot by others; but -he told him to go along. He started, and had not proceeded far before he -met a rebel, who presented his pistol. Harrison begged him not to fire; -but, paying no attention to his request, he fired, and shot him through -the shoulder; and another shot him in the leg. He fell; and, while he -lay unable to move, another came along, and was about to fire again, -when Harrison told him he was badly wounded twice, and implored him not -to fire. He asked Harrison if he had any money. He said he had a little -money, and a watch. The rebel took from him his watch and ninety dollars -in money, and left him. Harrison is, probably, fatally wounded. Several -such cases have been related to me; and I think, to a great extent, -the whites and negroes were indiscriminately murdered. The rebel -Tennesseeans have about the same bitterness against Tennesseeans in the -Federal army, as against the negroes. It was told by a rebel officer -that Gen. Forrest shot one of his men, and cut another with his sabre, -who were shooting down prisoners. It may be so; but he is responsible -for the conduct of his men. Gen. Chalmers stated publicly, while on the -Platte Valley, that, though he did not encourage or countenance his men -in shooting down negro captives, yet it was right and justifiable. - -The negro corporal, Jacob Wilson, who was picked up below Fort Pillow, -had a narrow escape. He was down on the river-bank, and, seeing that no -quarter was shown, stepped into the water so that he lay partly under -it. A rebel coming along asked him what was the matter: he said he was -badly wounded; and the rebel, after taking from his pocket all the money -he had, left him. It happened to be near by a flat-boat tied to the -bank, and about three o’clock in the morning. When all was quiet, Wilson -crawled into it, and got three more wounded comrades also into it, and -cut loose. The boat floated out into the channel, and was found ashore -some miles below. The wounded negro soldiers aboard feigned themselves -dead until Union soldiers came along. - -The atrocities committed almost exceed belief; and, but for the fact -that so many confirm the stories, we could not credit them. One man, -already badly wounded, asked of a scoundrel who was firing at him, to -spare his life. “No: damn you!” was the reply. “You fight with niggers!” - and forthwith discharged two more balls into him. One negro was made -to assist in digging a pit to bury the dead in, and was himself cast in -among others, and buried. Five are known to have been buried alive: of -these, two dug themselves out, and are now alive, and in the hospital. -Daniel Tyler, of Company B, was shot three times, and struck on the -head, knocking out his eye. After this, he was buried; but, not liking -his quarters, dug out. He laughs over his adventures, and says he is one -of the best “dug-outs” in the world. - -Dr. Fitch says he saw twenty white soldiers paraded in line on the bank -of the river; and, when in line, the rebels fired upon and killed -all but one, who ran to the river, and hid under a log, and in that -condition was fired at a number of times, and wounded. He says that -Major Bradford also ran down to the river, and, after he told them that -he had surrendered, more than fifty shots were fired at him. He then -jumped into the river, and swam out a little ways, and whole volleys -were fired at him there without hitting him. He returned to the shore, -and meeting, as the doctor supposes, some officer, was protected; but he -heard frequent threats from the rebels that they would kill him. - -“Yesterday afternoon,” says “The Cairo News” of April 16, “we visited -the United-States Hospital at Mound City, and had an interview with the -wounded men from Fort Pillow. - -“The Fort-Pillow wounded are doing much better than could be expected -from the terrible nature of their wounds. But one, William Jones, had -died, though Adjutant Bearing and Lieut. John H. Porter cannot possibly -long survive. Of the whole number,--fifty-two,--all except two were cut -or shot after they had surrendered! They all tell the same story of the -rebel barbarities; and listening to a recital of the terrible scenes at -the fort makes one’s blood run cold. They say they were able to keep the -rebels at bay for several hours, notwithstanding the immense disparity -of numbers; and, but for their treachery in creeping up under the walls -of the fort while a truce was pending, would have held out until ‘The -Olive Branch’ arrived with troops, with whose assistance they would have -defeated Chalmers. - -“So well were our men protected behind their works, that our loss -was very trifling before the rebels scaled the walls, and obtained -possession. As soon as they saw the Rebels inside the walls, the -Unionists ceased firing, knowing that further resistance was useless; -but the Rebels continued firing, crying out, ‘Shoot them, shoot them! -Show them no quarter!’ - -“The Unionists, with one or two exceptions, had thrown down their arms -in token of surrender, and therefore could offer no resistance. In vain -they held up their hands, and begged their captors to spare their lives. -But they were appealing to fiends; and the butchery continued until, out -of near six hundred men who composed the garrison, but two hundred and -thirty remained alive: and of this number, sixty-two were wounded, and -nine died in a few hours after. - -“Capt. Bradford, of the First Alabama Cavalry, was an especial object of -rebel hatred, and his death was fully determined upon before the assault -was made. After he had surrendered, he was basely shot; but, having -his revolver still at his side, he emptied it among a crowd of rebels, -bringing three of the scoundrels to the ground. The massacre was -acquiesced in by most of the rebel officers, Chalmers himself expressly -declaring that ‘home-made Yankees and negroes should receive no -quarter.’” - -The following is an extract from the Report of the Committee on the -Conduct of the War on the Fort-Pillow Massacre:-- - -“It will appear from the testimony that was taken, that the atrocities -committed at Fort Pillow were not the results of passion elicited by the -heat of conflict, but were the results of a policy deliberately decided -upon, and unhesitatingly announced. Even if the uncertainty of the -fate of those officers and men belonging to colored regiments, who have -heretofore been taken prisoners by the rebels, has failed to convince -the authorities of our Government of this fact, the testimony herewith -submitted must convince even the most sceptical, that it is the -intention of the rebel authorities not to recognize the officers and men -of our colored regiments as entitled to the treatment accorded by all -civilized nations to prisoners of war. - -“The declarations of Forrest and his officers, both before and after -the capture of Fort Pillow, as testified to by such of our men as have -escaped after being taken by him; the threats contained in the various -demands for surrender made at Paducah, Columbus, and other places; the -renewal of the massacre the morning after the capture of Fort Pillow; -the statements made by the rebel officers to the officers of our -gunboats who received the few survivors at Fort Pillow,--all this proves -most conclusively the policy they have determined to adopt. - -“It was at Fort Pillow that the brutality and cruelty of the rebels -were most fearfully exhibited. The garrison there, according to the -last returns received at headquarters, amounted to ten officers and five -hundred and thirty-eight enlisted men, of whom two hundred and -sixty-two were colored troops, comprising one battalion of the Sixteenth -United-States Heavy Artillery, formerly the First Alabama Artillery of -colored troops, under the command of Major L. F. Booth; one section of -the Second Light Artillery (colored); and a battalion of the Thirteenth -Tennessee Cavalry (white ), commanded by Major A. F. Bradford. Major -Booth was the ranking officer, and was in command of the fort. - -“Immediately after the second flag of truce retired, the rebels made a -rush from the positions they had so treacherously gained, and obtained -possession of the fort, raising the cry of ‘No quarter.’ But little -opportunity was allowed for resistance. Our troops, white and black, -threw down their arms, and sought to escape by running down the steep -bluff near the fort, and secreting themselves behind trees and logs -in the brush, and under the brush; some even jumping into the river, -leaving only their heads above the water. Then followed a scene of -cruelty and murder without parallel in civilized warfare, which needed -but the tomahawk and scalping-knife to exceed the worst atrocities ever -committed by savages. - -“The rebels commenced an indiscriminate slaughter, sparing neither age -nor sex, white nor black, soldier nor civilian. The officers and men -seemed to vie with each other in the devilish work. Men, women, and -children, wherever found, were deliberately shot down, beaten, and -hacked with sabres. Some of the children not more than ten years old -were forced to stand up by their murderers while being shot. The sick -and wounded were butchered without mercy; the rebels even entering the -hospital-buildings, and dragging them out to be shot, or killing them -as they lay there unable to offer the least resistance. All over the -hillside the work of murder was going on. Numbers of our men were -collected together in lines or groups, aud deliberately shot. Some were -shot while in the river; while others on the bank were shot, and their -bodies kicked into the water, many of them still living, but unable to -make exertions to save themselves from drowning. - -“Some of the rebels stood upon the top of the hill, or a short distance -from its side, and called to our soldiers to come up to them, and, as -they approached, shot them down in cold blood; and, if their guns or -pistols missed fire, forced them to stand there until they were again -prepared to fire. All around were heard cries of ‘No quarter, no -quarter!’ ‘Kill the d----d niggers, shoot them down!7 All who asked -for mercy were answered by the most cruel taunts and sneers. Some were -spared for a time, only to be murdered under circumstances of greater -cruelty. - -“No cruelty which the most fiendish malignity could devise was omitted by -these murderers. One white soldier who was wounded in the leg so as to -be unable to walk was made to stand up while his tormentors shot him. -Others who were wounded, and unable to stand up, were held up and again -shot. One negro who had been ordered by a rebel officer to hold his -horse was killed by him when he remonstrated; another, a mere child, -whom an officer had taken up behind him on his horse, was seen by Gen. -Chalmers, who at once ordered him to put him down and shoot him, which -was done. - -“The huts and tents in which many of the wounded sought shelter were set -on fire, both on that night and the next morning, while the wounded were -still in them; those only escaping who were able to get themselves out, -or who could prevail on others less injured to help them out: and some -of these thus seeking to escape the flames were met by these ruffians, -and brutally shot down, or had their brains beaten out. One man was -deliberately fastened down to the floor of a tent, face upwards, by -means of nails driven through his clothing and into the boards under -him, so that he could not possibly escape; and then the tent was set on -fire. Another was nailed to the sides of a building outside of the fort, -and then the building was set on fire and burned. The charred remains of -five or six bodies were afterwards found, all but one so much disfigured -and consumed by the flames, that they could not be identified; and the -identification of that one is not absolutely certain, although there -can hardly be a doubt that it was the body of Lieut. Albertson, -Quartermaster of the Thirteenth Virginia Cavalry, and a native -of Tennessee. Several witnesses who saw the remains, and who were -personally acquainted with him while living here, testified it to be -their firm belief that it was his body that was thus treated. - -“These deeds of murder and cruelty closed when night came on, only to -be renewed the next morning, when the demons carefully sought among the -dead lying about in all directions for any other wounded yet alive; and -those they found were deliberately shot. Scores of the dead and wounded -were found there the day after the massacre by the men from some of our -gunboats, who were permitted to go on shore, and collect the wounded, -and bury the dead. - -“The rebels themselves had made a pretence of burying a great many of -their victims; but they had merely thrown them, without the least regard -to care or decency, in the trenches and ditches about the fort, or -little hollows and ravines on the hillside, covering them but partially -with earth. Portions of heads and faces were found protruding through -the earth in every direction; and even when your Committee visited the -spot, two weeks afterwards, although parties of men had been sent on -shore from time to time to bury the bodies unburied, and re-bury the -others, and were even then engaged in the same work, we found the -evidences of the murder and cruelty still most painfully apparent. - -“We saw bodies still unburied, at some distance from the fort, of some -sick men who had been met fleeing from the hospital, and beaten down and -brutally murdered, and their bodies left where they had fallen. We -could still see the faces and hands and feet of men, white and black, -protruding out of the ground, whose graves had not been reached by those -engaged in re-interring the victims of the massacre; and, although -a great deal of rain had fallen within the preceding two weeks, the -ground, more especially on the side and at the foot of the bluff where -most of the murders had been committed, was still discolored by the -blood of our brave but unfortunate soldiers; and the logs and trees -showed but too plainly the evidences of the atrocities perpetrated. - -“Many other instances of equally, atrocious cruelty might be mentioned; -but your Committee feel compelled to refrain from giving here more of -the heart-sickening details, and refer to the statements contained -in the voluminous testimony herewith submitted. These statements were -obtained by them from eye-witnesses and sufferers. Many of them as -they were examined by your Committee were lying upon beds of pain and -suffering; some so feeble that their lips could with difficulty frame -the words by which they endeavored to convey some idea of the cruelties -which had been inflicted on them, and which they had seen inflicted on -others.” - -When the murderers returned, the day after the capture, to renew -their fiendish work upon the wounded and dying, they found a young and -beautiful mulatto woman searching among the dead for the body of -her husband. She was the daughter of a wealthy and influential rebel -residing at Columbus. With her husband, this woman was living near the -fort when our forces occupied it, and joined the Union men to assist in -holding the place. Going from body to body with all the earnestness with -which love could inspire an affectionate heart, she at last found the -object of her search. He was not dead; but both legs were broken. The -wife had succeeded in getting him out from among the piles of dead, and -was bathing his face, and giving him water to drink from a pool near by, -which had been replenished by the rain that fell a few hours before. At -this moment she was seen by the murderous band; and the cry was at once -raised, “Kill the wench, kill her!” The next moment the sharp crack of -a musket was heard, and the angel of mercy fell a corpse on the body -of her wounded husband, who was soon after knocked in the head by the -butt-end of the same weapon. Though these revolting murders were done -under the immediate eye of Gen. Chalmers, the whole was planned and -carried out by Gen. Forrest whose inhumanity has never been surpassed in -the history of civilized or even barbarous warfare. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII--INJUSTICE TO COLORED TROOPS. - - -_The Pay of the Men.--Government refuses to keep its Promise.--Efforts -of Gov. Andrew to have Justice done.--Complaint of the Men. ---Mutiny.--Military Murder.--Everlasting Shame._ - - -When the War Department commenced recruiting colored men as soldiers -in Massachusetts, New Orleans, and Hilton Head, it was done with the -promise that these men should receive the same pay, clothing, and -treatment that white soldiers did. The same was promised at Camp William -Penn, at Philadelphia. After several regiments had been raised and put -in the field, the War Department decided to pay them but ten dollars per -month, without clothing. The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteers, -and the Fifty-fifth, were both in South Carolina when this decision was -made; yet the Government held on to the men who had thus been obtained -under false pretences. Dissatisfaction showed itself as soon as this was -known among the colored troops. Still the blacks performed their duty, -hoping that Congress would see that justice was done to them. The men -refused to receive less than was their just due when the paymaster came -round, as the following will show:-- - -“_Hilton Head, S.C., Feb. 6,1864_. - -“Samuel Harrison, Chaplain of the Fifty-fourth Regiment Massachusetts -Volunteers (colored troops), asks pay at the usual rate of -chaplains,--one hundred dollars per month and two rations, which, he -being of African descent, I decline paying, under Act of Congress, July -17, 1862, which authorizes the employment of persons of African descent -in the army. The chaplain declines receiving any thing less. - -“_Paymaster, United-States Army.”_ - -It was left, however, for Massachusetts to take the lead, both by her -governor, and by her colored soldiers in the field, to urge upon the -Congress and the Administration the black man’s claims. To the honor of -John A. Andrew, the patriotic Chief Magistrate of the Bay State during -the Rebellion, justice was demanded again and again. The following will -show his feelings upon the subject:-- - -His Excellency Gov. Andrew, in a letter dated Executive Department, -Boston, Aug. 24, and addressed to Mr. Frederick Johnson, an officer in -the regiment, says,-- - -“I have this day received your letter of the 10th of August, and in -reply desire, in the first place, to express to you the lively interest -with which I have watched every step of the Fifty-fourth Regiment since -it left Massachusetts, and the feelings of pride and admiration with -which I have learned and read the accounts of the heroic conduct of -the regiment in the attack upon Fort Wagner, when you and your brave -soldiers so well proved their manhood, and showed themselves to be -true soldiers of Massachusetts. As to the matter inquired about in your -letter, you may rest assured that I shall not rest until you shall -have secured all of your rights, and that I have no doubt whatever of -ultimate success. I have no doubt, by law, you are entitled to the same -pay as other soldiers; and, on the authority of the Secretary of War, I -promised that you should be paid and treated in all respects like other -soldiers of Massachusetts. Till this is done, I feel that my promise -is dishonored by the Government. The whole difficulty arises from a -misapprehension, the correction of which will no doubt be made as soon -as I can get the subject fully examined by the Secretary of War. - -“I have the honor to be your obedient servant, - -“_JOHN A. ANDREW,_ - -“_Governor of Massachusetts._” - -The subjoined letter, from a soldier of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts -Volunteers, needs no explanation:-- - -“We are still anticipating the arrival of the day when the Government -will do justice to the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Regiments, and pay -us what is justly our due. - -“We have fought like men; we have worked like men; we have been ready at -every call of duty, and thus have proved ourselves to be men: but still -we are refused the thirteen dollars per month. - -“Oh, what a shame it is to be treated thus! Some of us have wives and -little children, who are looking for succor and support from their -husbands and fathers; but, alas! they look in vain. The answer to the -question, ‘When shall we be able to assist them?’ is left wholly to the -Congress of the United States. - -“What will the families of those poor comrades of ours who fell at -James’s Island, Fort Wagner, and Olus-tee, do? They must suffer; for -their husbands and fathers have gone the way of all the earth. They have -gone to join that number that John saw, and to rest at the right hand of -God. - -“Our hearts pine in bitter anguish when we look back to our loved ones -at home, and we are compelled to shed many a briny tear. We have offered -our lives a sacrifice for a country that has not the magnanimity to -treat us as men. All that we ask is the rights of other soldiers, the -liberty of other free men. If we cannot have these, give us an honorable -discharge from the United-States service, and we will not ask for pay. - -“We came here to fight for liberty and country, and not for money (we -would scorn to do that); but they promised us, if we would enlist, they -would give us thirteen dollars per month. - -“It was all false. They only wanted to get the halter over our heads, -and then say, ‘Get out if you can.’ - -“Sir, the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Regiments would sooner consent to -fight for the whole three years, gratis, than to be put upon the footing -of contrabands. - -“It is not that we think ourselves any better than they; for we are not. -We know that God ‘hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell -on all the face of the earth;’ but we have enlisted as Massachusetts -Volunteers, and we will not surrender that proud position, come what -may.” - -Sergt. William Walker, of Company A, Third South-Carolina colored -troops, feeling that he and his associates were unjustly dealt with, -persuaded his company to go to their captain’s tent, and stack their -muskets, and refuse duty till paid. They did so, and the following was -the result:-- - - -CONDEMNED AND SHOT FOR MUTINY. - -“Sergt. William Walker, of Company A, Third South-Carolina colored -troops, was yesterday killed, in accordance with the sentence of a -court-martial. He had declared he would no longer remain a soldier for -seven dollars per month, and had brought his company to stack their arms -before their captain’s tent, refusing to do duty until they should -be paid thirteen dollars a month, as had been agreed when they were -enlisted by Col. Saxon. He was a smart soldier and an able man, -dangerous as leader in a revolt. His last moments were attended by -Chaplain Wilson, Twenty-fourth Massachusetts, and Chaplain Moore, of -the Second South-Carolina colored troops. The execution took place at -Jacksonville, Fla., in presence of the regiments there in garrison. He -met his death unflinchingly. Out of eleven shots first fired, but one -struck him. A reserve firing-party had been provided, and by these he -was shot to death. - -“The mutiny for which this man suffered death arose entirely out of the -inconsistent and contradictory orders of the Paymaster and the Treasury -Department at Washington.”--_Beaufort (S.C.) Cor. Tribune._ - -The United-States Paymaster visited the Department three times, and -offered to pay laborers’ wages, of ten dollars per month, to the -Massachusetts Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth, which to a man they refused, -saying, “‘Tis an insult, after promising us a soldier’s pay, and calling -upon us to do a soldier’s duty (and faithfully has it been performed), -to offer us the wages of a laborer, who is not called upon to peril his -life for his country.” Finding that the Government had tried to force -them to take this reduced pay, Massachusetts sent down agents to make -up the difference to them out of the State Treasury, trusting, that, ere -long, the country would acknowledge them as on an equality with the rest -of the army. But, in a manner that must redound to their credit, they -refused it. Said they, “‘Tis the principle, not the money, that we -contend for: we will either be paid as soldiers, or fight without -reward.” This drew down upon them the hatred of the other colored troops -(for those regiments raised in the South were, promised but ten dollars, -as the Government also took care of their families), and they had -to bear much from them; but they did not falter. Standing by their -expressed determination to have justice done them, they quietly -performed their duties, only praying earnestly that every friend of -theirs at the North would help the Government to see what a blot rests -on its fair fame,--a betrayal of the trust reposed in them by the -colored race. - -When they rushed forward to save our army from being slaughtered at -Olustee, it was the irrepressible negro humor, with something more than -a dash of sarcasm, that prompted the battle-cry, “Three cheers for Old -Massachusetts, and seven dollars a month!” (Three dollars were reserved -by Government for clothes.) - -Another soldier, a member of the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts, complains as -follows:-- - -“Eleven months have now passed away, and still we are without our pay. -How our families are to live and pay house-rent I know not. Uncle Sam -has long wind, and expects as much of us as any soldiers in the field; -but, if we cannot get any pay, what have we to stimulate us? - -“To work the way this regiment has for day’s, weeks, nay, months, and -yet to get no money to send to our wives, children, and mothers, who are -now suffering, would cause the blush of shame to mantle the cheek of a -cannibal, were he our paymaster. - -“But we will suffer all the days of our appointed time with patience, -only let us know that we are doing some good, make manifest, too, that -we are making men (and women) of our race; let us know that prejudice, -the curse of the North as slavery is the curse of the South, is -breaking, slowly but surely; then we will suffer more, work faster, -fight harder, and stand firmer than before.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII.--BATTLE OF HONEY HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA. - - -_Union Troops.--The March.--The Enemy.--The Swamp.--Earthworks.--The -Battle.--Desperate Fighting.--Great Bravery.--Col. -Hartwell.--Fifty-fifth Massachusetts.--The Dying and the Dead.--The -Retreat.--The Enemy’s Position.--Earthworks.--His Advantages.--The -Union Forces.--The Blacks.--Our Army outnumbered by the Rebels.--Their -concealed Batteries.--Skirmishing.--The Rebels retreat to their -Base.--The Battle.--Great Bravery of our Men.--The Fifty-fifth -Massachusetts saves the Army._ - - -Honey Hill is about two and a half miles east of the village of -Grahamville, Beaufort District. On the crest of this, where the road or -the highway strikes it, is a semicircular line of earthworks, defective, -though, in construction, as they are too high for infantry, and have -little or no exterior slope. These works formed the centre of the rebel -lines; while their left reached up into the pine-lands, and their right -along a line of fence that skirted the swamp below the batteries. They -commanded fully the road in front as it passes through the swamp at the -base of the hill, and only some fifty or sixty yards distant. Through -the swamp runs a small creek, which spreads up and down the roads for -some thirty or forty yards, but is quite shallow the entire distance. -Some sixty yards beyond this creek, the main road turns off to the left, -making an obtuse angle; while another and smaller road makes off to the -right from the same point. - -The Union forces consisted of six thousand troops, artillery, cavalry, -and infantry, all told, under the command of Major-Gen. J. G. Foster; -Gen. John P. Hatch having the immediate command. The First Brigade, -under Gen. E. E. Potter, was composed of the Fifty-sixth and One Hundred -and Forty-fourth United-States, Twenty-fifth Ohio, and Thirty-fourth and -Thirty-fifth United-States (colored). The Second Brigade, under Col. -A. S. Hartwell, was composed of the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth -Massachusetts, and Twenty-sixth and Thirty-second United-States -(colored). Col. E. P. Hallowed, of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, had, -in spite of his express desire, been left behind in command of Morris -and Folly Islands. As at the battle of Olustee, the enemy was met in -small numbers some three or four miles from his base, and, retreating, -led our army into the swamp, and up to his earthworks. So slight was the -fighting as our troops approached the fort, that all the men seemed in -high glee, especially the colored portion, which was making the woods -ring with the following song:-- - - “Ho, boys, chains are breaking; - - Bondsmen fast awaking; - - Tyrant hearts are quaking; - - Southward we are making. - - Huzza! Huzza! - - - Our song shall be - - Huzza! Huzza! - - That we are free! - - For Liberty we fight,-- - - Our own, our brother’s, right: - - We’ll face Oppression’s blight - - In Freedom’s earnest might. - - Huzza! Huzza! &c. - - - For now as men we stand - - Defending Fatherland: - - With willing heart and hand, - - In this great cause we band. - - Huzza! Huzza! &c. - - - Our flag’s Red, White, and Blue: - - We’ll bear it marching through, - - With rifles swift and true, - - And bayonets gleaming too. - - Huzza! Huzza! &c. - - - Now for the Union cheers, - - Huzza! Huzza! Huzza! - - For home and loved ones tears, - - For rebel foes no fears. - - Huzza! Huzza! Huzza! - - And joy that conflict nears. - - Huzza! Huzza! - - Our song shall be - - Huzza! Huzza! - - That we are free! - - - No more the driver’s horn - - Awakes us in the morn; - - But battle’s music borne, - - Our manhood shall adorn. - - Huzza! Huzza! &c. - - - No more for trader’s gold - - Shall those we love be sold; - - Nor crushed be manhood bold - - In slavery’s dreaded fold. - - Huzza! Huzza! &c. - - - But each and all be free - - As singing-bird in tree, - - Or winds that whistling flee - - O’er mountain, vale, and sea. - - Huzza! Huzza! &c. - -The Union forces approached the fort by the left road, which brought -them in front of the enemy’s guns pointing down the hill, which was also -down the road. An eyewitness of the battle gives the following account -of it:-- - -“The Thirty-second United-States colored troops were ordered to charge -the rebel fort as soon as we had got in position at the head of the -road. They attempted, but got stuck in the marsh, which they found -impassable at the point of their assault; and a galling fire of grape, -canister, and musketry, being opened on them, they were forced to -retire. - -“The Thirty-fourth United-States colored troops also essayed an assault, -but could not get near enough to produce any effect upon it. These -regiments, however, only fell back to the line of battle, where they -remained throughout the entire fight. - -“The Fifty-fifth Massachusetts (colored) went into the fight on the -right of the brigade, commanded by Col. Hartwell. The fire became very -hot; but still the regiment did not waver,--the line merely quivered. -Capt. Goraud, of Gen. Foster’s staff, whose gallantry was conspicuous -all day, rode up just as Col. Hartwell was wounded in the hand, and -advised him to retire; but the colonel declined. - -“Col. Hartwell gave the order: the colors came to the extreme front, -when the colonel shouted, ‘Follow your colors!’ The bugle sounded the -charge, and then the colonel led the way himself. - -“After an unsuccessful charge in line of battle by the Fifty-fourth -and Fifty-fifth Massachusetts, the Fifty-fifth was formed in column by -company, and again thrice marched up that narrow causeway in the face of -the enemy’s batteries and musketry. - -“Capt. Crane, of the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts, whose company had been -left in charge of Fort Delafield, at Folly Island, but who, at his own -request, had gone as aide to Col. Hartwell, was, as well as the colonel, -mounted. - -“Just as they reached the marsh in front of the turn in the road, and -within a short distance of the rebel works, the horse of brave Col. -Hartwell, while struggling through the mud, was literally blown in -pieces by a discharge of canister. - -“The colonel was wounded at the same time, and attempted to jump from -his horse; but the animal fell on him, pressing him into the mud. At -this time, he was riding at the side of the column, and the men pressed -on past; but, as they neared the fort, they met a murderous fire of -grape, canister, and bullets at short range. As the numbers of the -advance were thinned, the few who survived began to waver, and finally -the regiment retreated. - -“In retiring, Lieut. Ellsworth, and one man of the Fifty-fifth -Massachusetts, came to the rescue of Col. Hartwell, and in spite of his -remonstrance that they should leave him to his Tate, and take care of -themselves, released him from his horse, and bore him from the field. -But, before he was entirely out of range of the enemy’s fire, the -colonel was again wounded, and the brave private soldier who was -assisting was killed, and another heroic man lost. - -“The Twenty-fifth Ohio, soon after the commencement of the engagement, -were sent to the right, where they swung round, and fought on a line -nearly perpendicular to our main front. A portion of the Fifty-fifth -Massachusetts were with them. One or two charges were essayed, but -were unsuccessful; but the front was maintained there throughout the -afternoon. The Twenty-fifth had the largest loss of all the regiments. - -“The colored troops fought well throughout the day. Countercharges were -made at various times during the fight by the enemy; but our infantry -and artillery mowed them down, and they did not at any time get very -near our lines. Whenever a charge of our men was repulsed, the rebels -would flock out of their works, whooping like Indians; but Ames’s guns -and the terrible volleys of our infantry would send them back. The Naval -Brigade behaved splendidly. - -“The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, heroes of all the hard fights that -have occurred in the department, were too much scattered in this battle -to do full justice to themselves. Only two companies went into the -fight at first, under Lieut.-Col. Hooper. They were posted on the left. -Subsequently they were joined by four more companies, who were left on -duty in the rear. - -“Many scenes transpired in this battle which would furnish rich material -for the artist. In the midst of the engagement, a shell exploded amongst -the color-guard, severely wounding the color-sergeant, Ring, who -was afterwards killed by a bullet. Private Fitzgerald, of Company D, -Massachusetts Fifty-fifth, was badly wounded in the side and leg, but -remained at his post. Major Nutt, seeing his condition, ordered him to -the rear. The man obeyed; but soon the major saw that he had returned, -when he spoke sharply, ‘Go to the rear, and have your wounds dressed.’ -The man again obeyed the order; but in a few minutes more was seen by -the major, with a handkerchief bound around the leg, and loading and -firing. The major said to our informant, ‘I thought I would let him -stay.’” - -Like the Fifty-fourth at Olustee, the Fifty-fifth was the last regiment -to leave the field, and cover the retreat at Honey Hill. The following -account of the battle is from “The Savannah Republican v (rebel), -published a few days after the fight:-- - -“The negroes, as usual, formed the advance, and had nearly reached the -creek, when our batteries opened upon them down the road with a terrible -volley of spherical case. This threw them into temporary confusion; but -the entire force, estimated at five thousand, was quickly restored to -order, and thrown into a line of battle parallel with our own, up and -down the margin of the swamp. Thus the battle raged from eleven in the -morning till dark. The enemy’s centre and left were most exposed, and -suffered terribly. Their right was posted behind an old dam that ran -through the swamp, and it maintained its position till the close of the -fight. Our left was very much exposed, and an attempt was once or twice -made by the enemy to turn it by advancing through the swamp, and up the -hill; but they were driven back without a prolonged struggle. - -“The centre and left of the enemy fought; with a desperate earnestness. -Several attempts were made to charge our batteries, and many got nearly -across the swamp, but were, in every instance, forced back by the -galling fire poured into them from our lines. We made a visit to the -field the day following, and found the road literally strewn with their -dead. Some eight or ten bodies were floating in the water where the road -crosses; and in a ditch on the roadside, just beyond, we saw six negroes -piled one on top of the other. A colonel of one of the negro regiments, -with his horse, was killed while fearlessly leading his men across the -creek in a charge. - -“With that exception, all the dead and wounded officers were carried off -by the enemy during the night. Many traces were left where they were -dragged from the woods to the road, and thrown into ambulances or carts. -We counted some sixty or seventy bodies in the space of about an acre, -many of which were horribly mutilated by shells; some with half their -heads shot off, and others completely disembowelled. The artillery was -served with great accuracy, and wo doubt if any battle-field of the war -presents such havoc among the trees and shrubbery. Immense pines and -other growth were cut short off or torn into shreds.” - -It is only simple justice to the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Regiment, -to say, that at Honey Hill it occupied the most perilous position -throughout nearly the entire battle. - -Three times did these heroic men march up the hill nearly to the -batteries, and as many times were swept back by the fearful storm of -grape-shot and shell; more than one hundred being cut down in less than -half an hour. Great was its loss; and yet it remained in the gap, while -our outnumbered army was struggling with the foe on his own soil, and in -the stronghold chosen by himself. - -What the valiant Fifty-fourth Massachusetts had been at the battle of -Olustee, the Fifty-fifth was at Honey Hill. - -Never was self-sacrifice, by both officers and men, more apparent than -on this occasion; never did men look death more calmly in the face. See -the undaunted and heroic Hartwell at the head of his regiment, and hear -him shouting, “Follow your colors, my brave men!” and with drawn sword -leading his gallant band. His horse is up to its knees in the heavy mud. -The rider, already wounded, is again struck by the fragment of a shell, -but keeps his seat; while the spirited animal struggling in the mire, -and plunging about, attracts the attention of the braves, who are -eagerly pressing forward to meet the enemy, to retake the lost ground, -and gain a victory, or at least save the little army from defeat. A -moment more he is killed; and the brave Hartwell attempts to jump from -his charger, but is too weak. The horse falls with fearful struggles -upon its rider, and both are buried in the mud. The brave Capt. Crane, -the Adjutant, is killed, and falls from his horse near his colonel. -Lieut. Boynton, while urging his men, is killed. Lieut. Hill is wounded, -but still keeps his place. Capts. Soule and Woodward are both wounded, -and yet keep their command. The blood is running freely from the mouth -of Lieut. Jewett; but he does not leave his company. Sergeant-major -Trotter is wounded, but still fights. Sergt. Shorter is wounded in -the knee, yet will not go to the rear. A shell tears off the foot of -Sergeant-major Charles L. Mitchel; and, as he is carried to the rear, -he shouts, with uplifted hand, “Cheer up, boys: we’ll never surrender!” - But look away in front: there are the colors, and foremost amongst the -bearers is Robert M. King, the young, the handsome, and the gentlemanly -sergeant, whose youth and bravery attract the attention of all. Scarcely -more than twenty years of age, well educated, he has left a good home in -Ohio to follow the fortunes of war, and to give his life to help redeem -his race. The enemy train their guns upon the colors, the roar of cannon -and crack of rifle is heard, the advanced flag falls, the heroic King is -killed: no, he is not dead, but only wounded. A fellow sergeant seizes -the colors; but the bearer will not give them up. He rises, holds the -old flag aloft with one hand, and presses the other upon the wound in -his side to stop the blood. “Advance the colors!” shouts the commander. -The brave King, though saturated with his own blood, is the first to -obey the order. As he goes forward, a bullet passes through his heart, -and he falls. Another snatches the colors; but they are fast, the grasp -of death holds them tight. The hand is at last forced open, the flag is -raised to the breeze; and the lifeless body of Robert M. King is borne -from the field. This is but a truthful sketch of the part played by one -heroic son of Africa, whose death was lamented by all who knew him. This -is only one of the two hundred and forty-nine that fell on the field of -Honey Hill. With a sad heart, we turn away from the picture. - -But shall we weep for the sleeping braves, who, turning their backs upon -the alluring charms of home-life, went forth at the call of country -and race, and died, noble martyrs to the cause of liberty? ‘Tis noble to -_live_ for freedom; but is it not nobler far to _die_ that those coming -after you may enjoy it? - - “Dear is the spot where Christians weep; - - Sweet are the strains which angels pour: - - Oh! why should we in anguish weep? - - They are not lost, but gone before.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIV--BEFORE PETERSBURG AND RICHMOND. - - -_Assault and Failure.--Who to Blame.--Heroic Conduct of the Blacks.--The -Mine.--Success at the Second Attack.--Death of a Gallant Negro.--A Black -Officer._ - - -When the mining assault on Petersburg failed, with such fearful loss in -killed and wounded, the cry went through the land that it was owing -to the cowardice of the negro troops; but this falsehood was very soon -exploded. However, it will be well to state the facts connected with -the attempt. A writer in “The New-York Evening Post” gave the following -account of the preparation, attack, and failure, a few days alter it -occurred:-- - -“We have been continually notified for the last fortnight, that our -sappers were mining the enemy’s position. As soon as ready, our division -was to storm the works on its explosion. This rumor had spread so wide, -we had no faith in it. On the night of the 29th, we were in a position -on the extreme left. We were drawn in about nine, P.M., and marched to -Gen. Burnside’s headquarters, and closed in mass by division, left in -front. We there received official notice that the long-looked-for mine -was ready charged, and would be fired at daylight next morning. The plan -of storming was as follows: One division of white troops was to charge -the works immediately after the explosion, and carry the first and -second lines of rebel intrenchments. Our division was to follow -immediately, and push right into Petersburg, take the city, and be -supported by the remainder of the Ninth and the Twenty-eighth corps. We -were up bright and early, ready and eager for the struggle to commence. -I had been wishing for something of this sort to do for some time, -to gain the respect of the Army of the Potomac. You know their former -prejudices. At thirty minutes after five, the ball opened. The mine, -with some fifty pieces of artillery, went off almost instantaneously: -at the same time, the white troops, according to the plan, charged the -fort, which they carried, for there was nothing to oppose them; but they -did not succeed in carrying either of the lines of Intrenchments. - -“We were held in rear until the development of the movement of the white -troops; but, on seeing the disaster which was about to occur, we were -pushed in by the flank (for we could go in in no other way to allow us -to get in position): so you see on this failure we had nothing to do but -gain by the flank. A charge in that manner has never proved successful, -to my knowledge: when it does, it is a surprise. - -“Our men went forward with enthusiasm equal to any thing under different -circumstances; but, in going through the fort that had been blown up, -the passage was almost impeded by obstacles thrown up by the explosion. -At the same time, we were receiving a most deadly cross-fire from both -flanks. At this time, our Lieutenant-colonel (E. W. Ross) fell, shot -through the left leg, bravely leading the men. I immediately assumed -command, but only to hold it a few minutes, when I fell, struck by a -piece of shell in the side. - -“Capt. Robinson, from Connecticut, then took command; and, from all we -can learn, he was killed. At this time, our first charge was somewhat -checked, and the men sought cover in the works. Again our charge was -made, but, like the former, unsuccessful. This was followed by the enemy -making a charge. Seeing the unorganized condition and the great loss of -officers, the men fell back to our own works. Yet a large number still -held the fort until two, p.m.; when the enemy charged again, and carried -it. That ended the great attempt to take Petersburg. - -“It will be thus seen that the colored troops did not compose the first -assaulting, but the supporting column; and they were not ordered forward -until white troops in greater numbers had made a desperate effort to -carry the rebel works, and had failed. Then the colored troops were sent -in; moved over the broken ground, and up the slope, and within a short -distance of the parapet, in order, and with steady courage; but finally -broke and retreated under the same fire which just before had sent a -whole division of white regiments to the rightabout. If there be any -disgrace in that, it does not belong exclusively nor mainly to the -negroes. A second attack is far more perilous and unlikely to succeed -than a first; the enemy having been encouraged by the failure of the -first, and had time to concentrate his forces. And, in this case, there -seems to have been a fatal delay in ordering both the first and second -assault.” - -An officer in the same engagement said,-- - -“In regard to the bravery of the colored troops, although I have been in -upwards of twenty battles, I never saw so many cases of gallantry. The -‘crater’ where we were halted, was a perfect slaughter-pen. - -“Had not ‘some one blundered,’ but moved us up at daylight, instead of -eight o’clock, we should have been-crowned with success, instead of -being cut to pieces by a terrific enfilading fire, and finally forced -from the field in a panic. We had no trouble in rallying the troops, and -moving them into the rifle-pits; and, in one hour after the rout, I had -nearly as many men together as were left unhurt. - -“I was never under such a terrific fire, and can hardly realize how any -escaped alive. Our loss was heavy. In the Twenty-eighth (colored), for -instance, commanded by Lieut.-Col. Russell (a Bostonian), he lost -seven officers out of eleven, and ninety-one men out of two hundred and -twenty-four; and the colonel himself was knocked over senseless, for a -few minutes, by a slight wound in the head: both his color-sergeants -and all his color-guard were killed. Col Bross, of the Twenty-ninth, -was killed outright, and nearly every one of his officers hit. This was -nearly equal to Bunker Hill. Col. Ross, of the Thirty-first, lost his -leg. The Twenty-eighth, Twenty-ninth, and Thirtieth (colored), all -charged over the works; climbing up an earthwork six feet high, then -down into a ditch, and up on the other side, all the time under the -severest fire in front and flank. Not being supported, of course the -storming-party fell back. I have seen white troops run faster than -these blacks did, when in not half so tight a place. Our brigade lost -thirty-six prisoners, all cut off after leaving the ‘crater.’ My faith -in colored troops is not abated one jot.” - -Soon after the failure at Petersburg, the colored troops had a fair -opportunity, and nobly sustained their reputation gained on other -fields. At the battle of New-Market Heights, Va., the Tenth Army Corps, -under Major-Gen. Birney, met a superior number of the enemy, and had a -four-hours’ fight, Sept. 29, in which our men came off victorious. The -following order, issued on the 8th of October, needs no explanation:-- - -_“Headquarters, 3d Division, 18th Army Corps,_ _Before Richmond, Va., -Oct. 7, 1864._ - -“_General Orders No. 103._ - -“_Officers and Soldiers of this Division_,--Major-Gen. D. B. Birney, -commanding the Tenth Army Corps, has desired me to express to you the -high satisfaction he felt at your good conduct while we were serving -with the Tenth Corps, Sept. 29 and 80, 1864, and with your gallantry in -storming New-Market Heights. - -“I have delayed issuing this order, hoping for an opportunity to say -this to you in person. - -“Accept, also, my own thanks for your gallantry on Sept. 29, and your -good conduct since. You have won the good opinion of the whole Army of -the James, and every one who knows your deeds. - -“Let every officer and man, on all occasions, exert himself to increase -your present deserved reputation. - -“_C. J. PAINE, Brigadier-General._ - -“_(Signed) S. A. CARTER, A. A. G._ - -“_Headquarters Tenth Army Corps,_ _Aug. 19, 1864._ - -“_Major-Gen. Butler commanding Department._ - -“The enemy attacked my lines in heavy force last night, and were -repulsed with great loss. In front of one colored regiment, eighty-two -dead bodies of the enemy are already counted. The colored troops behaved -handsomely, and are in fine spirits. The assault was in columns a -division strong, and would have carried any works not so well defended. -The enemy’s loss was at least one thousand. - -“(Signed) Respectfully, - -“_D. B. BIRNEY, Major-General_ - -“Seventy-five of our Black Virginia Cavalry were surrounded by three -regiments of rebel infantry, and gallantly cut through them; and an -orderly-sergeant killed with his sabre six of the enemy, and escaped -with the loss of an arm by grape-shot. He lies in an adjoining room, and -is slowly recovering.” - - “Brave man, thy deeds shall fill the tramp of fame, - - And wake responsive echoes far and wide, - - And on contemners of thy race east shame; - - For thou hast nobly with the noblest vied. - - - Thy deeds recall the charge at Balaklava, - - Wherein six hundred were immortalized: - - Not any hero of that charge was braver; - - And thy great valor shall be recognized. - - - No wolf, pursued by hounds o’er hill and plain, - - At last more savagely stands up at bay, - - Finding past efforts to escape all vain, - - Then cleaves through dying hounds his bloody way. - - - Thine was the task, amid war’s wild alarm, - - The valor of thy race to vindicate: - - Now admiration all true bosoms warm, - - And places thee among the gallant great. - - - It thrills our hearts to think upon the strife - - In which, surrounded by the rebel host, - - Thou didst deal death for liberty and life, - - And freedom win, although an arm was lost. - - - O lion-hearted hero! whose fierce sword - - Made breathless thy oppressors, bravely bear - - Thy sufferings; for our sympathies are poured - - For thee, and gladly would relieve or share.” - -At the second attack on Petersburg, the colored troops did nobly. A -correspondent of “The New-York Times” wrote as follows:-- - -“As everybody seems to have negro on the brain in the army, I may be -pardoned for again alluding to the colored troops in this letter. A -single day’s work has wiped out a mountain of prejudice, and fairly -turned the popular current of feeling in this army in favor of the -down-trodden race; and every one who has been with them on the field -has some story to relate of their gallant conduct in action, or their -humanity and social qualities. The capture of the fort before referred -to is related, among other things, in evidence of their manhood -and gallantry; taking prisoners in the exciting moment of actual -hand-to-hand fighting, in face of the Fort-Pillow and other -similar rebel atrocities perpetrated elsewhere, upon their colored -companions-in-arms as evidence of their humanity,--that they are really -something more than the stolid brutes, such as some people profess to -believe. But, next to bravery, one impromptu act of theirs has done -more than all else to remove a supposed natural prejudice against them. -Wounded officers of two different brigades in the Second Corps tell me, -that, when they relieved the colored troops in front Wednesday night, -their men had been out of rations all day, and were very hungry, as may -well be supposed. When this fact became known to the negroes, to use -the expressive language of a wounded officer, ‘They emptied their -haversacks, and gave the contents to our boys.’ The colored troops, I -have had opportunity to know, bear their honors meekly, as become men. -Hereafter, the vile oath and offensive epithet will not be blurted out -against the negro soldier, and in his presence, upon every favorable -opportunity, as has too generally heretofore been the practice. This -will be exclusively confined to the professional stragglers, who are -never at the front when danger is there.” - -Sergt. Peter Hawkins, of the Thirty-first United States, exhibited -in the attack upon Petersburg marked abilities as a soldier. All the -officers of Company A being killed or wounded, he took command, and held -it for fourteen days. An eye-witness said,-- - -“He appointed men for guard and picket duty, made out his regular -morning report, issued rations, drilled his men, took them out on -dress-parade, or on fatigue-duty. Whatever important duty was devolved -upon him, he was the man to perform without murmuring. He is fully -competent to fill the office of a lieutenant or captain. He has clearly -proven on the field his unflinching courage and indomitable will.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXXV--WIT AND HUMOR OF THE WAR. - - -_Negro Wit and Humor.--The Faithful Sentinel.--The Sentinel’s -Respect for the United-States Uniform.--The “Nail-kag.”--The Poetical -Drummerboy.--Contrabands on Sherman’s March.--Negro Poetry on -Freedom.--The Soldier’s Speech.--Contraband capturing his Old Master._ - - -With all the horrors of the Rebellion, there were occasions when these -trying scenes were relieved by some amusing incident. Especially was -this true with regard to the colored people. Thus when Adjutant-Gen. -Thomas first announced the new policy in Mississippi, and they began -enlisting freedmen, one was put on guard at night, at Lake Providence, -and was instructed not to allow any one to pass without the countersign. -He was, however, told not to fire upon a person until he had called out, -“One, two, three.” The negro seemed not to understand it, and asked to -have the instructions repeated. “You are to walk from here to that tree, -and back,” continued the white sergeant, “and, if you see or hear any -one, call out, ‘Who comes there? Give the countersign. One, two, three.’ -And, if you receive no reply, shoot.”--“Yes, massa,” said Sam. “I got it -dis time, and no mistake.” After an hour or more on duty, Sam thought he -heard the tramp of feet, and began a sharp lookout. Presently bringing -his gun to his shoulder, and taking sight, he called out in quick -succession, “Who comes dar? Give de countersign. One, two, three!” And -“bang” went the gun. Fortunately, the negro’s aim was not as reliable as -was his determination to do his whole duty; and the only damage done was -a bullet-hole through the Intruder’s hat. When admonished by the officer -for not waiting for the man’s answer, the negro said, “Why, massa, I was -afraid dat ef I didn’t shoot quick, he’d run.” - -A colored sentinel was marching on his beat in the streets of Norfolk, -Va., when a white man, passing by, shouldered him insolently off the -sidewalk, quite into the street. The soldier, on recovering himself, -called out,-- - -“White man, halt!” - -The white man, Southerner like, went straight on. The sentinel brought -his musket to a ready, cocked it, and hailed again,-- - -“White man, halt, or I’ll fire!” - -The white man, hearing _shoot_ in the tone, halted, and faced about. - -“White man,” continued the sentry peremptorily, “come here!” - -He did so. - -“White man,” said, the soldier again, “me no care one cent’ bout this -particklar Cuffee; but white man bound to respeck this uniform (striking -his breast). White man, move on!” - -A Virginia rebel, who has issued a book giving his experience as a -prisoner in the hands of the Federals at Point Lookout and Elmira, tells -the following story:-- - -“The boys are laughing at the summons which S., one of my -fellow-Petersburgers, got to-day from a negro sentinel. S. had on when -captured, and I suppose still possesses, a tall beaver of the antique -pattern considered inseparable from extreme respectability in the last -decade and for many a year before. While wandering around the enclosure, -seeking, I suspect, ‘what he might devour,’ he accidentally stepped -beyond the ‘dead line,’ and was suddenly arrested by a summons from -the nearest negro on the parapet, who seemed to be in doubt whether so -well-dressed a man could be a ‘reb,’ and therefore whether he should be -shot at once. - -“White man, you b’long in dar?” - -“Yes.” - -“Well, ain’t you got no better sense dan to cross dat line?” - -“I did not notice the line.” - -“Well, you had better notice it, and dat quick, or I’ll blow half dat -_nail-kag_ off!” - -The following doggerel was composed by a drummer-boy, aged thirteen, -who had been a slave, and was without education. He sung it to the One -Hundred and Seventh Regiment United-States colored troops, to which he -was attached:-- - - “Captain Fiddler’s come to town - - With his abolition triggers: - - He swears he’s one of Lincoln’s men, - - ‘Enlisting all the niggers.’ - - - You’ll see the citizens on the street - - Whispering in rotation: - - What do they seem to talk about? - - Lincoln’s proclamation. - - - Some get sick, and some will die, - - Be buried in rotation: - - What was the death of such a man? - - Lincoln’s proclamation. - - - You’ll see the rebels on the street, - - Their noses like a bee gum; - - I don’t care what in thunder they say, - - I’m fighting for my freedom! - - - Richmond is a mighty place, - - And Grant’s as sound as a dollar; - - And every time he throws a shell, - - Jeff begins to holler. - - - My old massa’s come to town, - - Cutting a Southern figure: - - What’s the matter with the man? - - Lincoln’s got his niggers. - - Some folks say this ‘almighty fuss - - Is getting worse and bigger; - - Some folks say ‘it’s worse and worse,’ - - Because I am ‘a nigger.’ - - - We’ll get our colored regiments strung - - Out in a line of battle: - - I’ll bet my money agin the South - - The rebels will skedaddle.” - - -In his march, Gen. Sherman was followed by large numbers of contrabands. -They were always the first to welcome our troops. On entering -Fayetteville, the general was met by slaves, old and young; and a man of -many years exclaimed,-- - -“Tank de Almighty God, Mr. Sherman has come at last! We knew it, we -prayed for de day, and de Lord Jesus heard our prayers. Mr. Sherman has -come wid his company.” - -One fat old woman said to him, while shaking him by the hand, which he -always gladly gives to those poor people, “I prayed dis long time for -yer, and de blessing ob de Lord is on yer. But yesterday afternoon, when -yer stopped trowing de shells into de town, and de soldiers run away -from de hill ober dar, I thout dat Gen. Burygar had driven you away, -for dey said so; but here yer am dun gone. Bress de Lord, yer will hab a -place in heaben: yer will go dar sure.” - -Several officers of the army, among them Gen. Slocum, were gathered -round, interested in the scene. The general asked them:-- - -“Well, men, what can I do for you? Where are you from?” - -“We’s jus come from Cheraw. Massa took us with him to carry mules and -horses away from youins.” - -“You thought we would get them. Did you wish us to get the mules?” - -“Oh, yes, massa! dat’s what I wanted. We knowed youins cumin’, and I -wanted you to hav dem mules; but no use: dey heard dat youins on de -road, and nuthin’ would stop dem. Why, as we cum along, de cavalry run -away from the Yanks as if they fright to deth. Dey jumped into de river, -and some of dem lost dere hosses. Dey frightened at the very name ob -Sherman.” - -Some one at this point said, “That is Gen. Serman who is talking to -you.” - -“God bress me! is you Mr. Sherman?” - -“Yes: I am Mr. Sherman.” - -“Dats him, su’ miff,” said one. - -“Is dat de great Mr. Sherman that we’s heard ob so long?” said another. - -“Why, dey so frightened at your berry name, dat dey run right away,” - shouted a third. - -“It is not me that they are afraid of,” said the general: “the name of -another man would have the same effect with them if he had this army. It -is these soldiers that they run away from.” - -“Oh, no!” they all exclaimed. “It’s de name of Sherman, su’; and we hab -wanted to see you so long while you trabbel all roun jis whar you like -to go. Dey said dat dey wanted to git you a little furder on, and den -dey whip all your soldiers; but, God bress me, you keep cumin’ and a -cumin’ and dey allers git out.” - -“Dey mighty ‘fraid ob you, sar; day say you kill de colored men, too,” - said an old man, who had not heretofore taken part in the conversation. - -With much earnestness, Gen. Sherman replied,-- - -“Old man, and all of you, understand me. I desire that bad men should -fear me, and the enemies of the Government which we are all fighting -for. Now we are your friends; you are now free.” (“Thank you, Massa -Sherman,” was ejaculated by the group.) “You can go where you please; -you can come with us, or go home to your children. Wherever you go, you -are no longer slaves. You ought to be able to take care of yourselves.” - (“We is; we will.”) “You must earn your freedom, then you will be -entitled to it, sure; you have a right to be all that you can be, but -you must be industrious, and earn the right to be men. If you go back to -your families, and I tell you again you can go with us if you wish, -you must do the best you can. When you get a chance, go to Beaufort or -Charleston, where you will have a little farm to work for yourselves.” - -The poor negroes were filled with gratitude and hope by these kind -words, uttered in the kindest manner, and they went away with thanks and -blessings on their lips. - -During the skirmishing, one of our men who, by the way, was a forager, -was slightly wounded. The most serious accident of the day occurred to a -negro woman, who was in a house where the rebels had taken cover. When -I saw this woman, who would not have been selected as a type of -South-Carolina female beauty, the blood was streaming over her neck and -bosom from a wound in the lobe of her ear, which the bullet had just -clipped and passed on. - -“What was it that struck you, aunty?” I asked her. - -“Lor bress me, massa, I dun know, I jus fell right down.” - -“Didn’t you feel any thing, nor hear any sound?” - -“Yes, now I ‘member, I heerd a s-z-z-z-z-z, and den I jus knock down. I -drap on de groun’. I’se so glad I not dead, for if I died den de bad man -would git me, cos I dance lately a heap.” - -A contraband’s poetical version of the President’s Emancipation -Proclamation. - - “I’se gwine to tell ye, Sambo, - - What I heard in town to-day,-- - - I listened at the cap’n’s tent: - - I’ll tell ye what he say. - - - He say dat Massa Linkum, - - Way yonder Norf, ye see,-- - - Him write it in de Yankee book, - - ‘De nigger gwine for free.’ - - And now, ye see, I tell ye - - What Massa Linkum done: - - De seeesh can’t get way from dat - - No more’n dey dodge a gun. - - - It’s jes’ as sure as preachin’, - - I tell ye, Sambo, true,-- - - De nigger’s trouble ober now, - - No more dem lash for you. - - - I ‘speeted dat would happen: - - I had a sense, ye see, - - Of something big been gwine to come - - To make de people free. - - - I t’ought de flamin’ angel - - Been gwine for blow de trump; - - But Massa Linkum write de word - - Dat make de rebel jump. - - - So now we’ll pick de cotton, - - So now we’ll broke de corn: - - De nigger’s body am his own - - De bery day he born. - - - He grind de grits in safety, - - He eat de yams in peace; - - De Lord, him bring de jubilee, - - De Lord, him set de feas’. - - - So now, I tell ye, Sambo, - - Ye’re born a man to-day: - - Nobody gwine for con trad ie’ - - What Massa Linkum say. - - - Him gwine for free de nigger: - - De Lord, him gib de word; - - And Massa Linkum write’em down, - - O Sambo! praise de Lord!” - - -When the teachers were introduced into Jackson, Miss., soon after the -Union forces occupied the place, they found some very ignorant material -to work upon. One old woman, while attending the Sabbath school, being -asked who made her, replied, “I don’t know, ‘zacly, sir. I heard once who -it was; but I done forgot de gent-mun’s name.” The teacher thought that -the Lord’s name had been rather a stranger in that neighborhood. During -the siege of Port Hudson, a new schoolhouse was erected for the black -soldiers who had been enlisted in that vicinity; and, when it was -opened, the following speech was made by a colored soldier, called -Sergt. Spencer:-- - -“I has been a-thinkin’ I was old man; for, on de plantation, I was put -down wid de old hands, and I quinsicontly feeled myself dat I was a old -man. But since I has come here to de Yankees, and been made a soldier -for de Unite States, an’ got dese beautiful clothes on, I feels like -one young man; and I doesn’t call myself a old man nebber no more. An’ I -feels dis ebenin’ dat, if de rebs came down here to dis old Fort Hudson, -dat I could jus fight um as brave as any man what is in the Sebenth -Regiment. Sometimes I has mighty feelins in dis ole heart of mine, when -I considers how dese ere ossifers come all de way from de North to fight -in de cause what we is fighten fur. How many ossifers has died, and how -many white soldiers has died, in dis great and glorious war what we -is in! And now I feels dat, fore I would turn coward away from dese -ossifers, I feels dat I could drink my own blood, and be pierced through -wid five thousand bullets. I feels sometimes as doe I ought to tank -Massa Linkern for dis blessin’ what we has; but again I comes to de -solemn conclusion dat I ought to tank de Lord, Massa Linkern, and all -dese ossifers.’Fore I would be a slave ‘gain, I would fight till de last -drop of blood was gone. I has ‘cluded to fight for my liberty, and for -dis eddication what we is now to receive in dis beautiful new house what -we has. Aldo I hasn’t got any eddication nor no book-learnin’, I has -rose up dis blessed ebenin’ to do my best afore dis congregation. Dat’s -all what I has to say now; but, at some future occasion, I may say more -dan I has to say now, and edify you all when I has more preparation. -Dat’s all what I has to say. Amen.” - -After the fall of Port Hudson, Sergt. Spencer was sent with his company -into the interior; and, while in a skirmish, he captured his old master, -who was marched off by the chattel to headquarters, distant about six -miles. The master, not liking the long walk and his heavy gun, began -upbraiding his slave for capturing him, and, complaining of his -misfortune, stopped, laid down his gun, seated himself on an old log, -lighted his pipe, and said he could walk no farther. - -However, old Spencer soon told the prisoner a different tale. Waiting -a reasonable time for resting, the sergeant said, “Come, boss, you’s -smoked enough dar: come, I is in a hurry. I can’t wait no longer.” The -rebel still remonstrated with his slave, reminding him of what he once -was, and the possibility of his being again in his power. But these -admonitions made little or no impression on the sergeant, who resumed, -“Come, boss, come: dis is no time to tell ‘bout what you’s been or what -you’s gwine to be. Jes git right up and come long, or I’ll stick dis -bayonet in you.”--“Well, Spencer,” said the master, “you carry my -gun.”--“No, boss; you muss tote your own gun. I is bin toting you an’ -all your chilen des forty years, and now de times is changed. Come, now, -git up an move on, or I’ll stick you wid dis bayonet” (at the same -time drawing the bayonet from its scabbard). “Massa reb” shouldered his -unloaded shooter, and reluctantly continued his journey. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVI--A THRILLING INCIDENT OF THE WAR. - - -_Heroic Escape of a Slave.--His Story of his Sister.--Resides -North.--Joins the Army and returns to the South during the -Rebellion.--Search for his Mother.--Finds her.--Thrilling Scene.--Truth -stranger than Fiction._ - - -It was in the month of December, 1832, while Col. Rice and family -were seated around a bright wood-fire, whose blaze lighted up the large -dining-room in their old mansion, situated ten miles from Drayton, -in the State of Ohio, that they heard a knock at the door, which was -answered by the familiar “Come in,” that always greets the stranger in -the Western States. Squire Loomis walked in, and took a seat in one of -the three rocking-chairs which had been made vacant by the young folks, -who rose to give place to their highly influential and wealthy neighbor. -It was a beautiful night: the sky was clear, the wind had hushed its -deep meanings. The most brilliant of the starry throng stood out in bold -relief, despite the superior light of the moon. “I see some one standing -at the gate,” said Mrs. Rice, as she left the window, and came nearer -the fire. “I’ll go out and see who it is,” exclaimed George, as he -quitted his chair, and started for the door. The latter soon returned, -and whispered to his father; and both left the room, evincing that -something unusual was at hand. Not many minutes elapsed, however, before -the father and son entered, accompanied by a young man, whose complexion -showed plainly that other than Anglo-Saxon blood coursed through his -veins. The whole company rose, and the stranger was invited to draw near -to the fire. Question after question was now pressed upon the new-comer -by the colonel and squire, but without eliciting satisfactory replies. -“You need not be afraid, my friend,” said his host, as he looked -intently in the colored man’s face, “to tell where you are from, and to -what place you are going. If you are a fugitive, as I suspect, give -us your story, and we will protect and defend you to the last.” Taking -courage from these kind remarks, the mulatto said, “I was born, sir, in -the State of Kentucky, and raised in Missouri. My master was my father: -my mother was his slave. That, sir, accounts for the fairness of my -complexion. As soon as I was old enough to labor, I was taken into my -master’s dwelling as a servant, to attend upon the family. My mistress, -aware of my near relationship to her husband, felt humiliated; and -often, in her anger, would punish me severely for no cause whatever. My -near approach to the Anglo-Saxon aroused the jealousy and hatred of the -overseer; and he flogged me, as he said, to make me know my place. My -fellow-slaves hated me because I was whiter than themselves. Thus my -complexion was construed into a crime, and I was made to curse my father -for the Anglo-Saxon blood that courses through my veins. - -“My master raised slaves to supply the Southern market; and every year -some of my companions were sold to the slave-traders, and taken farther -South. Husbands were separated from wives, and children torn from the -arms of their agonized mothers. These outrages were committed by the -man whom nature compelled me to look upon as my father. My mother and -brothers were sold, and taken away from me: still I bore all, and made -no attempt to escape; for I yet had near me an only sister, whom I -dearly loved. At last the negro-driver attempted to rob my sister of her -virtue. She appealed to me for protection. Her innocence, beauty, and -tears were enough to stir the stoutest heart. My own, filled with grief -and indignation, swelled within me as though it would burst, or leap -from my bosom. My tears refused to flow: the fever in my brain dried -them up. I could stand it no longer. I seized the wretch by the throat, -and hurled him to the ground; and, with this strong arm, I paid him for -old and new. The next day I was tried by a jury of slaveholders for the -crime of having within me the heart of a man, and protecting my sister -from the licentious embrace of a libertine. And, would you believe -it, sir? that jury of enlightened Americans,--yes, sir, Christian -Americans,--after grave deliberation, decided that I had broken the -laws, and sentenced me to receive five hundred lashes upon my bare -back. But, sir, I escaped from them the night before I was to have -been flogged. Afraid of being arrested and taken back, I remained -the following day hid away in a secluded spot on the backs of the -Mississippi River, protected from the gaze of man by the large trees and -thick canebrakes that sheltered me. I waited for the coming of another -night. All was silent around me save the sweet chant of the feathered -songsters in the forest, or the musical ripple of the eddying waters -at my feet. I watched the majestic bluffs as they gradually faded away -through the gray twilight from the face of day into the darker shades -of night. I then turned to the rising moon as it peered above, ascending -the deep-blue ether, high in the heavens, casting its mellow rays over -the surrounding landscape, and gilding the smooth surface of the noble -river with its silvery hue. I viewed with interest the stars as they -appeared one after another in the firmament. It was then and there that -I studied nature in its lonely grandeur, and saw in it the goodness -of God, and felt that he who created so much beauty, and permitted the -fowls of the air and beasts of the field to roam at large, and be -free, never intended that man should be the slave of his fellow-man. I -resolved that I would be a bondman no longer; and, taking for my guide -the _north star_, I started ‘for Canada, the negro’s land of liberty. -For many weeks, I travelled by night, and lay by during the day. Oh! -how often, while hid away in the forest, waiting for nightfall, have I -thought of the beautiful lines I once heard a stranger recite!-- - - - “‘Oh hail, Columbia! happy land,-- - - The cradle-land of liberty! - - Where none but negroes bear the brand, - - Or feel the lash, of slavery. - - - Then let the glorious anthem peal, - - And drown “Britannia rules the waves:” - - Strike up the song that men can feel,-- - - “Columbia rules four million slaves!”’ - - -“At last I arrived at a depot of the underground railroad, took the -_express_ train, and here I am.”--“You are welcome,” said Col. Rice, -as he rose from his chair, walked to the window, and looked out, as -if apprehensive that the fugitive’s pursuers were near by. “You are -welcome,” continued he; “and I will aid you on your way to Canada, for -you are not safe here.” - -“Are you not afraid of breaking the laws by assisting this man to -escape?” remarked Squire Loomis. “I care not for laws when they stand in -the way of humanity,” replied the colonel. “If you aid him in reaching -Canada, and we should ever have a war with England, maybe he’ll take up -arms, and fight against his own country,” said the squire. The fugitive -eyed the law-abiding man attentively for a moment, and then exclaimed, -“Take up arms against my country? What country, sir, have I? The Supreme -Court of the United States, and the laws of the South, doom me to be the -slave of another. There is not a foot of soil over which the _stars and -stripes_ wave, where I can stand, and be protected by law. I’ve seen my -mother sold in the cattle-market: I looked upon my brothers as they were -driven away in chains by the slave-speculator. The heavy negro-whip has -been applied to my own shoulders, until its biting lash sunk deep into -my quivering flesh. Still, sir, you call this my country. True, true, I -was born in this land. My grandfather fought in the Revolutionary -War: my own father was in the war of 1812. Still, sir, I am a slave, a -chattel, a thing, a piece of property. I’ve been sold in the market with -horses and swine. The initials of my master’s name are branded on this -arm. Still, sir, you call this my country. And, now that I am making my -escape, you feel afraid if I reach Canada, and there should be war with -England, that I will take up arms against my country. Sir, I have no -country but the grave; and I’ll seek freedom there before I will be -taken back to slavery. There is no justice for me at the South: every -right of my race is trampled in the dust, until humanity bleeds at every -pore. I am bound for Canada, and woe to him that shall attempt to arrest -me! If it comes to the worst, I will die fighting for freedom.”--“I -honor your courage,” exclaimed Squire Loomis, as he sprang from his -seat, and walked rapidly to and fro-the room. “It is too bad,” continued -he, “that such men should be enslaved in a land whose Declaration of -Independence proclaims all men to be free and equal. I will aid you in -any thing that I can. What is your name?”--“I have no name,” said the -fugitive. “I once had a name,--it was William,--but my master’s nephew -came to live with him; and as I was a house-servant, and the young -master and I would, at times, get confused in the same name, orders -were given for me to change mine. From that moment, I resolved, that, as -slavery had robbed me of my liberty and my name, I would not attempt to -have another till I was free. So, sir, for once, you have a man standing -before you without a name.”--“I will name you George Loomis,” said the -squire. “I accept it,” returned the fugitive, “and shall try never to -dishonor it.” - -True to their promises, his new friends provided for his immediate -wants, and, as soon as a favorable opportunity occurred, started him on -his journey north. George reached Canada in a few weeks without further -adventure, and settled near the city of Toronto, where he resided, -engaged in honest labors and enjoying the fruits of his industry, -until the breaking-out of the Rebellion, when he returned to the United -States, eager to take part in the struggle. Owing to the fairness of his -complexion, he readily passed for a white man, and enlisted as such in a -Michigan regiment in 1863. He was with Gen. Grant’s army at the siege of -Vicksburg; and, after the surrender of that, stronghold, the regiment to -which George belonged was stationed in the town. Here the quadroon had -ample opportunity of conversing with the freedmen, which he often did, -for he had not lost his interest in the race. Going into a negro cabin -one day, and getting into conversation with an old woman, he found that -she was originally from the state of Kentucky, and lastly from Missouri, -and that they were from the same neighborhood. As each related the -experience through which they had passed, the interview became more and -more interesting. Often they eyed each other, but there was nothing to -indicate that they had ever met before. - -However, this was not to last long, for George, in describing the -parting scene with his mother, riveted the attention of the old woman, -who, at its close, said, “Dat scripshun peers like my gal, but you -can’t be no kin to her. But what’s your name?” eagerly asked the woman. -“William was my name, but I adopted the one I am known by now,” replied -he. “You don’t mean to say dat you is William?” - -“Yes: that was the name I was known by.”--“Well,” continued she, “I -had a son named William; but he run away, and massa went arter him, and -catch him, and sold him down the riber to de cotton-planter. So he -said when he came back.” The features of the two had changed so much -in thirty years, that they could not discover in each other any traces -whatever of former acquaintance. “My son,” said the old woman, “had a -scar on his right hand.” George sprang from his seat., and held out the -right hand. Tremblingly she put on her glasses, seized the hand, and -screamed, “Oh, oh, oh! I can’t ‘blieve dis is you. My son had a scar, a -deep scar, on the side of the left foot.” Quick as thought, George took -off the boot, and held up his foot, while the old woman was wiping her -glasses; for they were wet with tears. A moment more, and mother and -son were locked in each other’s arms. The dead was alive, the lost was -found. God alone knew the sorrow that had visited the two since they had -last met. Great was the rejoicing at this unexpected meeting; and the -old woman would, for several days, cause Loomis to take off his boot, -and show her the scar; and she would sit, hold the hand, and view the -unmistakable cut which helped her to identity her long-lost son. And she -would weep and exclaim, “Dis is de doins ob de Lord!” - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVII--PROGRESS AND JUSTICE. - - -_Great Change in the Treatment of Colored Troops.--Negro -Appointments.--Justice to the Black Soldiers.--Steamer -“Planter.”--Progress.--The Paymaster at last.--John S Rock._ - - -The month of May, 1864, saw great progress in the treatment of the -colored troops by the Government of the United States. The circumstances -were more favorable for this change than they had hitherto been. Slavery -had been abolished in the District of Columbia., Maryland, and Missouri: -the heroic assault on Fort Wagner, the unsurpassed bravery exhibited at -Port Hudson, the splendid fighting at Olustee and Honey Hill, had raised -the colored men in the estimation of the nation. President Lincoln and -his advisers had seen their error, and begun to repair the wrong. -The year opened with the appointment of Dr. A. T. Augusta, a colored -gentleman, as surgeon of colored volunteers, and he was at once assigned -to duty, with the rank of major. Following this, was the appointment, by -Gov. Andrew of Massachusetts, of Sergt. Stephen A. Swailes, of Company -F, Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment, as second lieutenant. - -M. R. Delany, M.D., was soon after appointed a major of negro -volunteers, and assigned to duty at Charleston, S.C. W. P. Powell, jun., -received an appointment as surgeon, about the same time. - -The steamer “Planter,” since being brought out of Charleston by Robert -Small, was under the command of a Yankee, who, being ordered to do -service where the vessel would be liable to come under the fire of -rebel guns, refused to obey: whereupon Lieut.-Col. Elwell, without -consultation with any higher authority, issued the following order, -which, for simple justice to a brave and loyal negro, officially -acknowledged, has seldom been equalled in this or any other department. -It is unnecessary to say that Robert Small took command of the vessel, -and faithfully discharged the duty required of him. - -_“Office of Chief Quartermaster,_ _Port Royal, S.C., Nov. 26, 1863._ - -“_Capt. A. T. Dutton, Chief Assistant Quartermaster, Folly and -Morris Islands._ - -“_Sir_,--You will please place Robert Small in charge of the -United-States transport ‘Planter,’ as captain. He brought her out -of Charleston Harbor more than a year ago, running under the guns of -Sumter, Moultrie, and the other defences of that stronghold. He is an -excellent pilot, of undoubted bravery, and in every respect worthy of -the position. This is due him as a proper recognition of his heroism and -services. The present captain is a coward, though a white man. Dismiss -him, therefore, and give the steamer to this brave black Saxon. - -“Respectfully, your obedient servant, - -“_J. J. ELWELL._ - -“_Chief Quartermaster Department South._” - -It may interest some to know that the above order was immediately -approved by Gen. Gillmore. - -The following is very complimentary to Capt. Small:-- - -“It was indeed a privilege to enter Charleston, as we did recently -through the courtesy of Major-Gen, Saxton, in such a steamer as ‘The -Planter,’ and with such a captain as Robert Small. It was their first -appearance in the harbor since the memorable morning of their departure -in 1862. The fog detained us for a few hours on our arrival at the bar. -When it cleared away, you can imagine with what cheer our anchor came -up, and with what smiles and satisfaction the vessel and her commander -swept by the silenced and dismantled Sumter, and hauled in to the -waiting, wondering wharves of the ruined city. Wherever we went on -shore, we had only to say to the colored people, ‘The Planter and -Capt. Small are at the dock;’ and away they all hurried to greet -the well-known, welcome guests. ‘Too sweet to think of.’ cried one -noble-looking old man, who had evidently waited long for the good news -of our day, as he hastened to join the crowd. - -“We met Small afterwards, walking in the streets in peace and safety. -When our rambles about the humble place were over, and we prepared to -depart, the scene about the steamer was one that we can never forget. A -goodly company of the leading colored people were arranging for a public -meeting with Gen. Saxton in the largest hall of the city, to learn from -his lips the purposes of our Government on the following week. Their -interview over, they joined a large crowd of their own color upon the -pier. Small was in the midst of them, with a couple of white men in -conversation with him. Curiosity led us near. He introduced us to the -builder of the vesel (sp.), and the maker of the engine and boilers. ‘I -put the polish on,’ he added laughingly. They withdrew towards a couple -of their own complexion. He pointed out the principal person in the -group, to the general, as Col. Ferguson, the original owner of ‘The -Planter,’ and of all her old hands, except Small. His owner did not show -himself. - -“Upon our casting off, the colored folks raised at first a few feeble -cheers, from a lurking regard to the pale listeners behind them; but, -when the general before them called for three more for Capt. Small, -every arm was swung, and every voice was raised till the welkin rang. -‘The Planter’ has been placed under Gen. Saxton’s orders. She will -be often seen in these waters. Her new claims to her name are to be -manifested in her _planting_ the freedmen of the captured city upon the -neighboring sea-islands and the mainland, on their own homesteads, for -the cultivation of their own crops of cotton, rice, corn, and whatever -else they and their families, or the world, may need. A great price was -once put upon Small’s head. He and all his crew, white and black alike, -will be worth their weight in gold if they but continue to serve the -general and the Government as we were sure they did on their first -return-trip to Charleston Harbor.” - -There was one step more which the Government had taken, that sent a -thrill of joy to many hearts. It was paying the men on the battle-field -what it promised. The following announcement was made by Gen. Saxton, at -Beaufort, S.C., May 22:-- - -Colored soldiers, I have just received intelligence that the National -Government, after a long and desperate struggle, has decided to put you -on an equality with her white troops, making your pay equal with theirs. -Now that she has done justice to you, I want you to do justice to her -and justice to yourselves. Show yourselves men; and the way to show -yourselves men is to be brave and stout-hearted. I want you to be -particular in the execution of your ‘Shoulder arms,’ your ‘Charge -bayonets.’ Learn to shoot well at your enemies. You can do it, can’t -you?” (“Yes, sir!” was the answer from the columns.) “‘Well, do it, -then. There is no reason why you should not make just as good soldiers -as the whites. Do it, then; hold your heads up, and be fearless and -brave men. Two years ago, when I came here, I was the first to organize -a colored regiment into the United-States service; viz., the First -South-Carolina Regiment. The first lesson I taught them was to hold -up their heads before white men, and to say No. And now they are good -soldiers. I would just as soon have the First South-Carolina Regiment -to-day with which to go into the field and face the enemy as any -white soldiers in the service.” The paymaster shortly after made his -appearance, and paid off the men; and thus justice, though long kept -back, at last came. Great was the rejoicing, both in the army by the -men, and at their homes by their families and friends. Progress is slow, -but sure. Everywhere the colored population appeared to be gaining their -equality, and rising to a higher level of humanity. The acknowledgment -of the civil rights of the negro had already been granted in the -admission of John S. Rock, a colored man, to practise law in all the -courts within the jurisdiction of the United States. The Supreme Court -at Washington, Chief-Justice Chase presiding, did not heap any more -honor on Mr. Rock, by this admission, than they gained by having so -distinguished a scholar as a member of the bar. Mr. John F. Shorter, who -was promoted to a lieutenancy in Company D, Fifty-fifth Massachusetts -Regiment, was by trade a carpenter, and was residing in Delaware County, -O., when the call was made for colored troops. Severely wounded at -the battle of Honey Hill, S.C.,on the 30th of November, 1864, he still -remained with his regiment, hoping to be of service. At the conclusion -of the war, he returned home, but never recovered from his wound, and -died a few days after his arrival. James Monroe Trotter, promoted for -gallantry, was wounded at the battle of Honey Hill. He is a native of -Grand Gulf, Miss; removed to Cincinnati, O; was educated at the Albany -(O.) Manual Labor University, where he distinguished himself for his -scholarly attainments. He afterwards became a school-teacher, which -position he filled with satisfaction to the people of Muskingum and Pike -Counties, O., and with honor to himself. Enlisting as a private in the -Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Regiment, on its organization, he returned -with it to Boston as a lieutenant, an office honorably earned. - -William H. Dupree, a native of Petersburg, Va., was brought up and -educated at Chillicothe, O. He enlisted in the Fifty-fifth -Massachusetts Regiment, on its formation, as a private, was soon made -orderly-sergeant, and afterwards promoted to a lieutenancy for bravery -on the field of battle. - -Charles L. Mitchel, promoted to a lieutenancy in the Fifty-fifth -Massachusetts Regiment for gallantry at the battle of Honey Hill, where -he was severely wounded (losing a limb), is a native of Hartford, Conn., -and son of Mr. William A. Mitchel of that city. Lieut. Mitchel served -an apprenticeship to William II. Burleigh, in the office of the old -“Charter Oak,” in Hartford, where he became an excellent printer. For -five or six years previous to entering the army, he was employed -in different printing-offices in Boston, the last of which was “The -Liberator,” edited by William Lloyd Garrison, who never speaks of -Lieut. Mitchel but in words of the highest commendation. Gen. A. S. -Hartwell, late colonel of the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Regiment, makes -honorable mention of Lieut. Mitchel. - -The citizens of Boston in Ward Six, where he has so long resided, and -who know him well, have shown then-appreciation of Lieut. Mitchel’s -worth by electing him to represent them in the Massachusetts -Legislature,--an office which he is every way qualified to fill. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVIII--FOURTH-OF-JULY CELEBRATION AT THE HOME OF JEFF. DAVIS. - - -_Fourth-of-July Celebration at the Home of Jeff. Davis in -Mississippi.--The Trip.--Joe Davis’s Place.--Jeff.’s Place.--The -Dinner.--Speeches and Songs.--Lively Times.--Return to Vicksburg._ - - -By invitation of the Committee of Arrangements, a party of teachers and -their escorts, and other friends of the freedmen, embarked on board “The -Diligent,” on the morning of the 4th inst. “The Diligent” left the levee -at Vicksburg soon after seven o’clock, a.m., and made a pleasant trip -in about three hours, down the river, stopping at the landing at Davis’s -Bend; whence the party were conveyed in ambulances, wagons, buggies, -and other vehicles, to the late residence of Jefferson Davis, about two -miles from said landing. - - -_DAVIS’S BEND_. - -This is one of the most extraordinary bends of the wonderful Mississippi -River, and has received its name from the fact of the settlement, on the -peninsula formed by the bend, of two members of the Davis Family, known -as “Jeff.” and “Joe.” This peninsula is some twelve miles in length; -and, at the point where it is attached to the main land of the State of -Mississippi, it is so narrow, that the enterprising planters have dug a -canal across, not unlike the celebrated Butler Canal of Petersburg fame, -although not near so long. This canal is called the “cut-off;” and, in -high water, the peninsula becomes, in fact, an island. This tract of -land is of great fertility, being entirely a deposit of the rich soil -washed from the prairies of the Great West. On this tract are some six -plantations, of from eight hundred to twelve hundred acres each. Two of -the largest and best of these were owned by Jeff, and Joe Davis, and are -known now as “The Jeff, and Joe places.” The form of this peninsula is -such that a few companies of soldiers, with one or two stockades, can -keep out an army of rebels; and the inhabitants, although frequently -surrounded by the hordes of Southern murderers and thieves on the -opposite banks of the river and canal, dwell in peace and comparative -security. In fact, this site, from being the home of traitors and -oppressors of the poor, has become a sort of earthly paradise for -colored refugees. There they flock in large numbers, and, like Lazarus -of old, are permitted as it were, to repose in “Father Abraham’s bosom.” - The rich men of the Southern Confederacy, now homeless wanderers, -occasionally cry across for the Lazarus whom they have oppressed -and despised; but he is not sent unto them, because, between the two -parties, there is a great gulf fixed; so that they which would pass from -hence cannot. On this freedman’s paradise, parties for cultivating the -soil are organized under the superintendence of missionaries; each -party cultivating from ten to one hundred acres, with a fair prospect -of realizing handsomely. These efforts are aided by the Government; -rations, teams, &c., being-supplied and charged to each party, to be -deducted from the proceeds of their crops. Cotton is chiefly cultivated, -and some very handsome stands appear. - - -_THE “JOE PLACE.”_ - -The “Joe Place” is nearest the landing. The fine brick house, however, -is nearly demolished; but the cottage used as a sort of law library and -office is remaining uninjured. The negro-quarters also remain. - - -_THE “JEFF. PLACE.”_ - -The “Jeff, place” is also a very fine plantation. The residence has -not been injured, except the door-locks, and one or two marble mantels -broken up, apparently for trophies. The Jeff, furniture has been -removed; but the rooms are still furnished with furniture brought here. - - -_THE HOUSE THAT JEFF. BUILT._ - -The house is, in its ground-plan, in the form of a cross,--but one -floor, with large rooms and ample verandas. The portico in front is -supported with pillars, and these form the only ornamental features of -the house, except such as were added for this occasion by the artistic -touches of our Northern sisters. Of these were festoons, wreaths, stars, -and garlands mysteriously woven in evergreens and flowers. Over the -portico entrance outside were the following inscriptions, the letters -being formed by cedar foliage:-- - - -_“THE HOUSE THAT JEFF. BUILT.”_ - - -_“WELCOME.”_ - -The latter motto was arched, and, with the festoons, made a beautiful -appearance. - -Inside were beautiful stars and garlands of flowers; and over the exit -at the back-door, the following inscription, surmounted by a star:-- - - -_“EXIT TRAITOR.”_ - -It was facetiously remarked by an observer, that the moral was,-- - - “Down with the traitor, - - And up with the star.” - -We understood that to Miss Lee, of Pennsylvania, and Miss Jennie -Huddleson, of Indiana, the party was indebted for those ingenious and -appropriate devices. Very likely; for wit and satire for traitors, and a -cordial welcome to the loyal and patriotic, are characteristics of these -whole-souled missionaries. - -The reception-rooms were also decorated with flowers; and every thing -around showed that “gentle hands” had laid on “the last touches” of -fragrance, grace, and beauty. - -These “ladies of the Management” were dressed in neat “patriotic -prints;” they needed no addition to their toilets to add to the charming -air of comfort which they so appropriately infused. Their smiles of -welcome needed no verbal explanation; and the heartiness with which they -were engaged in their labors of love, and the evidence of their success -in all the surroundings, showed that they perfectly understood the -science of making home happy. Whether they have read Mrs. H. B. Stowe’s -“House and Home Papers” in “The Atlantic,” we know not, but there are -many others, besides that literary lady (Mrs. Stowe), who understand -how to keep house; by magic touches to turn the most simple objects into -luxuries of ornamentation. We suspect also that Mrs. M. Watson and -Miss Lizzie Findley had been engaged in these preparations, although -appearing more in the character of guests. There were some other ladies, -to whom we had not the honor of an introduction, who, doubtless, deserve -particular mention; but your reporter, as the sequel of his story will -show, only received his appointment as a publication committee _after -all was over_, and, consequently, if he should omit anybody’s name that -deserves mention, this must be his apology. He now declares his desire -to be just to all, and especially to those whose devotion and patriotism -rendered the 4th of July, 1864, the happiest day of the year. - - -_THE GROUNDS._ - -On the grounds in front of the residence, the gunboat crew suspended a -string of signal colors, on each side of the “starry banner,” presenting -an effect amid the dense foliage of the live-oaks, and the gray moss, -“altogether beauteous to look upon;” while on the tables under the -trees were spread things not only “pleasant to the sight,” but “good -for food.” And when we saw these pleasing objects, the “work of their -hands,” and the merry, happy faces of the guests and their “escorts,” - and reflected that the sable sons, by a guard of whom we were -surrounded, were “no longer slaves;” that they had, with thousands of -their brethren, been brought out from the house of bondage, by the -“God of Abraham;” that the very house now occupied by missionaries and -teachers had, but a year ago, been in the service of despotism, built, -in fact, as a temple of slavery by the great chief, who preferred -to rule in a miserable petty despotism to serving in a great and -magnanimous republic,--we could but think that Heaven looked approvingly -upon the scene; that “God saw every thing that he had made, and behold! -it was very good.” - - -_THE EXERCISES._ - -Rev. Dr. Warren conducted the exercises as president of the occasion; -and he did it with that ease, freedom, and regard for the rights and -interests of all, which usually characterize his public and social -conduct. He opened the proceedings, under a grove of trees in front -of the house, with an appropriate prayer, and then called upon those -appointed to take part. - -Mr. Roundtree read the Declaration of Independence in a clear, emphatic, -and impressive manner. It was listened to with becoming reverence for -the great truths it contains, by both the white and colored races. It -is quite improbable that these self-evident truths were ever expressed -before publicly in this locality, and within hearing of every one within -the “house that Jeff, built.” - -When this place was first taken by our troops, the following verse was -found written on the wall:-- - - “Let Lincoln send his forces here! - - We’ll lick’em like blue blazes, - - And send them yelping hack to where - - They sung their nigger praises.” - -Rev. Mr. Livermore, of Wisconsin, delivered an appropriate oration. - -The meeting then adjourned for dinner. - -A gentle shower at this time rendered the air cool and pleasant, but -made it necessary to remove the dining-tables to the house. - - -_THE DINNER._ - -A sumptuous dinner was served on the veranda at the back of the -mansion. There was an abundance of all that could be desired. This being -concluded, the following sentiments were presented, and responded to in -an impromptu but appropriate manner by the various speakers:-- - - -_REGULAR TOASTS._ - -1. The Day we celebrate: The old ship was launched in ‘76, the -bow-anchors cast out last year at Vicksburg and Gettysburg: may the -storm-anchors be dropped to-day at Richmond and Atlanta! - -Response by Mr. Israel Lombard. - -2. The President: Proved honest and wise by four years of unprecedented -trial: we shall keep him there. - -Responded to by Dr. Wright. - -3. Lieut.-Gen. Grant: We can tie to him in a gale. - -Responded to by Col. Clark. - -4. The house that Jeff, built. - -Responded to by Capt. Powell. - -The following song composed for the occasion was led by Mr. McConnell:-- - - -_“THE HOUSE THAT JEFF. BUILT.”_ - -_“Air.--‘Auld Lang Syne.’_ - - - “How oft within these airy halls - - The traitor of the day - - Has heard ambition’s trumpet-calls, - - Or dreamed of war’s array! - - - Or of an empire dreamed, whose base - - Millions of blacks should be! - - Aha! before this day’s sweet face - - Where can his lisions be? - - - Those empire dreams shall be fulfilled, - - But not as rebels thought: - - Like water at the cistern spilled, - - Their boasts shall come to nought. - - From gulf to lake, from sea to sea, - - Behold our country grand! - - The very home of Liberty, - - And guarded by her hand. - - - We revel in his halls to-day: - - Next year where will he be? - - A dread account he lias to pay: - - May we be there to see! - - And now for country, truth, and right, - - Our heritage all free; - - We’ll live and die. we’ll sing and fight: - - The Union! three times three. - - -5. The Army and Navy: Veterans of three years. The heart of the nation -beats anxiously at the cry, “Onward to victory!” - -Response by Dr. Foster. - -6. Our Patriot Dead: Silence their most speaking eulogy - -7. The Union: The storm will but root it the more firmly. - -Response by Rev.A. J. Compton. - -“The Star-spangled Banner,”--sung by the whole company, led by Mr. -McConnell. - -8. Missionaries to Freedmen: Peace has its heroes. - -Response by Rev. Mr. Buckley, chaplain Forty-seventh United-States -Colored Infantry. - -9. Gen Sherman, second in command: “All I am I owe to my Government, and -nothing could tempt me to sacrifice my honor or my allegiance.” - -Response by Capt. Gilpin, Commissary of Subsistence. - -10. The Freedmen: Slaves yesterday, to-day free: what shall they be -to-morrow? - -The freedmen sung the following song:-- - - “De Lord he makes us free indeed - - In his own time an’ way. - - We plant de rice and cotton seed, - - And see de sprout some day: - - We know it come, but not de why,-- - - De Lord know more dan we. - - We ‘spected freedom by an’ by; - - An’ now we all are free. - - Praise de Lord! Praise de Lord! - - For now we all are free. - - - De Norf is on de side of right, - - An’ full of men, dey say; - - An’ dere, when poor man work, at night - - He sure to get his pay. - - De Lord he glad dey are so good, - - And make dem bery strong; - - An’ when dey called to give deir blood - - Dey all come right along. - - Praise de Lord! Praise do Lord! - - Dey all come right along. - - - Deir blue coats cover all de groun’, - - An’ make it like de sky; - - An’ every gray back loafin’ round - - He tink it time to fly. - - We not afraid: we bring de child, - - An’ stan’ beside de door, - - An,’ oil! we hug it bery wild, - - An’ keep it ebermore. - - Praise de Lord! Praise de Lord! - - We keep it ebermore. - - De massa’s come back from his tramp; - - ‘Pears he is broken quite: - - He takes de basket to de camp - - For rations ebery night. - - - Dey fought him when he loud and strong, - - Dey fed him when he low: - - Dey say dey will forgive the wrong, - - An’ bid him’pent an’ go. - - Praise de Lord! Praise de Lord! - - Dey hid him’pent an’ go. - - - De rice is higher far dis year, - - De cotton taller grow; - - De lowest corn-silk on de ear - - Is higher than de hoe. - - De Lord he lift up every ting - - ‘Cept rebel in his grave; - - De negro bress de Lord, an’ sing: - - He is no longer slave. - - Praise de Lord! Praise de Lord! - - De negro no more slave.” - - -13. Our Colored Troops: Deserving of freedom because they fight like -men. - -Response by Lieut. Wakeman. - -Song: “Babylon is fallen.” - -The party, after selecting a few simple trophies, such as fig-branches -for walking-canes, large pond-lilies, flowers, wreaths, and bouquets, -returned to the landing, and re-embarked for Vicksburg. - - -_CLOSING EXERCISES._ - -On the boat, the following business was transacted:-- - -Vote of thanks to Col. Thomas and staff for getting up the celebration; -to the Orator of the Day, Parson Livermore; to the President, Rev. -Dr. Warren, who made a brief response; and also to Capt. Wightman an -officers of “The Diligent.” - -The following song was then sung by a young contraband:-- - - “We heard de proclamation, massa hush it as he will: - - De bird he sing it to us, hoppin’ on de cotton-hill; - - And de possum up de gum-tree he couldn’t keep it still. - - - Father Abraham has spoken, and de message has been sent; - - Do prison-doors he opened, and out de prisoners went - - To joinde sable army of de ‘African descent.’ - - - Dey said, ‘Now colored bredren, you shall be forever free, - - From the first of January, eighteen hundred and sixty-three:’ - - We heard it in do riber goin’ rushin’ to dc sea. - - - Den fall in, colored bredren, you’d better do it soon; - - Don’t you hear de drum a-beatin’ de Yankee Doodle tune? - - We are wid you now dis mornin’; we’ll lie far away at noon.” - - -Cheers were given for Abraham Lincoln, and groans for Jeff. Davis. - -The song, “The House that Jeff. Built,” was again sung; and Capt. -Gilpin, Commissary of Subsistence, appointed a committee to furnish a -copy of the same to “The New-York Tribune,” and also to Jeff. Davis. - -Capt. Henry S. Clubb, Assistant Quartermaster, was appointed a committee -to furnish a report of the proceedings of the day to “The Vicksburg -Daily Herald.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIX--GALLANTRY, LOYALTY, AND KINDNESS OF THE NEGRO. - - -_The Nameless Hero at Fair Oaks.--The Chivalry whipped by their Former -Slaves.--Endurance of the Blacks.--Man in Chains.--One Negro whips -Three Rebels.--Gallantry.--Outrages on the Blacks.--Kindness of the -Negroes.--Welcome._ - - -The gallantry and loyalty of the blacks during the Rebellion is a -matter of history, and volumes might be written upon that subject. I -give here a few instances out of the many I have gathered:-- - -“At the bloody battle of Fair Oaks, Va., the rebels, during the first -day’s fight, drove Gen. Casey’s division from their camping-ground, and -rested for the night, confident that the morrow would give them a chance -to drive the Yankee invaders beyond the Chickahominy; but, just at -daylight that morning, Heintzelman’s corps re-enforced our line, and at -daybreak were hurled against the rebel foe. For a long time, the issue -was doubtful; the line swayed to and fro; but at last the Excelsior -Brigade the heroes of Williamsburg--were ordered to charge. That charge -is a matter of history. It gave us the battle-ground of Fair Oaks. - -“During the month of June, that brigade held the ground they won, and -skirmishes with the rebels were of daily occurrence. One afternoon, -word was sent to Gen. Sickles that the enemy was advancing in force, and -every preparation was at once made for battle. A few shots were heard -from pickets but a few hundred yards in advance of our battery, and then -all was quiet. What meant that quietness? What were the rebels -doing? Several orderlies sent out to the pickets failed to bring any -satisfactory intelligence. Gen. Sickles turned to Lieut. Palmer, one of -his aides, and acting assistant adjutant-general, and directed him to -take a squad of cavalry, and ride cautiously out to the first bend in -the road, and communicate with our pickets. - -“Palmer was a noble fellow,--young, handsome, a perfect gentleman, a -graceful rider, a gallant soldier. He was the pride of the brigade. -Forgetful of the caution given him, with the impetuosity characteristic -of youth, he dashed forward at a full gallop, with sabre drawn. He came -to the first bend in the road, and (fatal mistake) kept on. He came to -the second bend, and, as he turned it, directly across the road was a -company of rebel infantry drawn up to receive him. They fired. One ball -crashed through that handsome face into his brain, while another tore -the arm that bore aloft his trusty blade. - -“The shots were heard at the battery; and in a moment Palmer’s riderless -horse, bleeding from a wound in its neck, galloped from the woods, -followed by the squad of cavalry, who told to the general the untimely -fate of his aide. - -“‘Boys,’ said the general to the veterans who clustered around to hear -the story, ‘Lieut. Palmer’s body lies out in that road.’ Not a word more -needed saying. Quickly the men fell in, and a general advance of the -line was made to secure it. - -“Whilst the cavalrymen were telling the story, a negro-servant of Lieut. -Palmer’s was standing by. Unnoticed, he left the group; down that road, -the Williamsburg Turnpike, he went. He passed our picket-line, and alone -and unattended he walked along that avenue of death to so many, not -knowing what moment he would be laid low by a rebel bullet, or be made a -prisoner to undergo that still worse death, a life of slavery. Upon the -advance of our line, that faithful servant was found by the side of his -dead master,--faithful in life, and faithful amid all the horrors of the -battle-field, even in the jaws of death. - -“None but those who knew the locality--the gallant men that make up -Hooker’s division--can appreciate the heroism that possessed that -contraband. That road was lined with sharpshooters. A wounded man once -lay in it three days, neither party daring to rescue him. The act -of that heroic, unknown (I regret that I cannot recall his name) but -faithful contraband, was one of the most daring of the war, and -prompted by none other than the noblest feelings known to the human -breast.”--New-York Independent. - -_“In Camp, Bermuda Hundred, Va., May 26, 1864._ - -“The chivalry of Fitzhugh Lee, and his cavalry division, was badly -worsted in the contest last Tuesday with negro troops composing the -garrison at Wilson’s Landing. Chivalry made a gallant fight, however. -The battle began at half-past twelve, p.m., and ended at six o’clock; -when chivalry retired, disgusted and defeated. Lee’s men dismounted -far in the rear, and fought as infantry. They drove in the pickets and -skirmishers to the intrenchments, and several times made valiant charges -upon our works. To make an assault, it was necessary to come across -an ‘open’ in front of our position, up to the very edge of a deep -and impassable ravine. The rebels, with deafening yells, made furious -onsets; but the negroes did not flinch, and the mad assailants, -discomfited, turned to cover with shrunken ranks. The rebel fighting was -very wicked. It showed that Lee’s heart was bent on taking the negroes -at any cost. Assaults on the centre having failed, the rebels tried -first the left and then the right flank, with no greater success. When -the battle was over, our loss footed up one man killed outright, twenty -wounded, and two missing. Nineteen rebels were prisoners in our hands. -Lee’s losses must have been very heavy. The proof thereof was left on -the ground. Twenty-five rebel bodies lay in the woods unburied; and -pools of blood unmistakably told of other victims taken away. The -estimate, from all the evidence carefully considered, puts the enemy’s -casualties at two hundred. Among the corpses Lee left on the field was -that of Major Breckinridge, of the Second Virginia Cavalry. - -“There is no hesitation here in acknowledging the soldierly qualities -which the colored men engaged in this fight have exhibited. Even the -officers who have hitherto felt no confidence in them are compelled to -express themselves mistaken. Gen. Wild, commanding the post, says that -the troops stood up to their work like veterans.”--_Correspondence of -the New-York Times._ - -“The conduct of the colored troops, by the way, in the actions of -the last few days, is described as superb. An Ohio soldier said to me -to-day, ‘I never saw men fight with such desperate gallantry as those -negroes did. They advanced as grim and stern as death; and, when within -reach of the enemy, struck about them with a pitiless vigor that was -almost fearful.’ Another soldier said to me, ‘These negroes never shrink -nor hold back, no matter what the order. Through scorching heat and -pelting storms, if the order comes, they march with prompt, ready feet.’ -Such praise is great praise, and it is deserved. The negroes here -who have been slaves are loyal to a man, and, on our occupation of -Fredericksburg, pointed out the prominent secessionists, who were at -once seized by our cavalry, and put in safe quarters. In a talk with -a group of these faithful fellows, I discovered in them all a perfect -understanding of the issues of the conflict, and a grand determination -to prove themselves worthy of the place and privileges to which they are -to be exalted.”--_New-York Herald_. - -_“Carrollton, La., June 2,1864._ - -“I am writing in the camp of the Twelfth Connecticut Regiment, and about -here are encamped the Nineteenth Army Corps, under marching-orders -for Morganza, near the mouth of the Red River. In this tent sits a -man,--unfortunate because black,--once a slave, but free now, a member -of the grand army of the Unite! States, who is courageous, and who will -wield a sword or thrust a bayonet as vigorously as any, because he has -suffered so bitterly at the hands of those who would crush his race. His -crime was remonstrating with his master for beating his wife. When our -men found him, he was sitting on the floor, two long chains passing -over his shoulders, and fastened to a staple; and over him stood four -soldiers with muskets to prevent his escape. He is not only faithful; -but he is gentlemanly, intelligent, and interesting in conversation and -appearance. His brave heart is full of patriotism, and he is willing to -serve or die for his country.”--_Springfield Republican_. - -An instance of the daring of negroes in that section is told by a Lake -Providence (Louisiana) correspondent of “The Philadelphia Inquirer:”-- - -“Recently a black man, after several days’ urgent request for a musket -and rounds of ammunition, succeeded in securing his wish. He set out -in the night, and by morning reached the vicinity of a rebel guard. He -crept cautiously forward, but was seen and watched. Suddenly the sharp -crack of rifles brought him to his feet. Before him were three rebel -soldiers. He instantly brought his musket to his shoulder, and fired. -One rebel fell dead. The negro, by the time the bewilderment of -the other two had passed off, was upon them with uplifted musket, -threatening them with its immediate descent, unless they surrendered at -once. They acquiesced in a hurry. Leaving the dead rebel to the -dogs, with the other two in tow, the negro returned to our lines, and -delivered them to the authorities. Since this exploit, the negro has -made himself useful in scouting and bringing in information.” - -A correspondent, of “The Cleveland Leader,” writing from the -headquarters of the Fifty-ninth United-States Infantry (colored) at -Memphis, under date of June 15, gives a detailed and graphic account -of the brave fight of the colored troops in Gen. Sturgis’s command, -fully confirming previous accounts. The following is a material part of -the statement:-- - -“About sunrise, June 11, the enemy advanced on the town of Ripley, and -threatened our right, intending to cut us off from the Salem Road. Again -the colored troops were the only ones that could be brought into line; -the Fifty-ninth being on the right, and the Fifty-fifth on the left, -holding the streets. At this time, the men had not more than ten rounds -of ammunition, and the enemy were crowding closer and still closer, when -the Fifty-ninth were ordered to charge on them, which they did in good -style, while singing,-- - - ‘We’ll rally round the flag, boys.’ - -“This charge drove the enemy back, so that both regiments retreated to a -pine-grove about two hundred yards distant. - -“By this time, all the white troops, except one squadron of cavalry, -that formed in the rear, were on the road to Salem; and, when this -brigade came up, they, too, wheeled and left, and in less than ten -minutes this now little band of colored troops found themselves flanked. -They then divided themselves into three squads, and charged the enemy’s -lines; one squad taking the old Corinth Road, then a by-road, to the -left. After a few miles, they came to a road leading to Grand Junction. -After some skirmishing, they arrived, with the loss of one killed and -one wounded. - -“Another and the largest squad covered the retreat of the white troops, -completely defending them by picking up the ammunition thrown away by -them, and with it repelling the numerous assaults made by the rebel -cavalry, until they reached Collierville, a distance of sixty miles. -When the command reached Dan’s Mills, the enemy attempted to cut it off -by a charge; but the colored boys in the rear formed, and repelled the -attack, allowing the whole command to pass safely on, when they tore -up the bridge. Passing on to an open country, the officers halted, -and re-organized the brigade into an effective force. They then moved -forward until about four, p.m.; when some Indian flank skirmishers -discovered the enemy, who came up to the left, and in the rear, and -halted. Soon a portion advanced, when a company faced about and fired, -emptying three saddles. From this time until dark, the skirmishing was -constant. - -“A corporal in Company C, Fifty-ninth, was ordered to surrender. He let -his would-be captor come close to him; when he struck him with the butt -of his gun. - -“While the regiment was fighting in a ditch, and the order came to -retreat, the color-bearer threw out the flag, designing to jump out and -get it; but the rebels rushed for it, and in the struggle one of the -boys knocked down with his gun the reb who had the flag, caught it, and -ran. - -“A rebel, with an oath, ordered one of our men to surrender. He, -thinking the reb’s gun was loaded, dropped his gun; but, on seeing the -reb commence loading, our colored soldier jumped for his gun, and with -it struck his captor dead. - -“Capt. H., being surrounded by about a dozen rebels, was seen by one of -his men, who called several of his companions: they rushed forward and -fired, killing several of the enemy, and rescued their captain. - -“A rebel came up to one, and laid, ‘Come, my good fellow, go with me and -wait on me.’ In an instant, the boy shot his would-be master dead. - -“Once when the men charged on the enemy, they rushed forth with the cry, -Remember Fort Pillow.’ The rebs called back, and said, ‘Lee’s men killed -no prisoners.’ - -“One man in a charge threw his antagonist to the ground, and pinned him -fast; and, as he attempted to withdraw his bayonet, it came off his -gun, and, as he was very busy just then, he left him transfixed to -mother-earth. - -“One man killed a rebel by striking him with the butt of his gun, which -he broke; but, being unwilling to stop his work, he loaded and fired -three ‘times before he could get a better gun: the first time, not being -cautious, the rebound of his gun badly cut his lip. - -“When the troops were in the ditch, three rebels came to one man, -and ordered him to surrender. His gun being loaded, he shot one, and -bayoneted another: and, forgetting he could bayonet the third, he turned -the butt of his gun, and knocked him down.” - -Great were the sufferings which the colored people had to endure for -their fidelity to liberty and the Union during the Rebellion. Space will -allow me to give but one or two instances. - -“On Monday, Feb. 21, a band of guerillas, commanded by Col. Moore, of -Louisiana, made a bold dash upon our lines at Waterproof, La., opening -with four pieces of artillery upon Fort Anderson. Capt. Johnson, of the -gunboat ‘No. 9,’ was on hand, and, after two hours’ vigorous shelling, -the enemy abandoned the attack. - -“Our loss was three killed. Two colored soldiers, members of the -Eleventh Louisiana Volunteers, were captured, and afterwards brutally -murdered, with an old slave known by the sobriquet of ‘Uncle Peter.’ -The bodies of the two soldiers were discovered the next day riddled with -bullets. Old Uncle Peter had been of great service to our Government -in piloting our officers to localities where large quantities of cotton -belonging to the rebel Government were concealed. After capturing this -old man, the assassins compelled him to kneel, with his hands behind -his back, in presence of some fifty slaves on one of the adjoining -plantations; and two Minie-balls pierced his body. They then intimidated -the slaves by threatening to treat all negroes in a similar manner whom -they caught aiding the Yankees. - -“Through the instrumentality of this faithful old man, Capt. Anderson -had secured four hundred bales of fine cotton marked ‘Confederate States -of America,’ together with a hundred and fifty fine horses, and a number -of mules. The value of the cotton alone was a hundred thousand -dollars. Among the prisoners captured by our forces was Lieut. Austin, -adjutant-general on Gen. Harris’s staff, with his fine horses and costly -equipments. Capt. Anderson succeeded in capturing the murderer of old -Uncle Peter, and having plenty of slaves to testify who were obliged to -witness the infamous crime, he ordered the guilty wretch to be shot; -and in a few hours the villain paid the penalty of his dastard crime. -Another one of the guerillas engaged in this outrage is now in our -hands, under guard at this place; and it seems like an act of great -injustice to our brave soldiers, that such outlaws should be treated as -prisoners of war. - -“After shooting these three defenceless men, the chivalrous knights -robbed old Uncle Peter of a thousand dollars in treasury notes, and -completely stripped the two colored soldiers of all their outer clothing -and their boots. We hear Northern copperheads, who have never been -south of Mason and Dixon’s Line, constantly prating about the -unconstitutionality of arming the slaves of rebels; and often these -prejudiced people accuse the negro troops of cowardice. After the bloody -proof at Milliken’s Bend, Port Hudson, and at Fort Wagner in front of -Charleston, it would seem that nothing more was needed to substantiate -the resolution and undaunted courage of the slave when arrayed against -his master, fighting for the freedom of his race. The following incident -speaks for itself:-- - -“In the attack on Fort Anderson, Sergt. Robert Thompson exhibited traits -of courage worthy of record. A party of eight guerillas surrounded -Sergt. Thompson of Company I, Eleventh Louisiana, and Corp. Robinson of -the same regiment. The two prisoners were threatened with torture and -death, and were finally placed in charge of three guerillas, while the -balance of their party were harassing our troops. Seeing a revolver -in the sergeant’s belt, they ordered him to give it up. As he fumbled -around his belt, he touched the corporal with his elbow as a signal to -be ready. Drawing it slowly from his belt, he cocked it, and, ere the -rebel could give the alarm, he fell a corpse from his horse. At the -same time, Corp. Robinson shot another; and the third guerilla, without -waiting for further instructions, put the spurs to his horse, and in a -few seconds was out of sight. The two brave men are now on duty ready -for another guerilla visit.”--_Correspondence of The Tribune._ - -Kindness to Union men and all Northerners was a leading trait in the -character of the colored people of the South throughout the war. James -Henri Brown, special correspondent of “The New-York Tribune,” in his -very interesting work, “Four years in Secessia,” says, “The negro who -had guided us to the railway had told us of another of his color to whom -we could apply for shelter and food at the terminus of our second stage. -We could not find him until nearly dawn; and, when we did, he directed -us to a large barn filled with corn-husks. Into that we crept with our -dripping garments, and lay there for fifteen hours, until we could again -venture forth. Floundering about in the husks, we lost our haversacks, -pipes, and a hat. About nine o’clock, we procured a hearty supper -from the generous negro, who even gave me his hat,--an appropriate -presentation, as one of iny companions remarked, by an ‘intelligent -contraband’ to the reliable gentleman of ‘The New-York Tribune.’ The -negro did picket-duty while we hastily ate our meal, and stood by his -blazing fire. The old African and his wife gave us ‘God bless you, -massa!’ with trembling voice and moistened eyes, as we parted from them -with grateful hearts. ‘God bless negroes!’ say I, with earnest lips. -During our entire captivity, and after our escape, they were ever our -firm, brave, unflinching friends. We never made an appeal to them they -did not answer. They never hesitated to do us a service at the risk even -of life; and, under the most trying circumstances, revealed a devotion -and a spirit of self-sacrifice that were heroic. - -“The magic word ‘Yankee,’ opened all their hearts, and elicited the -loftiest virtues. They were ignorant, oppressed, enslaved; but they -always cherished a simple and beautiful faith in the cause of the Union, -and its ultimate triumph, and never abandoned or turned aside from a man -who sought food or shelter on his way to freedom.” - -“On the march of Grant’s army from Spottsylvania to the North Anna, at -intervals of every few miles, families of negroes were gathered along -the roadside, exchanging words of salutation to our soldiers as they -passed, and grinning all over their faces. ‘Massa’s gone away, gemmen,’ -was the answer in almost all cases where the query in relation to their -master’s whereabouts was raised. ‘Specs he gwan to Richmon’. Dun know. -He went away in a right smart hurry last night: dat’s all I knows.’ A -sight of the fine, athletic, plump appearance of some of these negroes, -of both sexes and all ages, would have driven a negro-trader crazy, -especially when he became convinced of the fact that, according to the -terms of President Lincoln’s proclamation, these negroes are free -the moment the lines of the Union army closed in upon them. It was a -pleasing spectacle, and commingled with not a little pathos, to hear -the benedictions which the aged and infirm negroes poured out upon our -soldiers as they marched by. ‘I’se been waitin’ for you,’ said an old -negro, whose eyesight was almost entirely gone, and whose head was -covered with the frosts of some eighty-five winters. ‘Ah! I’se been -waitin’ for you gemmen some time. I knew you was comin’, kase I heerd -massa and missus often talkin’ about you;’ and then the old hero -chuckled, and almost ground his ivories out of his head.” - -No heroism surpasses that of the poor slave-boy Sam, on board the -gunboat “Pawnee,” who, while passing shell from the magazine, had both -legs shot away by a ball from the rebel guns; but, still holding the -shell, cried out at the top of his voice, “Pass up de shell, boys. -Nebber mine me: my time is up.” The greatest fidelity of the white man -to the Union finds its parallel in the nameless negro, who, when his -master sent him out to saddle his horse, mounted the animal, rode in -haste to the Federal lines, and pointed out the road of safety to the -harassed, retreating Army of the Potomac; then, returning for his wife -and children, was caught by the rebels, and shot. When the rebels made -their raid into the State of Pennsylvania, and the governor called the -people to arms for defence, it is a well-known fact that a company of -colored men from Philadelphia were the first to report at Harrisburg -for service. These men were among the most substantial of the colored -citizens in point of wealth and moral culture. Yet these patriotic -individuals, together with all of their class, are disfranchised in that -State. - -In the engagement on James Island between the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts -and the rebels, the latter surrounded three companies of the former, -which were on picket-duty, and ordered them to surrender; the colored -troops replied by making the best possible use of their muskets. In the -fight, Sergt. Wilson, of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, fought bravely, -having fired his last cartridge, used the butt of his gun upon his -enemies, and, even after being severely wounded, still struggled -against the foe with his unloaded weapon. The enemy, seeing this, called -repeatedly to the negro to surrender; but Wilson refused, and fought -till he was shot dead. - - - - -CHAPTER XL--FALL OF THE CONFEDERACY, AND DEATH OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN. - - -_Flight of Jeff. Davis from Richmond.--Visit of President Lincoln to the -Rebel Capital.--Welcome by the Blacks.--Surrender of Gen. Lee.--Death of -Abraham Lincoln.--The Nation in Tears._ - - -Jefferson Davis and his cabinet had hastily quitted Richmond, on -Sunday, the third day of April, 1865; the Union troops had taken -possession the day following; and Abraham Lincoln, President of the -United States, and the best-hated man by the rebels, entered the city a -short time after. For the following account of the President’s visit, I -am indebted to a correspondent of “The Boston Journal:” - -“I was standing upon the bank of the river, viewing the scene of -desolation, when a boat, pulled by twelve sailors, came up stream. It -contained President Lincoln and his son, Admiral Porter, Capt. Penrose -of the army, Capt. A. H. Adams of the navy, Lieut. W. W. Clements of the -signal corps. Somehow the negroes on the bank of the river ascertained -that the tall man wearing the black hat was President Lincoln. There was -a sudden shout. An officer who had just picked up fifty negroes to do -work on the dock found himself alone. They left work, and crowded round -the President. As he approached, I said to a colored woman,-- - -“‘There is the man who made you free.’ - -“‘What, massa?’ - -“‘That is President Lincoln.’ - -“‘Dat President Linkum?’ - -“‘Yes.’ - -“She gazed at him a moment, clapped her hands, and jumped straight up -and down, shouting, ‘Glory, glory, glory!’ till her voice was lost in a -universal cheer. - -“There was no carriage near; so the President, leading his son, walked -three-quarters of a mile up to Gen. Weitzel’s headquarters,--Jeff. -Davis’s mansion. What a spectacle it was! Such a hurly-burly, such wild, -indescribable, ecstatic joy I never witnessed. A colored man acted as -guide. Six sailors, wearing their round blue caps and short jackets and -bagging pants, with navy carbines, were the advance-guard. Then came the -President and Admiral Porter, flanked by the officers accompanying -him, and the correspondent of ‘The Journal;’ then six more sailors with -carbines,--twenty of us all told,--amid a surging mass of men, women, -and children, black, white, and yellow, running, shouting, dancing, -swinging their caps, bonnets, and handkerchiefs. The soldiers saw him, -and swelled the crowd, cheering in wild enthusiasm. All could see him, -he was so tall, so conspicuous. - -“One colored woman, standing in a doorway as the president passed along -the sidewalk, shouted, ‘Thank you, dear Jesus, for this! thank you, -Jesus!’ Another standing by her side was clapping her hands, and -shouting, ‘Bless de Lord!’ - -“A colored woman snatched her bonnet from her head, and whirled it in -the air, screaming with all her might, ‘God bless you, Massa Linkum!’ - -“A few white women looking out from the houses waved their -handkerchiefs. One lady in a large and elegant building looked a while, -and turned away her head as if it was a disgusting sight. - -“President Lincoln walked in silence, acknowledging the salutes of -officers and soldiers, and of the citizens, black and white. It was the -man of the people among the people. It was the great deliverer meeting -the delivered. Yesterday morning the majority of the thousands who -crowded the streets and hindered our advance were slaves: now they were -free, and beholding him who had given them their liberty.” - -On the 9th of the same month, Gen. Lee, with his whole army, surrendered -to Gen. Grant; and thus fell the Southern Confederacy, the enemy of the -negro and of Republican government. The people of the North, already -tired of the war, at once gave themselves up to rejoicing all over the -free States. - -But the time of merry-making was doomed to be short; for slavery, the -cause of the Rebellion, was dying hard. The tyrants of the South, so -long accustomed to rule, were now determined to ruin. Slavery must have -its victim. If it could not conquer, it must at least die an honorable -death; and nothing could give it more satisfaction than to commit some -great crime in its last struggles. - -Therefore the death of Abraham Lincoln by the hand of an assassin -was but the work of slavery. It murdered Lovejoy at Alton, it slowly -assassinated Torrey in a Maryland prison, it struck down Sumner in the -Senate, it had taken the lives, by starvation, of hundreds at Anderson, -Richmond, and Salisbury; why spare the great liberator? - -President Lincoln fell a sacrifice to his country’s salvation as -absolutely and palpably, as though he had been struck down while leading -an assault on the ramparts of Petersburg. The wretch who killed him was -impelled by no private malice, but imagined himself an avenger of that -downcast idol, which, disliking to be known simply as slavery, styles -itself “The South.” He was murdered, not that slavery might live; but -that it might bring down its most conspicuous enemy in its fall. - -The tears of four millions of slaves whom he had liberated, five hundred -thousand free blacks whose future condition he had made better, and the -twenty millions of whites in the free States, stricken as they never had -been before by the death of a single individual, followed his body to -the grave. No nation ever mourned more sincerely the loss of its head -than did the people of the United States that of President Lincoln. We -all love his memory still. - - “His name is not a sculptured thing, where old Renown has reared - - Her marble in the wilderness, by smoke of battle seared; - - But graven on life-leaping hearts, where _Freedom’s_ banners wave, - - It gleams to bid the tyrant back, and _loose the fettered slave_.” - -Faults he had; but we forget them all in his death. It seemed to us that -God had raised this man up to do a great work; and when he had finished -his mission, flushed with success over the enemies of his country, while -the peals of exultation for the accomplishment of the noble deed were -yet ringing in his ears, and while our hearts were palpitating more -generously for him, he permitted him to fall, that we should be humbled, -and learn our own weakness, and be taught to put more dependence in the -ruler of the universe than in man. - - ‘So sleep the good, who sink to rest - - By all their country’s wishes blest. - - When Spring with dewy fingers cold - - Returns to deck their hallowed mould, - - She there shall dress a sweeter sod - - Than Fancy’s feet have ever trod: - - By forms unseen, their dirge is sung; - - By fairy hands, their knell is rung; - - There Honor comes, a pilgrim gray, - - To bless the turf that wraps their clay; - - And Freedom shall a while repair, - - To dwell a weeping hermit there.” - - - - -CHAPTER XLI--PRESIDENT ANDREW JOHNSON. - - -_Origin of Andrew Johnson.--His Speeches in Tennessee.--The Negro’s -Moses.--The Deceived Brahmin.--The Comparison.--Interview with -Southerners.--Northern Delegation.--Delegation of Colored Men.--Their -Appeal._ - - -Springing from the highest circle of the lowest class of whites of the -South, gradually rising, coming up over a tailor’s board, and all the -obstacles that slaveholding society places between an humbly-born man -and social and political elevation, Andrew Johnson entered upon his -presidential duties, at the death of Mr. Lincoln, with the hearty good -feeling of the American people. True, he had taken a glass too much on -the day of his inauguration as vice-president, and the nation had -not forgotten it; yet there were many palliating circumstances to be -offered. The weather was cold, his ride from Tennessee had been long and -fatiguing, he had met with a host of friends, who, like himself, were -not afraid of the “critter.” And, after all, who amongst that vast -concourse of politicians, on that fourth day of March, had not taken a -“Tom and Jerry,” a “whiskey punch,” a “brandy smash,”--or a “cocktail”? -Again: the people had been robbed of their idol, and suddenly plunged -into grief, and felt like looking up the commendable acts of the new -President, rather than finding fault, and were desirous to see how far -he was capable of filling the gap so recently made vacant. - -They remembered that when the secessionists were withdrawing from -Congress, in 1860, Mr. Johnson said, - -“If I were president, I would try them for treason, and, if convicted, -I would hang them.” This was mark number one in his favor. They had -not forgotten his address to the Tennessee Convention, which, in the -preceding January, had, by an almost unanimous vote, declared slavery in -that State forever abolished. - -This speech was made on the 14th of January, and is very uncompromising -and eloquent. “Yesterday,” said he to the Convention, “you broke the -tyrant’s rod, and set the captive free. (Loud applause.) Yes, gentlemen, -yesterday you sounded the death-knell of negro aristocracy, and -performed the funeral obsequies of that thing called slavery.... I feel -that God smiles on what you have done. Oh, how it contrasts with the -shrieks and cries and wailings which the institution of slavery has -brought on the land!” - -And his speech to the colored people of Nashville in the preceding -October was exceedingly touching, by reason of its tender, heartfelt -compassion for all the degradation, insult, and cruelty which had been -heaped upon that poor and unoffending people so long. Its scorn and -sarcasm were terrible as he arraigned the “master” class for their long -career of lust, tyranny, and crime. He hoped a Moses would arise to lead -this persecuted people to their promised land of freedom. “You are our -Moses,” shouted first one, and then a great multitude of voices. But the -speaker went on, - -“God, no doubt, has prepared, somewhere, an instrument for the great -work he designs to perform in behalf of this outraged people; and in due -time your leader will come forth,--your Moses will be revealed to you.” - -“We want no Moses but you!” again shouted the crowd. “Well, then,” - replied Mr. Johnson, “humble and unworthy as I am, if no better shall be -found, I will indeed be your Moses, and lead you through the Red Sea of -war and bondage to a fairer future of liberty and peace.” - -These were brave words in behalf of the rights of man, and weighed -heavily in Mr. Johnson’s favor. Also in his first public words, after -taking the oath as President of the United States, Mr. Johnson referred -to _the past_ of his life as an indication of his course and policy in -the future, rather than to make any verbal declarations now; thereby -manifesting an honorable willingness to be judged by his acts, and a -consciousness that the record was one which he need not be ashamed to -own. - -What better words or greater promises could be demanded? And, moreover, -the American people are admirers of self-made men. Indeed, it is the -foundation of true republican principles; and those who come to the -surface by their own genius or energies are sure to be well received -by the masses. But was Andrew Johnson a genius? was he shrewd? was he -smart? If not, how could he have attained to such a high position in -his own State? Were the people there all fools, that they should send -a mountebank to the United-States Senate? Or were they, as well as -the National-Republican Convention that nominated him in 1864 for the -Vice-Presidency, deceived? - -Macaulay, in his Criticism on the Poems of Robert Montgomery, says, “A -pious Brahmin, it is written, made a vow, that, on a certain day, he -would sacrifice a sheep; and on the appointed morning he went forth to -buy one. There lived in his neighborhood three rogues, who knew his vow, -and laid a scheme for profiting by it. The first met him, and said, ‘O -Brahmin! wilt thou buy a sheep? I have one fit for sacrifice.’--‘It is -for that very purpose,’ said the holy man, ‘that I came forth this -day.’ Then the impostor opened a bag, and brought out of it an unclean -beast,--an ugly dog, lame and blind. ‘Thereon the Brahmin cried out, -‘Wretch, who touchest things impure, and utterest things untrue, callest -thou that cur a sheep?’--‘Truly,’ answered the other, ‘it is a sheep of -the finest fleece, and of the sweetest flesh. O Brahmin! it will be -an offering most acceptable to the gods!’--‘Friend,’ said the Brahmin, -‘either thou or I must be blind.’ Just then, one of the accomplices came -up. ‘Praised be the gods,’ said this second rogue, ‘that I have been -saved the trouble of going to the market for a sheep! This is such a -sheep as I wanted. For how much wilt thou sell it?’ When the Brahmin -heard this, his mind waved to and fro, like one swinging in the air at -a holy festival. ‘Sir,’ said he to the new-comer, ‘take heed what thou -dost. This is no sheep, but an unclean cur.’--‘O Brahmin!’ said the -new-comer, ‘thou art drunk or mad.’ At this time, the third confederate -drew near. ‘Let us ask this man,’ said the Brahmin, ‘what the creature -is; and I will stand by what he shall say.’ To this the others agreed; -and the Brahmin called out, ‘O stranger! what dost thou call this -beast?’--‘Surely, O Brahmin!’ said the knave, ‘it is a fine sheep.’ Then -the Brahmin said, ‘Surely the gods have taken away my senses!’ and he -asked pardon of him who carried the dog, and bought it for a measure of -rice and a pot of ghee; and offered it up to the gods, who, being wroth -at this unclean sacrifice, smote him with a sore disease in all his -joints!” - -The poor Brahmin was never more thoroughly imposed upon in receiving -the dog for a sheep than were the American people in accepting Andrew -Johnson as a statesman, or even as a friend of liberty and republican -institutions. That he hated the slaveocracy, there is not the slightest -doubt; for they were far above him, and all his efforts to be recognized -by them as an equal had failed. - -But did he like the negro any better than the master? It is said, that -while in his apprenticeship, on one occasion, young Johnson was passing -along the street with a pair of pants upon his arm, when a well-dressed -free negro accidentally ran against him, pushing the tailor into a -ditch; whereupon, the latter threw a handful of mud at the black man, -soiling his clothes very much. The negro turned, and indignantly said, -“You better mind what you ‘bout, you low white clodhopper, poor white -trash!” This retort of the negro no doubt touched a tender chord; for -it reminded the rising young man of the “pit from whence he was -digged,” and it is said he hated the race ever after. _But it must be -acknowledged_ that Mr. Johnson is a big man in little things; that he -showed some shrewdness in taking advantage of the Union feeling, and -especially the antislavery sentiment, of the North, in wiggling himself -into the Republican party by his bunkum speeches. After all, what is the -real character of the man? - - “Great Judas of the nineteenth century, - - Foul political traitor of the age, - - Persistent speeechmaker, covered with falsity, - - Come, sit now for your portrait. I will paint - - As others see you,--men who love their God, - - And hate not even you, aye you, attaint - - With love of self, and power that’s outlawed. - - Behold the picture! See a drunken man - - Whose age brings nothing but increase of sin,-- - - A deceptive ‘policy,’ a hateful plan - - To deceive the people, and reenslave the sons of Ham! - - Now see it stretching out a slimy palm, - - And striking hands with rebels. Nay, nay! - - It grasps Columbia by the throat and arm, - - And seeks to give her to that beast of prey.” - -Intensely in love with himself, egotistical, without dignity, -tyrannical, ungrateful, and fond of flattery, Mr. Johnson was entirely -unprepared to successfully resist the overtures of the slaveholding -aristocracy, by whom he had so long wished to be recognized. It was some -weeks after the death of the good President, that a committee of these -Southerners visited the White House. They found Mr. Johnson alone; for -they had asked for an audience, which had been readily granted. Humbly -they came, the lords of the lash, the men who, five years before, would -not have shaken hands with him with a pair of tongs ten feet long. Many -of them the President had seen on former occasions: all of them he knew -by reputation. As they stood before him, he viewed them from head to -feet, and felt an inward triumph. He could scarcely realize the fact, -and asked himself, “Is it possible? have I my old enemies before me, -seeking favors?” Yes: it was so; and they had no wish to conceal the -fact. The chairman of the committee, a man of years, one whose very -look showed that he was not without influence among those who knew him, -addressing the Chief Magistrate, said, “Mr. President, we come as a -committee to represent to you the condition of the South, and its wants. -We fear that your Excellency has had things misrepresented to you by -the Radicals; and knowing you to be a man of justice, a statesman of -unsullied reputation, one who to-day occupies the proudest position of -any man in the world, we come to lay our wants before you. We have, in -the past, been your political opponents. In the future, we shall be your -friends; because we now see that you were right, and we were wrong. We -ask, nay, we beg you to permit us to reconstruct the Southern States. -Our people, South, are loyal to a man, and wish to return at once -to their relations in the General Government. We look upon you, Mr. -President, as the embodiment of the truly chivalrous Southerner,--one -who, born and bred in the South, understands her people: to you we -appeal for justice; for we are sure that your impulses are pure. -Your future, Mr. President, is to be a brilliant one. At the next -presidential election, the South will be a unit for the man who saves -her from the hands of these Yankees, who now, under the protection of -the Freedman’s Bureau, are making themselves rich. We shall stand by the -man that saves us; and you are that man. Your genius, your sagacity, -and your unequalled statesmanship, mark you out as the father of his -country. Without casting a single ungenerous reflection upon the great -name of George Washington, allow me to say what I am sure the rest of -the delegation will join me in, and that is, that, a hundred years -to come, the name of Andrew Johnson will be the brightest in American -history.” Several times during the delivery of the above speech, the -President was seen to wipe his eyes, for he was indeed moved to tears. -At its conclusion, he said, “Gentlemen, your chairman has perfectly -overwhelmed me. I was not, I confess, prepared for these kind words, -this cordial support, of the people of the South. Your professions of -loyalty, which I feel to be genuine, and your promises of future aid, -unman me. I thought you were my enemies, and it is to enemies that I -love to give battle. As to my friends, they can always govern me. I will -lay your case before the cabinet.”--“We do not appeal to your cabinet,” - continued the chairman, “it is to you, Mr. President, that we come. Were -you a common man, we should expect you to ask advice of your cabinet; -but we regard you as master, aud your secretaries as your servants. You -are capable of acting without consulting them: we think you the Andrew -Jackson of to-day. Presidents, sir, are regarded as mere tools. We hope -you, like Jackson, will prove an exception. We, the people of the South, -are willing to let you do precisely as you please; and still we will -support you. We are proud to acknowledge you as our leader. All we ask -is, that we shall be permitted to organize our State Governments, elect -our senators and representatives, and return at once into the Union; -and this, Mr. President, lies entirely with you, unless you acknowledge -yourself to be in leading-strings, which we know is not so; for Andrew -Johnson can never play second fiddle to men or parties.” These last -remarks affected Mr. Johnson very much, which he in vain attempted -to conceal. “Gentlemen,” replied the President, “I confess that your -chairman, has, in his remarks, made an impression on my mind that I -little dreamed of when you entered. I admit that I am not pleased with -the manner in which the Radicals are acting.”--“Allow me,” said the -chairman, interrupting the President, “to say a word or two that I -had forgotten.” “Proceed,” said the Chief Magistrate. “You are not -appreciated,” continued the chairman, “by the Radicals. They speak of -you sneeringly as the ‘accidental President,’ just as if you were not -the choice of the people. The people of the North would never elect you -again. No man, except Mr. Lincoln, has ever been elected a second time -to the presidency, from the free States. They have so many peddling -politicians, like so many hungry wolves, seeking office, that they are -always crying, ‘Rotation, rotation.’ But, with us of the South, it is -different. When we find a man with genius, talent, a statesman, we hold -on to him, and keep him in office. You, Mr. President, can carry all -the Southern, and enough of the Northern States to elect you to another -term.”--“Yes,” responded one of the committee, “to two terms more.” - Mr. Johnson, with suppressed emotion, said, “I will at once lay down a -policy, which, I think, will satisfy the entire people of the South; -but, but--I said that treason should be made odious, and traitors should -be punished: what can I do so as not to stultify myself?” - -“I see it as clear as day, Mr. President,” said the chairman. “You have -already made treason odious by those eloquent speeches which you have -delivered at various times on the Rebellion; and now you can punish -traitors by giving them office. St. Paul said, ‘If thine enemy hunger, -feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing, thou shalt heap -coals of fire on his head.’ Now, many of the Southerners are your old -enemies; and they are hungry for office, and thirst for the good liquor -they used to get in the congressional saloons.” - -“I am satisfied,” said the President, “that I can restore the Southern -States to their relations to the Union, and let all who held office -before the war, resume their positions again.--“Yes,” remarked a member -of the committee; “and you can build up a new party of your own, -that shall take the place of the Democratic party, which is already -dead.”--“Very true,” replied the President, “there is both room and need -of another political party. You may rest assured, gentlemen, that you -will be re-instated in your former positions.” The committee withdrew. -“My policy” was commenced. The Republicans did not like it; and a -committee was sent to the White House, composed of some of the leading -men of the North, the chairman of which was a man some six feet in -height, stout, and well made; features coarse; full head of hair, -touched with the frost of over fifty winters; dressed in a gray suit, -light felt hat. The committee, on entering, found the President -seated, with his feet under the table. He did not rise to welcome the -delegation, but seemed to push his feet still farther under the table, -for fear that they might think he was going to rise. The chairman, whom -I have already described, said in a rather strong voice, “Mr. President, -we have called to ask you to use your official power to protect the -Union men of the South, white and black, from the murderous feeling of -the rebels. - -“As faithful friends, and supporters of your Administration, we most -respectfully petition you to suspend for the present your policy towards -the rebel States. We should not present this prayer if we were not -painfully convinced that, thus far, it has failed to obtain any -reasonable guarantees for that security in the future which is essential -to peace and reconciliation. To our minds, it abandons the freedmen -to the control of their ancient masters, and leaves the national -debt exposed to repudiation by returning rebels. The Declaration -of Independence asserts the equality of all men, and that rightful -government can be founded only on the consent of the governed. We see -small chance of peace unless these great principles are practically -established. Without this, the house will continue divided against -itself.” - -“Gentlemen,” replied the President, “I will take your request into -consideration, and give it that attention that it demands.” The -committee left, satisfied that Mr. Johnson was a changed man. Soon -after, the President was called upon by another delegation, a committee -of colored men, consisting of Frederick Douglass, William Whipper, -George T. Downing, and L. H. Douglass. The negro race was singularly -fortunate in having these gentlemen to represent them; for they are not -only amongst the ablest of their class, but are men of culture, and all -of them writers and speakers of distinguished, ability. The delegation, -on entering, found the President seated, with his feet under the table, -and his hands in his breeches pockets, and looking a little sour. -Mr. Downing, the delegate from New England, first addressed the Chief -Magistrate; and his finely chosen-words, and well-rounded periods, no -doubt made the President not a lit-, tie uneasy, for he looked daggers -at the speaker. The reflection of Downing’s highly cultivated mind, as -seen through his admirable address, doubtless reminded the President -of his own inferiority, and made him still more petulant; for, when he -replied to the delegate, he said,-- - -“I am free to say to you that I do not like to be arraigned by some who -can get up handsomely-rounded periods, and deal in rhetoric, and talk -about abstract ideas of liberty, who never perilled life, liberty, or -property. This kind of theoretical, hollow, unpractical friendship, -amounts to very little.” - -After Downing, came the strong words of Douglass. Of this speaker, the -President had heard much, and appeared to eye him from head to feet; -took his hands out of his pockets; and rested his elbows upon the table. -Douglass, no doubt, reminded him of the well-dressed free negro, who, -nearly forty years before, had pushed him into the ditch; and this -recollection brought up, also, that hateful tailor’s bench, and, still -back of that, his low origin. - -Mr. Douglass also reminded the President of his promise to be the -negro’s Moses. This last remark was cruel in the speaker, for it carried -Mr. Johnson back to the days when he was carrying out that deceptive -policy by which he secured the nomination on the ticket with Mr. -Lincoln; and he appeared much irritated at the remark. His whole reply -to the delegation was weak, unfair, and without the slightest atom of -logic. Mr. Downing addressed the President as follows:-- - -“We present ourselves to your Excellency to make known, with pleasure, -the respect which we are glad to cherish for you,--a respect which is -your due as our Chief Magistrate. It is our desire that you should -know that we come, feeling that we are friends meeting friends. We may, -however, have manifested our friendship by not coming to further tax -your already much-burdened and valuable time; but we have another object -in calling. We are in a passage to equality before the law. God hath -made it by opening a Red Sea. We would have your assistance through the -same. We come to you in the name of the United States, and are delegated -to come by some who have unjustly worn iron manacles on their bodies; -by some whose minds have been manacled by class legislation in States -called free. The colored people of the States of Illinois, Wisconsin, -Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, -Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, the New-England States, and the -District of Columbia, have specially delegated us to come. Our coming -is a marked circumstance. We are not satisfied with an amendment -prohibiting slavery; but we wish that amendment enforced with -appropriate legislation. This is our desire. We ask for it -intelligently, with the knowledge and conviction that the fathers of -the Revolution intended freedom for every American; that they should be -protected in their rights as citizens, and be equal before the law. We -are Americans,--native-born Americans. We are citizens. We are glad -to have it known to the world that we bear no doubtful record on this -point. On this fact, and with confidence in the triumph of justice, we -base our hope. We see no recognition of color or race in the organic law -of the land. It knows no privileged class, and therefore we cherish the -hope that we may be fully enfranchised, not only here in this district, -but throughout the land. We respectfully submit, that rendering any -thing less than this will be rendering to us less than our just due; -that granting any thing less than our full rights will be a disregard of -our just rights,--of due respect for our feelings. If the powers that be -do so, it will be used as a license, as it were, or an apology, for -any community or individual, so disposed, to outrage our rights and -feelings. It has been shown in the present war that the Government may -justly reach its strong arm into States, and demand from them--from -those who owe it--their allegiance, assistance, and support. May it not -reach out a like arm to secure and protect its subjects upon whom it has -a claim?” - -Following Mr. Downing, Mr. Frederick Douglass advanced, and addressed -the President, saying,-- - -“Mr. President, we are not here to enlighten you, sir, as to your duties -as the Chief Magistrate of this republic, but to show our respect, -and to present in brief the claims of our race to your favorable -consideration. In the order of divine Providence, you are placed in a -position where you have the power to save or destroy us, to bless or -blast us,--I mean our whole race. Your noble and humane predecessor -placed in our hands the sword, to assist in saving the nation; and we do -hope that you, his able successor, will favorably regard the placing in -our hands the ballot with which to save ourselves. We shall submit no -argument on that point. The fact that we are the subjects of government, -and subject to taxation, subject to volunteer in the service of the -country, subject to being drafted, subject to bear the burdens of -the State, makes it not improper that we should ask to share in the -privileges of this condition. I have no speech to make on this occasion. -I simply submit these observations as a limited expression of the views -and feelings of the delegation with which I have come.” - -I omit Mr. Johnson’s long and untruthful speech, and give the reply of -the delegation, which he would not listen to:-- - -“Mr. President, in consideration of a delicate sense of propriety, as -well as your own repeated intimation of indisposition to discuss or to -listen to a reply to the views and opinions you were pleased to express -to us in your elaborate speech to-day, we would respectfully take this -method of reply thereto. - -“Believing, as we do, that the views and opinions expressed in that -address are entirely unsound, and prejudicial to the highest interests -of our race, as well as of our country, we cannot do otherwise than -expose the same, and, so far as may be in our power, arrest their -dangerous influence. - -“It is not necessary at this time to call attention to more than two or -three features of your remarkable address. - -“The first point to which we feel especially bound to take exception is -your attempt to found a policy opposed to our enfranchisement, upon -the alleged ground of an existing hostility on the part, of the former -slaves towards the poor white people of the South. - -“We admit the existence of this hostility, and hold that it is entirely -reciprocal. - -“But you obviously commit an error by drawing an argument from an -incident of a state of slavery, and making it a basis for a policy -adapted to a state of freedom. - -“The hostility between the whites and blacks of the South is easily -explained. It has its root and sap in the relation of slavery, and was -incited on both sides by the cunning of the slave-masters. These masters -secured their ascendency over both the poor whites and the blacks by -putting enmity between them. They divided both to conquer each. - -“There was no earthly reason why the blacks should not hate and dread -the poor whites when in a state of slavery; for it was from this class -that their masters received their slave-catchers, slave-drivers, and -overseers. They were the men called in upon all occasions by the masters -when any fiendish outrage was to be committed upon the slave. - -“Now, sir, you cannot but perceive that, the cause of this hatred -removed, the effect must be removed also. Slavery is abolished. The -cause of antagonism is removed; and you must see that it is altogether -illogical--‘putting new wine into old bottles, mending new garments with -old clothes’--to legislate from slave-holding and slave-driving premises -for a people whom you have repeatedly declared your purpose to maintain -in freedom. Besides, even if it were true, as you allege, that the -hostility of the blacks toward the poor whites must necessarily be the -same in a state of freedom as in a state of slavery, in the name of -Heaven, we reverently ask, how can you, in view of your professed desire -to promote the welfare of the black man, deprive him of all means of -defence, and clothe him whom you regard as his enemy in the panoply of -political power? - -“Can it be that you would recommend a policy which would arm the strong -and cast down the defenceless? Can you, by any possibility of reasoning, -regard this as just, fair, or wise? - -“Experience proves that those are oftenest abused who can be abused with -the greatest impunity. Men are whipped oftenest who are whipped easiest. -Peace between races is not to be secured by degrading one race, and -exalting another; by giving power to one race, and withholding it -from another: but by maintaining a state of equal justice between all -parties,--first pure, then peaceable. - -“On the colonization theory that you were pleased to broach, very much -could be said. It is impossible to suppose, in view of the usefulness of -the black man in time of peace as a laborer in the South, and in time -of war as a soldier at the North, and the growing respect for his rights -among the people, and his increasing adaptation to a high state of -civilization in this his native land, that there can ever come a time -when he can be removed from this country without a terrible shock to its -prosperity and peace. - -“Besides, the worst enemy of the nation could not cast upon its fair -name a greater infamy than to suppose that negroes could be tolerated -among them in a state of the most degrading slavery and oppression, and -must be cast away and driven into exile for no other cause than having -been freed from their chains.” - -The most unhandsome and untruthful remarks of the President to the -delegation are those in which he charges the slave-masters and the slave -with combining to keep the poor whites in degradation. - -The construction which he put upon his promise to the blacks of -Tennessee--to be the “Moses to lead the black race through the Red Sea -of bondage” to--expatriation--was mean in the extreme, and shows a mind -whose moral degradation is without its parallel. - - - - -CHAPTER XLII--ILL TREATMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE SOUTH - -_The Old Slave-holders.--The Freedmen.--Murders.--School-teachers. ---Riot at Memphis.--Mob at New Orleans.--Murder of Union Men--Riot at a -Camp-meeting._ - - -Haughty and scornful as ever; regarding themselves as overpowered, but -not conquered; openly regretting their failure to establish a Southern -Confederacy; backed up by President Johnson in their rebellious -course,--the Southerners appear determined to reduce the blacks to a -state of serfdom if they cannot have them as slaves. The new labor-laws -of all the Southern States place the entire colored population as much -in the hands of the whites as they were in the palmiest day of chattel -slavery, if we except the buying and selling. The negro _whipping-post_, -which the laws of war swept away, has, under Andrew Johnson’s -reconstruction policy, been again re-instated throughout the South. -The Freedmen’s Bureau is as powerless to-day to protect the emancipated -blacks in their rights as was the Hon. Samuel Hoar to remain in South -Carolina against the will of the slave-holders of the days of Calhoun -and of McDuffie. Where the old masters cannot control their former -slaves, they do not hesitate to shoot them down in open day, as the -following will show:-- - -A Texas correspondent writes to “The New-York Evening Post” (he dare not -allow his name and residence to be printed) as follows:-- - -“Every day I hear of murders of freedmen. Since five o’clock this -afternoon, four new ones have been reported here. The disloyal press -suppress the mention of such occurrences. - -“Should there be another outbreak in Texas, very many Union men, as well -as a large proportion of freedmen, would at once be massacred in order -to bring about such another reign of terror as would make the South a -unit.... - -“Three freedmen were murdered in or near the line of an adjoining county -a few days ago. The wagon which one of them was driving was robbed of -all the fine goods it contained. The other two freedmen were shot by the -same man, who is believed to be their former owner. The head of one -of them was cut off, and they were left unburied. No investigation has -been, or probably will be, made into these murders. If any Union man -were to move in the matter, it would be at the peril of his life. - -“The brave and loyal man who told me of these murders was applied to by -a freed man, a kinsman of one of the murdered, for advice. The freedman -was told to go to Austin, and report the facts to the agent of the -Freedmen’s Bureau: but he appears not to have arrived. Like the freedman -despatched by the chief justice of Refugio County, with a letter setting -forth the disorders in that county, he may have been shot on the road. - -“My informant, seeing that I set about writing down the facts as to -these murders just as he stated them, said to me, ‘Do not make my name -public, for it is all I can do to hold my own in----------county just -now;’ and added, ‘Ikeep no money in my house but a few dollars for -current expenses. I can take care of myself in the daytime, but I do not -feel safe at night.’” - -On the 2d of April, 1866, a Mr. Quisenbery was tried at the Circuit -Court for the County of Louisa, Va., for the murder of Washington Green. -Green was the former slave of Quisenbery, had worked for said Quisenbery -from the fall of Richmond, about the 3d of April, 1865, until about the -1st of October, 1865, when Quiserinbery told him, the said Washington -Green, that he had better go and get work somewhere else; that he would -not pay him for any thing that he had done. Washington Green went to -work for a lady to get some shingles for her, and Quisenbery made a -contract with this lady, that she should pay him, for Green’s getting -the shingles, by thrashing out his, Quisenbery’s, wheat. It did not -satisfy Washington Green, that Quisenbery should not only refuse to pay -him for the work which he had already done for him, but that he should -also collect what he had earned by hard working for this lady. Green -went to Quisenbery, and asked him for the amount of getting the shingles -for this lady. Quisenbery said, “Washington, this is three times that -you have been after me for that money; I am now going to my hog-pen, and -I warn you not to follow me.” He repeated that warning three times. He -then went to the hog-pen, got over the fence, stooped down to throw out -some corn that the hogs had not eaten. He looked up, and saw Washington -Green at or near the fence, and said, “I thought I warned you not to -follow me,” and pulled out his knife, and stabbed Green in the throat, -and killed him instantly. This is the evidence and confession of -Quisenbery, who was tried, and the jury found a verdict of _not guilty_, -without scarcely leaving the jury-box; and Quisenbery was declared -guiltless of any crime amid the plaudits of the people. - -At Jacksonville, Fla., on the 20th of June last, a freedman complained -before Col. Hart, that his last employer would not pay him. The black -man afterwards went to the pine-woods, chopping logs. While absent, the -man of whom he had complained got a woman to go to the freedman’s wife, -and get into a difficulty with her; whereupon the freedman’s wife was -arrested, tried, found guilty, and fined fifty dollars, being unable to -pay which, she was _put up at auction_, and sold to the person who would -take her for the shortest time, and pay fine and costs. The _shortest -time was four years!_ Under another law of the State, the children were -_bound out till they should become of age!_ - -A free colored man named Jordan opened, by permission of the commandant -of the post at Columbia, Tenn., a school for the blacks. The school -went on smoothly till Monday, the 11th instant, when two soldiers of the -Eighth Tennessee Cavalry went into the school, and broke it up; but the -teacher, being so advised, resumed his labor the next day. But, on the -14th, Messrs. Datty, Porter, White, and others, including soldiers of -the Eighth Tennessee, the party headed by White the city constable, -proceeded to the schoolroom, seized the teacher, and brought him under -guard to the court-house, where he received a mock trial. When being -asked for his authority for teaching a school, Mr. Jordan replied, that -Lieut.-Col. Brown and Major Sawyer were his authority, and wished they -would bring Major Sawyer in. One of the men went out, but was absent -only for a moment, when he came in, stating that Major Sawyer could -not be found; whereupon Mr. Andrews ordered that the teacher be given -twenty-five lashes. And they were administered, the man receiving the -scourge like a martyr, telling his persecutors that he was willing to -suffer for the right; and that Christ had received the same punishment -for the same purpose; and he thought, if he could teach the children to -read the Bible so that they might learn of heaven, he was doing a good -work. To this, a soldier of the Eighth Tennessee said, “If you want to -go to heaven you must pray: you can’t get there by teaching the niggers. -We can’t go to school, and I’ll be damned if niggers shall.” - -Volumes might be written, recounting the shameful outrages committed at -the South since the surrender of Lee. Not satisfied with murders of an -individual character, the Southerners have, of late, gone into it more -extensively. The first of these took place at Memphis, Tenn., May 4, -1866. A correspondent of Hon. W. D. Kelley, of Philadelphia, said,-- - -“I have been an eye-witness to such sights as should cause the age in -which we live to blush. Negro men have been shot down in cold blood on -the streets; barbers, at their chairs and in their own shops; draymen on -their drays, while attempting to earn an honest living; hotel-waiters, -while in the discharge of their duties; hackmen, while driving female -teachers of negro children to their schools; laborers, while handling -cotton on the wharves, &c. All the negro schoolhouses, and all the negro -churches, and many of the houses of the negroes, have been burned, this -too, under the immediate auspices of the city police and the mayor: -in fact, most of these outrages were committed by the police -themselves,--_all Irish, and all rebels, and mostly drunk_. This is not -the half: I have no heart to recount the outrages I have _seen_. The -most prominent citizens stand on the streets, and see negroes hunted -down and shot, and _laugh_ at it as a good joke. Attempts have been made -to fire every Government building, and fire has been set to many of the -abodes and business-places of Union people. - -“There is no doubt but that there is a _secret_ organization sworn -to purge the city of all Northern men who are not _rebels_, all negro -teachers, all Yankee enterprise, and return the city ‘to the good old -days of Southern rule and chivalry.’ - -“When the miscreants had fired Collins’s chapel (a large frame church, -corner of Washington and Orleans Streets, which would now cost fully ten -thousand dollars, to rebuild), they stood around the fire which lighted -the midnight sky, and made the night hideous with their hellish cheers -for ‘Andy Johnson’ and a ‘white man’s government!’ And the supporters -of the President, aside from being midnight burners of churches and -schoolhouses, robbed women and children, and men,--sparing none on -account of age, sex, physical disabilities, or innocence of crime,--even -burning women and children alive. - -“The board of aldermen had their usual meetings last night. Their -proceedings show no reference to the riot. No rewards have been -offered for the apprehension of the murderous assassins, thieves, and -house-burners.” - -Next came, on a still larger scale, the rebel riot at New Orleans. -The Military Commission appointed to investigate the cause of the riot -charge it upon Mayor Monroe, Lieut.-Gov. Voorhies, and the rebel press -of the city. The Commission speak of the murders as follows:-- - -“They can only say that the work of massacre was pursued with a cowardly -ferocity unsurpassed in the annals of crime. Escaping negroes were -mercilessly pursued, shot, stabbed, and beaten to death by the mob -and police. Wounded men on the ground begging for mercy _were savagely -despatched_ by mob, police, firemen, and, incredible as it may seem, -in two instances by women; but, in two or three most honorable and -exceptionable cases, white men and members of the Convention were -protected by members of the police, both against the mob, and against -other policemen. The chief of police, by great exertions, defended in -this manner Gov. Hahn. - -“After the attack had commenced, the police appeared to be under no -control as such; but acted as and with the mob. Their cheers and waving -of hats as they threw the mangled Dostie, then supposed a _corpse, like -a dead dog into the cart, sufficiently show their unison of feeling with -their allies_.” - -Nothing, we take it, is more apparent from the array of evidence -presented in this Report than that the New-Orleans riot was a -preconcerted, deliberate, cold-blooded attempt to massacre the -Unionists, white and black, of that city. The design can be traced like -the development of a tragedy. Mayor Monroe is busy for a long time -in advance in stirring up the passions of the mob by stigmatizing the -members of the Convention as outlaws and revolutionists, threatening -them with wholesale arrest, and preparing his police for action. He -might have ascertained that the members had resolved to peacefully -submit the legality of their course to the proper tribunals; but he had -bloodier ends in view. He knew that the excitement he had fanned would -surely lead to an outburst of violence, unless restrained by two forces -alone,--his police and the United-States troops. To keep the latter -away, Mayor Monroe suppresses all requisition for them until it is too -late; and then tries to cover up his conduct with downright falsehood -and perjury. His police, instead of being brought forward openly, so -that they would have to take sides for the preservation of order, are -concealed in hiding-places till the collision occurs; when they rush -forth as allies of the mob, murdering negroes in cold blood; firing -repeatedly into the Convention, even after a white flag is raised; -shooting and barbarously maltreating the wounded; and perpetrating such -feats of cowardly brutality and ferocity as were never before seen -in this country, except in the congenial affairs of Memphis and Fort -Pillow. - -Nothing goes so far towards reconciling one to what is called the -“total-depravity” theory, as the contemplation of those scenes of blood. -They carry us back to the crimes and cruelty of the Massacre of -St. Bartholomew. Mayor Monroe acts the part of the Duke of Guise; -Lieut.-Gov. Voorhies, that of the Duke of Alva; while President Johnson -acts the part of Charles IX., who, on approaching the burning corpse of -Admiral Coligny, exclaimed, “The smell of a dead enemy is always good.” - -During the mob, the appearance of rebel organizations on the ground with -marks and badges, and scores of similar incidents, show that the plot -was as deliberate as it was infernal. - -Again: a dispassionate consideration of the facts detailed by the -Commission will lead to the conclusion that the underlying cause of the -New-Orleans massacre was the old virus of slavery, still existing in -the passions of Southern society, and likely to issue forth in violence -whenever it shall be favored by similar circumstances. The members of -the Louisiana Convention were entirely harmless, no matter how obnoxious -or how indiscreet they were. Even if they were not disposed to submit -their pretensions to a legal test,--as they were,--there would have -been no difficulty in making their peaceable arrest on the occurrence -of their first overt act; but the mob of New Orleans, who, by the -acquiescence of the better classes, or else in defiance of them -through their great numerical preponderance, elect and control the -city authorities, were determined to permit no such result of the -controversy. The Convention claimed to exercise free speech; they would -have none of that Northern innovation: it was composed of Union men; and -they should be made to feel their place in “reconstructed” New Orleans: -worse than all, they had for their allies and supporters _colored_ -Unionists; and _they_ should be made such an example of as should deter -any more such movements at the South. It was a bloody crusade against -the men and the principles that had triumphed in the Government of this -country. Well do this Commission say, that, but for martial law and the -United-States troops, “fire and bloodshed would have raged throughout -the night in all negro quarters of the city, and that the lives and -property of Unionists and Northern men would have been at the mercy of -the mob.” Finally: the Report throws an impressive light upon President -Johnson’s connection with the New-Orleans massacre. He had already, in -a manner, inculpated himself in his speech at St. Louis. He there -suppresses all the facts found by the Commission, and stigmatizes the -members of the Convention as “traitors,” engaged, under the instigation -of Congress, in getting up a “rebellion,” and therefore responsible for -all the bloodshed that occurred. That is precisely the pretence of Mayor -Monroe and his mob. Well might the President, therefore, play into their -hands. Gen. Baird, from official experience, has been taught not to -interfere with Mayor Monroe. When he telegraphs to Washington for -orders, he gets no answer: the other side telegraph, and receive replies -that encourage them in their course. Gen. Sheridan, like a true soldier, -telegraphs the facts, with indignant comments; and his despatches are -garbled for public effect. Of all the murderers on that dreadful day, -not one has been called to account; nor has any one of them received -therefor the least censure of the Government at Washington. - -The appointment, since the riot, of Adams, one of the most notorious of -the rioters, as sergeant in the police force, by Mayor Monroe, confirms -the fact of his guilt in the massacre. The blood of the martyrs Dostie -and Horton cries to Heaven for justice for the Union men of the South, -white and black. The mob, composed of ex-rebel soldiers and citizens, -that broke up the colored campmeeting near Baltimore, Md., a few weeks -after the New-Orleans riot, was only a part of the programme concocted -by the men engaged in carrying out the reconstruction policy of Andrew -Johnson. - - - - -CHAPTER XLIII--PROTECTION FOR THE COLORED PEOPLE. - - -_Protection for the Colored People South.--The Civil Rights -Bill.--Liberty without the Ballot no Boon.--Impartial Suffrage.--Test -Oaths not to be depended upon._ - - -In attempting to form a Southern Confederacy, with slavery as -its corner-stone, by breaking up the Union, and repudiating the -Constitution, the people of the South compelled the National Government -to abolish chattel slavery in self-defence. The protection, defence, and -support which self-interest induced the master to extend to the slave -have been taken away by the emancipation of the latter. This, taken -in connection with the fact that the negroes, by assisting the Federal -authorities to put down the Rebellion, gained the hatred of their old -masters, placed the blacks throughout the South in a very bad position. -Now, what shall be done to protect these people from the abuse of their -former oppressors? The Civil Rights Bill passed by Congress is almost a -dead letter, and many of the rebel judges declare it unconstitutional. -The States having relapsed into the hands of the late slave-holders, and -they becoming the executioners of the law, the blacks cannot look -for justice at their hands. The negro must be placed in a position to -protect himself. How shall that be done? We answer, the only thing to -save him is the ballot. Liberty without equality is no boon. Talk not -of civil without political emancipation! It is the technical pleading of -the lawyer: it is not the enlarged view of the statesman. If a man has -no vote for the men and the measures which tax himself, his family, and -his property, and all which determine his reputation, that man is still -a slave. - -We are told--what seems to be the common idea--that the elective -franchise is not a _right_, but a _privilege_. But is this true? We used -to think so; that is, we assented to it before we gave the subject any -special thought: but we do not think so now. We maintain, that in a -government like ours, a republican government, or government of -_the people_, the elective franchise, as it is called, is not a mere -privilege, but an actual and absolute _right_,--a right belonging, of -right, to every free man who has not forfeited that right by crime. -We in this country enjoy what is properly called self-government, and -self-government necessarily implies the _right to vote_,--the right to -_help to govern_, and to make the laws; and this, in a government like -ours, a government of the people, can only be done by or through the -elective franchise. We maintain that in self-government, or government -of the people, every man who is a free man and citizen has a right to -assist and take part in that government. This right inheres and belongs -to every man alike, to you and me, and every other man,--no matter what -the color of his skin,--if he be a free man and citizen, and helps to -support the government by paying taxes: it is one of the fundamental -principles of self-government and of a democratic or republican -government. But the elective franchise, the right to choose and elect -the men who are to fill the offices, and make the laws and execute them, -lies at the very bottom of such government. It is the first principle -and starting-point, and is as much implied in the very name and idea of -self-government, or _government of the people_, as any other principle, -right, or idea pertaining to such a government. Does any one doubt -this? Let him ask himself what constitutes a republican government, or -government of the people, and what is implied by such a government, -and he will soon see, that without the elective franchise, or right to -choose rulers and law-makers, there can be no such government. It -will not do, therefore, to call this right a privilege. If it is but -a privilege, all may be deprived of its exercise. What sort of a -republican or self government would that be in which none of the people -were allowed to vote? But if it is but a privilege, and granted to but a -class or part, it may be restricted to a still smaller part, and finally -allowed to none! - -Any proposal to submit the question of the political or civil rights of -the negroes to the arbitrament of the whites is as unjust and as absurd -as to submit the question of the political rights of the whites to the -arbitrament of the negroes, with this difference,--that the negroes are -loyal everywhere, and the great body of the whites disloyal everywhere. - -A white loyalist of the South, one who remained loyal during the whole -of the Rebellion, says,-- - -“To permit the whites to disfranchise the negroes is to permit those who -have been our enemies to ostracize our friends. The negroes are the only -persons in those States who have not been in arms against us. They -have not been in arms against us. They have always and everywhere been -friendly, and not hostile, to us. They alone have a deep interest in the -continued supremacy of the United States; for their freedom depends on -it. On them alone can we depend to suppress a new insurrection. They -alone will be inclined to vote for the friends of the Government in all -the Southern States. They alone have sheltered, fed, and pioneered our -starved and hunted brethren through the swamps and woods of the South, -in their flight from those who now aspire to rule them. - -“The _shame and folly of deserting the negroes_ are equalled by the -_wisdom of recognizing and protecting their power_. They will form a -clear and controlling majority against the united white vote in South -Carolina. Mississippi, and Louisiana. With a very small accession from -the loyal whites, they will form a majority in Alabama, Georgia, and -Virginia. Unaided in all those States, they will be a majority in many -congressional and legislative districts; and that alone suffices to -break the terrible and menacing unity of the Southern vote in Congress.” - -It is said that the slaves are too ignorant to exercise the elective -franchise judiciously. To this we reply, they are as intelligent as the -average of “poor whites,” and were intelligent enough to be Unionists -during the great struggle, when the Federal Government needed friends. -In a conflict with the spirit of rebellion, the blacks can always be -depended upon, the whites cannot; and, for its own security against -future outbreaks, the National Government should see that the negro is -placed where he can help himself, and assist it. - -The ballot will secure for the colored people respect; that respect -will be a protection for their schools; and, through education and the -elective franchise, the negro is to rise to a common level of humanity -in the Southern States. - -But little aid can be expected for the freedmen from the Freedmen’s -Bureau; for its officers, if not Southern men, will soon become upon -intimate terms with the former slave-holders, and the Bureau will be -converted into a power of oppression, instead of a protection. - -The anti-Union whites know full well the great influence of the ballot, -and therefore are afraid to give it to the blacks. The franchise will be -of more service to this despised race than a standing army in the South. -The ballot will be his standing army. The poet has truly said,-- - - “There is a weapon surer yet, - - And better, than the bayonet; - - A weapon that comes down as still - - As snow-flakes fall upon the sod, - - And executes a freeman’s will - - As lightning does the will of God; - - A weapon that no bolts nor locks - - Can bar. It is the ballot-box.” - -Even “The New-York Herald,” some time ago, went so far as to say,-- - -“We would give the suffrage at once to four classes of Southern negroes. -First, and emphatically, to every negro who has borne arms in the cause -of the United States; second, to every negro who owns real estate; -third, to every negro who can read and write; and, fourth, to every -negro that had belonged to any religious organization or church for five -years before the war. These points would cover every one that ought to -vote; and they would insure in every negro voter a spirit of manhood as -well as discipline, some practical shrewdness, intellectual development, -and moral consciousness and culture.” - -Impartial suffrage is what we demand for the colored people of the -Southern States. No matter whether the basis be a property or an -educational qualification, let it be impartial: upon this depends the -future happiness of all classes at the South. Test-oaths, or promises to -support the laws, mean nothing with those who have come up through the -school of slavery. - -“As for oaths, the rebels, whose whole career has been a violation of -the solemn obligations of which oaths are merely the sign, care no more -for them than did the rattlesnake to which our soldiers in West Virginia -once administered the oath of allegiance. Impartial suffrage affords -the only sure and permanent means of combating the rebel element in the -Southern States.” - - - - -CHAPTER XLIV--CASTE. - - -_Slavery the Foundation of Caste.--Black its Preference.--The General -Wish for Black Hair and Eyes.--No Hatred to Color.--The White Slave.--A -Mistake.--Stole his Thunder.--The Burman.--Pew for Sale._ - - -Caste is usually found to exist in communities or countries among -majorities, and against minorities. The basis of it is owing to some -supposed inferiority or degradation attached to the hated ones. However, -nothing is more foolish than this prejudice. But the silliest of all -caste is that which is founded on _color_; for those who entertain it -have not a single logical reason to offer in its defence. - -The fact is, slavery has been the cause of all the prejudice against the -negro. Wherever the blacks are ill treated on account of their color, it -is because of their identity with a race that has long worn the chain -of slavery. Is there any thing in black, that it should be hated? If so, -why do we see so much black in common use as clothing among all classes? -Indeed, black is preferred to either white or colors. How often the -young man speaks in ecstasies of the black eyes and black hair of his -lady-love! Look at the hundreds of advertised hair-dyes, used for the -purpose of changing nature! See men with their gray beards dyed black; -women with those beautiful black locks, which, but yesterday, were as -white as the driven snow! Not only this, but even those with light -or red whiskers run to the dye-kettle, steal a color which nature has -refused them, and, an hour after, curse the negro for a complexion that -is not stolen. If black is so hateful, why do not gentlemen have their -boots whitewashed? If the slaves of the South had been white, the same -prejudice would have existed against them. Look at the “poor white -trash,” as the lower class of whites in the Southern States are termed. - -Henry Clay would much rather have spent an evening with his servant -Charles than to have made a companion of one of his poor white -neighbors. It is the condition, not the color, that is so hateful. - -“When the Britons first became known to the Tyrian mariners,” says -Macaulay, “they were little superior to the Sandwich Islanders.” Cæsar, -writing home from Britain, said, “They are the most ignorant people -I ever conquered.” Many of the Britons, after their conquest by the -Romans, were sent as slaves to Rome. Cicero, writing to his friend -Atticus, advised him not to buy slaves from England; “because,” said he, -“they cannot be taught to read, and are the ugliest and most stupid -race I ever saw.” These writers created a prejudice against the Britons, -which caused them to be sold very cheap in Rome, where they were seen -for years with brass collars on, containing their owner’s name. The -prejudice against the American negro is not worse today than that which -existed against the Britons. But, as soon as the condition of the poor, -ill-treated, and enslaved Britons was changed, the caste disappears. - -Twenty-five years ago, a slave escaped from Tennessee, and came to -Buffalo, N.Y. He was as fair as the majority of whites, and, having been -a house-servant, his manners and language were not bad. His name was -Green. It was said that he had helped himself to some of his master’s -funds before leaving. For more than a month he had boarded at the -American, the finest hotel in the city, where he sat at table with -the boarders, and occupied the parlors in common with the rest of the -inmates. - -Mr. Green passed for a Southern gentleman, sported a gold watch, -smoked his Havanas, and rode out occasionally. He was soon a favorite, -especially with the daughters of Col. D--------. Unfortunately for Mr. -Green, one day, as he was taking his seat at the dinner-table, he found -himself in front of one of his master’s neighbors, who recognized him. -The Southerner sent for the landlord, with whom he had a few moments’ -conversation, after which mine host approached the boarder, and said, -“We don’t allow niggers at the table here: get up. You must wait till -the servants eat.” Mr. Green was driven from the table, not on account -of his color, but his condition. Under the old reign of slavery, it not -unfrequently occurred that the master’s acknowledged sons or daughters -were of a much darker complexion than some of the slave children. - -On one occasion, after my old master had returned home from the -Legislature (of which he was a member), he had many new visitors. One of -these, a Major Moore, called in my master’s absence. The major had never -been to our place before, and therefore we were all strangers to him. -The servant showed the visitor into the parlor, and the mistress soon -after came in, and to whom the major introduced himself. I was at that -time about ten years old, and was as white as most white boys. Whenever -visitors came to the house, it was my part of the programme, to dress -myself in a neat suit, kept for such times, and go into the room, and -stand behind the lady’s chair. As I entered the room on this occasion, -I had to pass near by the major to reach the mistress. As I passed him, -mistaking me for the son, he put out his hand, and said, “How do you -do, bub?” And, before any answer could be given, he continued, “Madam, -I would have known your son if I had met him in Mexico; for he looks -so much like his papa.” The lady’s face reddened up, and she replied, -“That’s one of the niggers, sir;” and told me to go to the kitchen. - -On my master’s return home, I heard him and the major talking the matter -over in the absence of the mistress. “I came near playing the devil here -to-day, colonel,” said the major.--“In what way?” inquired the former. -“It is always my custom,” said the latter, “to make fond of the children -where I visit; for it pleases the mammas. So, to-day, one of your little -niggers came into the room, and I spoke to him, reminding the madam -how much he resembled you.”--“Ha, ha, ha!” exclaimed the colonel, and -continued, “you did not miss it much by calling him my son. Ha, ha, ha!” - -An incident of a rather amusing character took place on Cayuga Lake some -years ago. I had but recently returned from England, where I had never -been unpleasantly reminded of my color, when I was called to visit the -pretty little city of Ithaca. On my return, I came down the lake in -the steamer which leaves early in the morning. When the bell rang for -breakfast, I went to the table, where I found some twenty or thirty -persons. I had scarcely taken my seat, when a rather snobby-appearing -man, of dark complexion, looking as if a South-Carolina or Georgia sun -had tanned him, began rubbing his hands, and, turning up his nose, -called the steward, and said to him, “Is it the custom on this boat to -put niggers at the table with white people?” The servant stood for a -moment, as if uncertain what reply to make, when the passenger -continued, “Go tell the captain that I want him.” Away went the steward. -I had been too often insulted on account of my connection with the -slave, not to know for what the captain was wanted. However, as I was -hungry, I commenced helping myself to what I saw before me, yet keeping -an eye to the door, through which the captain was soon to make his -appearance. As the steward returned, and I heard the heavy boots of the -commander on the stairs, a happy thought struck me; and I eagerly -watched for the coming-in of the officer. - -A moment more, and a strong voice called out, “Who wants me?” - -I answered at once, “I, sir.” - -“What do you wish?” asked the captain. - -“I want you to take this man from the table,” said I. At this unexpected -turn of the affair, the whole cabin broke out into roars of laughter; -while my rival on the opposite side of the table seemed bursting with -rage. The captain, who had joined in the merriment, said,-- - -“Why do you want him taken from the table?” - -“Is it your custom, captain,” said I, “to let niggers sit at table with -white folks on your boat?” - -This question, together with the fact that the other passenger had sent -for the officer, and that I had “stolen his thunder,” appeared to please -the company very much, who gave themselves up to laughter; while -the Southern-looking man left the cabin with the exclamation, “_Damn -fools!_” - -Nothing is more ridiculous than the legal decision in the States of -Ohio and Michigan, that a man containing not more than one-sixteenth of -African blood in his veins shall be considered a white man, and, upon -the-above basis, shall enjoy the elective franchise. - -We know of a family in Cincinnati, with three brothers, the youngest of -whom is very fair, and who, under the above rule, is a voter; while the -other two brothers are too dark to exercise the suffrage. Now, it so -happens that the voting brother is ignorant and shiftless, while the -others are splendid scholars. Where there is a great difference in the -complexion of the husband and wife, there is generally a much greater -difference in the color of the children; and this picking out the sons, -on account of their fair complexion, seems cruel in the extreme, as -it creates a jealous feeling in the family. While visiting my friend -William Still, Esq., in Philadelphia, some time since, I was much amused -at seeing his little daughter, a child of eight or nine years, and her -cousin, entering the omnibus which passed the door, going towards their -school. Colored persons were not allowed to ride in those conveyances; -and one of the girls, being very fair, would pay the fare for both; -while the dark-complexioned one would keep her face veiled. Thus the -two children daily passed unmolested from their homes to the school, -and returned. I was informed that once while I was there the veil -unfortunately was lifted, the dark face seen, and the child turned out -of the coach. How foolish that one’s ride on a stormy day should depend -entirely on a black veil! - -“Colorphobia, which has hitherto been directed against ‘American -citizens of African descent,’ has broken out in a new direction. Mong -Chan Loo is a Burman who recently graduated at Lewisburg University, -Penn., and has since been studying medicine, preparatory to returning to -Asia as a missionary. He is quite dark, but has straight hair, and is -a gentlemen of much cultivation. The other day, he took passage on the -Muskingum-river packet, ‘J. H. Bert,’ and, when the supper-bell rang, -was about to seat himself at the table. The captain prevented him, -informing him that, by the rules of the boat, colored persons must eat -separately from the whites. He grew indignant at this, refused to eat -on the boat at all, and, on arriving at Marietta, sued the owners of the -boat for five thousand dollars damages for ‘mental and bodily anguish -suffered.’ The case is a novel one; and its decision will perhaps -involve the question, whether Africans alone, or Asiatics, and, perhaps, -all dark-complexioned people, are included in the designation ‘colored.’ -If the more sweeping definition prevails, brunettes will have to be -provided with legally-attested pedigrees to secure for themselves -seats at the first table and other Caucasian privileges.”--_Cincinnati -Gazette._ - -“The Dunkards, a peculiar religious society, numerous in some of the -Western States, at their recent annual meeting discussed the question, -‘Shall we receive colored persons into the church? and shall we salute -them with the holy kiss?’ It was decided that they should be received -into the church, but that all the members were to be left to their own -choice and taste in regard to saluting their colored brethren, with -the understanding, however, that all who refused to do so were to be -regarded as weak.” - -In the year 1844, I visited a town in the State of Ohio, where a radical -abolitionist informed me that he owned a pew in the village church, -but had not attended worship there for years, owing to the proslavery -character of the preacher. - -“Why don’t you sell your pew?” I inquired. - -“I offered to sell it, last week, to a man, for ten dollars’ worth of -manure for my garden,” said he; “but the farmer, who happens to be one -of the pillars of the church, wants it for five dollars.” - -“What did it cost?” I inquired. - -“Fifty dollars,” was the reply. - -“Are they very proslavery, the congregation?” I asked. - -“Yes: they hate a black man worse than _pizen_,” said he. - -“Have you any colored family in your neighborhood?” I inquired. - -“We have,” said he, “a family about, four miles from here.” - -“Are they very black?” I asked. - -“Yes: as black as tar,” said he. - -“Now,” said I, “my friend, I can put you in the way of selling your pew, -and for its worth, or near what it cost you.” - -“If you can, I’ll give you half I get,” he replied. - -“Get that colored family, every one of them, take them to church, don’t -miss a single Sunday; and, my word for it, in less than four weeks, -they, the church-folks, will make you an offer,” said I. - -An arrangement was made with Mr. Spencer, the black man, by which -himself, wife, and two sons, were to attend church four successive -Sabbaths; for which, they were to receive in payment a hog. The -following Sunday, Mason’s pew was the centre of attraction. From the -moment that the Spencer Family arrived at the church, till the close of -the afternoon service, the eyes of the entire congregation were turned -towards “the niggers.” Early on Monday, Mr. Mason was called upon by the -“pillar,” who said, “I’ve concluded to give you ten dollars’ worth of -manure for your pew, Mr. Mason.” - -“I can’t sell it for that,” was the reply. “I ask fifty dollars for my -pew; and I guess Mr. Spencer will take it, if he likes the preaching,” - continued the abolitionist. - -“What!” said the ‘pillar,’ “does that nigger want the pew?” - -“He’ll take it if the preaching suits him,” returned Mason. - -The churchman left with a flea in his ear. The second Sunday, the blacks -were all on hand to hear the lining of the first hymn. The news of the -pew being occupied by the negroes on the previous occasion had spread -far and wide, and an increase of audience was the result. The clergyman -preached a real negro-hating sermon, apparently prepared for the express -purpose of driving the blacks away. However, this failed; for the -obnoxious persons were present in the afternoon. Mr. Mason was called -upon on Monday by another weighty member, who inquired if the pew was -for sale, and its price. - -“Fifty dollars,” was the reply. - -“I’ll give you twenty-five dollars,” said the member. - -“Fifty dollars, and nothing less,” was Mason’s answer. - -The weighty member left, without purchasing the pew. Being on a -lecturing tour in the vicinity, I ran into town, occasionally, to see -how the matter progressed; for I had an eye to one-half of the proceeds -of the sale of the pew. - -During the week, Spencer came, complained of the preaching, saying that -his wife could not and would not stand it, and would refuse to attend -again: whereupon, I went over, through a dreary rain, and promised the -wife a shilling calico-dress if she would fulfil the agreement. This -overcame her objections. I also arranged that two colored children of -another family, near by, should be borrowed for the coming Sunday. Mason -was asked how the Spencers liked the preaching. He replied that the -blacks were well pleased, and especially with the last sermon, alluding -to the negro-hating discourse. - -The following Sunday found Mason’s pew filled to overflowing; for the -two additional ones had left no space unoccupied. That Sunday did the -work completely; for the two borrowed boys added interest to the scene -by taking different courses. One was tumbling about over the laps of the -older persons in the pew, attracting rather more attention than was due -him, and occasionally asking for “bed and butter;” while the smaller one -slept, and snored loud enough to be heard several pews away. On Monday -morning following, Mr. Mason was called upon. The pew was sold for fifty -dollars cash. I received my portion of the funds, and gave Spencer’s -wife the calico gown. Mason called in the few hated radicals, and we had -a general good time. - -During the same lecturing tour, I was called to visit the village of -Republic, some thirty miles from Sandusky. - -On taking a seat in one of the cars where other passengers had seated -themselves, I was ordered out, with the remark, that “Niggers ain’t -allowed in here.” Refusing to leave the car, two athletic men, employed -by the road, came in at the bidding of the conductor, and, taking me by -the collar, dragged me out. - -“Where shall I ride?” I asked. “Where you please; but not in these -cars,” was the reply. Under ordinary circumstances, I would have -declined going by the train. But I had an appointment, and must go. As -the signal for starting was given, I reluctantly mounted a flour-barrel -in the open freight-car attached to the train, and away we went through -the woods. - -From my position, I had a very good view of the passengers in the -nearest car, and must confess that they did not appear to be the most -refined individuals. The majority looked like farmers. There were some -drovers, one of whom, with his dog at his feet, sat at the end window: -the animal occasionally got upon the seat by the side of its master, -when the latter would take him by the ears, and pull him off. The drover -seemed to say to me, as he eyed me sitting on the barrel in the hot sun, -“You can’t come where my dog is.” At the first stopping-place, a dozen -or more laboring-men, employed in repairing the road, got on the -train with their pickaxes and shovels. They, too, took seats in a -passenger-car. I had a copy of Pope’s poems, and was trying to read “The -Essay on Man;” but almost failed, on account of the severity of the sun. -However, a gentleman in the car, seeing my condition, took pity on me, -and, at the next stopping-place, kindly lent me his umbrella; which was -no sooner hoisted than it drew the attention of the drover at one of the -end windows, and some of the Irishmen at the other, who set up a jolly -laugh at my expense. Up to this time, the conductor had not called on -me for my ticket; but, as the train was nearing the place of my -destination, he climbed upon the car, came to me, and, holding out his -hand, said, “I’ll take your ticket, sir. “I have none,” said I. “Then, -I’ll take your fare,” continued he, still holding ont his hand. “How -much is it?” I inquired. “A dollar and a quarter,” he replied. “How -much do you charge those in the passenger-car?”--“The same,” was -the response. “Do you think that I will pay as much as those having -comfortable seats? No, sir. I shall do no such thing,” said I. “Then,” - said the conductor, “you must get off.”--“Stop your train, and I’ll get -off,” I replied. “Do you think I’ll stop these cars for you?” - -“Well,” said I, “you can do as you please. I will not pay full fare, and -ride on a flour-barrel in the hot sun.”--“Since you make so much fuss -about it, give me a dollar, and you may go,” said the conductor. “I’ll -do no such thing,” I replied. “Why? Don’t you wish to pay your fare?” - asked he. “Yes,” I replied. “I will pay what’s right; but I’ll not pay -you a dollar for riding on a flour-barrel in the hot sun.”--“Then, since -you feel so terribly bad about it, give me seventy-five cents, and I’ll -say no more about it,” said the officer. “No, sir: I shall not do it,” - said I. “What do you mean to pay?” asked he. “How much do you charge per -hundred for freight?” I asked. “Twenty-five cents per hundred,” answered -the conductor. “Then I’ll pay thirty-seven and a-half cents,” said I; -“for I weigh one hundred and fifty pounds.” The astonished man eyed me -from head to feet; while the drover and the Irish laborers, who were -piled up at each window of the passenger-car, appeared not a little -amused at what they supposed to be a muss between the conductor and me. - -Finally, the officer took a blank account out of his pocket, and -said, “Give me thirty-seven and a-half cents, and I’ll set you down as -freight.” I paid over the money, and saw myself duly put among the other -goods in the freight-car. - -A New-York journal is responsible for the following:-- - -“It is not many months since a colored man came to this city from -abroad. A New-York merchant had been in business connection with him for -several years; and from that business connection had realized a fortune, -and felt that he must treat him kindly. When Sunday came, he invited him -to go to church with him. He went; and the merchant took him into his -own pew, near the pulpit, in a fashionable church. There was a prominent -member of the church near the merchant, who saw this with great -amazement. He could not be mistaken: it was a genuine ‘nigger,’ and not -a counterfeit. Midway in his sermon, the minister discovered him, and -was so confused by it, that he lost his place, and almost broke down. - -“After service, the man who sat near the merchant went to him, and in -great indignation asked,-- - -“What does this mean?” - -“What does what mean?” - -“That you should bring a nigger into this church?” - -“It is my pew.” - -“Your pew, is it? And, because it is your pew, you must insult the whole -congregation!” - -“He is intelligent and well educated,” answered the merchant. - -“What do I care for that? He is a nigger!” - -“But he is a friend of mine.” - -“What of that? Must you therefore insult the whole congregation?” - -“But he is a Christian, and belongs to the same denomination.” - -“What do I care for that? Let him worship with his nigger Christians.” - -“But he is worth five million dollars,” said the merchant. - -“Worth what?” - -“Worth five million dollars.” - -“For God’s sake introduce me to him,” was the reply. - - - - -CHAPTER XLV--SIXTH REGIMENT UNITED-STATES VOLUNTEERS. - - -_Organization of the Regiment.--Assigned to Hard Work.--Brought -under Fire.--Its Bravery.--Battle before Richmond.--Gallantry of the -Sixth.--Officers’ Testimony._ - - -The following sketch of the Sixth Regiment United-States colored troops -was kindly furnished by a gentleman of Philadelphia, but came too late -to appear in its proper place. - -The Sixth Regiment United-States colored troops was the second which was -organized at Camp William Penn, near Philadelphia, by Lieut.-Col. Louis -Wagner, of the Eighty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers. The regiment left -Philadelphia on the 14th of October, 1863, with nearly eight hundred -men, and a full complement of officers, a large majority of whom had -been in active service in the field. - -The regiment reported to Major-Gen. B. F. Butler, at Fortress Monroe, -and were assigned to duty at York-town, Va., and became part of the -brigade (afterwards so favorably known), under the command of Col. S. A. -Duncan, Fourth United-States colored troops. Here they labored upon the -fortifications, and became thoroughly disciplined under the tuition of -their colonel, John W. Ames, formerly captain of the Eleventh Infantry, -United-States Army, ably seconded by Lieut.-Col. Royce and Major Kiddoo. -During the winter, the regiment took a prominent part in the several -raids made in the direction of Richmond, and exhibited qualities that -elicited the praise of their officers, and showed that they could be -fully relied upon in more dangerous work. - -The regiment was ordered to Camp Hamilton, Virginia, in May, 1864; where -a division of colored troops was formed, and placed under the command -of Brig.-Gen. Hinks. In the expedition made up the James River the same -month, under Gen. Butler, this division took part. The white troops were -landed at Bermuda Hundreds. Three regiments of colored men were posted -at various points along the river. Duncan’s brigade landed at City -Point, where they immediately commenced fortifications. The Sixth and -Fourth Regiments were soon after removed to Spring Hill, within -five miles of Petersburg. Here they labored night and day upon those -earthworks, which were soon to be the scene of action which was to -become historical. The Sixth was in a short time left alone, by the -removal of the Fourth Regiment to another point. - -On the 29th of May, the rebel forces made an assault on the picket-line, -the enemy soon after attacking in strong force, but were unable to drive -back the picketline any considerable distance. The Fourth Regiment was -ordered to the assistance of the Sixth; but our forces were entirely too -weak to make it feasible or prudent to attack the enemy, who withdrew -during the night, having accomplished nothing. - -This was the first experience of the men under actual fire, and they -behaved finely. When the outer works around Petersburg were attacked, -June 15, Duncan’s brigade met the rebels, and did good service, driving -the enemy before him. We had a number killed and wounded in this -engagement. The rebels sought shelter in their main works, which were -of the most formidable character. These defences had been erected by the -labor of slaves, detailed for the purpose. Our forces followed them to -their stronghold. The white troops occupied the right; and in order to -attract the attention of the enemy, while these troops were manoeuvring -for a favorable attacking position, the colored soldiers were subject to -a most galling fire for several hours, losing a number of officers and -men. Towards night, the fight commenced in earnest by the troops on the -right, who quickly cleared their portion of the line: this was followed -by the immediate advance of the colored troops, the Fourth, Fifth, -Sixth, and Twenty-second Regiments. In a very short time, the rebels -were driven from the whole line; these regiments capturing seven pieces -of artillery, and a number of prisoners. For their gallantry in this -action, the colored troops received a highly complimentary notice from -Gen. W. H. Smith, in General Orders. - -A few hours after entering the rebel works, our soldiers were gladdened -by a sight of the veterans of the Army of the Potomac, who that night -relieved our men at the front. A glance at the strong works gave the -new-comers a better opinion of the fighting qualities of the negroes -than they had calculated upon; and a good feeling was at once -established, that rapidly dispelled most of the prejudices then existing -against the blacks; and from that time to the close of the war the negro -soldier stood high with the white troops. - -After spending some time at the Bermuda Hundreds, the Sixth Regiment was -ordered to Dutch Gap, Va., where, on the 16th of August, they assisted -in driving the rebels from Signal Hill; Gen. Butler, in person, leading -our troops. The Sixth Regiment contributed its share towards completing -Butler’s famous canal, during which time they were often very much -annoyed by the rebel shells thrown amongst them. The conduct of the men -throughout these trying scenes reflected great credit upon them. On -the 29th of September, the regiment occupied the advance in the -demonstration made by Butler that day upon Richmond. The first line of -battle was formed by the Fourth and Sixth Regiments: the latter entered -the fight with three hundred and fifteen men, including nineteen -officers. - -The enemy were driven back from within two miles of Deep Bottom, to -their works at New-Market Heights: the Sixth was compelled to cross a -small creek, and then an open field. They were met by a fearful fire -from the rebel works, men fell by scores: still the regiment went -forward. The color-bearers, one after another, were killed or wounded, -until the entire color-guard were swept from the field. Two hundred and -nine men, and fourteen officers, were killed and wounded. Few fields of -battle showed greater slaughter than this; and in no conflict did both -officers and men prove themselves more brave. Capts. York and Sheldon -and Lieut. Meyer were killed close to the rebel works. Leuts. Pratt, -Landon, and McEvoy subsequently died of the wounds received. Lieut. -Charles Fields, Company A, was killed on the skirmish line: this -left the company in charge of the first sergeant, Richard Carter, of -Philadelphia, who kept it in its advanced position throughout the day, -commanding with courage and great ability, attracting marked attention -for his officer-like bearing. During the battle many instances of -unsurpassed bravery were shown by the common soldier, which proved that -these heroic men were fighting for the freedom of their race, and the -restoration of a Union that should protect man in his liberty without -regard to color. No regiment did more towards extinguishing prejudice -against the negro than the patriotic Sixth. - - “And thus are Afric’s injured sons - - The oppressor’s scorn abating, - - And to the world’s admiring gaze - - Their manhood vindicating.” - -The writer regrets that he cannot remember all those whose good conduct -in this our last battle deserves honorable mention. It may not, however, -be invidious to mention the names remembered. These are, Sergt.-Major -Hawkins, Sergt. Jackson, Company B (since deceased); Sergts. Ellesberry, -Kelley, Terry, and Carter All of these, as well as a number of others, -were capable of filling positions as commissioned officers. - -Several of the enlisted men received medals for gallantry, and were -mentioned in General Orders by Major-Gen. Butler. The works which the -Sixth Regiment attempted to take at such fearful cost of life were in -a short time taken at the point of the bayonet by another brigade -of colored troops. Had these latter been present to aid in the first -attack, it would have saved many valuable lives; for the force was -entirely too weak for the object. When the Sixth Regiment was finally -paid off at Philadelphia, at the close of the Rebellion, the officers -held a farewell meeting at the Continental Hotel; and the following -resolutions were adopted as expressive of their appreciation of the -conduct of the troops under their command:-- - -“1. _Resolved_, That, in our intercourse with them during the past two -years, they have shown themselves to be brave, reliable, and efficient -as soldiers; patient to endure, and prompt to execute. - -“2. That, being satisfied with their conduct in the high position of -soldiers of the United States, we see no reason why they should not be -fully recognized as equals, honorable and responsible citizens of the -same.” - -From the commencement of the enlistment of colored troops, to the -close of the war, there were engaged in active service one hundred and -sixty-nine-thousand six hundred and twenty-four colored men. - - - - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Negro in The American Rebellion, by -William Wells Brown - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NEGRO IN THE AMERICAN REBELLION *** - -***** This file should be named 50130-0.txt or 50130-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/1/3/50130/ - -Produced by David Widger from page images generously -provided by the Internet Archive - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: The Negro in The American Rebellion - His Heroism and His Fidelity - -Author: William Wells Brown - -Release Date: October 4, 2015 [EBook #50130] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NEGRO IN THE AMERICAN REBELLION *** - - - - -Produced by David Widger from page images generously -provided by the Internet Archive - - - - - - - - - -THE NEGRO IN THE AMERICAN REBELLION - -_His Heroism and His Fidelity_ - -By William Wells Brown - -_Author of "Sketches of Places and People Abroad," "The Black Man," Etc_ - -Lee & Shepard, 149 Washington Street - -1867 - - - - -PREFACE. - -Feeling anxious to preserve for future reference an account of the part -which the Negro took in suppressing the Slaveholders' Rebellion, I have -been induced to write this work. In doing so, it occurred to me that a -sketch of the condition of the race previous to the commencement of the -war would not be uninteresting to the reader. - -For the information concerning the services which the blacks rendered -to the Government in the Revolutionary War, I am indebted to the late -George Livermore, Esq., whose "Historical Research" is the ablest work -ever published on the early history of the negroes of this country. - -In collecting facts connected with the Rebellion, I have availed myself -of the most reliable information that could be obtained from newspaper -correspondents, as well as from those who were on the battle-field. To -officers and privates of several of the colored regiments I am under -many obligations for detailed accounts of engagements. - -No doubt, errors in fact and in judgment will be discovered, which I -shall be ready to acknowledge, and correct in subsequent editions. The -work might have been swelled to double its present size; but I did not -feel bound to introduce an account of every little skirmish in which -colored men were engaged. - -I waited patiently, before beginning this work, with the hope that -some one more competent would take the subject in hand; but, up to the -present, it has not been done, although many books have been written -upon the Rebellion. - -WILLIAM WELLS BROWN. - -Cambridgeport, Mass., Jan. 1, 1867. - - - - -THE NEGRO IN THE AMERICAN REBELLION - - - - -CHAPTER I--BLACKS IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND IN 1812. - -_The First Cargo of Slaves landed in the Colonies in 1620.--Slave -Representation in Congress.--Opposition to the Slave-Trade.--Crispus -Attucks, the First Victim of the Revolutionary War.--Bancroft's -Testimony.--Capture of Gen. Prescott.--Colored Men in the War of -1812.--Gen. Andrew Jackson on Negro Soldiers._ - - -I now undertake to write a history of the part which the colored men -took in the great American Rebellion. Previous to entering upon that -subject, however, I may be pardoned for bringing before the reader the -condition of the blacks previous to the breaking out of the war. - -The Declaration of American Independence, made July 4, 1776, had -scarcely been enunciated, and an organization of the government -commenced, ere the people found themselves surrounded by new and trying -difficulties, which, for a time, threatened to wreck the ship of state. - -The forty-five slaves landed on the banks of the James River, in the -colony of Virginia, from the coast of Africa, in 1620, had multiplied -to several thousands, and were influencing the political, social, -and religious institution's of the country. Brought into the colonies -against their will; made the "hewers of wood and the drawers of -water;" considered, in the light of law and public opinion, as mere -chattels,--things to be bought and sold at the will of the owner; driven -to their unrequited toil by unfeeling men, picked for the purpose from -the lowest and most degraded of the uneducated whites, whose moral, -social, and political degradation, by slavery, was equal to that of the -slave,--the condition of the negro was indeed a sad one. - -The history of this people, full of sorrow, blood, and tears, is full -also of instruction for mankind. God has so ordered it that one class -shall not degrade another, without becoming themselves contaminated. So -with slavery in America. The institution bred in the master insulting -arrogance, deteriorating sloth, pampered the loathsome lust it inflamed, -until licentious luxury sapped the strength and rottened the virtue of -the slave-owners of the South. Never were the institutions of a people, -or the principles of liberty, put to such a severe test as those of -the American Republic. The convention to frame the Constitution for -the government of the United States had not organized before the -slave-masters began to press the claims of their system upon the -delegates. They wanted their property represented in the national -Congress, and undue guarantees thrown around it; they wanted the African -slave-trade made lawful, and their victims returned if they should -attempt to escape; they begged that an article might be inserted in the -Constitution, making it the duty of the General Government to put down -the slaves if they should imitate their masters in striking a blow -for freedom. They seemed afraid of the very evil they were clinging so -closely to. "Thus conscience doth make cowards of us all." - -In all this early difficulty, South Carolina took the lead against -humanity, her delegates ever showing themselves the foes of freedom. -Both in the Federal Convention to frame the Constitution, and in the -State Conventions to ratify the same, it was admitted that the blacks -had fought bravely against the British, and in favor of the American -Republic; for the fact that a black man (Crispus Attucks) was the first -to give his life at the commencement of the Revolution was still fresh -in their minds. Eighteen years previous to the breaking out of the war, -Attucks was held as a slave by Mr. 'William Brown of Framingham, Mass., -and from whom he escaped about that time, taking up his residence in -Boston. The Boston Massacre, March 5, 1770, may be regarded as the first -act in the great drama of the American Revolution. "From that moment," -said Daniel Webster, "we may date the severance of the British Empire." -The presence of the British soldiers in King Street excited the -patriotic indignation of the people. The whole community was stirred, -and sage counsellors were deliberating and writing and talking about the -public grievances. But it was not for "the wise and prudent" to be the -first to _act_ against the encroachments of arbitrary power. "A -motley rabble of saucy boys? negroes and mulattoes, Irish Teagues, -and outlandish Jack tars" (as John Adams described them in his pica in -defence of the soldiers) could not restrain their emotion, or stop to -inquire if what they _must do_ was according to the letter of any law. -Led by Crispus Attucks, the mulatto slave, and shouting, "The way to get -rid of these soldiers is to attack the main guard; strike at the root; -this is the nest," with more valor than discretion, they rushed to King -Street, and were fired upon by Capt. Preston's Company. Crispins Attucks -was the first to fall: he and Samuel Gray and Jonas Caldwell were killed -on the spot. Samuel Maverick and Patrick Carr were mortally wounded. - -The excitement which followed was intense. The bells of the town were -rung. An impromptu town meeting was held, and an immense assembly was -gathered. - -Three days after, on the 8th, a public funeral of the martyrs took -place. The shops in Boston were closed; and all the bells of Boston and -the neighboring towns were rung. It is said that a greater number of -persons assembled on this occasion than were ever before gathered on -this continent for a similar purpose. The body of Crispus Attucks, the -mulatto slave, had been placed in Faneuil Hall, with that of Caldwell, -both being strangers in the city. Maverick was buried from his mother's -house, in Union Street; and Gray from his brother's, in Royal Exchange -Lane. The four hearses formed a junction in King Street; and there the -procession marched in columns six deep, with a long file of -coaches belonging to the most distinguished citizens, to the Middle -Burying-ground, where the four victims were deposited in one grave, over -which a stone was placed with this inscription:-- - - "Long as in Freedom's cause the wise contend, - - Dear to your country shall your fame extend; - - While to the world the lettered stone shall tell - - Where Caldwell, Attucks, Gray, and Maverick fell." - -The anniversary of this event was publicly commemorated in Boston, by -an oration and other exercises, every year until after our national -independence was achieved, when the Fourth of July was substituted for -the Fifth of March, as the more proper day for a general celebration. -Not only was the event commemorated, but the martyrs who then gave up -their lives were remembered and honored. - -For half a century after the close of the war, the name of Crispus -Attucks was honorably mentioned by the most noted men of the country -who were not blinded by foolish prejudice. At the battle of Bunker Hill, -Peter Salem, a negro, distinguished himself by shooting Major Pitcairn, -who, in the midst of the battle, having passed the storm of fire -without, mounting the redoubt, and waving his sword, cried to the -"rebels" to surrender. The fall of Pitcairn ended the battle in favor of -liberty. - -A single passage from Mr. Bancroft's history will give a succinct -and clear account of the condition of the army, in respect to colored -soldiers, at the time of the battle of Bunker Hill:-- - -"Nor should history forget to record, that, as in the army at Cambridge, -so also in this gallant band, the free negroes of the colony had their -representatives. For the right of free negroes to bear arms in the -public defence was, at that day, as little disputed in New England as -their other rights. They took their place, not in a separate corps, -but in the ranks with the white man; and their names may be read on the -pension-rolls of the country, side by side with those of other soldiers -of the Revolution."--_Bancroft's History of the United States_, vol. -vii. p. 421. - -The capture of Major-Gen. Prescott, of the British army, on the 9th of -July, 1777, was an occasion of great joy throughout the country. Prince, -the valiant negro who seized that officer, ought always to be remembered -with honor for his important service. The exploit was much commended at -the time, as its results were highly important; and Col. Barton, very -properly, received from Congress the compliment of a sword for his -ingenuity and bravery. It seems, however, that it took more than one -head to plan and to execute the undertaking. The following account of -the capture is historical:--. - -"They landed about five miles from Newport, and three-quarters of a -mile from the house, which they approached cautiously, avoiding the main -guard, which was at some distance. _The colonel went foremost, with a -stout, active negro close behind him, and another at a small distance: -the rest followed so as to be near, but not seen._ - -"A single sentinel at the door saw and hailed the colonel: he answered -by exclaiming against, and inquiring for, rebel prisoners, but kept -slowly advancing. The sentinel again challenged him, and required the -countersign. He said he had not the countersign, but amused the sentry -by talking about rebel prisoners, and still advancing till he came -within reach of the bayonet, which, he presenting, the colonel suddenly -struck aside, and seized him. He was immediately secured, and ordered -to be silent on pain of instant death. _Meanwhile, the rest of the men -surrounding the house, the negro, with his head, at the second stroke, -forced a passage into it, and then into the landlord's apartment. The -landlord at first refused to give the necessary intelligence; but, on -the prospect of present death, he pointed to the general's chamber, -which being instantly opened by the negro's head, the colonel, calling -the general by name, told him he was a prisoner."--Pennsylvania -Evening Post_, Aug. 7, 1777 (in Frank Moore's "Diary of the American -Revolution," vol. i. p. 468). - -There is abundant evidence of the fidelity and bravery of the colored -patriots of Rhode Island during the whole war. Before they had been -formed into a separate regiment, they had fought valiantly with the -white soldiers at Red Bank and elsewhere. Their conduct at the "Battle -of' Rhode Island," on the 29th of August, 1778, entitles them to -perpetual honor. That battle has been pronounced by military authorities -to have been one of the best-fought battles of the Revolutionary War. -Its success was owing, in a great degree, to the good fighting of the -negro soldiers. Mr. Arnold, in his "History of Rhode Island," thus -closes his account of it:-- - -"A third time the enemy, with desperate courage and increased strength, -attempted to assail the redoubt, and would have carried it, but for -the timely aid of two Continental battalions despatched by Sullivan to -support his almost exhausted troops. It was in repelling these furious -onsets, that the newly raised black regiment, under Col. Greene, -distinguished itself by deeds of desperate valor. Posted behind a -thicket in the valley, they three times drove back the Hessians, who -charged repeatedly down the hill to dislodge them: and so determined -were the enemy in these successive charges, that, the day after the -battle, the Hessian colonel, upon whom this duty had devolved, applied -to exchange his command, and go to New York, because he dared not lead -his regiment again to battle, lest his men should shoot him for having -caused them so much loss."--_Arnold's History of Rhode Island_, vol. ii. -pp. 427, 428. - -Three years later, these soldiers are thus mentioned by the Marquis de -Chastellux:-- - -"The 5th [of January, 1781] I did not set out till eleven, although I -had thirty miles' journey to Lebanon. At the passage to the ferry, I met -with a detachment of the Rhode-Island regiment,--the same corps we had -with us all the last summer; but they have since been recruited and -clothed. The greatest part of them are negroes or mulattoes: they -are strong, robust men; and those I have seen had a very good -appearance."--_Chastellux's Travels_, vol. i. p. 454; London, 1789. - -When Col. Greene was surprised and murdered, near Points Bridge, New -York, on the 14th of May, 1781, his colored soldiers heroically defended -him till they were cut to pieces; and the enemy reached him over the -dead bodies of his faithful negroes. - -That large numbers of negroes were enrolled in the army, and served -faithfully as soldiers during the whole period of the war of the -Revolution, may be regarded as a well-established historical fact. And -it should be borne in mind, that the enlistment was not confined, by any -means, to those who had before enjoyed the privileges of free citizens. -Very many slaves were offered to, and received by, the army, on the -condition that they were to be emancipated, either at the time of -enlisting, or when they had served out the term of their enlistment. The -inconsistency of keeping in slavery any person who had taken up arms for -the defence of our national liberty had led to the passing of an order -forbidding "slaves," as such, to be received as soldiers. - -That colored men were equally serviceable in the last war with Great -Britain is true, as the following historical document will show:-- - - -GENERAL JACKSON'S PROCLAMATION TO THE NEGROES. - -_Headquarters, Seventh Military District, Mobile, Sept. 21, 1814_. - -To the Free Colored Inhabitants of Louisiana. - -Through a mistaken policy, you have heretofore been deprived of a -participation in the glorious struggle for national rights in which our -country is engaged. This no longer shall exist. - -As sons of freedom, you are now called upon to defend our most -inestimable blessing. As Americans, your country looks with confidence -to her adopted children for a valorous support, as a faithful return -for the advantages enjoyed under her mild and equitable government. As -fathers, husbands, and brothers, you are summoned to rally around the -standard of the Eagle to defend all which is dear in existence. - -Your country, although calling for your exertions, does not wish you -to engage in her cause without amply remunerating you for the services -rendered. Your intelligent minds are not to be led away by false -representations. Your love of honor would cause you to despise the man -who should attempt to deceive you. In the sincerity of a soldier, and -the language of truth, I address you. - -To every noble-hearted, generous freeman of color, volunteering to serve -during the present contest with Great Britain, and no longer, there will -be paid the same bounty, in money and lands, now received by the white -soldiers of the United States; viz., one hundred and twenty dollars in -money, and one hundred and sixty acres of land. The non-commissioned -officers and privates will also be entitled to the same monthly pay, and -daily rations, and clothes, furnished to any American soldier. - -On enrolling yourselves in companies, the Major-General Commanding will -select officers for your government from your white fellow-citizens. -Your non-commissioned officers will be appointed from among yourselves. - -Due regard will be paid to the feelings of freemen and soldiers. You -will not, by being associated with white men in the same corps, be -exposed to improper comparisons or unjust sarcasm. As a distinct, -independent battalion or regiment, pursuing the path of glory, you will, -undivided, receive the applause and gratitude of your countrymen. - -To assure you of the sincerity of my intentions, and my anxiety to -engage your invaluable services to our country, I have communicated my -wishes to the Governor of Louisiana, who is fully informed as to the -manner of enrollment, and will give you every necessary information on -the subject of this address. - -ANDREW JACKSON, - -_Major-General Commanding._ - -[Niles's Register, vol. vii. p. 205.] - -Three months later, Gen. Jackson addressed the same troops as follows:-- - -"To the Men of Color. Soldiers! From the shores of Mobile I collected -you to arms. I invited you to share in the perils and to divide the -glory of your white countrymen. I expected much from you; for I was not -uninformed of those qualities which must render you so formidable to an -invading foe. I knew that you could endure hunger and thirst, and all -the hardships of war. I knew that you loved the land of your nativity, -and that, like ourselves, you had to defend all that is most dear to -man. But you surpass my hopes. I have found in you, united to these -qualities, that noble enthusiasm which impels to great deeds. - -"Soldiers! The President of the United States shall be informed of your -conduct on the present occasion; and the voice of the Representatives -of the American nation shall applaud your valor, as your general now -praises your ardor. The enemy is near. His sails cover the lakes. But -the brave are united; and, if he finds us contending with ourselves, it -will be for the prize of valor, and fame its noblest reward."--_Niles's -Register,_ vol. vii. pp. 345, 346. - -Black men served in the navy with great credit to themselves, receiving -the commendation of Com. Perry and other brave officers. - -_Extract of a Letter from Nathaniel Shaler, Commander of the -private-armed Schooner Gen. Tompkins, to his Agent in New York, -dated_,-- - -"At Sea, Jan. 1, 1813. - -"Before I could get our light sails in, and almost before I could -turn round, I was under the guns, not of a transport, but of a large -_frigate!_ and not more than a quarter of a mile from her.... Her first -broadside killed two men, and wounded six others.... - -"My officers conducted themselves in a way that would have done honor to -a more permanent service.... - -"The name of one of my poor fellows who was killed ought to be registered -in the book of fame, and remembered with reverence as long as bravery is -considered a virtue. He was a black man, by the name of John Johnson. -A twenty-four pound shot struck him in the hip, and took away all the -lower part of his body. In this state, the poor brave fellow lay on the -deck, and several times exclaimed to his shipmates, '_Fire away, my boy: -no haul a color down._' The other was also a black man, by the name of -John Davis, and was struck in much the same way. He fell near me, and -several times requested to be thrown overboard, saying he was only in -the way of others. - -"When America has such tars, she has little to fear from the tyrants of -the ocean."--_Niles's Weekly Register, Saturday_, Feb. 26, 1814. - - - - -CHAPTER II--THE SOUTH-CAROLINA FRIGHT. - - -_Denmark Vesey, Peter Poyas, and their Companions.--The -deep-laid Plans.--Religious Fanaticism.--The Discovery.--The -Trials.--Convictions.--Executions._ - - -Human bondage is ever fruitful of insurrection, wherever it exists, and -under whatever circumstances it may be found. - -An undeveloped discontent always pervaded the black population of the -South, bond and free. Many attempts at revolt were made: two only, -however, proved of a serious and alarming character. The first was in -1812, the leader of which was Denmark Vesey, a free colored man, who had -purchased his liberty in the year 1800, and who resided in Charleston, -S.C. A carpenter by trade, working among the blacks, Denmark gained -influence with them, and laid a plan of insurrection which showed -considerable generalship. Like most men who take the lead in revolts, he -was deeply imbued with a religious duty; and his friends claimed that -he had "a magnetism in his eye, of which his confederates stood in great -awe: if he once got his eye on a man, there was no resisting it." - -After resolving to incite the slaves to rebellion, Denmark began taking -into his confidence such persons as he could trust, and instructing them -to gain adherents from among the more reliable of both bond and free. - -Peter Poyas, a slave of more than ordinary foresight and ability, was -selected by him as his lieutenant; and to him was committed the arduous -duty of arranging the mode of attack, and of acting as the military -leader. Poyas voluntarily undertook the management of the most difficult -part of the enterprise, the capture of the main guard-house, and had -pledged himself to advance alone, and surprise the sentinel. Gullah -Jack, Tom Russell, and Ned Bennett,--the last two were not less -valuable than Peter Poyas; for Tom was an ingenious mechanic, and made -battle-axes, pikes, and other instruments of death with which to carry -on the war,--all of the above were to be generals of brigades, and -were let into every secret of the intended rising. It had long been the -custom in Charleston for the country slaves to visit the city in great -numbers on Sunday, and return to their homes in time to commence work -on the following morning. It was, therefore, determined by Vesey to have -the rising take place on Sunday. The slaves of nearly every plantation -in the neighborhood were enlisted, and were to take part. The details -of the plan, however, were not rashly committed to the mass of the -confederates: they were known only to a few, and were finally to have -been announced after the evening prayer-meeting on the appointed Sunday. -But each leader had his own company enlisted, and his own work marked -out. When the clock struck twelve, all were to move. Poyas was to lead a -party ordered to assemble at South Bay, and to be joined by a force -from James' Island: he was then to march up and seize the arsenal and -guard-house opposite St. Michael's Church, and detach a sufficient -number to cut off all white citizens who should appear at the -alarm-posts. A second body of blacks, from the country and the Neck, -headed by Ned Bennett, was to assemble on the Neck, and seize the -arsenal there. A third was to meet at Governor Bennett's Mills under the -command of Rolla, another leader, and, after putting the governor and -intendant to death, to march through the city, or be posted at Cannon's -Bridge, thus preventing the inhabitants of Cannons-borough from entering -the city. - -A fourth, partly from the country and partly from the neighboring -localities in the city, was to rendezvous on Gadsden's Wharf, and attack -the upper guard-house. A fifth, composed of country and Neck blacks, was -to assemble at Bulkley's Farm, two miles and a half from the city, -seize the upper powder magazine, and then march down; and a sixth was -to assemble at Vesey's, and obey his orders. A seventh detachment, under -Gullah Jack, was to come together in Boundry Street, at the head of King -Street, to capture the arms of the Neck company of militia, and to take -an additional supply from Mr. Duguereron's shop. The naval stores -on Meg's Wharf were also to be attacked. Meanwhile a horse company, -consisting of many draymen, hostlers, and butcher boys, was to meet at -Lightwood's Alley, and then scour the streets to prevent the whites from -assembling. - -Every white man coming out of his own door was to be killed, and, if -necessary, the city was to be fired in several places; a slow match for -this purpose having been purloined from the public arsenal, and placed -in an accessible position. The secret and plan of attack, however, -were incautiously divulged to a slave named Devany, belonging to Col. -Prioleau; and he at once informed his master's family. The mayor, on -getting possession of the facts, called the city council together for -consultation. The investigation elicited nothing new, for the slaves -persisted in their ignorance of the matter; and the authorities began to -feel that they had been imposed upon by Devany and his informants, when -another of the conspirators, being bribed, revealed what he knew. Arrest -after arrest was made, and the mayor's court held daily examinations for -weeks. After several weeks of incarceration, the accused, one hundred -and twenty in number, were brought to trial: thirty-four were sentenced -to transportation, twenty-seven acquitted by the court, twenty-five -discharged without trial, and thirty-five condemned to death. With but -two or three exceptions, all of the conspirators went to the gallows -feeling that they had acted right, and died like men giving their lives -for the cause of freedom. A report of the trial, written soon after, -says of Denmark Vesey, "For several years before he disclosed -his intentions to any one, he appears to have been constantly and -assiduously engaged in endeavoring to imbitter the minds of the colored -population against the whites. He rendered himself perfectly familiar -with those parts of the Scriptures which he could use to show that -slavery was contrary to the laws of God; that slaves were bound to -attempt their emancipation, however shocking and bloody might be the -consequences; and that such efforts would not only be pleasing to the -Almighty, but were absolutely enjoined, and their success predicted, in -the Scriptures. - -"His favorite texts, when he addressed those of his own color, were -Zech. xiv. 1-3, and Joshua vi. 21; and, in all his conversations, he -identified their situation with that of the Israelites. Even while -walking through the streets in company with another, he was not idle; -for, if his companion bowed to a white person, he would rebuke him, and -observe that all men were born equal, and that he was surprised that any -one would degrade himself by such conduct; that he would never cringe -to the whites, nor ought any one who had the feelings of a man. When -answered, 'We are slaves,' he would sarcastically and indignantly reply, -'You deserve to remain slaves;' and if he were further asked, 'What can -we do?' he would remark, 'Go and buy a spelling-book, and read the fable -of Hercules and the wagoner,' which he would then repeat, and apply it -to their situation. - -"He sought every opportunity of entering into conversation with white -persons, when they could be overheard by slaves near by, especially in -grog-shops, during which conversation, he would artfully introduce some -bold remark on slavery; and sometimes, when from the character of the -person he was conversing with he found he might be still bolder, he -would go so far, that, had not his declarations in such situations been -clearly proved, they would scarcely have been credited. He continued -this course till some time after the commencement of the last winter; by -which time he had not only obtained incredible influence amongst persons -of color, but many feared him more than they did their masters, and one -of them declared, even more than his God." - -The excitement which the revelations of the trial occasioned, and -the continual fanning of the flame by the newspapers, was beyond -description. Double guard in the city, the country patrol on horseback -and on foot, the watchfulness that was observed on all plantations, -showed the deep feeling of fear pervading the hearts of the -slave-holders, not only in South Carolina, but the fever extended to the -other Southern States, and all seemed to feel that a great crisis had -been passed. And, indeed, their fears appear not to have been without -ground; for a more complicated plan for an insurrection could scarcely -have been conceived. - -Many were of opinion, that, the rising once begun, they would have taken -the city, and held it, and might have sealed the fate of slavery in the -South. The best account of this whole matter is to be found in an able -article in the "Atlantic Monthly" for June, 1861, from the pen of Col. -T. W. Higginson, and to which I am indebted for the extracts contained -in this sketch. - - - - -CHAPTER III.--THE NAT TURNER INSURRECTION. - - -_Nat Turner.--His Associates.--Their Meetings.--Nat's Religious -Enthusiasm.--Bloodshed.--Wide-spread Terror.--The Trials and -Executions._ - - -The slave insurrection which occurred in Southampton County, Na., in -the year 1831, although not as well planned as the one portrayed in the -preceding chapter, was, nevertheless, more widely felt in the South. Its -leader was Nat Turner, a slave. - -On one of the oldest and largest plantations in Southampton County, -Va., owned by Benjamin Turner, Esq., Nat was born a slave, on the 2d of -October, 1800. His parents were of unmixed African descent. Surrounded -as he was by the superstition of the slave-quarters, and being taught by -his mother that he was born for a prophet, a preacher, and a deliverer -of his race, it was not strange that the child should have imbibed -the principles which were afterwards developed in his career. Early -impressed with the belief that he had seen visions, and received -communications direct from God, he, like Napoleon, regarded himself as -a being of destiny. In his childhood, Nat was of an amiable disposition; -but circumstances in which he was placed as a slave brought out -incidents that created a change in his disposition, and turned his kind -and docile feeling into the most intense hatred to the white race. - -The ill-treatment he experienced at the hands of the whites, and the -visions he claimed to have seen, caused Nat to avoid, as far as he -could, all intercourse with his fellow-slaves, and threw around him a -gloom and melancholy that disappeared only with his life. - -Both the young slave and his friends averred that a full knowledge of -the alphabet came to him in a single night. Impressed with the belief -that his mission was a religious one, and this impression strengthened -by the advice of his grandmother, a pious but ignorant woman, Nat -commenced preaching when about twenty-five years of age, but never went -beyond his own master's locality. In stature, he was under the middle -size, long-armed, round-shouldered, and strongly marked with the African -features. A gloomy fire burned in his looks, and he had a melancholy -expression of countenance. He never tasted a drop of ardent spirits in -his life, and was never known to smile. In the year 1828, new visions -appeared to Nat; and he claimed to have direct communication with God. -Unlike most of those born under the influence of slavery, he had no -faith in conjuring, fortunetelling, or dreams, and always spoke with -contempt of such things. Being hired out to a cruel master, he ran away, -and remained in the woods thirty days, and could have easily escaped to -the Free States, as did his father some years before; but he received, -as he says in his confession, a communication from the Spirit, which -said, "Return to your earthly master; for he who knoweth his Master's -will, and doeth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes." It was not -the will of his earthly but his heavenly Master that he felt bound to -do; and therefore Nat returned. His fellow-slaves were greatly incensed -at him for coming back; for they knew well his ability to reach Canada, -or some other land of freedom, if he was so inclined. He says further, -"About this time I had a vision, and saw white spirits and black spirits -engaged in battle; and the sun was darkened, the thunder rolled in the -heavens, and blood flowed 'in streams; and I heard a voice saying, 'Such -is your luck, such are you called on to see; and let it come, rough or -smooth, you must surely bear it!'" Some time after this, Nat had, as -he says, another vision, in which the spirit appeared and said, "The -Serpent is loosened, and Christ has laid down the yoke he has borne for -the sins of men; and you must take it up, and fight against the Serpent, -for the time is fast approaching when the first shall be last, and the -last shall be first." There is no doubt but that this last sentence -filled Nat with enthusiastic feeling in favor of the liberty of his -race, that he had so long dreamed of. "The last shall be first, and the -first shall be last," seemed to him to mean something. He saw in it the -overthrow of the whites, and the establishing of the blacks in their -stead; and to this end he bent the energies of his mind. In February, -1881, Nat received his last communication, and beheld his last vision. -He said, "I was told I should arise and prepare myself, and slay my -enemies with their own weapons." The plan of an insurrection was now -formed in his own mind, and the time had arrived for him to take others -into the secret; and he at once communicated his ideas to four of -his friends, in whom he had implicit confidence. Hark Travis, Nelson -Williams, Sam Edwards, and Henry Porter were slaves like himself, and, -like him, had taken their names from their masters. A meeting must be -held with these, and it must take place in some secluded place where -the whites would not disturb them; and a meeting was appointed. The spot -where they assembled was as wild and romantic as were the visions that -had been impressed upon the mind of their leader. - -Three miles from where Nat lived was a dark swamp, filled with reptiles, -in the middle of which was a dry spot, reached by a narrow, winding -path, and upon which human feet seldom ever trod, on account of its -having been the place where a slave had been tortured to death by a slow -fire, for the crime of having flogged his cruel and inhuman master. The -night for the meeting arrived, and they came together. Hark brought -a pig, Sam bread, Nelson sweet potatoes, and Henry brandy; and the -gathering was turned into a feast. Others were taken in, and joined the -conspiracy. All partook heartily of the food, and drank freely, except -Nat. He fasted and prayed. It was agreed that the revolt should commence -that night, and in their own masters' households, and that each slave -should give his oppressor the death-blow. Before they left the swamp, -Nat made a speech, in which he said, "Friends and brothers! We are -to commence a great work to-night. Our race is to be delivered from -slavery, and God has appointed us as the men to do his bidding; and -let us be worthy of our calling. I am told to slay all the whites we -encounter, without regard to age or sex. We have no arms or ammunition, -but we will find these in the houses of our oppressors; and, as we go -on, others can join us. Remember that we do not go forth for the sake -of blood and carnage; but it is necessary, that, in the commencement -of this revolution, all the whites we meet should die, until we have an -army strong enough to carry on the war upon a Christian basis. Remember -that ours is not a war for robbery, and to satisfy our passions: it is a -struggle for freedom. Ours must be deeds, and not words. Then let's away -to the scene of action." - -Among those who had joined the conspirators was Will, a slave, who -scorned the idea of taking his master's name. Though his soul longed to -be free, he evidently became one of the party as much to satisfy revenge -as for the liberty that he saw in the dim distance. Will had seen a dear -and beloved wife sold to the negro-trader, and taken away, never to be -beheld by him again in this life. His own back was covered with scars, -from his shoulders to his feet. A large scar, running from his right eye -down to his chin, showed that he had lived with a cruel master. Nearly -six feet in height, and one of the strongest and most athletic of his -race, he proved to be the most unfeeling of all the insurrectionists. -His only weapon was a broad-axe, sharp and heavy. - -Nat and his accomplices at once started for the plantation of Joseph -Travis, with whom the four lived; and there the first blow was struck. -In his confession, just before his execution, Nat said,-- - -"On returning to the house, Hark went to the door with an axe, for the -purpose of breaking it open,--as we knew we were strong enough to murder -the family should they be awakened by the noise; but, reflecting that -it might create an alarm in the neighborhood, we determined to enter the -house secretly, and murder them whilst sleeping. Hark got a ladder, and -set it against the chimney, on which I ascended, and, hoisting a window, -entered and came down stairs, unbarred the doors, and removed the guns -from their places. It was then observed that I must spill the first -blood. On which, armed with a hatchet, and accompanied by Will, -I entered my master's chamber. It being dark, I could not give a -death-blow. The hatchet, glanced from his head: he sprang from the bed, -and called his wife. It was his last word. Will laid him dead with a -blow of his axe." - -They went from plantation to plantation, until the whole neighborhood -was aroused; and the whites turned out in large numbers to suppress the -rebellion. Nat and his accomplices fought bravely, but to no purpose. - -Reinforcements came to the whites; and the blacks were overpowered and -defeated by the superior numbers of the enemy. In this battle, many were -slain on both sides. Will, the blood-thirsty and revengeful slave, fell -with his broad-axe uplifted, after having laid three of the whites dead -at his feet with his own strong arm and his terrible weapon. His last -words were, "Bury my axe with me." For he religiously believed, that, -in the next world, the blacks would have a contest with the whites, and -that he would need his axe. Nat Turner, after fighting to the last with -his short sword, escaped with some others to the woods near by, and was -not captured for nearly two months. When brought to trial, he pleaded -"not guilty," feeling, as he said, that it was always right for one to -strike for his own liberty. After going through a mere form of trial, -he was convicted and executed at Jerusalem, the county-seat for -Southhampton County, Ya. Not a limb trembled, or a muscle was observed -to move. Thus died Nat Turner, at the early age of thirty-one years, a -martyr to the freedom of his race, and a victim to his own fanaticism. -He meditated upon the wrongs of his oppressed and injured people till -the idea of their deliverance excluded all other ideas from his mind; -and he devoted his life to its realization. Every thing appeared to -him a vision, and all favorable omens were signs from God. He foretold, -that, at his death, the sun would refuse to shine, and that there would -be signs of disapprobation given from Heaven. And it is true that the -sun was darkened, a storm gathered, and more boisterous weather had -never appeared in Southampton County than on the day of Nat's execution. -The sheriff, warned by the prisoner, refused to cut the cord that held -the trap. No black man would touch the rope. A poor old white man, -long-besotted by drink, was brought forty miles to be the executioner. - -Fifty-five whites and seventy-three blacks lost their lives in the -Southampton Rebellion. On the fatal night, when Nat and his companions -were dealing death to all they found, Capt. Harris, a wealthy planter, -had his life saved by the devotion and timely warning of his slave Jim, -said to have been half-brother to his master. After the revolt had been -put down, and parties of whites were out hunting the suspected blacks, -Capt. Harris, with his faithful slave, went into the woods in search of -the negroes. In saving his master's life, Jim felt that he had done his -duty, and could not consent to become a betrayer of his race; and, on -reaching the woods, he handed his pistol to his master, and said, "I -cannot help you hunt down these men: they, like myself, want to be free. -Sir, I am tired of the life of a slave: please give me my freedom, or -shoot me on tire spot." Capt. Harris took the weapon, and pointed it at -the slave. Jim, putting his right hand, upon his heart, said, "This is -the spot; aim here." The captain fired, and the slave fell dead at his -feet. - - - - -CHAPTER IV.--SLAVE REVOLT AT SEA. - - -_Madison Washington.--His Escape from the South.--His Love of -Liberty.--His Return.--His Capture.--The Brig "Creole."--The -Slave-traders.--Capture of the Vessel.--Freedom of the Oppressed._ - - -The revolt on board of the brig "Creole," on the high seas, by a number -of slaves who had been shipped for the Southern market, in the year -1841, created at the time a profound sensation throughout the country. -Before entering upon it, however, I will introduce to the reader the -hero of the occasion. - -Among the great number of fugitive slaves who arrived in Canada towards -the close of the year 1840, was one whose tall figure, firm step, and -piercing eye attracted at once the attention of all who beheld him. -Nature had treated him as a favorite. His expressive countenance painted -and reflected every emotion of his soul. There was a fascination in the -gaze of his finely cut eyes that no one could withstand. Born of African -parentage, with no mixture in his blood, he was one of the handsomest -of his race. His dignified, calm, and unaffected features announced at -a glance that he was endowed with genius, and created to guide his -fellow-men. He called himself Madison Washington, and said that his -birthplace was in the "Old Dominion." He might have been twenty-five -years; but very few slaves have any correct idea of their age. Madison -was not poorly dressed, and had some money at the end of his journey, -which showed that he was not from amongst the worst-used slaves of the -South. He immediately sought employment at a neighboring farm, where he -remained some months. A strong, able-bodied man, and a good worker, and -apparently satisfied with his situation, his employer felt that he had -a servant who would stay with him a long while. The farmer would -occasionally raise a conversation, and try to draw from Madison some -account of his former life, but in this he failed; for the fugitive was -a man of few words, and kept his own secrets. His leisure hours were -spent in learning to read and write; and in this he seemed to take -the utmost interest. He appeared to take no interest in the sports and -amusements that occupied the attention of others. Six months had not -passed ere Madison began to show signs of discontent. In vain his -employer tried to discover the cause. - -"Do I not pay you enough, and treat you in a becoming manner?" asked Mr. -Dickson one day when the fugitive seemed in a very desponding mood. - -"Yes, sir," replied Madison. - -"Then why do you appear so dissatisfied of late?" - -"Well, sir," said the fugitive, "since you have treated me with such -kindness, and seem to take so much interest in me, I will tell you the -reason why I have changed, and appear to you to be dissatisfied. I -was born in slavery, in the State of Virginia. From my earliest -recollections I hated slavery, and determined to be free. I have never -yet called any man master, though I have been held by three different -men who claimed me as their property. The birds in the trees and the -wild beasts of the forest made me feel that I, like them, ought to be -free. My feelings were all thus centred in the one idea of liberty, of -which I thought by day and dreamed by night. I had scarcely reached my -twentieth year, when I became acquainted with the angelic being who -has since become my wife. It was my intention to have escaped with her -before we were married, but circumstances prevented. - -"I took her to my bosom as my wife, and then resolved to make the -attempt. But, unfortunately, my plans were discovered; and, to save -myself from being caught and sold off to the far South, I escaped to the -woods, where I remained during many weary months. As I could not bring -my wife away, I would not come without her. Another reason for remaining -was that I hoped to get up an insurrection of the slaves, and thereby -be the means of their liberation. In this, too, I failed. At last it -was agreed, between my wife and I, that I should escape to Canada, get -employment, save my earnings, and with it purchase her freedom. With -the hope of attaining this end, I came into your service. I am now -satisfied, that, with the wages I can command here, it will take me -not less than five years to obtain by my labor the amount sufficient to -purchase the liberty of my dear Susan. Five years will be too long for -me to wait; for she may die, or be sold away, ere I can raise the money. -This, sir, makes me feel low spirited; and I have come to the rash -determination to return to Virginia for my wife." - -The recital of the story had already brought tears to the eyes of the -farmer, ere the fugitive had concluded. In vain did Mr. Dickson try to -persuade Madison to give up the idea of going back into the very grasp -of the tyrant, and risking the loss of his own freedom without securing -that of his wife. The heroic man had made up his mind, and nothing -could move him. Receiving the amount of wages due him from his employer, -Madison turned his face once more towards the South. Supplied with -papers purporting to have been made out in Virginia, and certifying -to his being a freeman, the fugitive had no difficulty in reaching the -neighborhood of his wife. But these "free papers" were only calculated -to serve him where he was not known. Madison had also provided himself -with files, saws, and other implements, with which to cut his way out of -any prison into which he might be cast. These instruments were so small -as to be easily concealed in the lining of his clothing; and, armed -with them, the fugitive felt sure he should escape again were he ever -captured. On his return, Madison met, in the State of Ohio, many of -those whom he had seen on his journey to Canada; and all tried to -prevail upon him to give up the rash attempt. But to every one he would -reply, "Liberty is worth nothing to me while my wife is a slave." When -near his former home, and unable to travel in open day without being -detected, Madison betook himself to the woods during the day, and -travelled by night. At last he arrived at the old farm at night, and hid -away in the nearest forest. Here he remained several days, filled with -hope and fear, without being able to obtain any information about his -wife. One evening, during this suspense, Madison heard the singing of a -company of slaves, the sound of which appeared nearer and nearer, until -he became convinced that it was a gang going to a corn-shucking; and -the fugitive resolved that he would join it, and see if he could get any -intelligence of his wife. - -In Virginia, as well as in most of the other corn-raising slave-States, -there is a custom of having what is termed "a corn-shucking," to which -slaves from the neighboring plantations, with the consent of their -masters, are invited. At the conclusion of the shucking, a supper is -provided by the owner of the corn; and thus, together with the bad -whiskey which is freely circulated on such occasions, the slaves are -made to feel very happy. Four or five companies of men may be heard in -different directions, and at the same time, approaching the place of -rendezvous; slaves joining the gangs along the roads as they pass their -masters' farms. Madison came out upon the highway; and, as the company -came along singing, he fell into the ranks, and joined in the song. -Through the darkness of the night he was able to keep from being -recognized by the remainder of the company, while he learned from the -general conversation the most important news of the day. - -Although hungry and thirsty, the fugitive dared not go to the -supper-table for fear of recognition. However, before he left the -company that night, he gained information enough to satisfy him that -his wife was still with her old master; and he hoped to see her, if -possible, on the following night. The sun had scarcely set the next -evening, ere Madison was wending his way out of the forest, and going -towards the home of his loved one, if the slave can be said to have a -home. Susan, the object of his affections, was indeed a woman every way -worthy of his love. Madison knew well where to find the room usually -occupied by his wife, and to that spot he made his way on arriving -at the plantation; but, in his zeal and enthusiasm, and his being too -confident of success, he committed a blunder which nearly cost him -his life. Fearful that if he waited until a late hour, Susan would -be asleep, and in awakening her she would in her fright alarm the -household, Madison ventured to her room too early in the evening, before -the whites in the "great house" had retired. Observed by the overseer, a -sufficient number of whites were called in, and the fugitive secured ere -he could escape with his wife; but the heroic slave did not yield until -he with a club had laid three of his assailants upon the ground with his -manly blows; and not then until weakened by loss of blood. Madison was -at once taken to Richmond, and sold to a slave-trader, then making up a -gang of slaves for the New-Orleans market. - -The brig "Creole," owned by Johnson & Eperson of Richmond, and commanded -by Capt. Enson, lay at the Richmond dock, waiting for her cargo, which -usually consisted of tobacco, hemp, flax, and slaves. There were two -cabins for the slaves,--one for the men, the other for the women. The -men were generally kept in chains while on the voyage; but the women -were usually unchained, and allowed to roam at pleasure in their own -cabin. On the 27th of October, 1841, "The Creole" sailed from Hampton -Roads, bound for New Orleans, with her full load of freight, a hundred -and thirty-five slaves, and three passengers, besides the crew. Forty of -the slaves were owned by Thomas McCargo, nine belonged to Henry Hewell, -and the remainder were held by Johnson & Eperson. Hewell had once been -an overseer for McCargo, and on this occasion was acting as his agent. - -Among the slaves owned by Johnson & Eperson, was Madison Washington. He -was heavily ironed, and chained down to the floor of the cabin occupied -by the men, which was in the forward hold. As it was known by Madison's -purchasers that he had once escaped, and had been in Canada, they kept -a watchful eye over him. The two cabins were separated, so that the men -and women had no communication whatever during the passage. - -Although rather gloomy at times, Madison on this occasion seemed very -cheerful, and his owners thought that he had repented of the experience -he had undergone as a runaway, and in the future would prove a more -easily-governed chattel. But, from the first hour that he had entered -the cabin of "The Creole," Madison had been busily engaged in the -selection of men who were to act parts in the great drama. He picked out -each one as if by intuition. Every thing was done at night and in the -dark, as far as the preparation was concerned. The miniature saws and -files were faithfully used when the whites were asleep. - -In the other cabin, among the slave-women, was one whose beauty at once -attracted attention. Though not tall, she yet had a majestic figure. -Her well-moulded shoulders, prominent bust, black hair which hung in -ringlets, mild blue eyes, finely-chiselled mouth, with a splendid set of -teeth, a turned and well-rounded chin, skin marbled with the animation -of life, and veined by blood given to her by her master, she stood as -the representative of two races. With only one-eighth of African blood, -she was what is called at the South an "octoroon." It was said that her -grandfather had served his country in the Revolutionary War, as well -as in both Houses of Congress. This was Susan, the wife of Madison. -Few slaves, even among the best-used house-servants, had so good an -opportunity to gain general information as she. - -Accustomed to travel with her mistress, Susan had often been to -Richmond, Norfolk, White-Sulphur Springs, and other places of resort for -the aristocracy of the Old Dominion. Her language was far more correct -than that of most slaves in her position. Susan was as devoted to -Madison as she was beautiful and accomplished. - -After the arrest of her husband, and his confinement in Richmond jail, -it was suspected that Susan had long been in possession of the knowledge -of his whereabouts when in Canada, and knew of his being in the -neighborhood; and for this crime it was resolved that she should be -sold, and sent off to a Southern plantation, where all hope of escape -would be at an end. Each was not aware that the other was on board "The -Creole;" for Madison and Susan were taken to their respective cabins at -different times. On the ninth day out, "The Creole" encountered a rough -sea, and most of the slaves were sick, and therefore were not watched -with that vigilance that they had been since she first sailed. This was -the time for Madison and his accomplices to work, and nobly did they -perform their duty. Night came on, the first watch had just been -summoned, the wind blowing high, when Madison succeeded in reaching -the quarter-deck, followed by eighteen others, all of whom sprang to -different parts of the vessel, seizing whatever they could wield as -weapons. The crew were nearly all on deck. Capt. Enson and Mr. Merritt, -the first mate, were standing together, while Hewell was seated on the -companion, smoking a cigar. The appearance of the slaves all at -once, and the loud voice and commanding attitude of their leader, so -completely surprised the whites, that-- - - "They spake not a word; - - But, like dumb statues or breathless stones, - - Stared at each other, and looked deadly pale." - -The officers were all armed; but so swift were the motions of Madison -that they had nearly lost command of the vessel before they attempted to -use them. - -Hewell, the greater part of whose life had been spent on the plantation -in the capacity of a negro-driver, and who knew that the defiant looks -of these men meant something, was the first to start. Drawing his old -horse-pistol from under his coat, he fired at one of the blacks, and -killed him. The next moment Hewell lay dead upon the deck, for Madison -had struck him with a capstan bar. The fight now became general, the -white passengers, as well as all the crew, taking part. The battle was -Madison's element, and he plunged into it without any care for his own -preservation or safety. He was an instrument of enthusiasm, whose value -and whose place was in his inspiration. "If the fire of heaven was in -my hands, I would throw it at those cowardly whites," said he to his -companions, before leaving their cabin. But in this he did not -mean revenge, only the possession of his freedom and that of his -fellow-slaves. Merritt and Gifford, the first and second mates of the -vessel, both attacked the heroic slave at the same time. Both were -stretched out upon the deck with a single blow each, but were merely -wounded: they were disabled, and that was all that Madison cared for for -the time being. The sailors ran up the rigging for safety, and a moment -more he that had worn the fetters an hour before was master of the brig -"Creole." His commanding attitude and daring orders, now that he was -free, and his perfect preparation for the grand alternative of liberty -or death which stood before him, are splendid exemplifications of -the true heroic. After his accomplices had covered the slaver's deck, -Madison forbade the shedding of more blood, and ordered the sailors to -come down, which they did, and with his own hands dressed their wounds. -A guard was placed over all except Merritt, who was retained to navigate -the vessel. With a musket doubly charged, and pointed at Merritt's -breast, the slaves made him swear that he would safely take the brig -into a British port. All things now secure, and the white men in chains -or under guard, Madison ordered that the fetters should be severed from -the limbs of those slaves who still wore them. The next morning "Capt. -Washington" (for such was the name he now bore) ordered the cook to -provide the best breakfast that the storeroom could furnish, intending -to surprise his fellow-slaves, and especially the females, whom he had -not yet seen. But little did he think that the woman for whom he had -risked his liberty and life would meet him at the breakfast-table. The -meeting of the hero and his beautiful and accomplished wife, the tears -of joy shed, and the hurrahs that followed from the men, can better be -imagined than described. Madison's cup of joy was filled to the brim. -He had not only gained his own liberty, and that of one hundred and -thirty-four others, but his dear Susan was safe. Only one man, Howell, -had been killed. Capt. Enson, and others who were wounded, soon -recovered, and were kindly treated by Madison, and for which they proved -ungrateful; for, on the second night, Capt. Enson, Mr. Gilford, and -Merritt, took advantage of the absence of Madison from the deck, -and attempted to retake the vessel. The slaves, exasperated at this -treachery, fell upon the whites with deadly weapons. The captain and his -men fled to the cabin, pursued by the blacks. Nothing but the heroism of -the negro leader saved the lives of the white men on this occasion; for, -as the slaves were rushing into the cabin, Madison threw himself between -them and their victims, exclaiming, "Stop! no more blood. My life, that -was perilled for your liberty, I will lay down for the protection of -these men. They have proved themselves unworthy of life which we granted -them; still let us be magnanimous." By the kind heart and noble bearing -of Madison, the vile slave-traders were again permitted to go unwhipped -of justice. This act of humanity raised the uncouth son of Africa far -above his Anglo-Saxon oppressors. - -The next morning "The Creole" landed at Nassau, New Providence, where -the noble and heroic slaves were warmly greeted by the inhabitants, who -at once offered protection, and extended hospitality to them. - -But the noble heroism of Madison Washington and his companions found -no applause from the Government, then in the hands of the slaveholders. -Daniel Webster, then Secretary of State, demanded of the British -authorities the surrender of these men, claiming that they were -murderers and pirates: the English, however, could not see the point. - -Had the "Creole" revolters been white, and committed their noble act of -heroism in another land, the people of the United States would have been -the first to recognize their claims. The efforts of Denmark Vesey, Nat -Turner, and Madison Washington to strike the chains of slavery from the -limbs of their enslaved race will live in, history, and will warn all -tyrants to beware of the wrath of God and the strong arm of man. - -Every iniquity that society allows to subsist for the benefit of the -oppressor is a sword with which she herself arms the oppressed. Right is -the most dangerous of weapons: woe to him who leaves it to his enemies. - - - - -CHAPTER V--GROWTH OF THE SLAVE-POWER. - - -_Introduction of the Cotton-gin.--Its effect on Slavery.--Fugitive Slave -Law.--Anthony Burns.--The Dred Scott Decision.--Imprisonment for reading -"Uncle Tom's Cabin."--Struggles with Slavery._ - - -The introduction of the cotton-gin into the South, by Whitney of -Connecticut, had materially enhanced the value of slave property; the -emancipation societies of Virginia and Maryland had ceased to petition -their Legislatures for the "Gradual Emancipation" of the slaves; and the -above two States had begun to make slave-raising a profitable business, -when the American Antislavery Society was formed in the city of -Philadelphia, in the year 1833. The agitation of the question in -Congress, the mobbing of William Lloyd Garrison in Boston, the murder -of the Rev. E. P. Lovejoy in Illinois, and the attempt to put down -free speech throughout the country, only hastened the downfall of the -institution. - -In the earlier days of the Antislavery movement, not a year, sometimes -hardly a month, passed that did not bear upon its record the report -of mobs, almost always ferocious in spirit, and sometimes cruel and -blood-stained in act. It was the first instinctive and brutal response -of a proslavery people convicted of guilt and called to repentance; and -it was almost universal. Wherever antislavery was preached, honestly, -and effectually, there the mobocratic spirit followed it; so that, in -those times, he who escaped this ordeal was, with some justice, held to -be either inefficient or unfaithful. Hardly a town or city, from Alton -to Portland, where much antislavery labor was bestowed, in the first -fifteen years of this enterprise, that was not the scene of one of -these attempts to crush all free discussion of the subject of slavery by -violence or bloodshed. Hardly one of the earlier public advocates of the -cause that was not made to suffer, either in person or in property, -or in both, from popular violence,--the penalty of obedience to the -dictates of his own conscience. Nor was this all: official countenance -was often given to the mad proceedings of the mob; or, if not given, -its protection was withheld from those who were the objects of popular -hatred; and, as if this were not enough, legislation was invoked to the -same end. It was suggested to the Legislature of one of the Southern -States, that a large reward be offered for the head of a citizen of -Massachusetts who was the pioneer in the modern antislavery movement. A -similar reward was offered for the head of a citizen of New York. Yet so -foul an insult excited neither the popular indignation nor legislative -resentment in either of those States. - -Great damage was done to the cause of Christianity by the position -assumed on the question of slavery by the American churches, and -especially those in the Southern States. Think of a religious kidnapper! -a Christian slave-breeder! a slave-trader, loving his neighbor as -himself, receiving the "sacraments" in some Protestant church from the -hand of a Christian apostle, then the next day selling babies by the -dozen, and tearing young women from the arms of their husbands to feed -the lust of lecherous New Orleans! Imagine a religious man selling -his own children into eternal bondage! Think of a Christian defending -slavery out of the Bible, and declaring there is no higher law, but -atheism is the first principle of Republican Government! - -Yet this was the stand taken, and maintained, by the churches in the -slave States down to the day that Lee surrendered to Grant. - -One of the bitterest fruits of slavery in our land is the cruel spirit -of caste, which makes the complexion even of the free negro a badge -of social inferiority, exposing him to insult in the steamboat and the -railcar, and in all places of public resort, not even excepting the -church; banishing him from remunerative occupations; expelling him from -the legislative hall, the magistrate's bench, and the jury-box; and -crushing his noblest aspirations under a weight of prejudice and -proscription which he struggles in vain to throw off. Against this -unchristian and hateful spirit, every lover of liberty should enter his -solemn protest. This hateful prejudice caused the breaking up of the -school of Miss Prudence Crandall, in the State of Connecticut, in the -early days of the antislavery agitation. - -Next came the burning of Pennsylvania Hall, one of the most beautiful -edifices in the City of Brotherly Love, simply because colored persons -were permitted to occupy seats by the side of whites. - -The enactment by Congress of the Fugitive Slave Law caused the friends -of freedom, both at home and abroad, to feel that the General Government -was fast becoming the bulwark of slavery. The rendition of Thomas Sims, -and still later that of Anthony Burns, was, indeed, humiliating in the -extreme to the people of the Northern States. - -On that occasion, the sons of free, enlightened, and Christian -Massachusetts, descendants of the Pilgrim Fathers, bowed submissively to -the behests of a tyranny more cruel than Austrian despotism; yielded up -their dignity and self-respect; became the allies of slave-catchers, the -associates and companions of bloodhounds. At the bidding of slaveholders -and serviles, they seized the image of God, bound their fellow-man with -chains, and consigned him to torture and premature death under the lash -of a piratical overseer. God's law and man's rights were trampled upon; -the self-respect, the constitutional privileges, of the free States, -were ignominiously surrendered. A people who resisted a paltry tax upon -tea, at the cannon's mouth, basely submitted to an imposition tenfold -greater, in favor of brutalizing their fellow-men. Soil which had -been moistened with the blood of American patriots was polluted by the -footsteps of slave-catchers and their allies. - -The Boston Court House in chains, two hundred rowdies and thieves sworn -in as special policemen, respectable citizens shoved off the side-walks -by these slave-catchers; all for the purpose of satisfying "our brethren -of the South." But this act did not appease the feelings, or satisfy the -demands, of the slave-holders, while it still further inflamed the fire -of abolitionism. - -The "Dred Scott Decision" added fresh combustibles to the smouldering -heap. Dred Scott, a slave, taken by his master into free Illinois, and -then beyond the line of 36 30', and then back into Missouri, sued for -and obtained his freedom on the ground, that, having been taken where by -the Constitution slavery was illegal, his master had lost all claim. -But the Supreme Court, on appeal, reversed the judgment; and Dred -Scott, with his wife and children, was taken back into slavery. By this -decision in the highest court of American law, it was affirmed that no -free negro could claim to be a citizen of the United States, but was -only under the jurisdiction of the separate State in which he resided; -that the prohibition of slavery in any Territory of the Union was -unconstitutional; and that the slave-owner might go where he pleased -with his property, throughout the United States, and retain his right. - -This decision created much discussion, both in America and in Europe, -and materially injured the otherwise good name of our country abroad. - -The Constitution, thus interpreted by Judge Taney, became the emblem of -the tyrants and the winding sheet of liberty, and gave a boldness to -the people of the South, which soon showed itself, while good men at the -North felt ashamed of the Government under which they lived. - -The slave-holders in the cotton, sugar, and rice growing States began to -urge the re-opening of the African slave-trade, and the driving out from -the Southern States of all free colored persons. - -In the Southern Rights' Convention, which assembled at Baltimore, June -8, 1800, a resolution was adopted, calling on the Legislature to pass -a law driving the free colored people out of the State. Nearly every -speaker took the ground that the free colored people must be driven out -to make the slave's obedience more secure. Judge Mason, in his speech, -said, "It is the thrifty and well-to-do free negroes, that are seen by -our slaves, that make them dissatisfied." A similar appeal was made to -the Legislature of Tennessee. Judge Catron, of the Supreme Court of -the United States, in a long and able letter to "The Nashville Union," -opposed the driving out of the colored people. He said they were among -the best mechanics, the best artisans, and the most industrious laborers -in the State, and that to drive them out would be an injury to the State -itself. This is certainly good evidence in their behalf. - -The State of Arkansas passed a law driving the free colored people out -of the State, and they were driven out three years ago. The Democratic -press howled upon the heels of the free blacks until they had all been -expatriated; but, after they had been driven out, "The Little Rock -Gazette"--a Democratic paper--made a candid acknowledgment with regard -to the character of the free colored people. It said, "Most of the -exiled free negroes are industrious and respectable. One of them, Henry -King, we have known from our boyhood, and take the greatest pleasure in -testifying to his good character. The community in which he casts his -lot will be blessed with that noblest work of God, an honest man." - -Yet these free colored people were driven out of the State, and those -who were unable to go, as many of the women and children were, were -reduced to slavery. - -"The New Orleans True Delta" opposed the passage of a similar law by the -State of Louisiana. Among other things, it said, "There are a large free -colored population here, correct in their general deportment, honorable -in their intercourse with society, and free from reproach so far as the -laws are concerned; not surpassed in the inoffensiveness of their lives -by any equal number of-persons in any place, North or South." - -And yet these free colored persons were not permitted by law to school -their children, or to read books that treated against the institution -of slavery. The Rev. Samuel Green, a colored Methodist preacher, was -convicted and sent to the Maryland penitentiary, in 1858, for the -offence of being found reading "Uncle Tom's Cabin." - -The growth of the "Free-Soil" party, which had taken the place of the -"Liberty" party; and then the rapid increase of the "Republican" party; -the struggle in Kansas; the "Oberlin Rescue Trials;" and, lastly, the -"John Brown Raid," carried the discussion of slavery to its highest -point. - -All efforts, in Congress, in the proslavery political conventions, -and in the churches, only added fuel to the flame that was fast making -inroads upon the vitals of the monster. - - - - -CHAPTER VI.--THE JOHN BROWN RAID. - - -_John Brown.--His Religious Zeal.--His Hatred to Slavery.--Organization -of his Army.--Attack on Harper's Ferry.--His Execution.--John Brown's -Companions, Green and Copeland.--The Executions._ - - -The year 1859 will long be memorable for the bold attempt of John Brown -and his companions to burst the bolted door of the Southern house of -bondage, and lead out the captives by a more effectual way than they had -yet known: an attempt in which, it is true, the little band of heroes -dashed themselves to bloody death, but, at the same time, shook the -prison-walls from summit to foundation, and shot wild alarm into every -tyrant-heart in all the slave-land. What were the plans and purposes -of the noble old man is not precisely known, and perhaps will never be; -but, whatever they were, there is reason to believe they had been -long maturing,--brooded over silently and secretly, with much earnest -thought, and under a solemn sense of religious duty. As early as the -fall of 1857, he began to organize his band, chiefly from among the -companions of his warfare against the "Border Ruffians" in Kansas. Nine -or ten of these spent the winter of 1857-8 in Iowa, where a Col. Forbes -was to have given them military instruction; but he, having-fallen out -with Brown, did not join them, and Aaron D. Stevens, one of the company, -took his place. - -About the middle of April, 1858, they left Iowa, and went to Chatham, -Canada, where, on the 8th of May, was held a convention, called by -a written circular, which was sent to such persons only as could be -trusted. The convention was composed mostly of colored men, a few of -whom were from the States, but the greater part residents in Canada, -with no white men but the organized band already mentioned. A -"Provisional Constitution," which Brown had previously prepared, was -adopted; and the members of the convention took an oath to support it. -Its manifest purpose was to insure a perfect organization of all who -should join the expedition, whether free men or insurgent slaves, and to -hold them under such strict control as to restrain them from every act -of wanton or vindictive violence, all waste or needless destruction of -life or property, all indignity or unnecessary severity to prisoners, -and all immoral practices; in short, to keep the meditated movement -free from every possibly avoidable evil ordinarily incident to the armed -uprising of a long-oppressed and degraded people. - -And let no one who glories in the revolutionary struggles of our fathers -for their freedom deny the right of the American bondsman to imitate -their high example. And those who rejoice in the deeds of a Wallace or a -Tell, a Washington or a Warren; who cherish with unbounded gratitude the -name of Lafayette for volunteering his aid in behalf of an oppressed -people in a desperate crisis, and at the darkest hour of their -fate,--cannot refuse equal merit to this strong, free, heroic man, who -freely consecrated all his powers, and the labors of his whole life, to -the help of the most needy, friendless, and unfortunate of mankind. - -The picture of the Good Samaritan will live to all future ages, as the -model of human excellence, for helping one whom he chanced to find in -need. - -John Brown did more: he went to _seek_ those who were lost that he might -save them. - -On Sunday night, Oct. 16, John Brown, with twenty followers (five of -them colored), entered the town of Harper's Ferry, in the State of -Virginia; captured the place, making the United-States Armory his -headquarters; sent his men in various directions in search of slaves -with which to increase his force. - -The whole thing, though premature in its commencement, struck a blow -that rang on the fetters of the enslaved in every Southern State, and -caused the oppressor to tremble for his own safety, as well as for that -of the accursed institution. - -John Brown's trial, heroism, and execution, an excellent history of -which has been given to the public by Mr. James Redpath, saves me from -making any lengthened statement here. His life and acts are matters of -history, which will live with the language in which it is written. But -little can be said of his companions in the raid on slavery. They were -nearly all young men, unknown to fame, enthusiastic admirers of the old -Puritan, entering heartily into all of his plans, obeying his orders, -and dying bravely, with no reproach against their leader. - -Of the five colored men, two only were captured alive,--Shields Green -and John A. Copeland. The former was a native of South Carolina, having -been born in the city of Charleston in the year 1832. Escaping to the -North in 1857, he resided in Rochester, N.Y., until attracted by the -unadorned eloquence and native magnetism of the hero of Harper's Ferry. -The latter was from North Carolina, and was a mulatto of superior -abilities, and a genuine lover of liberty and justice. The following -letter, written a short time before his execution, needs no -explanation:-- - -"Charlestown, Va., Dec. 10, 1859. - -"My dear Brother,--I now take my pen to write you a few lines to let you -know how I am, and in answer to your kind letter of the 5th inst. Dear -brother, I am, it is true, so situated at present as scarcely to know -how to commence writing: not that my mind is filled with fear, or that -it has become shattered in view of my near approach to death; not that I -am terrified by the gallows which I see staring me in the face, and -upon which I am so soon to stand and suffer death for doing what George -Washington, the so-called father of this great but slavery-cursed -country, was made a hero for doing while he lived, and when dead his -name was immortalized, and his great and noble deeds in behalf of -freedom taught by parents to their children. And now, brother, for -having lent my aid to a general no less brave, and engaged in a cause -no less honorable and glorious, I am to suffer death. Washington entered -the field to fight for the freedom of the American people,--not for the -white man alone, but for both black and white. Nor were they white men -alone who fought for the freedom of this country. The blood of black men -flowed as freely as that of white men. Yes, the _very first_ blood -that was spilt was that of a negro. It was the blood of that heroic -man (though black he was), Crispus Attucks. And some of the _very last_ -blood shed was that of black men. To the truth of this, history, though -prejudiced, is compelled to attest. _It is true_ that black men did an -equal share of the fighting for American independence; and they were -assured by the whites that they should share equal benefits for so -doing. But, after having performed their part honorably, they were by -the whites most treacherously deceived,--they refusing to fulfil their -part of the contract. But this you know as well as I do; and I will -therefore say no more in reference to the claims which we, as colored -men, have on the American people.... - -"It was a sense of the wrongs which we have suffered that prompted the -noble but unfortunate Capt. Brown and his associates to attempt to give -freedom to a small number, at least, of those who are now held by cruel -and unjust laws, and by no less cruel and unjust men. To this freedom -they were entitled by every known principle of justice and humanity; -and, for the enjoyment of it, God created them. And now, dear brother, -could I die in a more noble cause? Could I, brother, die in a manner and -for a cause which would induce true and honest men more to honor me, and -the angels more readily to receive me to their happy home of everlasting -joy above? I imagine that I hear you, and all of you, mother, father, -sisters and brothers, say, 'No, there is not a cause for which we, with -less sorrow, could see you die!'" - -"Your affectionate brother, - -"John A. Copeland." - -"The Baltimore Sun" says, "A few moments before leaving the jail, -Copeland said, 'If I am dying for freedom, I could not die for a better -cause. _I had rather die than be a slave!_' A military officer in charge -on the day of the execution says, 'I had a position near the gallows, -and carefully observed all. I can truly say I never witnessed more firm -and unwavering: fortitude, more perfect composure, or more beautiful -propriety, than were manifested by young Copeland to the very last.'" - -Shields Green behaved with equal heroism, ascending the scaffold with -a firm and unwavering step, and died, as he had lived, a brave man, and -expressing to the last his eternal hatred to human bondage, prophesying -that slavery would soon come to a bloody end. - - - - -CHAPTER VII--THE FIRST GUN OF THE REBELLION. - - -_Nomination of Fremont.--Nomination of Lincoln.--The Mob Spirit.--Spirit -of Slavery.--The Democracy.--Cotton.--Northern Promises to the -Rebels.--Assault on Fort Sumter.--Call for 75,000 Men.--Response of the -Colored Men._ - - -The nomination of John C. Fremont by the Republican party in 1856, and -the large vote given him at the election that autumn, cleared away all -doubts, if any existed as to the future action of the Federal Government -on the spread and power of slavery. The Democratic party, which had -ruled the nation so long and so badly, saw that it had been weighed, and -found wanting; that it must prepare to give up the Government into the -hands of better men. - -But the party determined to make the most of Mr. Buchanan's -administration, both in the profuse expenditure of money among -themselves, and in getting ready to take the Southern States out of the -Union. - -Surrounded by the men who believed that the Government was made for -them, and that their mission was to rule the people of the United -States, Mr. Buchanan was nothing more than a tool,--clay in the hands -of the potters; and he permitted them to prepare leisurely for disunion, -which culminated, in 1860, in the nomination of Abraham Lincoln for the -presidency. - -The proslavery Democracy became furious at the prospect of losing the -control of the situation, and their hatred of free speech was revived. -From the nomination of Mr. Lincoln to his inauguration, mob-law ruled -in most of the cities and large villages. These disgraceful scenes, -the first of which commenced at the antislavery-meeting at the Tremont -Temple, Boston, was always gotten up by members of the Democratic party, -who usually passed a series of resolutions in favor of slavery. New -York, Philadelphia, Albany, Buffalo, Troy, Cincinnati, and Chicago, all -followed the example set by Boston. - -These demonstrations were caused more by sympathy with the South, and -the long-accustomed subserviency of the Northern people to slaveholding -dictation, than to any real hatred to the negro. - -During all this time the Abolitionists were laboring faithfully to widen -the gulf between the North and South. - -Towards the close of the year 1860, the spirit of compromise began to -show itself in such unmistakable terms as to cause serious apprehension -on the part of the friends of freedom for the future of American -liberty. The subdued tone of the liberal portion of the press, the -humiliating offers of Northern political leaders of compromises, and the -numerous cases of fugitive slaves being returned to their masters, sent -a thrill of fear to all colored men in the land for their safety, and -nearly every train going North found more or less negroes fleeing to -Canada. - -At the South, the people were in earnest, and would listen to no -proposals whatever in favor of their continuance in the Union. - -The vast wealth realized by the slave-holder had made him feel that the -South was independent of the rest of the world. - -Prosperity had made him giddy. Cotton was not merely king: it was God. -Moral considerations were nothing. The sentiment of right, he argued, -would have no influence over starving operatives; and England and -France, as well as the Eastern States of the Union, would stand aghast, -and yield to the masterstroke which should deprive them of the material -of their labor. Millions were dependent on it in all the great centres -of civilization; and the ramifications of its power extended into all -ranks of society and all departments of industry and commerce. It was -only necessary to wave this imperial sceptre over the nations; and all -of them would fall prostrate, and acknowledge the supremacy of the power -which wielded it. Nothing could be more plausible than this delusion. -Satan himself, when about to wage war in heaven, could not have invented -one better calculated to marshal his hosts, and give promise of success -in rebellion against the authority of the Most High. But, alas! the -supreme error of this anticipation lay in omitting from the calculation -all power of principle. The right still has authority over the minds of -men and in the counsels of nations. Factories may cease their din; men -and women may be thrown out of employment; the marts of commerce may be -silent and deserted: but truth and justice still command some respect -among men; and God yet remains the object of their adoration. - -Drunk with power, and dazzled with prosperity, monopolizing cotton, and -raising it to the influence of a veritable fetich, the authors of the -Rebellion did not admit a doubt of the success of their attack on the -Federal Government. They dreamed of perpetuating slavery, though all -history shows the decline of the system as industry, commerce, and -knowledge advance. The slave-holders proposed nothing less than to -reverse the currents of humanity, and to make barbarism flourish in the -bosom of civilization. - -Weak as were the Southern people in point of numbers and political -power, compared with those of the opposite section, the haughty -slave-holders easily persuaded themselves and their dependents that they -could successfully cope in arms with the Northern adversary, whom they -affected to despise for his cowardly and mercenary disposition. Proud -and confident, they indulged the belief that their great political -prestige would continue to serve them among their late party associates -in the North, and that the counsels of the adversary would be -distracted, and his power weakened, by the fatal effects of dissension. - -The proslavery men in the North are very much to blame for the -encouragement that they gave the rebels before the breaking out of the -war. The Southerners had promises from their Northern friends, that, -in the event of a rebellion, civil war should reign in the free -States,--that men would not be permitted to leave the North to go South -to put down their rebellions brethren. - -All legitimate revolutions are occasioned by the growth of society -beyond the growth of government; and they will be peaceful or violent -just in proportion as the people and government shall be wise and -virtuous or vicious and ignorant. Such revolutions or reforms are -generally of a peaceful nature in communities in which the government -has made provision for the gradual expansion of its institutions to -suit the onward march of society. No government is wise in overlooking, -whatever may be the strength of its own traditions, or however glorious -its history, that human institutions which have been adapted for a -barbarous age or state of society will cease to be adapted for more -civilized and intelligent times; and, unless government makes a -provision for the gradual expansion, nothing can prevent a storm, -either of an intellectual or a physical nature. Slavery was always the -barbarous institution of America; and the Rebellion was the result of -this incongruity between it and freedom. - -The assault on Fort Sumter on the 12th of April, 1861, was the dawn of -a new era for the negro. The proclamation of President Lincoln, calling -for the first 75,000 men to put down the Rebellion, was responded to -by the colored people throughout the country. In Boston, at a public -meeting of the blacks, a large number came forward, put their names to -an agreement to form a brigade, and march at once to the seat of war. -A committee waited on the Governor three days later, and offered the -services of these men. His Excellency replied that he had no power to -receive them. This was the first wet blanket thrown over the negro's -enthusiasm. "This is a white man's war," said most of the public -journals. "I will never fight by the side of a nigger," was heard in -every quarter where men were seen in Uncle Sam's uniform. - -Wherever recruiting offices were opened, black men offered themselves, -and were rejected. Yet these people, feeling conscious that right would -eventually prevail, waited patiently for the coming time, pledging -themselves to go at their country's call, as the following will show:-- - -"Resolved, That our feelings urge us to say to our countrymen that we -are ready to stand by and defend the Government as the equals of its -white defenders; to do so with our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred -honor, for the sake of freedom and as good citizens; and we ask you to -modify your laws, that we may enlist,--that full scope may be given to -the patriotic feelings burning in the colored man's breast."--_Colored -Men's Meeting, Boston_. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII--THE UNION AND SLAVERY BOTH TO BE PRESERVED. - - -_Union Generals offer to suppress Slave Insurrections.--Return of Slaves -coming into our Army._ - - -At the very commencement of the Rebellion, the proslavery generals -in the field took the earliest opportunity of offering their services, -together with those under their commands, to suppress any slave -insurrection that might grow out of the unsettled condition of the -country. Major-Gen. B. F. Butler led off, by tendering his services -to Gov. Hicks of Maryland. About the same time, Major-Gen. Geo. -B. McClellan issued the following, "_To the Union Men of Western -Virginia_," on entering that portion of the State with his troops:--"The -General Government cannot close its ears to the demands you have made -for assistance. I have ordered troops to cross the river. They come as -Your friends and brothers,--as enemies only to the armed rebels who are -preying upon you. Your homes, your families, your property, are safe -under our protection. All your rights shall be religiously respected. -Notwithstanding all that has been said by the traitors to induce you to -believe our advent among you will be signalled by an interference with -your slaves, understand one thing clearly: not only will we abstain -from all such interference, but we shall, on the contrary, _with an iron -hand_, crush any attempt at insurrection on their part." - -Slaves escaping from their masters were promptly returned by the -officers of the army. Gen. W. S. Harney, commanding in Missouri, in -responding to the claims of slave-holders for their blacks, said,-- - -"Already, since the commencement of these unhappy disturbances, slaves -have escaped from their owners, and have sought refuge in the camps -of United-States troops from the Northern States, and commanded by a -Northern general. _They were carefully sent Back to their owners._" - -The correspondent of "The New-York Herald" gave publicity to the -following:-- - -"The guard on the bridge across the Anacostia arrested a negro who -attempted to pass the sentries on the Maryland side. He seemed to feel -confident that he was among friends, for he made no concealment of his -character and purpose. He said he had walked sixty miles, and was going -North. He was very much surprised and disappointed when he was taken -into custody, and informed that he would be sent back to his master. He -is now in the guard-house, and answers freely all questions relating to -his weary march. Of course, such an arrest excites much comment -among the men. Nearly all are restive under the thought of acting -as slave-catchers. The Seventy-first made a forced march, and the -privations they endured have been honorably mentioned in the country's -history. This poor negro made a forced march, twice the length--in -perils often, in fasting,--hurrying toward the North for his -liberty! And the Seventy-first catches him at the end of his painful -journey,--the goal in sight,--and sends him back to the master who even -now may be in arms against us, or may take the slave, sell him for a -rifle, and use it on his friends in the Seventy-first New-York Regiment. -Humanity speaks louder here than it does in a large city; and the -men who in New York would dismiss the subject with a few words about -'constitutional obligations' are now the loudest in denouncing the -abuse of power which changes a regiment of gentlemen into a regiment of -negro-catchers." At Pensacola, Slemmer did even more, putting in irons -fugitives who fled to him for protection, and returning them to their -masters to be scourged to death. Col. Dimmick, at Fortress Monroe, told -the rebel Virginians that he had not an Abolitionist in his command, and -that no molestation of their slave-system would be suffered. - -Gen. D. C. Buell, commanding in Tennessee, said, in reply to a committee -of slave-holders demanding the return of their fugitives,-- - -"It has come to my knowledge that slaves sometimes make their way -improperly into our lines, and in some instances they may be enticed -there; but I think the number has been magnified by report. Several -applications have been made to me by persons whose servants have been -found in our camps; and, in every instance that I know of, the master -has removed his servant, and taken him away. - -"I need hardly remind you that there will always be found some lawless -and mischievous persons in every army; but I assure you that the mass of -this army is law-abiding, and that it is neither its disposition nor its -policy to violate law or the rights of individuals in any particular." - -Yet, while Union soldiers were returning escaped slaves to rebels, -it was a notorious fact that the enemy were using negroes to build -fortifications, drive teams, and raise food for the army. - -Black hands piled up the Sand-bags, and raised the batteries, which -drove Anderson out of Sumter. At Montgomery, the capital of the -confederacy, negroes were being drilled and armed for military duty. - - - - -CHAPTER IX--INTELLIGENT CONTRABANDS - - -_James Lawson.--His Bravery.--Rescue of his Wife and Children.--He is -sent out on Important Business.--He fights his Way Back.--He is Admired -by Gens. Hooker and Sickles.--Rhett's Servant.--"Foraging for Butter and -Eggs."_ - - -I spent three weeks at Liverpool Point, the outpost of Hooker's -Division, almost directly opposite Aquia Creek, waiting patiently for -the advance of our left wing to follow up the army, becoming, if not -a participator against the dying struggles of rebeldom, at least a -chronicler of the triumphs in the march of the Union army. - -During this time I was the guest of Col. Graham, of Mathias-Point -memory, who had brought over from that place (last November) some thirty -valuable chattels. A part of the camp was assigned to them. They built -log huts, and obtained from the soldiers many comforts, making their -quarters equal to any in the camp. - -They had friends and relatives. Negroes feel as much sympathy for their -friends and kin as the whites; and, from November to the present time, -many a man in Virginia has lost a very likely slave, for the camp -contains now upwards of a hundred fat and healthy negroes, in addition -to its original number from Mathias Point. - -One of the number deserves more honor than that accorded to Toussaint -L'Ouverture in the brilliant lecture delivered by Wendell Phillips. He -is unquestionably the hero of the Potomac, and deserves to be placed by -the side of his most renowned black brethren. - -The name of this negro is James Lawson, born near Hempstead, Virginia, -and he belonged to a Mr. Taylor. He made his escape last December. -On hearing his praises spoken by the captains of the gunboats on the -Potomac, I was rather indisposed to admit the possession of all the -qualities they give him credit for, and thought possibly his exploits -had been exaggerated. His heroic courage, truthfulness, and exalted -Christian character seemed too romantic for their realization. However, -my doubts on that score were dispelled; and I am a witness of his last -crowning act. - -Jim, after making his escape from Virginia, shipped on board of "The -Freeborn," Flag-gunboat, Lieut. Samuel Ma-gaw commanding. He furnished -Capt. Magaw with much valuable intelligence concerning the rebel -movements, and, from his quiet, every-day behavior, soon won the esteem -of the commanding officer. - -Capt. Magaw, shortly after Jim's arrival on board "The Freeborn," sent -him upon a scouting tour through the rebel fortifications, more to test -his reliability than anything else; and the mission, although fraught -with great danger, was executed by Jim in the most faithful manner. -Again Jim was sent into Virginia, landing at the White House, -below Mount Vernon, and going into the interior for several miles; -encountering the fire of picket-guards and posted sentries; returned in -safety to the shore; and was brought off in the captain's gig, under the -fire of the rebel musketry. - -Jim had a wife and four children at that time still in Virginia. They -belonged to the same man as Jim did. He was anxious to get them; yet it -seemed impossible. - -One day in January, Jim came to the captain's room, and asked for -permission to be landed that evening on the Virginia side, as he wished -to bring off his family. "Why, Jim," said Capt. Magaw, "how will you be -able to pass the pickets?" - -"I want to try, captain: I think I can get 'em over safely," meekly -replied Jim. - -"Well, you have my permission;" and Capt. Magaw ordered one of the -gunboats to land Jim that night on whatever part of the shore he -designated, and return for him the following evening. - -True to his appointment, Jim was at the spot with his wife and family, -and was taken on board the gunboat, and brought over to Liverpool Point, -where Col. Graham had given them a log-house to live in, just back of -his own quarters. Jim ran the gauntlet of the sentries unharmed, never -taking to the roads, but keeping in the woods, every foot-path of which, -and almost every tree, he knew from his boyhood up. - -Several weeks afterwards another reconnoissance was planned, and Jim -sent on it. He returned in safety, and was highly complimented by Gens. -Hooker, Sickles, and the entire flotilla. - -On Thursday, week ago, it became necessary to obtain correct information -of the enemy's movements. Since then, batteries at Shipping and Cockpit -Points had been evacuated, and their troops moved to Fredericksburg. -Jim was the man picked out for the occasion, by Gen. Sickles and Capt. -Magaw. The general came down to Col. Graham's quarters, about nine in -the evening, and sent for Jim. There were present, the general, Col. -Graham, and myself. Jim came into the colonel's. - -"Jim." said the general, "I want you to go over to Virginia to-night, -and find out what forces they have at Aquia Creek and Fredericksburg. If -you want any men to accompany you, pick them out." - -"I know _two_ men that would like to go," Jim answered. - -"Well, get them, and be back as soon as possible." Away went Jim over to -the contraband camp, and, returning almost immediately, brought into our -presence two very intelligent-looking darkies. - -"Are you all ready?" inquired the general. - -"All ready, sir," the trio responded. - -"Well, here, Jim, you take my pistol," said Gen. Sickles, unbuckling it -from his belt; "and, if you are successful, I will give you $100." - -Jim hoped he would be, and, bidding us good-by, started off for the -gunboat "Satellite," Capt. Foster, who landed them a short distance -below the Potomac-Creek Batteries. They were to return early in the -morning, but were unable, from the great distance they went in the -interior. Long before daylight on Saturday morning, the gunboat was -lying off at the appointed place. As the day dawned, Capt. Foster -discovered a mounted picket-guard near the beach, and almost at the same -instant saw Jim to the left of them, in the woods, sighting his gun at -the rebel cavalry. He ordered the "gig" to be manned, and rowed to the -shore. The rebels moved along slowly, thinking to intercept the boat, -when Foster gave them a shell, which scattered them. Jim, with only one -of his original companions, and two fresh contrabands, came on board. -Jim had _lost the other_. He had been challenged by a picket when some -distance in advance of Jim, and the negro, instead of answering the -summons, fired the contents of Sickles's revolver at the picket. It -was an unfortunate occurrence; for at that time the entire picket-guard -rushed out of a small house near the spot, and fired the contents of -their muskets at Jim's companion, killing him instantly. Jim and the -other three hid themselves in a hollow, near a fence, and, after the -pickets gave up pursuit, crept through the woods to the shore. From the -close proximity of the rebel pickets, Jim could not display a light, -which was the signal for Capt. Foster to send a boat. - -Capt. Foster, after hearing Jim's story of the shooting of his -companion, determined to avenge his death; so, steaming his vessel close -in to the shore, he sighted his guns for a barn, where the rebel cavalry -were hiding behind. He fired two shells: one went right through the -barn, killing four of the rebels, and seven of their horses. Capt. -Foster, seeing the effect of his shot, said to Jim, who stood by, "Well, -Jim, I've avenged the death of poor Cornelius" (the name of Jim's lost -companion). - -Gen. Hooker has transmitted to the War Department an account of Jim's -reconnoissance to Fredericksburg, and unites with the army and navy -stationed on the left wing of the Potomac, in the hope that the -Government will present Jim with a fitting recompense for his gallant -services.--_War Correspondent of the New-York Times_. - -On Thursday, beyond Charlestown, our pickets descried a solitary -horseman, with a bucket on his arm, jogging soberly towards them. He -proved to be a dark mulatto, of about thirty-five. As he approached, -they ordered a halt. - -"Where are you from?" - -"Southern Army, cap'n," giving the military salute. - -"Where are you going?" - -"Coming to yous all." - -"What do you want?" - -"Protection, boss. You won't send me back, will you?" - -"No, come in. Whose servant are you?" - -"Cap'n Rhett's, of South Carliny: you's heard of Mr. Barnwell Rhett, -editor of 'The Charleston Mercury'? His brother commands a battery." - -"How did you get away?" - -"Cap'n gove me fifteen dollars this morning, and said, -'John, go out, and forage for butter and eggs.' So you see, boss (with a -broad grin), I'se out foraging! I pulled my hat over my eyes, and jogged -along on the cap'n's horse (see the brand S.C. on him?) with this basket -on my arm, right by our guards and pickets. They never challenged me -once. If they had, though, I brought the cap'n's pass. And the new -comer produced this document from his pocket-book, written in pencil, -and carefully folded. I send you the original:-- - -_"Pass my servant, John, on horseback, anywhere between Winchester and -Martinsburg, in search of butter, &c., &e._ - -_"A. BURNETT RHETT, Capt. Light Artillery, Lee's Battalion."_ - -"Are there many negroes in the rebel corps?" - -"Heaps, boss." - -"Would the most of them come to us if they could?" - -"All of them, cap'n. There isn't a little pickanniny so high (waving his -hand two feet from the ground) that wouldn't." - -"Why did _you_ expect protection?" - -"Heard so in Maryland, before the Proclamation." - -"Where did you hear about the Proclamation?" - -"Read it, air, in a Richmond paper." - -"What is it?" - -"That every slave is to be emancipated on and after the thirteenth day -of January. I can't state it, boss." - -"Something like it. When did you learn to read?" - -"In '49, sir. I was head waiter at Mrs. Nevitt's boarding-house in -Savannah, and Miss Walcott, a New-York lady, who was stopping there, -taught me." - -"Does your master know it?" - -"Capt. Rhett doesn't know it, sir; but he isn't my master. He thinks I'm -free, and hired me at twenty five dollars a month; but he never paid -me any of it. I belong to Mrs. John Spring. She used to hire me out -summers, and have me wait on her every winter, when she came South. -After the war, she couldn't come, and they were going to sell me for -Government because I belonged to a Northerner. Sold a great many negroes -in that way. But I slipped away to the army. Have tried to come to you -twice before in Maryland, but couldn't pass our pickets." - -"Were you at Antietam?" - -"Yes, boss. Mighty hard battle!" - -"Who whipped?" - -"Yous all, massa. They say you didn't; but I saw it, and know. If you -had fought us that next day,--Thursday,--you would have captured our -whole army. They say so themselves." - -"Who?" - -"Our officers, sir." - -"Did you ever hear of old John Brown?" - -"Hear of _him?_ Lord bless you, yes, boss: I've read his life, and have -it now in my trunk in Charleston; sent to New York by the steward of -'The James Adger,' and got it. I've read it to heaps of the colored -folks. Lord, they think John Brown was almost a god. Just say you was a -friend of his, and any slave will almost kiss your feet, if you let -him. They sav, if he was only alive now, he would be king. How it did -frighten the white folks when he raised the insurrection! It was Sunday -when we heard of it. They wouldn't let a negro go into the streets. -I was waiter at the Mills House in Charleston. There was a lady from -Massachusetts, who came down to breakfast that morning at my table. -'John,' she says, 'I want to see a negro church; where is the principal -one?' 'Not any open to-day, mistress,' I told her. 'Why not?' 'Because a -Mr. John Brown has raised an insurrection in Virginny.' 'Ah!' she says; -'well, they'd better look out, or they'll get the white churches shut -up in that way some of these days, too!' Mr. Nicholson, one of the -proprietors, was listening from the office to hear what she said. Wasn't -that lady watched after that? I have a History of San Domingo, too, and -a Life of Fred. Douglass, in my trunk, that I got in the same way." - -"What do the slaves think about the war?" - -"Well, boss, they all wish the Yankee army would come. The white folks -tell them all sorts of bad stories about you all; but they don't believe -them." - -John was taken to Gen. McClellan, to whom he gave all the information -he possessed about the position, numbers, and organization of the rebel -army. His knowledge was full and valuable, and is corroborated by all -the facts we have learned from other sources. The principal features of -it I have already transmitted to you by telegraph. At the close of the -interview, he asked anxiously,-- - -"General, you won't send me back, will you?" - -"Yes," replied the general, with a smile, "I believe I will." - -"I hope you won't, general. If you say so, I know I will have to go; but -I come to yous all for protection, and I hope you won't." - -"Well, then, I suppose we will not. No, John, you are at liberty to go -where you please. Stay with the army, if you like. No one can ever take -you against your will." - -"May the Lord bless you, general. I _thought_ you wouldn't drive me out. -You's the best friend I ever had; I shall never forget you till I die." -And John made the salute, re-mounted his horse, and rode back to the -rear, his dusky face almost white with radiance. - -An hour later, he was on duty as the servant of Capt. Batchelor, -Quartermaster of Couch's Second Division; and I do not believe there -was another heart in our corps so light as his in the unwonted joy of -freedom.--_New York Tribune._ - - - - -CHAPTER X--PROCLAMATIONS OF FREMONT AND HUNTER. - - -_Gen. Fremont's Proclamation, and its Effect on the Public Mind.--Gen. -Hunter's Proclamation; the Feeling it created._ - - -While the country seemed drifting to destruction, and the -Administration without a policy, the heart of every loyal man was -made glad by the appearance of the proclamation of Major-Gen. John C. -Fremont, then in command at the West. The following extract from -that document, which at the time caused so much discussion, will bear -insertion here:-- - -"All persons who shall be taken with arms in their hands within these -lines shall be tried by court martial, and, if found guilty, will be -shot. The property, real and personal, of all persons in the State of -Missouri, who shall take up arms against the United States, or who shall -be directly proven to have taken active part with their enemies in -the field, is declared to be confiscated to the public use, and their -slaves, if any they have, are hereby declared free men." - -The above was the first official paper issued after the commencement of -the war, that appeared to have the ring of the right kind of mettle. But -while the public mind was being agitated upon its probable effect -upon the Rebellion, a gloom was thrown over the whole community by -the President's removal of Gen. Fremont, and the annulling of the -proclamation. This act of Mr. Lincoln gave unintentional "aid and -comfort" to the enemy, and was another retrograde movement in the Way of -crushing out the Rebellion. - -Gen. Fremont, before the arrival of the President's letter, had given -freedom to a number of slaves, in accordance with his proclamation. His -mode of action may be seen in the following deed of manumission:-- - -"Whereas, Thomas L. Snead, of the city and county of St. Louis, State of -Missouri, has been taking an active part with the enemies of the United -States, in the present insurrectionary movement against the Government -of the United States; now, therefore, I, John Charles Fremont, -Major-General commanding the Western Department of the Army of the -United States, by authority of law, and the power vested in me as such -commanding general, declare Hiram Reed, heretofore held to service or -labor by Thomas L. Snead, to be free, and forever discharged from the -bonds of servitude, giving him full right and authority to have, use, -and control his own labor or service as to him may seem proper, without -any accountability whatever to said Thomas L. Snead, or any one to claim -by, through, or under him. - -"And this deed of manumission shall be respected and treated by all -persons, and in all courts of justice, as the full and complete evidence -of the freedom of said Hiram Reed. - -"In testimony whereof, this act is done at headquarters of the Western -Department of the Army of the United States, in the city of St. Louis, -State of Missouri, on this twelfth day of September, A.D. eighteen -hundred and sixty-one, as is evidenced by the Departmental Seal hereto -affixed by my order. - -"J. C. FREMONT, - -"_Major-General Commanding._" - -"Done at the office of the Provost-Marshal, in the city of St. Louis, -the twelfth day of September, A.D. eighteen hundred and sixty-one, at -nine o'clock in the evening of said day. - -"Witness my hand and seal of office-hereto affixed. - -"J. McKINSTRY, - -"_Brigadier-General, Provost-Marshal_." - -The agitation in the public mind on account of the proclamation and its -annulment, great as it was, was soon surpassed by one still more bold -and sweeping from Major-Gen. David Hunter, in the following language, -issued from his headquarters, at Hilton Head, S.C., on the 9th of -May:-- - -"Headquarters Department of the South, Hilton Head, S.C., May 9, 1802. - -"General Orders, No. 11: - -"The three States of Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, comprising -the Military Department of the South, having deliberately declared -themselves no longer under the protection of the United States of -America, and having taken up arms against the said United States, it -became a military necessity to declare them under martial law. This was -accordingly done on the 25th day of April, 1862. Slavery and martial -law in a free country are altogether incompatible. The persons in these -three States, Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, heretofore held as -slaves, are therefore declared forever free. - -"DAVID HUNTER, - -"_Major-General Commanding._ - -"[Official.] - -"_Ed. W. Smith, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General._" - -But, before Mr. Lincoln was officially informed of the issuing of the -above order, he made haste to annul it in the terms following: -"That neither Gen. Hunter nor any other commander or person has been -authorized by the Government of the United States to make proclamation -declaring the slaves of any State free; and that the supposed -proclamation now in question, whether genuine or false, is altogether -void, so far as respects such declaration. - -"I further make known, that, whether it be competent for me, as -Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, to declare the slaves of any -State or States free, and whether at any time or in any case it -shall have become a necessity indispensable to the maintenance of the -Government to exercise such supposed power, are questions which, -under my responsibility, I reserve to myself, and which I cannot feel -justified in leaving to the decision of commanders in the field." - -These words of the President were hailed with cheers by the proslavery -press of the North, and carried comfort to the hearts of the rebels; -although the Chief-Magistrate did not intend either. However, before the -President's proclamation reached Carolina, Gen. Hunter was furnishing -slaves with free papers, of which the succeeding is a copy:-- - - -"DEED OF EMANCIPATION. - -"It having been proven, to the entire satisfaction of the -general commanding the Department of the South, that the bearer, -named----------------, heretofore held in involuntary servitude, has -been directly employed to aid and assist those in rebellion against the -United States of America. - -"Now, be it known to all, that, agreeably to the laws, I declare the -said person free, and forever absolved from all claims to his services. -Both he and his wife and children have full right to go North, East, or -West, as they may decide. - -"Given under my hand, at the Headquarters of the Department of the -South, this nineteenth day of April, 1862. - -"D. HUNTER, - -"_Major-General Commanding._" - -The words, "forever free," sounded like a charm upon the ears of the -oppressed, and seemed to give hopes of a policy that would put down the -Rebellion, and leave the people untrammelled with slavery. - - "God's law of compensation worketh sure, - - So we may know the right shall aye endure! - - '_Forever free!_' God! how the pulse doth bound - - At the high, glorious, Heaven-prompted sound - - That greets our ears from Carolina's shore! - - '_Forever free!_' and slavery is no more! - - Ere time the hunter followed up the slave; - - But now a Hunter, noble, true, and brave, - - Proclaims the right, to each who draws a breath, - - To lift himself from out a living death, - - And plant his feet on Freedom's happy soil, - - Content to take her wages for his toil, - - And look to God, the author of his days, - - For food and raiment, sounding forth His praise." - -Deep indeed was the impression left upon the public mind by the orders -of both Fremont and Hunter; and they hastened the policy which the -President eventually adopted, to the great gratification of the friends -of freedom everywhere. - - - - -CHAPTER XI--HEROISM OF NEGROES ON THE HIGH SEAS. - - -_Heroism of Negroes.--William Tillman re-captures "The S. G. -Waring."--George Green.--Robert Small captures the Steamer -"Planter."--Admiral Dupont's Opinion on Negro Patriotism._ - - -In the month of June, 1861, the schooner "S. J. Waring," from New -York, bound to South America, was captured on the passage by the rebel -privateer "Jeff. Davis," a prize-crew put on board, consisting of a -captain, mate, and four seamen; and the vessel set sail for the port of -Charleston, S.C. Three of the original crew were retained on board, -a German as steersman, a Yankee who was put in irons, and a black man -named William Tillman, the steward and cook of the schooner. The latter -was put to work at his usual business, and told that he was henceforth -the property of the Confederate States, and would be sold, on his -arrival at Charleston, as a slave. Night comes on; darkness covers the -sea; the vessel is gliding swiftly towards the South; the rebels, one -after another, retire to their berths; the hour of midnight approaches; -all is silent in the cabin; the captain is asleep; the mate, who has -charge of the watch, takes his brandy toddy, and reclines upon the -quarter-deck. The negro thinks of home and all its endearments: he sees -in the dim future chains and slavery. - -He resolves, and determines to put the resolution into practice upon the -instant. Armed with a heavy club, he proceeds to the captain's'room. He -strikes 'the fatal blow: he feels the pulse, and all is still. He next -goes to the adjoining room: another blow is struck, and the black man -is master of the cabin. Cautiously he ascends to the deck, strikes the -mate: the officer is wounded but not killed. He draws his revolver, and -calls for help. The crew are aroused: they are hastening to aid their -commander. The negro repeats his blows with the heavy club: the rebel -falls dead at Tillman's feet. The African seizes the revolver, drives -the crew below deck, orders the release of the Yankee, puts the enemy in -irons, and proclaims himself master of the vessel. - -"The Waring's" head is turned towards New York, with the stars and -stripes flying, a fair wind, and she rapidly retraces her steps. A -storm comes up: more men are needed to work the ship. Tillman orders the -rebels to be unchained, and brought on deck. The command is obeyed; and -they are put to work, but informed, that, if they show any disobedience, -they will be shot down. Five days more, and "The S. J. Waring" arrives -in the port of New York, under the command of William Tillman, the negro -patriot. - -"The New-York Tribune" said of this event,-- - -"To this colored man was the nation indebted for the first vindication -of its honor on the sea." Another public journal spoke of that -achievement alone as an offset to the defeat of the Federal arms at -Bull Run. Unstinted praise from all parties, even those who are usually -awkward in any other vernacular than derision of the colored man, has -been awarded to this colored man. At Barnum's Museum he was the centre -of attractive gaze to daily increasing thousands. Pictorials vied with -each other in portraying his features, and in graphic delineations of -the scene on board the brig; while, in one of them, Tillman has been -sketched as an embodiment of black action on the sea, in contrast with -some delinquent Federal officer as white inaction on land. - -The Federal Government awarded to Tillman the sum of six thousand -dollars as prize-money for the capture of the schooner. All loyal -journals joined in praise of the heroic act; and, even when the news -reached England, the negro's bravery was applauded. A few weeks later, -and the same rebel privateer captured the schooner "Enchantress," bound -from Boston to St. Jago, while off Nantucket Shoals. A prize-crew was -put on board, and, as in the case of "The Waring," retaining the colored -steward; and the vessel set sail for a Southern port. When off Cape -Hatteras, she was overtaken by the Federal gunboat "Albatross," Capt. -Prentice. - -On speaking her, and demanding where from and whence bound, she replied, -"Boston, for St. Jago." At this moment the negro rushed from the -galley, where the pirates had secreted him, _and jumped into the sea_, -exclaiming, "They are a privateer crew from The 'Jeff. Davis,' and -bound for Charleston!" The negro was picked up, and taken on board "The -Albatross." The prize was ordered to heave to, which she did. Lieut. -Neville jumped aboard of her, and ordered the pirates into the boats, -and to pull for "The Albatross," where they were secured in irons. "The -Enchantress" was then taken in tow by "The Albatross," and arrived -in Hampton Loads. On the morning of the 13th of May, 1862, the rebel -gunboat "Planter" was captured by her colored crew, while lying in the -port of Charleston, S.C., and brought out, and delivered over to our -squadron then blockading the place. The following is the dispatch from -Com. Dupont to the Secretary of War, announcing the fact:-- - -"U. S. Steamship Augusta, off Charleston, May 13, 1862. - -"Sir,--I have the honor to inform you that the rebel armed gunboat -'Planter' was brought out to us this morning from Charleston by eight -contrabands, and delivered up to the squadron. Five colored women -and three children are also on board. She was the armed despatch -and transportation steamer attached to the engineer department at -Charleston, under Brig.-Gen. Ripley. At four in the morning, in the -absence of the captain who was on shore, she left her wharf close to the -government office and head-quarters, with the Palmetto and confederate -flags flying, and passed the successive forts, saluting as usual, by -blowing the steam-whistle. After getting beyond the range of the last -gun, they hauled down the rebel flags, and hoisted a white one. 'The -Onward' was the inside ship of the blockading squadron in the main -channel, and was preparing to fire when her commander made out the white -flag. - -"The armament of the steamer is a thirty-two pounder, on pivot, and a -fine twenty-four-pound howitzer. She has, besides, on her deck, four -other guns, one seven-inch, rifled, which were to be taken on the -following morning to a new fort on the middle ground. One of the four -belonged! to Fort Sumter, and had been struck, in the rebel attack, on -the muzzle. Robert Small, the intelligent slave; and pilot of the boat, -who performed this bold feat so skilfully, is a superior man to any who -have come into our lines; intelligent as many of them have been. His in -formation: has been most interesting, and portions of it of the utmost -importance. The steamer is quite a valuable acquisition to the squadron -by her good machinery and very light draught. The bringing out of this -steamer would have done credit to any one. I do not know whether, in the -view of the Government, the vessel will be considered a prize; but, if -so, I respectfully submit to the Department the claims of the man Small -and his associates. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, - -"S. F. DUPONT, - -"_Flag-Officer Commanding._" - -The New-York "Commercial Advertiser" said of the capture, "We are forced -to confess that this is a heroic act, and that the negroes deserve great -praise. Small is a middle-aged negro, and his features betray nothing of -the firmness of character he displayed. He is said to be one of the most -skilful pilots of Charleston, and to have a thorough knowledge of all -the ports and inlets of South Carolina." - -A bill was introduced in Congress to give the prize to Robert Small and -his companions; and, while it was under consideration, the "New-York -Tribune" made the following timely remarks: "If we must still remember -with humiliation that the Confederate flag yet waves where our national -colors were struck, we should be all the more prompt to recognize the -merit that has put in our possession the first trophy from Fort Sumter. -And the country should feel doubly humbled if there is not magnanimity -enough to acknowledge a gallant action, because it was the head of a -black man that conceived, and the hand of a black man that executed it. -It would better, indeed, become us to remember that no small share of -the naval glory of the war belongs to the race which we have forbidden -to fight for us; that one negro has captured a vessel from a Southern -privateer, and another has brought away from under the very guns of the -enemy, where no fleet of ours has yet dared to venture, a prize whose -possession a commodore thinks worthy to be announced in a special -despatch." The bill was taken up, passed both branches of Congress, -and Robert Small, together with his associates, received justice at the -hands of the American Government. - -The "New-York Herald" gave the following account of the capture:-- - -"One of the most daring and heroic adventures since the war commenced -was undertaken and successfully accomplished by a party of negroes in -Charleston on Monday night last. Nine colored men, comprising the pilot, -engineers, and crew of the rebel gunboat 'Planter,' took the vessel -under their exclusive control, passed the batteries and forts in -Charleston Harbor, hoisted the white flag, ran out to the blockading -squadron, and thence to Port Royal, _via_ St. Helena Sound and Broad -River, reaching the flagship 'Wabash' shortly after ten o'clock last -evening. - -"'The Planter' is just such a vessel as is needed to navigate the -shallow waters between Hilton Head and the adjacent islands, and will -prove almost invaluable to the Government. It is proposed, I hear, by -the commodore, to recommend the appropriation of $20,000 as a reward to -the plucky Africans who have distinguished themselves by this gallant -service, $5,000 to be given to the pilot, and the remainder to be -divided among his companions. - -"'The Planter' is a high-pressure, side-wheel steamer, one hundred and -forty feet in length, and about fifty feet beam, and draws about five -feet of water. She was built in Charleston, was formerly used as a -cotton boat, and is capable of carrying about 1,400 bales. On the -organization of the Confederate navy, she was transformed into a -gunboat, and was the most valuable war-vessel the Confederates had at -Charleston. Her armament consisted of one thirty-two-pound rifle-gun -forward, and a twenty-four-pound howitzer aft. Besides, she had on -board, when she came into the harbor, one seven-inch rifle-gun, one -eight-inch columbiad, one eight-inch howitzer, one long thirty-two -pounder, and about two hundred rounds of ammunition, which had been -consigned to Fort Ripley, and which would have been delivered at that -fortification on Tuesday had not the designs of the rebel authorities -been frustrated. She was commanded by Capt. Relay, of the Confederate -Navy, all the other employees of the vessel, excepting the first and -second mates, being persons of color. - -"Robert Small, with whom I had a brief interview at Gen. Benham's -headquarters this morning, is an intelligent negro, born in Charleston, -and employed for many years as a pilot in and about that harbor. He -entered upon his duties on board 'The Planter' some six weeks since, -and, as he told me, adopted the idea of running the vessel to sea from -a joke which one of his companions perpetrated. He immediately cautioned -the crew against alluding to the matter in any way on board the boat; -but asked them, if they wanted to talk it up in sober earnestness, to -meet at his house, where they would devise and determine upon a plan to -place themselves under the protection of the Stars and Stripes, instead -of the stars and bars. Various plans were proposed; but finally the -whole arrangement of the escape was left to the discretion and sagacity -of Robert, his companions promising to obey him, and be ready at a -moment's notice to accompany him. For three days he kept the provisions -of the party secreted in the hold, awaiting an opportunity to slip away. -At length, on Monday evening, the white officers of the vessel went on -shore to spend the night, Intending to start on the following morning -for Fort Ripley, and to be absent from the city for some days. The -families of the contrabands were notified, and came stealthily on board. -At about three o'clock, the fires were lit under the boilers, and the -vessel steamed quietly away down the harbor. The tide was against her, -and Fort Sumter was not reached till broad daylight. However, the boat -passed directly under its walls, giving the usual signal--two long pulls -and a jerk at the whistle-cord--as she passed the sentinel. - -"Once out of range of the rebel guns, the white flag was raised, and -'The Planter' steamed directly for the blockading steamer 'Augusta.' -Capt. Parrott, of the latter vessel, as you may imagine, received them -cordially, heard their report, placed Acting-Master Watson, of his ship, -in charge of 'The Planter,' and sent the Confederate gunboat and crew -forward to Commodore Dupont." - - - - -CHAPTER XII--GENERAL BUTLER AT NEW ORLEANS. - - -_Recognition of Negro Soldiers with Officers of their own -Color.--Society in New Orleans.--The Inhuman Master.--Justice.--Change -of Opinion.--The Free Colored Population._ - - -When Major-Gen. Butler found himself in possession of New Orleans, he -was soon satisfied of the fact that there were but few loyalists amongst -the whites, while the Union feeling of the colored people was apparent -from the hour of his landing; they having immediately called upon the -commander, and, through a committee, offered their services in behalf -of the Federal cause. Their offer was accepted, as the following will -show:-- - -"Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, Aug. 22, 1862. - -"General Order, No. 63: - -"Whereas, on the twenty-third day of April, in the year eighteen hundred -and sixty-one, at a public meeting of the free colored population of -the city of New Orleans, a military organization, known as the 'Native -Guards' (colored), had its existence, which military organization was -duly and legally enrolled as a part of the military of the State, its -officers being commissioned by Thomas O. Moore, Governor, and Commander- -in-Chief of the Militia, of the State of Louisiana, in the form -following, that is to say:-- - -"'The State of Louisiana. - -[Seal of the State.] - -"'By Thomas Overton Moore, Governor of the State of Louisiana, and -Commander-in-Chief of the Militia thereof. - -"'In the name and by the authority of the State of Louisiana: - -"'Know ye that----------------, having been duly and legally elected -Captain of the "Native Guards" (colored), First Division of the Militia -of Louisiana, to serve for the term of the war, - -"I do hereby appoint and commission him Captain as aforesaid, to take -rank as such, from the second day of May, 1861. - -"'He is, therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge the duties -of his office, by doing and performing all manner of things thereto -belonging. And I do strictly charge and require all officers, -non-commissioned officers, and privates under his command to be obedient -to his orders as Captain; and he is to observe and follow such orders -and directions, from time to time, as he shall receive from me, or the -future Governor of the State of Louisiana, or other superior officers, -according to the Rules and Articles of War, and in conformity to law. - -"'In testimony whereof, I have caused these letters to be made patent, -and the seal of the State to be hereunto annexed. - -"'Given under my hand, at the city of Baton Rouge, on the second day of -May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two. - -"'(Signed) - -"'THOMAS O. MOORE. - -"'By the Governor. - -"'P. D. HARDY, _Secretary of State_." - -[INDORSED.] - -"'I, Maurice Grivot, Adjutant and Inspector-General of the State of -Louisiana, do hereby certify that----------------, named in the within -commission, did, on the twenty-second day of May, in the year 1861, -deposit In my office his written acceptance of the office to which he is -commissioned, and his oath of office taken according to law. - -"'M. GRIVOT"'_Adjutant and Inspector-General La_.' - -"And whereas such military organization elicited praise and respect, and -was complimented in general orders for its patriotism and loyalty, and -was ordered to continue during the war, in the words following:-- - -"'Headquarters Louisiana Militia, - -"'Adjutant-General's Office, Mardi 24, 1862. - -"'Order No. 426: - -"'I, The Governor and Commander-in-Chief, relying implicitly upon the -loyalty of the free colored population of the city and State, for the -protection of their homes, their property, and for Southern rights, from -the pollution of a ruthless invader, and believing that the military -organization which existed prior to the 15th February, 1862, and -elicited praise and respect for the patriotic motives which prompted it, -should exist for and during the war, calls upon them to maintain their -organization, and hold themselves prepared for such orders as may be -transmitted to them. - -"'II. The colonel commanding will report without delay to Major-Gen. -Lewis, commanding State Militia. - -"' By order of - -"'THOS. O. MOORE, _Governor_. - -"'31. GRIVOT, _Adjutant-General_.' - -"And whereas said military organization, by the same order, was directed -to report to Major-Gen. Lewis for service, but did not leave the city of -New Orleans when he did: - -"Now, therefore, the commanding-general, believing that a large portion -of this military force of the State of Louisiana are willing to take -service in the volunteer forces of the United States, and be enrolled -and organized to 'defend their homes from ruthless invaders;' to protect -their wives and children and kindred from wrongs and outrages; to shield -their property from being seized by bad men; and to defend the flag of -their native country as their fathers did under Jackson at Chalmette -against Packingham and his myrmidons, carrying the black flag of 'beauty -and booty'. - -"Appreciating their motives, relying upon their 'well-known loyalty and -patriotism,' and with 'praise and respect' for these brave men, it is -ordered that all the members of the 'Native Guards' aforesaid, and all -other free colored citizens recognized by the first and late governor -and authorities of the State of Louisiana as a portion of the militia -of the State, who shall enlist in the volunteer service of the United -States, shall be duly organized by the appointment of proper officers, -and accepted, paid, equipped, armed, and rationed as are other volunteer -corps of the United States, subject to the approval of the President of -the United States. All such persons are required to report themselves -at the Touro Charity Building, Front Levee Street, New Orleans, where -proper officers will muster them into the service of the United States. - -"By command of - -"R. S. DAVIS, _Captain and A.A.A.G._ - -"_Major-Gen. BUTLER_." - -The commanding general soon discovered that he was amongst a different -people from those with whom he had been accustomed to associate. New -Orleans, however, though captured was not subdued. The city had been for -years the headquarters and focus of all Southern rowdyism. An immense -crowd of "loafers," many without regular occupation or means, infested -the streets, controlled the ballot-boxes, nominated the judges, selected -the police, and affected to rule every one except a few immensely -wealthy planters, who governed them by money. These rowdies had -gradually dissolved society, till New Orleans had become the most -blood-thirsty city in the world; a city where every man went armed, -where a sharp word was invariably answered by a stab, and where the -average of murdered men taken to one hospital was three a day. The mob -were bitter advocates of slavery, held all Yankees in abhorrence, and -guided by the astute brain of Pierre Soul, whilom ambassador to Spain, -resolved to contest with Gen. Butler the right to control the city. They -might as well have contested it with Bonaparte. The first order issued -by the general indicated a policy from which he never swerved. The -mob had surrounded the St. Charles Hotel, threatening an attack on the -building, then the general's headquarters; and Gen. Williams, commanding -the troops round it, reported that he would be unable to control the -mob. "Gen. Butler, in his serenest manner, replied, 'Give my compliments -to Gen. Williams, and tell him, if he finds he cannot control the mob, -to open upon them with artillery.'" The mob did that day endeavor -to seize Judge Summers, the Recorder; and he was only saved by the -determined courage of Lieut. Kinsman, in command of an armed party. From -this moment the general assumed the attitude he never abandoned, that of -master of New Orleans, making his own will the law. He at first retained -the municipal organization; but, finding the officials incurably -hostile, he sent them to Fort Lafayette, and thenceforward ruled alone, -feeding the people, re-establishing trade, maintaining public order, and -seeing that negroes obtained some reasonable measure of security. Their -evidence was admitted, "Louisiana having, when she went out of the -Union, taken her black code with her;" the whipping-house was abolished, -and all forms of torture sternly prohibited. - -The following interesting narrative, given by a correspondent of "The -Atlantic Monthly," will show, to some extent, the scenes which Gen. -Butler had to pass through in connection with slavery:-- - -"One Sunday morning, late last summer, as I came down to the -breakfast-room, I was surprised to find a large number of persons -assembled in the library. - -"When I reached the door, a member of the staff took me by the arm, and -drew me into a room toward a young and delicate mulatto girl, who was -standing against the opposite wall, with the meek, patient bearing of -her race, so expressive of the system of repression to which they have -been so long subjected. - -"Drawing down the border of her dress, my conductor showed me a sight -more revolting than I trust ever again to behold. - -"The poor girl's back was flayed until the quivering flesh resembled -a fresh beefsteak scorched on a gridiron. With a cold chill creeping -through my veins, I turned away from the sickening spectacle, and, for -an explanation of the affair, scanned the various persons about the -room. - -"In the centre of the group, at his writing-table, sat the general. His -head rested on his hand, and he was evidently endeavoring to fix his -attention upon the remarks of a tall, swarthy-looking man who stood -opposite, and who, I soon discovered, was the owner of the girl, and -was attempting a defence of the foul outrage he had committed upon the -unresisting and helpless person of his unfortunate victim, who stood -smarting, but silent, under the dreadful pain inflicted by the brutal -lash. - -"By the side of the slave-holder stood our adjutant-general, his face -livid with almost irrepressible rage, and his fists tight clenched, as -if to violently restrain himself from visiting the guilty wretch with -summary and retributive justice. Disposed about the room, in various -attitudes, but all exhibiting in their countenances the same mingling of -horror and indignation, were other members of the staff; while near the -door stood three or four house-servants, who were witnesses in the case. - -"To the charge of having administered the inhuman castigation, Landry -(the owner of the girl) pleaded guilty, but urged, in extenuation, -that the girl had dared to make an effort for that freedom which her -instincts, drawn from the veins of her abuser, had taught her was the -God-given right of all who possess the germ of immortality, no matter -what the color of the casket in which it is hidden. - -"I say 'drawn from the veins of her abuser,' because she declared she -was his daughter; and everyone in the room, looking upon the man and -woman confronting each other, confessed that the resemblance justified -the assertion. - -"At the conclusion of all the evidence in the case, the general -continued in the same position as before, and remained for some time -apparently lost in abstraction. I shall never forget the singular -expression on his face. - -"I had been accustomed to see him in a storm of passion at any instance -of oppression or flagrant injustice; but, on this occasion, he was too -deeply affected to obtain relief in the usual way. - -"His whole air was one of dejection, almost listlessness; his -indignation too intense, and his anger too stern, to find expression, -even in his countenance. After sitting in the mood which I have -described at such length, the general again turned to the prisoner, and -said, in a quiet, subdued tone of voice,-- - -"'Mr. Landry, I dare not trust myself to decide to-day what punishment -would be meet for your offence; for I am in that state of mind that I -fear I might exceed the strict demands of justice. I shall therefore -place you under guard for the present, until I conclude upon your -sentence.' - -"A few days after, a number of influential citizens having represented -to the general that Mr. Landry was not only a 'high-toned gentleman,' -but a person of unusual 'amiability' of character, and was consequently -entitled to no small degree of leniency, he answered, that, in -consideration of the prisoner's 'high-toned' character, and especially -of his 'amiability,' of which he had seen so remarkable a proof, he had -determined to meet their views; and therefore ordered that Landry give a -deed of manumission to the girl, and pay a fine of five hundred dollars, -to be placed in the hands of a trustee for her benefit." - -It was scenes like the above that changed Gen. Butler's views upon the -question of slavery; for it cannot be denied, that, during the first -few weeks of his command in New Orleans, he had a controversy with Gen. -Phelps, owing to the latter's real antislavery feelings. Soon after his -arrival, Gen. Butler gave orders that all negroes not needed for service -should be removed from the camps. The city was sealed against their -escape. Even secession masters were assured that their property, if not -employed, should be returned. It is said that pledges of reimbursement -for loss of labor were made to such. Gen. Phelps planted himself on the -side of the slave; would not exile them from his camp; branded as cruel -the policy that harbored, and then drove out the slave to the inhuman -revenge that awaited him. - -Yet the latter part of Gen. Butler's reign compensated for his earlier -faults. It must be remembered, that, when he landed in New Orleans, he -was fresh from Washington, where the jails were filled with fugitive -slaves, awaiting the claim of their masters; where the return of the -escaped bondman was considered a military duty. Then how could he be -expected to do better? The stream cannot rise higher than the spring. - -His removal from the Department of the Gulf, on account of the crushing -blows which he gave the "peculiar institution," at once endeared him to -the hearts of the friends of impartial freedom throughout the land. - -The following imitation of Leigh Hunt's celebrated poem is not out of -place here:-- - - -"ABOU BEN BUTLER." - - "Abou Ben Butler (may his tribe increase! ) - - Awoke one night down by the old Balize, - - And saw, outside the comfort of his room, - - Making it warmer for the gathering gloom, - - A black man, shivering in the Winter's cold. - - Exceeding courage made Ben Butler bold; - - And to the presence in the dark lie said, - - "What wantest thou?" The figure raised its head, - - And, with a look made of all sad accord, - - Answered, "The men who'll serve the purpose of the Lord." - - "And am I one?" said Butler. "Nay, not so," - - Replied the black man. Butler spoke more low, - - But cheerly still, and said, "As _I am Ben_, - - You'll not have cause to tell me that again!" - - The figure bowed and vanished. The next night - - It came once more, environed strong in light, - - And showed the names whom love of Freedom blessed; - - And, lo! Ben Butler's name led all the rest." - - --_Boston Transcript._ - -It is probably well known that the free colored population of New -Orleans, in intelligence, public spirit, and material wealth, surpass -those of the same class in any other city of the Union. Many of these -gentlemen have been highly educated, have travelled extensively in this -and foreign countries, speak and read the French, Spanish, and English -languages fluently, and in the Exchange Rooms, or at the Stock Boards, -wield an influence at anytime fully equal to the same number of white -capitalists. Before the war, they represented in that city alone fifteen -millions of property, and were heavily taxed to support the schools of -the State, but were not allowed to claim the least benefit therefrom. - -These gentlemen, representing so much intelligence, culture, and wealth, -and who would, notwithstanding the fact that they all have negro blood -in their veins, adorn any circle of society in the North, who would be -taken upon Broadway for educated and wealthy Cuban planters, rather than -free negroes, although many of them have themselves held slaves, have -always been loyal to the Union; and, when New Orleans seemed in danger -of being re-captured by the rebels under Gen. Magruder, these colored -men rose _en masse_, closed their offices and stores, armed and -organized themselves into six regiments, and for six weeks abandoned -their business, and stood ready to fight for the defence of New Orleans, -while, at the same time, not a single white regiment from the original -white inhabitants was raised. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII--THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FREE. - - -_Emancipation in the District.--Comments of the Press.--The Good -Result.--Recognition of Hayti and Liberia.--The Slave-trader Gordon._ - - -For many years previous to the Rebellion, efforts had been made to -induce Congress to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia, without -success. The "negro-pens" which adorned that portion of the national -domain had long made Americans feel ashamed of the capital of their -country; because it was well known that those pens were more or less -connected with the American slave-trade, which, in its cruelty, was as -bad as that of the African slave-trade, if not worse. It was expected, -even by the democracy, that one of the first acts of the Republicans -on coming into office would be the emancipation of the slaves of the -District; and therefore no one was surprised at its being brought -forward in the earliest part of Mr. Lincoln's administration. The bill -was introduced into the Senate by Hon. Henry Wilson of Massachusetts. -Its discussion caused considerable excitement among slave-holders, -who used every means to prevent its passage. Nevertheless, after going -through the Senate, it passed the House on the 11th of April, 1862, by -a large majority, and soon received the sanction of the President. The -Copperhead press howled over the doings of Congress, and appeared to -see the fate of the institution in this act. The "Louisville Journal" -said,-- - -"The President, contrary to our most earnest hopes, has approved the -bill for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia. - -"We need hardly say that the President's reasons for approving the -bill are not, in our opinion, such as should have governed him at this -extraordinary juncture of the national history. They are not to us -sufficient reasons. On the contrary, we think they weigh as nothing -compared with the grave reasons in the opposite scale. - -"The enemies of the country will no doubt attempt so to use the act by -representing it as the first step towards the abolition of slavery -in the States; but this representation, if made, will be a very gross -misrepresentation. The Republicans, as a body, our readers know full -well, always declared that Congress had the constitutional power to -abolish slavery in the District of Columbia, and that Congress ought to -exercise the power. They, however, have always declared, with the same -unanimity, that Congress does not possess the constitutional power -to interfere with slavery in the States. And they now declare so with -especial distinctness and solemnity. - -"We, of course, except from the scope of the remarks we have now made -such abolitionists as Sumner and his scattered followers in Congress. -With the exception of these few _raving zealots, of whom most -Republicans are heartily ashamed,_ the men who voted to abolish slavery -in the District of Columbia avow themselves as resolutely opposed to -interfering with slavery in the States as the men who voted against the -measure are known to be. Their avowals are distinct and emphatic. - -"We hope that the majority in Congress are at length through with -such tricks, and will henceforth leave in peace the myrtle of party -eye-sores, while they split the oak of the Rebellion." - -However, the predictions and hopes of the "Journal" were not to -avail any thing for the slavemongers. The Rebellion had sounded the -death-knell of the crime of crimes. Too many brave men had already -fallen by the hands of the upholders of the barbarous system to have it -stop there. The God of liberty had proclaimed that-- - - "In this, the District where my Temple stands, - - I burst indignant every captive's bands; - - Here in my home my glorious work begin; - - Then blush no more each day to see this sin. - - Thus finding room to freely breathe and stand, - - I'll stretch my sceptre over all the land, - - Until, unfettered, leaps the waiting slave, - - And echoes back the blessings of the brave." - -The "Press," Forney's paper, spoke thus, a few days after slavery had -died in the District:-- - -"The emancipation of slaves in the District of Columbia was one of -the most suggestive events of the age. It was an example and an -illustration. The great idea of the past century, the idea which had -associated and identified itself with our institutions, was at last -tried by a practical test. Good results came from it; none of the evils -dreaded and prophesied have been manifested. It was a simple measure -of legislative policy, and was established amid great opposition and -feeling. Yet it was succeeded by no agitation, no outbreaks of popular -prejudice. The District of Columbia is now a free Territory by the -easy operation of a statute law,--by what enemies of the measure called -forcible emancipation; and yet the District of Columbia is as pleasant -and as prosperous as at any period of its history. There has been no -negro saturnalia, no violent outbreak of social disorder, no attempt -to invade those barriers of social distinction that must forever exist -between the African and Anglo-Saxon [?]. It was said that property would -depreciate; that there would be excesses and violences; that the negro -would become insolent and unbearable; that the city of Washington would -become a desolated metropolis; that negro labor would become valueless; -that hundreds of the emancipated negroes would flock to the Northern -States. We have seen no such results as yet; we know that nothing of the -kind is anticipated. We have yet to hear of the first emancipated negro -coming to Philadelphia. Labor moves on in its accustomed way, with the -usual supply and demand. We do not think a white woman has been insulted -by an emancipated negro; we are confident that no emancipated negro has -sought the hand of any fair damsel of marriageable age and condition. - -"Society is the same in Maryland and Kentucky. In accomplishing -emancipation in the District of Columbia, we have shown the timid -that their fears were but of the imagination, the mere prejudices of -education. Slavery has been the cancer of the Southern social system. -We employ an old metaphor, perhaps, but it is a forcible and appropriate -illustration. It rooted itself into the body of Southern society, -attacking the glands, terminating in an ill-conditioned and deep -disease, and causing the republic excruciating pain. It became schirrous -and indurated. It brought disaster and grief upon them, and the sorest -of evils upon us. It brought us blood and civil war, ruined commerce and -desolated fields, blockaded ports, and rivers that swarm with gunboats -instead of merchant vessels. It was tolerated as a necessary evil, until -its extent and virulence made it incumbent upon us to terminate it as -such, or to be terminated by it. The champions of this institution, not -content with submitting to the toleration and protection of our great -Northern free community, have made it the pretext for aggression and -insult, and by their own acts are accomplishing its downfall. The -emancipation of slavery in the District of Columbia was the necessary -and natural result of the Southern Rebellion. It is but the beginning of -the results the Rebellion must surely bring. The wedge has only entered -the log, and heavy blows are falling upon it day by day." - -Great was the rejoicing in Washington and throughout the Free States; -for every one saw "the end from the beginning." Our own Whittier strung -his harp anew, and sung,-- - - "I knew that truth would crush the lie,-- - - Somehow, sometime the end would be; - - Yet scarcely dared I hope to see - - The triumph with my mortal eye. - - - But now I see it. In the sun - - A free flag floats from yonder dome, - - And at the nation's hearth and home - - The justice long delayed is done." - -With the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, commenced a -new era at our country's capital. The representatives of the Governments -of Hayti and Liberia had both long knocked in vain to be admitted -with the representatives of other nations. The slave power had always -succeeded in keeping them out. But a change had now come over the dreams -of the people, and Congress was but acting up to this new light in -passing the following bill:-- - -"_Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United -States of America in Congress assembled_, That the President of the -United States be, and he hereby is, authorized, by and with the consent -of the Senate, to appoint diplomatic representatives of the United -States to the republics of Hayti and Liberia, respectively. Each of the -said representatives so appointed shall be accredited as commissioner -and consul general, and shall receive, out of any money in the treasury -not otherwise appropriated, the compensation of commissioners provided -for by the Act of Congress approved August 18, 1856: _Provided_ that the -compensation of the representative at Liberia shall not exceed $4,000." - -The above bill was before the Senate some time, and elicited much -discussion, and an able speech was made by Hon. Charles Sumner in favor -of the recognition of the independence of Hayti and Liberia. To use his -own expressive words, "Slavery in the national capital is now abolished: -it remains that this other triumph shall be achieved. Nothing but the -sway of a slave-holding despotism on the floor of Congress, hitherto, -has prevented the adoption of this righteous measure; and now that that -despotism has been exorcised, no time should be lost by Congress to see -it carried into immediate execution. All other civilized nations have -ceased to make complexion a badge of superiority or inferiority in the -matter of nationality; and we should make haste, therefore, to repair -the injury we have done, as a republic, in refusing to recognize -Liberian and Haytian independence." - -Even after all that had passed, the African slave-trade was still being -carried on between the Southern States and Africa. Ships were fitted out -in Northern ports for the purpose of carrying on this infernal traffic. -And, although it was prohibited by an act of Congress, none had ever -been convicted for dealing in slaves. The new order of things was to -give these traffickers a trial, and test the power by which they had -so long dealt in the bodies and souls of men whom they had stolen from -their native land. One Nathaniel Gordon was already in prison in New -York, and his trial was fast approaching: it came, and he was convicted -of piracy in the United States District Court in the city of New York; -the piracy consisting in having fitted out a slaver, and shipped nine -hundred Africans at Congo River, with a view to selling them as slaves. -The same man had been tried for the same offence before; but the jury -failed to agree, and he accordingly escaped punishment for the time. -Every effort was made which the ingenuity of able lawyers could invent, -or the power of money could enforce, to save this miscreant from the -gallows; but all in vain: for President Lincoln utterly refused to -interfere in any way whatever, and Gordon was executed on the 7th of -February. - -This blow appeared to give more offence to the commercial Copperheads -than even the emancipation of the slaves in the District of Columbia; -for it struck an effectual blow at a very lucrative branch of commerce, -in which the New Yorkers were largely interested. Thus it will be seen -that the nation was steadily moving on to the goal of freedom. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV--THE BLACK BRIGADE OF CINCINNATI. - - -_The Great Fright.--Cruel Treatment of the Colored People by the Police. ---Bill Homer and his Roughs.--Military Training.--Col. Dickson.--The -Work.--Mustering Out.--The Thanks._ - - -Hatred to the negro is characteristic of the people of Cincinnati; more -so, probably, than any other city in the West. Mobs in which the colored -citizens have been the victims have more than once occurred in that -place, to the utter disgrace of its white inhabitants,--mobs resulting -often in the loss of life, and always in the destruction of property. -The raid of John Morgan in the month of July, 1862, and, soon after, the -defeat of the Union troops in Kentucky, had given warning of impending -danger. This feeling of fear culminated on the first of September, in -the mayor of Cincinnati calling on the people to organize and prepare -for the defence of the city, in the following proclamation:-- - -"Mayor's Office, _City of Cincinnati_. - -"In accordance with a resolution passed by the City Council of -Cincinnati on the first instant, I hereby request that all business of -every kind or character be suspended at ten o'clock of this day, and -that all persons, employers and employees, assemble in their respective -wards, at the usual places of voting, and then and there organize -themselves in such manner as may be thought best for the defence of the -city. Every man, of every age, be he citizen or alien, who lives -under the protection of our laws, is expected to take part in the -organization. - -"Witness my hand, and the corporate seal of the city of Cincinnati, this -second day of September, A.D. 1862. - -"GEORGE HATCH, _Mayor._" - -At two o'clock on the morning of the same day, the mayor issued another -proclamation, notifying the citizens that the police force would perform -the duty of a provost-guard, under the direction of Gen. Wallace. - -The mayor's proclamation, under ordinary circumstances, would be -explicit enough. "Every man, of every age, be he citizen or alien," -surely meant the colored people. A number thought themselves included -in the call; but, remembering the ill-will excited by former offers -for home defence, they feared to come forward for enrolment. The -proclamation ordered the people to assemble "in the respective wards, at -the usual places of voting." The colored people had no places of voting. -Added to this, George Hatch was the same mayor who had broken up the -movement for home defence, before mentioned. Seeking to test the -matter, a policeman was approached, as he strutted in his new dignity of -provost-guard. To the question, humbly, almost tremblingly, put, -"Does the mayor desire colored men to report for service in the city's -defence?" he replied, "You know d------d well he does'nt mean you. -Niggers ain't citizens."--"But he calls on all, citizens and aliens. If -he does not mean all, he should not say so."--"The mayor knows as well -as you do what to write, and all he wants is for you niggers to keep -quiet." This was at nine o'clock on the morning of the second. The -military authorities had determined, however, to impress the colored -men for work upon the fortifications. The privilege of volunteering, -extended to others, was to be denied to them. Permission to volunteer -would imply some freedom, some dignity, some independent manhood. For -this the commanding officer is alone chargeable. - -If the guard appointed to the duty of collecting the colored people -had gone to their houses, and notified them to report for duty on the -fortifications, the order would have been cheerfully obeyed. But the -brutal ruffians who composed the regular and special police took every -opportunity to inflict abuse and insult upon the men whom they -arrested. The special police was entirely composed of that class of the -population, which, only a month before, had combined to massacre the -colored population, and were only prevented from committing great -excesses by the fact that John Morgan, with his rough riders, had -galloped to within forty miles of the river, when the respectable -citizens, fearing that the disloyal element within might combine with -the raiders without, and give the city over to pillage, called a meeting -on 'Change, and demanded that the riot be stopped. The special police -was, in fact, composed of a class too cowardly or too traitorous to aid, -honestly and manfully, in the defence of the city. They went from -house to house, followed by a gang of rude, foul-mouthed boys. Closets, -cellars, and garrets were searched; bayonets were thrust into beds and -bedding; old and young, sick and well, were dragged out, and, amidst -shouts and jeers, marched like felons to the pen on Plum Street, -opposite the Cathedral. No time was given to prepare for camp-life; in -most cases no information was given of the purpose for which the men -were impressed. The only-answers to questions were curses, and a brutal -"Come along now; you will find out time enough." Had the city been -captured by the Confederates, the colored people would have suffered no -more than they did at the hands of these defenders. Tuesday night, Sept. -2, was a sad night to the colored people of Cincinnati. The greater part -of the male population had been dragged from home, across the river, but -where, and for what, none could tell. - -The captain of these conscripting squads was one William Homer, and in -him organized ruffianism had its fitting head. He exhibited the brutal -malignity of his nature in a continued series of petty tyrannies. Among -the first squads marched into the yard was one which had to wait several -hours before being ordered across the river. Seeking to make themselves -as comfortable as possible, they had collected blocks of wood, and piled -up bricks, upon which they seated themselves on the shaded side of the -yard. Coming into the yard, he ordered all to rise, marched them to -another part, then issued the order, "D----n you, squat." Turning to the -guard, he added, "Shoot the first one who rises." Reaching the opposite -side of the river, the same squad were marched from the sidewalk into -the middle of the dusty road, and again the order, "D--n you, squat," -and the command to shoot the first one who should rise. - -The drill of this guard of white ruffians was unique, and not set down -in either Scott or Hardee. Calling up his men, he would address them -thus: "Now, you fellows, hold up your heads. Pat, hold your musket -straight; don't put your tongue out so far; keep your eyes open: I -believe you are drunk. Now, then, I want you fellows to go out of this -pen, and bring all the niggers you can catch. Don't come back here -without niggers: if you do, you shall not have a bit of grog. Now be -off, you shabby cusses, and come back in forty minutes, and bring me -niggers; that's what I want." This barbarous and inhuman treatment of -the colored citizens of Cincinnati continued for four days, without a -single word of remonstrance, except from the "Gazette." - -Finally, Col. Dickson, a humane man and gentlemanly officer, was -appointed to the command of the "Black Brigade," and brutality gave way -to kind treatment. The men were permitted to return to their homes, to -allay the fears of their families, and to prepare themselves the better -for camp-life. The police were relieved of provost-guard duty, and on -Friday morning more men reported for duty than had been dragged together -by the police. Many had hidden too securely to be found; others had -escaped to the country. These now came forward to aid in the city's -defence. With augmented numbers, and glowing with enthusiasm, the Black -Brigade marched to their duty. Receiving the treatment of men, they were -ready for any thing. Being in line of march, they were presented with -a national flag by Capt. Lupton, who accompanied it with the following -address:-- - -"I have the kind permission of your commandant, Col. Dickson, to hand -you, without formal speech or presentation, this national flag,--my -sole object to encourage and cheer you on to duty. On its broad folds is -inscribed, '_The Black Brigade of Cincinnati_.' I am confident, that, in -your hands, it will not be dishonored. - -"The duty of the hour is _work_,--hard, severe labor on the -fortifications of the city. In the emergency upon us, the highest and -the lowest alike owe this duty. Let it be cheerfully undertaken. He is -no _man_ who now, in defence of home and fireside, shirks duty. - -"A flag is the emblem of sovereignty, a symbol and guaranty of -_protection_. Every nation and people are proud of the flag of their -country. England, for a thousand years, boasts her Red Flag and Cross -of St. George; France glories in her Tri-color and Imperial Eagle; ours, -the 'Star-spangled Banner,' far more beautiful than they,--_this dear -old flag!_--the sun in heaven never looked down on so proud a banner of -beauty and glory. Men of the Black Brigade, rally around it! Assert your -_manhood_; be loyal to duty; be obedient, hopeful, patient: Slavery will -soon die; the slave-holders' rebellion, accursed of God and man, will -shortly and miserably perish. There will then be, through all the coming -ages, in very truth, a land of the free,--one country, one flag, one -destiny. - -"I charge you, _men of the Black Brigade of Cincinnati_, remember -that for you, and for me, and for your children, and your children's -children, there is but _one flag_, as there is but one Bible, and one -God, the Father of us all." - -For nearly three weeks the Black Brigade labored upon the -fortifications, their services beginning, as we have seen, Sept. 2, and -terminating Sept: 20. - -When the brigade was mustered out, the commander thanked them in the -following eloquent terms:-- - -"_Soldiers of the Black Brigade!_ You have finished the work assigned to -you upon the fortifications for the defence of the city. You are now -to be discharged. You have labored faithfully; you have made miles of -military roads, miles of rifle-pits, felled hundreds of acres of the -largest and loftiest forest trees, built magazines and forts. The hills -across yonder river will be a perpetual monument of your labors. You -have, in no spirit of bravado, in no defiance of established prejudice, -but in submission to it, intimated to me your willingness to defend -with your lives the fortifications your hands have built. _Organized -companies of men of your race have tendered their services to aid in the -defence of the city_. In obedience to the policy of the Government, the -authorities have denied you this privilege. In the department of labor -permitted, you have, however, rendered a willing and cheerful service. -Nor has your zeal been dampened by the cruel treatment received. The -citizens, of both sexes, have encouraged you with their smiles and words -of approbation; the soldiers have welcomed you as co-laborers in the -same great cause. But a portion of the police, ruffians in character, -early learning that your services were accepted, and seeking to deprive -you of the honor of voluntary labor, before opportunity was given you to -proceed to the field, rudely seized you in the streets, in your places -of business, in your homes, everywhere, hurried you into filthy pens, -thence across the river to the fortifications, not permitting you -to make any preparation for camp-life. You have borne this with the -accustomed patience of your race; and when, under more favorable -auspices, you have received only the protection due to a common -humanity, you have labored cheerfully and effectively. - -"Go to your homes with the consciousness of having performed your -duty,--of deserving, if you do not receive, the protection of the law, -and bearing with you the gratitude and respect of all honorable men. -You have learned to suffer and to wait; but, in your hours of adversity, -remember that the same God who has numbered the hairs of our heads, who -watches over even the fate of a sparrow, is the God of your race as well -as mine. The sweat-blood which the nation is now shedding at every pore -is an awful warning of how fearful a thing it is to oppress the humblest -being." - -A letter in "The Tribune," dated Cincinnati, Sept. 7, giving an account -of the enthusiasm of the people in rallying for the city's defence, -says, "While all have done well, the negroes, as a class, must bear away -the palm. When martial law was declared, a few prominent colored men -tendered their services in any capacity desired. As soon as it became -known that they would be accepted, Mayor Hatch's police commenced -arresting them everywhere, dragging them away from their houses and -places of business without a moment's notice, shutting them up in -negro-pens, and subjecting them to the grossest abuse and indignity. Mr. -Hatch is charged with secession proclivities. During the recent riots -against the negroes, the _animus_ of his police was entirely hostile -to them, and many outrages were committed upon that helpless and -unoffending class. On this occasion, the same course was pursued. No -opportunity was afforded the negro to volunteer; but they were treated -as public enemies. They were taken over the river, ostensibly to work -upon the fortification; but were scattered, detailed as cooks for white -regiments, some of them half-starved, and all so much abused that it -finally caused a great outcry. When Gen. Wallace's attention was called -to the matter, he requested Judge William M. Dickson, a prominent -citizen, who is related by marriage to President Lincoln, to take the -whole matter in charge. Judge Dickson undertook the thankless task: -organized the negroes into two regiments of three hundred each, made -the proper provision for their comfort, and set them at work upon the -trenches. They have accomplished more than any other six hundred of the -whole eight thousand men upon the fortifications. Their work has been -entirely voluntary. Judge Dickson informed them at the outset that all -could go home who chose; that it must be entirely a labor of love with -them. _Only one man_ of the whole number has availed himself of the -privilege; the rest have all worked cheer, fully and efficiently. One of -the regiments is officered by white captains, the other by negroes. The -latter, proved so decidedly superior that both regiments will hereafter -be commanded by officers of their own race. They are not only working, -but drilling; and they already go through some of the simpler military -movements very creditably.. Wherever they appear, they are cheered by -our troops. Last night, one of the colored regiments, coming off duty -for twenty-four hours, was halted in front of headquarters, at the -Burnet House, front faced, and gave three rousing cheers for Gen. -Wallace, and three more for Judge Dickson." - - - - -CHAPTER XV. PROCLAMATION OF FREEDOM. - - -_Emancipation Proclamation.--Copperhead View of It.--"Abraham Spare the -South."--The Contrabands Rejoicing.--The Songs.--Enthusiasm.--Faith in -God.--Negro Wit.--"Forever Free."_ - - -On the 22d of September, 1862, President Lincoln sent forth his -proclamation, warning the rebel States that he would proclaim -emancipation to their slaves if such States did not return to the -Union before the first day of the following January. Loud were the -denunciations of the copperheads of the country; and all the stale -arguments against negro emancipation which had been used in the West -Indies thirty years before, and since then in our country, were newly -vamped, and put forward to frighten the President and his Cabinet. - -The toleration of a great social wrong in any country is ever -accompanied by blindness of vision, hardness of heart, and cowardice -of mind, as well as moral deterioration and industrial impoverishment. -Hence, whenever an earnest attempt is made for the removal of the wrong, -those without eyes noisily declare that they see clearly that nothing -but disastrous consequences will follow; those who are dead to all -sensibility profess to be shocked beyond measure in contemplating the -terrible scenes that must result from the change; and those who have no -faith in justice are thrown into spasms at the mention of its impartial -administration. For a whole generation, covering the period of the -antislavery struggle in this country, have they not incessantly raised -their senseless clamors and indignant outcries against the simplest -claim of bleeding humanity to be released from its tortures, as though -it were a proposition to destroy all order, inaugurate universal ruin, -and "let chaos come again?" - -"The proclamation won't reach the slaves," said one. "They wont heed -it," said another. - -"This proclamation is an invitation to the blacks to murder their -masters," remarked a Boston copperhead newspaper. "The slaves will fight -for their masters," said the same journal, the following day. - -"It will destroy the Union."--"It is harmless and impotent."--"It will -excite slave insurrection."--"The slaves will never hear of it."--"It -will excite the South to desperation."--"The rebels will laugh it to -scorn." Delegation after delegation waited on the President, and urged a -postponement of emancipation. The Kentucky Congressional delegation did -all in their power to put back the glorious event. Conservative old-line -Whigs and backsliding antislavery men were afraid to witness the coming -day. - - "Abraham, spare the South, - - Touch not a single slave, - - Nor e'en by word of mouth - - Disturb the thing, we crave. - - 'Twas our forefathers' hand - - That slavery begot: - - There, Abraham, let it stand; - - Thine acts shall harm it not," - -cried thousands who called at the White House. Washington, Alexandria, -and Georgetown were crowded with "contrabands;" and hundreds were -forwarded to the Sea Islands, to be occupied in cultivating the deserted -plantations. As the day drew near, reports were circulated that the -President would re-call the pledge. The friends of the negro were -frightened; the negro himself trembled for fear that the cause would be -lost. The blacks in all the Southern departments were behaving well, as -if to deepen the already good impression made by them on the Government -officials. Rejoicing meetings were advertised at the Tremont -Temple, Boston, Cooper Institute, New York, and the largest hall in -Philadelphia, and in nearly every-city and large town in the north. -Great preparation was made at the "Contraband Camp," in the District of -Columbia. At the latter place, they met on the last night in December, -1862, in the camp, and waited patiently for' the coming day, when they -should become free. The fore part of the night was spent in singing and -prayer, the following being sung several times:-- - - "Oh, go down, Moses, - - Way down into Egypt's land; - - Tell king Pharaoh - - To let my people go. - - Oh, Pharaoh said he would go cross, - - Let my people go. - - But Pharaoh and his host was lost, - - Let my people go. - - _Chorus_--Oh, go down, Moses, &c. - - - O Moses, stretch your hands across, - - Let my people go. - - And don't get lost in the wilderness, - - Let my people go. - - _Chorus_--Oh, go down, Moses, &c. - - - You may hinder me here, but you can't up there, - - Let my people go. - - He sits in heaven, and answers prayer, - - Let my people go. - - _Chorus_--Oh, go down, Moses, &c." - -After this an old man struck up, in a clear and powerful voice, "I am -a free man now: Jesus Christ has made me free!" the company gradually -joining in; and, before the close, the whole assemblage was singing in -chorus. - -It was quite evident, through the exercises of the day and night, that -the negroes regard the condition of the Israelites in Egypt as typical -of their own condition in slavery; and the allusions to Moses, Pharaoh, -the Egyptian task-masters, and the unhappy condition of the captive -Israelites, were continuous; and any reference to the triumphant escape -of the Israelites across the Red Sea, and the destruction of their -pursuing masters, was certain to bring out a strong "Amen!" - -An old colored preacher, who displays many of the most marked -peculiarities of his race, calling himself "John de Baptis," and known -as such by his companions,-from his habit of always taking his text, as -he expresses it, from the "regulations ob de 2d chapter of Matthew, 'And -in those days came John de Baptis,'" came forward, and, taking his -usual text, went on to show the necessity of following good advice, and -rebuked his hearers for being more lawless than they were in Dixie. - -Then came another contraband brother, who said,-- - -"Onst, the time was dat I cried all night. What's de matter? What's de -matter? Matter enough. De nex mornin' my child was to be sold, an' she -was sold; an' I neber spec to see her no more till de day ob judgment. -Now, no more dat! no more dat! no more dat! Wid my hands agin my breast -I was gwine to my work, when de overseer used to whip me along. Now, no -more dat! no more dat! no more dat! When I tink what de Lord's done -for us, an' brot us thro' de trubbles, I feel dat I ought go inter his -service. We'se free now, bress de Lord! (Amens! were vociferated all -over the building.) Dey can't sell my wife an' child any more, bress de -Lord! (Glory, glory! from the audience.) No more dat! no more dat! no -more dat, now! (Glory!) Presurdund Lincum hav shot de gate! Dat's what -de matter!" and there was a prolonged response of Amens! - -A woman on her knees exclaimed at the top of her voice,-- - - "If de Debble do not ketch - - Jeff. Davis, dat infernal retch, - - An roast and frigazee dat rebble, - - Wat is de use ob any Debble?" - -"Amen! amen! amen!" cried many voices. - -At this juncture of the meeting, an intelligent contraband broke out in -the following strain:-- - - "The first of January next, eighteen sixty-three,-- - - So says the Proclamation,--the slaves will all be free! - - To every kindly heart 'twill be the day of jubilee; - - For the bond shall all go free! - - - John Brown, the dauntless hero, with joy is looking on; - - From his home among the angels he sees the coming dawn; - - Then up with Freedom's banners, and hail the glorious mom - - When the slaves shall all go free! - - - We've made a strike for liberty; the Lord is on our side; - - And Christ, the friend of bondmen, shall ever be our guide; - - And soon the cry will ring, throughout this glorious land so wide, - - 'Let the bondmen all go free!' - - - No more from crushed and bleeding hearts we hear the broken sigh; - - No more from brothers bound in chains we'll hear the pleading cry; - - For the happy day, the glorious day, is coming by and by, - - When the slaves shall all go free! - - - We're bound to make our glorious flag the banner of the free, - - The first of January next, eighteen sixty-three; - - Of every loyal Northern heart the glad cry then shall be, - - 'Let the bondmen all go free!' - -'No Compromise with Slavery!' we hear the cheering sound, The road to -peace and happiness 'Old Abe' at last has found: - -With earnest hearts and willing hands to stand by him we're hound, While -he sets the bondmen free! - -The morning light is breaking: we see its cheering ray,-- - -The light of Truth and Justice, that can never fade away; - -And soon the light will brighten to a great and glorious day, - -When the slaves shall all go free! - -And when we on the 'other side' do all together stand, - -As children of one family we'll clasp the friendly hand: - -We'll be a band of brothers in that brighter, better land,-- - -Where the bond shall all be free! - -After several others had spoken, George Payne, another contraband, made -a few sensible remarks, somewhat in these words: "Friends, don't you see -de han' of God in dis? Haven't we a right to rejoice? You all know you -couldn't have such a meetin' as dis down in Dixie! Dat you all knows. -have a right to rejoice; an' so have you; for we shall be free in jus' -about five minutes. Dat's a fact. I shall rejoice that God has placed -Mr. Lincum in de president's chair, and dat he wouldn't let de rebels -make peace until after dis new year. De Lord has heard de groans of de -people, and has come down to deliver! You all knows dat in Dixie you -worked de day long, an' never got no satisfacshun. But here, what you -make is yourn. I've worked six months; and what I've made is mine! Let -me tell you, though, don't be too free! De lazy man can't go to heaven. -You must be honest, an' work, an' show dat you is fit to be free; an' de -Lord will bless you an' Abrum Lincum. Amen!" - -A small black man, with a rather cracking voice, appearing by his -jestures to be inwardly on fire, began jumping, and singing the -following:-- - - "Massa gone, missy too; - - Cry! niggers, cry! - - Tink I'll see de bressed Norf, - - 'Fore de day I die.. - - Hi! hi! Yankee shot'im; - - Now I tink dc debbil's got'im." - -The whole company then joined in singing the annexed song, which made -the welkin ring, and was heard far beyond the camp. - - I. - - "Oh! we all longed for freedom, - - Oh! we all longed for freedom, - - Oh! we all longed for freedom, - - Ah! we prayed to be free; - - Yes, we prayed to be free, - - Oh! we prayed to be free, - - Though the day was long in coming, - - Though the day was long in coming, - - Though the day was long in coming, - - That we so longed to see, - - That we so longed to see, - - That we so longed to see, - - Though the day was long in coming - - That we so longed to see. - - - II. - - But bless the great Jehovah, - - But bless the great Jehovah, - - But bless the great Jehovah, - - At last the glad day's come, - - At last the glad day's come, - - At last the glad day's come. - - By fire and sword he brought us, - - By fire and sword he brought us, - - By fire and sword he brought us, - - From slavery into freedom. - - From slavery into freedom, - - From slavery into Freedom; - - By fire and sword he brought us - - Front slavery into freedom. - - - III. - - We'll bless the great Redeemer, - - We'll bless the great Redeemer, - - We'll bless the great Redeemer, - - And glorify his name, - - And glorify his name, - - And glorify his name, - - And all who helped to bring us, - - And all who helped to bring us, - - And all who helped to bring us - - From sorrow, grief, and shame, - - From sorrow, grief, and shame, - - From sorrow, grief, and shame, - - And all who helped to bring us - - From sorrow, grief, and shame. - - IV. - - And blessed be Abraham Lincoln, - - And blessed be Abraham Lincoln, - - And blessed be Abraham Lincoln, - - And the Union army too, - - And the Union army too. - - May the choicest of earth's blessings, - - May the choicest of earth's blessings, - - May the choicest of earth's blessings, - - Their pathways ever strew, - - Their pathways ever strew, - - Their pathways ever strew! - - May the choicest of earth's blessings - - Their pathways ever strew! - - V. - - We'll strive to learn our duty, - - We'll strive to learn our duty, - - We'll strive to learn our duty, - - That all our friends may see, - - That all our friends may see, - - That all our friends may see, - - Though so long oppressed in bondage, - - Though so long oppressed in bondage, - - Though so long oppressed in bondage, - - We were worthy to be free, - - We were worthy to be free, - - We were worthy to be free: - - Though so long oppressed in bondage, - - We were worthy to be free." - -Just before midnight, Dr. Nichols requested all present to kneel, and -to silently invoke the blessing of the Almighty. The silence was almost -deadly when the clock announced the new year; and Dr. Nichols said, "Men -and women (for you are this day to be declared free, and I can address -you as men and women), I wish you a happy new year!" An eloquent prayer -was then offered by an aged negro; after which, all rose, and joined in -singing their version of "Glory! glory! hallelujah!" shaking each -other by the hand, and indulging in joyous demonstrations. They then -promenaded the grounds, singing hymns, and finally serenaded the -superintendent, in whose honor a sable improvisatore carolled forth an -original ode, the chorus of which was, "Free forever! Forever free!" - - "Ring, ring! O Bell of Freedom, ring! - - And to the ears of bondmen bring - - Thy sweet and freeman-thrilling tone. - - On Autumn's blast, from zone to zone, - - The joyful tidings go proclaim, - - In Liberty's hallowed name: - - Emancipation to the slave, - - The rights which his Creator gave, - - To live with chains asunder riven, - - To live free as the birds of heaven, - - To live free as the air he breathes, - - Entirely free from galling greaves; - - The right to act, to know, to feel, - - That bands of iron and links of steel - - Were never wrought to chain the mind, - - Nor human flesh in bondage bind; - - That Heaven, in its generous plan, - - Gave like and equal rights to man. - - Go send thy notes from shore to shore, - - Above the deep-voiced cannon's roar; - - Go send Emancipation's peal - - Where clashes North with Southern steel, - - And nerve the Southern bondmen now - - To rise and strike the final blow, - - To lay Oppression's minions low. - - Oh! rouse the mind and nerve the arm - - To brave the blast and face the storm; - - And, ere the war-cloud passes by, - - We'll have a land of liberty. - - - Our God has said, "Let there be light - - Where Error palls the land with night." - - Then send forth now, O Freedom's bell, - - Foul Slavery's last and fatal knell! - - Oh! speed the tidings o'er the land, - - That tells that stern Oppression's hand - - Has yielded to the power of Right: - - That Wrong is weak, that Truth is might! - - Then Union shall again return, - - And Freedom's fires shall brightly burn; - - And peace and jot, sweet guests, shall come, - - And dwell in every heart and home." - -"Free forever! Forever free!" - -No pen can fitly portray the scene that followed this announcement. -Every heart seemed to leap for joy: some were singing, some praying, -some weeping, some dancing, husbands embracing Wives, friends shaking -hands, and appearing to feel that the Day of Jubilee had come. A sister -broke out in the following strain, which was heartily joined in by the -vast assembly:-- - - "Go down, Abraham, away down in Dixie's land, - - Tell Jeff. Davis to let my people go. - - - Our bitter tasks are ended, all onr unpaid labor done; - - Our galling chains are broken, and our onward march begun: - - Go down, Abraham, away down in Dixie's land, - - Tell Jeff. Davis to let my people go. - - - Down in the house of bondage we have watched and waited long; - - The oppressor's heel was heavy, the oppressor's arm was strong: - - Go down, Abraham, away down in Dixie's land, - - Tell Jeff. Davis to let my people go. - - - Not vainly have we waited through the long and darkened years; - - Not vain the patient watching,'mid our sweat and blood and tears: - - Go down, Abraham, away down in Dixie's land, - - Tell Jeff. Davis to let my people go. - - - Now God is with Grant, and he'll surely whip Lee; - - For the Proclamation says that the niggers must be free: - - Go down, Abraham, away down in Dixie's land, - - Tell Jeff. Davis to let my people go." - -Thus ended the last night of slavery in the contraband camp at -Washington. - -The morning of Jan. 1, 1863, was anxiously looked for by the friends of -freedom throughout the United States; and, during the entire day, the -telegraph offices in the various places were beset by crowds, waiting to -hear the news from the Nation's capital. Late in the day the following -proclamation made its appearance:-- - -_Washington_, Jan. 1, 1863.--I Abraham Lincoln, President of the United -States of America, do issue this my Proclamation:-- - -Whereas, On the 22d day of September, in the year of our Lord one -thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, a proclamation was issued by -the President of the United States, containing, among other things, the -following, to wit:-- - -"That, on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord, -one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as -slaves within any State or any designated part of a State, the people -whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be -then, henceforward, and forever, free; and the Executive Government of -the United States, including the military and naval force thereof, will -recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act -or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any effort they may -make for their actual freedom; that the Executive will, on the first day -of January aforesaid, by proclamation, designate the States and parts of -States, if any in which the people therein respectively shall then be -in rebellion against the United States; and the fact that any State or -people thereof shall on that day be in good faith represented in the -Congress of the United States by members chosen thereto, at elections -wherein a majority of the qualified voters of such States shall have -participated, shall, in the absence of strong countervailing testimony, -be deemed conclusive evidence that such State and the people thereof are -not then in rebellion against the United States. - -"Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, by -virtue of the power in me vested, as Commander-in-Chief of the Army -and Navy of the United States in times of actual rebellion against -the authorities and Government of the United States, and as a fit and -necessary war measure for suppressing this rebellion, do on this, the -first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred -and sixty-three, and in accordance with my purpose so to do, publicly -proclaimed for the full period of one hundred days from the date of the -first above-mentioned order, do designate as the States and parts -of States wherein the people thereof respectively, are this day in -rebellion against the United States. The following, to wit:-- - -"Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, -South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. - -"Louisiana (except the parishes of St. Bernard, Placquemines, -Jefferson, St. John, St. Charles, St. James, Ascension, Assumption, -Terre Bonne, Lafourche, St. Mary, St. Martin, and Orleans, including -the city of New Orleans), Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South -Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, except the forty-eight counties -designated as West Virginia, and also the counties of Berkley, Accomac, -Northampton, Elizabeth City, York, Princess Anne, and Norfolk, including -the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth, which excepted parts are for the -present left precisely as if this proclamation were not made. - -"And by virtue of the power, for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and -declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States -and parts of States are, and henceforward shall be, free; and the -Executive Government of the United States, including the military and -naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of -such persons. - -"And I hereby enjoin upon the people so declared to be free to abstain -from all violence, unless in necessary self-defence; and I recommend -to them, that, in all cases where allowed, they labor faithfully for -reasonable wages. - -"And I further declare and make known, that such persons, if in suitable -condition, will be received into the armed service of the United States, -to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other places, and to man -vessels of all sorts in said service. And upon this, sincerely believed -to be an act of justice warranted by the Constitution, and upon military -necessity, I invoke the considerate judgment of mankind and the gracious -favor of Almighty God. - -"In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of -the United States to be affixed. - -"Done at the city of Washington, this first day of January, in the -year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the -independence of the United States of America the eighty-seventh. - -[L. S.] (Signed) "_ABRAHAM LINCOLN_. - -"By the President. - -"Wm. H. Seward, _Secretary of State_." - -This was the beginning of a new era: the word had gone forth, and a -policy was adopted. - - "The deed is done. Millions have yearned - - To see the spear of Freedom cast: - - The dragon writhed and roared and burned; - - You've smote him full and square at last." - -The proclamation gave new life and vigor to our men on the battle-field. -The bondmen everywhere caught up the magic word, and went with it from -farm to farm, and from town to town. Black men flocked to recruiting -stations, and offered themselves for the war. Everybody saw light in -the distance. What newspapers and orators had failed to do in months was -done by the proclamation in a single week. Frances Ellen Harper, herself -colored, cheered in the following strain:-- - - "It shall flash through coming ages; - - It shall light the distant years; - - And eyes now dim with sorrow - - Shall be brighter through their tears. - - - It shall flush the mountain ranges, - - And the valleys shall grow bright; - - It shall bathe the hills in radiance, - - And crown their brows with light. - - - It shall flood with golden splendor - - All the huts of Caroline; - - And the sun-kissed brow of labor - - With lustre new shall shine. - - - It shall gild the gloomy prison, - - Darkened with the age's crime, - - Where the dumb and patient millions - - Wait the better coming time. - - - By the light that gilds their prison, - - They shall seize its mouldering key; - - And the bolts and bars shall vibrate - - With the triumphs of the free. - - - Like the dim and ancient Chaos, - - Shuddering at Creation's light, - - Oppression grim and hoary - - Shall cower at the sight. - - And her spawn of lies and malice - - Shall grovel in the dust; - - While joy shall thrill the bosoms - - Of the merciful and just. - - - Though the morning seems to linger - - O'er the hilltops far away, - - The shadows bear the promise - - Of the quickly coming day. - - Soon the mists and murky shadows - - Shall be fringed with crimson light, - - And the glorious dawn of freedom - - Break resplendent on the sight." - - - - -CHAPTER XVI.--THE NEW POLICY. - - -_A New Policy announced.--Adjutant-Gen. Thomas.--Major-Gen. -Prentiss.--Negro Wit and Humor.--Proslavery Correspondents.--Feeling in -the Army.--Let the Blacks fight._ - - -Attorney-Gen. Bates had already given his opinion with regard to the -citizenship of the negro, and that opinion was in the black man's favor. -The Emancipation Proclamation was only a prelude to calling on the -colored men to take up arms, and the one soon followed the other; -for the word "Emancipation" had scarcely gone over the wires, -ere Adjutant-Gen. Thomas made his appearance in the valley of the -Mississippi. At Lake Providence, La., he met a large wing of the army, -composed of volunteers from all parts of the country, and proclaimed to -them the new policy of the administration; and he did it in very plain -words, as will be seen:-- - -"_Fellow-Soldiers_,--Your commanding general has so fully stated the -object of my mission, that it is almost unnecessary for me to say -any thing to you in reference to it. Still, as I come here with full -authority from the President of the United States to announce the -policy, which, after mature deliberation, has been determined upon by -the wisdom of the nation, it is my duty to make known to you clearly and -fully the features of that policy. - -"It is a source of extreme gratification to me to come before you -this day, knowing, as I do full well, how glorious have been your -achievements on the field of battle. No soldier can come before soldiers -of tried valor, without having the deepest emotions of his soul stirred -within him. These emotions I feel on the present occasion; and I beg you -will listen to what I have to say, as soldiers receiving from a soldier -the commands of the President of the United States. - -"I came from Washington clothed with the fullest power in this matter. -With this power, I can act as if the President of the United States were -himself present. I am directed to refer nothing to Washington, but -to act promptly,--what I have to do to do at once; to strike down the -unworthy and to elevate the deserving. - -"Look along the river, and see the multitude of deserted plantations -upon its banks. These are the places for these freedmen, where they can -be self-sustaining and self-supporting. All of you will some day be on -picket-duty; and I charge you all, if any of this unfortunate race come -within your lines, that you do not turn them away, but receive them -kindly and cordially. They are to be encouraged to come to us; they are -to be received with open arms; they are to be fed and clothed; _they are -to be armed._ - -"This is the policy that has been fully determined upon. I am here to -say that I am authorized to raise as many regiments of blacks as I can. -I am authorized to give commissions, from the highest to the lowest; and -I desire those persons who are earnest in this work to take hold of it. -I desire only those whose hearts are in it, and to them alone will I -give commissions. I don't care who they are, or what their present rank -may be. I do not hesitate to say, that all proper persons will receive -commissions. - -"While I am authorized thus in the name of the Secretary of War, I have -the fullest authority to dismiss from the army any man, be his rank what -it may, whom I find maltreating the freedmen. This part of my duty I -will most assuredly perform if any case comes before me. I would rather -do that than give commissions, because such men are unworthy the name of -soldiers. - -"This, fellow-soldiers, is the determined policy of the Administration. -You all know, full well, when the President of the United States, though -said to be slow in coming to a determination, once puts his foot down, -it is there; and he is not going to take it up. He has put his foot -down. I am here to assure you that my official influence shall be -given that he shall not raise it." Major-Gen. B. M. Prentiss, after -the cheering had subsided which greeted his appearance, indorsed, in -a forcible and eloquent speech, the policy announced by Adjutant-Gen. -Thomas, and said, that, "from the time he was a prisoner, and a negro -sentinel, with firm step, _beat_ in front of his cell, and with firmer -voice commanded silence within, he prayed God for the day of revenge; -and he now thanked God that it had come." Turning to Gen. Thomas, the -speaker continued, "Yes: tell the President for me, I will receive them -into the lines; I will beg them to come in; _I will make them come in!_ -and if any officer in my command, high or low, _neglects to receive them -friendly, and treat them kindly, I will put them outside the lines_. -(Tremendous applause.) Soldiers, when you go to your quarters, if you -hear any one condemning the policy announced here to-day, put him -down as a contemptible copperhead traitor. Call them what you please, -copperheads, secesh, or traitors, they are all the same to me: _enemies -of our country_, against whom I have taken a solemn oath, and called God -as my witness, to whip them wherever I find them." - -Congress had already passed a bill empowering the President "to enroll, -arm, equip, and receive into the land and naval service of the United -States, such a number of volunteers of African descent as he may deem -equal to suppress the present rebellion, for such term of service as -he may prescribe, not exceeding five years; the said volunteers to be -organized according to the regulations of the branch of the service into -which they may be enlisted, to receive the same rations, clothing, and -equipments as other volunteers, and a monthly pay not to exceed that of -the volunteers." - -Proslavery newspaper correspondents from the North, in the Western and -Southern departments, still continued to report to their journals that -the slaves would not fight if an opportunity was offered to them. Many -of these were ridiculously amusing. The following is a sample:-- - -"I noticed upon the hurricane-deck, to-day, an elderly negro, with a -very philosophical and retrospective cast of countenance, squatted -upon his bundle, toasting his shins against the chimney, and apparently -plunged into a state of profound meditation. Finding by inquiry that he -belonged to the Ninth Illinois, one of the most gallantly-behaved and -heavily-losing regiments at the Fort-Donelson battle, and part of which -was aboard, I began to interrogate him upon the subject. His philosophy -was so much in the Falstaffian vein that I will give his views in his -own words, as near as my memory serves me:-- - -"'Were you in the fight?' - -"'Had a little taste of it, sa.' - -"'Stood your ground, did you?' - -"'No, sa; I runs.' - -"'Run at the first fire, did you?' - -"'Yes, sa; and would ha' run soona had I know'd it war comin'.' - -"'Why, that wasn't very creditable to your courage.' - -"'Dat isn't in my line, sa; cookin's my perfeshun.' "'Well, but have -you no regard for your reputation?' '"Refutation's nuffin by the side ob -life.' - -"'Do you consider your life worth more than other people's?' - -"'It's worth more to me, sa.' - -"'Then you must value it very highly.' - -"'Yes, sa, I does; more dan all dis wuld; more dan a million of -dollars, sa: for what would dat be wuf to a man wid de bref out of him. -Self-perserbashum am de fust law wid me.' - -"'But why should you act upon a different rule from other men?' - -"'Because different men set different values upon dar lives: mine is not -in de market.' - -"'But if you lost it, you would have the satisfaction of knowing that -you died for your country.' - -"'What satisfaction would dat be to me when de power ob feelin' was -gone?' - -"'Then patriotism and honor are nothing to you?' - -"'Nuffin whatever, sa: I regard dem as among de vanities; and den de -gobernment don't know me; I hab no rights; may be sold like old hoss any -day, and dat's all.' - -"'If our old soldiers were like you, traitors might have broken up the -Government without resistance.' - -"'Yes, sa; dar would hab been no help for it. I wouldn't put my life in -de scale 'ginst any gobernment dat ever existed; for no gobernment could -replace de loss to me.' - -"'Do you think any of your company would have missed you if you had been -killed?' - -"'May be not, sa; a dead white man ain't much to dese sogers, let alone -a dead nigga; but I'd a missed myself, and dat was de pint wid me.' - -"It is safe to say that the dusky corpse of that African will never -darken the field of carnage." - - - - -CHAPTER XVII.--ARMING THE BLACKS. - - -Department of the South.--Gen. Hunter Enlisting Colored Men.--Letter to -Gov. Andrew.--Success.--The Earnest Prayer.--The Negro's Confidence in -God. - - -The Northern regiments stationed at the South, or doing duty in that -section, had met with so many reverses on the field of battle, and had -been so inhumanly treated by the rebels, both men and women, that the -new policy announced by Adjutant-Gen. Thomas, at Lake Providence and -other places, was received with great favor, especially when the white -soldiers heard from their immediate commanders, that the freedmen, when -enlisted, would be employed in doing fatigue-duty, when not otherwise -needed. The slave, regarding the use of the musket as the only means of -securing his freedom permanently, sought the nearest place of enlistment -with the greatest speed. - -The appointment of men from the ranks of the white regiments over the -blacks caused the former to feel still more interest in the new levies. -The position taken by Major-Gen. Hunter, in South Carolina, and his -favorable reports of the capability of the freedmen for military -service, and the promptness with which that distinguished scholar and -Christian gentleman, Thomas Wentworth Higginson, accepted the colonelcy -of the First South Carolina, made the commanding of negro regiments -respectable, and caused a wish on the part of white volunteers to seek -commissions over the blacks. - -The new regiments filled up rapidly; the recruits adapted themselves to -their new condition with a zeal that astonished even their friends; -and their proficiency in the handling of arms, with only a few days' -training, set the minds of their officers at rest with regard to their -future action. The following testimonial from Gen. Hunter is not without -interest:-- - -"Headquarters Department of the South, - -"Hilton Head, Port Royal, S.C., May 4, 1863. - -_"To His Excellency the Governor of Massachusetts, Boston, Mass._ - -"I am happy to be able to announce to you my complete and eminent -satisfaction with the results of the organization of negro regiments in -this department. In the field, so far as tried, they have proved brave, -active, enduring, and energetic, frequently outrunning, by their zeal, -and familiarity with the Southern country, the restrictions deemed -prudent by certain of their officers. They have never disgraced their -uniform by pillage or cruelty, but have so conducted themselves, upon -the whole, that even our enemies, though more anxious to find fault with -these than with any other portion of our troops, have not yet been -able to allege against them a single violation of any of the rules of -civilized warfare. - -"These regiments are hardy, generous, temperate, patient, strictly -obedient, possessing great natural aptitude for arms, and deeply imbued -with that religious sentiment--call it fanaticism, such as like--which -made the soldiers of Cromwell invincible. They believe that now is -the time appointed by God for their deliverance; and, under the heroic -incitement of this faith, I believe them capable of showing a courage, -and persistency of purpose, which must, in the end, extort both victory -and admiration. - -"In this connection, I am also happy to announce to you that the -prejudices of certain of our white soldiers and officers against these -indispensable allies are rapidly softening, or fading out; and that we -have now opening before us in this department, which was the first -in the present war to inaugurate the experiment of employing colored -troops, large opportunities of putting them to distinguished and -profitable use. - -"With a brigade of liberated slaves already in the field, a few more -regiments of intelligent colored men from the North would soon place -this force in a condition to make extensive incursions upon the main -land, through the most densely populated slave regions; and, from -expeditions of this character, I make no doubt the most beneficial -results would arise. - -"I have the honor to be, Governor, - -"Very respectfully, - -"Your most obedient servant, - -"D. HUNTER, - -"_Major-Gen. Commanding."_ - -Reports from all parts of the South gave corroborative evidence of the -deep religious zeal with which the blacks entered the army. Every thing -was done for "God and liberty." - -Col. T. W. Higginson, in "The Atlantic Monthly," gives the following -prayer, which he heard from one of his contraband soldiers:-- - -Let me so lib dat when I-die I shall _hab manners_; dat I shall know -what to say when I see my heabenly Lord. - -"'Let me lib wid de musket in one hand, an' de Bible in de oder--dat if -I die at de muzzle of de musket, die in de water, die on de land, I may -know I hab de bressed Jesus in my hand, an' hab no fear. - -"'I hab lef my wife in de land o' bondage; my little ones dey say eb'ry -night, "Whar is my fader?" But when I die, when de bressed mornin' -rises, when I shall stan' in de glory, wid one foot on de water an' one -foot on de land, den, O Lord! I shall see my wife an' my little chil'en -once more.'" - -"These sentences I noted down, as best I could, beside the glimmering -camp-fire last night. The same person was the hero of a singular little -_contre-temps_ at a funeral in the afternoon. It was our first funeral. -The man had died in hospital, and we had chosen a picturesque burial -place above the river, near the old church, and beside a little nameless -cemetery, used by generations of slaves. It was a regular military -funeral, the coffin being draped with the American flag, the escort -marching behind, and three volleys fired over the grave. During the -services, there was singing, the chaplain deaconing out the hymn in -their favorite way. This ended, he announced his text: 'This poor -man cried, and the Lord heard him, and delivered him out of all his -trouble.' Instantly, to my great amazement, the cracked voice of the -chorister was uplifted, intoning the text, as if it were the first verse -of another hymn. So calmly was it done, so imperturbable were all the -black countenances that I half began to conjecture that the chaplain -himself intended it for a hymn, though I could imagine no prospective -rhyme for _trouble_, unless it were approximated by _debbil_; which is, -indeed, a favorite reference, both with the men and with his reverence. -But the chaplain, peacefully awaiting, gently repeated his text after -the chant, and to my great relief the old chorister waived all further -recitative, and let the funeral discourse proceed. - -"Their memories are a vast bewildered chaos of Jewish history and -biography; and most of the great events of the past, down to the period -of the American Revolution, they instinctively attribute to Moses. -There is a fine bold confidence in all their citations, however, and the -record never loses piquancy in their hands, though strict accuracy may -suffer. Thus one of my captains, last Sunday, heard a colored exhorter -at Beaufort proclaim, 'Paul may plant, _and may polish wid water_, but -it won't do,' in which the sainted Apollos would hardly have recognized -himself. - -"A correspondent of the Burlington "Free Press" gives an account of a -Freedmen's meeting at Belle Plain, Va. "Some of the negro prayers and -exhortations were very simple and touching. One said in his prayer, 'O -Lord! we's glad for de hour when our sins nailed us to de foot of de -cross, and de bressed Lord Jesus put his soft arm around us, and tole us -dat we's his chilien: we's glad we's sinners, so dat we can be saved by -his grace.' Another thus earnestly prayed for the army of freedom: - -"'O Lord! bress de Union army; be thou their bulwarks and ditches. O -Lord! as thou didst hear our prayer when we's down in de Souf country, -as we held de plow and de hoe in the hot sun, so hear our prayer at dis -time for de Union army. Guard'em on de right, and on de lef,' and in -de rear: don't lef' 'em 'lone, though they's mighty wicked.' Another (a -young man) thus energetically desired the overthrow of Satan's empire: -'O Lord! if you please, sir, won't you come forth out of de heaven, and -take ride 'round about hell, and give it a mighty shake till de walls -fall down.' - -"A venerable exhorter got the story of the Prodigal Son slightly mixed, -but not so as to damage the effect at all. He said, 'He rose up and went -to his fader's house. And I propose he was ragged. And I propose de road -dirty. But when his fader saw him coming over de hill, ragged and dirty, -he didn't say, "Dat ain't my son." He go and meet him. He throw his arms -round his neck and kiss; and, while he was hugging and kissing him, he -thought of dat robe in de wardroom, and he said, "Bring dat robe, and -put it on him." And when dey was a putting on de robe, he thought of de -ring, dat splendid ring! and he said, "My son, dat was dead and is alive -again, he like dat ring, cos it shine so." And he made dem bring de -ring and put it on his hand; and he put shoes on his feet, and killed de -fatted calf. And here, my friends, see defection of de prodigal for his -son. But, my bredren, you are a great deal better off dan de prodigal's -son. For he hadn't no gemmen of a different color to come and tell him -dat his fader was glad to hab him come home again. But dese handmaid -bredren has kindly come dis evening to tell us dat our heabenly Father -wants us to come back now. He's ready to gib us de robe and de ring. -De bressed Lord Jesus stands leaning over de bannisters of heaven, and -reaching down his arms to take us up. O my friends! I ask you dis night -to repent. If you lose your soul, you'll never get anoder. I tell you -all, if you don't repent you're goin' straight to hell; and in de -last day, when de Lord say to you, "Depart from me, ye cursed, into -everlastin' fire," if you're 'onorable, you'll own up, and say it's -right. O my friends.! I tell you de truth: it's de best way to come to -de Lord Jesus dis night.'". - -Regiment after regiment of blacks were mustered into the United-States -service, in all the rebel States, and were put on duty at once, and were -sooner or later called to take part in battle. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII.--BATTLE OF MILLINERS BEND. - - -_Contraband Regiments; their Bravery; the Surprise.--Hand to hand -Fight.--"No Quarters."--Negroes rather die than surrender.--The Gunboat -and her dreadful Havoc with the Enemy._ - - -On the 7th of June, 1863, the first regular battle was fought between -the blacks and whites in the valley of the Mississippi. The planters had -boasted, that, should they meet their former slaves, a single look from -them would cause the negroes to throw down their weapons, and run. Many -Northern men, especially copperheads, professed to believe that such -would be the case. Therefore, all eyes were turned to the far off South, -the cotton, sugar, and rice-growing States, to see how the blacks -would behave on the field of battle; for it is well known that the most -ignorant of the slave population belonged in that section. - -The following account of the fight is from an eye witness:-- - -"My informant states that a force of about five hundred negroes, and two -hundred men of the Twenty-third Iowa, belonging to the second brigade, -Carr's division (the Twenty-third Iowa had been up the river with -prisoners, and was on its way back to this place), was surprised in camp -by a rebel force of about two thousand men. The first intimation that -the commanding officer received was from one of the black men, who went -into the colonel's tent, and said, 'Massa, the secesh are in camp." -The colonel ordered him to have the men load their guns at once. He -instantly replied, "We have done did dat now, massa." Before the colonel -was ready, the men were in line, ready for action. As before stated, -the rebels drove our force towards the gunboats, taking colored men -prisoners and murdering them. This so enraged them that they rallied, -and charged the enemy more heroically and desperately than has been -recorded during the war. It was a genuine bayonet-charge, a hand-to-hand -fight, that has never occurred to any extent during this prolonged -conflict. Upon both sides men were killed with the butts of muskets. -White and black men were lying side by side, pierced by bayonets, and -in some instances transfixed to the earth. In one instance, two men--one -white and the other black--were found dead, side by side, each having -the other's bayonet through his body. If facts prove to be what they are -now represented, this engagement of Sunday morning will be recorded as -the most desperate of this war. Broken limbs, broken heads, the mangling -of bodies, all prove that it was a contest between enraged men: on -the one side, from hatred to a race; and, on the other, desire for -self-preservation, revenge for past grievances, and the inhuman murder -of their comrades. One brave man took his former master prisoner, -and brought him into camp with great gusto. A rebel prisoner made a -particular request, that _his own_ negroes should not be placed over him -as a guard. - -Capt. M. M. Miller, of Galena, III., who commanded a company in the -Ninth Louisiana (colored) Regiment, in a letter, gives the following -account of the battle:-- - -"We were attacked here on June 7, about three o'clock in the morning, by -a brigade of Texas troops, about two thousand five hundred in number. -We had about six hundred men to withstand them, five hundred of them -negroes. I commanded Company I, Ninth Louisiana. We went into the fight -with thirty-three men. I had sixteen killed, eleven badly wounded, and -four slightly. I was wounded slightly on the head, near the right eye, -with a bayonet, and had a bayonet run through my right hand, near the -forefinger; that will account for this miserable style of penmanship. - -"Our regiment had about three hundred men in the fight. We had one -colonel wounded, four captains wounded, two first and two second -lieutenants killed, five lieutenants wounded, and three white orderlies -killed, and one wounded in the hand, and two fingers taken off. The list -of killed and wounded officers comprised nearly all the officers present -with the regiment, a majority of the rest being absent recruiting. - -"We had about fifty men killed in the regiment and eighty wounded; so -you can judge of what part of the fight my company sustained. I never -felt more grieved and sick at heart, than when I saw how my brave -soldiers had been slaughtered,--one with six wounds, all the rest with -two or three, none less than two wounds. Two of my colored sergeants -were killed: both brave, noble men, always prompt, vigilant, and ready -for the fray. I never more wish to hear the expression, 'The niggers -won't fight.' Come with me, a hundred yards from where I sit, and I can -show you the wounds that cover the bodies of sixteen as brave, loyal, -and patriotic soldiers as ever drew bead on a rebel. - -"The enemy charged us so close that we fought with our bayonets, hand to -hand. I have six broken bayonets to show how bravely my men fought. -The Twenty-third Iowa joined my company on the right; and I declare -truthfully that they had all fled before our regiment fell back, as we -were all compelled to do. - -"Under command of Col. Page, I led the Ninth and Eleventh Louisiana when -the rifle-pits were retaken and held by our troops, our two regiments -doing the work. - -"I narrowly escaped death once. A rebel took deliberate aim at me with -both barrels of his gun; and the bullets passed so close to me that the -powder that remained on them burnt my cheek. Three of my men, who saw -him aim and fire, thought that he wounded me each fire. One of them -was killed by my side, and he fell on me, covering my clothes with his -blood; and, before the rebel could fire again, I blew his brains out -with my gun. - -"It was a horrible fight, the worst I was ever engaged in,--not even -excepting Shiloh. The enemy cried, 'No quarter!' but some of them were -very glad to take it when made prisoners. - -"Col. Allen, of the Sixteenth Texas, was killed in front of our -regiment, and Brig.-Gen. Walker was wounded. We killed about one hundred -and eighty of the enemy. The gunboat "Choctaw" did good service shelling -them. I stood on the breastworks after we took them, and gave the -elevations and direction for the gunboat by pointing my sword; and they -sent a shell right into their midst, which sent them in all directions. -Three shells fell there, and sixty-two rebels lay there when the fight -was over. - -"My wound is not serious but troublesome. What few men I have left seem -to think much of me, because I stood up with them in the fight. I can -say for them that I never saw a braver company of men in my life. - -"Not one of them offered to leave his place until ordered to fall back. -I went down to the hospital, three miles, to-day to see the wounded. -Nine of them were there, two having died of their wounds. A boy I had -cooking for me came and bogged a gun when the rebels were advancing, and -took his place with the company; and, when we retook the breastworks, I -found him badly wounded, with one gun-shot and two bayonet wounds. A new -recruit I had issued a gun to the day before the fight was found dead, -with a firm grasp on his gun, the bayonet of which was broken in three -pieces. So they fought and died, defending the cause that we revere. -They met death coolly, bravely: not rashly did they expose themselves, -but all were steady and obedient to orders." - -This battle satisfied the slave-masters of the South that their charm -was gone, and that the negro, as a slave, was lost forever. Yet there -was one fact connected with the battle of Milliken's Bend which -will descend to posterity, as testimony against the humanity of -slave-holders; and that is, that no negro was ever found alive that was -taken a prisoner by the rebels in this fight. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX--RAISING BLACK REGIMENTS AT THE NORTH. - - -_Prejudices at the North.--Black Laws of Illinois and -Indiana.--Ill-treatment of Negroes.--The Blacks forget their Wrongs, and -come to the Rescue._ - - -In the struggle between the Federal Government and the rebels, the -colored men asked the question, "Why should we fight?" The question was -a legitimate one, at least for those residing in the Northern States, -and especially in those States where there were any considerable number -of colored people. In every State north of Mason and Dixon's Line, -except Massachusetts and Rhode Island, which attempted to raise a -regiment of colored men, the blacks are disfranchised, excluded from the -jury-box, and in most of them from the public schools. The iron hand -of prejudice in the Northern States is as circumscribing and unyielding -upon him as the manacles that fettered the slave of the South. - -Now, these are facts, deny it who will. The negro has little to hope -from Northern sympathy or legislation. Any attempt to engraft upon -the organic law of the States provisions extending to the colored man -political privileges is overwhelmingly defeated by the people. It makes -no difference that here is a pen, and there a voice, raised in his -behalf: the general verdict is against him; and its repetition in any -case where it is demanded shows that it is inexorable. We talk a great -deal about the vice of slavery, and the cruelty of denying to our -fellowmen their personal freedom and a due reward of labor; but we are -very careful not to concede the corollary, that the sin of withholding -that freedom is not vastly greater than withholding the rights to which -he who enjoys it is entitled. - -When the war broke out, it was the boast of the Administration that the -status of the negro was not to be changed in the rebel States. President -Lincoln, in his inaugural address, took particular pains to commit -himself against any interference with the condition of the blacks. - -When the Rebellion commenced, and the call was made upon the country, -the colored men were excluded. In some of the Western States into which -slaves went when escaping from their rebel masters, in the first and -second years of the war, the black-laws were enforced to drive them -out. Read what "The Daily Alton Democrat" said for Illinois, in the year -1862:-- - -"_Notice to the 'Free Negroes.'_--I hereby give public notice to all -free negroes who have arrived here from a foreign State within the -past two months, or may hereafter come into the city of Alton with the -intention of being residents thereof, that they are allowed the space of -thirty days to remove; and, upon failure to leave the city, will, -after that period, be proceeded against by the undersigned, as by -law directed. The penalty is a heavy fine, to liquidate which the -law-officer is compelled to offer all free negroes arrested at public -auction, unless the fine and all costs of suit are promptly paid. I hope -the city authorities will be spared the _necessity_ of putting the -above law _in execution_. All railroad companies and steamboats are also -forbidden to land free negroes within the city under the penalty of -the law. No _additional_ notice will be given. Suits will positively be -instituted against all offenders. - -"JAMES W. DAVIS, - -"May 27, 1862." - -"_Prosecuting Attorney Alton-City Court._" - -The authorities of the State of Indiana also got on the track of the -contrabands from the rebel States; and the old black-laws were put forth -as follows:-- - -"Any person who shall employ a negro or mulatto who shall have come into -the State of Indiana subsequent to the thirty-first day of October, in -the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, or shall hereafter -come into said State, or who shall encourage such negro or mulatto -to remain in the State, shall be fined in any sum not less than ten -dollars, nor more than five hundred dollars." - -The following will show how Illinois treated the colored people, even -after the proclamation of freedom was put forth by President Lincoln. - -"The Whiteside (Ill.) Sentinel" says the following official notice -is posted in the post-office and other public places in the city of -Carthage, Hancock County, Ill. It is a practical exemplication of the -Illinois "black-laws." The notice reads as follows:-- - -"_Public Sale_.--Whereas, The following negroes and one mulatto man -were, on the fifth and sixth days of February, 1863, tried before the -undersigned, a Justice of the Peace within and for Hancock County, Ill., -on a charge of high misdemeanor, having come into this State and county, -and remaining therein for ten days and more, with the evident intention -of residing in this State, and were found guilty by a jury, and were -each severally fined in the sum of fifty dollars, and the judgment was -rendered against said negroes and mulatto man for fifty dollars' fine -each, and costs of suit, which fines and costs are annexed opposite to -each name, to wit:-- - - Age. Fine. Costs. - - John, a negro man, tall and slim, about. 35 $50 $33.17 - - Sambo, a negro man, about 21 50 32.17 - - Austin, a negro man, heavy set, about 20 50 30.10 - - Andrew, a negro man, about 50 30 33.00 - - Amos, a negro man, about 40 50 29.67 - - Nelson, a mulatto man, about 55 50 30.07 - - -"And whereas. Said fines and costs have not been paid, notice is -therefore given that the undersigned will, on Thursday, the nineteenth -day of February, A.D. 1863, between the hours of one and five o'clock, -p.m., of said day, at the west end of the Court House, in Carthage, -Hancock County, 111., sell each of said negro men, John, Austin, Sambo, -Andrew, Amos, and said mulatto man, Nelson, at public auction, to the -person or persons who will pay the said fine and costs appended against -each respectively for the shortest time of service of said negroes and -mulatto. - -"The purchaser or purchasers will be entitled to the control and -services of the negroes and mulatto purchased for the period named in -the sale, and no longer, and will be required to furnish said negroes -and mulatto with comfortable food, clothing, and lodging during said -servitude. The fees for selling will be added on completion of the sale. - -"_C. M. CHILD, J.P_. - -"Carthage, Feb. 9, 1863." - -It will be seen that these odious laws were rigidly enforced. With what -grace could the authorities in those States ask the negro to fight? Yet -they called upon him; and he, forgetting the wrongs of the past, and -demanding no pledge for better treatment, left family, home, and every -thing dear, enlisted, and went forth to battle. And even Connecticut, -with her proscription of the negro, called on him to fight. How -humiliating it must have been! And yet Connecticut, after appealing to -black men, and receiving their aid in fighting her battles, retains -her negro "black-laws" upon her statute-book by a vote of more than six -thousand. - - - - -CHAPTER XX.--FIFTY-FOURTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. - - -_Its Organization.--Its Appearance.--Col. Shaw.--Presentation of -Colors.--Its Dress-Parade.--Its Departure from Boston._ - - -The Fifty-fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry was -called into the service of the United States by the President, under an -act of Congress, passed July 21, 1861, entitled "An Act to authorize the -Employment of Volunteers to aid in enforcing the Laws and protecting' -Public Property." Recruiting began Feb. 9, 1863, in Boston. A camp of -rendezvous was opened at "Camp Meigs," Readville, Mass., on the 21st of -February, with a squad of twenty-seven men; and, by the end of March, -five companies were recruited, comprising four hundred and fourteen -men. This number was doubled during April; and, on the 12th of May, the -regiment was full. - -Orders being received for it to proceed to the Department of the South, -the regiment broke camp on the 28th of May, and took cars for Boston. -After passing through the principal streets, and reaching the Common, -they prepared to receive the colors which were to be presented by the -Governor. - -The regiment was formed in a hollow square, the distinguished persons -present occupying the centre. The flags were four in number, comprising -a national flag, presented by young colored ladies of Boston; a national -ensign, presented by the "Colored Ladies' Relief Society;" an emblematic -banner, presented by ladies and gentlemen of Boston, friends of the -regiment; and a flag presented by relatives and friends of the late -Lieut. Putnam. The emblematic banner was of white silk, handsomely -embroidered, having on one side a figure of the Goddess of Justice, with -the words, "Liberty, Loyalty, and Unity," around it. The fourth flag -bore a cross with a blue field, surmounted with the motto, "_In hoc -signo vinces._" All were of the finest texture and workmanship. - -Prayer having been offered by the Rev. Mr. Grimes, Gov. Andrew presented -the various flags, with the following speech:-- - - -PRESENTATION SPEECH OF GOV. ANDREW. - -"Col. Shaw,--As the official representative of the Commonwealth, and by -favor of various ladies and gentlemen, citizens of the Commonwealth, and -friends of the Fifty-fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, I -have the honor and the satisfaction of being permitted to join you this -morning for the purpose of presenting to your regiment the national -flag, the State colors of Massachusetts, and the emblematic banner which -the cordial, generous, and patriotic friendship of its patrons has seen -fit to present to you. - -"Two years of experience in all the trials and vicissitudes of war, -attended with the repeated exhibition of Massachusetts regiments -marching from home to the scenes of strife, have left little to be said -or suggested which could give the interest of novelty to an occasion -like this. But, Mr. Commander, one circumstance pertaining to the -composition of the Fifty-fourth Regiment, exceptional in its character -when compared with any thing we have seen before, gives to this hour -an interest and importance, solemn and yet grand, because the occasion -marks an era in the history of the war, of the Commonwealth, of the -country, and of humanity. I need not dwell upon the fact that the -enlisted men constituting the rank and file of the Fifty-fourth Regiment -of Massachusetts Volunteers are drawn from a race not hitherto connected -with the fortunes of the war. And yet I cannot forbear to allude to the -circumstance, because I can but contemplate it for a brief moment, since -it is uppermost in your thoughts, and since this regiment, which for -many months has been the desire of my own heart, is present now before -this vast assembly of friendly citizens of Massachusetts, prepared to -vindicate by its future, as it has already begun to do by its brief -history of camp-life here, to vindicate in its own person and in the -presence, I trust, of all who belong to it, the character, the manly -character, the zeal, the manly zeal, of the colored citizens of -Massachusetts and of those other States which have cast their lot with -ours. (Applause.) - -"I owe to you, Mr. Commander, and to the officers who, associated with -you, have assisted in the formation of this noble corps, composed of men -selected from among their fellows for fine qualities of manhood,--I owe -to you, sir, and to those of your associates who united with me in the -original organization of this body, the heartiest and most emphatic -expression of my cordial thanks. I shall follow you, Mr. Commander, your -officers, and your men, with a friendly and personal solicitude, to say -nothing of official care, which can hardly be said of any other corps -which has marched from Massachusetts. My own personal honor, if I -have any, is identified with yours. I stand or fall, as a man and a -magistrate, with the rise or fall in the history of the Fifty-fourth -Massachusetts Regiment. (Applause.) I pledge not only in behalf of -myself, but of all those whom I have the honor to represent to-day, the -utmost generosity, the utmost kindness, the utmost devotion of hearty -love, not only for the cause, but for you that represent it. We will -follow your fortunes in the camp and in the field with the anxious eyes -of brethren and the proud hearts of citizens. - -"To those men of Massachusetts, and of surrounding States who have now -made themselves citizens of Massachusetts, I have no word to utter fit -to express the emotions of my heart. These men, sir, have now, in the -Providence of God, given to them an opportunity which, while it is -personal to themselves, is still an opportunity for a whole race of men. -(Applause.) With arms possessed of might to strike a blow, they have -found breathed into their hearts an inspiration of devoted patriotism, -and regard for their brethren of their own color, which has inspired -them with a purpose to nerve that arm, that it may strike a blow -which, while it shall help to raise aloft their country's flag--_their_ -country's flag, now as well as ours--by striking down the foes which -oppose it, strikes also the last blow, I trust, needful to rend the -last shackle which binds the limb of the bondman in the rebel States. -(Applause.) - -"I know not, Mr. Commander, when, in all human history, to any given -thousand men in arms there has been given a work so proud, so precious, -so full of hope and glory, as the work committed to you. (Applause.) And -may the infinite mercy of Almighty God attend you every hour of every -day, through all the experiences and vicissitude of that dangerous life -in which you have embarked! may the God of our fathers cover your heads -in the day of battle! may he shield you with the arms of everlasting -power! may he hold you always most of all, first of all, and last of -all, up to the highest and holiest conception of duty; so that if, on -the field of stricken fight, your souls shall be delivered from the -thraldom of the flesh, your spirits shall go home to God, bearing aloft -the exulting thought of duty well performed, of glory and reward won -even at the hands of the angels who shall watch over you from above! - -"Mr. Commander, you, sir, and most of your officers, have been carefully -selected from among the most intelligent and experienced officers who -have already performed illustrious service upon the field during the -last two years of our national conflict. I need not say, sir, with how -much confidence and with how much pride we contemplate the leadership -which we know this regiment will receive at your hands. In yourself, -sir, your staff and line officers, we are enabled to declare a -confidence which knows no hesitation and no doubt. Whatever fortune may -betide you, we know from the past that all will be done for the honor of -the cause, for the protection of the flag, for the defence of the right, -for the glory of your country, and for the safety and the honor of these -men whom we commit to you, that shall lie either in the human heart or -brain or arm. (Applause.) - -"And now, Mr. Commander, it is my most agreeable duty and high honor -to hand to you, as the representative of the Fifty-fourth Regiment of -Massachusetts Volunteers, the American flag, the star-spangled banner -of the Republic. Wherever its folds shall be unfurled, it will mark -the path of glory. Let its stars be the inspiration of yourselves, your -officers, and your men. As the gift of the young ladies of the city -of Boston to their brethren in arms, they will cherish it as the lover -cherishes the recollection and fondness of his mistress; and the white -stripes of its field will be red with their blood before it shall be -surrendered to the foe. (Applause.) - -"I have also the honor, Mr. Commander, to present to you the State -colors of Massachusetts,--the State colors of the old Bay State, borne -already by fifty-three regiments of Massachusetts soldiers, white men -thus far, now to be borne by the Fifty-fourth Regiment of soldiers, -not less of Massachusetts than the others. Whatever maybe said, Mr. -Commander, of any other flag which has ever kissed the sunlight, or been -borne on any field, I have the pride and honor to be able to declare -before you, your regiment, and these witnesses, that, from the -beginning up till now, the State colors of Massachusetts have never -been surrendered to any foe. (Cheers.) The Fifty-fourth now holds in -possession this sacred charge in the performance of their duties as -citizen-soldiers. You will never part with that flag so long as a -splinter of the staff, or a thread of its web, remains within your -grasp. (Applause.) The State colors are presented to the Fifty-fourth by -the Relief Society, composed of colored ladies of Boston. - -"And now let me commit to you this splendid emblematic banner. It -is prepared for your acceptance by a large and patriotic committee, -representing many others beside ladies and gentlemen of Boston, to whose -hearty sympathy, and powerful co-operation and aid, much of the success -which has hitherto attended the organization of this regiment is due. -The Goddess of Liberty, erect in beautiful guise and form (liberty, -loyalty, and unity are the emblems it bears),--the Goddess of Liberty -shall be the lady-love whose fair presence shall inspire your hearts; -liberty, loyalty, unity, the watchwords in the fight. - -"And now, Mr. Commander, the sacred, holy cross, representing passion, -the highest heroism, I scarcely dare to trust myself to present to you. -It is the emblem of Christianity. I have parted with the emblems of -the State, of the nation,--heroic, patriotic emblems they are, dear, -inexpressibly dear, to all our hearts; but now, _In hoc signo vinces_, -the cross which represents the passion of our Lord, I dare to pass into -your soldier hands; for we are fighting now a battle not merely for -country, not merely for humanity, not only for civilization, but for the -religion of our Lord itself. When this cause shall ultimately fall, if -ever failure at the last shall be possible, it will only fail when the -last patriot, the last philanthropist, and the last Christian shall -have tasted death, and left no descendants behind them upon the soil of -Massachusetts. (Applause.) - -"This flag, Mr. Commander, has connected with its history the most -touching and sacred memory. It comes to your regiment from the mother, -sister, friends, family relatives, of one of the dearest and noblest -soldier-boys of Massachusetts. I need not utter the name of Lieut. -Putnam in order to excite in every heart the tenderest emotions of fond -regard, or the strongest feeling of patriotic fire. May you, sir, and -these, follow not only on the field of battle, but in all the walks and -ways of life, in camp, and hereafter, when, on returning peace, you -shall resume the more quiet and peaceful duties of citizens,--may you -but follow the splendid example, the sweet devotion mingled with manly, -heroic character, of which the life, character, and death of Lieut. -Putnam was one example! How many more there are we know not: the record -is not yet complete; but, oh! how many there are of these Massachusetts -sons, who, like him, have tasted death for this immortal cause! Inspired -by such examples, fired by the heat and light of love and faith which -illumined and warmed these heroic and noble hearts, may you, sir, and -these, march on to glory, to victory, and to every honor! This flag I -present to you, Mr. Commander, and your regiment. _In hoc signo vinces_ - - -RESPONSE OF COL. SHAW. - -"_Your Excellency_,--We accept these flags with feelings of deep -gratitude. They will remind us not only of the cause we are fighting -for, and of our country, but of the friends we have left behind us, who -have thus far taken so much interest in this regiment, and who, we know, -will follow us in our career. Though the greater number of men in this -regiment are not Massachusetts men, I know there is not one who will not -be proud to fight and serve under our flag. May we have an opportunity -to show that you have not made a mistake in intrusting the honor of the -State to a colored regiment!--the first State that has sent one to the -war. - -"I am very glad to have this opportunity to thank the officers and men -of the regiment for their untiring fidelity and devotion to their work -from the very beginning. They have shown that sense of the importance of -our undertaking, without which we should hardly have attained our end. -(Applause)" - -At the conclusion of Col. Shaw's remarks, the colors were borne to their -place in the line by the guard, and the regiment was reviewed by the -Governor. Thence they marched out of the Common, down Tremont Street, -down Court Street, by the Court House, chained hardly a decade ago to -save slavery and the Union. Thence down State Street, trampling on -the very pavement over which Sims and Burns marched to their fate, -encompassed by soldiers of the United States. - -"Their sisters, sweethearts, and wives"--a familiar quotation in the -notices of previous departing regiments, but looking a little odd -in this new place--ran along beside "the boys," giving their parting -benediction of smiles and tears, telling them to be brave, and to show -their blood. - -They marched in good time, and wheeled with a readiness which showed -that they had a clear idea of what was required, and only needed a -little more practice to equal the best regiments that left the State. - -The regiment marched down State Street at a quarter past twelve o'clock -to the tune of "John Brown," and was vociferously cheered by the vast -crowds that covered the sidewalks and filled the windows. Nowhere was -the reception of the regiment more hearty. - -All attempts to express the feeling of the crowd or the soldiers seem to -read stale and flat. Yet, as Goldsmith said that the weakest jokes were -received as wit by the circle of the happy vicar, so these attempts -were treated as successes by the happy crowd. One man said it was a -verification of Shakspeare:-- - - "Know you not _Pompey?_ - - You have climbed up to the walls and battlements - - To see _Great Pompey_ pass the streets of Rome." - -One fact should be chronicled. Their regimental banner, of superb white -silk had on one side the coat-of-anns of Massachusetts, and on the other -a golden cross on a golden star, with _In hoc Signo Vinces_ beneath. -_This is the first Christian banner that has gone into our war_. By a -strange, and yet not strange, providence, God has made this despised -race the bearers of his standard. They are thus the real leaders of the -nation. - -On reaching the wharf at a quarter before one, every thing had been -placed on board through the efforts of Capt. McKim; the guns were placed -in boxes, the horses put aboard, and the men began to embark. At four -o'clock, the vessel steamed down the harbor, bound for Port Royal, S.C. - - -THE COMPLETE ROSTER OF THE REGIMENT. - -Colonel.--Robert G. Shaw. - -Lieut.-Colonel.--Norwood P. Hallowell. - -Major.--Edward N. Hallowed. - -Surgeon.--Lincoln R. Stone. - -Assistant Surgeon.--C. B. Brigham. - -Captains.--Alfred S. Hartwell, David A. Partridge, Samuel Willard, John -W. M. Appleton, Watson W. Bridge, George Pope, William II. Simpkins, -Cabot J. Russell, Edward L. Jones, and Louis F. Emilo. - -1st. Lieutenants.--John Ritchie, Garth W. James, William H. Hemans, Grin -E. Smith, Erik Wulff, Walter H. Wild, Francis L. Higginson, James M. -Walton, James M. Grace, R. K. L. Jewett. - -2d Lieutenants.--Thomas L. Appleton, Benjamin F. Dexter, J. Albert -Pratt, Charles F. Smith, Henry W. Littlefield, William Nutt, David Reid, -Charles E. Tucker, and William Howard. - -Many of the men in the Fifty-Fourth had once been slaves at the South; -some had enjoyed freedom for years; others had escaped after the -breaking out of the Rebellion. Most of them had relatives still there, -and had a double object in joining the regiment. They were willing to -risk their lives for the freedom of those left behind; and, if they -failed in that, they might, at least, have an opportunity of settling -with the "ole boss" for a long score of cruelty. - - "From many a Southern field they trembling came, - - Fled from the lash, the fetter, and the chain"; - - Return they now, not at base Slavery's claim, - - To meet the oppressor on the battle-plain." - -"The following song was written by a private in Company A, Fifty-Fourth -(colored) Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers, and has been sent to us -for publication by a friend of the regiment."--Boston Transcript. - - "Air.--'Hoist up the Flag.' - - "Fremont told them, when the war it first begun, - - How to save the Union, and the way it should be done; - - But Kentucky swore so hard, and old Abe he had his fears, - - Till every hope was lost but the colored volunteers. - - - Chorus.--Oh! give us a flag all free without a slave, - - We'll fight to defend it as our fathers did so brave: - - The gallant Comp'ny A will make the rebels dance; - - And we'll stand by the Union, if we only have a chance. - - - McClellan went to Richmond with two hundred thousand brave: - - He said, 'keep back the niggers,' and the Union he would save. - - Little Mac he had his way, still the Union is in tears: - - Now they call for the help of the colored volunteers. - - Chor.--Oh! give us a flag, &c. - - - Old Jeff says he'll hang us if we dare to meet him armed: - - A very big thing, but we are not at all alarmed; - - For he first has got to catch us before the way is clear, - - And 'that's what's the matter' with the colored volunteer. - - Chor.--Oh! give us a flag, &c. - - - So rally, boys, rally, let us never mind the past: - - We had a hard road to travel, but our day is coming fast; - - For God is for the right, and we have no need to fear: - - The Union must be saved by the colored volunteer. - - Chor.--Oh! give us a flag, &c." - - - - -CHAPTER XXI--BLACKS UNDER FIRE IN SOUTH CAROLINA. - - -_Expedition up the St. Mary's River.--The Negroes Long for a -Fight.--Their Gallantry in Battle._ - - -The Department of the South, under Major-Gen. Hunter, was the first in -which the negro held the musket. By consent of the commanding-general, I -give the following interesting report from Col. T. W. Higginson:-- - -"On Board Steamer 'Rex Deford,' Sunday, Feb. 1, 1863. - -"_Brig-Gen. Saxton, Military Governor, &c_. - -"_General_,--I have the honor to report the safe return of the -expedition under my command, consisting of four hundred and sixty-two -officers and men of the First Regiment of South-Carolina Volunteers, who -left Beaufort on Jan. 23, on board the steamers: John Adams,' 'Planter,' -and 'Ben Deford.' - -"The expedition has carried the regimental flag and the President's -proclamation far into the interior of Georgia and Florida. The men -have been repeatedly under fire; have had infantry, cavalry, and even -artillery, arrayed against them; and have, in every instance, come -off, not only with unblemished honor, but with undisputed triumph. At -Township, Fla., a detachment of the expedition fought a cavalry company -which met us unexpectedly, on a midnight march through pine woods, and -which completely surrounded us. They were beaten off with a loss on -our part of one man killed and seven wounded; while the opposing party -admits twelve men killed (including Lieut. Jones, in command of the -company), besides many wounded. So complete was our victory, that the -enemy scattered, hid in the woods all night, not returning to his camp, -which was five miles distant, until noon next day; a fact which was -unfortunately unknown until too late to follow up our advantage. Had I -listened to the urgent appeals of my men, and pressed the flying enemy, -we could have destroyed his camp; but, in view of the darkness, his -uncertain numbers and swifter motions, with your injunctions of caution, -I judged it better to rest satisfied with the victory already gained. - -"On another occasion, a detachment of about two hundred and fifty men, -on board the 'John Adams,' fought its way forty miles up and down a -river, the most dangerous in the department,--the St. Mary's; a river -left untraversed by our gunboats for many months, as it required a boat -built like the 'John Adams' to ascend it successfully. The stream is -narrow, swift, winding, and bordered at many places with high bluffs, -which blazed with rifle-shots. With our glasses, as we approached these -points, we could see mounted men by the hundreds galloping through the -woods, from point to point, to await us; and, though fearful of our shot -and shell, they were so daring against musketry, that one rebel actually -sprang from the shore upon the large boat which was towed at our stern, -where he was shot down by one of my sergeants. We could see our shell -scatter the rebels as they fell among them, and some terrible execution -must have been done; but not a man of this regiment was killed or -wounded, though the steamer is covered with bullet-marks, one of which -shows where our brave Capt. Clifton, commander of the vessel, fell dead -beside his own pilot-house, shot through the brain by a Minie-ball. -Major Strong, who stood beside him, escaped as if by magic, both of -them being unnecessarily exposed without my knowledge. The secret of our -safety was in keeping the regiment below, except the gunners; but this -required the utmost energy of the officers, as the men were wild to -come on deck, and even implored to be landed on shore, and charge on the -enemy. Nobody knows any thing about these men who has not seen them in -battle. I find that I myself knew nothing. There is a fiery energy about -them beyond any thing of which I have ever read, unless it be the French -Zouaves. It requires the strictest discipline to hold them in hand. -During our first attack on the river, before I got them all penned -below, they crowded at the open ends of the steamer, loading and firing -with inconceivable rapidity, and shouting to each other, 'Never give it -up!' When collected into the hold, they actually fought each other for -places at the few port-holes from which they could fire on the enemy. - -"Meanwhile, the black gunners, admirably trained by Lieuts. Stockdale -and O'Neil (both being accomplished artillerists), and Mr. Heron, of the -gunboat, did their duty without the slightest protection, and with great -coolness, amid a storm of shot. - -"No officer in this regiment now doubts that the key to the successful -prosecution of this war lies in the unlimited employment of black -troops. Their superiority lies simply in the fact that they know the -country, which white troops do not; and, moreover, that they have -peculiarities of temperament, position, and motive, which belong to them -alone. Instead of leaving their homes and families to fight, they are -fighting for their homes and families; and they show the resolution and -sagacity which a personal purpose gives. It would have been madness -to attempt with the bravest white troops what I have successfully -accomplished with black ones. - -"Every thing, even to the piloting of the vessel, and the selection of -the proper points for cannonading, was done by my own soldiers; indeed, -the real conductor of the whole expedition at the St. Mary's was -Corporal Robert Sutton, of Company G, formerly a slave upon the St. -Mary's River; a man of extraordinary qualities, who needs nothing but a -knowledge of the alphabet to entitle him to the most signal promotion. -In every instance where I followed his advice, the predicted result -followed; and I never departed from it, however slightly, without having -reason for subsequent regret. - -"I have the honor to be, &c., - -"T. W. HIGGINSON, - -"_Col. Com. First Regiment South-Carolina Vols._" - - - - -CHAPTER XXII--FREEDMEN UNDER FIRE IN MISSISSIPPI. - - -_Bravery of the Freedmen.--Desperation of the Rebels.--Severe Battle. -Negroes Triumphant._ - - -While the people along the banks of the Mississippi, above New Orleans, -were discussing the question as to whether the negro would fight, if -attacked by white men, or not. Col. Daniels, of the Second Regiment -Louisiana Volunteers, gave one side of the subject considerable of a -"hist," on the 9th of April, 1863. His official report will speak for -itself. - -"Headquarters, Ship Island (Miss.), April 11, 1863. - -"_Brig.-Gen. Sherman, commanding Defences of New Orleans_. - -"_Sir_,--In compliance with instructions from your headquarters, to keep -you promptly informed of any movements that the enemy might be known -to be making up the Mississippi Sound, upon learning that repeated -demonstrations had been made in the direction of Pascagoula, by -Confederate troops ashore, and in armed boats along the coast; and, -furthermore, having reliable information that the greater part of the -forces at Mobile were being sent to re-enforce Charleston, I determined -to make a reconnoissance within the enemy's lines, at or near -Pascagoula, for the purpose of not only breaking up their -demonstrations, but of creating a diversion of the Mobile forces from -Charleston, and precipitating them along the Sound; and accordingly -embarked with a detachment of a hundred and eighty men of my command on -United-States Transport 'General Banks,' on the morning of the 9th of -April, 1863, and made for Pascagoula, Miss., where we arrived about nine -o'clock, a.m., landed, and took possession of wharf and hotel, hoisted -the stars and stripes upon the building, threw out pickets, and sent -small detachments in various directions to take possession of the place, -and hold the roads leading from the same. Immediately thereafter, a -force of over three hundred Confederate cavalry came down the Mobile -Road, drove in the pickets, and attacked the squad on the left, from -whom they received a warm reception. They then fell back in some -confusion, re-formed, and made a dash upon the detachment stationed -at the hotel, at which point they were again repulsed; Confederate -infantry, meanwhile, attacking my forces on the extreme left, and -forcing a small detachment to occupy a wharf, from which they poured -volley after volley into the enemy's ranks, killing and wounding many, -with a loss of one man only. The fight had now extended along the road -from the river to the wharf, the enemy being under cover of the houses -and forest; whilst my troops were, from the nature of the ground, -unavoidably exposed. The Confederates had placed their women and -children in front of their houses, for a cover, and even armed -their citizens, and forced them to fight against us. After an hour's -continuous skirmishing, the enemy retreated to the woods, and my forces -fell back to the hotel and wharf. Then the enemy sallied forth again, -with apparently increased numbers, attempting to surround the hotel, and -obtain possession of the wharf; but they were again repulsed, and driven -back to their cover,--the forest. It was here that Lieut. Jones, with a -detachment of only seven men, having been placed on the extreme right, -cut his way through a large force of the enemy's cavalry, and arrived at -the hotel without losing a man, but killing and wounding a considerable -number of the enemy. - -"After continuous fighting, from ten o'clock, a.m., to two o'clock, -p.m., and on learning that heavy re-enforcements of infantry and -artillery had arrived from the camps up the Pascagoula River, I withdrew -my forces from the hotel, and returned to Ship Island. The enemy's -loss was over twenty killed, and a large number wounded. From my own -knowledge, and from information derived from prisoners taken in the -fight, and from refugees since arrived, the enemy had over four hundred -cavalry and infantry at Pascagoula, and heavy re-enforcements within -six miles of the place. Refugees who have arrived since the engagement -report the enemy's loss as greater than mentioned in my first report. - -"The expedition was a perfect success, accomplishing all that was -intended; resulting in the repulse of the enemy in every engagement with -great loss; whilst our casualty was only two killed and eight wounded. -Great credit is due to the troops engaged, for their unflinching -bravery and steadiness under this their first fire, exchanging volley -after volley with the coolness of veterans; and for their determined -tenacity in maintaining their position, and taking advantage of every -success that their courage and valor gave them; and also to their -officers, who were cool and determined throughout the action, fighting -their commands against five times their numbers, and confident -throughout of success,--all demonstrating to its fullest extent that the -oppression which they have heretofore undergone from the hands of their -foes, and the obloquy that had been showered upon them by those who -should have been friends, had not extinguished their manhood, or -suppressed their bravery, and that they had still a hand to wield the -sword, and a heart to vitalize its blow. - -"I would particularly call the attention of the Department to Major -F. E. Dumas, Capt. Villeverd, and Lieuts. Jones and Martin, who were -constantly in the thickest of the fight, and by their unflinching -bravery, and admirable handling of their commands, contributed to the -success of the attack, and reflected great honor upon the flag under -and for which they so nobly struggled. Repeated instances of individual -bravery among the troops might be mentioned; but it would be invidious -where all fought so manfully aud so well. - -"I have the honor to be, most respectfully, - -"Your obedient servant, - -"_N. U. DANIELS,_ - -"_Col. Second Regiment La. N. O. Vols., Commanding Post._" - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII--BATTLE OF PORT HUDSON. - - -_The Louisiana Native Guard.--Capt. Callioux.--The Weather.--Spirit of -the Troops.--The Battle begins.--"Charge."--Great Bravery.--The -Gallant Color-bearer.--Grape, Canister, and Shell sweep down the Heroic -Men.--Death of Callioux.--Comments._ - - -On the 26th of May, 1863, the wing of the array under Major-Gen. Banks -was brought before the rifle-pits and heavy guns of Port Hudson. Night -fell--the lovely Southern night--with its silvery moonshine on the -gleaming waters of the Mississippi, that passed directly by the -intrenched town. The glistening stars appeared suspended in the upper -air as globes of liquid light, while the fresh soft breeze was bearing -such sweet scents from the odoriferous trees and plants, that a poet -might have fancied angelic spirits were abroad, making the atmosphere -luminous with their pure presence, and every breeze fragrant with -their luscious breath. The deep-red sun that rose on the next morning -indicated that the day would be warm; and, as it advanced, the heat -became intense. The earth had been long parched, and the hitherto green -verdure had begun to turn yellow. Clouds of dust followed every step and -movement of the troops. The air was filled with dust: clouds gathered, -frowned upon the earth, and hastened away. - -The weatherwise watched the red masses of the morning, and still hoped -for a shower to cool the air, and lay the dust, before the work of death -commenced; but none came, and the very atmosphere seemed as if it were -from an overheated oven. The laying-aside of all unnecessary articles -or accoutrements, and the preparation that showed itself on every side, -told all present that the conflict was near at hand. Gen. Dwight, whose -antecedents with regard to the rights of the negro, and his ability -to fight, were not of the most favorable character, was the officer -in command over the colored brigade; and busy Rumor, that knows every -thing, had whispered it about that the valor of the black man was to be -put to the severest test that day. - -The black forces consisted of the First Louisiana, under Lieut-Col. -Bassett, and the Third Louisiana, under Col. Nelson. The line-officers -of the Third were White; and the regiment was composed mostly of -freedmen, many of whose backs still bore the marks of the lash, and -whose brave, stout hearts beat high at the thought that the hour had -come when they were to meet their proud and unfeeling oppressors. The -First was the noted regiment called "The Native Guard," which Gen. -Butler found when he entered New Orleans, and which so promptly offered -its services to aid in crushing the Rebellion. The line-officers of -this regiment were all colored, taken from amongst the most wealthy and -influential of the free colored people of New Orleans. It was said that -not one of them was worth less than twenty-five thousand dollars. The -brave, the enthusiastic, and the patriotic, found full scope for the -development of their powers in this regiment, of which all were well -educated; some were fine scholars. One of the most efficient officers -was Capt. Andr Callioux, a man whose identity with his race could not -be mistaken; for he prided himself on being the blackest man in the -Crescent City. Whether in the drawing-room or on the parade, he was ever -the centre of attraction. Finely educated, polished in his manners, a -splendid horseman, a good boxer, bold, athletic, and daring, he never -lacked admirers. His men were ready at any time to follow him to -the cannon's mouth; and he was as ready to lead them. This regiment -petitioned their commander to allow them to occupy the post of danger in -the battle, and it was granted. - -As the moment of attack drew near, the greatest suppressed excitement -existed; but all were eager for the fight. Capt. Callioux walked proudly -up and down the line, and smilingly greeted the familiar faces of his -company. Officers and privates of the white regiments looked on as they -saw these men at the front, and asked each other what they thought would -be the result. Would these blacks stand fire? Was not the test by which -they were to be tried too severe? Col. Nelson being called to act as -brigadier-general, Lieut-Col. Finnegas took his place. The enemy In his -stronghold felt his power, and bade defiance to the expected attack. At -last the welcome word was given, and our men started. The enemy opened a -blistering fire of shell, canister, grape, and musketry. The first shell -thrown by the enemy killed and wounded a number of the blacks; but on -they went. "Charge" was the word. - - Charge!" Trump and drum awoke: - - Onward the bondmen broke; - - Bayonet and sabre-stroke - - Vainly opposed their rush." - -At every pace, the column was thinned by the falling dead and wounded. -The blacks closed up steadily as their comrades fell, and advanced -within fifty paces of where the rebels were working a masked battery, -situated on a bluff where the guns could sweep the whole field over -which the troops must charge. This battery was on the left of the -charging line. Another battery of three or four guns commanded the -front, and six heavy pieces raked the right of the line as it formed, -and enfiladed its flank and rear as it charged on the bluff. It was -ascertained that a bayou ran under the bluff where the guns lay,--a -bayou deeper than a man could ford. This charge was repulsed with -severe loss. Lieut-Col. Finnegas was then ordered to charge, and in a -well-dressed steady line his men went on the doublequick down over the -field of death. No matter how gallantly the men behaved, no matter how -bravely they were led, it was not in the course of things that this -gallant brigade should take these works by charge. Yet charge after -charge was ordered and carried out under all these disasters with -Spartan firmness. Six charges in all were made. Col. Nelson reported to -Gen. Dwight the fearful odds he had to contend with. Says Gen. Dwight, -in reply, "Tell Col. Nelson I shall consider that he has accomplished -nothing unless he take those guns." Humanity will never forgive Gen. -Dwight for this last order; for he certainly saw that he was only -throwing away the lives of his men. But what were his men? "Only -niggers." Thus the last charge was made under the spur of desperation. - -The ground was already strewn with the dead and wounded, and many of the -brave officers had fallen early in the engagement. Among them was the -gallant and highly cultivated Anselmo. He was a standardbearer, and -hugged the stars and stripes to his heart as he fell forward upon -them pierced by five balls. Two corporals near by struggled between -themselves as to who should have the honor of again raising those -bloodstained emblems to the breeze. Each was eager for the honor; and -during the struggle a missile from the enemy wounded one of them, and -the other corporal shouldered the dear old flag in triumph, and bore it -through the charge in the front of the advancing lines. - - "Now," the flag-sergeant cried, - - "Though death and hell betide, - - Let the whole nation see - - If we are fit to be - - Free in this land, or bound - - Down, like the whining hound,-- - - Bound with red stripes aud pain - - In our old chains again." - - Oh! what a shout there went - - From the black regiment! - -Shells from the rebel guns cut down trees three feet in diameter, and -they fell, at one time burying a whole company beneath their branches. -Thus they charged bravely on certain destruction, till the ground was -slippery with the gore of the slaughtered, and cumbered with the bodies -of the maimed. The last charge was made about one o'clock. At this -juncture, Capt. Callioux was seen with his left arm dangling by his -side,--for a ball had broken it above the elbow,--while his right hand -held his unsheathed sword gleaming in the rays of the sun; and his -hoarse, faint voice was heard cheering on his men. A moment more, and -the brave and generous Callioux was struck by a shell, and fell far in -advance of his company. The fall of this officer so exasperated his men, -that they appeared to be filled with new enthusiasm; and they rushed -forward with a recklessness that probably has never been surpassed. -Seeing it to be a hopeless effort, the taking of these batteries, order -was given to change the programme; and the troops were called off. But -had they accomplished any thing more than the loss of many of their -brave men? Yes: they had. The self-forgetfulness, the undaunted heroism, -and the great endurance of the negro, as exhibited that day, created a -new chapter in American history for the colored man. - -Many Persians were slain at the battle of Thermopyl; but history -records only the fall of Leonidas and his four hundred companions. So -in the future, when we shall have passed away from the stage, and -rising generations shall speak of the conflict at Port Hudson, and the -celebrated charge of the negro brigade, they will forget all others in -their admiration for Andr Callioux and his colored associates. Gen. -Banks, in his report of the battle of Port Hudson, says, "Whatever doubt -may have existed heretofore as to the efficiency of organizations of -this character, the history of this day proves conclusively to those who -were in a condition to observe the conduct of these regiments, that the -Government will find in this class of troops effective supporters -and defenders. The severe test to which they were subjected, and the -determined manner in which they encountered the enemy, leaves upon my -mind no doubt of their ultimate success." - -Hon. B. F. Flanders paid them the following tribute:-- - -"The unanimous report of all those who were in the recent battle at Port -Hudson, in regard to the negroes, is, that they fought like devils. They -have completely conquered the prejudice of the army against them. Never -before was there such an extraordinary revolution of sentiment as that -of this army in respect to the negroes as soldiers." - -This change was indeed needed; for only a few days previous to the -battle, while the regiments were at Baton Rouge, the line-officers of -the New-England troops, either through jealousy or hatred to the -colored men on account of their complexion, demanded that the latter, -as officers, should be dismissed. And, to the disgrace of these white -officers, the colored men, through the mean treatment of their superiors -in office, the taunts and jeers of their white assailants, were -compelled to throw up their commissions. The colored soldiers were -deeply pained at seeing the officers of their own color and choice taken -from them; for they were much attached to their commanders, some of whom -were special favorites with the whole regiment. Among these were First -Lieut. Joseph Howard of Company I, and Second Lieut. Joseph G. Parker, -of Company C. These gentlemen were both possessed of ample wealth, and -had entered the army, not as a matter of speculation, as too many have -done, but from a love of military life. Lieut. Howard was a man of more -than ordinary ability in military tactics; and a braver or more daring -officer could not be found in the Valley of the Mississippi. He was well -educated, speaking the English, French, and Spanish languages fluently, -and was considered a scholar of rare literary attainments. He, with his -friend Parker, felt sorely the humiliation attending their dismissal -from the army, and seldom showed themselves on the streets of their -native city, to which they had returned. When the news reached New -Orleans of the heroic charge made by the First Louisiana Regiment, at -Port Hudson, on the 27th of May, Howard at once called on Parker; -and they were so fired with the intelligence, that they determined to -proceed to Port Hudson, and to join their old regiment as _privates_. -That night they took passage, and the following day found them with -their former friends in arms. The regiment was still in position close -to the enemy's works, and the appearance of the two lieutenants was -hailed with demonstrations of joy. Instead of being placed as privates -in the ranks, they were both immediately assigned the command of a -company each, not from any compliment to them, but from sheer necessity, -because the _white officers_ of these companies, feeling that the -colored soldiers were put in the front of the battle owing to their -complexion, were not willing to risk their lives, and had thrown up -their commissions. - -On the 5th of June, these two officers were put to the test, and nobly -did they maintain their former reputation for bravery. Capt. Howard -leading the way, they charged upon the rebel's rifle-pits, drove them -out, and took possession, and held them for three hours, in the face of -a raking fire of artillery. Several times the blacks were so completely -hidden from view by the smoke of their own guns and the enemy's heavy -cannon, that they could not be seen. It was at this time, that Capt. -Howard exhibited his splendid powers as a commander. The negroes never -hesitated. Amid the roar of artillery, and the rattling of musketry, -the groans of the wounded, and the ghastly appearance of the dead, the -heroic and intrepid Howard was the same. He never said to his men, "Go," -but always, "Follow me." At last, when many of their men were killed, -and the severe fire of the enemy's artillery seemed to mow down every -thing before it, these brave men were compelled to fall back from the -pits which they had so triumphantly taken. At nightfall, Gen. Banks paid -the negro officers a high compliment, shaking the hand of Capt. Howard, -and congratulating him on his return, and telling his aides that this -man was worthy of a more elevated position. - -Although the First Louisiana had done well, its great triumph was -reserved for the 14th of June, when Capt. Howard and his associates in -arms won for themselves immortal renown. Never, in the palmy days of -Napoleon, Wellington, or any other general, was more true heroism shown. -The effect of the battle of the 27th of May, is thus described in "The -New-York Herald," June 6:-- - -"The First Regiment Louisiana Native Guard, Col. Nelson, were in this -charge. _They went on the advance, and, when they came out, six hundred -out of nine hundred men could not be accounted for. It is said on every -side that they fought with the desperation of tigers_. One negro was -observed with a rebel soldier in his grasp, tearing the flesh from his -face with his teeth, other weapons having failed him. There are other -incidents connected with the conduct of this regiment _that have raised -them very much in my opinion as soldiers. After firing one volley, they -did not deign to load again, but went in with bayonets; and, wherever -they had a chance, it was all up with the rebels."_ - -From "The New-York Tribune," June 8:-- - -"Nobly done, First Regiment of Louisiana Native Guard! though you failed -to carry the rebel works against overwhelming numbers, you did not -charge and fight and fall in vain. That heap of six hundred corpses, -lying there dark and grim and silent before and within the rebel works, -is a better proclamation of freedom than even President Lincoln's. A -race ready to die thus was never yet retained in bondage, and never can -be. Even the Wood copperheads, who will not fight themselves, and try to -keep others out of the Union ranks, will not dare to mob negro regiments -if this is their style of fighting. - -"Thus passes one regiment of blacks to death and everlasting fame." - -Humanity should not forget, that, at the surrender of Port Hudson, not a -single colored man could be found alive, although thirty-five were known -to have been taken prisoners during the siege. All had been murdered. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV--GENERAL BANKS IN LOUISIANA. - - -_Gen. Banks at New Orleans.--Old Slave-laws revived.--Treatment of Free -Colored Persons.--Col. Jonas H. French.--Ill Treatment at Port Hudson._ - - -Gen. Banks's antecedents were unfavorable to him when he landed in New -Orleans. True, he was from Massachusetts, and was a Republican; but he -belonged to the conservative portion of the party. The word "white" in -the militia law, which had so long offended the good taste and better -judgment of the majority of the people, was stricken out during the last -term of Gov. Banks's administration, but failed to receive his sanction. -In his message vetoing the bill, he resorted to a laborious effort of -special pleading to prove that the negro was not a citizen. The fact -is, he was a Democrat dressed up in Republican garments. Gen. Butler -had brought the whites and blacks nearly to a level with each other as -citizens of New Orleans, when he was succeeded by Gen. Banks. The latter -at once began a system of treatment to the colored people, which showed -that his feelings were with the whites, and against the blacks. The -old slave-law, requiring colored persons to be provided with passes to -enable them to be out from their homes after half-past eight o'clock at -night was revived by Gen. Banks's understrappers, as the following will -show:-- - -"_St. Charles Hotel, New Orleans, Jan. 25._ - -"On Tuesday evening last, at half-past eight o'clock, while passing up -St. Charles Street in company with F. S. Schell, Esq., the artist of -'Frank Leslie's Pictorial,', who is attached to the Banks Expedition, -I was suddenly accosted by two colored women, one of whom, a beautiful -mulatto very tastily attired, besought me to protect her from the -watchmen, who, she said, were following close behind her on the opposite -side of the street, and were about to arrest her and her mother for -being out without passes. - -"I offered her and her mother all the protection in my power until they -should reach their home, which was but a few blocks distant; and I had -but scarcely made the proffer, when two powerful and muscular watchmen -came running across the street, club in hand, and at once proceeded -to arrest the women. I inquired of the officers by what authority they -arrested slaves or free colored people. They informed me that they were -acting under orders received from the chief of police, Col. Jonas H. -French. - -"The women begged, with tears in their eyes, for their liberty, that -they might return to their homes, where a sister was lying dangerously -ill, and towards whom they were hastening when seized by the watchmen. -Being enough of a 'Yankee abolitionist' to feel a glow of indignation -at this flagrant violation of human rights, and, as I supposed, illegal -assumption of power, I proceeded to the prison or watch-house, adjoining -the city hall, from the roof of which flies the flag of freedom. - -"What a sight was revealed to me on my visit to that prison! Such a -scene may I never be permitted to visit again! Securing permission, I -went into the corridor, from which lead the cells. There I saw, in one -cell, fifteen feet by twenty feet, fifty colored women and girls packed -like so many cattle: there were six or eight wooden berths, with _pine -mattresses_ and _oak pillows_, for these poor creatures to rest their -limbs upon. Of course, the most of them were obliged to stand uprightly, -or lie upon the wet flooring of the cell. - -"I never shall forget the emotions that arose within my bosom as I stood -intently gazing upon the sorrowing faces of these unfortunates as they -cast wistful glances through the heavy iron bars of their cell, and in -supplicating tones implored me to secure them their release. One pretty -young girl of fifteen, with a beautiful face, whose complexion was -that of a pretty Boston brunette, and with long flowing hair, slightly -crimpled, was sobbing as though her heart would break for her mother. -She was terrified at the surroundings of her new position, and the -hideous yells of drunken soldiers and sailors in the next cell. - -"There were confined in this cell several women, who, in New York or -Boston, would pass for white women without the slightest difficulty or -suspicion. And there were many darker countenances in that cell, that -were intelligent, and indicated the existence and beating of hearts -beneath those tinged and sable hues. In the opposite cells were over one -hundred colored men and boys of all colors, from the ebony, thick-lipped -African, to the mulatto, and delicately-tinged colored man. They were -there from all ages, from the little child of nine years, to the aged -and decrepit negro of seventy-five. There were the dandy darkey, slave -and free; the laborer, slave and free; the mechanic and waiter, slave -and free. - -"Some of these men were the fathers, husbands, and brothers of the women -in the opposite cells. It was but a little while after, when, the jailer -having barred the door which leads into the stone corridor, I heard -distinctly the swelling notes of 'John Brown's body lies mouldering,' -&c., and shortly after the grand chorus of an ancient Methodist hymn, -'For Jesus' sake, we'll serve the Lord.' The next evening, I visited the -cells, and found that nearly all who had been imprisoned the previous -evening had been released on paying a fine of one dollar and a quarter -for free people, and one dollar and a half for slaves. - -"There were several likely-looking negro-girls still in the cell, and -three mothers. All of these mothers had sons in the Union army, enlisted -in the colored Native-Guard Regiment. One of them had _three_ sons in -one regiment; the other had two sons, her only children; and the only -child of the third, a boy of nineteen years, was a sergeant in a colored -company. These mothers were all the _property_ of rebels; for they told -me their masters and mistresses swore they would 'never take the oath -of allegiance to the abolition Yankee Government.' I asked them how -they happened to be imprisoned, and was informed that their masters and -mistresses had them 'sent to prison for safe-keeping.' - -"One mother told me she was always treated well until her sons joined -the negro regiment, since which time she had been whipped and otherwise -sadly abused. She was not allowed so much liberty at home, and her -mistress had put her off on a short allowance of food, because she did -not prevent her sons from enlisting. - -"Here is a verbatim copy of the official order requiring the arrest by -the police of all colored people found in the streets. Beyond the simple -written notice, nothing more has been made public in regard to this -important matter:-- - -"_Office Chief of Police._ - -"'_Lieut. J. Duan_,--You are hereby ordered to arrest all negroes out -without passes after half past eight, P.M. - -"'By order of - -"'Col. J. H. French, - -"'_Provost-marshal General and Chief of Police._'" - -"Notices of this kind were sent to all the station-houses, and were -posted in the offices. It is a most despotic law to put in force at such -an hour as this, to protect the property, in the shape of human flesh -and blood, in God's creatures, belonging or _owned_, as they say, by the -very fiends who have no compulsion at shedding the precious life's blood -of our sons and brothers, husbands and fathers. - -"We, who profess to be Christian people, contributing blood and treasure -for the suppression of this cursed Rebellion, are now called upon to -provide cells for the safekeeping of their slaves."--_Correspondence of -The Boston Traveller._ - -The following private letter (says "The New-York Tribune") from a -colored man in New Orleans, cancelling an order he had previous sent to -New York for a banner, may throw some light on the state of things in -the Southern metropolis:-- - -"Sir,--If you have not had the banner commenced, it is useless to have -it made at all, as, since the issuing of the President's proclamation, -Jonas H. French has stopped all of our night-meetings, and has caused us -to get permits to hold meetings on Sunday, and sends his police around -to all of the colored churches every Sunday to examine all of the -permits. He had all the slaves that were turned out of their former -owners' yards rearrested and sent back; those who belonged to rebels as -well as those who belong to loyal persons. The slaves were mustered -into the rebel army. He has them confined in jail to starve and die, -and refuses their friends to see them. He is much worse than our rebel -masters, he being the chief of police. Last night, after Gen. Banks left -the city, Col. French issued a secret order to all the police-stations -to arrest all the negroes who may be found in the streets, and at the -places of amusement, and placed in jail. There were about five -hundred, both free and slave, confined, without the least notice -or cause,--persons who thought themselves free by the President's -proclamation, from the parishes of Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, -Catahoula, Concordia, Aragules, Jaques, Iberville, West Baton Rouge, -Point Coupee, Filiciana, East Baton Rouge, St. Helena, Washington, St. -Samany. Free persons of color from any of these parishes, who are found -within the limits of the city, are immediately arrested and placed in -jail by order of Col. French. Therefore it is useless to have the banner -made, as there is no use for it since Gen. Butler has left. R. K. T." - -All colored persons, even those who had been born free, and had -resided in the city from infancy, were included in the order of the -provost-marshal. It is a fact beyond dispute, that both officers and -soldiers under Gen. Banks's rule in Louisiana manifested a degree of -negro hate that was almost unknown before their advent. - -At the siege of Port Hudson, this prejudice against the blacks was -exhibited by all, from Gen. Banks down to the most ignorant private. A -correspondent in "The Boston Commonwealth," dated at Port Hudson, July -17, 1864, says,-- - -"Thus, in the siege of Port Hudson, no one knew an instance of such -terrible assaults, without possibility of success, but only repeated -in obedience to Gen. Dwight's order to 'continue charging till further -orders.' The white troops were unanimous in praising the valor of -this devoted regiment. How was it when the provisions of Paragraph 11, -Appendix B, Revised Army Regulations, 1863, were carried out? A General -Order from Gen. Banks authorizes 'Port Hudson' to be inscribed on every -banner but those of the colored regiments, which are _overlooked_. Do -those people who speak so loudly in praise of these regiments at Port -Hudson know they are the only ones not authorized to inscribe 'Port -Hudson' on their flags? Does _Adjutant-Gen. Thomas_ know it? The -only inscription on the banner of the glorious Seventy-third is the -blood-stain of the noble sergeant who bore it in this fierce assault, -and the rents made in the struggle of the corporals to obtain the dear -rag from the dying man who had rolled himself up in its fold. Regiments -which were ridiculed as cowards and vagabonds have Port Hudson on their -flags. Let us be cautious how we praise the First Native Guards: they -have it not on their flag. Thank God there were thousands of honest -privates in the ranks of the white regiments who will tell the story -of the First Native Guards! The changes of its designation and -consolidation with other regiments will not entirely obliterate its -fame. The blood of the heroic Callioux and his fellow-victims at Port -Hudson will cry to Heaven, and will be heard. - -"And how has it run in the campaign of 1864? This same devoted regiment -followed the army of Gen. Banks to Pleasant Hill; but Fort Pillow rushed -red on the general's sight, and he dare not let them fight. They were -therefore made to 'boost' along the wagon-trains of the white troops; to -build the greater part of the famous bridge which saved the fleet, and -got Lieut.-Col. Bailey a star; to endure the kicks and insults of white -soldiers: the officers to be put in arrest by inferior officers of white -regiments, and returned to Morganzia. - -"Every available man is detailed daily, rain or shine, to work on the -fortifications under the jeers of loafing white soldiers and officers." - -"The labor-system adopted by Gen. Banks for the freedmen was nothing less -than slavery under another name. Having no confidence in the negro's -ability to take care of himself, he felt that, even in freedom, he -needed a master, and therefore put him in leading-strings. The general -evidently considered that the wishes of the white planters, whether -rebel or not, were to be gratified, although it were done at the expense -of the black man. In reconstructing the civil authorities of the city -of New Orleans, he carried out the same policy of ignoring the rights -of the colored people, as will be seen by the following extract from a -petition of the colored citizens to President Lincoln:-- - -"Your petitioners aver that they have applied in respectful terms to -Brig.-Gen. George F. Shepley, Military Governor of Louisiana, and to -Major-Gen. N. P. Banks, commanding the Department of the Gulf, praying -to be placed upon the registers as voters, to the end that they might -participate in the re-organization of civil government in Louisiana; and -that their petition has met with no response from those officers." - -This petition was signed by the men, who, when the city was threatened -by the rebels during the siege of Port Hudson, took up arms for its -defence; all of whom were loyal to the American Union. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV--HONORS TO THE NOBLE DEAD. - - -_Capt. Andr Callioux.--His Body lies in State.--Personal -Appearance.--His Enthusiasm.--His Popularity.--His Funeral.--The great -Respect paid the Deceased.--General Lamentation._ - - -The death of Capt. Andr Callioux created a profound sensation -throughout Louisiana, and especially in New Orleans, where the deceased -had lived from childhood. This feeling of sorrow found vent at the -funeral, which took place on the 11th of July, 1863. We give the -following, written at the time by a correspondent of a New-York -Journal:-- - -_"New Orleans, Saturday, Aug. 1, 1863._" "The most extraordinary local -event that has ever been seen within our borders, and, I think, one of -the most extraordinary exhibitions brought forth by this Rebellion, was -the funeral of Capt. Andr Callioux, Company E, First Louisiana National -Guards. Here, in this Southern emporium, was performed a funeral -ceremony that for numbers and impressiveness never had its superior -in this city; and it was originated and carried through in honor of a -gallant soldier of the despised race, to enslave which, it is said, will -soothe this State back into the Union. - -"Capt. Callioux was fine-looking, and, in his military dress, had an -imposing appearance. I remember seeing him at Gen. Banks's headquarters, -in company with at least fifteen of our prominent military officers; and -he was a marked personage among them all. In the celebrated assault and -repulse on Port Hudson by Gen. Banks, Capt. Callioux fell, at the head -of his company, on the 27th of May last, while gallantly leading it -on to the enemy's works. His body, along with others of the national -regiments, after the battle, lay within deadly reach of the rebel -sharpshooters; and all attempts to recover the body were met with a -shower of Minie-bullets. Thus guarded by the enemy, or, I might -say, thus honored by their attention, the body lay exposed until the -surrender of the place, the 8th of July, when it was recovered, and -brought to this city to receive the astonishing ovation connected with -the last rights of humanity. - -"The arrival of the body developed to the white population here that -the colored people had powerful organizations in the form of civic -societies; as the Friends of the Order, of which Capt. Callioux was a -prominent member, received the body, and had the coffin containing it, -draped with the American flag, exposed in state in the commodious hall. -Around the coffin, flowers were strewn in the greatest profusion, and -candles were kept continually burning. All the rights of the Catholic -Church were strictly complied with. The guard paced silently to and fro, -and altogether it presented as solemn a scene as was ever witnessed. - -"In due time, the band of the Forty-second Massachusetts Regiment -made their appearance, and discoursed the customary solemn airs. The -officiating priest, Father Le Maistre, of the Church of St. Rose of -Lima, who has paid not the least attention to the excommunication and -denunciations issued against him by the archbishop of this diocese, then -performed the Catholic service for the dead. After the regular services, -he ascended to the president's chair, and delivered a glowing and -eloquent eulogy on the virtues of the deceased. He called upon all -present to offer themselves, as Callioux had done, martyrs to the cause -of justice, freedom, and good government. It was a death the proudest -might envy. - -"Immense crowds of colored people had by this time gathered around -the building, and the streets leading thereto were rendered almost -impassable. Two companies of the Sixth Louisiana (colored) Regiment, -from their camp on the Company Canal, were there to act as an escort; -and Esplanade Street, for more than a mile, was lined with colored -societies, both male and female, in open order, waiting for the hearse -to pass through. - -"After a short pause, a sudden silence fell upon the crowd, the band -commenced playing a dirge; and the body was brought from the hall on the -shoulders of eight soldiers, escorted by six members of the society, and -six colored captains, who acted as pall-bearers. The corpse was conveyed -to the hearse through a crowd composed of both white and black people, -and in silence profound as death itself. Not a sound was heard save the -mournful music of the band, and not a head in all that vast multitude -but was uncovered. - -"The procession then moved off in the following order: The hearse -containing the body, with Capts. J. W. Ringgold, W. B. Barrett, S. J. -Wilkinson, Eugene Mailleur, J. A. Glea, and A. St. Leger (all of whom, -we believe, belong to the Second Louisiana Native Guards), and six -members of The Friends of the Order, as pall-bearers; about a hundred -convalescent sick and wounded colored soldiers; the two companies of the -Sixth Regiment; a large number of colored officers of all native guard -regiments; the carriages containing Capt. Callioux's family, and a -number of army officers; winding up with a large number of private -individuals, and the following-named societies:-- - -Friends of the Order. - -Society of Economy and Mutual Assistance. United Brethren. - -Arts' and Mechanics' Association. - -Free Friends. - -Good Shepherd Conclave, No. 2. - -Artisans' Brotherhood. - -Good Shepherd Conclave, No. 1. Union Sons' Relief. Perseverance Society. - -Ladies of Bon Secours. - -La Fleur de Marie. - -Saint Rose of Lima. - -The Children of Mary Society. - -Saint Angela Society. - -The Immaculate Conception Society. The Sacred Union Society. - -The Children of Jesus. - -Saint Veronica Society. - -Saint Alphonsus Society. - -Saint Joachim Society. - -Star of the Cross. - -Saint Theresa Society. - -Saint Eulalia Society. - -Saint Magdalen Society. - -God Protect Us Society. - -United Sisterhood. - -Angel Gabriel Society. - -Saint Louis Roi Society. - -Saint Benoit Society. Benevolence Society. - -Well Beloved Sisters' Society. - -Saint Peter Society. - -Saint Michael Archangel Society Saint Louis de Gonzague Society. Saint -Ann Society. - -The Children of Moses - -"After moving through the principal down-town streets, the body was -taken to the Bienville-street cemetery; and there interred with military -honors due his rank. - -"Capt. Callioux was a native of this city, aged forty-three years, and -was one of the first to raise a company under the call of Gen. Butler -for colored volunteers. 'The Union,' of this city, a paper of stanch -loyalty, which is devoted to the interests of the colored people, -speaking of Capt. Callioux, says 'By his gallant bearing, his -gentlemanly deportment, his amiable disposition, and his capacities as a -soldier,--having received a very good education,--he became the idol of -his men, and won the respect and confidence of his superior officers. -He was a true type of the Louisianian. In this city, where he passed his -life, he was loved and respected by all who knew him. - -"'In Capt. Callioux, the cause of the Union and freedom has lost a -valuable friend. Capt. Callioux, defending the integrity of the sacred -cause of liberty, vindicated his race from the opprobrium with which it -was charged. He leaves a wife and several children, who will have the -consolation that he died the death of the patriot and the righteous.' - -"The long pageant has passed away; but there is left deeply impressed on -the minds of those who witnessed this extraordinary sight the fact that -thousands of people born in slavery had, by the events of the Rebellion, -been disinthralled enough to appear in the streets of New Orleans, -bearing to the tomb a man of their own color, who had fallen gallantly -fighting for the flag and his country,--a man who had sealed with -his blood the inspiration he received from Mr. Lincoln's Emancipation -Proclamation. The thousands of the unfortunates who followed his remains -had the flag of the Union in miniature form waving in their hands, or -pinned tastefully on their persons. - -"We would ask, Can these people ever again be subjected to slavery? -Are these men who have been regenerated by wearing the United-States -uniform, these men who have given their race to our armies to fight our -would-be oppressors,--are these people to be, can they ever again be, -handed over to the taskmaster? Would a Government that would do such -a thing be respected by the world, be honored of God? Could the -Christianized people of the globe have witnessed the funeral of Capt. -Callioux, there would have been but one sentiment called forth, and that -is this,--that the National Government can make no compromise on this -slave question. It is too late to retreat: the responsibility has been -taken, and the struggle must go on until there is not legally a slave -under the folds of the American flag." - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI.--HE NORTHERN WING OF THE REBELLION. - - -_The New-York Mob.--Murder, Fire, and Robbery.--The City given up to -the Rioters.--Whites and Blacks robbed in Open Day in the Great -Thoroughfares.--Negroes murdered, burned, and their Bodies hung on -Lamp-posts.--Southern Rebels at the Head of the Riot._ - - -The partial successes which the rebels had achieved at Bull Run, Ball's -Bluff, and Big Bethel, together with the defiant position of Gen. Lee on -the one hand, and the bad management of Gen. McClellan on the other, had -emboldened the rebels, and made them feel their strength. - -Those who had served out their terms of service in the Union army were -not very anxious to re-enlist. The Conscript Act had been passed by -Congress, and the copperhead press throughout the land was urging the -people to resist the draft, when the welcome news of the surrender -of Vicksburg and Port Hudson came over the wires. The agents of the -Confederacy were at once despatched to New York to "let loose the dogs -of war." - -As the blacks of the South had assisted in the capture of Vicksburg and -Port Hudson, the colored people of the North must be made to suffer for -it. - -The mob was composed of the lowest and most degraded of the foreign -population (mainly Irish), raked from the filthy cellars and dens of the -city, steeped in crimes of the deepest dye, and ready for any act, no -matter how dark and damnable; together with the worst type of onr native -criminals, whose long service in the prisons of the country, and whose -training in the Democratic party, had so demoralized their natures, that -they were ever on the hunt for some deed of robbery or murder. - -This conglomerated mass of human beings were under the leadership of men -standing higher than themselves in the estimation of the public, but, if -possible, really lower in moral degradation. Cheered on by men holding -high political positions, and finding little or no opposition, they went -on at a fearful rate. - -Never, in the history of mob-violence, was crime carried to such -an extent. Murder, arson, robbery, and cruelty reigned triumphant -throughout the city, day and night, for more than a week. - -Breaking into stores, hotels, and saloons, and helping themselves to -strong drink, _ad libitum_, they became inebriated, and marched through -every part of the city. Calling at places where large bodies of men -were at work, and pressing them in, their numbers rapidly increased to -thousands, and their fiendish depredations had no bounds. Having been -taught by the leaders of the Democratic party to hate the negro, and -having but a few weeks previous seen regiments of colored volunteers -pass through New York on their way South, this infuriated band of -drunken men, women, and children paid special visits to all localities -inhabited by the blacks, and murdered all they could lay their hands on, -without regard to age or sex. Every place known to employ negroes -was searched: steamboats leaving the city, and railroad depots, were -watched, lest some should escape their vengeance. - -Hundreds of the blacks, driven from their homes, and hunted and chased -through the streets, presented themselves at the doors of jails, -prisons, and police-stations, and begged admission. Thus did they -prowl about the city, committing crime after crime; indeed, in point of -cruelty, the Rebellion was transferred from the South to the North. - -These depredations were to offset the glorious triumphs of our arms in -the rebel States. - - Peaceful o'er the placid waters rose the radiant summer sun, - - Loyal voices shouted anthems o'er the conquest bravely won; - - For the walls of Vicksburg yielded to the Union shot and shell, - - While Port Hudson, trembling, waited but a clearer tale to tell. - - - But, alas! day's golden image scarce had left its impress there, - - When above a Northern city rose the sounds of wild despair: - - Fiends and demons yet unnumbered rallied forth in bold array; - - Deeds of darkness, scenes of carnage, marked the traitors' onward way. - - - Blind to feeling, deaf to mercy, who may judge the depth of crime? - - None but God may know the misery traced upon the Book of Time. - -The following account of the mob is from "The New-York Times" July 14, -1863:-- - -"The Orphan Asylum for Colored Children was visited by the mob about -four o'clock. This institution is situated on Fifth Avenue; and -the building, with the grounds and gardens adjoining, extends from -Forty-third to Forty-fourth Street. Hundreds and perhaps thousands of -the rioters, the majority of whom were women and children, entered the -premises, and, in the most excited and violent manner, ransacked and -plundered the building from cellar to garret. The building was located -in the most healthy portion of the city. It was purely a charitable -institution. In it there was an average of six or eight hundred homeless -colored orphans. The building was a large four-story one, with two wings -of three stories each. - -"When it became evident that the crowd designed to destroy it, a flag -of truce appeared on the walk opposite, and the principals of the -establishment made an appeal to the excited populace; but in vain. - -"Here it was, that Chief-Engineer Decker showed himself one of the -bravest of the brave. After the entire building had been ransacked, and -every article deemed worth carrying had been taken,--_and this included -even the little garments for the orphans, which were contributed by the -benevolent ladies of the city,--the premises were fired on the first -floor._ Mr. Decker did all he could to prevent the flames from being -kindled; but, when he was overpowered by superior numbers, with his own -hands he scattered the brands, and effectually extinguished the flames. -A second attempt was made, and this time in three different parts of the -house. Again he succeeded, with the aid of half a dozen of his men, in -defeating the incendiaries. The mob became highly exasperated at his -conduct, and threatened to take his life if he repeated the act. On -the front steps of the building, he stood up amid an infuriated and -half-drunken mob of two thousand, and begged of them to do nothing so -disgraceful to humanity as to burn a benevolent institution, which had -for its object nothing but good. He said it would be a lasting disgrace -to them and to the city of New York. - -"These remarks seemed to have no good effect upon them, and meantime -the premises were again fired,--this time in all parts of the house. Mr. -Decker, with his few brave men, again extinguished the flames. This -last act brought down upon him the vengeance of all who were bent on -the destruction of the asylum; and but for the fact that some firemen -surrounded him, and boldly said that Mr. Decker could not be taken -except over their bodies, he would have been despatched on the spot. The -institution was destined to be burned; and, after an hour and a half of -labor on the part of the mob, it was in flames in all parts. Three or -four persons were horribly bruised by the falling walls; but the names -we could not ascertain. There is now scarcely one brick left on another -of the Orphan Asylum. - -"At one o'clock yesterday, the garrison of the Seventh-avenue arsenal -witnessed a sad and novel sight. Winding slowly along Thirty-fourth -Street into Seventh Avenue, headed by a strong police force, came the -little colored orphans, whose asylum had been burned down on Monday -night. The boys, from two and three to fifteen years of age, followed by -little girls of the same ages, to the number of about two hundred each, -trotted along, and were halted in front of the arsenal. - -"Then came a large number of men and women, several having babes -in their arms, who had been forced to seek refuge in adjacent -station-houses from the fury of the mob. Most of them carried small -bundles of clothing and light articles of furniture, all they had been -able to save from the wreck of their property. The negroes who had -sought safety under the guns of the arsenal were then taken out, -and ordered to join their friends outside. The procession was -then re-formed, and, headed by the police, marched back again down -Thirty-fifth Street to the North River. - -"A strong detachment of Hawkins's Zouaves guarded the flanks of the -procession; while a company of the Tenth New-York Volunteers, and a -squad of police, closed up the rear. Col. William Meyer had command -of the escort; and on arriving at the pier, where a numerous crowd had -followed them, he placed his men, with fixed bayonets, facing the people -to keep them in check; and the negroes were all safely embarked, and -conveyed to Ricker's Island. - -"The poor negroes have had a hard time. Finding they were to be -slaughtered indiscriminately, they have hid themselves in cellars -and garrets, and have endeavored, under cover of darkness, to flee to -neighboring places. The Elysian Fields, over in Hoboken, has been a -pretty safe refuge for them, as there are but few Irish living-in that -city. They have a sort of improvised camp there, composed mainly of -women and children." - -Blacks were chased to the docks, thrown into the river, and drowned; -while some, after being murdered, were hung to lamp-posts. Between forty -and fifty colored persons were killed, and nearly as many maimed for -life. But space will not allow us to give any thing like a detailed -account of this most barbarous outrage. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII--ASSAULT ON FORT WAGNER. - - -_The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment.--Col. Shaw.--March to the -Island.--Preparation.--Speeches.--The Attack.--Storm of Shot, Shell, -and Canister.--Heroism of Officers and Men.--Death of Col. Shaw.--The -Color-sergeant.--The Retreat.--"Buried with his Niggers."--Comments._ - - -On the 16th of July, the Fifty-fourth Regiment (colored), Col. R. G. -Shaw, was attacked by the enemy, on James Island, in which a fight of -two hours' duration took place, the Rebels largely outnumbering the -Union forces. The Fifty-fourth, however, drove the enemy before them in -confusion. The loss to our men was fourteen killed and eighteen wounded. -During the same day, Col. Shaw received orders from Gen. Gillmore to -evacuate the island. Preparations began at dusk. The night was dark and -stormy, and made the movement both difficult and dangerous. The march -was from James Island to Cole Island, across marshes, streams, and -dikes, and part of the way upon narrow foot-bridges, along which it was -necessary to proceed in single-file. The whole force reached Cole -Island the next morning, July 17, and rested during the day on the -beach opposite the south end of Folly Island. About ten o'clock in the -evening, the colonel of the Fifty-fourth received orders directing him -to report, with his command, to Gen. George C. Strong, at Morris Island, -to whose brigade the regiment was transferred. - -From eleven o'clock of Friday evening until four o'clock of Saturday, -they were being put on the transport, "The Gen. Hunter," in a boat which -took about fifty at a time. There they breakfasted on the same fare, and -had no other food before entering into the assault on Fort Wagner in the -evening. - -"The Gen. Hunter" left Cole Island for Folly Island at six, a.m.; and -the troops landed at Pawnee Lauding about nine and a half, a.m., and -thence marched to the point opposite Morris Island, reaching there about -two o'clock in the afternoon. They were transported in a steamer across -the inlet, and at four, p.m., began their march for Fort Wagner. They -reached Brigadier-Gen. Strong's quarters, about midway on the island, -about six or six and a half o'clock, where they halted for five minutes. - -Gen. Strong expressed a great desire to give them food and stimulants; -but it was too late, as they had to lead the charge. They had been -without tents during the pelting rains of Thursday and Friday nights. -Gen. Strong had been impressed with the high character of the regiment -and its officers; and he wished to assign them the post where the most -severe work was to be done and the highest honor was to be won. - -The march across Folly and Morris Islands was over a sandy road, and was -very wearisome. The regiment went through the centre of the island, and -not along the beach, where the marching was easier. - -When they had come within six hundred yards of Fort Wagner, they formed -in line of battle, the colonel heading the first, and the major the -second battalion. This was within musket-shot of the enemy. There -was little firing from the enemy; a solid shot falling between the -battalions, and another falling to the right, but no musketry. At this -point, the regiment, together with the next supporting regiment, the -Sixth Connecticut, Ninth Maine, and others, remained half an hour. The -regiment was addressed by Gen. Strong and by Col. Shaw. Then, at seven -and a half or seven and three-quarters o'clock, the order for the charge -was given. The regiment advanced at quick time, changed to double-quick -when at some distance on. - -The intervening distance between the place where the line was formed and -the fort was run over in a few minutes. - -When about one hundred yards from the fort, the rebel musketry opened -with such terrible effect, that, for an instant, the first battalion -hesitated,--but only for an instant; for Col. Shaw, springing to the -front and waving his sword, shouted, "Forward, my brave boys!" and with -another cheer and a shout they rushed through the ditch, gained the -parapet on the right, and were soon engaged in a hand-to-hand conflict -with the enemy. Col. Shaw was one of the first to scale the walls. He -stood erect to urge forward his men, and, while shouting for them to -press on, was shot dead, and fell into the fort. His body was found, -with twenty of his men lying dead around him; two lying on his own body. - -The Fifty-fourth did well and nobly; only the fall of Col. Shaw -prevented them from entering the fort. They moved up as gallantly as any -troops could, and, with their enthusiasm, they deserved a better fate. - -Sergeant-major Lewis H. Douglass, son of Frederick Douglass, the -celebrated orator, sprang upon the parapet close behind Col. Shaw, and -cried out, "Come, boys, come, let's fight for God and Governor Andrew." -This brave young man was the last to leave the parapet. Before the -regiment reached the parapet, the color-sergeant was wounded; and, -while in the act of falling, the colors were seized by Sergt. William -H. Carney, who bore them up, and mounted the parapet, where he, too, -received three severe wounds. But, on orders being given to retire, the -color-bearer, though almost disabled, still held the emblem of liberty -in the air, and followed his regiment by the aid of his comrades, and -succeeded in reaching the hospital, where he fell exhausted and almost -lifeless on the floor, saying, "The old flag never touched the ground, -boys." Capt. Lewis F. Emilio, the junior captain,--all of his superiors -having been killed or wounded,--took command, and brought the regiment -into camp. In this battle, the total loss in officers and men, killed -and wounded, was two hundred and sixty-one. - -When John Brown was led out of the Charlestown jail, on his way -to execution, he paused a moment, it will be remembered, in the -passage-way, and, taking a little colored child in his arms, kissed -and blessed it. The dying blessing of the martyr will descend from -generation to generation; and a whole race will cherish for ages the -memory of that simple caress, which, degrading as it seemed to the -slaveholders around him, was as sublime and as touching a lesson, and -as sure to do its work in the world's history, as that of Him who said, -"Suffer little children to come unto me." - -When inquiry was made at Fort Wagner, under flag of truce, for the body -of Col. Shaw of the Massachusetts Fifty-fourth, the answer was, "We have -buried him with his niggers!" It is the custom of savages to outrage the -dead, and it was only natural that the natives of South Carolina should -attempt to heap insult upon the remains of the brave young soldier; -but that wide grave on Morris Island will be to a whole race a holy -sepulchre. No more fitting burial-place, no grander obsequies, could -have been given to him who cried, as he led that splendid charge, "On, -my brave boys!" than to give to him and to them one common grave. As -they clustered around him in the fight: as they rallied always to the -clear ring of his loved voice; as they would have laid down their lives, -each and all of them, to save his; as they honored and reverenced him, -and lavished on him all the strong affections of a warm-hearted and -impulsive people: so when the fight was over, and he was found with the -faithful dead piled up like a bulwark around him, the poor savages did -the only one fitting thing to be done when they buried them together. -Neither death nor the grave has divided the young martyr and hero from -the race for which he died; and a whole people will remember in the -coming centuries, when its new part is to be played in the world's -history, that "he was buried with his niggers!" - - They buried him with his niggers!" - - Together they fought and died. - - There was room for them all where they laid him - - (The grave was deep and wide), - - For his beauty and youth and valor, - - Their patience and love and pain; - - And at the last day together - - They shall all be found again. - - - They buried him with his niggers!" - - Earth holds no prouder grave: - - There is not a mausoleum - - In the world beyond the wave, - - That a nobler tale has hallowed, - - Or a purer glory crowned, - - Than the nameless trench where they buried - - The brave so faithful found. - - - "They buried him with his niggers!" - - A wide grave should it be. - - They buried more in that shallow trench - - Than human eye could see. - - Ay: all the shames and sorrows - - Of more than a hundred years - - Lie under the weight of that Southern soil - - Despite those cruel sneers. - - - "They buried him with his niggers!" - - But the glorious souls set free - - Are leading the van of the army - - That fights for liberty. - - Brothers in death, in glory - - The same palm-branches bear; - - And the crown is as bright o'er the sable brows - - As over the golden hair. - -Only those who knew Col. Shaw can understand how fitting it seems, when -the purpose of outrage is put aside and forgotten, that he should have -been laid in a common grave with his black soldiers. The relations -between colored troops and their officers--if these are good for any -thing, and fit for their places--must need be, from the circumstances -of the case, very close and peculiar. They were especially so with Col. -Shaw and his regiment. His was one of those natures which attract first -through the affections. Most gentle tempered, genial as a warm winter's -sun, sympathetic, full of kindliness, unselfish, unobtrusive, and gifted -with a manly beauty and a noble bearing, he was sure to win the love, -in a very marked degree, of men of a race peculiarly susceptible to -influence from such traits of character as these. First, they loved -him with a devotion which could hardly exist anywhere else than in the -peculiar relation he held to them as commander of the first regiment -of free colored men permitted to fling out a military banner in this -country,--a banner that, so raised, meant to them so much! But, then, -came closer ties; they found that this young man, with education and -habits that would naturally lead him to choose a life of ease, with -wealth at his command, with peculiarly happy social relations (one -most tender one just formed), accepted the position offered him in -consideration of his soldierly as well as moral fitness, because he -recognized a solemn duty to the black man; because he was ready to throw -down all that he had, all that he was, all that this world could give -him, for the negro race! Beneath that gentle and courtly bearing which -so won upon the colored people of Boston when the Fifty-fourth was in -camp, beneath that kindly but unswerving discipline of the commanding -officer, beneath that stern but always cool and cheerful courage of the -leader in the fight, was a clear and deep conviction of a duty to the -blacks. He hoped to lead them, as one of the roads to social equality, -to fight their way to true freedom; and herein he saw his path of duty. -Of the battle two days before that in which he fell, and in which his -regiment, by their bravery, won the right to lead the attack on Fort -Wagner, he said, "I wanted my men to fight by the side of whites, and -they have done it;" thinking of others, not of himself; thinking of that -great struggle for equality in which the race had now a chance to gain -a step forward, and to which he was ready to devote his life. Could it -have been for him to choose his last resting-place, he would, no doubt, -have said, "Bury me with my men if I earn that distinction." - - Buried with a band of brothers - - Who for him would fain have died; - - Buried with the gallant fellows - - Who fell fighting by his side; - - Buried with the men God gave him, - - Those whom he was sent to save; - - Buried with the martyred heroes, - - He has found an honored grave. - - - Buried where his dust so precious - - Makes the soil a hallowed spot; - - Buried where, by Christian patriot, - - He shall never be forgot; - - - Buried in the ground accursed, - - Which man's fettered feet have trod; - - Buried where his voice still speaketh, - - Appealing for the slave to God; - - - Fare thee well, thou noble warrior, - - Who in youthful beauty went - - On a high and holy mission, - - By the God of battles sent. - - - Chosen of Him, "elect and precious," - - Well didst thou fulfil thy part: - - When thy country "counts her jewels," - - She shall wear thee on her heart. - -One who was present, speaking of the incidents before the battle, says -of Col. Shaw,-- - -"The last day with us, or, I may say, the ending of it, as we lay flat -on the ground before the assault, his manner was more unbending than -I had ever noticed before in the presence of his men. He sat on the -ground, and was talking to the men very familiarly and kindly. He told -them how the eyes of thousands would look upon the night's work they -were about to enter on; and he said, 'Now, boys, I want you to be men!' -He would walk along the line, and speak words of cheer to his men. - -"We could see that he was a man who had counted the cost of the -undertaking before him; for his words were spoken ominously, his lips -were compressed, and now and then there was visible a slight twitching -of the corners of the month, like one bent on accomplishing or dying. -One poor fellow, struck no doubt by the colonel's determined bearing, -exclaimed, as he was passing him, 'Colonel, I will stay by you till I -die;' and he kept his word: he has never been seen since. For one so -young, Col. Shaw showed a well-trained mind, and an ability of governing -men not possessed by many older or more experienced men. In him the -regiment has lost one of its best and most devoted friends. Col. Shaw -was only about twenty-seven years of age, and was married a few weeks -before he joined the army of the South." - -The following correspondence between the father of Col. Shaw and Gen. -Gillmore needs no comment, but is characteristic of the family:-- - -"_Brig-Gen. Gillmore, commanding Department of the South._ - -"_Sir_,--I take the liberty to address you, because I am informed that -efforts are to be made to recover the body of my son, Col. Shaw, of the -Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment, which was buried at Fort Wagner. My -object in writing is to say that such efforts are not authorized by me, -or any of my family, and that they are not approved by us. We hold that -a soldier's most appropriate burial-place is on the field where he has -fallen. I shall, therefore, be much obliged, general, if, in case the -matter is brought to your cognizance, you will forbid the desecration of -my son's grave, and prevent the disturbance of his remains or of those -buried with him. With most earnest wishes for your success, I am, sir, -with respect and esteem, - -"Your most obedient servant, - -"_FRANCIS GEORGE SHAW._ - -"New York, Aug. 24,1863. - -"_Headquarters Department of the South,_ Morris Island, S.C., Sept. 5, -1863. - -"_F. G. Shaw, Esq., Clifton, Staten Island, N.Y._ - -_Sir!_ I have just received your letter, expressing the disapprobation -of yourself and family of any effort to recover the body of your son, -the late Col. Shaw, of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteers, buried -in Fort Wagner; and requesting me to forbid the desecration of his grave -or disturbance of his remains. - -"Had it been possible to obtain the body of Col. Shaw immediately after -the battle in which he lost his life, I should have sent it to his -friends, in deference to a sentiment which I know to be widely prevalent -among the friends of those who fall in battle, although the practice is -one to which my own judgment has never yielded assent. - -"The views expressed in your letter are so congenial to the feelings of -an officer, as to command not only my cordial sympathy, but my respect -and admiration. Surely no resting-place for your son could be found -more fitting than the scene where his courage and devotion were so -conspicuously displayed. - -"I beg to avail myself of this opportunity to express my deep sympathy -for yourself and family in their great bereavement, and to assure you -that on no authority less than your own shall your son's remains be -disturbed. - -"Very respectfully, your obedient servant, - -"_Q. A. GILLMORE_, - -"_Brigadier-General commanding_." - -The following address of the Military Governor of South Carolina to the -people of color in the Department of the South pays a fit tribute to the -memory of the lamented Col. Shaw:-- - -_"Beaufort, S.C., July 27, 1863._ - -"_To the Colored Soldiers and Freedmen in this Department._ - -"It is fitting that you should pay a last tribute of respect to the -memory of the late Col. Robert Gould Shaw, Colonel of the Fifty-fourth -Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers. He commanded the first regiment of -colored soldiers from a free State ever mustered into the United-States -service. - -"He fell at the head of his regiment, while leading a storming-party -against a rebel stronghold. You should cherish in your inmost hearts the -memory of one who did not hesitate to sacrifice all the attractions of -a high social position, wealth and home, and his own noble life, for -the sake of humanity; another martyr to your cause that death has added; -still another hope for your race. The truths and principles for which he -fought and died still live, and will be vindicated. On the spot where he -fell, by the ditch into which his mangled and bleeding body was thrown, -on the soil of South Carolina, I trust that you will honor yourselves -and his glorious memory by appropriating the first proceeds of your -labor as free men toward erecting an enduring monument to the hero, -soldier, martyr, Robert Gould Shaw. - -"_R. SAXTON,_ - -"_Brigadier-General and Military Governor._" - -We are glad to be able to say, that the noble proposition of Gen. Saxton -met with success. - -Col. Shaw was singularly fortunate in being surrounded by officers, like -himself, young, brave, and enthusiastic. Major Hallowed, the next in -command, was wounded while urging forward his men. Adjutant G. W. James, -Capts. S. Willard, J. W. M. Appleton, E. L. - -Jones, G. Pope, W. H. Simpkins, C. J. Russell, and C. E. Tucker, and -Lieuts. O. E. Smith, W. H. Homan, R. H. Jewett, and J. A. Pratt,--were -severely wounded. A large proportion of the non-commissioned officers -fell in the engagement or were badly wounded. Among these was Sergt. R. -J. Simmons, a young man of more than ordinary ability, who had learned -the science of war in the British army. The writer enlisted him in the -city of New York, and introduced him to Francis George Shaw, Esq., who -remarked at the time that Simmons would make "a valuable soldier'." -Col. Shaw, also, had a high opinion of him. He died of his wounds in the -enemy's hospital at Charleston, from bad treatment. The heroic act -of Sergt. Carney, to which we have already alluded, called forth -the following correspondence, which needs no comments, from the -Adjutant-General's Report of the State of Massachusetts for the year -1865:-- - -"_New York, 596 Broadway, Boom 10,_ _Dec. 13, 1865._. - -"_To Adjutant-General of Massachusetts, Boston._ - -"_Sir_,--Will you be pleased to give me the name of some officer of -the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts colored regiment, so that I can obtain -information concerning the famous assault that regiment made on Fort -Wagner? I wish to learn the facts relating to the wounded color-bearer, -who, though wounded severely, bore the flag heroically while crawling -from the parapet to his retreating or repulsed regiment. It would make a -splendid subject for a. statuette. - -"Respectfully, - -"_T. H. BARTLETT,_ - -"_Sculptor_." - -I immediately forwarded the letter to Col. Hallowell, with a request -that he would furnish me with all the facts relating to the incident -which he possessed. The following is Col. Hallowell's reply:-- - -"_Boston, Dec. 18, 1865._ - -"_William Schouler, Adjutant-General._ - -"_Dear Sir_,--Your letter of the 15th to my brother, enclosing one from -Mr. Bartlett, and requesting me to furnish a statement of facts relating -to Sergt. Carney, of the Fifty-fourth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, -is received. The following statement is, to the best of my knowledge and -belief, correct; but you must remember it is made up principally from -hearsay, no one person having seen every incident, except the sergeant. -During the assault upon Fort Wagner, July 18, 1863, the sergeant -carrying the national colors of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts -Volunteers fell; but, before the colors reached the ground, Sergt. -Carney, of Company C, grasped them, and bore them to the parapet of the -fort; where he received wounds in both legs, in the breast, and in the -right arm: he, however, refused to give up his trust. When the regiment -retired from the fort, Sergt. Carney, by the aid of his comrades, -succeeded in reaching the hospital, still holding on to the flag, where -he fell, exhausted and almost lifeless, on the floor, saying, 'The old -flag never touched the ground, boys.' At the time the above happened, I -was not in a condition to verify the truth of the statements made to me; -but they come to me from very reliable parties, and from very different -people; so, after a close cross-examination of the sergeant (who was -known as a truthful man), I have concluded that the statement I have -made is substantially correct. - -"Sergt. Carney was an African, of, I should think, full blood; of very -limited education, but very intelligent; bright face, lips and nose -(comparatively) finely cut, head rather round, skin very dark, height -about five feet eight inches, not very athletic or muscular; had lived -in New Bedford, Mass., for many years. Hoping this will be of service to -Mr. Bartlett, I have the honor to be, very respectfully, - -"Your obedient servant, - -"_E. N. HALLOWELL_, - -"_Late Colonel, &c._" - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII--THE SLAVE-MARTYR. - - -_The Siege of Washington, N.C.--Big Bob, the Negro Scout.--The -Perilous Adventure.--The Fight.--Return.--Night Expedition.--The Fatal -Sandbar.--The Enemy's Shells.--"Somebody's got to die to get us out of -this, and it may as well be me."--Death of Bob.--Safety of the Boat._ - - -The siege of Washington, N.C., had carried consternation among the -planters of the surrounding country, and contrabands were flocking in by -hundreds, when, just at day-break one morning, a band of seventeen came -to the shore, and hailed the nearest gunboat. The blacks were soon taken -on board, when it was ascertained that they had travelled fifty miles -the previous night, guided by their leader, a negro whom they called -"Big Bob." This man was without a drop of Anglo-Saxon blood in his -veins, if color was a true index. It was also soon known that he was a -preacher, or had been, among his fellow-slaves. These men all expressed -a desire to be put to work, and, if allowed, to fight for "de ole flag." - -"Big Bob" sported a suit of rebel gray, which his fellow-slaves could -not; and the way in which he obtained it was rather amusing. In the -region from which they escaped, the blacks were being enrolled in the -rebel army; and Bob and his companions were taken, and put under guard, -preparatory to their being removed to the nearest military post. Bob, -however, resolved that he would not fight for the rebel cause, and -induced his comrades to join in the plan of seizing the guard, and -bringing him away with them; which they did, Bob claiming the rebel -soldier's clothes, when that individual was dismissed, after a march -of thirty miles from their home. Bob made an amusing appearance, being -above six feet in height, and dressed in a suit, the legs of the pants -of which were five or six inches too short, and the arms of the coat -proportionally short. - -A few days after the arrival of the contrabands, their services were -needed in an important expedition in the interior. These negroes, upon -being told what was wanted of them, although knowing that the enterprise -would be attended with the greatest danger, and would require the utmost -skill, volunteered their services, and, upon being furnished with arms -and implements, immediately started upon the expedition. Being landed -upon a point some little distance from Washington, they succeeded in -penetrating the enemy's country, arresting three very important rebels, -and conveying them to the fleet. In the return march, the rebels -complained at their being made to walk so far and so fast; but Bob, the -captain of the company, would occasionally be heard urging them along -after this style: "March along dar, massa; no straggling to de rear: -come, close up dar, close up dar! we're boss dis time." On the arrival -of the party, the blacks were highly complimented by the commander. - -A week had scarcely passed, and the slaves rested, before they were sent -upon a more difficult and dangerous expedition; yet these men, with Bob -to lead them, were ready for any enterprise, provided they could have -arms and ammunition. Once more landed on shore, they started with a -determination to accomplish the object for which they had been sent. -They had not gone far before they were attacked by a scouting-party -from the rebel camp, and four of the whites and one of the blacks were -killed: one also of the latter was wounded. However, the rebels were put -to flight, and the negroes made good their escape. Still bent on obeying -the orders of the commander, they took a somewhat different route, and -proceeded on their journey. Having finished their mission, which was the -destroying of two very large salt-works, breaking up fifty salt-kettles, -a large tannery, and liberating twenty-three slaves, some of whom they -armed with guns taken in their fight with the rebels, Bob commenced -retracing his steps. The return was not so easily accomplished, for the -enemy were well distributed on the line between them and the gunboats. -After getting within four miles of the fleet, and near Point Rodman, a -fight took place between the colored men and the rebels, which lasted -nearly an hour. The blacks numbered less than forty; while the whites -were more than one hundred. The negroes were called upon to surrender; -but Bob answered, "No, I never surrenders." And then he cried out, -"Come on, boys! ef we's captud, we's got to hang; and dat's a fack." -And nobly did they fight, whipping their assailants, and reaching the -gunboats with but the loss of three men killed and ten wounded. Bob and -his companions were greatly praised when once more on the fleet. - -But Bob's days were numbered; for the next day a flat full of soldiers, -with four blacks, including Bob, attempted to land at Rodman's Point, -but were repulsed by a terrible fire of rebel bullets, all tumbling into -the boat, and lying flat to escape being shot. Meanwhile the boat stuck -fast on the sand-bar, while the balls were still whizzing over and -around the flat. Seeing that something must be done at once, or all -would be lost, Big Bob exclaimed, "Somebody's got to die to get us out -of this, and it may as well be me!" He then deliberately got out, and -pushed the boat of, and fell into it, pierced by five bullets. - - "The surf with ricochetting balls - - Was churned and splashed around us: - - I heard my comrades' hurried calls, - - "The rebel guns have found us.' - - - Our vessel shivered! Far beneath - - The treacherous sand had caught her. - - What man will leap to instant death - - To shove her into water? - - - Strange light shone in our hero's eye; - - His voice was strong and steady: - - 'My brothers, one of us must die; - - And I, thank God! am ready.' - - - A shell flew toward us, hissing hate, - - Then screaming like a demon: - - He calmly faced the awful fate, - - Resolved to die a freeman. - - - He fell, his heart cut through with shot: - - The true blood of that martyr - - Out from his body spurted hot - - To flee the shame of barter. - - - We lifted up the brave man's corse; - - We thought him fair aud saintly: - - The rebel bullets round us hoarse - - We heard, but dull and faintly. - - - ' Tis ever so: a great deed wrought, - - The doer falls that moment, - - As if to save the God-like thought - - From any human comment. - - - Heroes are dead men by that fact; - - Fame haunts our grave-yards, sighing, - - 'Alas! that man's divinest act - - Should be the act of dying.'" - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX--BATTLE OF OLUSTEE, FLORIDA. - - -_The Union Troops decoyed into a Swamp.--They are outnumbered.--Their -great Bravery.--The Heroism of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts.--Death of -Col. Fribley._ - - -The battle of Olustee was fought in a swamp situated thirty-five miles -west of Jacksonville, and four miles from Sanderson, in the State of -Florida. The expedition was under the immediate command of Gen. C. -Seymour, and consisted of the Seventh New Hampshire, Seventh Connecticut -(armed with Spencer rifles, which fire eight times without loading), -Eighth United-States (colored) Battery, Third United-States Artillery, -Fifty-fourth Massachusetts (colored), and First North-Carolina -(colored). The command having rested on the night of the 19th of -February, 1884, at Barbour's Ford, on the St. Mary's River, took up its -line of march on the morning of the 20th, and proceeded to Sanderson, -nine miles to the west, which was reached at one o'clock, p.m., without -interruption; but, about three miles beyond, the advance drove in the -enemy's pickets. The Seventh Connecticut, being deployed as skirmishers, -fell in with the enemy's force in the swamp, strengthened still more by -rifle-pits. Here they were met by cannon and musketry; but our troops, -with their Spencer rifles, played great havoc with the enemy, making -an attempt to take one of his pieces of artillery, but failed. However, -they hold their ground nobly for three-quarters of an hour, and were -just about retiring as the main body of our troops came up. - -The Eighth (colored), which had never been in battle, and which had been -recruited but a few weeks, came up and filed to the right, when they met -with a most terrific shower of musketry and shell. Gen. Seymour now came -up, and pointing in front, towards the railroad, said to Col. Fribley, -commander of the Eighth, "Take your regiment in there,"--a place which -was sufficiently hot to make the oldest and most field-worn veterans -tremble; and yet these men, who had never heard the sound of a cannon -before, rushed in where they commenced dropping like grass before the -sickle: still on they went without faltering, until they came within two -hundred yards of the enemy's strongest works. Here these brave men stood -for nearly three hours before a terrible fire, closing up as their -ranks were thinned out, fire in front, on their flank, and in the rear, -without flinching or breaking. - -Col. Fribley, seeing that it was impossible to hold the position, passed -along the lines to tell the officers to fire, and fall back gradually, -and was shot before he reached the end. He was shot in the chest, told -the men to carry him to the rear, and expired in a very few minutes. -Major Burritt took command, but was also wounded in a short time. At -this time Capt. Hamilton's battery became endangered, and he cried out -to our men for God's sake to save his battery. Our United-States flag, -after three sergeants had forfeited their lives by bearing it during the -fight, was planted on the battery by Lieut. Elijah Lewis, and the men -rallied around it; but the guns had been jammed up so indiscriminately, -and so close to the enemy's lines, that the gunners were shot down as -fast as they made their appearance; and the horses, whilst they were -wheeling the pieces into position, shared the same fate. They were -compelled to leave the battery, and failed to bring the flag away. The -battery fell into the enemy's hands. During the excitement, Capt. Bailey -took command, and brought out the regiment in good order. Sergt. Taylor, -Company D, who carried the battle-flag, had his right hand nearly shot -off, but grasped the colors with the left hand, and brought them out. - -The Seventh New Hampshire was posted on both sides of the wagon-road, -and broke, but soon rallied, and did good execution. The line was -probably one mile long, and all along the fighting was terrific. - -Our artillery, where it could be worked, made dreadful havoc on the -enemy; whilst the enemy did us but very little injury with his, with the -exception of one gun, a sixty-four pound swivel, fixed on a truck-car -on the railroad, which fired grape and canister. On the whole, their -artillery was very harmless; but their musketry fearful. - -Up to this time, neither the First North Carolina nor the Fifty-fourth -Massachusetts had taken any part in the fight, as they were in the -rear some distance. However, they heard the roar of battle, and were -hastening to the field, when they were met by an aide, who came riding -up to the colonel of the Fifty-fourth, saying, "For God's sake, colonel, -double-quick, or the day is lost!" Of all the regiments, every -one seemed to look to the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts with the most -dependence on the field of battle. This regiment was under the command -of Col. E. N. Hallowell, who fell wounded by the side of Col. Shaw, -at Fort Wagner, and who, since his recovery, had been in several -engagements, in all of which he had shown himself an excellent officer, -and had gained the entire confidence of his men, who were willing -to follow him wherever he chose to lead. When the aide met these two -regiments, he found them hastening on. - -The First North Carolina was in light marching order; the Fifty-fourth -Massachusetts was in heavy marching order, with knapsacks, haversacks, -canteens, and every other appurtenance of the soldier. But off went -every thing, and they double-quicked on to the field. At the most -critical juncture, just as the rebels were preparing for a simultaneous -charge along the whole line, and they had captured our artillery -and turned it upon us, Col. James Montgomery, Col. Hallo-well, and -Lieut.-Col. Hooper formed our line of battle on right by file into line. - -The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts went in first, with a cheer. They were -followed by the First North Carolina (colored). Lieut.-Col. Reed, -in command, headed the regiment, sword in hand, and charged upon the -rebels. They broke when within twenty yards of contact with our negro -troops. Overpowered by numbers, the First North Carolina fell back -in good order, and poured in a destructive fire. Their colonel fell, -mortally wounded. Major Bogle fell wounded, and two men were killed -in trying to reach his body. The Adjutant, William C. Manning, wounded -before at Malvern Hills, got a bullet in his body, but persisted -in remaining until another shot struck him. His lieutenant-colonel, -learning the fact, embraced him, and implored him to leave the field. -The next moment the two friends were stretched side by side: the colonel -had received his own death-wound. _But the two colored regiments had -stood in the gap, and saved the army!_ The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, -which, with the First North Carolina, may be truly said to have saved -the forces from utter route, lost eighty men. - -There were three color-sergeants shot down: the last one was shot three -times before he relinquished the flag of his country. His name was -Samuel C. Waters, Company C, and his body sleeps where he fell. The -battle-flag carried by Sergt. Taylor was borne through the fight with -the left hand, after the right one was nearly shot off. The rebels -fired into the place where the wounded were being attended to; and -their cavalry was about making a charge on it just as the Fifty-fourth -Massachusetts appeared on the field, when they retired. - -Had Col. Hallowell not seen at a glance the situation of affairs, -the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteers would have been killed or -captured. When they entered the field with the First North Carolina, -which is a brave regiment, they (the First North Carolina) fired well -while they remained; but they gave way, thus exposing the right. On the -left, the rebel cavalry were posted; and, as the enemy's left advanced -on our right, their cavalry pressed the left. Both flanks were thus -being folded up, and slaughter or capture would have been the inevitable -result. We fell back in good order, and established new lines of battle, -until we reached Sanderson. Here a scene that beggars description was -presented. Wounded men lined the railroad station; and the roads -were filled with artillery, caissons, ammunition and baggage-wagons, -infantry, cavalry, and ambulances. The only organized bodies ready -to repel attack were a portion of the Fortieth Massachusetts Mounted -Infantry, armed with the Spencer repeating-rifle, the Fifty-fourth -Massachusetts Volunteers, and the Seventh Connecticut, commanded by Col. -Hawley, now governor of Connecticut. - -An occurrence of thrilling interest took place during the battle, which -I must not omit to mention: it was this:-- - -Col. Hallowed ordered the color-line to be advanced one hundred and -fifty paces. Three of the colored corporals, Pease, Palmer, and Glasgow, -being wounded, and the accomplished Goodin killed, there were four only -left,--Wilkins the acting sergeant, Helnian and Lenox. The colors were -perforated with bullets, and the staff was struck near the grasp of -the sergeant; but the color-guard marched steadily out, one hundred and -fifty paces to the front, with heads erect and square to the front; and -the battalion rallied around it, and fought such a fight as made Col. -Hallowell shout with very joy, and the men themselves to ring out -defiant cheers which made the pines and marshes of Ocean Pond echo -again. - -The attachment which the colored men form for their officers is very -great, often amounting to self-sacrifice. Thus when Major Bogle fell -wounded, one of his soldiers sprang forward to rescue him, and bear him -to the rear. At that instant a rebel sergeant fired, and wounded -the black man in the shoulder. This, however, did not force him to -relinquish his purpose, but appeared to add to his determination; and -he had his arms around the wounded officer, when a second ball passed -through the soldier's head, and he fell and expired on the body of his -superior, who was taken prisoner by the enemy. - -Although these colored men had never been paid off, and their families -at home were in want, they were as obedient and fought as bravely as the -white troops, whose pockets contained "greenbacks," and whose wives and -children were provided for. - -The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts went into the battle with "Three cheers -for Massachusetts, and seven dollars a month." - -It is well known that the general in command came to the colonel and -said, "The day is lost: you must do what you can to save the army from -destruction." And nobly did they obey him. They fired their guns till -their ammunition was exhausted, and then stood with fixed bayonets -till the broken columns had time to retreat, and though once entirely -outflanked, the enemy getting sixty yards in their rear, their undaunted -front and loud cheering caused the enemy to pause, and allowed them time -to change front. They occupied the position as rear guard all the way -back to Jacksonville; and, where-ever was the post of danger, there was -the Fifty-fourth to be found. - -When the forces arrived at Jacksonville, they there learned that the -train containing the wounded was at Ten-Mile Station, where it had -been left, owing to the breaking down of the engine. The Fifty-fourth -Massachusetts, fatigued and worn out as it was, was despatched at once, -late at night, to the assistance of the disabled train. Arriving at -Ten-Mile Station, they found that the only way to bring the wounded -with them was to attach ropes to the cars, and let the men act as motive -power. Thus the whole train of cars containing the wounded from the -battle of Olustee was dragged a distance of ten miles by that brave -colored regiment. All accounts give the negroes great praise for -gallantry displayed at this battle. Even the correspondent of "The -New-York Herald"-gives this emphatic testimony: "The First North -Carolina and the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, of the colored troops, _did -admirably._ The First North Carolina _held the positions it was placed -in with the greatest tenacity, and inflicted heavy loss on the enemy. It -was cool and steady, and never flinched for a moment. The Fifty-fourth -sustained the reputation they had gained at Wagner, and bore themselves -like soldiers throughout the battle._" A letter from Beaufort, dated -Feb. 26, from a gentleman who accompanied Gen. Seymour's expedition, has -the following passage relative to the conduct of the Fifty-fourth in the -repulse in Florida:-- - -"A word about the terrible defeat in Florida. We have been driven from -Lake City to within seven miles of Jacksonville,--fifty-three miles. The -rebels allowed us to penetrate, and then, with ten to our one, cut -us off, meaning to _'bag' us; and, had it not been for the glorious -Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, the whole brigade would have been captured -or annihilated._ This was the only regiment that rallied, broke the -rebel ranks, and saved us. _The Eighth United-States (colored) lost -their flag twice, and the Fifty-fourth recaptured it each time_. They -had lost, in killed and missing, about three hundred and fifty. They -would not retreat when ordered, but charged with the most fearful -desperation, driving the enemy before them, and turning their -left flank. If this regiment has not won glory enough to have -shoulder-straps, where is there one that ever did?" - - - - -CHAPTER XXX--BATTLE OF POISON SPRINGS, ARKANSAS. - - -_Hand-fought Battle.--Bravery of the Kansas Colored Troops.--They -die but will not yield.--Outnumbered by the Rebels.--Another severe -Battle.--The heroic Negro, after being wounded, fights till he dies._ - - -The battle of Poison Springs, Ark., between one thousand Union and -eight thousand rebel troops, was one of the most severe conflicts of the -war. Six hundred of the Union forces were colored, and from Kansas, some -of them having served under old John Brown during the great struggle in -that territory. These black men, as it will be seen, bore the brunt -of the fight, and never did men show more determined bravery than -was exhibited on this occasion. They went into the battle singing the -following characteristic song:-- - - "Old John Brown's body lies a mouldering in the grave, - - While weep the sons of bondage, whom he ventured to save; - - But though he lost his life in struggling for the slave, - - His soul is marching on. - - Glory, glory, Hallelujah! - - Glory, glory, Hallelujah! - - Glory, glory, Hallelujah! - - His soul is marching on! - - John Brown was a hero, undaunted, true, and brave, - - And Kansas knew his valor, when he fought her rights to save; - - And now, though the grass grows green above his grave, - - His soul is marching on. - - He captured Harper's Ferry with his nineteen men so few, - - And he frightened 'Old Virginny' till she trembled through and -through: - - They hung him for a traitor, themselves a traitor crew, - - For his soul is marching on, &c. - - - John Brown was John the Baptist, of the Christ we are to see,-- - - Christ, who of the bondman shall the Liberator be; - - And soon throughout the sunny South the slaves shall all be free, - - For his soul is marching on, &c. - - The conflict that he heralded, he looks from heaven to view, - - On the army of the Union, with its flag, red, white, and blue; - - And heaven shall ring with anthems o'er the deed they mean to do, - - For his soul is marching on, &c. - - - Ye soldiers of freedom then strike, while strike ye may, - - The death-blow of oppression in a better time and way; - - For the dawn of old John Brown has brightened into day, - - And his soul is marching on. - - Glory, glory, Hallelujah! - - Glory, glory, Hallelujah! - - Glory, glory, Hallelujah! - - And his soul is marching on." - -The following graphic description of the battle will be read with -thrilling interest:-- - -"_Official Report of Major Richard G. Ward, commanding First Kansas -Colored Regiment at the battle of Poison Springs._ - -"_Headquarters First Kansas Colored Vols.,_ _Camden, Ark., April 20, -1864._ - -"_Col. J. M. Williams, commanding Escort to Forage-train._ - -"_Colonel_,--In conformity with the requirements of the circular issued -by you, April 19, 1864, I submit the following report of the conduct of -that portion of the escort which I had the honor to command, and of the -part taken by them in the action of the 18th inst:-- - -"I marched from the camp on White-Oak Creek, with the six companies left -with me as rear-guard, about seven o'clock, a.m. When I arrived at the -junction of the Washington Road, I found the Eighteenth Iowa Infantry -and a detachment of cavalry waiting to relieve me as rear-guard. At -this moment I received your order to press forward to the front, as your -advance was skirmishing with the enemy. Upon arriving, agreeably to your -order, I placed one wing of this regiment on each side of the section of -Rabb's Battery, to support it, and awaited further developments. - -"After your cavalry had ascertained the position of the enemy's force -on our right flank, and Lieut. Haines had planted one of his pieces in -a favorable position, I placed Companies A, B, E, and H in position to -support it. We had hardly got into position here, before our cavalry -were forced back upon our line by an overwhelming force of the enemy. -Lieut. Henderson, commanding detachment Sixth Kansas (than whom a -braver officer never existed), was severely wounded, and I ordered Corp. -Wallahan, Company M, Sixth Kansas, to form his men on my right. He had -scarcely formed them, ere Lieut. Mitchell, commanding detachment Second -Kansas Cavalry, was also driven in, when he was placed upon the extreme -right under your personal supervision. - -"The line of battle was now nearly in the form of the segment, of a -circle, the convex side being outward, or toward the enemy. Companies -C and I being on the north side of the road facing toward the east; -Companies D and F on the south side of the road, facing in the same -direction, whilst on my extreme right the men were drawn up in line -facing due south. It was now about half past eleven o'clock, a.m. -These dispositions were scarcely made ere the enemy opened a severe and -well-directed fire from a six-gun battery, at the distance of about one -thousand yards. This battery was near the road, due east of our line. -At the same time a howitzer battery, reported to me as having four guns, -opened on the south opposite my right, at a distance of six or seven -hundred yards. Although this was much the severest artillery fire that -any of the men had ever before been subjected to, and many of the -men were thus under fire for the _first time_, they were as cool as -veterans, and patiently awaited the onset of the enemy's infantry. - -"Just after twelve o'clock, the enemy's batteries slackened their fire, -and their infantry advanced to the attack. From the position of the -ground, it was useless to deliver a fire until the enemy were within one -hundred yards. I therefore reserved my fire until their first line was -within that distance, when I gave the order to fire. For about a quarter -of an hour, it seemed as though the enemy were determined to break my -lines, and capture the guns; but their attempts were fruitless, and they -were compelled to fall precipitately back, not, however, before they -had disabled more than half of the gunners belonging to the gun on the -right. - -"Again they opened their infernal cross-fires with their batteries, and -through the smoke I could see them massing their infantry for another -attack. I immediately applied to you for more men. - -"Companies G and K were sent me. I placed Company K upon the extreme -right (where the cavalry had rested, but which had now retired), and -Company G upon the left of Company B. Shortly after these dispositions -were made, the enemy again advanced, this time in two columns yelling -like fiends. Lieut. Macy, of Company C, whom you had sent out with -skirmishers from the left, was driven in; and I placed him, with his -small command, between Companies G and B. At this moment, yourself and -Lieut. Haines arrived on the right, and I reported to you the condition -of the gun, only two men being left to man it, when you ordered it to -the rear. Just as the boys were preparing to limber, a large body of the -enemy was observed making for the gun in close column, whereupon private -Alonzo Hendshaw, of the Second Indiana Battery, himself double-loaded -the piece with canister, and poured into the advancing column a parting -salute at the distance of about three hundred yards, and then limbered. -The effect was terrific. Our infantry redoubled their fire, and again -the massed columns sullenly retired. - -"Three different times the enemy were thus repulsed; and, as they were -massing for the fourth charge, I informed you that I believed it would -be impossible to hold my position without more men on my right and -centre. You replied that I should have them if they could be spared from -other points. I held my position until you returned; when, seeing your -horse fall, I gave you mine for the purpose of going to the Eighteenth -Iowa to form them in a favorable position for my line to fall back upon. -Agreeably to your order to hold the ground at any and all events until -this could be done, I encouraged the men to renew their exertions, -and repel the coming charge, intending, if I succeeded, to take that -opportunity of falling back, instead of being compelled to do so under -fire. My right succeeded in checking the advance; but, my left being -outflanked at the same time that my left-centre was sustaining the -attack of ten times their number, I ordered to fall back slowly toward -the train, changing front toward the left, to prevent the enemy from -coming up in my rear. We here made a stand of about ten minutes, when I -perceived that the enemy had succeeded in flanking my extreme right, and -that I was placed in a position to receive a cross-fire from their two -lines. I was then compelled, in order to save even a fragment of the -gallant regiment which for nearly two hours had, unaided, sustained -itself against Price's whole army, to order a retreat. - -"Although a portion retired precipitately, the greater portion of them -kept up a continued fire the whole length of the train. I ordered the -men to retire behind the line of the Iowa Eighteenth, and form; but, -alas! four companies had lost their gallant commanders, and were -without an officer. By your aid, and the assistance of the few unharmed -officers, I succeeded in collecting a few of the command, and placing -them on the left of the Iowa Eighteenth. As they were slowly forced -backward, others took position in the line, and did all that could be -done to check the advance of the overwhelming forces of the enemy. I -sent a small force to assist Lieut. Haines in his gallant and manly -efforts to save his guns; and, had it not been for the worn condition of -the horses, I believe he would have succeeded. Accompanying this, I -send the reports of company commanders of the losses sustained by their -respective companies. It will be noticed that the heaviest punishment -was inflicted upon Company G, from the fact that it was more exposed to -the galling cross-fires of the enemy. - -"You will see that I went into action with about four hundred and fifty -enlisted men, and thirteen officers of the line. Seven out of that -gallant thirteen were killed or wounded. Five are reported dead on the -field: Capt. A. J. Armstrong, Company D; Lieut. B. Hitchcock, Company G; -Lieuts. Charles J. Coleman and Joseph B. Samuels, Company H; and Lieut. -John Topping, Company B. The cheerful offering of the lives of such -noble men needs not the assistance of any studied panegyric to bespeak -for it that spirit of lasting admiration with which their memories will -ever be enshrined. - -"Four companies fought their way to the rear, without a commissioned -officer. One hundred and thirteen men are killed, and sixty-nine -wounded,--some of them mortally. I cannot refrain from mentioning the -names of Capt. B. W. Welch, Company K, and Lieut. E. Q. Macy, Company -C. both of whom were wounded, as among the number of sufferers who -have earned the thanks and merit the sympathy of the loyal and -generous everywhere. Any attempt to mention the names of any soldier in -particular would be unjust, unless I mentioned all; for every one, as -far as I could see, did his duty coolly, nobly, and bravely. On the -right, where the enemy made so many repeated attempts to break my line, -I saw officers and men engaged in taking the cartridges from the bodies -of the dead; and, upon inquiring, found that their ammunition was nearly -expended. - -"The brave and soldier-like Topping was killed in the first charge; and -the gallant young Coleman, commanding Company H, was shot down in the -second charge. At what particular period of the engagement the other -officers fell, I am unable to state. To Capt. John R, Gratton, Company -C; Capt. William H. Smallwood, Company G; Lieut. R. L. Harris, Company -I: Lieut. B. G. Jones, Company A; Lieut. John Overdier, Company E; -Lieut. S. S. Crepps, Company F; and Adjutant William C. Gibbons, I -would tender my heartfelt thanks, for the faithful, efficient, and manly -performance of the most arduous duties, while subjected to the hottest -fire. - -"The loss in arms and clothing is quite serious; but, from the exhausted -state of the men, it is strange that as many of them brought in their -arms and accoutrements as did. Out of seventy-eight hours preceding -the action, sixty-three hours were spent by the entire command on duty, -besides a heavy picket-guard having been furnished for the remaining -fifteen hours. You are also reminded that the rations were of necessity -exceedingly short for more than a week previous to the battle. - -"We were obliged to bring our wounded away the best we could, as the -rebels were seen shooting those who fell into their hands. The men who -brought in the wounded were obliged to throw away their arms; but the -most who did so waited till they reached the swamps, and then sunk them -in the bayous. - -"I am, colonel, very respectfully, - -"Your obedient servant, - -"_R. G. WARD,_ - -"_Major First Kansas Colored Volunteers._''' - -"Since this Report was published, official information has been received -at Fort Smith, that Capt. Armstrong and Lieut. Hitchcock are prisoners -of war in Arkansas, and not killed as reported. - -"Yours, - -"J. BOWLES, - -"Lieutenant-Colonel First Kansas Volunteers." - -Eight days later, the same colored regiment had a fight with a superior -force in numbers of the rebels; and the subjoined account of the -engagement will show with what determination they fought. - -"On the 29th, we skirmished in the forenoon. In the afternoon, the -venturing-out of a detachment beyond the distance ordered brought on a -severe though short general engagement. At least one hundred and twenty -of the rebel cavalry made a charge upon this detachment of twenty-four -men. Before we could bring up re-enforcements, these fearfully -disproportioned parties were engaged in a desperate hand-to-hand -encounter. I was on the field, doing, with the other officers, the -best we could to bring up re-enforcements. There was no flinching, no -hesitation, or trembling limbs among the men; but fierce determination -flashing in their eyes, and exhibiting an eager, passionate haste to -aid their comrades, and vindicate the manhood of their race. The air was -rent with their yells, as they rushed on, and the difficulty manifested -was in holding them well in rather than in faltering. Among the -detachment cut off, of whom only six escaped unhurt, nothing I have -ever seen, read, or heard in the annals of war, surpasses the desperate -personal valor exhibited by each and every man. Bayonets came in bloody, -as did the stocks of guns; and the last charge was found gone from -cartridge-boxes. - -"During the fight, one poor fellow received a mortal wound, but would -not go to the rear. He told his officer that he could not live, but -would die fighting for the flag of liberty; and continued to load and -discharge his rifle until he fell dead on the field of glory. - - "The ball had crushed a vital part,-- - - He could not long survive; - - But, with a brave and loyal heart, - - For victory still would strive; - - - His rifle 'gainst the traitor foe - - With deadly aim would ply; - - And, till his life-blood ceased to flow, - - Fight on for liberty. - - - His skin was of the ebon hue, - - His heart was nobly brave: - - To country, flag, and freedom true, - - He would not live a slave. - - - His rifle flashed,--a traitor falls: - - While death is in his eye, - - He bravely to his comrades calls, - - 'Fight on for liberty!' - - - He looked upon his bannered sign, - - He bowed his noble head,-- - - 'Farewell, beloved flag of mine!'-- - - Then fell among the dead. - - - His comrades will remember well - - The hero's battle-cry, - - As in the arms of death he fell,-- - - 'Fight on for liberty!' - - - And still for liberty and laws - - His comrades will contend, - - Till victory crowns the righteous cause, - - And tyrant power shall end. - - - Though low in earth the martyr lies, - - Still rings his battle-cry: - - From hill to hill the echo flies,-- - - 'Fight on for liberty!' - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI--THE MASSACRE AT FORT PILLOW. - - -_Assault and Capture of the Fort.--"No Quarter."--Rebel -Atrocities.--Gens. Forrest and Chalmers.--Firing upon Flags of -Truce.--Murder of Men, Women, and Children.--Night after the -Assault.--Buried Alive.--Morning after the Massacre._ - - -Nothing in the history of the Rebellion has equalled in inhumanity and -atrocity the horrid butchery at Fort Pillow, Ky., on the 13th of April, -1864. In no other school than slavery could human beings have been -trained to such readiness for cruelties like these. Accustomed to -brutality and bestiality all their lives, it was easy for them to -perpetrate the atrocities which will startle the civilized foreign -world, as they have awakened the indignation of our own people. - -We have gleaned the facts of the fight from authentic sources, and they -may be relied upon as truthful. The rebels, under Forrest, appeared, and -drove in the pickets about sunrise on Tuesday morning. The garrison -of the fort consisted of about two hundred of the Thirteenth Tennessee -Volunteers, and four hundred negro artillery, all under command of -Major Booth: the gunboat "No. 7" was also in the river. The rebels -first attacked the outer forts, and, in several attempts to charge, were -repulsed. They were constantly re-enforced, and extended their lines to -the river on both sides of the fort. The garrison in the two outer forts -was at length overpowered by superior numbers, and about noon evacuated -them, and retired to the fort on the river. Here the fight was -maintained with great obstinacy, and continued till about four, p.m. The -approach to the fort from the rear is over a gentle declivity, cleared, -and fully exposed to a raking fire from two sides of the fort. About -thirty yards from the fort is a deep ravine, running all along the -front, and so steep at the bottom as to be hidden from the fort, and not -commanded by its guns. The rebels charged with great boldness dawn the -declivity, and faced, without blanching, a murderous fire from the guns -and small-arms of the fort, and crowded into the ravine; where they were -sheltered from fire by the steep bank, which had been thus left by some -unaccountable neglect or ignorance. Here the rebels organized for a -final charge upon the fort, after sending a flag of truce with a demand -for surrender, which was refused. The approach from the ravine was up -through a deep, narrow gully, and the steep embankments of the fort. The -last charge was made about four, p.m., by the whole rebel force, and was -successful after a most desperate and gallant defence. The rebel army -was estimated at from two thousand to four thousand, and succeeded by -mere force of numbers. The gunboat had not been idle, but, guided by -signals from the fort, poured upon the rebels a constant stream of shot -and shell. She fired two hundred and sixty shells, and, as testified to -by those who could see, with marvellous precision and with fatal effect. -Major Booth, who was killed near the close of the fight, conducted the -defence with great coolness, skill, and gallantry. His last signal to -the boat was, "We are hard pressed and shall be overpowered." He refused -to surrender, however, and fought to the last. By the uniform and -voluntary, testimony of the rebel officers, as well as the survivors -of the fight, the negro-artillery regiments fought with the bravery and -coolness of veterans, and served the guns with skill and precision. -They did not falter nor flinch, until, at the last charge, when it -was evident they would be overpowered, they broke, and fled toward the -river: and here commenced the most barbarous and cruel outrages that -ever the fiendishness of rebels has perpetrated during the war. - -After the rebels were in undisputed possession of the fort, and the -survivors had surrendered, they commenced the indiscriminate butchery -of all the Federal soldiery. The colored soldiers threw down their -guns, and raised their arms, in token of surrender; but not the least -attention was paid to it. They continued to shoot down all they found. A -number of them, finding no quarter was given, ran over the bluff to the -river, and tried to conceal themselves under the bank and in the bushes, -where they were pursued by the rebel savages, whom they implored to -spare their lives. Their appeals were made in vain; and they were all -shot down in cold blood, and, in full sight of the gunboat, chased and -shot down like dogs. In passing up the bank of the river, fifty dead -might be counted, strewed along. One had crawled into a hollow log, and -was killed in it; another had got over the bank into the river, and had -got on a board that run out into the water. He lay on it on his face, -with his feet in the water. He lay there, when exposed, stark and stiff. -Several had tried to hide in crevices made by the falling bank, and -could not be seen without difficulty; but they were singled out, and -killed. From the best information to be had, the white soldiers were, to -a very considerable extent, treated in the same way. H. W. Harrison, one -of the Thirteenth Tennessee on board, says, that, after the surrender, -he was below the bluff, and one of the rebels presented a pistol to -shoot him. He told him he had surrendered, and requested him not to -fire. He spared him, and directed him to go up the bluff to the fort. -Harrison asked him to go before him, or he would be shot by others; but -he told him to go along. He started, and had not proceeded far before he -met a rebel, who presented his pistol. Harrison begged him not to fire; -but, paying no attention to his request, he fired, and shot him through -the shoulder; and another shot him in the leg. He fell; and, while he -lay unable to move, another came along, and was about to fire again, -when Harrison told him he was badly wounded twice, and implored him not -to fire. He asked Harrison if he had any money. He said he had a little -money, and a watch. The rebel took from him his watch and ninety dollars -in money, and left him. Harrison is, probably, fatally wounded. Several -such cases have been related to me; and I think, to a great extent, -the whites and negroes were indiscriminately murdered. The rebel -Tennesseeans have about the same bitterness against Tennesseeans in the -Federal army, as against the negroes. It was told by a rebel officer -that Gen. Forrest shot one of his men, and cut another with his sabre, -who were shooting down prisoners. It may be so; but he is responsible -for the conduct of his men. Gen. Chalmers stated publicly, while on the -Platte Valley, that, though he did not encourage or countenance his men -in shooting down negro captives, yet it was right and justifiable. - -The negro corporal, Jacob Wilson, who was picked up below Fort Pillow, -had a narrow escape. He was down on the river-bank, and, seeing that no -quarter was shown, stepped into the water so that he lay partly under -it. A rebel coming along asked him what was the matter: he said he was -badly wounded; and the rebel, after taking from his pocket all the money -he had, left him. It happened to be near by a flat-boat tied to the -bank, and about three o'clock in the morning. When all was quiet, Wilson -crawled into it, and got three more wounded comrades also into it, and -cut loose. The boat floated out into the channel, and was found ashore -some miles below. The wounded negro soldiers aboard feigned themselves -dead until Union soldiers came along. - -The atrocities committed almost exceed belief; and, but for the fact -that so many confirm the stories, we could not credit them. One man, -already badly wounded, asked of a scoundrel who was firing at him, to -spare his life. "No: damn you!" was the reply. "You fight with niggers!" -and forthwith discharged two more balls into him. One negro was made -to assist in digging a pit to bury the dead in, and was himself cast in -among others, and buried. Five are known to have been buried alive: of -these, two dug themselves out, and are now alive, and in the hospital. -Daniel Tyler, of Company B, was shot three times, and struck on the -head, knocking out his eye. After this, he was buried; but, not liking -his quarters, dug out. He laughs over his adventures, and says he is one -of the best "dug-outs" in the world. - -Dr. Fitch says he saw twenty white soldiers paraded in line on the bank -of the river; and, when in line, the rebels fired upon and killed -all but one, who ran to the river, and hid under a log, and in that -condition was fired at a number of times, and wounded. He says that -Major Bradford also ran down to the river, and, after he told them that -he had surrendered, more than fifty shots were fired at him. He then -jumped into the river, and swam out a little ways, and whole volleys -were fired at him there without hitting him. He returned to the shore, -and meeting, as the doctor supposes, some officer, was protected; but he -heard frequent threats from the rebels that they would kill him. - -"Yesterday afternoon," says "The Cairo News" of April 16, "we visited -the United-States Hospital at Mound City, and had an interview with the -wounded men from Fort Pillow. - -"The Fort-Pillow wounded are doing much better than could be expected -from the terrible nature of their wounds. But one, William Jones, had -died, though Adjutant Bearing and Lieut. John H. Porter cannot possibly -long survive. Of the whole number,--fifty-two,--all except two were cut -or shot after they had surrendered! They all tell the same story of the -rebel barbarities; and listening to a recital of the terrible scenes at -the fort makes one's blood run cold. They say they were able to keep the -rebels at bay for several hours, notwithstanding the immense disparity -of numbers; and, but for their treachery in creeping up under the walls -of the fort while a truce was pending, would have held out until 'The -Olive Branch' arrived with troops, with whose assistance they would have -defeated Chalmers. - -"So well were our men protected behind their works, that our loss -was very trifling before the rebels scaled the walls, and obtained -possession. As soon as they saw the Rebels inside the walls, the -Unionists ceased firing, knowing that further resistance was useless; -but the Rebels continued firing, crying out, 'Shoot them, shoot them! -Show them no quarter!' - -"The Unionists, with one or two exceptions, had thrown down their arms -in token of surrender, and therefore could offer no resistance. In vain -they held up their hands, and begged their captors to spare their lives. -But they were appealing to fiends; and the butchery continued until, out -of near six hundred men who composed the garrison, but two hundred and -thirty remained alive: and of this number, sixty-two were wounded, and -nine died in a few hours after. - -"Capt. Bradford, of the First Alabama Cavalry, was an especial object of -rebel hatred, and his death was fully determined upon before the assault -was made. After he had surrendered, he was basely shot; but, having -his revolver still at his side, he emptied it among a crowd of rebels, -bringing three of the scoundrels to the ground. The massacre was -acquiesced in by most of the rebel officers, Chalmers himself expressly -declaring that 'home-made Yankees and negroes should receive no -quarter.'" - -The following is an extract from the Report of the Committee on the -Conduct of the War on the Fort-Pillow Massacre:-- - -"It will appear from the testimony that was taken, that the atrocities -committed at Fort Pillow were not the results of passion elicited by the -heat of conflict, but were the results of a policy deliberately decided -upon, and unhesitatingly announced. Even if the uncertainty of the -fate of those officers and men belonging to colored regiments, who have -heretofore been taken prisoners by the rebels, has failed to convince -the authorities of our Government of this fact, the testimony herewith -submitted must convince even the most sceptical, that it is the -intention of the rebel authorities not to recognize the officers and men -of our colored regiments as entitled to the treatment accorded by all -civilized nations to prisoners of war. - -"The declarations of Forrest and his officers, both before and after -the capture of Fort Pillow, as testified to by such of our men as have -escaped after being taken by him; the threats contained in the various -demands for surrender made at Paducah, Columbus, and other places; the -renewal of the massacre the morning after the capture of Fort Pillow; -the statements made by the rebel officers to the officers of our -gunboats who received the few survivors at Fort Pillow,--all this proves -most conclusively the policy they have determined to adopt. - -"It was at Fort Pillow that the brutality and cruelty of the rebels -were most fearfully exhibited. The garrison there, according to the -last returns received at headquarters, amounted to ten officers and five -hundred and thirty-eight enlisted men, of whom two hundred and -sixty-two were colored troops, comprising one battalion of the Sixteenth -United-States Heavy Artillery, formerly the First Alabama Artillery of -colored troops, under the command of Major L. F. Booth; one section of -the Second Light Artillery (colored); and a battalion of the Thirteenth -Tennessee Cavalry (white ), commanded by Major A. F. Bradford. Major -Booth was the ranking officer, and was in command of the fort. - -"Immediately after the second flag of truce retired, the rebels made a -rush from the positions they had so treacherously gained, and obtained -possession of the fort, raising the cry of 'No quarter.' But little -opportunity was allowed for resistance. Our troops, white and black, -threw down their arms, and sought to escape by running down the steep -bluff near the fort, and secreting themselves behind trees and logs -in the brush, and under the brush; some even jumping into the river, -leaving only their heads above the water. Then followed a scene of -cruelty and murder without parallel in civilized warfare, which needed -but the tomahawk and scalping-knife to exceed the worst atrocities ever -committed by savages. - -"The rebels commenced an indiscriminate slaughter, sparing neither age -nor sex, white nor black, soldier nor civilian. The officers and men -seemed to vie with each other in the devilish work. Men, women, and -children, wherever found, were deliberately shot down, beaten, and -hacked with sabres. Some of the children not more than ten years old -were forced to stand up by their murderers while being shot. The sick -and wounded were butchered without mercy; the rebels even entering the -hospital-buildings, and dragging them out to be shot, or killing them -as they lay there unable to offer the least resistance. All over the -hillside the work of murder was going on. Numbers of our men were -collected together in lines or groups, aud deliberately shot. Some were -shot while in the river; while others on the bank were shot, and their -bodies kicked into the water, many of them still living, but unable to -make exertions to save themselves from drowning. - -"Some of the rebels stood upon the top of the hill, or a short distance -from its side, and called to our soldiers to come up to them, and, as -they approached, shot them down in cold blood; and, if their guns or -pistols missed fire, forced them to stand there until they were again -prepared to fire. All around were heard cries of 'No quarter, no -quarter!' 'Kill the d----d niggers, shoot them down!7 All who asked -for mercy were answered by the most cruel taunts and sneers. Some were -spared for a time, only to be murdered under circumstances of greater -cruelty. - -"No cruelty which the most fiendish malignity could devise was omitted by -these murderers. One white soldier who was wounded in the leg so as to -be unable to walk was made to stand up while his tormentors shot him. -Others who were wounded, and unable to stand up, were held up and again -shot. One negro who had been ordered by a rebel officer to hold his -horse was killed by him when he remonstrated; another, a mere child, -whom an officer had taken up behind him on his horse, was seen by Gen. -Chalmers, who at once ordered him to put him down and shoot him, which -was done. - -"The huts and tents in which many of the wounded sought shelter were set -on fire, both on that night and the next morning, while the wounded were -still in them; those only escaping who were able to get themselves out, -or who could prevail on others less injured to help them out: and some -of these thus seeking to escape the flames were met by these ruffians, -and brutally shot down, or had their brains beaten out. One man was -deliberately fastened down to the floor of a tent, face upwards, by -means of nails driven through his clothing and into the boards under -him, so that he could not possibly escape; and then the tent was set on -fire. Another was nailed to the sides of a building outside of the fort, -and then the building was set on fire and burned. The charred remains of -five or six bodies were afterwards found, all but one so much disfigured -and consumed by the flames, that they could not be identified; and the -identification of that one is not absolutely certain, although there -can hardly be a doubt that it was the body of Lieut. Albertson, -Quartermaster of the Thirteenth Virginia Cavalry, and a native -of Tennessee. Several witnesses who saw the remains, and who were -personally acquainted with him while living here, testified it to be -their firm belief that it was his body that was thus treated. - -"These deeds of murder and cruelty closed when night came on, only to -be renewed the next morning, when the demons carefully sought among the -dead lying about in all directions for any other wounded yet alive; and -those they found were deliberately shot. Scores of the dead and wounded -were found there the day after the massacre by the men from some of our -gunboats, who were permitted to go on shore, and collect the wounded, -and bury the dead. - -"The rebels themselves had made a pretence of burying a great many of -their victims; but they had merely thrown them, without the least regard -to care or decency, in the trenches and ditches about the fort, or -little hollows and ravines on the hillside, covering them but partially -with earth. Portions of heads and faces were found protruding through -the earth in every direction; and even when your Committee visited the -spot, two weeks afterwards, although parties of men had been sent on -shore from time to time to bury the bodies unburied, and re-bury the -others, and were even then engaged in the same work, we found the -evidences of the murder and cruelty still most painfully apparent. - -"We saw bodies still unburied, at some distance from the fort, of some -sick men who had been met fleeing from the hospital, and beaten down and -brutally murdered, and their bodies left where they had fallen. We -could still see the faces and hands and feet of men, white and black, -protruding out of the ground, whose graves had not been reached by those -engaged in re-interring the victims of the massacre; and, although -a great deal of rain had fallen within the preceding two weeks, the -ground, more especially on the side and at the foot of the bluff where -most of the murders had been committed, was still discolored by the -blood of our brave but unfortunate soldiers; and the logs and trees -showed but too plainly the evidences of the atrocities perpetrated. - -"Many other instances of equally, atrocious cruelty might be mentioned; -but your Committee feel compelled to refrain from giving here more of -the heart-sickening details, and refer to the statements contained -in the voluminous testimony herewith submitted. These statements were -obtained by them from eye-witnesses and sufferers. Many of them as -they were examined by your Committee were lying upon beds of pain and -suffering; some so feeble that their lips could with difficulty frame -the words by which they endeavored to convey some idea of the cruelties -which had been inflicted on them, and which they had seen inflicted on -others." - -When the murderers returned, the day after the capture, to renew -their fiendish work upon the wounded and dying, they found a young and -beautiful mulatto woman searching among the dead for the body of -her husband. She was the daughter of a wealthy and influential rebel -residing at Columbus. With her husband, this woman was living near the -fort when our forces occupied it, and joined the Union men to assist in -holding the place. Going from body to body with all the earnestness with -which love could inspire an affectionate heart, she at last found the -object of her search. He was not dead; but both legs were broken. The -wife had succeeded in getting him out from among the piles of dead, and -was bathing his face, and giving him water to drink from a pool near by, -which had been replenished by the rain that fell a few hours before. At -this moment she was seen by the murderous band; and the cry was at once -raised, "Kill the wench, kill her!" The next moment the sharp crack of -a musket was heard, and the angel of mercy fell a corpse on the body -of her wounded husband, who was soon after knocked in the head by the -butt-end of the same weapon. Though these revolting murders were done -under the immediate eye of Gen. Chalmers, the whole was planned and -carried out by Gen. Forrest whose inhumanity has never been surpassed in -the history of civilized or even barbarous warfare. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII--INJUSTICE TO COLORED TROOPS. - - -_The Pay of the Men.--Government refuses to keep its Promise.--Efforts -of Gov. Andrew to have Justice done.--Complaint of the Men. ---Mutiny.--Military Murder.--Everlasting Shame._ - - -When the War Department commenced recruiting colored men as soldiers -in Massachusetts, New Orleans, and Hilton Head, it was done with the -promise that these men should receive the same pay, clothing, and -treatment that white soldiers did. The same was promised at Camp William -Penn, at Philadelphia. After several regiments had been raised and put -in the field, the War Department decided to pay them but ten dollars per -month, without clothing. The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteers, -and the Fifty-fifth, were both in South Carolina when this decision was -made; yet the Government held on to the men who had thus been obtained -under false pretences. Dissatisfaction showed itself as soon as this was -known among the colored troops. Still the blacks performed their duty, -hoping that Congress would see that justice was done to them. The men -refused to receive less than was their just due when the paymaster came -round, as the following will show:-- - -"_Hilton Head, S.C., Feb. 6,1864_. - -"Samuel Harrison, Chaplain of the Fifty-fourth Regiment Massachusetts -Volunteers (colored troops), asks pay at the usual rate of -chaplains,--one hundred dollars per month and two rations, which, he -being of African descent, I decline paying, under Act of Congress, July -17, 1862, which authorizes the employment of persons of African descent -in the army. The chaplain declines receiving any thing less. - -"_Paymaster, United-States Army."_ - -It was left, however, for Massachusetts to take the lead, both by her -governor, and by her colored soldiers in the field, to urge upon the -Congress and the Administration the black man's claims. To the honor of -John A. Andrew, the patriotic Chief Magistrate of the Bay State during -the Rebellion, justice was demanded again and again. The following will -show his feelings upon the subject:-- - -His Excellency Gov. Andrew, in a letter dated Executive Department, -Boston, Aug. 24, and addressed to Mr. Frederick Johnson, an officer in -the regiment, says,-- - -"I have this day received your letter of the 10th of August, and in -reply desire, in the first place, to express to you the lively interest -with which I have watched every step of the Fifty-fourth Regiment since -it left Massachusetts, and the feelings of pride and admiration with -which I have learned and read the accounts of the heroic conduct of -the regiment in the attack upon Fort Wagner, when you and your brave -soldiers so well proved their manhood, and showed themselves to be -true soldiers of Massachusetts. As to the matter inquired about in your -letter, you may rest assured that I shall not rest until you shall -have secured all of your rights, and that I have no doubt whatever of -ultimate success. I have no doubt, by law, you are entitled to the same -pay as other soldiers; and, on the authority of the Secretary of War, I -promised that you should be paid and treated in all respects like other -soldiers of Massachusetts. Till this is done, I feel that my promise -is dishonored by the Government. The whole difficulty arises from a -misapprehension, the correction of which will no doubt be made as soon -as I can get the subject fully examined by the Secretary of War. - -"I have the honor to be your obedient servant, - -"_JOHN A. ANDREW,_ - -"_Governor of Massachusetts._" - -The subjoined letter, from a soldier of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts -Volunteers, needs no explanation:-- - -"We are still anticipating the arrival of the day when the Government -will do justice to the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Regiments, and pay -us what is justly our due. - -"We have fought like men; we have worked like men; we have been ready at -every call of duty, and thus have proved ourselves to be men: but still -we are refused the thirteen dollars per month. - -"Oh, what a shame it is to be treated thus! Some of us have wives and -little children, who are looking for succor and support from their -husbands and fathers; but, alas! they look in vain. The answer to the -question, 'When shall we be able to assist them?' is left wholly to the -Congress of the United States. - -"What will the families of those poor comrades of ours who fell at -James's Island, Fort Wagner, and Olus-tee, do? They must suffer; for -their husbands and fathers have gone the way of all the earth. They have -gone to join that number that John saw, and to rest at the right hand of -God. - -"Our hearts pine in bitter anguish when we look back to our loved ones -at home, and we are compelled to shed many a briny tear. We have offered -our lives a sacrifice for a country that has not the magnanimity to -treat us as men. All that we ask is the rights of other soldiers, the -liberty of other free men. If we cannot have these, give us an honorable -discharge from the United-States service, and we will not ask for pay. - -"We came here to fight for liberty and country, and not for money (we -would scorn to do that); but they promised us, if we would enlist, they -would give us thirteen dollars per month. - -"It was all false. They only wanted to get the halter over our heads, -and then say, 'Get out if you can.' - -"Sir, the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Regiments would sooner consent to -fight for the whole three years, gratis, than to be put upon the footing -of contrabands. - -"It is not that we think ourselves any better than they; for we are not. -We know that God 'hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell -on all the face of the earth;' but we have enlisted as Massachusetts -Volunteers, and we will not surrender that proud position, come what -may." - -Sergt. William Walker, of Company A, Third South-Carolina colored -troops, feeling that he and his associates were unjustly dealt with, -persuaded his company to go to their captain's tent, and stack their -muskets, and refuse duty till paid. They did so, and the following was -the result:-- - - -CONDEMNED AND SHOT FOR MUTINY. - -"Sergt. William Walker, of Company A, Third South-Carolina colored -troops, was yesterday killed, in accordance with the sentence of a -court-martial. He had declared he would no longer remain a soldier for -seven dollars per month, and had brought his company to stack their arms -before their captain's tent, refusing to do duty until they should -be paid thirteen dollars a month, as had been agreed when they were -enlisted by Col. Saxon. He was a smart soldier and an able man, -dangerous as leader in a revolt. His last moments were attended by -Chaplain Wilson, Twenty-fourth Massachusetts, and Chaplain Moore, of -the Second South-Carolina colored troops. The execution took place at -Jacksonville, Fla., in presence of the regiments there in garrison. He -met his death unflinchingly. Out of eleven shots first fired, but one -struck him. A reserve firing-party had been provided, and by these he -was shot to death. - -"The mutiny for which this man suffered death arose entirely out of the -inconsistent and contradictory orders of the Paymaster and the Treasury -Department at Washington."--_Beaufort (S.C.) Cor. Tribune._ - -The United-States Paymaster visited the Department three times, and -offered to pay laborers' wages, of ten dollars per month, to the -Massachusetts Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth, which to a man they refused, -saying, "'Tis an insult, after promising us a soldier's pay, and calling -upon us to do a soldier's duty (and faithfully has it been performed), -to offer us the wages of a laborer, who is not called upon to peril his -life for his country." Finding that the Government had tried to force -them to take this reduced pay, Massachusetts sent down agents to make -up the difference to them out of the State Treasury, trusting, that, ere -long, the country would acknowledge them as on an equality with the rest -of the army. But, in a manner that must redound to their credit, they -refused it. Said they, "'Tis the principle, not the money, that we -contend for: we will either be paid as soldiers, or fight without -reward." This drew down upon them the hatred of the other colored troops -(for those regiments raised in the South were, promised but ten dollars, -as the Government also took care of their families), and they had -to bear much from them; but they did not falter. Standing by their -expressed determination to have justice done them, they quietly -performed their duties, only praying earnestly that every friend of -theirs at the North would help the Government to see what a blot rests -on its fair fame,--a betrayal of the trust reposed in them by the -colored race. - -When they rushed forward to save our army from being slaughtered at -Olustee, it was the irrepressible negro humor, with something more than -a dash of sarcasm, that prompted the battle-cry, "Three cheers for Old -Massachusetts, and seven dollars a month!" (Three dollars were reserved -by Government for clothes.) - -Another soldier, a member of the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts, complains as -follows:-- - -"Eleven months have now passed away, and still we are without our pay. -How our families are to live and pay house-rent I know not. Uncle Sam -has long wind, and expects as much of us as any soldiers in the field; -but, if we cannot get any pay, what have we to stimulate us? - -"To work the way this regiment has for day's, weeks, nay, months, and -yet to get no money to send to our wives, children, and mothers, who are -now suffering, would cause the blush of shame to mantle the cheek of a -cannibal, were he our paymaster. - -"But we will suffer all the days of our appointed time with patience, -only let us know that we are doing some good, make manifest, too, that -we are making men (and women) of our race; let us know that prejudice, -the curse of the North as slavery is the curse of the South, is -breaking, slowly but surely; then we will suffer more, work faster, -fight harder, and stand firmer than before." - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII.--BATTLE OF HONEY HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA. - - -_Union Troops.--The March.--The Enemy.--The Swamp.--Earthworks.--The -Battle.--Desperate Fighting.--Great Bravery.--Col. -Hartwell.--Fifty-fifth Massachusetts.--The Dying and the Dead.--The -Retreat.--The Enemy's Position.--Earthworks.--His Advantages.--The -Union Forces.--The Blacks.--Our Army outnumbered by the Rebels.--Their -concealed Batteries.--Skirmishing.--The Rebels retreat to their -Base.--The Battle.--Great Bravery of our Men.--The Fifty-fifth -Massachusetts saves the Army._ - - -Honey Hill is about two and a half miles east of the village of -Grahamville, Beaufort District. On the crest of this, where the road or -the highway strikes it, is a semicircular line of earthworks, defective, -though, in construction, as they are too high for infantry, and have -little or no exterior slope. These works formed the centre of the rebel -lines; while their left reached up into the pine-lands, and their right -along a line of fence that skirted the swamp below the batteries. They -commanded fully the road in front as it passes through the swamp at the -base of the hill, and only some fifty or sixty yards distant. Through -the swamp runs a small creek, which spreads up and down the roads for -some thirty or forty yards, but is quite shallow the entire distance. -Some sixty yards beyond this creek, the main road turns off to the left, -making an obtuse angle; while another and smaller road makes off to the -right from the same point. - -The Union forces consisted of six thousand troops, artillery, cavalry, -and infantry, all told, under the command of Major-Gen. J. G. Foster; -Gen. John P. Hatch having the immediate command. The First Brigade, -under Gen. E. E. Potter, was composed of the Fifty-sixth and One Hundred -and Forty-fourth United-States, Twenty-fifth Ohio, and Thirty-fourth and -Thirty-fifth United-States (colored). The Second Brigade, under Col. -A. S. Hartwell, was composed of the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth -Massachusetts, and Twenty-sixth and Thirty-second United-States -(colored). Col. E. P. Hallowed, of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, had, -in spite of his express desire, been left behind in command of Morris -and Folly Islands. As at the battle of Olustee, the enemy was met in -small numbers some three or four miles from his base, and, retreating, -led our army into the swamp, and up to his earthworks. So slight was the -fighting as our troops approached the fort, that all the men seemed in -high glee, especially the colored portion, which was making the woods -ring with the following song:-- - - "Ho, boys, chains are breaking; - - Bondsmen fast awaking; - - Tyrant hearts are quaking; - - Southward we are making. - - Huzza! Huzza! - - - Our song shall be - - Huzza! Huzza! - - That we are free! - - For Liberty we fight,-- - - Our own, our brother's, right: - - We'll face Oppression's blight - - In Freedom's earnest might. - - Huzza! Huzza! &c. - - - For now as men we stand - - Defending Fatherland: - - With willing heart and hand, - - In this great cause we band. - - Huzza! Huzza! &c. - - - Our flag's Red, White, and Blue: - - We'll bear it marching through, - - With rifles swift and true, - - And bayonets gleaming too. - - Huzza! Huzza! &c. - - - Now for the Union cheers, - - Huzza! Huzza! Huzza! - - For home and loved ones tears, - - For rebel foes no fears. - - Huzza! Huzza! Huzza! - - And joy that conflict nears. - - Huzza! Huzza! - - Our song shall be - - Huzza! Huzza! - - That we are free! - - - No more the driver's horn - - Awakes us in the morn; - - But battle's music borne, - - Our manhood shall adorn. - - Huzza! Huzza! &c. - - - No more for trader's gold - - Shall those we love be sold; - - Nor crushed be manhood bold - - In slavery's dreaded fold. - - Huzza! Huzza! &c. - - - But each and all be free - - As singing-bird in tree, - - Or winds that whistling flee - - O'er mountain, vale, and sea. - - Huzza! Huzza! &c. - -The Union forces approached the fort by the left road, which brought -them in front of the enemy's guns pointing down the hill, which was also -down the road. An eyewitness of the battle gives the following account -of it:-- - -"The Thirty-second United-States colored troops were ordered to charge -the rebel fort as soon as we had got in position at the head of the -road. They attempted, but got stuck in the marsh, which they found -impassable at the point of their assault; and a galling fire of grape, -canister, and musketry, being opened on them, they were forced to -retire. - -"The Thirty-fourth United-States colored troops also essayed an assault, -but could not get near enough to produce any effect upon it. These -regiments, however, only fell back to the line of battle, where they -remained throughout the entire fight. - -"The Fifty-fifth Massachusetts (colored) went into the fight on the -right of the brigade, commanded by Col. Hartwell. The fire became very -hot; but still the regiment did not waver,--the line merely quivered. -Capt. Goraud, of Gen. Foster's staff, whose gallantry was conspicuous -all day, rode up just as Col. Hartwell was wounded in the hand, and -advised him to retire; but the colonel declined. - -"Col. Hartwell gave the order: the colors came to the extreme front, -when the colonel shouted, 'Follow your colors!' The bugle sounded the -charge, and then the colonel led the way himself. - -"After an unsuccessful charge in line of battle by the Fifty-fourth -and Fifty-fifth Massachusetts, the Fifty-fifth was formed in column by -company, and again thrice marched up that narrow causeway in the face of -the enemy's batteries and musketry. - -"Capt. Crane, of the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts, whose company had been -left in charge of Fort Delafield, at Folly Island, but who, at his own -request, had gone as aide to Col. Hartwell, was, as well as the colonel, -mounted. - -"Just as they reached the marsh in front of the turn in the road, and -within a short distance of the rebel works, the horse of brave Col. -Hartwell, while struggling through the mud, was literally blown in -pieces by a discharge of canister. - -"The colonel was wounded at the same time, and attempted to jump from -his horse; but the animal fell on him, pressing him into the mud. At -this time, he was riding at the side of the column, and the men pressed -on past; but, as they neared the fort, they met a murderous fire of -grape, canister, and bullets at short range. As the numbers of the -advance were thinned, the few who survived began to waver, and finally -the regiment retreated. - -"In retiring, Lieut. Ellsworth, and one man of the Fifty-fifth -Massachusetts, came to the rescue of Col. Hartwell, and in spite of his -remonstrance that they should leave him to his Tate, and take care of -themselves, released him from his horse, and bore him from the field. -But, before he was entirely out of range of the enemy's fire, the -colonel was again wounded, and the brave private soldier who was -assisting was killed, and another heroic man lost. - -"The Twenty-fifth Ohio, soon after the commencement of the engagement, -were sent to the right, where they swung round, and fought on a line -nearly perpendicular to our main front. A portion of the Fifty-fifth -Massachusetts were with them. One or two charges were essayed, but -were unsuccessful; but the front was maintained there throughout the -afternoon. The Twenty-fifth had the largest loss of all the regiments. - -"The colored troops fought well throughout the day. Countercharges were -made at various times during the fight by the enemy; but our infantry -and artillery mowed them down, and they did not at any time get very -near our lines. Whenever a charge of our men was repulsed, the rebels -would flock out of their works, whooping like Indians; but Ames's guns -and the terrible volleys of our infantry would send them back. The Naval -Brigade behaved splendidly. - -"The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, heroes of all the hard fights that -have occurred in the department, were too much scattered in this battle -to do full justice to themselves. Only two companies went into the -fight at first, under Lieut.-Col. Hooper. They were posted on the left. -Subsequently they were joined by four more companies, who were left on -duty in the rear. - -"Many scenes transpired in this battle which would furnish rich material -for the artist. In the midst of the engagement, a shell exploded amongst -the color-guard, severely wounding the color-sergeant, Ring, who -was afterwards killed by a bullet. Private Fitzgerald, of Company D, -Massachusetts Fifty-fifth, was badly wounded in the side and leg, but -remained at his post. Major Nutt, seeing his condition, ordered him to -the rear. The man obeyed; but soon the major saw that he had returned, -when he spoke sharply, 'Go to the rear, and have your wounds dressed.' -The man again obeyed the order; but in a few minutes more was seen by -the major, with a handkerchief bound around the leg, and loading and -firing. The major said to our informant, 'I thought I would let him -stay.'" - -Like the Fifty-fourth at Olustee, the Fifty-fifth was the last regiment -to leave the field, and cover the retreat at Honey Hill. The following -account of the battle is from "The Savannah Republican v (rebel), -published a few days after the fight:-- - -"The negroes, as usual, formed the advance, and had nearly reached the -creek, when our batteries opened upon them down the road with a terrible -volley of spherical case. This threw them into temporary confusion; but -the entire force, estimated at five thousand, was quickly restored to -order, and thrown into a line of battle parallel with our own, up and -down the margin of the swamp. Thus the battle raged from eleven in the -morning till dark. The enemy's centre and left were most exposed, and -suffered terribly. Their right was posted behind an old dam that ran -through the swamp, and it maintained its position till the close of the -fight. Our left was very much exposed, and an attempt was once or twice -made by the enemy to turn it by advancing through the swamp, and up the -hill; but they were driven back without a prolonged struggle. - -"The centre and left of the enemy fought; with a desperate earnestness. -Several attempts were made to charge our batteries, and many got nearly -across the swamp, but were, in every instance, forced back by the -galling fire poured into them from our lines. We made a visit to the -field the day following, and found the road literally strewn with their -dead. Some eight or ten bodies were floating in the water where the road -crosses; and in a ditch on the roadside, just beyond, we saw six negroes -piled one on top of the other. A colonel of one of the negro regiments, -with his horse, was killed while fearlessly leading his men across the -creek in a charge. - -"With that exception, all the dead and wounded officers were carried off -by the enemy during the night. Many traces were left where they were -dragged from the woods to the road, and thrown into ambulances or carts. -We counted some sixty or seventy bodies in the space of about an acre, -many of which were horribly mutilated by shells; some with half their -heads shot off, and others completely disembowelled. The artillery was -served with great accuracy, and wo doubt if any battle-field of the war -presents such havoc among the trees and shrubbery. Immense pines and -other growth were cut short off or torn into shreds." - -It is only simple justice to the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Regiment, -to say, that at Honey Hill it occupied the most perilous position -throughout nearly the entire battle. - -Three times did these heroic men march up the hill nearly to the -batteries, and as many times were swept back by the fearful storm of -grape-shot and shell; more than one hundred being cut down in less than -half an hour. Great was its loss; and yet it remained in the gap, while -our outnumbered army was struggling with the foe on his own soil, and in -the stronghold chosen by himself. - -What the valiant Fifty-fourth Massachusetts had been at the battle of -Olustee, the Fifty-fifth was at Honey Hill. - -Never was self-sacrifice, by both officers and men, more apparent than -on this occasion; never did men look death more calmly in the face. See -the undaunted and heroic Hartwell at the head of his regiment, and hear -him shouting, "Follow your colors, my brave men!" and with drawn sword -leading his gallant band. His horse is up to its knees in the heavy mud. -The rider, already wounded, is again struck by the fragment of a shell, -but keeps his seat; while the spirited animal struggling in the mire, -and plunging about, attracts the attention of the braves, who are -eagerly pressing forward to meet the enemy, to retake the lost ground, -and gain a victory, or at least save the little army from defeat. A -moment more he is killed; and the brave Hartwell attempts to jump from -his charger, but is too weak. The horse falls with fearful struggles -upon its rider, and both are buried in the mud. The brave Capt. Crane, -the Adjutant, is killed, and falls from his horse near his colonel. -Lieut. Boynton, while urging his men, is killed. Lieut. Hill is wounded, -but still keeps his place. Capts. Soule and Woodward are both wounded, -and yet keep their command. The blood is running freely from the mouth -of Lieut. Jewett; but he does not leave his company. Sergeant-major -Trotter is wounded, but still fights. Sergt. Shorter is wounded in -the knee, yet will not go to the rear. A shell tears off the foot of -Sergeant-major Charles L. Mitchel; and, as he is carried to the rear, -he shouts, with uplifted hand, "Cheer up, boys: we'll never surrender!" -But look away in front: there are the colors, and foremost amongst the -bearers is Robert M. King, the young, the handsome, and the gentlemanly -sergeant, whose youth and bravery attract the attention of all. Scarcely -more than twenty years of age, well educated, he has left a good home in -Ohio to follow the fortunes of war, and to give his life to help redeem -his race. The enemy train their guns upon the colors, the roar of cannon -and crack of rifle is heard, the advanced flag falls, the heroic King is -killed: no, he is not dead, but only wounded. A fellow sergeant seizes -the colors; but the bearer will not give them up. He rises, holds the -old flag aloft with one hand, and presses the other upon the wound in -his side to stop the blood. "Advance the colors!" shouts the commander. -The brave King, though saturated with his own blood, is the first to -obey the order. As he goes forward, a bullet passes through his heart, -and he falls. Another snatches the colors; but they are fast, the grasp -of death holds them tight. The hand is at last forced open, the flag is -raised to the breeze; and the lifeless body of Robert M. King is borne -from the field. This is but a truthful sketch of the part played by one -heroic son of Africa, whose death was lamented by all who knew him. This -is only one of the two hundred and forty-nine that fell on the field of -Honey Hill. With a sad heart, we turn away from the picture. - -But shall we weep for the sleeping braves, who, turning their backs upon -the alluring charms of home-life, went forth at the call of country -and race, and died, noble martyrs to the cause of liberty?'Tis noble to -_live_ for freedom; but is it not nobler far to _die_ that those coming -after you may enjoy it? - - "Dear is the spot where Christians weep; - - Sweet are the strains which angels pour: - - Oh! why should we in anguish weep? - - They are not lost, but gone before." - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIV--BEFORE PETERSBURG AND RICHMOND. - - -_Assault and Failure.--Who to Blame.--Heroic Conduct of the Blacks.--The -Mine.--Success at the Second Attack.--Death of a Gallant Negro.--A Black -Officer._ - - -When the mining assault on Petersburg failed, with such fearful loss in -killed and wounded, the cry went through the land that it was owing -to the cowardice of the negro troops; but this falsehood was very soon -exploded. However, it will be well to state the facts connected with -the attempt. A writer in "The New-York Evening Post" gave the following -account of the preparation, attack, and failure, a few days alter it -occurred:-- - -"We have been continually notified for the last fortnight, that our -sappers were mining the enemy's position. As soon as ready, our division -was to storm the works on its explosion. This rumor had spread so wide, -we had no faith in it. On the night of the 29th, we were in a position -on the extreme left. We were drawn in about nine, P.M., and marched to -Gen. Burnside's headquarters, and closed in mass by division, left in -front. We there received official notice that the long-looked-for mine -was ready charged, and would be fired at daylight next morning. The plan -of storming was as follows: One division of white troops was to charge -the works immediately after the explosion, and carry the first and -second lines of rebel intrenchments. Our division was to follow -immediately, and push right into Petersburg, take the city, and be -supported by the remainder of the Ninth and the Twenty-eighth corps. We -were up bright and early, ready and eager for the struggle to commence. -I had been wishing for something of this sort to do for some time, -to gain the respect of the Army of the Potomac. You know their former -prejudices. At thirty minutes after five, the ball opened. The mine, -with some fifty pieces of artillery, went off almost instantaneously: -at the same time, the white troops, according to the plan, charged the -fort, which they carried, for there was nothing to oppose them; but they -did not succeed in carrying either of the lines of Intrenchments. - -"We were held in rear until the development of the movement of the white -troops; but, on seeing the disaster which was about to occur, we were -pushed in by the flank (for we could go in in no other way to allow us -to get in position): so you see on this failure we had nothing to do but -gain by the flank. A charge in that manner has never proved successful, -to my knowledge: when it does, it is a surprise. - -"Our men went forward with enthusiasm equal to any thing under different -circumstances; but, in going through the fort that had been blown up, -the passage was almost impeded by obstacles thrown up by the explosion. -At the same time, we were receiving a most deadly cross-fire from both -flanks. At this time, our Lieutenant-colonel (E. W. Ross) fell, shot -through the left leg, bravely leading the men. I immediately assumed -command, but only to hold it a few minutes, when I fell, struck by a -piece of shell in the side. - -"Capt. Robinson, from Connecticut, then took command; and, from all we -can learn, he was killed. At this time, our first charge was somewhat -checked, and the men sought cover in the works. Again our charge was -made, but, like the former, unsuccessful. This was followed by the enemy -making a charge. Seeing the unorganized condition and the great loss of -officers, the men fell back to our own works. Yet a large number still -held the fort until two, p.m.; when the enemy charged again, and carried -it. That ended the great attempt to take Petersburg. - -"It will be thus seen that the colored troops did not compose the first -assaulting, but the supporting column; and they were not ordered forward -until white troops in greater numbers had made a desperate effort to -carry the rebel works, and had failed. Then the colored troops were sent -in; moved over the broken ground, and up the slope, and within a short -distance of the parapet, in order, and with steady courage; but finally -broke and retreated under the same fire which just before had sent a -whole division of white regiments to the rightabout. If there be any -disgrace in that, it does not belong exclusively nor mainly to the -negroes. A second attack is far more perilous and unlikely to succeed -than a first; the enemy having been encouraged by the failure of the -first, and had time to concentrate his forces. And, in this case, there -seems to have been a fatal delay in ordering both the first and second -assault." - -An officer in the same engagement said,-- - -"In regard to the bravery of the colored troops, although I have been in -upwards of twenty battles, I never saw so many cases of gallantry. The -'crater' where we were halted, was a perfect slaughter-pen. - -"Had not 'some one blundered,' but moved us up at daylight, instead of -eight o'clock, we should have been-crowned with success, instead of -being cut to pieces by a terrific enfilading fire, and finally forced -from the field in a panic. We had no trouble in rallying the troops, and -moving them into the rifle-pits; and, in one hour after the rout, I had -nearly as many men together as were left unhurt. - -"I was never under such a terrific fire, and can hardly realize how any -escaped alive. Our loss was heavy. In the Twenty-eighth (colored), for -instance, commanded by Lieut.-Col. Russell'(a Bostonian), he lost -seven officers out of eleven, and ninety-one men out of two hundred and -twenty-four; and the colonel himself was knocked over senseless, for a -few minutes, by a slight wound in the head: both his color-sergeants -and all his color-guard were killed. Col Bross, of the Twenty-ninth, -was killed outright, and nearly every one of his officers hit. This was -nearly equal to Bunker Hill. Col. Ross, of the Thirty-first, lost his -leg. The Twenty-eighth, Twenty-ninth, and Thirtieth (colored), all -charged over the works; climbing up an earthwork six feet high, then -down into a ditch, and up on the other side, all the time under the -severest fire in front and flank. Not being supported, of course the -storming-party fell back. I have seen white troops run faster than -these blacks did, when in not half so tight a place. Our brigade lost -thirty-six prisoners, all cut off after leaving the 'crater.' My faith -in colored troops is not abated one jot." - -Soon after the failure at Petersburg, the colored troops had a fair -opportunity, and nobly sustained their reputation gained on other -fields. At the battle of New-Market Heights, Va., the Tenth Army Corps, -under Major-Gen. Birney, met a superior number of the enemy, and had a -four-hours' fight, Sept. 29, in which our men came off victorious. The -following order, issued on the 8th of October, needs no explanation:-- - -_"Headquarters, 3d Division, 18th Army Corps,_ _Before Richmond, Va., -Oct. 7, 1864._ - -"_General Orders No. 103._ - -"_Officers and Soldiers of this Division_,--Major-Gen. D. B. Birney, -commanding the Tenth Army Corps, has desired me to express to you the -high satisfaction he felt at your good conduct while we were serving -with the Tenth Corps, Sept. 29 and 80, 1864, and with your gallantry in -storming New-Market Heights. - -"I have delayed issuing this order, hoping for an opportunity to say -this to you in person. - -"Accept, also, my own thanks for your gallantry on Sept. 29, and your -good conduct since. You have won the good opinion of the whole Army of -the James, and every one who knows your deeds. - -"Let every officer and man, on all occasions, exert himself to increase -your present deserved reputation. - -"_C. J. PAINE, Brigadier-General._ - -"_(Signed) S. A. CARTER, A. A. G._ - -"_Headquarters Tenth Army Corps,_ _Aug. 19, 1864._ - -"_Major-Gen. Butler commanding Department._ - -"The enemy attacked my lines in heavy force last night, and were -repulsed with great loss. In front of one colored regiment, eighty-two -dead bodies of the enemy are already counted. The colored troops behaved -handsomely, and are in fine spirits. The assault was in columns a -division strong, and would have carried any works not so well defended. -The enemy's loss was at least one thousand. - -"(Signed) Respectfully, - -"_D. B. BIRNEY, Major-General_ - -"Seventy-five of our Black Virginia Cavalry were surrounded by three -regiments of rebel infantry, and gallantly cut through them; and an -orderly-sergeant killed with his sabre six of the enemy, and escaped -with the loss of an arm by grape-shot. He lies in an adjoining room, and -is slowly recovering." - - "Brave man, thy deeds shall fill the tramp of fame, - - And wake responsive echoes far and wide, - - And on contemners of thy race east shame; - - For thou hast nobly with the noblest vied. - - - Thy deeds recall the charge at Balaklava, - - Wherein six hundred were immortalized: - - Not any hero of that charge was braver; - - And thy great valor shall be recognized. - - - No wolf, pursued by hounds o'er hill and plain, - - At last more savagely stands up at bay, - - Finding past efforts to escape all vain, - - Then cleaves through dying hounds his bloody way. - - - Thine was the task, amid war's wild alarm, - - The valor of thy race to vindicate: - - Now admiration all true bosoms warm, - - And places thee among the gallant great. - - - It thrills our hearts to think upon the strife - - In which, surrounded by the rebel host, - - Thou didst deal death for liberty and life, - - And freedom win, although an arm was lost. - - - O lion-hearted hero! whose fierce sword - - Made breathless thy oppressors, bravely bear - - Thy sufferings; for our sympathies are poured - - For thee, and gladly would relieve or share." - -At the second attack on Petersburg, the colored troops did nobly. A -correspondent of "The New-York Times" wrote as follows:-- - -"As everybody seems to have negro on the brain in the army, I may be -pardoned for again alluding to the colored troops in this letter. A -single day's work has wiped out a mountain of prejudice, and fairly -turned the popular current of feeling in this army in favor of the -down-trodden race; and every one who has been with them on the field -has some story to relate of their gallant conduct in action, or their -humanity and social qualities. The capture of the fort before referred -to is related, among other things, in evidence of their manhood -and gallantry; taking prisoners in the exciting moment of actual -hand-to-hand fighting, in face of the Fort-Pillow and other -similar rebel atrocities perpetrated elsewhere, upon their colored -companions-in-arms as evidence of their humanity,--that they are really -something more than the stolid brutes, such as some people profess to -believe. But, next to bravery, one impromptu act of theirs has done -more than all else to remove a supposed natural prejudice against them. -Wounded officers of two different brigades in the Second Corps tell me, -that, when they relieved the colored troops in front Wednesday night, -their men had been out of rations all day, and were very hungry, as may -well be supposed. When this fact became known to the negroes, to use -the expressive language of a wounded officer, 'They emptied their -haversacks, and gave the contents to our boys.' The colored troops, I -have had opportunity to know, bear their honors meekly, as become men. -Hereafter, the vile oath and offensive epithet will not be blurted out -against the negro soldier, and in his presence, upon every favorable -opportunity, as has too generally heretofore been the practice. This -will be exclusively confined to the professional stragglers, who are -never at the front when danger is there." - -Sergt. Peter Hawkins, of the Thirty-first United States, exhibited -in the attack upon Petersburg marked abilities as a soldier. All the -officers of Company A being killed or wounded, he took command, and held -it for fourteen days. An eye-witness said,-- - -"He appointed men for guard and picket duty, made out his regular -morning report, issued rations, drilled his men, took them out on -dress-parade, or on fatigue-duty. Whatever important duty was devolved -upon him, he was the man to perform without murmuring. He is fully -competent to fill the office of a lieutenant or captain. He has clearly -proven on the field his unflinching courage and indomitable will." - - - - -CHAPTER XXXV--WIT AND HUMOR OF THE WAR. - - -_Negro Wit and Humor.--The Faithful Sentinel.--The Sentinel's -Respect for the United-States Uniform.--The "Nail-kag."--The Poetical -Drummerboy.--Contrabands on Sherman's March.--Negro Poetry on -Freedom.--The Soldier's Speech.--Contraband capturing his Old Master._ - - -With all the horrors of the Rebellion, there were occasions when these -trying scenes were relieved by some amusing incident. Especially was -this true with regard to the colored people. Thus when Adjutant-Gen. -Thomas first announced the new policy in Mississippi, and they began -enlisting freedmen, one was put on guard at night, at Lake Providence, -and was instructed not to allow any one to pass without the countersign. -He was, however, told not to fire upon a person until he had called out, -"One, two, three." The negro seemed not to understand it, and asked to -have the instructions repeated. "You are to walk from here to that tree, -and back," continued the white sergeant, "and, if you see or hear any -one, call out, 'Who comes there? Give the countersign. One, two, three.' -And, if you receive no reply, shoot."--"Yes, massa," said Sam. "I got it -dis time, and no mistake." After an hour or more on duty, Sam thought he -heard the tramp of feet, and began a sharp lookout. Presently bringing -his gun to his shoulder, and taking sight, he called out in quick -succession, "Who comes dar? Give de countersign. One, two, three!" And -"bang" went the gun. Fortunately, the negro's aim was not as reliable as -was his determination to do his whole duty; and the only damage done was -a bullet-hole through the Intruder's hat. When admonished by the officer -for not waiting for the man's answer, the negro said, "Why, massa, I was -afraid dat ef I didn't shoot quick, he'd run." - -A colored sentinel was marching on his beat in the streets of Norfolk, -Va., when a white man, passing by, shouldered him insolently off the -sidewalk, quite into the street. The soldier, on recovering himself, -called out,-- - -"White man, halt!" - -The white man, Southerner like, went straight on. The sentinel brought -his musket to a ready, cocked it, and hailed again,-- - -"White man, halt, or I'll fire!" - -The white man, hearing _shoot_ in the tone, halted, and faced about. - -"White man," continued the sentry peremptorily, "come here!" - -He did so. - -"White man," said, the soldier again, "me no care one cent' bout this -particklar Cuffee; but white man bound to respeck this uniform (striking -his breast). White man, move on!" - -A Virginia rebel, who has issued a book giving his experience as a -prisoner in the hands of the Federals at Point Lookout and Elmira, tells -the following story:-- - -"The boys are laughing at the summons which S., one of my -fellow-Petersburgers, got to-day from a negro sentinel. S. had on when -captured, and I suppose still possesses, a tall beaver of the antique -pattern considered inseparable from extreme respectability in the last -decade and for many a year before. While wandering around the enclosure, -seeking, I suspect, 'what he might devour,' he accidentally stepped -beyond the 'dead line,' and was suddenly arrested by a summons from -the nearest negro on the parapet, who seemed to be in doubt whether so -well-dressed a man could be a 'reb,' and therefore whether he should be -shot at once. - -"White man, you b'long in dar?" - -"Yes." - -"Well, ain't you got no better sense dan to cross dat line?" - -"I did not notice the line." - -"Well, you had better notice it, and dat quick, or I'll blow half dat -_nail-kag_ off!" - -The following doggerel was composed by a drummer-boy, aged thirteen, -who had been a slave, and was without education. He sung it to the One -Hundred and Seventh Regiment United-States colored troops, to which he -was attached:-- - - "Captain Fiddler's come to town - - With his abolition triggers: - - He swears he's one of Lincoln's men, - - 'Enlisting all the niggers.' - - - You'll see the citizens on the street - - Whispering in rotation: - - What do they seem to talk about? - - Lincoln's proclamation. - - - Some get sick, and some will die, - - Be buried in rotation: - - What was the death of such a man? - - Lincoln's proclamation. - - - You'll see the rebels on the street, - - Their noses like a bee gum; - - I don't care what in thunder they say, - - I'm fighting for my freedom! - - - Richmond is a mighty place, - - And Grant's as sound as a dollar; - - And every time he throws a shell, - - Jeff begins to holler. - - - My old massa's come to town, - - Cutting a Southern figure: - - What's the matter with the man? - - Lincoln's got his niggers. - - Some folks say this 'almighty fuss - - Is getting worse and bigger; - - Some folks say 'it's worse and worse,' - - Because I am 'a nigger.' - - - We'll get our colored regiments strung - - Out in a line of battle: - - I'll bet my money agin the South - - The rebels will skedaddle." - - -In his march, Gen. Sherman was followed by large numbers of contrabands. -They were always the first to welcome our troops. On entering -Fayetteville, the general was met by slaves, old and young; and a man of -many years exclaimed,-- - -"Tank de Almighty God, Mr. Sherman has come at last! We knew it, we -prayed for de day, and de Lord Jesus heard our prayers. Mr. Sherman has -come wid his company." - -One fat old woman said to him, while shaking him by the hand, which he -always gladly gives to those poor people, "I prayed dis long time for -yer, and de blessing ob de Lord is on yer. But yesterday afternoon, when -yer stopped trowing de shells into de town, and de soldiers run away -from de hill ober dar, I thout dat Gen. Burygar had driven you away, -for dey said so; but here yer am dun gone. Bress de Lord, yer will hab a -place in heaben: yer will go dar sure." - -Several officers of the army, among them Gen. Slocum, were gathered -round, interested in the scene. The general asked them:-- - -"Well, men, what can I do for you? Where are you from?" - -"We's jus come from Cheraw. Massa took us with him to carry mules and -horses away from youins." - -"You thought we would get them. Did you wish us to get the mules?" - -"Oh, yes, massa! dat's what I wanted. We knowed youins cumin', and I -wanted you to hav dem mules; but no use: dey heard dat youins on de -road, and nuthin' would stop dem. Why, as we cum along, de cavalry run -away from the Yanks as if they fright to deth. Dey jumped into de river, -and some of dem lost dere hosses. Dey frightened at the very name ob -Sherman." - -Some one at this point said, "That is Gen. Serman who is talking to -you." - -"God bress me! is you Mr. Sherman?" - -"Yes: I am Mr. Sherman." - -"Dats him, su' miff," said one. - -"Is dat de great Mr. Sherman that we's heard ob so long?" said another. - -"Why, dey so frightened at your berry name, dat dey run right away," -shouted a third. - -"It is not me that they are afraid of," said the general: "the name of -another man would have the same effect with them if he had this army. It -is these soldiers that they run away from." - -"Oh, no!" they all exclaimed. "It's de name of Sherman, su'; and we hab -wanted to see you so long while you trabbel all roun jis whar you like -to go. Dey said dat dey wanted to git you a little furder on, and den -dey whip all your soldiers; but, God bress me, you keep cumin' and a -cumin' and dey allers git out." - -"Dey mighty 'fraid ob you, sar; day say you kill de colored men, too," -said an old man, who had not heretofore taken part in the conversation. - -With much earnestness, Gen. Sherman replied,-- - -"Old man, and all of you, understand me. I desire that bad men should -fear me, and the enemies of the Government which we are all fighting -for. Now we are your friends; you are now free." ("Thank you, Massa -Sherman," was ejaculated by the group.) "You can go where you please; -you can come with us, or go home to your children. Wherever you go, you -are no longer slaves. You ought to be able to take care of yourselves." -("We is; we will.") "You must earn your freedom, then you will be -entitled to it, sure; you have a right to be all that you can be, but -you must be industrious, and earn the right to be men. If you go back to -your families, and I tell you again you can go with us if you wish, -you must do the best you can. When you get a chance, go to Beaufort or -Charleston, where you will have a little farm to work for yourselves." - -The poor negroes were filled with gratitude and hope by these kind -words, uttered in the kindest manner, and they went away with thanks and -blessings on their lips. - -During the skirmishing, one of our men who, by the way, was a forager, -was slightly wounded. The most serious accident of the day occurred to a -negro woman, who was in a house where the rebels had taken cover. When -I saw this woman, who would not have been selected as a type of -South-Carolina female beauty, the blood was streaming over her neck and -bosom from a wound in the lobe of her ear, which the bullet had just -clipped and passed on. - -"What was it that struck you, aunty?" I asked her. - -"Lor bress me, massa, I dun know, I jus fell right down." - -"Didn't you feel any thing, nor hear any sound?" - -"Yes, now I 'member, I heerd a s-z-z-z-z-z, and den I jus knock down. I -drap on de groun'. I'se so glad I not dead, for if I died den de bad man -would git me, cos I dance lately a heap." - -A contraband's poetical version of the President's Emancipation -Proclamation. - - "I'se gwine to tell ye, Sambo, - - What I heard in town to-day,-- - - I listened at the cap'n's tent: - - I'll tell ye what he say. - - - He say dat Massa Linkum, - - Way yonder Norf, ye see,-- - - Him write it in de Yankee book, - - 'De nigger gwine for free.' - - And now, ye see, I tell ye - - What Massa Linkum done: - - De seeesh can't get way from dat - - No more'n dey dodge a gun. - - - It's jes' as sure as preachin', - - I tell ye, Sambo, true,-- - - De nigger's trouble ober now, - - No more dem lash for you. - - - I 'speeted dat would happen: - - I had a sense, ye see, - - Of something big been gwine to come - - To make de people free. - - - I t'ought de flamin' angel - - Been gwine for blow de trump; - - But Massa Linkum write de word - - Dat make de rebel jump. - - - So now we'll pick de cotton, - - So now we'll broke de corn: - - De nigger's body am his own - - De bery day he born. - - - He grind de grits in safety, - - He eat de yams in peace; - - De Lord, him bring de jubilee, - - De Lord, him set de feas'. - - - So now, I tell ye, Sambo, - - Ye're born a man to-day: - - Nobody gwine for con trad ie' - - What Massa Linkum say. - - - Him gwine for free de nigger: - - De Lord, him gib de word; - - And Massa Linkum write'em down, - - O Sambo! praise de Lord!" - - -When the teachers were introduced into Jackson, Miss., soon after the -Union forces occupied the place, they found some very ignorant material -to work upon. One old woman, while attending the Sabbath school, being -asked who made her, replied, "I don't know,'zacly, sir. I heard once who -it was; but I done forgot de gent-mun's name." The teacher thought that -the Lord's name had been rather a stranger in that neighborhood. During -the siege of Port Hudson, a new schoolhouse was erected for the black -soldiers who had been enlisted in that vicinity; and, when it was -opened, the following speech was made by a colored soldier, called -Sergt. Spencer:-- - -"I has been a-thinkin' I was old man; for, on de plantation, I was put -down wid de old hands, and I quinsicontly feeled myself dat I was a old -man. But since I has come here to de Yankees, and been made a soldier -for de Unite States, an' got dese beautiful clothes on, I feels like -one young man; and I doesn't call myself a old man nebber no more. An' I -feels dis ebenin' dat, if de rebs came down here to dis old Fort Hudson, -dat I could jus fight um as brave as any man what is in the Sebenth -Regiment. Sometimes I has mighty feelins in dis ole heart of mine, when -I considers how dese ere ossifers come all de way from de North to fight -in de cause what we is fighten fur. How many ossifers has died, and how -many white soldiers has died, in dis great and glorious war what we -is in! And now I feels dat, fore I would turn coward away from dese -ossifers, I feels dat I could drink my own blood, and be pierced through -wid five thousand bullets. I feels sometimes as doe I ought to tank -Massa Linkern for dis blessin' what we has; but again I comes to de -solemn conclusion dat I ought to tank de Lord, Massa Linkern, and all -dese ossifers.'Fore I would be a slave 'gain, I would fight till de last -drop of blood was gone. I has 'cluded to fight for my liberty, and for -dis eddication what we is now to receive in dis beautiful new house what -we has. Aldo I hasn't got any eddication nor no book-learnin', I has -rose up dis blessed ebenin' to do my best afore dis congregation. Dat's -all what I has to say now; but, at some future occasion, I may say more -dan I has to say now, and edify you all when I has more preparation. -Dat's all what I has to say. Amen." - -After the fall of Port Hudson, Sergt. Spencer was sent with his company -into the interior; and, while in a skirmish, he captured his old master, -who was marched off by the chattel to headquarters, distant about six -miles. The master, not liking the long walk and his heavy gun, began -upbraiding his slave for capturing him, and, complaining of his -misfortune, stopped, laid down his gun, seated himself on an old log, -lighted his pipe, and said he could walk no farther. - -However, old Spencer soon told the prisoner a different tale. Waiting -a reasonable time for resting, the sergeant said, "Come, boss, you's -smoked enough dar: come, I is in a hurry. I can't wait no longer." The -rebel still remonstrated with his slave, reminding him of what he once -was, and the possibility of his being again in his power. But these -admonitions made little or no impression on the sergeant, who resumed, -"Come, boss, come: dis is no time to tell 'bout what you's been or what -you's gwine to be. Jes git right up and come long, or I'll stick dis -bayonet in you."--"Well, Spencer," said the master, "you carry my -gun."--"No, boss; you muss tote your own gun. I is bin toting you an' -all your chilen des forty years, and now de times is changed. Come, now, -git up an move on, or I'll stick you wid dis bayonet" (at the same -time drawing the bayonet from its scabbard). "Massa reb" shouldered his -unloaded shooter, and reluctantly continued his journey. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVI--A THRILLING INCIDENT OF THE WAR. - - -_Heroic Escape of a Slave.--His Story of his Sister.--Resides -North.--Joins the Army and returns to the South during the -Rebellion.--Search for his Mother.--Finds her.--Thrilling Scene.--Truth -stranger than Fiction._ - - -It was in the month of December, 1832, while Col. Rice and family -were seated around a bright wood-fire, whose blaze lighted up the large -dining-room in their old mansion, situated ten miles from Drayton, -in the State of Ohio, that they heard a knock at the door, which was -answered by the familiar "Come in," that always greets the stranger in -the Western States. Squire Loomis walked in, and took a seat in one of -the three rocking-chairs which had been made vacant by the young folks, -who rose to give place to their highly influential and wealthy neighbor. -It was a beautiful night: the sky was clear, the wind had hushed its -deep meanings. The most brilliant of the starry throng stood out in bold -relief, despite the superior light of the moon. "I see some one standing -at the gate," said Mrs. Rice, as she left the window, and came nearer -the fire. "I'll go out and see who it is," exclaimed George, as he -quitted his chair, and started for the door. The latter soon returned, -and whispered to his father; and both left the room, evincing that -something unusual was at hand. Not many minutes elapsed, however, before -the father and son entered, accompanied by a young man, whose complexion -showed plainly that other than Anglo-Saxon blood coursed through his -veins. The whole company rose, and the stranger was invited to draw near -to the fire. Question after question was now pressed upon the new-comer -by the colonel and squire, but without eliciting satisfactory replies. -"You need not be afraid, my friend," said his host, as he looked -intently in the colored man's face, "to tell where you are from, and to -what place you are going. If you are a fugitive, as I suspect, give -us your story, and we will protect and defend you to the last." Taking -courage from these kind remarks, the mulatto said, "I was born, sir, in -the State of Kentucky, and raised in Missouri. My master was my father: -my mother was his slave. That, sir, accounts for the fairness of my -complexion. As soon as I was old enough to labor, I was taken into my -master's dwelling as a servant, to attend upon the family. My mistress, -aware of my near relationship to her husband, felt humiliated; and -often, in her anger, would punish me severely for no cause whatever. My -near approach to the Anglo-Saxon aroused the jealousy and hatred of the -overseer; and he flogged me, as he said, to make me know my place. My -fellow-slaves hated me because I was whiter than themselves. Thus my -complexion was construed into a crime, and I was made to curse my father -for the Anglo-Saxon blood that courses through my veins. - -"My master raised slaves to supply the Southern market; and every year -some of my companions were sold to the slave-traders, and taken farther -South. Husbands were separated from wives, and children torn from the -arms of their agonized mothers. These outrages were committed by the -man whom nature compelled me to look upon as my father. My mother and -brothers were sold, and taken away from me: still I bore all, and made -no attempt to escape; for I yet had near me an only sister, whom I -dearly loved. At last the negro-driver attempted to rob my sister of her -virtue. She appealed to me for protection. Her innocence, beauty, and -tears were enough to stir the stoutest heart. My own, filled with grief -and indignation, swelled within me as though it would burst, or leap -from my bosom. My tears refused to flow: the fever in my brain dried -them up. I could stand it no longer. I seized the wretch by the throat, -and hurled him to the ground; and, with this strong arm, I paid him for -old and new. The next day I was tried by a jury of slaveholders for the -crime of having within me the heart of a man, and protecting my sister -from the licentious embrace of a libertine. And, would you believe -it, sir? that jury of enlightened Americans,--yes, sir, Christian -Americans,--after grave deliberation, decided that I had broken the -laws, and sentenced me to receive five hundred lashes upon my bare -back. But, sir, I escaped from them the night before I was to have -been flogged. Afraid of being arrested and taken back, I remained -the following day hid away in a secluded spot on the backs of the -Mississippi River, protected from the gaze of man by the large trees and -thick canebrakes that sheltered me. I waited for the coming of another -night. All was silent around me save the sweet chant of the feathered -songsters in the forest, or the musical ripple of the eddying waters -at my feet. I watched the majestic bluffs as they gradually faded away -through the gray twilight from the face of day into the darker shades -of night. I then turned to the rising moon as it peered above, ascending -the deep-blue ether, high in the heavens, casting its mellow rays over -the surrounding landscape, and gilding the smooth surface of the noble -river with its silvery hue. I viewed with interest the stars as they -appeared one after another in the firmament. It was then and there that -I studied nature in its lonely grandeur, and saw in it the goodness -of God, and felt that he who created so much beauty, and permitted the -fowls of the air and beasts of the field to roam at large, and be -free, never intended that man should be the slave of his fellow-man. I -resolved that I would be a bondman no longer; and, taking for my guide -the _north star_, I started 'for Canada, the negro's land of liberty. -For many weeks, I travelled by night, and lay by during the day. Oh! -how often, while hid away in the forest, waiting for nightfall, have I -thought of the beautiful lines I once heard a stranger recite!-- - - - "'Oh hail, Columbia! happy land,-- - - The cradle-land of liberty! - - Where none but negroes bear the brand, - - Or feel the lash, of slavery. - - - Then let the glorious anthem peal, - - And drown "Britannia rules the waves:" - - Strike up the song that men can feel,-- - - "Columbia rules four million slaves!"' - - -"At last I arrived at a depot of the underground railroad, took the -_express_ train, and here I am."--"You are welcome," said Col. Rice, -as he rose from his chair, walked to the window, and looked out, as -if apprehensive that the fugitive's pursuers were near by. "You are -welcome," continued he; "and I will aid you on your way to Canada, for -you are not safe here." - -"Are you not afraid of breaking the laws by assisting this man to -escape?" remarked Squire Loomis. "I care not for laws when they stand in -the way of humanity," replied the colonel. "If you aid him in reaching -Canada, and we should ever have a war with England, maybe he'll take up -arms, and fight against his own country," said the squire. The fugitive -eyed the law-abiding man attentively for a moment, and then exclaimed, -"Take up arms against my country? What country, sir, have I? The Supreme -Court of the United States, and the laws of the South, doom me to be the -slave of another. There is not a foot of soil over which the _stars and -stripes_ wave, where I can stand, and be protected by law. I've seen my -mother sold in the cattle-market: I looked upon my brothers as they were -driven away in chains by the slave-speculator. The heavy negro-whip has -been applied to my own shoulders, until its biting lash sunk deep into -my quivering flesh. Still, sir, you call this my country. True, true, I -was born in this land. My grandfather fought in the Revolutionary -War: my own father was in the war of 1812. Still, sir, I am a slave, a -chattel, a thing, a piece of property. I've been sold in the market with -horses and swine. The initials of my master's name are branded on this -arm. Still, sir, you call this my country. And, now that I am making my -escape, you feel afraid if I reach Canada, and there should be war with -England, that I will take up arms against my country. Sir, I have no -country but the grave; and I'll seek freedom there before I will be -taken back to slavery. There is no justice for me at the South: every -right of my race is trampled in the dust, until humanity bleeds at every -pore. I am bound for Canada, and woe to him that shall attempt to arrest -me! If it comes to the worst, I will die fighting for freedom."--"I -honor your courage," exclaimed Squire Loomis, as he sprang from his -seat, and walked rapidly to and fro-the room. "It is too bad," continued -he, "that such men should be enslaved in a land whose Declaration of -Independence proclaims all men to be free and equal. I will aid you in -any thing that I can. What is your name?"--"I have no name," said the -fugitive. "I once had a name,--it was William,--but my master's nephew -came to live with him; and as I was a house-servant, and the young -master and I would, at times, get confused in the same name, orders -were given for me to change mine. From that moment, I resolved, that, as -slavery had robbed me of my liberty and my name, I would not attempt to -have another till I was free. So, sir, for once, you have a man standing -before you without a name."--"I will name you George Loomis," said the -squire. "I accept it," returned the fugitive, "and shall try never to -dishonor it." - -True to their promises, his new friends provided for his immediate -wants, and, as soon as a favorable opportunity occurred, started him on -his journey north. George reached Canada in a few weeks without further -adventure, and settled near the city of Toronto, where he resided, -engaged in honest labors and enjoying the fruits of his industry, -until the breaking-out of the Rebellion, when he returned to the United -States, eager to take part in the struggle. Owing to the fairness of his -complexion, he readily passed for a white man, and enlisted as such in a -Michigan regiment in 1863. He was with Gen. Grant's army at the siege of -Vicksburg; and, after the surrender of that, stronghold, the regiment to -which George belonged was stationed in the town. Here the quadroon had -ample opportunity of conversing with the freedmen, which he often did, -for he had not lost his interest in the race. Going into a negro cabin -one day, and getting into conversation with an old woman, he found that -she was originally from the state of Kentucky, and lastly from Missouri, -and that they were from the same neighborhood. As each related the -experience through which they had passed, the interview became more and -more interesting. Often they eyed each other, but there was nothing to -indicate that they had ever met before. - -However, this was not to last long, for George, in describing the -parting scene with his mother, riveted the attention of the old woman, -who, at its close, said, "Dat scripshun peers like my gal, but you -can't be no kin to her. But what's your name?" eagerly asked the woman. -"William was my name, but I adopted the one I am known by now," replied -he. "You don't mean to say dat you is William?" - -"Yes: that was the name I was known by."--"Well," continued she, "I -had a son named William; but he run away, and massa went arter him, and -catch him, and sold him down the riber to de cotton-planter. So he -said when he came back." The features of the two had changed so much -in thirty years, that they could not discover in each other any traces -whatever of former acquaintance. "My son," said the old woman, "had a -scar on his right hand." George sprang from his seat., and held out the -right hand. Tremblingly she put on her glasses, seized the hand, and -screamed, "Oh, oh, oh! I can't 'blieve dis is you. My son had a scar, a -deep scar, on the side of the left foot." Quick as thought, George took -off the boot, and held up his foot, while the old woman was wiping her -glasses; for they were wet with tears. A moment more, and mother and -son were locked in each other's arms. The dead was alive, the lost was -found. God alone knew the sorrow that had visited the two since they had -last met. Great was the rejoicing at this unexpected meeting; and the -old woman would, for several days, cause Loomis to take off his boot, -and show her the scar; and she would sit, hold the hand, and view the -unmistakable cut which helped her to identity her long-lost son. And she -would weep and exclaim, "Dis is de doins ob de Lord!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVII--PROGRESS AND JUSTICE. - - -_Great Change in the Treatment of Colored Troops.--Negro -Appointments.--Justice to the Black Soldiers.--Steamer -"Planter."--Progress.--The Paymaster at last.--John S Rock._ - - -The month of May, 1864, saw great progress in the treatment of the -colored troops by the Government of the United States. The circumstances -were more favorable for this change than they had hitherto been. Slavery -had been abolished in the District of Columbia., Maryland, and Missouri: -the heroic assault on Fort Wagner, the unsurpassed bravery exhibited at -Port Hudson, the splendid fighting at Olustee and Honey Hill, had raised -the colored men in the estimation of the nation. President Lincoln and -his advisers had seen their error, and begun to repair the wrong. -The year opened with the appointment of Dr. A. T. Augusta, a colored -gentleman, as surgeon of colored volunteers, and he was at once assigned -to duty, with the rank of major. Following this, was the appointment, by -Gov. Andrew of Massachusetts, of Sergt. Stephen A. Swailes, of Company -F, Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment, as second lieutenant. - -M. R. Delany, M.D., was soon after appointed a major of negro -volunteers, and assigned to duty at Charleston, S.C. W. P. Powell, jun., -received an appointment as surgeon, about the same time. - -The steamer "Planter," since being brought out of Charleston by Robert -Small, was under the command of a Yankee, who, being ordered to do -service where the vessel would be liable to come under the fire of -rebel guns, refused to obey: whereupon Lieut.-Col. Elwell, without -consultation with any higher authority, issued the following order, -which, for simple justice to a brave and loyal negro, officially -acknowledged, has seldom been equalled in this or any other department. -It is unnecessary to say that Robert Small took command of the vessel, -and faithfully discharged the duty required of him. - -_"Office of Chief Quartermaster,_ _Port Royal, S.C., Nov. 26, 1863._ - -"_Capt. A. T. Dutton, Chief Assistant Quartermaster, Folly and -Morris Islands._ - -"_Sir_,--You will please place Robert Small in charge of the -United-States transport 'Planter,' as captain. He brought her out -of Charleston Harbor more than a year ago, running under the guns of -Sumter, Moultrie, and the other defences of that stronghold. He is an -excellent pilot, of undoubted bravery, and in every respect worthy of -the position. This is due him as a proper recognition of his heroism and -services. The present captain is a coward, though a white man. Dismiss -him, therefore, and give the steamer to this brave black Saxon. - -"Respectfully, your obedient servant, - -"_J. J. ELWELL._ - -"_Chief Quartermaster Department South._" - -It may interest some to know that the above order was immediately -approved by Gen. Gillmore. - -The following is very complimentary to Capt. Small:-- - -"It was indeed a privilege to enter Charleston, as we did recently -through the courtesy of Major-Gen, Saxton, in such a steamer as 'The -Planter,' and with such a captain as Robert Small. It was their first -appearance in the harbor since the memorable morning of their departure -in 1862. The fog detained us for a few hours on our arrival at the bar. -When it cleared away, you can imagine with what cheer our anchor came -up, and with what smiles and satisfaction the vessel and her commander -swept by the silenced and dismantled Sumter, and hauled in to the -waiting, wondering wharves of the ruined city. Wherever we went on -shore, we had only to say to the colored people, 'The Planter and -Capt. Small are at the dock;' and away they all hurried to greet -the well-known, welcome guests. 'Too sweet to think of.' cried one -noble-looking old man, who had evidently waited long for the good news -of our day, as he hastened to join the crowd. - -"We met Small afterwards, walking in the streets in peace and safety. -When our rambles about the humble place were over, and we prepared to -depart, the scene about the steamer was one that we can never forget. A -goodly company of the leading colored people were arranging for a public -meeting with Gen. Saxton in the largest hall of the city, to learn from -his lips the purposes of our Government on the following week. Their -interview over, they joined a large crowd of their own color upon the -pier. Small was in the midst of them, with a couple of white men in -conversation with him. Curiosity led us near. He introduced us to the -builder of the vesel (sp.), and the maker of the engine and boilers. 'I -put the polish on,' he added laughingly. They withdrew towards a couple -of their own complexion. He pointed out the principal person in the -group, to the general, as Col. Ferguson, the original owner of 'The -Planter,' and of all her old hands, except Small. His owner did not show -himself. - -"Upon our casting off, the colored folks raised at first a few feeble -cheers, from a lurking regard to the pale listeners behind them; but, -when the general before them called for three more for Capt. Small, -every arm was swung, and every voice was raised till the welkin rang. -'The Planter' has been placed under Gen. Saxton's orders. She will -be often seen in these waters. Her new claims to her name are to be -manifested in her _planting_ the freedmen of the captured city upon the -neighboring sea-islands and the mainland, on their own homesteads, for -the cultivation of their own crops of cotton, rice, corn, and whatever -else they and their families, or the world, may need. A great price was -once put upon Small's head. He and all his crew, white and black alike, -will be worth their weight in gold if they but continue to serve the -general and the Government as we were sure they did on their first -return-trip to Charleston Harbor." - -There was one step more which the Government had taken, that sent a -thrill of joy to many hearts. It was paying the men on the battle-field -what it promised. The following announcement was made by Gen. Saxton, at -Beaufort, S.C., May 22:-- - -Colored soldiers, I have just received intelligence that the National -Government, after a long and desperate struggle, has decided to put you -on an equality with her white troops, making your pay equal with theirs. -Now that she has done justice to you, I want you to do justice to her -and justice to yourselves. Show yourselves men; and the way to show -yourselves men is to be brave and stout-hearted. I want you to be -particular in the execution of your 'Shoulder arms,' your 'Charge -bayonets.' Learn to shoot well at your enemies. You can do it, can't -you?" ("Yes, sir!" was the answer from the columns.) "'Well, do it, -then. There is no reason why you should not make just as good soldiers -as the whites. Do it, then; hold your heads up, and be fearless and -brave men. Two years ago, when I came here, I was the first to organize -a colored regiment into the United-States service; viz., the First -South-Carolina Regiment. The first lesson I taught them was to hold -up their heads before white men, and to say No. And now they are good -soldiers. I would just as soon have the First South-Carolina Regiment -to-day with which to go into the field and face the enemy as any -white soldiers in the service." The paymaster shortly after made his -appearance, and paid off the men; and thus justice, though long kept -back, at last came. Great was the rejoicing, both in the army by the -men, and at their homes by their families and friends. Progress is slow, -but sure. Everywhere the colored population appeared to be gaining their -equality, and rising to a higher level of humanity. The acknowledgment -of the civil rights of the negro had already been granted in the -admission of John S. Rock, a colored man, to practise law in all the -courts within the jurisdiction of the United States. The Supreme Court -at Washington, Chief-Justice Chase presiding, did not heap any more -honor on Mr. Rock, by this admission, than they gained by having so -distinguished a scholar as a member of the bar. Mr. John F. Shorter, who -was promoted to a lieutenancy in Company D, Fifty-fifth Massachusetts -Regiment, was by trade a carpenter, and was residing in Delaware County, -O., when the call was made for colored troops. Severely wounded at -the battle of Honey Hill, S.C.,on the 30th of November, 1864, he still -remained with his regiment, hoping to be of service. At the conclusion -of the war, he returned home, but never recovered from his wound, and -died a few days after his arrival. James Monroe Trotter, promoted for -gallantry, was wounded at the battle of Honey Hill. He is a native of -Grand Gulf, Miss; removed to Cincinnati, O; was educated at the Albany -(O.) Manual Labor University, where he distinguished himself for his -scholarly attainments. He afterwards became a school-teacher, which -position he filled with satisfaction to the people of Muskingum and Pike -Counties, O., and with honor to himself. Enlisting as a private in the -Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Regiment, on its organization, he returned -with it to Boston as a lieutenant, an office honorably earned. - -William H. Dupree, a native of Petersburg, Va., was brought up and -educated at Chillicothe, O. He enlisted in the Fifty-fifth -Massachusetts Regiment, on its formation, as a private, was soon made -orderly-sergeant, and afterwards promoted to a lieutenancy for bravery -on the field of battle. - -Charles L. Mitchel, promoted to a lieutenancy in the Fifty-fifth -Massachusetts Regiment for gallantry at the battle of Honey Hill, where -he was severely wounded (losing a limb), is a native of Hartford, Conn., -and son of Mr. William A. Mitchel of that city. Lieut. Mitchel served -an apprenticeship to William II. Burleigh, in the office of the old -"Charter Oak," in Hartford, where he became an excellent printer. For -five or six years previous to entering the army, he was employed -in different printing-offices in Boston, the last of which was "The -Liberator," edited by William Lloyd Garrison, who never speaks of -Lieut. Mitchel but in words of the highest commendation. Gen. A. S. -Hartwell, late colonel of the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Regiment, makes -honorable mention of Lieut. Mitchel. - -The citizens of Boston in Ward Six, where he has so long resided, and -who know him well, have shown then-appreciation of Lieut. Mitchel's -worth by electing him to represent them in the Massachusetts -Legislature,--an office which he is every way qualified to fill. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVIII--FOURTH-OF-JULY CELEBRATION AT THE HOME OF JEFF. DAVIS. - - -_Fourth-of-July Celebration at the Home of Jeff. Davis in -Mississippi.--The Trip.--Joe Davis's Place.--Jeff.'s Place.--The -Dinner.--Speeches and Songs.--Lively Times.--Return to Vicksburg._ - - -By invitation of the Committee of Arrangements, a party of teachers and -their escorts, and other friends of the freedmen, embarked on board "The -Diligent," on the morning of the 4th inst. "The Diligent" left the levee -at Vicksburg soon after seven o'clock, a.m., and made a pleasant trip -in about three hours, down the river, stopping at the landing at Davis's -Bend; whence the party were conveyed in ambulances, wagons, buggies, -and other vehicles, to the late residence of Jefferson Davis, about two -miles from said landing. - - -_DAVIS'S BEND_. - -This is one of the most extraordinary bends of the wonderful Mississippi -River, and has received its name from the fact of the settlement, on the -peninsula formed by the bend, of two members of the Davis Family, known -as "Jeff." and "Joe." This peninsula is some twelve miles in length; -and, at the point where it is attached to the main land of the State of -Mississippi, it is so narrow, that the enterprising planters have dug a -canal across, not unlike the celebrated Butler Canal of Petersburg fame, -although not near so long. This canal is called the "cut-off;" and, in -high water, the peninsula becomes, in fact, an island. This tract of -land is of great fertility, being entirely a deposit of the rich soil -washed from the prairies of the Great West. On this tract are some six -plantations, of from eight hundred to twelve hundred acres each. Two of -the largest and best of these were owned by Jeff, and Joe Davis, and are -known now as "The Jeff, and Joe places." The form of this peninsula is -such that a few companies of soldiers, with one or two stockades, can -keep out an army of rebels; and the inhabitants, although frequently -surrounded by the hordes of Southern murderers and thieves on the -opposite banks of the river and canal, dwell in peace and comparative -security. In fact, this site, from being the home of traitors and -oppressors of the poor, has become a sort of earthly paradise for -colored refugees. There they flock in large numbers, and, like Lazarus -of old, are permitted as it were, to repose in "Father Abraham's bosom." -The rich men of the Southern Confederacy, now homeless wanderers, -occasionally cry across for the Lazarus whom they have oppressed -and despised; but he is not sent unto them, because, between the two -parties, there is a great gulf fixed; so that they which would pass from -hence cannot. On this freedman's paradise, parties for cultivating the -soil are organized under the superintendence of missionaries; each -party cultivating from ten to one hundred acres, with a fair prospect -of realizing handsomely. These efforts are aided by the Government; -rations, teams, &c., being-supplied and charged to each party, to be -deducted from the proceeds of their crops. Cotton is chiefly cultivated, -and some very handsome stands appear. - - -_THE "JOE PLACE."_ - -The "Joe Place" is nearest the landing. The fine brick house, however, -is nearly demolished; but the cottage used as a sort of law library and -office is remaining uninjured. The negro-quarters also remain. - - -_THE "JEFF. PLACE."_ - -The "Jeff, place" is also a very fine plantation. The residence has -not been injured, except the door-locks, and one or two marble mantels -broken up, apparently for trophies. The Jeff, furniture has been -removed; but the rooms are still furnished with furniture brought here. - - -_THE HOUSE THAT JEFF. BUILT._ - -The house is, in its ground-plan, in the form of a cross,--but one -floor, with large rooms and ample verandas. The portico in front is -supported with pillars, and these form the only ornamental features of -the house, except such as were added for this occasion by the artistic -touches of our Northern sisters. Of these were festoons, wreaths, stars, -and garlands mysteriously woven in evergreens and flowers. Over the -portico entrance outside were the following inscriptions, the letters -being formed by cedar foliage:-- - - -_"THE HOUSE THAT JEFF. BUILT."_ - - -_"WELCOME."_ - -The latter motto was arched, and, with the festoons, made a beautiful -appearance. - -Inside were beautiful stars and garlands of flowers; and over the exit -at the back-door, the following inscription, surmounted by a star:-- - - -_"EXIT TRAITOR."_ - -It was facetiously remarked by an observer, that the moral was,-- - - "Down with the traitor, - - And up with the star." - -We understood that to Miss Lee, of Pennsylvania, and Miss Jennie -Huddleson, of Indiana, the party was indebted for those ingenious and -appropriate devices. Very likely; for wit and satire for traitors, and a -cordial welcome to the loyal and patriotic, are characteristics of these -whole-souled missionaries. - -The reception-rooms were also decorated with flowers; and every thing -around showed that "gentle hands" had laid on "the last touches" of -fragrance, grace, and beauty. - -These "ladies of the Management" were dressed in neat "patriotic -prints;" they needed no addition to their toilets to add to the charming -air of comfort which they so appropriately infused. Their smiles of -welcome needed no verbal explanation; and the heartiness with which they -were engaged in their labors of love, and the evidence of their success -in all the surroundings, showed that they perfectly understood the -science of making home happy. Whether they have read Mrs. H. B. Stowe's -"House and Home Papers" in "The Atlantic," we know not, but there are -many others, besides that literary lady (Mrs. Stowe), who understand -how to keep house; by magic touches to turn the most simple objects into -luxuries of ornamentation. We suspect also that Mrs. M. Watson and -Miss Lizzie Findley had been engaged in these preparations, although -appearing more in the character of guests. There were some other ladies, -to whom we had not the honor of an introduction, who, doubtless, deserve -particular mention; but your reporter, as the sequel of his story will -show, only received his appointment as a publication committee _after -all was over_, and, consequently, if he should omit anybody's name that -deserves mention, this must be his apology. He now declares his desire -to be just to all, and especially to those whose devotion and patriotism -rendered the 4th of July, 1864, the happiest day of the year. - - -_THE GROUNDS._ - -On the grounds in front of the residence, the gunboat crew suspended a -string of signal colors, on each side of the "starry banner," presenting -an effect amid the dense foliage of the live-oaks, and the gray moss, -"altogether beauteous to look upon;" while on the tables under the -trees were spread things not only "pleasant to the sight," but "good -for food." And when we saw these pleasing objects, the "work of their -hands," and the merry, happy faces of the guests and their "escorts," -and reflected that the sable sons, by a guard of whom we were -surrounded, were "no longer slaves;" that they had, with thousands of -their brethren, been brought out from the house of bondage, by the -"God of Abraham;" that the very house now occupied by missionaries and -teachers had, but a year ago, been in the service of despotism, built, -in fact, as a temple of slavery by the great chief, who preferred -to rule in a miserable petty despotism to serving in a great and -magnanimous republic,--we could but think that Heaven looked approvingly -upon the scene; that "God saw every thing that he had made, and behold! -it was very good." - - -_THE EXERCISES._ - -Rev. Dr. Warren conducted the exercises as president of the occasion; -and he did it with that ease, freedom, and regard for the rights and -interests of all, which usually characterize his public and social -conduct. He opened the proceedings, under a grove of trees in front -of the house, with an appropriate prayer, and then called upon those -appointed to take part. - -Mr. Roundtree read the Declaration of Independence in a clear, emphatic, -and impressive manner. It was listened to with becoming reverence for -the great truths it contains, by both the white and colored races. It -is quite improbable that these self-evident truths were ever expressed -before publicly in this locality, and within hearing of every one within -the "house that Jeff, built." - -When this place was first taken by our troops, the following verse was -found written on the wall:-- - - "Let Lincoln send his forces here! - - We'll lick'em like blue blazes, - - And send them yelping hack to where - - They sung their nigger praises." - -Rev. Mr. Livermore, of Wisconsin, delivered an appropriate oration. - -The meeting then adjourned for dinner. - -A gentle shower at this time rendered the air cool and pleasant, but -made it necessary to remove the dining-tables to the house. - - -_THE DINNER._ - -A sumptuous dinner was served on the veranda at the back of the -mansion. There was an abundance of all that could be desired. This being -concluded, the following sentiments were presented, and responded to in -an impromptu but appropriate manner by the various speakers:-- - - -_REGULAR TOASTS._ - -1. The Day we celebrate: The old ship was launched in '76, the -bow-anchors cast out last year at Vicksburg and Gettysburg: may the -storm-anchors be dropped to-day at Richmond and Atlanta! - -Response by Mr. Israel Lombard. - -2. The President: Proved honest and wise by four years of unprecedented -trial: we shall keep him there. - -Responded to by Dr. Wright. - -3. Lieut.-Gen. Grant: We can tie to him in a gale. - -Responded to by Col. Clark. - -4. The house that Jeff, built. - -Responded to by Capt. Powell. - -The following song composed for the occasion was led by Mr. McConnell:-- - - -_"THE HOUSE THAT JEFF. BUILT."_ - -_"Air.--'Auld Lang Syne.'_ - - - "How oft within these airy halls - - The traitor of the day - - Has heard ambition's trumpet-calls, - - Or dreamed of war's array! - - - Or of an empire dreamed, whose base - - Millions of blacks should be! - - Aha! before this day's sweet face - - Where can his lisions be? - - - Those empire dreams shall be fulfilled, - - But not as rebels thought: - - Like water at the cistern spilled, - - Their boasts shall come to nought. - - From gulf to lake, from sea to sea, - - Behold our country grand! - - The very home of Liberty, - - And guarded by her hand. - - - We revel in his halls to-day: - - Next year where will he be? - - A dread account he lias to pay: - - May we be there to see! - - And now for country, truth, and right, - - Our heritage all free; - - We'll live and die. we'll sing and fight: - - The Union! three times three. - - -5. The Army and Navy: Veterans of three years. The heart of the nation -beats anxiously at the cry, "Onward to victory!" - -Response by Dr. Foster. - -6. Our Patriot Dead: Silence their most speaking eulogy - -7. The Union: The storm will but root it the more firmly. - -Response by Rev.A. J. Compton. - -"The Star-spangled Banner,"--sung by the whole company, led by Mr. -McConnell. - -8. Missionaries to Freedmen: Peace has its heroes. - -Response by Rev. Mr. Buckley, chaplain Forty-seventh United-States -Colored Infantry. - -9. Gen Sherman, second in command: "All I am I owe to my Government, and -nothing could tempt me to sacrifice my honor or my allegiance." - -Response by Capt. Gilpin, Commissary of Subsistence. - -10. The Freedmen: Slaves yesterday, to-day free: what shall they be -to-morrow? - -The freedmen sung the following song:-- - - "De Lord he makes us free indeed - - In his own time an' way. - - We plant de rice and cotton seed, - - And see de sprout some day: - - We know it come, but not de why,-- - - De Lord know more dan we. - - We 'spected freedom by an' by; - - An' now we all are free. - - Praise de Lord! Praise de Lord! - - For now we all are free. - - - De Norf is on de side of right, - - An' full of men, dey say; - - An' dere, when poor man work, at night - - He sure to get his pay. - - De Lord he glad dey are so good, - - And make dem bery strong; - - An' when dey called to give deir blood - - Dey all come right along. - - Praise de Lord! Praise do Lord! - - Dey all come right along. - - - Deir blue coats cover all de groun', - - An' make it like de sky; - - An' every gray back loafin' round - - He tink it time to fly. - - We not afraid: we bring de child, - - An' stan' beside de door, - - An,' oil! we hug it bery wild, - - An' keep it ebermore. - - Praise de Lord! Praise de Lord! - - We keep it ebermore. - - De massa's come back from his tramp; - - 'Pears he is broken quite: - - He takes de basket to de camp - - For rations ebery night. - - - Dey fought him when he loud and strong, - - Dey fed him when he low: - - Dey say dey will forgive the wrong, - - An' bid him'pent an' go. - - Praise de Lord! Praise de Lord! - - Dey hid him'pent an' go. - - - De rice is higher far dis year, - - De cotton taller grow; - - De lowest corn-silk on de ear - - Is higher than de hoe. - - De Lord he lift up every ting - - 'Cept rebel in his grave; - - De negro bress de Lord, an' sing: - - He is no longer slave. - - Praise de Lord! Praise de Lord! - - De negro no more slave." - - -13. Our Colored Troops: Deserving of freedom because they fight like -men. - -Response by Lieut. Wakeman. - -Song: "Babylon is fallen." - -The party, after selecting a few simple trophies, such as fig-branches -for walking-canes, large pond-lilies, flowers, wreaths, and bouquets, -returned to the landing, and re-embarked for Vicksburg. - - -_CLOSING EXERCISES._ - -On the boat, the following business was transacted:-- - -Vote of thanks to Col. Thomas and staff for getting up the celebration; -to the Orator of the Day, Parson Livermore; to the President, Rev. -Dr. Warren, who made a brief response; and also to Capt. Wightman an -officers of "The Diligent." - -The following song was then sung by a young contraband:-- - - "We heard de proclamation, massa hush it as he will: - - De bird he sing it to us, hoppin' on de cotton-hill; - - And de possum up de gum-tree he couldn't keep it still. - - - Father Abraham has spoken, and de message has been sent; - - Do prison-doors he opened, and out de prisoners went - - To joinde sable army of de 'African descent.' - - - Dey said, 'Now colored bredren, you shall be forever free, - - From the first of January, eighteen hundred and sixty-three:' - - We heard it in do riber goin' rushin' to dc sea. - - - Den fall in, colored bredren, you'd better do it soon; - - Don't you hear de drum a-beatin' de Yankee Doodle tune? - - We are wid you now dis mornin'; we'll lie far away at noon." - - -Cheers were given for Abraham Lincoln, and groans for Jeff. Davis. - -The song, "The House that Jeff. Built," was again sung; and Capt. -Gilpin, Commissary of Subsistence, appointed a committee to furnish a -copy of the same to "The New-York Tribune," and also to Jeff. Davis. - -Capt. Henry S. Clubb, Assistant Quartermaster, was appointed a committee -to furnish a report of the proceedings of the day to "The Vicksburg -Daily Herald." - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIX--GALLANTRY, LOYALTY, AND KINDNESS OF THE NEGRO. - - -_The Nameless Hero at Fair Oaks.--The Chivalry whipped by their Former -Slaves.--Endurance of the Blacks.--Man in Chains.--One Negro whips -Three Rebels.--Gallantry.--Outrages on the Blacks.--Kindness of the -Negroes.--Welcome._ - - -The gallantry and loyalty of the blacks during the Rebellion is a -matter of history, and volumes might be written upon that subject. I -give here a few instances out of the many I have gathered:-- - -"At the bloody battle of Fair Oaks, Va., the rebels, during the first -day's fight, drove Gen. Casey's division from their camping-ground, and -rested for the night, confident that the morrow would give them a chance -to drive the Yankee invaders beyond the Chickahominy; but, just at -daylight that morning, Heintzelman's corps re-enforced our line, and at -daybreak were hurled against the rebel foe. For a long time, the issue -was doubtful; the line swayed to and fro; but at last the Excelsior -Brigade the heroes of Williamsburg--were ordered to charge. That charge -is a matter of history. It gave us the battle-ground of Fair Oaks. - -"During the month of June, that brigade held the ground they won, and -skirmishes with the rebels were of daily occurrence. One afternoon, -word was sent to Gen. Sickles that the enemy was advancing in force, and -every preparation was at once made for battle. A few shots were heard -from pickets but a few hundred yards in advance of our battery, and then -all was quiet. What meant that quietness? What were the rebels -doing? Several orderlies sent out to the pickets failed to bring any -satisfactory intelligence. Gen. Sickles turned to Lieut. Palmer, one of -his aides, and acting assistant adjutant-general, and directed him to -take a squad of cavalry, and ride cautiously out to the first bend in -the road, and communicate with our pickets. - -"Palmer was a noble fellow,--young, handsome, a perfect gentleman, a -graceful rider, a gallant soldier. He was the pride of the brigade. -Forgetful of the caution given him, with the impetuosity characteristic -of youth, he dashed forward at a full gallop, with sabre drawn. He came -to the first bend in the road, and (fatal mistake) kept on. He came to -the second bend, and, as he turned it, directly across the road was a -company of rebel infantry drawn up to receive him. They fired. One ball -crashed through that handsome face into his brain, while another tore -the arm that bore aloft his trusty blade. - -"The shots were heard at the battery; and in a moment Palmer's riderless -horse, bleeding from a wound in its neck, galloped from the woods, -followed by the squad of cavalry, who told to the general the untimely -fate of his aide. - -"'Boys,' said the general to the veterans who clustered around to hear -the story, 'Lieut. Palmer's body lies out in that road.' Not a word more -needed saying. Quickly the men fell in, and a general advance of the -line was made to secure it. - -"Whilst the cavalrymen were telling the story, a negro-servant of Lieut. -Palmer's was standing by. Unnoticed, he left the group; down that road, -the Williamsburg Turnpike, he went. He passed our picket-line, and alone -and unattended he walked along that avenue of death to so many, not -knowing what moment he would be laid low by a rebel bullet, or be made a -prisoner to undergo that still worse death, a life of slavery. Upon the -advance of our line, that faithful servant was found by the side of his -dead master,--faithful in life, and faithful amid all the horrors of the -battle-field, even in the jaws of death. - -"None but those who knew the locality--the gallant men that make up -Hooker's division--can appreciate the heroism that possessed that -contraband. That road was lined with sharpshooters. A wounded man once -lay in it three days, neither party daring to rescue him. The act -of that heroic, unknown (I regret that I cannot recall his name) but -faithful contraband, was one of the most daring of the war, and -prompted by none other than the noblest feelings known to the human -breast."--New-York Independent. - -_"In Camp, Bermuda Hundred, Va., May 26, 1864._ - -"The chivalry of Fitzhugh Lee, and his cavalry division, was badly -worsted in the contest last Tuesday with negro troops composing the -garrison at Wilson's Landing. Chivalry made a gallant fight, however. -The battle began at half-past twelve, p.m., and ended at six o'clock; -when chivalry retired, disgusted and defeated. Lee's men dismounted -far in the rear, and fought as infantry. They drove in the pickets and -skirmishers to the intrenchments, and several times made valiant charges -upon our works. To make an assault, it was necessary to come across -an 'open' in front of our position, up to the very edge of a deep -and impassable ravine. The rebels, with deafening yells, made furious -onsets; but the negroes did not flinch, and the mad assailants, -discomfited, turned to cover with shrunken ranks. The rebel fighting was -very wicked. It showed that Lee's heart was bent on taking the negroes -at any cost. Assaults on the centre having failed, the rebels tried -first the left and then the right flank, with no greater success. When -the battle was over, our loss footed up one man killed outright, twenty -wounded, and two missing. Nineteen rebels were prisoners in our hands. -Lee's losses must have been very heavy. The proof thereof was left on -the ground. Twenty-five rebel bodies lay in the woods unburied; and -pools of blood unmistakably told of other victims taken away. The -estimate, from all the evidence carefully considered, puts the enemy's -casualties at two hundred. Among the corpses Lee left on the field was -that of Major Breckinridge, of the Second Virginia Cavalry. - -"There is no hesitation here in acknowledging the soldierly qualities -which the colored men engaged in this fight have exhibited. Even the -officers who have hitherto felt no confidence in them are compelled to -express themselves mistaken. Gen. Wild, commanding the post, says that -the troops stood up to their work like veterans."--_Correspondence of -the New-York Times._ - -"The conduct of the colored troops, by the way, in the actions of -the last few days, is described as superb. An Ohio soldier said to me -to-day, 'I never saw men fight with such desperate gallantry as those -negroes did. They advanced as grim and stern as death; and, when within -reach of the enemy, struck about them with a pitiless vigor that was -almost fearful.' Another soldier said to me, 'These negroes never shrink -nor hold back, no matter what the order. Through scorching heat and -pelting storms, if the order comes, they march with prompt, ready feet.' -Such praise is great praise, and it is deserved. The negroes here -who have been slaves are loyal to a man, and, on our occupation of -Fredericksburg, pointed out the prominent secessionists, who were at -once seized by our cavalry, and put in safe quarters. In a talk with -a group of these faithful fellows, I discovered in them all a perfect -understanding of the issues of the conflict, and a grand determination -to prove themselves worthy of the place and privileges to which they are -to be exalted."--_New-York Herald_. - -_"Carrollton, La., June 2,1864._ - -"I am writing in the camp of the Twelfth Connecticut Regiment, and about -here are encamped the Nineteenth Army Corps, under marching-orders -for Morganza, near the mouth of the Red River. In this tent sits a -man,--unfortunate because black,--once a slave, but free now, a member -of the grand army of the Unite! States, who is courageous, and who will -wield a sword or thrust a bayonet as vigorously as any, because he has -suffered so bitterly at the hands of those who would crush his race. His -crime was remonstrating with his master for beating his wife. When our -men found him, he was sitting on the floor, two long chains passing -over his shoulders, and fastened to a staple; and over him stood four -soldiers with muskets to prevent his escape. He is not only faithful; -but he is gentlemanly, intelligent, and interesting in conversation and -appearance. His brave heart is full of patriotism, and he is willing to -serve or die for his country."--_Springfield Republican_. - -An instance of the daring of negroes in that section is told by a Lake -Providence (Louisiana) correspondent of "The Philadelphia Inquirer:"-- - -"Recently a black man, after several days' urgent request for a musket -and rounds of ammunition, succeeded in securing his wish. He set out -in the night, and by morning reached the vicinity of a rebel guard. He -crept cautiously forward, but was seen and watched. Suddenly the sharp -crack of rifles brought him to his feet. Before him were three rebel -soldiers. He instantly brought his musket to his shoulder, and fired. -One rebel fell dead. The negro, by the time the bewilderment of -the other two had passed off, was upon them with uplifted musket, -threatening them with its immediate descent, unless they surrendered at -once. They acquiesced in a hurry. Leaving the dead rebel to the -dogs, with the other two in tow, the negro returned to our lines, and -delivered them to the authorities. Since this exploit, the negro has -made himself useful in scouting and bringing in information." - -A correspondent, of "The Cleveland Leader," writing from the -headquarters of the Fifty-ninth United-States Infantry (colored) at -Memphis, under date of June 15, gives a detailed and graphic account -of the brave fight of the colored troops in Gen. Sturgis's command, -fully confirming previous accounts. The following is a material part of -the statement:-- - -"About sunrise, June 11, the enemy advanced on the town of Ripley, and -threatened our right, intending to cut us off from the Salem Road. Again -the colored troops were the only ones that could be brought into line; -the Fifty-ninth being on the right, and the Fifty-fifth on the left, -holding the streets. At this time, the men had not more than ten rounds -of ammunition, and the enemy were crowding closer and still closer, when -the Fifty-ninth were ordered to charge on them, which they did in good -style, while singing,-- - - 'We'll rally round the flag, boys.' - -"This charge drove the enemy back, so that both regiments retreated to a -pine-grove about two hundred yards distant. - -"By this time, all the white troops, except one squadron of cavalry, -that formed in the rear, were on the road to Salem; and, when this -brigade came up, they, too, wheeled and left, and in less than ten -minutes this now little band of colored troops found themselves flanked. -They then divided themselves into three squads, and charged the enemy's -lines; one squad taking the old Corinth Road, then a by-road, to the -left. After a few miles, they came to a road leading to Grand Junction. -After some skirmishing, they arrived, with the loss of one killed and -one wounded. - -"Another and the largest squad covered the retreat of the white troops, -completely defending them by picking up the ammunition thrown away by -them, and with it repelling the numerous assaults made by the rebel -cavalry, until they reached Collierville, a distance of sixty miles. -When the command reached Dan's Mills, the enemy attempted to cut it off -by a charge; but the colored boys in the rear formed, and repelled the -attack, allowing the whole command to pass safely on, when they tore -up the bridge. Passing on to an open country, the officers halted, -and re-organized the brigade into an effective force. They then moved -forward until about four, p.m.; when some Indian flank skirmishers -discovered the enemy, who came up to the left, and in the rear, and -halted. Soon a portion advanced, when a company faced about and fired, -emptying three saddles. From this time until dark, the skirmishing was -constant. - -"A corporal in Company C, Fifty-ninth, was ordered to surrender. He let -his would-be captor come close to him; when he struck him with the butt -of his gun. - -"While the regiment was fighting in a ditch, and the order came to -retreat, the color-bearer threw out the flag, designing to jump out and -get it; but the rebels rushed for it, and in the struggle one of the -boys knocked down with his gun the reb who had the flag, caught it, and -ran. - -"A rebel, with an oath, ordered one of our men to surrender. He, -thinking the reb's gun was loaded, dropped his gun; but, on seeing the -reb commence loading, our colored soldier jumped for his gun, and with -it struck his captor dead. - -"Capt. H., being surrounded by about a dozen rebels, was seen by one of -his men, who called several of his companions: they rushed forward and -fired, killing several of the enemy, and rescued their captain. - -"A rebel came up to one, and laid, 'Come, my good fellow, go with me and -wait on me.' In an instant, the boy shot his would-be master dead. - -"Once when the men charged on the enemy, they rushed forth with the cry, -Remember Fort Pillow.' The rebs called back, and said, 'Lee's men killed -no prisoners.' - -"One man in a charge threw his antagonist to the ground, and pinned him -fast; and, as he attempted to withdraw his bayonet, it came off his -gun, and, as he was very busy just then, he left him transfixed to -mother-earth. - -"One man killed a rebel by striking him with the butt of his gun, which -he broke; but, being unwilling to stop his work, he loaded and fired -three 'times before he could get a better gun: the first time, not being -cautious, the rebound of his gun badly cut his lip. - -"When the troops were in the ditch, three rebels came to one man, -and ordered him to surrender. His gun being loaded, he shot one, and -bayoneted another: and, forgetting he could bayonet the third, he turned -the butt of his gun, and knocked him down." - -Great were the sufferings which the colored people had to endure for -their fidelity to liberty and the Union during the Rebellion. Space will -allow me to give but one or two instances. - -"On Monday, Feb. 21, a band of guerillas, commanded by Col. Moore, of -Louisiana, made a bold dash upon our lines at Waterproof, La., opening -with four pieces of artillery upon Fort Anderson. Capt. Johnson, of the -gunboat 'No. 9,' was on hand, and, after two hours' vigorous shelling, -the enemy abandoned the attack. - -"Our loss was three killed. Two colored soldiers, members of the -Eleventh Louisiana Volunteers, were captured, and afterwards brutally -murdered, with an old slave known by the sobriquet of 'Uncle Peter.' -The bodies of the two soldiers were discovered the next day riddled with -bullets. Old Uncle Peter had been of great service to our Government -in piloting our officers to localities where large quantities of cotton -belonging to the rebel Government were concealed. After capturing this -old man, the assassins compelled him to kneel, with his hands behind -his back, in presence of some fifty slaves on one of the adjoining -plantations; and two Minie-balls pierced his body. They then intimidated -the slaves by threatening to treat all negroes in a similar manner whom -they caught aiding the Yankees. - -"Through the instrumentality of this faithful old man, Capt. Anderson -had secured four hundred bales of fine cotton marked 'Confederate States -of America,' together with a hundred and fifty fine horses, and a number -of mules. The value of the cotton alone was a hundred thousand -dollars. Among the prisoners captured by our forces was Lieut. Austin, -adjutant-general on Gen. Harris's staff, with his fine horses and costly -equipments. Capt. Anderson succeeded in capturing the murderer of old -Uncle Peter, and having plenty of slaves to testify who were obliged to -witness the infamous crime, he ordered the guilty wretch to be shot; -and in a few hours the villain paid the penalty of his dastard crime. -Another one of the guerillas engaged in this outrage is now in our -hands, under guard at this place; and it seems like an act of great -injustice to our brave soldiers, that such outlaws should be treated as -prisoners of war. - -"After shooting these three defenceless men, the chivalrous knights -robbed old Uncle Peter of a thousand dollars in treasury notes, and -completely stripped the two colored soldiers of all their outer clothing -and their boots. We hear Northern copperheads, who have never been -south of Mason and Dixon's Line, constantly prating about the -unconstitutionality of arming the slaves of rebels; and often these -prejudiced people accuse the negro troops of cowardice. After the bloody -proof at Milliken's Bend, Port Hudson, and at Fort Wagner in front of -Charleston, it would seem that nothing more was needed to substantiate -the resolution and undaunted courage of the slave when arrayed against -his master, fighting for the freedom of his race. The following incident -speaks for itself:-- - -"In the attack on Fort Anderson, Sergt. Robert Thompson exhibited traits -of courage worthy of record. A party of eight guerillas surrounded -Sergt. Thompson of Company I, Eleventh Louisiana, and Corp. Robinson of -the same regiment. The two prisoners were threatened with torture and -death, and were finally placed in charge of three guerillas, while the -balance of their party were harassing our troops. Seeing a revolver -in the sergeant's belt, they ordered him to give it up. As he fumbled -around his belt, he touched the corporal with his elbow as a signal to -be ready. Drawing it slowly from his belt, he cocked it, and, ere the -rebel could give the alarm, he fell a corpse from his horse. At the -same time, Corp. Robinson shot another; and the third guerilla, without -waiting for further instructions, put the spurs to his horse, and in a -few seconds was out of sight. The two brave men are now on duty ready -for another guerilla visit."--_Correspondence of The Tribune._ - -Kindness to Union men and all Northerners was a leading trait in the -character of the colored people of the South throughout the war. James -Henri Brown, special correspondent of "The New-York Tribune," in his -very interesting work, "Four years in Secessia," says, "The negro who -had guided us to the railway had told us of another of his color to whom -we could apply for shelter and food at the terminus of our second stage. -We could not find him until nearly dawn; and, when we did, he directed -us to a large barn filled with corn-husks. Into that we crept with our -dripping garments, and lay there for fifteen hours, until we could again -venture forth. Floundering about in the husks, we lost our haversacks, -pipes, and a hat. About nine o'clock, we procured a hearty supper -from the generous negro, who even gave me his hat,--an appropriate -presentation, as one of iny companions remarked, by an 'intelligent -contraband' to the reliable gentleman of 'The New-York Tribune.' The -negro did picket-duty while we hastily ate our meal, and stood by his -blazing fire. The old African and his wife gave us 'God bless you, -massa!' with trembling voice and moistened eyes, as we parted from them -with grateful hearts. 'God bless negroes!' say I, with earnest lips. -During our entire captivity, and after our escape, they were ever our -firm, brave, unflinching friends. We never made an appeal to them they -did not answer. They never hesitated to do us a service at the risk even -of life; and, under the most trying circumstances, revealed a devotion -and a spirit of self-sacrifice that were heroic. - -"The magic word 'Yankee,' opened all their hearts, and elicited the -loftiest virtues. They were ignorant, oppressed, enslaved; but they -always cherished a simple and beautiful faith in the cause of the Union, -and its ultimate triumph, and never abandoned or turned aside from a man -who sought food or shelter on his way to freedom." - -"On the march of Grant's army from Spottsylvania to the North Anna, at -intervals of every few miles, families of negroes were gathered along -the roadside, exchanging words of salutation to our soldiers as they -passed, and grinning all over their faces. 'Massa's gone away, gemmen,' -was the answer in almost all cases where the query in relation to their -master's whereabouts was raised. 'Specs he gwan to Richmon'. Dun know. -He went away in a right smart hurry last night: dat's all I knows.' A -sight of the fine, athletic, plump appearance of some of these negroes, -of both sexes and all ages, would have driven a negro-trader crazy, -especially when he became convinced of the fact that, according to the -terms of President Lincoln's proclamation, these negroes are free -the moment the lines of the Union army closed in upon them. It was a -pleasing spectacle, and commingled with not a little pathos, to hear -the benedictions which the aged and infirm negroes poured out upon our -soldiers as they marched by. 'I'se been waitin' for you,' said an old -negro, whose eyesight was almost entirely gone, and whose head was -covered with the frosts of some eighty-five winters. 'Ah! I'se been -waitin' for you gemmen some time. I knew you was comin', kase I heerd -massa and missus often talkin' about you;' and then the old hero -chuckled, and almost ground his ivories out of his head." - -No heroism surpasses that of the poor slave-boy Sam, on board the -gunboat "Pawnee," who, while passing shell from the magazine, had both -legs shot away by a ball from the rebel guns; but, still holding the -shell, cried out at the top of his voice, "Pass up de shell, boys. -Nebber mine me: my time is up." The greatest fidelity of the white man -to the Union finds its parallel in the nameless negro, who, when his -master sent him out to saddle his horse, mounted the animal, rode in -haste to the Federal lines, and pointed out the road of safety to the -harassed, retreating Army of the Potomac; then, returning for his wife -and children, was caught by the rebels, and shot. When the rebels made -their raid into the State of Pennsylvania, and the governor called the -people to arms for defence, it is a well-known fact that a company of -colored men from Philadelphia were the first to report at Harrisburg -for service. These men were among the most substantial of the colored -citizens in point of wealth and moral culture. Yet these patriotic -individuals, together with all of their class, are disfranchised in that -State. - -In the engagement on James Island between the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts -and the rebels, the latter surrounded three companies of the former, -which were on picket-duty, and ordered them to surrender; the colored -troops replied by making the best possible use of their muskets. In the -fight, Sergt. Wilson, of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, fought bravely, -having fired his last cartridge, used the butt of his gun upon his -enemies, and, even after being severely wounded, still struggled -against the foe with his unloaded weapon. The enemy, seeing this, called -repeatedly to the negro to surrender; but Wilson refused, and fought -till he was shot dead. - - - - -CHAPTER XL--FALL OF THE CONFEDERACY, AND DEATH OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN. - - -_Flight of Jeff. Davis from Richmond.--Visit of President Lincoln to the -Rebel Capital.--Welcome by the Blacks.--Surrender of Gen. Lee.--Death of -Abraham Lincoln.--The Nation in Tears._ - - -Jefferson Davis and his cabinet had hastily quitted Richmond, on -Sunday, the third day of April, 1865; the Union troops had taken -possession the day following; and Abraham Lincoln, President of the -United States, and the best-hated man by the rebels, entered the city a -short time after. For the following account of the President's visit, I -am indebted to a correspondent of "The Boston Journal:" - -"I was standing upon the bank of the river, viewing the scene of -desolation, when a boat, pulled by twelve sailors, came up stream. It -contained President Lincoln and his son, Admiral Porter, Capt. Penrose -of the army, Capt. A. H. Adams of the navy, Lieut. W. W. Clements of the -signal corps. Somehow the negroes on the bank of the river ascertained -that the tall man wearing the black hat was President Lincoln. There was -a sudden shout. An officer who had just picked up fifty negroes to do -work on the dock found himself alone. They left work, and crowded round -the President. As he approached, I said to a colored woman,-- - -"'There is the man who made you free.' - -"'What, massa?' - -"'That is President Lincoln.' - -"'Dat President Linkum?' - -"'Yes.' - -"She gazed at him a moment, clapped her hands, and jumped straight up -and down, shouting, 'Glory, glory, glory!' till her voice was lost in a -universal cheer. - -"There was no carriage near; so the President, leading his son, walked -three-quarters of a mile up to Gen. Weitzel's headquarters,--Jeff. -Davis's mansion. What a spectacle it was! Such a hurly-burly, such wild, -indescribable, ecstatic joy I never witnessed. A colored man acted as -guide. Six sailors, wearing their round blue caps and short jackets and -bagging pants, with navy carbines, were the advance-guard. Then came the -President and Admiral Porter, flanked by the officers accompanying -him, and the correspondent of 'The Journal;' then six more sailors with -carbines,--twenty of us all told,--amid a surging mass of men, women, -and children, black, white, and yellow, running, shouting, dancing, -swinging their caps, bonnets, and handkerchiefs. The soldiers saw him, -and swelled the crowd, cheering in wild enthusiasm. All could see him, -he was so tall, so conspicuous. - -"One colored woman, standing in a doorway as the president passed along -the sidewalk, shouted, 'Thank you, dear Jesus, for this! thank you, -Jesus!' Another standing by her side was clapping her hands, and -shouting, 'Bless de Lord!' - -"A colored woman snatched her bonnet from her head, and whirled it in -the air, screaming with all her might, 'God bless you, Massa Linkum!' - -"A few white women looking out from the houses waved their -handkerchiefs. One lady in a large and elegant building looked a while, -and turned away her head as if it was a disgusting sight. - -"President Lincoln walked in silence, acknowledging the salutes of -officers and soldiers, and of the citizens, black and white. It was the -man of the people among the people. It was the great deliverer meeting -the delivered. Yesterday morning the majority of the thousands who -crowded the streets and hindered our advance were slaves: now they were -free, and beholding him who had given them their liberty." - -On the 9th of the same month, Gen. Lee, with his whole army, surrendered -to Gen. Grant; and thus fell the Southern Confederacy, the enemy of the -negro and of Republican government. The people of the North, already -tired of the war, at once gave themselves up to rejoicing all over the -free States. - -But the time of merry-making was doomed to be short; for slavery, the -cause of the Rebellion, was dying hard. The tyrants of the South, so -long accustomed to rule, were now determined to ruin. Slavery must have -its victim. If it could not conquer, it must at least die an honorable -death; and nothing could give it more satisfaction than to commit some -great crime in its last struggles. - -Therefore the death of Abraham Lincoln by the hand of an assassin -was but the work of slavery. It murdered Lovejoy at Alton, it slowly -assassinated Torrey in a Maryland prison, it struck down Sumner in the -Senate, it had taken the lives, by starvation, of hundreds at Anderson, -Richmond, and Salisbury; why spare the great liberator? - -President Lincoln fell a sacrifice to his country's salvation as -absolutely and palpably, as though he had been struck down while leading -an assault on the ramparts of Petersburg. The wretch who killed him was -impelled by no private malice, but imagined himself an avenger of that -downcast idol, which, disliking to be known simply as slavery, styles -itself "The South." He was murdered, not that slavery might live; but -that it might bring down its most conspicuous enemy in its fall. - -The tears of four millions of slaves whom he had liberated, five hundred -thousand free blacks whose future condition he had made better, and the -twenty millions of whites in the free States, stricken as they never had -been before by the death of a single individual, followed his body to -the grave. No nation ever mourned more sincerely the loss of its head -than did the people of the United States that of President Lincoln. We -all love his memory still. - - "His name is not a sculptured thing, where old Renown has reared - - Her marble in the wilderness, by smoke of battle seared; - - But graven on life-leaping hearts, where _Freedom's_ banners wave, - - It gleams to bid the tyrant back, and _loose the fettered slave_." - -Faults he had; but we forget them all in his death. It seemed to us that -God had raised this man up to do a great work; and when he had finished -his mission, flushed with success over the enemies of his country, while -the peals of exultation for the accomplishment of the noble deed were -yet ringing in his ears, and while our hearts were palpitating more -generously for him, he permitted him to fall, that we should be humbled, -and learn our own weakness, and be taught to put more dependence in the -ruler of the universe than in man. - - 'So sleep the good, who sink to rest - - By all their country's wishes blest. - - When Spring with dewy fingers cold - - Returns to deck their hallowed mould, - - She there shall dress a sweeter sod - - Than Fancy's feet have ever trod: - - By forms unseen, their dirge is sung; - - By fairy hands, their knell is rung; - - There Honor comes, a pilgrim gray, - - To bless the turf that wraps their clay; - - And Freedom shall a while repair, - - To dwell a weeping hermit there." - - - - -CHAPTER XLI--PRESIDENT ANDREW JOHNSON. - - -_Origin of Andrew Johnson.--His Speeches in Tennessee.--The Negro's -Moses.--The Deceived Brahmin.--The Comparison.--Interview with -Southerners.--Northern Delegation.--Delegation of Colored Men.--Their -Appeal._ - - -Springing from the highest circle of the lowest class of whites of the -South, gradually rising, coming up over a tailor's board, and all the -obstacles that slaveholding society places between an humbly-born man -and social and political elevation, Andrew Johnson entered upon his -presidential duties, at the death of Mr. Lincoln, with the hearty good -feeling of the American people. True, he had taken a glass too much on -the day of his inauguration as vice-president, and the nation had -not forgotten it; yet there were many palliating circumstances to be -offered. The weather was cold, his ride from Tennessee had been long and -fatiguing, he had met with a host of friends, who, like himself, were -not afraid of the "critter." And, after all, who amongst that vast -concourse of politicians, on that fourth day of March, had not taken a -"Tom and Jerry," a "whiskey punch," a "brandy smash,"-or a "cocktail"? -Again: the people had been robbed of their idol, and suddenly plunged -into grief, and felt like looking up the commendable acts of the new -President, rather than finding fault, and were desirous to see how far -he was capable of filling the gap so recently made vacant. - -They remembered that when the secessionists were withdrawing from -Congress, in 1860, Mr. Johnson said, - -"If I were president, I would try them for treason, and, if convicted, -I would hang them." This was mark number one in his favor. They had -not forgotten his address to the Tennessee Convention, which, in the -preceding January, had, by an almost unanimous vote, declared slavery in -that State forever abolished. - -This speech was made on the 14th of January, and is very uncompromising -and eloquent. "Yesterday," said he to the Convention, "you broke the -tyrant's rod, and set the captive free. (Loud applause.) Yes, gentlemen, -yesterday you sounded the death-knell of negro aristocracy, and -performed the funeral obsequies of that thing called slavery.... I feel -that God smiles on what you have done. Oh, how it contrasts with the -shrieks and cries and wailings which the institution of slavery has -brought on the land!" - -And his speech to the colored people of Nashville in the preceding -October was exceedingly touching, by reason of its tender, heartfelt -compassion for all the degradation, insult, and cruelty which had been -heaped upon that poor and unoffending people so long. Its scorn and -sarcasm were terrible as he arraigned the "master" class for their long -career of lust, tyranny, and crime. He hoped a Moses would arise to lead -this persecuted people to their promised land of freedom. "You are our -Moses," shouted first one, and then a great multitude of voices. But the -speaker went on, - -"God, no doubt, has prepared, somewhere, an instrument for the great -work he designs to perform in behalf of this outraged people; and in due -time your leader will come forth,--your Moses will be revealed to you." - -"We want no Moses but you!" again shouted the crowd. "Well, then," -replied Mr. Johnson, "humble and unworthy as I am, if no better shall be -found, I will indeed be your Moses, and lead you through the Red Sea of -war and bondage to a fairer future of liberty and peace." - -These were brave words in behalf of the rights of man, and weighed -heavily in Mr. Johnson's favor. Also in his first public words, after -taking the oath as President of the United States, Mr. Johnson referred -to _the past_ of his life as an indication of his course and policy in -the future, rather than to make any verbal declarations now; thereby -manifesting an honorable willingness to be judged by his acts, and a -consciousness that the record was one which he need not be ashamed to -own. - -What better words or greater promises could be demanded? And, moreover, -the American people are admirers of self-made men. Indeed, it is the -foundation of true republican principles; and those who come to the -surface by their own genius or energies are sure to be well received -by the masses. But was Andrew Johnson a genius? was he shrewd? was he -smart? If not, how could he have attained to such a high position in -his own State? Were the people there all fools, that they should send -a mountebank to the United-States Senate? Or were they, as well as -the National-Republican Convention that nominated him in 1864 for the -Vice-Presidency, deceived? - -Macaulay, in his Criticism on the Poems of Robert Montgomery, says, "A -pious Brahmin, it is written, made a vow, that, on a certain day, he -would sacrifice a sheep; and on the appointed morning he went forth to -buy one. There lived in his neighborhood three rogues, who knew his vow, -and laid a scheme for profiting by it. The first met him, and said, 'O -Brahmin! wilt thou buy a sheep? I have one fit for sacrifice.'--'It is -for that very purpose,' said the holy man, 'that I came forth this -day.' Then the impostor opened a bag, and brought out of it an unclean -beast,--an ugly dog, lame and blind. 'Thereon the Brahmin cried out, -'Wretch, who touchest things impure, and utterest things untrue, callest -thou that cur a sheep?'--'Truly,' answered the other, 'it is a sheep of -the finest fleece, and of the sweetest flesh. O Brahmin! it will be -an offering most acceptable to the gods!'--'Friend,' said the Brahmin, -'either thou or I must be blind.' Just then, one of the accomplices came -up. 'Praised be the gods,' said this second rogue, 'that I have been -saved the trouble of going to the market for a sheep! This is such a -sheep as I wanted. For how much wilt thou sell it?' When the Brahmin -heard this, his mind waved to and fro, like one swinging in the air at -a holy festival. 'Sir,' said he to the new-comer, 'take heed what thou -dost. This is no sheep, but an unclean cur.'--'O Brahmin!' said the -new-comer, 'thou art drunk or mad.' At this time, the third confederate -drew near. 'Let us ask this man,' said the Brahmin, 'what the creature -is; and I will stand by what he shall say.' To this the others agreed; -and the Brahmin called out, 'O stranger! what dost thou call this -beast?'--'Surely, O Brahmin!' said the knave, 'it is a fine sheep.' Then -the Brahmin said, 'Surely the gods have taken away my senses!' and he -asked pardon of him who carried the dog, and bought it for a measure of -rice and a pot of ghee; and offered it up to the gods, who, being wroth -at this unclean sacrifice, smote him with a sore disease in all his -joints!" - -The poor Brahmin was never more thoroughly imposed upon in receiving -the dog for a sheep than were the American people in accepting Andrew -Johnson as a statesman, or even as a friend of liberty and republican -institutions. That he hated the slaveocracy, there is not the slightest -doubt; for they were far above him, and all his efforts to be recognized -by them as an equal had failed. - -But did he like the negro any better than the master? It is said, that -while in his apprenticeship, on one occasion, young Johnson was passing -along the street with a pair of pants upon his arm, when a well-dressed -free negro accidentally ran against him, pushing the tailor into a -ditch; whereupon, the latter threw a handful of mud at the black man, -soiling his clothes very much. The negro turned, and indignantly said, -"You better mind what you 'bout, you low white clodhopper, poor white -trash!" This retort of the negro no doubt touched a tender chord; for -it reminded the rising young man of the "pit from whence he was -digged," and it is said he hated the race ever after. _But it must be -acknowledged_ that Mr. Johnson is a big man in little things; that he -showed some shrewdness in taking advantage of the Union feeling, and -especially the antislavery sentiment, of the North, in wiggling himself -into the Republican party by his bunkum speeches. After all, what is the -real character of the man? - - "Great Judas of the nineteenth century, - - Foul political traitor of the age, - - Persistent speeechmaker, covered with falsity, - - Come, sit now for your portrait. I will paint - - As others see you,--men who love their God, - - And hate not even you, aye you, attaint - - With love of self, and power that's outlawed. - - Behold the picture! See a drunken man - - Whose age brings nothing but increase of sin,-- - - A deceptive 'policy,' a hateful plan - - To deceive the people, and reenslave the sons of Ham! - - Now see it stretching out a slimy palm, - - And striking hands with rebels. Nay, nay! - - It grasps Columbia by the throat and arm, - - And seeks to give her to that beast of prey." - -Intensely in love with himself, egotistical, without dignity, -tyrannical, ungrateful, and fond of flattery, Mr. Johnson was entirely -unprepared to successfully resist the overtures of the slaveholding -aristocracy, by whom he had so long wished to be recognized. It was some -weeks after the death of the good President, that a committee of these -Southerners visited the White House. They found Mr. Johnson alone; for -they had asked for an audience, which had been readily granted. Humbly -they came, the lords of the lash, the men who, five years before, would -not have shaken hands with him with a pair of tongs ten feet long. Many -of them the President had seen on former occasions: all of them he knew -by reputation. As they stood before him, he viewed them from head to -feet, and felt an inward triumph. He could scarcely realize the fact, -and asked himself, "Is it possible? have I my old enemies before me, -seeking favors?" Yes: it was so; and they had no wish to conceal the -fact. The chairman of the committee, a man of years, one whose very -look showed that he was not without influence among those who knew him, -addressing the Chief Magistrate, said, "Mr. President, we come as a -committee to represent to you the condition of the South, and its wants. -We fear that your Excellency has had things misrepresented to you by -the Radicals; and knowing you to be a man of justice, a statesman of -unsullied reputation, one who to-day occupies the proudest position of -any man in the world, we come to lay our wants before you. We have, in -the past, been your political opponents. In the future, we shall be your -friends; because we now see that you were right, and we were wrong. We -ask, nay, we beg you to permit us to reconstruct the Southern States. -Our people, South, are loyal to a man, and wish to return at once -to their relations in the General Government. We look upon you, Mr. -President, as the embodiment of the truly chivalrous Southerner,--one -who, born and bred in the South, understands her people: to you we -appeal for justice; for we are sure that your impulses are pure. -Your future, Mr. President, is to be a brilliant one. At the next -presidential election, the South will be a unit for the man who saves -her from the hands of these Yankees, who now, under the protection of -the Freedman's Bureau, are making themselves rich. We shall stand by the -man that saves us; and you are that man. Your genius, your sagacity, -and your unequalled statesmanship, mark you out as the father of his -country. Without casting a single ungenerous reflection upon the great -name of George Washington, allow me to say what I am sure the rest of -the delegation will join me in, and that is, that, a hundred years -to come, the name of Andrew Johnson will be the brightest in American -history." Several times during the delivery of the above speech, the -President was seen to wipe his eyes, for he was indeed moved to tears. -At its conclusion, he said, "Gentlemen, your chairman has perfectly -overwhelmed me. I was not, I confess, prepared for these kind words, -this cordial support, of the people of the South. Your professions of -loyalty, which I feel to be genuine, and your promises of future aid, -unman me. I thought you were my enemies, and it is to enemies that I -love to give battle. As to my friends, they can always govern me. I will -lay your case before the cabinet."--"We do not appeal to your cabinet," -continued the chairman, "it is to you, Mr. President, that we come. Were -you a common man, we should expect you to ask advice of your cabinet; -but we regard you as master, aud your secretaries as your servants. You -are capable of acting without consulting them: we think you the Andrew -Jackson of to-day. Presidents, sir, are regarded as mere tools. We hope -you, like Jackson, will prove an exception. We, the people of the South, -are willing to let you do precisely as you please; and still we will -support you. We are proud to acknowledge you as our leader. All we ask -is, that we shall be permitted to organize our State Governments, elect -our senators and representatives, and return at once into the Union; -and this, Mr. President, lies entirely with you, unless you acknowledge -yourself to be in leading-strings, which we know is not so; for Andrew -Johnson can never play second fiddle to men or parties." These last -remarks affected Mr. Johnson very much, which he in vain attempted -to conceal. "Gentlemen," replied the President, "I confess that your -chairman, has, in his remarks, made an impression on my mind that I -little dreamed of when you entered. I admit that I am not pleased with -the manner in which the Radicals are acting."--"Allow me," said the -chairman, interrupting the President, "to say a word or two that I -had forgotten." "Proceed," said the Chief Magistrate. "You are not -appreciated," continued the chairman, "by the Radicals. They speak of -you sneeringly as the 'accidental President,' just as if you were not -the choice of the people. The people of the North would never elect you -again. No man, except Mr. Lincoln, has ever been elected a second time -to the presidency, from the free States. They have so many peddling -politicians, like so many hungry wolves, seeking office, that they are -always crying, 'Rotation, rotation.' But, with us of the South, it is -different. When we find a man with genius, talent, a statesman, we hold -on to him, and keep him in office. You, Mr. President, can carry all -the Southern, and enough of the Northern States to elect you to another -term."--"Yes," responded one of the committee, "to two terms more." -Mr. Johnson, with suppressed emotion, said, "I will at once lay down a -policy, which, I think, will satisfy the entire people of the South; -but, but--I said that treason should be made odious, and traitors should -be punished: what can I do so as not to stultify myself?" - -"I see it as clear as day, Mr. President," said the chairman. "You have -already made treason odious by those eloquent speeches which you have -delivered at various times on the Rebellion; and now you can punish -traitors by giving them office. St. Paul said, 'If thine enemy hunger, -feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing, thou shalt heap -coals of fire on his head.' Now, many of the Southerners are your old -enemies; and they are hungry for office, and thirst for the good liquor -they used to get in the congressional saloons." - -"I am satisfied," said the President, "that I can restore the Southern -States to their relations to the Union, and let all who held office -before the war, resume their positions again.--"Yes," remarked a member -of the committee; "and you can build up a new party of your own, -that shall take the place of the Democratic party, which is already -dead."--"Very true," replied the President, "there is both room and need -of another political party. You may rest assured, gentlemen, that you -will be re-instated in your former positions." The committee withdrew. -"My policy" was commenced. The Republicans did not like it; and a -committee was sent to the White House, composed of some of the leading -men of the North, the chairman of which was a man some six feet in -height, stout, and well made; features coarse; full head of hair, -touched with the frost of over fifty winters; dressed in a gray suit, -light felt hat. The committee, on entering, found the President -seated, with his feet under the table. He did not rise to welcome the -delegation, but seemed to push his feet still farther under the table, -for fear that they might think he was going to rise. The chairman, whom -I have already described, said in a rather strong voice, "Mr. President, -we have called to ask you to use your official power to protect the -Union men of the South, white and black, from the murderous feeling of -the rebels. - -"As faithful friends, and supporters of your Administration, we most -respectfully petition you to suspend for the present your policy towards -the rebel States. We should not present this prayer if we were not -painfully convinced that, thus far, it has failed to obtain any -reasonable guarantees for that security in the future which is essential -to peace and reconciliation. To our minds, it abandons the freedmen -to the control of their ancient masters, and leaves the national -debt exposed to repudiation by returning rebels. The Declaration -of Independence asserts the equality of all men, and that rightful -government can be founded only on the consent of the governed. We see -small chance of peace unless these great principles are practically -established. Without this, the house will continue divided against -itself." - -"Gentlemen," replied the President, "I will take your request into -consideration, and give it that attention that it demands." The -committee left, satisfied that Mr. Johnson was a changed man. Soon -after, the President was called upon by another delegation, a committee -of colored men, consisting of Frederick Douglass, William Whipper, -George T. Downing, and L. H. Douglass. The negro race was singularly -fortunate in having these gentlemen to represent them; for they are not -only amongst the ablest of their class, but are men of culture, and all -of them writers and speakers of distinguished, ability. The delegation, -on entering, found the President seated, with his feet under the table, -and his hands in his breeches pockets, and looking a little sour. -Mr. Downing, the delegate from New England, first addressed the Chief -Magistrate; and his finely chosen-words, and well-rounded periods, no -doubt made the President not a lit-, tie uneasy, for he looked daggers -at the speaker. The reflection of Downing's highly cultivated mind, as -seen through his admirable address, doubtless reminded the President -of his own inferiority, and made him still more petulant; for, when he -replied to the delegate, he said,-- - -"I am free to say to you that I do not like to be arraigned by some who -can get up handsomely-rounded periods, and deal in rhetoric, and talk -about abstract ideas of liberty, who never perilled life, liberty, or -property. This kind of theoretical, hollow, unpractical friendship, -amounts to very little." - -After Downing, came the strong words of Douglass. Of this speaker, the -President had heard much, and appeared to eye him from head to feet; -took his hands out of his pockets; and rested his elbows upon the table. -Douglass, no doubt, reminded him of the well-dressed free negro, who, -nearly forty years before, had pushed him into the ditch; and this -recollection brought up, also, that hateful tailor's bench, and, still -back of that, his low origin. - -Mr. Douglass also reminded the President of his promise to be the -negro's Moses. This last remark was cruel in the speaker, for it carried -Mr. Johnson back to the days when he was carrying out that deceptive -policy by which he secured the nomination on the ticket with Mr. -Lincoln; and he appeared much irritated at the remark. His whole reply -to the delegation was weak, unfair, and without the slightest atom of -logic. Mr. Downing addressed the President as follows:-- - -"We present ourselves to your Excellency to make known, with pleasure, -the respect which we are glad to cherish for you,--a respect which is -your due as our Chief Magistrate. It is our desire that you should -know that we come, feeling that we are friends meeting friends. We may, -however, have manifested our friendship by not coming to further tax -your already much-burdened and valuable time; but we have another object -in calling. We are in a passage to equality before the law. God hath -made it by opening a Red Sea. We would have your assistance through the -same. We come to you in the name of the United States, and are delegated -to come by some who have unjustly worn iron manacles on their bodies; -by some whose minds have been manacled by class legislation in States -called free. The colored people of the States of Illinois, Wisconsin, -Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, -Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, the New-England States, and the -District of Columbia, have specially delegated us to come. Our coming -is a marked circumstance. We are not satisfied with an amendment -prohibiting slavery; but we wish that amendment enforced with -appropriate legislation. This is our desire. We ask for it -intelligently, with the knowledge and conviction that the fathers of -the Revolution intended freedom for every American; that they should be -protected in their rights as citizens, and be equal before the law. We -are Americans,--native-born Americans. We are citizens. We are glad -to have it known to the world that we bear no doubtful record on this -point. On this fact, and with confidence in the triumph of justice, we -base our hope. We see no recognition of color or race in the organic law -of the land. It knows no privileged class, and therefore we cherish the -hope that we may be fully enfranchised, not only here in this district, -but throughout the land. We respectfully submit, that rendering any -thing less than this will be rendering to us less than our just due; -that granting any thing less than our full rights will be a disregard of -our just rights,--of due respect for our feelings. If the powers that be -do so, it will be used as a license, as it were, or an apology, for -any community or individual, so disposed, to outrage our rights and -feelings. It has been shown in the present war that the Government may -justly reach its strong arm into States, and demand from them--from -those who owe it--their allegiance, assistance, and support. May it not -reach out a like arm to secure and protect its subjects upon whom it has -a claim?" - -Following Mr. Downing, Mr. Frederick Douglass advanced, and addressed -the President, saying,-- - -"Mr. President, we are not here to enlighten you, sir, as to your duties -as the Chief Magistrate of this republic, but to show our respect, -and to present in brief the claims of our race to your favorable -consideration. In the order of divine Providence, you are placed in a -position where you have the power to save or destroy us, to bless or -blast us,--I mean our whole race. Your noble and humane predecessor -placed in our hands the sword, to assist in saving the nation; and we do -hope that you, his able successor, will favorably regard the placing in -our hands the ballot with which to save ourselves. We shall submit no -argument on that point. The fact that we are the subjects of government, -and subject to taxation, subject to volunteer in the service of the -country, subject to being drafted, subject to bear the burdens of -the State, makes it not improper that we should ask to share in the -privileges of this condition. I have no speech to make on this occasion. -I simply submit these observations as a limited expression of the views -and feelings of the delegation with which I have come." - -I omit Mr. Johnson's long and untruthful speech, and give the reply of -the delegation, which he would not listen to:-- - -"Mr. President, in consideration of a delicate sense of propriety, as -well as your own repeated intimation of indisposition to discuss or to -listen to a reply to the views and opinions you were pleased to express -to us in your elaborate speech to-day, we would respectfully take this -method of reply thereto. - -"Believing, as we do, that the views and opinions expressed in that -address are entirely unsound, and prejudicial to the highest interests -of our race, as well as of our country, we cannot do otherwise than -expose the same, and, so far as may be in our power, arrest their -dangerous influence. - -"It is not necessary at this time to call attention to more than two or -three features of your remarkable address. - -"The first point to which we feel especially bound to take exception is -your attempt to found a policy opposed to our enfranchisement, upon -the alleged ground of an existing hostility on the part, of the former -slaves towards the poor white people of the South. - -"We admit the existence of this hostility, and hold that it is entirely -reciprocal. - -"But you obviously commit an error by drawing an argument from an -incident of a state of slavery, and making it a basis for a policy -adapted to a state of freedom. - -"The hostility between the whites and blacks of the South is easily -explained. It has its root and sap in the relation of slavery, and was -incited on both sides by the cunning of the slave-masters. These masters -secured their ascendency over both the poor whites and the blacks by -putting enmity between them. They divided both to conquer each. - -"There was no earthly reason why the blacks should not hate and dread -the poor whites when in a state of slavery; for it was from this class -that their masters received their slave-catchers, slave-drivers, and -overseers. They were the men called in upon all occasions by the masters -when any fiendish outrage was to be committed upon the slave. - -"Now, sir, you cannot but perceive that, the cause of this hatred -removed, the effect must be removed also. Slavery is abolished. The -cause of antagonism is removed; and you must see that it is altogether -illogical--'putting new wine into old bottles, mending new garments with -old clothes'--to legislate from slave-holding and slave-driving premises -for a people whom you have repeatedly declared your purpose to maintain -in freedom. Besides, even if it were true, as you allege, that the -hostility of the blacks toward the poor whites must necessarily be the -same in a state of freedom as in a state of slavery, in the name of -Heaven, we reverently ask, how can you, in view of your professed desire -to promote the welfare of the black man, deprive him of all means of -defence, and clothe him whom you regard as his enemy in the panoply of -political power? - -"Can it be that you would recommend a policy which would arm the strong -and cast down the defenceless? Can you, by any possibility of reasoning, -regard this as just, fair, or wise? - -"Experience proves that those are oftenest abused who can be abused with -the greatest impunity. Men are whipped oftenest who are whipped easiest. -Peace between races is not to be secured by degrading one race, and -exalting another; by giving power to one race, and withholding it -from another: but by maintaining a state of equal justice between all -parties,--first pure, then peaceable. - -"On the colonization theory that you were pleased to broach, very much -could be said. It is impossible to suppose, in view of the usefulness of -the black man in time of peace as a laborer in the South, and in time -of war as a soldier at the North, and the growing respect for his rights -among the people, and his increasing adaptation to a high state of -civilization in this his native land, that there can ever come a time -when he can be removed from this country without a terrible shock to its -prosperity and peace. - -"Besides, the worst enemy of the nation could not cast upon its fair -name a greater infamy than to suppose that negroes could be tolerated -among them in a state of the most degrading slavery and oppression, and -must be cast away and driven into exile for no other cause than having -been freed from their chains." - -The most unhandsome and untruthful remarks of the President to the -delegation are those in which he charges the slave-masters and the slave -with combining to keep the poor whites in degradation. - -The construction which he put upon his promise to the blacks of -Tennessee--to be the "Moses to lead the black race through the Red Sea -of bondage" to--expatriation--was mean in the extreme, and shows a mind -whose moral degradation is without its parallel. - - - - -CHAPTER XLII--ILL TREATMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE SOUTH - -_The Old Slave-holders.--The Freedmen.--Murders.--School-teachers. ---Riot at Memphis.--Mob at New Orleans.--Murder of Union Men--Riot at a -Camp-meeting._ - - -Haughty and scornful as ever; regarding themselves as overpowered, but -not conquered; openly regretting their failure to establish a Southern -Confederacy; backed up by President Johnson in their rebellious -course,--the Southerners appear determined to reduce the blacks to a -state of serfdom if they cannot have them as slaves. The new labor-laws -of all the Southern States place the entire colored population as much -in the hands of the whites as they were in the palmiest day of chattel -slavery, if we except the buying and selling. The negro _whipping-post_, -which the laws of war swept away, has, under Andrew Johnson's -reconstruction policy, been again re-instated throughout the South. -The Freedmen's Bureau is as powerless to-day to protect the emancipated -blacks in their rights as was the Hon. Samuel Hoar to remain in South -Carolina against the will of the slave-holders of the days of Calhoun -and of McDuffie. Where the old masters cannot control their former -slaves, they do not hesitate to shoot them down in open day, as the -following will show:-- - -A Texas correspondent writes to "The New-York Evening Post" (he dare not -allow his name and residence to be printed) as follows:-- - -"Every day I hear of murders of freedmen. Since five o'clock this -afternoon, four new ones have been reported here. The disloyal press -suppress the mention of such occurrences. - -"Should there be another outbreak in Texas, very many Union men, as well -as a large proportion of freedmen, would at once be massacred in order -to bring about such another reign of terror as would make the South a -unit.... - -"Three freedmen were murdered in or near the line of an adjoining county -a few days ago. The wagon which one of them was driving was robbed of -all the fine goods it contained. The other two freedmen were shot by the -same man, who is believed to be their former owner. The head of one -of them was cut off, and they were left unburied. No investigation has -been, or probably will be, made into these murders. If any Union man -were to move in the matter, it would be at the peril of his life. - -"The brave and loyal man who told me of these murders was applied to by -a freed man, a kinsman of one of the murdered, for advice. The freedman -was told to go to Austin, and report the facts to the agent of the -Freedmen's Bureau: but he appears not to have arrived. Like the freedman -despatched by the chief justice of Refugio County, with a letter setting -forth the disorders in that county, he may have been shot on the road. - -"My informant, seeing that I set about writing down the facts as to -these murders just as he stated them, said to me, 'Do not make my name -public, for it is all I can do to hold my own in----------county just -now;' and added, 'Ikeep no money in my house but a few dollars for -current expenses. I can take care of myself in the daytime, but I do not -feel safe at night.'" - -On the 2d of April, 1866, a Mr. Quisenbery was tried at the Circuit -Court for the County of Louisa, Va., for the murder of Washington Green. -Green was the former slave of Quisenbery, had worked for said Quisenbery -from the fall of Richmond, about the 3d of April, 1865, until about the -1st of October, 1865, when Quiserinbery told him, the said Washington -Green, that he had better go and get work somewhere else; that he would -not pay him for any thing that he had done. Washington Green went to -work for a lady to get some shingles for her, and Quisenbery made a -contract with this lady, that she should pay him, for Green's getting -the shingles, by thrashing out his, Quisenbery's, wheat. It did not -satisfy Washington Green, that Quisenbery should not only refuse to pay -him for the work which he had already done for him, but that he should -also collect what he had earned by hard working for this lady. Green -went to Quisenbery, and asked him for the amount of getting the shingles -for this lady. Quisenbery said, "Washington, this is three times that -you have been after me for that money; I am now going to my hog-pen, and -I warn you not to follow me." He repeated that warning three times. He -then went to the hog-pen, got over the fence, stooped down to throw out -some corn that the hogs had not eaten. He looked up, and saw Washington -Green at or near the fence, and said, "I thought I warned you not to -follow me," and pulled out his knife, and stabbed Green in the throat, -and killed him instantly. This is the evidence and confession of -Quisenbery, who was tried, and the jury found a verdict of _not guilty_, -without scarcely leaving the jury-box; and Quisenbery was declared -guiltless of any crime amid the plaudits of the people. - -At Jacksonville, Fla., on the 20th of June last, a freedman complained -before Col. Hart, that his last employer would not pay him. The black -man afterwards went to the pine-woods, chopping logs. While absent, the -man of whom he had complained got a woman to go to the freedman's wife, -and get into a difficulty with her; whereupon the freedman's wife was -arrested, tried, found guilty, and fined fifty dollars, being unable to -pay which, she was _put up at auction_, and sold to the person who would -take her for the shortest time, and pay fine and costs. The _shortest -time was four years!_ Under another law of the State, the children were -_bound out till they should become of age!_ - -A free colored man named Jordan opened, by permission of the commandant -of the post at Columbia, Tenn., a school for the blacks. The school -went on smoothly till Monday, the 11th instant, when two soldiers of the -Eighth Tennessee Cavalry went into the school, and broke it up; but the -teacher, being so advised, resumed his labor the next day. But, on the -14th, Messrs. Datty, Porter, White, and others, including soldiers of -the Eighth Tennessee, the party headed by White the city constable, -proceeded to the schoolroom, seized the teacher, and brought him under -guard to the court-house, where he received a mock trial. When being -asked for his authority for teaching a school, Mr. Jordan replied, that -Lieut.-Col. Brown and Major Sawyer were his authority, and wished they -would bring Major Sawyer in. One of the men went out, but was absent -only for a moment, when he came in, stating that Major Sawyer could -not be found; whereupon Mr. Andrews ordered that the teacher be given -twenty-five lashes. And they were administered, the man receiving the -scourge like a martyr, telling his persecutors that he was willing to -suffer for the right; and that Christ had received the same punishment -for the same purpose; and he thought, if he could teach the children to -read the Bible so that they might learn of heaven, he was doing a good -work. To this, a soldier of the Eighth Tennessee said, "If you want to -go to heaven you must pray: you can't get there by teaching the niggers. -We can't go to school, and I'll be damned if niggers shall." - -Volumes might be written, recounting the shameful outrages committed at -the South since the surrender of Lee. Not satisfied with murders of an -individual character, the Southerners have, of late, gone into it more -extensively. The first of these took place at Memphis, Tenn., May 4, -1866. A correspondent of Hon. W. D. Kelley, of Philadelphia, said,-- - -"I have been an eye-witness to such sights as should cause the age in -which we live to blush. Negro men have been shot down in cold blood on -the streets; barbers, at their chairs and in their own shops; draymen on -their drays, while attempting to earn an honest living; hotel-waiters, -while in the discharge of their duties; hackmen, while driving female -teachers of negro children to their schools; laborers, while handling -cotton on the wharves, &c. All the negro schoolhouses, and all the negro -churches, and many of the houses of the negroes, have been burned, this -too, under the immediate auspices of the city police and the mayor: -in fact, most of these outrages were committed by the police -themselves,--_all Irish, and all rebels, and mostly drunk_. This is not -the half: I have no heart to recount the outrages I have _seen_. The -most prominent citizens stand on the streets, and see negroes hunted -down and shot, and _laugh_ at it as a good joke. Attempts have been made -to fire every Government building, and fire has been set to many of the -abodes and business-places of Union people. - -"There is no doubt but that there is a _secret_ organization sworn -to purge the city of all Northern men who are not _rebels_, all negro -teachers, all Yankee enterprise, and return the city 'to the good old -days of Southern rule and chivalry.' - -"When the miscreants had fired Collins's chapel (a large frame church, -corner of Washington and Orleans Streets, which would now cost fully ten -thousand dollars, to rebuild), they stood around the fire which lighted -the midnight sky, and made the night hideous with their hellish cheers -for 'Andy Johnson' and a 'white man's government!' And the supporters -of the President, aside from being midnight burners of churches and -schoolhouses, robbed women and children, and men,--sparing none on -account of age, sex, physical disabilities, or innocence of crime,--even -burning women and children alive. - -"The board of aldermen had their usual meetings last night. Their -proceedings show no reference to the riot. No rewards have been -offered for the apprehension of the murderous assassins, thieves, and -house-burners." - -Next came, on a still larger scale, the rebel riot at New Orleans. -The Military Commission appointed to investigate the cause of the riot -charge it upon Mayor Monroe, Lieut.-Gov. Voorhies, and the rebel press -of the city. The Commission speak of the murders as follows:-- - -"They can only say that the work of massacre was pursued with a cowardly -ferocity unsurpassed in the annals of crime. Escaping negroes were -mercilessly pursued, shot, stabbed, and beaten to death by the mob -and police. Wounded men on the ground begging for mercy _were savagely -despatched_ by mob, police, firemen, and, incredible as it may seem, -in two instances by women; but, in two or three most honorable and -exceptionable cases, white men and members of the Convention were -protected by members of the police, both against the mob, and against -other policemen. The chief of police, by great exertions, defended in -this manner Gov. Hahn. - -"After the attack had commenced, the police appeared to be under no -control as such; but acted as and with the mob. Their cheers and waving -of hats as they threw the mangled Dostie, then supposed a _corpse, like -a dead dog into the cart, sufficiently show their unison of feeling with -their allies_." - -Nothing, we take it, is more apparent from the array of evidence -presented in this Report than that the New-Orleans riot was a -preconcerted, deliberate, cold-blooded attempt to massacre the -Unionists, white and black, of that city. The design can be traced like -the development of a tragedy. Mayor Monroe is busy for a long time -in advance in stirring up the passions of the mob by stigmatizing the -members of the Convention as outlaws and revolutionists, threatening -them with wholesale arrest, and preparing his police for action. He -might have ascertained that the members had resolved to peacefully -submit the legality of their course to the proper tribunals; but he had -bloodier ends in view. He knew that the excitement he had fanned would -surely lead to an outburst of violence, unless restrained by two forces -alone,--his police and the United-States troops. To keep the latter -away, Mayor Monroe suppresses all requisition for them until it is too -late; and then tries to cover up his conduct with downright falsehood -and perjury. His police, instead of being brought forward openly, so -that they would have to take sides for the preservation of order, are -concealed in hiding-places till the collision occurs; when they rush -forth as allies of the mob, murdering negroes in cold blood; firing -repeatedly into the Convention, even after a white flag is raised; -shooting and barbarously maltreating the wounded; and perpetrating such -feats of cowardly brutality and ferocity as were never before seen -in this country, except in the congenial affairs of Memphis and Fort -Pillow. - -Nothing goes so far towards reconciling one to what is called the -"total-depravity" theory, as the contemplation of those scenes of blood. -They carry us back to the crimes and cruelty of the Massacre of -St. Bartholomew. Mayor Monroe acts the part of the Duke of Guise; -Lieut.-Gov. Voorhies, that of the Duke of Alva; while President Johnson -acts the part of Charles IX., who, on approaching the burning corpse of -Admiral Coligny, exclaimed, "The smell of a dead enemy is always good." - -During the mob, the appearance of rebel organizations on the ground with -marks and badges, and scores of similar incidents, show that the plot -was as deliberate as it was infernal. - -Again: a dispassionate consideration of the facts detailed by the -Commission will lead to the conclusion that the underlying cause of the -New-Orleans massacre was the old virus of slavery, still existing in -the passions of Southern society, and likely to issue forth in violence -whenever it shall be favored by similar circumstances. The members of -the Louisiana Convention were entirely harmless, no matter how obnoxious -or how indiscreet they were. Even if they were not disposed to submit -their pretensions to a legal test,--as they were,--there would have -been no difficulty in making their peaceable arrest on the occurrence -of their first overt act; but the mob of New Orleans, who, by the -acquiescence of the better classes, or else in defiance of them -through their great numerical preponderance, elect and control the -city authorities, were determined to permit no such result of the -controversy. The Convention claimed to exercise free speech; they would -have none of that Northern innovation: it was composed of Union men; and -they should be made to feel their place in "reconstructed" New Orleans: -worse than all, they had for their allies and supporters _colored_ -Unionists; and _they_ should be made such an example of as should deter -any more such movements at the South. It was a bloody crusade against -the men and the principles that had triumphed in the Government of this -country. Well do this Commission say, that, but for martial law and the -United-States troops, "fire and bloodshed would have raged throughout -the night in all negro quarters of the city, and that the lives and -property of Unionists and Northern men would have been at the mercy of -the mob." Finally: the Report throws an impressive light upon President -Johnson's connection with the New-Orleans massacre. He had already, in -a manner, inculpated himself in his speech at St. Louis. He there -suppresses all the facts found by the Commission, and stigmatizes the -members of the Convention as "traitors," engaged, under the instigation -of Congress, in getting up a "rebellion," and therefore responsible for -all the bloodshed that occurred. That is precisely the pretence of Mayor -Monroe and his mob. Well might the President, therefore, play into their -hands. Gen. Baird, from official experience, has been taught not to -interfere with Mayor Monroe. When he telegraphs to Washington for -orders, he gets no answer: the other side telegraph, and receive replies -that encourage them in their course. Gen. Sheridan, like a true soldier, -telegraphs the facts, with indignant comments; and his despatches are -garbled for public effect. Of all the murderers on that dreadful day, -not one has been called to account; nor has any one of them received -therefor the least censure of the Government at Washington. - -The appointment, since the riot, of Adams, one of the most notorious of -the rioters, as sergeant in the police force, by Mayor Monroe, confirms -the fact of his guilt in the massacre. The blood of the martyrs Dostie -and Horton cries to Heaven for justice for the Union men of the South, -white and black. The mob, composed of ex-rebel soldiers and citizens, -that broke up the colored campmeeting near Baltimore, Md., a few weeks -after the New-Orleans riot, was only a part of the programme concocted -by the men engaged in carrying out the reconstruction policy of Andrew -Johnson. - - - - -CHAPTER XLIII--PROTECTION FOR THE COLORED PEOPLE. - - -_Protection for the Colored People South.--The Civil Rights -Bill.--Liberty without the Ballot no Boon.--Impartial Suffrage.--Test -Oaths not to be depended upon._ - - -In attempting to form a Southern Confederacy, with slavery as -its corner-stone, by breaking up the Union, and repudiating the -Constitution, the people of the South compelled the National Government -to abolish chattel slavery in self-defence. The protection, defence, and -support which self-interest induced the master to extend to the slave -have been taken away by the emancipation of the latter. This, taken -in connection with the fact that the negroes, by assisting the Federal -authorities to put down the Rebellion, gained the hatred of their old -masters, placed the blacks throughout the South in a very bad position. -Now, what shall be done to protect these people from the abuse of their -former oppressors? The Civil Rights Bill passed by Congress is almost a -dead letter, and many of the rebel judges declare it unconstitutional. -The States having relapsed into the hands of the late slave-holders, and -they becoming the executioners of the law, the blacks cannot look -for justice at their hands. The negro must be placed in a position to -protect himself. How shall that be done? We answer, the only thing to -save him is the ballot. Liberty without equality is no boon. Talk not -of civil without political emancipation! It is the technical pleading of -the lawyer: it is not the enlarged view of the statesman. If a man has -no vote for the men and the measures which tax himself, his family, and -his property, and all which determine his reputation, that man is still -a slave. - -We are told--what seems to be the common idea--that the elective -franchise is not a _right_, but a _privilege_. But is this true? We used -to think so; that is, we assented to it before we gave the subject any -special thought: but we do not think so now. We maintain, that in a -government like ours, a republican government, or government of -_the people_, the elective franchise, as it is called, is not a mere -privilege, but an actual and absolute _right_,--a right belonging, of -right, to every free man who has not forfeited that right by crime. -We in this country enjoy what is properly called self-government, and -self-government necessarily implies the _right to vote_,--the right to -_help to govern_, and to make the laws; and this, in a government like -ours, a government of the people, can only be done by or through the -elective franchise. We maintain that in self-government, or government -of the people, every man who is a free man and citizen has a right to -assist and take part in that government. This right inheres and belongs -to every man alike, to you and me, and every other man,--no matter what -the color of his skin,--if he be a free man and citizen, and helps to -support the government by paying taxes: it is one of the fundamental -principles of self-government and of a democratic or republican -government. But the elective franchise, the right to choose and elect -the men who are to fill the offices, and make the laws and execute them, -lies at the very bottom of such government. It is the first principle -and starting-point, and is as much implied in the very name and idea of -self-government, or _government of the people_, as any other principle, -right, or idea pertaining to such a government. Does any one doubt -this? Let him ask himself what constitutes a republican government, or -government of the people, and what is implied by such a government, -and he will soon see, that without the elective franchise, or right to -choose rulers and law-makers, there can be no such government. It -will not do, therefore, to call this right a privilege. If it is but -a privilege, all may be deprived of its exercise. What sort of a -republican or self government would that be in which none of the people -were allowed to vote? But if it is but a privilege, and granted to but a -class or part, it may be restricted to a still smaller part, and finally -allowed to none! - -Any proposal to submit the question of the political or civil rights of -the negroes to the arbitrament of the whites is as unjust and as absurd -as to submit the question of the political rights of the whites to the -arbitrament of the negroes, with this difference,--that the negroes are -loyal everywhere, and the great body of the whites disloyal everywhere. - -A white loyalist of the South, one who remained loyal during the whole -of the Rebellion, says,-- - -"To permit the whites to disfranchise the negroes is to permit those who -have been our enemies to ostracize our friends. The negroes are the only -persons in those States who have not been in arms against us. They -have not been in arms against us. They have always and everywhere been -friendly, and not hostile, to us. They alone have a deep interest in the -continued supremacy of the United States; for their freedom depends on -it. On them alone can we depend to suppress a new insurrection. They -alone will be inclined to vote for the friends of the Government in all -the Southern States. They alone have sheltered, fed, and pioneered our -starved and hunted brethren through the swamps and woods of the South, -in their flight from those who now aspire to rule them. - -"The _shame and folly of deserting the negroes_ are equalled by the -_wisdom of recognizing and protecting their power_. They will form a -clear and controlling majority against the united white vote in South -Carolina. Mississippi, and Louisiana. With a very small accession from -the loyal whites, they will form a majority in Alabama, Georgia, and -Virginia. Unaided in all those States, they will be a majority in many -congressional and legislative districts; and that alone suffices to -break the terrible and menacing unity of the Southern vote in Congress." - -It is said that the slaves are too ignorant to exercise the elective -franchise judiciously. To this we reply, they are as intelligent as the -average of "poor whites," and were intelligent enough to be Unionists -during the great struggle, when the Federal Government needed friends. -In a conflict with the spirit of rebellion, the blacks can always be -depended upon, the whites cannot; and, for its own security against -future outbreaks, the National Government should see that the negro is -placed where he can help himself, and assist it. - -The ballot will secure for the colored people respect; that respect -will be a protection for their schools; and, through education and the -elective franchise, the negro is to rise to a common level of humanity -in the Southern States. - -But little aid can be expected for the freedmen from the Freedmen's -Bureau; for its officers, if not Southern men, will soon become upon -intimate terms with the former slave-holders, and the Bureau will be -converted into a power of oppression, instead of a protection. - -The anti-Union whites know full well the great influence of the ballot, -and therefore are afraid to give it to the blacks. The franchise will be -of more service to this despised race than a standing army in the South. -The ballot will be his standing army. The poet has truly said,-- - - "There is a weapon surer yet, - - And better, than the bayonet; - - A weapon that comes down as still - - As snow-flakes fall upon the sod, - - And executes a freeman's will - - As lightning does the will of God; - - A weapon that no bolts nor locks - - Can bar. It is the ballot-box." - -Even "The New-York Herald," some time ago, went so far as to say,-- - -"We would give the suffrage at once to four classes of Southern negroes. -First, and emphatically, to every negro who has borne arms in the cause -of the United States; second, to every negro who owns real estate; -third, to every negro who can read and write; and, fourth, to every -negro that had belonged to any religious organization or church for five -years before the war. These points would cover every one that ought to -vote; and they would insure in every negro voter a spirit of manhood as -well as discipline, some practical shrewdness, intellectual development, -and moral consciousness and culture." - -Impartial suffrage is what we demand for the colored people of the -Southern States. No matter whether the basis be a property or an -educational qualification, let it be impartial: upon this depends the -future happiness of all classes at the South. Test-oaths, or promises to -support the laws, mean nothing with those who have come up through the -school of slavery. - -"As for oaths, the rebels, whose whole career has been a violation of -the solemn obligations of which oaths are merely the sign, care no more -for them than did the rattlesnake to which our soldiers in West Virginia -once administered the oath of allegiance. Impartial suffrage affords -the only sure and permanent means of combating the rebel element in the -Southern States." - - - - -CHAPTER XLIV--CASTE. - - -_Slavery the Foundation of Caste.--Black its Preference.--The General -Wish for Black Hair and Eyes.--No Hatred to Color.--The White Slave.--A -Mistake.--Stole his Thunder.--The Burman.--Pew for Sale._ - - -Caste is usually found to exist in communities or countries among -majorities, and against minorities. The basis of it is owing to some -supposed inferiority or degradation attached to the hated ones. However, -nothing is more foolish than this prejudice. But the silliest of all -caste is that which is founded on _color_; for those who entertain it -have not a single logical reason to offer in its defence. - -The fact is, slavery has been the cause of all the prejudice against the -negro. Wherever the blacks are ill treated on account of their color, it -is because of their identity with a race that has long worn the chain -of slavery. Is there any thing in black, that it should be hated? If so, -why do we see so much black in common use as clothing among all classes? -Indeed, black is preferred to either white or colors. How often the -young man speaks in ecstasies of the black eyes and black hair of his -lady-love! Look at the hundreds of advertised hair-dyes, used for the -purpose of changing nature! See men with their gray beards dyed black; -women with those beautiful black locks, which, but yesterday, were as -white as the driven snow! Not only this, but even those with light -or red whiskers run to the dye-kettle, steal a color which nature has -refused them, and, an hour after, curse the negro for a complexion that -is not stolen. If black is so hateful, why do not gentlemen have their -boots whitewashed? If the slaves of the South had been white, the same -prejudice would have existed against them. Look at the "poor white -trash," as the lower class of whites in the Southern States are termed. - -Henry Clay would much rather have spent an evening with his servant -Charles than to have made a companion of one of his poor white -neighbors. It is the condition, not the color, that is so hateful. - -"When the Britons first became known to the Tyrian mariners," says -Macaulay, "they were little superior to the Sandwich Islanders." Csar, -writing home from Britain, said, "They are the most ignorant people -I ever conquered." Many of the Britons, after their conquest by the -Romans, were sent as slaves to Rome. Cicero, writing to his friend -Atticus, advised him not to buy slaves from England; "because," said he, -"they cannot be taught to read, and are the ugliest and most stupid -race I ever saw." These writers created a prejudice against the Britons, -which caused them to be sold very cheap in Rome, where they were seen -for years with brass collars on, containing their owner's name. The -prejudice against the American negro is not worse today than that which -existed against the Britons. But, as soon as the condition of the poor, -ill-treated, and enslaved Britons was changed, the caste disappears. - -Twenty-five years ago, a slave escaped from Tennessee, and came to -Buffalo, N.Y. He was as fair as the majority of whites, and, having been -a house-servant, his manners and language were not bad. His name was -Green. It was said that he had helped himself to some of his master's -funds before leaving. For more than a month he had boarded at the -American, the finest hotel in the city, where he sat at table with -the boarders, and occupied the parlors in common with the rest of the -inmates. - -Mr. Green passed for a Southern gentleman, sported a gold watch, -smoked his Havanas, and rode out occasionally. He was soon a favorite, -especially with the daughters of Col. D--------. Unfortunately for Mr. -Green, one day, as he was taking his seat at the dinner-table, he found -himself in front of one of his master's neighbors, who recognized him. -The Southerner sent for the landlord, with whom he had a few moments' -conversation, after which mine host approached the boarder, and said, -"We don't allow niggers at the table here: get up. You must wait till -the servants eat." Mr. Green was driven from the table, not on account -of his color, but his condition. Under the old reign of slavery, it not -unfrequently occurred that the master's acknowledged sons or daughters -were of a much darker complexion than some of the slave children. - -On one occasion, after my old master had returned home from the -Legislature (of which he was a member), he had many new visitors. One of -these, a Major Moore, called in my master's absence. The major had never -been to our place before, and therefore we were all strangers to him. -The servant showed the visitor into the parlor, and the mistress soon -after came in, and to whom the major introduced himself. I was at that -time about ten years old, and was as white as most white boys. Whenever -visitors came to the house, it was my part of the programme, to dress -myself in a neat suit, kept for such times, and go into the room, and -stand behind the lady's chair. As I entered the room on this occasion, -I had to pass near by the major to reach the mistress. As I passed him, -mistaking me for the son, he put out his hand, and said, "How do you -do, bub?" And, before any answer could be given, he continued, "Madam, -I would have known your son if I had met him in Mexico; for he looks -so much like his papa." The lady's face reddened up, and she replied, -"That's one of the niggers, sir;" and told me to go to the kitchen. - -On my master's return home, I heard him and the major talking the matter -over in the absence of the mistress. "I came near playing the devil here -to-day, colonel," said the major.--"In what way?" inquired the former. -"It is always my custom," said the latter, "to make fond of the children -where I visit; for it pleases the mammas. So, to-day, one of your little -niggers came into the room, and I spoke to him, reminding the madam -how much he resembled you."--"Ha, ha, ha!" exclaimed the colonel, and -continued, "you did not miss it much by calling him my son. Ha, ha, ha!" - -An incident of a rather amusing character took place on Cayuga Lake some -years ago. I had but recently returned from England, where I had never -been unpleasantly reminded of my color, when I was called to visit the -pretty little city of Ithaca. On my return, I came down the lake in -the steamer which leaves early in the morning. When the bell rang for -breakfast, I went to the table, where I found some twenty or thirty -persons. I had scarcely taken my seat, when a rather snobby-appearing -man, of dark complexion, looking as if a South-Carolina or Georgia sun -had tanned him, began rubbing his hands, and, turning up his nose, -called the steward, and said to him, "Is it the custom on this boat to -put niggers at the table with white people?" The servant stood for a -moment, as if uncertain what reply to make, when the passenger -continued, "Go tell the captain that I want him." Away went the steward. -I had been too often insulted on account of my connection with the -slave, not to know for what the captain was wanted. However, as I was -hungry, I commenced helping myself to what I saw before me, yet keeping -an eye to the door, through which the captain was soon to make his -appearance. As the steward returned, and I heard the heavy boots of the -commander on the stairs, a happy thought struck me; and I eagerly -watched for the coming-in of the officer. - -A moment more, and a strong voice called out, "Who wants me?" - -I answered at once, "I, sir." - -"What do you wish?" asked the captain. - -"I want you to take this man from the table," said I. At this unexpected -turn of the affair, the whole cabin broke out into roars of laughter; -while my rival on the opposite side of the table seemed bursting with -rage. The captain, who had joined in the merriment, said,-- - -"Why do you want him taken from the table?" - -"Is it your custom, captain," said I, "to let niggers sit at table with -white folks on your boat?" - -This question, together with the fact that the other passenger had sent -for the officer, and that I had "stolen his thunder," appeared to please -the company very much, who gave themselves up to laughter; while -the Southern-looking man left the cabin with the exclamation, "_Damn -fools!_" - -Nothing is more ridiculous than the legal decision in the States of -Ohio and Michigan, that a man containing not more than one-sixteenth of -African blood in his veins shall be considered a white man, and, upon -the-above basis, shall enjoy the elective franchise. - -We know of a family in Cincinnati, with three brothers, the youngest of -whom is very fair, and who, under the above rule, is a voter; while the -other two brothers are too dark to exercise the suffrage. Now, it so -happens that the voting brother is ignorant and shiftless, while the -others are splendid scholars. Where there is a great difference in the -complexion of the husband and wife, there is generally a much greater -difference in the color of the children; and this picking out the sons, -on account of their fair complexion, seems cruel in the extreme, as -it creates a jealous feeling in the family. While visiting my friend -William Still, Esq., in Philadelphia, some time since, I was much amused -at seeing his little daughter, a child of eight or nine years, and her -cousin, entering the omnibus which passed the door, going towards their -school. Colored persons were not allowed to ride in those conveyances; -and one of the girls, being very fair, would pay the fare for both; -while the dark-complexioned one would keep her face veiled. Thus the -two children daily passed unmolested from their homes to the school, -and returned. I was informed that once while I was there the veil -unfortunately was lifted, the dark face seen, and the child turned out -of the coach. How foolish that one's ride on a stormy day should depend -entirely on a black veil! - -"Colorphobia, which has hitherto been directed against 'American -citizens of African descent,' has broken out in a new direction. Mong -Chan Loo is a Burman who recently graduated at Lewisburg University, -Penn., and has since been studying medicine, preparatory to returning to -Asia as a missionary. He is quite dark, but has straight hair, and is -a gentlemen of much cultivation. The other day, he took passage on the -Muskingum-river packet, 'J. H. Bert,' and, when the supper-bell rang, -was about to seat himself at the table. The captain prevented him, -informing him that, by the rules of the boat, colored persons must eat -separately from the whites. He grew indignant at this, refused to eat -on the boat at all, and, on arriving at Marietta, sued the owners of the -boat for five thousand dollars damages for 'mental and bodily anguish -suffered.' The case is a novel one; and its decision will perhaps -involve the question, whether Africans alone, or Asiatics, and, perhaps, -all dark-complexioned people, are included in the designation 'colored.' -If the more sweeping definition prevails, brunettes will have to be -provided with legally-attested pedigrees to secure for themselves -seats at the first table and other Caucasian privileges."--_Cincinnati -Gazette._ - -"The Dunkards, a peculiar religious society, numerous in some of the -Western States, at their recent annual meeting discussed the question, -'Shall we receive colored persons into the church? and shall we salute -them with the holy kiss?' It was decided that they should be received -into the church, but that all the members were to be left to their own -choice and taste in regard to saluting their colored brethren, with -the understanding, however, that all who refused to do so were to be -regarded as weak." - -In the year 1844, I visited a town in the State of Ohio, where a radical -abolitionist informed me that he owned a pew in the village church, -but had not attended worship there for years, owing to the proslavery -character of the preacher. - -"Why don't you sell your pew?" I inquired. - -"I offered to sell it, last week, to a man, for ten dollars' worth of -manure for my garden," said he; "but the farmer, who happens to be one -of the pillars of the church, wants it for five dollars." - -"What did it cost?" I inquired. - -"Fifty dollars," was the reply. - -"Are they very proslavery, the congregation?" I asked. - -"Yes: they hate a black man worse than _pizen_," said he. - -"Have you any colored family in your neighborhood?" I inquired. - -"We have," said he, "a family about, four miles from here." - -"Are they very black?" I asked. - -"Yes: as black as tar," said he. - -"Now," said I, "my friend, I can put you in the way of selling your pew, -and for its worth, or near what it cost you." - -"If you can, I'll give you half I get," he replied. - -"Get that colored family, every one of them, take them to church, don't -miss a single Sunday; and, my word for it, in less than four weeks, -they, the church-folks, will make you an offer," said I. - -An arrangement was made with Mr. Spencer, the black man, by which -himself, wife, and two sons, were to attend church four successive -Sabbaths; for which, they were to receive in payment a hog. The -following Sunday, Mason's pew was the centre of attraction. From the -moment that the Spencer Family arrived at the church, till the close of -the afternoon service, the eyes of the entire congregation were turned -towards "the niggers." Early on Monday, Mr. Mason was called upon by the -"pillar," who said, "I've concluded to give you ten dollars' worth of -manure for your pew, Mr. Mason." - -"I can't sell it for that," was the reply. "I ask fifty dollars for my -pew; and I guess Mr. Spencer will take it, if he likes the preaching," -continued the abolitionist. - -"What!" said the 'pillar,' "does that nigger want the pew?" - -"He'll take it if the preaching suits him," returned Mason. - -The churchman left with a flea in his ear. The second Sunday, the blacks -were all on hand to hear the lining of the first hymn. The news of the -pew being occupied by the negroes on the previous occasion had spread -far and wide, and an increase of audience was the result. The clergyman -preached a real negro-hating sermon, apparently prepared for the express -purpose of driving the blacks away. However, this failed; for the -obnoxious persons were present in the afternoon. Mr. Mason was called -upon on Monday by another weighty member, who inquired if the pew was -for sale, and its price. - -"Fifty dollars," was the reply. - -"I'll give you twenty-five dollars," said the member. - -"Fifty dollars, and nothing less," was Mason's answer. - -The weighty member left, without purchasing the pew. Being on a -lecturing tour in the vicinity, I ran into town, occasionally, to see -how the matter progressed; for I had an eye to one-half of the proceeds -of the sale of the pew. - -During the week, Spencer came, complained of the preaching, saying that -his wife could not and would not stand it, and would refuse to attend -again: whereupon, I went over, through a dreary rain, and promised the -wife a shilling calico-dress if she would fulfil the agreement. This -overcame her objections. I also arranged that two colored children of -another family, near by, should be borrowed for the coming Sunday. Mason -was asked how the Spencers liked the preaching. He replied that the -blacks were well pleased, and especially with the last sermon, alluding -to the negro-hating discourse. - -The following Sunday found Mason's pew filled to overflowing; for the -two additional ones had left no space unoccupied. That Sunday did the -work completely; for the two borrowed boys added interest to the scene -by taking different courses. One was tumbling about over the laps of the -older persons in the pew, attracting rather more attention than was due -him, and occasionally asking for "bed and butter;" while the smaller one -slept, and snored loud enough to be heard several pews away. On Monday -morning following, Mr. Mason was called upon. The pew was sold for fifty -dollars cash. I received my portion of the funds, and gave Spencer's -wife the calico gown. Mason called in the few hated radicals, and we had -a general good time. - -During the same lecturing tour, I was called to visit the village of -Republic, some thirty miles from Sandusky. - -On taking a seat in one of the cars where other passengers had seated -themselves, I was ordered out, with the remark, that "Niggers ain't -allowed in here." Refusing to leave the car, two athletic men, employed -by the road, came in at the bidding of the conductor, and, taking me by -the collar, dragged me out. - -"Where shall I ride?" I asked. "Where you please; but not in these -cars," was the reply. Under ordinary circumstances, I would have -declined going by the train. But I had an appointment, and must go. As -the signal for starting was given, I reluctantly mounted a flour-barrel -in the open freight-car attached to the train, and away we went through -the woods. - -From my position, I had a very good view of the passengers in the -nearest car, and must confess that they did not appear to be the most -refined individuals. The majority looked like farmers. There were some -drovers, one of whom, with his dog at his feet, sat at the end window: -the animal occasionally got upon the seat by the side of its master, -when the latter would take him by the ears, and pull him off. The drover -seemed to say to me, as he eyed me sitting on the barrel in the hot sun, -"You can't come where my dog is." At the first stopping-place, a dozen -or more laboring-men, employed in repairing the road, got on the -train with their pickaxes and shovels. They, too, took seats in a -passenger-car. I had a copy of Pope's poems, and was trying to read "The -Essay on Man;" but almost failed, on account of the severity of the sun. -However, a gentleman in the car, seeing my condition, took pity on me, -and, at the next stopping-place, kindly lent me his umbrella; which was -no sooner hoisted than it drew the attention of the drover at one of the -end windows, and some of the Irishmen at the other, who set up a jolly -laugh at my expense. Up to this time, the conductor had not called on -me for my ticket; but, as the train was nearing the place of my -destination, he climbed upon the car, came to me, and, holding out his -hand, said, "I'll take your ticket, sir. "I have none," said I. "Then, -I'll take your fare," continued he, still holding ont his hand. "How -much is it?" I inquired. "A dollar and a quarter," he replied. "How -much do you charge those in the passenger-car?"--"The same," was -the response. "Do you think that I will pay as much as those having -comfortable seats? No, sir. I shall do no such thing," said I. "Then," -said the conductor, "you must get off."--"Stop your train, and I'll get -off," I replied. "Do you think I'll stop these cars for you?" - -"Well," said I, "you can do as you please. I will not pay full fare, and -ride on a flour-barrel in the hot sun."--"Since you make so much fuss -about it, give me a dollar, and you may go," said the conductor. "I'll -do no such thing," I replied. "Why? Don't you wish to pay your fare?" -asked he. "Yes," I replied. "I will pay what's right; but I'll not pay -you a dollar for riding on a flour-barrel in the hot sun."--"Then, since -you feel so terribly bad about it, give me seventy-five cents, and I'll -say no more about it," said the officer. "No, sir: I shall not do it," -said I. "What do you mean to pay?" asked he. "How much do you charge per -hundred for freight?" I asked. "Twenty-five cents per hundred," answered -the conductor. "Then I'll pay thirty-seven and a-half cents," said I; -"for I weigh one hundred and fifty pounds." The astonished man eyed me -from head to feet; while the drover and the Irish laborers, who were -piled up at each window of the passenger-car, appeared not a little -amused at what they supposed to be a muss between the conductor and me. - -Finally, the officer took a blank account out of his pocket, and -said, "Give me thirty-seven and a-half cents, and I'll set you down as -freight." I paid over the money, and saw myself duly put among the other -goods in the freight-car. - -A New-York journal is responsible for the following:-- - -"It is not many months since a colored man came to this city from -abroad. A New-York merchant had been in business connection with him for -several years; and from that business connection had realized a fortune, -and felt that he must treat him kindly. When Sunday came, he invited him -to go to church with him. He went; and the merchant took him into his -own pew, near the pulpit, in a fashionable church. There was a prominent -member of the church near the merchant, who saw this with great -amazement. He could not be mistaken: it was a genuine 'nigger,' and not -a counterfeit. Midway in his sermon, the minister discovered him, and -was so confused by it, that he lost his place, and almost broke down. - -"After service, the man who sat near the merchant went to him, and in -great indignation asked,-- - -"What does this mean?" - -"What does what mean?" - -"That you should bring a nigger into this church?" - -"It is my pew." - -"Your pew, is it? And, because it is your pew, you must insult the whole -congregation!" - -"He is intelligent and well educated," answered the merchant. - -"What do I care for that? He is a nigger!" - -"But he is a friend of mine." - -"What of that? Must you therefore insult the whole congregation?" - -"But he is a Christian, and belongs to the same denomination." - -"What do I care for that? Let him worship with his nigger Christians." - -"But he is worth five million dollars," said the merchant. - -"Worth what?" - -"Worth five million dollars." - -"For God's sake introduce me to him," was the reply. - - - - -CHAPTER XLV--SIXTH REGIMENT UNITED-STATES VOLUNTEERS. - - -_Organization of the Regiment.--Assigned to Hard Work.--Brought -under Fire.--Its Bravery.--Battle before Richmond.--Gallantry of the -Sixth.--Officers' Testimony._ - - -The following sketch of the Sixth Regiment United-States colored troops -was kindly furnished by a gentleman of Philadelphia, but came too late -to appear in its proper place. - -The Sixth Regiment United-States colored troops was the second which was -organized at Camp William Penn, near Philadelphia, by Lieut.-Col. Louis -Wagner, of the Eighty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers. The regiment left -Philadelphia on the 14th of October, 1863, with nearly eight hundred -men, and a full complement of officers, a large majority of whom had -been in active service in the field. - -The regiment reported to Major-Gen. B. F. Butler, at Fortress Monroe, -and were assigned to duty at York-town, Va., and became part of the -brigade (afterwards so favorably known), under the command of Col. S. A. -Duncan, Fourth United-States colored troops. Here they labored upon the -fortifications, and became thoroughly disciplined under the tuition of -their colonel, John W. Ames, formerly captain of the Eleventh Infantry, -United-States Army, ably seconded by Lieut.-Col. Royce and Major Kiddoo. -During the winter, the regiment took a prominent part in the several -raids made in the direction of Richmond, and exhibited qualities that -elicited the praise of their officers, and showed that they could be -fully relied upon in more dangerous work. - -The regiment was ordered to Camp Hamilton, Virginia, in May, 1864; where -a division of colored troops was formed, and placed under the command -of Brig.-Gen. Hinks. In the expedition made up the James River the same -month, under Gen. Butler, this division took part. The white troops were -landed at Bermuda Hundreds. Three regiments of colored men were posted -at various points along the river. Duncan's brigade landed at City -Point, where they immediately commenced fortifications. The Sixth and -Fourth Regiments were soon after removed to Spring Hill, within -five miles of Petersburg. Here they labored night and day upon those -earthworks, which were soon to be the scene of action which was to -become historical. The Sixth was in a short time left alone, by the -removal of the Fourth Regiment to another point. - -On the 29th of May, the rebel forces made an assault on the picket-line, -the enemy soon after attacking in strong force, but were unable to drive -back the picketline any considerable distance. The Fourth Regiment was -ordered to the assistance of the Sixth; but our forces were entirely too -weak to make it feasible or prudent to attack the enemy, who withdrew -during the night, having accomplished nothing. - -This was the first experience of the men under actual fire, and they -behaved finely. When the outer works around Petersburg were attacked, -June 15, Duncan's brigade met the rebels, and did good service, driving -the enemy before him. We had a number killed and wounded in this -engagement. The rebels sought shelter in their main works, which were -of the most formidable character. These defences had been erected by the -labor of slaves, detailed for the purpose. Our forces followed them to -their stronghold. The white troops occupied the right; and in order to -attract the attention of the enemy, while these troops were manoeuvring -for a favorable attacking position, the colored soldiers were subject to -a most galling fire for several hours, losing a number of officers and -men. Towards night, the fight commenced in earnest by the troops on the -right, who quickly cleared their portion of the line: this was followed -by the immediate advance of the colored troops, the Fourth, Fifth, -Sixth, and Twenty-second Regiments. In a very short time, the rebels -were driven from the whole line; these regiments capturing seven pieces -of artillery, and a number of prisoners. For their gallantry in this -action, the colored troops received a highly complimentary notice from -Gen. W. H. Smith, in General Orders. - -A few hours after entering the rebel works, our soldiers were gladdened -by a sight of the veterans of the Army of the Potomac, who that night -relieved our men at the front. A glance at the strong works gave the -new-comers a better opinion of the fighting qualities of the negroes -than they had calculated upon; and a good feeling was at once -established, that rapidly dispelled most of the prejudices then existing -against the blacks; and from that time to the close of the war the negro -soldier stood high with the white troops. - -After spending some time at the Bermuda Hundreds, the Sixth Regiment was -ordered to Dutch Gap, Va., where, on the 16th of August, they assisted -in driving the rebels from Signal Hill; Gen. Butler, in person, leading -our troops. The Sixth Regiment contributed its share towards completing -Butler's famous canal, during which time they were often very much -annoyed by the rebel shells thrown amongst them. The conduct of the men -throughout these trying scenes reflected great credit upon them. On -the 29th of September, the regiment occupied the advance in the -demonstration made by Butler that day upon Richmond. The first line of -battle was formed by the Fourth and Sixth Regiments: the latter entered -the fight with three hundred and fifteen men, including nineteen -officers. - -The enemy were driven back from within two miles of Deep Bottom, to -their works at New-Market Heights: the Sixth was compelled to cross a -small creek, and then an open field. They were met by a fearful fire -from the rebel works, men fell by scores: still the regiment went -forward. The color-bearers, one after another, were killed or wounded, -until the entire color-guard were swept from the field. Two hundred and -nine men, and fourteen officers, were killed and wounded. Few fields of -battle showed greater slaughter than this; and in no conflict did both -officers and men prove themselves more brave. Capts. York and Sheldon -and Lieut. Meyer were killed close to the rebel works. Leuts. Pratt, -Landon, and McEvoy subsequently died of the wounds received. Lieut. -Charles Fields, Company A, was killed on the skirmish line: this -left the company in charge of the first sergeant, Richard Carter, of -Philadelphia, who kept it in its advanced position throughout the day, -commanding with courage and great ability, attracting marked attention -for his officer-like bearing. During the battle many instances of -unsurpassed bravery were shown by the common soldier, which proved that -these heroic men were fighting for the freedom of their race, and the -restoration of a Union that should protect man in his liberty without -regard to color. No regiment did more towards extinguishing prejudice -against the negro than the patriotic Sixth. - - "And thus are Afric's injured sons - - The oppressor's scorn abating, - - And to the world's admiring gaze - - Their manhood vindicating." - -The writer regrets that he cannot remember all those whose good conduct -in this our last battle deserves honorable mention. It may not, however, -be invidious to mention the names remembered. These are, Sergt.-Major -Hawkins, Sergt. Jackson, Company B (since deceased); Sergts. Ellesberry, -Kelley, Terry, and Carter All of these, as well as a number of others, -were capable of filling positions as commissioned officers. - -Several of the enlisted men received medals for gallantry, and were -mentioned in General Orders by Major-Gen. Butler. The works which the -Sixth Regiment attempted to take at such fearful cost of life were in -a short time taken at the point of the bayonet by another brigade -of colored troops. Had these latter been present to aid in the first -attack, it would have saved many valuable lives; for the force was -entirely too weak for the object. When the Sixth Regiment was finally -paid off at Philadelphia, at the close of the Rebellion, the officers -held a farewell meeting at the Continental Hotel; and the following -resolutions were adopted as expressive of their appreciation of the -conduct of the troops under their command:-- - -"1. _Resolved_, That, in our intercourse with them during the past two -years, they have shown themselves to be brave, reliable, and efficient -as soldiers; patient to endure, and prompt to execute. - -"2. That, being satisfied with their conduct in the high position of -soldiers of the United States, we see no reason why they should not be -fully recognized as equals, honorable and responsible citizens of the -same." - -From the commencement of the enlistment of colored troops, to the -close of the war, there were engaged in active service one hundred and -sixty-nine-thousand six hundred and twenty-four colored men. - - - - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Negro in The American Rebellion, by -William Wells Brown - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NEGRO IN THE AMERICAN REBELLION *** - -***** This file should be named 50130-8.txt or 50130-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/1/3/50130/ - -Produced by David Widger from page images generously -provided by the Internet Archive - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: The Negro in The American Rebellion - His Heroism and His Fidelity - -Author: William Wells Brown - -Release Date: October 4, 2015 [EBook #50130] -Last Updated: November 2, 2016 - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NEGRO IN THE AMERICAN REBELLION *** - - - - -Produced by David Widger from page images generously -provided by the Internet Archive - - - - - - -</pre> - - <div style="height: 8em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h1> - THE NEGRO IN THE AMERICAN REBELLION - </h1> - <h3> - <i>His Heroism and His Fidelity</i> - </h3> - <h2> - By William Wells Brown - </h2> - <h4> - <i>Author of “Sketches of Places and People Abroad,” “The Black Man,” Etc</i> - </h4> - <h5> - Lee & Shepard, 149 Washington Street - </h5> - <h4> - 1867 - </h4> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <p> - <b>CONTENTS</b> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2H_PREF"> PREFACE. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> <b>THE NEGRO IN THE AMERICAN REBELLION</b> </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I—BLACKS IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR - AND IN 1812. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II—THE SOUTH-CAROLINA FRIGHT. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III.—THE NAT TURNER INSURRECTION. - </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV.—SLAVE REVOLT AT SEA. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V—GROWTH OF THE SLAVE-POWER. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI.—THE JOHN BROWN RAID. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII—THE FIRST GUN OF THE REBELLION. - </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII—THE UNION AND SLAVERY BOTH TO - BE PRESERVED. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX—INTELLIGENT CONTRABANDS </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X—PROCLAMATIONS OF FREMONT AND - HUNTER. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI—HEROISM OF NEGROES ON THE HIGH - SEAS. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII—GENERAL BUTLER AT NEW ORLEANS. - </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII—THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FREE. - </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV—THE BLACK BRIGADE OF - CINCINNATI. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. PROCLAMATION OF FREEDOM. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI.—THE NEW POLICY. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII.—ARMING THE BLACKS. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII.—BATTLE OF MILLINERS BEND. - </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX—RAISING BLACK REGIMENTS AT THE - NORTH. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX.—FIFTY-FOURTH MASSACHUSETTS - REGIMENT. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI—BLACKS UNDER FIRE IN SOUTH - CAROLINA. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII—FREEDMEN UNDER FIRE IN - MISSISSIPPI. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER XXIII—BATTLE OF PORT HUDSON. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER XXIV—GENERAL BANKS IN LOUISIANA. - </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER XXV—HONORS TO THE NOBLE DEAD. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0026"> CHAPTER XXVI.—HE NORTHERN WING OF THE - REBELLION. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0027"> CHAPTER XXVII—ASSAULT ON FORT WAGNER. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0028"> CHAPTER XXVIII—THE SLAVE-MARTYR. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0029"> CHAPTER XXIX—BATTLE OF OLUSTEE, FLORIDA. - </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0030"> CHAPTER XXX—BATTLE OF POISON SPRINGS, - ARKANSAS. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0031"> CHAPTER XXXI—THE MASSACRE AT FORT PILLOW. - </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0032"> CHAPTER XXXII—INJUSTICE TO COLORED TROOPS. - </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0033"> CHAPTER XXXIII.—BATTLE OF HONEY HILL, SOUTH - CAROLINA. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0034"> CHAPTER XXXIV—BEFORE PETERSBURG AND - RICHMOND. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0035"> CHAPTER XXXV—WIT AND HUMOR OF THE WAR. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0036"> CHAPTER XXXVI—A THRILLING INCIDENT OF THE - WAR. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0037"> CHAPTER XXXVII—PROGRESS AND JUSTICE. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0038"> CHAPTER XXXVIII—FOURTH-OF-JULY CELEBRATION - AT THE HOME OF JEFF. DAVIS. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0039"> CHAPTER XXXIX—GALLANTRY, LOYALTY, AND - KINDNESS OF THE NEGRO. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0040"> CHAPTER XL—FALL OF THE CONFEDERACY, AND - DEATH OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0041"> CHAPTER XLI—PRESIDENT ANDREW JOHNSON. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0042"> CHAPTER XLII—ILL TREATMENT OF COLORED - PEOPLE SOUTH </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0043"> CHAPTER XLIII—PROTECTION FOR THE COLORED - PEOPLE. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0044"> CHAPTER XLIV—CASTE. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0045"> CHAPTER XLV—SIXTH REGIMENT UNITED-STATES - VOLUNTEERS. </a> - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - PREFACE. - </h2> - <p> - Feeling anxious to preserve for future reference an account of the part - which the Negro took in suppressing the Slaveholders’ Rebellion, I have - been induced to write this work. In doing so, it occurred to me that a - sketch of the condition of the race previous to the commencement of the - war would not be uninteresting to the reader. - </p> - <p> - For the information concerning the services which the blacks rendered to - the Government in the Revolutionary War, I am indebted to the late George - Livermore, Esq., whose “Historical Research” is the ablest work ever - published on the early history of the negroes of this country. - </p> - <p> - In collecting facts connected with the Rebellion, I have availed myself of - the most reliable information that could be obtained from newspaper - correspondents, as well as from those who were on the battle-field. To - officers and privates of several of the colored regiments I am under many - obligations for detailed accounts of engagements. - </p> - <p> - No doubt, errors in fact and in judgment will be discovered, which I shall - be ready to acknowledge, and correct in subsequent editions. The work - might have been swelled to double its present size; but I did not feel - bound to introduce an account of every little skirmish in which colored - men were engaged. - </p> - <p> - I waited patiently, before beginning this work, with the hope that some - one more competent would take the subject in hand; but, up to the present, - it has not been done, although many books have been written upon the - Rebellion. - </p> - <h3> - WILLIAM WELLS BROWN. - </h3> - <p> - Cambridgeport, Mass., Jan. 1, 1867. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h1> - THE NEGRO IN THE AMERICAN REBELLION - </h1> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER I—BLACKS IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND IN 1812. - </h2> - <p> - <i>The First Cargo of Slaves landed in the Colonies in 1620.—Slave - Representation in Congress.—Opposition to the Slave-Trade.—Crispus - Attucks, the First Victim of the Revolutionary War.—Bancroft’s - Testimony.—Capture of Gen. Prescott.—Colored Men in the War of - 1812.—Gen. Andrew Jackson on Negro Soldiers.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">I</span> now undertake to - write a history of the part which the colored men took in the great - American Rebellion. Previous to entering upon that subject, however, I may - be pardoned for bringing before the reader the condition of the blacks - previous to the breaking out of the war. - </p> - <p> - The Declaration of American Independence, made July 4, 1776, had scarcely - been enunciated, and an organization of the government commenced, ere the - people found themselves surrounded by new and trying difficulties, which, - for a time, threatened to wreck the ship of state. - </p> - <p> - The forty-five slaves landed on the banks of the James River, in the - colony of Virginia, from the coast of Africa, in 1620, had multiplied to - several thousands, and were influencing the political, social, and - religious institution’s of the country. Brought into the colonies against - their will; made the “hewers of wood and the drawers of water;” - considered, in the light of law and public opinion, as mere chattels,—things - to be bought and sold at the will of the owner; driven to their unrequited - toil by unfeeling men, picked for the purpose from the lowest and most - degraded of the uneducated whites, whose moral, social, and political - degradation, by slavery, was equal to that of the slave,—the - condition of the negro was indeed a sad one. - </p> - <p> - The history of this people, full of sorrow, blood, and tears, is full also - of instruction for mankind. God has so ordered it that one class shall not - degrade another, without becoming themselves contaminated. So with slavery - in America. The institution bred in the master insulting arrogance, - deteriorating sloth, pampered the loathsome lust it inflamed, until - licentious luxury sapped the strength and rottened the virtue of the - slave-owners of the South. Never were the institutions of a people, or the - principles of liberty, put to such a severe test as those of the American - Republic. The convention to frame the Constitution for the government of - the United States had not organized before the slave-masters began to - press the claims of their system upon the delegates. They wanted their - property represented in the national Congress, and undue guarantees thrown - around it; they wanted the African slave-trade made lawful, and their - victims returned if they should attempt to escape; they begged that an - article might be inserted in the Constitution, making it the duty of the - General Government to put down the slaves if they should imitate their - masters in striking a blow for freedom. They seemed afraid of the very - evil they were clinging so closely to. “Thus conscience doth make cowards - of us all.” - </p> - <p> - In all this early difficulty, South Carolina took the lead against - humanity, her delegates ever showing themselves the foes of freedom. Both - in the Federal Convention to frame the Constitution, and in the State - Conventions to ratify the same, it was admitted that the blacks had fought - bravely against the British, and in favor of the American Republic; for - the fact that a black man (Crispus Attucks) was the first to give his life - at the commencement of the Revolution was still fresh in their minds. - Eighteen years previous to the breaking out of the war, Attucks was held - as a slave by Mr. ‘William Brown of Framingham, Mass., and from whom he - escaped about that time, taking up his residence in Boston. The Boston - Massacre, March 5, 1770, may be regarded as the first act in the great - drama of the American Revolution. “From that moment,” said Daniel Webster, - “we may date the severance of the British Empire.” The presence of the - British soldiers in King Street excited the patriotic indignation of the - people. The whole community was stirred, and sage counsellors were - deliberating and writing and talking about the public grievances. But it - was not for “the wise and prudent” to be the first to <i>act</i> against - the encroachments of arbitrary power. “A motley rabble of saucy boys? - negroes and mulattoes, Irish Teagues, and outlandish Jack tars” (as John - Adams described them in his pica in defence of the soldiers) could not - restrain their emotion, or stop to inquire if what they <i>must do</i> was - according to the letter of any law. Led by Crispus Attucks, the mulatto - slave, and shouting, “The way to get rid of these soldiers is to attack - the main guard; strike at the root; this is the nest,” with more valor - than discretion, they rushed to King Street, and were fired upon by Capt. - Preston’s Company. Crispins Attucks was the first to fall: he and Samuel - Gray and Jonas Caldwell were killed on the spot. Samuel Maverick and - Patrick Carr were mortally wounded. - </p> - <p> - The excitement which followed was intense. The bells of the town were - rung. An impromptu town meeting was held, and an immense assembly was - gathered. - </p> - <p> - Three days after, on the 8th, a public funeral of the martyrs took place. - The shops in Boston were closed; and all the bells of Boston and the - neighboring towns were rung. It is said that a greater number of persons - assembled on this occasion than were ever before gathered on this - continent for a similar purpose. The body of Crispus Attucks, the mulatto - slave, had been placed in Faneuil Hall, with that of Caldwell, both being - strangers in the city. Maverick was buried from his mother’s house, in - Union Street; and Gray from his brother’s, in Royal Exchange Lane. The - four hearses formed a junction in King Street; and there the procession - marched in columns six deep, with a long file of coaches belonging to the - most distinguished citizens, to the Middle Burying-ground, where the four - victims were deposited in one grave, over which a stone was placed with - this inscription:— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “Long as in Freedom’s cause the wise contend, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Dear to your country shall your fame extend; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - While to the world the lettered stone shall tell - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Where Caldwell, Attucks, Gray, and Maverick fell.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - The anniversary of this event was publicly commemorated in Boston, by an - oration and other exercises, every year until after our national - independence was achieved, when the Fourth of July was substituted for the - Fifth of March, as the more proper day for a general celebration. Not only - was the event commemorated, but the martyrs who then gave up their lives - were remembered and honored. - </p> - <p> - For half a century after the close of the war, the name of Crispus Attucks - was honorably mentioned by the most noted men of the country who were not - blinded by foolish prejudice. At the battle of Bunker Hill, Peter Salem, a - negro, distinguished himself by shooting Major Pitcairn, who, in the midst - of the battle, having passed the storm of fire without, mounting the - redoubt, and waving his sword, cried to the “rebels” to surrender. The - fall of Pitcairn ended the battle in favor of liberty. - </p> - <p> - A single passage from Mr. Bancroft’s history will give a succinct and - clear account of the condition of the army, in respect to colored - soldiers, at the time of the battle of Bunker Hill:— - </p> - <p> - “Nor should history forget to record, that, as in the army at Cambridge, - so also in this gallant band, the free negroes of the colony had their - representatives. For the right of free negroes to bear arms in the public - defence was, at that day, as little disputed in New England as their other - rights. They took their place, not in a separate corps, but in the ranks - with the white man; and their names may be read on the pension-rolls of - the country, side by side with those of other soldiers of the Revolution.”—<i>Bancroft’s - History of the United States</i>, vol. vii. p. 421. - </p> - <p> - The capture of Major-Gen. Prescott, of the British army, on the 9th of - July, 1777, was an occasion of great joy throughout the country. Prince, - the valiant negro who seized that officer, ought always to be remembered - with honor for his important service. The exploit was much commended at - the time, as its results were highly important; and Col. Barton, very - properly, received from Congress the compliment of a sword for his - ingenuity and bravery. It seems, however, that it took more than one head - to plan and to execute the undertaking. The following account of the - capture is historical:—. - </p> - <p> - “They landed about five miles from Newport, and three-quarters of a mile - from the house, which they approached cautiously, avoiding the main guard, - which was at some distance. <i>The colonel went foremost, with a stout, - active negro close behind him, and another at a small distance: the rest - followed so as to be near, but not seen.</i> - </p> - <p> - “A single sentinel at the door saw and hailed the colonel: he answered by - exclaiming against, and inquiring for, rebel prisoners, but kept slowly - advancing. The sentinel again challenged him, and required the - countersign. He said he had not the countersign, but amused the sentry by - talking about rebel prisoners, and still advancing till he came within - reach of the bayonet, which, he presenting, the colonel suddenly struck - aside, and seized him. He was immediately secured, and ordered to be - silent on pain of instant death. <i>Meanwhile, the rest of the men - surrounding the house, the negro, with his head, at the second stroke, - forced a passage into it, and then into the landlord’s apartment. The - landlord at first refused to give the necessary intelligence; but, on the - prospect of present death, he pointed to the general’s chamber, which - being instantly opened by the negro’s head, the colonel, calling the - general by name, told him he was a prisoner.”—Pennsylvania Evening - Post</i>, Aug. 7, 1777 (in Frank Moore’s “Diary of the American - Revolution,” vol. i. p. 468). - </p> - <p> - There is abundant evidence of the fidelity and bravery of the colored - patriots of Rhode Island during the whole war. Before they had been formed - into a separate regiment, they had fought valiantly with the white - soldiers at Red Bank and elsewhere. Their conduct at the “Battle of’ Rhode - Island,” on the 29th of August, 1778, entitles them to perpetual honor. - That battle has been pronounced by military authorities to have been one - of the best-fought battles of the Revolutionary War. Its success was - owing, in a great degree, to the good fighting of the negro soldiers. Mr. - Arnold, in his “History of Rhode Island,” thus closes his account of it:— - </p> - <p> - “A third time the enemy, with desperate courage and increased strength, - attempted to assail the redoubt, and would have carried it, but for the - timely aid of two Continental battalions despatched by Sullivan to support - his almost exhausted troops. It was in repelling these furious onsets, - that the newly raised black regiment, under Col. Greene, distinguished - itself by deeds of desperate valor. Posted behind a thicket in the valley, - they three times drove back the Hessians, who charged repeatedly down the - hill to dislodge them: and so determined were the enemy in these - successive charges, that, the day after the battle, the Hessian colonel, - upon whom this duty had devolved, applied to exchange his command, and go - to New York, because he dared not lead his regiment again to battle, lest - his men should shoot him for having caused them so much loss.”—<i>Arnold’s - History of Rhode Island</i>, vol. ii. pp. 427, 428. - </p> - <p> - Three years later, these soldiers are thus mentioned by the Marquis de - Chastellux:— - </p> - <p> - “The 5th [of January, 1781] I did not set out till eleven, although I had - thirty miles’ journey to Lebanon. At the passage to the ferry, I met with - a detachment of the Rhode-Island regiment,—the same corps we had - with us all the last summer; but they have since been recruited and - clothed. The greatest part of them are negroes or mulattoes: they are - strong, robust men; and those I have seen had a very good appearance.”—<i>Chastellux’s - Travels</i>, vol. i. p. 454; London, 1789. - </p> - <p> - When Col. Greene was surprised and murdered, near Points Bridge, New York, - on the 14th of May, 1781, his colored soldiers heroically defended him - till they were cut to pieces; and the enemy reached him over the dead - bodies of his faithful negroes. - </p> - <p> - That large numbers of negroes were enrolled in the army, and served - faithfully as soldiers during the whole period of the war of the - Revolution, may be regarded as a well-established historical fact. And it - should be borne in mind, that the enlistment was not confined, by any - means, to those who had before enjoyed the privileges of free citizens. - Very many slaves were offered to, and received by, the army, on the - condition that they were to be emancipated, either at the time of - enlisting, or when they had served out the term of their enlistment. The - inconsistency of keeping in slavery any person who had taken up arms for - the defence of our national liberty had led to the passing of an order - forbidding “slaves,” as such, to be received as soldiers. - </p> - <p> - That colored men were equally serviceable in the last war with Great - Britain is true, as the following historical document will show:— - </p> - <h3> - GENERAL JACKSON’S PROCLAMATION TO THE NEGROES. - </h3> - <p> - <i>Headquarters, Seventh Military District, Mobile, Sept. 21, 1814</i>. - </p> - <p> - To the Free Colored Inhabitants of Louisiana. - </p> - <p> - Through a mistaken policy, you have heretofore been deprived of a - participation in the glorious struggle for national rights in which our - country is engaged. This no longer shall exist. - </p> - <p> - As sons of freedom, you are now called upon to defend our most inestimable - blessing. As Americans, your country looks with confidence to her adopted - children for a valorous support, as a faithful return for the advantages - enjoyed under her mild and equitable government. As fathers, husbands, and - brothers, you are summoned to rally around the standard of the Eagle to - defend all which is dear in existence. - </p> - <p> - Your country, although calling for your exertions, does not wish you to - engage in her cause without amply remunerating you for the services - rendered. Your intelligent minds are not to be led away by false - representations. Your love of honor would cause you to despise the man who - should attempt to deceive you. In the sincerity of a soldier, and the - language of truth, I address you. - </p> - <p> - To every noble-hearted, generous freeman of color, volunteering to serve - during the present contest with Great Britain, and no longer, there will - be paid the same bounty, in money and lands, now received by the white - soldiers of the United States; viz., one hundred and twenty dollars in - money, and one hundred and sixty acres of land. The non-commissioned - officers and privates will also be entitled to the same monthly pay, and - daily rations, and clothes, furnished to any American soldier. - </p> - <p> - On enrolling yourselves in companies, the Major-General Commanding will - select officers for your government from your white fellow-citizens. Your - non-commissioned officers will be appointed from among yourselves. - </p> - <p> - Due regard will be paid to the feelings of freemen and soldiers. You will - not, by being associated with white men in the same corps, be exposed to - improper comparisons or unjust sarcasm. As a distinct, independent - battalion or regiment, pursuing the path of glory, you will, undivided, - receive the applause and gratitude of your countrymen. - </p> - <p> - To assure you of the sincerity of my intentions, and my anxiety to engage - your invaluable services to our country, I have communicated my wishes to - the Governor of Louisiana, who is fully informed as to the manner of - enrollment, and will give you every necessary information on the subject - of this address. - </p> - <h3> - ANDREW JACKSON, - </h3> - <p> - <i>Major-General Commanding.</i> - </p> - <p> - [Niles’s Register, vol. vii. p. 205.] - </p> - <p> - Three months later, Gen. Jackson addressed the same troops as follows:— - </p> - <p> - “To the Men of Color. Soldiers! From the shores of Mobile I collected you - to arms. I invited you to share in the perils and to divide the glory of - your white countrymen. I expected much from you; for I was not uninformed - of those qualities which must render you so formidable to an invading foe. - I knew that you could endure hunger and thirst, and all the hardships of - war. I knew that you loved the land of your nativity, and that, like - ourselves, you had to defend all that is most dear to man. But you surpass - my hopes. I have found in you, united to these qualities, that noble - enthusiasm which impels to great deeds. - </p> - <p> - “Soldiers! The President of the United States shall be informed of your - conduct on the present occasion; and the voice of the Representatives of - the American nation shall applaud your valor, as your general now praises - your ardor. The enemy is near. His sails cover the lakes. But the brave - are united; and, if he finds us contending with ourselves, it will be for - the prize of valor, and fame its noblest reward.”—<i>Niles’s - Register,</i> vol. vii. pp. 345, 346. - </p> - <p> - Black men served in the navy with great credit to themselves, receiving - the commendation of Com. Perry and other brave officers. - </p> - <p> - <i>Extract of a Letter from Nathaniel Shaler, Commander of the - private-armed Schooner Gen. Tompkins, to his Agent in New York, dated</i>,— - </p> - <p> - “At Sea, Jan. 1, 1813. - </p> - <p> - “Before I could get our light sails in, and almost before I could turn - round, I was under the guns, not of a transport, but of a large <i>frigate!</i> - and not more than a quarter of a mile from her.... Her first broadside - killed two men, and wounded six others.... - </p> - <p> - “My officers conducted themselves in a way that would have done honor to a - more permanent service.... - </p> - <p> - “The name of one of my poor fellows who was killed ought to be registered - in the book of fame, and remembered with reverence as long as bravery is - considered a virtue. He was a black man, by the name of John Johnson. A - twenty-four pound shot struck him in the hip, and took away all the lower - part of his body. In this state, the poor brave fellow lay on the deck, - and several times exclaimed to his shipmates, ‘<i>Fire away, my boy: no - haul a color down.</i>’ The other was also a black man, by the name of - John Davis, and was struck in much the same way. He fell near me, and - several times requested to be thrown overboard, saying he was only in the - way of others. - </p> - <p> - “When America has such tars, she has little to fear from the tyrants of - the ocean.”—<i>Niles’s Weekly Register, Saturday</i>, Feb. 26, 1814. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER II—THE SOUTH-CAROLINA FRIGHT. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Denmark Vesey, Peter Poyas, and their Companions.—The deep-laid - Plans.—Religious Fanaticism.—The Discovery.—The Trials.—Convictions.—Executions.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">H</span>uman bondage is - ever fruitful of insurrection, wherever it exists, and under whatever - circumstances it may be found. - </p> - <p> - An undeveloped discontent always pervaded the black population of the - South, bond and free. Many attempts at revolt were made: two only, - however, proved of a serious and alarming character. The first was in - 1812, the leader of which was Denmark Vesey, a free colored man, who had - purchased his liberty in the year 1800, and who resided in Charleston, - S.C. A carpenter by trade, working among the blacks, Denmark gained - influence with them, and laid a plan of insurrection which showed - considerable generalship. Like most men who take the lead in revolts, he - was deeply imbued with a religious duty; and his friends claimed that he - had “a magnetism in his eye, of which his confederates stood in great awe: - if he once got his eye on a man, there was no resisting it.” - </p> - <p> - After resolving to incite the slaves to rebellion, Denmark began taking - into his confidence such persons as he could trust, and instructing them - to gain adherents from among the more reliable of both bond and free. - </p> - <p> - Peter Poyas, a slave of more than ordinary foresight and ability, was - selected by him as his lieutenant; and to him was committed the arduous - duty of arranging the mode of attack, and of acting as the military - leader. Poyas voluntarily undertook the management of the most difficult - part of the enterprise, the capture of the main guard-house, and had - pledged himself to advance alone, and surprise the sentinel. Gullah Jack, - Tom Russell, and Ned Bennett,—the last two were not less valuable - than Peter Poyas; for Tom was an ingenious mechanic, and made battle-axes, - pikes, and other instruments of death with which to carry on the war,—all - of the above were to be generals of brigades, and were let into every - secret of the intended rising. It had long been the custom in Charleston - for the country slaves to visit the city in great numbers on Sunday, and - return to their homes in time to commence work on the following morning. - It was, therefore, determined by Vesey to have the rising take place on - Sunday. The slaves of nearly every plantation in the neighborhood were - enlisted, and were to take part. The details of the plan, however, were - not rashly committed to the mass of the confederates: they were known only - to a few, and were finally to have been announced after the evening - prayer-meeting on the appointed Sunday. But each leader had his own - company enlisted, and his own work marked out. When the clock struck - twelve, all were to move. Poyas was to lead a party ordered to assemble at - South Bay, and to be joined by a force from James’ Island: he was then to - march up and seize the arsenal and guard-house opposite St. Michael’s - Church, and detach a sufficient number to cut off all white citizens who - should appear at the alarm-posts. A second body of blacks, from the - country and the Neck, headed by Ned Bennett, was to assemble on the Neck, - and seize the arsenal there. A third was to meet at Governor Bennett’s - Mills under the command of Rolla, another leader, and, after putting the - governor and intendant to death, to march through the city, or be posted - at Cannon’s Bridge, thus preventing the inhabitants of Cannons-borough - from entering the city. - </p> - <p> - A fourth, partly from the country and partly from the neighboring - localities in the city, was to rendezvous on Gadsden’s Wharf, and attack - the upper guard-house. A fifth, composed of country and Neck blacks, was - to assemble at Bulkley’s Farm, two miles and a half from the city, seize - the upper powder magazine, and then march down; and a sixth was to - assemble at Vesey’s, and obey his orders. A seventh detachment, under - Gullah Jack, was to come together in Boundry Street, at the head of King - Street, to capture the arms of the Neck company of militia, and to take an - additional supply from Mr. Duguereron’s shop. The naval stores on Meg’s - Wharf were also to be attacked. Meanwhile a horse company, consisting of - many draymen, hostlers, and butcher boys, was to meet at Lightwood’s - Alley, and then scour the streets to prevent the whites from assembling. - </p> - <p> - Every white man coming out of his own door was to be killed, and, if - necessary, the city was to be fired in several places; a slow match for - this purpose having been purloined from the public arsenal, and placed in - an accessible position. The secret and plan of attack, however, were - incautiously divulged to a slave named Devany, belonging to Col. Prioleau; - and he at once informed his master’s family. The mayor, on getting - possession of the facts, called the city council together for - consultation. The investigation elicited nothing new, for the slaves - persisted in their ignorance of the matter; and the authorities began to - feel that they had been imposed upon by Devany and his informants, when - another of the conspirators, being bribed, revealed what he knew. Arrest - after arrest was made, and the mayor’s court held daily examinations for - weeks. After several weeks of incarceration, the accused, one hundred and - twenty in number, were brought to trial: thirty-four were sentenced to - transportation, twenty-seven acquitted by the court, twenty-five - discharged without trial, and thirty-five condemned to death. With but two - or three exceptions, all of the conspirators went to the gallows feeling - that they had acted right, and died like men giving their lives for the - cause of freedom. A report of the trial, written soon after, says of - Denmark Vesey, “For several years before he disclosed his intentions to - any one, he appears to have been constantly and assiduously engaged in - endeavoring to imbitter the minds of the colored population against the - whites. He rendered himself perfectly familiar with those parts of the - Scriptures which he could use to show that slavery was contrary to the - laws of God; that slaves were bound to attempt their emancipation, however - shocking and bloody might be the consequences; and that such efforts would - not only be pleasing to the Almighty, but were absolutely enjoined, and - their success predicted, in the Scriptures. - </p> - <p> - “His favorite texts, when he addressed those of his own color, were Zech. - xiv. 1-3, and Joshua vi. 21; and, in all his conversations, he identified - their situation with that of the Israelites. Even while walking through - the streets in company with another, he was not idle; for, if his - companion bowed to a white person, he would rebuke him, and observe that - all men were born equal, and that he was surprised that any one would - degrade himself by such conduct; that he would never cringe to the whites, - nor ought any one who had the feelings of a man. When answered, ‘We are - slaves,’ he would sarcastically and indignantly reply, ‘You deserve to - remain slaves;’ and if he were further asked, ‘What can we do?’ he would - remark, ‘Go and buy a spelling-book, and read the fable of Hercules and - the wagoner,’ which he would then repeat, and apply it to their situation. - </p> - <p> - “He sought every opportunity of entering into conversation with white - persons, when they could be overheard by slaves near by, especially in - grog-shops, during which conversation, he would artfully introduce some - bold remark on slavery; and sometimes, when from the character of the - person he was conversing with he found he might be still bolder, he would - go so far, that, had not his declarations in such situations been clearly - proved, they would scarcely have been credited. He continued this course - till some time after the commencement of the last winter; by which time he - had not only obtained incredible influence amongst persons of color, but - many feared him more than they did their masters, and one of them - declared, even more than his God.” - </p> - <p> - The excitement which the revelations of the trial occasioned, and the - continual fanning of the flame by the newspapers, was beyond description. - Double guard in the city, the country patrol on horseback and on foot, the - watchfulness that was observed on all plantations, showed the deep feeling - of fear pervading the hearts of the slave-holders, not only in South - Carolina, but the fever extended to the other Southern States, and all - seemed to feel that a great crisis had been passed. And, indeed, their - fears appear not to have been without ground; for a more complicated plan - for an insurrection could scarcely have been conceived. - </p> - <p> - Many were of opinion, that, the rising once begun, they would have taken - the city, and held it, and might have sealed the fate of slavery in the - South. The best account of this whole matter is to be found in an able - article in the “Atlantic Monthly” for June, 1861, from the pen of Col. T. - W. Higginson, and to which I am indebted for the extracts contained in - this sketch. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER III.—THE NAT TURNER INSURRECTION. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Nat Turner.—His Associates.—Their Meetings.—Nat’s - Religious Enthusiasm.—Bloodshed.—Wide-spread Terror.—The - Trials and Executions.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he slave - insurrection which occurred in Southampton County, Na., in the year 1831, - although not as well planned as the one portrayed in the preceding - chapter, was, nevertheless, more widely felt in the South. Its leader was - Nat Turner, a slave. - </p> - <p> - On one of the oldest and largest plantations in Southampton County, Va., - owned by Benjamin Turner, Esq., Nat was born a slave, on the 2d of - October, 1800. His parents were of unmixed African descent. Surrounded as - he was by the superstition of the slave-quarters, and being taught by his - mother that he was born for a prophet, a preacher, and a deliverer of his - race, it was not strange that the child should have imbibed the principles - which were afterwards developed in his career. Early impressed with the - belief that he had seen visions, and received communications direct from - God, he, like Napoleon, regarded himself as a being of destiny. In his - childhood, Nat was of an amiable disposition; but circumstances in which - he was placed as a slave brought out incidents that created a change in - his disposition, and turned his kind and docile feeling into the most - intense hatred to the white race. - </p> - <p> - The ill-treatment he experienced at the hands of the whites, and the - visions he claimed to have seen, caused Nat to avoid, as far as he could, - all intercourse with his fellow-slaves, and threw around him a gloom and - melancholy that disappeared only with his life. - </p> - <p> - Both the young slave and his friends averred that a full knowledge of the - alphabet came to him in a single night. Impressed with the belief that his - mission was a religious one, and this impression strengthened by the - advice of his grandmother, a pious but ignorant woman, Nat commenced - preaching when about twenty-five years of age, but never went beyond his - own master’s locality. In stature, he was under the middle size, - long-armed, round-shouldered, and strongly marked with the African - features. A gloomy fire burned in his looks, and he had a melancholy - expression of countenance. He never tasted a drop of ardent spirits in his - life, and was never known to smile. In the year 1828, new visions appeared - to Nat; and he claimed to have direct communication with God. Unlike most - of those born under the influence of slavery, he had no faith in - conjuring, fortunetelling, or dreams, and always spoke with contempt of - such things. Being hired out to a cruel master, he ran away, and remained - in the woods thirty days, and could have easily escaped to the Free - States, as did his father some years before; but he received, as he says - in his confession, a communication from the Spirit, which said, “Return to - your earthly master; for he who knoweth his Master’s will, and doeth it - not, shall be beaten with many stripes.” It was not the will of his - earthly but his heavenly Master that he felt bound to do; and therefore - Nat returned. His fellow-slaves were greatly incensed at him for coming - back; for they knew well his ability to reach Canada, or some other land - of freedom, if he was so inclined. He says further, “About this time I had - a vision, and saw white spirits and black spirits engaged in battle; and - the sun was darkened, the thunder rolled in the heavens, and blood flowed - ‘in streams; and I heard a voice saying, ‘Such is your luck, such are you - called on to see; and let it come, rough or smooth, you must surely bear - it!’” Some time after this, Nat had, as he says, another vision, in which - the spirit appeared and said, “The Serpent is loosened, and Christ has - laid down the yoke he has borne for the sins of men; and you must take it - up, and fight against the Serpent, for the time is fast approaching when - the first shall be last, and the last shall be first.” There is no doubt - but that this last sentence filled Nat with enthusiastic feeling in favor - of the liberty of his race, that he had so long dreamed of. “The last - shall be first, and the first shall be last,” seemed to him to mean - something. He saw in it the overthrow of the whites, and the establishing - of the blacks in their stead; and to this end he bent the energies of his - mind. In February, 1881, Nat received his last communication, and beheld - his last vision. He said, “I was told I should arise and prepare myself, - and slay my enemies with their own weapons.” The plan of an insurrection - was now formed in his own mind, and the time had arrived for him to take - others into the secret; and he at once communicated his ideas to four of - his friends, in whom he had implicit confidence. Hark Travis, Nelson - Williams, Sam Edwards, and Henry Porter were slaves like himself, and, - like him, had taken their names from their masters. A meeting must be held - with these, and it must take place in some secluded place where the whites - would not disturb them; and a meeting was appointed. The spot where they - assembled was as wild and romantic as were the visions that had been - impressed upon the mind of their leader. - </p> - <p> - Three miles from where Nat lived was a dark swamp, filled with reptiles, - in the middle of which was a dry spot, reached by a narrow, winding path, - and upon which human feet seldom ever trod, on account of its having been - the place where a slave had been tortured to death by a slow fire, for the - crime of having flogged his cruel and inhuman master. The night for the - meeting arrived, and they came together. Hark brought a pig, Sam bread, - Nelson sweet potatoes, and Henry brandy; and the gathering was turned into - a feast. Others were taken in, and joined the conspiracy. All partook - heartily of the food, and drank freely, except Nat. He fasted and prayed. - It was agreed that the revolt should commence that night, and in their own - masters’ households, and that each slave should give his oppressor the - death-blow. Before they left the swamp, Nat made a speech, in which he - said, “Friends and brothers! We are to commence a great work to-night. Our - race is to be delivered from slavery, and God has appointed us as the men - to do his bidding; and let us be worthy of our calling. I am told to slay - all the whites we encounter, without regard to age or sex. We have no arms - or ammunition, but we will find these in the houses of our oppressors; - and, as we go on, others can join us. Remember that we do not go forth for - the sake of blood and carnage; but it is necessary, that, in the - commencement of this revolution, all the whites we meet should die, until - we have an army strong enough to carry on the war upon a Christian basis. - Remember that ours is not a war for robbery, and to satisfy our passions: - it is a struggle for freedom. Ours must be deeds, and not words. Then - let’s away to the scene of action.” - </p> - <p> - Among those who had joined the conspirators was Will, a slave, who scorned - the idea of taking his master’s name. Though his soul longed to be free, - he evidently became one of the party as much to satisfy revenge as for the - liberty that he saw in the dim distance. Will had seen a dear and beloved - wife sold to the negro-trader, and taken away, never to be beheld by him - again in this life. His own back was covered with scars, from his - shoulders to his feet. A large scar, running from his right eye down to - his chin, showed that he had lived with a cruel master. Nearly six feet in - height, and one of the strongest and most athletic of his race, he proved - to be the most unfeeling of all the insurrectionists. His only weapon was - a broad-axe, sharp and heavy. - </p> - <p> - Nat and his accomplices at once started for the plantation of Joseph - Travis, with whom the four lived; and there the first blow was struck. In - his confession, just before his execution, Nat said,— - </p> - <p> - “On returning to the house, Hark went to the door with an axe, for the - purpose of breaking it open,—as we knew we were strong enough to - murder the family should they be awakened by the noise; but, reflecting - that it might create an alarm in the neighborhood, we determined to enter - the house secretly, and murder them whilst sleeping. Hark got a ladder, - and set it against the chimney, on which I ascended, and, hoisting a - window, entered and came down stairs, unbarred the doors, and removed the - guns from their places. It was then observed that I must spill the first - blood. On which, armed with a hatchet, and accompanied by Will, I entered - my master’s chamber. It being dark, I could not give a death-blow. The - hatchet, glanced from his head: he sprang from the bed, and called his - wife. It was his last word. Will laid him dead with a blow of his axe.” - </p> - <p> - They went from plantation to plantation, until the whole neighborhood was - aroused; and the whites turned out in large numbers to suppress the - rebellion. Nat and his accomplices fought bravely, but to no purpose. - </p> - <p> - Reinforcements came to the whites; and the blacks were overpowered and - defeated by the superior numbers of the enemy. In this battle, many were - slain on both sides. Will, the blood-thirsty and revengeful slave, fell - with his broad-axe uplifted, after having laid three of the whites dead at - his feet with his own strong arm and his terrible weapon. His last words - were, “Bury my axe with me.” For he religiously believed, that, in the - next world, the blacks would have a contest with the whites, and that he - would need his axe. Nat Turner, after fighting to the last with his short - sword, escaped with some others to the woods near by, and was not captured - for nearly two months. When brought to trial, he pleaded “not guilty,” - feeling, as he said, that it was always right for one to strike for his - own liberty. After going through a mere form of trial, he was convicted - and executed at Jerusalem, the county-seat for Southhampton County, Ya. - Not a limb trembled, or a muscle was observed to move. Thus died Nat - Turner, at the early age of thirty-one years, a martyr to the freedom of - his race, and a victim to his own fanaticism. He meditated upon the wrongs - of his oppressed and injured people till the idea of their deliverance - excluded all other ideas from his mind; and he devoted his life to its - realization. Every thing appeared to him a vision, and all favorable omens - were signs from God. He foretold, that, at his death, the sun would refuse - to shine, and that there would be signs of disapprobation given from - Heaven. And it is true that the sun was darkened, a storm gathered, and - more boisterous weather had never appeared in Southampton County than on - the day of Nat’s execution. The sheriff, warned by the prisoner, refused - to cut the cord that held the trap. No black man would touch the rope. A - poor old white man, long-besotted by drink, was brought forty miles to be - the executioner. - </p> - <p> - Fifty-five whites and seventy-three blacks lost their lives in the - Southampton Rebellion. On the fatal night, when Nat and his companions - were dealing death to all they found, Capt. Harris, a wealthy planter, had - his life saved by the devotion and timely warning of his slave Jim, said - to have been half-brother to his master. After the revolt had been put - down, and parties of whites were out hunting the suspected blacks, Capt. - Harris, with his faithful slave, went into the woods in search of the - negroes. In saving his master’s life, Jim felt that he had done his duty, - and could not consent to become a betrayer of his race; and, on reaching - the woods, he handed his pistol to his master, and said, “I cannot help - you hunt down these men: they, like myself, want to be free. Sir, I am - tired of the life of a slave: please give me my freedom, or shoot me on - tire spot.” Capt. Harris took the weapon, and pointed it at the slave. - Jim, putting his right hand, upon his heart, said, “This is the spot; aim - here.” The captain fired, and the slave fell dead at his feet. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER IV.—SLAVE REVOLT AT SEA. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Madison Washington.—His Escape from the South.—His Love of - Liberty.—His Return.—His Capture.—The Brig “Creole.”—The - Slave-traders.—Capture of the Vessel.—Freedom of the - Oppressed.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he revolt on board - of the brig “Creole,” on the high seas, by a number of slaves who had been - shipped for the Southern market, in the year 1841, created at the time a - profound sensation throughout the country. Before entering upon it, - however, I will introduce to the reader the hero of the occasion. - </p> - <p> - Among the great number of fugitive slaves who arrived in Canada towards - the close of the year 1840, was one whose tall figure, firm step, and - piercing eye attracted at once the attention of all who beheld him. Nature - had treated him as a favorite. His expressive countenance painted and - reflected every emotion of his soul. There was a fascination in the gaze - of his finely cut eyes that no one could withstand. Born of African - parentage, with no mixture in his blood, he was one of the handsomest of - his race. His dignified, calm, and unaffected features announced at a - glance that he was endowed with genius, and created to guide his - fellow-men. He called himself Madison Washington, and said that his - birthplace was in the “Old Dominion.” He might have been twenty-five - years; but very few slaves have any correct idea of their age. Madison was - not poorly dressed, and had some money at the end of his journey, which - showed that he was not from amongst the worst-used slaves of the South. He - immediately sought employment at a neighboring farm, where he remained - some months. A strong, able-bodied man, and a good worker, and apparently - satisfied with his situation, his employer felt that he had a servant who - would stay with him a long while. The farmer would occasionally raise a - conversation, and try to draw from Madison some account of his former - life, but in this he failed; for the fugitive was a man of few words, and - kept his own secrets. His leisure hours were spent in learning to read and - write; and in this he seemed to take the utmost interest. He appeared to - take no interest in the sports and amusements that occupied the attention - of others. Six months had not passed ere Madison began to show signs of - discontent. In vain his employer tried to discover the cause. - </p> - <p> - “Do I not pay you enough, and treat you in a becoming manner?” asked Mr. - Dickson one day when the fugitive seemed in a very desponding mood. - </p> - <p> - “Yes, sir,” replied Madison. - </p> - <p> - “Then why do you appear so dissatisfied of late?” - </p> - <p> - “Well, sir,” said the fugitive, “since you have treated me with such - kindness, and seem to take so much interest in me, I will tell you the - reason why I have changed, and appear to you to be dissatisfied. I was - born in slavery, in the State of Virginia. From my earliest recollections - I hated slavery, and determined to be free. I have never yet called any - man master, though I have been held by three different men who claimed me - as their property. The birds in the trees and the wild beasts of the - forest made me feel that I, like them, ought to be free. My feelings were - all thus centred in the one idea of liberty, of which I thought by day and - dreamed by night. I had scarcely reached my twentieth year, when I became - acquainted with the angelic being who has since become my wife. It was my - intention to have escaped with her before we were married, but - circumstances prevented. - </p> - <p> - “I took her to my bosom as my wife, and then resolved to make the attempt. - But, unfortunately, my plans were discovered; and, to save myself from - being caught and sold off to the far South, I escaped to the woods, where - I remained during many weary months. As I could not bring my wife away, I - would not come without her. Another reason for remaining was that I hoped - to get up an insurrection of the slaves, and thereby be the means of their - liberation. In this, too, I failed. At last it was agreed, between my wife - and I, that I should escape to Canada, get employment, save my earnings, - and with it purchase her freedom. With the hope of attaining this end, I - came into your service. I am now satisfied, that, with the wages I can - command here, it will take me not less than five years to obtain by my - labor the amount sufficient to purchase the liberty of my dear Susan. Five - years will be too long for me to wait; for she may die, or be sold away, - ere I can raise the money. This, sir, makes me feel low spirited; and I - have come to the rash determination to return to Virginia for my wife.” - </p> - <p> - The recital of the story had already brought tears to the eyes of the - farmer, ere the fugitive had concluded. In vain did Mr. Dickson try to - persuade Madison to give up the idea of going back into the very grasp of - the tyrant, and risking the loss of his own freedom without securing that - of his wife. The heroic man had made up his mind, and nothing could move - him. Receiving the amount of wages due him from his employer, Madison - turned his face once more towards the South. Supplied with papers - purporting to have been made out in Virginia, and certifying to his being - a freeman, the fugitive had no difficulty in reaching the neighborhood of - his wife. But these “free papers” were only calculated to serve him where - he was not known. Madison had also provided himself with files, saws, and - other implements, with which to cut his way out of any prison into which - he might be cast. These instruments were so small as to be easily - concealed in the lining of his clothing; and, armed with them, the - fugitive felt sure he should escape again were he ever captured. On his - return, Madison met, in the State of Ohio, many of those whom he had seen - on his journey to Canada; and all tried to prevail upon him to give up the - rash attempt. But to every one he would reply, “Liberty is worth nothing - to me while my wife is a slave.” When near his former home, and unable to - travel in open day without being detected, Madison betook himself to the - woods during the day, and travelled by night. At last he arrived at the - old farm at night, and hid away in the nearest forest. Here he remained - several days, filled with hope and fear, without being able to obtain any - information about his wife. One evening, during this suspense, Madison - heard the singing of a company of slaves, the sound of which appeared - nearer and nearer, until he became convinced that it was a gang going to a - corn-shucking; and the fugitive resolved that he would join it, and see if - he could get any intelligence of his wife. - </p> - <p> - In Virginia, as well as in most of the other corn-raising slave-States, - there is a custom of having what is termed “a corn-shucking,” to which - slaves from the neighboring plantations, with the consent of their - masters, are invited. At the conclusion of the shucking, a supper is - provided by the owner of the corn; and thus, together with the bad whiskey - which is freely circulated on such occasions, the slaves are made to feel - very happy. Four or five companies of men may be heard in different - directions, and at the same time, approaching the place of rendezvous; - slaves joining the gangs along the roads as they pass their masters’ - farms. Madison came out upon the highway; and, as the company came along - singing, he fell into the ranks, and joined in the song. Through the - darkness of the night he was able to keep from being recognized by the - remainder of the company, while he learned from the general conversation - the most important news of the day. - </p> - <p> - Although hungry and thirsty, the fugitive dared not go to the supper-table - for fear of recognition. However, before he left the company that night, - he gained information enough to satisfy him that his wife was still with - her old master; and he hoped to see her, if possible, on the following - night. The sun had scarcely set the next evening, ere Madison was wending - his way out of the forest, and going towards the home of his loved one, if - the slave can be said to have a home. Susan, the object of his affections, - was indeed a woman every way worthy of his love. Madison knew well where - to find the room usually occupied by his wife, and to that spot he made - his way on arriving at the plantation; but, in his zeal and enthusiasm, - and his being too confident of success, he committed a blunder which - nearly cost him his life. Fearful that if he waited until a late hour, - Susan would be asleep, and in awakening her she would in her fright alarm - the household, Madison ventured to her room too early in the evening, - before the whites in the “great house” had retired. Observed by the - overseer, a sufficient number of whites were called in, and the fugitive - secured ere he could escape with his wife; but the heroic slave did not - yield until he with a club had laid three of his assailants upon the - ground with his manly blows; and not then until weakened by loss of blood. - Madison was at once taken to Richmond, and sold to a slave-trader, then - making up a gang of slaves for the New-Orleans market. - </p> - <p> - The brig “Creole,” owned by Johnson & Eperson of Richmond, and - commanded by Capt. Enson, lay at the Richmond dock, waiting for her cargo, - which usually consisted of tobacco, hemp, flax, and slaves. There were two - cabins for the slaves,—one for the men, the other for the women. The - men were generally kept in chains while on the voyage; but the women were - usually unchained, and allowed to roam at pleasure in their own cabin. On - the 27th of October, 1841, “The Creole” sailed from Hampton Roads, bound - for New Orleans, with her full load of freight, a hundred and thirty-five - slaves, and three passengers, besides the crew. Forty of the slaves were - owned by Thomas McCargo, nine belonged to Henry Hewell, and the remainder - were held by Johnson & Eperson. Hewell had once been an overseer for - McCargo, and on this occasion was acting as his agent. - </p> - <p> - Among the slaves owned by Johnson & Eperson, was Madison Washington. - He was heavily ironed, and chained down to the floor of the cabin occupied - by the men, which was in the forward hold. As it was known by Madison’s - purchasers that he had once escaped, and had been in Canada, they kept a - watchful eye over him. The two cabins were separated, so that the men and - women had no communication whatever during the passage. - </p> - <p> - Although rather gloomy at times, Madison on this occasion seemed very - cheerful, and his owners thought that he had repented of the experience he - had undergone as a runaway, and in the future would prove a more - easily-governed chattel. But, from the first hour that he had entered the - cabin of “The Creole,” Madison had been busily engaged in the selection of - men who were to act parts in the great drama. He picked out each one as if - by intuition. Every thing was done at night and in the dark, as far as the - preparation was concerned. The miniature saws and files were faithfully - used when the whites were asleep. - </p> - <p> - In the other cabin, among the slave-women, was one whose beauty at once - attracted attention. Though not tall, she yet had a majestic figure. Her - well-moulded shoulders, prominent bust, black hair which hung in ringlets, - mild blue eyes, finely-chiselled mouth, with a splendid set of teeth, a - turned and well-rounded chin, skin marbled with the animation of life, and - veined by blood given to her by her master, she stood as the - representative of two races. With only one-eighth of African blood, she - was what is called at the South an “octoroon.” It was said that her - grandfather had served his country in the Revolutionary War, as well as in - both Houses of Congress. This was Susan, the wife of Madison. Few slaves, - even among the best-used house-servants, had so good an opportunity to - gain general information as she. - </p> - <p> - Accustomed to travel with her mistress, Susan had often been to Richmond, - Norfolk, White-Sulphur Springs, and other places of resort for the - aristocracy of the Old Dominion. Her language was far more correct than - that of most slaves in her position. Susan was as devoted to Madison as - she was beautiful and accomplished. - </p> - <p> - After the arrest of her husband, and his confinement in Richmond jail, it - was suspected that Susan had long been in possession of the knowledge of - his whereabouts when in Canada, and knew of his being in the neighborhood; - and for this crime it was resolved that she should be sold, and sent off - to a Southern plantation, where all hope of escape would be at an end. - Each was not aware that the other was on board “The Creole;” for Madison - and Susan were taken to their respective cabins at different times. On the - ninth day out, “The Creole” encountered a rough sea, and most of the - slaves were sick, and therefore were not watched with that vigilance that - they had been since she first sailed. This was the time for Madison and - his accomplices to work, and nobly did they perform their duty. Night came - on, the first watch had just been summoned, the wind blowing high, when - Madison succeeded in reaching the quarter-deck, followed by eighteen - others, all of whom sprang to different parts of the vessel, seizing - whatever they could wield as weapons. The crew were nearly all on deck. - Capt. Enson and Mr. Merritt, the first mate, were standing together, while - Hewell was seated on the companion, smoking a cigar. The appearance of the - slaves all at once, and the loud voice and commanding attitude of their - leader, so completely surprised the whites, that— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “They spake not a word; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - But, like dumb statues or breathless stones, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Stared at each other, and looked deadly pale.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - The officers were all armed; but so swift were the motions of Madison that - they had nearly lost command of the vessel before they attempted to use - them. - </p> - <p> - Hewell, the greater part of whose life had been spent on the plantation in - the capacity of a negro-driver, and who knew that the defiant looks of - these men meant something, was the first to start. Drawing his old - horse-pistol from under his coat, he fired at one of the blacks, and - killed him. The next moment Hewell lay dead upon the deck, for Madison had - struck him with a capstan bar. The fight now became general, the white - passengers, as well as all the crew, taking part. The battle was Madison’s - element, and he plunged into it without any care for his own preservation - or safety. He was an instrument of enthusiasm, whose value and whose place - was in his inspiration. “If the fire of heaven was in my hands, I would - throw it at those cowardly whites,” said he to his companions, before - leaving their cabin. But in this he did not mean revenge, only the - possession of his freedom and that of his fellow-slaves. Merritt and - Gifford, the first and second mates of the vessel, both attacked the - heroic slave at the same time. Both were stretched out upon the deck with - a single blow each, but were merely wounded: they were disabled, and that - was all that Madison cared for for the time being. The sailors ran up the - rigging for safety, and a moment more he that had worn the fetters an hour - before was master of the brig “Creole.” His commanding attitude and daring - orders, now that he was free, and his perfect preparation for the grand - alternative of liberty or death which stood before him, are splendid - exemplifications of the true heroic. After his accomplices had covered the - slaver’s deck, Madison forbade the shedding of more blood, and ordered the - sailors to come down, which they did, and with his own hands dressed their - wounds. A guard was placed over all except Merritt, who was retained to - navigate the vessel. With a musket doubly charged, and pointed at - Merritt’s breast, the slaves made him swear that he would safely take the - brig into a British port. All things now secure, and the white men in - chains or under guard, Madison ordered that the fetters should be severed - from the limbs of those slaves who still wore them. The next morning - “Capt. Washington” (for such was the name he now bore) ordered the cook to - provide the best breakfast that the storeroom could furnish, intending to - surprise his fellow-slaves, and especially the females, whom he had not - yet seen. But little did he think that the woman for whom he had risked - his liberty and life would meet him at the breakfast-table. The meeting of - the hero and his beautiful and accomplished wife, the tears of joy shed, - and the hurrahs that followed from the men, can better be imagined than - described. Madison’s cup of joy was filled to the brim. He had not only - gained his own liberty, and that of one hundred and thirty-four others, - but his dear Susan was safe. Only one man, Howell, had been killed. Capt. - Enson, and others who were wounded, soon recovered, and were kindly - treated by Madison, and for which they proved ungrateful; for, on the - second night, Capt. Enson, Mr. Gilford, and Merritt, took advantage of the - absence of Madison from the deck, and attempted to retake the vessel. The - slaves, exasperated at this treachery, fell upon the whites with deadly - weapons. The captain and his men fled to the cabin, pursued by the blacks. - Nothing but the heroism of the negro leader saved the lives of the white - men on this occasion; for, as the slaves were rushing into the cabin, - Madison threw himself between them and their victims, exclaiming, “Stop! - no more blood. My life, that was perilled for your liberty, I will lay - down for the protection of these men. They have proved themselves unworthy - of life which we granted them; still let us be magnanimous.” By the kind - heart and noble bearing of Madison, the vile slave-traders were again - permitted to go unwhipped of justice. This act of humanity raised the - uncouth son of Africa far above his Anglo-Saxon oppressors. - </p> - <p> - The next morning “The Creole” landed at Nassau, New Providence, where the - noble and heroic slaves were warmly greeted by the inhabitants, who at - once offered protection, and extended hospitality to them. - </p> - <p> - But the noble heroism of Madison Washington and his companions found no - applause from the Government, then in the hands of the slaveholders. - Daniel Webster, then Secretary of State, demanded of the British - authorities the surrender of these men, claiming that they were murderers - and pirates: the English, however, could not see the point. - </p> - <p> - Had the “Creole” revolters been white, and committed their noble act of - heroism in another land, the people of the United States would have been - the first to recognize their claims. The efforts of Denmark Vesey, Nat - Turner, and Madison Washington to strike the chains of slavery from the - limbs of their enslaved race will live in, history, and will warn all - tyrants to beware of the wrath of God and the strong arm of man. - </p> - <p> - Every iniquity that society allows to subsist for the benefit of the - oppressor is a sword with which she herself arms the oppressed. Right is - the most dangerous of weapons: woe to him who leaves it to his enemies. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER V—GROWTH OF THE SLAVE-POWER. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Introduction of the Cotton-gin.—Its effect on Slavery.—Fugitive - Slave Law.—Anthony Burns.—The Dred Scott Decision.—Imprisonment - for reading “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.”—Struggles with Slavery.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he introduction of - the cotton-gin into the South, by Whitney of Connecticut, had materially - enhanced the value of slave property; the emancipation societies of - Virginia and Maryland had ceased to petition their Legislatures for the - “Gradual Emancipation” of the slaves; and the above two States had begun - to make slave-raising a profitable business, when the American Antislavery - Society was formed in the city of Philadelphia, in the year 1833. The - agitation of the question in Congress, the mobbing of William Lloyd - Garrison in Boston, the murder of the Rev. E. P. Lovejoy in Illinois, and - the attempt to put down free speech throughout the country, only hastened - the downfall of the institution. - </p> - <p> - In the earlier days of the Antislavery movement, not a year, sometimes - hardly a month, passed that did not bear upon its record the report of - mobs, almost always ferocious in spirit, and sometimes cruel and - blood-stained in act. It was the first instinctive and brutal response of - a proslavery people convicted of guilt and called to repentance; and it - was almost universal. Wherever antislavery was preached, honestly, and - effectually, there the mobocratic spirit followed it; so that, in those - times, he who escaped this ordeal was, with some justice, held to be - either inefficient or unfaithful. Hardly a town or city, from Alton to - Portland, where much antislavery labor was bestowed, in the first fifteen - years of this enterprise, that was not the scene of one of these attempts - to crush all free discussion of the subject of slavery by violence or - bloodshed. Hardly one of the earlier public advocates of the cause that - was not made to suffer, either in person or in property, or in both, from - popular violence,—the penalty of obedience to the dictates of his - own conscience. Nor was this all: official countenance was often given to - the mad proceedings of the mob; or, if not given, its protection was - withheld from those who were the objects of popular hatred; and, as if - this were not enough, legislation was invoked to the same end. It was - suggested to the Legislature of one of the Southern States, that a large - reward be offered for the head of a citizen of Massachusetts who was the - pioneer in the modern antislavery movement. A similar reward was offered - for the head of a citizen of New York. Yet so foul an insult excited - neither the popular indignation nor legislative resentment in either of - those States. - </p> - <p> - Great damage was done to the cause of Christianity by the position assumed - on the question of slavery by the American churches, and especially those - in the Southern States. Think of a religious kidnapper! a Christian - slave-breeder! a slave-trader, loving his neighbor as himself, receiving - the “sacraments” in some Protestant church from the hand of a Christian - apostle, then the next day selling babies by the dozen, and tearing young - women from the arms of their husbands to feed the lust of lecherous New - Orleans! Imagine a religious man selling his own children into eternal - bondage! Think of a Christian defending slavery out of the Bible, and - declaring there is no higher law, but atheism is the first principle of - Republican Government! - </p> - <p> - Yet this was the stand taken, and maintained, by the churches in the slave - States down to the day that Lee surrendered to Grant. - </p> - <p> - One of the bitterest fruits of slavery in our land is the cruel spirit of - caste, which makes the complexion even of the free negro a badge of social - inferiority, exposing him to insult in the steamboat and the railcar, and - in all places of public resort, not even excepting the church; banishing - him from remunerative occupations; expelling him from the legislative - hall, the magistrate’s bench, and the jury-box; and crushing his noblest - aspirations under a weight of prejudice and proscription which he - struggles in vain to throw off. Against this unchristian and hateful - spirit, every lover of liberty should enter his solemn protest. This - hateful prejudice caused the breaking up of the school of Miss Prudence - Crandall, in the State of Connecticut, in the early days of the - antislavery agitation. - </p> - <p> - Next came the burning of Pennsylvania Hall, one of the most beautiful - edifices in the City of Brotherly Love, simply because colored persons - were permitted to occupy seats by the side of whites. - </p> - <p> - The enactment by Congress of the Fugitive Slave Law caused the friends of - freedom, both at home and abroad, to feel that the General Government was - fast becoming the bulwark of slavery. The rendition of Thomas Sims, and - still later that of Anthony Burns, was, indeed, humiliating in the extreme - to the people of the Northern States. - </p> - <p> - On that occasion, the sons of free, enlightened, and Christian - Massachusetts, descendants of the Pilgrim Fathers, bowed submissively to - the behests of a tyranny more cruel than Austrian despotism; yielded up - their dignity and self-respect; became the allies of slave-catchers, the - associates and companions of bloodhounds. At the bidding of slaveholders - and serviles, they seized the image of God, bound their fellow-man with - chains, and consigned him to torture and premature death under the lash of - a piratical overseer. God’s law and man’s rights were trampled upon; the - self-respect, the constitutional privileges, of the free States, were - ignominiously surrendered. A people who resisted a paltry tax upon tea, at - the cannon’s mouth, basely submitted to an imposition tenfold greater, in - favor of brutalizing their fellow-men. Soil which had been moistened with - the blood of American patriots was polluted by the footsteps of - slave-catchers and their allies. - </p> - <p> - The Boston Court House in chains, two hundred rowdies and thieves sworn in - as special policemen, respectable citizens shoved off the side-walks by - these slave-catchers; all for the purpose of satisfying “our brethren of - the South.” But this act did not appease the feelings, or satisfy the - demands, of the slave-holders, while it still further inflamed the fire of - abolitionism. - </p> - <p> - The “Dred Scott Decision” added fresh combustibles to the smouldering - heap. Dred Scott, a slave, taken by his master into free Illinois, and - then beyond the line of 36° 30’, and then back into Missouri, sued for and - obtained his freedom on the ground, that, having been taken where by the - Constitution slavery was illegal, his master had lost all claim. But the - Supreme Court, on appeal, reversed the judgment; and Dred Scott, with his - wife and children, was taken back into slavery. By this decision in the - highest court of American law, it was affirmed that no free negro could - claim to be a citizen of the United States, but was only under the - jurisdiction of the separate State in which he resided; that the - prohibition of slavery in any Territory of the Union was unconstitutional; - and that the slave-owner might go where he pleased with his property, - throughout the United States, and retain his right. - </p> - <p> - This decision created much discussion, both in America and in Europe, and - materially injured the otherwise good name of our country abroad. - </p> - <p> - The Constitution, thus interpreted by Judge Taney, became the emblem of - the tyrants and the winding sheet of liberty, and gave a boldness to the - people of the South, which soon showed itself, while good men at the North - felt ashamed of the Government under which they lived. - </p> - <p> - The slave-holders in the cotton, sugar, and rice growing States began to - urge the re-opening of the African slave-trade, and the driving out from - the Southern States of all free colored persons. - </p> - <p> - In the Southern Rights’ Convention, which assembled at Baltimore, June 8, - 1800, a resolution was adopted, calling on the Legislature to pass a law - driving the free colored people out of the State. Nearly every speaker - took the ground that the free colored people must be driven out to make - the slave’s obedience more secure. Judge Mason, in his speech, said, “It - is the thrifty and well-to-do free negroes, that are seen by our slaves, - that make them dissatisfied.” A similar appeal was made to the Legislature - of Tennessee. Judge Catron, of the Supreme Court of the United States, in - a long and able letter to “The Nashville Union,” opposed the driving out - of the colored people. He said they were among the best mechanics, the - best artisans, and the most industrious laborers in the State, and that to - drive them out would be an injury to the State itself. This is certainly - good evidence in their behalf. - </p> - <p> - The State of Arkansas passed a law driving the free colored people out of - the State, and they were driven out three years ago. The Democratic press - howled upon the heels of the free blacks until they had all been - expatriated; but, after they had been driven out, “The Little Rock - Gazette”—a Democratic paper—made a candid acknowledgment with - regard to the character of the free colored people. It said, “Most of the - exiled free negroes are industrious and respectable. One of them, Henry - King, we have known from our boyhood, and take the greatest pleasure in - testifying to his good character. The community in which he casts his lot - will be blessed with that noblest work of God, an honest man.” - </p> - <p> - Yet these free colored people were driven out of the State, and those who - were unable to go, as many of the women and children were, were reduced to - slavery. - </p> - <p> - “The New Orleans True Delta” opposed the passage of a similar law by the - State of Louisiana. Among other things, it said, “There are a large free - colored population here, correct in their general deportment, honorable in - their intercourse with society, and free from reproach so far as the laws - are concerned; not surpassed in the inoffensiveness of their lives by any - equal number of-persons in any place, North or South.” - </p> - <p> - And yet these free colored persons were not permitted by law to school - their children, or to read books that treated against the institution of - slavery. The Rev. Samuel Green, a colored Methodist preacher, was - convicted and sent to the Maryland penitentiary, in 1858, for the offence - of being found reading “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” - </p> - <p> - The growth of the “Free-Soil” party, which had taken the place of the - “Liberty” party; and then the rapid increase of the “Republican” party; - the struggle in Kansas; the “Oberlin Rescue Trials;” and, lastly, the - “John Brown Raid,” carried the discussion of slavery to its highest point. - </p> - <p> - All efforts, in Congress, in the proslavery political conventions, and in - the churches, only added fuel to the flame that was fast making inroads - upon the vitals of the monster. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER VI.—THE JOHN BROWN RAID. - </h2> - <p> - <i>John Brown.—His Religious Zeal.—His Hatred to Slavery.—Organization - of his Army.—Attack on Harper’s Ferry.—His Execution.—John - Brown’s Companions, Green and Copeland.—The Executions.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he year 1859 will - long be memorable for the bold attempt of John Brown and his companions to - burst the bolted door of the Southern house of bondage, and lead out the - captives by a more effectual way than they had yet known: an attempt in - which, it is true, the little band of heroes dashed themselves to bloody - death, but, at the same time, shook the prison-walls from summit to - foundation, and shot wild alarm into every tyrant-heart in all the - slave-land. What were the plans and purposes of the noble old man is not - precisely known, and perhaps will never be; but, whatever they were, there - is reason to believe they had been long maturing,—brooded over - silently and secretly, with much earnest thought, and under a solemn sense - of religious duty. As early as the fall of 1857, he began to organize his - band, chiefly from among the companions of his warfare against the “Border - Ruffians” in Kansas. Nine or ten of these spent the winter of 1857-8 in - Iowa, where a Col. Forbes was to have given them military instruction; but - he, having-fallen out with Brown, did not join them, and Aaron D. Stevens, - one of the company, took his place. - </p> - <p> - About the middle of April, 1858, they left Iowa, and went to Chatham, - Canada, where, on the 8th of May, was held a convention, called by a - written circular, which was sent to such persons only as could be trusted. - The convention was composed mostly of colored men, a few of whom were from - the States, but the greater part residents in Canada, with no white men - but the organized band already mentioned. A “Provisional Constitution,” - which Brown had previously prepared, was adopted; and the members of the - convention took an oath to support it. Its manifest purpose was to insure - a perfect organization of all who should join the expedition, whether free - men or insurgent slaves, and to hold them under such strict control as to - restrain them from every act of wanton or vindictive violence, all waste - or needless destruction of life or property, all indignity or unnecessary - severity to prisoners, and all immoral practices; in short, to keep the - meditated movement free from every possibly avoidable evil ordinarily - incident to the armed uprising of a long-oppressed and degraded people. - </p> - <p> - And let no one who glories in the revolutionary struggles of our fathers - for their freedom deny the right of the American bondsman to imitate their - high example. And those who rejoice in the deeds of a Wallace or a Tell, a - Washington or a Warren; who cherish with unbounded gratitude the name of - Lafayette for volunteering his aid in behalf of an oppressed people in a - desperate crisis, and at the darkest hour of their fate,—cannot - refuse equal merit to this strong, free, heroic man, who freely - consecrated all his powers, and the labors of his whole life, to the help - of the most needy, friendless, and unfortunate of mankind. - </p> - <p> - The picture of the Good Samaritan will live to all future ages, as the - model of human excellence, for helping one whom he chanced to find in - need. - </p> - <p> - John Brown did more: he went to <i>seek</i> those who were lost that he - might save them. - </p> - <p> - On Sunday night, Oct. 16, John Brown, with twenty followers (five of them - colored), entered the town of Harper’s Ferry, in the State of Virginia; - captured the place, making the United-States Armory his headquarters; sent - his men in various directions in search of slaves with which to increase - his force. - </p> - <p> - The whole thing, though premature in its commencement, struck a blow that - rang on the fetters of the enslaved in every Southern State, and caused - the oppressor to tremble for his own safety, as well as for that of the - accursed institution. - </p> - <p> - John Brown’s trial, heroism, and execution, an excellent history of which - has been given to the public by Mr. James Redpath, saves me from making - any lengthened statement here. His life and acts are matters of history, - which will live with the language in which it is written. But little can - be said of his companions in the raid on slavery. They were nearly all - young men, unknown to fame, enthusiastic admirers of the old Puritan, - entering heartily into all of his plans, obeying his orders, and dying - bravely, with no reproach against their leader. - </p> - <p> - Of the five colored men, two only were captured alive,—Shields Green - and John A. Copeland. The former was a native of South Carolina, having - been born in the city of Charleston in the year 1832. Escaping to the - North in 1857, he resided in Rochester, N.Y., until attracted by the - unadorned eloquence and native magnetism of the hero of Harper’s Ferry. - The latter was from North Carolina, and was a mulatto of superior - abilities, and a genuine lover of liberty and justice. The following - letter, written a short time before his execution, needs no explanation:— - </p> - <p> - “Charlestown, Va., Dec. 10, 1859. - </p> - <p> - “My dear Brother,—I now take my pen to write you a few lines to let - you know how I am, and in answer to your kind letter of the 5th inst. Dear - brother, I am, it is true, so situated at present as scarcely to know how - to commence writing: not that my mind is filled with fear, or that it has - become shattered in view of my near approach to death; not that I am - terrified by the gallows which I see staring me in the face, and upon - which I am so soon to stand and suffer death for doing what George - Washington, the so-called father of this great but slavery-cursed country, - was made a hero for doing while he lived, and when dead his name was - immortalized, and his great and noble deeds in behalf of freedom taught by - parents to their children. And now, brother, for having lent my aid to a - general no less brave, and engaged in a cause no less honorable and - glorious, I am to suffer death. Washington entered the field to fight for - the freedom of the American people,—not for the white man alone, but - for both black and white. Nor were they white men alone who fought for the - freedom of this country. The blood of black men flowed as freely as that - of white men. Yes, the <i>very first</i> blood that was spilt was that of - a negro. It was the blood of that heroic man (though black he was), - Crispus Attucks. And some of the <i>very last</i> blood shed was that of - black men. To the truth of this, history, though prejudiced, is compelled - to attest. <i>It is true</i> that black men did an equal share of the - fighting for American independence; and they were assured by the whites - that they should share equal benefits for so doing. But, after having - performed their part honorably, they were by the whites most treacherously - deceived,—they refusing to fulfil their part of the contract. But - this you know as well as I do; and I will therefore say no more in - reference to the claims which we, as colored men, have on the American - people.... - </p> - <p> - “It was a sense of the wrongs which we have suffered that prompted the - noble but unfortunate Capt. Brown and his associates to attempt to give - freedom to a small number, at least, of those who are now held by cruel - and unjust laws, and by no less cruel and unjust men. To this freedom they - were entitled by every known principle of justice and humanity; and, for - the enjoyment of it, God created them. And now, dear brother, could I die - in a more noble cause? Could I, brother, die in a manner and for a cause - which would induce true and honest men more to honor me, and the angels - more readily to receive me to their happy home of everlasting joy above? I - imagine that I hear you, and all of you, mother, father, sisters and - brothers, say, ‘No, there is not a cause for which we, with less sorrow, - could see you die!’” - </p> - <p> - “Your affectionate brother, - </p> - <p> - “John A. Copeland.” - </p> - <p> - “The Baltimore Sun” says, “A few moments before leaving the jail, Copeland - said, ‘If I am dying for freedom, I could not die for a better cause. <i>I - had rather die than be a slave!</i>’ A military officer in charge on the - day of the execution says, ‘I had a position near the gallows, and - carefully observed all. I can truly say I never witnessed more firm and - unwavering: fortitude, more perfect composure, or more beautiful - propriety, than were manifested by young Copeland to the very last.’” - </p> - <p> - Shields Green behaved with equal heroism, ascending the scaffold with a - firm and unwavering step, and died, as he had lived, a brave man, and - expressing to the last his eternal hatred to human bondage, prophesying - that slavery would soon come to a bloody end. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER VII—THE FIRST GUN OF THE REBELLION. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Nomination of Fremont.—Nomination of Lincoln.—The Mob - Spirit.—Spirit of Slavery.—The Democracy.—Cotton.—Northern - Promises to the Rebels.—Assault on Fort Sumter.—Call for - 75,000 Men.—Response of the Colored Men.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he nomination of - John C. Fremont by the Republican party in 1856, and the large vote given - him at the election that autumn, cleared away all doubts, if any existed - as to the future action of the Federal Government on the spread and power - of slavery. The Democratic party, which had ruled the nation so long and - so badly, saw that it had been weighed, and found wanting; that it must - prepare to give up the Government into the hands of better men. - </p> - <p> - But the party determined to make the most of Mr. Buchanan’s - administration, both in the profuse expenditure of money among themselves, - and in getting ready to take the Southern States out of the Union. - </p> - <p> - Surrounded by the men who believed that the Government was made for them, - and that their mission was to rule the people of the United States, Mr. - Buchanan was nothing more than a tool,—clay in the hands of the - potters; and he permitted them to prepare leisurely for disunion, which - culminated, in 1860, in the nomination of Abraham Lincoln for the - presidency. - </p> - <p> - The proslavery Democracy became furious at the prospect of losing the - control of the situation, and their hatred of free speech was revived. - From the nomination of Mr. Lincoln to his inauguration, mob-law ruled in - most of the cities and large villages. These disgraceful scenes, the first - of which commenced at the antislavery-meeting at the Tremont Temple, - Boston, was always gotten up by members of the Democratic party, who - usually passed a series of resolutions in favor of slavery. New York, - Philadelphia, Albany, Buffalo, Troy, Cincinnati, and Chicago, all followed - the example set by Boston. - </p> - <p> - These demonstrations were caused more by sympathy with the South, and the - long-accustomed subserviency of the Northern people to slaveholding - dictation, than to any real hatred to the negro. - </p> - <p> - During all this time the Abolitionists were laboring faithfully to widen - the gulf between the North and South. - </p> - <p> - Towards the close of the year 1860, the spirit of compromise began to show - itself in such unmistakable terms as to cause serious apprehension on the - part of the friends of freedom for the future of American liberty. The - subdued tone of the liberal portion of the press, the humiliating offers - of Northern political leaders of compromises, and the numerous cases of - fugitive slaves being returned to their masters, sent a thrill of fear to - all colored men in the land for their safety, and nearly every train going - North found more or less negroes fleeing to Canada. - </p> - <p> - At the South, the people were in earnest, and would listen to no proposals - whatever in favor of their continuance in the Union. - </p> - <p> - The vast wealth realized by the slave-holder had made him feel that the - South was independent of the rest of the world. - </p> - <p> - Prosperity had made him giddy. Cotton was not merely king: it was God. - Moral considerations were nothing. The sentiment of right, he argued, - would have no influence over starving operatives; and England and France, - as well as the Eastern States of the Union, would stand aghast, and yield - to the masterstroke which should deprive them of the material of their - labor. Millions were dependent on it in all the great centres of - civilization; and the ramifications of its power extended into all ranks - of society and all departments of industry and commerce. It was only - necessary to wave this imperial sceptre over the nations; and all of them - would fall prostrate, and acknowledge the supremacy of the power which - wielded it. Nothing could be more plausible than this delusion. Satan - himself, when about to wage war in heaven, could not have invented one - better calculated to marshal his hosts, and give promise of success in - rebellion against the authority of the Most High. But, alas! the supreme - error of this anticipation lay in omitting from the calculation all power - of principle. The right still has authority over the minds of men and in - the counsels of nations. Factories may cease their din; men and women may - be thrown out of employment; the marts of commerce may be silent and - deserted: but truth and justice still command some respect among men; and - God yet remains the object of their adoration. - </p> - <p> - Drunk with power, and dazzled with prosperity, monopolizing cotton, and - raising it to the influence of a veritable fetich, the authors of the - Rebellion did not admit a doubt of the success of their attack on the - Federal Government. They dreamed of perpetuating slavery, though all - history shows the decline of the system as industry, commerce, and - knowledge advance. The slave-holders proposed nothing less than to reverse - the currents of humanity, and to make barbarism flourish in the bosom of - civilization. - </p> - <p> - Weak as were the Southern people in point of numbers and political power, - compared with those of the opposite section, the haughty slave-holders - easily persuaded themselves and their dependents that they could - successfully cope in arms with the Northern adversary, whom they affected - to despise for his cowardly and mercenary disposition. Proud and - confident, they indulged the belief that their great political prestige - would continue to serve them among their late party associates in the - North, and that the counsels of the adversary would be distracted, and his - power weakened, by the fatal effects of dissension. - </p> - <p> - The proslavery men in the North are very much to blame for the - encouragement that they gave the rebels before the breaking out of the - war. The Southerners had promises from their Northern friends, that, in - the event of a rebellion, civil war should reign in the free States,—that - men would not be permitted to leave the North to go South to put down - their rebellions brethren. - </p> - <p> - All legitimate revolutions are occasioned by the growth of society beyond - the growth of government; and they will be peaceful or violent just in - proportion as the people and government shall be wise and virtuous or - vicious and ignorant. Such revolutions or reforms are generally of a - peaceful nature in communities in which the government has made provision - for the gradual expansion of its institutions to suit the onward march of - society. No government is wise in overlooking, whatever may be the - strength of its own traditions, or however glorious its history, that - human institutions which have been adapted for a barbarous age or state of - society will cease to be adapted for more civilized and intelligent times; - and, unless government makes a provision for the gradual expansion, - nothing can prevent a storm, either of an intellectual or a physical - nature. Slavery was always the barbarous institution of America; and the - Rebellion was the result of this incongruity between it and freedom. - </p> - <p> - The assault on Fort Sumter on the 12th of April, 1861, was the dawn of a - new era for the negro. The proclamation of President Lincoln, calling for - the first 75,000 men to put down the Rebellion, was responded to by the - colored people throughout the country. In Boston, at a public meeting of - the blacks, a large number came forward, put their names to an agreement - to form a brigade, and march at once to the seat of war. A committee - waited on the Governor three days later, and offered the services of these - men. His Excellency replied that he had no power to receive them. This was - the first wet blanket thrown over the negro’s enthusiasm. “This is a white - man’s war,” said most of the public journals. “I will never fight by the - side of a nigger,” was heard in every quarter where men were seen in Uncle - Sam’s uniform. - </p> - <p> - Wherever recruiting offices were opened, black men offered themselves, and - were rejected. Yet these people, feeling conscious that right would - eventually prevail, waited patiently for the coming time, pledging - themselves to go at their country’s call, as the following will show:— - </p> - <p> - “Resolved, That our feelings urge us to say to our countrymen that we are - ready to stand by and defend the Government as the equals of its white - defenders; to do so with our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor, - for the sake of freedom and as good citizens; and we ask you to modify - your laws, that we may enlist,—that full scope may be given to the - patriotic feelings burning in the colored man’s breast.”—<i>Colored - Men’s Meeting, Boston</i>. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER VIII—THE UNION AND SLAVERY BOTH TO BE PRESERVED. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Union Generals offer to suppress Slave Insurrections.—Return of - Slaves coming into our Army.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">A</span>t the very - commencement of the Rebellion, the proslavery generals in the field took - the earliest opportunity of offering their services, together with those - under their commands, to suppress any slave insurrection that might grow - out of the unsettled condition of the country. Major-Gen. B. F. Butler led - off, by tendering his services to Gov. Hicks of Maryland. About the same - time, Major-Gen. Geo. B. McClellan issued the following, “<i>To the Union - Men of Western Virginia</i>,” on entering that portion of the State with - his troops:—“The General Government cannot close its ears to the - demands you have made for assistance. I have ordered troops to cross the - river. They come as Your friends and brothers,—as enemies only to - the armed rebels who are preying upon you. Your homes, your families, your - property, are safe under our protection. All your rights shall be - religiously respected. Notwithstanding all that has been said by the - traitors to induce you to believe our advent among you will be signalled - by an interference with your slaves, understand one thing clearly: not - only will we abstain from all such interference, but we shall, on the - contrary, <i>with an iron hand</i>, crush any attempt at insurrection on - their part.” - </p> - <p> - Slaves escaping from their masters were promptly returned by the officers - of the army. Gen. W. S. Harney, commanding in Missouri, in responding to - the claims of slave-holders for their blacks, said,— - </p> - <p> - “Already, since the commencement of these unhappy disturbances, slaves - have escaped from their owners, and have sought refuge in the camps of - United-States troops from the Northern States, and commanded by a Northern - general. <i>They were carefully sent Back to their owners.</i>” - </p> - <p> - The correspondent of “The New-York Herald” gave publicity to the - following:— - </p> - <p> - “The guard on the bridge across the Anacostia arrested a negro who - attempted to pass the sentries on the Maryland side. He seemed to feel - confident that he was among friends, for he made no concealment of his - character and purpose. He said he had walked sixty miles, and was going - North. He was very much surprised and disappointed when he was taken into - custody, and informed that he would be sent back to his master. He is now - in the guard-house, and answers freely all questions relating to his weary - march. Of course, such an arrest excites much comment among the men. - Nearly all are restive under the thought of acting as slave-catchers. The - Seventy-first made a forced march, and the privations they endured have - been honorably mentioned in the country’s history. This poor negro made a - forced march, twice the length—in perils often, in fasting,—hurrying - toward the North for his liberty! And the Seventy-first catches him at the - end of his painful journey,—the goal in sight,—and sends him - back to the master who even now may be in arms against us, or may take the - slave, sell him for a rifle, and use it on his friends in the - Seventy-first New-York Regiment. Humanity speaks louder here than it does - in a large city; and the men who in New York would dismiss the subject - with a few words about ‘constitutional obligations’ are now the loudest in - denouncing the abuse of power which changes a regiment of gentlemen into a - regiment of negro-catchers.” At Pensacola, Slemmer did even more, putting - in irons fugitives who fled to him for protection, and returning them to - their masters to be scourged to death. Col. Dimmick, at Fortress Monroe, - told the rebel Virginians that he had not an Abolitionist in his command, - and that no molestation of their slave-system would be suffered. - </p> - <p> - Gen. D. C. Buell, commanding in Tennessee, said, in reply to a committee - of slave-holders demanding the return of their fugitives,— - </p> - <p> - “It has come to my knowledge that slaves sometimes make their way - improperly into our lines, and in some instances they may be enticed - there; but I think the number has been magnified by report. Several - applications have been made to me by persons whose servants have been - found in our camps; and, in every instance that I know of, the master has - removed his servant, and taken him away. - </p> - <p> - “I need hardly remind you that there will always be found some lawless and - mischievous persons in every army; but I assure you that the mass of this - army is law-abiding, and that it is neither its disposition nor its policy - to violate law or the rights of individuals in any particular.” - </p> - <p> - Yet, while Union soldiers were returning escaped slaves to rebels, it was - a notorious fact that the enemy were using negroes to build - fortifications, drive teams, and raise food for the army. - </p> - <p> - Black hands piled up the Sand-bags, and raised the batteries, which drove - Anderson out of Sumter. At Montgomery, the capital of the confederacy, - negroes were being drilled and armed for military duty. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER IX—INTELLIGENT CONTRABANDS - </h2> - <p> - <i>James Lawson.—His Bravery.—Rescue of his Wife and Children.—He - is sent out on Important Business.—He fights his Way Back.—He - is Admired by Gens. Hooker and Sickles.—Rhett’s Servant.—“Foraging - for Butter and Eggs.”</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">I</span> spent three weeks - at Liverpool Point, the outpost of Hooker’s Division, almost directly - opposite Aquia Creek, waiting patiently for the advance of our left wing - to follow up the army, becoming, if not a participator against the dying - struggles of rebeldom, at least a chronicler of the triumphs in the march - of the Union army. - </p> - <p> - During this time I was the guest of Col. Graham, of Mathias-Point memory, - who had brought over from that place (last November) some thirty valuable - chattels. A part of the camp was assigned to them. They built log huts, - and obtained from the soldiers many comforts, making their quarters equal - to any in the camp. - </p> - <p> - They had friends and relatives. Negroes feel as much sympathy for their - friends and kin as the whites; and, from November to the present time, - many a man in Virginia has lost a very likely slave, for the camp contains - now upwards of a hundred fat and healthy negroes, in addition to its - original number from Mathias Point. - </p> - <p> - One of the number deserves more honor than that accorded to Toussaint - L’Ouverture in the brilliant lecture delivered by Wendell Phillips. He is - unquestionably the hero of the Potomac, and deserves to be placed by the - side of his most renowned black brethren. - </p> - <p> - The name of this negro is James Lawson, born near Hempstead, Virginia, and - he belonged to a Mr. Taylor. He made his escape last December. On hearing - his praises spoken by the captains of the gunboats on the Potomac, I was - rather indisposed to admit the possession of all the qualities they give - him credit for, and thought possibly his exploits had been exaggerated. - His heroic courage, truthfulness, and exalted Christian character seemed - too romantic for their realization. However, my doubts on that score were - dispelled; and I am a witness of his last crowning act. - </p> - <p> - Jim, after making his escape from Virginia, shipped on board of “The - Freeborn,” Flag-gunboat, Lieut. Samuel Ma-gaw commanding. He furnished - Capt. Magaw with much valuable intelligence concerning the rebel - movements, and, from his quiet, every-day behavior, soon won the esteem of - the commanding officer. - </p> - <p> - Capt. Magaw, shortly after Jim’s arrival on board “The Freeborn,” sent him - upon a scouting tour through the rebel fortifications, more to test his - reliability than anything else; and the mission, although fraught with - great danger, was executed by Jim in the most faithful manner. Again Jim - was sent into Virginia, landing at the White House, below Mount Vernon, - and going into the interior for several miles; encountering the fire of - picket-guards and posted sentries; returned in safety to the shore; and - was brought off in the captain’s gig, under the fire of the rebel - musketry. - </p> - <p> - Jim had a wife and four children at that time still in Virginia. They - belonged to the same man as Jim did. He was anxious to get them; yet it - seemed impossible. - </p> - <p> - One day in January, Jim came to the captain’s room, and asked for - permission to be landed that evening on the Virginia side, as he wished to - bring off his family. “Why, Jim,” said Capt. Magaw, “how will you be able - to pass the pickets?” - </p> - <p> - “I want to try, captain: I think I can get ‘em over safely,” meekly - replied Jim. - </p> - <p> - “Well, you have my permission;” and Capt. Magaw ordered one of the - gunboats to land Jim that night on whatever part of the shore he - designated, and return for him the following evening. - </p> - <p> - True to his appointment, Jim was at the spot with his wife and family, and - was taken on board the gunboat, and brought over to Liverpool Point, where - Col. Graham had given them a log-house to live in, just back of his own - quarters. Jim ran the gauntlet of the sentries unharmed, never taking to - the roads, but keeping in the woods, every foot-path of which, and almost - every tree, he knew from his boyhood up. - </p> - <p> - Several weeks afterwards another reconnoissance was planned, and Jim sent - on it. He returned in safety, and was highly complimented by Gens. Hooker, - Sickles, and the entire flotilla. - </p> - <p> - On Thursday, week ago, it became necessary to obtain correct information - of the enemy’s movements. Since then, batteries at Shipping and Cockpit - Points had been evacuated, and their troops moved to Fredericksburg. Jim - was the man picked out for the occasion, by Gen. Sickles and Capt. Magaw. - The general came down to Col. Graham’s quarters, about nine in the - evening, and sent for Jim. There were present, the general, Col. Graham, - and myself. Jim came into the colonel’s. - </p> - <p> - “Jim.” said the general, “I want you to go over to Virginia to-night, and - find out what forces they have at Aquia Creek and Fredericksburg. If you - want any men to accompany you, pick them out.” - </p> - <p> - “I know <i>two</i> men that would like to go,” Jim answered. - </p> - <p> - “Well, get them, and be back as soon as possible.” Away went Jim over to - the contraband camp, and, returning almost immediately, brought into our - presence two very intelligent-looking darkies. - </p> - <p> - “Are you all ready?” inquired the general. - </p> - <p> - “All ready, sir,” the trio responded. - </p> - <p> - “Well, here, Jim, you take my pistol,” said Gen. Sickles, unbuckling it - from his belt; “and, if you are successful, I will give you $100.” - </p> - <p> - Jim hoped he would be, and, bidding us good-by, started off for the - gunboat “Satellite,” Capt. Foster, who landed them a short distance below - the Potomac-Creek Batteries. They were to return early in the morning, but - were unable, from the great distance they went in the interior. Long - before daylight on Saturday morning, the gunboat was lying off at the - appointed place. As the day dawned, Capt. Foster discovered a mounted - picket-guard near the beach, and almost at the same instant saw Jim to the - left of them, in the woods, sighting his gun at the rebel cavalry. He - ordered the “gig” to be manned, and rowed to the shore. The rebels moved - along slowly, thinking to intercept the boat, when Foster gave them a - shell, which scattered them. Jim, with only one of his original - companions, and two fresh contrabands, came on board. Jim had <i>lost the - other</i>. He had been challenged by a picket when some distance in - advance of Jim, and the negro, instead of answering the summons, fired the - contents of Sickles’s revolver at the picket. It was an unfortunate - occurrence; for at that time the entire picket-guard rushed out of a small - house near the spot, and fired the contents of their muskets at Jim’s - companion, killing him instantly. Jim and the other three hid themselves - in a hollow, near a fence, and, after the pickets gave up pursuit, crept - through the woods to the shore. From the close proximity of the rebel - pickets, Jim could not display a light, which was the signal for Capt. - Foster to send a boat. - </p> - <p> - Capt. Foster, after hearing Jim’s story of the shooting of his companion, - determined to avenge his death; so, steaming his vessel close in to the - shore, he sighted his guns for a barn, where the rebel cavalry were hiding - behind. He fired two shells: one went right through the barn, killing four - of the rebels, and seven of their horses. Capt. Foster, seeing the effect - of his shot, said to Jim, who stood by, “Well, Jim, I’ve avenged the death - of poor Cornelius” (the name of Jim’s lost companion). - </p> - <p> - Gen. Hooker has transmitted to the War Department an account of Jim’s - reconnoissance to Fredericksburg, and unites with the army and navy - stationed on the left wing of the Potomac, in the hope that the Government - will present Jim with a fitting recompense for his gallant services.—<i>War - Correspondent of the New-York Times</i>. - </p> - <p> - On Thursday, beyond Charlestown, our pickets descried a solitary horseman, - with a bucket on his arm, jogging soberly towards them. He proved to be a - dark mulatto, of about thirty-five. As he approached, they ordered a halt. - </p> - <p> - “Where are you from?” - </p> - <p> - “Southern Army, cap’n,” giving the military salute. - </p> - <p> - “Where are you going?” - </p> - <p> - “Coming to yous all.” - </p> - <p> - “What do you want?” - </p> - <p> - “Protection, boss. You won’t send me back, will you?” - </p> - <p> - “No, come in. Whose servant are you?” - </p> - <p> - “Cap’n Rhett’s, of South Carliny: you’s heard of Mr. Barnwell Rhett, - editor of ‘The Charleston Mercury’? His brother commands a battery.” - </p> - <p> - “How did you get away?” - </p> - <p> - “Cap’n gove me fifteen dollars this morning, and said, ‘John, go out, and - forage for butter and eggs.’ So you see, boss (with a broad grin), I’se - out foraging! I pulled my hat over my eyes, and jogged along on the - cap’n’s horse (see the brand S.C. on him?) with this basket on my arm, - right by our guards and pickets. They never challenged me once. If they - had, though, I brought the cap’n’s pass. And the new comer produced this - document from his pocket-book, written in pencil, and carefully folded. I - send you the original:— - </p> - <p> - <i>“Pass my servant, John, on horseback, anywhere between Winchester and - Martinsburg, in search of butter, &c., &e.</i> - </p> - <p> - <i>“A. BURNETT RHETT, Capt. Light Artillery, Lee’s Battalion.”</i> - </p> - <p> - “Are there many negroes in the rebel corps?” - </p> - <p> - “Heaps, boss.” - </p> - <p> - “Would the most of them come to us if they could?” - </p> - <p> - “All of them, cap’n. There isn’t a little pickanniny so high (waving his - hand two feet from the ground) that wouldn’t.” - </p> - <p> - “Why did <i>you</i> expect protection?” - </p> - <p> - “Heard so in Maryland, before the Proclamation.” - </p> - <p> - “Where did you hear about the Proclamation?” - </p> - <p> - “Read it, air, in a Richmond paper.” - </p> - <p> - “What is it?” - </p> - <p> - “That every slave is to be emancipated on and after the thirteenth day of - January. I can’t state it, boss.” - </p> - <p> - “Something like it. When did you learn to read?” - </p> - <p> - “In ‘49, sir. I was head waiter at Mrs. Nevitt’s boarding-house in - Savannah, and Miss Walcott, a New-York lady, who was stopping there, - taught me.” - </p> - <p> - “Does your master know it?” - </p> - <p> - “Capt. Rhett doesn’t know it, sir; but he isn’t my master. He thinks I’m - free, and hired me at twenty five dollars a month; but he never paid me - any of it. I belong to Mrs. John Spring. She used to hire me out summers, - and have me wait on her every winter, when she came South. After the war, - she couldn’t come, and they were going to sell me for Government because I - belonged to a Northerner. Sold a great many negroes in that way. But I - slipped away to the army. Have tried to come to you twice before in - Maryland, but couldn’t pass our pickets.” - </p> - <p> - “Were you at Antietam?” - </p> - <p> - “Yes, boss. Mighty hard battle!” - </p> - <p> - “Who whipped?” - </p> - <p> - “Yous all, massa. They say you didn’t; but I saw it, and know. If you had - fought us that next day,—Thursday,—you would have captured our - whole army. They say so themselves.” - </p> - <p> - “Who?” - </p> - <p> - “Our officers, sir.” - </p> - <p> - “Did you ever hear of old John Brown?” - </p> - <p> - “Hear of <i>him?</i> Lord bless you, yes, boss: I’ve read his life, and - have it now in my trunk in Charleston; sent to New York by the steward of - ‘The James Adger,’ and got it. I’ve read it to heaps of the colored folks. - Lord, they think John Brown was almost a god. Just say you was a friend of - his, and any slave will almost kiss your feet, if you let him. They sav, - if he was only alive now, he would be king. How it did frighten the white - folks when he raised the insurrection! It was Sunday when we heard of it. - They wouldn’t let a negro go into the streets. I was waiter at the Mills - House in Charleston. There was a lady from Massachusetts, who came down to - breakfast that morning at my table. ‘John,’ she says, ‘I want to see a - negro church; where is the principal one?’ ‘Not any open to-day, - mistress,’ I told her. ‘Why not?’ ‘Because a Mr. John Brown has raised an - insurrection in Virginny.’ ‘Ah!’ she says; ‘well, they’d better look out, - or they’ll get the white churches shut up in that way some of these days, - too!’ Mr. Nicholson, one of the proprietors, was listening from the office - to hear what she said. Wasn’t that lady watched after that? I have a - History of San Domingo, too, and a Life of Fred. Douglass, in my trunk, - that I got in the same way.” - </p> - <p> - “What do the slaves think about the war?” - </p> - <p> - “Well, boss, they all wish the Yankee army would come. The white folks - tell them all sorts of bad stories about you all; but they don’t believe - them.” - </p> - <p> - John was taken to Gen. McClellan, to whom he gave all the information he - possessed about the position, numbers, and organization of the rebel army. - His knowledge was full and valuable, and is corroborated by all the facts - we have learned from other sources. The principal features of it I have - already transmitted to you by telegraph. At the close of the interview, he - asked anxiously,— - </p> - <p> - “General, you won’t send me back, will you?” - </p> - <p> - “Yes,” replied the general, with a smile, “I believe I will.” - </p> - <p> - “I hope you won’t, general. If you say so, I know I will have to go; but I - come to yous all for protection, and I hope you won’t.” - </p> - <p> - “Well, then, I suppose we will not. No, John, you are at liberty to go - where you please. Stay with the army, if you like. No one can ever take - you against your will.” - </p> - <p> - “May the Lord bless you, general. I <i>thought</i> you wouldn’t drive me - out. You’s the best friend I ever had; I shall never forget you till I - die.” And John made the salute, re-mounted his horse, and rode back to the - rear, his dusky face almost white with radiance. - </p> - <p> - An hour later, he was on duty as the servant of Capt. Batchelor, - Quartermaster of Couch’s Second Division; and I do not believe there was - another heart in our corps so light as his in the unwonted joy of freedom.—<i>New - York Tribune.</i> - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER X—PROCLAMATIONS OF FREMONT AND HUNTER. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Gen. Fremont’s Proclamation, and its Effect on the Public Mind.—Gen. - Hunter’s Proclamation; the Feeling it created.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">W</span>hile the country - seemed drifting to destruction, and the Administration without a policy, - the heart of every loyal man was made glad by the appearance of the - proclamation of Major-Gen. John C. Fremont, then in command at the West. - The following extract from that document, which at the time caused so much - discussion, will bear insertion here:— - </p> - <p> - “All persons who shall be taken with arms in their hands within these - lines shall be tried by court martial, and, if found guilty, will be shot. - The property, real and personal, of all persons in the State of Missouri, - who shall take up arms against the United States, or who shall be directly - proven to have taken active part with their enemies in the field, is - declared to be confiscated to the public use, and their slaves, if any - they have, are hereby declared free men.” - </p> - <p> - The above was the first official paper issued after the commencement of - the war, that appeared to have the ring of the right kind of mettle. But - while the public mind was being agitated upon its probable effect upon the - Rebellion, a gloom was thrown over the whole community by the President’s - removal of Gen. Fremont, and the annulling of the proclamation. This act - of Mr. Lincoln gave unintentional “aid and comfort” to the enemy, and was - another retrograde movement in the Way of crushing out the Rebellion. - </p> - <p> - Gen. Fremont, before the arrival of the President’s letter, had given - freedom to a number of slaves, in accordance with his proclamation. His - mode of action may be seen in the following deed of manumission:— - </p> - <p> - “Whereas, Thomas L. Snead, of the city and county of St. Louis, State of - Missouri, has been taking an active part with the enemies of the United - States, in the present insurrectionary movement against the Government of - the United States; now, therefore, I, John Charles Fremont, Major-General - commanding the Western Department of the Army of the United States, by - authority of law, and the power vested in me as such commanding general, - declare Hiram Reed, heretofore held to service or labor by Thomas L. - Snead, to be free, and forever discharged from the bonds of servitude, - giving him full right and authority to have, use, and control his own - labor or service as to him may seem proper, without any accountability - whatever to said Thomas L. Snead, or any one to claim by, through, or - under him. - </p> - <p> - “And this deed of manumission shall be respected and treated by all - persons, and in all courts of justice, as the full and complete evidence - of the freedom of said Hiram Reed. - </p> - <p> - “In testimony whereof, this act is done at headquarters of the Western - Department of the Army of the United States, in the city of St. Louis, - State of Missouri, on this twelfth day of September, A.D. eighteen hundred - and sixty-one, as is evidenced by the Departmental Seal hereto affixed by - my order. - </p> - <h3> - “J. C. FREMONT, - </h3> - <p> - “<i>Major-General Commanding.</i>” - </p> - <p> - “Done at the office of the Provost-Marshal, in the city of St. Louis, the - twelfth day of September, A.D. eighteen hundred and sixty-one, at nine - o’clock in the evening of said day. - </p> - <p> - “Witness my hand and seal of office-hereto affixed. - </p> - <p> - “J. McKINSTRY, - </p> - <p> - “<i>Brigadier-General, Provost-Marshal</i>.” - </p> - <p> - The agitation in the public mind on account of the proclamation and its - annulment, great as it was, was soon surpassed by one still more bold and - sweeping from Major-Gen. David Hunter, in the following language, issued - from his headquarters, at Hilton Head, S.C., on the 9th of May:— - </p> - <p> - “Headquarters Department of the South, Hilton Head, S.C., May 9, 1802. - </p> - <p> - “General Orders, No. 11: - </p> - <p> - “The three States of Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, comprising the - Military Department of the South, having deliberately declared themselves - no longer under the protection of the United States of America, and having - taken up arms against the said United States, it became a military - necessity to declare them under martial law. This was accordingly done on - the 25th day of April, 1862. Slavery and martial law in a free country are - altogether incompatible. The persons in these three States, Georgia, - Florida, and South Carolina, heretofore held as slaves, are therefore - declared forever free. - </p> - <h3> - “DAVID HUNTER, - </h3> - <p> - “<i>Major-General Commanding.</i> - </p> - <p> - “[Official.] - </p> - <p> - “<i>Ed. W. Smith, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.</i>” - </p> - <p> - But, before Mr. Lincoln was officially informed of the issuing of the - above order, he made haste to annul it in the terms following: “That - neither Gen. Hunter nor any other commander or person has been authorized - by the Government of the United States to make proclamation declaring the - slaves of any State free; and that the supposed proclamation now in - question, whether genuine or false, is altogether void, so far as respects - such declaration. - </p> - <p> - “I further make known, that, whether it be competent for me, as - Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, to declare the slaves of any - State or States free, and whether at any time or in any case it shall have - become a necessity indispensable to the maintenance of the Government to - exercise such supposed power, are questions which, under my - responsibility, I reserve to myself, and which I cannot feel justified in - leaving to the decision of commanders in the field.” - </p> - <p> - These words of the President were hailed with cheers by the proslavery - press of the North, and carried comfort to the hearts of the rebels; - although the Chief-Magistrate did not intend either. However, before the - President’s proclamation reached Carolina, Gen. Hunter was furnishing - slaves with free papers, of which the succeeding is a copy:— - </p> - <h3> - “DEED OF EMANCIPATION. - </h3> - <p> - “It having been proven, to the entire satisfaction of the general - commanding the Department of the South, that the bearer, named————————, - heretofore held in involuntary servitude, has been directly employed to - aid and assist those in rebellion against the United States of America. - </p> - <p> - “Now, be it known to all, that, agreeably to the laws, I declare the said - person free, and forever absolved from all claims to his services. Both he - and his wife and children have full right to go North, East, or West, as - they may decide. - </p> - <p> - “Given under my hand, at the Headquarters of the Department of the South, - this nineteenth day of April, 1862. - </p> - <h3> - “D. HUNTER, - </h3> - <p> - “<i>Major-General Commanding.</i>” - </p> - <p> - The words, “forever free,” sounded like a charm upon the ears of the - oppressed, and seemed to give hopes of a policy that would put down the - Rebellion, and leave the people untrammelled with slavery. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “God’s law of compensation worketh sure, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - So we may know the right shall aye endure! - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - ‘<i>Forever free!</i>’ God! how the pulse doth bound - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - At the high, glorious, Heaven-prompted sound - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - That greets our ears from Carolina’s shore! - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - ‘<i>Forever free!</i>’ and slavery is no more! - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Ere time the hunter followed up the slave; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - But now a Hunter, noble, true, and brave, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Proclaims the right, to each who draws a breath, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - To lift himself from out a living death, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And plant his feet on Freedom’s happy soil, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Content to take her wages for his toil, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And look to God, the author of his days, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - For food and raiment, sounding forth His praise.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - Deep indeed was the impression left upon the public mind by the orders of - both Fremont and Hunter; and they hastened the policy which the President - eventually adopted, to the great gratification of the friends of freedom - everywhere. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XI—HEROISM OF NEGROES ON THE HIGH SEAS. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Heroism of Negroes.—William Tillman re-captures “The S. G. - Waring.”—George Green.—Robert Small captures the Steamer - “Planter.”—Admiral Dupont’s Opinion on Negro Patriotism.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">I</span>n the month of - June, 1861, the schooner “S. J. Waring,” from New York, bound to South - America, was captured on the passage by the rebel privateer “Jeff. Davis,” - a prize-crew put on board, consisting of a captain, mate, and four seamen; - and the vessel set sail for the port of Charleston, S.C. Three of the - original crew were retained on board, a German as steersman, a Yankee who - was put in irons, and a black man named William Tillman, the steward and - cook of the schooner. The latter was put to work at his usual business, - and told that he was henceforth the property of the Confederate States, - and would be sold, on his arrival at Charleston, as a slave. Night comes - on; darkness covers the sea; the vessel is gliding swiftly towards the - South; the rebels, one after another, retire to their berths; the hour of - midnight approaches; all is silent in the cabin; the captain is asleep; - the mate, who has charge of the watch, takes his brandy toddy, and - reclines upon the quarter-deck. The negro thinks of home and all its - endearments: he sees in the dim future chains and slavery. - </p> - <p> - He resolves, and determines to put the resolution into practice upon the - instant. Armed with a heavy club, he proceeds to the captain’s’room. He - strikes ‘the fatal blow: he feels the pulse, and all is still. He next - goes to the adjoining room: another blow is struck, and the black man is - master of the cabin. Cautiously he ascends to the deck, strikes the mate: - the officer is wounded but not killed. He draws his revolver, and calls - for help. The crew are aroused: they are hastening to aid their commander. - The negro repeats his blows with the heavy club: the rebel falls dead at - Tillman’s feet. The African seizes the revolver, drives the crew below - deck, orders the release of the Yankee, puts the enemy in irons, and - proclaims himself master of the vessel. - </p> - <p> - “The Waring’s” head is turned towards New York, with the stars and stripes - flying, a fair wind, and she rapidly retraces her steps. A storm comes up: - more men are needed to work the ship. Tillman orders the rebels to be - unchained, and brought on deck. The command is obeyed; and they are put to - work, but informed, that, if they show any disobedience, they will be shot - down. Five days more, and “The S. J. Waring” arrives in the port of New - York, under the command of William Tillman, the negro patriot. - </p> - <p> - “The New-York Tribune” said of this event,— - </p> - <p> - “To this colored man was the nation indebted for the first vindication of - its honor on the sea.” Another public journal spoke of that achievement - alone as an offset to the defeat of the Federal arms at Bull Run. - Unstinted praise from all parties, even those who are usually awkward in - any other vernacular than derision of the colored man, has been awarded to - this colored man. At Barnum’s Museum he was the centre of attractive gaze - to daily increasing thousands. Pictorials vied with each other in - portraying his features, and in graphic delineations of the scene on board - the brig; while, in one of them, Tillman has been sketched as an - embodiment of black action on the sea, in contrast with some delinquent - Federal officer as white inaction on land. - </p> - <p> - The Federal Government awarded to Tillman the sum of six thousand dollars - as prize-money for the capture of the schooner. All loyal journals joined - in praise of the heroic act; and, even when the news reached England, the - negro’s bravery was applauded. A few weeks later, and the same rebel - privateer captured the schooner “Enchantress,” bound from Boston to St. - Jago, while off Nantucket Shoals. A prize-crew was put on board, and, as - in the case of “The Waring,” retaining the colored steward; and the vessel - set sail for a Southern port. When off Cape Hatteras, she was overtaken by - the Federal gunboat “Albatross,” Capt. Prentice. - </p> - <p> - On speaking her, and demanding where from and whence bound, she replied, - “Boston, for St. Jago.” At this moment the negro rushed from the galley, - where the pirates had secreted him, <i>and jumped into the sea</i>, - exclaiming, “They are a privateer crew from The ‘Jeff. Davis,’ and bound - for Charleston!” The negro was picked up, and taken on board “The - Albatross.” The prize was ordered to heave to, which she did. Lieut. - Neville jumped aboard of her, and ordered the pirates into the boats, and - to pull for “The Albatross,” where they were secured in irons. “The - Enchantress” was then taken in tow by “The Albatross,” and arrived in - Hampton Loads. On the morning of the 13th of May, 1862, the rebel gunboat - “Planter” was captured by her colored crew, while lying in the port of - Charleston, S.C., and brought out, and delivered over to our squadron then - blockading the place. The following is the dispatch from Com. Dupont to - the Secretary of War, announcing the fact:— - </p> - <p> - “U. S. Steamship Augusta, off Charleston, May 13, 1862. - </p> - <p> - “Sir,—I have the honor to inform you that the rebel armed gunboat - ‘Planter’ was brought out to us this morning from Charleston by eight - contrabands, and delivered up to the squadron. Five colored women and - three children are also on board. She was the armed despatch and - transportation steamer attached to the engineer department at Charleston, - under Brig.-Gen. Ripley. At four in the morning, in the absence of the - captain who was on shore, she left her wharf close to the government - office and head-quarters, with the Palmetto and confederate flags flying, - and passed the successive forts, saluting as usual, by blowing the - steam-whistle. After getting beyond the range of the last gun, they hauled - down the rebel flags, and hoisted a white one. ‘The Onward’ was the inside - ship of the blockading squadron in the main channel, and was preparing to - fire when her commander made out the white flag. - </p> - <p> - “The armament of the steamer is a thirty-two pounder, on pivot, and a fine - twenty-four-pound howitzer. She has, besides, on her deck, four other - guns, one seven-inch, rifled, which were to be taken on the following - morning to a new fort on the middle ground. One of the four belonged! to - Fort Sumter, and had been struck, in the rebel attack, on the muzzle. - Robert Small, the intelligent slave; and pilot of the boat, who performed - this bold feat so skilfully, is a superior man to any who have come into - our lines; intelligent as many of them have been. His in formation: has - been most interesting, and portions of it of the utmost importance. The - steamer is quite a valuable acquisition to the squadron by her good - machinery and very light draught. The bringing out of this steamer would - have done credit to any one. I do not know whether, in the view of the - Government, the vessel will be considered a prize; but, if so, I - respectfully submit to the Department the claims of the man Small and his - associates. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, - </p> - <h3> - “S. F. DUPONT, - </h3> - <p> - “<i>Flag-Officer Commanding.</i>” - </p> - <p> - The New-York “Commercial Advertiser” said of the capture, “We are forced - to confess that this is a heroic act, and that the negroes deserve great - praise. Small is a middle-aged negro, and his features betray nothing of - the firmness of character he displayed. He is said to be one of the most - skilful pilots of Charleston, and to have a thorough knowledge of all the - ports and inlets of South Carolina.” - </p> - <p> - A bill was introduced in Congress to give the prize to Robert Small and - his companions; and, while it was under consideration, the “New-York - Tribune” made the following timely remarks: “If we must still remember - with humiliation that the Confederate flag yet waves where our national - colors were struck, we should be all the more prompt to recognize the - merit that has put in our possession the first trophy from Fort Sumter. - And the country should feel doubly humbled if there is not magnanimity - enough to acknowledge a gallant action, because it was the head of a black - man that conceived, and the hand of a black man that executed it. It would - better, indeed, become us to remember that no small share of the naval - glory of the war belongs to the race which we have forbidden to fight for - us; that one negro has captured a vessel from a Southern privateer, and - another has brought away from under the very guns of the enemy, where no - fleet of ours has yet dared to venture, a prize whose possession a - commodore thinks worthy to be announced in a special despatch.” The bill - was taken up, passed both branches of Congress, and Robert Small, together - with his associates, received justice at the hands of the American - Government. - </p> - <p> - The “New-York Herald” gave the following account of the capture:— - </p> - <p> - “One of the most daring and heroic adventures since the war commenced was - undertaken and successfully accomplished by a party of negroes in - Charleston on Monday night last. Nine colored men, comprising the pilot, - engineers, and crew of the rebel gunboat ‘Planter,’ took the vessel under - their exclusive control, passed the batteries and forts in Charleston - Harbor, hoisted the white flag, ran out to the blockading squadron, and - thence to Port Royal, <i>via</i> St. Helena Sound and Broad River, - reaching the flagship ‘Wabash’ shortly after ten o’clock last evening. - </p> - <p> - “‘The Planter’ is just such a vessel as is needed to navigate the shallow - waters between Hilton Head and the adjacent islands, and will prove almost - invaluable to the Government. It is proposed, I hear, by the commodore, to - recommend the appropriation of $20,000 as a reward to the plucky Africans - who have distinguished themselves by this gallant service, $5,000 to be - given to the pilot, and the remainder to be divided among his companions. - </p> - <p> - “‘The Planter’ is a high-pressure, side-wheel steamer, one hundred and - forty feet in length, and about fifty feet beam, and draws about five feet - of water. She was built in Charleston, was formerly used as a cotton boat, - and is capable of carrying about 1,400 bales. On the organization of the - Confederate navy, she was transformed into a gunboat, and was the most - valuable war-vessel the Confederates had at Charleston. Her armament - consisted of one thirty-two-pound rifle-gun forward, and a - twenty-four-pound howitzer aft. Besides, she had on board, when she came - into the harbor, one seven-inch rifle-gun, one eight-inch columbiad, one - eight-inch howitzer, one long thirty-two pounder, and about two hundred - rounds of ammunition, which had been consigned to Fort Ripley, and which - would have been delivered at that fortification on Tuesday had not the - designs of the rebel authorities been frustrated. She was commanded by - Capt. Relay, of the Confederate Navy, all the other employees of the - vessel, excepting the first and second mates, being persons of color. - </p> - <p> - “Robert Small, with whom I had a brief interview at Gen. Benham’s - headquarters this morning, is an intelligent negro, born in Charleston, - and employed for many years as a pilot in and about that harbor. He - entered upon his duties on board ‘The Planter’ some six weeks since, and, - as he told me, adopted the idea of running the vessel to sea from a joke - which one of his companions perpetrated. He immediately cautioned the crew - against alluding to the matter in any way on board the boat; but asked - them, if they wanted to talk it up in sober earnestness, to meet at his - house, where they would devise and determine upon a plan to place - themselves under the protection of the Stars and Stripes, instead of the - stars and bars. Various plans were proposed; but finally the whole - arrangement of the escape was left to the discretion and sagacity of - Robert, his companions promising to obey him, and be ready at a moment’s - notice to accompany him. For three days he kept the provisions of the - party secreted in the hold, awaiting an opportunity to slip away. At - length, on Monday evening, the white officers of the vessel went on shore - to spend the night, Intending to start on the following morning for Fort - Ripley, and to be absent from the city for some days. The families of the - contrabands were notified, and came stealthily on board. At about three - o’clock, the fires were lit under the boilers, and the vessel steamed - quietly away down the harbor. The tide was against her, and Fort Sumter - was not reached till broad daylight. However, the boat passed directly - under its walls, giving the usual signal—two long pulls and a jerk - at the whistle-cord—as she passed the sentinel. - </p> - <p> - “Once out of range of the rebel guns, the white flag was raised, and ‘The - Planter’ steamed directly for the blockading steamer ‘Augusta.’ Capt. - Parrott, of the latter vessel, as you may imagine, received them - cordially, heard their report, placed Acting-Master Watson, of his ship, - in charge of ‘The Planter,’ and sent the Confederate gunboat and crew - forward to Commodore Dupont.” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XII—GENERAL BUTLER AT NEW ORLEANS. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Recognition of Negro Soldiers with Officers of their own Color.—Society - in New Orleans.—The Inhuman Master.—Justice.—Change of - Opinion.—The Free Colored Population.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">W</span>hen Major-Gen. - Butler found himself in possession of New Orleans, he was soon satisfied - of the fact that there were but few loyalists amongst the whites, while - the Union feeling of the colored people was apparent from the hour of his - landing; they having immediately called upon the commander, and, through a - committee, offered their services in behalf of the Federal cause. Their - offer was accepted, as the following will show:— - </p> - <p> - “Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, Aug. 22, 1862. - </p> - <p> - “General Order, No. 63: - </p> - <p> - “Whereas, on the twenty-third day of April, in the year eighteen hundred - and sixty-one, at a public meeting of the free colored population of the - city of New Orleans, a military organization, known as the ‘Native Guards’ - (colored), had its existence, which military organization was duly and - legally enrolled as a part of the military of the State, its officers - being commissioned by Thomas O. Moore, Governor, and Commander- in-Chief - of the Militia, of the State of Louisiana, in the form following, that is - to say:— - </p> - <p> - “‘The State of Louisiana. - </p> - <p> - [Seal of the State.] - </p> - <p> - “‘By Thomas Overton Moore, Governor of the State of Louisiana, and - Commander-in-Chief of the Militia thereof. - </p> - <p> - “‘In the name and by the authority of the State of Louisiana: - </p> - <p> - “‘Know ye that————————, - having been duly and legally elected Captain of the “Native Guards” - (colored), First Division of the Militia of Louisiana, to serve for the - term of the war, - </p> - <p> - “I do hereby appoint and commission him Captain as aforesaid, to take rank - as such, from the second day of May, 1861. - </p> - <p> - “‘He is, therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge the duties of - his office, by doing and performing all manner of things thereto - belonging. And I do strictly charge and require all officers, - non-commissioned officers, and privates under his command to be obedient - to his orders as Captain; and he is to observe and follow such orders and - directions, from time to time, as he shall receive from me, or the future - Governor of the State of Louisiana, or other superior officers, according - to the Rules and Articles of War, and in conformity to law. - </p> - <p> - “‘In testimony whereof, I have caused these letters to be made patent, and - the seal of the State to be hereunto annexed. - </p> - <p> - “‘Given under my hand, at the city of Baton Rouge, on the second day of - May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two. - </p> - <p> - “‘(Signed) - </p> - <h3> - “‘THOMAS O. MOORE. - </h3> - <p> - “‘By the Governor. - </p> - <p> - “‘P. D. HARDY, <i>Secretary of State</i>.” - </p> - <h3> - [INDORSED.] - </h3> - <p> - “‘I, Maurice Grivot, Adjutant and Inspector-General of the State of - Louisiana, do hereby certify that————————, - named in the within commission, did, on the twenty-second day of May, in - the year 1861, deposit In my office his written acceptance of the office - to which he is commissioned, and his oath of office taken according to - law. - </p> - <p> - “‘M. GRIVOT‘“<i>Adjutant and Inspector-General La</i>.’ - </p> - <p> - “And whereas such military organization elicited praise and respect, and - was complimented in general orders for its patriotism and loyalty, and was - ordered to continue during the war, in the words following:— - </p> - <p> - “‘Headquarters Louisiana Militia, - </p> - <p> - “‘Adjutant-General’s Office, Mardi 24, 1862. - </p> - <p> - “‘Order No. 426: - </p> - <p> - “‘I, The Governor and Commander-in-Chief, relying implicitly upon the - loyalty of the free colored population of the city and State, for the - protection of their homes, their property, and for Southern rights, from - the pollution of a ruthless invader, and believing that the military - organization which existed prior to the 15th February, 1862, and elicited - praise and respect for the patriotic motives which prompted it, should - exist for and during the war, calls upon them to maintain their - organization, and hold themselves prepared for such orders as may be - transmitted to them. - </p> - <p> - “‘II. The colonel commanding will report without delay to Major-Gen. - Lewis, commanding State Militia. - </p> - <p> - “’ By order of - </p> - <p> - “‘THOS. O. MOORE, <i>Governor</i>. - </p> - <p> - “‘31. GRIVOT, <i>Adjutant-General</i>.’ - </p> - <p> - “And whereas said military organization, by the same order, was directed - to report to Major-Gen. Lewis for service, but did not leave the city of - New Orleans when he did: - </p> - <p> - “Now, therefore, the commanding-general, believing that a large portion of - this military force of the State of Louisiana are willing to take service - in the volunteer forces of the United States, and be enrolled and - organized to ‘defend their homes from ruthless invaders;’ to protect their - wives and children and kindred from wrongs and outrages; to shield their - property from being seized by bad men; and to defend the flag of their - native country as their fathers did under Jackson at Chalmette against - Packingham and his myrmidons, carrying the black flag of ‘beauty and - booty’. - </p> - <p> - “Appreciating their motives, relying upon their ‘well-known loyalty and - patriotism,’ and with ‘praise and respect’ for these brave men, it is - ordered that all the members of the ‘Native Guards’ aforesaid, and all - other free colored citizens recognized by the first and late governor and - authorities of the State of Louisiana as a portion of the militia of the - State, who shall enlist in the volunteer service of the United States, - shall be duly organized by the appointment of proper officers, and - accepted, paid, equipped, armed, and rationed as are other volunteer corps - of the United States, subject to the approval of the President of the - United States. All such persons are required to report themselves at the - Touro Charity Building, Front Levee Street, New Orleans, where proper - officers will muster them into the service of the United States. - </p> - <p> - “By command of - </p> - <p> - “R. S. DAVIS, <i>Captain and A.A.A.G.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>Major-Gen. BUTLER</i>.” - </p> - <p> - The commanding general soon discovered that he was amongst a different - people from those with whom he had been accustomed to associate. New - Orleans, however, though captured was not subdued. The city had been for - years the headquarters and focus of all Southern rowdyism. An immense - crowd of “loafers,” many without regular occupation or means, infested the - streets, controlled the ballot-boxes, nominated the judges, selected the - police, and affected to rule every one except a few immensely wealthy - planters, who governed them by money. These rowdies had gradually - dissolved society, till New Orleans had become the most blood-thirsty city - in the world; a city where every man went armed, where a sharp word was - invariably answered by a stab, and where the average of murdered men taken - to one hospital was three a day. The mob were bitter advocates of slavery, - held all Yankees in abhorrence, and guided by the astute brain of Pierre - Soulé, whilom ambassador to Spain, resolved to contest with Gen. Butler - the right to control the city. They might as well have contested it with - Bonaparte. The first order issued by the general indicated a policy from - which he never swerved. The mob had surrounded the St. Charles Hotel, - threatening an attack on the building, then the general’s headquarters; - and Gen. Williams, commanding the troops round it, reported that he would - be unable to control the mob. “Gen. Butler, in his serenest manner, - replied, ‘Give my compliments to Gen. Williams, and tell him, if he finds - he cannot control the mob, to open upon them with artillery.’” The mob did - that day endeavor to seize Judge Summers, the Recorder; and he was only - saved by the determined courage of Lieut. Kinsman, in command of an armed - party. From this moment the general assumed the attitude he never - abandoned, that of master of New Orleans, making his own will the law. He - at first retained the municipal organization; but, finding the officials - incurably hostile, he sent them to Fort Lafayette, and thenceforward ruled - alone, feeding the people, re-establishing trade, maintaining public - order, and seeing that negroes obtained some reasonable measure of - security. Their evidence was admitted, “Louisiana having, when she went - out of the Union, taken her black code with her;” the whipping-house was - abolished, and all forms of torture sternly prohibited. - </p> - <p> - The following interesting narrative, given by a correspondent of “The - Atlantic Monthly,” will show, to some extent, the scenes which Gen. Butler - had to pass through in connection with slavery:— - </p> - <p> - “One Sunday morning, late last summer, as I came down to the - breakfast-room, I was surprised to find a large number of persons - assembled in the library. - </p> - <p> - “When I reached the door, a member of the staff took me by the arm, and - drew me into a room toward a young and delicate mulatto girl, who was - standing against the opposite wall, with the meek, patient bearing of her - race, so expressive of the system of repression to which they have been so - long subjected. - </p> - <p> - “Drawing down the border of her dress, my conductor showed me a sight more - revolting than I trust ever again to behold. - </p> - <p> - “The poor girl’s back was flayed until the quivering flesh resembled a - fresh beefsteak scorched on a gridiron. With a cold chill creeping through - my veins, I turned away from the sickening spectacle, and, for an - explanation of the affair, scanned the various persons about the room. - </p> - <p> - “In the centre of the group, at his writing-table, sat the general. His - head rested on his hand, and he was evidently endeavoring to fix his - attention upon the remarks of a tall, swarthy-looking man who stood - opposite, and who, I soon discovered, was the owner of the girl, and was - attempting a defence of the foul outrage he had committed upon the - unresisting and helpless person of his unfortunate victim, who stood - smarting, but silent, under the dreadful pain inflicted by the brutal - lash. - </p> - <p> - “By the side of the slave-holder stood our adjutant-general, his face - livid with almost irrepressible rage, and his fists tight clenched, as if - to violently restrain himself from visiting the guilty wretch with summary - and retributive justice. Disposed about the room, in various attitudes, - but all exhibiting in their countenances the same mingling of horror and - indignation, were other members of the staff; while near the door stood - three or four house-servants, who were witnesses in the case. - </p> - <p> - “To the charge of having administered the inhuman castigation, Landry (the - owner of the girl) pleaded guilty, but urged, in extenuation, that the - girl had dared to make an effort for that freedom which her instincts, - drawn from the veins of her abuser, had taught her was the God-given right - of all who possess the germ of immortality, no matter what the color of - the casket in which it is hidden. - </p> - <p> - “I say ‘drawn from the veins of her abuser,’ because she declared she was - his daughter; and everyone in the room, looking upon the man and woman - confronting each other, confessed that the resemblance justified the - assertion. - </p> - <p> - “At the conclusion of all the evidence in the case, the general continued - in the same position as before, and remained for some time apparently lost - in abstraction. I shall never forget the singular expression on his face. - </p> - <p> - “I had been accustomed to see him in a storm of passion at any instance of - oppression or flagrant injustice; but, on this occasion, he was too deeply - affected to obtain relief in the usual way. - </p> - <p> - “His whole air was one of dejection, almost listlessness; his indignation - too intense, and his anger too stern, to find expression, even in his - countenance. After sitting in the mood which I have described at such - length, the general again turned to the prisoner, and said, in a quiet, - subdued tone of voice,— - </p> - <p> - “‘Mr. Landry, I dare not trust myself to decide to-day what punishment - would be meet for your offence; for I am in that state of mind that I fear - I might exceed the strict demands of justice. I shall therefore place you - under guard for the present, until I conclude upon your sentence.’ - </p> - <p> - “A few days after, a number of influential citizens having represented to - the general that Mr. Landry was not only a ‘high-toned gentleman,’ but a - person of unusual ‘amiability’ of character, and was consequently entitled - to no small degree of leniency, he answered, that, in consideration of the - prisoner’s ‘high-toned’ character, and especially of his ‘amiability,’ of - which he had seen so remarkable a proof, he had determined to meet their - views; and therefore ordered that Landry give a deed of manumission to the - girl, and pay a fine of five hundred dollars, to be placed in the hands of - a trustee for her benefit.” - </p> - <p> - It was scenes like the above that changed Gen. Butler’s views upon the - question of slavery; for it cannot be denied, that, during the first few - weeks of his command in New Orleans, he had a controversy with Gen. - Phelps, owing to the latter’s real antislavery feelings. Soon after his - arrival, Gen. Butler gave orders that all negroes not needed for service - should be removed from the camps. The city was sealed against their - escape. Even secession masters were assured that their property, if not - employed, should be returned. It is said that pledges of reimbursement for - loss of labor were made to such. Gen. Phelps planted himself on the side - of the slave; would not exile them from his camp; branded as cruel the - policy that harbored, and then drove out the slave to the inhuman revenge - that awaited him. - </p> - <p> - Yet the latter part of Gen. Butler’s reign compensated for his earlier - faults. It must be remembered, that, when he landed in New Orleans, he was - fresh from Washington, where the jails were filled with fugitive slaves, - awaiting the claim of their masters; where the return of the escaped - bondman was considered a military duty. Then how could he be expected to - do better? The stream cannot rise higher than the spring. - </p> - <p> - His removal from the Department of the Gulf, on account of the crushing - blows which he gave the “peculiar institution,” at once endeared him to - the hearts of the friends of impartial freedom throughout the land. - </p> - <p> - The following imitation of Leigh Hunt’s celebrated poem is not out of - place here:— - </p> - <h3> - “ABOU BEN BUTLER.” - </h3> - <p class="indent15"> - “Abou Ben Butler (may his tribe increase! ) - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Awoke one night down by the old Balize, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And saw, outside the comfort of his room, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Making it warmer for the gathering gloom, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - A black man, shivering in the Winter’s cold. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Exceeding courage made Ben Butler bold; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And to the presence in the dark lie said, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “What wantest thou?” The figure raised its head, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And, with a look made of all sad accord, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Answered, “The men who’ll serve the purpose of the Lord.” - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “And am I one?” said Butler. “Nay, not so,” - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Replied the black man. Butler spoke more low, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - But cheerly still, and said, “As <i>I am Ben</i>, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - You’ll not have cause to tell me that again!” - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - The figure bowed and vanished. The next night - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - It came once more, environed strong in light, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And showed the names whom love of Freedom blessed; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And, lo! Ben Butler’s name led all the rest.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - —<i>Boston Transcript.</i> - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - It is probably well known that the free colored population of New Orleans, - in intelligence, public spirit, and material wealth, surpass those of the - same class in any other city of the Union. Many of these gentlemen have - been highly educated, have travelled extensively in this and foreign - countries, speak and read the French, Spanish, and English languages - fluently, and in the Exchange Rooms, or at the Stock Boards, wield an - influence at anytime fully equal to the same number of white capitalists. - Before the war, they represented in that city alone fifteen millions of - property, and were heavily taxed to support the schools of the State, but - were not allowed to claim the least benefit therefrom. - </p> - <p> - These gentlemen, representing so much intelligence, culture, and wealth, - and who would, notwithstanding the fact that they all have negro blood in - their veins, adorn any circle of society in the North, who would be taken - upon Broadway for educated and wealthy Cuban planters, rather than free - negroes, although many of them have themselves held slaves, have always - been loyal to the Union; and, when New Orleans seemed in danger of being - re-captured by the rebels under Gen. Magruder, these colored men rose <i>en - masse</i>, closed their offices and stores, armed and organized themselves - into six regiments, and for six weeks abandoned their business, and stood - ready to fight for the defence of New Orleans, while, at the same time, - not a single white regiment from the original white inhabitants was - raised. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XIII—THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FREE. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Emancipation in the District.—Comments of the Press.—The - Good Result.—Recognition of Hayti and Liberia.—The - Slave-trader Gordon.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">F</span>or many years - previous to the Rebellion, efforts had been made to induce Congress to - abolish slavery in the District of Columbia, without success. The - “negro-pens” which adorned that portion of the national domain had long - made Americans feel ashamed of the capital of their country; because it - was well known that those pens were more or less connected with the - American slave-trade, which, in its cruelty, was as bad as that of the - African slave-trade, if not worse. It was expected, even by the democracy, - that one of the first acts of the Republicans on coming into office would - be the emancipation of the slaves of the District; and therefore no one - was surprised at its being brought forward in the earliest part of Mr. - Lincoln’s administration. The bill was introduced into the Senate by Hon. - Henry Wilson of Massachusetts. Its discussion caused considerable - excitement among slave-holders, who used every means to prevent its - passage. Nevertheless, after going through the Senate, it passed the House - on the 11th of April, 1862, by a large majority, and soon received the - sanction of the President. The Copperhead press howled over the doings of - Congress, and appeared to see the fate of the institution in this act. The - “Louisville Journal” said,— - </p> - <p> - “The President, contrary to our most earnest hopes, has approved the bill - for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia. - </p> - <p> - “We need hardly say that the President’s reasons for approving the bill - are not, in our opinion, such as should have governed him at this - extraordinary juncture of the national history. They are not to us - sufficient reasons. On the contrary, we think they weigh as nothing - compared with the grave reasons in the opposite scale. - </p> - <p> - “The enemies of the country will no doubt attempt so to use the act by - representing it as the first step towards the abolition of slavery in the - States; but this representation, if made, will be a very gross - misrepresentation. The Republicans, as a body, our readers know full well, - always declared that Congress had the constitutional power to abolish - slavery in the District of Columbia, and that Congress ought to exercise - the power. They, however, have always declared, with the same unanimity, - that Congress does not possess the constitutional power to interfere with - slavery in the States. And they now declare so with especial distinctness - and solemnity. - </p> - <p> - “We, of course, except from the scope of the remarks we have now made such - abolitionists as Sumner and his scattered followers in Congress. With the - exception of these few <i>raving zealots, of whom most Republicans are - heartily ashamed,</i> the men who voted to abolish slavery in the District - of Columbia avow themselves as resolutely opposed to interfering with - slavery in the States as the men who voted against the measure are known - to be. Their avowals are distinct and emphatic. - </p> - <p> - “We hope that the majority in Congress are at length through with such - tricks, and will henceforth leave in peace the myrtle of party eye-sores, - while they split the oak of the Rebellion.” - </p> - <p> - However, the predictions and hopes of the “Journal” were not to avail any - thing for the slavemongers. The Rebellion had sounded the death-knell of - the crime of crimes. Too many brave men had already fallen by the hands of - the upholders of the barbarous system to have it stop there. The God of - liberty had proclaimed that— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “In this, the District where my Temple stands, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - I burst indignant every captive’s bands; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Here in my home my glorious work begin; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Then blush no more each day to see this sin. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Thus finding room to freely breathe and stand, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - I’ll stretch my sceptre over all the land, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Until, unfettered, leaps the waiting slave, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And echoes back the blessings of the brave.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - The “Press,” Forney’s paper, spoke thus, a few days after slavery had died - in the District:— - </p> - <p> - “The emancipation of slaves in the District of Columbia was one of the - most suggestive events of the age. It was an example and an illustration. - The great idea of the past century, the idea which had associated and - identified itself with our institutions, was at last tried by a practical - test. Good results came from it; none of the evils dreaded and prophesied - have been manifested. It was a simple measure of legislative policy, and - was established amid great opposition and feeling. Yet it was succeeded by - no agitation, no outbreaks of popular prejudice. The District of Columbia - is now a free Territory by the easy operation of a statute law,—by - what enemies of the measure called forcible emancipation; and yet the - District of Columbia is as pleasant and as prosperous as at any period of - its history. There has been no negro saturnalia, no violent outbreak of - social disorder, no attempt to invade those barriers of social distinction - that must forever exist between the African and Anglo-Saxon [?]. It was - said that property would depreciate; that there would be excesses and - violences; that the negro would become insolent and unbearable; that the - city of Washington would become a desolated metropolis; that negro labor - would become valueless; that hundreds of the emancipated negroes would - flock to the Northern States. We have seen no such results as yet; we know - that nothing of the kind is anticipated. We have yet to hear of the first - emancipated negro coming to Philadelphia. Labor moves on in its accustomed - way, with the usual supply and demand. We do not think a white woman has - been insulted by an emancipated negro; we are confident that no - emancipated negro has sought the hand of any fair damsel of marriageable - age and condition. - </p> - <p> - “Society is the same in Maryland and Kentucky. In accomplishing - emancipation in the District of Columbia, we have shown the timid that - their fears were but of the imagination, the mere prejudices of education. - Slavery has been the cancer of the Southern social system. We employ an - old metaphor, perhaps, but it is a forcible and appropriate illustration. - It rooted itself into the body of Southern society, attacking the glands, - terminating in an ill-conditioned and deep disease, and causing the - republic excruciating pain. It became schirrous and indurated. It brought - disaster and grief upon them, and the sorest of evils upon us. It brought - us blood and civil war, ruined commerce and desolated fields, blockaded - ports, and rivers that swarm with gunboats instead of merchant vessels. It - was tolerated as a necessary evil, until its extent and virulence made it - incumbent upon us to terminate it as such, or to be terminated by it. The - champions of this institution, not content with submitting to the - toleration and protection of our great Northern free community, have made - it the pretext for aggression and insult, and by their own acts are - accomplishing its downfall. The emancipation of slavery in the District of - Columbia was the necessary and natural result of the Southern Rebellion. - It is but the beginning of the results the Rebellion must surely bring. - The wedge has only entered the log, and heavy blows are falling upon it - day by day.” - </p> - <p> - Great was the rejoicing in Washington and throughout the Free States; for - every one saw “the end from the beginning.” Our own Whittier strung his - harp anew, and sung,— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “I knew that truth would crush the lie,— - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Somehow, sometime the end would be; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Yet scarcely dared I hope to see - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - The triumph with my mortal eye. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - But now I see it. In the sun - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - A free flag floats from yonder dome, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And at the nation’s hearth and home - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - The justice long delayed is done.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - With the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, commenced a new - era at our country’s capital. The representatives of the Governments of - Hayti and Liberia had both long knocked in vain to be admitted with the - representatives of other nations. The slave power had always succeeded in - keeping them out. But a change had now come over the dreams of the people, - and Congress was but acting up to this new light in passing the following - bill:— - </p> - <p> - “<i>Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United - States of America in Congress assembled</i>, That the President of the - United States be, and he hereby is, authorized, by and with the consent of - the Senate, to appoint diplomatic representatives of the United States to - the republics of Hayti and Liberia, respectively. Each of the said - representatives so appointed shall be accredited as commissioner and - consul general, and shall receive, out of any money in the treasury not - otherwise appropriated, the compensation of commissioners provided for by - the Act of Congress approved August 18, 1856: <i>Provided</i> that the - compensation of the representative at Liberia shall not exceed $4,000.” - </p> - <p> - The above bill was before the Senate some time, and elicited much - discussion, and an able speech was made by Hon. Charles Sumner in favor of - the recognition of the independence of Hayti and Liberia. To use his own - expressive words, “Slavery in the national capital is now abolished: it - remains that this other triumph shall be achieved. Nothing but the sway of - a slave-holding despotism on the floor of Congress, hitherto, has - prevented the adoption of this righteous measure; and now that that - despotism has been exorcised, no time should be lost by Congress to see it - carried into immediate execution. All other civilized nations have ceased - to make complexion a badge of superiority or inferiority in the matter of - nationality; and we should make haste, therefore, to repair the injury we - have done, as a republic, in refusing to recognize Liberian and Haytian - independence.” - </p> - <p> - Even after all that had passed, the African slave-trade was still being - carried on between the Southern States and Africa. Ships were fitted out - in Northern ports for the purpose of carrying on this infernal traffic. - And, although it was prohibited by an act of Congress, none had ever been - convicted for dealing in slaves. The new order of things was to give these - traffickers a trial, and test the power by which they had so long dealt in - the bodies and souls of men whom they had stolen from their native land. - One Nathaniel Gordon was already in prison in New York, and his trial was - fast approaching: it came, and he was convicted of piracy in the United - States District Court in the city of New York; the piracy consisting in - having fitted out a slaver, and shipped nine hundred Africans at Congo - River, with a view to selling them as slaves. The same man had been tried - for the same offence before; but the jury failed to agree, and he - accordingly escaped punishment for the time. Every effort was made which - the ingenuity of able lawyers could invent, or the power of money could - enforce, to save this miscreant from the gallows; but all in vain: for - President Lincoln utterly refused to interfere in any way whatever, and - Gordon was executed on the 7th of February. - </p> - <p> - This blow appeared to give more offence to the commercial Copperheads than - even the emancipation of the slaves in the District of Columbia; for it - struck an effectual blow at a very lucrative branch of commerce, in which - the New Yorkers were largely interested. Thus it will be seen that the - nation was steadily moving on to the goal of freedom. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XIV—THE BLACK BRIGADE OF CINCINNATI. - </h2> - <p> - <i>The Great Fright.—Cruel Treatment of the Colored People by the - Police. —Bill Homer and his Roughs.—Military Training.—Col. - Dickson.—The Work.—Mustering Out.—The Thanks.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">H</span>atred to the negro - is characteristic of the people of Cincinnati; more so, probably, than any - other city in the West. Mobs in which the colored citizens have been the - victims have more than once occurred in that place, to the utter disgrace - of its white inhabitants,—mobs resulting often in the loss of life, - and always in the destruction of property. The raid of John Morgan in the - month of July, 1862, and, soon after, the defeat of the Union troops in - Kentucky, had given warning of impending danger. This feeling of fear - culminated on the first of September, in the mayor of Cincinnati calling - on the people to organize and prepare for the defence of the city, in the - following proclamation:— - </p> - <p> - “Mayor’s Office, <i>City of Cincinnati</i>. - </p> - <p> - “In accordance with a resolution passed by the City Council of Cincinnati - on the first instant, I hereby request that all business of every kind or - character be suspended at ten o’clock of this day, and that all persons, - employers and employees, assemble in their respective wards, at the usual - places of voting, and then and there organize themselves in such manner as - may be thought best for the defence of the city. Every man, of every age, - be he citizen or alien, who lives under the protection of our laws, is - expected to take part in the organization. - </p> - <p> - “Witness my hand, and the corporate seal of the city of Cincinnati, this - second day of September, A.D. 1862. - </p> - <p> - “GEORGE HATCH, <i>Mayor.</i>” - </p> - <p> - At two o’clock on the morning of the same day, the mayor issued another - proclamation, notifying the citizens that the police force would perform - the duty of a provost-guard, under the direction of Gen. Wallace. - </p> - <p> - The mayor’s proclamation, under ordinary circumstances, would be explicit - enough. “Every man, of every age, be he citizen or alien,” surely meant - the colored people. A number thought themselves included in the call; but, - remembering the ill-will excited by former offers for home defence, they - feared to come forward for enrolment. The proclamation ordered the people - to assemble “in the respective wards, at the usual places of voting.” The - colored people had no places of voting. Added to this, George Hatch was - the same mayor who had broken up the movement for home defence, before - mentioned. Seeking to test the matter, a policeman was approached, as he - strutted in his new dignity of provost-guard. To the question, humbly, - almost tremblingly, put, “Does the mayor desire colored men to report for - service in the city’s defence?” he replied, “You know d———d - well he does’nt mean you. Niggers ain’t citizens.”—“But he calls on - all, citizens and aliens. If he does not mean all, he should not say so.”—“The - mayor knows as well as you do what to write, and all he wants is for you - niggers to keep quiet.” This was at nine o’clock on the morning of the - second. The military authorities had determined, however, to impress the - colored men for work upon the fortifications. The privilege of - volunteering, extended to others, was to be denied to them. Permission to - volunteer would imply some freedom, some dignity, some independent - manhood. For this the commanding officer is alone chargeable. - </p> - <p> - If the guard appointed to the duty of collecting the colored people had - gone to their houses, and notified them to report for duty on the - fortifications, the order would have been cheerfully obeyed. But the - brutal ruffians who composed the regular and special police took every - opportunity to inflict abuse and insult upon the men whom they arrested. - The special police was entirely composed of that class of the population, - which, only a month before, had combined to massacre the colored - population, and were only prevented from committing great excesses by the - fact that John Morgan, with his rough riders, had galloped to within forty - miles of the river, when the respectable citizens, fearing that the - disloyal element within might combine with the raiders without, and give - the city over to pillage, called a meeting on ‘Change, and demanded that - the riot be stopped. The special police was, in fact, composed of a class - too cowardly or too traitorous to aid, honestly and manfully, in the - defence of the city. They went from house to house, followed by a gang of - rude, foul-mouthed boys. Closets, cellars, and garrets were searched; - bayonets were thrust into beds and bedding; old and young, sick and well, - were dragged out, and, amidst shouts and jeers, marched like felons to the - pen on Plum Street, opposite the Cathedral. No time was given to prepare - for camp-life; in most cases no information was given of the purpose for - which the men were impressed. The only-answers to questions were curses, - and a brutal “Come along now; you will find out time enough.” Had the city - been captured by the Confederates, the colored people would have suffered - no more than they did at the hands of these defenders. Tuesday night, - Sept. 2, was a sad night to the colored people of Cincinnati. The greater - part of the male population had been dragged from home, across the river, - but where, and for what, none could tell. - </p> - <p> - The captain of these conscripting squads was one William Homer, and in him - organized ruffianism had its fitting head. He exhibited the brutal - malignity of his nature in a continued series of petty tyrannies. Among - the first squads marched into the yard was one which had to wait several - hours before being ordered across the river. Seeking to make themselves as - comfortable as possible, they had collected blocks of wood, and piled up - bricks, upon which they seated themselves on the shaded side of the yard. - Coming into the yard, he ordered all to rise, marched them to another - part, then issued the order, “D——n you, squat.” Turning to the - guard, he added, “Shoot the first one who rises.” Reaching the opposite - side of the river, the same squad were marched from the sidewalk into the - middle of the dusty road, and again the order, “D—n you, squat,” and - the command to shoot the first one who should rise. - </p> - <p> - The drill of this guard of white ruffians was unique, and not set down in - either Scott or Hardee. Calling up his men, he would address them thus: - “Now, you fellows, hold up your heads. Pat, hold your musket straight; - don’t put your tongue out so far; keep your eyes open: I believe you are - drunk. Now, then, I want you fellows to go out of this pen, and bring all - the niggers you can catch. Don’t come back here without niggers: if you - do, you shall not have a bit of grog. Now be off, you shabby cusses, and - come back in forty minutes, and bring me niggers; that’s what I want.” - This barbarous and inhuman treatment of the colored citizens of Cincinnati - continued for four days, without a single word of remonstrance, except - from the “Gazette.” - </p> - <p> - Finally, Col. Dickson, a humane man and gentlemanly officer, was appointed - to the command of the “Black Brigade,” and brutality gave way to kind - treatment. The men were permitted to return to their homes, to allay the - fears of their families, and to prepare themselves the better for - camp-life. The police were relieved of provost-guard duty, and on Friday - morning more men reported for duty than had been dragged together by the - police. Many had hidden too securely to be found; others had escaped to - the country. These now came forward to aid in the city’s defence. With - augmented numbers, and glowing with enthusiasm, the Black Brigade marched - to their duty. Receiving the treatment of men, they were ready for any - thing. Being in line of march, they were presented with a national flag by - Capt. Lupton, who accompanied it with the following address:— - </p> - <p> - “I have the kind permission of your commandant, Col. Dickson, to hand you, - without formal speech or presentation, this national flag,—my sole - object to encourage and cheer you on to duty. On its broad folds is - inscribed, ‘<i>The Black Brigade of Cincinnati</i>.’ I am confident, that, - in your hands, it will not be dishonored. - </p> - <p> - “The duty of the hour is <i>work</i>,—hard, severe labor on the - fortifications of the city. In the emergency upon us, the highest and the - lowest alike owe this duty. Let it be cheerfully undertaken. He is no <i>man</i> - who now, in defence of home and fireside, shirks duty. - </p> - <p> - “A flag is the emblem of sovereignty, a symbol and guaranty of <i>protection</i>. - Every nation and people are proud of the flag of their country. England, - for a thousand years, boasts her Red Flag and Cross of St. George; France - glories in her Tri-color and Imperial Eagle; ours, the ‘Star-spangled - Banner,’ far more beautiful than they,—<i>this dear old flag!</i>—the - sun in heaven never looked down on so proud a banner of beauty and glory. - Men of the Black Brigade, rally around it! Assert your <i>manhood</i>; be - loyal to duty; be obedient, hopeful, patient: Slavery will soon die; the - slave-holders’ rebellion, accursed of God and man, will shortly and - miserably perish. There will then be, through all the coming ages, in very - truth, a land of the free,—one country, one flag, one destiny. - </p> - <p> - “I charge you, <i>men of the Black Brigade of Cincinnati</i>, remember - that for you, and for me, and for your children, and your children’s - children, there is but <i>one flag</i>, as there is but one Bible, and one - God, the Father of us all.” - </p> - <p> - For nearly three weeks the Black Brigade labored upon the fortifications, - their services beginning, as we have seen, Sept. 2, and terminating Sept: - 20. - </p> - <p> - When the brigade was mustered out, the commander thanked them in the - following eloquent terms:— - </p> - <p> - “<i>Soldiers of the Black Brigade!</i> You have finished the work assigned - to you upon the fortifications for the defence of the city. You are now to - be discharged. You have labored faithfully; you have made miles of - military roads, miles of rifle-pits, felled hundreds of acres of the - largest and loftiest forest trees, built magazines and forts. The hills - across yonder river will be a perpetual monument of your labors. You have, - in no spirit of bravado, in no defiance of established prejudice, but in - submission to it, intimated to me your willingness to defend with your - lives the fortifications your hands have built. <i>Organized companies of - men of your race have tendered their services to aid in the defence of the - city</i>. In obedience to the policy of the Government, the authorities - have denied you this privilege. In the department of labor permitted, you - have, however, rendered a willing and cheerful service. Nor has your zeal - been dampened by the cruel treatment received. The citizens, of both - sexes, have encouraged you with their smiles and words of approbation; the - soldiers have welcomed you as co-laborers in the same great cause. But a - portion of the police, ruffians in character, early learning that your - services were accepted, and seeking to deprive you of the honor of - voluntary labor, before opportunity was given you to proceed to the field, - rudely seized you in the streets, in your places of business, in your - homes, everywhere, hurried you into filthy pens, thence across the river - to the fortifications, not permitting you to make any preparation for - camp-life. You have borne this with the accustomed patience of your race; - and when, under more favorable auspices, you have received only the - protection due to a common humanity, you have labored cheerfully and - effectively. - </p> - <p> - “Go to your homes with the consciousness of having performed your duty,—of - deserving, if you do not receive, the protection of the law, and bearing - with you the gratitude and respect of all honorable men. You have learned - to suffer and to wait; but, in your hours of adversity, remember that the - same God who has numbered the hairs of our heads, who watches over even - the fate of a sparrow, is the God of your race as well as mine. The - sweat-blood which the nation is now shedding at every pore is an awful - warning of how fearful a thing it is to oppress the humblest being.” - </p> - <p> - A letter in “The Tribune,” dated Cincinnati, Sept. 7, giving an account of - the enthusiasm of the people in rallying for the city’s defence, says, - “While all have done well, the negroes, as a class, must bear away the - palm. When martial law was declared, a few prominent colored men tendered - their services in any capacity desired. As soon as it became known that - they would be accepted, Mayor Hatch’s police commenced arresting them - everywhere, dragging them away from their houses and places of business - without a moment’s notice, shutting them up in negro-pens, and subjecting - them to the grossest abuse and indignity. Mr. Hatch is charged with - secession proclivities. During the recent riots against the negroes, the - <i>animus</i> of his police was entirely hostile to them, and many - outrages were committed upon that helpless and unoffending class. On this - occasion, the same course was pursued. No opportunity was afforded the - negro to volunteer; but they were treated as public enemies. They were - taken over the river, ostensibly to work upon the fortification; but were - scattered, detailed as cooks for white regiments, some of them - half-starved, and all so much abused that it finally caused a great - outcry. When Gen. Wallace’s attention was called to the matter, he - requested Judge William M. Dickson, a prominent citizen, who is related by - marriage to President Lincoln, to take the whole matter in charge. Judge - Dickson undertook the thankless task: organized the negroes into two - regiments of three hundred each, made the proper provision for their - comfort, and set them at work upon the trenches. They have accomplished - more than any other six hundred of the whole eight thousand men upon the - fortifications. Their work has been entirely voluntary. Judge Dickson - informed them at the outset that all could go home who chose; that it must - be entirely a labor of love with them. <i>Only one man</i> of the whole - number has availed himself of the privilege; the rest have all worked - cheer, fully and efficiently. One of the regiments is officered by white - captains, the other by negroes. The latter, proved so decidedly superior - that both regiments will hereafter be commanded by officers of their own - race. They are not only working, but drilling; and they already go through - some of the simpler military movements very creditably.. Wherever they - appear, they are cheered by our troops. Last night, one of the colored - regiments, coming off duty for twenty-four hours, was halted in front of - headquarters, at the Burnet House, front faced, and gave three rousing - cheers for Gen. Wallace, and three more for Judge Dickson.” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XV. PROCLAMATION OF FREEDOM. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Emancipation Proclamation.—Copperhead View of It.—“Abraham - Spare the South.”—The Contrabands Rejoicing.—The Songs.—Enthusiasm.—Faith - in God.—Negro Wit.—“Forever Free.”</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">O</span>n the 22d of - September, 1862, President Lincoln sent forth his proclamation, warning - the rebel States that he would proclaim emancipation to their slaves if - such States did not return to the Union before the first day of the - following January. Loud were the denunciations of the copperheads of the - country; and all the stale arguments against negro emancipation which had - been used in the West Indies thirty years before, and since then in our - country, were newly vamped, and put forward to frighten the President and - his Cabinet. - </p> - <p> - The toleration of a great social wrong in any country is ever accompanied - by blindness of vision, hardness of heart, and cowardice of mind, as well - as moral deterioration and industrial impoverishment. Hence, whenever an - earnest attempt is made for the removal of the wrong, those without eyes - noisily declare that they see clearly that nothing but disastrous - consequences will follow; those who are dead to all sensibility profess to - be shocked beyond measure in contemplating the terrible scenes that must - result from the change; and those who have no faith in justice are thrown - into spasms at the mention of its impartial administration. For a whole - generation, covering the period of the antislavery struggle in this - country, have they not incessantly raised their senseless clamors and - indignant outcries against the simplest claim of bleeding humanity to be - released from its tortures, as though it were a proposition to destroy all - order, inaugurate universal ruin, and “let chaos come again?” - </p> - <p> - “The proclamation won’t reach the slaves,” said one. “They wont heed it,” - said another. - </p> - <p> - “This proclamation is an invitation to the blacks to murder their - masters,” remarked a Boston copperhead newspaper. “The slaves will fight - for their masters,” said the same journal, the following day. - </p> - <p> - “It will destroy the Union.”—“It is harmless and impotent.”—“It - will excite slave insurrection.”—“The slaves will never hear of it.”—“It - will excite the South to desperation.”—“The rebels will laugh it to - scorn.” Delegation after delegation waited on the President, and urged a - postponement of emancipation. The Kentucky Congressional delegation did - all in their power to put back the glorious event. Conservative old-line - Whigs and backsliding antislavery men were afraid to witness the coming - day. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - “Abraham, spare the South, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Touch not a single slave, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Nor e’en by word of mouth - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Disturb the thing, we crave. - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - ‘Twas our forefathers’ hand - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - That slavery begot: - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - There, Abraham, let it stand; - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Thine acts shall harm it not,” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - cried thousands who called at the White House. Washington, Alexandria, and - Georgetown were crowded with “contrabands;” and hundreds were forwarded to - the Sea Islands, to be occupied in cultivating the deserted plantations. - As the day drew near, reports were circulated that the President would - re-call the pledge. The friends of the negro were frightened; the negro - himself trembled for fear that the cause would be lost. The blacks in all - the Southern departments were behaving well, as if to deepen the already - good impression made by them on the Government officials. Rejoicing - meetings were advertised at the Tremont Temple, Boston, Cooper Institute, - New York, and the largest hall in Philadelphia, and in nearly every-city - and large town in the north. Great preparation was made at the “Contraband - Camp,” in the District of Columbia. At the latter place, they met on the - last night in December, 1862, in the camp, and waited patiently for’ the - coming day, when they should become free. The fore part of the night was - spent in singing and prayer, the following being sung several times:— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - “Oh, go down, Moses, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Way down into Egypt’s land; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Tell king Pharaoh - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - To let my people go. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Oh, Pharaoh said he would go cross, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Let my people go. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - But Pharaoh and his host was lost, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Let my people go. - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - <i>Chorus</i>—Oh, go down, Moses, &c. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - O Moses, stretch your hands across, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Let my people go. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And don’t get lost in the wilderness, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Let my people go. - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - <i>Chorus</i>—Oh, go down, Moses, &c. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - You may hinder me here, but you can’t up there, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Let my people go. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - He sits in heaven, and answers prayer, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Let my people go. - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - <i>Chorus</i>—Oh, go down, Moses, &c.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - After this an old man struck up, in a clear and powerful voice, “I am a - free man now: Jesus Christ has made me free!” the company gradually - joining in; and, before the close, the whole assemblage was singing in - chorus. - </p> - <p> - It was quite evident, through the exercises of the day and night, that the - negroes regard the condition of the Israelites in Egypt as typical of - their own condition in slavery; and the allusions to Moses, Pharaoh, the - Egyptian task-masters, and the unhappy condition of the captive - Israelites, were continuous; and any reference to the triumphant escape of - the Israelites across the Red Sea, and the destruction of their pursuing - masters, was certain to bring out a strong “Amen!” - </p> - <p> - An old colored preacher, who displays many of the most marked - peculiarities of his race, calling himself “John de Baptis,” and known as - such by his companions,-from his habit of always taking his text, as he - expresses it, from the “regulations ob de 2d chapter of Matthew, ‘And in - those days came John de Baptis,’” came forward, and, taking his usual - text, went on to show the necessity of following good advice, and rebuked - his hearers for being more lawless than they were in Dixie. - </p> - <p> - Then came another contraband brother, who said,— - </p> - <p> - “Onst, the time was dat I cried all night. What’s de matter? What’s de - matter? Matter enough. De nex mornin’ my child was to be sold, an’ she was - sold; an’ I neber spec to see her no more till de day ob judgment. Now, no - more dat! no more dat! no more dat! Wid my hands agin my breast I was - gwine to my work, when de overseer used to whip me along. Now, no more - dat! no more dat! no more dat! When I tink what de Lord’s done for us, an’ - brot us thro’ de trubbles, I feel dat I ought go inter his service. We’se - free now, bress de Lord! (Amens! were vociferated all over the building.) - Dey can’t sell my wife an’ child any more, bress de Lord! (Glory, glory! - from the audience.) No more dat! no more dat! no more dat, now! (Glory!) - Presurdund Lincum hav shot de gate! Dat’s what de matter!” and there was a - prolonged response of Amens! - </p> - <p> - A woman on her knees exclaimed at the top of her voice,— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - “If de Debble do not ketch - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Jeff. Davis, dat infernal retch, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - An roast and frigazee dat rebble, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Wat is de use ob any Debble?” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - “Amen! amen! amen!” cried many voices. - </p> - <p> - At this juncture of the meeting, an intelligent contraband broke out in - the following strain:— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “The first of January next, eighteen sixty-three,— - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - So says the Proclamation,—the slaves will all be free! - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - To every kindly heart ‘twill be the day of jubilee; - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - For the bond shall all go free! - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - John Brown, the dauntless hero, with joy is looking on; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - From his home among the angels he sees the coming dawn; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Then up with Freedom’s banners, and hail the glorious mom - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - When the slaves shall all go free! - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - We’ve made a strike for liberty; the Lord is on our side; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And Christ, the friend of bondmen, shall ever be our guide; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And soon the cry will ring, throughout this glorious land so wide, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - ‘Let the bondmen all go free!’ - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - No more from crushed and bleeding hearts we hear the broken sigh; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - No more from brothers bound in chains we’ll hear the pleading cry; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - For the happy day, the glorious day, is coming by and by, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - When the slaves shall all go free! - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - We’re bound to make our glorious flag the banner of the free, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - The first of January next, eighteen sixty-three; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Of every loyal Northern heart the glad cry then shall be, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - ‘Let the bondmen all go free!’ - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - ‘No Compromise with Slavery!’ we hear the cheering sound, The road to - peace and happiness ‘Old Abe’ at last has found: - </p> - <p> - With earnest hearts and willing hands to stand by him we’re hound, While - he sets the bondmen free! - </p> - <p> - The morning light is breaking: we see its cheering ray,— - </p> - <p> - The light of Truth and Justice, that can never fade away; - </p> - <p> - And soon the light will brighten to a great and glorious day, - </p> - <p> - When the slaves shall all go free! - </p> - <p> - And when we on the ‘other side’ do all together stand, - </p> - <p> - As children of one family we’ll clasp the friendly hand: - </p> - <p> - We’ll be a band of brothers in that brighter, better land,— - </p> - <p> - Where the bond shall all be free! - </p> - <p> - After several others had spoken, George Payne, another contraband, made a - few sensible remarks, somewhat in these words: “Friends, don’t you see de - han’ of God in dis? Haven’t we a right to rejoice? You all know you - couldn’t have such a meetin’ as dis down in Dixie! Dat you all knows! have - a right to rejoice; an’ so have you; for we shall be free in jus’ about - five minutes. Dat’s a fact. I shall rejoice that God has placed Mr. Lincum - in de president’s chair, and dat he wouldn’t let de rebels make peace - until after dis new year. De Lord has heard de groans of de people, and - has come down to deliver! You all knows dat in Dixie you worked de day - long, an’ never got no satisfacshun. But here, what you make is yourn. - I’ve worked six months; and what I’ve made is mine! Let me tell you, - though, don’t be too free! De lazy man can’t go to heaven. You must be - honest, an’ work, an’ show dat you is fit to be free; an’ de Lord will - bless you an’ Abrum Lincum. Amen!” - </p> - <p> - A small black man, with a rather cracking voice, appearing by his jestures - to be inwardly on fire, began jumping, and singing the following:— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “Massa gone, missy too; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Cry! niggers, cry! - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Tink I’ll see de bressed Norf, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - ‘Fore de day I die.. - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Hi! hi! Yankee shot’im; - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Now I tink dc debbil’s got’im.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - The whole company then joined in singing the annexed song, which made the - welkin ring, and was heard far beyond the camp. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <h3> - I. - </h3> - <p class="indent15"> - “Oh! we all longed for freedom, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Oh! we all longed for freedom, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Oh! we all longed for freedom, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Ah! we prayed to be free; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Yes, we prayed to be free, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Oh! we prayed to be free, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Though the day was long in coming, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Though the day was long in coming, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Though the day was long in coming, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - That we so longed to see, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - That we so longed to see, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - That we so longed to see, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Though the day was long in coming - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - That we so longed to see. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <h3> - II. - </h3> - <p class="indent15"> - But bless the great Jehovah, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - But bless the great Jehovah, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - But bless the great Jehovah, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - At last the glad day’s come, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - At last the glad day’s come, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - At last the glad day’s come. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - By fire and sword he brought us, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - By fire and sword he brought us, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - By fire and sword he brought us, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - From slavery into freedom. - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - From slavery into freedom, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - From slavery into Freedom; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - By fire and sword he brought us - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Front slavery into freedom. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <h3> - III. - </h3> - <p class="indent15"> - We’ll bless the great Redeemer, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - We’ll bless the great Redeemer, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - We’ll bless the great Redeemer, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And glorify his name, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And glorify his name, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And glorify his name, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And all who helped to bring us, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And all who helped to bring us, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And all who helped to bring us - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - From sorrow, grief, and shame, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - From sorrow, grief, and shame, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - From sorrow, grief, and shame, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And all who helped to bring us - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - From sorrow, grief, and shame. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <h3> - IV. - </h3> - <p class="indent15"> - And blessed be Abraham Lincoln, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And blessed be Abraham Lincoln, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And blessed be Abraham Lincoln, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And the Union army too, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And the Union army too. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - May the choicest of earth’s blessings, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - May the choicest of earth’s blessings, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - May the choicest of earth’s blessings, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Their pathways ever strew, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Their pathways ever strew, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Their pathways ever strew! - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - May the choicest of earth’s blessings - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Their pathways ever strew! - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <h3> - V. - </h3> - <p class="indent15"> - We’ll strive to learn our duty, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - We’ll strive to learn our duty, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - We’ll strive to learn our duty, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - That all our friends may see, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - That all our friends may see, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - That all our friends may see, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Though so long oppressed in bondage, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Though so long oppressed in bondage, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Though so long oppressed in bondage, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - We were worthy to be free, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - We were worthy to be free, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - We were worthy to be free: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Though so long oppressed in bondage, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - We were worthy to be free.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - Just before midnight, Dr. Nichols requested all present to kneel, and to - silently invoke the blessing of the Almighty. The silence was almost - deadly when the clock announced the new year; and Dr. Nichols said, “Men - and women (for you are this day to be declared free, and I can address you - as men and women), I wish you a happy new year!” An eloquent prayer was - then offered by an aged negro; after which, all rose, and joined in - singing their version of “Glory! glory! hallelujah!” shaking each other by - the hand, and indulging in joyous demonstrations. They then promenaded the - grounds, singing hymns, and finally serenaded the superintendent, in whose - honor a sable improvisatore carolled forth an original ode, the chorus of - which was, “Free forever! Forever free!” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “Ring, ring! O Bell of Freedom, ring! - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And to the ears of bondmen bring - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Thy sweet and freeman-thrilling tone. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - On Autumn’s blast, from zone to zone, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - The joyful tidings go proclaim, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - In Liberty’s hallowed name: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Emancipation to the slave, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - The rights which his Creator gave, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - To live with chains asunder riven, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - To live free as the birds of heaven, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - To live free as the air he breathes, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Entirely free from galling greaves; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - The right to act, to know, to feel, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - That bands of iron and links of steel - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Were never wrought to chain the mind, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Nor human flesh in bondage bind; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - That Heaven, in its generous plan, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Gave like and equal rights to man. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Go send thy notes from shore to shore, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Above the deep-voiced cannon’s roar; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Go send Emancipation’s peal - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Where clashes North with Southern steel, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And nerve the Southern bondmen now - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - To rise and strike the final blow, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - To lay Oppression’s minions low. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Oh! rouse the mind and nerve the arm - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - To brave the blast and face the storm; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And, ere the war-cloud passes by, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - We’ll have a land of liberty. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Our God has said, “Let there be light - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Where Error palls the land with night.” - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Then send forth now, O Freedom’s bell, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Foul Slavery’s last and fatal knell! - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Oh! speed the tidings o’er the land, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - That tells that stern Oppression’s hand - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Has yielded to the power of Right: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - That Wrong is weak, that Truth is might! - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Then Union shall again return, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And Freedom’s fires shall brightly burn; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And peace and jot, sweet guests, shall come, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And dwell in every heart and home.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - “Free forever! Forever free!” - </p> - <p> - No pen can fitly portray the scene that followed this announcement. Every - heart seemed to leap for joy: some were singing, some praying, some - weeping, some dancing, husbands embracing Wives, friends shaking hands, - and appearing to feel that the Day of Jubilee had come. A sister broke out - in the following strain, which was heartily joined in by the vast - assembly:— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “Go down, Abraham, away down in Dixie’s land, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Tell Jeff. Davis to let my people go. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Our bitter tasks are ended, all onr unpaid labor done; - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Our galling chains are broken, and our onward march begun: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Go down, Abraham, away down in Dixie’s land, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Tell Jeff. Davis to let my people go. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Down in the house of bondage we have watched and waited long; - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - The oppressor’s heel was heavy, the oppressor’s arm was strong: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Go down, Abraham, away down in Dixie’s land, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Tell Jeff. Davis to let my people go. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Not vainly have we waited through the long and darkened years; - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Not vain the patient watching, ’mid our sweat and blood and tears: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Go down, Abraham, away down in Dixie’s land, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Tell Jeff. Davis to let my people go. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Now God is with Grant, and he’ll surely whip Lee; - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - For the Proclamation says that the niggers must be free: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Go down, Abraham, away down in Dixie’s land, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Tell Jeff. Davis to let my people go.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - Thus ended the last night of slavery in the contraband camp at Washington. - </p> - <p> - The morning of Jan. 1, 1863, was anxiously looked for by the friends of - freedom throughout the United States; and, during the entire day, the - telegraph offices in the various places were beset by crowds, waiting to - hear the news from the Nation’s capital. Late in the day the following - proclamation made its appearance:— - </p> - <p> - <i>Washington</i>, Jan. 1, 1863.—I Abraham Lincoln, President of the - United States of America, do issue this my Proclamation:— - </p> - <p> - Whereas, On the 22d day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand - eight hundred and sixty-three, a proclamation was issued by the President - of the United States, containing, among other things, the following, to - wit:— - </p> - <p> - “That, on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord, one thousand - eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State - or any designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in - rebellion against the United States, shall be then, henceforward, and - forever, free; and the Executive Government of the United States, - including the military and naval force thereof, will recognize and - maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to - repress such persons, or any of them, in any effort they may make for - their actual freedom; that the Executive will, on the first day of January - aforesaid, by proclamation, designate the States and parts of States, if - any in which the people therein respectively shall then be in rebellion - against the United States; and the fact that any State or people thereof - shall on that day be in good faith represented in the Congress of the - United States by members chosen thereto, at elections wherein a majority - of the qualified voters of such States shall have participated, shall, in - the absence of strong countervailing testimony, be deemed conclusive - evidence that such State and the people thereof are not then in rebellion - against the United States. - </p> - <p> - “Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, by - virtue of the power in me vested, as Commander-in-Chief of the Army and - Navy of the United States in times of actual rebellion against the - authorities and Government of the United States, and as a fit and - necessary war measure for suppressing this rebellion, do on this, the - first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred - and sixty-three, and in accordance with my purpose so to do, publicly - proclaimed for the full period of one hundred days from the date of the - first above-mentioned order, do designate as the States and parts of - States wherein the people thereof respectively, are this day in rebellion - against the United States. The following, to wit:— - </p> - <p> - “Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South - Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. - </p> - <p> - “Louisiana (except the parishes of St. Bernard, Placquemines, Jefferson, - St. John, St. Charles, St. James, Ascension, Assumption, Terre Bonne, - Lafourche, St. Mary, St. Martin, and Orleans, including the city of New - Orleans), Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North - Carolina, and Virginia, except the forty-eight counties designated as West - Virginia, and also the counties of Berkley, Accomac, Northampton, - Elizabeth City, York, Princess Anne, and Norfolk, including the cities of - Norfolk and Portsmouth, which excepted parts are for the present left - precisely as if this proclamation were not made. - </p> - <p> - “And by virtue of the power, for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and - declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States and - parts of States are, and henceforward shall be, free; and the Executive - Government of the United States, including the military and naval - authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such - persons. - </p> - <p> - “And I hereby enjoin upon the people so declared to be free to abstain - from all violence, unless in necessary self-defence; and I recommend to - them, that, in all cases where allowed, they labor faithfully for - reasonable wages. - </p> - <p> - “And I further declare and make known, that such persons, if in suitable - condition, will be received into the armed service of the United States, - to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other places, and to man - vessels of all sorts in said service. And upon this, sincerely believed to - be an act of justice warranted by the Constitution, and upon military - necessity, I invoke the considerate judgment of mankind and the gracious - favor of Almighty God. - </p> - <p> - “In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of - the United States to be affixed. - </p> - <p> - “Done at the city of Washington, this first day of January, in the year of - our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the - independence of the United States of America the eighty-seventh. - </p> - <p> - [L. S.] (Signed) “<i>ABRAHAM LINCOLN</i>. - </p> - <p> - “By the President. - </p> - <p> - “Wm. H. Seward, <i>Secretary of State</i>.” - </p> - <p> - This was the beginning of a new era: the word had gone forth, and a policy - was adopted. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “The deed is done. Millions have yearned - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - To see the spear of Freedom cast: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - The dragon writhed and roared and burned; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - You’ve smote him full and square at last.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - The proclamation gave new life and vigor to our men on the battle-field. - The bondmen everywhere caught up the magic word, and went with it from - farm to farm, and from town to town. Black men flocked to recruiting - stations, and offered themselves for the war. Everybody saw light in the - distance. What newspapers and orators had failed to do in months was done - by the proclamation in a single week. Frances Ellen Harper, herself - colored, cheered in the following strain:— - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “It shall flash through coming ages; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - It shall light the distant years; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And eyes now dim with sorrow - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Shall be brighter through their tears. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - It shall flush the mountain ranges, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And the valleys shall grow bright; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - It shall bathe the hills in radiance, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And crown their brows with light. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - It shall flood with golden splendor - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - All the huts of Caroline; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And the sun-kissed brow of labor - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - With lustre new shall shine. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - It shall gild the gloomy prison, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Darkened with the age’s crime, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Where the dumb and patient millions - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Wait the better coming time. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - By the light that gilds their prison, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - They shall seize its mouldering key; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And the bolts and bars shall vibrate - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - With the triumphs of the free. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Like the dim and ancient Chaos, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Shuddering at Creation’s light, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Oppression grim and hoary - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Shall cower at the sight. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And her spawn of lies and malice - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Shall grovel in the dust; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - While joy shall thrill the bosoms - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Of the merciful and just. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Though the morning seems to linger - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - O’er the hilltops far away, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - The shadows bear the promise - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Of the quickly coming day. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Soon the mists and murky shadows - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Shall be fringed with crimson light, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And the glorious dawn of freedom - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Break resplendent on the sight.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XVI.—THE NEW POLICY. - </h2> - <p> - <i>A New Policy announced.—Adjutant-Gen. Thomas.—Major-Gen. - Prentiss.—Negro Wit and Humor.—Proslavery Correspondents.—Feeling - in the Army.—Let the Blacks fight.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">A</span>ttorney-Gen. Bates - had already given his opinion with regard to the citizenship of the negro, - and that opinion was in the black man’s favor. The Emancipation - Proclamation was only a prelude to calling on the colored men to take up - arms, and the one soon followed the other; for the word “Emancipation” had - scarcely gone over the wires, ere Adjutant-Gen. Thomas made his appearance - in the valley of the Mississippi. At Lake Providence, La., he met a large - wing of the army, composed of volunteers from all parts of the country, - and proclaimed to them the new policy of the administration; and he did it - in very plain words, as will be seen:— - </p> - <p> - “<i>Fellow-Soldiers</i>,—Your commanding general has so fully stated - the object of my mission, that it is almost unnecessary for me to say any - thing to you in reference to it. Still, as I come here with full authority - from the President of the United States to announce the policy, which, - after mature deliberation, has been determined upon by the wisdom of the - nation, it is my duty to make known to you clearly and fully the features - of that policy. - </p> - <p> - “It is a source of extreme gratification to me to come before you this - day, knowing, as I do full well, how glorious have been your achievements - on the field of battle. No soldier can come before soldiers of tried - valor, without having the deepest emotions of his soul stirred within him. - These emotions I feel on the present occasion; and I beg you will listen - to what I have to say, as soldiers receiving from a soldier the commands - of the President of the United States. - </p> - <p> - “I came from Washington clothed with the fullest power in this matter. - With this power, I can act as if the President of the United States were - himself present. I am directed to refer nothing to Washington, but to act - promptly,—what I have to do to do at once; to strike down the - unworthy and to elevate the deserving. - </p> - <p> - “Look along the river, and see the multitude of deserted plantations upon - its banks. These are the places for these freedmen, where they can be - self-sustaining and self-supporting. All of you will some day be on - picket-duty; and I charge you all, if any of this unfortunate race come - within your lines, that you do not turn them away, but receive them kindly - and cordially. They are to be encouraged to come to us; they are to be - received with open arms; they are to be fed and clothed; <i>they are to be - armed.</i> - </p> - <p> - “This is the policy that has been fully determined upon. I am here to say - that I am authorized to raise as many regiments of blacks as I can. I am - authorized to give commissions, from the highest to the lowest; and I - desire those persons who are earnest in this work to take hold of it. I - desire only those whose hearts are in it, and to them alone will I give - commissions. I don’t care who they are, or what their present rank may be. - I do not hesitate to say, that all proper persons will receive - commissions. - </p> - <p> - “While I am authorized thus in the name of the Secretary of War, I have - the fullest authority to dismiss from the army any man, be his rank what - it may, whom I find maltreating the freedmen. This part of my duty I will - most assuredly perform if any case comes before me. I would rather do that - than give commissions, because such men are unworthy the name of soldiers. - </p> - <p> - “This, fellow-soldiers, is the determined policy of the Administration. - You all know, full well, when the President of the United States, though - said to be slow in coming to a determination, once puts his foot down, it - is there; and he is not going to take it up. He has put his foot down. I - am here to assure you that my official influence shall be given that he - shall not raise it.” Major-Gen. B. M. Prentiss, after the cheering had - subsided which greeted his appearance, indorsed, in a forcible and - eloquent speech, the policy announced by Adjutant-Gen. Thomas, and said, - that, “from the time he was a prisoner, and a negro sentinel, with firm - step, <i>beat</i> in front of his cell, and with firmer voice commanded - silence within, he prayed God for the day of revenge; and he now thanked - God that it had come.” Turning to Gen. Thomas, the speaker continued, - “Yes: tell the President for me, I will receive them into the lines; I - will beg them to come in; <i>I will make them come in!</i> and if any - officer in my command, high or low, <i>neglects to receive them friendly, - and treat them kindly, I will put them outside the lines</i>. (Tremendous - applause.) Soldiers, when you go to your quarters, if you hear any one - condemning the policy announced here to-day, put him down as a - contemptible copperhead traitor. Call them what you please, copperheads, - secesh, or traitors, they are all the same to me: <i>enemies of our - country</i>, against whom I have taken a solemn oath, and called God as my - witness, to whip them wherever I find them.” - </p> - <p> - Congress had already passed a bill empowering the President “to enroll, - arm, equip, and receive into the land and naval service of the United - States, such a number of volunteers of African descent as he may deem - equal to suppress the present rebellion, for such term of service as he - may prescribe, not exceeding five years; the said volunteers to be - organized according to the regulations of the branch of the service into - which they may be enlisted, to receive the same rations, clothing, and - equipments as other volunteers, and a monthly pay not to exceed that of - the volunteers.” - </p> - <p> - Proslavery newspaper correspondents from the North, in the Western and - Southern departments, still continued to report to their journals that the - slaves would not fight if an opportunity was offered to them. Many of - these were ridiculously amusing. The following is a sample:— - </p> - <p> - “I noticed upon the hurricane-deck, to-day, an elderly negro, with a very - philosophical and retrospective cast of countenance, squatted upon his - bundle, toasting his shins against the chimney, and apparently plunged - into a state of profound meditation. Finding by inquiry that he belonged - to the Ninth Illinois, one of the most gallantly-behaved and - heavily-losing regiments at the Fort-Donelson battle, and part of which - was aboard, I began to interrogate him upon the subject. His philosophy - was so much in the Falstaffian vein that I will give his views in his own - words, as near as my memory serves me:— - </p> - <p> - “‘Were you in the fight?’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Had a little taste of it, sa.’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Stood your ground, did you?’ - </p> - <p> - “‘No, sa; I runs.’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Run at the first fire, did you?’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Yes, sa; and would ha’ run soona had I know’d it war comin’.’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Why, that wasn’t very creditable to your courage.’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Dat isn’t in my line, sa; cookin’s my perfeshun.’ “‘Well, but have you - no regard for your reputation?’ ‘“Refutation’s nuffin by the side ob - life.’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Do you consider your life worth more than other people’s?’ - </p> - <p> - “‘It’s worth more to me, sa.’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Then you must value it very highly.’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Yes, sa, I does; more dan all dis wuld; more dan a million of dollars, - sa: for what would dat be wuf to a man wid de bref out of him. - Self-perserbashum am de fust law wid me.’ - </p> - <p> - “‘But why should you act upon a different rule from other men?’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Because different men set different values upon dar lives: mine is not - in de market.’ - </p> - <p> - “‘But if you lost it, you would have the satisfaction of knowing that you - died for your country.’ - </p> - <p> - “‘What satisfaction would dat be to me when de power ob feelin’ was gone?’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Then patriotism and honor are nothing to you?’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Nuffin whatever, sa: I regard dem as among de vanities; and den de - gobernment don’t know me; I hab no rights; may be sold like old hoss any - day, and dat’s all.’ - </p> - <p> - “‘If our old soldiers were like you, traitors might have broken up the - Government without resistance.’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Yes, sa; dar would hab been no help for it. I wouldn’t put my life in de - scale ‘ginst any gobernment dat ever existed; for no gobernment could - replace de loss to me.’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Do you think any of your company would have missed you if you had been - killed?’ - </p> - <p> - “‘May be not, sa; a dead white man ain’t much to dese sogers, let alone a - dead nigga; but I’d a missed myself, and dat was de pint wid me.’ - </p> - <p> - “It is safe to say that the dusky corpse of that African will never darken - the field of carnage.” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XVII.—ARMING THE BLACKS. - </h2> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">D</span>epartment of the - South.—Gen. Hunter Enlisting Colored Men.—Letter to Gov. - Andrew.—Success.—The Earnest Prayer.—The Negro’s - Confidence in God. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he Northern - regiments stationed at the South, or doing duty in that section, had met - with so many reverses on the field of battle, and had been so inhumanly - treated by the rebels, both men and women, that the new policy announced - by Adjutant-Gen. Thomas, at Lake Providence and other places, was received - with great favor, especially when the white soldiers heard from their - immediate commanders, that the freedmen, when enlisted, would be employed - in doing fatigue-duty, when not otherwise needed. The slave, regarding the - use of the musket as the only means of securing his freedom permanently, - sought the nearest place of enlistment with the greatest speed. - </p> - <p> - The appointment of men from the ranks of the white regiments over the - blacks caused the former to feel still more interest in the new levies. - The position taken by Major-Gen. Hunter, in South Carolina, and his - favorable reports of the capability of the freedmen for military service, - and the promptness with which that distinguished scholar and Christian - gentleman, Thomas Wentworth Higginson, accepted the colonelcy of the First - South Carolina, made the commanding of negro regiments respectable, and - caused a wish on the part of white volunteers to seek commissions over the - blacks. - </p> - <p> - The new regiments filled up rapidly; the recruits adapted themselves to - their new condition with a zeal that astonished even their friends; and - their proficiency in the handling of arms, with only a few days’ training, - set the minds of their officers at rest with regard to their future - action. The following testimonial from Gen. Hunter is not without - interest:— - </p> - <p> - “Headquarters Department of the South, - </p> - <p> - “Hilton Head, Port Royal, S.C., May 4, 1863. - </p> - <p> - <i>“To His Excellency the Governor of Massachusetts, Boston, Mass.</i> - </p> - <p> - “I am happy to be able to announce to you my complete and eminent - satisfaction with the results of the organization of negro regiments in - this department. In the field, so far as tried, they have proved brave, - active, enduring, and energetic, frequently outrunning, by their zeal, and - familiarity with the Southern country, the restrictions deemed prudent by - certain of their officers. They have never disgraced their uniform by - pillage or cruelty, but have so conducted themselves, upon the whole, that - even our enemies, though more anxious to find fault with these than with - any other portion of our troops, have not yet been able to allege against - them a single violation of any of the rules of civilized warfare. - </p> - <p> - “These regiments are hardy, generous, temperate, patient, strictly - obedient, possessing great natural aptitude for arms, and deeply imbued - with that religious sentiment—call it fanaticism, such as like—which - made the soldiers of Cromwell invincible. They believe that now is the - time appointed by God for their deliverance; and, under the heroic - incitement of this faith, I believe them capable of showing a courage, and - persistency of purpose, which must, in the end, extort both victory and - admiration. - </p> - <p> - “In this connection, I am also happy to announce to you that the - prejudices of certain of our white soldiers and officers against these - indispensable allies are rapidly softening, or fading out; and that we - have now opening before us in this department, which was the first in the - present war to inaugurate the experiment of employing colored troops, - large opportunities of putting them to distinguished and profitable use. - </p> - <p> - “With a brigade of liberated slaves already in the field, a few more - regiments of intelligent colored men from the North would soon place this - force in a condition to make extensive incursions upon the main land, - through the most densely populated slave regions; and, from expeditions of - this character, I make no doubt the most beneficial results would arise. - </p> - <p> - “I have the honor to be, Governor, - </p> - <p> - “Very respectfully, - </p> - <p> - “Your most obedient servant, - </p> - <h3> - “D. HUNTER, - </h3> - <p> - “<i>Major-Gen. Commanding.”</i> - </p> - <p> - Reports from all parts of the South gave corroborative evidence of the - deep religious zeal with which the blacks entered the army. Every thing - was done for “God and liberty.” - </p> - <p> - Col. T. W. Higginson, in “The Atlantic Monthly,” gives the following - prayer, which he heard from one of his contraband soldiers:— - </p> - <p> - Let me so lib dat when I-die I shall <i>hab manners</i>; dat I shall know - what to say when I see my heabenly Lord. - </p> - <p> - “‘Let me lib wid de musket in one hand, an’ de Bible in de oder—dat - if I die at de muzzle of de musket, die in de water, die on de land, I may - know I hab de bressed Jesus in my hand, an’ hab no fear. - </p> - <p> - “‘I hab lef my wife in de land o’ bondage; my little ones dey say eb’ry - night, “Whar is my fader?” But when I die, when de bressed mornin’ rises, - when I shall stan’ in de glory, wid one foot on de water an’ one foot on - de land, den, O Lord! I shall see my wife an’ my little chil’en once - more.’” - </p> - <p> - “These sentences I noted down, as best I could, beside the glimmering - camp-fire last night. The same person was the hero of a singular little <i>contre-temps</i> - at a funeral in the afternoon. It was our first funeral. The man had died - in hospital, and we had chosen a picturesque burial place above the river, - near the old church, and beside a little nameless cemetery, used by - generations of slaves. It was a regular military funeral, the coffin being - draped with the American flag, the escort marching behind, and three - volleys fired over the grave. During the services, there was singing, the - chaplain deaconing out the hymn in their favorite way. This ended, he - announced his text: ‘This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and - delivered him out of all his trouble.’ Instantly, to my great amazement, - the cracked voice of the chorister was uplifted, intoning the text, as if - it were the first verse of another hymn. So calmly was it done, so - imperturbable were all the black countenances that I half began to - conjecture that the chaplain himself intended it for a hymn, though I - could imagine no prospective rhyme for <i>trouble</i>, unless it were - approximated by <i>debbil</i>; which is, indeed, a favorite reference, - both with the men and with his reverence. But the chaplain, peacefully - awaiting, gently repeated his text after the chant, and to my great relief - the old chorister waived all further recitative, and let the funeral - discourse proceed. - </p> - <p> - “Their memories are a vast bewildered chaos of Jewish history and - biography; and most of the great events of the past, down to the period of - the American Revolution, they instinctively attribute to Moses. There is a - fine bold confidence in all their citations, however, and the record never - loses piquancy in their hands, though strict accuracy may suffer. Thus one - of my captains, last Sunday, heard a colored exhorter at Beaufort - proclaim, ‘Paul may plant, <i>and may polish wid water</i>, but it won’t - do,’ in which the sainted Apollos would hardly have recognized himself. - </p> - <p> - “A correspondent of the Burlington “Free Press” gives an account of a - Freedmen’s meeting at Belle Plain, Va. “Some of the negro prayers and - exhortations were very simple and touching. One said in his prayer, ‘O - Lord! we’s glad for de hour when our sins nailed us to de foot of de - cross, and de bressed Lord Jesus put his soft arm around us, and tole us - dat we’s his chilien: we’s glad we’s sinners, so dat we can be saved by - his grace.’ Another thus earnestly prayed for the army of freedom: - </p> - <p> - “‘O Lord! bress de Union army; be thou their bulwarks and ditches. O Lord! - as thou didst hear our prayer when we’s down in de Souf country, as we - held de plow and de hoe in the hot sun, so hear our prayer at dis time for - de Union army. Guard’em on de right, and on de lef,’ and in de rear: don’t - lef’ ‘em ‘lone, though they’s mighty wicked.’ Another (a young man) thus - energetically desired the overthrow of Satan’s empire: ‘O Lord! if you - please, sir, won’t you come forth out of de heaven, and take ride ‘round - about hell, and give it a mighty shake till de walls fall down.’ - </p> - <p> - “A venerable exhorter got the story of the Prodigal Son slightly mixed, - but not so as to damage the effect at all. He said, ‘He rose up and went - to his fader’s house. And I propose he was ragged. And I propose de road - dirty. But when his fader saw him coming over de hill, ragged and dirty, - he didn’t say, “Dat ain’t my son.” He go and meet him. He throw his arms - round his neck and kiss; and, while he was hugging and kissing him, he - thought of dat robe in de wardroom, and he said, “Bring dat robe, and put - it on him.” And when dey was a putting on de robe, he thought of de ring, - dat splendid ring! and he said, “My son, dat was dead and is alive again, - he like dat ring, cos it shine so.” And he made dem bring de ring and put - it on his hand; and he put shoes on his feet, and killed de fatted calf. - And here, my friends, see defection of de prodigal for his son. But, my - bredren, you are a great deal better off dan de prodigal’s son. For he - hadn’t no gemmen of a different color to come and tell him dat his fader - was glad to hab him come home again. But dese handmaid bredren has kindly - come dis evening to tell us dat our heabenly Father wants us to come back - now. He’s ready to gib us de robe and de ring. De bressed Lord Jesus - stands leaning over de bannisters of heaven, and reaching down his arms to - take us up. O my friends! I ask you dis night to repent. If you lose your - soul, you’ll never get anoder. I tell you all, if you don’t repent you’re - goin’ straight to hell; and in de last day, when de Lord say to you, - “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlastin’ fire,” if you’re ‘onorable, - you’ll own up, and say it’s right. O my friends.! I tell you de truth: - it’s de best way to come to de Lord Jesus dis night.’”. - </p> - <p> - Regiment after regiment of blacks were mustered into the United-States - service, in all the rebel States, and were put on duty at once, and were - sooner or later called to take part in battle. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XVIII.—BATTLE OF MILLINERS BEND. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Contraband Regiments; their Bravery; the Surprise.—Hand to hand - Fight.—“No Quarters.”—Negroes rather die than surrender.—The - Gunboat and her dreadful Havoc with the Enemy.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">O</span>n the 7th of June, - 1863, the first regular battle was fought between the blacks and whites in - the valley of the Mississippi. The planters had boasted, that, should they - meet their former slaves, a single look from them would cause the negroes - to throw down their weapons, and run. Many Northern men, especially - copperheads, professed to believe that such would be the case. Therefore, - all eyes were turned to the far off South, the cotton, sugar, and - rice-growing States, to see how the blacks would behave on the field of - battle; for it is well known that the most ignorant of the slave - population belonged in that section. - </p> - <p> - The following account of the fight is from an eye witness:— - </p> - <p> - “My informant states that a force of about five hundred negroes, and two - hundred men of the Twenty-third Iowa, belonging to the second brigade, - Carr’s division (the Twenty-third Iowa had been up the river with - prisoners, and was on its way back to this place), was surprised in camp - by a rebel force of about two thousand men. The first intimation that the - commanding officer received was from one of the black men, who went into - the colonel’s tent, and said, ‘Massa, the secesh are in camp.” The colonel - ordered him to have the men load their guns at once. He instantly replied, - “We have done did dat now, massa.” Before the colonel was ready, the men - were in line, ready for action. As before stated, the rebels drove our - force towards the gunboats, taking colored men prisoners and murdering - them. This so enraged them that they rallied, and charged the enemy more - heroically and desperately than has been recorded during the war. It was a - genuine bayonet-charge, a hand-to-hand fight, that has never occurred to - any extent during this prolonged conflict. Upon both sides men were killed - with the butts of muskets. White and black men were lying side by side, - pierced by bayonets, and in some instances transfixed to the earth. In one - instance, two men—one white and the other black—were found - dead, side by side, each having the other’s bayonet through his body. If - facts prove to be what they are now represented, this engagement of Sunday - morning will be recorded as the most desperate of this war. Broken limbs, - broken heads, the mangling of bodies, all prove that it was a contest - between enraged men: on the one side, from hatred to a race; and, on the - other, desire for self-preservation, revenge for past grievances, and the - inhuman murder of their comrades. One brave man took his former master - prisoner, and brought him into camp with great gusto. A rebel prisoner - made a particular request, that <i>his own</i> negroes should not be - placed over him as a guard. - </p> - <p> - Capt. M. M. Miller, of Galena, III., who commanded a company in the Ninth - Louisiana (colored) Regiment, in a letter, gives the following account of - the battle:— - </p> - <p> - “We were attacked here on June 7, about three o’clock in the morning, by a - brigade of Texas troops, about two thousand five hundred in number. We had - about six hundred men to withstand them, five hundred of them negroes. I - commanded Company I, Ninth Louisiana. We went into the fight with - thirty-three men. I had sixteen killed, eleven badly wounded, and four - slightly. I was wounded slightly on the head, near the right eye, with a - bayonet, and had a bayonet run through my right hand, near the forefinger; - that will account for this miserable style of penmanship. - </p> - <p> - “Our regiment had about three hundred men in the fight. We had one colonel - wounded, four captains wounded, two first and two second lieutenants - killed, five lieutenants wounded, and three white orderlies killed, and - one wounded in the hand, and two fingers taken off. The list of killed and - wounded officers comprised nearly all the officers present with the - regiment, a majority of the rest being absent recruiting. - </p> - <p> - “We had about fifty men killed in the regiment and eighty wounded; so you - can judge of what part of the fight my company sustained. I never felt - more grieved and sick at heart, than when I saw how my brave soldiers had - been slaughtered,—one with six wounds, all the rest with two or - three, none less than two wounds. Two of my colored sergeants were killed: - both brave, noble men, always prompt, vigilant, and ready for the fray. I - never more wish to hear the expression, ‘The niggers won’t fight.’ Come - with me, a hundred yards from where I sit, and I can show you the wounds - that cover the bodies of sixteen as brave, loyal, and patriotic soldiers - as ever drew bead on a rebel. - </p> - <p> - “The enemy charged us so close that we fought with our bayonets, hand to - hand. I have six broken bayonets to show how bravely my men fought. The - Twenty-third Iowa joined my company on the right; and I declare truthfully - that they had all fled before our regiment fell back, as we were all - compelled to do. - </p> - <p> - “Under command of Col. Page, I led the Ninth and Eleventh Louisiana when - the rifle-pits were retaken and held by our troops, our two regiments - doing the work. - </p> - <p> - “I narrowly escaped death once. A rebel took deliberate aim at me with - both barrels of his gun; and the bullets passed so close to me that the - powder that remained on them burnt my cheek. Three of my men, who saw him - aim and fire, thought that he wounded me each fire. One of them was killed - by my side, and he fell on me, covering my clothes with his blood; and, - before the rebel could fire again, I blew his brains out with my gun. - </p> - <p> - “It was a horrible fight, the worst I was ever engaged in,—not even - excepting Shiloh. The enemy cried, ‘No quarter!’ but some of them were - very glad to take it when made prisoners. - </p> - <p> - “Col. Allen, of the Sixteenth Texas, was killed in front of our regiment, - and Brig.-Gen. Walker was wounded. We killed about one hundred and eighty - of the enemy. The gunboat “Choctaw” did good service shelling them. I - stood on the breastworks after we took them, and gave the elevations and - direction for the gunboat by pointing my sword; and they sent a shell - right into their midst, which sent them in all directions. Three shells - fell there, and sixty-two rebels lay there when the fight was over. - </p> - <p> - “My wound is not serious but troublesome. What few men I have left seem to - think much of me, because I stood up with them in the fight. I can say for - them that I never saw a braver company of men in my life. - </p> - <p> - “Not one of them offered to leave his place until ordered to fall back. I - went down to the hospital, three miles, to-day to see the wounded. Nine of - them were there, two having died of their wounds. A boy I had cooking for - me came and bogged a gun when the rebels were advancing, and took his - place with the company; and, when we retook the breastworks, I found him - badly wounded, with one gun-shot and two bayonet wounds. A new recruit I - had issued a gun to the day before the fight was found dead, with a firm - grasp on his gun, the bayonet of which was broken in three pieces. So they - fought and died, defending the cause that we revere. They met death - coolly, bravely: not rashly did they expose themselves, but all were - steady and obedient to orders.” - </p> - <p> - This battle satisfied the slave-masters of the South that their charm was - gone, and that the negro, as a slave, was lost forever. Yet there was one - fact connected with the battle of Milliken’s Bend which will descend to - posterity, as testimony against the humanity of slave-holders; and that - is, that no negro was ever found alive that was taken a prisoner by the - rebels in this fight. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XIX—RAISING BLACK REGIMENTS AT THE NORTH. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Prejudices at the North.—Black Laws of Illinois and Indiana.—Ill-treatment - of Negroes.—The Blacks forget their Wrongs, and come to the Rescue.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">I</span>n the struggle - between the Federal Government and the rebels, the colored men asked the - question, “Why should we fight?” The question was a legitimate one, at - least for those residing in the Northern States, and especially in those - States where there were any considerable number of colored people. In - every State north of Mason and Dixon’s Line, except Massachusetts and - Rhode Island, which attempted to raise a regiment of colored men, the - blacks are disfranchised, excluded from the jury-box, and in most of them - from the public schools. The iron hand of prejudice in the Northern States - is as circumscribing and unyielding upon him as the manacles that fettered - the slave of the South. - </p> - <p> - Now, these are facts, deny it who will. The negro has little to hope from - Northern sympathy or legislation. Any attempt to engraft upon the organic - law of the States provisions extending to the colored man political - privileges is overwhelmingly defeated by the people. It makes no - difference that here is a pen, and there a voice, raised in his behalf: - the general verdict is against him; and its repetition in any case where - it is demanded shows that it is inexorable. We talk a great deal about the - vice of slavery, and the cruelty of denying to our fellowmen their - personal freedom and a due reward of labor; but we are very careful not to - concede the corollary, that the sin of withholding that freedom is not - vastly greater than withholding the rights to which he who enjoys it is - entitled. - </p> - <p> - When the war broke out, it was the boast of the Administration that the - status of the negro was not to be changed in the rebel States. President - Lincoln, in his inaugural address, took particular pains to commit himself - against any interference with the condition of the blacks. - </p> - <p> - When the Rebellion commenced, and the call was made upon the country, the - colored men were excluded. In some of the Western States into which slaves - went when escaping from their rebel masters, in the first and second years - of the war, the black-laws were enforced to drive them out. Read what “The - Daily Alton Democrat” said for Illinois, in the year 1862:— - </p> - <p> - “<i>Notice to the ‘Free Negroes.‘</i>—I hereby give public notice to - all free negroes who have arrived here from a foreign State within the - past two months, or may hereafter come into the city of Alton with the - intention of being residents thereof, that they are allowed the space of - thirty days to remove; and, upon failure to leave the city, will, after - that period, be proceeded against by the undersigned, as by law directed. - The penalty is a heavy fine, to liquidate which the law-officer is - compelled to offer all free negroes arrested at public auction, unless the - fine and all costs of suit are promptly paid. I hope the city authorities - will be spared the <i>necessity</i> of putting the above law <i>in - execution</i>. All railroad companies and steamboats are also forbidden to - land free negroes within the city under the penalty of the law. No <i>additional</i> - notice will be given. Suits will positively be instituted against all - offenders. - </p> - <h3> - “JAMES W. DAVIS, - </h3> - <p> - “May 27, 1862.” - </p> - <p> - “<i>Prosecuting Attorney Alton-City Court.</i>” - </p> - <p> - The authorities of the State of Indiana also got on the track of the - contrabands from the rebel States; and the old black-laws were put forth - as follows:— - </p> - <p> - “Any person who shall employ a negro or mulatto who shall have come into - the State of Indiana subsequent to the thirty-first day of October, in the - year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, or shall hereafter come - into said State, or who shall encourage such negro or mulatto to remain in - the State, shall be fined in any sum not less than ten dollars, nor more - than five hundred dollars.” - </p> - <p> - The following will show how Illinois treated the colored people, even - after the proclamation of freedom was put forth by President Lincoln. - </p> - <p> - “The Whiteside (Ill.) Sentinel” says the following official notice is - posted in the post-office and other public places in the city of Carthage, - Hancock County, Ill. It is a practical exemplication of the Illinois - “black-laws.” The notice reads as follows:— - </p> - <p> - “<i>Public Sale</i>.—Whereas, The following negroes and one mulatto - man were, on the fifth and sixth days of February, 1863, tried before the - undersigned, a Justice of the Peace within and for Hancock County, Ill., - on a charge of high misdemeanor, having come into this State and county, - and remaining therein for ten days and more, with the evident intention of - residing in this State, and were found guilty by a jury, and were each - severally fined in the sum of fifty dollars, and the judgment was rendered - against said negroes and mulatto man for fifty dollars’ fine each, and - costs of suit, which fines and costs are annexed opposite to each name, to - wit:— - </p> -<pre xml:space="preserve"> - Age. Fine. Costs. - - John, a negro man, tall and slim, about. 35 $50 $33.17 - - Sambo, a negro man, about 21 50 32.17 - - Austin, a negro man, heavy set, about 20 50 30.10 - - Andrew, a negro man, about 50 30 33.00 - - Amos, a negro man, about 40 50 29.67 - - Nelson, a mulatto man, about 55 50 30.07 -</pre> - <p> - “And whereas. Said fines and costs have not been paid, notice is therefore - given that the undersigned will, on Thursday, the nineteenth day of - February, A.D. 1863, between the hours of one and five o’clock, p.m., of - said day, at the west end of the Court House, in Carthage, Hancock County, - 111., sell each of said negro men, John, Austin, Sambo, Andrew, Amos, and - said mulatto man, Nelson, at public auction, to the person or persons who - will pay the said fine and costs appended against each respectively for - the shortest time of service of said negroes and mulatto. - </p> - <p> - “The purchaser or purchasers will be entitled to the control and services - of the negroes and mulatto purchased for the period named in the sale, and - no longer, and will be required to furnish said negroes and mulatto with - comfortable food, clothing, and lodging during said servitude. The fees - for selling will be added on completion of the sale. - </p> - <h3> - “<i>C. M. CHILD, J.P</i>. - </h3> - <p> - “Carthage, Feb. 9, 1863.” - </p> - <p> - It will be seen that these odious laws were rigidly enforced. With what - grace could the authorities in those States ask the negro to fight? Yet - they called upon him; and he, forgetting the wrongs of the past, and - demanding no pledge for better treatment, left family, home, and every - thing dear, enlisted, and went forth to battle. And even Connecticut, with - her proscription of the negro, called on him to fight. How humiliating it - must have been! And yet Connecticut, after appealing to black men, and - receiving their aid in fighting her battles, retains her negro - “black-laws” upon her statute-book by a vote of more than six thousand. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XX.—FIFTY-FOURTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Its Organization.—Its Appearance.—Col. Shaw.—Presentation - of Colors.—Its Dress-Parade.—Its Departure from Boston.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he Fifty-fourth - Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry was called into the service - of the United States by the President, under an act of Congress, passed - July 21, 1861, entitled “An Act to authorize the Employment of Volunteers - to aid in enforcing the Laws and protecting’ Public Property.” Recruiting - began Feb. 9, 1863, in Boston. A camp of rendezvous was opened at “Camp - Meigs,” Readville, Mass., on the 21st of February, with a squad of - twenty-seven men; and, by the end of March, five companies were recruited, - comprising four hundred and fourteen men. This number was doubled during - April; and, on the 12th of May, the regiment was full. - </p> - <p> - Orders being received for it to proceed to the Department of the South, - the regiment broke camp on the 28th of May, and took cars for Boston. - After passing through the principal streets, and reaching the Common, they - prepared to receive the colors which were to be presented by the Governor. - </p> - <p> - The regiment was formed in a hollow square, the distinguished persons - present occupying the centre. The flags were four in number, comprising a - national flag, presented by young colored ladies of Boston; a national - ensign, presented by the “Colored Ladies’ Relief Society;” an emblematic - banner, presented by ladies and gentlemen of Boston, friends of the - regiment; and a flag presented by relatives and friends of the late Lieut. - Putnam. The emblematic banner was of white silk, handsomely embroidered, - having on one side a figure of the Goddess of Justice, with the words, - “Liberty, Loyalty, and Unity,” around it. The fourth flag bore a cross - with a blue field, surmounted with the motto, “<i>In hoc signo vinces.</i>” - All were of the finest texture and workmanship. - </p> - <p> - Prayer having been offered by the Rev. Mr. Grimes, Gov. Andrew presented - the various flags, with the following speech:— - </p> - <h3> - PRESENTATION SPEECH OF GOV. ANDREW. - </h3> - <p> - “Col. Shaw,—As the official representative of the Commonwealth, and - by favor of various ladies and gentlemen, citizens of the Commonwealth, - and friends of the Fifty-fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, I - have the honor and the satisfaction of being permitted to join you this - morning for the purpose of presenting to your regiment the national flag, - the State colors of Massachusetts, and the emblematic banner which the - cordial, generous, and patriotic friendship of its patrons has seen fit to - present to you. - </p> - <p> - “Two years of experience in all the trials and vicissitudes of war, - attended with the repeated exhibition of Massachusetts regiments marching - from home to the scenes of strife, have left little to be said or - suggested which could give the interest of novelty to an occasion like - this. But, Mr. Commander, one circumstance pertaining to the composition - of the Fifty-fourth Regiment, exceptional in its character when compared - with any thing we have seen before, gives to this hour an interest and - importance, solemn and yet grand, because the occasion marks an era in the - history of the war, of the Commonwealth, of the country, and of humanity. - I need not dwell upon the fact that the enlisted men constituting the rank - and file of the Fifty-fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers are - drawn from a race not hitherto connected with the fortunes of the war. And - yet I cannot forbear to allude to the circumstance, because I can but - contemplate it for a brief moment, since it is uppermost in your thoughts, - and since this regiment, which for many months has been the desire of my - own heart, is present now before this vast assembly of friendly citizens - of Massachusetts, prepared to vindicate by its future, as it has already - begun to do by its brief history of camp-life here, to vindicate in its - own person and in the presence, I trust, of all who belong to it, the - character, the manly character, the zeal, the manly zeal, of the colored - citizens of Massachusetts and of those other States which have cast their - lot with ours. (Applause.) - </p> - <p> - “I owe to you, Mr. Commander, and to the officers who, associated with - you, have assisted in the formation of this noble corps, composed of men - selected from among their fellows for fine qualities of manhood,—I - owe to you, sir, and to those of your associates who united with me in the - original organization of this body, the heartiest and most emphatic - expression of my cordial thanks. I shall follow you, Mr. Commander, your - officers, and your men, with a friendly and personal solicitude, to say - nothing of official care, which can hardly be said of any other corps - which has marched from Massachusetts. My own personal honor, if I have - any, is identified with yours. I stand or fall, as a man and a magistrate, - with the rise or fall in the history of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts - Regiment. (Applause.) I pledge not only in behalf of myself, but of all - those whom I have the honor to represent to-day, the utmost generosity, - the utmost kindness, the utmost devotion of hearty love, not only for the - cause, but for you that represent it. We will follow your fortunes in the - camp and in the field with the anxious eyes of brethren and the proud - hearts of citizens. - </p> - <p> - “To those men of Massachusetts, and of surrounding States who have now - made themselves citizens of Massachusetts, I have no word to utter fit to - express the emotions of my heart. These men, sir, have now, in the - Providence of God, given to them an opportunity which, while it is - personal to themselves, is still an opportunity for a whole race of men. - (Applause.) With arms possessed of might to strike a blow, they have found - breathed into their hearts an inspiration of devoted patriotism, and - regard for their brethren of their own color, which has inspired them with - a purpose to nerve that arm, that it may strike a blow which, while it - shall help to raise aloft their country’s flag—<i>their</i> - country’s flag, now as well as ours—by striking down the foes which - oppose it, strikes also the last blow, I trust, needful to rend the last - shackle which binds the limb of the bondman in the rebel States. - (Applause.) - </p> - <p> - “I know not, Mr. Commander, when, in all human history, to any given - thousand men in arms there has been given a work so proud, so precious, so - full of hope and glory, as the work committed to you. (Applause.) And may - the infinite mercy of Almighty God attend you every hour of every day, - through all the experiences and vicissitude of that dangerous life in - which you have embarked! may the God of our fathers cover your heads in - the day of battle! may he shield you with the arms of everlasting power! - may he hold you always most of all, first of all, and last of all, up to - the highest and holiest conception of duty; so that if, on the field of - stricken fight, your souls shall be delivered from the thraldom of the - flesh, your spirits shall go home to God, bearing aloft the exulting - thought of duty well performed, of glory and reward won even at the hands - of the angels who shall watch over you from above! - </p> - <p> - “Mr. Commander, you, sir, and most of your officers, have been carefully - selected from among the most intelligent and experienced officers who have - already performed illustrious service upon the field during the last two - years of our national conflict. I need not say, sir, with how much - confidence and with how much pride we contemplate the leadership which we - know this regiment will receive at your hands. In yourself, sir, your - staff and line officers, we are enabled to declare a confidence which - knows no hesitation and no doubt. Whatever fortune may betide you, we know - from the past that all will be done for the honor of the cause, for the - protection of the flag, for the defence of the right, for the glory of - your country, and for the safety and the honor of these men whom we commit - to you, that shall lie either in the human heart or brain or arm. - (Applause.) - </p> - <p> - “And now, Mr. Commander, it is my most agreeable duty and high honor to - hand to you, as the representative of the Fifty-fourth Regiment of - Massachusetts Volunteers, the American flag, the star-spangled banner of - the Republic. Wherever its folds shall be unfurled, it will mark the path - of glory. Let its stars be the inspiration of yourselves, your officers, - and your men. As the gift of the young ladies of the city of Boston to - their brethren in arms, they will cherish it as the lover cherishes the - recollection and fondness of his mistress; and the white stripes of its - field will be red with their blood before it shall be surrendered to the - foe. (Applause.) - </p> - <p> - “I have also the honor, Mr. Commander, to present to you the State colors - of Massachusetts,—the State colors of the old Bay State, borne - already by fifty-three regiments of Massachusetts soldiers, white men thus - far, now to be borne by the Fifty-fourth Regiment of soldiers, not less of - Massachusetts than the others. Whatever maybe said, Mr. Commander, of any - other flag which has ever kissed the sunlight, or been borne on any field, - I have the pride and honor to be able to declare before you, your - regiment, and these witnesses, that, from the beginning up till now, the - State colors of Massachusetts have never been surrendered to any foe. - (Cheers.) The Fifty-fourth now holds in possession this sacred charge in - the performance of their duties as citizen-soldiers. You will never part - with that flag so long as a splinter of the staff, or a thread of its web, - remains within your grasp. (Applause.) The State colors are presented to - the Fifty-fourth by the Relief Society, composed of colored ladies of - Boston. - </p> - <p> - “And now let me commit to you this splendid emblematic banner. It is - prepared for your acceptance by a large and patriotic committee, - representing many others beside ladies and gentlemen of Boston, to whose - hearty sympathy, and powerful co-operation and aid, much of the success - which has hitherto attended the organization of this regiment is due. The - Goddess of Liberty, erect in beautiful guise and form (liberty, loyalty, - and unity are the emblems it bears),—the Goddess of Liberty shall be - the lady-love whose fair presence shall inspire your hearts; liberty, - loyalty, unity, the watchwords in the fight. - </p> - <p> - “And now, Mr. Commander, the sacred, holy cross, representing passion, the - highest heroism, I scarcely dare to trust myself to present to you. It is - the emblem of Christianity. I have parted with the emblems of the State, - of the nation,—heroic, patriotic emblems they are, dear, - inexpressibly dear, to all our hearts; but now, <i>In hoc signo vinces</i>, - the cross which represents the passion of our Lord, I dare to pass into - your soldier hands; for we are fighting now a battle not merely for - country, not merely for humanity, not only for civilization, but for the - religion of our Lord itself. When this cause shall ultimately fall, if - ever failure at the last shall be possible, it will only fail when the - last patriot, the last philanthropist, and the last Christian shall have - tasted death, and left no descendants behind them upon the soil of - Massachusetts. (Applause.) - </p> - <p> - “This flag, Mr. Commander, has connected with its history the most - touching and sacred memory. It comes to your regiment from the mother, - sister, friends, family relatives, of one of the dearest and noblest - soldier-boys of Massachusetts. I need not utter the name of Lieut. Putnam - in order to excite in every heart the tenderest emotions of fond regard, - or the strongest feeling of patriotic fire. May you, sir, and these, - follow not only on the field of battle, but in all the walks and ways of - life, in camp, and hereafter, when, on returning peace, you shall resume - the more quiet and peaceful duties of citizens,—may you but follow - the splendid example, the sweet devotion mingled with manly, heroic - character, of which the life, character, and death of Lieut. Putnam was - one example! How many more there are we know not: the record is not yet - complete; but, oh! how many there are of these Massachusetts sons, who, - like him, have tasted death for this immortal cause! Inspired by such - examples, fired by the heat and light of love and faith which illumined - and warmed these heroic and noble hearts, may you, sir, and these, march - on to glory, to victory, and to every honor! This flag I present to you, - Mr. Commander, and your regiment. <i>In hoc signo vinces</i> - </p> - <h3> - RESPONSE OF COL. SHAW. - </h3> - <p> - “<i>Your Excellency</i>,—We accept these flags with feelings of deep - gratitude. They will remind us not only of the cause we are fighting for, - and of our country, but of the friends we have left behind us, who have - thus far taken so much interest in this regiment, and who, we know, will - follow us in our career. Though the greater number of men in this regiment - are not Massachusetts men, I know there is not one who will not be proud - to fight and serve under our flag. May we have an opportunity to show that - you have not made a mistake in intrusting the honor of the State to a - colored regiment!—the first State that has sent one to the war. - </p> - <p> - “I am very glad to have this opportunity to thank the officers and men of - the regiment for their untiring fidelity and devotion to their work from - the very beginning. They have shown that sense of the importance of our - undertaking, without which we should hardly have attained our end. - (Applause)” - </p> - <p> - At the conclusion of Col. Shaw’s remarks, the colors were borne to their - place in the line by the guard, and the regiment was reviewed by the - Governor. Thence they marched out of the Common, down Tremont Street, down - Court Street, by the Court House, chained hardly a decade ago to save - slavery and the Union. Thence down State Street, trampling on the very - pavement over which Sims and Burns marched to their fate, encompassed by - soldiers of the United States. - </p> - <p> - “Their sisters, sweethearts, and wives”—a familiar quotation in the - notices of previous departing regiments, but looking a little odd in this - new place—ran along beside “the boys,” giving their parting - benediction of smiles and tears, telling them to be brave, and to show - their blood. - </p> - <p> - They marched in good time, and wheeled with a readiness which showed that - they had a clear idea of what was required, and only needed a little more - practice to equal the best regiments that left the State. - </p> - <p> - The regiment marched down State Street at a quarter past twelve o’clock to - the tune of “John Brown,” and was vociferously cheered by the vast crowds - that covered the sidewalks and filled the windows. Nowhere was the - reception of the regiment more hearty. - </p> - <p> - All attempts to express the feeling of the crowd or the soldiers seem to - read stale and flat. Yet, as Goldsmith said that the weakest jokes were - received as wit by the circle of the happy vicar, so these attempts were - treated as successes by the happy crowd. One man said it was a - verification of Shakspeare:— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - “Know you not <i>Pompey?</i> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - You have climbed up to the walls and battlements - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - To see <i>Great Pompey</i> pass the streets of Rome.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - One fact should be chronicled. Their regimental banner, of superb white - silk had on one side the coat-of-anns of Massachusetts, and on the other a - golden cross on a golden star, with <i>In hoc Signo Vinces</i> beneath. <i>This - is the first Christian banner that has gone into our war</i>. By a - strange, and yet not strange, providence, God has made this despised race - the bearers of his standard. They are thus the real leaders of the nation. - </p> - <p> - On reaching the wharf at a quarter before one, every thing had been placed - on board through the efforts of Capt. McKim; the guns were placed in - boxes, the horses put aboard, and the men began to embark. At four - o’clock, the vessel steamed down the harbor, bound for Port Royal, S.C. - </p> - <h3> - THE COMPLETE ROSTER OF THE REGIMENT. - </h3> - <p> - Colonel.—Robert G. Shaw. - </p> - <p> - Lieut.-Colonel.—Norwood P. Hallowell. - </p> - <p> - Major.—Edward N. Hallowed. - </p> - <p> - Surgeon.—Lincoln R. Stone. - </p> - <p> - Assistant Surgeon.—C. B. Brigham. - </p> - <p> - Captains.—Alfred S. Hartwell, David A. Partridge, Samuel Willard, - John W. M. Appleton, Watson W. Bridge, George Pope, William II. Simpkins, - Cabot J. Russell, Edward L. Jones, and Louis F. Emilo. - </p> - <p> - 1st. Lieutenants.—John Ritchie, Garth W. James, William H. Hemans, - Grin E. Smith, Erik Wulff, Walter H. Wild, Francis L. Higginson, James M. - Walton, James M. Grace, R. K. L. Jewett. - </p> - <p> - 2d Lieutenants.—Thomas L. Appleton, Benjamin F. Dexter, J. Albert - Pratt, Charles F. Smith, Henry W. Littlefield, William Nutt, David Reid, - Charles E. Tucker, and William Howard. - </p> - <p> - Many of the men in the Fifty-Fourth had once been slaves at the South; - some had enjoyed freedom for years; others had escaped after the breaking - out of the Rebellion. Most of them had relatives still there, and had a - double object in joining the regiment. They were willing to risk their - lives for the freedom of those left behind; and, if they failed in that, - they might, at least, have an opportunity of settling with the “ole boss” - for a long score of cruelty. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “From many a Southern field they trembling came, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Fled from the lash, the fetter, and the chain”; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Return they now, not at base Slavery’s claim, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - To meet the oppressor on the battle-plain.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - “The following song was written by a private in Company A, Fifty-Fourth - (colored) Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers, and has been sent to us for - publication by a friend of the regiment.”—Boston Transcript. - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - “Air.—‘Hoist up the Flag.’ - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “Fremont told them, when the war it first begun, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - How to save the Union, and the way it should be done; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - But Kentucky swore so hard, and old Abe he had his fears, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Till every hope was lost but the colored volunteers. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Chorus.—Oh! give us a flag all free without a slave, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - We’ll fight to defend it as our fathers did so brave: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - The gallant Comp’ny A will make the rebels dance; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And we’ll stand by the Union, if we only have a chance. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - McClellan went to Richmond with two hundred thousand brave: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - He said, ‘keep back the niggers,’ and the Union he would save. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Little Mac he had his way, still the Union is in tears: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Now they call for the help of the colored volunteers. - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Chor.—Oh! give us a flag, &c. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Old Jeff says he’ll hang us if we dare to meet him armed: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - A very big thing, but we are not at all alarmed; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - For he first has got to catch us before the way is clear, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And ‘that’s what’s the matter’ with the colored volunteer. - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Chor.—Oh! give us a flag, &c. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - So rally, boys, rally, let us never mind the past: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - We had a hard road to travel, but our day is coming fast; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - For God is for the right, and we have no need to fear: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - The Union must be saved by the colored volunteer. - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Chor.—Oh! give us a flag, &c.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXI—BLACKS UNDER FIRE IN SOUTH CAROLINA. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Expedition up the St. Mary’s River.—The Negroes Long for a Fight.—Their - Gallantry in Battle.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he Department of - the South, under Major-Gen. Hunter, was the first in which the negro held - the musket. By consent of the commanding-general, I give the following - interesting report from Col. T. W. Higginson:— - </p> - <p> - “On Board Steamer ‘Rex Deford,’ Sunday, Feb. 1, 1863. - </p> - <p> - “<i>Brig-Gen. Saxton, Military Governor, &c</i>. - </p> - <p> - “<i>General</i>,—I have the honor to report the safe return of the - expedition under my command, consisting of four hundred and sixty-two - officers and men of the First Regiment of South-Carolina Volunteers, who - left Beaufort on Jan. 23, on board the steamers: John Adams,’ ‘Planter,’ - and ‘Ben Deford.’ - </p> - <p> - “The expedition has carried the regimental flag and the President’s - proclamation far into the interior of Georgia and Florida. The men have - been repeatedly under fire; have had infantry, cavalry, and even - artillery, arrayed against them; and have, in every instance, come off, - not only with unblemished honor, but with undisputed triumph. At Township, - Fla., a detachment of the expedition fought a cavalry company which met us - unexpectedly, on a midnight march through pine woods, and which completely - surrounded us. They were beaten off with a loss on our part of one man - killed and seven wounded; while the opposing party admits twelve men - killed (including Lieut. Jones, in command of the company), besides many - wounded. So complete was our victory, that the enemy scattered, hid in the - woods all night, not returning to his camp, which was five miles distant, - until noon next day; a fact which was unfortunately unknown until too late - to follow up our advantage. Had I listened to the urgent appeals of my - men, and pressed the flying enemy, we could have destroyed his camp; but, - in view of the darkness, his uncertain numbers and swifter motions, with - your injunctions of caution, I judged it better to rest satisfied with the - victory already gained. - </p> - <p> - “On another occasion, a detachment of about two hundred and fifty men, on - board the ‘John Adams,’ fought its way forty miles up and down a river, - the most dangerous in the department,—the St. Mary’s; a river left - untraversed by our gunboats for many months, as it required a boat built - like the ‘John Adams’ to ascend it successfully. The stream is narrow, - swift, winding, and bordered at many places with high bluffs, which blazed - with rifle-shots. With our glasses, as we approached these points, we - could see mounted men by the hundreds galloping through the woods, from - point to point, to await us; and, though fearful of our shot and shell, - they were so daring against musketry, that one rebel actually sprang from - the shore upon the large boat which was towed at our stern, where he was - shot down by one of my sergeants. We could see our shell scatter the - rebels as they fell among them, and some terrible execution must have been - done; but not a man of this regiment was killed or wounded, though the - steamer is covered with bullet-marks, one of which shows where our brave - Capt. Clifton, commander of the vessel, fell dead beside his own - pilot-house, shot through the brain by a Minie-ball. Major Strong, who - stood beside him, escaped as if by magic, both of them being unnecessarily - exposed without my knowledge. The secret of our safety was in keeping the - regiment below, except the gunners; but this required the utmost energy of - the officers, as the men were wild to come on deck, and even implored to - be landed on shore, and charge on the enemy. Nobody knows any thing about - these men who has not seen them in battle. I find that I myself knew - nothing. There is a fiery energy about them beyond any thing of which I - have ever read, unless it be the French Zouaves. It requires the strictest - discipline to hold them in hand. During our first attack on the river, - before I got them all penned below, they crowded at the open ends of the - steamer, loading and firing with inconceivable rapidity, and shouting to - each other, ‘Never give it up!’ When collected into the hold, they - actually fought each other for places at the few port-holes from which - they could fire on the enemy. - </p> - <p> - “Meanwhile, the black gunners, admirably trained by Lieuts. Stockdale and - O’Neil (both being accomplished artillerists), and Mr. Heron, of the - gunboat, did their duty without the slightest protection, and with great - coolness, amid a storm of shot. - </p> - <p> - “No officer in this regiment now doubts that the key to the successful - prosecution of this war lies in the unlimited employment of black troops. - Their superiority lies simply in the fact that they know the country, - which white troops do not; and, moreover, that they have peculiarities of - temperament, position, and motive, which belong to them alone. Instead of - leaving their homes and families to fight, they are fighting for their - homes and families; and they show the resolution and sagacity which a - personal purpose gives. It would have been madness to attempt with the - bravest white troops what I have successfully accomplished with black - ones. - </p> - <p> - “Every thing, even to the piloting of the vessel, and the selection of the - proper points for cannonading, was done by my own soldiers; indeed, the - real conductor of the whole expedition at the St. Mary’s was Corporal - Robert Sutton, of Company G, formerly a slave upon the St. Mary’s River; a - man of extraordinary qualities, who needs nothing but a knowledge of the - alphabet to entitle him to the most signal promotion. In every instance - where I followed his advice, the predicted result followed; and I never - departed from it, however slightly, without having reason for subsequent - regret. - </p> - <p> - “I have the honor to be, &c., - </p> - <h3> - “T. W. HIGGINSON, - </h3> - <p> - “<i>Col. Com. First Regiment South-Carolina Vols.</i>” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXII—FREEDMEN UNDER FIRE IN MISSISSIPPI. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Bravery of the Freedmen.—Desperation of the Rebels.—Severe - Battle. Negroes Triumphant.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">W</span>hile the people - along the banks of the Mississippi, above New Orleans, were discussing the - question as to whether the negro would fight, if attacked by white men, or - not. Col. Daniels, of the Second Regiment Louisiana Volunteers, gave one - side of the subject considerable of a “hist,” on the 9th of April, 1863. - His official report will speak for itself. - </p> - <p> - “Headquarters, Ship Island (Miss.), April 11, 1863. - </p> - <p> - “<i>Brig.-Gen. Sherman, commanding Defences of New Orleans</i>. - </p> - <p> - “<i>Sir</i>,—In compliance with instructions from your headquarters, - to keep you promptly informed of any movements that the enemy might be - known to be making up the Mississippi Sound, upon learning that repeated - demonstrations had been made in the direction of Pascagoula, by - Confederate troops ashore, and in armed boats along the coast; and, - furthermore, having reliable information that the greater part of the - forces at Mobile were being sent to re-enforce Charleston, I determined to - make a reconnoissance within the enemy’s lines, at or near Pascagoula, for - the purpose of not only breaking up their demonstrations, but of creating - a diversion of the Mobile forces from Charleston, and precipitating them - along the Sound; and accordingly embarked with a detachment of a hundred - and eighty men of my command on United-States Transport ‘General Banks,’ - on the morning of the 9th of April, 1863, and made for Pascagoula, Miss., - where we arrived about nine o’clock, a.m., landed, and took possession of - wharf and hotel, hoisted the stars and stripes upon the building, threw - out pickets, and sent small detachments in various directions to take - possession of the place, and hold the roads leading from the same. - Immediately thereafter, a force of over three hundred Confederate cavalry - came down the Mobile Road, drove in the pickets, and attacked the squad on - the left, from whom they received a warm reception. They then fell back in - some confusion, re-formed, and made a dash upon the detachment stationed - at the hotel, at which point they were again repulsed; Confederate - infantry, meanwhile, attacking my forces on the extreme left, and forcing - a small detachment to occupy a wharf, from which they poured volley after - volley into the enemy’s ranks, killing and wounding many, with a loss of - one man only. The fight had now extended along the road from the river to - the wharf, the enemy being under cover of the houses and forest; whilst my - troops were, from the nature of the ground, unavoidably exposed. The - Confederates had placed their women and children in front of their houses, - for a cover, and even armed their citizens, and forced them to fight - against us. After an hour’s continuous skirmishing, the enemy retreated to - the woods, and my forces fell back to the hotel and wharf. Then the enemy - sallied forth again, with apparently increased numbers, attempting to - surround the hotel, and obtain possession of the wharf; but they were - again repulsed, and driven back to their cover,—the forest. It was - here that Lieut. Jones, with a detachment of only seven men, having been - placed on the extreme right, cut his way through a large force of the - enemy’s cavalry, and arrived at the hotel without losing a man, but - killing and wounding a considerable number of the enemy. - </p> - <p> - “After continuous fighting, from ten o’clock, a.m., to two o’clock, p.m., - and on learning that heavy re-enforcements of infantry and artillery had - arrived from the camps up the Pascagoula River, I withdrew my forces from - the hotel, and returned to Ship Island. The enemy’s loss was over twenty - killed, and a large number wounded. From my own knowledge, and from - information derived from prisoners taken in the fight, and from refugees - since arrived, the enemy had over four hundred cavalry and infantry at - Pascagoula, and heavy re-enforcements within six miles of the place. - Refugees who have arrived since the engagement report the enemy’s loss as - greater than mentioned in my first report. - </p> - <p> - “The expedition was a perfect success, accomplishing all that was - intended; resulting in the repulse of the enemy in every engagement with - great loss; whilst our casualty was only two killed and eight wounded. - Great credit is due to the troops engaged, for their unflinching bravery - and steadiness under this their first fire, exchanging volley after volley - with the coolness of veterans; and for their determined tenacity in - maintaining their position, and taking advantage of every success that - their courage and valor gave them; and also to their officers, who were - cool and determined throughout the action, fighting their commands against - five times their numbers, and confident throughout of success,—all - demonstrating to its fullest extent that the oppression which they have - heretofore undergone from the hands of their foes, and the obloquy that - had been showered upon them by those who should have been friends, had not - extinguished their manhood, or suppressed their bravery, and that they had - still a hand to wield the sword, and a heart to vitalize its blow. - </p> - <p> - “I would particularly call the attention of the Department to Major F. E. - Dumas, Capt. Villeverd, and Lieuts. Jones and Martin, who were constantly - in the thickest of the fight, and by their unflinching bravery, and - admirable handling of their commands, contributed to the success of the - attack, and reflected great honor upon the flag under and for which they - so nobly struggled. Repeated instances of individual bravery among the - troops might be mentioned; but it would be invidious where all fought so - manfully aud so well. - </p> - <p> - “I have the honor to be, most respectfully, - </p> - <p> - “Your obedient servant, - </p> - <h3> - “<i>N. U. DANIELS,</i> - </h3> - <p> - “<i>Col. Second Regiment La. N. O. Vols., Commanding Post.</i>” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXIII—BATTLE OF PORT HUDSON. - </h2> - <p> - <i>The Louisiana Native Guard.—Capt. Callioux.—The Weather.—Spirit - of the Troops.—The Battle begins.—“Charge.”—Great - Bravery.—The Gallant Color-bearer.—Grape, Canister, and Shell - sweep down the Heroic Men.—Death of Callioux.—Comments.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">O</span>n the 26th of May, - 1863, the wing of the array under Major-Gen. Banks was brought before the - rifle-pits and heavy guns of Port Hudson. Night fell—the lovely - Southern night—with its silvery moonshine on the gleaming waters of - the Mississippi, that passed directly by the intrenched town. The - glistening stars appeared suspended in the upper air as globes of liquid - light, while the fresh soft breeze was bearing such sweet scents from the - odoriferous trees and plants, that a poet might have fancied angelic - spirits were abroad, making the atmosphere luminous with their pure - presence, and every breeze fragrant with their luscious breath. The - deep-red sun that rose on the next morning indicated that the day would be - warm; and, as it advanced, the heat became intense. The earth had been - long parched, and the hitherto green verdure had begun to turn yellow. - Clouds of dust followed every step and movement of the troops. The air was - filled with dust: clouds gathered, frowned upon the earth, and hastened - away. - </p> - <p> - The weatherwise watched the red masses of the morning, and still hoped for - a shower to cool the air, and lay the dust, before the work of death - commenced; but none came, and the very atmosphere seemed as if it were - from an overheated oven. The laying-aside of all unnecessary articles or - accoutrements, and the preparation that showed itself on every side, told - all present that the conflict was near at hand. Gen. Dwight, whose - antecedents with regard to the rights of the negro, and his ability to - fight, were not of the most favorable character, was the officer in - command over the colored brigade; and busy Rumor, that knows every thing, - had whispered it about that the valor of the black man was to be put to - the severest test that day. - </p> - <p> - The black forces consisted of the First Louisiana, under Lieut-Col. - Bassett, and the Third Louisiana, under Col. Nelson. The line-officers of - the Third were White; and the regiment was composed mostly of freedmen, - many of whose backs still bore the marks of the lash, and whose brave, - stout hearts beat high at the thought that the hour had come when they - were to meet their proud and unfeeling oppressors. The First was the noted - regiment called “The Native Guard,” which Gen. Butler found when he - entered New Orleans, and which so promptly offered its services to aid in - crushing the Rebellion. The line-officers of this regiment were all - colored, taken from amongst the most wealthy and influential of the free - colored people of New Orleans. It was said that not one of them was worth - less than twenty-five thousand dollars. The brave, the enthusiastic, and - the patriotic, found full scope for the development of their powers in - this regiment, of which all were well educated; some were fine scholars. - One of the most efficient officers was Capt. André Callioux, a man whose - identity with his race could not be mistaken; for he prided himself on - being the blackest man in the Crescent City. Whether in the drawing-room - or on the parade, he was ever the centre of attraction. Finely educated, - polished in his manners, a splendid horseman, a good boxer, bold, - athletic, and daring, he never lacked admirers. His men were ready at any - time to follow him to the cannon’s mouth; and he was as ready to lead - them. This regiment petitioned their commander to allow them to occupy the - post of danger in the battle, and it was granted. - </p> - <p> - As the moment of attack drew near, the greatest suppressed excitement - existed; but all were eager for the fight. Capt. Callioux walked proudly - up and down the line, and smilingly greeted the familiar faces of his - company. Officers and privates of the white regiments looked on as they - saw these men at the front, and asked each other what they thought would - be the result. Would these blacks stand fire? Was not the test by which - they were to be tried too severe? Col. Nelson being called to act as - brigadier-general, Lieut-Col. Finnegas took his place. The enemy In his - stronghold felt his power, and bade defiance to the expected attack. At - last the welcome word was given, and our men started. The enemy opened a - blistering fire of shell, canister, grape, and musketry. The first shell - thrown by the enemy killed and wounded a number of the blacks; but on they - went. “Charge” was the word. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Charge!” Trump and drum awoke: - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Onward the bondmen broke; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Bayonet and sabre-stroke - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Vainly opposed their rush.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - At every pace, the column was thinned by the falling dead and wounded. The - blacks closed up steadily as their comrades fell, and advanced within - fifty paces of where the rebels were working a masked battery, situated on - a bluff where the guns could sweep the whole field over which the troops - must charge. This battery was on the left of the charging line. Another - battery of three or four guns commanded the front, and six heavy pieces - raked the right of the line as it formed, and enfiladed its flank and rear - as it charged on the bluff. It was ascertained that a bayou ran under the - bluff where the guns lay,—a bayou deeper than a man could ford. This - charge was repulsed with severe loss. Lieut-Col. Finnegas was then ordered - to charge, and in a well-dressed steady line his men went on the - doublequick down over the field of death. No matter how gallantly the men - behaved, no matter how bravely they were led, it was not in the course of - things that this gallant brigade should take these works by charge. Yet - charge after charge was ordered and carried out under all these disasters - with Spartan firmness. Six charges in all were made. Col. Nelson reported - to Gen. Dwight the fearful odds he had to contend with. Says Gen. Dwight, - in reply, “Tell Col. Nelson I shall consider that he has accomplished - nothing unless he take those guns.” Humanity will never forgive Gen. - Dwight for this last order; for he certainly saw that he was only throwing - away the lives of his men. But what were his men? “Only niggers.” Thus the - last charge was made under the spur of desperation. - </p> - <p> - The ground was already strewn with the dead and wounded, and many of the - brave officers had fallen early in the engagement. Among them was the - gallant and highly cultivated Anselmo. He was a standardbearer, and hugged - the stars and stripes to his heart as he fell forward upon them pierced by - five balls. Two corporals near by struggled between themselves as to who - should have the honor of again raising those bloodstained emblems to the - breeze. Each was eager for the honor; and during the struggle a missile - from the enemy wounded one of them, and the other corporal shouldered the - dear old flag in triumph, and bore it through the charge in the front of - the advancing lines. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - “Now,” the flag-sergeant cried, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - “Though death and hell betide, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Let the whole nation see - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - If we are fit to be - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Free in this land, or bound - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Down, like the whining hound,— - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Bound with red stripes aud pain - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - In our old chains again.” - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Oh! what a shout there went - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - From the black regiment! - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - Shells from the rebel guns cut down trees three feet in diameter, and they - fell, at one time burying a whole company beneath their branches. Thus - they charged bravely on certain destruction, till the ground was slippery - with the gore of the slaughtered, and cumbered with the bodies of the - maimed. The last charge was made about one o’clock. At this juncture, - Capt. Callioux was seen with his left arm dangling by his side,—for - a ball had broken it above the elbow,—while his right hand held his - unsheathed sword gleaming in the rays of the sun; and his hoarse, faint - voice was heard cheering on his men. A moment more, and the brave and - generous Callioux was struck by a shell, and fell far in advance of his - company. The fall of this officer so exasperated his men, that they - appeared to be filled with new enthusiasm; and they rushed forward with a - recklessness that probably has never been surpassed. Seeing it to be a - hopeless effort, the taking of these batteries, order was given to change - the programme; and the troops were called off. But had they accomplished - any thing more than the loss of many of their brave men? Yes: they had. - The self-forgetfulness, the undaunted heroism, and the great endurance of - the negro, as exhibited that day, created a new chapter in American - history for the colored man. - </p> - <p> - Many Persians were slain at the battle of Thermopylæ; but history records - only the fall of Leonidas and his four hundred companions. So in the - future, when we shall have passed away from the stage, and rising - generations shall speak of the conflict at Port Hudson, and the celebrated - charge of the negro brigade, they will forget all others in their - admiration for André Callioux and his colored associates. Gen. Banks, in - his report of the battle of Port Hudson, says, “Whatever doubt may have - existed heretofore as to the efficiency of organizations of this - character, the history of this day proves conclusively to those who were - in a condition to observe the conduct of these regiments, that the - Government will find in this class of troops effective supporters and - defenders. The severe test to which they were subjected, and the - determined manner in which they encountered the enemy, leaves upon my mind - no doubt of their ultimate success.” - </p> - <p> - Hon. B. F. Flanders paid them the following tribute:— - </p> - <p> - “The unanimous report of all those who were in the recent battle at Port - Hudson, in regard to the negroes, is, that they fought like devils. They - have completely conquered the prejudice of the army against them. Never - before was there such an extraordinary revolution of sentiment as that of - this army in respect to the negroes as soldiers.” - </p> - <p> - This change was indeed needed; for only a few days previous to the battle, - while the regiments were at Baton Rouge, the line-officers of the - New-England troops, either through jealousy or hatred to the colored men - on account of their complexion, demanded that the latter, as officers, - should be dismissed. And, to the disgrace of these white officers, the - colored men, through the mean treatment of their superiors in office, the - taunts and jeers of their white assailants, were compelled to throw up - their commissions. The colored soldiers were deeply pained at seeing the - officers of their own color and choice taken from them; for they were much - attached to their commanders, some of whom were special favorites with the - whole regiment. Among these were First Lieut. Joseph Howard of Company I, - and Second Lieut. Joseph G. Parker, of Company C. These gentlemen were - both possessed of ample wealth, and had entered the army, not as a matter - of speculation, as too many have done, but from a love of military life. - Lieut. Howard was a man of more than ordinary ability in military tactics; - and a braver or more daring officer could not be found in the Valley of - the Mississippi. He was well educated, speaking the English, French, and - Spanish languages fluently, and was considered a scholar of rare literary - attainments. He, with his friend Parker, felt sorely the humiliation - attending their dismissal from the army, and seldom showed themselves on - the streets of their native city, to which they had returned. When the - news reached New Orleans of the heroic charge made by the First Louisiana - Regiment, at Port Hudson, on the 27th of May, Howard at once called on - Parker; and they were so fired with the intelligence, that they determined - to proceed to Port Hudson, and to join their old regiment as <i>privates</i>. - That night they took passage, and the following day found them with their - former friends in arms. The regiment was still in position close to the - enemy’s works, and the appearance of the two lieutenants was hailed with - demonstrations of joy. Instead of being placed as privates in the ranks, - they were both immediately assigned the command of a company each, not - from any compliment to them, but from sheer necessity, because the <i>white - officers</i> of these companies, feeling that the colored soldiers were - put in the front of the battle owing to their complexion, were not willing - to risk their lives, and had thrown up their commissions. - </p> - <p> - On the 5th of June, these two officers were put to the test, and nobly did - they maintain their former reputation for bravery. Capt. Howard leading - the way, they charged upon the rebel’s rifle-pits, drove them out, and - took possession, and held them for three hours, in the face of a raking - fire of artillery. Several times the blacks were so completely hidden from - view by the smoke of their own guns and the enemy’s heavy cannon, that - they could not be seen. It was at this time, that Capt. Howard exhibited - his splendid powers as a commander. The negroes never hesitated. Amid the - roar of artillery, and the rattling of musketry, the groans of the - wounded, and the ghastly appearance of the dead, the heroic and intrepid - Howard was the same. He never said to his men, “Go,” but always, “Follow - me.” At last, when many of their men were killed, and the severe fire of - the enemy’s artillery seemed to mow down every thing before it, these - brave men were compelled to fall back from the pits which they had so - triumphantly taken. At nightfall, Gen. Banks paid the negro officers a - high compliment, shaking the hand of Capt. Howard, and congratulating him - on his return, and telling his aides that this man was worthy of a more - elevated position. - </p> - <p> - Although the First Louisiana had done well, its great triumph was reserved - for the 14th of June, when Capt. Howard and his associates in arms won for - themselves immortal renown. Never, in the palmy days of Napoleon, - Wellington, or any other general, was more true heroism shown. The effect - of the battle of the 27th of May, is thus described in “The New-York - Herald,” June 6:— - </p> - <p> - “The First Regiment Louisiana Native Guard, Col. Nelson, were in this - charge. <i>They went on the advance, and, when they came out, six hundred - out of nine hundred men could not be accounted for. It is said on every - side that they fought with the desperation of tigers</i>. One negro was - observed with a rebel soldier in his grasp, tearing the flesh from his - face with his teeth, other weapons having failed him. There are other - incidents connected with the conduct of this regiment <i>that have raised - them very much in my opinion as soldiers. After firing one volley, they - did not deign to load again, but went in with bayonets; and, wherever they - had a chance, it was all up with the rebels.”</i> - </p> - <p> - From “The New-York Tribune,” June 8:— - </p> - <p> - “Nobly done, First Regiment of Louisiana Native Guard! though you failed - to carry the rebel works against overwhelming numbers, you did not charge - and fight and fall in vain. That heap of six hundred corpses, lying there - dark and grim and silent before and within the rebel works, is a better - proclamation of freedom than even President Lincoln’s. A race ready to die - thus was never yet retained in bondage, and never can be. Even the Wood - copperheads, who will not fight themselves, and try to keep others out of - the Union ranks, will not dare to mob negro regiments if this is their - style of fighting. - </p> - <p> - “Thus passes one regiment of blacks to death and everlasting fame.” - </p> - <p> - Humanity should not forget, that, at the surrender of Port Hudson, not a - single colored man could be found alive, although thirty-five were known - to have been taken prisoners during the siege. All had been murdered. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXIV—GENERAL BANKS IN LOUISIANA. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Gen. Banks at New Orleans.—Old Slave-laws revived.—Treatment - of Free Colored Persons.—Col. Jonas H. French.—Ill Treatment - at Port Hudson.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">G</span>en. Banks’s - antecedents were unfavorable to him when he landed in New Orleans. True, - he was from Massachusetts, and was a Republican; but he belonged to the - conservative portion of the party. The word “white” in the militia law, - which had so long offended the good taste and better judgment of the - majority of the people, was stricken out during the last term of Gov. - Banks’s administration, but failed to receive his sanction. In his message - vetoing the bill, he resorted to a laborious effort of special pleading to - prove that the negro was not a citizen. The fact is, he was a Democrat - dressed up in Republican garments. Gen. Butler had brought the whites and - blacks nearly to a level with each other as citizens of New Orleans, when - he was succeeded by Gen. Banks. The latter at once began a system of - treatment to the colored people, which showed that his feelings were with - the whites, and against the blacks. The old slave-law, requiring colored - persons to be provided with passes to enable them to be out from their - homes after half-past eight o’clock at night was revived by Gen. Banks’s - understrappers, as the following will show:— - </p> - <p> - “<i>St. Charles Hotel, New Orleans, Jan. 25.</i> - </p> - <p> - “On Tuesday evening last, at half-past eight o’clock, while passing up St. - Charles Street in company with F. S. Schell, Esq., the artist of ‘Frank - Leslie’s Pictorial,’, who is attached to the Banks Expedition, I was - suddenly accosted by two colored women, one of whom, a beautiful mulatto - very tastily attired, besought me to protect her from the watchmen, who, - she said, were following close behind her on the opposite side of the - street, and were about to arrest her and her mother for being out without - passes. - </p> - <p> - “I offered her and her mother all the protection in my power until they - should reach their home, which was but a few blocks distant; and I had but - scarcely made the proffer, when two powerful and muscular watchmen came - running across the street, club in hand, and at once proceeded to arrest - the women. I inquired of the officers by what authority they arrested - slaves or free colored people. They informed me that they were acting - under orders received from the chief of police, Col. Jonas H. French. - </p> - <p> - “The women begged, with tears in their eyes, for their liberty, that they - might return to their homes, where a sister was lying dangerously ill, and - towards whom they were hastening when seized by the watchmen. Being enough - of a ‘Yankee abolitionist’ to feel a glow of indignation at this flagrant - violation of human rights, and, as I supposed, illegal assumption of - power, I proceeded to the prison or watch-house, adjoining the city hall, - from the roof of which flies the flag of freedom. - </p> - <p> - “What a sight was revealed to me on my visit to that prison! Such a scene - may I never be permitted to visit again! Securing permission, I went into - the corridor, from which lead the cells. There I saw, in one cell, fifteen - feet by twenty feet, fifty colored women and girls packed like so many - cattle: there were six or eight wooden berths, with <i>pine mattresses</i> - and <i>oak pillows</i>, for these poor creatures to rest their limbs upon. - Of course, the most of them were obliged to stand uprightly, or lie upon - the wet flooring of the cell. - </p> - <p> - “I never shall forget the emotions that arose within my bosom as I stood - intently gazing upon the sorrowing faces of these unfortunates as they - cast wistful glances through the heavy iron bars of their cell, and in - supplicating tones implored me to secure them their release. One pretty - young girl of fifteen, with a beautiful face, whose complexion was that of - a pretty Boston brunette, and with long flowing hair, slightly crimpled, - was sobbing as though her heart would break for her mother. She was - terrified at the surroundings of her new position, and the hideous yells - of drunken soldiers and sailors in the next cell. - </p> - <p> - “There were confined in this cell several women, who, in New York or - Boston, would pass for white women without the slightest difficulty or - suspicion. And there were many darker countenances in that cell, that were - intelligent, and indicated the existence and beating of hearts beneath - those tinged and sable hues. In the opposite cells were over one hundred - colored men and boys of all colors, from the ebony, thick-lipped African, - to the mulatto, and delicately-tinged colored man. They were there from - all ages, from the little child of nine years, to the aged and decrepit - negro of seventy-five. There were the dandy darkey, slave and free; the - laborer, slave and free; the mechanic and waiter, slave and free. - </p> - <p> - “Some of these men were the fathers, husbands, and brothers of the women - in the opposite cells. It was but a little while after, when, the jailer - having barred the door which leads into the stone corridor, I heard - distinctly the swelling notes of ‘John Brown’s body lies mouldering,’ - &c., and shortly after the grand chorus of an ancient Methodist hymn, - ‘For Jesus’ sake, we’ll serve the Lord.’ The next evening, I visited the - cells, and found that nearly all who had been imprisoned the previous - evening had been released on paying a fine of one dollar and a quarter for - free people, and one dollar and a half for slaves. - </p> - <p> - “There were several likely-looking negro-girls still in the cell, and - three mothers. All of these mothers had sons in the Union army, enlisted - in the colored Native-Guard Regiment. One of them had <i>three</i> sons in - one regiment; the other had two sons, her only children; and the only - child of the third, a boy of nineteen years, was a sergeant in a colored - company. These mothers were all the <i>property</i> of rebels; for they - told me their masters and mistresses swore they would ‘never take the oath - of allegiance to the abolition Yankee Government.’ I asked them how they - happened to be imprisoned, and was informed that their masters and - mistresses had them ‘sent to prison for safe-keeping.’ - </p> - <p> - “One mother told me she was always treated well until her sons joined the - negro regiment, since which time she had been whipped and otherwise sadly - abused. She was not allowed so much liberty at home, and her mistress had - put her off on a short allowance of food, because she did not prevent her - sons from enlisting. - </p> - <p> - “Here is a verbatim copy of the official order requiring the arrest by the - police of all colored people found in the streets. Beyond the simple - written notice, nothing more has been made public in regard to this - important matter:— - </p> - <p> - “<i>Office Chief of Police.</i> - </p> - <p> - “‘<i>Lieut. J. Duan</i>,—You are hereby ordered to arrest all - negroes out without passes after half past eight, P.M. - </p> - <p> - “‘By order of - </p> - <p> - “‘Col. J. H. French, - </p> - <p> - “‘<i>Provost-marshal General and Chief of Police.</i>’” - </p> - <p> - “Notices of this kind were sent to all the station-houses, and were posted - in the offices. It is a most despotic law to put in force at such an hour - as this, to protect the property, in the shape of human flesh and blood, - in God’s creatures, belonging or <i>owned</i>, as they say, by the very - fiends who have no compulsion at shedding the precious life’s blood of our - sons and brothers, husbands and fathers. - </p> - <p> - “We, who profess to be Christian people, contributing blood and treasure - for the suppression of this cursed Rebellion, are now called upon to - provide cells for the safekeeping of their slaves.”—<i>Correspondence - of The Boston Traveller.</i> - </p> - <p> - The following private letter (says “The New-York Tribune”) from a colored - man in New Orleans, cancelling an order he had previous sent to New York - for a banner, may throw some light on the state of things in the Southern - metropolis:— - </p> - <p> - “Sir,—If you have not had the banner commenced, it is useless to - have it made at all, as, since the issuing of the President’s - proclamation, Jonas H. French has stopped all of our night-meetings, and - has caused us to get permits to hold meetings on Sunday, and sends his - police around to all of the colored churches every Sunday to examine all - of the permits. He had all the slaves that were turned out of their former - owners’ yards rearrested and sent back; those who belonged to rebels as - well as those who belong to loyal persons. The slaves were mustered into - the rebel army. He has them confined in jail to starve and die, and - refuses their friends to see them. He is much worse than our rebel - masters, he being the chief of police. Last night, after Gen. Banks left - the city, Col. French issued a secret order to all the police-stations to - arrest all the negroes who may be found in the streets, and at the places - of amusement, and placed in jail. There were about five hundred, both free - and slave, confined, without the least notice or cause,—persons who - thought themselves free by the President’s proclamation, from the parishes - of Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Catahoula, Concordia, Aragules, - Jaques, Iberville, West Baton Rouge, Point Coupee, Filiciana, East Baton - Rouge, St. Helena, Washington, St. Samany. Free persons of color from any - of these parishes, who are found within the limits of the city, are - immediately arrested and placed in jail by order of Col. French. Therefore - it is useless to have the banner made, as there is no use for it since - Gen. Butler has left. R. K. T.” - </p> - <p> - All colored persons, even those who had been born free, and had resided in - the city from infancy, were included in the order of the provost-marshal. - It is a fact beyond dispute, that both officers and soldiers under Gen. - Banks’s rule in Louisiana manifested a degree of negro hate that was - almost unknown before their advent. - </p> - <p> - At the siege of Port Hudson, this prejudice against the blacks was - exhibited by all, from Gen. Banks down to the most ignorant private. A - correspondent in “The Boston Commonwealth,” dated at Port Hudson, July 17, - 1864, says,— - </p> - <p> - “Thus, in the siege of Port Hudson, no one knew an instance of such - terrible assaults, without possibility of success, but only repeated in - obedience to Gen. Dwight’s order to ‘continue charging till further - orders.’ The white troops were unanimous in praising the valor of this - devoted regiment. How was it when the provisions of Paragraph 11, Appendix - B, Revised Army Regulations, 1863, were carried out? A General Order from - Gen. Banks authorizes ‘Port Hudson’ to be inscribed on every banner but - those of the colored regiments, which are <i>overlooked</i>. Do those - people who speak so loudly in praise of these regiments at Port Hudson - know they are the only ones not authorized to inscribe ‘Port Hudson’ on - their flags? Does <i>Adjutant-Gen. Thomas</i> know it? The only - inscription on the banner of the glorious Seventy-third is the blood-stain - of the noble sergeant who bore it in this fierce assault, and the rents - made in the struggle of the corporals to obtain the dear rag from the - dying man who had rolled himself up in its fold. Regiments which were - ridiculed as cowards and vagabonds have Port Hudson on their flags. Let us - be cautious how we praise the First Native Guards: they have it not on - their flag. Thank God there were thousands of honest privates in the ranks - of the white regiments who will tell the story of the First Native Guards! - The changes of its designation and consolidation with other regiments will - not entirely obliterate its fame. The blood of the heroic Callioux and his - fellow-victims at Port Hudson will cry to Heaven, and will be heard. - </p> - <p> - “And how has it run in the campaign of 1864? This same devoted regiment - followed the army of Gen. Banks to Pleasant Hill; but Fort Pillow rushed - red on the general’s sight, and he dare not let them fight. They were - therefore made to ‘boost’ along the wagon-trains of the white troops; to - build the greater part of the famous bridge which saved the fleet, and got - Lieut.-Col. Bailey a star; to endure the kicks and insults of white - soldiers: the officers to be put in arrest by inferior officers of white - regiments, and returned to Morganzia. - </p> - <p> - “Every available man is detailed daily, rain or shine, to work on the - fortifications under the jeers of loafing white soldiers and officers.” - </p> - <p> - “The labor-system adopted by Gen. Banks for the freedmen was nothing less - than slavery under another name. Having no confidence in the negro’s - ability to take care of himself, he felt that, even in freedom, he needed - a master, and therefore put him in leading-strings. The general evidently - considered that the wishes of the white planters, whether rebel or not, - were to be gratified, although it were done at the expense of the black - man. In reconstructing the civil authorities of the city of New Orleans, - he carried out the same policy of ignoring the rights of the colored - people, as will be seen by the following extract from a petition of the - colored citizens to President Lincoln:— - </p> - <p> - “Your petitioners aver that they have applied in respectful terms to - Brig.-Gen. George F. Shepley, Military Governor of Louisiana, and to - Major-Gen. N. P. Banks, commanding the Department of the Gulf, praying to - be placed upon the registers as voters, to the end that they might - participate in the re-organization of civil government in Louisiana; and - that their petition has met with no response from those officers.” - </p> - <p> - This petition was signed by the men, who, when the city was threatened by - the rebels during the siege of Port Hudson, took up arms for its defence; - all of whom were loyal to the American Union. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXV—HONORS TO THE NOBLE DEAD. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Capt. André Callioux.—His Body lies in State.—Personal - Appearance.—His Enthusiasm.—His Popularity.—His Funeral.—The - great Respect paid the Deceased.—General Lamentation.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he death of Capt. - André Callioux created a profound sensation throughout Louisiana, and - especially in New Orleans, where the deceased had lived from childhood. - This feeling of sorrow found vent at the funeral, which took place on the - 11th of July, 1863. We give the following, written at the time by a - correspondent of a New-York Journal:— - </p> - <p> - <i>“New Orleans, Saturday, Aug. 1, 1863.</i>” “The most extraordinary - local event that has ever been seen within our borders, and, I think, one - of the most extraordinary exhibitions brought forth by this Rebellion, was - the funeral of Capt. André Callioux, Company E, First Louisiana National - Guards. Here, in this Southern emporium, was performed a funeral ceremony - that for numbers and impressiveness never had its superior in this city; - and it was originated and carried through in honor of a gallant soldier of - the despised race, to enslave which, it is said, will soothe this State - back into the Union. - </p> - <p> - “Capt. Callioux was fine-looking, and, in his military dress, had an - imposing appearance. I remember seeing him at Gen. Banks’s headquarters, - in company with at least fifteen of our prominent military officers; and - he was a marked personage among them all. In the celebrated assault and - repulse on Port Hudson by Gen. Banks, Capt. Callioux fell, at the head of - his company, on the 27th of May last, while gallantly leading it on to the - enemy’s works. His body, along with others of the national regiments, - after the battle, lay within deadly reach of the rebel sharpshooters; and - all attempts to recover the body were met with a shower of Minie-bullets. - Thus guarded by the enemy, or, I might say, thus honored by their - attention, the body lay exposed until the surrender of the place, the 8th - of July, when it was recovered, and brought to this city to receive the - astonishing ovation connected with the last rights of humanity. - </p> - <p> - “The arrival of the body developed to the white population here that the - colored people had powerful organizations in the form of civic societies; - as the Friends of the Order, of which Capt. Callioux was a prominent - member, received the body, and had the coffin containing it, draped with - the American flag, exposed in state in the commodious hall. Around the - coffin, flowers were strewn in the greatest profusion, and candles were - kept continually burning. All the rights of the Catholic Church were - strictly complied with. The guard paced silently to and fro, and - altogether it presented as solemn a scene as was ever witnessed. - </p> - <p> - “In due time, the band of the Forty-second Massachusetts Regiment made - their appearance, and discoursed the customary solemn airs. The - officiating priest, Father Le Maistre, of the Church of St. Rose of Lima, - who has paid not the least attention to the excommunication and - denunciations issued against him by the archbishop of this diocese, then - performed the Catholic service for the dead. After the regular services, - he ascended to the president’s chair, and delivered a glowing and eloquent - eulogy on the virtues of the deceased. He called upon all present to offer - themselves, as Callioux had done, martyrs to the cause of justice, - freedom, and good government. It was a death the proudest might envy. - </p> - <p> - “Immense crowds of colored people had by this time gathered around the - building, and the streets leading thereto were rendered almost impassable. - Two companies of the Sixth Louisiana (colored) Regiment, from their camp - on the Company Canal, were there to act as an escort; and Esplanade - Street, for more than a mile, was lined with colored societies, both male - and female, in open order, waiting for the hearse to pass through. - </p> - <p> - “After a short pause, a sudden silence fell upon the crowd, the band - commenced playing a dirge; and the body was brought from the hall on the - shoulders of eight soldiers, escorted by six members of the society, and - six colored captains, who acted as pall-bearers. The corpse was conveyed - to the hearse through a crowd composed of both white and black people, and - in silence profound as death itself. Not a sound was heard save the - mournful music of the band, and not a head in all that vast multitude but - was uncovered. - </p> - <p> - “The procession then moved off in the following order: The hearse - containing the body, with Capts. J. W. Ringgold, W. B. Barrett, S. J. - Wilkinson, Eugene Mailleur, J. A. Glea, and A. St. Leger (all of whom, we - believe, belong to the Second Louisiana Native Guards), and six members of - The Friends of the Order, as pall-bearers; about a hundred convalescent - sick and wounded colored soldiers; the two companies of the Sixth - Regiment; a large number of colored officers of all native guard - regiments; the carriages containing Capt. Callioux’s family, and a number - of army officers; winding up with a large number of private individuals, - and the following-named societies:— - </p> - <p> - Friends of the Order. - </p> - <p> - Society of Economy and Mutual Assistance. United Brethren. - </p> - <p> - Arts’ and Mechanics’ Association. - </p> - <p> - Free Friends. - </p> - <p> - Good Shepherd Conclave, No. 2. - </p> - <p> - Artisans’ Brotherhood. - </p> - <p> - Good Shepherd Conclave, No. 1. Union Sons’ Relief. Perseverance Society. - </p> - <p> - Ladies of Bon Secours. - </p> - <p> - La Fleur de Marie. - </p> - <p> - Saint Rose of Lima. - </p> - <p> - The Children of Mary Society. - </p> - <p> - Saint Angela Society. - </p> - <p> - The Immaculate Conception Society. The Sacred Union Society. - </p> - <p> - The Children of Jesus. - </p> - <p> - Saint Veronica Society. - </p> - <p> - Saint Alphonsus Society. - </p> - <p> - Saint Joachim Society. - </p> - <p> - Star of the Cross. - </p> - <p> - Saint Theresa Society. - </p> - <p> - Saint Eulalia Society. - </p> - <p> - Saint Magdalen Society. - </p> - <p> - God Protect Us Society. - </p> - <p> - United Sisterhood. - </p> - <p> - Angel Gabriel Society. - </p> - <p> - Saint Louis Roi Society. - </p> - <p> - Saint Benoit Society. Benevolence Society. - </p> - <p> - Well Beloved Sisters’ Society. - </p> - <p> - Saint Peter Society. - </p> - <p> - Saint Michael Archangel Society Saint Louis de Gonzague Society. Saint Ann - Society. - </p> - <p> - The Children of Moses - </p> - <p> - “After moving through the principal down-town streets, the body was taken - to the Bienville-street cemetery; and there interred with military honors - due his rank. - </p> - <p> - “Capt. Callioux was a native of this city, aged forty-three years, and was - one of the first to raise a company under the call of Gen. Butler for - colored volunteers. ‘The Union,’ of this city, a paper of stanch loyalty, - which is devoted to the interests of the colored people, speaking of Capt. - Callioux, says ‘By his gallant bearing, his gentlemanly deportment, his - amiable disposition, and his capacities as a soldier,—having - received a very good education,—he became the idol of his men, and - won the respect and confidence of his superior officers. He was a true - type of the Louisianian. In this city, where he passed his life, he was - loved and respected by all who knew him. - </p> - <p> - “‘In Capt. Callioux, the cause of the Union and freedom has lost a - valuable friend. Capt. Callioux, defending the integrity of the sacred - cause of liberty, vindicated his race from the opprobrium with which it - was charged. He leaves a wife and several children, who will have the - consolation that he died the death of the patriot and the righteous.’ - </p> - <p> - “The long pageant has passed away; but there is left deeply impressed on - the minds of those who witnessed this extraordinary sight the fact that - thousands of people born in slavery had, by the events of the Rebellion, - been disinthralled enough to appear in the streets of New Orleans, bearing - to the tomb a man of their own color, who had fallen gallantly fighting - for the flag and his country,—a man who had sealed with his blood - the inspiration he received from Mr. Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. - The thousands of the unfortunates who followed his remains had the flag of - the Union in miniature form waving in their hands, or pinned tastefully on - their persons. - </p> - <p> - “We would ask, Can these people ever again be subjected to slavery? Are - these men who have been regenerated by wearing the United-States uniform, - these men who have given their race to our armies to fight our would-be - oppressors,—are these people to be, can they ever again be, handed - over to the taskmaster? Would a Government that would do such a thing be - respected by the world, be honored of God? Could the Christianized people - of the globe have witnessed the funeral of Capt. Callioux, there would - have been but one sentiment called forth, and that is this,—that the - National Government can make no compromise on this slave question. It is - too late to retreat: the responsibility has been taken, and the struggle - must go on until there is not legally a slave under the folds of the - American flag.” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXVI.—HE NORTHERN WING OF THE REBELLION. - </h2> - <p> - <i>The New-York Mob.—Murder, Fire, and Robbery.—The City given - up to the Rioters.—Whites and Blacks robbed in Open Day in the Great - Thoroughfares.—Negroes murdered, burned, and their Bodies hung on - Lamp-posts.—Southern Rebels at the Head of the Riot.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he partial - successes which the rebels had achieved at Bull Run, Ball’s Bluff, and Big - Bethel, together with the defiant position of Gen. Lee on the one hand, - and the bad management of Gen. McClellan on the other, had emboldened the - rebels, and made them feel their strength. - </p> - <p> - Those who had served out their terms of service in the Union army were not - very anxious to re-enlist. The Conscript Act had been passed by Congress, - and the copperhead press throughout the land was urging the people to - resist the draft, when the welcome news of the surrender of Vicksburg and - Port Hudson came over the wires. The agents of the Confederacy were at - once despatched to New York to “let loose the dogs of war.” - </p> - <p> - As the blacks of the South had assisted in the capture of Vicksburg and - Port Hudson, the colored people of the North must be made to suffer for - it. - </p> - <p> - The mob was composed of the lowest and most degraded of the foreign - population (mainly Irish), raked from the filthy cellars and dens of the - city, steeped in crimes of the deepest dye, and ready for any act, no - matter how dark and damnable; together with the worst type of onr native - criminals, whose long service in the prisons of the country, and whose - training in the Democratic party, had so demoralized their natures, that - they were ever on the hunt for some deed of robbery or murder. - </p> - <p> - This conglomerated mass of human beings were under the leadership of men - standing higher than themselves in the estimation of the public, but, if - possible, really lower in moral degradation. Cheered on by men holding - high political positions, and finding little or no opposition, they went - on at a fearful rate. - </p> - <p> - Never, in the history of mob-violence, was crime carried to such an - extent. Murder, arson, robbery, and cruelty reigned triumphant throughout - the city, day and night, for more than a week. - </p> - <p> - Breaking into stores, hotels, and saloons, and helping themselves to - strong drink, <i>ad libitum</i>, they became inebriated, and marched - through every part of the city. Calling at places where large bodies of - men were at work, and pressing them in, their numbers rapidly increased to - thousands, and their fiendish depredations had no bounds. Having been - taught by the leaders of the Democratic party to hate the negro, and - having but a few weeks previous seen regiments of colored volunteers pass - through New York on their way South, this infuriated band of drunken men, - women, and children paid special visits to all localities inhabited by the - blacks, and murdered all they could lay their hands on, without regard to - age or sex. Every place known to employ negroes was searched: steamboats - leaving the city, and railroad depots, were watched, lest some should - escape their vengeance. - </p> - <p> - Hundreds of the blacks, driven from their homes, and hunted and chased - through the streets, presented themselves at the doors of jails, prisons, - and police-stations, and begged admission. Thus did they prowl about the - city, committing crime after crime; indeed, in point of cruelty, the - Rebellion was transferred from the South to the North. - </p> - <p> - These depredations were to offset the glorious triumphs of our arms in the - rebel States. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Peaceful o’er the placid waters rose the radiant summer sun, - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Loyal voices shouted anthems o’er the conquest bravely won; - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - For the walls of Vicksburg yielded to the Union shot and shell, - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - While Port Hudson, trembling, waited but a clearer tale to tell. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - But, alas! day’s golden image scarce had left its impress there, - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - When above a Northern city rose the sounds of wild despair: - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Fiends and demons yet unnumbered rallied forth in bold array; - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Deeds of darkness, scenes of carnage, marked the traitors’ onward way. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Blind to feeling, deaf to mercy, who may judge the depth of crime? - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - None but God may know the misery traced upon the Book of Time. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - The following account of the mob is from “The New-York Times” July 14, - 1863:— - </p> - <p> - “The Orphan Asylum for Colored Children was visited by the mob about four - o’clock. This institution is situated on Fifth Avenue; and the building, - with the grounds and gardens adjoining, extends from Forty-third to - Forty-fourth Street. Hundreds and perhaps thousands of the rioters, the - majority of whom were women and children, entered the premises, and, in - the most excited and violent manner, ransacked and plundered the building - from cellar to garret. The building was located in the most healthy - portion of the city. It was purely a charitable institution. In it there - was an average of six or eight hundred homeless colored orphans. The - building was a large four-story one, with two wings of three stories each. - </p> - <p> - “When it became evident that the crowd designed to destroy it, a flag of - truce appeared on the walk opposite, and the principals of the - establishment made an appeal to the excited populace; but in vain. - </p> - <p> - “Here it was, that Chief-Engineer Decker showed himself one of the bravest - of the brave. After the entire building had been ransacked, and every - article deemed worth carrying had been taken,—<i>and this included - even the little garments for the orphans, which were contributed by the - benevolent ladies of the city,—the premises were fired on the first - floor.</i> Mr. Decker did all he could to prevent the flames from being - kindled; but, when he was overpowered by superior numbers, with his own - hands he scattered the brands, and effectually extinguished the flames. A - second attempt was made, and this time in three different parts of the - house. Again he succeeded, with the aid of half a dozen of his men, in - defeating the incendiaries. The mob became highly exasperated at his - conduct, and threatened to take his life if he repeated the act. On the - front steps of the building, he stood up amid an infuriated and - half-drunken mob of two thousand, and begged of them to do nothing so - disgraceful to humanity as to burn a benevolent institution, which had for - its object nothing but good. He said it would be a lasting disgrace to - them and to the city of New York. - </p> - <p> - “These remarks seemed to have no good effect upon them, and meantime the - premises were again fired,—this time in all parts of the house. Mr. - Decker, with his few brave men, again extinguished the flames. This last - act brought down upon him the vengeance of all who were bent on the - destruction of the asylum; and but for the fact that some firemen - surrounded him, and boldly said that Mr. Decker could not be taken except - over their bodies, he would have been despatched on the spot. The - institution was destined to be burned; and, after an hour and a half of - labor on the part of the mob, it was in flames in all parts. Three or four - persons were horribly bruised by the falling walls; but the names we could - not ascertain. There is now scarcely one brick left on another of the - Orphan Asylum. - </p> - <p> - “At one o’clock yesterday, the garrison of the Seventh-avenue arsenal - witnessed a sad and novel sight. Winding slowly along Thirty-fourth Street - into Seventh Avenue, headed by a strong police force, came the little - colored orphans, whose asylum had been burned down on Monday night. The - boys, from two and three to fifteen years of age, followed by little girls - of the same ages, to the number of about two hundred each, trotted along, - and were halted in front of the arsenal. - </p> - <p> - “Then came a large number of men and women, several having babes in their - arms, who had been forced to seek refuge in adjacent station-houses from - the fury of the mob. Most of them carried small bundles of clothing and - light articles of furniture, all they had been able to save from the wreck - of their property. The negroes who had sought safety under the guns of the - arsenal were then taken out, and ordered to join their friends outside. - The procession was then re-formed, and, headed by the police, marched back - again down Thirty-fifth Street to the North River. - </p> - <p> - “A strong detachment of Hawkins’s Zouaves guarded the flanks of the - procession; while a company of the Tenth New-York Volunteers, and a squad - of police, closed up the rear. Col. William Meyer had command of the - escort; and on arriving at the pier, where a numerous crowd had followed - them, he placed his men, with fixed bayonets, facing the people to keep - them in check; and the negroes were all safely embarked, and conveyed to - Ricker’s Island. - </p> - <p> - “The poor negroes have had a hard time. Finding they were to be - slaughtered indiscriminately, they have hid themselves in cellars and - garrets, and have endeavored, under cover of darkness, to flee to - neighboring places. The Elysian Fields, over in Hoboken, has been a pretty - safe refuge for them, as there are but few Irish living-in that city. They - have a sort of improvised camp there, composed mainly of women and - children.” - </p> - <p> - Blacks were chased to the docks, thrown into the river, and drowned; while - some, after being murdered, were hung to lamp-posts. Between forty and - fifty colored persons were killed, and nearly as many maimed for life. But - space will not allow us to give any thing like a detailed account of this - most barbarous outrage. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXVII—ASSAULT ON FORT WAGNER. - </h2> - <p> - <i>The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment.—Col. Shaw.—March - to the Island.—Preparation.—Speeches.—The Attack.—Storm - of Shot, Shell, and Canister.—Heroism of Officers and Men.—Death - of Col. Shaw.—The Color-sergeant.—The Retreat.—“Buried - with his Niggers.”—Comments.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">O</span>n the 16th of - July, the Fifty-fourth Regiment (colored), Col. R. G. Shaw, was attacked - by the enemy, on James Island, in which a fight of two hours’ duration - took place, the Rebels largely outnumbering the Union forces. The - Fifty-fourth, however, drove the enemy before them in confusion. The loss - to our men was fourteen killed and eighteen wounded. During the same day, - Col. Shaw received orders from Gen. Gillmore to evacuate the island. - Preparations began at dusk. The night was dark and stormy, and made the - movement both difficult and dangerous. The march was from James Island to - Cole Island, across marshes, streams, and dikes, and part of the way upon - narrow foot-bridges, along which it was necessary to proceed in - single-file. The whole force reached Cole Island the next morning, July - 17, and rested during the day on the beach opposite the south end of Folly - Island. About ten o’clock in the evening, the colonel of the Fifty-fourth - received orders directing him to report, with his command, to Gen. George - C. Strong, at Morris Island, to whose brigade the regiment was - transferred. - </p> - <p> - From eleven o’clock of Friday evening until four o’clock of Saturday, they - were being put on the transport, “The Gen. Hunter,” in a boat which took - about fifty at a time. There they breakfasted on the same fare, and had no - other food before entering into the assault on Fort Wagner in the evening. - </p> - <p> - “The Gen. Hunter” left Cole Island for Folly Island at six, a.m.; and the - troops landed at Pawnee Lauding about nine and a half, a.m., and thence - marched to the point opposite Morris Island, reaching there about two - o’clock in the afternoon. They were transported in a steamer across the - inlet, and at four, p.m., began their march for Fort Wagner. They reached - Brigadier-Gen. Strong’s quarters, about midway on the island, about six or - six and a half o’clock, where they halted for five minutes. - </p> - <p> - Gen. Strong expressed a great desire to give them food and stimulants; but - it was too late, as they had to lead the charge. They had been without - tents during the pelting rains of Thursday and Friday nights. Gen. Strong - had been impressed with the high character of the regiment and its - officers; and he wished to assign them the post where the most severe work - was to be done and the highest honor was to be won. - </p> - <p> - The march across Folly and Morris Islands was over a sandy road, and was - very wearisome. The regiment went through the centre of the island, and - not along the beach, where the marching was easier. - </p> - <p> - When they had come within six hundred yards of Fort Wagner, they formed in - line of battle, the colonel heading the first, and the major the second - battalion. This was within musket-shot of the enemy. There was little - firing from the enemy; a solid shot falling between the battalions, and - another falling to the right, but no musketry. At this point, the - regiment, together with the next supporting regiment, the Sixth - Connecticut, Ninth Maine, and others, remained half an hour. The regiment - was addressed by Gen. Strong and by Col. Shaw. Then, at seven and a half - or seven and three-quarters o’clock, the order for the charge was given. - The regiment advanced at quick time, changed to double-quick when at some - distance on. - </p> - <p> - The intervening distance between the place where the line was formed and - the fort was run over in a few minutes. - </p> - <p> - When about one hundred yards from the fort, the rebel musketry opened with - such terrible effect, that, for an instant, the first battalion hesitated,—but - only for an instant; for Col. Shaw, springing to the front and waving his - sword, shouted, “Forward, my brave boys!” and with another cheer and a - shout they rushed through the ditch, gained the parapet on the right, and - were soon engaged in a hand-to-hand conflict with the enemy. Col. Shaw was - one of the first to scale the walls. He stood erect to urge forward his - men, and, while shouting for them to press on, was shot dead, and fell - into the fort. His body was found, with twenty of his men lying dead - around him; two lying on his own body. - </p> - <p> - The Fifty-fourth did well and nobly; only the fall of Col. Shaw prevented - them from entering the fort. They moved up as gallantly as any troops - could, and, with their enthusiasm, they deserved a better fate. - </p> - <p> - Sergeant-major Lewis H. Douglass, son of Frederick Douglass, the - celebrated orator, sprang upon the parapet close behind Col. Shaw, and - cried out, “Come, boys, come, let’s fight for God and Governor Andrew.” - This brave young man was the last to leave the parapet. Before the - regiment reached the parapet, the color-sergeant was wounded; and, while - in the act of falling, the colors were seized by Sergt. William H. Carney, - who bore them up, and mounted the parapet, where he, too, received three - severe wounds. But, on orders being given to retire, the color-bearer, - though almost disabled, still held the emblem of liberty in the air, and - followed his regiment by the aid of his comrades, and succeeded in - reaching the hospital, where he fell exhausted and almost lifeless on the - floor, saying, “The old flag never touched the ground, boys.” Capt. Lewis - F. Emilio, the junior captain,—all of his superiors having been - killed or wounded,—took command, and brought the regiment into camp. - In this battle, the total loss in officers and men, killed and wounded, - was two hundred and sixty-one. - </p> - <p> - When John Brown was led out of the Charlestown jail, on his way to - execution, he paused a moment, it will be remembered, in the passage-way, - and, taking a little colored child in his arms, kissed and blessed it. The - dying blessing of the martyr will descend from generation to generation; - and a whole race will cherish for ages the memory of that simple caress, - which, degrading as it seemed to the slaveholders around him, was as - sublime and as touching a lesson, and as sure to do its work in the - world’s history, as that of Him who said, “Suffer little children to come - unto me.” - </p> - <p> - When inquiry was made at Fort Wagner, under flag of truce, for the body of - Col. Shaw of the Massachusetts Fifty-fourth, the answer was, “We have - buried him with his niggers!” It is the custom of savages to outrage the - dead, and it was only natural that the natives of South Carolina should - attempt to heap insult upon the remains of the brave young soldier; but - that wide grave on Morris Island will be to a whole race a holy sepulchre. - No more fitting burial-place, no grander obsequies, could have been given - to him who cried, as he led that splendid charge, “On, my brave boys!” - than to give to him and to them one common grave. As they clustered around - him in the fight: as they rallied always to the clear ring of his loved - voice; as they would have laid down their lives, each and all of them, to - save his; as they honored and reverenced him, and lavished on him all the - strong affections of a warm-hearted and impulsive people: so when the - fight was over, and he was found with the faithful dead piled up like a - bulwark around him, the poor savages did the only one fitting thing to be - done when they buried them together. Neither death nor the grave has - divided the young martyr and hero from the race for which he died; and a - whole people will remember in the coming centuries, when its new part is - to be played in the world’s history, that “he was buried with his - niggers!” - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - They buried him with his niggers!” - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Together they fought and died. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - There was room for them all where they laid him - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - (The grave was deep and wide), - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - For his beauty and youth and valor, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Their patience and love and pain; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And at the last day together - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - They shall all be found again. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - They buried him with his niggers!” - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Earth holds no prouder grave: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - There is not a mausoleum - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - In the world beyond the wave, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - That a nobler tale has hallowed, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Or a purer glory crowned, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Than the nameless trench where they buried - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - The brave so faithful found. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “They buried him with his niggers!” - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - A wide grave should it be. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - They buried more in that shallow trench - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Than human eye could see. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Ay: all the shames and sorrows - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Of more than a hundred years - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Lie under the weight of that Southern soil - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Despite those cruel sneers. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “They buried him with his niggers!” - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - But the glorious souls set free - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Are leading the van of the army - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - That fights for liberty. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Brothers in death, in glory - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - The same palm-branches bear; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And the crown is as bright o’er the sable brows - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - As over the golden hair. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - Only those who knew Col. Shaw can understand how fitting it seems, when - the purpose of outrage is put aside and forgotten, that he should have - been laid in a common grave with his black soldiers. The relations between - colored troops and their officers—if these are good for any thing, - and fit for their places—must need be, from the circumstances of the - case, very close and peculiar. They were especially so with Col. Shaw and - his regiment. His was one of those natures which attract first through the - affections. Most gentle tempered, genial as a warm winter’s sun, - sympathetic, full of kindliness, unselfish, unobtrusive, and gifted with a - manly beauty and a noble bearing, he was sure to win the love, in a very - marked degree, of men of a race peculiarly susceptible to influence from - such traits of character as these. First, they loved him with a devotion - which could hardly exist anywhere else than in the peculiar relation he - held to them as commander of the first regiment of free colored men - permitted to fling out a military banner in this country,—a banner - that, so raised, meant to them so much! But, then, came closer ties; they - found that this young man, with education and habits that would naturally - lead him to choose a life of ease, with wealth at his command, with - peculiarly happy social relations (one most tender one just formed), - accepted the position offered him in consideration of his soldierly as - well as moral fitness, because he recognized a solemn duty to the black - man; because he was ready to throw down all that he had, all that he was, - all that this world could give him, for the negro race! Beneath that - gentle and courtly bearing which so won upon the colored people of Boston - when the Fifty-fourth was in camp, beneath that kindly but unswerving - discipline of the commanding officer, beneath that stern but always cool - and cheerful courage of the leader in the fight, was a clear and deep - conviction of a duty to the blacks. He hoped to lead them, as one of the - roads to social equality, to fight their way to true freedom; and herein - he saw his path of duty. Of the battle two days before that in which he - fell, and in which his regiment, by their bravery, won the right to lead - the attack on Fort Wagner, he said, “I wanted my men to fight by the side - of whites, and they have done it;” thinking of others, not of himself; - thinking of that great struggle for equality in which the race had now a - chance to gain a step forward, and to which he was ready to devote his - life. Could it have been for him to choose his last resting-place, he - would, no doubt, have said, “Bury me with my men if I earn that - distinction.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Buried with a band of brothers - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Who for him would fain have died; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Buried with the gallant fellows - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Who fell fighting by his side; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Buried with the men God gave him, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Those whom he was sent to save; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Buried with the martyred heroes, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - He has found an honored grave. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Buried where his dust so precious - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Makes the soil a hallowed spot; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Buried where, by Christian patriot, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - He shall never be forgot; - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Buried in the ground accursed, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Which man’s fettered feet have trod; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Buried where his voice still speaketh, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Appealing for the slave to God; - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Fare thee well, thou noble warrior, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Who in youthful beauty went - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - On a high and holy mission, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - By the God of battles sent. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Chosen of Him, “elect and precious,” - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Well didst thou fulfil thy part: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - When thy country “counts her jewels,” - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - She shall wear thee on her heart. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - One who was present, speaking of the incidents before the battle, says of - Col. Shaw,— - </p> - <p> - “The last day with us, or, I may say, the ending of it, as we lay flat on - the ground before the assault, his manner was more unbending than I had - ever noticed before in the presence of his men. He sat on the ground, and - was talking to the men very familiarly and kindly. He told them how the - eyes of thousands would look upon the night’s work they were about to - enter on; and he said, ‘Now, boys, I want you to be men!’ He would walk - along the line, and speak words of cheer to his men. - </p> - <p> - “We could see that he was a man who had counted the cost of the - undertaking before him; for his words were spoken ominously, his lips were - compressed, and now and then there was visible a slight twitching of the - corners of the month, like one bent on accomplishing or dying. One poor - fellow, struck no doubt by the colonel’s determined bearing, exclaimed, as - he was passing him, ‘Colonel, I will stay by you till I die;’ and he kept - his word: he has never been seen since. For one so young, Col. Shaw showed - a well-trained mind, and an ability of governing men not possessed by many - older or more experienced men. In him the regiment has lost one of its - best and most devoted friends. Col. Shaw was only about twenty-seven years - of age, and was married a few weeks before he joined the army of the - South.” - </p> - <p> - The following correspondence between the father of Col. Shaw and Gen. - Gillmore needs no comment, but is characteristic of the family:— - </p> - <p> - “<i>Brig-Gen. Gillmore, commanding Department of the South.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>Sir</i>,—I take the liberty to address you, because I am - informed that efforts are to be made to recover the body of my son, Col. - Shaw, of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment, which was buried at Fort - Wagner. My object in writing is to say that such efforts are not - authorized by me, or any of my family, and that they are not approved by - us. We hold that a soldier’s most appropriate burial-place is on the field - where he has fallen. I shall, therefore, be much obliged, general, if, in - case the matter is brought to your cognizance, you will forbid the - desecration of my son’s grave, and prevent the disturbance of his remains - or of those buried with him. With most earnest wishes for your success, I - am, sir, with respect and esteem, - </p> - <p> - “Your most obedient servant, - </p> - <h3> - “<i>FRANCIS GEORGE SHAW.</i> - </h3> - <p> - “New York, Aug. 24,1863. - </p> - <p> - “<i>Headquarters Department of the South,</i> Morris Island, S.C., Sept. - 5, 1863. - </p> - <p> - “<i>F. G. Shaw, Esq., Clifton, Staten Island, N.Y.</i> - </p> - <p> - <i>Sir!</i> I have just received your letter, expressing the - disapprobation of yourself and family of any effort to recover the body of - your son, the late Col. Shaw, of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts - Volunteers, buried in Fort Wagner; and requesting me to forbid the - desecration of his grave or disturbance of his remains. - </p> - <p> - “Had it been possible to obtain the body of Col. Shaw immediately after - the battle in which he lost his life, I should have sent it to his - friends, in deference to a sentiment which I know to be widely prevalent - among the friends of those who fall in battle, although the practice is - one to which my own judgment has never yielded assent. - </p> - <p> - “The views expressed in your letter are so congenial to the feelings of an - officer, as to command not only my cordial sympathy, but my respect and - admiration. Surely no resting-place for your son could be found more - fitting than the scene where his courage and devotion were so - conspicuously displayed. - </p> - <p> - “I beg to avail myself of this opportunity to express my deep sympathy for - yourself and family in their great bereavement, and to assure you that on - no authority less than your own shall your son’s remains be disturbed. - </p> - <p> - “Very respectfully, your obedient servant, - </p> - <h3> - “<i>Q. A. GILLMORE</i>, - </h3> - <p> - “<i>Brigadier-General commanding</i>.” - </p> - <p> - The following address of the Military Governor of South Carolina to the - people of color in the Department of the South pays a fit tribute to the - memory of the lamented Col. Shaw:— - </p> - <p> - <i>“Beaufort, S.C., July 27, 1863.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>To the Colored Soldiers and Freedmen in this Department.</i> - </p> - <p> - “It is fitting that you should pay a last tribute of respect to the memory - of the late Col. Robert Gould Shaw, Colonel of the Fifty-fourth Regiment - of Massachusetts Volunteers. He commanded the first regiment of colored - soldiers from a free State ever mustered into the United-States service. - </p> - <p> - “He fell at the head of his regiment, while leading a storming-party - against a rebel stronghold. You should cherish in your inmost hearts the - memory of one who did not hesitate to sacrifice all the attractions of a - high social position, wealth and home, and his own noble life, for the - sake of humanity; another martyr to your cause that death has added; still - another hope for your race. The truths and principles for which he fought - and died still live, and will be vindicated. On the spot where he fell, by - the ditch into which his mangled and bleeding body was thrown, on the soil - of South Carolina, I trust that you will honor yourselves and his glorious - memory by appropriating the first proceeds of your labor as free men - toward erecting an enduring monument to the hero, soldier, martyr, Robert - Gould Shaw. - </p> - <h3> - “<i>R. SAXTON,</i> - </h3> - <p> - “<i>Brigadier-General and Military Governor.</i>” - </p> - <p> - We are glad to be able to say, that the noble proposition of Gen. Saxton - met with success. - </p> - <p> - Col. Shaw was singularly fortunate in being surrounded by officers, like - himself, young, brave, and enthusiastic. Major Hallowed, the next in - command, was wounded while urging forward his men. Adjutant G. W. James, - Capts. S. Willard, J. W. M. Appleton, E. L. - </p> - <p> - Jones, G. Pope, W. H. Simpkins, C. J. Russell, and C. E. Tucker, and - Lieuts. O. E. Smith, W. H. Homan, R. H. Jewett, and J. A. Pratt,—were - severely wounded. A large proportion of the non-commissioned officers fell - in the engagement or were badly wounded. Among these was Sergt. R. J. - Simmons, a young man of more than ordinary ability, who had learned the - science of war in the British army. The writer enlisted him in the city of - New York, and introduced him to Francis George Shaw, Esq., who remarked at - the time that Simmons would make “a valuable soldier’.” Col. Shaw, also, - had a high opinion of him. He died of his wounds in the enemy’s hospital - at Charleston, from bad treatment. The heroic act of Sergt. Carney, to - which we have already alluded, called forth the following correspondence, - which needs no comments, from the Adjutant-General’s Report of the State - of Massachusetts for the year 1865:— - </p> - <p> - “<i>New York, 596 Broadway, Boom 10,</i> <i>Dec. 13, 1865.</i>. - </p> - <p> - “<i>To Adjutant-General of Massachusetts, Boston.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>Sir</i>,—Will you be pleased to give me the name of some officer - of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts colored regiment, so that I can obtain - information concerning the famous assault that regiment made on Fort - Wagner? I wish to learn the facts relating to the wounded color-bearer, - who, though wounded severely, bore the flag heroically while crawling from - the parapet to his retreating or repulsed regiment. It would make a - splendid subject for a. statuette. - </p> - <p> - “Respectfully, - </p> - <h3> - “<i>T. H. BARTLETT,</i> - </h3> - <p> - “<i>Sculptor</i>.” - </p> - <p> - I immediately forwarded the letter to Col. Hallowell, with a request that - he would furnish me with all the facts relating to the incident which he - possessed. The following is Col. Hallowell’s reply:— - </p> - <p> - “<i>Boston, Dec. 18, 1865.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>William Schouler, Adjutant-General.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>Dear Sir</i>,—Your letter of the 15th to my brother, enclosing - one from Mr. Bartlett, and requesting me to furnish a statement of facts - relating to Sergt. Carney, of the Fifty-fourth Regiment Massachusetts - Volunteers, is received. The following statement is, to the best of my - knowledge and belief, correct; but you must remember it is made up - principally from hearsay, no one person having seen every incident, except - the sergeant. During the assault upon Fort Wagner, July 18, 1863, the - sergeant carrying the national colors of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts - Volunteers fell; but, before the colors reached the ground, Sergt. Carney, - of Company C, grasped them, and bore them to the parapet of the fort; - where he received wounds in both legs, in the breast, and in the right - arm: he, however, refused to give up his trust. When the regiment retired - from the fort, Sergt. Carney, by the aid of his comrades, succeeded in - reaching the hospital, still holding on to the flag, where he fell, - exhausted and almost lifeless, on the floor, saying, ‘The old flag never - touched the ground, boys.’ At the time the above happened, I was not in a - condition to verify the truth of the statements made to me; but they come - to me from very reliable parties, and from very different people; so, - after a close cross-examination of the sergeant (who was known as a - truthful man), I have concluded that the statement I have made is - substantially correct. - </p> - <p> - “Sergt. Carney was an African, of, I should think, full blood; of very - limited education, but very intelligent; bright face, lips and nose - (comparatively) finely cut, head rather round, skin very dark, height - about five feet eight inches, not very athletic or muscular; had lived in - New Bedford, Mass., for many years. Hoping this will be of service to Mr. - Bartlett, I have the honor to be, very respectfully, - </p> - <p> - “Your obedient servant, - </p> - <h3> - “<i>E. N. HALLOWELL</i>, - </h3> - <p> - “<i>Late Colonel, &c.</i>” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXVIII—THE SLAVE-MARTYR. - </h2> - <p> - <i>The Siege of Washington, N.C.—Big Bob, the Negro Scout.—The - Perilous Adventure.—The Fight.—Return.—Night Expedition.—The - Fatal Sandbar.—The Enemy’s Shells.—“Somebody’s got to die to - get us out of this, and it may as well be me.”—Death of Bob.—Safety - of the Boat.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he siege of - Washington, N.C., had carried consternation among the planters of the - surrounding country, and contrabands were flocking in by hundreds, when, - just at day-break one morning, a band of seventeen came to the shore, and - hailed the nearest gunboat. The blacks were soon taken on board, when it - was ascertained that they had travelled fifty miles the previous night, - guided by their leader, a negro whom they called “Big Bob.” This man was - without a drop of Anglo-Saxon blood in his veins, if color was a true - index. It was also soon known that he was a preacher, or had been, among - his fellow-slaves. These men all expressed a desire to be put to work, - and, if allowed, to fight for “de ole flag.” - </p> - <p> - “Big Bob” sported a suit of rebel gray, which his fellow-slaves could not; - and the way in which he obtained it was rather amusing. In the region from - which they escaped, the blacks were being enrolled in the rebel army; and - Bob and his companions were taken, and put under guard, preparatory to - their being removed to the nearest military post. Bob, however, resolved - that he would not fight for the rebel cause, and induced his comrades to - join in the plan of seizing the guard, and bringing him away with them; - which they did, Bob claiming the rebel soldier’s clothes, when that - individual was dismissed, after a march of thirty miles from their home. - Bob made an amusing appearance, being above six feet in height, and - dressed in a suit, the legs of the pants of which were five or six inches - too short, and the arms of the coat proportionally short. - </p> - <p> - A few days after the arrival of the contrabands, their services were - needed in an important expedition in the interior. These negroes, upon - being told what was wanted of them, although knowing that the enterprise - would be attended with the greatest danger, and would require the utmost - skill, volunteered their services, and, upon being furnished with arms and - implements, immediately started upon the expedition. Being landed upon a - point some little distance from Washington, they succeeded in penetrating - the enemy’s country, arresting three very important rebels, and conveying - them to the fleet. In the return march, the rebels complained at their - being made to walk so far and so fast; but Bob, the captain of the - company, would occasionally be heard urging them along after this style: - “March along dar, massa; no straggling to de rear: come, close up dar, - close up dar! we’re boss dis time.” On the arrival of the party, the - blacks were highly complimented by the commander. - </p> - <p> - A week had scarcely passed, and the slaves rested, before they were sent - upon a more difficult and dangerous expedition; yet these men, with Bob to - lead them, were ready for any enterprise, provided they could have arms - and ammunition. Once more landed on shore, they started with a - determination to accomplish the object for which they had been sent. They - had not gone far before they were attacked by a scouting-party from the - rebel camp, and four of the whites and one of the blacks were killed: one - also of the latter was wounded. However, the rebels were put to flight, - and the negroes made good their escape. Still bent on obeying the orders - of the commander, they took a somewhat different route, and proceeded on - their journey. Having finished their mission, which was the destroying of - two very large salt-works, breaking up fifty salt-kettles, a large - tannery, and liberating twenty-three slaves, some of whom they armed with - guns taken in their fight with the rebels, Bob commenced retracing his - steps. The return was not so easily accomplished, for the enemy were well - distributed on the line between them and the gunboats. After getting - within four miles of the fleet, and near Point Rodman, a fight took place - between the colored men and the rebels, which lasted nearly an hour. The - blacks numbered less than forty; while the whites were more than one - hundred. The negroes were called upon to surrender; but Bob answered, “No, - I never surrenders.” And then he cried out, “Come on, boys! ef we’s - captud, we’s got to hang; and dat’s a fack.” And nobly did they fight, - whipping their assailants, and reaching the gunboats with but the loss of - three men killed and ten wounded. Bob and his companions were greatly - praised when once more on the fleet. - </p> - <p> - But Bob’s days were numbered; for the next day a flat full of soldiers, - with four blacks, including Bob, attempted to land at Rodman’s Point, but - were repulsed by a terrible fire of rebel bullets, all tumbling into the - boat, and lying flat to escape being shot. Meanwhile the boat stuck fast - on the sand-bar, while the balls were still whizzing over and around the - flat. Seeing that something must be done at once, or all would be lost, - Big Bob exclaimed, “Somebody’s got to die to get us out of this, and it - may as well be me!” He then deliberately got out, and pushed the boat of, - and fell into it, pierced by five bullets. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “The surf with ricochetting balls - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Was churned and splashed around us: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - I heard my comrades’ hurried calls, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - “The rebel guns have found us.’ - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Our vessel shivered! Far beneath - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - The treacherous sand had caught her. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - What man will leap to instant death - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - To shove her into water? - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Strange light shone in our hero’s eye; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - His voice was strong and steady: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - ‘My brothers, one of us must die; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And I, thank God! am ready.’ - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - A shell flew toward us, hissing hate, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Then screaming like a demon: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - He calmly faced the awful fate, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Resolved to die a freeman. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - He fell, his heart cut through with shot: - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - The true blood of that martyr - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Out from his body spurted hot - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - To flee the shame of barter. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - We lifted up the brave man’s corse; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - We thought him fair aud saintly: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - The rebel bullets round us hoarse - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - We heard, but dull and faintly. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - ‘ Tis ever so: a great deed wrought, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - The doer falls that moment, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - As if to save the God-like thought - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - From any human comment. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Heroes are dead men by that fact; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Fame haunts our grave-yards, sighing, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - ‘Alas! that man’s divinest act - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Should be the act of dying.’” - </p> - <p> - <br /> <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXIX—BATTLE OF OLUSTEE, FLORIDA. - </h2> - <p> - <i>The Union Troops decoyed into a Swamp.—They are outnumbered.—Their - great Bravery.—The Heroism of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts.—Death - of Col. Fribley.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he battle of - Olustee was fought in a swamp situated thirty-five miles west of - Jacksonville, and four miles from Sanderson, in the State of Florida. The - expedition was under the immediate command of Gen. C. Seymour, and - consisted of the Seventh New Hampshire, Seventh Connecticut (armed with - Spencer rifles, which fire eight times without loading), Eighth - United-States (colored) Battery, Third United-States Artillery, - Fifty-fourth Massachusetts (colored), and First North-Carolina (colored). - The command having rested on the night of the 19th of February, 1884, at - Barbour’s Ford, on the St. Mary’s River, took up its line of march on the - morning of the 20th, and proceeded to Sanderson, nine miles to the west, - which was reached at one o’clock, p.m., without interruption; but, about - three miles beyond, the advance drove in the enemy’s pickets. The Seventh - Connecticut, being deployed as skirmishers, fell in with the enemy’s force - in the swamp, strengthened still more by rifle-pits. Here they were met by - cannon and musketry; but our troops, with their Spencer rifles, played - great havoc with the enemy, making an attempt to take one of his pieces of - artillery, but failed. However, they hold their ground nobly for - three-quarters of an hour, and were just about retiring as the main body - of our troops came up. - </p> - <p> - The Eighth (colored), which had never been in battle, and which had been - recruited but a few weeks, came up and filed to the right, when they met - with a most terrific shower of musketry and shell. Gen. Seymour now came - up, and pointing in front, towards the railroad, said to Col. Fribley, - commander of the Eighth, “Take your regiment in there,”—a place - which was sufficiently hot to make the oldest and most field-worn veterans - tremble; and yet these men, who had never heard the sound of a cannon - before, rushed in where they commenced dropping like grass before the - sickle: still on they went without faltering, until they came within two - hundred yards of the enemy’s strongest works. Here these brave men stood - for nearly three hours before a terrible fire, closing up as their ranks - were thinned out, fire in front, on their flank, and in the rear, without - flinching or breaking. - </p> - <p> - Col. Fribley, seeing that it was impossible to hold the position, passed - along the lines to tell the officers to fire, and fall back gradually, and - was shot before he reached the end. He was shot in the chest, told the men - to carry him to the rear, and expired in a very few minutes. Major Burritt - took command, but was also wounded in a short time. At this time Capt. - Hamilton’s battery became endangered, and he cried out to our men for - God’s sake to save his battery. Our United-States flag, after three - sergeants had forfeited their lives by bearing it during the fight, was - planted on the battery by Lieut. Elijah Lewis, and the men rallied around - it; but the guns had been jammed up so indiscriminately, and so close to - the enemy’s lines, that the gunners were shot down as fast as they made - their appearance; and the horses, whilst they were wheeling the pieces - into position, shared the same fate. They were compelled to leave the - battery, and failed to bring the flag away. The battery fell into the - enemy’s hands. During the excitement, Capt. Bailey took command, and - brought out the regiment in good order. Sergt. Taylor, Company D, who - carried the battle-flag, had his right hand nearly shot off, but grasped - the colors with the left hand, and brought them out. - </p> - <p> - The Seventh New Hampshire was posted on both sides of the wagon-road, and - broke, but soon rallied, and did good execution. The line was probably one - mile long, and all along the fighting was terrific. - </p> - <p> - Our artillery, where it could be worked, made dreadful havoc on the enemy; - whilst the enemy did us but very little injury with his, with the - exception of one gun, a sixty-four pound swivel, fixed on a truck-car on - the railroad, which fired grape and canister. On the whole, their - artillery was very harmless; but their musketry fearful. - </p> - <p> - Up to this time, neither the First North Carolina nor the Fifty-fourth - Massachusetts had taken any part in the fight, as they were in the rear - some distance. However, they heard the roar of battle, and were hastening - to the field, when they were met by an aide, who came riding up to the - colonel of the Fifty-fourth, saying, “For God’s sake, colonel, - double-quick, or the day is lost!” Of all the regiments, every one seemed - to look to the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts with the most dependence on the - field of battle. This regiment was under the command of Col. E. N. - Hallowell, who fell wounded by the side of Col. Shaw, at Fort Wagner, and - who, since his recovery, had been in several engagements, in all of which - he had shown himself an excellent officer, and had gained the entire - confidence of his men, who were willing to follow him wherever he chose to - lead. When the aide met these two regiments, he found them hastening on. - </p> - <p> - The First North Carolina was in light marching order; the Fifty-fourth - Massachusetts was in heavy marching order, with knapsacks, haversacks, - canteens, and every other appurtenance of the soldier. But off went every - thing, and they double-quicked on to the field. At the most critical - juncture, just as the rebels were preparing for a simultaneous charge - along the whole line, and they had captured our artillery and turned it - upon us, Col. James Montgomery, Col. Hallo-well, and Lieut.-Col. Hooper - formed our line of battle on right by file into line. - </p> - <p> - The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts went in first, with a cheer. They were - followed by the First North Carolina (colored). Lieut.-Col. Reed, in - command, headed the regiment, sword in hand, and charged upon the rebels. - They broke when within twenty yards of contact with our negro troops. - Overpowered by numbers, the First North Carolina fell back in good order, - and poured in a destructive fire. Their colonel fell, mortally wounded. - Major Bogle fell wounded, and two men were killed in trying to reach his - body. The Adjutant, William C. Manning, wounded before at Malvern Hills, - got a bullet in his body, but persisted in remaining until another shot - struck him. His lieutenant-colonel, learning the fact, embraced him, and - implored him to leave the field. The next moment the two friends were - stretched side by side: the colonel had received his own death-wound. <i>But - the two colored regiments had stood in the gap, and saved the army!</i> - The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, which, with the First North Carolina, may - be truly said to have saved the forces from utter route, lost eighty men. - </p> - <p> - There were three color-sergeants shot down: the last one was shot three - times before he relinquished the flag of his country. His name was Samuel - C. Waters, Company C, and his body sleeps where he fell. The battle-flag - carried by Sergt. Taylor was borne through the fight with the left hand, - after the right one was nearly shot off. The rebels fired into the place - where the wounded were being attended to; and their cavalry was about - making a charge on it just as the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts appeared on - the field, when they retired. - </p> - <p> - Had Col. Hallowell not seen at a glance the situation of affairs, the - Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteers would have been killed or captured. - When they entered the field with the First North Carolina, which is a - brave regiment, they (the First North Carolina) fired well while they - remained; but they gave way, thus exposing the right. On the left, the - rebel cavalry were posted; and, as the enemy’s left advanced on our right, - their cavalry pressed the left. Both flanks were thus being folded up, and - slaughter or capture would have been the inevitable result. We fell back - in good order, and established new lines of battle, until we reached - Sanderson. Here a scene that beggars description was presented. Wounded - men lined the railroad station; and the roads were filled with artillery, - caissons, ammunition and baggage-wagons, infantry, cavalry, and - ambulances. The only organized bodies ready to repel attack were a portion - of the Fortieth Massachusetts Mounted Infantry, armed with the Spencer - repeating-rifle, the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteers, and the - Seventh Connecticut, commanded by Col. Hawley, now governor of - Connecticut. - </p> - <p> - An occurrence of thrilling interest took place during the battle, which I - must not omit to mention: it was this:— - </p> - <p> - Col. Hallowed ordered the color-line to be advanced one hundred and fifty - paces. Three of the colored corporals, Pease, Palmer, and Glasgow, being - wounded, and the accomplished Goodin killed, there were four only left,—Wilkins - the acting sergeant, Helnian and Lenox. The colors were perforated with - bullets, and the staff was struck near the grasp of the sergeant; but the - color-guard marched steadily out, one hundred and fifty paces to the - front, with heads erect and square to the front; and the battalion rallied - around it, and fought such a fight as made Col. Hallowell shout with very - joy, and the men themselves to ring out defiant cheers which made the - pines and marshes of Ocean Pond echo again. - </p> - <p> - The attachment which the colored men form for their officers is very - great, often amounting to self-sacrifice. Thus when Major Bogle fell - wounded, one of his soldiers sprang forward to rescue him, and bear him to - the rear. At that instant a rebel sergeant fired, and wounded the black - man in the shoulder. This, however, did not force him to relinquish his - purpose, but appeared to add to his determination; and he had his arms - around the wounded officer, when a second ball passed through the - soldier’s head, and he fell and expired on the body of his superior, who - was taken prisoner by the enemy. - </p> - <p> - Although these colored men had never been paid off, and their families at - home were in want, they were as obedient and fought as bravely as the - white troops, whose pockets contained “greenbacks,” and whose wives and - children were provided for. - </p> - <p> - The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts went into the battle with “Three cheers for - Massachusetts, and seven dollars a month.” - </p> - <p> - It is well known that the general in command came to the colonel and said, - “The day is lost: you must do what you can to save the army from - destruction.” And nobly did they obey him. They fired their guns till - their ammunition was exhausted, and then stood with fixed bayonets till - the broken columns had time to retreat, and though once entirely - outflanked, the enemy getting sixty yards in their rear, their undaunted - front and loud cheering caused the enemy to pause, and allowed them time - to change front. They occupied the position as rear guard all the way back - to Jacksonville; and, where-ever was the post of danger, there was the - Fifty-fourth to be found. - </p> - <p> - When the forces arrived at Jacksonville, they there learned that the train - containing the wounded was at Ten-Mile Station, where it had been left, - owing to the breaking down of the engine. The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, - fatigued and worn out as it was, was despatched at once, late at night, to - the assistance of the disabled train. Arriving at Ten-Mile Station, they - found that the only way to bring the wounded with them was to attach ropes - to the cars, and let the men act as motive power. Thus the whole train of - cars containing the wounded from the battle of Olustee was dragged a - distance of ten miles by that brave colored regiment. All accounts give - the negroes great praise for gallantry displayed at this battle. Even the - correspondent of “The New-York Herald“ gives this emphatic testimony: “The - First North Carolina and the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, of the colored - troops, <i>did admirably.</i> The First North Carolina <i>held the - positions it was placed in with the greatest tenacity, and inflicted heavy - loss on the enemy. It was cool and steady, and never flinched for a - moment. The Fifty-fourth sustained the reputation they had gained at - Wagner, and bore themselves like soldiers throughout the battle.</i>” A - letter from Beaufort, dated Feb. 26, from a gentleman who accompanied Gen. - Seymour’s expedition, has the following passage relative to the conduct of - the Fifty-fourth in the repulse in Florida:— - </p> - <p> - “A word about the terrible defeat in Florida. We have been driven from - Lake City to within seven miles of Jacksonville,—fifty-three miles. - The rebels allowed us to penetrate, and then, with ten to our one, cut us - off, meaning to <i>‘bag’ us; and, had it not been for the glorious - Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, the whole brigade would have been captured or - annihilated.</i> This was the only regiment that rallied, broke the rebel - ranks, and saved us. <i>The Eighth United-States (colored) lost their flag - twice, and the Fifty-fourth recaptured it each time</i>. They had lost, in - killed and missing, about three hundred and fifty. They would not retreat - when ordered, but charged with the most fearful desperation, driving the - enemy before them, and turning their left flank. If this regiment has not - won glory enough to have shoulder-straps, where is there one that ever - did?” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0030" id="link2HCH0030"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXX—BATTLE OF POISON SPRINGS, ARKANSAS. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Hand-fought Battle.—Bravery of the Kansas Colored Troops.—They - die but will not yield.—Outnumbered by the Rebels.—Another - severe Battle.—The heroic Negro, after being wounded, fights till he - dies.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he battle of - Poison Springs, Ark., between one thousand Union and eight thousand rebel - troops, was one of the most severe conflicts of the war. Six hundred of - the Union forces were colored, and from Kansas, some of them having served - under old John Brown during the great struggle in that territory. These - black men, as it will be seen, bore the brunt of the fight, and never did - men show more determined bravery than was exhibited on this occasion. They - went into the battle singing the following characteristic song:— - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - “Old John Brown’s body lies a mouldering in the grave, - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - While weep the sons of bondage, whom he ventured to save; - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - But though he lost his life in struggling for the slave, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - His soul is marching on. - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Glory, glory, Hallelujah! - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Glory, glory, Hallelujah! - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Glory, glory, Hallelujah! - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - His soul is marching on! - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - John Brown was a hero, undaunted, true, and brave, - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - And Kansas knew his valor, when he fought her rights to save; - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - And now, though the grass grows green above his grave, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - His soul is marching on. - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - He captured Harper’s Ferry with his nineteen men so few, - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - And he frightened ‘Old Virginny’ till she trembled through and through: - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - They hung him for a traitor, themselves a traitor crew, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - For his soul is marching on, &c. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - John Brown was John the Baptist, of the Christ we are to see,— - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Christ, who of the bondman shall the Liberator be; - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - And soon throughout the sunny South the slaves shall all be free, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - For his soul is marching on, &c. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - The conflict that he heralded, he looks from heaven to view, - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - On the army of the Union, with its flag, red, white, and blue; - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - And heaven shall ring with anthems o’er the deed they mean to do, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - For his soul is marching on, &c. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Ye soldiers of freedom then strike, while strike ye may, - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - The death-blow of oppression in a better time and way; - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - For the dawn of old John Brown has brightened into day, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And his soul is marching on. - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Glory, glory, Hallelujah! - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Glory, glory, Hallelujah! - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Glory, glory, Hallelujah! - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And his soul is marching on.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - The following graphic description of the battle will be read with - thrilling interest:— - </p> - <p> - “<i>Official Report of Major Richard G. Ward, commanding First Kansas - Colored Regiment at the battle of Poison Springs.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>Headquarters First Kansas Colored Vols.,</i> <i>Camden, Ark., April - 20, 1864.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>Col. J. M. Williams, commanding Escort to Forage-train.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>Colonel</i>,—In conformity with the requirements of the circular - issued by you, April 19, 1864, I submit the following report of the - conduct of that portion of the escort which I had the honor to command, - and of the part taken by them in the action of the 18th inst:— - </p> - <p> - “I marched from the camp on White-Oak Creek, with the six companies left - with me as rear-guard, about seven o’clock, a.m. When I arrived at the - junction of the Washington Road, I found the Eighteenth Iowa Infantry and - a detachment of cavalry waiting to relieve me as rear-guard. At this - moment I received your order to press forward to the front, as your - advance was skirmishing with the enemy. Upon arriving, agreeably to your - order, I placed one wing of this regiment on each side of the section of - Rabb’s Battery, to support it, and awaited further developments. - </p> - <p> - “After your cavalry had ascertained the position of the enemy’s force on - our right flank, and Lieut. Haines had planted one of his pieces in a - favorable position, I placed Companies A, B, E, and H in position to - support it. We had hardly got into position here, before our cavalry were - forced back upon our line by an overwhelming force of the enemy. Lieut. - Henderson, commanding detachment Sixth Kansas (than whom a braver officer - never existed), was severely wounded, and I ordered Corp. Wallahan, - Company M, Sixth Kansas, to form his men on my right. He had scarcely - formed them, ere Lieut. Mitchell, commanding detachment Second Kansas - Cavalry, was also driven in, when he was placed upon the extreme right - under your personal supervision. - </p> - <p> - “The line of battle was now nearly in the form of the segment, of a - circle, the convex side being outward, or toward the enemy. Companies C - and I being on the north side of the road facing toward the east; - Companies D and F on the south side of the road, facing in the same - direction, whilst on my extreme right the men were drawn up in line facing - due south. It was now about half past eleven o’clock, a.m. These - dispositions were scarcely made ere the enemy opened a severe and - well-directed fire from a six-gun battery, at the distance of about one - thousand yards. This battery was near the road, due east of our line. At - the same time a howitzer battery, reported to me as having four guns, - opened on the south opposite my right, at a distance of six or seven - hundred yards. Although this was much the severest artillery fire that any - of the men had ever before been subjected to, and many of the men were - thus under fire for the <i>first time</i>, they were as cool as veterans, - and patiently awaited the onset of the enemy’s infantry. - </p> - <p> - “Just after twelve o’clock, the enemy’s batteries slackened their fire, - and their infantry advanced to the attack. From the position of the - ground, it was useless to deliver a fire until the enemy were within one - hundred yards. I therefore reserved my fire until their first line was - within that distance, when I gave the order to fire. For about a quarter - of an hour, it seemed as though the enemy were determined to break my - lines, and capture the guns; but their attempts were fruitless, and they - were compelled to fall precipitately back, not, however, before they had - disabled more than half of the gunners belonging to the gun on the right. - </p> - <p> - “Again they opened their infernal cross-fires with their batteries, and - through the smoke I could see them massing their infantry for another - attack. I immediately applied to you for more men. - </p> - <p> - “Companies G and K were sent me. I placed Company K upon the extreme right - (where the cavalry had rested, but which had now retired), and Company G - upon the left of Company B. Shortly after these dispositions were made, - the enemy again advanced, this time in two columns yelling like fiends. - Lieut. Macy, of Company C, whom you had sent out with skirmishers from the - left, was driven in; and I placed him, with his small command, between - Companies G and B. At this moment, yourself and Lieut. Haines arrived on - the right, and I reported to you the condition of the gun, only two men - being left to man it, when you ordered it to the rear. Just as the boys - were preparing to limber, a large body of the enemy was observed making - for the gun in close column, whereupon private Alonzo Hendshaw, of the - Second Indiana Battery, himself double-loaded the piece with canister, and - poured into the advancing column a parting salute at the distance of about - three hundred yards, and then limbered. The effect was terrific. Our - infantry redoubled their fire, and again the massed columns sullenly - retired. - </p> - <p> - “Three different times the enemy were thus repulsed; and, as they were - massing for the fourth charge, I informed you that I believed it would be - impossible to hold my position without more men on my right and centre. - You replied that I should have them if they could be spared from other - points. I held my position until you returned; when, seeing your horse - fall, I gave you mine for the purpose of going to the Eighteenth Iowa to - form them in a favorable position for my line to fall back upon. Agreeably - to your order to hold the ground at any and all events until this could be - done, I encouraged the men to renew their exertions, and repel the coming - charge, intending, if I succeeded, to take that opportunity of falling - back, instead of being compelled to do so under fire. My right succeeded - in checking the advance; but, my left being outflanked at the same time - that my left-centre was sustaining the attack of ten times their number, I - ordered to fall back slowly toward the train, changing front toward the - left, to prevent the enemy from coming up in my rear. We here made a stand - of about ten minutes, when I perceived that the enemy had succeeded in - flanking my extreme right, and that I was placed in a position to receive - a cross-fire from their two lines. I was then compelled, in order to save - even a fragment of the gallant regiment which for nearly two hours had, - unaided, sustained itself against Price’s whole army, to order a retreat. - </p> - <p> - “Although a portion retired precipitately, the greater portion of them - kept up a continued fire the whole length of the train. I ordered the men - to retire behind the line of the Iowa Eighteenth, and form; but, alas! - four companies had lost their gallant commanders, and were without an - officer. By your aid, and the assistance of the few unharmed officers, I - succeeded in collecting a few of the command, and placing them on the left - of the Iowa Eighteenth. As they were slowly forced backward, others took - position in the line, and did all that could be done to check the advance - of the overwhelming forces of the enemy. I sent a small force to assist - Lieut. Haines in his gallant and manly efforts to save his guns; and, had - it not been for the worn condition of the horses, I believe he would have - succeeded. Accompanying this, I send the reports of company commanders of - the losses sustained by their respective companies. It will be noticed - that the heaviest punishment was inflicted upon Company G, from the fact - that it was more exposed to the galling cross-fires of the enemy. - </p> - <p> - “You will see that I went into action with about four hundred and fifty - enlisted men, and thirteen officers of the line. Seven out of that gallant - thirteen were killed or wounded. Five are reported dead on the field: - Capt. A. J. Armstrong, Company D; Lieut. B. Hitchcock, Company G; Lieuts. - Charles J. Coleman and Joseph B. Samuels, Company H; and Lieut. John - Topping, Company B. The cheerful offering of the lives of such noble men - needs not the assistance of any studied panegyric to bespeak for it that - spirit of lasting admiration with which their memories will ever be - enshrined. - </p> - <p> - “Four companies fought their way to the rear, without a commissioned - officer. One hundred and thirteen men are killed, and sixty-nine wounded,—some - of them mortally. I cannot refrain from mentioning the names of Capt. B. - W. Welch, Company K, and Lieut. E. Q. Macy, Company C. both of whom were - wounded, as among the number of sufferers who have earned the thanks and - merit the sympathy of the loyal and generous everywhere. Any attempt to - mention the names of any soldier in particular would be unjust, unless I - mentioned all; for every one, as far as I could see, did his duty coolly, - nobly, and bravely. On the right, where the enemy made so many repeated - attempts to break my line, I saw officers and men engaged in taking the - cartridges from the bodies of the dead; and, upon inquiring, found that - their ammunition was nearly expended. - </p> - <p> - “The brave and soldier-like Topping was killed in the first charge; and - the gallant young Coleman, commanding Company H, was shot down in the - second charge. At what particular period of the engagement the other - officers fell, I am unable to state. To Capt. John R, Gratton, Company C; - Capt. William H. Smallwood, Company G; Lieut. R. L. Harris, Company I: - Lieut. B. G. Jones, Company A; Lieut. John Overdier, Company E; Lieut. S. - S. Crepps, Company F; and Adjutant William C. Gibbons, I would tender my - heartfelt thanks, for the faithful, efficient, and manly performance of - the most arduous duties, while subjected to the hottest fire. - </p> - <p> - “The loss in arms and clothing is quite serious; but, from the exhausted - state of the men, it is strange that as many of them brought in their arms - and accoutrements as did. Out of seventy-eight hours preceding the action, - sixty-three hours were spent by the entire command on duty, besides a - heavy picket-guard having been furnished for the remaining fifteen hours. - You are also reminded that the rations were of necessity exceedingly short - for more than a week previous to the battle. - </p> - <p> - “We were obliged to bring our wounded away the best we could, as the - rebels were seen shooting those who fell into their hands. The men who - brought in the wounded were obliged to throw away their arms; but the most - who did so waited till they reached the swamps, and then sunk them in the - bayous. - </p> - <p> - “I am, colonel, very respectfully, - </p> - <p> - “Your obedient servant, - </p> - <h3> - “<i>R. G. WARD,</i> - </h3> - <p> - “<i>Major First Kansas Colored Volunteers.</i>’’’ - </p> - <p> - “Since this Report was published, official information has been received - at Fort Smith, that Capt. Armstrong and Lieut. Hitchcock are prisoners of - war in Arkansas, and not killed as reported. - </p> - <p> - “Yours, - </p> - <h3> - “J. BOWLES, - </h3> - <p> - “Lieutenant-Colonel First Kansas Volunteers.” - </p> - <p> - Eight days later, the same colored regiment had a fight with a superior - force in numbers of the rebels; and the subjoined account of the - engagement will show with what determination they fought. - </p> - <p> - “On the 29th, we skirmished in the forenoon. In the afternoon, the - venturing-out of a detachment beyond the distance ordered brought on a - severe though short general engagement. At least one hundred and twenty of - the rebel cavalry made a charge upon this detachment of twenty-four men. - Before we could bring up re-enforcements, these fearfully disproportioned - parties were engaged in a desperate hand-to-hand encounter. I was on the - field, doing, with the other officers, the best we could to bring up - re-enforcements. There was no flinching, no hesitation, or trembling limbs - among the men; but fierce determination flashing in their eyes, and - exhibiting an eager, passionate haste to aid their comrades, and vindicate - the manhood of their race. The air was rent with their yells, as they - rushed on, and the difficulty manifested was in holding them well in - rather than in faltering. Among the detachment cut off, of whom only six - escaped unhurt, nothing I have ever seen, read, or heard in the annals of - war, surpasses the desperate personal valor exhibited by each and every - man. Bayonets came in bloody, as did the stocks of guns; and the last - charge was found gone from cartridge-boxes. - </p> - <p> - “During the fight, one poor fellow received a mortal wound, but would not - go to the rear. He told his officer that he could not live, but would die - fighting for the flag of liberty; and continued to load and discharge his - rifle until he fell dead on the field of glory. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - “The ball had crushed a vital part,— - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - He could not long survive; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - But, with a brave and loyal heart, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - For victory still would strive; - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - His rifle ‘gainst the traitor foe - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - With deadly aim would ply; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And, till his life-blood ceased to flow, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Fight on for liberty. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - His skin was of the ebon hue, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - His heart was nobly brave: - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - To country, flag, and freedom true, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - He would not live a slave. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - His rifle flashed,—a traitor falls: - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - While death is in his eye, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - He bravely to his comrades calls, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - ‘Fight on for liberty!’ - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - He looked upon his bannered sign, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - He bowed his noble head,— - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - ‘Farewell, beloved flag of mine!’— - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Then fell among the dead. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - His comrades will remember well - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - The hero’s battle-cry, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - As in the arms of death he fell,— - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - ‘Fight on for liberty!’ - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And still for liberty and laws - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - His comrades will contend, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Till victory crowns the righteous cause, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - And tyrant power shall end. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Though low in earth the martyr lies, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Still rings his battle-cry: - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - From hill to hill the echo flies,— - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - ‘Fight on for liberty!’ - </p> - <p> - <br /> <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0031" id="link2HCH0031"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXXI—THE MASSACRE AT FORT PILLOW. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Assault and Capture of the Fort.—“No Quarter.”—Rebel - Atrocities.—Gens. Forrest and Chalmers.—Firing upon Flags of - Truce.—Murder of Men, Women, and Children.—Night after the - Assault.—Buried Alive.—Morning after the Massacre.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">N</span>othing in the - history of the Rebellion has equalled in inhumanity and atrocity the - horrid butchery at Fort Pillow, Ky., on the 13th of April, 1864. In no - other school than slavery could human beings have been trained to such - readiness for cruelties like these. Accustomed to brutality and bestiality - all their lives, it was easy for them to perpetrate the atrocities which - will startle the civilized foreign world, as they have awakened the - indignation of our own people. - </p> - <p> - We have gleaned the facts of the fight from authentic sources, and they - may be relied upon as truthful. The rebels, under Forrest, appeared, and - drove in the pickets about sunrise on Tuesday morning. The garrison of the - fort consisted of about two hundred of the Thirteenth Tennessee - Volunteers, and four hundred negro artillery, all under command of Major - Booth: the gunboat “No. 7” was also in the river. The rebels first - attacked the outer forts, and, in several attempts to charge, were - repulsed. They were constantly re-enforced, and extended their lines to - the river on both sides of the fort. The garrison in the two outer forts - was at length overpowered by superior numbers, and about noon evacuated - them, and retired to the fort on the river. Here the fight was maintained - with great obstinacy, and continued till about four, p.m. The approach to - the fort from the rear is over a gentle declivity, cleared, and fully - exposed to a raking fire from two sides of the fort. About thirty yards - from the fort is a deep ravine, running all along the front, and so steep - at the bottom as to be hidden from the fort, and not commanded by its - guns. The rebels charged with great boldness dawn the declivity, and - faced, without blanching, a murderous fire from the guns and small-arms of - the fort, and crowded into the ravine; where they were sheltered from fire - by the steep bank, which had been thus left by some unaccountable neglect - or ignorance. Here the rebels organized for a final charge upon the fort, - after sending a flag of truce with a demand for surrender, which was - refused. The approach from the ravine was up through a deep, narrow gully, - and the steep embankments of the fort. The last charge was made about - four, p.m., by the whole rebel force, and was successful after a most - desperate and gallant defence. The rebel army was estimated at from two - thousand to four thousand, and succeeded by mere force of numbers. The - gunboat had not been idle, but, guided by signals from the fort, poured - upon the rebels a constant stream of shot and shell. She fired two hundred - and sixty shells, and, as testified to by those who could see, with - marvellous precision and with fatal effect. Major Booth, who was killed - near the close of the fight, conducted the defence with great coolness, - skill, and gallantry. His last signal to the boat was, “We are hard - pressed and shall be overpowered.” He refused to surrender, however, and - fought to the last. By the uniform and voluntary, testimony of the rebel - officers, as well as the survivors of the fight, the negro-artillery - regiments fought with the bravery and coolness of veterans, and served the - guns with skill and precision. They did not falter nor flinch, until, at - the last charge, when it was evident they would be overpowered, they - broke, and fled toward the river: and here commenced the most barbarous - and cruel outrages that ever the fiendishness of rebels has perpetrated - during the war. - </p> - <p> - After the rebels were in undisputed possession of the fort, and the - survivors had surrendered, they commenced the indiscriminate butchery of - all the Federal soldiery. The colored soldiers threw down their guns, and - raised their arms, in token of surrender; but not the least attention was - paid to it. They continued to shoot down all they found. A number of them, - finding no quarter was given, ran over the bluff to the river, and tried - to conceal themselves under the bank and in the bushes, where they were - pursued by the rebel savages, whom they implored to spare their lives. - Their appeals were made in vain; and they were all shot down in cold - blood, and, in full sight of the gunboat, chased and shot down like dogs. - In passing up the bank of the river, fifty dead might be counted, strewed - along. One had crawled into a hollow log, and was killed in it; another - had got over the bank into the river, and had got on a board that run out - into the water. He lay on it on his face, with his feet in the water. He - lay there, when exposed, stark and stiff. Several had tried to hide in - crevices made by the falling bank, and could not be seen without - difficulty; but they were singled out, and killed. From the best - information to be had, the white soldiers were, to a very considerable - extent, treated in the same way. H. W. Harrison, one of the Thirteenth - Tennessee on board, says, that, after the surrender, he was below the - bluff, and one of the rebels presented a pistol to shoot him. He told him - he had surrendered, and requested him not to fire. He spared him, and - directed him to go up the bluff to the fort. Harrison asked him to go - before him, or he would be shot by others; but he told him to go along. He - started, and had not proceeded far before he met a rebel, who presented - his pistol. Harrison begged him not to fire; but, paying no attention to - his request, he fired, and shot him through the shoulder; and another shot - him in the leg. He fell; and, while he lay unable to move, another came - along, and was about to fire again, when Harrison told him he was badly - wounded twice, and implored him not to fire. He asked Harrison if he had - any money. He said he had a little money, and a watch. The rebel took from - him his watch and ninety dollars in money, and left him. Harrison is, - probably, fatally wounded. Several such cases have been related to me; and - I think, to a great extent, the whites and negroes were indiscriminately - murdered. The rebel Tennesseeans have about the same bitterness against - Tennesseeans in the Federal army, as against the negroes. It was told by a - rebel officer that Gen. Forrest shot one of his men, and cut another with - his sabre, who were shooting down prisoners. It may be so; but he is - responsible for the conduct of his men. Gen. Chalmers stated publicly, - while on the Platte Valley, that, though he did not encourage or - countenance his men in shooting down negro captives, yet it was right and - justifiable. - </p> - <p> - The negro corporal, Jacob Wilson, who was picked up below Fort Pillow, had - a narrow escape. He was down on the river-bank, and, seeing that no - quarter was shown, stepped into the water so that he lay partly under it. - A rebel coming along asked him what was the matter: he said he was badly - wounded; and the rebel, after taking from his pocket all the money he had, - left him. It happened to be near by a flat-boat tied to the bank, and - about three o’clock in the morning. When all was quiet, Wilson crawled - into it, and got three more wounded comrades also into it, and cut loose. - The boat floated out into the channel, and was found ashore some miles - below. The wounded negro soldiers aboard feigned themselves dead until - Union soldiers came along. - </p> - <p> - The atrocities committed almost exceed belief; and, but for the fact that - so many confirm the stories, we could not credit them. One man, already - badly wounded, asked of a scoundrel who was firing at him, to spare his - life. “No: damn you!” was the reply. “You fight with niggers!” and - forthwith discharged two more balls into him. One negro was made to assist - in digging a pit to bury the dead in, and was himself cast in among - others, and buried. Five are known to have been buried alive: of these, - two dug themselves out, and are now alive, and in the hospital. Daniel - Tyler, of Company B, was shot three times, and struck on the head, - knocking out his eye. After this, he was buried; but, not liking his - quarters, dug out. He laughs over his adventures, and says he is one of - the best “dug-outs” in the world. - </p> - <p> - Dr. Fitch says he saw twenty white soldiers paraded in line on the bank of - the river; and, when in line, the rebels fired upon and killed all but - one, who ran to the river, and hid under a log, and in that condition was - fired at a number of times, and wounded. He says that Major Bradford also - ran down to the river, and, after he told them that he had surrendered, - more than fifty shots were fired at him. He then jumped into the river, - and swam out a little ways, and whole volleys were fired at him there - without hitting him. He returned to the shore, and meeting, as the doctor - supposes, some officer, was protected; but he heard frequent threats from - the rebels that they would kill him. - </p> - <p> - “Yesterday afternoon,” says “The Cairo News” of April 16, “we visited the - United-States Hospital at Mound City, and had an interview with the - wounded men from Fort Pillow. - </p> - <p> - “The Fort-Pillow wounded are doing much better than could be expected from - the terrible nature of their wounds. But one, William Jones, had died, - though Adjutant Bearing and Lieut. John H. Porter cannot possibly long - survive. Of the whole number,—fifty-two,—all except two were - cut or shot after they had surrendered! They all tell the same story of - the rebel barbarities; and listening to a recital of the terrible scenes - at the fort makes one’s blood run cold. They say they were able to keep - the rebels at bay for several hours, notwithstanding the immense disparity - of numbers; and, but for their treachery in creeping up under the walls of - the fort while a truce was pending, would have held out until ‘The Olive - Branch’ arrived with troops, with whose assistance they would have - defeated Chalmers. - </p> - <p> - “So well were our men protected behind their works, that our loss was very - trifling before the rebels scaled the walls, and obtained possession. As - soon as they saw the Rebels inside the walls, the Unionists ceased firing, - knowing that further resistance was useless; but the Rebels continued - firing, crying out, ‘Shoot them, shoot them! Show them no quarter!’ - </p> - <p> - “The Unionists, with one or two exceptions, had thrown down their arms in - token of surrender, and therefore could offer no resistance. In vain they - held up their hands, and begged their captors to spare their lives. But - they were appealing to fiends; and the butchery continued until, out of - near six hundred men who composed the garrison, but two hundred and thirty - remained alive: and of this number, sixty-two were wounded, and nine died - in a few hours after. - </p> - <p> - “Capt. Bradford, of the First Alabama Cavalry, was an especial object of - rebel hatred, and his death was fully determined upon before the assault - was made. After he had surrendered, he was basely shot; but, having his - revolver still at his side, he emptied it among a crowd of rebels, - bringing three of the scoundrels to the ground. The massacre was - acquiesced in by most of the rebel officers, Chalmers himself expressly - declaring that ‘home-made Yankees and negroes should receive no quarter.’” - </p> - <p> - The following is an extract from the Report of the Committee on the - Conduct of the War on the Fort-Pillow Massacre:— - </p> - <p> - “It will appear from the testimony that was taken, that the atrocities - committed at Fort Pillow were not the results of passion elicited by the - heat of conflict, but were the results of a policy deliberately decided - upon, and unhesitatingly announced. Even if the uncertainty of the fate of - those officers and men belonging to colored regiments, who have heretofore - been taken prisoners by the rebels, has failed to convince the authorities - of our Government of this fact, the testimony herewith submitted must - convince even the most sceptical, that it is the intention of the rebel - authorities not to recognize the officers and men of our colored regiments - as entitled to the treatment accorded by all civilized nations to - prisoners of war. - </p> - <p> - “The declarations of Forrest and his officers, both before and after the - capture of Fort Pillow, as testified to by such of our men as have escaped - after being taken by him; the threats contained in the various demands for - surrender made at Paducah, Columbus, and other places; the renewal of the - massacre the morning after the capture of Fort Pillow; the statements made - by the rebel officers to the officers of our gunboats who received the few - survivors at Fort Pillow,—all this proves most conclusively the - policy they have determined to adopt. - </p> - <p> - “It was at Fort Pillow that the brutality and cruelty of the rebels were - most fearfully exhibited. The garrison there, according to the last - returns received at headquarters, amounted to ten officers and five - hundred and thirty-eight enlisted men, of whom two hundred and sixty-two - were colored troops, comprising one battalion of the Sixteenth - United-States Heavy Artillery, formerly the First Alabama Artillery of - colored troops, under the command of Major L. F. Booth; one section of the - Second Light Artillery (colored); and a battalion of the Thirteenth - Tennessee Cavalry (white ), commanded by Major A. F. Bradford. Major Booth - was the ranking officer, and was in command of the fort. - </p> - <p> - “Immediately after the second flag of truce retired, the rebels made a - rush from the positions they had so treacherously gained, and obtained - possession of the fort, raising the cry of ‘No quarter.’ But little - opportunity was allowed for resistance. Our troops, white and black, threw - down their arms, and sought to escape by running down the steep bluff near - the fort, and secreting themselves behind trees and logs in the brush, and - under the brush; some even jumping into the river, leaving only their - heads above the water. Then followed a scene of cruelty and murder without - parallel in civilized warfare, which needed but the tomahawk and - scalping-knife to exceed the worst atrocities ever committed by savages. - </p> - <p> - “The rebels commenced an indiscriminate slaughter, sparing neither age nor - sex, white nor black, soldier nor civilian. The officers and men seemed to - vie with each other in the devilish work. Men, women, and children, - wherever found, were deliberately shot down, beaten, and hacked with - sabres. Some of the children not more than ten years old were forced to - stand up by their murderers while being shot. The sick and wounded were - butchered without mercy; the rebels even entering the hospital-buildings, - and dragging them out to be shot, or killing them as they lay there unable - to offer the least resistance. All over the hillside the work of murder - was going on. Numbers of our men were collected together in lines or - groups, aud deliberately shot. Some were shot while in the river; while - others on the bank were shot, and their bodies kicked into the water, many - of them still living, but unable to make exertions to save themselves from - drowning. - </p> - <p> - “Some of the rebels stood upon the top of the hill, or a short distance - from its side, and called to our soldiers to come up to them, and, as they - approached, shot them down in cold blood; and, if their guns or pistols - missed fire, forced them to stand there until they were again prepared to - fire. All around were heard cries of ‘No quarter, no quarter!’ ‘Kill the d——d - niggers, shoot them down!7 All who asked for mercy were answered by the - most cruel taunts and sneers. Some were spared for a time, only to be - murdered under circumstances of greater cruelty. - </p> - <p> - “No cruelty which the most fiendish malignity could devise was omitted by - these murderers. One white soldier who was wounded in the leg so as to be - unable to walk was made to stand up while his tormentors shot him. Others - who were wounded, and unable to stand up, were held up and again shot. One - negro who had been ordered by a rebel officer to hold his horse was killed - by him when he remonstrated; another, a mere child, whom an officer had - taken up behind him on his horse, was seen by Gen. Chalmers, who at once - ordered him to put him down and shoot him, which was done. - </p> - <p> - “The huts and tents in which many of the wounded sought shelter were set - on fire, both on that night and the next morning, while the wounded were - still in them; those only escaping who were able to get themselves out, or - who could prevail on others less injured to help them out: and some of - these thus seeking to escape the flames were met by these ruffians, and - brutally shot down, or had their brains beaten out. One man was - deliberately fastened down to the floor of a tent, face upwards, by means - of nails driven through his clothing and into the boards under him, so - that he could not possibly escape; and then the tent was set on fire. - Another was nailed to the sides of a building outside of the fort, and - then the building was set on fire and burned. The charred remains of five - or six bodies were afterwards found, all but one so much disfigured and - consumed by the flames, that they could not be identified; and the - identification of that one is not absolutely certain, although there can - hardly be a doubt that it was the body of Lieut. Albertson, Quartermaster - of the Thirteenth Virginia Cavalry, and a native of Tennessee. Several - witnesses who saw the remains, and who were personally acquainted with him - while living here, testified it to be their firm belief that it was his - body that was thus treated. - </p> - <p> - “These deeds of murder and cruelty closed when night came on, only to be - renewed the next morning, when the demons carefully sought among the dead - lying about in all directions for any other wounded yet alive; and those - they found were deliberately shot. Scores of the dead and wounded were - found there the day after the massacre by the men from some of our - gunboats, who were permitted to go on shore, and collect the wounded, and - bury the dead. - </p> - <p> - “The rebels themselves had made a pretence of burying a great many of - their victims; but they had merely thrown them, without the least regard - to care or decency, in the trenches and ditches about the fort, or little - hollows and ravines on the hillside, covering them but partially with - earth. Portions of heads and faces were found protruding through the earth - in every direction; and even when your Committee visited the spot, two - weeks afterwards, although parties of men had been sent on shore from time - to time to bury the bodies unburied, and re-bury the others, and were even - then engaged in the same work, we found the evidences of the murder and - cruelty still most painfully apparent. - </p> - <p> - “We saw bodies still unburied, at some distance from the fort, of some - sick men who had been met fleeing from the hospital, and beaten down and - brutally murdered, and their bodies left where they had fallen. We could - still see the faces and hands and feet of men, white and black, protruding - out of the ground, whose graves had not been reached by those engaged in - re-interring the victims of the massacre; and, although a great deal of - rain had fallen within the preceding two weeks, the ground, more - especially on the side and at the foot of the bluff where most of the - murders had been committed, was still discolored by the blood of our brave - but unfortunate soldiers; and the logs and trees showed but too plainly - the evidences of the atrocities perpetrated. - </p> - <p> - “Many other instances of equally, atrocious cruelty might be mentioned; - but your Committee feel compelled to refrain from giving here more of the - heart-sickening details, and refer to the statements contained in the - voluminous testimony herewith submitted. These statements were obtained by - them from eye-witnesses and sufferers. Many of them as they were examined - by your Committee were lying upon beds of pain and suffering; some so - feeble that their lips could with difficulty frame the words by which they - endeavored to convey some idea of the cruelties which had been inflicted - on them, and which they had seen inflicted on others.” - </p> - <p> - When the murderers returned, the day after the capture, to renew their - fiendish work upon the wounded and dying, they found a young and beautiful - mulatto woman searching among the dead for the body of her husband. She - was the daughter of a wealthy and influential rebel residing at Columbus. - With her husband, this woman was living near the fort when our forces - occupied it, and joined the Union men to assist in holding the place. - Going from body to body with all the earnestness with which love could - inspire an affectionate heart, she at last found the object of her search. - He was not dead; but both legs were broken. The wife had succeeded in - getting him out from among the piles of dead, and was bathing his face, - and giving him water to drink from a pool near by, which had been - replenished by the rain that fell a few hours before. At this moment she - was seen by the murderous band; and the cry was at once raised, “Kill the - wench, kill her!” The next moment the sharp crack of a musket was heard, - and the angel of mercy fell a corpse on the body of her wounded husband, - who was soon after knocked in the head by the butt-end of the same weapon. - Though these revolting murders were done under the immediate eye of Gen. - Chalmers, the whole was planned and carried out by Gen. Forrest whose - inhumanity has never been surpassed in the history of civilized or even - barbarous warfare. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0032" id="link2HCH0032"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXXII—INJUSTICE TO COLORED TROOPS. - </h2> - <p> - <i>The Pay of the Men.—Government refuses to keep its Promise.—Efforts - of Gov. Andrew to have Justice done.—Complaint of the Men. —Mutiny.—Military - Murder.—Everlasting Shame.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">W</span>hen the War - Department commenced recruiting colored men as soldiers in Massachusetts, - New Orleans, and Hilton Head, it was done with the promise that these men - should receive the same pay, clothing, and treatment that white soldiers - did. The same was promised at Camp William Penn, at Philadelphia. After - several regiments had been raised and put in the field, the War Department - decided to pay them but ten dollars per month, without clothing. The - Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteers, and the Fifty-fifth, were both in - South Carolina when this decision was made; yet the Government held on to - the men who had thus been obtained under false pretences. Dissatisfaction - showed itself as soon as this was known among the colored troops. Still - the blacks performed their duty, hoping that Congress would see that - justice was done to them. The men refused to receive less than was their - just due when the paymaster came round, as the following will show:— - </p> - <p> - “<i>Hilton Head, S.C., Feb. 6,1864</i>. - </p> - <p> - “Samuel Harrison, Chaplain of the Fifty-fourth Regiment Massachusetts - Volunteers (colored troops), asks pay at the usual rate of chaplains,—one - hundred dollars per month and two rations, which, he being of African - descent, I decline paying, under Act of Congress, July 17, 1862, which - authorizes the employment of persons of African descent in the army. The - chaplain declines receiving any thing less. - </p> - <p> - “<i>Paymaster, United-States Army.”</i> - </p> - <p> - It was left, however, for Massachusetts to take the lead, both by her - governor, and by her colored soldiers in the field, to urge upon the - Congress and the Administration the black man’s claims. To the honor of - John A. Andrew, the patriotic Chief Magistrate of the Bay State during the - Rebellion, justice was demanded again and again. The following will show - his feelings upon the subject:— - </p> - <p> - His Excellency Gov. Andrew, in a letter dated Executive Department, - Boston, Aug. 24, and addressed to Mr. Frederick Johnson, an officer in the - regiment, says,— - </p> - <p> - “I have this day received your letter of the 10th of August, and in reply - desire, in the first place, to express to you the lively interest with - which I have watched every step of the Fifty-fourth Regiment since it left - Massachusetts, and the feelings of pride and admiration with which I have - learned and read the accounts of the heroic conduct of the regiment in the - attack upon Fort Wagner, when you and your brave soldiers so well proved - their manhood, and showed themselves to be true soldiers of Massachusetts. - As to the matter inquired about in your letter, you may rest assured that - I shall not rest until you shall have secured all of your rights, and that - I have no doubt whatever of ultimate success. I have no doubt, by law, you - are entitled to the same pay as other soldiers; and, on the authority of - the Secretary of War, I promised that you should be paid and treated in - all respects like other soldiers of Massachusetts. Till this is done, I - feel that my promise is dishonored by the Government. The whole difficulty - arises from a misapprehension, the correction of which will no doubt be - made as soon as I can get the subject fully examined by the Secretary of - War. - </p> - <p> - “I have the honor to be your obedient servant, - </p> - <h3> - “<i>JOHN A. ANDREW,</i> - </h3> - <p> - “<i>Governor of Massachusetts.</i>” - </p> - <p> - The subjoined letter, from a soldier of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts - Volunteers, needs no explanation:— - </p> - <p> - “We are still anticipating the arrival of the day when the Government will - do justice to the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Regiments, and pay us what - is justly our due. - </p> - <p> - “We have fought like men; we have worked like men; we have been ready at - every call of duty, and thus have proved ourselves to be men: but still we - are refused the thirteen dollars per month. - </p> - <p> - “Oh, what a shame it is to be treated thus! Some of us have wives and - little children, who are looking for succor and support from their - husbands and fathers; but, alas! they look in vain. The answer to the - question, ‘When shall we be able to assist them?’ is left wholly to the - Congress of the United States. - </p> - <p> - “What will the families of those poor comrades of ours who fell at James’s - Island, Fort Wagner, and Olus-tee, do? They must suffer; for their - husbands and fathers have gone the way of all the earth. They have gone to - join that number that John saw, and to rest at the right hand of God. - </p> - <p> - “Our hearts pine in bitter anguish when we look back to our loved ones at - home, and we are compelled to shed many a briny tear. We have offered our - lives a sacrifice for a country that has not the magnanimity to treat us - as men. All that we ask is the rights of other soldiers, the liberty of - other free men. If we cannot have these, give us an honorable discharge - from the United-States service, and we will not ask for pay. - </p> - <p> - “We came here to fight for liberty and country, and not for money (we - would scorn to do that); but they promised us, if we would enlist, they - would give us thirteen dollars per month. - </p> - <p> - “It was all false. They only wanted to get the halter over our heads, and - then say, ‘Get out if you can.’ - </p> - <p> - “Sir, the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Regiments would sooner consent to - fight for the whole three years, gratis, than to be put upon the footing - of contrabands. - </p> - <p> - “It is not that we think ourselves any better than they; for we are not. - We know that God ‘hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell - on all the face of the earth;’ but we have enlisted as Massachusetts - Volunteers, and we will not surrender that proud position, come what may.” - </p> - <p> - Sergt. William Walker, of Company A, Third South-Carolina colored troops, - feeling that he and his associates were unjustly dealt with, persuaded his - company to go to their captain’s tent, and stack their muskets, and refuse - duty till paid. They did so, and the following was the result:— - </p> - <h3> - CONDEMNED AND SHOT FOR MUTINY. - </h3> - <p> - “Sergt. William Walker, of Company A, Third South-Carolina colored troops, - was yesterday killed, in accordance with the sentence of a court-martial. - He had declared he would no longer remain a soldier for seven dollars per - month, and had brought his company to stack their arms before their - captain’s tent, refusing to do duty until they should be paid thirteen - dollars a month, as had been agreed when they were enlisted by Col. Saxon. - He was a smart soldier and an able man, dangerous as leader in a revolt. - His last moments were attended by Chaplain Wilson, Twenty-fourth - Massachusetts, and Chaplain Moore, of the Second South-Carolina colored - troops. The execution took place at Jacksonville, Fla., in presence of the - regiments there in garrison. He met his death unflinchingly. Out of eleven - shots first fired, but one struck him. A reserve firing-party had been - provided, and by these he was shot to death. - </p> - <p> - “The mutiny for which this man suffered death arose entirely out of the - inconsistent and contradictory orders of the Paymaster and the Treasury - Department at Washington.”—<i>Beaufort (S.C.) Cor. Tribune.</i> - </p> - <p> - The United-States Paymaster visited the Department three times, and - offered to pay laborers’ wages, of ten dollars per month, to the - Massachusetts Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth, which to a man they refused, - saying, “‘Tis an insult, after promising us a soldier’s pay, and calling - upon us to do a soldier’s duty (and faithfully has it been performed), to - offer us the wages of a laborer, who is not called upon to peril his life - for his country.” Finding that the Government had tried to force them to - take this reduced pay, Massachusetts sent down agents to make up the - difference to them out of the State Treasury, trusting, that, ere long, - the country would acknowledge them as on an equality with the rest of the - army. But, in a manner that must redound to their credit, they refused it. - Said they, “‘Tis the principle, not the money, that we contend for: we - will either be paid as soldiers, or fight without reward.” This drew down - upon them the hatred of the other colored troops (for those regiments - raised in the South were, promised but ten dollars, as the Government also - took care of their families), and they had to bear much from them; but - they did not falter. Standing by their expressed determination to have - justice done them, they quietly performed their duties, only praying - earnestly that every friend of theirs at the North would help the - Government to see what a blot rests on its fair fame,—a betrayal of - the trust reposed in them by the colored race. - </p> - <p> - When they rushed forward to save our army from being slaughtered at - Olustee, it was the irrepressible negro humor, with something more than a - dash of sarcasm, that prompted the battle-cry, “Three cheers for Old - Massachusetts, and seven dollars a month!” (Three dollars were reserved by - Government for clothes.) - </p> - <p> - Another soldier, a member of the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts, complains as - follows:— - </p> - <p> - “Eleven months have now passed away, and still we are without our pay. How - our families are to live and pay house-rent I know not. Uncle Sam has long - wind, and expects as much of us as any soldiers in the field; but, if we - cannot get any pay, what have we to stimulate us? - </p> - <p> - “To work the way this regiment has for day’s, weeks, nay, months, and yet - to get no money to send to our wives, children, and mothers, who are now - suffering, would cause the blush of shame to mantle the cheek of a - cannibal, were he our paymaster. - </p> - <p> - “But we will suffer all the days of our appointed time with patience, only - let us know that we are doing some good, make manifest, too, that we are - making men (and women) of our race; let us know that prejudice, the curse - of the North as slavery is the curse of the South, is breaking, slowly but - surely; then we will suffer more, work faster, fight harder, and stand - firmer than before.” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0033" id="link2HCH0033"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXXIII.—BATTLE OF HONEY HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Union Troops.—The March.—The Enemy.—The Swamp.—Earthworks.—The - Battle.—Desperate Fighting.—Great Bravery.—Col. - Hartwell.—Fifty-fifth Massachusetts.—The Dying and the Dead.—The - Retreat.—The Enemy’s Position.—Earthworks.—His - Advantages.—The Union Forces.—The Blacks.—Our Army - outnumbered by the Rebels.—Their concealed Batteries.—Skirmishing.—The - Rebels retreat to their Base.—The Battle.—Great Bravery of our - Men.—The Fifty-fifth Massachusetts saves the Army.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">H</span>oney Hill is about - two and a half miles east of the village of Grahamville, Beaufort - District. On the crest of this, where the road or the highway strikes it, - is a semicircular line of earthworks, defective, though, in construction, - as they are too high for infantry, and have little or no exterior slope. - These works formed the centre of the rebel lines; while their left reached - up into the pine-lands, and their right along a line of fence that skirted - the swamp below the batteries. They commanded fully the road in front as - it passes through the swamp at the base of the hill, and only some fifty - or sixty yards distant. Through the swamp runs a small creek, which - spreads up and down the roads for some thirty or forty yards, but is quite - shallow the entire distance. Some sixty yards beyond this creek, the main - road turns off to the left, making an obtuse angle; while another and - smaller road makes off to the right from the same point. - </p> - <p> - The Union forces consisted of six thousand troops, artillery, cavalry, and - infantry, all told, under the command of Major-Gen. J. G. Foster; Gen. - John P. Hatch having the immediate command. The First Brigade, under Gen. - E. E. Potter, was composed of the Fifty-sixth and One Hundred and - Forty-fourth United-States, Twenty-fifth Ohio, and Thirty-fourth and - Thirty-fifth United-States (colored). The Second Brigade, under Col. A. S. - Hartwell, was composed of the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Massachusetts, - and Twenty-sixth and Thirty-second United-States (colored). Col. E. P. - Hallowed, of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, had, in spite of his express - desire, been left behind in command of Morris and Folly Islands. As at the - battle of Olustee, the enemy was met in small numbers some three or four - miles from his base, and, retreating, led our army into the swamp, and up - to his earthworks. So slight was the fighting as our troops approached the - fort, that all the men seemed in high glee, especially the colored - portion, which was making the woods ring with the following song:— - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - “Ho, boys, chains are breaking; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Bondsmen fast awaking; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Tyrant hearts are quaking; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Southward we are making. - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Huzza! Huzza! - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Our song shall be - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Huzza! Huzza! - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - That we are free! - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - For Liberty we fight,— - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Our own, our brother’s, right: - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - We’ll face Oppression’s blight - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - In Freedom’s earnest might. - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Huzza! Huzza! &c. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - For now as men we stand - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Defending Fatherland: - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - With willing heart and hand, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - In this great cause we band. - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Huzza! Huzza! &c. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Our flag’s Red, White, and Blue: - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - We’ll bear it marching through, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - With rifles swift and true, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And bayonets gleaming too. - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Huzza! Huzza! &c. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Now for the Union cheers, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Huzza! Huzza! Huzza! - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - For home and loved ones tears, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - For rebel foes no fears. - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Huzza! Huzza! Huzza! - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And joy that conflict nears. - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Huzza! Huzza! - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Our song shall be - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Huzza! Huzza! - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - That we are free! - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - No more the driver’s horn - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Awakes us in the morn; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - But battle’s music borne, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Our manhood shall adorn. - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Huzza! Huzza! &c. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - No more for trader’s gold - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Shall those we love be sold; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Nor crushed be manhood bold - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - In slavery’s dreaded fold. - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Huzza! Huzza! &c. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - But each and all be free - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - As singing-bird in tree, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Or winds that whistling flee - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - O’er mountain, vale, and sea. - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Huzza! Huzza! &c. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - The Union forces approached the fort by the left road, which brought them - in front of the enemy’s guns pointing down the hill, which was also down - the road. An eyewitness of the battle gives the following account of it:— - </p> - <p> - “The Thirty-second United-States colored troops were ordered to charge the - rebel fort as soon as we had got in position at the head of the road. They - attempted, but got stuck in the marsh, which they found impassable at the - point of their assault; and a galling fire of grape, canister, and - musketry, being opened on them, they were forced to retire. - </p> - <p> - “The Thirty-fourth United-States colored troops also essayed an assault, - but could not get near enough to produce any effect upon it. These - regiments, however, only fell back to the line of battle, where they - remained throughout the entire fight. - </p> - <p> - “The Fifty-fifth Massachusetts (colored) went into the fight on the right - of the brigade, commanded by Col. Hartwell. The fire became very hot; but - still the regiment did not waver,—the line merely quivered. Capt. - Goraud, of Gen. Foster’s staff, whose gallantry was conspicuous all day, - rode up just as Col. Hartwell was wounded in the hand, and advised him to - retire; but the colonel declined. - </p> - <p> - “Col. Hartwell gave the order: the colors came to the extreme front, when - the colonel shouted, ‘Follow your colors!’ The bugle sounded the charge, - and then the colonel led the way himself. - </p> - <p> - “After an unsuccessful charge in line of battle by the Fifty-fourth and - Fifty-fifth Massachusetts, the Fifty-fifth was formed in column by - company, and again thrice marched up that narrow causeway in the face of - the enemy’s batteries and musketry. - </p> - <p> - “Capt. Crane, of the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts, whose company had been - left in charge of Fort Delafield, at Folly Island, but who, at his own - request, had gone as aide to Col. Hartwell, was, as well as the colonel, - mounted. - </p> - <p> - “Just as they reached the marsh in front of the turn in the road, and - within a short distance of the rebel works, the horse of brave Col. - Hartwell, while struggling through the mud, was literally blown in pieces - by a discharge of canister. - </p> - <p> - “The colonel was wounded at the same time, and attempted to jump from his - horse; but the animal fell on him, pressing him into the mud. At this - time, he was riding at the side of the column, and the men pressed on - past; but, as they neared the fort, they met a murderous fire of grape, - canister, and bullets at short range. As the numbers of the advance were - thinned, the few who survived began to waver, and finally the regiment - retreated. - </p> - <p> - “In retiring, Lieut. Ellsworth, and one man of the Fifty-fifth - Massachusetts, came to the rescue of Col. Hartwell, and in spite of his - remonstrance that they should leave him to his Tate, and take care of - themselves, released him from his horse, and bore him from the field. But, - before he was entirely out of range of the enemy’s fire, the colonel was - again wounded, and the brave private soldier who was assisting was killed, - and another heroic man lost. - </p> - <p> - “The Twenty-fifth Ohio, soon after the commencement of the engagement, - were sent to the right, where they swung round, and fought on a line - nearly perpendicular to our main front. A portion of the Fifty-fifth - Massachusetts were with them. One or two charges were essayed, but were - unsuccessful; but the front was maintained there throughout the afternoon. - The Twenty-fifth had the largest loss of all the regiments. - </p> - <p> - “The colored troops fought well throughout the day. Countercharges were - made at various times during the fight by the enemy; but our infantry and - artillery mowed them down, and they did not at any time get very near our - lines. Whenever a charge of our men was repulsed, the rebels would flock - out of their works, whooping like Indians; but Ames’s guns and the - terrible volleys of our infantry would send them back. The Naval Brigade - behaved splendidly. - </p> - <p> - “The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, heroes of all the | hard fights that have - occurred in the department, were too much scattered in this battle to do - full justice to themselves. Only two companies went into the fight at - first, under Lieut.-Col. Hooper. They were posted on the left. - Subsequently they were joined by four more companies, who were left on - duty in the rear. - </p> - <p> - “Many scenes transpired in this battle which would furnish rich material - for the artist. In the midst of the engagement, a shell exploded amongst - the color-guard, severely wounding the color-sergeant, Ring, who was - afterwards killed by a bullet. Private Fitzgerald, of Company D, - Massachusetts Fifty-fifth, was badly wounded in the side and leg, but - remained at his post. Major Nutt, seeing his condition, ordered him to the - rear. The man obeyed; but soon the major saw that he had returned, when he - spoke sharply, ‘Go to the rear, and have your wounds dressed.’ The man - again obeyed the order; but in a few minutes more was seen by the major, - with a handkerchief bound around the leg, and loading and firing. The - major said to our informant, ‘I thought I would let him stay.’” - </p> - <p> - Like the Fifty-fourth at Olustee, the Fifty-fifth was the last regiment to - leave the field, and cover the retreat at Honey Hill. The following - account of the battle is from “The Savannah Republican v (rebel), - published a few days after the fight:— - </p> - <p> - “The negroes, as usual, formed the advance, and had nearly reached the - creek, when our batteries opened upon them down the road with a terrible - volley of spherical case. This threw them into temporary confusion; but - the entire force, estimated at five thousand, was quickly restored to - order, and thrown into a line of battle parallel with our own, up and down - the margin of the swamp. Thus the battle raged from eleven in the morning - till dark. The enemy’s centre and left were most exposed, and suffered - terribly. Their right was posted behind an old dam that ran through the - swamp, and it maintained its position till the close of the fight. Our - left was very much exposed, and an attempt was once or twice made by the - enemy to turn it by advancing through the swamp, and up the hill; but they - were driven back without a prolonged struggle. - </p> - <p> - “The centre and left of the enemy fought; with a desperate earnestness. - Several attempts were made to charge our batteries, and many got nearly - across the swamp, but were, in every instance, forced back by the galling - fire poured into them from our lines. We made a visit to the field the day - following, and found the road literally strewn with their dead. Some eight - or ten bodies were floating in the water where the road crosses; and in a - ditch on the roadside, just beyond, we saw six negroes piled one on top of - the other. A colonel of one of the negro regiments, with his horse, was - killed while fearlessly leading his men across the creek in a charge. - </p> - <p> - “With that exception, all the dead and wounded officers were carried off - by the enemy during the night. Many traces were left where they were - dragged from the woods to the road, and thrown into ambulances or carts. - We counted some sixty or seventy bodies in the space of about an acre, - many of which were horribly mutilated by shells; some with half their - heads shot off, and others completely disembowelled. The artillery was - served with great accuracy, and wo doubt if any battle-field of the war - presents such havoc among the trees and shrubbery. Immense pines and other - growth were cut short off or torn into shreds.” - </p> - <p> - It is only simple justice to the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Regiment, to - say, that at Honey Hill it occupied the most perilous position throughout - nearly the entire battle. - </p> - <p> - Three times did these heroic men march up the hill nearly to the - batteries, and as many times were swept back by the fearful storm of - grape-shot and shell; more than one hundred being cut down in less than - half an hour. Great was its loss; and yet it remained in the gap, while - our outnumbered army was struggling with the foe on his own soil, and in - the stronghold chosen by himself. - </p> - <p> - What the valiant Fifty-fourth Massachusetts had been at the battle of - Olustee, the Fifty-fifth was at Honey Hill. - </p> - <p> - Never was self-sacrifice, by both officers and men, more apparent than on - this occasion; never did men look death more calmly in the face. See the - undaunted and heroic Hartwell at the head of his regiment, and hear him - shouting, “Follow your colors, my brave men!” and with drawn sword leading - his gallant band. His horse is up to its knees in the heavy mud. The - rider, already wounded, is again struck by the fragment of a shell, but - keeps his seat; while the spirited animal struggling in the mire, and - plunging about, attracts the attention of the braves, who are eagerly - pressing forward to meet the enemy, to retake the lost ground, and gain a - victory, or at least save the little army from defeat. A moment more he is - killed; and the brave Hartwell attempts to jump from his charger, but is - too weak. The horse falls with fearful struggles upon its rider, and both - are buried in the mud. The brave Capt. Crane, the Adjutant, is killed, and - falls from his horse near his colonel. Lieut. Boynton, while urging his - men, is killed. Lieut. Hill is wounded, but still keeps his place. Capts. - Soule and Woodward are both wounded, and yet keep their command. The blood - is running freely from the mouth of Lieut. Jewett; but he does not leave - his company. Sergeant-major Trotter is wounded, but still fights. Sergt. - Shorter is wounded in the knee, yet will not go to the rear. A shell tears - off the foot of Sergeant-major Charles L. Mitchel; and, as he is carried - to the rear, he shouts, with uplifted hand, “Cheer up, boys: we’ll never - surrender!” But look away in front: there are the colors, and foremost - amongst the bearers is Robert M. King, the young, the handsome, and the - gentlemanly sergeant, whose youth and bravery attract the attention of - all. Scarcely more than twenty years of age, well educated, he has left a - good home in Ohio to follow the fortunes of war, and to give his life to - help redeem his race. The enemy train their guns upon the colors, the roar - of cannon and crack of rifle is heard, the advanced flag falls, the heroic - King is killed: no, he is not dead, but only wounded. A fellow sergeant - seizes the colors; but the bearer will not give them up. He rises, holds - the old flag aloft with one hand, and presses the other upon the wound in - his side to stop the blood. “Advance the colors!” shouts the commander. - The brave King, though saturated with his own blood, is the first to obey - the order. As he goes forward, a bullet passes through his heart, and he - falls. Another snatches the colors; but they are fast, the grasp of death - holds them tight. The hand is at last forced open, the flag is raised to - the breeze; and the lifeless body of Robert M. King is borne from the - field. This is but a truthful sketch of the part played by one heroic son - of Africa, whose death was lamented by all who knew him. This is only one - of the two hundred and forty-nine that fell on the field of Honey Hill. - With a sad heart, we turn away from the picture. - </p> - <p> - But shall we weep for the sleeping braves, who, turning their backs upon - the alluring charms of home-life, went forth at the call of country and - race, and died, noble martyrs to the cause of liberty? ’Tis noble to <i>live</i> - for freedom; but is it not nobler far to <i>die</i> that those coming - after you may enjoy it? - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “Dear is the spot where Christians weep; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Sweet are the strains which angels pour: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Oh! why should we in anguish weep? - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - They are not lost, but gone before.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0034" id="link2HCH0034"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXXIV—BEFORE PETERSBURG AND RICHMOND. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Assault and Failure.—Who to Blame.—Heroic Conduct of the - Blacks.—The Mine.—Success at the Second Attack.—Death of - a Gallant Negro.—A Black Officer.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">W</span>hen the mining - assault on Petersburg failed, with such fearful loss in killed and - wounded, the cry went through the land that it was owing to the cowardice - of the negro troops; but this falsehood was very soon exploded. However, - it will be well to state the facts connected with the attempt. A writer in - “The New-York Evening Post” gave the following account of the preparation, - attack, and failure, a few days alter it occurred:— - </p> - <p> - “We have been continually notified for the last fortnight, that our - sappers were mining the enemy’s position. As soon as ready, our division - was to storm the works on its explosion. This rumor had spread so wide, we - had no faith in it. On the night of the 29th, we were in a position on the - extreme left. We were drawn in about nine, P.M., and marched to Gen. - Burnside’s headquarters, and closed in mass by division, left in front. We - there received official notice that the long-looked-for mine was ready - charged, and would be fired at daylight next morning. The plan of storming - was as follows: One division of white troops was to charge the works - immediately after the explosion, and carry the first and second lines of - rebel intrenchments. Our division was to follow immediately, and push - right into Petersburg, take the city, and be supported by the remainder of - the Ninth and the Twenty-eighth corps. We were up bright and early, ready - and eager for the struggle to commence. I had been wishing for something - of this sort to do for some time, to gain the respect of the Army of the - Potomac. You know their former prejudices. At thirty minutes after five, - the ball opened. The mine, with some fifty pieces of artillery, went off - almost instantaneously: at the same time, the white troops, according to - the plan, charged the fort, which they carried, for there was nothing to - oppose them; but they did not succeed in carrying either of the lines of - Intrenchments. - </p> - <p> - “We were held in rear until the development of the movement of the white - troops; but, on seeing the disaster which was about to occur, we were - pushed in by the flank (for we could go in in no other way to allow us to - get in position): so you see on this failure we had nothing to do but gain - by the flank. A charge in that manner has never proved successful, to my - knowledge: when it does, it is a surprise. - </p> - <p> - “Our men went forward with enthusiasm equal to any thing under different - circumstances; but, in going through the fort that had been blown up, the - passage was almost impeded by obstacles thrown up by the explosion. At the - same time, we were receiving a most deadly cross-fire from both flanks. At - this time, our Lieutenant-colonel (E. W. Ross) fell, shot through the left - leg, bravely leading the men. I immediately assumed command, but only to - hold it a few minutes, when I fell, struck by a piece of shell in the - side. - </p> - <p> - “Capt. Robinson, from Connecticut, then took command; and, from all we can - learn, he was killed. At this time, our first charge was somewhat checked, - and the men sought cover in the works. Again our charge was made, but, - like the former, unsuccessful. This was followed by the enemy making a - charge. Seeing the unorganized condition and the great loss of officers, - the men fell back to our own works. Yet a large number still held the fort - until two, p.m.; when the enemy charged again, and carried it. That ended - the great attempt to take Petersburg. - </p> - <p> - “It will be thus seen that the colored troops did not compose the first - assaulting, but the supporting column; and they were not ordered forward - until white troops in greater numbers had made a desperate effort to carry - the rebel works, and had failed. Then the colored troops were sent in; - moved over the broken ground, and up the slope, and within a short - distance of the parapet, in order, and with steady courage; but finally - broke and retreated under the same fire which just before had sent a whole - division of white regiments to the rightabout. If there be any disgrace in - that, it does not belong exclusively nor mainly to the negroes. A second - attack is far more perilous and unlikely to succeed than a first; the - enemy having been encouraged by the failure of the first, and had time to - concentrate his forces. And, in this case, there seems to have been a - fatal delay in ordering both the first and second assault.” - </p> - <p> - An officer in the same engagement said,— - </p> - <p> - “In regard to the bravery of the colored troops, although I have been in - upwards of twenty battles, I never saw so many cases of gallantry. The - ‘crater’ where we were halted, was a perfect slaughter-pen. - </p> - <p> - “Had not ‘some one blundered,’ but moved us up at daylight, instead of - eight o’clock, we should have been-crowned with success, instead of being - cut to pieces by a terrific enfilading fire, and finally forced from the - field in a panic. We had no trouble in rallying the troops, and moving - them into the rifle-pits; and, in one hour after the rout, I had nearly as - many men together as were left unhurt. - </p> - <p> - “I was never under such a terrific fire, and can hardly realize how any - escaped alive. Our loss was heavy. In the Twenty-eighth (colored), for - instance, commanded by Lieut.-Col. Russell(a Bostonian), he lost seven - officers out of eleven, and ninety-one men out of two hundred and - twenty-four; and the colonel himself was knocked over senseless, for a few - minutes, by a slight wound in the head: both his color-sergeants and all - his color-guard were killed. Col Bross, of the Twenty-ninth, was killed - outright, and nearly every one of his officers hit. This was nearly equal - to Bunker Hill. Col. Ross, of the Thirty-first, lost his leg. The - Twenty-eighth, Twenty-ninth, and Thirtieth (colored), all charged over the - works; climbing up an earthwork six feet high, then down into a ditch, and - up on the other side, all the time under the severest fire in front and - flank. Not being supported, of course the storming-party fell back. I have - seen white troops run faster than these blacks did, when in not half so - tight a place. Our brigade lost thirty-six prisoners, all cut off after - leaving the ‘crater.’ My faith in colored troops is not abated one jot.” - </p> - <p> - Soon after the failure at Petersburg, the colored troops had a fair - opportunity, and nobly sustained their reputation gained on other fields. - At the battle of New-Market Heights, Va., the Tenth Army Corps, under - Major-Gen. Birney, met a superior number of the enemy, and had a - four-hours’ fight, Sept. 29, in which our men came off victorious. The - following order, issued on the 8th of October, needs no explanation:— - </p> - <p> - <i>“Headquarters, 3d Division, 18th Army Corps,</i> <i>Before Richmond, - Va., Oct. 7, 1864.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>General Orders No. 103.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>Officers and Soldiers of this Division</i>,—Major-Gen. D. B. - Birney, commanding the Tenth Army Corps, has desired me to express to you - the high satisfaction he felt at your good conduct while we were serving - with the Tenth Corps, Sept. 29 and 80, 1864, and with your gallantry in - storming New-Market Heights. - </p> - <p> - “I have delayed issuing this order, hoping for an opportunity to say this - to you in person. - </p> - <p> - “Accept, also, my own thanks for your gallantry on Sept. 29, and your good - conduct since. You have won the good opinion of the whole Army of the - James, and every one who knows your deeds. - </p> - <p> - “Let every officer and man, on all occasions, exert himself to increase - your present deserved reputation. - </p> - <p> - “<i>C. J. PAINE, Brigadier-General.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>(Signed) S. A. CARTER, A. A. G.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>Headquarters Tenth Army Corps,</i> <i>Aug. 19, 1864.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>Major-Gen. Butler commanding Department.</i> - </p> - <p> - “The enemy attacked my lines in heavy force last night, and were repulsed - with great loss. In front of one colored regiment, eighty-two dead bodies - of the enemy are already counted. The colored troops behaved handsomely, - and are in fine spirits. The assault was in columns a division strong, and - would have carried any works not so well defended. The enemy’s loss was at - least one thousand. - </p> - <p> - “(Signed) Respectfully, - </p> - <p> - “<i>D. B. BIRNEY, Major-General</i> - </p> - <p> - “Seventy-five of our Black Virginia Cavalry were surrounded by three - regiments of rebel infantry, and gallantly cut through them; and an - orderly-sergeant killed with his sabre six of the enemy, and escaped with - the loss of an arm by grape-shot. He lies in an adjoining room, and is - slowly recovering.” - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “Brave man, thy deeds shall fill the tramp of fame, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And wake responsive echoes far and wide, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And on contemners of thy race east shame; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - For thou hast nobly with the noblest vied. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Thy deeds recall the charge at Balaklava, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Wherein six hundred were immortalized: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Not any hero of that charge was braver; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And thy great valor shall be recognized. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - No wolf, pursued by hounds o’er hill and plain, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - At last more savagely stands up at bay, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Finding past efforts to escape all vain, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Then cleaves through dying hounds his bloody way. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Thine was the task, amid war’s wild alarm, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - The valor of thy race to vindicate: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Now admiration all true bosoms warm, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And places thee among the gallant great. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - It thrills our hearts to think upon the strife - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - In which, surrounded by the rebel host, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Thou didst deal death for liberty and life, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And freedom win, although an arm was lost. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - O lion-hearted hero! whose fierce sword - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Made breathless thy oppressors, bravely bear - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Thy sufferings; for our sympathies are poured - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - For thee, and gladly would relieve or share.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - At the second attack on Petersburg, the colored troops did nobly. A - correspondent of “The New-York Times” wrote as follows:— - </p> - <p> - “As everybody seems to have negro on the brain in the army, I may be - pardoned for again alluding to the colored troops in this letter. A single - day’s work has wiped out a mountain of prejudice, and fairly turned the - popular current of feeling in this army in favor of the down-trodden race; - and every one who has been with them on the field has some story to relate - of their gallant conduct in action, or their humanity and social - qualities. The capture of the fort before referred to is related, among - other things, in evidence of their manhood and gallantry; taking prisoners - in the exciting moment of actual hand-to-hand fighting, in face of the - Fort-Pillow and other similar rebel atrocities perpetrated elsewhere, upon - their colored companions-in-arms as evidence of their humanity,—that - they are really something more than the stolid brutes, such as some people - profess to believe. But, next to bravery, one impromptu act of theirs has - done more than all else to remove a supposed natural prejudice against - them. Wounded officers of two different brigades in the Second Corps tell - me, that, when they relieved the colored troops in front Wednesday night, - their men had been out of rations all day, and were very hungry, as may - well be supposed. When this fact became known to the negroes, to use the - expressive language of a wounded officer, ‘They emptied their haversacks, - and gave the contents to our boys.’ The colored troops, I have had - opportunity to know, bear their honors meekly, as become men. Hereafter, - the vile oath and offensive epithet will not be blurted out against the - negro soldier, and in his presence, upon every favorable opportunity, as - has too generally heretofore been the practice. This will be exclusively - confined to the professional stragglers, who are never at the front when - danger is there.” - </p> - <p> - Sergt. Peter Hawkins, of the Thirty-first United States, exhibited in the - attack upon Petersburg marked abilities as a soldier. All the officers of - Company A being killed or wounded, he took command, and held it for - fourteen days. An eye-witness said,— - </p> - <p> - “He appointed men for guard and picket duty, made out his regular morning - report, issued rations, drilled his men, took them out on dress-parade, or - on fatigue-duty. Whatever important duty was devolved upon him, he was the - man to perform without murmuring. He is fully competent to fill the office - of a lieutenant or captain. He has clearly proven on the field his - unflinching courage and indomitable will.” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0035" id="link2HCH0035"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXXV—WIT AND HUMOR OF THE WAR. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Negro Wit and Humor.—The Faithful Sentinel.—The Sentinel’s - Respect for the United-States Uniform.—The “Nail-kag.”—The - Poetical Drummerboy.—Contrabands on Sherman’s March.—Negro - Poetry on Freedom.—The Soldier’s Speech.—Contraband capturing - his Old Master.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">W</span>ith all the - horrors of the Rebellion, there were occasions when these trying scenes - were relieved by some amusing incident. Especially was this true with - regard to the colored people. Thus when Adjutant-Gen. Thomas first - announced the new policy in Mississippi, and they began enlisting - freedmen, one was put on guard at night, at Lake Providence, and was - instructed not to allow any one to pass without the countersign. He was, - however, told not to fire upon a person until he had called out, “One, - two, three.” The negro seemed not to understand it, and asked to have the - instructions repeated. “You are to walk from here to that tree, and back,” - continued the white sergeant, “and, if you see or hear any one, call out, - ‘Who comes there? Give the countersign. One, two, three.’ And, if you - receive no reply, shoot.”—“Yes, massa,” said Sam. “I got it dis - time, and no mistake.” After an hour or more on duty, Sam thought he heard - the tramp of feet, and began a sharp lookout. Presently bringing his gun - to his shoulder, and taking sight, he called out in quick succession, “Who - comes dar? Give de countersign. One, two, three!” And “bang” went the gun. - Fortunately, the negro’s aim was not as reliable as was his determination - to do his whole duty; and the only damage done was a bullet-hole through - the Intruder’s hat. When admonished by the officer for not waiting for the - man’s answer, the negro said, “Why, massa, I was afraid dat ef I didn’t - shoot quick, he’d run.” - </p> - <p> - A colored sentinel was marching on his beat in the streets of Norfolk, - Va., when a white man, passing by, shouldered him insolently off the - sidewalk, quite into the street. The soldier, on recovering himself, - called out,— - </p> - <p> - “White man, halt!” - </p> - <p> - The white man, Southerner like, went straight on. The sentinel brought his - musket to a ready, cocked it, and hailed again,— - </p> - <p> - “White man, halt, or I’ll fire!” - </p> - <p> - The white man, hearing <i>shoot</i> in the tone, halted, and faced about. - </p> - <p> - “White man,” continued the sentry peremptorily, “come here!” - </p> - <p> - He did so. - </p> - <p> - “White man,” said, the soldier again, “me no care one cent’ bout this - particklar Cuffee; but white man bound to respeck this uniform (striking - his breast). White man, move on!” - </p> - <p> - A Virginia rebel, who has issued a book giving his experience as a - prisoner in the hands of the Federals at Point Lookout and Elmira, tells - the following story:— - </p> - <p> - “The boys are laughing at the summons which S., one of my - fellow-Petersburgers, got to-day from a negro sentinel. S. had on when - captured, and I suppose still possesses, a tall beaver of the antique - pattern considered inseparable from extreme respectability in the last - decade and for many a year before. While wandering around the enclosure, - seeking, I suspect, ‘what he might devour,’ he accidentally stepped beyond - the ‘dead line,’ and was suddenly arrested by a summons from the nearest - negro on the parapet, who seemed to be in doubt whether so well-dressed a - man could be a ‘reb,’ and therefore whether he should be shot at once. - </p> - <p> - “White man, you b’long in dar?” - </p> - <p> - “Yes.” - </p> - <p> - “Well, ain’t you got no better sense dan to cross dat line?” - </p> - <p> - “I did not notice the line.” - </p> - <p> - “Well, you had better notice it, and dat quick, or I’ll blow half dat <i>nail-kag</i> - off!” - </p> - <p> - The following doggerel was composed by a drummer-boy, aged thirteen, who - had been a slave, and was without education. He sung it to the One Hundred - and Seventh Regiment United-States colored troops, to which he was - attached:— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “Captain Fiddler’s come to town - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - With his abolition triggers: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - He swears he’s one of Lincoln’s men, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - ‘Enlisting all the niggers.’ - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - You’ll see the citizens on the street - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Whispering in rotation: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - What do they seem to talk about? - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Lincoln’s proclamation. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Some get sick, and some will die, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Be buried in rotation: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - What was the death of such a man? - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Lincoln’s proclamation. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - You’ll see the rebels on the street, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Their noses like a bee gum; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - I don’t care what in thunder they say, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - I’m fighting for my freedom! - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Richmond is a mighty place, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And Grant’s as sound as a dollar; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And every time he throws a shell, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Jeff begins to holler. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - My old massa’s come to town, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Cutting a Southern figure: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - What’s the matter with the man? - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Lincoln’s got his niggers. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Some folks say this ‘almighty fuss - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Is getting worse and bigger; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Some folks say ‘it’s worse and worse,’ - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Because I am ‘a nigger.’ - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - We’ll get our colored regiments strung - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Out in a line of battle: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - I’ll bet my money agin the South - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - The rebels will skedaddle.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - In his march, Gen. Sherman was followed by large numbers of contrabands. - They were always the first to welcome our troops. On entering - Fayetteville, the general was met by slaves, old and young; and a man of - many years exclaimed,— - </p> - <p> - “Tank de Almighty God, Mr. Sherman has come at last! We knew it, we prayed - for de day, and de Lord Jesus heard our prayers. Mr. Sherman has come wid - his company.” - </p> - <p> - One fat old woman said to him, while shaking him by the hand, which he - always gladly gives to those poor people, “I prayed dis long time for yer, - and de blessing ob de Lord is on yer. But yesterday afternoon, when yer - stopped trowing de shells into de town, and de soldiers run away from de - hill ober dar, I thout dat Gen. Burygar had driven you away, for dey said - so; but here yer am dun gone. Bress de Lord, yer will hab a place in - heaben: yer will go dar sure.” - </p> - <p> - Several officers of the army, among them Gen. Slocum, were gathered round, - interested in the scene. The general asked them:— - </p> - <p> - “Well, men, what can I do for you? Where are you from?” - </p> - <p> - “We’s jus come from Cheraw. Massa took us with him to carry mules and - horses away from youins.” - </p> - <p> - “You thought we would get them. Did you wish us to get the mules?” - </p> - <p> - “Oh, yes, massa! dat’s what I wanted. We knowed youins cumin’, and I - wanted you to hav dem mules; but no use: dey heard dat youins on de road, - and nuthin’ would stop dem. Why, as we cum along, de cavalry run away from - the Yanks as if they fright to deth. Dey jumped into de river, and some of - dem lost dere hosses. Dey frightened at the very name ob Sherman.” - </p> - <p> - Some one at this point said, “That is Gen. Serman who is talking to you.” - </p> - <p> - “God bress me! is you Mr. Sherman?” - </p> - <p> - “Yes: I am Mr. Sherman.” - </p> - <p> - “Dats him, su’ miff,” said one. - </p> - <p> - “Is dat de great Mr. Sherman that we’s heard ob so long?” said another. - </p> - <p> - “Why, dey so frightened at your berry name, dat dey run right away,” - shouted a third. - </p> - <p> - “It is not me that they are afraid of,” said the general: “the name of - another man would have the same effect with them if he had this army. It - is these soldiers that they run away from.” - </p> - <p> - “Oh, no!” they all exclaimed. “It’s de name of Sherman, su’; and we hab - wanted to see you so long while you trabbel all roun jis whar you like to - go. Dey said dat dey wanted to git you a little furder on, and den dey - whip all your soldiers; but, God bress me, you keep cumin’ and a cumin’ - and dey allers git out.” - </p> - <p> - “Dey mighty ‘fraid ob you, sar; day say you kill de colored men, too,” - said an old man, who had not heretofore taken part in the conversation. - </p> - <p> - With much earnestness, Gen. Sherman replied,— - </p> - <p> - “Old man, and all of you, understand me. I desire that bad men should fear - me, and the enemies of the Government which we are all fighting for. Now - we are your friends; you are now free.” (“Thank you, Massa Sherman,” was - ejaculated by the group.) “You can go where you please; you can come with - us, or go home to your children. Wherever you go, you are no longer - slaves. You ought to be able to take care of yourselves.” (“We is; we - will.”) “You must earn your freedom, then you will be entitled to it, - sure; you have a right to be all that you can be, but you must be - industrious, and earn the right to be men. If you go back to your - families, and I tell you again you can go with us if you wish, you must do - the best you can. When you get a chance, go to Beaufort or Charleston, - where you will have a little farm to work for yourselves.” - </p> - <p> - The poor negroes were filled with gratitude and hope by these kind words, - uttered in the kindest manner, and they went away with thanks and - blessings on their lips. - </p> - <p> - During the skirmishing, one of our men who, by the way, was a forager, was - slightly wounded. The most serious accident of the day occurred to a negro - woman, who was in a house where the rebels had taken cover. When I saw - this woman, who would not have been selected as a type of South-Carolina - female beauty, the blood was streaming over her neck and bosom from a - wound in the lobe of her ear, which the bullet had just clipped and passed - on. - </p> - <p> - “What was it that struck you, aunty?” I asked her. - </p> - <p> - “Lor bress me, massa, I dun know, I jus fell right down.” - </p> - <p> - “Didn’t you feel any thing, nor hear any sound?” - </p> - <p> - “Yes, now I ‘member, I heerd a s-z-z-z-z-z, and den I jus knock down. I - drap on de groun’. I’se so glad I not dead, for if I died den de bad man - would git me, cos I dance lately a heap.” - </p> - <p> - A contraband’s poetical version of the President’s Emancipation - Proclamation. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “I’se gwine to tell ye, Sambo, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - What I heard in town to-day,— - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - I listened at the cap’n’s tent: - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - I’ll tell ye what he say. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - He say dat Massa Linkum, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Way yonder Norf, ye see,— - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Him write it in de Yankee book, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - ‘De nigger gwine for free.’ - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And now, ye see, I tell ye - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - What Massa Linkum done: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - De seeesh can’t get way from dat - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - No more’n dey dodge a gun. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - It’s jes’ as sure as preachin’, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - I tell ye, Sambo, true,— - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - De nigger’s trouble ober now, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - No more dem lash for you. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - I ‘speeted dat would happen: - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - I had a sense, ye see, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Of something big been gwine to come - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - To make de people free. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - I t’ought de flamin’ angel - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Been gwine for blow de trump; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - But Massa Linkum write de word - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Dat make de rebel jump. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - So now we’ll pick de cotton, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - So now we’ll broke de corn: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - De nigger’s body am his own - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - De bery day he born. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - He grind de grits in safety, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - He eat de yams in peace; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - De Lord, him bring de jubilee, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - De Lord, him set de feas’. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - So now, I tell ye, Sambo, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Ye’re born a man to-day: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Nobody gwine for con trad ie’ - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - What Massa Linkum say. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Him gwine for free de nigger: - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - De Lord, him gib de word; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And Massa Linkum write’em down, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - O Sambo! praise de Lord!” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - When the teachers were introduced into Jackson, Miss., soon after the - Union forces occupied the place, they found some very ignorant material to - work upon. One old woman, while attending the Sabbath school, being asked - who made her, replied, “I don’t know, ’zacly, sir. I heard once who it was; - but I done forgot de gent-mun’s name.” The teacher thought that the Lord’s - name had been rather a stranger in that neighborhood. During the siege of - Port Hudson, a new schoolhouse was erected for the black soldiers who had - been enlisted in that vicinity; and, when it was opened, the following - speech was made by a colored soldier, called Sergt. Spencer:— - </p> - <p> - “I has been a-thinkin’ I was old man; for, on de plantation, I was put - down wid de old hands, and I quinsicontly feeled myself dat I was a old - man. But since I has come here to de Yankees, and been made a soldier for - de Unite States, an’ got dese beautiful clothes on, I feels like one young - man; and I doesn’t call myself a old man nebber no more. An’ I feels dis - ebenin’ dat, if de rebs came down here to dis old Fort Hudson, dat I could - jus fight um as brave as any man what is in the Sebenth Regiment. - Sometimes I has mighty feelins in dis ole heart of mine, when I considers - how dese ere ossifers come all de way from de North to fight in de cause - what we is fighten fur. How many ossifers has died, and how many white - soldiers has died, in dis great and glorious war what we is in! And now I - feels dat, fore I would turn coward away from dese ossifers, I feels dat I - could drink my own blood, and be pierced through wid five thousand - bullets. I feels sometimes as doe I ought to tank Massa Linkern for dis - blessin’ what we has; but again I comes to de solemn conclusion dat I - ought to tank de Lord, Massa Linkern, and all dese ossifers.‘Fore I would - be a slave ‘gain, I would fight till de last drop of blood was gone. I has - ‘cluded to fight for my liberty, and for dis eddication what we is now to - receive in dis beautiful new house what we has. Aldo I hasn’t got any - eddication nor no book-learnin’, I has rose up dis blessed ebenin’ to do - my best afore dis congregation. Dat’s all what I has to say now; but, at - some future occasion, I may say more dan I has to say now, and edify you - all when I has more preparation. Dat’s all what I has to say. Amen.” - </p> - <p> - After the fall of Port Hudson, Sergt. Spencer was sent with his company - into the interior; and, while in a skirmish, he captured his old master, - who was marched off by the chattel to headquarters, distant about six - miles. The master, not liking the long walk and his heavy gun, began - upbraiding his slave for capturing him, and, complaining of his - misfortune, stopped, laid down his gun, seated himself on an old log, - lighted his pipe, and said he could walk no farther. - </p> - <p> - However, old Spencer soon told the prisoner a different tale. Waiting a - reasonable time for resting, the sergeant said, “Come, boss, you’s smoked - enough dar: come, I is in a hurry. I can’t wait no longer.” The rebel - still remonstrated with his slave, reminding him of what he once was, and - the possibility of his being again in his power. But these admonitions - made little or no impression on the sergeant, who resumed, “Come, boss, - come: dis is no time to tell ‘bout what you’s been or what you’s gwine to - be. Jes git right up and come long, or I’ll stick dis bayonet in you.”—“Well, - Spencer,” said the master, “you carry my gun.”—“No, boss; you muss - tote your own gun. I is bin toting you an’ all your chilen des forty - years, and now de times is changed. Come, now, git up an move on, or I’ll - stick you wid dis bayonet” (at the same time drawing the bayonet from its - scabbard). “Massa reb” shouldered his unloaded shooter, and reluctantly - continued his journey. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0036" id="link2HCH0036"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXXVI—A THRILLING INCIDENT OF THE WAR. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Heroic Escape of a Slave.—His Story of his Sister.—Resides - North.—Joins the Army and returns to the South during the Rebellion.—Search - for his Mother.—Finds her.—Thrilling Scene.—Truth - stranger than Fiction.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">I</span>t was in the month - of December, 1832, while Col. Rice and family were seated around a bright - wood-fire, whose blaze lighted up the large dining-room in their old - mansion, situated ten miles from Drayton, in the State of Ohio, that they - heard a knock at the door, which was answered by the familiar “Come in,” - that always greets the stranger in the Western States. Squire Loomis - walked in, and took a seat in one of the three rocking-chairs which had - been made vacant by the young folks, who rose to give place to their - highly influential and wealthy neighbor. It was a beautiful night: the sky - was clear, the wind had hushed its deep meanings. The most brilliant of - the starry throng stood out in bold relief, despite the superior light of - the moon. “I see some one standing at the gate,” said Mrs. Rice, as she - left the window, and came nearer the fire. “I’ll go out and see who it - is,” exclaimed George, as he quitted his chair, and started for the door. - The latter soon returned, and whispered to his father; and both left the - room, evincing that something unusual was at hand. Not many minutes - elapsed, however, before the father and son entered, accompanied by a - young man, whose complexion showed plainly that other than Anglo-Saxon - blood coursed through his veins. The whole company rose, and the stranger - was invited to draw near to the fire. Question after question was now - pressed upon the new-comer by the colonel and squire, but without - eliciting satisfactory replies. “You need not be afraid, my friend,” said - his host, as he looked intently in the colored man’s face, “to tell where - you are from, and to what place you are going. If you are a fugitive, as I - suspect, give us your story, and we will protect and defend you to the - last.” Taking courage from these kind remarks, the mulatto said, “I was - born, sir, in the State of Kentucky, and raised in Missouri. My master was - my father: my mother was his slave. That, sir, accounts for the fairness - of my complexion. As soon as I was old enough to labor, I was taken into - my master’s dwelling as a servant, to attend upon the family. My mistress, - aware of my near relationship to her husband, felt humiliated; and often, - in her anger, would punish me severely for no cause whatever. My near - approach to the Anglo-Saxon aroused the jealousy and hatred of the - overseer; and he flogged me, as he said, to make me know my place. My - fellow-slaves hated me because I was whiter than themselves. Thus my - complexion was construed into a crime, and I was made to curse my father - for the Anglo-Saxon blood that courses through my veins. - </p> - <p> - “My master raised slaves to supply the Southern market; and every year - some of my companions were sold to the slave-traders, and taken farther - South. Husbands were separated from wives, and children torn from the arms - of their agonized mothers. These outrages were committed by the man whom - nature compelled me to look upon as my father. My mother and brothers were - sold, and taken away from me: still I bore all, and made no attempt to - escape; for I yet had near me an only sister, whom I dearly loved. At last - the negro-driver attempted to rob my sister of her virtue. She appealed to - me for protection. Her innocence, beauty, and tears were enough to stir - the stoutest heart. My own, filled with grief and indignation, swelled - within me as though it would burst, or leap from my bosom. My tears - refused to flow: the fever in my brain dried them up. I could stand it no - longer. I seized the wretch by the throat, and hurled him to the ground; - and, with this strong arm, I paid him for old and new. The next day I was - tried by a jury of slaveholders for the crime of having within me the - heart of a man, and protecting my sister from the licentious embrace of a - libertine. And, would you believe it, sir? that jury of enlightened - Americans,—yes, sir, Christian Americans,—after grave - deliberation, decided that I had broken the laws, and sentenced me to - receive five hundred lashes upon my bare back. But, sir, I escaped from - them the night before I was to have been flogged. Afraid of being arrested - and taken back, I remained the following day hid away in a secluded spot - on the backs of the Mississippi River, protected from the gaze of man by - the large trees and thick canebrakes that sheltered me. I waited for the - coming of another night. All was silent around me save the sweet chant of - the feathered songsters in the forest, or the musical ripple of the - eddying waters at my feet. I watched the majestic bluffs as they gradually - faded away through the gray twilight from the face of day into the darker - shades of night. I then turned to the rising moon as it peered above, - ascending the deep-blue ether, high in the heavens, casting its mellow - rays over the surrounding landscape, and gilding the smooth surface of the - noble river with its silvery hue. I viewed with interest the stars as they - appeared one after another in the firmament. It was then and there that I - studied nature in its lonely grandeur, and saw in it the goodness of God, - and felt that he who created so much beauty, and permitted the fowls of - the air and beasts of the field to roam at large, and be free, never - intended that man should be the slave of his fellow-man. I resolved that I - would be a bondman no longer; and, taking for my guide the <i>north star</i>, - I started ‘for Canada, the negro’s land of liberty. For many weeks, I - travelled by night, and lay by during the day. Oh! how often, while hid - away in the forest, waiting for nightfall, have I thought of the beautiful - lines I once heard a stranger recite!— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “‘Oh hail, Columbia! happy land,— - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - The cradle-land of liberty! - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Where none but negroes bear the brand, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Or feel the lash, of slavery. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Then let the glorious anthem peal, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And drown “Britannia rules the waves:” - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Strike up the song that men can feel,— - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - “Columbia rules four million slaves!”’ - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - “At last I arrived at a depot of the underground railroad, took the <i>express</i> - train, and here I am.”—“You are welcome,” said Col. Rice, as he rose - from his chair, walked to the window, and looked out, as if apprehensive - that the fugitive’s pursuers were near by. “You are welcome,” continued - he; “and I will aid you on your way to Canada, for you are not safe here.” - </p> - <p> - “Are you not afraid of breaking the laws by assisting this man to escape?” - remarked Squire Loomis. “I care not for laws when they stand in the way of - humanity,” replied the colonel. “If you aid him in reaching Canada, and we - should ever have a war with England, maybe he’ll take up arms, and fight - against his own country,” said the squire. The fugitive eyed the - law-abiding man attentively for a moment, and then exclaimed, “Take up - arms against my country? What country, sir, have I? The Supreme Court of - the United States, and the laws of the South, doom me to be the slave of - another. There is not a foot of soil over which the <i>stars and stripes</i> - wave, where I can stand, and be protected by law. I’ve seen my mother sold - in the cattle-market: I looked upon my brothers as they were driven away - in chains by the slave-speculator. The heavy negro-whip has been applied - to my own shoulders, until its biting lash sunk deep into my quivering - flesh. Still, sir, you call this my country. True, true, I was born in - this land. My grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War: my own father - was in the war of 1812. Still, sir, I am a slave, a chattel, a thing, a - piece of property. I’ve been sold in the market with horses and swine. The - initials of my master’s name are branded on this arm. Still, sir, you call - this my country. And, now that I am making my escape, you feel afraid if I - reach Canada, and there should be war with England, that I will take up - arms against my country. Sir, I have no country but the grave; and I’ll - seek freedom there before I will be taken back to slavery. There is no - justice for me at the South: every right of my race is trampled in the - dust, until humanity bleeds at every pore. I am bound for Canada, and woe - to him that shall attempt to arrest me! If it comes to the worst, I will - die fighting for freedom.”—“I honor your courage,” exclaimed Squire - Loomis, as he sprang from his seat, and walked rapidly to and fro-the - room. “It is too bad,” continued he, “that such men should be enslaved in - a land whose Declaration of Independence proclaims all men to be free and - equal. I will aid you in any thing that I can. What is your name?”—“I - have no name,” said the fugitive. “I once had a name,—it was - William,—but my master’s nephew came to live with him; and as I was - a house-servant, and the young master and I would, at times, get confused - in the same name, orders were given for me to change mine. From that - moment, I resolved, that, as slavery had robbed me of my liberty and my - name, I would not attempt to have another till I was free. So, sir, for - once, you have a man standing before you without a name.”—“I will - name you George Loomis,” said the squire. “I accept it,” returned the - fugitive, “and shall try never to dishonor it.” - </p> - <p> - True to their promises, his new friends provided for his immediate wants, - and, as soon as a favorable opportunity occurred, started him on his - journey north. George reached Canada in a few weeks without further - adventure, and settled near the city of Toronto, where he resided, engaged - in honest labors and enjoying the fruits of his industry, until the - breaking-out of the Rebellion, when he returned to the United States, - eager to take part in the struggle. Owing to the fairness of his - complexion, he readily passed for a white man, and enlisted as such in a - Michigan regiment in 1863. He was with Gen. Grant’s army at the siege of - Vicksburg; and, after the surrender of that, stronghold, the regiment to - which George belonged was stationed in the town. Here the quadroon had - ample opportunity of conversing with the freedmen, which he often did, for - he had not lost his interest in the race. Going into a negro cabin one - day, and getting into conversation with an old woman, he found that she - was originally from the state of Kentucky, and lastly from Missouri, and - that they were from the same neighborhood. As each related the experience - through which they had passed, the interview became more and more - interesting. Often they eyed each other, but there was nothing to indicate - that they had ever met before. - </p> - <p> - However, this was not to last long, for George, in describing the parting - scene with his mother, riveted the attention of the old woman, who, at its - close, said, “Dat scripshun peers like my gal, but you can’t be no kin to - her. But what’s your name?” eagerly asked the woman. “William was my name, - but I adopted the one I am known by now,” replied he. “You don’t mean to - say dat you is William?” - </p> - <p> - “Yes: that was the name I was known by.”—“Well,” continued she, “I - had a son named William; but he run away, and massa went arter him, and - catch him, and sold him down the riber to de cotton-planter. So he said - when he came back.” The features of the two had changed so much in thirty - years, that they could not discover in each other any traces whatever of - former acquaintance. “My son,” said the old woman, “had a scar on his - right hand.” George sprang from his seat., and held out the right hand. - Tremblingly she put on her glasses, seized the hand, and screamed, “Oh, - oh, oh! I can’t ‘blieve dis is you. My son had a scar, a deep scar, on the - side of the left foot.” Quick as thought, George took off the boot, and - held up his foot, while the old woman was wiping her glasses; for they - were wet with tears. A moment more, and mother and son were locked in each - other’s arms. The dead was alive, the lost was found. God alone knew the - sorrow that had visited the two since they had last met. Great was the - rejoicing at this unexpected meeting; and the old woman would, for several - days, cause Loomis to take off his boot, and show her the scar; and she - would sit, hold the hand, and view the unmistakable cut which helped her - to identity her long-lost son. And she would weep and exclaim, “Dis is de - doins ob de Lord!” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0037" id="link2HCH0037"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXXVII—PROGRESS AND JUSTICE. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Great Change in the Treatment of Colored Troops.—Negro - Appointments.—Justice to the Black Soldiers.—Steamer - “Planter.”—Progress.—The Paymaster at last.—John S Rock.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he month of May, - 1864, saw great progress in the treatment of the colored troops by the - Government of the United States. The circumstances were more favorable for - this change than they had hitherto been. Slavery had been abolished in the - District of Columbia., Maryland, and Missouri: the heroic assault on Fort - Wagner, the unsurpassed bravery exhibited at Port Hudson, the splendid - fighting at Olustee and Honey Hill, had raised the colored men in the - estimation of the nation. President Lincoln and his advisers had seen - their error, and begun to repair the wrong. The year opened with the - appointment of Dr. A. T. Augusta, a colored gentleman, as surgeon of - colored volunteers, and he was at once assigned to duty, with the rank of - major. Following this, was the appointment, by Gov. Andrew of - Massachusetts, of Sergt. Stephen A. Swailes, of Company F, Fifty-fourth - Massachusetts Regiment, as second lieutenant. - </p> - <p> - M. R. Delany, M.D., was soon after appointed a major of negro volunteers, - and assigned to duty at Charleston, S.C. W. P. Powell, jun., received an - appointment as surgeon, about the same time. - </p> - <p> - The steamer “Planter,” since being brought out of Charleston by Robert - Small, was under the command of a Yankee, who, being ordered to do service - where the vessel would be liable to come under the fire of rebel guns, - refused to obey: whereupon Lieut.-Col. Elwell, without consultation with - any higher authority, issued the following order, which, for simple - justice to a brave and loyal negro, officially acknowledged, has seldom - been equalled in this or any other department. It is unnecessary to say - that Robert Small took command of the vessel, and faithfully discharged - the duty required of him. - </p> - <p> - <i>“Office of Chief Quartermaster,</i> <i>Port Royal, S.C., Nov. 26, 1863.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>Capt. A. T. Dutton, Chief Assistant Quartermaster, Folly and Morris - Islands.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>Sir</i>,—You will please place Robert Small in charge of the - United-States transport ‘Planter,’ as captain. He brought her out of - Charleston Harbor more than a year ago, running under the guns of Sumter, - Moultrie, and the other defences of that stronghold. He is an excellent - pilot, of undoubted bravery, and in every respect worthy of the position. - This is due him as a proper recognition of his heroism and services. The - present captain is a coward, though a white man. Dismiss him, therefore, - and give the steamer to this brave black Saxon. - </p> - <p> - “Respectfully, your obedient servant, - </p> - <h3> - “<i>J. J. ELWELL.</i> - </h3> - <p> - “<i>Chief Quartermaster Department South.</i>” - </p> - <p> - It may interest some to know that the above order was immediately approved - by Gen. Gillmore. - </p> - <p> - The following is very complimentary to Capt. Small:— - </p> - <p> - “It was indeed a privilege to enter Charleston, as we did recently through - the courtesy of Major-Gen, Saxton, in such a steamer as ‘The Planter,’ and - with such a captain as Robert Small. It was their first appearance in the - harbor since the memorable morning of their departure in 1862. The fog - detained us for a few hours on our arrival at the bar. When it cleared - away, you can imagine with what cheer our anchor came up, and with what - smiles and satisfaction the vessel and her commander swept by the silenced - and dismantled Sumter, and hauled in to the waiting, wondering wharves of - the ruined city. Wherever we went on shore, we had only to say to the - colored people, ‘The Planter and Capt. Small are at the dock;’ and away - they all hurried to greet the well-known, welcome guests. ‘Too sweet to - think of.’ cried one noble-looking old man, who had evidently waited long - for the good news of our day, as he hastened to join the crowd. - </p> - <p> - “We met Small afterwards, walking in the streets in peace and safety. When - our rambles about the humble place were over, and we prepared to depart, - the scene about the steamer was one that we can never forget. A goodly - company of the leading colored people were arranging for a public meeting - with Gen. Saxton in the largest hall of the city, to learn from his lips - the purposes of our Government on the following week. Their interview - over, they joined a large crowd of their own color upon the pier. Small - was in the midst of them, with a couple of white men in conversation with - him. Curiosity led us near. He introduced us to the builder of the vesel - (sp.), and the maker of the engine and boilers. ‘I put the polish on,’ he - added laughingly. They withdrew towards a couple of their own complexion. - He pointed out the principal person in the group, to the general, as Col. - Ferguson, the original owner of ‘The Planter,’ and of all her old hands, - except Small. His owner did not show himself. - </p> - <p> - “Upon our casting off, the colored folks raised at first a few feeble - cheers, from a lurking regard to the pale listeners behind them; but, when - the general before them called for three more for Capt. Small, every arm - was swung, and every voice was raised till the welkin rang. ‘The Planter’ - has been placed under Gen. Saxton’s orders. She will be often seen in - these waters. Her new claims to her name are to be manifested in her <i>planting</i> - the freedmen of the captured city upon the neighboring sea-islands and the - mainland, on their own homesteads, for the cultivation of their own crops - of cotton, rice, corn, and whatever else they and their families, or the - world, may need. A great price was once put upon Small’s head. He and all - his crew, white and black alike, will be worth their weight in gold if - they but continue to serve the general and the Government as we were sure - they did on their first return-trip to Charleston Harbor.” - </p> - <p> - There was one step more which the Government had taken, that sent a thrill - of joy to many hearts. It was paying the men on the battle-field what it - promised. The following announcement was made by Gen. Saxton, at Beaufort, - S.C., May 22:— - </p> - <p> - Colored soldiers, I have just received intelligence that the National - Government, after a long and desperate struggle, has decided to put you on - an equality with her white troops, making your pay equal with theirs. Now - that she has done justice to you, I want you to do justice to her and - justice to yourselves. Show yourselves men; and the way to show yourselves - men is to be brave and stout-hearted. I want you to be particular in the - execution of your ‘Shoulder arms,’ your ‘Charge bayonets.’ Learn to shoot - well at your enemies. You can do it, can’t you?” (“Yes, sir!” was the - answer from the columns.) “‘Well, do it, then. There is no reason why you - should not make just as good soldiers as the whites. Do it, then; hold - your heads up, and be fearless and brave men. Two years ago, when I came - here, I was the first to organize a colored regiment into the - United-States service; viz., the First South-Carolina Regiment. The first - lesson I taught them was to hold up their heads before white men, and to - say No. And now they are good soldiers. I would just as soon have the - First South-Carolina Regiment to-day with which to go into the field and - face the enemy as any white soldiers in the service.” The paymaster - shortly after made his appearance, and paid off the men; and thus justice, - though long kept back, at last came. Great was the rejoicing, both in the - army by the men, and at their homes by their families and friends. - Progress is slow, but sure. Everywhere the colored population appeared to - be gaining their equality, and rising to a higher level of humanity. The - acknowledgment of the civil rights of the negro had already been granted - in the admission of John S. Rock, a colored man, to practise law in all - the courts within the jurisdiction of the United States. The Supreme Court - at Washington, Chief-Justice Chase presiding, did not heap any more honor - on Mr. Rock, by this admission, than they gained by having so - distinguished a scholar as a member of the bar. Mr. John F. Shorter, who - was promoted to a lieutenancy in Company D, Fifty-fifth Massachusetts - Regiment, was by trade a carpenter, and was residing in Delaware County, - O., when the call was made for colored troops. Severely wounded at the - battle of Honey Hill, S.C.,on the 30th of November, 1864, he still - remained with his regiment, hoping to be of service. At the conclusion of - the war, he returned home, but never recovered from his wound, and died a - few days after his arrival. James Monroe Trotter, promoted for gallantry, - was wounded at the battle of Honey Hill. He is a native of Grand Gulf, - Miss; removed to Cincinnati, O; was educated at the Albany (O.) Manual - Labor University, where he distinguished himself for his scholarly - attainments. He afterwards became a school-teacher, which position he - filled with satisfaction to the people of Muskingum and Pike Counties, O., - and with honor to himself. Enlisting as a private in the Fifty-fifth - Massachusetts Regiment, on its organization, he returned with it to Boston - as a lieutenant, an office honorably earned. - </p> - <p> - William H. Dupree, a native of Petersburg, Va., was brought up and - educated at Chillicothe, O. He enlisted in the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts - Regiment, on its formation, as a private, was soon made orderly-sergeant, - and afterwards promoted to a lieutenancy for bravery on the field of - battle. - </p> - <p> - Charles L. Mitchel, promoted to a lieutenancy in the Fifty-fifth - Massachusetts Regiment for gallantry at the battle of Honey Hill, where he - was severely wounded (losing a limb), is a native of Hartford, Conn., and - son of Mr. William A. Mitchel of that city. Lieut. Mitchel served an - apprenticeship to William II. Burleigh, in the office of the old “Charter - Oak,” in Hartford, where he became an excellent printer. For five or six - years previous to entering the army, he was employed in different - printing-offices in Boston, the last of which was “The Liberator,” edited - by William Lloyd Garrison, who never speaks of Lieut. Mitchel but in words - of the highest commendation. Gen. A. S. Hartwell, late colonel of the - Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Regiment, makes honorable mention of Lieut. - Mitchel. - </p> - <p> - The citizens of Boston in Ward Six, where he has so long resided, and who - know him well, have shown then-appreciation of Lieut. Mitchel’s worth by - electing him to represent them in the Massachusetts Legislature,—an - office which he is every way qualified to fill. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0038" id="link2HCH0038"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXXVIII—FOURTH-OF-JULY CELEBRATION AT THE HOME OF JEFF. - DAVIS. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Fourth-of-July Celebration at the Home of Jeff. Davis in Mississippi.—The - Trip.—Joe Davis’s Place.—Jeff.‘s Place.—The Dinner.—Speeches - and Songs.—Lively Times.—Return to Vicksburg.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">B</span>y invitation of - the Committee of Arrangements, a party of teachers and their escorts, and - other friends of the freedmen, embarked on board “The Diligent,” on the - morning of the 4th inst. “The Diligent” left the levee at Vicksburg soon - after seven o’clock, a.m., and made a pleasant trip in about three hours, - down the river, stopping at the landing at Davis’s Bend; whence the party - were conveyed in ambulances, wagons, buggies, and other vehicles, to the - late residence of Jefferson Davis, about two miles from said landing. - </p> - <h3> - <i>DAVIS’S BEND</i>. - </h3> - <p> - This is one of the most extraordinary bends of the wonderful Mississippi - River, and has received its name from the fact of the settlement, on the - peninsula formed by the bend, of two members of the Davis Family, known as - “Jeff.” and “Joe.” This peninsula is some twelve miles in length; and, at - the point where it is attached to the main land of the State of - Mississippi, it is so narrow, that the enterprising planters have dug a - canal across, not unlike the celebrated Butler Canal of Petersburg fame, - although not near so long. This canal is called the “cut-off;” and, in - high water, the peninsula becomes, in fact, an island. This tract of land - is of great fertility, being entirely a deposit of the rich soil washed - from the prairies of the Great West. On this tract are some six - plantations, of from eight hundred to twelve hundred acres each. Two of - the largest and best of these were owned by Jeff, and Joe Davis, and are - known now as “The Jeff, and Joe places.” The form of this peninsula is - such that a few companies of soldiers, with one or two stockades, can keep - out an army of rebels; and the inhabitants, although frequently surrounded - by the hordes of Southern murderers and thieves on the opposite banks of - the river and canal, dwell in peace and comparative security. In fact, - this site, from being the home of traitors and oppressors of the poor, has - become a sort of earthly paradise for colored refugees. There they flock - in large numbers, and, like Lazarus of old, are permitted as it were, to - repose in “Father Abraham’s bosom.” The rich men of the Southern - Confederacy, now homeless wanderers, occasionally cry across for the - Lazarus whom they have oppressed and despised; but he is not sent unto - them, because, between the two parties, there is a great gulf fixed; so - that they which would pass from hence cannot. On this freedman’s paradise, - parties for cultivating the soil are organized under the superintendence - of missionaries; each party cultivating from ten to one hundred acres, - with a fair prospect of realizing handsomely. These efforts are aided by - the Government; rations, teams, &c., being-supplied and charged to - each party, to be deducted from the proceeds of their crops. Cotton is - chiefly cultivated, and some very handsome stands appear. - </p> - <h3> - <i>THE “JOE PLACE.”</i> - </h3> - <p> - The “Joe Place” is nearest the landing. The fine brick house, however, is - nearly demolished; but the cottage used as a sort of law library and - office is remaining uninjured. The negro-quarters also remain. - </p> - <h3> - <i>THE “JEFF. PLACE.”</i> - </h3> - <p> - The “Jeff, place” is also a very fine plantation. The residence has not - been injured, except the door-locks, and one or two marble mantels broken - up, apparently for trophies. The Jeff, furniture has been removed; but the - rooms are still furnished with furniture brought here. - </p> - <h3> - <i>THE HOUSE THAT JEFF. BUILT.</i> - </h3> - <p> - The house is, in its ground-plan, in the form of a cross,—but one - floor, with large rooms and ample verandas. The portico in front is - supported with pillars, and these form the only ornamental features of the - house, except such as were added for this occasion by the artistic touches - of our Northern sisters. Of these were festoons, wreaths, stars, and - garlands mysteriously woven in evergreens and flowers. Over the portico - entrance outside were the following inscriptions, the letters being formed - by cedar foliage:— - </p> - <h3> - <i>“THE HOUSE THAT JEFF. BUILT.”</i> - </h3> - <h3> - <i>“WELCOME.”</i> - </h3> - <p> - The latter motto was arched, and, with the festoons, made a beautiful - appearance. - </p> - <p> - Inside were beautiful stars and garlands of flowers; and over the exit at - the back-door, the following inscription, surmounted by a star:— - </p> - <h3> - <i>“EXIT TRAITOR.”</i> - </h3> - <p> - It was facetiously remarked by an observer, that the moral was,— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - “Down with the traitor, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And up with the star.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - We understood that to Miss Lee, of Pennsylvania, and Miss Jennie - Huddleson, of Indiana, the party was indebted for those ingenious and - appropriate devices. Very likely; for wit and satire for traitors, and a - cordial welcome to the loyal and patriotic, are characteristics of these - whole-souled missionaries. - </p> - <p> - The reception-rooms were also decorated with flowers; and every thing - around showed that “gentle hands” had laid on “the last touches” of - fragrance, grace, and beauty. - </p> - <p> - These “ladies of the Management” were dressed in neat “patriotic prints;” - they needed no addition to their toilets to add to the charming air of - comfort which they so appropriately infused. Their smiles of welcome - needed no verbal explanation; and the heartiness with which they were - engaged in their labors of love, and the evidence of their success in all - the surroundings, showed that they perfectly understood the science of - making home happy. Whether they have read Mrs. H. B. Stowe’s “House and - Home Papers” in “The Atlantic,” we know not, but there are many others, - besides that literary lady (Mrs. Stowe), who understand how to keep house; - by magic touches to turn the most simple objects into luxuries of - ornamentation. We suspect also that Mrs. M. Watson and Miss Lizzie Findley - had been engaged in these preparations, although appearing more in the - character of guests. There were some other ladies, to whom we had not the - honor of an introduction, who, doubtless, deserve particular mention; but - your reporter, as the sequel of his story will show, only received his - appointment as a publication committee <i>after all was over</i>, and, - consequently, if he should omit anybody’s name that deserves mention, this - must be his apology. He now declares his desire to be just to all, and - especially to those whose devotion and patriotism rendered the 4th of - July, 1864, the happiest day of the year. - </p> - <h3> - <i>THE GROUNDS.</i> - </h3> - <p> - On the grounds in front of the residence, the gunboat crew suspended a - string of signal colors, on each side of the “starry banner,” presenting - an effect amid the dense foliage of the live-oaks, and the gray moss, - “altogether beauteous to look upon;” while on the tables under the trees - were spread things not only “pleasant to the sight,” but “good for food.” - And when we saw these pleasing objects, the “work of their hands,” and the - merry, happy faces of the guests and their “escorts,” and reflected that - the sable sons, by a guard of whom we were surrounded, were “no longer - slaves;” that they had, with thousands of their brethren, been brought out - from the house of bondage, by the “God of Abraham;” that the very house - now occupied by missionaries and teachers had, but a year ago, been in the - service of despotism, built, in fact, as a temple of slavery by the great - chief, who preferred to rule in a miserable petty despotism to serving in - a great and magnanimous republic,—we could but think that Heaven - looked approvingly upon the scene; that “God saw every thing that he had - made, and behold! it was very good.” - </p> - <h3> - <i>THE EXERCISES.</i> - </h3> - <p> - Rev. Dr. Warren conducted the exercises as president of the occasion; and - he did it with that ease, freedom, and regard for the rights and interests - of all, which usually characterize his public and social conduct. He - opened the proceedings, under a grove of trees in front of the house, with - an appropriate prayer, and then called upon those appointed to take part. - </p> - <p> - Mr. Roundtree read the Declaration of Independence in a clear, emphatic, - and impressive manner. It was listened to with becoming reverence for the - great truths it contains, by both the white and colored races. It is quite - improbable that these self-evident truths were ever expressed before - publicly in this locality, and within hearing of every one within the - “house that Jeff, built.” - </p> - <p> - When this place was first taken by our troops, the following verse was - found written on the wall:— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “Let Lincoln send his forces here! - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - We’ll lick’em like blue blazes, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And send them yelping hack to where - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - They sung their nigger praises.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - Rev. Mr. Livermore, of Wisconsin, delivered an appropriate oration. - </p> - <p> - The meeting then adjourned for dinner. - </p> - <p> - A gentle shower at this time rendered the air cool and pleasant, but made - it necessary to remove the dining-tables to the house. - </p> - <h3> - <i>THE DINNER.</i> - </h3> - <p> - A sumptuous dinner was served on the veranda at the back of the mansion. - There was an abundance of all that could be desired. This being concluded, - the following sentiments were presented, and responded to in an impromptu - but appropriate manner by the various speakers:— - </p> - <h3> - <i>REGULAR TOASTS.</i> - </h3> - <p> - 1. The Day we celebrate: The old ship was launched in ‘76, the bow-anchors - cast out last year at Vicksburg and Gettysburg: may the storm-anchors be - dropped to-day at Richmond and Atlanta! - </p> - <p> - Response by Mr. Israel Lombard. - </p> - <p> - 2. The President: Proved honest and wise by four years of unprecedented - trial: we shall keep him there. - </p> - <p> - Responded to by Dr. Wright. - </p> - <p> - 3. Lieut.-Gen. Grant: We can tie to him in a gale. - </p> - <p> - Responded to by Col. Clark. - </p> - <p> - 4. The house that Jeff, built. - </p> - <p> - Responded to by Capt. Powell. - </p> - <p> - The following song composed for the occasion was led by Mr. McConnell:— - </p> - <h3> - <i>“THE HOUSE THAT JEFF. BUILT.”</i> - </h3> - <p> - <i>“Air.—‘Auld Lang Syne.‘</i> - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - “How oft within these airy halls - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - The traitor of the day - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Has heard ambition’s trumpet-calls, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Or dreamed of war’s array! - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Or of an empire dreamed, whose base - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Millions of blacks should be! - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Aha! before this day’s sweet face - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Where can his lisions be? - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Those empire dreams shall be fulfilled, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - But not as rebels thought: - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Like water at the cistern spilled, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Their boasts shall come to nought. - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - From gulf to lake, from sea to sea, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Behold our country grand! - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - The very home of Liberty, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - And guarded by her hand. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - We revel in his halls to-day: - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Next year where will he be? - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - A dread account he lias to pay: - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - May we be there to see! - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And now for country, truth, and right, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Our heritage all free; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - We’ll live and die. we’ll sing and fight: - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - The Union! three times three. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - 5. The Army and Navy: Veterans of three years. The heart of the nation - beats anxiously at the cry, “Onward to victory!” - </p> - <p> - Response by Dr. Foster. - </p> - <p> - 6. Our Patriot Dead: Silence their most speaking eulogy - </p> - <p> - 7. The Union: The storm will but root it the more firmly. - </p> - <p> - Response by Rev.A. J. Compton. - </p> - <p> - “The Star-spangled Banner,”—sung by the whole company, led by Mr. - McConnell. - </p> - <p> - 8. Missionaries to Freedmen: Peace has its heroes. - </p> - <p> - Response by Rev. Mr. Buckley, chaplain Forty-seventh United-States Colored - Infantry. - </p> - <p> - 9. Gen Sherman, second in command: “All I am I owe to my Government, and - nothing could tempt me to sacrifice my honor or my allegiance.” - </p> - <p> - Response by Capt. Gilpin, Commissary of Subsistence. - </p> - <p> - 10. The Freedmen: Slaves yesterday, to-day free: what shall they be - to-morrow? - </p> - <p> - The freedmen sung the following song:— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “De Lord he makes us free indeed - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - In his own time an’ way. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - We plant de rice and cotton seed, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And see de sprout some day: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - We know it come, but not de why,— - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - De Lord know more dan we. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - We ‘spected freedom by an’ by; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - An’ now we all are free. - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Praise de Lord! Praise de Lord! - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - For now we all are free. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - De Norf is on de side of right, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - An’ full of men, dey say; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - An’ dere, when poor man work, at night - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - He sure to get his pay. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - De Lord he glad dey are so good, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And make dem bery strong; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - An’ when dey called to give deir blood - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Dey all come right along. - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Praise de Lord! Praise do Lord! - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Dey all come right along. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Deir blue coats cover all de groun’, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - An’ make it like de sky; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - An’ every gray back loafin’ round - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - He tink it time to fly. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - We not afraid: we bring de child, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - An’ stan’ beside de door, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - An,’ oil! we hug it bery wild, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - An’ keep it ebermore. - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Praise de Lord! Praise de Lord! - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - We keep it ebermore. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - De massa’s come back from his tramp; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - ‘Pears he is broken quite: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - He takes de basket to de camp - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - For rations ebery night. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Dey fought him when he loud and strong, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Dey fed him when he low: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Dey say dey will forgive the wrong, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - An’ bid him’pent an’ go. - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Praise de Lord! Praise de Lord! - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Dey hid him’pent an’ go. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - De rice is higher far dis year, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - De cotton taller grow; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - De lowest corn-silk on de ear - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Is higher than de hoe. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - De Lord he lift up every ting - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - ‘Cept rebel in his grave; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - De negro bress de Lord, an’ sing: - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - He is no longer slave. - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Praise de Lord! Praise de Lord! - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - De negro no more slave.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - 13. Our Colored Troops: Deserving of freedom because they fight like men. - </p> - <p> - Response by Lieut. Wakeman. - </p> - <p> - Song: “Babylon is fallen.” - </p> - <p> - The party, after selecting a few simple trophies, such as fig-branches for - walking-canes, large pond-lilies, flowers, wreaths, and bouquets, returned - to the landing, and re-embarked for Vicksburg. - </p> - <h3> - <i>CLOSING EXERCISES.</i> - </h3> - <p> - On the boat, the following business was transacted:— - </p> - <p> - Vote of thanks to Col. Thomas and staff for getting up the celebration; to - the Orator of the Day, Parson Livermore; to the President, Rev. Dr. - Warren, who made a brief response; and also to Capt. Wightman an officers - of “The Diligent.” - </p> - <p> - The following song was then sung by a young contraband:— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - “We heard de proclamation, massa hush it as he will: - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - De bird he sing it to us, hoppin’ on de cotton-hill; - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - And de possum up de gum-tree he couldn’t keep it still. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Father Abraham has spoken, and de message has been sent; - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Do prison-doors he opened, and out de prisoners went - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - To joinde sable army of de ‘African descent.’ - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Dey said, ‘Now colored bredren, you shall be forever free, - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - From the first of January, eighteen hundred and sixty-three:’ - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - We heard it in do riber goin’ rushin’ to dc sea. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Den fall in, colored bredren, you’d better do it soon; - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Don’t you hear de drum a-beatin’ de Yankee Doodle tune? - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - We are wid you now dis mornin’; we’ll lie far away at noon.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - Cheers were given for Abraham Lincoln, and groans for Jeff. Davis. - </p> - <p> - The song, “The House that Jeff. Built,” was again sung; and Capt. Gilpin, - Commissary of Subsistence, appointed a committee to furnish a copy of the - same to “The New-York Tribune,” and also to Jeff. Davis. - </p> - <p> - Capt. Henry S. Clubb, Assistant Quartermaster, was appointed a committee - to furnish a report of the proceedings of the day to “The Vicksburg Daily - Herald.” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0039" id="link2HCH0039"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXXIX—GALLANTRY, LOYALTY, AND KINDNESS OF THE NEGRO. - </h2> - <p> - <i>The Nameless Hero at Fair Oaks.—The Chivalry whipped by their - Former Slaves.—Endurance of the Blacks.—Man in Chains.—One - Negro whips Three Rebels.—Gallantry.—Outrages on the Blacks.—Kindness - of the Negroes.—Welcome.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he gallantry and - loyalty of the blacks during the Rebellion is a matter of history, and - volumes might be written upon that subject. I give here a few instances - out of the many I have gathered:— - </p> - <p> - “At the bloody battle of Fair Oaks, Va., the rebels, during the first - day’s fight, drove Gen. Casey’s division from their camping-ground, and - rested for the night, confident that the morrow would give them a chance - to drive the Yankee invaders beyond the Chickahominy; but, just at - daylight that morning, Heintzelman’s corps re-enforced our line, and at - daybreak were hurled against the rebel foe. For a long time, the issue was - doubtful; the line swayed to and fro; but at last the Excelsior Brigade - the heroes of Williamsburg—were ordered to charge. That charge is a - matter of history. It gave us the battle-ground of Fair Oaks. - </p> - <p> - “During the month of June, that brigade held the ground they won, and - skirmishes with the rebels were of daily occurrence. One afternoon, word - was sent to Gen. Sickles that the enemy was advancing in force, and every - preparation was at once made for battle. A few shots were heard from - pickets but a few hundred yards in advance of our battery, and then all - was quiet. What meant that quietness? What were the rebels doing? Several - orderlies sent out to the pickets failed to bring any satisfactory - intelligence. Gen. Sickles turned to Lieut. Palmer, one of his aides, and - acting assistant adjutant-general, and directed him to take a squad of - cavalry, and ride cautiously out to the first bend in the road, and - communicate with our pickets. - </p> - <p> - “Palmer was a noble fellow,—young, handsome, a perfect gentleman, a - graceful rider, a gallant soldier. He was the pride of the brigade. - Forgetful of the caution given him, with the impetuosity characteristic of - youth, he dashed forward at a full gallop, with sabre drawn. He came to - the first bend in the road, and (fatal mistake) kept on. He came to the - second bend, and, as he turned it, directly across the road was a company - of rebel infantry drawn up to receive him. They fired. One ball crashed - through that handsome face into his brain, while another tore the arm that - bore aloft his trusty blade. - </p> - <p> - “The shots were heard at the battery; and in a moment Palmer’s riderless - horse, bleeding from a wound in its neck, galloped from the woods, - followed by the squad of cavalry, who told to the general the untimely - fate of his aide. - </p> - <p> - “‘Boys,’ said the general to the veterans who clustered around to hear the - story, ‘Lieut. Palmer’s body lies out in that road.’ Not a word more - needed saying. Quickly the men fell in, and a general advance of the line - was made to secure it. - </p> - <p> - “Whilst the cavalrymen were telling the story, a negro-servant of Lieut. - Palmer’s was standing by. Unnoticed, he left the group; down that road, - the Williamsburg Turnpike, he went. He passed our picket-line, and alone - and unattended he walked along that avenue of death to so many, not - knowing what moment he would be laid low by a rebel bullet, or be made a - prisoner to undergo that still worse death, a life of slavery. Upon the - advance of our line, that faithful servant was found by the side of his - dead master,—faithful in life, and faithful amid all the horrors of - the battle-field, even in the jaws of death. - </p> - <p> - “None but those who knew the locality—the gallant men that make up - Hooker’s division—can appreciate the heroism that possessed that - contraband. That road was lined with sharpshooters. A wounded man once lay - in it three days, neither party daring to rescue him. The act of that - heroic, unknown (I regret that I cannot recall his name) but faithful - contraband, was one of the most daring of the war, and prompted by none - other than the noblest feelings known to the human breast.”—New-York - Independent. - </p> - <p> - <i>“In Camp, Bermuda Hundred, Va., May 26, 1864.</i> - </p> - <p> - “The chivalry of Fitzhugh Lee, and his cavalry division, was badly worsted - in the contest last Tuesday with negro troops composing the garrison at - Wilson’s Landing. Chivalry made a gallant fight, however. The battle began - at half-past twelve, p.m., and ended at six o’clock; when chivalry - retired, disgusted and defeated. Lee’s men dismounted far in the rear, and - fought as infantry. They drove in the pickets and skirmishers to the - intrenchments, and several times made valiant charges upon our works. To - make an assault, it was necessary to come across an ‘open’ in front of our - position, up to the very edge of a deep and impassable ravine. The rebels, - with deafening yells, made furious onsets; but the negroes did not flinch, - and the mad assailants, discomfited, turned to cover with shrunken ranks. - The rebel fighting was very wicked. It showed that Lee’s heart was bent on - taking the negroes at any cost. Assaults on the centre having failed, the - rebels tried first the left and then the right flank, with no greater - success. When the battle was over, our loss footed up one man killed - outright, twenty wounded, and two missing. Nineteen rebels were prisoners - in our hands. Lee’s losses must have been very heavy. The proof thereof - was left on the ground. Twenty-five rebel bodies lay in the woods - unburied; and pools of blood unmistakably told of other victims taken - away. The estimate, from all the evidence carefully considered, puts the - enemy’s casualties at two hundred. Among the corpses Lee left on the field - was that of Major Breckinridge, of the Second Virginia Cavalry. - </p> - <p> - “There is no hesitation here in acknowledging the soldierly qualities - which the colored men engaged in this fight have exhibited. Even the - officers who have hitherto felt no confidence in them are compelled to - express themselves mistaken. Gen. Wild, commanding the post, says that the - troops stood up to their work like veterans.”—<i>Correspondence of - the New-York Times.</i> - </p> - <p> - “The conduct of the colored troops, by the way, in the actions of the last - few days, is described as superb. An Ohio soldier said to me to-day, ‘I - never saw men fight with such desperate gallantry as those negroes did. - They advanced as grim and stern as death; and, when within reach of the - enemy, struck about them with a pitiless vigor that was almost fearful.’ - Another soldier said to me, ‘These negroes never shrink nor hold back, no - matter what the order. Through scorching heat and pelting storms, if the - order comes, they march with prompt, ready feet.’ Such praise is great - praise, and it is deserved. The negroes here who have been slaves are - loyal to a man, and, on our occupation of Fredericksburg, pointed out the - prominent secessionists, who were at once seized by our cavalry, and put - in safe quarters. In a talk with a group of these faithful fellows, I - discovered in them all a perfect understanding of the issues of the - conflict, and a grand determination to prove themselves worthy of the - place and privileges to which they are to be exalted.”—<i>New-York - Herald</i>. - </p> - <p> - <i>“Carrollton, La., June 2,1864.</i> - </p> - <p> - “I am writing in the camp of the Twelfth Connecticut Regiment, and about - here are encamped the Nineteenth Army Corps, under marching-orders for - Morganza, near the mouth of the Red River. In this tent sits a man,—unfortunate - because black,—once a slave, but free now, a member of the grand - army of the Unite! States, who is courageous, and who will wield a sword - or thrust a bayonet as vigorously as any, because he has suffered so - bitterly at the hands of those who would crush his race. His crime was - remonstrating with his master for beating his wife. When our men found - him, he was sitting on the floor, two long chains passing over his - shoulders, and fastened to a staple; and over him stood four soldiers with - muskets to prevent his escape. He is not only faithful; but he is - gentlemanly, intelligent, and interesting in conversation and appearance. - His brave heart is full of patriotism, and he is willing to serve or die - for his country.”—<i>Springfield Republican</i>. - </p> - <p> - An instance of the daring of negroes in that section is told by a Lake - Providence (Louisiana) correspondent of “The Philadelphia Inquirer:”— - </p> - <p> - “Recently a black man, after several days’ urgent request for a musket and - rounds of ammunition, succeeded in securing his wish. He set out in the - night, and by morning reached the vicinity of a rebel guard. He crept - cautiously forward, but was seen and watched. Suddenly the sharp crack of - rifles brought him to his feet. Before him were three rebel soldiers. He - instantly brought his musket to his shoulder, and fired. One rebel fell - dead. The negro, by the time the bewilderment of the other two had passed - off, was upon them with uplifted musket, threatening them with its - immediate descent, unless they surrendered at once. They acquiesced in a - hurry. Leaving the dead rebel to the dogs, with the other two in tow, the - negro returned to our lines, and delivered them to the authorities. Since - this exploit, the negro has made himself useful in scouting and bringing - in information.” - </p> - <p> - A correspondent, of “The Cleveland Leader,” writing from the headquarters - of the Fifty-ninth United-States Infantry (colored) at Memphis, under date - of June 15, gives a detailed and graphic account of the brave fight of the - colored troops in Gen. Sturgis’s command, fully confirming previous - accounts. The following is a material part of the statement:— - </p> - <p> - “About sunrise, June 11, the enemy advanced on the town of Ripley, and - threatened our right, intending to cut us off from the Salem Road. Again - the colored troops were the only ones that could be brought into line; the - Fifty-ninth being on the right, and the Fifty-fifth on the left, holding - the streets. At this time, the men had not more than ten rounds of - ammunition, and the enemy were crowding closer and still closer, when the - Fifty-ninth were ordered to charge on them, which they did in good style, - while singing,— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - ‘We’ll rally round the flag, boys.’ - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - “This charge drove the enemy back, so that both regiments retreated to a - pine-grove about two hundred yards distant. - </p> - <p> - “By this time, all the white troops, except one squadron of cavalry, that - formed in the rear, were on the road to Salem; and, when this brigade came - up, they, too, wheeled and left, and in less than ten minutes this now - little band of colored troops found themselves flanked. They then divided - themselves into three squads, and charged the enemy’s lines; one squad - taking the old Corinth Road, then a by-road, to the left. After a few - miles, they came to a road leading to Grand Junction. After some - skirmishing, they arrived, with the loss of one killed and one wounded. - </p> - <p> - “Another and the largest squad covered the retreat of the white troops, - completely defending them by picking up the ammunition thrown away by - them, and with it repelling the numerous assaults made by the rebel - cavalry, until they reached Collierville, a distance of sixty miles. When - the command reached Dan’s Mills, the enemy attempted to cut it off by a - charge; but the colored boys in the rear formed, and repelled the attack, - allowing the whole command to pass safely on, when they tore up the - bridge. Passing on to an open country, the officers halted, and - re-organized the brigade into an effective force. They then moved forward - until about four, p.m.; when some Indian flank skirmishers discovered the - enemy, who came up to the left, and in the rear, and halted. Soon a - portion advanced, when a company faced about and fired, emptying three - saddles. From this time until dark, the skirmishing was constant. - </p> - <p> - “A corporal in Company C, Fifty-ninth, was ordered to surrender. He let - his would-be captor come close to him; when he struck him with the butt of - his gun. - </p> - <p> - “While the regiment was fighting in a ditch, and the order came to - retreat, the color-bearer threw out the flag, designing to jump out and - get it; but the rebels rushed for it, and in the struggle one of the boys - knocked down with his gun the reb who had the flag, caught it, and ran. - </p> - <p> - “A rebel, with an oath, ordered one of our men to surrender. He, thinking - the reb’s gun was loaded, dropped his gun; but, on seeing the reb commence - loading, our colored soldier jumped for his gun, and with it struck his - captor dead. - </p> - <p> - “Capt. H., being surrounded by about a dozen rebels, was seen by one of - his men, who called several of his companions: they rushed forward and - fired, killing several of the enemy, and rescued their captain. - </p> - <p> - “A rebel came up to one, and laid, ‘Come, my good fellow, go with me and - wait on me.’ In an instant, the boy shot his would-be master dead. - </p> - <p> - “Once when the men charged on the enemy, they rushed forth with the cry, - Remember Fort Pillow.’ The rebs called back, and said, ‘Lee’s men killed - no prisoners.’ - </p> - <p> - “One man in a charge threw his antagonist to the ground, and pinned him - fast; and, as he attempted to withdraw his bayonet, it came off his gun, - and, as he was very busy just then, he left him transfixed to - mother-earth. - </p> - <p> - “One man killed a rebel by striking him with the butt of his gun, which he - broke; but, being unwilling to stop his work, he loaded and fired three - ‘times before he could get a better gun: the first time, not being - cautious, the rebound of his gun badly cut his lip. - </p> - <p> - “When the troops were in the ditch, three rebels came to one man, and - ordered him to surrender. His gun being loaded, he shot one, and bayoneted - another: and, forgetting he could bayonet the third, he turned the butt of - his gun, and knocked him down.” - </p> - <p> - Great were the sufferings which the colored people had to endure for their - fidelity to liberty and the Union during the Rebellion. Space will allow - me to give but one or two instances. - </p> - <p> - “On Monday, Feb. 21, a band of guerillas, commanded by Col. Moore, of - Louisiana, made a bold dash upon our lines at Waterproof, La., opening - with four pieces of artillery upon Fort Anderson. Capt. Johnson, of the - gunboat ‘No. 9,’ was on hand, and, after two hours’ vigorous shelling, the - enemy abandoned the attack. - </p> - <p> - “Our loss was three killed. Two colored soldiers, members of the Eleventh - Louisiana Volunteers, were captured, and afterwards brutally murdered, - with an old slave known by the sobriquet of ‘Uncle Peter.’ The bodies of - the two soldiers were discovered the next day riddled with bullets. Old - Uncle Peter had been of great service to our Government in piloting our - officers to localities where large quantities of cotton belonging to the - rebel Government were concealed. After capturing this old man, the - assassins compelled him to kneel, with his hands behind his back, in - presence of some fifty slaves on one of the adjoining plantations; and two - Minie-balls pierced his body. They then intimidated the slaves by - threatening to treat all negroes in a similar manner whom they caught - aiding the Yankees. - </p> - <p> - “Through the instrumentality of this faithful old man, Capt. Anderson had - secured four hundred bales of fine cotton marked ‘Confederate States of - America,’ together with a hundred and fifty fine horses, and a number of - mules. The value of the cotton alone was a hundred thousand dollars. Among - the prisoners captured by our forces was Lieut. Austin, adjutant-general - on Gen. Harris’s staff, with his fine horses and costly equipments. Capt. - Anderson succeeded in capturing the murderer of old Uncle Peter, and - having plenty of slaves to testify who were obliged to witness the - infamous crime, he ordered the guilty wretch to be shot; and in a few - hours the villain paid the penalty of his dastard crime. Another one of - the guerillas engaged in this outrage is now in our hands, under guard at - this place; and it seems like an act of great injustice to our brave - soldiers, that such outlaws should be treated as prisoners of war. - </p> - <p> - “After shooting these three defenceless men, the chivalrous knights robbed - old Uncle Peter of a thousand dollars in treasury notes, and completely - stripped the two colored soldiers of all their outer clothing and their - boots. We hear Northern copperheads, who have never been south of Mason - and Dixon’s Line, constantly prating about the unconstitutionality of - arming the slaves of rebels; and often these prejudiced people accuse the - negro troops of cowardice. After the bloody proof at Milliken’s Bend, Port - Hudson, and at Fort Wagner in front of Charleston, it would seem that - nothing more was needed to substantiate the resolution and undaunted - courage of the slave when arrayed against his master, fighting for the - freedom of his race. The following incident speaks for itself:— - </p> - <p> - “In the attack on Fort Anderson, Sergt. Robert Thompson exhibited traits - of courage worthy of record. A party of eight guerillas surrounded Sergt. - Thompson of Company I, Eleventh Louisiana, and Corp. Robinson of the same - regiment. The two prisoners were threatened with torture and death, and - were finally placed in charge of three guerillas, while the balance of - their party were harassing our troops. Seeing a revolver in the sergeant’s - belt, they ordered him to give it up. As he fumbled around his belt, he - touched the corporal with his elbow as a signal to be ready. Drawing it - slowly from his belt, he cocked it, and, ere the rebel could give the - alarm, he fell a corpse from his horse. At the same time, Corp. Robinson - shot another; and the third guerilla, without waiting for further - instructions, put the spurs to his horse, and in a few seconds was out of - sight. The two brave men are now on duty ready for another guerilla - visit.”—<i>Correspondence of The Tribune.</i> - </p> - <p> - Kindness to Union men and all Northerners was a leading trait in the - character of the colored people of the South throughout the war. James - Henri Brown, special correspondent of “The New-York Tribune,” in his very - interesting work, “Four years in Secessia,” says, “The negro who had - guided us to the railway had told us of another of his color to whom we - could apply for shelter and food at the terminus of our second stage. We - could not find him until nearly dawn; and, when we did, he directed us to - a large barn filled with corn-husks. Into that we crept with our dripping - garments, and lay there for fifteen hours, until we could again venture - forth. Floundering about in the husks, we lost our haversacks, pipes, and - a hat. About nine o’clock, we procured a hearty supper from the generous - negro, who even gave me his hat,—an appropriate presentation, as one - of iny companions remarked, by an ‘intelligent contraband’ to the reliable - gentleman of ‘The New-York Tribune.’ The negro did picket-duty while we - hastily ate our meal, and stood by his blazing fire. The old African and - his wife gave us ‘God bless you, massa!’ with trembling voice and - moistened eyes, as we parted from them with grateful hearts. ‘God bless - negroes!’ say I, with earnest lips. During our entire captivity, and after - our escape, they were ever our firm, brave, unflinching friends. We never - made an appeal to them they did not answer. They never hesitated to do us - a service at the risk even of life; and, under the most trying - circumstances, revealed a devotion and a spirit of self-sacrifice that - were heroic. - </p> - <p> - “The magic word ‘Yankee,’ opened all their hearts, and elicited the - loftiest virtues. They were ignorant, oppressed, enslaved; but they always - cherished a simple and beautiful faith in the cause of the Union, and its - ultimate triumph, and never abandoned or turned aside from a man who - sought food or shelter on his way to freedom.” - </p> - <p> - “On the march of Grant’s army from Spottsylvania to the North Anna, at - intervals of every few miles, families of negroes were gathered along the - roadside, exchanging words of salutation to our soldiers as they passed, - and grinning all over their faces. ‘Massa’s gone away, gemmen,’ was the - answer in almost all cases where the query in relation to their master’s - whereabouts was raised. ‘Specs he gwan to Richmon’. Dun know. He went away - in a right smart hurry last night: dat’s all I knows.’ A sight of the - fine, athletic, plump appearance of some of these negroes, of both sexes - and all ages, would have driven a negro-trader crazy, especially when he - became convinced of the fact that, according to the terms of President - Lincoln’s proclamation, these negroes are free the moment the lines of the - Union army closed in upon them. It was a pleasing spectacle, and - commingled with not a little pathos, to hear the benedictions which the - aged and infirm negroes poured out upon our soldiers as they marched by. - ‘I’se been waitin’ for you,’ said an old negro, whose eyesight was almost - entirely gone, and whose head was covered with the frosts of some - eighty-five winters. ‘Ah! I’se been waitin’ for you gemmen some time. I - knew you was comin’, kase I heerd massa and missus often talkin’ about - you;’ and then the old hero chuckled, and almost ground his ivories out of - his head.” - </p> - <p> - No heroism surpasses that of the poor slave-boy Sam, on board the gunboat - “Pawnee,” who, while passing shell from the magazine, had both legs shot - away by a ball from the rebel guns; but, still holding the shell, cried - out at the top of his voice, “Pass up de shell, boys. Nebber mine me: my - time is up.” The greatest fidelity of the white man to the Union finds its - parallel in the nameless negro, who, when his master sent him out to - saddle his horse, mounted the animal, rode in haste to the Federal lines, - and pointed out the road of safety to the harassed, retreating Army of the - Potomac; then, returning for his wife and children, was caught by the - rebels, and shot. When the rebels made their raid into the State of - Pennsylvania, and the governor called the people to arms for defence, it - is a well-known fact that a company of colored men from Philadelphia were - the first to report at Harrisburg for service. These men were among the - most substantial of the colored citizens in point of wealth and moral - culture. Yet these patriotic individuals, together with all of their - class, are disfranchised in that State. - </p> - <p> - In the engagement on James Island between the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts - and the rebels, the latter surrounded three companies of the former, which - were on picket-duty, and ordered them to surrender; the colored troops - replied by making the best possible use of their muskets. In the fight, - Sergt. Wilson, of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, fought bravely, having - fired his last cartridge, used the butt of his gun upon his enemies, and, - even after being severely wounded, still struggled against the foe with - his unloaded weapon. The enemy, seeing this, called repeatedly to the - negro to surrender; but Wilson refused, and fought till he was shot dead. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0040" id="link2HCH0040"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XL—FALL OF THE CONFEDERACY, AND DEATH OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Flight of Jeff. Davis from Richmond.—Visit of President Lincoln - to the Rebel Capital.—Welcome by the Blacks.—Surrender of Gen. - Lee.—Death of Abraham Lincoln.—The Nation in Tears.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">J</span>efferson Davis and - his cabinet had hastily quitted Richmond, on Sunday, the third day of - April, 1865; the Union troops had taken possession the day following; and - Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, and the best-hated man by - the rebels, entered the city a short time after. For the following account - of the President’s visit, I am indebted to a correspondent of “The Boston - Journal:” - </p> - <p> - “I was standing upon the bank of the river, viewing the scene of - desolation, when a boat, pulled by twelve sailors, came up stream. It - contained President Lincoln and his son, Admiral Porter, Capt. Penrose of - the army, Capt. A. H. Adams of the navy, Lieut. W. W. Clements of the - signal corps. Somehow the negroes on the bank of the river ascertained - that the tall man wearing the black hat was President Lincoln. There was a - sudden shout. An officer who had just picked up fifty negroes to do work - on the dock found himself alone. They left work, and crowded round the - President. As he approached, I said to a colored woman,— - </p> - <p> - “‘There is the man who made you free.’ - </p> - <p> - “‘What, massa?’ - </p> - <p> - “‘That is President Lincoln.’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Dat President Linkum?’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Yes.’ - </p> - <p> - “She gazed at him a moment, clapped her hands, and jumped straight up and - down, shouting, ‘Glory, glory, glory!’ till her voice was lost in a - universal cheer. - </p> - <p> - “There was no carriage near; so the President, leading his son, walked - three-quarters of a mile up to Gen. Weitzel’s headquarters,—Jeff. - Davis’s mansion. What a spectacle it was! Such a hurly-burly, such wild, - indescribable, ecstatic joy I never witnessed. A colored man acted as - guide. Six sailors, wearing their round blue caps and short jackets and - bagging pants, with navy carbines, were the advance-guard. Then came the - President and Admiral Porter, flanked by the officers accompanying him, - and the correspondent of ‘The Journal;’ then six more sailors with - carbines,—twenty of us all told,—amid a surging mass of men, - women, and children, black, white, and yellow, running, shouting, dancing, - swinging their caps, bonnets, and handkerchiefs. The soldiers saw him, and - swelled the crowd, cheering in wild enthusiasm. All could see him, he was - so tall, so conspicuous. - </p> - <p> - “One colored woman, standing in a doorway as the president passed along - the sidewalk, shouted, ‘Thank you, dear Jesus, for this! thank you, - Jesus!’ Another standing by her side was clapping her hands, and shouting, - ‘Bless de Lord!’ - </p> - <p> - “A colored woman snatched her bonnet from her head, and whirled it in the - air, screaming with all her might, ‘God bless you, Massa Linkum!’ - </p> - <p> - “A few white women looking out from the houses waved their handkerchiefs. - One lady in a large and elegant building looked a while, and turned away - her head as if it was a disgusting sight. - </p> - <p> - “President Lincoln walked in silence, acknowledging the salutes of - officers and soldiers, and of the citizens, black and white. It was the - man of the people among the people. It was the great deliverer meeting the - delivered. Yesterday morning the majority of the thousands who crowded the - streets and hindered our advance were slaves: now they were free, and - beholding him who had given them their liberty.” - </p> - <p> - On the 9th of the same month, Gen. Lee, with his whole army, surrendered - to Gen. Grant; and thus fell the Southern Confederacy, the enemy of the - negro and of Republican government. The people of the North, already tired - of the war, at once gave themselves up to rejoicing all over the free - States. - </p> - <p> - But the time of merry-making was doomed to be short; for slavery, the - cause of the Rebellion, was dying hard. The tyrants of the South, so long - accustomed to rule, were now determined to ruin. Slavery must have its - victim. If it could not conquer, it must at least die an honorable death; - and nothing could give it more satisfaction than to commit some great - crime in its last struggles. - </p> - <p> - Therefore the death of Abraham Lincoln by the hand of an assassin was but - the work of slavery. It murdered Lovejoy at Alton, it slowly assassinated - Torrey in a Maryland prison, it struck down Sumner in the Senate, it had - taken the lives, by starvation, of hundreds at Anderson, Richmond, and - Salisbury; why spare the great liberator? - </p> - <p> - President Lincoln fell a sacrifice to his country’s salvation as - absolutely and palpably, as though he had been struck down while leading - an assault on the ramparts of Petersburg. The wretch who killed him was - impelled by no private malice, but imagined himself an avenger of that - downcast idol, which, disliking to be known simply as slavery, styles - itself “The South.” He was murdered, not that slavery might live; but that - it might bring down its most conspicuous enemy in its fall. - </p> - <p> - The tears of four millions of slaves whom he had liberated, five hundred - thousand free blacks whose future condition he had made better, and the - twenty millions of whites in the free States, stricken as they never had - been before by the death of a single individual, followed his body to the - grave. No nation ever mourned more sincerely the loss of its head than did - the people of the United States that of President Lincoln. We all love his - memory still. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - “His name is not a sculptured thing, where old Renown has reared - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Her marble in the wilderness, by smoke of battle seared; - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - But graven on life-leaping hearts, where <i>Freedom’s</i> banners wave, - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - It gleams to bid the tyrant back, and <i>loose the fettered slave</i>.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - Faults he had; but we forget them all in his death. It seemed to us that - God had raised this man up to do a great work; and when he had finished - his mission, flushed with success over the enemies of his country, while - the peals of exultation for the accomplishment of the noble deed were yet - ringing in his ears, and while our hearts were palpitating more generously - for him, he permitted him to fall, that we should be humbled, and learn - our own weakness, and be taught to put more dependence in the ruler of the - universe than in man. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - ‘So sleep the good, who sink to rest - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - By all their country’s wishes blest. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - When Spring with dewy fingers cold - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Returns to deck their hallowed mould, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - She there shall dress a sweeter sod - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Than Fancy’s feet have ever trod: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - By forms unseen, their dirge is sung; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - By fairy hands, their knell is rung; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - There Honor comes, a pilgrim gray, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - To bless the turf that wraps their clay; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And Freedom shall a while repair, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - To dwell a weeping hermit there.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0041" id="link2HCH0041"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XLI—PRESIDENT ANDREW JOHNSON. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Origin of Andrew Johnson.—His Speeches in Tennessee.—The - Negro’s Moses.—The Deceived Brahmin.—The Comparison.—Interview - with Southerners.—Northern Delegation.—Delegation of Colored - Men.—Their Appeal.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">S</span>pringing from the - highest circle of the lowest class of whites of the South, gradually - rising, coming up over a tailor’s board, and all the obstacles that - slaveholding society places between an humbly-born man and social and - political elevation, Andrew Johnson entered upon his presidential duties, - at the death of Mr. Lincoln, with the hearty good feeling of the American - people. True, he had taken a glass too much on the day of his inauguration - as vice-president, and the nation had not forgotten it; yet there were - many palliating circumstances to be offered. The weather was cold, his - ride from Tennessee had been long and fatiguing, he had met with a host of - friends, who, like himself, were not afraid of the “critter.” And, after - all, who amongst that vast concourse of politicians, on that fourth day of - March, had not taken a “Tom and Jerry,” a “whiskey punch,” a “brandy - smash,“or a “cocktail”? Again: the people had been robbed of their idol, - and suddenly plunged into grief, and felt like looking up the commendable - acts of the new President, rather than finding fault, and were desirous to - see how far he was capable of filling the gap so recently made vacant. - </p> - <p> - They remembered that when the secessionists were withdrawing from - Congress, in 1860, Mr. Johnson said, - </p> - <p> - “If I were president, I would try them for treason, and, if convicted, I - would hang them.” This was mark number one in his favor. They had not - forgotten his address to the Tennessee Convention, which, in the preceding - January, had, by an almost unanimous vote, declared slavery in that State - forever abolished. - </p> - <p> - This speech was made on the 14th of January, and is very uncompromising - and eloquent. “Yesterday,” said he to the Convention, “you broke the - tyrant’s rod, and set the captive free. (Loud applause.) Yes, gentlemen, - yesterday you sounded the death-knell of negro aristocracy, and performed - the funeral obsequies of that thing called slavery.... I feel that God - smiles on what you have done. Oh, how it contrasts with the shrieks and - cries and wailings which the institution of slavery has brought on the - land!” - </p> - <p> - And his speech to the colored people of Nashville in the preceding October - was exceedingly touching, by reason of its tender, heartfelt compassion - for all the degradation, insult, and cruelty which had been heaped upon - that poor and unoffending people so long. Its scorn and sarcasm were - terrible as he arraigned the “master” class for their long career of lust, - tyranny, and crime. He hoped a Moses would arise to lead this persecuted - people to their promised land of freedom. “You are our Moses,” shouted - first one, and then a great multitude of voices. But the speaker went on, - </p> - <p> - “God, no doubt, has prepared, somewhere, an instrument for the great work - he designs to perform in behalf of this outraged people; and in due time - your leader will come forth,—your Moses will be revealed to you.” - </p> - <p> - “We want no Moses but you!” again shouted the crowd. “Well, then,” replied - Mr. Johnson, “humble and unworthy as I am, if no better shall be found, I - will indeed be your Moses, and lead you through the Red Sea of war and - bondage to a fairer future of liberty and peace.” - </p> - <p> - These were brave words in behalf of the rights of man, and weighed heavily - in Mr. Johnson’s favor. Also in his first public words, after taking the - oath as President of the United States, Mr. Johnson referred to <i>the - past</i> of his life as an indication of his course and policy in the - future, rather than to make any verbal declarations now; thereby - manifesting an honorable willingness to be judged by his acts, and a - consciousness that the record was one which he need not be ashamed to own. - </p> - <p> - What better words or greater promises could be demanded? And, moreover, - the American people are admirers of self-made men. Indeed, it is the - foundation of true republican principles; and those who come to the - surface by their own genius or energies are sure to be well received by - the masses. But was Andrew Johnson a genius? was he shrewd? was he smart? - If not, how could he have attained to such a high position in his own - State? Were the people there all fools, that they should send a mountebank - to the United-States Senate? Or were they, as well as the - National-Republican Convention that nominated him in 1864 for the - Vice-Presidency, deceived? - </p> - <p> - Macaulay, in his Criticism on the Poems of Robert Montgomery, says, “A - pious Brahmin, it is written, made a vow, that, on a certain day, he would - sacrifice a sheep; and on the appointed morning he went forth to buy one. - There lived in his neighborhood three rogues, who knew his vow, and laid a - scheme for profiting by it. The first met him, and said, ‘O Brahmin! wilt - thou buy a sheep? I have one fit for sacrifice.’—‘It is for that - very purpose,’ said the holy man, ‘that I came forth this day.’ Then the - impostor opened a bag, and brought out of it an unclean beast,—an - ugly dog, lame and blind. ‘Thereon the Brahmin cried out, ‘Wretch, who - touchest things impure, and utterest things untrue, callest thou that cur - a sheep?’—‘Truly,’ answered the other, ‘it is a sheep of the finest - fleece, and of the sweetest flesh. O Brahmin! it will be an offering most - acceptable to the gods!’—‘Friend,’ said the Brahmin, ‘either thou or - I must be blind.’ Just then, one of the accomplices came up. ‘Praised be - the gods,’ said this second rogue, ‘that I have been saved the trouble of - going to the market for a sheep! This is such a sheep as I wanted. For how - much wilt thou sell it?’ When the Brahmin heard this, his mind waved to - and fro, like one swinging in the air at a holy festival. ‘Sir,’ said he - to the new-comer, ‘take heed what thou dost. This is no sheep, but an - unclean cur.’—‘O Brahmin!’ said the new-comer, ‘thou art drunk or - mad.’ At this time, the third confederate drew near. ‘Let us ask this - man,’ said the Brahmin, ‘what the creature is; and I will stand by what he - shall say.’ To this the others agreed; and the Brahmin called out, ‘O - stranger! what dost thou call this beast?’—‘Surely, O Brahmin!’ said - the knave, ‘it is a fine sheep.’ Then the Brahmin said, ‘Surely the gods - have taken away my senses!’ and he asked pardon of him who carried the - dog, and bought it for a measure of rice and a pot of ghee; and offered it - up to the gods, who, being wroth at this unclean sacrifice, smote him with - a sore disease in all his joints!” - </p> - <p> - The poor Brahmin was never more thoroughly imposed upon in receiving the - dog for a sheep than were the American people in accepting Andrew Johnson - as a statesman, or even as a friend of liberty and republican - institutions. That he hated the slaveocracy, there is not the slightest - doubt; for they were far above him, and all his efforts to be recognized - by them as an equal had failed. - </p> - <p> - But did he like the negro any better than the master? It is said, that - while in his apprenticeship, on one occasion, young Johnson was passing - along the street with a pair of pants upon his arm, when a well-dressed - free negro accidentally ran against him, pushing the tailor into a ditch; - whereupon, the latter threw a handful of mud at the black man, soiling his - clothes very much. The negro turned, and indignantly said, “You better - mind what you ‘bout, you low white clodhopper, poor white trash!” This - retort of the negro no doubt touched a tender chord; for it reminded the - rising young man of the “pit from whence he was digged,” and it is said he - hated the race ever after. <i>But it must be acknowledged</i> that Mr. - Johnson is a big man in little things; that he showed some shrewdness in - taking advantage of the Union feeling, and especially the antislavery - sentiment, of the North, in wiggling himself into the Republican party by - his bunkum speeches. After all, what is the real character of the man? - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “Great Judas of the nineteenth century, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Foul political traitor of the age, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Persistent speeechmaker, covered with falsity, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Come, sit now for your portrait. I will paint - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - As others see you,—men who love their God, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And hate not even you, aye you, attaint - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - With love of self, and power that’s outlawed. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Behold the picture! See a drunken man - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Whose age brings nothing but increase of sin,— - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - A deceptive ‘policy,’ a hateful plan - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - To deceive the people, and reenslave the sons of Ham! - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Now see it stretching out a slimy palm, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And striking hands with rebels. Nay, nay! - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - It grasps Columbia by the throat and arm, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And seeks to give her to that beast of prey.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - Intensely in love with himself, egotistical, without dignity, tyrannical, - ungrateful, and fond of flattery, Mr. Johnson was entirely unprepared to - successfully resist the overtures of the slaveholding aristocracy, by whom - he had so long wished to be recognized. It was some weeks after the death - of the good President, that a committee of these Southerners visited the - White House. They found Mr. Johnson alone; for they had asked for an - audience, which had been readily granted. Humbly they came, the lords of - the lash, the men who, five years before, would not have shaken hands with - him with a pair of tongs ten feet long. Many of them the President had - seen on former occasions: all of them he knew by reputation. As they stood - before him, he viewed them from head to feet, and felt an inward triumph. - He could scarcely realize the fact, and asked himself, “Is it possible? - have I my old enemies before me, seeking favors?” Yes: it was so; and they - had no wish to conceal the fact. The chairman of the committee, a man of - years, one whose very look showed that he was not without influence among - those who knew him, addressing the Chief Magistrate, said, “Mr. President, - we come as a committee to represent to you the condition of the South, and - its wants. We fear that your Excellency has had things misrepresented to - you by the Radicals; and knowing you to be a man of justice, a statesman - of unsullied reputation, one who to-day occupies the proudest position of - any man in the world, we come to lay our wants before you. We have, in the - past, been your political opponents. In the future, we shall be your - friends; because we now see that you were right, and we were wrong. We - ask, nay, we beg you to permit us to reconstruct the Southern States. Our - people, South, are loyal to a man, and wish to return at once to their - relations in the General Government. We look upon you, Mr. President, as - the embodiment of the truly chivalrous Southerner,—one who, born and - bred in the South, understands her people: to you we appeal for justice; - for we are sure that your impulses are pure. Your future, Mr. President, - is to be a brilliant one. At the next presidential election, the South - will be a unit for the man who saves her from the hands of these Yankees, - who now, under the protection of the Freedman’s Bureau, are making - themselves rich. We shall stand by the man that saves us; and you are that - man. Your genius, your sagacity, and your unequalled statesmanship, mark - you out as the father of his country. Without casting a single ungenerous - reflection upon the great name of George Washington, allow me to say what - I am sure the rest of the delegation will join me in, and that is, that, a - hundred years to come, the name of Andrew Johnson will be the brightest in - American history.” Several times during the delivery of the above speech, - the President was seen to wipe his eyes, for he was indeed moved to tears. - At its conclusion, he said, “Gentlemen, your chairman has perfectly - overwhelmed me. I was not, I confess, prepared for these kind words, this - cordial support, of the people of the South. Your professions of loyalty, - which I feel to be genuine, and your promises of future aid, unman me. I - thought you were my enemies, and it is to enemies that I love to give - battle. As to my friends, they can always govern me. I will lay your case - before the cabinet.”—“We do not appeal to your cabinet,” continued - the chairman, “it is to you, Mr. President, that we come. Were you a - common man, we should expect you to ask advice of your cabinet; but we - regard you as master, aud your secretaries as your servants. You are - capable of acting without consulting them: we think you the Andrew Jackson - of to-day. Presidents, sir, are regarded as mere tools. We hope you, like - Jackson, will prove an exception. We, the people of the South, are willing - to let you do precisely as you please; and still we will support you. We - are proud to acknowledge you as our leader. All we ask is, that we shall - be permitted to organize our State Governments, elect our senators and - representatives, and return at once into the Union; and this, Mr. - President, lies entirely with you, unless you acknowledge yourself to be - in leading-strings, which we know is not so; for Andrew Johnson can never - play second fiddle to men or parties.” These last remarks affected Mr. - Johnson very much, which he in vain attempted to conceal. “Gentlemen,” - replied the President, “I confess that your chairman, has, in his remarks, - made an impression on my mind that I little dreamed of when you entered. I - admit that I am not pleased with the manner in which the Radicals are - acting.”—“Allow me,” said the chairman, interrupting the President, - “to say a word or two that I had forgotten.” “Proceed,” said the Chief - Magistrate. “You are not appreciated,” continued the chairman, “by the - Radicals. They speak of you sneeringly as the ‘accidental President,’ just - as if you were not the choice of the people. The people of the North would - never elect you again. No man, except Mr. Lincoln, has ever been elected a - second time to the presidency, from the free States. They have so many - peddling politicians, like so many hungry wolves, seeking office, that - they are always crying, ‘Rotation, rotation.’ But, with us of the South, - it is different. When we find a man with genius, talent, a statesman, we - hold on to him, and keep him in office. You, Mr. President, can carry all - the Southern, and enough of the Northern States to elect you to another - term.”—“Yes,” responded one of the committee, “to two terms more.” - Mr. Johnson, with suppressed emotion, said, “I will at once lay down a - policy, which, I think, will satisfy the entire people of the South; but, - but—I said that treason should be made odious, and traitors should - be punished: what can I do so as not to stultify myself?” - </p> - <p> - “I see it as clear as day, Mr. President,” said the chairman. “You have - already made treason odious by those eloquent speeches which you have - delivered at various times on the Rebellion; and now you can punish - traitors by giving them office. St. Paul said, ‘If thine enemy hunger, - feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing, thou shalt heap - coals of fire on his head.’ Now, many of the Southerners are your old - enemies; and they are hungry for office, and thirst for the good liquor - they used to get in the congressional saloons.” - </p> - <p> - “I am satisfied,” said the President, “that I can restore the Southern - States to their relations to the Union, and let all who held office before - the war, resume their positions again.—“Yes,” remarked a member of - the committee; “and you can build up a new party of your own, that shall - take the place of the Democratic party, which is already dead.”—“Very - true,” replied the President, “there is both room and need of another - political party. You may rest assured, gentlemen, that you will be - re-instated in your former positions.” The committee withdrew. “My policy” - was commenced. The Republicans did not like it; and a committee was sent - to the White House, composed of some of the leading men of the North, the - chairman of which was a man some six feet in height, stout, and well made; - features coarse; full head of hair, touched with the frost of over fifty - winters; dressed in a gray suit, light felt hat. The committee, on - entering, found the President seated, with his feet under the table. He - did not rise to welcome the delegation, but seemed to push his feet still - farther under the table, for fear that they might think he was going to - rise. The chairman, whom I have already described, said in a rather strong - voice, “Mr. President, we have called to ask you to use your official - power to protect the Union men of the South, white and black, from the - murderous feeling of the rebels. - </p> - <p> - “As faithful friends, and supporters of your Administration, we most - respectfully petition you to suspend for the present your policy towards - the rebel States. We should not present this prayer if we were not - painfully convinced that, thus far, it has failed to obtain any reasonable - guarantees for that security in the future which is essential to peace and - reconciliation. To our minds, it abandons the freedmen to the control of - their ancient masters, and leaves the national debt exposed to repudiation - by returning rebels. The Declaration of Independence asserts the equality - of all men, and that rightful government can be founded only on the - consent of the governed. We see small chance of peace unless these great - principles are practically established. Without this, the house will - continue divided against itself.” - </p> - <p> - “Gentlemen,” replied the President, “I will take your request into - consideration, and give it that attention that it demands.” The committee - left, satisfied that Mr. Johnson was a changed man. Soon after, the - President was called upon by another delegation, a committee of colored - men, consisting of Frederick Douglass, William Whipper, George T. Downing, - and L. H. Douglass. The negro race was singularly fortunate in having - these gentlemen to represent them; for they are not only amongst the - ablest of their class, but are men of culture, and all of them writers and - speakers of distinguished, ability. The delegation, on entering, found the - President seated, with his feet under the table, and his hands in his - breeches pockets, and looking a little sour. Mr. Downing, the delegate - from New England, first addressed the Chief Magistrate; and his finely - chosen-words, and well-rounded periods, no doubt made the President not a - lit-, tie uneasy, for he looked daggers at the speaker. The reflection of - Downing’s highly cultivated mind, as seen through his admirable address, - doubtless reminded the President of his own inferiority, and made him - still more petulant; for, when he replied to the delegate, he said,— - </p> - <p> - “I am free to say to you that I do not like to be arraigned by some who - can get up handsomely-rounded periods, and deal in rhetoric, and talk - about abstract ideas of liberty, who never perilled life, liberty, or - property. This kind of theoretical, hollow, unpractical friendship, - amounts to very little.” - </p> - <p> - After Downing, came the strong words of Douglass. Of this speaker, the - President had heard much, and appeared to eye him from head to feet; took - his hands out of his pockets; and rested his elbows upon the table. - Douglass, no doubt, reminded him of the well-dressed free negro, who, - nearly forty years before, had pushed him into the ditch; and this - recollection brought up, also, that hateful tailor’s bench, and, still - back of that, his low origin. - </p> - <p> - Mr. Douglass also reminded the President of his promise to be the negro’s - Moses. This last remark was cruel in the speaker, for it carried Mr. - Johnson back to the days when he was carrying out that deceptive policy by - which he secured the nomination on the ticket with Mr. Lincoln; and he - appeared much irritated at the remark. His whole reply to the delegation - was weak, unfair, and without the slightest atom of logic. Mr. Downing - addressed the President as follows:— - </p> - <p> - “We present ourselves to your Excellency to make known, with pleasure, the - respect which we are glad to cherish for you,—a respect which is - your due as our Chief Magistrate. It is our desire that you should know - that we come, feeling that we are friends meeting friends. We may, - however, have manifested our friendship by not coming to further tax your - already much-burdened and valuable time; but we have another object in - calling. We are in a passage to equality before the law. God hath made it - by opening a Red Sea. We would have your assistance through the same. We - come to you in the name of the United States, and are delegated to come by - some who have unjustly worn iron manacles on their bodies; by some whose - minds have been manacled by class legislation in States called free. The - colored people of the States of Illinois, Wisconsin, Alabama, Mississippi, - Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, - New York, the New-England States, and the District of Columbia, have - specially delegated us to come. Our coming is a marked circumstance. We - are not satisfied with an amendment prohibiting slavery; but we wish that - amendment enforced with appropriate legislation. This is our desire. We - ask for it intelligently, with the knowledge and conviction that the - fathers of the Revolution intended freedom for every American; that they - should be protected in their rights as citizens, and be equal before the - law. We are Americans,—native-born Americans. We are citizens. We - are glad to have it known to the world that we bear no doubtful record on - this point. On this fact, and with confidence in the triumph of justice, - we base our hope. We see no recognition of color or race in the organic - law of the land. It knows no privileged class, and therefore we cherish - the hope that we may be fully enfranchised, not only here in this - district, but throughout the land. We respectfully submit, that rendering - any thing less than this will be rendering to us less than our just due; - that granting any thing less than our full rights will be a disregard of - our just rights,—of due respect for our feelings. If the powers that - be do so, it will be used as a license, as it were, or an apology, for any - community or individual, so disposed, to outrage our rights and feelings. - It has been shown in the present war that the Government may justly reach - its strong arm into States, and demand from them—from those who owe - it—their allegiance, assistance, and support. May it not reach out a - like arm to secure and protect its subjects upon whom it has a claim?” - </p> - <p> - Following Mr. Downing, Mr. Frederick Douglass advanced, and addressed the - President, saying,— - </p> - <p> - “Mr. President, we are not here to enlighten you, sir, as to your duties - as the Chief Magistrate of this republic, but to show our respect, and to - present in brief the claims of our race to your favorable consideration. - In the order of divine Providence, you are placed in a position where you - have the power to save or destroy us, to bless or blast us,—I mean - our whole race. Your noble and humane predecessor placed in our hands the - sword, to assist in saving the nation; and we do hope that you, his able - successor, will favorably regard the placing in our hands the ballot with - which to save ourselves. We shall submit no argument on that point. The - fact that we are the subjects of government, and subject to taxation, - subject to volunteer in the service of the country, subject to being - drafted, subject to bear the burdens of the State, makes it not improper - that we should ask to share in the privileges of this condition. I have no - speech to make on this occasion. I simply submit these observations as a - limited expression of the views and feelings of the delegation with which - I have come.” - </p> - <p> - I omit Mr. Johnson’s long and untruthful speech, and give the reply of the - delegation, which he would not listen to:— - </p> - <p> - “Mr. President, in consideration of a delicate sense of propriety, as well - as your own repeated intimation of indisposition to discuss or to listen - to a reply to the views and opinions you were pleased to express to us in - your elaborate speech to-day, we would respectfully take this method of - reply thereto. - </p> - <p> - “Believing, as we do, that the views and opinions expressed in that - address are entirely unsound, and prejudicial to the highest interests of - our race, as well as of our country, we cannot do otherwise than expose - the same, and, so far as may be in our power, arrest their dangerous - influence. - </p> - <p> - “It is not necessary at this time to call attention to more than two or - three features of your remarkable address. - </p> - <p> - “The first point to which we feel especially bound to take exception is - your attempt to found a policy opposed to our enfranchisement, upon the - alleged ground of an existing hostility on the part, of the former slaves - towards the poor white people of the South. - </p> - <p> - “We admit the existence of this hostility, and hold that it is entirely - reciprocal. - </p> - <p> - “But you obviously commit an error by drawing an argument from an incident - of a state of slavery, and making it a basis for a policy adapted to a - state of freedom. - </p> - <p> - “The hostility between the whites and blacks of the South is easily - explained. It has its root and sap in the relation of slavery, and was - incited on both sides by the cunning of the slave-masters. These masters - secured their ascendency over both the poor whites and the blacks by - putting enmity between them. They divided both to conquer each. - </p> - <p> - “There was no earthly reason why the blacks should not hate and dread the - poor whites when in a state of slavery; for it was from this class that - their masters received their slave-catchers, slave-drivers, and overseers. - They were the men called in upon all occasions by the masters when any - fiendish outrage was to be committed upon the slave. - </p> - <p> - “Now, sir, you cannot but perceive that, the cause of this hatred removed, - the effect must be removed also. Slavery is abolished. The cause of - antagonism is removed; and you must see that it is altogether illogical—‘putting - new wine into old bottles, mending new garments with old clothes’—to - legislate from slave-holding and slave-driving premises for a people whom - you have repeatedly declared your purpose to maintain in freedom. Besides, - even if it were true, as you allege, that the hostility of the blacks - toward the poor whites must necessarily be the same in a state of freedom - as in a state of slavery, in the name of Heaven, we reverently ask, how - can you, in view of your professed desire to promote the welfare of the - black man, deprive him of all means of defence, and clothe him whom you - regard as his enemy in the panoply of political power? - </p> - <p> - “Can it be that you would recommend a policy which would arm the strong - and cast down the defenceless? Can you, by any possibility of reasoning, - regard this as just, fair, or wise? - </p> - <p> - “Experience proves that those are oftenest abused who can be abused with - the greatest impunity. Men are whipped oftenest who are whipped easiest. - Peace between races is not to be secured by degrading one race, and - exalting another; by giving power to one race, and withholding it from - another: but by maintaining a state of equal justice between all parties,—first - pure, then peaceable. - </p> - <p> - “On the colonization theory that you were pleased to broach, very much - could be said. It is impossible to suppose, in view of the usefulness of - the black man in time of peace as a laborer in the South, and in time of - war as a soldier at the North, and the growing respect for his rights - among the people, and his increasing adaptation to a high state of - civilization in this his native land, that there can ever come a time when - he can be removed from this country without a terrible shock to its - prosperity and peace. - </p> - <p> - “Besides, the worst enemy of the nation could not cast upon its fair name - a greater infamy than to suppose that negroes could be tolerated among - them in a state of the most degrading slavery and oppression, and must be - cast away and driven into exile for no other cause than having been freed - from their chains.” - </p> - <p> - The most unhandsome and untruthful remarks of the President to the - delegation are those in which he charges the slave-masters and the slave - with combining to keep the poor whites in degradation. - </p> - <p> - The construction which he put upon his promise to the blacks of Tennessee—to - be the “Moses to lead the black race through the Red Sea of bondage” to—expatriation—was - mean in the extreme, and shows a mind whose moral degradation is without - its parallel. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0042" id="link2HCH0042"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XLII—ILL TREATMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE SOUTH - </h2> - <p> - <i>The Old Slave-holders.—The Freedmen.—Murders.—School-teachers. - —Riot at Memphis.—Mob at New Orleans.—Murder of Union - Men—Riot at a Camp-meeting.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">H</span>aughty and - scornful as ever; regarding themselves as overpowered, but not conquered; - openly regretting their failure to establish a Southern Confederacy; - backed up by President Johnson in their rebellious course,—the - Southerners appear determined to reduce the blacks to a state of serfdom - if they cannot have them as slaves. The new labor-laws of all the Southern - States place the entire colored population as much in the hands of the - whites as they were in the palmiest day of chattel slavery, if we except - the buying and selling. The negro <i>whipping-post</i>, which the laws of - war swept away, has, under Andrew Johnson’s reconstruction policy, been - again re-instated throughout the South. The Freedmen’s Bureau is as - powerless to-day to protect the emancipated blacks in their rights as was - the Hon. Samuel Hoar to remain in South Carolina against the will of the - slave-holders of the days of Calhoun and of McDuffie. Where the old - masters cannot control their former slaves, they do not hesitate to shoot - them down in open day, as the following will show:— - </p> - <p> - A Texas correspondent writes to “The New-York Evening Post” (he dare not - allow his name and residence to be printed) as follows:— - </p> - <p> - “Every day I hear of murders of freedmen. Since five o’clock this - afternoon, four new ones have been reported here. The disloyal press - suppress the mention of such occurrences. - </p> - <p> - “Should there be another outbreak in Texas, very many Union men, as well - as a large proportion of freedmen, would at once be massacred in order to - bring about such another reign of terror as would make the South a - unit.... - </p> - <p> - “Three freedmen were murdered in or near the line of an adjoining county a - few days ago. The wagon which one of them was driving was robbed of all - the fine goods it contained. The other two freedmen were shot by the same - man, who is believed to be their former owner. The head of one of them was - cut off, and they were left unburied. No investigation has been, or - probably will be, made into these murders. If any Union man were to move - in the matter, it would be at the peril of his life. - </p> - <p> - “The brave and loyal man who told me of these murders was applied to by a - freed man, a kinsman of one of the murdered, for advice. The freedman was - told to go to Austin, and report the facts to the agent of the Freedmen’s - Bureau: but he appears not to have arrived. Like the freedman despatched - by the chief justice of Refugio County, with a letter setting forth the - disorders in that county, he may have been shot on the road. - </p> - <p> - “My informant, seeing that I set about writing down the facts as to these - murders just as he stated them, said to me, ‘Do not make my name public, - for it is all I can do to hold my own in—————county - just now;’ and added, ‘Ikeep no money in my house but a few dollars for - current expenses. I can take care of myself in the daytime, but I do not - feel safe at night.’” - </p> - <p> - On the 2d of April, 1866, a Mr. Quisenbery was tried at the Circuit Court - for the County of Louisa, Va., for the murder of Washington Green. Green - was the former slave of Quisenbery, had worked for said Quisenbery from - the fall of Richmond, about the 3d of April, 1865, until about the 1st of - October, 1865, when Quiserinbery told him, the said Washington Green, that - he had better go and get work somewhere else; that he would not pay him - for any thing that he had done. Washington Green went to work for a lady - to get some shingles for her, and Quisenbery made a contract with this - lady, that she should pay him, for Green’s getting the shingles, by - thrashing out his, Quisenbery’s, wheat. It did not satisfy Washington - Green, that Quisenbery should not only refuse to pay him for the work - which he had already done for him, but that he should also collect what he - had earned by hard working for this lady. Green went to Quisenbery, and - asked him for the amount of getting the shingles for this lady. Quisenbery - said, “Washington, this is three times that you have been after me for - that money; I am now going to my hog-pen, and I warn you not to follow - me.” He repeated that warning three times. He then went to the hog-pen, - got over the fence, stooped down to throw out some corn that the hogs had - not eaten. He looked up, and saw Washington Green at or near the fence, - and said, “I thought I warned you not to follow me,” and pulled out his - knife, and stabbed Green in the throat, and killed him instantly. This is - the evidence and confession of Quisenbery, who was tried, and the jury - found a verdict of <i>not guilty</i>, without scarcely leaving the - jury-box; and Quisenbery was declared guiltless of any crime amid the - plaudits of the people. - </p> - <p> - At Jacksonville, Fla., on the 20th of June last, a freedman complained - before Col. Hart, that his last employer would not pay him. The black man - afterwards went to the pine-woods, chopping logs. While absent, the man of - whom he had complained got a woman to go to the freedman’s wife, and get - into a difficulty with her; whereupon the freedman’s wife was arrested, - tried, found guilty, and fined fifty dollars, being unable to pay which, - she was <i>put up at auction</i>, and sold to the person who would take - her for the shortest time, and pay fine and costs. The <i>shortest time - was four years!</i> Under another law of the State, the children were <i>bound - out till they should become of age!</i> - </p> - <p> - A free colored man named Jordan opened, by permission of the commandant of - the post at Columbia, Tenn., a school for the blacks. The school went on - smoothly till Monday, the 11th instant, when two soldiers of the Eighth - Tennessee Cavalry went into the school, and broke it up; but the teacher, - being so advised, resumed his labor the next day. But, on the 14th, - Messrs. Datty, Porter, White, and others, including soldiers of the Eighth - Tennessee, the party headed by White the city constable, proceeded to the - schoolroom, seized the teacher, and brought him under guard to the - court-house, where he received a mock trial. When being asked for his - authority for teaching a school, Mr. Jordan replied, that Lieut.-Col. - Brown and Major Sawyer were his authority, and wished they would bring - Major Sawyer in. One of the men went out, but was absent only for a - moment, when he came in, stating that Major Sawyer could not be found; - whereupon Mr. Andrews ordered that the teacher be given twenty-five - lashes. And they were administered, the man receiving the scourge like a - martyr, telling his persecutors that he was willing to suffer for the - right; and that Christ had received the same punishment for the same - purpose; and he thought, if he could teach the children to read the Bible - so that they might learn of heaven, he was doing a good work. To this, a - soldier of the Eighth Tennessee said, “If you want to go to heaven you - must pray: you can’t get there by teaching the niggers. We can’t go to - school, and I’ll be damned if niggers shall.” - </p> - <p> - Volumes might be written, recounting the shameful outrages committed at - the South since the surrender of Lee. Not satisfied with murders of an - individual character, the Southerners have, of late, gone into it more - extensively. The first of these took place at Memphis, Tenn., May 4, 1866. - A correspondent of Hon. W. D. Kelley, of Philadelphia, said,— - </p> - <p> - “I have been an eye-witness to such sights as should cause the age in - which we live to blush. Negro men have been shot down in cold blood on the - streets; barbers, at their chairs and in their own shops; draymen on their - drays, while attempting to earn an honest living; hotel-waiters, while in - the discharge of their duties; hackmen, while driving female teachers of - negro children to their schools; laborers, while handling cotton on the - wharves, &c. All the negro schoolhouses, and all the negro churches, - and many of the houses of the negroes, have been burned, this too, under - the immediate auspices of the city police and the mayor: in fact, most of - these outrages were committed by the police themselves,—<i>all - Irish, and all rebels, and mostly drunk</i>. This is not the half: I have - no heart to recount the outrages I have <i>seen</i>. The most prominent - citizens stand on the streets, and see negroes hunted down and shot, and - <i>laugh</i> at it as a good joke. Attempts have been made to fire every - Government building, and fire has been set to many of the abodes and - business-places of Union people. - </p> - <p> - “There is no doubt but that there is a <i>secret</i> organization sworn to - purge the city of all Northern men who are not <i>rebels</i>, all negro - teachers, all Yankee enterprise, and return the city ‘to the good old days - of Southern rule and chivalry.’ - </p> - <p> - “When the miscreants had fired Collins’s chapel (a large frame church, - corner of Washington and Orleans Streets, which would now cost fully ten - thousand dollars, to rebuild), they stood around the fire which lighted - the midnight sky, and made the night hideous with their hellish cheers for - ‘Andy Johnson’ and a ‘white man’s government!’ And the supporters of the - President, aside from being midnight burners of churches and schoolhouses, - robbed women and children, and men,—sparing none on account of age, - sex, physical disabilities, or innocence of crime,—even burning - women and children alive. - </p> - <p> - “The board of aldermen had their usual meetings last night. Their - proceedings show no reference to the riot. No rewards have been offered - for the apprehension of the murderous assassins, thieves, and - house-burners.” - </p> - <p> - Next came, on a still larger scale, the rebel riot at New Orleans. The - Military Commission appointed to investigate the cause of the riot charge - it upon Mayor Monroe, Lieut.-Gov. Voorhies, and the rebel press of the - city. The Commission speak of the murders as follows:— - </p> - <p> - “They can only say that the work of massacre was pursued with a cowardly - ferocity unsurpassed in the annals of crime. Escaping negroes were - mercilessly pursued, shot, stabbed, and beaten to death by the mob and - police. Wounded men on the ground begging for mercy <i>were savagely - despatched</i> by mob, police, firemen, and, incredible as it may seem, in - two instances by women; but, in two or three most honorable and - exceptionable cases, white men and members of the Convention were - protected by members of the police, both against the mob, and against - other policemen. The chief of police, by great exertions, defended in this - manner Gov. Hahn. - </p> - <p> - “After the attack had commenced, the police appeared to be under no - control as such; but acted as and with the mob. Their cheers and waving of - hats as they threw the mangled Dostie, then supposed a <i>corpse, like a - dead dog into the cart, sufficiently show their unison of feeling with - their allies</i>.” - </p> - <p> - Nothing, we take it, is more apparent from the array of evidence presented - in this Report than that the New-Orleans riot was a preconcerted, - deliberate, cold-blooded attempt to massacre the Unionists, white and - black, of that city. The design can be traced like the development of a - tragedy. Mayor Monroe is busy for a long time in advance in stirring up - the passions of the mob by stigmatizing the members of the Convention as - outlaws and revolutionists, threatening them with wholesale arrest, and - preparing his police for action. He might have ascertained that the - members had resolved to peacefully submit the legality of their course to - the proper tribunals; but he had bloodier ends in view. He knew that the - excitement he had fanned would surely lead to an outburst of violence, - unless restrained by two forces alone,—his police and the - United-States troops. To keep the latter away, Mayor Monroe suppresses all - requisition for them until it is too late; and then tries to cover up his - conduct with downright falsehood and perjury. His police, instead of being - brought forward openly, so that they would have to take sides for the - preservation of order, are concealed in hiding-places till the collision - occurs; when they rush forth as allies of the mob, murdering negroes in - cold blood; firing repeatedly into the Convention, even after a white flag - is raised; shooting and barbarously maltreating the wounded; and - perpetrating such feats of cowardly brutality and ferocity as were never - before seen in this country, except in the congenial affairs of Memphis - and Fort Pillow. - </p> - <p> - Nothing goes so far towards reconciling one to what is called the - “total-depravity” theory, as the contemplation of those scenes of blood. - They carry us back to the crimes and cruelty of the Massacre of St. - Bartholomew. Mayor Monroe acts the part of the Duke of Guise; Lieut.-Gov. - Voorhies, that of the Duke of Alva; while President Johnson acts the part - of Charles IX., who, on approaching the burning corpse of Admiral Coligny, - exclaimed, “The smell of a dead enemy is always good.” - </p> - <p> - During the mob, the appearance of rebel organizations on the ground with - marks and badges, and scores of similar incidents, show that the plot was - as deliberate as it was infernal. - </p> - <p> - Again: a dispassionate consideration of the facts detailed by the - Commission will lead to the conclusion that the underlying cause of the - New-Orleans massacre was the old virus of slavery, still existing in the - passions of Southern society, and likely to issue forth in violence - whenever it shall be favored by similar circumstances. The members of the - Louisiana Convention were entirely harmless, no matter how obnoxious or - how indiscreet they were. Even if they were not disposed to submit their - pretensions to a legal test,—as they were,—there would have - been no difficulty in making their peaceable arrest on the occurrence of - their first overt act; but the mob of New Orleans, who, by the - acquiescence of the better classes, or else in defiance of them through - their great numerical preponderance, elect and control the city - authorities, were determined to permit no such result of the controversy. - The Convention claimed to exercise free speech; they would have none of - that Northern innovation: it was composed of Union men; and they should be - made to feel their place in “reconstructed” New Orleans: worse than all, - they had for their allies and supporters <i>colored</i> Unionists; and <i>they</i> - should be made such an example of as should deter any more such movements - at the South. It was a bloody crusade against the men and the principles - that had triumphed in the Government of this country. Well do this - Commission say, that, but for martial law and the United-States troops, - “fire and bloodshed would have raged throughout the night in all negro - quarters of the city, and that the lives and property of Unionists and - Northern men would have been at the mercy of the mob.” Finally: the Report - throws an impressive light upon President Johnson’s connection with the - New-Orleans massacre. He had already, in a manner, inculpated himself in - his speech at St. Louis. He there suppresses all the facts found by the - Commission, and stigmatizes the members of the Convention as “traitors,” - engaged, under the instigation of Congress, in getting up a “rebellion,” - and therefore responsible for all the bloodshed that occurred. That is - precisely the pretence of Mayor Monroe and his mob. Well might the - President, therefore, play into their hands. Gen. Baird, from official - experience, has been taught not to interfere with Mayor Monroe. When he - telegraphs to Washington for orders, he gets no answer: the other side - telegraph, and receive replies that encourage them in their course. Gen. - Sheridan, like a true soldier, telegraphs the facts, with indignant - comments; and his despatches are garbled for public effect. Of all the - murderers on that dreadful day, not one has been called to account; nor - has any one of them received therefor the least censure of the Government - at Washington. - </p> - <p> - The appointment, since the riot, of Adams, one of the most notorious of - the rioters, as sergeant in the police force, by Mayor Monroe, confirms - the fact of his guilt in the massacre. The blood of the martyrs Dostie and - Horton cries to Heaven for justice for the Union men of the South, white - and black. The mob, composed of ex-rebel soldiers and citizens, that broke - up the colored campmeeting near Baltimore, Md., a few weeks after the - New-Orleans riot, was only a part of the programme concocted by the men - engaged in carrying out the reconstruction policy of Andrew Johnson. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0043" id="link2HCH0043"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XLIII—PROTECTION FOR THE COLORED PEOPLE. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Protection for the Colored People South.—The Civil Rights Bill.—Liberty - without the Ballot no Boon.—Impartial Suffrage.—Test Oaths not - to be depended upon.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">I</span>n attempting to - form a Southern Confederacy, with slavery as its corner-stone, by breaking - up the Union, and repudiating the Constitution, the people of the South - compelled the National Government to abolish chattel slavery in - self-defence. The protection, defence, and support which self-interest - induced the master to extend to the slave have been taken away by the - emancipation of the latter. This, taken in connection with the fact that - the negroes, by assisting the Federal authorities to put down the - Rebellion, gained the hatred of their old masters, placed the blacks - throughout the South in a very bad position. Now, what shall be done to - protect these people from the abuse of their former oppressors? The Civil - Rights Bill passed by Congress is almost a dead letter, and many of the - rebel judges declare it unconstitutional. The States having relapsed into - the hands of the late slave-holders, and they becoming the executioners of - the law, the blacks cannot look for justice at their hands. The negro must - be placed in a position to protect himself. How shall that be done? We - answer, the only thing to save him is the ballot. Liberty without equality - is no boon. Talk not of civil without political emancipation! It is the - technical pleading of the lawyer: it is not the enlarged view of the - statesman. If a man has no vote for the men and the measures which tax - himself, his family, and his property, and all which determine his - reputation, that man is still a slave. - </p> - <p> - We are told—what seems to be the common idea—that the elective - franchise is not a <i>right</i>, but a <i>privilege</i>. But is this true? - We used to think so; that is, we assented to it before we gave the subject - any special thought: but we do not think so now. We maintain, that in a - government like ours, a republican government, or government of <i>the - people</i>, the elective franchise, as it is called, is not a mere - privilege, but an actual and absolute <i>right</i>,—a right - belonging, of right, to every free man who has not forfeited that right by - crime. We in this country enjoy what is properly called self-government, - and self-government necessarily implies the <i>right to vote</i>,—the - right to <i>help to govern</i>, and to make the laws; and this, in a - government like ours, a government of the people, can only be done by or - through the elective franchise. We maintain that in self-government, or - government of the people, every man who is a free man and citizen has a - right to assist and take part in that government. This right inheres and - belongs to every man alike, to you and me, and every other man,—no - matter what the color of his skin,—if he be a free man and citizen, - and helps to support the government by paying taxes: it is one of the - fundamental principles of self-government and of a democratic or - republican government. But the elective franchise, the right to choose and - elect the men who are to fill the offices, and make the laws and execute - them, lies at the very bottom of such government. It is the first - principle and starting-point, and is as much implied in the very name and - idea of self-government, or <i>government of the people</i>, as any other - principle, right, or idea pertaining to such a government. Does any one - doubt this? Let him ask himself what constitutes a republican government, - or government of the people, and what is implied by such a government, and - he will soon see, that without the elective franchise, or right to choose - rulers and law-makers, there can be no such government. It will not do, - therefore, to call this right a privilege. If it is but a privilege, all - may be deprived of its exercise. What sort of a republican or self - government would that be in which none of the people were allowed to vote? - But if it is but a privilege, and granted to but a class or part, it may - be restricted to a still smaller part, and finally allowed to none! - </p> - <p> - Any proposal to submit the question of the political or civil rights of - the negroes to the arbitrament of the whites is as unjust and as absurd as - to submit the question of the political rights of the whites to the - arbitrament of the negroes, with this difference,—that the negroes - are loyal everywhere, and the great body of the whites disloyal - everywhere. - </p> - <p> - A white loyalist of the South, one who remained loyal during the whole of - the Rebellion, says,— - </p> - <p> - “To permit the whites to disfranchise the negroes is to permit those who - have been our enemies to ostracize our friends. The negroes are the only - persons in those States who have not been in arms against us. They have - not been in arms against us. They have always and everywhere been - friendly, and not hostile, to us. They alone have a deep interest in the - continued supremacy of the United States; for their freedom depends on it. - On them alone can we depend to suppress a new insurrection. They alone - will be inclined to vote for the friends of the Government in all the - Southern States. They alone have sheltered, fed, and pioneered our starved - and hunted brethren through the swamps and woods of the South, in their - flight from those who now aspire to rule them. - </p> - <p> - “The <i>shame and folly of deserting the negroes</i> are equalled by the - <i>wisdom of recognizing and protecting their power</i>. They will form a - clear and controlling majority against the united white vote in South - Carolina. Mississippi, and Louisiana. With a very small accession from the - loyal whites, they will form a majority in Alabama, Georgia, and Virginia. - Unaided in all those States, they will be a majority in many congressional - and legislative districts; and that alone suffices to break the terrible - and menacing unity of the Southern vote in Congress.” - </p> - <p> - It is said that the slaves are too ignorant to exercise the elective - franchise judiciously. To this we reply, they are as intelligent as the - average of “poor whites,” and were intelligent enough to be Unionists - during the great struggle, when the Federal Government needed friends. In - a conflict with the spirit of rebellion, the blacks can always be depended - upon, the whites cannot; and, for its own security against future - outbreaks, the National Government should see that the negro is placed - where he can help himself, and assist it. - </p> - <p> - The ballot will secure for the colored people respect; that respect will - be a protection for their schools; and, through education and the elective - franchise, the negro is to rise to a common level of humanity in the - Southern States. - </p> - <p> - But little aid can be expected for the freedmen from the Freedmen’s - Bureau; for its officers, if not Southern men, will soon become upon - intimate terms with the former slave-holders, and the Bureau will be - converted into a power of oppression, instead of a protection. - </p> - <p> - The anti-Union whites know full well the great influence of the ballot, - and therefore are afraid to give it to the blacks. The franchise will be - of more service to this despised race than a standing army in the South. - The ballot will be his standing army. The poet has truly said,— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “There is a weapon surer yet, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And better, than the bayonet; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - A weapon that comes down as still - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - As snow-flakes fall upon the sod, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And executes a freeman’s will - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - As lightning does the will of God; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - A weapon that no bolts nor locks - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Can bar. It is the ballot-box.” - </p> - <p> - Even “The New-York Herald,” some time ago, went so far as to say,— - </p> - <p> - “We would give the suffrage at once to four classes of Southern negroes. - First, and emphatically, to every negro who has borne arms in the cause of - the United States; second, to every negro who owns real estate; third, to - every negro who can read and write; and, fourth, to every negro that had - belonged to any religious organization or church for five years before the - war. These points would cover every one that ought to vote; and they would - insure in every negro voter a spirit of manhood as well as discipline, - some practical shrewdness, intellectual development, and moral - consciousness and culture.” - </p> - <p> - Impartial suffrage is what we demand for the colored people of the - Southern States. No matter whether the basis be a property or an - educational qualification, let it be impartial: upon this depends the - future happiness of all classes at the South. Test-oaths, or promises to - support the laws, mean nothing with those who have come up through the - school of slavery. - </p> - <p> - “As for oaths, the rebels, whose whole career has been a violation of the - solemn obligations of which oaths are merely the sign, care no more for - them than did the rattlesnake to which our soldiers in West Virginia once - administered the oath of allegiance. Impartial suffrage affords the only - sure and permanent means of combating the rebel element in the Southern - States.” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0044" id="link2HCH0044"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XLIV—CASTE. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Slavery the Foundation of Caste.—Black its Preference.—The - General Wish for Black Hair and Eyes.—No Hatred to Color.—The - White Slave.—A Mistake.—Stole his Thunder.—The Burman.—Pew - for Sale.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">C</span>aste is usually - found to exist in communities or countries among majorities, and against - minorities. The basis of it is owing to some supposed inferiority or - degradation attached to the hated ones. However, nothing is more foolish - than this prejudice. But the silliest of all caste is that which is - founded on <i>color</i>; for those who entertain it have not a single - logical reason to offer in its defence. - </p> - <p> - The fact is, slavery has been the cause of all the prejudice against the - negro. Wherever the blacks are ill treated on account of their color, it - is because of their identity with a race that has long worn the chain of - slavery. Is there any thing in black, that it should be hated? If so, why - do we see so much black in common use as clothing among all classes? - Indeed, black is preferred to either white or colors. How often the young - man speaks in ecstasies of the black eyes and black hair of his lady-love! - Look at the hundreds of advertised hair-dyes, used for the purpose of - changing nature! See men with their gray beards dyed black; women with - those beautiful black locks, which, but yesterday, were as white as the - driven snow! Not only this, but even those with light or red whiskers run - to the dye-kettle, steal a color which nature has refused them, and, an - hour after, curse the negro for a complexion that is not stolen. If black - is so hateful, why do not gentlemen have their boots whitewashed? If the - slaves of the South had been white, the same prejudice would have existed - against them. Look at the “poor white trash,” as the lower class of whites - in the Southern States are termed. - </p> - <p> - Henry Clay would much rather have spent an evening with his servant - Charles than to have made a companion of one of his poor white neighbors. - It is the condition, not the color, that is so hateful. - </p> - <p> - “When the Britons first became known to the Tyrian mariners,” says - Macaulay, “they were little superior to the Sandwich Islanders.” Cæsar, - writing home from Britain, said, “They are the most ignorant people I ever - conquered.” Many of the Britons, after their conquest by the Romans, were - sent as slaves to Rome. Cicero, writing to his friend Atticus, advised him - not to buy slaves from England; “because,” said he, “they cannot be taught - to read, and are the ugliest and most stupid race I ever saw.” These - writers created a prejudice against the Britons, which caused them to be - sold very cheap in Rome, where they were seen for years with brass collars - on, containing their owner’s name. The prejudice against the American - negro is not worse today than that which existed against the Britons. But, - as soon as the condition of the poor, ill-treated, and enslaved Britons - was changed, the caste disappears. - </p> - <p> - Twenty-five years ago, a slave escaped from Tennessee, and came to - Buffalo, N.Y. He was as fair as the majority of whites, and, having been a - house-servant, his manners and language were not bad. His name was Green. - It was said that he had helped himself to some of his master’s funds - before leaving. For more than a month he had boarded at the American, the - finest hotel in the city, where he sat at table with the boarders, and - occupied the parlors in common with the rest of the inmates. - </p> - <p> - Mr. Green passed for a Southern gentleman, sported a gold watch, smoked - his Havanas, and rode out occasionally. He was soon a favorite, especially - with the daughters of Col. D————. Unfortunately - for Mr. Green, one day, as he was taking his seat at the dinner-table, he - found himself in front of one of his master’s neighbors, who recognized - him. The Southerner sent for the landlord, with whom he had a few moments’ - conversation, after which mine host approached the boarder, and said, “We - don’t allow niggers at the table here: get up. You must wait till the - servants eat.” Mr. Green was driven from the table, not on account of his - color, but his condition. Under the old reign of slavery, it not - unfrequently occurred that the master’s acknowledged sons or daughters - were of a much darker complexion than some of the slave children. - </p> - <p> - On one occasion, after my old master had returned home from the - Legislature (of which he was a member), he had many new visitors. One of - these, a Major Moore, called in my master’s absence. The major had never - been to our place before, and therefore we were all strangers to him. The - servant showed the visitor into the parlor, and the mistress soon after - came in, and to whom the major introduced himself. I was at that time - about ten years old, and was as white as most white boys. Whenever - visitors came to the house, it was my part of the programme, to dress - myself in a neat suit, kept for such times, and go into the room, and - stand behind the lady’s chair. As I entered the room on this occasion, I - had to pass near by the major to reach the mistress. As I passed him, - mistaking me for the son, he put out his hand, and said, “How do you do, - bub?” And, before any answer could be given, he continued, “Madam, I would - have known your son if I had met him in Mexico; for he looks so much like - his papa.” The lady’s face reddened up, and she replied, “That’s one of - the niggers, sir;” and told me to go to the kitchen. - </p> - <p> - On my master’s return home, I heard him and the major talking the matter - over in the absence of the mistress. “I came near playing the devil here - to-day, colonel,” said the major.—“In what way?” inquired the - former. “It is always my custom,” said the latter, “to make fond of the - children where I visit; for it pleases the mammas. So, to-day, one of your - little niggers came into the room, and I spoke to him, reminding the madam - how much he resembled you.”—“Ha, ha, ha!” exclaimed the colonel, and - continued, “you did not miss it much by calling him my son. Ha, ha, ha!” - </p> - <p> - An incident of a rather amusing character took place on Cayuga Lake some - years ago. I had but recently returned from England, where I had never - been unpleasantly reminded of my color, when I was called to visit the - pretty little city of Ithaca. On my return, I came down the lake in the - steamer which leaves early in the morning. When the bell rang for - breakfast, I went to the table, where I found some twenty or thirty - persons. I had scarcely taken my seat, when a rather snobby-appearing man, - of dark complexion, looking as if a South-Carolina or Georgia sun had - tanned him, began rubbing his hands, and, turning up his nose, called the - steward, and said to him, “Is it the custom on this boat to put niggers at - the table with white people?” The servant stood for a moment, as if - uncertain what reply to make, when the passenger continued, “Go tell the - captain that I want him.” Away went the steward. I had been too often - insulted on account of my connection with the slave, not to know for what - the captain was wanted. However, as I was hungry, I commenced helping - myself to what I saw before me, yet keeping an eye to the door, through - which the captain was soon to make his appearance. As the steward - returned, and I heard the heavy boots of the commander on the stairs, a - happy thought struck me; and I eagerly watched for the coming-in of the - officer. - </p> - <p> - A moment more, and a strong voice called out, “Who wants me?” - </p> - <p> - I answered at once, “I, sir.” - </p> - <p> - “What do you wish?” asked the captain. - </p> - <p> - “I want you to take this man from the table,” said I. At this unexpected - turn of the affair, the whole cabin broke out into roars of laughter; - while my rival on the opposite side of the table seemed bursting with - rage. The captain, who had joined in the merriment, said,— - </p> - <p> - “Why do you want him taken from the table?” - </p> - <p> - “Is it your custom, captain,” said I, “to let niggers sit at table with - white folks on your boat?” - </p> - <p> - This question, together with the fact that the other passenger had sent - for the officer, and that I had “stolen his thunder,” appeared to please - the company very much, who gave themselves up to laughter; while the - Southern-looking man left the cabin with the exclamation, “<i>Damn fools!</i>” - </p> - <p> - Nothing is more ridiculous than the legal decision in the States of Ohio - and Michigan, that a man containing not more than one-sixteenth of African - blood in his veins shall be considered a white man, and, upon the-above - basis, shall enjoy the elective franchise. - </p> - <p> - We know of a family in Cincinnati, with three brothers, the youngest of - whom is very fair, and who, under the above rule, is a voter; while the - other two brothers are too dark to exercise the suffrage. Now, it so - happens that the voting brother is ignorant and shiftless, while the - others are splendid scholars. Where there is a great difference in the - complexion of the husband and wife, there is generally a much greater - difference in the color of the children; and this picking out the sons, on - account of their fair complexion, seems cruel in the extreme, as it - creates a jealous feeling in the family. While visiting my friend William - Still, Esq., in Philadelphia, some time since, I was much amused at seeing - his little daughter, a child of eight or nine years, and her cousin, - entering the omnibus which passed the door, going towards their school. - Colored persons were not allowed to ride in those conveyances; and one of - the girls, being very fair, would pay the fare for both; while the - dark-complexioned one would keep her face veiled. Thus the two children - daily passed unmolested from their homes to the school, and returned. I - was informed that once while I was there the veil unfortunately was - lifted, the dark face seen, and the child turned out of the coach. How - foolish that one’s ride on a stormy day should depend entirely on a black - veil! - </p> - <p> - “Colorphobia, which has hitherto been directed against ‘American citizens - of African descent,’ has broken out in a new direction. Mong Chan Loo is a - Burman who recently graduated at Lewisburg University, Penn., and has - since been studying medicine, preparatory to returning to Asia as a - missionary. He is quite dark, but has straight hair, and is a gentlemen of - much cultivation. The other day, he took passage on the Muskingum-river - packet, ‘J. H. Bert,’ and, when the supper-bell rang, was about to seat - himself at the table. The captain prevented him, informing him that, by - the rules of the boat, colored persons must eat separately from the - whites. He grew indignant at this, refused to eat on the boat at all, and, - on arriving at Marietta, sued the owners of the boat for five thousand - dollars damages for ‘mental and bodily anguish suffered.’ The case is a - novel one; and its decision will perhaps involve the question, whether - Africans alone, or Asiatics, and, perhaps, all dark-complexioned people, - are included in the designation ‘colored.’ If the more sweeping definition - prevails, brunettes will have to be provided with legally-attested - pedigrees to secure for themselves seats at the first table and other - Caucasian privileges.”—<i>Cincinnati Gazette.</i> - </p> - <p> - “The Dunkards, a peculiar religious society, numerous in some of the - Western States, at their recent annual meeting discussed the question, - ‘Shall we receive colored persons into the church? and shall we salute - them with the holy kiss?’ It was decided that they should be received into - the church, but that all the members were to be left to their own choice - and taste in regard to saluting their colored brethren, with the - understanding, however, that all who refused to do so were to be regarded - as weak.” - </p> - <p> - In the year 1844, I visited a town in the State of Ohio, where a radical - abolitionist informed me that he owned a pew in the village church, but - had not attended worship there for years, owing to the proslavery - character of the preacher. - </p> - <p> - “Why don’t you sell your pew?” I inquired. - </p> - <p> - “I offered to sell it, last week, to a man, for ten dollars’ worth of - manure for my garden,” said he; “but the farmer, who happens to be one of - the pillars of the church, wants it for five dollars.” - </p> - <p> - “What did it cost?” I inquired. - </p> - <p> - “Fifty dollars,” was the reply. - </p> - <p> - “Are they very proslavery, the congregation?” I asked. - </p> - <p> - “Yes: they hate a black man worse than <i>pizen</i>,” said he. - </p> - <p> - “Have you any colored family in your neighborhood?” I inquired. - </p> - <p> - “We have,” said he, “a family about, four miles from here.” - </p> - <p> - “Are they very black?” I asked. - </p> - <p> - “Yes: as black as tar,” said he. - </p> - <p> - “Now,” said I, “my friend, I can put you in the way of selling your pew, - and for its worth, or near what it cost you.” - </p> - <p> - “If you can, I’ll give you half I get,” he replied. - </p> - <p> - “Get that colored family, every one of them, take them to church, don’t - miss a single Sunday; and, my word for it, in less than four weeks, they, - the church-folks, will make you an offer,” said I. - </p> - <p> - An arrangement was made with Mr. Spencer, the black man, by which himself, - wife, and two sons, were to attend church four successive Sabbaths; for - which, they were to receive in payment a hog. The following Sunday, - Mason’s pew was the centre of attraction. From the moment that the Spencer - Family arrived at the church, till the close of the afternoon service, the - eyes of the entire congregation were turned towards “the niggers.” Early - on Monday, Mr. Mason was called upon by the “pillar,” who said, “I’ve - concluded to give you ten dollars’ worth of manure for your pew, Mr. - Mason.” - </p> - <p> - “I can’t sell it for that,” was the reply. “I ask fifty dollars for my - pew; and I guess Mr. Spencer will take it, if he likes the preaching,” - continued the abolitionist. - </p> - <p> - “What!” said the ‘pillar,’ “does that nigger want the pew?” - </p> - <p> - “He’ll take it if the preaching suits him,” returned Mason. - </p> - <p> - The churchman left with a flea in his ear. The second Sunday, the blacks - were all on hand to hear the lining of the first hymn. The news of the pew - being occupied by the negroes on the previous occasion had spread far and - wide, and an increase of audience was the result. The clergyman preached a - real negro-hating sermon, apparently prepared for the express purpose of - driving the blacks away. However, this failed; for the obnoxious persons - were present in the afternoon. Mr. Mason was called upon on Monday by - another weighty member, who inquired if the pew was for sale, and its - price. - </p> - <p> - “Fifty dollars,” was the reply. - </p> - <p> - “I’ll give you twenty-five dollars,” said the member. - </p> - <p> - “Fifty dollars, and nothing less,” was Mason’s answer. - </p> - <p> - The weighty member left, without purchasing the pew. Being on a lecturing - tour in the vicinity, I ran into town, occasionally, to see how the matter - progressed; for I had an eye to one-half of the proceeds of the sale of - the pew. - </p> - <p> - During the week, Spencer came, complained of the preaching, saying that - his wife could not and would not stand it, and would refuse to attend - again: whereupon, I went over, through a dreary rain, and promised the - wife a shilling calico-dress if she would fulfil the agreement. This - overcame her objections. I also arranged that two colored children of - another family, near by, should be borrowed for the coming Sunday. Mason - was asked how the Spencers liked the preaching. He replied that the blacks - were well pleased, and especially with the last sermon, alluding to the - negro-hating discourse. - </p> - <p> - The following Sunday found Mason’s pew filled to overflowing; for the two - additional ones had left no space unoccupied. That Sunday did the work - completely; for the two borrowed boys added interest to the scene by - taking different courses. One was tumbling about over the laps of the - older persons in the pew, attracting rather more attention than was due - him, and occasionally asking for “bed and butter;” while the smaller one - slept, and snored loud enough to be heard several pews away. On Monday - morning following, Mr. Mason was called upon. The pew was sold for fifty - dollars cash. I received my portion of the funds, and gave Spencer’s wife - the calico gown. Mason called in the few hated radicals, and we had a - general good time. - </p> - <p> - During the same lecturing tour, I was called to visit the village of - Republic, some thirty miles from Sandusky. - </p> - <p> - On taking a seat in one of the cars where other passengers had seated - themselves, I was ordered out, with the remark, that “Niggers ain’t - allowed in here.” Refusing to leave the car, two athletic men, employed by - the road, came in at the bidding of the conductor, and, taking me by the - collar, dragged me out. - </p> - <p> - “Where shall I ride?” I asked. “Where you please; but not in these cars,” - was the reply. Under ordinary circumstances, I would have declined going - by the train. But I had an appointment, and must go. As the signal for - starting was given, I reluctantly mounted a flour-barrel in the open - freight-car attached to the train, and away we went through the woods. - </p> - <p> - From my position, I had a very good view of the passengers in the nearest - car, and must confess that they did not appear to be the most refined - individuals. The majority looked like farmers. There were some drovers, - one of whom, with his dog at his feet, sat at the end window: the animal - occasionally got upon the seat by the side of its master, when the latter - would take him by the ears, and pull him off. The drover seemed to say to - me, as he eyed me sitting on the barrel in the hot sun, “You can’t come - where my dog is.” At the first stopping-place, a dozen or more - laboring-men, employed in repairing the road, got on the train with their - pickaxes and shovels. They, too, took seats in a passenger-car. I had a - copy of Pope’s poems, and was trying to read “The Essay on Man;” but - almost failed, on account of the severity of the sun. However, a gentleman - in the car, seeing my condition, took pity on me, and, at the next - stopping-place, kindly lent me his umbrella; which was no sooner hoisted - than it drew the attention of the drover at one of the end windows, and - some of the Irishmen at the other, who set up a jolly laugh at my expense. - Up to this time, the conductor had not called on me for my ticket; but, as - the train was nearing the place of my destination, he climbed upon the - car, came to me, and, holding out his hand, said, “I’ll take your ticket, - sir. “I have none,” said I. “Then, I’ll take your fare,” continued he, - still holding ont his hand. “How much is it?” I inquired. “A dollar and a - quarter,” he replied. “How much do you charge those in the passenger-car?”—“The - same,” was the response. “Do you think that I will pay as much as those - having comfortable seats? No, sir. I shall do no such thing,” said I. - “Then,” said the conductor, “you must get off.”—“Stop your train, - and I’ll get off,” I replied. “Do you think I’ll stop these cars for you?” - </p> - <p> - “Well,” said I, “you can do as you please. I will not pay full fare, and - ride on a flour-barrel in the hot sun.”—“Since you make so much fuss - about it, give me a dollar, and you may go,” said the conductor. “I’ll do - no such thing,” I replied. “Why? Don’t you wish to pay your fare?” asked - he. “Yes,” I replied. “I will pay what’s right; but I’ll not pay you a - dollar for riding on a flour-barrel in the hot sun.”—“Then, since - you feel so terribly bad about it, give me seventy-five cents, and I’ll - say no more about it,” said the officer. “No, sir: I shall not do it,” - said I. “What do you mean to pay?” asked he. “How much do you charge per - hundred for freight?” I asked. “Twenty-five cents per hundred,” answered - the conductor. “Then I’ll pay thirty-seven and a-half cents,” said I; “for - I weigh one hundred and fifty pounds.” The astonished man eyed me from - head to feet; while the drover and the Irish laborers, who were piled up - at each window of the passenger-car, appeared not a little amused at what - they supposed to be a muss between the conductor and me. - </p> - <p> - Finally, the officer took a blank account out of his pocket, and said, - “Give me thirty-seven and a-half cents, and I’ll set you down as freight.” - I paid over the money, and saw myself duly put among the other goods in - the freight-car. - </p> - <p> - A New-York journal is responsible for the following:— - </p> - <p> - “It is not many months since a colored man came to this city from abroad. - A New-York merchant had been in business connection with him for several - years; and from that business connection had realized a fortune, and felt - that he must treat him kindly. When Sunday came, he invited him to go to - church with him. He went; and the merchant took him into his own pew, near - the pulpit, in a fashionable church. There was a prominent member of the - church near the merchant, who saw this with great amazement. He could not - be mistaken: it was a genuine ‘nigger,’ and not a counterfeit. Midway in - his sermon, the minister discovered him, and was so confused by it, that - he lost his place, and almost broke down. - </p> - <p> - “After service, the man who sat near the merchant went to him, and in - great indignation asked,— - </p> - <p> - “What does this mean?” - </p> - <p> - “What does what mean?” - </p> - <p> - “That you should bring a nigger into this church?” - </p> - <p> - “It is my pew.” - </p> - <p> - “Your pew, is it? And, because it is your pew, you must insult the whole - congregation!” - </p> - <p> - “He is intelligent and well educated,” answered the merchant. - </p> - <p> - “What do I care for that? He is a nigger!” - </p> - <p> - “But he is a friend of mine.” - </p> - <p> - “What of that? Must you therefore insult the whole congregation?” - </p> - <p> - “But he is a Christian, and belongs to the same denomination.” - </p> - <p> - “What do I care for that? Let him worship with his nigger Christians.” - </p> - <p> - “But he is worth five million dollars,” said the merchant. - </p> - <p> - “Worth what?” - </p> - <p> - “Worth five million dollars.” - </p> - <p> - “For God’s sake introduce me to him,” was the reply. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0045" id="link2HCH0045"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XLV—SIXTH REGIMENT UNITED-STATES VOLUNTEERS. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Organization of the Regiment.—Assigned to Hard Work.—Brought - under Fire.—Its Bravery.—Battle before Richmond.—Gallantry - of the Sixth.—Officers’ Testimony.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he following - sketch of the Sixth Regiment United-States colored troops was kindly - furnished by a gentleman of Philadelphia, but came too late to appear in - its proper place. - </p> - <p> - The Sixth Regiment United-States colored troops was the second which was - organized at Camp William Penn, near Philadelphia, by Lieut.-Col. Louis - Wagner, of the Eighty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers. The regiment left - Philadelphia on the 14th of October, 1863, with nearly eight hundred men, - and a full complement of officers, a large majority of whom had been in - active service in the field. - </p> - <p> - The regiment reported to Major-Gen. B. F. Butler, at Fortress Monroe, and - were assigned to duty at York-town, Va., and became part of the brigade - (afterwards so favorably known), under the command of Col. S. A. Duncan, - Fourth United-States colored troops. Here they labored upon the - fortifications, and became thoroughly disciplined under the tuition of - their colonel, John W. Ames, formerly captain of the Eleventh Infantry, - United-States Army, ably seconded by Lieut.-Col. Royce and Major Kiddoo. - During the winter, the regiment took a prominent part in the several raids - made in the direction of Richmond, and exhibited qualities that elicited - the praise of their officers, and showed that they could be fully relied - upon in more dangerous work. - </p> - <p> - The regiment was ordered to Camp Hamilton, Virginia, in May, 1864; where a - division of colored troops was formed, and placed under the command of - Brig.-Gen. Hinks. In the expedition made up the James River the same - month, under Gen. Butler, this division took part. The white troops were - landed at Bermuda Hundreds. Three regiments of colored men were posted at - various points along the river. Duncan’s brigade landed at City Point, - where they immediately commenced fortifications. The Sixth and Fourth - Regiments were soon after removed to Spring Hill, within five miles of - Petersburg. Here they labored night and day upon those earthworks, which - were soon to be the scene of action which was to become historical. The - Sixth was in a short time left alone, by the removal of the Fourth - Regiment to another point. - </p> - <p> - On the 29th of May, the rebel forces made an assault on the picket-line, - the enemy soon after attacking in strong force, but were unable to drive - back the picketline any considerable distance. The Fourth Regiment was - ordered to the assistance of the Sixth; but our forces were entirely too - weak to make it feasible or prudent to attack the enemy, who withdrew - during the night, having accomplished nothing. - </p> - <p> - This was the first experience of the men under actual fire, and they - behaved finely. When the outer works around Petersburg were attacked, June - 15, Duncan’s brigade met the rebels, and did good service, driving the - enemy before him. We had a number killed and wounded in this engagement. - The rebels sought shelter in their main works, which were of the most - formidable character. These defences had been erected by the labor of - slaves, detailed for the purpose. Our forces followed them to their - stronghold. The white troops occupied the right; and in order to attract - the attention of the enemy, while these troops were manoeuvring for a - favorable attacking position, the colored soldiers were subject to a most - galling fire for several hours, losing a number of officers and men. - Towards night, the fight commenced in earnest by the troops on the right, - who quickly cleared their portion of the line: this was followed by the - immediate advance of the colored troops, the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and - Twenty-second Regiments. In a very short time, the rebels were driven from - the whole line; these regiments capturing seven pieces of artillery, and a - number of prisoners. For their gallantry in this action, the colored - troops received a highly complimentary notice from Gen. W. H. Smith, in - General Orders. - </p> - <p> - A few hours after entering the rebel works, our soldiers were gladdened by - a sight of the veterans of the Army of the Potomac, who that night - relieved our men at the front. A glance at the strong works gave the - new-comers a better opinion of the fighting qualities of the negroes than - they had calculated upon; and a good feeling was at once established, that - rapidly dispelled most of the prejudices then existing against the blacks; - and from that time to the close of the war the negro soldier stood high - with the white troops. - </p> - <p> - After spending some time at the Bermuda Hundreds, the Sixth Regiment was - ordered to Dutch Gap, Va., where, on the 16th of August, they assisted in - driving the rebels from Signal Hill; Gen. Butler, in person, leading our - troops. The Sixth Regiment contributed its share towards completing - Butler’s famous canal, during which time they were often very much annoyed - by the rebel shells thrown amongst them. The conduct of the men throughout - these trying scenes reflected great credit upon them. On the 29th of - September, the regiment occupied the advance in the demonstration made by - Butler that day upon Richmond. The first line of battle was formed by the - Fourth and Sixth Regiments: the latter entered the fight with three - hundred and fifteen men, including nineteen officers. - </p> - <p> - The enemy were driven back from within two miles of Deep Bottom, to their - works at New-Market Heights: the Sixth was compelled to cross a small - creek, and then an open field. They were met by a fearful fire from the - rebel works, men fell by scores: still the regiment went forward. The - color-bearers, one after another, were killed or wounded, until the entire - color-guard were swept from the field. Two hundred and nine men, and - fourteen officers, were killed and wounded. Few fields of battle showed - greater slaughter than this; and in no conflict did both officers and men - prove themselves more brave. Capts. York and Sheldon and Lieut. Meyer were - killed close to the rebel works. Leuts. Pratt, Landon, and McEvoy - subsequently died of the wounds received. Lieut. Charles Fields, Company - A, was killed on the skirmish line: this left the company in charge of the - first sergeant, Richard Carter, of Philadelphia, who kept it in its - advanced position throughout the day, commanding with courage and great - ability, attracting marked attention for his officer-like bearing. During - the battle many instances of unsurpassed bravery were shown by the common - soldier, which proved that these heroic men were fighting for the freedom - of their race, and the restoration of a Union that should protect man in - his liberty without regard to color. No regiment did more towards - extinguishing prejudice against the negro than the patriotic Sixth. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “And thus are Afric’s injured sons - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - The oppressor’s scorn abating, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And to the world’s admiring gaze - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Their manhood vindicating.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - The writer regrets that he cannot remember all those whose good conduct in - this our last battle deserves honorable mention. It may not, however, be - invidious to mention the names remembered. These are, Sergt.-Major - Hawkins, Sergt. Jackson, Company B (since deceased); Sergts. Ellesberry, - Kelley, Terry, and Carter All of these, as well as a number of others, - were capable of filling positions as commissioned officers. - </p> - <p> - Several of the enlisted men received medals for gallantry, and were - mentioned in General Orders by Major-Gen. Butler. The works which the - Sixth Regiment attempted to take at such fearful cost of life were in a - short time taken at the point of the bayonet by another brigade of colored - troops. Had these latter been present to aid in the first attack, it would - have saved many valuable lives; for the force was entirely too weak for - the object. When the Sixth Regiment was finally paid off at Philadelphia, - at the close of the Rebellion, the officers held a farewell meeting at the - Continental Hotel; and the following resolutions were adopted as - expressive of their appreciation of the conduct of the troops under their - command:— - </p> - <p> - “1. <i>Resolved</i>, That, in our intercourse with them during the past - two years, they have shown themselves to be brave, reliable, and efficient - as soldiers; patient to endure, and prompt to execute. - </p> - <p> - “2. That, being satisfied with their conduct in the high position of - soldiers of the United States, we see no reason why they should not be - fully recognized as equals, honorable and responsible citizens of the - same.” - </p> - <p> - From the commencement of the enlistment of colored troops, to the close of - the war, there were engaged in active service one hundred and - sixty-nine-thousand six hundred and twenty-four colored men. - </p> - <div style="height: 6em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Negro in The American Rebellion, by -William Wells Brown - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NEGRO IN THE AMERICAN REBELLION *** - -***** This file should be named 50130-h.htm or 50130-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/1/3/50130/ - -Produced by David Widger from page images generously -provided by the Internet Archive - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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- The Negro in the American Rebellion, by William Wells Brown
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-The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Negro in The American Rebellion, by
-William Wells Brown
-
-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
-other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
-whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of
-the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
-www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have
-to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook.
-
-
-
-Title: The Negro in The American Rebellion
- His Heroism and His Fidelity
-
-Author: William Wells Brown
-
-Release Date: October 4, 2015 [EBook #50130]
-Last Updated: November 2, 2016
-
-Language: English
-
-Character set encoding: UTF-8
-
-*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NEGRO IN THE AMERICAN REBELLION ***
-
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-
-
-Produced by David Widger from page images generously
-provided by the Internet Archive
-
-
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-
-</pre>
-
- <div style="height: 8em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h1>
- THE NEGRO IN THE AMERICAN REBELLION
- </h1>
- <h3>
- <i>His Heroism and His Fidelity</i>
- </h3>
- <h2>
- By William Wells Brown
- </h2>
- <h4>
- <i>Author of “Sketches of Places and People Abroad,” “The Black Man,” Etc</i>
- </h4>
- <h5>
- Lee & Shepard, 149 Washington Street
- </h5>
- <h4>
- 1867
- </h4>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <p>
- <b>CONTENTS</b>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2H_PREF"> PREFACE. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> <b>THE NEGRO IN THE AMERICAN REBELLION</b> </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I—BLACKS IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
- AND IN 1812. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II—THE SOUTH-CAROLINA FRIGHT. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III.—THE NAT TURNER INSURRECTION.
- </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV.—SLAVE REVOLT AT SEA. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V—GROWTH OF THE SLAVE-POWER. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI.—THE JOHN BROWN RAID. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII—THE FIRST GUN OF THE REBELLION.
- </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII—THE UNION AND SLAVERY BOTH TO
- BE PRESERVED. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX—INTELLIGENT CONTRABANDS </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X—PROCLAMATIONS OF FREMONT AND
- HUNTER. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI—HEROISM OF NEGROES ON THE HIGH
- SEAS. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII—GENERAL BUTLER AT NEW ORLEANS.
- </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII—THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FREE.
- </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV—THE BLACK BRIGADE OF
- CINCINNATI. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. PROCLAMATION OF FREEDOM. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI.—THE NEW POLICY. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII.—ARMING THE BLACKS. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII.—BATTLE OF MILLINERS BEND.
- </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX—RAISING BLACK REGIMENTS AT THE
- NORTH. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX.—FIFTY-FOURTH MASSACHUSETTS
- REGIMENT. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI—BLACKS UNDER FIRE IN SOUTH
- CAROLINA. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII—FREEDMEN UNDER FIRE IN
- MISSISSIPPI. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER XXIII—BATTLE OF PORT HUDSON. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER XXIV—GENERAL BANKS IN LOUISIANA.
- </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER XXV—HONORS TO THE NOBLE DEAD. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0026"> CHAPTER XXVI.—HE NORTHERN WING OF THE
- REBELLION. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0027"> CHAPTER XXVII—ASSAULT ON FORT WAGNER. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0028"> CHAPTER XXVIII—THE SLAVE-MARTYR. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0029"> CHAPTER XXIX—BATTLE OF OLUSTEE, FLORIDA.
- </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0030"> CHAPTER XXX—BATTLE OF POISON SPRINGS,
- ARKANSAS. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0031"> CHAPTER XXXI—THE MASSACRE AT FORT PILLOW.
- </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0032"> CHAPTER XXXII—INJUSTICE TO COLORED TROOPS.
- </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0033"> CHAPTER XXXIII.—BATTLE OF HONEY HILL, SOUTH
- CAROLINA. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0034"> CHAPTER XXXIV—BEFORE PETERSBURG AND
- RICHMOND. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0035"> CHAPTER XXXV—WIT AND HUMOR OF THE WAR. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0036"> CHAPTER XXXVI—A THRILLING INCIDENT OF THE
- WAR. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0037"> CHAPTER XXXVII—PROGRESS AND JUSTICE. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0038"> CHAPTER XXXVIII—FOURTH-OF-JULY CELEBRATION
- AT THE HOME OF JEFF. DAVIS. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0039"> CHAPTER XXXIX—GALLANTRY, LOYALTY, AND
- KINDNESS OF THE NEGRO. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0040"> CHAPTER XL—FALL OF THE CONFEDERACY, AND
- DEATH OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0041"> CHAPTER XLI—PRESIDENT ANDREW JOHNSON. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0042"> CHAPTER XLII—ILL TREATMENT OF COLORED
- PEOPLE SOUTH </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0043"> CHAPTER XLIII—PROTECTION FOR THE COLORED
- PEOPLE. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0044"> CHAPTER XLIV—CASTE. </a>
- </p>
- <p class="toc">
- <a href="#link2HCH0045"> CHAPTER XLV—SIXTH REGIMENT UNITED-STATES
- VOLUNTEERS. </a>
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- PREFACE.
- </h2>
- <p>
- Feeling anxious to preserve for future reference an account of the part
- which the Negro took in suppressing the Slaveholders’ Rebellion, I have
- been induced to write this work. In doing so, it occurred to me that a
- sketch of the condition of the race previous to the commencement of the
- war would not be uninteresting to the reader.
- </p>
- <p>
- For the information concerning the services which the blacks rendered to
- the Government in the Revolutionary War, I am indebted to the late George
- Livermore, Esq., whose “Historical Research” is the ablest work ever
- published on the early history of the negroes of this country.
- </p>
- <p>
- In collecting facts connected with the Rebellion, I have availed myself of
- the most reliable information that could be obtained from newspaper
- correspondents, as well as from those who were on the battle-field. To
- officers and privates of several of the colored regiments I am under many
- obligations for detailed accounts of engagements.
- </p>
- <p>
- No doubt, errors in fact and in judgment will be discovered, which I shall
- be ready to acknowledge, and correct in subsequent editions. The work
- might have been swelled to double its present size; but I did not feel
- bound to introduce an account of every little skirmish in which colored
- men were engaged.
- </p>
- <p>
- I waited patiently, before beginning this work, with the hope that some
- one more competent would take the subject in hand; but, up to the present,
- it has not been done, although many books have been written upon the
- Rebellion.
- </p>
- <h3>
- WILLIAM WELLS BROWN.
- </h3>
- <p>
- Cambridgeport, Mass., Jan. 1, 1867.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h1>
- THE NEGRO IN THE AMERICAN REBELLION
- </h1>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER I—BLACKS IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND IN 1812.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>The First Cargo of Slaves landed in the Colonies in 1620.—Slave
- Representation in Congress.—Opposition to the Slave-Trade.—Crispus
- Attucks, the First Victim of the Revolutionary War.—Bancroft’s
- Testimony.—Capture of Gen. Prescott.—Colored Men in the War of
- 1812.—Gen. Andrew Jackson on Negro Soldiers.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">I</span> now undertake to
- write a history of the part which the colored men took in the great
- American Rebellion. Previous to entering upon that subject, however, I may
- be pardoned for bringing before the reader the condition of the blacks
- previous to the breaking out of the war.
- </p>
- <p>
- The Declaration of American Independence, made July 4, 1776, had scarcely
- been enunciated, and an organization of the government commenced, ere the
- people found themselves surrounded by new and trying difficulties, which,
- for a time, threatened to wreck the ship of state.
- </p>
- <p>
- The forty-five slaves landed on the banks of the James River, in the
- colony of Virginia, from the coast of Africa, in 1620, had multiplied to
- several thousands, and were influencing the political, social, and
- religious institution’s of the country. Brought into the colonies against
- their will; made the “hewers of wood and the drawers of water;”
- considered, in the light of law and public opinion, as mere chattels,—things
- to be bought and sold at the will of the owner; driven to their unrequited
- toil by unfeeling men, picked for the purpose from the lowest and most
- degraded of the uneducated whites, whose moral, social, and political
- degradation, by slavery, was equal to that of the slave,—the
- condition of the negro was indeed a sad one.
- </p>
- <p>
- The history of this people, full of sorrow, blood, and tears, is full also
- of instruction for mankind. God has so ordered it that one class shall not
- degrade another, without becoming themselves contaminated. So with slavery
- in America. The institution bred in the master insulting arrogance,
- deteriorating sloth, pampered the loathsome lust it inflamed, until
- licentious luxury sapped the strength and rottened the virtue of the
- slave-owners of the South. Never were the institutions of a people, or the
- principles of liberty, put to such a severe test as those of the American
- Republic. The convention to frame the Constitution for the government of
- the United States had not organized before the slave-masters began to
- press the claims of their system upon the delegates. They wanted their
- property represented in the national Congress, and undue guarantees thrown
- around it; they wanted the African slave-trade made lawful, and their
- victims returned if they should attempt to escape; they begged that an
- article might be inserted in the Constitution, making it the duty of the
- General Government to put down the slaves if they should imitate their
- masters in striking a blow for freedom. They seemed afraid of the very
- evil they were clinging so closely to. “Thus conscience doth make cowards
- of us all.”
- </p>
- <p>
- In all this early difficulty, South Carolina took the lead against
- humanity, her delegates ever showing themselves the foes of freedom. Both
- in the Federal Convention to frame the Constitution, and in the State
- Conventions to ratify the same, it was admitted that the blacks had fought
- bravely against the British, and in favor of the American Republic; for
- the fact that a black man (Crispus Attucks) was the first to give his life
- at the commencement of the Revolution was still fresh in their minds.
- Eighteen years previous to the breaking out of the war, Attucks was held
- as a slave by Mr. ‘William Brown of Framingham, Mass., and from whom he
- escaped about that time, taking up his residence in Boston. The Boston
- Massacre, March 5, 1770, may be regarded as the first act in the great
- drama of the American Revolution. “From that moment,” said Daniel Webster,
- “we may date the severance of the British Empire.” The presence of the
- British soldiers in King Street excited the patriotic indignation of the
- people. The whole community was stirred, and sage counsellors were
- deliberating and writing and talking about the public grievances. But it
- was not for “the wise and prudent” to be the first to <i>act</i> against
- the encroachments of arbitrary power. “A motley rabble of saucy boys?
- negroes and mulattoes, Irish Teagues, and outlandish Jack tars” (as John
- Adams described them in his pica in defence of the soldiers) could not
- restrain their emotion, or stop to inquire if what they <i>must do</i> was
- according to the letter of any law. Led by Crispus Attucks, the mulatto
- slave, and shouting, “The way to get rid of these soldiers is to attack
- the main guard; strike at the root; this is the nest,” with more valor
- than discretion, they rushed to King Street, and were fired upon by Capt.
- Preston’s Company. Crispins Attucks was the first to fall: he and Samuel
- Gray and Jonas Caldwell were killed on the spot. Samuel Maverick and
- Patrick Carr were mortally wounded.
- </p>
- <p>
- The excitement which followed was intense. The bells of the town were
- rung. An impromptu town meeting was held, and an immense assembly was
- gathered.
- </p>
- <p>
- Three days after, on the 8th, a public funeral of the martyrs took place.
- The shops in Boston were closed; and all the bells of Boston and the
- neighboring towns were rung. It is said that a greater number of persons
- assembled on this occasion than were ever before gathered on this
- continent for a similar purpose. The body of Crispus Attucks, the mulatto
- slave, had been placed in Faneuil Hall, with that of Caldwell, both being
- strangers in the city. Maverick was buried from his mother’s house, in
- Union Street; and Gray from his brother’s, in Royal Exchange Lane. The
- four hearses formed a junction in King Street; and there the procession
- marched in columns six deep, with a long file of coaches belonging to the
- most distinguished citizens, to the Middle Burying-ground, where the four
- victims were deposited in one grave, over which a stone was placed with
- this inscription:—
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- “Long as in Freedom’s cause the wise contend,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Dear to your country shall your fame extend;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- While to the world the lettered stone shall tell
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Where Caldwell, Attucks, Gray, and Maverick fell.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- The anniversary of this event was publicly commemorated in Boston, by an
- oration and other exercises, every year until after our national
- independence was achieved, when the Fourth of July was substituted for the
- Fifth of March, as the more proper day for a general celebration. Not only
- was the event commemorated, but the martyrs who then gave up their lives
- were remembered and honored.
- </p>
- <p>
- For half a century after the close of the war, the name of Crispus Attucks
- was honorably mentioned by the most noted men of the country who were not
- blinded by foolish prejudice. At the battle of Bunker Hill, Peter Salem, a
- negro, distinguished himself by shooting Major Pitcairn, who, in the midst
- of the battle, having passed the storm of fire without, mounting the
- redoubt, and waving his sword, cried to the “rebels” to surrender. The
- fall of Pitcairn ended the battle in favor of liberty.
- </p>
- <p>
- A single passage from Mr. Bancroft’s history will give a succinct and
- clear account of the condition of the army, in respect to colored
- soldiers, at the time of the battle of Bunker Hill:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “Nor should history forget to record, that, as in the army at Cambridge,
- so also in this gallant band, the free negroes of the colony had their
- representatives. For the right of free negroes to bear arms in the public
- defence was, at that day, as little disputed in New England as their other
- rights. They took their place, not in a separate corps, but in the ranks
- with the white man; and their names may be read on the pension-rolls of
- the country, side by side with those of other soldiers of the Revolution.”—<i>Bancroft’s
- History of the United States</i>, vol. vii. p. 421.
- </p>
- <p>
- The capture of Major-Gen. Prescott, of the British army, on the 9th of
- July, 1777, was an occasion of great joy throughout the country. Prince,
- the valiant negro who seized that officer, ought always to be remembered
- with honor for his important service. The exploit was much commended at
- the time, as its results were highly important; and Col. Barton, very
- properly, received from Congress the compliment of a sword for his
- ingenuity and bravery. It seems, however, that it took more than one head
- to plan and to execute the undertaking. The following account of the
- capture is historical:—.
- </p>
- <p>
- “They landed about five miles from Newport, and three-quarters of a mile
- from the house, which they approached cautiously, avoiding the main guard,
- which was at some distance. <i>The colonel went foremost, with a stout,
- active negro close behind him, and another at a small distance: the rest
- followed so as to be near, but not seen.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- “A single sentinel at the door saw and hailed the colonel: he answered by
- exclaiming against, and inquiring for, rebel prisoners, but kept slowly
- advancing. The sentinel again challenged him, and required the
- countersign. He said he had not the countersign, but amused the sentry by
- talking about rebel prisoners, and still advancing till he came within
- reach of the bayonet, which, he presenting, the colonel suddenly struck
- aside, and seized him. He was immediately secured, and ordered to be
- silent on pain of instant death. <i>Meanwhile, the rest of the men
- surrounding the house, the negro, with his head, at the second stroke,
- forced a passage into it, and then into the landlord’s apartment. The
- landlord at first refused to give the necessary intelligence; but, on the
- prospect of present death, he pointed to the general’s chamber, which
- being instantly opened by the negro’s head, the colonel, calling the
- general by name, told him he was a prisoner.”—Pennsylvania Evening
- Post</i>, Aug. 7, 1777 (in Frank Moore’s “Diary of the American
- Revolution,” vol. i. p. 468).
- </p>
- <p>
- There is abundant evidence of the fidelity and bravery of the colored
- patriots of Rhode Island during the whole war. Before they had been formed
- into a separate regiment, they had fought valiantly with the white
- soldiers at Red Bank and elsewhere. Their conduct at the “Battle of’ Rhode
- Island,” on the 29th of August, 1778, entitles them to perpetual honor.
- That battle has been pronounced by military authorities to have been one
- of the best-fought battles of the Revolutionary War. Its success was
- owing, in a great degree, to the good fighting of the negro soldiers. Mr.
- Arnold, in his “History of Rhode Island,” thus closes his account of it:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “A third time the enemy, with desperate courage and increased strength,
- attempted to assail the redoubt, and would have carried it, but for the
- timely aid of two Continental battalions despatched by Sullivan to support
- his almost exhausted troops. It was in repelling these furious onsets,
- that the newly raised black regiment, under Col. Greene, distinguished
- itself by deeds of desperate valor. Posted behind a thicket in the valley,
- they three times drove back the Hessians, who charged repeatedly down the
- hill to dislodge them: and so determined were the enemy in these
- successive charges, that, the day after the battle, the Hessian colonel,
- upon whom this duty had devolved, applied to exchange his command, and go
- to New York, because he dared not lead his regiment again to battle, lest
- his men should shoot him for having caused them so much loss.”—<i>Arnold’s
- History of Rhode Island</i>, vol. ii. pp. 427, 428.
- </p>
- <p>
- Three years later, these soldiers are thus mentioned by the Marquis de
- Chastellux:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “The 5th [of January, 1781] I did not set out till eleven, although I had
- thirty miles’ journey to Lebanon. At the passage to the ferry, I met with
- a detachment of the Rhode-Island regiment,—the same corps we had
- with us all the last summer; but they have since been recruited and
- clothed. The greatest part of them are negroes or mulattoes: they are
- strong, robust men; and those I have seen had a very good appearance.”—<i>Chastellux’s
- Travels</i>, vol. i. p. 454; London, 1789.
- </p>
- <p>
- When Col. Greene was surprised and murdered, near Points Bridge, New York,
- on the 14th of May, 1781, his colored soldiers heroically defended him
- till they were cut to pieces; and the enemy reached him over the dead
- bodies of his faithful negroes.
- </p>
- <p>
- That large numbers of negroes were enrolled in the army, and served
- faithfully as soldiers during the whole period of the war of the
- Revolution, may be regarded as a well-established historical fact. And it
- should be borne in mind, that the enlistment was not confined, by any
- means, to those who had before enjoyed the privileges of free citizens.
- Very many slaves were offered to, and received by, the army, on the
- condition that they were to be emancipated, either at the time of
- enlisting, or when they had served out the term of their enlistment. The
- inconsistency of keeping in slavery any person who had taken up arms for
- the defence of our national liberty had led to the passing of an order
- forbidding “slaves,” as such, to be received as soldiers.
- </p>
- <p>
- That colored men were equally serviceable in the last war with Great
- Britain is true, as the following historical document will show:—
- </p>
- <h3>
- GENERAL JACKSON’S PROCLAMATION TO THE NEGROES.
- </h3>
- <p>
- <i>Headquarters, Seventh Military District, Mobile, Sept. 21, 1814</i>.
- </p>
- <p>
- To the Free Colored Inhabitants of Louisiana.
- </p>
- <p>
- Through a mistaken policy, you have heretofore been deprived of a
- participation in the glorious struggle for national rights in which our
- country is engaged. This no longer shall exist.
- </p>
- <p>
- As sons of freedom, you are now called upon to defend our most inestimable
- blessing. As Americans, your country looks with confidence to her adopted
- children for a valorous support, as a faithful return for the advantages
- enjoyed under her mild and equitable government. As fathers, husbands, and
- brothers, you are summoned to rally around the standard of the Eagle to
- defend all which is dear in existence.
- </p>
- <p>
- Your country, although calling for your exertions, does not wish you to
- engage in her cause without amply remunerating you for the services
- rendered. Your intelligent minds are not to be led away by false
- representations. Your love of honor would cause you to despise the man who
- should attempt to deceive you. In the sincerity of a soldier, and the
- language of truth, I address you.
- </p>
- <p>
- To every noble-hearted, generous freeman of color, volunteering to serve
- during the present contest with Great Britain, and no longer, there will
- be paid the same bounty, in money and lands, now received by the white
- soldiers of the United States; viz., one hundred and twenty dollars in
- money, and one hundred and sixty acres of land. The non-commissioned
- officers and privates will also be entitled to the same monthly pay, and
- daily rations, and clothes, furnished to any American soldier.
- </p>
- <p>
- On enrolling yourselves in companies, the Major-General Commanding will
- select officers for your government from your white fellow-citizens. Your
- non-commissioned officers will be appointed from among yourselves.
- </p>
- <p>
- Due regard will be paid to the feelings of freemen and soldiers. You will
- not, by being associated with white men in the same corps, be exposed to
- improper comparisons or unjust sarcasm. As a distinct, independent
- battalion or regiment, pursuing the path of glory, you will, undivided,
- receive the applause and gratitude of your countrymen.
- </p>
- <p>
- To assure you of the sincerity of my intentions, and my anxiety to engage
- your invaluable services to our country, I have communicated my wishes to
- the Governor of Louisiana, who is fully informed as to the manner of
- enrollment, and will give you every necessary information on the subject
- of this address.
- </p>
- <h3>
- ANDREW JACKSON,
- </h3>
- <p>
- <i>Major-General Commanding.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- [Niles’s Register, vol. vii. p. 205.]
- </p>
- <p>
- Three months later, Gen. Jackson addressed the same troops as follows:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “To the Men of Color. Soldiers! From the shores of Mobile I collected you
- to arms. I invited you to share in the perils and to divide the glory of
- your white countrymen. I expected much from you; for I was not uninformed
- of those qualities which must render you so formidable to an invading foe.
- I knew that you could endure hunger and thirst, and all the hardships of
- war. I knew that you loved the land of your nativity, and that, like
- ourselves, you had to defend all that is most dear to man. But you surpass
- my hopes. I have found in you, united to these qualities, that noble
- enthusiasm which impels to great deeds.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Soldiers! The President of the United States shall be informed of your
- conduct on the present occasion; and the voice of the Representatives of
- the American nation shall applaud your valor, as your general now praises
- your ardor. The enemy is near. His sails cover the lakes. But the brave
- are united; and, if he finds us contending with ourselves, it will be for
- the prize of valor, and fame its noblest reward.”—<i>Niles’s
- Register,</i> vol. vii. pp. 345, 346.
- </p>
- <p>
- Black men served in the navy with great credit to themselves, receiving
- the commendation of Com. Perry and other brave officers.
- </p>
- <p>
- <i>Extract of a Letter from Nathaniel Shaler, Commander of the
- private-armed Schooner Gen. Tompkins, to his Agent in New York, dated</i>,—
- </p>
- <p>
- “At Sea, Jan. 1, 1813.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Before I could get our light sails in, and almost before I could turn
- round, I was under the guns, not of a transport, but of a large <i>frigate!</i>
- and not more than a quarter of a mile from her.... Her first broadside
- killed two men, and wounded six others....
- </p>
- <p>
- “My officers conducted themselves in a way that would have done honor to a
- more permanent service....
- </p>
- <p>
- “The name of one of my poor fellows who was killed ought to be registered
- in the book of fame, and remembered with reverence as long as bravery is
- considered a virtue. He was a black man, by the name of John Johnson. A
- twenty-four pound shot struck him in the hip, and took away all the lower
- part of his body. In this state, the poor brave fellow lay on the deck,
- and several times exclaimed to his shipmates, ‘<i>Fire away, my boy: no
- haul a color down.</i>’ The other was also a black man, by the name of
- John Davis, and was struck in much the same way. He fell near me, and
- several times requested to be thrown overboard, saying he was only in the
- way of others.
- </p>
- <p>
- “When America has such tars, she has little to fear from the tyrants of
- the ocean.”—<i>Niles’s Weekly Register, Saturday</i>, Feb. 26, 1814.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER II—THE SOUTH-CAROLINA FRIGHT.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>Denmark Vesey, Peter Poyas, and their Companions.—The deep-laid
- Plans.—Religious Fanaticism.—The Discovery.—The Trials.—Convictions.—Executions.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">H</span>uman bondage is
- ever fruitful of insurrection, wherever it exists, and under whatever
- circumstances it may be found.
- </p>
- <p>
- An undeveloped discontent always pervaded the black population of the
- South, bond and free. Many attempts at revolt were made: two only,
- however, proved of a serious and alarming character. The first was in
- 1812, the leader of which was Denmark Vesey, a free colored man, who had
- purchased his liberty in the year 1800, and who resided in Charleston,
- S.C. A carpenter by trade, working among the blacks, Denmark gained
- influence with them, and laid a plan of insurrection which showed
- considerable generalship. Like most men who take the lead in revolts, he
- was deeply imbued with a religious duty; and his friends claimed that he
- had “a magnetism in his eye, of which his confederates stood in great awe:
- if he once got his eye on a man, there was no resisting it.”
- </p>
- <p>
- After resolving to incite the slaves to rebellion, Denmark began taking
- into his confidence such persons as he could trust, and instructing them
- to gain adherents from among the more reliable of both bond and free.
- </p>
- <p>
- Peter Poyas, a slave of more than ordinary foresight and ability, was
- selected by him as his lieutenant; and to him was committed the arduous
- duty of arranging the mode of attack, and of acting as the military
- leader. Poyas voluntarily undertook the management of the most difficult
- part of the enterprise, the capture of the main guard-house, and had
- pledged himself to advance alone, and surprise the sentinel. Gullah Jack,
- Tom Russell, and Ned Bennett,—the last two were not less valuable
- than Peter Poyas; for Tom was an ingenious mechanic, and made battle-axes,
- pikes, and other instruments of death with which to carry on the war,—all
- of the above were to be generals of brigades, and were let into every
- secret of the intended rising. It had long been the custom in Charleston
- for the country slaves to visit the city in great numbers on Sunday, and
- return to their homes in time to commence work on the following morning.
- It was, therefore, determined by Vesey to have the rising take place on
- Sunday. The slaves of nearly every plantation in the neighborhood were
- enlisted, and were to take part. The details of the plan, however, were
- not rashly committed to the mass of the confederates: they were known only
- to a few, and were finally to have been announced after the evening
- prayer-meeting on the appointed Sunday. But each leader had his own
- company enlisted, and his own work marked out. When the clock struck
- twelve, all were to move. Poyas was to lead a party ordered to assemble at
- South Bay, and to be joined by a force from James’ Island: he was then to
- march up and seize the arsenal and guard-house opposite St. Michael’s
- Church, and detach a sufficient number to cut off all white citizens who
- should appear at the alarm-posts. A second body of blacks, from the
- country and the Neck, headed by Ned Bennett, was to assemble on the Neck,
- and seize the arsenal there. A third was to meet at Governor Bennett’s
- Mills under the command of Rolla, another leader, and, after putting the
- governor and intendant to death, to march through the city, or be posted
- at Cannon’s Bridge, thus preventing the inhabitants of Cannons-borough
- from entering the city.
- </p>
- <p>
- A fourth, partly from the country and partly from the neighboring
- localities in the city, was to rendezvous on Gadsden’s Wharf, and attack
- the upper guard-house. A fifth, composed of country and Neck blacks, was
- to assemble at Bulkley’s Farm, two miles and a half from the city, seize
- the upper powder magazine, and then march down; and a sixth was to
- assemble at Vesey’s, and obey his orders. A seventh detachment, under
- Gullah Jack, was to come together in Boundry Street, at the head of King
- Street, to capture the arms of the Neck company of militia, and to take an
- additional supply from Mr. Duguereron’s shop. The naval stores on Meg’s
- Wharf were also to be attacked. Meanwhile a horse company, consisting of
- many draymen, hostlers, and butcher boys, was to meet at Lightwood’s
- Alley, and then scour the streets to prevent the whites from assembling.
- </p>
- <p>
- Every white man coming out of his own door was to be killed, and, if
- necessary, the city was to be fired in several places; a slow match for
- this purpose having been purloined from the public arsenal, and placed in
- an accessible position. The secret and plan of attack, however, were
- incautiously divulged to a slave named Devany, belonging to Col. Prioleau;
- and he at once informed his master’s family. The mayor, on getting
- possession of the facts, called the city council together for
- consultation. The investigation elicited nothing new, for the slaves
- persisted in their ignorance of the matter; and the authorities began to
- feel that they had been imposed upon by Devany and his informants, when
- another of the conspirators, being bribed, revealed what he knew. Arrest
- after arrest was made, and the mayor’s court held daily examinations for
- weeks. After several weeks of incarceration, the accused, one hundred and
- twenty in number, were brought to trial: thirty-four were sentenced to
- transportation, twenty-seven acquitted by the court, twenty-five
- discharged without trial, and thirty-five condemned to death. With but two
- or three exceptions, all of the conspirators went to the gallows feeling
- that they had acted right, and died like men giving their lives for the
- cause of freedom. A report of the trial, written soon after, says of
- Denmark Vesey, “For several years before he disclosed his intentions to
- any one, he appears to have been constantly and assiduously engaged in
- endeavoring to imbitter the minds of the colored population against the
- whites. He rendered himself perfectly familiar with those parts of the
- Scriptures which he could use to show that slavery was contrary to the
- laws of God; that slaves were bound to attempt their emancipation, however
- shocking and bloody might be the consequences; and that such efforts would
- not only be pleasing to the Almighty, but were absolutely enjoined, and
- their success predicted, in the Scriptures.
- </p>
- <p>
- “His favorite texts, when he addressed those of his own color, were Zech.
- xiv. 1-3, and Joshua vi. 21; and, in all his conversations, he identified
- their situation with that of the Israelites. Even while walking through
- the streets in company with another, he was not idle; for, if his
- companion bowed to a white person, he would rebuke him, and observe that
- all men were born equal, and that he was surprised that any one would
- degrade himself by such conduct; that he would never cringe to the whites,
- nor ought any one who had the feelings of a man. When answered, ‘We are
- slaves,’ he would sarcastically and indignantly reply, ‘You deserve to
- remain slaves;’ and if he were further asked, ‘What can we do?’ he would
- remark, ‘Go and buy a spelling-book, and read the fable of Hercules and
- the wagoner,’ which he would then repeat, and apply it to their situation.
- </p>
- <p>
- “He sought every opportunity of entering into conversation with white
- persons, when they could be overheard by slaves near by, especially in
- grog-shops, during which conversation, he would artfully introduce some
- bold remark on slavery; and sometimes, when from the character of the
- person he was conversing with he found he might be still bolder, he would
- go so far, that, had not his declarations in such situations been clearly
- proved, they would scarcely have been credited. He continued this course
- till some time after the commencement of the last winter; by which time he
- had not only obtained incredible influence amongst persons of color, but
- many feared him more than they did their masters, and one of them
- declared, even more than his God.”
- </p>
- <p>
- The excitement which the revelations of the trial occasioned, and the
- continual fanning of the flame by the newspapers, was beyond description.
- Double guard in the city, the country patrol on horseback and on foot, the
- watchfulness that was observed on all plantations, showed the deep feeling
- of fear pervading the hearts of the slave-holders, not only in South
- Carolina, but the fever extended to the other Southern States, and all
- seemed to feel that a great crisis had been passed. And, indeed, their
- fears appear not to have been without ground; for a more complicated plan
- for an insurrection could scarcely have been conceived.
- </p>
- <p>
- Many were of opinion, that, the rising once begun, they would have taken
- the city, and held it, and might have sealed the fate of slavery in the
- South. The best account of this whole matter is to be found in an able
- article in the “Atlantic Monthly” for June, 1861, from the pen of Col. T.
- W. Higginson, and to which I am indebted for the extracts contained in
- this sketch.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER III.—THE NAT TURNER INSURRECTION.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>Nat Turner.—His Associates.—Their Meetings.—Nat’s
- Religious Enthusiasm.—Bloodshed.—Wide-spread Terror.—The
- Trials and Executions.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he slave
- insurrection which occurred in Southampton County, Na., in the year 1831,
- although not as well planned as the one portrayed in the preceding
- chapter, was, nevertheless, more widely felt in the South. Its leader was
- Nat Turner, a slave.
- </p>
- <p>
- On one of the oldest and largest plantations in Southampton County, Va.,
- owned by Benjamin Turner, Esq., Nat was born a slave, on the 2d of
- October, 1800. His parents were of unmixed African descent. Surrounded as
- he was by the superstition of the slave-quarters, and being taught by his
- mother that he was born for a prophet, a preacher, and a deliverer of his
- race, it was not strange that the child should have imbibed the principles
- which were afterwards developed in his career. Early impressed with the
- belief that he had seen visions, and received communications direct from
- God, he, like Napoleon, regarded himself as a being of destiny. In his
- childhood, Nat was of an amiable disposition; but circumstances in which
- he was placed as a slave brought out incidents that created a change in
- his disposition, and turned his kind and docile feeling into the most
- intense hatred to the white race.
- </p>
- <p>
- The ill-treatment he experienced at the hands of the whites, and the
- visions he claimed to have seen, caused Nat to avoid, as far as he could,
- all intercourse with his fellow-slaves, and threw around him a gloom and
- melancholy that disappeared only with his life.
- </p>
- <p>
- Both the young slave and his friends averred that a full knowledge of the
- alphabet came to him in a single night. Impressed with the belief that his
- mission was a religious one, and this impression strengthened by the
- advice of his grandmother, a pious but ignorant woman, Nat commenced
- preaching when about twenty-five years of age, but never went beyond his
- own master’s locality. In stature, he was under the middle size,
- long-armed, round-shouldered, and strongly marked with the African
- features. A gloomy fire burned in his looks, and he had a melancholy
- expression of countenance. He never tasted a drop of ardent spirits in his
- life, and was never known to smile. In the year 1828, new visions appeared
- to Nat; and he claimed to have direct communication with God. Unlike most
- of those born under the influence of slavery, he had no faith in
- conjuring, fortunetelling, or dreams, and always spoke with contempt of
- such things. Being hired out to a cruel master, he ran away, and remained
- in the woods thirty days, and could have easily escaped to the Free
- States, as did his father some years before; but he received, as he says
- in his confession, a communication from the Spirit, which said, “Return to
- your earthly master; for he who knoweth his Master’s will, and doeth it
- not, shall be beaten with many stripes.” It was not the will of his
- earthly but his heavenly Master that he felt bound to do; and therefore
- Nat returned. His fellow-slaves were greatly incensed at him for coming
- back; for they knew well his ability to reach Canada, or some other land
- of freedom, if he was so inclined. He says further, “About this time I had
- a vision, and saw white spirits and black spirits engaged in battle; and
- the sun was darkened, the thunder rolled in the heavens, and blood flowed
- ‘in streams; and I heard a voice saying, ‘Such is your luck, such are you
- called on to see; and let it come, rough or smooth, you must surely bear
- it!’” Some time after this, Nat had, as he says, another vision, in which
- the spirit appeared and said, “The Serpent is loosened, and Christ has
- laid down the yoke he has borne for the sins of men; and you must take it
- up, and fight against the Serpent, for the time is fast approaching when
- the first shall be last, and the last shall be first.” There is no doubt
- but that this last sentence filled Nat with enthusiastic feeling in favor
- of the liberty of his race, that he had so long dreamed of. “The last
- shall be first, and the first shall be last,” seemed to him to mean
- something. He saw in it the overthrow of the whites, and the establishing
- of the blacks in their stead; and to this end he bent the energies of his
- mind. In February, 1881, Nat received his last communication, and beheld
- his last vision. He said, “I was told I should arise and prepare myself,
- and slay my enemies with their own weapons.” The plan of an insurrection
- was now formed in his own mind, and the time had arrived for him to take
- others into the secret; and he at once communicated his ideas to four of
- his friends, in whom he had implicit confidence. Hark Travis, Nelson
- Williams, Sam Edwards, and Henry Porter were slaves like himself, and,
- like him, had taken their names from their masters. A meeting must be held
- with these, and it must take place in some secluded place where the whites
- would not disturb them; and a meeting was appointed. The spot where they
- assembled was as wild and romantic as were the visions that had been
- impressed upon the mind of their leader.
- </p>
- <p>
- Three miles from where Nat lived was a dark swamp, filled with reptiles,
- in the middle of which was a dry spot, reached by a narrow, winding path,
- and upon which human feet seldom ever trod, on account of its having been
- the place where a slave had been tortured to death by a slow fire, for the
- crime of having flogged his cruel and inhuman master. The night for the
- meeting arrived, and they came together. Hark brought a pig, Sam bread,
- Nelson sweet potatoes, and Henry brandy; and the gathering was turned into
- a feast. Others were taken in, and joined the conspiracy. All partook
- heartily of the food, and drank freely, except Nat. He fasted and prayed.
- It was agreed that the revolt should commence that night, and in their own
- masters’ households, and that each slave should give his oppressor the
- death-blow. Before they left the swamp, Nat made a speech, in which he
- said, “Friends and brothers! We are to commence a great work to-night. Our
- race is to be delivered from slavery, and God has appointed us as the men
- to do his bidding; and let us be worthy of our calling. I am told to slay
- all the whites we encounter, without regard to age or sex. We have no arms
- or ammunition, but we will find these in the houses of our oppressors;
- and, as we go on, others can join us. Remember that we do not go forth for
- the sake of blood and carnage; but it is necessary, that, in the
- commencement of this revolution, all the whites we meet should die, until
- we have an army strong enough to carry on the war upon a Christian basis.
- Remember that ours is not a war for robbery, and to satisfy our passions:
- it is a struggle for freedom. Ours must be deeds, and not words. Then
- let’s away to the scene of action.”
- </p>
- <p>
- Among those who had joined the conspirators was Will, a slave, who scorned
- the idea of taking his master’s name. Though his soul longed to be free,
- he evidently became one of the party as much to satisfy revenge as for the
- liberty that he saw in the dim distance. Will had seen a dear and beloved
- wife sold to the negro-trader, and taken away, never to be beheld by him
- again in this life. His own back was covered with scars, from his
- shoulders to his feet. A large scar, running from his right eye down to
- his chin, showed that he had lived with a cruel master. Nearly six feet in
- height, and one of the strongest and most athletic of his race, he proved
- to be the most unfeeling of all the insurrectionists. His only weapon was
- a broad-axe, sharp and heavy.
- </p>
- <p>
- Nat and his accomplices at once started for the plantation of Joseph
- Travis, with whom the four lived; and there the first blow was struck. In
- his confession, just before his execution, Nat said,—
- </p>
- <p>
- “On returning to the house, Hark went to the door with an axe, for the
- purpose of breaking it open,—as we knew we were strong enough to
- murder the family should they be awakened by the noise; but, reflecting
- that it might create an alarm in the neighborhood, we determined to enter
- the house secretly, and murder them whilst sleeping. Hark got a ladder,
- and set it against the chimney, on which I ascended, and, hoisting a
- window, entered and came down stairs, unbarred the doors, and removed the
- guns from their places. It was then observed that I must spill the first
- blood. On which, armed with a hatchet, and accompanied by Will, I entered
- my master’s chamber. It being dark, I could not give a death-blow. The
- hatchet, glanced from his head: he sprang from the bed, and called his
- wife. It was his last word. Will laid him dead with a blow of his axe.”
- </p>
- <p>
- They went from plantation to plantation, until the whole neighborhood was
- aroused; and the whites turned out in large numbers to suppress the
- rebellion. Nat and his accomplices fought bravely, but to no purpose.
- </p>
- <p>
- Reinforcements came to the whites; and the blacks were overpowered and
- defeated by the superior numbers of the enemy. In this battle, many were
- slain on both sides. Will, the blood-thirsty and revengeful slave, fell
- with his broad-axe uplifted, after having laid three of the whites dead at
- his feet with his own strong arm and his terrible weapon. His last words
- were, “Bury my axe with me.” For he religiously believed, that, in the
- next world, the blacks would have a contest with the whites, and that he
- would need his axe. Nat Turner, after fighting to the last with his short
- sword, escaped with some others to the woods near by, and was not captured
- for nearly two months. When brought to trial, he pleaded “not guilty,”
- feeling, as he said, that it was always right for one to strike for his
- own liberty. After going through a mere form of trial, he was convicted
- and executed at Jerusalem, the county-seat for Southhampton County, Ya.
- Not a limb trembled, or a muscle was observed to move. Thus died Nat
- Turner, at the early age of thirty-one years, a martyr to the freedom of
- his race, and a victim to his own fanaticism. He meditated upon the wrongs
- of his oppressed and injured people till the idea of their deliverance
- excluded all other ideas from his mind; and he devoted his life to its
- realization. Every thing appeared to him a vision, and all favorable omens
- were signs from God. He foretold, that, at his death, the sun would refuse
- to shine, and that there would be signs of disapprobation given from
- Heaven. And it is true that the sun was darkened, a storm gathered, and
- more boisterous weather had never appeared in Southampton County than on
- the day of Nat’s execution. The sheriff, warned by the prisoner, refused
- to cut the cord that held the trap. No black man would touch the rope. A
- poor old white man, long-besotted by drink, was brought forty miles to be
- the executioner.
- </p>
- <p>
- Fifty-five whites and seventy-three blacks lost their lives in the
- Southampton Rebellion. On the fatal night, when Nat and his companions
- were dealing death to all they found, Capt. Harris, a wealthy planter, had
- his life saved by the devotion and timely warning of his slave Jim, said
- to have been half-brother to his master. After the revolt had been put
- down, and parties of whites were out hunting the suspected blacks, Capt.
- Harris, with his faithful slave, went into the woods in search of the
- negroes. In saving his master’s life, Jim felt that he had done his duty,
- and could not consent to become a betrayer of his race; and, on reaching
- the woods, he handed his pistol to his master, and said, “I cannot help
- you hunt down these men: they, like myself, want to be free. Sir, I am
- tired of the life of a slave: please give me my freedom, or shoot me on
- tire spot.” Capt. Harris took the weapon, and pointed it at the slave.
- Jim, putting his right hand, upon his heart, said, “This is the spot; aim
- here.” The captain fired, and the slave fell dead at his feet.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER IV.—SLAVE REVOLT AT SEA.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>Madison Washington.—His Escape from the South.—His Love of
- Liberty.—His Return.—His Capture.—The Brig “Creole.”—The
- Slave-traders.—Capture of the Vessel.—Freedom of the
- Oppressed.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he revolt on board
- of the brig “Creole,” on the high seas, by a number of slaves who had been
- shipped for the Southern market, in the year 1841, created at the time a
- profound sensation throughout the country. Before entering upon it,
- however, I will introduce to the reader the hero of the occasion.
- </p>
- <p>
- Among the great number of fugitive slaves who arrived in Canada towards
- the close of the year 1840, was one whose tall figure, firm step, and
- piercing eye attracted at once the attention of all who beheld him. Nature
- had treated him as a favorite. His expressive countenance painted and
- reflected every emotion of his soul. There was a fascination in the gaze
- of his finely cut eyes that no one could withstand. Born of African
- parentage, with no mixture in his blood, he was one of the handsomest of
- his race. His dignified, calm, and unaffected features announced at a
- glance that he was endowed with genius, and created to guide his
- fellow-men. He called himself Madison Washington, and said that his
- birthplace was in the “Old Dominion.” He might have been twenty-five
- years; but very few slaves have any correct idea of their age. Madison was
- not poorly dressed, and had some money at the end of his journey, which
- showed that he was not from amongst the worst-used slaves of the South. He
- immediately sought employment at a neighboring farm, where he remained
- some months. A strong, able-bodied man, and a good worker, and apparently
- satisfied with his situation, his employer felt that he had a servant who
- would stay with him a long while. The farmer would occasionally raise a
- conversation, and try to draw from Madison some account of his former
- life, but in this he failed; for the fugitive was a man of few words, and
- kept his own secrets. His leisure hours were spent in learning to read and
- write; and in this he seemed to take the utmost interest. He appeared to
- take no interest in the sports and amusements that occupied the attention
- of others. Six months had not passed ere Madison began to show signs of
- discontent. In vain his employer tried to discover the cause.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Do I not pay you enough, and treat you in a becoming manner?” asked Mr.
- Dickson one day when the fugitive seemed in a very desponding mood.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Yes, sir,” replied Madison.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Then why do you appear so dissatisfied of late?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Well, sir,” said the fugitive, “since you have treated me with such
- kindness, and seem to take so much interest in me, I will tell you the
- reason why I have changed, and appear to you to be dissatisfied. I was
- born in slavery, in the State of Virginia. From my earliest recollections
- I hated slavery, and determined to be free. I have never yet called any
- man master, though I have been held by three different men who claimed me
- as their property. The birds in the trees and the wild beasts of the
- forest made me feel that I, like them, ought to be free. My feelings were
- all thus centred in the one idea of liberty, of which I thought by day and
- dreamed by night. I had scarcely reached my twentieth year, when I became
- acquainted with the angelic being who has since become my wife. It was my
- intention to have escaped with her before we were married, but
- circumstances prevented.
- </p>
- <p>
- “I took her to my bosom as my wife, and then resolved to make the attempt.
- But, unfortunately, my plans were discovered; and, to save myself from
- being caught and sold off to the far South, I escaped to the woods, where
- I remained during many weary months. As I could not bring my wife away, I
- would not come without her. Another reason for remaining was that I hoped
- to get up an insurrection of the slaves, and thereby be the means of their
- liberation. In this, too, I failed. At last it was agreed, between my wife
- and I, that I should escape to Canada, get employment, save my earnings,
- and with it purchase her freedom. With the hope of attaining this end, I
- came into your service. I am now satisfied, that, with the wages I can
- command here, it will take me not less than five years to obtain by my
- labor the amount sufficient to purchase the liberty of my dear Susan. Five
- years will be too long for me to wait; for she may die, or be sold away,
- ere I can raise the money. This, sir, makes me feel low spirited; and I
- have come to the rash determination to return to Virginia for my wife.”
- </p>
- <p>
- The recital of the story had already brought tears to the eyes of the
- farmer, ere the fugitive had concluded. In vain did Mr. Dickson try to
- persuade Madison to give up the idea of going back into the very grasp of
- the tyrant, and risking the loss of his own freedom without securing that
- of his wife. The heroic man had made up his mind, and nothing could move
- him. Receiving the amount of wages due him from his employer, Madison
- turned his face once more towards the South. Supplied with papers
- purporting to have been made out in Virginia, and certifying to his being
- a freeman, the fugitive had no difficulty in reaching the neighborhood of
- his wife. But these “free papers” were only calculated to serve him where
- he was not known. Madison had also provided himself with files, saws, and
- other implements, with which to cut his way out of any prison into which
- he might be cast. These instruments were so small as to be easily
- concealed in the lining of his clothing; and, armed with them, the
- fugitive felt sure he should escape again were he ever captured. On his
- return, Madison met, in the State of Ohio, many of those whom he had seen
- on his journey to Canada; and all tried to prevail upon him to give up the
- rash attempt. But to every one he would reply, “Liberty is worth nothing
- to me while my wife is a slave.” When near his former home, and unable to
- travel in open day without being detected, Madison betook himself to the
- woods during the day, and travelled by night. At last he arrived at the
- old farm at night, and hid away in the nearest forest. Here he remained
- several days, filled with hope and fear, without being able to obtain any
- information about his wife. One evening, during this suspense, Madison
- heard the singing of a company of slaves, the sound of which appeared
- nearer and nearer, until he became convinced that it was a gang going to a
- corn-shucking; and the fugitive resolved that he would join it, and see if
- he could get any intelligence of his wife.
- </p>
- <p>
- In Virginia, as well as in most of the other corn-raising slave-States,
- there is a custom of having what is termed “a corn-shucking,” to which
- slaves from the neighboring plantations, with the consent of their
- masters, are invited. At the conclusion of the shucking, a supper is
- provided by the owner of the corn; and thus, together with the bad whiskey
- which is freely circulated on such occasions, the slaves are made to feel
- very happy. Four or five companies of men may be heard in different
- directions, and at the same time, approaching the place of rendezvous;
- slaves joining the gangs along the roads as they pass their masters’
- farms. Madison came out upon the highway; and, as the company came along
- singing, he fell into the ranks, and joined in the song. Through the
- darkness of the night he was able to keep from being recognized by the
- remainder of the company, while he learned from the general conversation
- the most important news of the day.
- </p>
- <p>
- Although hungry and thirsty, the fugitive dared not go to the supper-table
- for fear of recognition. However, before he left the company that night,
- he gained information enough to satisfy him that his wife was still with
- her old master; and he hoped to see her, if possible, on the following
- night. The sun had scarcely set the next evening, ere Madison was wending
- his way out of the forest, and going towards the home of his loved one, if
- the slave can be said to have a home. Susan, the object of his affections,
- was indeed a woman every way worthy of his love. Madison knew well where
- to find the room usually occupied by his wife, and to that spot he made
- his way on arriving at the plantation; but, in his zeal and enthusiasm,
- and his being too confident of success, he committed a blunder which
- nearly cost him his life. Fearful that if he waited until a late hour,
- Susan would be asleep, and in awakening her she would in her fright alarm
- the household, Madison ventured to her room too early in the evening,
- before the whites in the “great house” had retired. Observed by the
- overseer, a sufficient number of whites were called in, and the fugitive
- secured ere he could escape with his wife; but the heroic slave did not
- yield until he with a club had laid three of his assailants upon the
- ground with his manly blows; and not then until weakened by loss of blood.
- Madison was at once taken to Richmond, and sold to a slave-trader, then
- making up a gang of slaves for the New-Orleans market.
- </p>
- <p>
- The brig “Creole,” owned by Johnson & Eperson of Richmond, and
- commanded by Capt. Enson, lay at the Richmond dock, waiting for her cargo,
- which usually consisted of tobacco, hemp, flax, and slaves. There were two
- cabins for the slaves,—one for the men, the other for the women. The
- men were generally kept in chains while on the voyage; but the women were
- usually unchained, and allowed to roam at pleasure in their own cabin. On
- the 27th of October, 1841, “The Creole” sailed from Hampton Roads, bound
- for New Orleans, with her full load of freight, a hundred and thirty-five
- slaves, and three passengers, besides the crew. Forty of the slaves were
- owned by Thomas McCargo, nine belonged to Henry Hewell, and the remainder
- were held by Johnson & Eperson. Hewell had once been an overseer for
- McCargo, and on this occasion was acting as his agent.
- </p>
- <p>
- Among the slaves owned by Johnson & Eperson, was Madison Washington.
- He was heavily ironed, and chained down to the floor of the cabin occupied
- by the men, which was in the forward hold. As it was known by Madison’s
- purchasers that he had once escaped, and had been in Canada, they kept a
- watchful eye over him. The two cabins were separated, so that the men and
- women had no communication whatever during the passage.
- </p>
- <p>
- Although rather gloomy at times, Madison on this occasion seemed very
- cheerful, and his owners thought that he had repented of the experience he
- had undergone as a runaway, and in the future would prove a more
- easily-governed chattel. But, from the first hour that he had entered the
- cabin of “The Creole,” Madison had been busily engaged in the selection of
- men who were to act parts in the great drama. He picked out each one as if
- by intuition. Every thing was done at night and in the dark, as far as the
- preparation was concerned. The miniature saws and files were faithfully
- used when the whites were asleep.
- </p>
- <p>
- In the other cabin, among the slave-women, was one whose beauty at once
- attracted attention. Though not tall, she yet had a majestic figure. Her
- well-moulded shoulders, prominent bust, black hair which hung in ringlets,
- mild blue eyes, finely-chiselled mouth, with a splendid set of teeth, a
- turned and well-rounded chin, skin marbled with the animation of life, and
- veined by blood given to her by her master, she stood as the
- representative of two races. With only one-eighth of African blood, she
- was what is called at the South an “octoroon.” It was said that her
- grandfather had served his country in the Revolutionary War, as well as in
- both Houses of Congress. This was Susan, the wife of Madison. Few slaves,
- even among the best-used house-servants, had so good an opportunity to
- gain general information as she.
- </p>
- <p>
- Accustomed to travel with her mistress, Susan had often been to Richmond,
- Norfolk, White-Sulphur Springs, and other places of resort for the
- aristocracy of the Old Dominion. Her language was far more correct than
- that of most slaves in her position. Susan was as devoted to Madison as
- she was beautiful and accomplished.
- </p>
- <p>
- After the arrest of her husband, and his confinement in Richmond jail, it
- was suspected that Susan had long been in possession of the knowledge of
- his whereabouts when in Canada, and knew of his being in the neighborhood;
- and for this crime it was resolved that she should be sold, and sent off
- to a Southern plantation, where all hope of escape would be at an end.
- Each was not aware that the other was on board “The Creole;” for Madison
- and Susan were taken to their respective cabins at different times. On the
- ninth day out, “The Creole” encountered a rough sea, and most of the
- slaves were sick, and therefore were not watched with that vigilance that
- they had been since she first sailed. This was the time for Madison and
- his accomplices to work, and nobly did they perform their duty. Night came
- on, the first watch had just been summoned, the wind blowing high, when
- Madison succeeded in reaching the quarter-deck, followed by eighteen
- others, all of whom sprang to different parts of the vessel, seizing
- whatever they could wield as weapons. The crew were nearly all on deck.
- Capt. Enson and Mr. Merritt, the first mate, were standing together, while
- Hewell was seated on the companion, smoking a cigar. The appearance of the
- slaves all at once, and the loud voice and commanding attitude of their
- leader, so completely surprised the whites, that—
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- “They spake not a word;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- But, like dumb statues or breathless stones,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Stared at each other, and looked deadly pale.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- The officers were all armed; but so swift were the motions of Madison that
- they had nearly lost command of the vessel before they attempted to use
- them.
- </p>
- <p>
- Hewell, the greater part of whose life had been spent on the plantation in
- the capacity of a negro-driver, and who knew that the defiant looks of
- these men meant something, was the first to start. Drawing his old
- horse-pistol from under his coat, he fired at one of the blacks, and
- killed him. The next moment Hewell lay dead upon the deck, for Madison had
- struck him with a capstan bar. The fight now became general, the white
- passengers, as well as all the crew, taking part. The battle was Madison’s
- element, and he plunged into it without any care for his own preservation
- or safety. He was an instrument of enthusiasm, whose value and whose place
- was in his inspiration. “If the fire of heaven was in my hands, I would
- throw it at those cowardly whites,” said he to his companions, before
- leaving their cabin. But in this he did not mean revenge, only the
- possession of his freedom and that of his fellow-slaves. Merritt and
- Gifford, the first and second mates of the vessel, both attacked the
- heroic slave at the same time. Both were stretched out upon the deck with
- a single blow each, but were merely wounded: they were disabled, and that
- was all that Madison cared for for the time being. The sailors ran up the
- rigging for safety, and a moment more he that had worn the fetters an hour
- before was master of the brig “Creole.” His commanding attitude and daring
- orders, now that he was free, and his perfect preparation for the grand
- alternative of liberty or death which stood before him, are splendid
- exemplifications of the true heroic. After his accomplices had covered the
- slaver’s deck, Madison forbade the shedding of more blood, and ordered the
- sailors to come down, which they did, and with his own hands dressed their
- wounds. A guard was placed over all except Merritt, who was retained to
- navigate the vessel. With a musket doubly charged, and pointed at
- Merritt’s breast, the slaves made him swear that he would safely take the
- brig into a British port. All things now secure, and the white men in
- chains or under guard, Madison ordered that the fetters should be severed
- from the limbs of those slaves who still wore them. The next morning
- “Capt. Washington” (for such was the name he now bore) ordered the cook to
- provide the best breakfast that the storeroom could furnish, intending to
- surprise his fellow-slaves, and especially the females, whom he had not
- yet seen. But little did he think that the woman for whom he had risked
- his liberty and life would meet him at the breakfast-table. The meeting of
- the hero and his beautiful and accomplished wife, the tears of joy shed,
- and the hurrahs that followed from the men, can better be imagined than
- described. Madison’s cup of joy was filled to the brim. He had not only
- gained his own liberty, and that of one hundred and thirty-four others,
- but his dear Susan was safe. Only one man, Howell, had been killed. Capt.
- Enson, and others who were wounded, soon recovered, and were kindly
- treated by Madison, and for which they proved ungrateful; for, on the
- second night, Capt. Enson, Mr. Gilford, and Merritt, took advantage of the
- absence of Madison from the deck, and attempted to retake the vessel. The
- slaves, exasperated at this treachery, fell upon the whites with deadly
- weapons. The captain and his men fled to the cabin, pursued by the blacks.
- Nothing but the heroism of the negro leader saved the lives of the white
- men on this occasion; for, as the slaves were rushing into the cabin,
- Madison threw himself between them and their victims, exclaiming, “Stop!
- no more blood. My life, that was perilled for your liberty, I will lay
- down for the protection of these men. They have proved themselves unworthy
- of life which we granted them; still let us be magnanimous.” By the kind
- heart and noble bearing of Madison, the vile slave-traders were again
- permitted to go unwhipped of justice. This act of humanity raised the
- uncouth son of Africa far above his Anglo-Saxon oppressors.
- </p>
- <p>
- The next morning “The Creole” landed at Nassau, New Providence, where the
- noble and heroic slaves were warmly greeted by the inhabitants, who at
- once offered protection, and extended hospitality to them.
- </p>
- <p>
- But the noble heroism of Madison Washington and his companions found no
- applause from the Government, then in the hands of the slaveholders.
- Daniel Webster, then Secretary of State, demanded of the British
- authorities the surrender of these men, claiming that they were murderers
- and pirates: the English, however, could not see the point.
- </p>
- <p>
- Had the “Creole” revolters been white, and committed their noble act of
- heroism in another land, the people of the United States would have been
- the first to recognize their claims. The efforts of Denmark Vesey, Nat
- Turner, and Madison Washington to strike the chains of slavery from the
- limbs of their enslaved race will live in, history, and will warn all
- tyrants to beware of the wrath of God and the strong arm of man.
- </p>
- <p>
- Every iniquity that society allows to subsist for the benefit of the
- oppressor is a sword with which she herself arms the oppressed. Right is
- the most dangerous of weapons: woe to him who leaves it to his enemies.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER V—GROWTH OF THE SLAVE-POWER.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>Introduction of the Cotton-gin.—Its effect on Slavery.—Fugitive
- Slave Law.—Anthony Burns.—The Dred Scott Decision.—Imprisonment
- for reading “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.”—Struggles with Slavery.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he introduction of
- the cotton-gin into the South, by Whitney of Connecticut, had materially
- enhanced the value of slave property; the emancipation societies of
- Virginia and Maryland had ceased to petition their Legislatures for the
- “Gradual Emancipation” of the slaves; and the above two States had begun
- to make slave-raising a profitable business, when the American Antislavery
- Society was formed in the city of Philadelphia, in the year 1833. The
- agitation of the question in Congress, the mobbing of William Lloyd
- Garrison in Boston, the murder of the Rev. E. P. Lovejoy in Illinois, and
- the attempt to put down free speech throughout the country, only hastened
- the downfall of the institution.
- </p>
- <p>
- In the earlier days of the Antislavery movement, not a year, sometimes
- hardly a month, passed that did not bear upon its record the report of
- mobs, almost always ferocious in spirit, and sometimes cruel and
- blood-stained in act. It was the first instinctive and brutal response of
- a proslavery people convicted of guilt and called to repentance; and it
- was almost universal. Wherever antislavery was preached, honestly, and
- effectually, there the mobocratic spirit followed it; so that, in those
- times, he who escaped this ordeal was, with some justice, held to be
- either inefficient or unfaithful. Hardly a town or city, from Alton to
- Portland, where much antislavery labor was bestowed, in the first fifteen
- years of this enterprise, that was not the scene of one of these attempts
- to crush all free discussion of the subject of slavery by violence or
- bloodshed. Hardly one of the earlier public advocates of the cause that
- was not made to suffer, either in person or in property, or in both, from
- popular violence,—the penalty of obedience to the dictates of his
- own conscience. Nor was this all: official countenance was often given to
- the mad proceedings of the mob; or, if not given, its protection was
- withheld from those who were the objects of popular hatred; and, as if
- this were not enough, legislation was invoked to the same end. It was
- suggested to the Legislature of one of the Southern States, that a large
- reward be offered for the head of a citizen of Massachusetts who was the
- pioneer in the modern antislavery movement. A similar reward was offered
- for the head of a citizen of New York. Yet so foul an insult excited
- neither the popular indignation nor legislative resentment in either of
- those States.
- </p>
- <p>
- Great damage was done to the cause of Christianity by the position assumed
- on the question of slavery by the American churches, and especially those
- in the Southern States. Think of a religious kidnapper! a Christian
- slave-breeder! a slave-trader, loving his neighbor as himself, receiving
- the “sacraments” in some Protestant church from the hand of a Christian
- apostle, then the next day selling babies by the dozen, and tearing young
- women from the arms of their husbands to feed the lust of lecherous New
- Orleans! Imagine a religious man selling his own children into eternal
- bondage! Think of a Christian defending slavery out of the Bible, and
- declaring there is no higher law, but atheism is the first principle of
- Republican Government!
- </p>
- <p>
- Yet this was the stand taken, and maintained, by the churches in the slave
- States down to the day that Lee surrendered to Grant.
- </p>
- <p>
- One of the bitterest fruits of slavery in our land is the cruel spirit of
- caste, which makes the complexion even of the free negro a badge of social
- inferiority, exposing him to insult in the steamboat and the railcar, and
- in all places of public resort, not even excepting the church; banishing
- him from remunerative occupations; expelling him from the legislative
- hall, the magistrate’s bench, and the jury-box; and crushing his noblest
- aspirations under a weight of prejudice and proscription which he
- struggles in vain to throw off. Against this unchristian and hateful
- spirit, every lover of liberty should enter his solemn protest. This
- hateful prejudice caused the breaking up of the school of Miss Prudence
- Crandall, in the State of Connecticut, in the early days of the
- antislavery agitation.
- </p>
- <p>
- Next came the burning of Pennsylvania Hall, one of the most beautiful
- edifices in the City of Brotherly Love, simply because colored persons
- were permitted to occupy seats by the side of whites.
- </p>
- <p>
- The enactment by Congress of the Fugitive Slave Law caused the friends of
- freedom, both at home and abroad, to feel that the General Government was
- fast becoming the bulwark of slavery. The rendition of Thomas Sims, and
- still later that of Anthony Burns, was, indeed, humiliating in the extreme
- to the people of the Northern States.
- </p>
- <p>
- On that occasion, the sons of free, enlightened, and Christian
- Massachusetts, descendants of the Pilgrim Fathers, bowed submissively to
- the behests of a tyranny more cruel than Austrian despotism; yielded up
- their dignity and self-respect; became the allies of slave-catchers, the
- associates and companions of bloodhounds. At the bidding of slaveholders
- and serviles, they seized the image of God, bound their fellow-man with
- chains, and consigned him to torture and premature death under the lash of
- a piratical overseer. God’s law and man’s rights were trampled upon; the
- self-respect, the constitutional privileges, of the free States, were
- ignominiously surrendered. A people who resisted a paltry tax upon tea, at
- the cannon’s mouth, basely submitted to an imposition tenfold greater, in
- favor of brutalizing their fellow-men. Soil which had been moistened with
- the blood of American patriots was polluted by the footsteps of
- slave-catchers and their allies.
- </p>
- <p>
- The Boston Court House in chains, two hundred rowdies and thieves sworn in
- as special policemen, respectable citizens shoved off the side-walks by
- these slave-catchers; all for the purpose of satisfying “our brethren of
- the South.” But this act did not appease the feelings, or satisfy the
- demands, of the slave-holders, while it still further inflamed the fire of
- abolitionism.
- </p>
- <p>
- The “Dred Scott Decision” added fresh combustibles to the smouldering
- heap. Dred Scott, a slave, taken by his master into free Illinois, and
- then beyond the line of 36° 30’, and then back into Missouri, sued for and
- obtained his freedom on the ground, that, having been taken where by the
- Constitution slavery was illegal, his master had lost all claim. But the
- Supreme Court, on appeal, reversed the judgment; and Dred Scott, with his
- wife and children, was taken back into slavery. By this decision in the
- highest court of American law, it was affirmed that no free negro could
- claim to be a citizen of the United States, but was only under the
- jurisdiction of the separate State in which he resided; that the
- prohibition of slavery in any Territory of the Union was unconstitutional;
- and that the slave-owner might go where he pleased with his property,
- throughout the United States, and retain his right.
- </p>
- <p>
- This decision created much discussion, both in America and in Europe, and
- materially injured the otherwise good name of our country abroad.
- </p>
- <p>
- The Constitution, thus interpreted by Judge Taney, became the emblem of
- the tyrants and the winding sheet of liberty, and gave a boldness to the
- people of the South, which soon showed itself, while good men at the North
- felt ashamed of the Government under which they lived.
- </p>
- <p>
- The slave-holders in the cotton, sugar, and rice growing States began to
- urge the re-opening of the African slave-trade, and the driving out from
- the Southern States of all free colored persons.
- </p>
- <p>
- In the Southern Rights’ Convention, which assembled at Baltimore, June 8,
- 1800, a resolution was adopted, calling on the Legislature to pass a law
- driving the free colored people out of the State. Nearly every speaker
- took the ground that the free colored people must be driven out to make
- the slave’s obedience more secure. Judge Mason, in his speech, said, “It
- is the thrifty and well-to-do free negroes, that are seen by our slaves,
- that make them dissatisfied.” A similar appeal was made to the Legislature
- of Tennessee. Judge Catron, of the Supreme Court of the United States, in
- a long and able letter to “The Nashville Union,” opposed the driving out
- of the colored people. He said they were among the best mechanics, the
- best artisans, and the most industrious laborers in the State, and that to
- drive them out would be an injury to the State itself. This is certainly
- good evidence in their behalf.
- </p>
- <p>
- The State of Arkansas passed a law driving the free colored people out of
- the State, and they were driven out three years ago. The Democratic press
- howled upon the heels of the free blacks until they had all been
- expatriated; but, after they had been driven out, “The Little Rock
- Gazette”—a Democratic paper—made a candid acknowledgment with
- regard to the character of the free colored people. It said, “Most of the
- exiled free negroes are industrious and respectable. One of them, Henry
- King, we have known from our boyhood, and take the greatest pleasure in
- testifying to his good character. The community in which he casts his lot
- will be blessed with that noblest work of God, an honest man.”
- </p>
- <p>
- Yet these free colored people were driven out of the State, and those who
- were unable to go, as many of the women and children were, were reduced to
- slavery.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The New Orleans True Delta” opposed the passage of a similar law by the
- State of Louisiana. Among other things, it said, “There are a large free
- colored population here, correct in their general deportment, honorable in
- their intercourse with society, and free from reproach so far as the laws
- are concerned; not surpassed in the inoffensiveness of their lives by any
- equal number of-persons in any place, North or South.”
- </p>
- <p>
- And yet these free colored persons were not permitted by law to school
- their children, or to read books that treated against the institution of
- slavery. The Rev. Samuel Green, a colored Methodist preacher, was
- convicted and sent to the Maryland penitentiary, in 1858, for the offence
- of being found reading “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.”
- </p>
- <p>
- The growth of the “Free-Soil” party, which had taken the place of the
- “Liberty” party; and then the rapid increase of the “Republican” party;
- the struggle in Kansas; the “Oberlin Rescue Trials;” and, lastly, the
- “John Brown Raid,” carried the discussion of slavery to its highest point.
- </p>
- <p>
- All efforts, in Congress, in the proslavery political conventions, and in
- the churches, only added fuel to the flame that was fast making inroads
- upon the vitals of the monster.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER VI.—THE JOHN BROWN RAID.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>John Brown.—His Religious Zeal.—His Hatred to Slavery.—Organization
- of his Army.—Attack on Harper’s Ferry.—His Execution.—John
- Brown’s Companions, Green and Copeland.—The Executions.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he year 1859 will
- long be memorable for the bold attempt of John Brown and his companions to
- burst the bolted door of the Southern house of bondage, and lead out the
- captives by a more effectual way than they had yet known: an attempt in
- which, it is true, the little band of heroes dashed themselves to bloody
- death, but, at the same time, shook the prison-walls from summit to
- foundation, and shot wild alarm into every tyrant-heart in all the
- slave-land. What were the plans and purposes of the noble old man is not
- precisely known, and perhaps will never be; but, whatever they were, there
- is reason to believe they had been long maturing,—brooded over
- silently and secretly, with much earnest thought, and under a solemn sense
- of religious duty. As early as the fall of 1857, he began to organize his
- band, chiefly from among the companions of his warfare against the “Border
- Ruffians” in Kansas. Nine or ten of these spent the winter of 1857-8 in
- Iowa, where a Col. Forbes was to have given them military instruction; but
- he, having-fallen out with Brown, did not join them, and Aaron D. Stevens,
- one of the company, took his place.
- </p>
- <p>
- About the middle of April, 1858, they left Iowa, and went to Chatham,
- Canada, where, on the 8th of May, was held a convention, called by a
- written circular, which was sent to such persons only as could be trusted.
- The convention was composed mostly of colored men, a few of whom were from
- the States, but the greater part residents in Canada, with no white men
- but the organized band already mentioned. A “Provisional Constitution,”
- which Brown had previously prepared, was adopted; and the members of the
- convention took an oath to support it. Its manifest purpose was to insure
- a perfect organization of all who should join the expedition, whether free
- men or insurgent slaves, and to hold them under such strict control as to
- restrain them from every act of wanton or vindictive violence, all waste
- or needless destruction of life or property, all indignity or unnecessary
- severity to prisoners, and all immoral practices; in short, to keep the
- meditated movement free from every possibly avoidable evil ordinarily
- incident to the armed uprising of a long-oppressed and degraded people.
- </p>
- <p>
- And let no one who glories in the revolutionary struggles of our fathers
- for their freedom deny the right of the American bondsman to imitate their
- high example. And those who rejoice in the deeds of a Wallace or a Tell, a
- Washington or a Warren; who cherish with unbounded gratitude the name of
- Lafayette for volunteering his aid in behalf of an oppressed people in a
- desperate crisis, and at the darkest hour of their fate,—cannot
- refuse equal merit to this strong, free, heroic man, who freely
- consecrated all his powers, and the labors of his whole life, to the help
- of the most needy, friendless, and unfortunate of mankind.
- </p>
- <p>
- The picture of the Good Samaritan will live to all future ages, as the
- model of human excellence, for helping one whom he chanced to find in
- need.
- </p>
- <p>
- John Brown did more: he went to <i>seek</i> those who were lost that he
- might save them.
- </p>
- <p>
- On Sunday night, Oct. 16, John Brown, with twenty followers (five of them
- colored), entered the town of Harper’s Ferry, in the State of Virginia;
- captured the place, making the United-States Armory his headquarters; sent
- his men in various directions in search of slaves with which to increase
- his force.
- </p>
- <p>
- The whole thing, though premature in its commencement, struck a blow that
- rang on the fetters of the enslaved in every Southern State, and caused
- the oppressor to tremble for his own safety, as well as for that of the
- accursed institution.
- </p>
- <p>
- John Brown’s trial, heroism, and execution, an excellent history of which
- has been given to the public by Mr. James Redpath, saves me from making
- any lengthened statement here. His life and acts are matters of history,
- which will live with the language in which it is written. But little can
- be said of his companions in the raid on slavery. They were nearly all
- young men, unknown to fame, enthusiastic admirers of the old Puritan,
- entering heartily into all of his plans, obeying his orders, and dying
- bravely, with no reproach against their leader.
- </p>
- <p>
- Of the five colored men, two only were captured alive,—Shields Green
- and John A. Copeland. The former was a native of South Carolina, having
- been born in the city of Charleston in the year 1832. Escaping to the
- North in 1857, he resided in Rochester, N.Y., until attracted by the
- unadorned eloquence and native magnetism of the hero of Harper’s Ferry.
- The latter was from North Carolina, and was a mulatto of superior
- abilities, and a genuine lover of liberty and justice. The following
- letter, written a short time before his execution, needs no explanation:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “Charlestown, Va., Dec. 10, 1859.
- </p>
- <p>
- “My dear Brother,—I now take my pen to write you a few lines to let
- you know how I am, and in answer to your kind letter of the 5th inst. Dear
- brother, I am, it is true, so situated at present as scarcely to know how
- to commence writing: not that my mind is filled with fear, or that it has
- become shattered in view of my near approach to death; not that I am
- terrified by the gallows which I see staring me in the face, and upon
- which I am so soon to stand and suffer death for doing what George
- Washington, the so-called father of this great but slavery-cursed country,
- was made a hero for doing while he lived, and when dead his name was
- immortalized, and his great and noble deeds in behalf of freedom taught by
- parents to their children. And now, brother, for having lent my aid to a
- general no less brave, and engaged in a cause no less honorable and
- glorious, I am to suffer death. Washington entered the field to fight for
- the freedom of the American people,—not for the white man alone, but
- for both black and white. Nor were they white men alone who fought for the
- freedom of this country. The blood of black men flowed as freely as that
- of white men. Yes, the <i>very first</i> blood that was spilt was that of
- a negro. It was the blood of that heroic man (though black he was),
- Crispus Attucks. And some of the <i>very last</i> blood shed was that of
- black men. To the truth of this, history, though prejudiced, is compelled
- to attest. <i>It is true</i> that black men did an equal share of the
- fighting for American independence; and they were assured by the whites
- that they should share equal benefits for so doing. But, after having
- performed their part honorably, they were by the whites most treacherously
- deceived,—they refusing to fulfil their part of the contract. But
- this you know as well as I do; and I will therefore say no more in
- reference to the claims which we, as colored men, have on the American
- people....
- </p>
- <p>
- “It was a sense of the wrongs which we have suffered that prompted the
- noble but unfortunate Capt. Brown and his associates to attempt to give
- freedom to a small number, at least, of those who are now held by cruel
- and unjust laws, and by no less cruel and unjust men. To this freedom they
- were entitled by every known principle of justice and humanity; and, for
- the enjoyment of it, God created them. And now, dear brother, could I die
- in a more noble cause? Could I, brother, die in a manner and for a cause
- which would induce true and honest men more to honor me, and the angels
- more readily to receive me to their happy home of everlasting joy above? I
- imagine that I hear you, and all of you, mother, father, sisters and
- brothers, say, ‘No, there is not a cause for which we, with less sorrow,
- could see you die!’”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Your affectionate brother,
- </p>
- <p>
- “John A. Copeland.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “The Baltimore Sun” says, “A few moments before leaving the jail, Copeland
- said, ‘If I am dying for freedom, I could not die for a better cause. <i>I
- had rather die than be a slave!</i>’ A military officer in charge on the
- day of the execution says, ‘I had a position near the gallows, and
- carefully observed all. I can truly say I never witnessed more firm and
- unwavering: fortitude, more perfect composure, or more beautiful
- propriety, than were manifested by young Copeland to the very last.’”
- </p>
- <p>
- Shields Green behaved with equal heroism, ascending the scaffold with a
- firm and unwavering step, and died, as he had lived, a brave man, and
- expressing to the last his eternal hatred to human bondage, prophesying
- that slavery would soon come to a bloody end.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER VII—THE FIRST GUN OF THE REBELLION.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>Nomination of Fremont.—Nomination of Lincoln.—The Mob
- Spirit.—Spirit of Slavery.—The Democracy.—Cotton.—Northern
- Promises to the Rebels.—Assault on Fort Sumter.—Call for
- 75,000 Men.—Response of the Colored Men.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he nomination of
- John C. Fremont by the Republican party in 1856, and the large vote given
- him at the election that autumn, cleared away all doubts, if any existed
- as to the future action of the Federal Government on the spread and power
- of slavery. The Democratic party, which had ruled the nation so long and
- so badly, saw that it had been weighed, and found wanting; that it must
- prepare to give up the Government into the hands of better men.
- </p>
- <p>
- But the party determined to make the most of Mr. Buchanan’s
- administration, both in the profuse expenditure of money among themselves,
- and in getting ready to take the Southern States out of the Union.
- </p>
- <p>
- Surrounded by the men who believed that the Government was made for them,
- and that their mission was to rule the people of the United States, Mr.
- Buchanan was nothing more than a tool,—clay in the hands of the
- potters; and he permitted them to prepare leisurely for disunion, which
- culminated, in 1860, in the nomination of Abraham Lincoln for the
- presidency.
- </p>
- <p>
- The proslavery Democracy became furious at the prospect of losing the
- control of the situation, and their hatred of free speech was revived.
- From the nomination of Mr. Lincoln to his inauguration, mob-law ruled in
- most of the cities and large villages. These disgraceful scenes, the first
- of which commenced at the antislavery-meeting at the Tremont Temple,
- Boston, was always gotten up by members of the Democratic party, who
- usually passed a series of resolutions in favor of slavery. New York,
- Philadelphia, Albany, Buffalo, Troy, Cincinnati, and Chicago, all followed
- the example set by Boston.
- </p>
- <p>
- These demonstrations were caused more by sympathy with the South, and the
- long-accustomed subserviency of the Northern people to slaveholding
- dictation, than to any real hatred to the negro.
- </p>
- <p>
- During all this time the Abolitionists were laboring faithfully to widen
- the gulf between the North and South.
- </p>
- <p>
- Towards the close of the year 1860, the spirit of compromise began to show
- itself in such unmistakable terms as to cause serious apprehension on the
- part of the friends of freedom for the future of American liberty. The
- subdued tone of the liberal portion of the press, the humiliating offers
- of Northern political leaders of compromises, and the numerous cases of
- fugitive slaves being returned to their masters, sent a thrill of fear to
- all colored men in the land for their safety, and nearly every train going
- North found more or less negroes fleeing to Canada.
- </p>
- <p>
- At the South, the people were in earnest, and would listen to no proposals
- whatever in favor of their continuance in the Union.
- </p>
- <p>
- The vast wealth realized by the slave-holder had made him feel that the
- South was independent of the rest of the world.
- </p>
- <p>
- Prosperity had made him giddy. Cotton was not merely king: it was God.
- Moral considerations were nothing. The sentiment of right, he argued,
- would have no influence over starving operatives; and England and France,
- as well as the Eastern States of the Union, would stand aghast, and yield
- to the masterstroke which should deprive them of the material of their
- labor. Millions were dependent on it in all the great centres of
- civilization; and the ramifications of its power extended into all ranks
- of society and all departments of industry and commerce. It was only
- necessary to wave this imperial sceptre over the nations; and all of them
- would fall prostrate, and acknowledge the supremacy of the power which
- wielded it. Nothing could be more plausible than this delusion. Satan
- himself, when about to wage war in heaven, could not have invented one
- better calculated to marshal his hosts, and give promise of success in
- rebellion against the authority of the Most High. But, alas! the supreme
- error of this anticipation lay in omitting from the calculation all power
- of principle. The right still has authority over the minds of men and in
- the counsels of nations. Factories may cease their din; men and women may
- be thrown out of employment; the marts of commerce may be silent and
- deserted: but truth and justice still command some respect among men; and
- God yet remains the object of their adoration.
- </p>
- <p>
- Drunk with power, and dazzled with prosperity, monopolizing cotton, and
- raising it to the influence of a veritable fetich, the authors of the
- Rebellion did not admit a doubt of the success of their attack on the
- Federal Government. They dreamed of perpetuating slavery, though all
- history shows the decline of the system as industry, commerce, and
- knowledge advance. The slave-holders proposed nothing less than to reverse
- the currents of humanity, and to make barbarism flourish in the bosom of
- civilization.
- </p>
- <p>
- Weak as were the Southern people in point of numbers and political power,
- compared with those of the opposite section, the haughty slave-holders
- easily persuaded themselves and their dependents that they could
- successfully cope in arms with the Northern adversary, whom they affected
- to despise for his cowardly and mercenary disposition. Proud and
- confident, they indulged the belief that their great political prestige
- would continue to serve them among their late party associates in the
- North, and that the counsels of the adversary would be distracted, and his
- power weakened, by the fatal effects of dissension.
- </p>
- <p>
- The proslavery men in the North are very much to blame for the
- encouragement that they gave the rebels before the breaking out of the
- war. The Southerners had promises from their Northern friends, that, in
- the event of a rebellion, civil war should reign in the free States,—that
- men would not be permitted to leave the North to go South to put down
- their rebellions brethren.
- </p>
- <p>
- All legitimate revolutions are occasioned by the growth of society beyond
- the growth of government; and they will be peaceful or violent just in
- proportion as the people and government shall be wise and virtuous or
- vicious and ignorant. Such revolutions or reforms are generally of a
- peaceful nature in communities in which the government has made provision
- for the gradual expansion of its institutions to suit the onward march of
- society. No government is wise in overlooking, whatever may be the
- strength of its own traditions, or however glorious its history, that
- human institutions which have been adapted for a barbarous age or state of
- society will cease to be adapted for more civilized and intelligent times;
- and, unless government makes a provision for the gradual expansion,
- nothing can prevent a storm, either of an intellectual or a physical
- nature. Slavery was always the barbarous institution of America; and the
- Rebellion was the result of this incongruity between it and freedom.
- </p>
- <p>
- The assault on Fort Sumter on the 12th of April, 1861, was the dawn of a
- new era for the negro. The proclamation of President Lincoln, calling for
- the first 75,000 men to put down the Rebellion, was responded to by the
- colored people throughout the country. In Boston, at a public meeting of
- the blacks, a large number came forward, put their names to an agreement
- to form a brigade, and march at once to the seat of war. A committee
- waited on the Governor three days later, and offered the services of these
- men. His Excellency replied that he had no power to receive them. This was
- the first wet blanket thrown over the negro’s enthusiasm. “This is a white
- man’s war,” said most of the public journals. “I will never fight by the
- side of a nigger,” was heard in every quarter where men were seen in Uncle
- Sam’s uniform.
- </p>
- <p>
- Wherever recruiting offices were opened, black men offered themselves, and
- were rejected. Yet these people, feeling conscious that right would
- eventually prevail, waited patiently for the coming time, pledging
- themselves to go at their country’s call, as the following will show:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “Resolved, That our feelings urge us to say to our countrymen that we are
- ready to stand by and defend the Government as the equals of its white
- defenders; to do so with our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor,
- for the sake of freedom and as good citizens; and we ask you to modify
- your laws, that we may enlist,—that full scope may be given to the
- patriotic feelings burning in the colored man’s breast.”—<i>Colored
- Men’s Meeting, Boston</i>.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER VIII—THE UNION AND SLAVERY BOTH TO BE PRESERVED.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>Union Generals offer to suppress Slave Insurrections.—Return of
- Slaves coming into our Army.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">A</span>t the very
- commencement of the Rebellion, the proslavery generals in the field took
- the earliest opportunity of offering their services, together with those
- under their commands, to suppress any slave insurrection that might grow
- out of the unsettled condition of the country. Major-Gen. B. F. Butler led
- off, by tendering his services to Gov. Hicks of Maryland. About the same
- time, Major-Gen. Geo. B. McClellan issued the following, “<i>To the Union
- Men of Western Virginia</i>,” on entering that portion of the State with
- his troops:—“The General Government cannot close its ears to the
- demands you have made for assistance. I have ordered troops to cross the
- river. They come as Your friends and brothers,—as enemies only to
- the armed rebels who are preying upon you. Your homes, your families, your
- property, are safe under our protection. All your rights shall be
- religiously respected. Notwithstanding all that has been said by the
- traitors to induce you to believe our advent among you will be signalled
- by an interference with your slaves, understand one thing clearly: not
- only will we abstain from all such interference, but we shall, on the
- contrary, <i>with an iron hand</i>, crush any attempt at insurrection on
- their part.”
- </p>
- <p>
- Slaves escaping from their masters were promptly returned by the officers
- of the army. Gen. W. S. Harney, commanding in Missouri, in responding to
- the claims of slave-holders for their blacks, said,—
- </p>
- <p>
- “Already, since the commencement of these unhappy disturbances, slaves
- have escaped from their owners, and have sought refuge in the camps of
- United-States troops from the Northern States, and commanded by a Northern
- general. <i>They were carefully sent Back to their owners.</i>”
- </p>
- <p>
- The correspondent of “The New-York Herald” gave publicity to the
- following:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “The guard on the bridge across the Anacostia arrested a negro who
- attempted to pass the sentries on the Maryland side. He seemed to feel
- confident that he was among friends, for he made no concealment of his
- character and purpose. He said he had walked sixty miles, and was going
- North. He was very much surprised and disappointed when he was taken into
- custody, and informed that he would be sent back to his master. He is now
- in the guard-house, and answers freely all questions relating to his weary
- march. Of course, such an arrest excites much comment among the men.
- Nearly all are restive under the thought of acting as slave-catchers. The
- Seventy-first made a forced march, and the privations they endured have
- been honorably mentioned in the country’s history. This poor negro made a
- forced march, twice the length—in perils often, in fasting,—hurrying
- toward the North for his liberty! And the Seventy-first catches him at the
- end of his painful journey,—the goal in sight,—and sends him
- back to the master who even now may be in arms against us, or may take the
- slave, sell him for a rifle, and use it on his friends in the
- Seventy-first New-York Regiment. Humanity speaks louder here than it does
- in a large city; and the men who in New York would dismiss the subject
- with a few words about ‘constitutional obligations’ are now the loudest in
- denouncing the abuse of power which changes a regiment of gentlemen into a
- regiment of negro-catchers.” At Pensacola, Slemmer did even more, putting
- in irons fugitives who fled to him for protection, and returning them to
- their masters to be scourged to death. Col. Dimmick, at Fortress Monroe,
- told the rebel Virginians that he had not an Abolitionist in his command,
- and that no molestation of their slave-system would be suffered.
- </p>
- <p>
- Gen. D. C. Buell, commanding in Tennessee, said, in reply to a committee
- of slave-holders demanding the return of their fugitives,—
- </p>
- <p>
- “It has come to my knowledge that slaves sometimes make their way
- improperly into our lines, and in some instances they may be enticed
- there; but I think the number has been magnified by report. Several
- applications have been made to me by persons whose servants have been
- found in our camps; and, in every instance that I know of, the master has
- removed his servant, and taken him away.
- </p>
- <p>
- “I need hardly remind you that there will always be found some lawless and
- mischievous persons in every army; but I assure you that the mass of this
- army is law-abiding, and that it is neither its disposition nor its policy
- to violate law or the rights of individuals in any particular.”
- </p>
- <p>
- Yet, while Union soldiers were returning escaped slaves to rebels, it was
- a notorious fact that the enemy were using negroes to build
- fortifications, drive teams, and raise food for the army.
- </p>
- <p>
- Black hands piled up the Sand-bags, and raised the batteries, which drove
- Anderson out of Sumter. At Montgomery, the capital of the confederacy,
- negroes were being drilled and armed for military duty.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER IX—INTELLIGENT CONTRABANDS
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>James Lawson.—His Bravery.—Rescue of his Wife and Children.—He
- is sent out on Important Business.—He fights his Way Back.—He
- is Admired by Gens. Hooker and Sickles.—Rhett’s Servant.—“Foraging
- for Butter and Eggs.”</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">I</span> spent three weeks
- at Liverpool Point, the outpost of Hooker’s Division, almost directly
- opposite Aquia Creek, waiting patiently for the advance of our left wing
- to follow up the army, becoming, if not a participator against the dying
- struggles of rebeldom, at least a chronicler of the triumphs in the march
- of the Union army.
- </p>
- <p>
- During this time I was the guest of Col. Graham, of Mathias-Point memory,
- who had brought over from that place (last November) some thirty valuable
- chattels. A part of the camp was assigned to them. They built log huts,
- and obtained from the soldiers many comforts, making their quarters equal
- to any in the camp.
- </p>
- <p>
- They had friends and relatives. Negroes feel as much sympathy for their
- friends and kin as the whites; and, from November to the present time,
- many a man in Virginia has lost a very likely slave, for the camp contains
- now upwards of a hundred fat and healthy negroes, in addition to its
- original number from Mathias Point.
- </p>
- <p>
- One of the number deserves more honor than that accorded to Toussaint
- L’Ouverture in the brilliant lecture delivered by Wendell Phillips. He is
- unquestionably the hero of the Potomac, and deserves to be placed by the
- side of his most renowned black brethren.
- </p>
- <p>
- The name of this negro is James Lawson, born near Hempstead, Virginia, and
- he belonged to a Mr. Taylor. He made his escape last December. On hearing
- his praises spoken by the captains of the gunboats on the Potomac, I was
- rather indisposed to admit the possession of all the qualities they give
- him credit for, and thought possibly his exploits had been exaggerated.
- His heroic courage, truthfulness, and exalted Christian character seemed
- too romantic for their realization. However, my doubts on that score were
- dispelled; and I am a witness of his last crowning act.
- </p>
- <p>
- Jim, after making his escape from Virginia, shipped on board of “The
- Freeborn,” Flag-gunboat, Lieut. Samuel Ma-gaw commanding. He furnished
- Capt. Magaw with much valuable intelligence concerning the rebel
- movements, and, from his quiet, every-day behavior, soon won the esteem of
- the commanding officer.
- </p>
- <p>
- Capt. Magaw, shortly after Jim’s arrival on board “The Freeborn,” sent him
- upon a scouting tour through the rebel fortifications, more to test his
- reliability than anything else; and the mission, although fraught with
- great danger, was executed by Jim in the most faithful manner. Again Jim
- was sent into Virginia, landing at the White House, below Mount Vernon,
- and going into the interior for several miles; encountering the fire of
- picket-guards and posted sentries; returned in safety to the shore; and
- was brought off in the captain’s gig, under the fire of the rebel
- musketry.
- </p>
- <p>
- Jim had a wife and four children at that time still in Virginia. They
- belonged to the same man as Jim did. He was anxious to get them; yet it
- seemed impossible.
- </p>
- <p>
- One day in January, Jim came to the captain’s room, and asked for
- permission to be landed that evening on the Virginia side, as he wished to
- bring off his family. “Why, Jim,” said Capt. Magaw, “how will you be able
- to pass the pickets?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “I want to try, captain: I think I can get ‘em over safely,” meekly
- replied Jim.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Well, you have my permission;” and Capt. Magaw ordered one of the
- gunboats to land Jim that night on whatever part of the shore he
- designated, and return for him the following evening.
- </p>
- <p>
- True to his appointment, Jim was at the spot with his wife and family, and
- was taken on board the gunboat, and brought over to Liverpool Point, where
- Col. Graham had given them a log-house to live in, just back of his own
- quarters. Jim ran the gauntlet of the sentries unharmed, never taking to
- the roads, but keeping in the woods, every foot-path of which, and almost
- every tree, he knew from his boyhood up.
- </p>
- <p>
- Several weeks afterwards another reconnoissance was planned, and Jim sent
- on it. He returned in safety, and was highly complimented by Gens. Hooker,
- Sickles, and the entire flotilla.
- </p>
- <p>
- On Thursday, week ago, it became necessary to obtain correct information
- of the enemy’s movements. Since then, batteries at Shipping and Cockpit
- Points had been evacuated, and their troops moved to Fredericksburg. Jim
- was the man picked out for the occasion, by Gen. Sickles and Capt. Magaw.
- The general came down to Col. Graham’s quarters, about nine in the
- evening, and sent for Jim. There were present, the general, Col. Graham,
- and myself. Jim came into the colonel’s.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Jim.” said the general, “I want you to go over to Virginia to-night, and
- find out what forces they have at Aquia Creek and Fredericksburg. If you
- want any men to accompany you, pick them out.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “I know <i>two</i> men that would like to go,” Jim answered.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Well, get them, and be back as soon as possible.” Away went Jim over to
- the contraband camp, and, returning almost immediately, brought into our
- presence two very intelligent-looking darkies.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Are you all ready?” inquired the general.
- </p>
- <p>
- “All ready, sir,” the trio responded.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Well, here, Jim, you take my pistol,” said Gen. Sickles, unbuckling it
- from his belt; “and, if you are successful, I will give you $100.”
- </p>
- <p>
- Jim hoped he would be, and, bidding us good-by, started off for the
- gunboat “Satellite,” Capt. Foster, who landed them a short distance below
- the Potomac-Creek Batteries. They were to return early in the morning, but
- were unable, from the great distance they went in the interior. Long
- before daylight on Saturday morning, the gunboat was lying off at the
- appointed place. As the day dawned, Capt. Foster discovered a mounted
- picket-guard near the beach, and almost at the same instant saw Jim to the
- left of them, in the woods, sighting his gun at the rebel cavalry. He
- ordered the “gig” to be manned, and rowed to the shore. The rebels moved
- along slowly, thinking to intercept the boat, when Foster gave them a
- shell, which scattered them. Jim, with only one of his original
- companions, and two fresh contrabands, came on board. Jim had <i>lost the
- other</i>. He had been challenged by a picket when some distance in
- advance of Jim, and the negro, instead of answering the summons, fired the
- contents of Sickles’s revolver at the picket. It was an unfortunate
- occurrence; for at that time the entire picket-guard rushed out of a small
- house near the spot, and fired the contents of their muskets at Jim’s
- companion, killing him instantly. Jim and the other three hid themselves
- in a hollow, near a fence, and, after the pickets gave up pursuit, crept
- through the woods to the shore. From the close proximity of the rebel
- pickets, Jim could not display a light, which was the signal for Capt.
- Foster to send a boat.
- </p>
- <p>
- Capt. Foster, after hearing Jim’s story of the shooting of his companion,
- determined to avenge his death; so, steaming his vessel close in to the
- shore, he sighted his guns for a barn, where the rebel cavalry were hiding
- behind. He fired two shells: one went right through the barn, killing four
- of the rebels, and seven of their horses. Capt. Foster, seeing the effect
- of his shot, said to Jim, who stood by, “Well, Jim, I’ve avenged the death
- of poor Cornelius” (the name of Jim’s lost companion).
- </p>
- <p>
- Gen. Hooker has transmitted to the War Department an account of Jim’s
- reconnoissance to Fredericksburg, and unites with the army and navy
- stationed on the left wing of the Potomac, in the hope that the Government
- will present Jim with a fitting recompense for his gallant services.—<i>War
- Correspondent of the New-York Times</i>.
- </p>
- <p>
- On Thursday, beyond Charlestown, our pickets descried a solitary horseman,
- with a bucket on his arm, jogging soberly towards them. He proved to be a
- dark mulatto, of about thirty-five. As he approached, they ordered a halt.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Where are you from?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Southern Army, cap’n,” giving the military salute.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Where are you going?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Coming to yous all.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “What do you want?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Protection, boss. You won’t send me back, will you?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “No, come in. Whose servant are you?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Cap’n Rhett’s, of South Carliny: you’s heard of Mr. Barnwell Rhett,
- editor of ‘The Charleston Mercury’? His brother commands a battery.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “How did you get away?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Cap’n gove me fifteen dollars this morning, and said, ‘John, go out, and
- forage for butter and eggs.’ So you see, boss (with a broad grin), I’se
- out foraging! I pulled my hat over my eyes, and jogged along on the
- cap’n’s horse (see the brand S.C. on him?) with this basket on my arm,
- right by our guards and pickets. They never challenged me once. If they
- had, though, I brought the cap’n’s pass. And the new comer produced this
- document from his pocket-book, written in pencil, and carefully folded. I
- send you the original:—
- </p>
- <p>
- <i>“Pass my servant, John, on horseback, anywhere between Winchester and
- Martinsburg, in search of butter, &c., &e.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- <i>“A. BURNETT RHETT, Capt. Light Artillery, Lee’s Battalion.”</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- “Are there many negroes in the rebel corps?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Heaps, boss.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Would the most of them come to us if they could?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “All of them, cap’n. There isn’t a little pickanniny so high (waving his
- hand two feet from the ground) that wouldn’t.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Why did <i>you</i> expect protection?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Heard so in Maryland, before the Proclamation.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Where did you hear about the Proclamation?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Read it, air, in a Richmond paper.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “What is it?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “That every slave is to be emancipated on and after the thirteenth day of
- January. I can’t state it, boss.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Something like it. When did you learn to read?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “In ‘49, sir. I was head waiter at Mrs. Nevitt’s boarding-house in
- Savannah, and Miss Walcott, a New-York lady, who was stopping there,
- taught me.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Does your master know it?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Capt. Rhett doesn’t know it, sir; but he isn’t my master. He thinks I’m
- free, and hired me at twenty five dollars a month; but he never paid me
- any of it. I belong to Mrs. John Spring. She used to hire me out summers,
- and have me wait on her every winter, when she came South. After the war,
- she couldn’t come, and they were going to sell me for Government because I
- belonged to a Northerner. Sold a great many negroes in that way. But I
- slipped away to the army. Have tried to come to you twice before in
- Maryland, but couldn’t pass our pickets.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Were you at Antietam?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Yes, boss. Mighty hard battle!”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Who whipped?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Yous all, massa. They say you didn’t; but I saw it, and know. If you had
- fought us that next day,—Thursday,—you would have captured our
- whole army. They say so themselves.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Who?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Our officers, sir.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Did you ever hear of old John Brown?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Hear of <i>him?</i> Lord bless you, yes, boss: I’ve read his life, and
- have it now in my trunk in Charleston; sent to New York by the steward of
- ‘The James Adger,’ and got it. I’ve read it to heaps of the colored folks.
- Lord, they think John Brown was almost a god. Just say you was a friend of
- his, and any slave will almost kiss your feet, if you let him. They sav,
- if he was only alive now, he would be king. How it did frighten the white
- folks when he raised the insurrection! It was Sunday when we heard of it.
- They wouldn’t let a negro go into the streets. I was waiter at the Mills
- House in Charleston. There was a lady from Massachusetts, who came down to
- breakfast that morning at my table. ‘John,’ she says, ‘I want to see a
- negro church; where is the principal one?’ ‘Not any open to-day,
- mistress,’ I told her. ‘Why not?’ ‘Because a Mr. John Brown has raised an
- insurrection in Virginny.’ ‘Ah!’ she says; ‘well, they’d better look out,
- or they’ll get the white churches shut up in that way some of these days,
- too!’ Mr. Nicholson, one of the proprietors, was listening from the office
- to hear what she said. Wasn’t that lady watched after that? I have a
- History of San Domingo, too, and a Life of Fred. Douglass, in my trunk,
- that I got in the same way.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “What do the slaves think about the war?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Well, boss, they all wish the Yankee army would come. The white folks
- tell them all sorts of bad stories about you all; but they don’t believe
- them.”
- </p>
- <p>
- John was taken to Gen. McClellan, to whom he gave all the information he
- possessed about the position, numbers, and organization of the rebel army.
- His knowledge was full and valuable, and is corroborated by all the facts
- we have learned from other sources. The principal features of it I have
- already transmitted to you by telegraph. At the close of the interview, he
- asked anxiously,—
- </p>
- <p>
- “General, you won’t send me back, will you?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Yes,” replied the general, with a smile, “I believe I will.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “I hope you won’t, general. If you say so, I know I will have to go; but I
- come to yous all for protection, and I hope you won’t.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Well, then, I suppose we will not. No, John, you are at liberty to go
- where you please. Stay with the army, if you like. No one can ever take
- you against your will.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “May the Lord bless you, general. I <i>thought</i> you wouldn’t drive me
- out. You’s the best friend I ever had; I shall never forget you till I
- die.” And John made the salute, re-mounted his horse, and rode back to the
- rear, his dusky face almost white with radiance.
- </p>
- <p>
- An hour later, he was on duty as the servant of Capt. Batchelor,
- Quartermaster of Couch’s Second Division; and I do not believe there was
- another heart in our corps so light as his in the unwonted joy of freedom.—<i>New
- York Tribune.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER X—PROCLAMATIONS OF FREMONT AND HUNTER.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>Gen. Fremont’s Proclamation, and its Effect on the Public Mind.—Gen.
- Hunter’s Proclamation; the Feeling it created.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">W</span>hile the country
- seemed drifting to destruction, and the Administration without a policy,
- the heart of every loyal man was made glad by the appearance of the
- proclamation of Major-Gen. John C. Fremont, then in command at the West.
- The following extract from that document, which at the time caused so much
- discussion, will bear insertion here:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “All persons who shall be taken with arms in their hands within these
- lines shall be tried by court martial, and, if found guilty, will be shot.
- The property, real and personal, of all persons in the State of Missouri,
- who shall take up arms against the United States, or who shall be directly
- proven to have taken active part with their enemies in the field, is
- declared to be confiscated to the public use, and their slaves, if any
- they have, are hereby declared free men.”
- </p>
- <p>
- The above was the first official paper issued after the commencement of
- the war, that appeared to have the ring of the right kind of mettle. But
- while the public mind was being agitated upon its probable effect upon the
- Rebellion, a gloom was thrown over the whole community by the President’s
- removal of Gen. Fremont, and the annulling of the proclamation. This act
- of Mr. Lincoln gave unintentional “aid and comfort” to the enemy, and was
- another retrograde movement in the Way of crushing out the Rebellion.
- </p>
- <p>
- Gen. Fremont, before the arrival of the President’s letter, had given
- freedom to a number of slaves, in accordance with his proclamation. His
- mode of action may be seen in the following deed of manumission:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “Whereas, Thomas L. Snead, of the city and county of St. Louis, State of
- Missouri, has been taking an active part with the enemies of the United
- States, in the present insurrectionary movement against the Government of
- the United States; now, therefore, I, John Charles Fremont, Major-General
- commanding the Western Department of the Army of the United States, by
- authority of law, and the power vested in me as such commanding general,
- declare Hiram Reed, heretofore held to service or labor by Thomas L.
- Snead, to be free, and forever discharged from the bonds of servitude,
- giving him full right and authority to have, use, and control his own
- labor or service as to him may seem proper, without any accountability
- whatever to said Thomas L. Snead, or any one to claim by, through, or
- under him.
- </p>
- <p>
- “And this deed of manumission shall be respected and treated by all
- persons, and in all courts of justice, as the full and complete evidence
- of the freedom of said Hiram Reed.
- </p>
- <p>
- “In testimony whereof, this act is done at headquarters of the Western
- Department of the Army of the United States, in the city of St. Louis,
- State of Missouri, on this twelfth day of September, A.D. eighteen hundred
- and sixty-one, as is evidenced by the Departmental Seal hereto affixed by
- my order.
- </p>
- <h3>
- “J. C. FREMONT,
- </h3>
- <p>
- “<i>Major-General Commanding.</i>”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Done at the office of the Provost-Marshal, in the city of St. Louis, the
- twelfth day of September, A.D. eighteen hundred and sixty-one, at nine
- o’clock in the evening of said day.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Witness my hand and seal of office-hereto affixed.
- </p>
- <p>
- “J. McKINSTRY,
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>Brigadier-General, Provost-Marshal</i>.”
- </p>
- <p>
- The agitation in the public mind on account of the proclamation and its
- annulment, great as it was, was soon surpassed by one still more bold and
- sweeping from Major-Gen. David Hunter, in the following language, issued
- from his headquarters, at Hilton Head, S.C., on the 9th of May:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “Headquarters Department of the South, Hilton Head, S.C., May 9, 1802.
- </p>
- <p>
- “General Orders, No. 11:
- </p>
- <p>
- “The three States of Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, comprising the
- Military Department of the South, having deliberately declared themselves
- no longer under the protection of the United States of America, and having
- taken up arms against the said United States, it became a military
- necessity to declare them under martial law. This was accordingly done on
- the 25th day of April, 1862. Slavery and martial law in a free country are
- altogether incompatible. The persons in these three States, Georgia,
- Florida, and South Carolina, heretofore held as slaves, are therefore
- declared forever free.
- </p>
- <h3>
- “DAVID HUNTER,
- </h3>
- <p>
- “<i>Major-General Commanding.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- “[Official.]
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>Ed. W. Smith, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.</i>”
- </p>
- <p>
- But, before Mr. Lincoln was officially informed of the issuing of the
- above order, he made haste to annul it in the terms following: “That
- neither Gen. Hunter nor any other commander or person has been authorized
- by the Government of the United States to make proclamation declaring the
- slaves of any State free; and that the supposed proclamation now in
- question, whether genuine or false, is altogether void, so far as respects
- such declaration.
- </p>
- <p>
- “I further make known, that, whether it be competent for me, as
- Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, to declare the slaves of any
- State or States free, and whether at any time or in any case it shall have
- become a necessity indispensable to the maintenance of the Government to
- exercise such supposed power, are questions which, under my
- responsibility, I reserve to myself, and which I cannot feel justified in
- leaving to the decision of commanders in the field.”
- </p>
- <p>
- These words of the President were hailed with cheers by the proslavery
- press of the North, and carried comfort to the hearts of the rebels;
- although the Chief-Magistrate did not intend either. However, before the
- President’s proclamation reached Carolina, Gen. Hunter was furnishing
- slaves with free papers, of which the succeeding is a copy:—
- </p>
- <h3>
- “DEED OF EMANCIPATION.
- </h3>
- <p>
- “It having been proven, to the entire satisfaction of the general
- commanding the Department of the South, that the bearer, named————————,
- heretofore held in involuntary servitude, has been directly employed to
- aid and assist those in rebellion against the United States of America.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Now, be it known to all, that, agreeably to the laws, I declare the said
- person free, and forever absolved from all claims to his services. Both he
- and his wife and children have full right to go North, East, or West, as
- they may decide.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Given under my hand, at the Headquarters of the Department of the South,
- this nineteenth day of April, 1862.
- </p>
- <h3>
- “D. HUNTER,
- </h3>
- <p>
- “<i>Major-General Commanding.</i>”
- </p>
- <p>
- The words, “forever free,” sounded like a charm upon the ears of the
- oppressed, and seemed to give hopes of a policy that would put down the
- Rebellion, and leave the people untrammelled with slavery.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- “God’s law of compensation worketh sure,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- So we may know the right shall aye endure!
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- ‘<i>Forever free!</i>’ God! how the pulse doth bound
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- At the high, glorious, Heaven-prompted sound
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- That greets our ears from Carolina’s shore!
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- ‘<i>Forever free!</i>’ and slavery is no more!
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Ere time the hunter followed up the slave;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- But now a Hunter, noble, true, and brave,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Proclaims the right, to each who draws a breath,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- To lift himself from out a living death,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And plant his feet on Freedom’s happy soil,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Content to take her wages for his toil,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And look to God, the author of his days,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- For food and raiment, sounding forth His praise.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- Deep indeed was the impression left upon the public mind by the orders of
- both Fremont and Hunter; and they hastened the policy which the President
- eventually adopted, to the great gratification of the friends of freedom
- everywhere.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XI—HEROISM OF NEGROES ON THE HIGH SEAS.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>Heroism of Negroes.—William Tillman re-captures “The S. G.
- Waring.”—George Green.—Robert Small captures the Steamer
- “Planter.”—Admiral Dupont’s Opinion on Negro Patriotism.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">I</span>n the month of
- June, 1861, the schooner “S. J. Waring,” from New York, bound to South
- America, was captured on the passage by the rebel privateer “Jeff. Davis,”
- a prize-crew put on board, consisting of a captain, mate, and four seamen;
- and the vessel set sail for the port of Charleston, S.C. Three of the
- original crew were retained on board, a German as steersman, a Yankee who
- was put in irons, and a black man named William Tillman, the steward and
- cook of the schooner. The latter was put to work at his usual business,
- and told that he was henceforth the property of the Confederate States,
- and would be sold, on his arrival at Charleston, as a slave. Night comes
- on; darkness covers the sea; the vessel is gliding swiftly towards the
- South; the rebels, one after another, retire to their berths; the hour of
- midnight approaches; all is silent in the cabin; the captain is asleep;
- the mate, who has charge of the watch, takes his brandy toddy, and
- reclines upon the quarter-deck. The negro thinks of home and all its
- endearments: he sees in the dim future chains and slavery.
- </p>
- <p>
- He resolves, and determines to put the resolution into practice upon the
- instant. Armed with a heavy club, he proceeds to the captain’s’room. He
- strikes ‘the fatal blow: he feels the pulse, and all is still. He next
- goes to the adjoining room: another blow is struck, and the black man is
- master of the cabin. Cautiously he ascends to the deck, strikes the mate:
- the officer is wounded but not killed. He draws his revolver, and calls
- for help. The crew are aroused: they are hastening to aid their commander.
- The negro repeats his blows with the heavy club: the rebel falls dead at
- Tillman’s feet. The African seizes the revolver, drives the crew below
- deck, orders the release of the Yankee, puts the enemy in irons, and
- proclaims himself master of the vessel.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The Waring’s” head is turned towards New York, with the stars and stripes
- flying, a fair wind, and she rapidly retraces her steps. A storm comes up:
- more men are needed to work the ship. Tillman orders the rebels to be
- unchained, and brought on deck. The command is obeyed; and they are put to
- work, but informed, that, if they show any disobedience, they will be shot
- down. Five days more, and “The S. J. Waring” arrives in the port of New
- York, under the command of William Tillman, the negro patriot.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The New-York Tribune” said of this event,—
- </p>
- <p>
- “To this colored man was the nation indebted for the first vindication of
- its honor on the sea.” Another public journal spoke of that achievement
- alone as an offset to the defeat of the Federal arms at Bull Run.
- Unstinted praise from all parties, even those who are usually awkward in
- any other vernacular than derision of the colored man, has been awarded to
- this colored man. At Barnum’s Museum he was the centre of attractive gaze
- to daily increasing thousands. Pictorials vied with each other in
- portraying his features, and in graphic delineations of the scene on board
- the brig; while, in one of them, Tillman has been sketched as an
- embodiment of black action on the sea, in contrast with some delinquent
- Federal officer as white inaction on land.
- </p>
- <p>
- The Federal Government awarded to Tillman the sum of six thousand dollars
- as prize-money for the capture of the schooner. All loyal journals joined
- in praise of the heroic act; and, even when the news reached England, the
- negro’s bravery was applauded. A few weeks later, and the same rebel
- privateer captured the schooner “Enchantress,” bound from Boston to St.
- Jago, while off Nantucket Shoals. A prize-crew was put on board, and, as
- in the case of “The Waring,” retaining the colored steward; and the vessel
- set sail for a Southern port. When off Cape Hatteras, she was overtaken by
- the Federal gunboat “Albatross,” Capt. Prentice.
- </p>
- <p>
- On speaking her, and demanding where from and whence bound, she replied,
- “Boston, for St. Jago.” At this moment the negro rushed from the galley,
- where the pirates had secreted him, <i>and jumped into the sea</i>,
- exclaiming, “They are a privateer crew from The ‘Jeff. Davis,’ and bound
- for Charleston!” The negro was picked up, and taken on board “The
- Albatross.” The prize was ordered to heave to, which she did. Lieut.
- Neville jumped aboard of her, and ordered the pirates into the boats, and
- to pull for “The Albatross,” where they were secured in irons. “The
- Enchantress” was then taken in tow by “The Albatross,” and arrived in
- Hampton Loads. On the morning of the 13th of May, 1862, the rebel gunboat
- “Planter” was captured by her colored crew, while lying in the port of
- Charleston, S.C., and brought out, and delivered over to our squadron then
- blockading the place. The following is the dispatch from Com. Dupont to
- the Secretary of War, announcing the fact:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “U. S. Steamship Augusta, off Charleston, May 13, 1862.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Sir,—I have the honor to inform you that the rebel armed gunboat
- ‘Planter’ was brought out to us this morning from Charleston by eight
- contrabands, and delivered up to the squadron. Five colored women and
- three children are also on board. She was the armed despatch and
- transportation steamer attached to the engineer department at Charleston,
- under Brig.-Gen. Ripley. At four in the morning, in the absence of the
- captain who was on shore, she left her wharf close to the government
- office and head-quarters, with the Palmetto and confederate flags flying,
- and passed the successive forts, saluting as usual, by blowing the
- steam-whistle. After getting beyond the range of the last gun, they hauled
- down the rebel flags, and hoisted a white one. ‘The Onward’ was the inside
- ship of the blockading squadron in the main channel, and was preparing to
- fire when her commander made out the white flag.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The armament of the steamer is a thirty-two pounder, on pivot, and a fine
- twenty-four-pound howitzer. She has, besides, on her deck, four other
- guns, one seven-inch, rifled, which were to be taken on the following
- morning to a new fort on the middle ground. One of the four belonged! to
- Fort Sumter, and had been struck, in the rebel attack, on the muzzle.
- Robert Small, the intelligent slave; and pilot of the boat, who performed
- this bold feat so skilfully, is a superior man to any who have come into
- our lines; intelligent as many of them have been. His in formation: has
- been most interesting, and portions of it of the utmost importance. The
- steamer is quite a valuable acquisition to the squadron by her good
- machinery and very light draught. The bringing out of this steamer would
- have done credit to any one. I do not know whether, in the view of the
- Government, the vessel will be considered a prize; but, if so, I
- respectfully submit to the Department the claims of the man Small and his
- associates. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant,
- </p>
- <h3>
- “S. F. DUPONT,
- </h3>
- <p>
- “<i>Flag-Officer Commanding.</i>”
- </p>
- <p>
- The New-York “Commercial Advertiser” said of the capture, “We are forced
- to confess that this is a heroic act, and that the negroes deserve great
- praise. Small is a middle-aged negro, and his features betray nothing of
- the firmness of character he displayed. He is said to be one of the most
- skilful pilots of Charleston, and to have a thorough knowledge of all the
- ports and inlets of South Carolina.”
- </p>
- <p>
- A bill was introduced in Congress to give the prize to Robert Small and
- his companions; and, while it was under consideration, the “New-York
- Tribune” made the following timely remarks: “If we must still remember
- with humiliation that the Confederate flag yet waves where our national
- colors were struck, we should be all the more prompt to recognize the
- merit that has put in our possession the first trophy from Fort Sumter.
- And the country should feel doubly humbled if there is not magnanimity
- enough to acknowledge a gallant action, because it was the head of a black
- man that conceived, and the hand of a black man that executed it. It would
- better, indeed, become us to remember that no small share of the naval
- glory of the war belongs to the race which we have forbidden to fight for
- us; that one negro has captured a vessel from a Southern privateer, and
- another has brought away from under the very guns of the enemy, where no
- fleet of ours has yet dared to venture, a prize whose possession a
- commodore thinks worthy to be announced in a special despatch.” The bill
- was taken up, passed both branches of Congress, and Robert Small, together
- with his associates, received justice at the hands of the American
- Government.
- </p>
- <p>
- The “New-York Herald” gave the following account of the capture:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “One of the most daring and heroic adventures since the war commenced was
- undertaken and successfully accomplished by a party of negroes in
- Charleston on Monday night last. Nine colored men, comprising the pilot,
- engineers, and crew of the rebel gunboat ‘Planter,’ took the vessel under
- their exclusive control, passed the batteries and forts in Charleston
- Harbor, hoisted the white flag, ran out to the blockading squadron, and
- thence to Port Royal, <i>via</i> St. Helena Sound and Broad River,
- reaching the flagship ‘Wabash’ shortly after ten o’clock last evening.
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘The Planter’ is just such a vessel as is needed to navigate the shallow
- waters between Hilton Head and the adjacent islands, and will prove almost
- invaluable to the Government. It is proposed, I hear, by the commodore, to
- recommend the appropriation of $20,000 as a reward to the plucky Africans
- who have distinguished themselves by this gallant service, $5,000 to be
- given to the pilot, and the remainder to be divided among his companions.
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘The Planter’ is a high-pressure, side-wheel steamer, one hundred and
- forty feet in length, and about fifty feet beam, and draws about five feet
- of water. She was built in Charleston, was formerly used as a cotton boat,
- and is capable of carrying about 1,400 bales. On the organization of the
- Confederate navy, she was transformed into a gunboat, and was the most
- valuable war-vessel the Confederates had at Charleston. Her armament
- consisted of one thirty-two-pound rifle-gun forward, and a
- twenty-four-pound howitzer aft. Besides, she had on board, when she came
- into the harbor, one seven-inch rifle-gun, one eight-inch columbiad, one
- eight-inch howitzer, one long thirty-two pounder, and about two hundred
- rounds of ammunition, which had been consigned to Fort Ripley, and which
- would have been delivered at that fortification on Tuesday had not the
- designs of the rebel authorities been frustrated. She was commanded by
- Capt. Relay, of the Confederate Navy, all the other employees of the
- vessel, excepting the first and second mates, being persons of color.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Robert Small, with whom I had a brief interview at Gen. Benham’s
- headquarters this morning, is an intelligent negro, born in Charleston,
- and employed for many years as a pilot in and about that harbor. He
- entered upon his duties on board ‘The Planter’ some six weeks since, and,
- as he told me, adopted the idea of running the vessel to sea from a joke
- which one of his companions perpetrated. He immediately cautioned the crew
- against alluding to the matter in any way on board the boat; but asked
- them, if they wanted to talk it up in sober earnestness, to meet at his
- house, where they would devise and determine upon a plan to place
- themselves under the protection of the Stars and Stripes, instead of the
- stars and bars. Various plans were proposed; but finally the whole
- arrangement of the escape was left to the discretion and sagacity of
- Robert, his companions promising to obey him, and be ready at a moment’s
- notice to accompany him. For three days he kept the provisions of the
- party secreted in the hold, awaiting an opportunity to slip away. At
- length, on Monday evening, the white officers of the vessel went on shore
- to spend the night, Intending to start on the following morning for Fort
- Ripley, and to be absent from the city for some days. The families of the
- contrabands were notified, and came stealthily on board. At about three
- o’clock, the fires were lit under the boilers, and the vessel steamed
- quietly away down the harbor. The tide was against her, and Fort Sumter
- was not reached till broad daylight. However, the boat passed directly
- under its walls, giving the usual signal—two long pulls and a jerk
- at the whistle-cord—as she passed the sentinel.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Once out of range of the rebel guns, the white flag was raised, and ‘The
- Planter’ steamed directly for the blockading steamer ‘Augusta.’ Capt.
- Parrott, of the latter vessel, as you may imagine, received them
- cordially, heard their report, placed Acting-Master Watson, of his ship,
- in charge of ‘The Planter,’ and sent the Confederate gunboat and crew
- forward to Commodore Dupont.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XII—GENERAL BUTLER AT NEW ORLEANS.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>Recognition of Negro Soldiers with Officers of their own Color.—Society
- in New Orleans.—The Inhuman Master.—Justice.—Change of
- Opinion.—The Free Colored Population.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">W</span>hen Major-Gen.
- Butler found himself in possession of New Orleans, he was soon satisfied
- of the fact that there were but few loyalists amongst the whites, while
- the Union feeling of the colored people was apparent from the hour of his
- landing; they having immediately called upon the commander, and, through a
- committee, offered their services in behalf of the Federal cause. Their
- offer was accepted, as the following will show:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, Aug. 22, 1862.
- </p>
- <p>
- “General Order, No. 63:
- </p>
- <p>
- “Whereas, on the twenty-third day of April, in the year eighteen hundred
- and sixty-one, at a public meeting of the free colored population of the
- city of New Orleans, a military organization, known as the ‘Native Guards’
- (colored), had its existence, which military organization was duly and
- legally enrolled as a part of the military of the State, its officers
- being commissioned by Thomas O. Moore, Governor, and Commander- in-Chief
- of the Militia, of the State of Louisiana, in the form following, that is
- to say:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘The State of Louisiana.
- </p>
- <p>
- [Seal of the State.]
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘By Thomas Overton Moore, Governor of the State of Louisiana, and
- Commander-in-Chief of the Militia thereof.
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘In the name and by the authority of the State of Louisiana:
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘Know ye that————————,
- having been duly and legally elected Captain of the “Native Guards”
- (colored), First Division of the Militia of Louisiana, to serve for the
- term of the war,
- </p>
- <p>
- “I do hereby appoint and commission him Captain as aforesaid, to take rank
- as such, from the second day of May, 1861.
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘He is, therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge the duties of
- his office, by doing and performing all manner of things thereto
- belonging. And I do strictly charge and require all officers,
- non-commissioned officers, and privates under his command to be obedient
- to his orders as Captain; and he is to observe and follow such orders and
- directions, from time to time, as he shall receive from me, or the future
- Governor of the State of Louisiana, or other superior officers, according
- to the Rules and Articles of War, and in conformity to law.
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘In testimony whereof, I have caused these letters to be made patent, and
- the seal of the State to be hereunto annexed.
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘Given under my hand, at the city of Baton Rouge, on the second day of
- May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘(Signed)
- </p>
- <h3>
- “‘THOMAS O. MOORE.
- </h3>
- <p>
- “‘By the Governor.
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘P. D. HARDY, <i>Secretary of State</i>.”
- </p>
- <h3>
- [INDORSED.]
- </h3>
- <p>
- “‘I, Maurice Grivot, Adjutant and Inspector-General of the State of
- Louisiana, do hereby certify that————————,
- named in the within commission, did, on the twenty-second day of May, in
- the year 1861, deposit In my office his written acceptance of the office
- to which he is commissioned, and his oath of office taken according to
- law.
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘M. GRIVOT‘“<i>Adjutant and Inspector-General La</i>.’
- </p>
- <p>
- “And whereas such military organization elicited praise and respect, and
- was complimented in general orders for its patriotism and loyalty, and was
- ordered to continue during the war, in the words following:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘Headquarters Louisiana Militia,
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘Adjutant-General’s Office, Mardi 24, 1862.
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘Order No. 426:
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘I, The Governor and Commander-in-Chief, relying implicitly upon the
- loyalty of the free colored population of the city and State, for the
- protection of their homes, their property, and for Southern rights, from
- the pollution of a ruthless invader, and believing that the military
- organization which existed prior to the 15th February, 1862, and elicited
- praise and respect for the patriotic motives which prompted it, should
- exist for and during the war, calls upon them to maintain their
- organization, and hold themselves prepared for such orders as may be
- transmitted to them.
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘II. The colonel commanding will report without delay to Major-Gen.
- Lewis, commanding State Militia.
- </p>
- <p>
- “’ By order of
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘THOS. O. MOORE, <i>Governor</i>.
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘31. GRIVOT, <i>Adjutant-General</i>.’
- </p>
- <p>
- “And whereas said military organization, by the same order, was directed
- to report to Major-Gen. Lewis for service, but did not leave the city of
- New Orleans when he did:
- </p>
- <p>
- “Now, therefore, the commanding-general, believing that a large portion of
- this military force of the State of Louisiana are willing to take service
- in the volunteer forces of the United States, and be enrolled and
- organized to ‘defend their homes from ruthless invaders;’ to protect their
- wives and children and kindred from wrongs and outrages; to shield their
- property from being seized by bad men; and to defend the flag of their
- native country as their fathers did under Jackson at Chalmette against
- Packingham and his myrmidons, carrying the black flag of ‘beauty and
- booty’.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Appreciating their motives, relying upon their ‘well-known loyalty and
- patriotism,’ and with ‘praise and respect’ for these brave men, it is
- ordered that all the members of the ‘Native Guards’ aforesaid, and all
- other free colored citizens recognized by the first and late governor and
- authorities of the State of Louisiana as a portion of the militia of the
- State, who shall enlist in the volunteer service of the United States,
- shall be duly organized by the appointment of proper officers, and
- accepted, paid, equipped, armed, and rationed as are other volunteer corps
- of the United States, subject to the approval of the President of the
- United States. All such persons are required to report themselves at the
- Touro Charity Building, Front Levee Street, New Orleans, where proper
- officers will muster them into the service of the United States.
- </p>
- <p>
- “By command of
- </p>
- <p>
- “R. S. DAVIS, <i>Captain and A.A.A.G.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>Major-Gen. BUTLER</i>.”
- </p>
- <p>
- The commanding general soon discovered that he was amongst a different
- people from those with whom he had been accustomed to associate. New
- Orleans, however, though captured was not subdued. The city had been for
- years the headquarters and focus of all Southern rowdyism. An immense
- crowd of “loafers,” many without regular occupation or means, infested the
- streets, controlled the ballot-boxes, nominated the judges, selected the
- police, and affected to rule every one except a few immensely wealthy
- planters, who governed them by money. These rowdies had gradually
- dissolved society, till New Orleans had become the most blood-thirsty city
- in the world; a city where every man went armed, where a sharp word was
- invariably answered by a stab, and where the average of murdered men taken
- to one hospital was three a day. The mob were bitter advocates of slavery,
- held all Yankees in abhorrence, and guided by the astute brain of Pierre
- Soulé, whilom ambassador to Spain, resolved to contest with Gen. Butler
- the right to control the city. They might as well have contested it with
- Bonaparte. The first order issued by the general indicated a policy from
- which he never swerved. The mob had surrounded the St. Charles Hotel,
- threatening an attack on the building, then the general’s headquarters;
- and Gen. Williams, commanding the troops round it, reported that he would
- be unable to control the mob. “Gen. Butler, in his serenest manner,
- replied, ‘Give my compliments to Gen. Williams, and tell him, if he finds
- he cannot control the mob, to open upon them with artillery.’” The mob did
- that day endeavor to seize Judge Summers, the Recorder; and he was only
- saved by the determined courage of Lieut. Kinsman, in command of an armed
- party. From this moment the general assumed the attitude he never
- abandoned, that of master of New Orleans, making his own will the law. He
- at first retained the municipal organization; but, finding the officials
- incurably hostile, he sent them to Fort Lafayette, and thenceforward ruled
- alone, feeding the people, re-establishing trade, maintaining public
- order, and seeing that negroes obtained some reasonable measure of
- security. Their evidence was admitted, “Louisiana having, when she went
- out of the Union, taken her black code with her;” the whipping-house was
- abolished, and all forms of torture sternly prohibited.
- </p>
- <p>
- The following interesting narrative, given by a correspondent of “The
- Atlantic Monthly,” will show, to some extent, the scenes which Gen. Butler
- had to pass through in connection with slavery:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “One Sunday morning, late last summer, as I came down to the
- breakfast-room, I was surprised to find a large number of persons
- assembled in the library.
- </p>
- <p>
- “When I reached the door, a member of the staff took me by the arm, and
- drew me into a room toward a young and delicate mulatto girl, who was
- standing against the opposite wall, with the meek, patient bearing of her
- race, so expressive of the system of repression to which they have been so
- long subjected.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Drawing down the border of her dress, my conductor showed me a sight more
- revolting than I trust ever again to behold.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The poor girl’s back was flayed until the quivering flesh resembled a
- fresh beefsteak scorched on a gridiron. With a cold chill creeping through
- my veins, I turned away from the sickening spectacle, and, for an
- explanation of the affair, scanned the various persons about the room.
- </p>
- <p>
- “In the centre of the group, at his writing-table, sat the general. His
- head rested on his hand, and he was evidently endeavoring to fix his
- attention upon the remarks of a tall, swarthy-looking man who stood
- opposite, and who, I soon discovered, was the owner of the girl, and was
- attempting a defence of the foul outrage he had committed upon the
- unresisting and helpless person of his unfortunate victim, who stood
- smarting, but silent, under the dreadful pain inflicted by the brutal
- lash.
- </p>
- <p>
- “By the side of the slave-holder stood our adjutant-general, his face
- livid with almost irrepressible rage, and his fists tight clenched, as if
- to violently restrain himself from visiting the guilty wretch with summary
- and retributive justice. Disposed about the room, in various attitudes,
- but all exhibiting in their countenances the same mingling of horror and
- indignation, were other members of the staff; while near the door stood
- three or four house-servants, who were witnesses in the case.
- </p>
- <p>
- “To the charge of having administered the inhuman castigation, Landry (the
- owner of the girl) pleaded guilty, but urged, in extenuation, that the
- girl had dared to make an effort for that freedom which her instincts,
- drawn from the veins of her abuser, had taught her was the God-given right
- of all who possess the germ of immortality, no matter what the color of
- the casket in which it is hidden.
- </p>
- <p>
- “I say ‘drawn from the veins of her abuser,’ because she declared she was
- his daughter; and everyone in the room, looking upon the man and woman
- confronting each other, confessed that the resemblance justified the
- assertion.
- </p>
- <p>
- “At the conclusion of all the evidence in the case, the general continued
- in the same position as before, and remained for some time apparently lost
- in abstraction. I shall never forget the singular expression on his face.
- </p>
- <p>
- “I had been accustomed to see him in a storm of passion at any instance of
- oppression or flagrant injustice; but, on this occasion, he was too deeply
- affected to obtain relief in the usual way.
- </p>
- <p>
- “His whole air was one of dejection, almost listlessness; his indignation
- too intense, and his anger too stern, to find expression, even in his
- countenance. After sitting in the mood which I have described at such
- length, the general again turned to the prisoner, and said, in a quiet,
- subdued tone of voice,—
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘Mr. Landry, I dare not trust myself to decide to-day what punishment
- would be meet for your offence; for I am in that state of mind that I fear
- I might exceed the strict demands of justice. I shall therefore place you
- under guard for the present, until I conclude upon your sentence.’
- </p>
- <p>
- “A few days after, a number of influential citizens having represented to
- the general that Mr. Landry was not only a ‘high-toned gentleman,’ but a
- person of unusual ‘amiability’ of character, and was consequently entitled
- to no small degree of leniency, he answered, that, in consideration of the
- prisoner’s ‘high-toned’ character, and especially of his ‘amiability,’ of
- which he had seen so remarkable a proof, he had determined to meet their
- views; and therefore ordered that Landry give a deed of manumission to the
- girl, and pay a fine of five hundred dollars, to be placed in the hands of
- a trustee for her benefit.”
- </p>
- <p>
- It was scenes like the above that changed Gen. Butler’s views upon the
- question of slavery; for it cannot be denied, that, during the first few
- weeks of his command in New Orleans, he had a controversy with Gen.
- Phelps, owing to the latter’s real antislavery feelings. Soon after his
- arrival, Gen. Butler gave orders that all negroes not needed for service
- should be removed from the camps. The city was sealed against their
- escape. Even secession masters were assured that their property, if not
- employed, should be returned. It is said that pledges of reimbursement for
- loss of labor were made to such. Gen. Phelps planted himself on the side
- of the slave; would not exile them from his camp; branded as cruel the
- policy that harbored, and then drove out the slave to the inhuman revenge
- that awaited him.
- </p>
- <p>
- Yet the latter part of Gen. Butler’s reign compensated for his earlier
- faults. It must be remembered, that, when he landed in New Orleans, he was
- fresh from Washington, where the jails were filled with fugitive slaves,
- awaiting the claim of their masters; where the return of the escaped
- bondman was considered a military duty. Then how could he be expected to
- do better? The stream cannot rise higher than the spring.
- </p>
- <p>
- His removal from the Department of the Gulf, on account of the crushing
- blows which he gave the “peculiar institution,” at once endeared him to
- the hearts of the friends of impartial freedom throughout the land.
- </p>
- <p>
- The following imitation of Leigh Hunt’s celebrated poem is not out of
- place here:—
- </p>
- <h3>
- “ABOU BEN BUTLER.”
- </h3>
- <p class="indent15">
- “Abou Ben Butler (may his tribe increase! )
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Awoke one night down by the old Balize,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And saw, outside the comfort of his room,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Making it warmer for the gathering gloom,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- A black man, shivering in the Winter’s cold.
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Exceeding courage made Ben Butler bold;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And to the presence in the dark lie said,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- “What wantest thou?” The figure raised its head,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And, with a look made of all sad accord,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Answered, “The men who’ll serve the purpose of the Lord.”
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- “And am I one?” said Butler. “Nay, not so,”
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Replied the black man. Butler spoke more low,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- But cheerly still, and said, “As <i>I am Ben</i>,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- You’ll not have cause to tell me that again!”
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- The figure bowed and vanished. The next night
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- It came once more, environed strong in light,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And showed the names whom love of Freedom blessed;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And, lo! Ben Butler’s name led all the rest.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- —<i>Boston Transcript.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- It is probably well known that the free colored population of New Orleans,
- in intelligence, public spirit, and material wealth, surpass those of the
- same class in any other city of the Union. Many of these gentlemen have
- been highly educated, have travelled extensively in this and foreign
- countries, speak and read the French, Spanish, and English languages
- fluently, and in the Exchange Rooms, or at the Stock Boards, wield an
- influence at anytime fully equal to the same number of white capitalists.
- Before the war, they represented in that city alone fifteen millions of
- property, and were heavily taxed to support the schools of the State, but
- were not allowed to claim the least benefit therefrom.
- </p>
- <p>
- These gentlemen, representing so much intelligence, culture, and wealth,
- and who would, notwithstanding the fact that they all have negro blood in
- their veins, adorn any circle of society in the North, who would be taken
- upon Broadway for educated and wealthy Cuban planters, rather than free
- negroes, although many of them have themselves held slaves, have always
- been loyal to the Union; and, when New Orleans seemed in danger of being
- re-captured by the rebels under Gen. Magruder, these colored men rose <i>en
- masse</i>, closed their offices and stores, armed and organized themselves
- into six regiments, and for six weeks abandoned their business, and stood
- ready to fight for the defence of New Orleans, while, at the same time,
- not a single white regiment from the original white inhabitants was
- raised.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XIII—THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FREE.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>Emancipation in the District.—Comments of the Press.—The
- Good Result.—Recognition of Hayti and Liberia.—The
- Slave-trader Gordon.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">F</span>or many years
- previous to the Rebellion, efforts had been made to induce Congress to
- abolish slavery in the District of Columbia, without success. The
- “negro-pens” which adorned that portion of the national domain had long
- made Americans feel ashamed of the capital of their country; because it
- was well known that those pens were more or less connected with the
- American slave-trade, which, in its cruelty, was as bad as that of the
- African slave-trade, if not worse. It was expected, even by the democracy,
- that one of the first acts of the Republicans on coming into office would
- be the emancipation of the slaves of the District; and therefore no one
- was surprised at its being brought forward in the earliest part of Mr.
- Lincoln’s administration. The bill was introduced into the Senate by Hon.
- Henry Wilson of Massachusetts. Its discussion caused considerable
- excitement among slave-holders, who used every means to prevent its
- passage. Nevertheless, after going through the Senate, it passed the House
- on the 11th of April, 1862, by a large majority, and soon received the
- sanction of the President. The Copperhead press howled over the doings of
- Congress, and appeared to see the fate of the institution in this act. The
- “Louisville Journal” said,—
- </p>
- <p>
- “The President, contrary to our most earnest hopes, has approved the bill
- for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia.
- </p>
- <p>
- “We need hardly say that the President’s reasons for approving the bill
- are not, in our opinion, such as should have governed him at this
- extraordinary juncture of the national history. They are not to us
- sufficient reasons. On the contrary, we think they weigh as nothing
- compared with the grave reasons in the opposite scale.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The enemies of the country will no doubt attempt so to use the act by
- representing it as the first step towards the abolition of slavery in the
- States; but this representation, if made, will be a very gross
- misrepresentation. The Republicans, as a body, our readers know full well,
- always declared that Congress had the constitutional power to abolish
- slavery in the District of Columbia, and that Congress ought to exercise
- the power. They, however, have always declared, with the same unanimity,
- that Congress does not possess the constitutional power to interfere with
- slavery in the States. And they now declare so with especial distinctness
- and solemnity.
- </p>
- <p>
- “We, of course, except from the scope of the remarks we have now made such
- abolitionists as Sumner and his scattered followers in Congress. With the
- exception of these few <i>raving zealots, of whom most Republicans are
- heartily ashamed,</i> the men who voted to abolish slavery in the District
- of Columbia avow themselves as resolutely opposed to interfering with
- slavery in the States as the men who voted against the measure are known
- to be. Their avowals are distinct and emphatic.
- </p>
- <p>
- “We hope that the majority in Congress are at length through with such
- tricks, and will henceforth leave in peace the myrtle of party eye-sores,
- while they split the oak of the Rebellion.”
- </p>
- <p>
- However, the predictions and hopes of the “Journal” were not to avail any
- thing for the slavemongers. The Rebellion had sounded the death-knell of
- the crime of crimes. Too many brave men had already fallen by the hands of
- the upholders of the barbarous system to have it stop there. The God of
- liberty had proclaimed that—
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- “In this, the District where my Temple stands,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- I burst indignant every captive’s bands;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Here in my home my glorious work begin;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Then blush no more each day to see this sin.
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Thus finding room to freely breathe and stand,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- I’ll stretch my sceptre over all the land,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Until, unfettered, leaps the waiting slave,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And echoes back the blessings of the brave.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- The “Press,” Forney’s paper, spoke thus, a few days after slavery had died
- in the District:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “The emancipation of slaves in the District of Columbia was one of the
- most suggestive events of the age. It was an example and an illustration.
- The great idea of the past century, the idea which had associated and
- identified itself with our institutions, was at last tried by a practical
- test. Good results came from it; none of the evils dreaded and prophesied
- have been manifested. It was a simple measure of legislative policy, and
- was established amid great opposition and feeling. Yet it was succeeded by
- no agitation, no outbreaks of popular prejudice. The District of Columbia
- is now a free Territory by the easy operation of a statute law,—by
- what enemies of the measure called forcible emancipation; and yet the
- District of Columbia is as pleasant and as prosperous as at any period of
- its history. There has been no negro saturnalia, no violent outbreak of
- social disorder, no attempt to invade those barriers of social distinction
- that must forever exist between the African and Anglo-Saxon [?]. It was
- said that property would depreciate; that there would be excesses and
- violences; that the negro would become insolent and unbearable; that the
- city of Washington would become a desolated metropolis; that negro labor
- would become valueless; that hundreds of the emancipated negroes would
- flock to the Northern States. We have seen no such results as yet; we know
- that nothing of the kind is anticipated. We have yet to hear of the first
- emancipated negro coming to Philadelphia. Labor moves on in its accustomed
- way, with the usual supply and demand. We do not think a white woman has
- been insulted by an emancipated negro; we are confident that no
- emancipated negro has sought the hand of any fair damsel of marriageable
- age and condition.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Society is the same in Maryland and Kentucky. In accomplishing
- emancipation in the District of Columbia, we have shown the timid that
- their fears were but of the imagination, the mere prejudices of education.
- Slavery has been the cancer of the Southern social system. We employ an
- old metaphor, perhaps, but it is a forcible and appropriate illustration.
- It rooted itself into the body of Southern society, attacking the glands,
- terminating in an ill-conditioned and deep disease, and causing the
- republic excruciating pain. It became schirrous and indurated. It brought
- disaster and grief upon them, and the sorest of evils upon us. It brought
- us blood and civil war, ruined commerce and desolated fields, blockaded
- ports, and rivers that swarm with gunboats instead of merchant vessels. It
- was tolerated as a necessary evil, until its extent and virulence made it
- incumbent upon us to terminate it as such, or to be terminated by it. The
- champions of this institution, not content with submitting to the
- toleration and protection of our great Northern free community, have made
- it the pretext for aggression and insult, and by their own acts are
- accomplishing its downfall. The emancipation of slavery in the District of
- Columbia was the necessary and natural result of the Southern Rebellion.
- It is but the beginning of the results the Rebellion must surely bring.
- The wedge has only entered the log, and heavy blows are falling upon it
- day by day.”
- </p>
- <p>
- Great was the rejoicing in Washington and throughout the Free States; for
- every one saw “the end from the beginning.” Our own Whittier strung his
- harp anew, and sung,—
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- “I knew that truth would crush the lie,—
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Somehow, sometime the end would be;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Yet scarcely dared I hope to see
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- The triumph with my mortal eye.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- But now I see it. In the sun
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- A free flag floats from yonder dome,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- And at the nation’s hearth and home
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- The justice long delayed is done.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- With the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, commenced a new
- era at our country’s capital. The representatives of the Governments of
- Hayti and Liberia had both long knocked in vain to be admitted with the
- representatives of other nations. The slave power had always succeeded in
- keeping them out. But a change had now come over the dreams of the people,
- and Congress was but acting up to this new light in passing the following
- bill:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
- States of America in Congress assembled</i>, That the President of the
- United States be, and he hereby is, authorized, by and with the consent of
- the Senate, to appoint diplomatic representatives of the United States to
- the republics of Hayti and Liberia, respectively. Each of the said
- representatives so appointed shall be accredited as commissioner and
- consul general, and shall receive, out of any money in the treasury not
- otherwise appropriated, the compensation of commissioners provided for by
- the Act of Congress approved August 18, 1856: <i>Provided</i> that the
- compensation of the representative at Liberia shall not exceed $4,000.”
- </p>
- <p>
- The above bill was before the Senate some time, and elicited much
- discussion, and an able speech was made by Hon. Charles Sumner in favor of
- the recognition of the independence of Hayti and Liberia. To use his own
- expressive words, “Slavery in the national capital is now abolished: it
- remains that this other triumph shall be achieved. Nothing but the sway of
- a slave-holding despotism on the floor of Congress, hitherto, has
- prevented the adoption of this righteous measure; and now that that
- despotism has been exorcised, no time should be lost by Congress to see it
- carried into immediate execution. All other civilized nations have ceased
- to make complexion a badge of superiority or inferiority in the matter of
- nationality; and we should make haste, therefore, to repair the injury we
- have done, as a republic, in refusing to recognize Liberian and Haytian
- independence.”
- </p>
- <p>
- Even after all that had passed, the African slave-trade was still being
- carried on between the Southern States and Africa. Ships were fitted out
- in Northern ports for the purpose of carrying on this infernal traffic.
- And, although it was prohibited by an act of Congress, none had ever been
- convicted for dealing in slaves. The new order of things was to give these
- traffickers a trial, and test the power by which they had so long dealt in
- the bodies and souls of men whom they had stolen from their native land.
- One Nathaniel Gordon was already in prison in New York, and his trial was
- fast approaching: it came, and he was convicted of piracy in the United
- States District Court in the city of New York; the piracy consisting in
- having fitted out a slaver, and shipped nine hundred Africans at Congo
- River, with a view to selling them as slaves. The same man had been tried
- for the same offence before; but the jury failed to agree, and he
- accordingly escaped punishment for the time. Every effort was made which
- the ingenuity of able lawyers could invent, or the power of money could
- enforce, to save this miscreant from the gallows; but all in vain: for
- President Lincoln utterly refused to interfere in any way whatever, and
- Gordon was executed on the 7th of February.
- </p>
- <p>
- This blow appeared to give more offence to the commercial Copperheads than
- even the emancipation of the slaves in the District of Columbia; for it
- struck an effectual blow at a very lucrative branch of commerce, in which
- the New Yorkers were largely interested. Thus it will be seen that the
- nation was steadily moving on to the goal of freedom.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XIV—THE BLACK BRIGADE OF CINCINNATI.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>The Great Fright.—Cruel Treatment of the Colored People by the
- Police. —Bill Homer and his Roughs.—Military Training.—Col.
- Dickson.—The Work.—Mustering Out.—The Thanks.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">H</span>atred to the negro
- is characteristic of the people of Cincinnati; more so, probably, than any
- other city in the West. Mobs in which the colored citizens have been the
- victims have more than once occurred in that place, to the utter disgrace
- of its white inhabitants,—mobs resulting often in the loss of life,
- and always in the destruction of property. The raid of John Morgan in the
- month of July, 1862, and, soon after, the defeat of the Union troops in
- Kentucky, had given warning of impending danger. This feeling of fear
- culminated on the first of September, in the mayor of Cincinnati calling
- on the people to organize and prepare for the defence of the city, in the
- following proclamation:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “Mayor’s Office, <i>City of Cincinnati</i>.
- </p>
- <p>
- “In accordance with a resolution passed by the City Council of Cincinnati
- on the first instant, I hereby request that all business of every kind or
- character be suspended at ten o’clock of this day, and that all persons,
- employers and employees, assemble in their respective wards, at the usual
- places of voting, and then and there organize themselves in such manner as
- may be thought best for the defence of the city. Every man, of every age,
- be he citizen or alien, who lives under the protection of our laws, is
- expected to take part in the organization.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Witness my hand, and the corporate seal of the city of Cincinnati, this
- second day of September, A.D. 1862.
- </p>
- <p>
- “GEORGE HATCH, <i>Mayor.</i>”
- </p>
- <p>
- At two o’clock on the morning of the same day, the mayor issued another
- proclamation, notifying the citizens that the police force would perform
- the duty of a provost-guard, under the direction of Gen. Wallace.
- </p>
- <p>
- The mayor’s proclamation, under ordinary circumstances, would be explicit
- enough. “Every man, of every age, be he citizen or alien,” surely meant
- the colored people. A number thought themselves included in the call; but,
- remembering the ill-will excited by former offers for home defence, they
- feared to come forward for enrolment. The proclamation ordered the people
- to assemble “in the respective wards, at the usual places of voting.” The
- colored people had no places of voting. Added to this, George Hatch was
- the same mayor who had broken up the movement for home defence, before
- mentioned. Seeking to test the matter, a policeman was approached, as he
- strutted in his new dignity of provost-guard. To the question, humbly,
- almost tremblingly, put, “Does the mayor desire colored men to report for
- service in the city’s defence?” he replied, “You know d———d
- well he does’nt mean you. Niggers ain’t citizens.”—“But he calls on
- all, citizens and aliens. If he does not mean all, he should not say so.”—“The
- mayor knows as well as you do what to write, and all he wants is for you
- niggers to keep quiet.” This was at nine o’clock on the morning of the
- second. The military authorities had determined, however, to impress the
- colored men for work upon the fortifications. The privilege of
- volunteering, extended to others, was to be denied to them. Permission to
- volunteer would imply some freedom, some dignity, some independent
- manhood. For this the commanding officer is alone chargeable.
- </p>
- <p>
- If the guard appointed to the duty of collecting the colored people had
- gone to their houses, and notified them to report for duty on the
- fortifications, the order would have been cheerfully obeyed. But the
- brutal ruffians who composed the regular and special police took every
- opportunity to inflict abuse and insult upon the men whom they arrested.
- The special police was entirely composed of that class of the population,
- which, only a month before, had combined to massacre the colored
- population, and were only prevented from committing great excesses by the
- fact that John Morgan, with his rough riders, had galloped to within forty
- miles of the river, when the respectable citizens, fearing that the
- disloyal element within might combine with the raiders without, and give
- the city over to pillage, called a meeting on ‘Change, and demanded that
- the riot be stopped. The special police was, in fact, composed of a class
- too cowardly or too traitorous to aid, honestly and manfully, in the
- defence of the city. They went from house to house, followed by a gang of
- rude, foul-mouthed boys. Closets, cellars, and garrets were searched;
- bayonets were thrust into beds and bedding; old and young, sick and well,
- were dragged out, and, amidst shouts and jeers, marched like felons to the
- pen on Plum Street, opposite the Cathedral. No time was given to prepare
- for camp-life; in most cases no information was given of the purpose for
- which the men were impressed. The only-answers to questions were curses,
- and a brutal “Come along now; you will find out time enough.” Had the city
- been captured by the Confederates, the colored people would have suffered
- no more than they did at the hands of these defenders. Tuesday night,
- Sept. 2, was a sad night to the colored people of Cincinnati. The greater
- part of the male population had been dragged from home, across the river,
- but where, and for what, none could tell.
- </p>
- <p>
- The captain of these conscripting squads was one William Homer, and in him
- organized ruffianism had its fitting head. He exhibited the brutal
- malignity of his nature in a continued series of petty tyrannies. Among
- the first squads marched into the yard was one which had to wait several
- hours before being ordered across the river. Seeking to make themselves as
- comfortable as possible, they had collected blocks of wood, and piled up
- bricks, upon which they seated themselves on the shaded side of the yard.
- Coming into the yard, he ordered all to rise, marched them to another
- part, then issued the order, “D——n you, squat.” Turning to the
- guard, he added, “Shoot the first one who rises.” Reaching the opposite
- side of the river, the same squad were marched from the sidewalk into the
- middle of the dusty road, and again the order, “D—n you, squat,” and
- the command to shoot the first one who should rise.
- </p>
- <p>
- The drill of this guard of white ruffians was unique, and not set down in
- either Scott or Hardee. Calling up his men, he would address them thus:
- “Now, you fellows, hold up your heads. Pat, hold your musket straight;
- don’t put your tongue out so far; keep your eyes open: I believe you are
- drunk. Now, then, I want you fellows to go out of this pen, and bring all
- the niggers you can catch. Don’t come back here without niggers: if you
- do, you shall not have a bit of grog. Now be off, you shabby cusses, and
- come back in forty minutes, and bring me niggers; that’s what I want.”
- This barbarous and inhuman treatment of the colored citizens of Cincinnati
- continued for four days, without a single word of remonstrance, except
- from the “Gazette.”
- </p>
- <p>
- Finally, Col. Dickson, a humane man and gentlemanly officer, was appointed
- to the command of the “Black Brigade,” and brutality gave way to kind
- treatment. The men were permitted to return to their homes, to allay the
- fears of their families, and to prepare themselves the better for
- camp-life. The police were relieved of provost-guard duty, and on Friday
- morning more men reported for duty than had been dragged together by the
- police. Many had hidden too securely to be found; others had escaped to
- the country. These now came forward to aid in the city’s defence. With
- augmented numbers, and glowing with enthusiasm, the Black Brigade marched
- to their duty. Receiving the treatment of men, they were ready for any
- thing. Being in line of march, they were presented with a national flag by
- Capt. Lupton, who accompanied it with the following address:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “I have the kind permission of your commandant, Col. Dickson, to hand you,
- without formal speech or presentation, this national flag,—my sole
- object to encourage and cheer you on to duty. On its broad folds is
- inscribed, ‘<i>The Black Brigade of Cincinnati</i>.’ I am confident, that,
- in your hands, it will not be dishonored.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The duty of the hour is <i>work</i>,—hard, severe labor on the
- fortifications of the city. In the emergency upon us, the highest and the
- lowest alike owe this duty. Let it be cheerfully undertaken. He is no <i>man</i>
- who now, in defence of home and fireside, shirks duty.
- </p>
- <p>
- “A flag is the emblem of sovereignty, a symbol and guaranty of <i>protection</i>.
- Every nation and people are proud of the flag of their country. England,
- for a thousand years, boasts her Red Flag and Cross of St. George; France
- glories in her Tri-color and Imperial Eagle; ours, the ‘Star-spangled
- Banner,’ far more beautiful than they,—<i>this dear old flag!</i>—the
- sun in heaven never looked down on so proud a banner of beauty and glory.
- Men of the Black Brigade, rally around it! Assert your <i>manhood</i>; be
- loyal to duty; be obedient, hopeful, patient: Slavery will soon die; the
- slave-holders’ rebellion, accursed of God and man, will shortly and
- miserably perish. There will then be, through all the coming ages, in very
- truth, a land of the free,—one country, one flag, one destiny.
- </p>
- <p>
- “I charge you, <i>men of the Black Brigade of Cincinnati</i>, remember
- that for you, and for me, and for your children, and your children’s
- children, there is but <i>one flag</i>, as there is but one Bible, and one
- God, the Father of us all.”
- </p>
- <p>
- For nearly three weeks the Black Brigade labored upon the fortifications,
- their services beginning, as we have seen, Sept. 2, and terminating Sept:
- 20.
- </p>
- <p>
- When the brigade was mustered out, the commander thanked them in the
- following eloquent terms:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>Soldiers of the Black Brigade!</i> You have finished the work assigned
- to you upon the fortifications for the defence of the city. You are now to
- be discharged. You have labored faithfully; you have made miles of
- military roads, miles of rifle-pits, felled hundreds of acres of the
- largest and loftiest forest trees, built magazines and forts. The hills
- across yonder river will be a perpetual monument of your labors. You have,
- in no spirit of bravado, in no defiance of established prejudice, but in
- submission to it, intimated to me your willingness to defend with your
- lives the fortifications your hands have built. <i>Organized companies of
- men of your race have tendered their services to aid in the defence of the
- city</i>. In obedience to the policy of the Government, the authorities
- have denied you this privilege. In the department of labor permitted, you
- have, however, rendered a willing and cheerful service. Nor has your zeal
- been dampened by the cruel treatment received. The citizens, of both
- sexes, have encouraged you with their smiles and words of approbation; the
- soldiers have welcomed you as co-laborers in the same great cause. But a
- portion of the police, ruffians in character, early learning that your
- services were accepted, and seeking to deprive you of the honor of
- voluntary labor, before opportunity was given you to proceed to the field,
- rudely seized you in the streets, in your places of business, in your
- homes, everywhere, hurried you into filthy pens, thence across the river
- to the fortifications, not permitting you to make any preparation for
- camp-life. You have borne this with the accustomed patience of your race;
- and when, under more favorable auspices, you have received only the
- protection due to a common humanity, you have labored cheerfully and
- effectively.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Go to your homes with the consciousness of having performed your duty,—of
- deserving, if you do not receive, the protection of the law, and bearing
- with you the gratitude and respect of all honorable men. You have learned
- to suffer and to wait; but, in your hours of adversity, remember that the
- same God who has numbered the hairs of our heads, who watches over even
- the fate of a sparrow, is the God of your race as well as mine. The
- sweat-blood which the nation is now shedding at every pore is an awful
- warning of how fearful a thing it is to oppress the humblest being.”
- </p>
- <p>
- A letter in “The Tribune,” dated Cincinnati, Sept. 7, giving an account of
- the enthusiasm of the people in rallying for the city’s defence, says,
- “While all have done well, the negroes, as a class, must bear away the
- palm. When martial law was declared, a few prominent colored men tendered
- their services in any capacity desired. As soon as it became known that
- they would be accepted, Mayor Hatch’s police commenced arresting them
- everywhere, dragging them away from their houses and places of business
- without a moment’s notice, shutting them up in negro-pens, and subjecting
- them to the grossest abuse and indignity. Mr. Hatch is charged with
- secession proclivities. During the recent riots against the negroes, the
- <i>animus</i> of his police was entirely hostile to them, and many
- outrages were committed upon that helpless and unoffending class. On this
- occasion, the same course was pursued. No opportunity was afforded the
- negro to volunteer; but they were treated as public enemies. They were
- taken over the river, ostensibly to work upon the fortification; but were
- scattered, detailed as cooks for white regiments, some of them
- half-starved, and all so much abused that it finally caused a great
- outcry. When Gen. Wallace’s attention was called to the matter, he
- requested Judge William M. Dickson, a prominent citizen, who is related by
- marriage to President Lincoln, to take the whole matter in charge. Judge
- Dickson undertook the thankless task: organized the negroes into two
- regiments of three hundred each, made the proper provision for their
- comfort, and set them at work upon the trenches. They have accomplished
- more than any other six hundred of the whole eight thousand men upon the
- fortifications. Their work has been entirely voluntary. Judge Dickson
- informed them at the outset that all could go home who chose; that it must
- be entirely a labor of love with them. <i>Only one man</i> of the whole
- number has availed himself of the privilege; the rest have all worked
- cheer, fully and efficiently. One of the regiments is officered by white
- captains, the other by negroes. The latter, proved so decidedly superior
- that both regiments will hereafter be commanded by officers of their own
- race. They are not only working, but drilling; and they already go through
- some of the simpler military movements very creditably.. Wherever they
- appear, they are cheered by our troops. Last night, one of the colored
- regiments, coming off duty for twenty-four hours, was halted in front of
- headquarters, at the Burnet House, front faced, and gave three rousing
- cheers for Gen. Wallace, and three more for Judge Dickson.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XV. PROCLAMATION OF FREEDOM.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>Emancipation Proclamation.—Copperhead View of It.—“Abraham
- Spare the South.”—The Contrabands Rejoicing.—The Songs.—Enthusiasm.—Faith
- in God.—Negro Wit.—“Forever Free.”</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">O</span>n the 22d of
- September, 1862, President Lincoln sent forth his proclamation, warning
- the rebel States that he would proclaim emancipation to their slaves if
- such States did not return to the Union before the first day of the
- following January. Loud were the denunciations of the copperheads of the
- country; and all the stale arguments against negro emancipation which had
- been used in the West Indies thirty years before, and since then in our
- country, were newly vamped, and put forward to frighten the President and
- his Cabinet.
- </p>
- <p>
- The toleration of a great social wrong in any country is ever accompanied
- by blindness of vision, hardness of heart, and cowardice of mind, as well
- as moral deterioration and industrial impoverishment. Hence, whenever an
- earnest attempt is made for the removal of the wrong, those without eyes
- noisily declare that they see clearly that nothing but disastrous
- consequences will follow; those who are dead to all sensibility profess to
- be shocked beyond measure in contemplating the terrible scenes that must
- result from the change; and those who have no faith in justice are thrown
- into spasms at the mention of its impartial administration. For a whole
- generation, covering the period of the antislavery struggle in this
- country, have they not incessantly raised their senseless clamors and
- indignant outcries against the simplest claim of bleeding humanity to be
- released from its tortures, as though it were a proposition to destroy all
- order, inaugurate universal ruin, and “let chaos come again?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “The proclamation won’t reach the slaves,” said one. “They wont heed it,”
- said another.
- </p>
- <p>
- “This proclamation is an invitation to the blacks to murder their
- masters,” remarked a Boston copperhead newspaper. “The slaves will fight
- for their masters,” said the same journal, the following day.
- </p>
- <p>
- “It will destroy the Union.”—“It is harmless and impotent.”—“It
- will excite slave insurrection.”—“The slaves will never hear of it.”—“It
- will excite the South to desperation.”—“The rebels will laugh it to
- scorn.” Delegation after delegation waited on the President, and urged a
- postponement of emancipation. The Kentucky Congressional delegation did
- all in their power to put back the glorious event. Conservative old-line
- Whigs and backsliding antislavery men were afraid to witness the coming
- day.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- “Abraham, spare the South,
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- Touch not a single slave,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Nor e’en by word of mouth
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- Disturb the thing, we crave.
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- ‘Twas our forefathers’ hand
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- That slavery begot:
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- There, Abraham, let it stand;
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- Thine acts shall harm it not,”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- cried thousands who called at the White House. Washington, Alexandria, and
- Georgetown were crowded with “contrabands;” and hundreds were forwarded to
- the Sea Islands, to be occupied in cultivating the deserted plantations.
- As the day drew near, reports were circulated that the President would
- re-call the pledge. The friends of the negro were frightened; the negro
- himself trembled for fear that the cause would be lost. The blacks in all
- the Southern departments were behaving well, as if to deepen the already
- good impression made by them on the Government officials. Rejoicing
- meetings were advertised at the Tremont Temple, Boston, Cooper Institute,
- New York, and the largest hall in Philadelphia, and in nearly every-city
- and large town in the north. Great preparation was made at the “Contraband
- Camp,” in the District of Columbia. At the latter place, they met on the
- last night in December, 1862, in the camp, and waited patiently for’ the
- coming day, when they should become free. The fore part of the night was
- spent in singing and prayer, the following being sung several times:—
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- “Oh, go down, Moses,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Way down into Egypt’s land;
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Tell king Pharaoh
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- To let my people go.
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Oh, Pharaoh said he would go cross,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Let my people go.
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- But Pharaoh and his host was lost,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Let my people go.
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- <i>Chorus</i>—Oh, go down, Moses, &c.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- O Moses, stretch your hands across,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Let my people go.
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And don’t get lost in the wilderness,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Let my people go.
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- <i>Chorus</i>—Oh, go down, Moses, &c.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- You may hinder me here, but you can’t up there,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Let my people go.
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- He sits in heaven, and answers prayer,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Let my people go.
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- <i>Chorus</i>—Oh, go down, Moses, &c.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- After this an old man struck up, in a clear and powerful voice, “I am a
- free man now: Jesus Christ has made me free!” the company gradually
- joining in; and, before the close, the whole assemblage was singing in
- chorus.
- </p>
- <p>
- It was quite evident, through the exercises of the day and night, that the
- negroes regard the condition of the Israelites in Egypt as typical of
- their own condition in slavery; and the allusions to Moses, Pharaoh, the
- Egyptian task-masters, and the unhappy condition of the captive
- Israelites, were continuous; and any reference to the triumphant escape of
- the Israelites across the Red Sea, and the destruction of their pursuing
- masters, was certain to bring out a strong “Amen!”
- </p>
- <p>
- An old colored preacher, who displays many of the most marked
- peculiarities of his race, calling himself “John de Baptis,” and known as
- such by his companions,-from his habit of always taking his text, as he
- expresses it, from the “regulations ob de 2d chapter of Matthew, ‘And in
- those days came John de Baptis,’” came forward, and, taking his usual
- text, went on to show the necessity of following good advice, and rebuked
- his hearers for being more lawless than they were in Dixie.
- </p>
- <p>
- Then came another contraband brother, who said,—
- </p>
- <p>
- “Onst, the time was dat I cried all night. What’s de matter? What’s de
- matter? Matter enough. De nex mornin’ my child was to be sold, an’ she was
- sold; an’ I neber spec to see her no more till de day ob judgment. Now, no
- more dat! no more dat! no more dat! Wid my hands agin my breast I was
- gwine to my work, when de overseer used to whip me along. Now, no more
- dat! no more dat! no more dat! When I tink what de Lord’s done for us, an’
- brot us thro’ de trubbles, I feel dat I ought go inter his service. We’se
- free now, bress de Lord! (Amens! were vociferated all over the building.)
- Dey can’t sell my wife an’ child any more, bress de Lord! (Glory, glory!
- from the audience.) No more dat! no more dat! no more dat, now! (Glory!)
- Presurdund Lincum hav shot de gate! Dat’s what de matter!” and there was a
- prolonged response of Amens!
- </p>
- <p>
- A woman on her knees exclaimed at the top of her voice,—
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- “If de Debble do not ketch
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Jeff. Davis, dat infernal retch,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- An roast and frigazee dat rebble,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Wat is de use ob any Debble?”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- “Amen! amen! amen!” cried many voices.
- </p>
- <p>
- At this juncture of the meeting, an intelligent contraband broke out in
- the following strain:—
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- “The first of January next, eighteen sixty-three,—
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- So says the Proclamation,—the slaves will all be free!
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- To every kindly heart ‘twill be the day of jubilee;
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- For the bond shall all go free!
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- John Brown, the dauntless hero, with joy is looking on;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- From his home among the angels he sees the coming dawn;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Then up with Freedom’s banners, and hail the glorious mom
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- When the slaves shall all go free!
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- We’ve made a strike for liberty; the Lord is on our side;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And Christ, the friend of bondmen, shall ever be our guide;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And soon the cry will ring, throughout this glorious land so wide,
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- ‘Let the bondmen all go free!’
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- No more from crushed and bleeding hearts we hear the broken sigh;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- No more from brothers bound in chains we’ll hear the pleading cry;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- For the happy day, the glorious day, is coming by and by,
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- When the slaves shall all go free!
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- We’re bound to make our glorious flag the banner of the free,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- The first of January next, eighteen sixty-three;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Of every loyal Northern heart the glad cry then shall be,
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- ‘Let the bondmen all go free!’
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- ‘No Compromise with Slavery!’ we hear the cheering sound, The road to
- peace and happiness ‘Old Abe’ at last has found:
- </p>
- <p>
- With earnest hearts and willing hands to stand by him we’re hound, While
- he sets the bondmen free!
- </p>
- <p>
- The morning light is breaking: we see its cheering ray,—
- </p>
- <p>
- The light of Truth and Justice, that can never fade away;
- </p>
- <p>
- And soon the light will brighten to a great and glorious day,
- </p>
- <p>
- When the slaves shall all go free!
- </p>
- <p>
- And when we on the ‘other side’ do all together stand,
- </p>
- <p>
- As children of one family we’ll clasp the friendly hand:
- </p>
- <p>
- We’ll be a band of brothers in that brighter, better land,—
- </p>
- <p>
- Where the bond shall all be free!
- </p>
- <p>
- After several others had spoken, George Payne, another contraband, made a
- few sensible remarks, somewhat in these words: “Friends, don’t you see de
- han’ of God in dis? Haven’t we a right to rejoice? You all know you
- couldn’t have such a meetin’ as dis down in Dixie! Dat you all knows! have
- a right to rejoice; an’ so have you; for we shall be free in jus’ about
- five minutes. Dat’s a fact. I shall rejoice that God has placed Mr. Lincum
- in de president’s chair, and dat he wouldn’t let de rebels make peace
- until after dis new year. De Lord has heard de groans of de people, and
- has come down to deliver! You all knows dat in Dixie you worked de day
- long, an’ never got no satisfacshun. But here, what you make is yourn.
- I’ve worked six months; and what I’ve made is mine! Let me tell you,
- though, don’t be too free! De lazy man can’t go to heaven. You must be
- honest, an’ work, an’ show dat you is fit to be free; an’ de Lord will
- bless you an’ Abrum Lincum. Amen!”
- </p>
- <p>
- A small black man, with a rather cracking voice, appearing by his jestures
- to be inwardly on fire, began jumping, and singing the following:—
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- “Massa gone, missy too;
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Cry! niggers, cry!
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Tink I’ll see de bressed Norf,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- ‘Fore de day I die..
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- Hi! hi! Yankee shot’im;
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- Now I tink dc debbil’s got’im.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- The whole company then joined in singing the annexed song, which made the
- welkin ring, and was heard far beyond the camp.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <h3>
- I.
- </h3>
- <p class="indent15">
- “Oh! we all longed for freedom,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Oh! we all longed for freedom,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Oh! we all longed for freedom,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Ah! we prayed to be free;
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Yes, we prayed to be free,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Oh! we prayed to be free,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Though the day was long in coming,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Though the day was long in coming,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Though the day was long in coming,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- That we so longed to see,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- That we so longed to see,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- That we so longed to see,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Though the day was long in coming
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- That we so longed to see.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <h3>
- II.
- </h3>
- <p class="indent15">
- But bless the great Jehovah,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- But bless the great Jehovah,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- But bless the great Jehovah,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- At last the glad day’s come,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- At last the glad day’s come,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- At last the glad day’s come.
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- By fire and sword he brought us,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- By fire and sword he brought us,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- By fire and sword he brought us,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- From slavery into freedom.
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- From slavery into freedom,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- From slavery into Freedom;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- By fire and sword he brought us
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Front slavery into freedom.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <h3>
- III.
- </h3>
- <p class="indent15">
- We’ll bless the great Redeemer,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- We’ll bless the great Redeemer,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- We’ll bless the great Redeemer,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- And glorify his name,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- And glorify his name,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- And glorify his name,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And all who helped to bring us,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And all who helped to bring us,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And all who helped to bring us
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- From sorrow, grief, and shame,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- From sorrow, grief, and shame,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- From sorrow, grief, and shame,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And all who helped to bring us
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- From sorrow, grief, and shame.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <h3>
- IV.
- </h3>
- <p class="indent15">
- And blessed be Abraham Lincoln,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And blessed be Abraham Lincoln,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And blessed be Abraham Lincoln,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- And the Union army too,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- And the Union army too.
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- May the choicest of earth’s blessings,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- May the choicest of earth’s blessings,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- May the choicest of earth’s blessings,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Their pathways ever strew,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Their pathways ever strew,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Their pathways ever strew!
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- May the choicest of earth’s blessings
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Their pathways ever strew!
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <h3>
- V.
- </h3>
- <p class="indent15">
- We’ll strive to learn our duty,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- We’ll strive to learn our duty,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- We’ll strive to learn our duty,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- That all our friends may see,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- That all our friends may see,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- That all our friends may see,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Though so long oppressed in bondage,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Though so long oppressed in bondage,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Though so long oppressed in bondage,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- We were worthy to be free,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- We were worthy to be free,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- We were worthy to be free:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Though so long oppressed in bondage,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- We were worthy to be free.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- Just before midnight, Dr. Nichols requested all present to kneel, and to
- silently invoke the blessing of the Almighty. The silence was almost
- deadly when the clock announced the new year; and Dr. Nichols said, “Men
- and women (for you are this day to be declared free, and I can address you
- as men and women), I wish you a happy new year!” An eloquent prayer was
- then offered by an aged negro; after which, all rose, and joined in
- singing their version of “Glory! glory! hallelujah!” shaking each other by
- the hand, and indulging in joyous demonstrations. They then promenaded the
- grounds, singing hymns, and finally serenaded the superintendent, in whose
- honor a sable improvisatore carolled forth an original ode, the chorus of
- which was, “Free forever! Forever free!”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- “Ring, ring! O Bell of Freedom, ring!
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And to the ears of bondmen bring
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Thy sweet and freeman-thrilling tone.
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- On Autumn’s blast, from zone to zone,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- The joyful tidings go proclaim,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- In Liberty’s hallowed name:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Emancipation to the slave,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- The rights which his Creator gave,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- To live with chains asunder riven,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- To live free as the birds of heaven,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- To live free as the air he breathes,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Entirely free from galling greaves;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- The right to act, to know, to feel,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- That bands of iron and links of steel
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Were never wrought to chain the mind,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Nor human flesh in bondage bind;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- That Heaven, in its generous plan,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Gave like and equal rights to man.
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Go send thy notes from shore to shore,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Above the deep-voiced cannon’s roar;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Go send Emancipation’s peal
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Where clashes North with Southern steel,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And nerve the Southern bondmen now
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- To rise and strike the final blow,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- To lay Oppression’s minions low.
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Oh! rouse the mind and nerve the arm
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- To brave the blast and face the storm;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And, ere the war-cloud passes by,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- We’ll have a land of liberty.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Our God has said, “Let there be light
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Where Error palls the land with night.”
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Then send forth now, O Freedom’s bell,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Foul Slavery’s last and fatal knell!
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Oh! speed the tidings o’er the land,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- That tells that stern Oppression’s hand
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Has yielded to the power of Right:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- That Wrong is weak, that Truth is might!
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Then Union shall again return,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- And Freedom’s fires shall brightly burn;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And peace and jot, sweet guests, shall come,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And dwell in every heart and home.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- “Free forever! Forever free!”
- </p>
- <p>
- No pen can fitly portray the scene that followed this announcement. Every
- heart seemed to leap for joy: some were singing, some praying, some
- weeping, some dancing, husbands embracing Wives, friends shaking hands,
- and appearing to feel that the Day of Jubilee had come. A sister broke out
- in the following strain, which was heartily joined in by the vast
- assembly:—
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- “Go down, Abraham, away down in Dixie’s land,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Tell Jeff. Davis to let my people go.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- Our bitter tasks are ended, all onr unpaid labor done;
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- Our galling chains are broken, and our onward march begun:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Go down, Abraham, away down in Dixie’s land,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Tell Jeff. Davis to let my people go.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- Down in the house of bondage we have watched and waited long;
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- The oppressor’s heel was heavy, the oppressor’s arm was strong:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Go down, Abraham, away down in Dixie’s land,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Tell Jeff. Davis to let my people go.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- Not vainly have we waited through the long and darkened years;
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- Not vain the patient watching, ’mid our sweat and blood and tears:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Go down, Abraham, away down in Dixie’s land,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Tell Jeff. Davis to let my people go.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- Now God is with Grant, and he’ll surely whip Lee;
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- For the Proclamation says that the niggers must be free:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Go down, Abraham, away down in Dixie’s land,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Tell Jeff. Davis to let my people go.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- Thus ended the last night of slavery in the contraband camp at Washington.
- </p>
- <p>
- The morning of Jan. 1, 1863, was anxiously looked for by the friends of
- freedom throughout the United States; and, during the entire day, the
- telegraph offices in the various places were beset by crowds, waiting to
- hear the news from the Nation’s capital. Late in the day the following
- proclamation made its appearance:—
- </p>
- <p>
- <i>Washington</i>, Jan. 1, 1863.—I Abraham Lincoln, President of the
- United States of America, do issue this my Proclamation:—
- </p>
- <p>
- Whereas, On the 22d day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand
- eight hundred and sixty-three, a proclamation was issued by the President
- of the United States, containing, among other things, the following, to
- wit:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “That, on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord, one thousand
- eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State
- or any designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in
- rebellion against the United States, shall be then, henceforward, and
- forever, free; and the Executive Government of the United States,
- including the military and naval force thereof, will recognize and
- maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to
- repress such persons, or any of them, in any effort they may make for
- their actual freedom; that the Executive will, on the first day of January
- aforesaid, by proclamation, designate the States and parts of States, if
- any in which the people therein respectively shall then be in rebellion
- against the United States; and the fact that any State or people thereof
- shall on that day be in good faith represented in the Congress of the
- United States by members chosen thereto, at elections wherein a majority
- of the qualified voters of such States shall have participated, shall, in
- the absence of strong countervailing testimony, be deemed conclusive
- evidence that such State and the people thereof are not then in rebellion
- against the United States.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, by
- virtue of the power in me vested, as Commander-in-Chief of the Army and
- Navy of the United States in times of actual rebellion against the
- authorities and Government of the United States, and as a fit and
- necessary war measure for suppressing this rebellion, do on this, the
- first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
- and sixty-three, and in accordance with my purpose so to do, publicly
- proclaimed for the full period of one hundred days from the date of the
- first above-mentioned order, do designate as the States and parts of
- States wherein the people thereof respectively, are this day in rebellion
- against the United States. The following, to wit:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South
- Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Louisiana (except the parishes of St. Bernard, Placquemines, Jefferson,
- St. John, St. Charles, St. James, Ascension, Assumption, Terre Bonne,
- Lafourche, St. Mary, St. Martin, and Orleans, including the city of New
- Orleans), Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North
- Carolina, and Virginia, except the forty-eight counties designated as West
- Virginia, and also the counties of Berkley, Accomac, Northampton,
- Elizabeth City, York, Princess Anne, and Norfolk, including the cities of
- Norfolk and Portsmouth, which excepted parts are for the present left
- precisely as if this proclamation were not made.
- </p>
- <p>
- “And by virtue of the power, for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and
- declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States and
- parts of States are, and henceforward shall be, free; and the Executive
- Government of the United States, including the military and naval
- authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such
- persons.
- </p>
- <p>
- “And I hereby enjoin upon the people so declared to be free to abstain
- from all violence, unless in necessary self-defence; and I recommend to
- them, that, in all cases where allowed, they labor faithfully for
- reasonable wages.
- </p>
- <p>
- “And I further declare and make known, that such persons, if in suitable
- condition, will be received into the armed service of the United States,
- to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other places, and to man
- vessels of all sorts in said service. And upon this, sincerely believed to
- be an act of justice warranted by the Constitution, and upon military
- necessity, I invoke the considerate judgment of mankind and the gracious
- favor of Almighty God.
- </p>
- <p>
- “In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of
- the United States to be affixed.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Done at the city of Washington, this first day of January, in the year of
- our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the
- independence of the United States of America the eighty-seventh.
- </p>
- <p>
- [L. S.] (Signed) “<i>ABRAHAM LINCOLN</i>.
- </p>
- <p>
- “By the President.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Wm. H. Seward, <i>Secretary of State</i>.”
- </p>
- <p>
- This was the beginning of a new era: the word had gone forth, and a policy
- was adopted.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- “The deed is done. Millions have yearned
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- To see the spear of Freedom cast:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- The dragon writhed and roared and burned;
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- You’ve smote him full and square at last.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- The proclamation gave new life and vigor to our men on the battle-field.
- The bondmen everywhere caught up the magic word, and went with it from
- farm to farm, and from town to town. Black men flocked to recruiting
- stations, and offered themselves for the war. Everybody saw light in the
- distance. What newspapers and orators had failed to do in months was done
- by the proclamation in a single week. Frances Ellen Harper, herself
- colored, cheered in the following strain:—
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- “It shall flash through coming ages;
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- It shall light the distant years;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And eyes now dim with sorrow
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Shall be brighter through their tears.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- It shall flush the mountain ranges,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- And the valleys shall grow bright;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- It shall bathe the hills in radiance,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- And crown their brows with light.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- It shall flood with golden splendor
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- All the huts of Caroline;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And the sun-kissed brow of labor
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- With lustre new shall shine.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- It shall gild the gloomy prison,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Darkened with the age’s crime,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Where the dumb and patient millions
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Wait the better coming time.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- By the light that gilds their prison,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- They shall seize its mouldering key;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And the bolts and bars shall vibrate
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- With the triumphs of the free.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Like the dim and ancient Chaos,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Shuddering at Creation’s light,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Oppression grim and hoary
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Shall cower at the sight.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And her spawn of lies and malice
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Shall grovel in the dust;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- While joy shall thrill the bosoms
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Of the merciful and just.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Though the morning seems to linger
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- O’er the hilltops far away,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- The shadows bear the promise
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Of the quickly coming day.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Soon the mists and murky shadows
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Shall be fringed with crimson light,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And the glorious dawn of freedom
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Break resplendent on the sight.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /> <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XVI.—THE NEW POLICY.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>A New Policy announced.—Adjutant-Gen. Thomas.—Major-Gen.
- Prentiss.—Negro Wit and Humor.—Proslavery Correspondents.—Feeling
- in the Army.—Let the Blacks fight.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">A</span>ttorney-Gen. Bates
- had already given his opinion with regard to the citizenship of the negro,
- and that opinion was in the black man’s favor. The Emancipation
- Proclamation was only a prelude to calling on the colored men to take up
- arms, and the one soon followed the other; for the word “Emancipation” had
- scarcely gone over the wires, ere Adjutant-Gen. Thomas made his appearance
- in the valley of the Mississippi. At Lake Providence, La., he met a large
- wing of the army, composed of volunteers from all parts of the country,
- and proclaimed to them the new policy of the administration; and he did it
- in very plain words, as will be seen:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>Fellow-Soldiers</i>,—Your commanding general has so fully stated
- the object of my mission, that it is almost unnecessary for me to say any
- thing to you in reference to it. Still, as I come here with full authority
- from the President of the United States to announce the policy, which,
- after mature deliberation, has been determined upon by the wisdom of the
- nation, it is my duty to make known to you clearly and fully the features
- of that policy.
- </p>
- <p>
- “It is a source of extreme gratification to me to come before you this
- day, knowing, as I do full well, how glorious have been your achievements
- on the field of battle. No soldier can come before soldiers of tried
- valor, without having the deepest emotions of his soul stirred within him.
- These emotions I feel on the present occasion; and I beg you will listen
- to what I have to say, as soldiers receiving from a soldier the commands
- of the President of the United States.
- </p>
- <p>
- “I came from Washington clothed with the fullest power in this matter.
- With this power, I can act as if the President of the United States were
- himself present. I am directed to refer nothing to Washington, but to act
- promptly,—what I have to do to do at once; to strike down the
- unworthy and to elevate the deserving.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Look along the river, and see the multitude of deserted plantations upon
- its banks. These are the places for these freedmen, where they can be
- self-sustaining and self-supporting. All of you will some day be on
- picket-duty; and I charge you all, if any of this unfortunate race come
- within your lines, that you do not turn them away, but receive them kindly
- and cordially. They are to be encouraged to come to us; they are to be
- received with open arms; they are to be fed and clothed; <i>they are to be
- armed.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- “This is the policy that has been fully determined upon. I am here to say
- that I am authorized to raise as many regiments of blacks as I can. I am
- authorized to give commissions, from the highest to the lowest; and I
- desire those persons who are earnest in this work to take hold of it. I
- desire only those whose hearts are in it, and to them alone will I give
- commissions. I don’t care who they are, or what their present rank may be.
- I do not hesitate to say, that all proper persons will receive
- commissions.
- </p>
- <p>
- “While I am authorized thus in the name of the Secretary of War, I have
- the fullest authority to dismiss from the army any man, be his rank what
- it may, whom I find maltreating the freedmen. This part of my duty I will
- most assuredly perform if any case comes before me. I would rather do that
- than give commissions, because such men are unworthy the name of soldiers.
- </p>
- <p>
- “This, fellow-soldiers, is the determined policy of the Administration.
- You all know, full well, when the President of the United States, though
- said to be slow in coming to a determination, once puts his foot down, it
- is there; and he is not going to take it up. He has put his foot down. I
- am here to assure you that my official influence shall be given that he
- shall not raise it.” Major-Gen. B. M. Prentiss, after the cheering had
- subsided which greeted his appearance, indorsed, in a forcible and
- eloquent speech, the policy announced by Adjutant-Gen. Thomas, and said,
- that, “from the time he was a prisoner, and a negro sentinel, with firm
- step, <i>beat</i> in front of his cell, and with firmer voice commanded
- silence within, he prayed God for the day of revenge; and he now thanked
- God that it had come.” Turning to Gen. Thomas, the speaker continued,
- “Yes: tell the President for me, I will receive them into the lines; I
- will beg them to come in; <i>I will make them come in!</i> and if any
- officer in my command, high or low, <i>neglects to receive them friendly,
- and treat them kindly, I will put them outside the lines</i>. (Tremendous
- applause.) Soldiers, when you go to your quarters, if you hear any one
- condemning the policy announced here to-day, put him down as a
- contemptible copperhead traitor. Call them what you please, copperheads,
- secesh, or traitors, they are all the same to me: <i>enemies of our
- country</i>, against whom I have taken a solemn oath, and called God as my
- witness, to whip them wherever I find them.”
- </p>
- <p>
- Congress had already passed a bill empowering the President “to enroll,
- arm, equip, and receive into the land and naval service of the United
- States, such a number of volunteers of African descent as he may deem
- equal to suppress the present rebellion, for such term of service as he
- may prescribe, not exceeding five years; the said volunteers to be
- organized according to the regulations of the branch of the service into
- which they may be enlisted, to receive the same rations, clothing, and
- equipments as other volunteers, and a monthly pay not to exceed that of
- the volunteers.”
- </p>
- <p>
- Proslavery newspaper correspondents from the North, in the Western and
- Southern departments, still continued to report to their journals that the
- slaves would not fight if an opportunity was offered to them. Many of
- these were ridiculously amusing. The following is a sample:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “I noticed upon the hurricane-deck, to-day, an elderly negro, with a very
- philosophical and retrospective cast of countenance, squatted upon his
- bundle, toasting his shins against the chimney, and apparently plunged
- into a state of profound meditation. Finding by inquiry that he belonged
- to the Ninth Illinois, one of the most gallantly-behaved and
- heavily-losing regiments at the Fort-Donelson battle, and part of which
- was aboard, I began to interrogate him upon the subject. His philosophy
- was so much in the Falstaffian vein that I will give his views in his own
- words, as near as my memory serves me:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘Were you in the fight?’
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘Had a little taste of it, sa.’
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘Stood your ground, did you?’
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘No, sa; I runs.’
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘Run at the first fire, did you?’
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘Yes, sa; and would ha’ run soona had I know’d it war comin’.’
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘Why, that wasn’t very creditable to your courage.’
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘Dat isn’t in my line, sa; cookin’s my perfeshun.’ “‘Well, but have you
- no regard for your reputation?’ ‘“Refutation’s nuffin by the side ob
- life.’
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘Do you consider your life worth more than other people’s?’
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘It’s worth more to me, sa.’
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘Then you must value it very highly.’
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘Yes, sa, I does; more dan all dis wuld; more dan a million of dollars,
- sa: for what would dat be wuf to a man wid de bref out of him.
- Self-perserbashum am de fust law wid me.’
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘But why should you act upon a different rule from other men?’
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘Because different men set different values upon dar lives: mine is not
- in de market.’
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘But if you lost it, you would have the satisfaction of knowing that you
- died for your country.’
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘What satisfaction would dat be to me when de power ob feelin’ was gone?’
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘Then patriotism and honor are nothing to you?’
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘Nuffin whatever, sa: I regard dem as among de vanities; and den de
- gobernment don’t know me; I hab no rights; may be sold like old hoss any
- day, and dat’s all.’
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘If our old soldiers were like you, traitors might have broken up the
- Government without resistance.’
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘Yes, sa; dar would hab been no help for it. I wouldn’t put my life in de
- scale ‘ginst any gobernment dat ever existed; for no gobernment could
- replace de loss to me.’
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘Do you think any of your company would have missed you if you had been
- killed?’
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘May be not, sa; a dead white man ain’t much to dese sogers, let alone a
- dead nigga; but I’d a missed myself, and dat was de pint wid me.’
- </p>
- <p>
- “It is safe to say that the dusky corpse of that African will never darken
- the field of carnage.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XVII.—ARMING THE BLACKS.
- </h2>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">D</span>epartment of the
- South.—Gen. Hunter Enlisting Colored Men.—Letter to Gov.
- Andrew.—Success.—The Earnest Prayer.—The Negro’s
- Confidence in God.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he Northern
- regiments stationed at the South, or doing duty in that section, had met
- with so many reverses on the field of battle, and had been so inhumanly
- treated by the rebels, both men and women, that the new policy announced
- by Adjutant-Gen. Thomas, at Lake Providence and other places, was received
- with great favor, especially when the white soldiers heard from their
- immediate commanders, that the freedmen, when enlisted, would be employed
- in doing fatigue-duty, when not otherwise needed. The slave, regarding the
- use of the musket as the only means of securing his freedom permanently,
- sought the nearest place of enlistment with the greatest speed.
- </p>
- <p>
- The appointment of men from the ranks of the white regiments over the
- blacks caused the former to feel still more interest in the new levies.
- The position taken by Major-Gen. Hunter, in South Carolina, and his
- favorable reports of the capability of the freedmen for military service,
- and the promptness with which that distinguished scholar and Christian
- gentleman, Thomas Wentworth Higginson, accepted the colonelcy of the First
- South Carolina, made the commanding of negro regiments respectable, and
- caused a wish on the part of white volunteers to seek commissions over the
- blacks.
- </p>
- <p>
- The new regiments filled up rapidly; the recruits adapted themselves to
- their new condition with a zeal that astonished even their friends; and
- their proficiency in the handling of arms, with only a few days’ training,
- set the minds of their officers at rest with regard to their future
- action. The following testimonial from Gen. Hunter is not without
- interest:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “Headquarters Department of the South,
- </p>
- <p>
- “Hilton Head, Port Royal, S.C., May 4, 1863.
- </p>
- <p>
- <i>“To His Excellency the Governor of Massachusetts, Boston, Mass.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- “I am happy to be able to announce to you my complete and eminent
- satisfaction with the results of the organization of negro regiments in
- this department. In the field, so far as tried, they have proved brave,
- active, enduring, and energetic, frequently outrunning, by their zeal, and
- familiarity with the Southern country, the restrictions deemed prudent by
- certain of their officers. They have never disgraced their uniform by
- pillage or cruelty, but have so conducted themselves, upon the whole, that
- even our enemies, though more anxious to find fault with these than with
- any other portion of our troops, have not yet been able to allege against
- them a single violation of any of the rules of civilized warfare.
- </p>
- <p>
- “These regiments are hardy, generous, temperate, patient, strictly
- obedient, possessing great natural aptitude for arms, and deeply imbued
- with that religious sentiment—call it fanaticism, such as like—which
- made the soldiers of Cromwell invincible. They believe that now is the
- time appointed by God for their deliverance; and, under the heroic
- incitement of this faith, I believe them capable of showing a courage, and
- persistency of purpose, which must, in the end, extort both victory and
- admiration.
- </p>
- <p>
- “In this connection, I am also happy to announce to you that the
- prejudices of certain of our white soldiers and officers against these
- indispensable allies are rapidly softening, or fading out; and that we
- have now opening before us in this department, which was the first in the
- present war to inaugurate the experiment of employing colored troops,
- large opportunities of putting them to distinguished and profitable use.
- </p>
- <p>
- “With a brigade of liberated slaves already in the field, a few more
- regiments of intelligent colored men from the North would soon place this
- force in a condition to make extensive incursions upon the main land,
- through the most densely populated slave regions; and, from expeditions of
- this character, I make no doubt the most beneficial results would arise.
- </p>
- <p>
- “I have the honor to be, Governor,
- </p>
- <p>
- “Very respectfully,
- </p>
- <p>
- “Your most obedient servant,
- </p>
- <h3>
- “D. HUNTER,
- </h3>
- <p>
- “<i>Major-Gen. Commanding.”</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- Reports from all parts of the South gave corroborative evidence of the
- deep religious zeal with which the blacks entered the army. Every thing
- was done for “God and liberty.”
- </p>
- <p>
- Col. T. W. Higginson, in “The Atlantic Monthly,” gives the following
- prayer, which he heard from one of his contraband soldiers:—
- </p>
- <p>
- Let me so lib dat when I-die I shall <i>hab manners</i>; dat I shall know
- what to say when I see my heabenly Lord.
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘Let me lib wid de musket in one hand, an’ de Bible in de oder—dat
- if I die at de muzzle of de musket, die in de water, die on de land, I may
- know I hab de bressed Jesus in my hand, an’ hab no fear.
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘I hab lef my wife in de land o’ bondage; my little ones dey say eb’ry
- night, “Whar is my fader?” But when I die, when de bressed mornin’ rises,
- when I shall stan’ in de glory, wid one foot on de water an’ one foot on
- de land, den, O Lord! I shall see my wife an’ my little chil’en once
- more.’”
- </p>
- <p>
- “These sentences I noted down, as best I could, beside the glimmering
- camp-fire last night. The same person was the hero of a singular little <i>contre-temps</i>
- at a funeral in the afternoon. It was our first funeral. The man had died
- in hospital, and we had chosen a picturesque burial place above the river,
- near the old church, and beside a little nameless cemetery, used by
- generations of slaves. It was a regular military funeral, the coffin being
- draped with the American flag, the escort marching behind, and three
- volleys fired over the grave. During the services, there was singing, the
- chaplain deaconing out the hymn in their favorite way. This ended, he
- announced his text: ‘This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and
- delivered him out of all his trouble.’ Instantly, to my great amazement,
- the cracked voice of the chorister was uplifted, intoning the text, as if
- it were the first verse of another hymn. So calmly was it done, so
- imperturbable were all the black countenances that I half began to
- conjecture that the chaplain himself intended it for a hymn, though I
- could imagine no prospective rhyme for <i>trouble</i>, unless it were
- approximated by <i>debbil</i>; which is, indeed, a favorite reference,
- both with the men and with his reverence. But the chaplain, peacefully
- awaiting, gently repeated his text after the chant, and to my great relief
- the old chorister waived all further recitative, and let the funeral
- discourse proceed.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Their memories are a vast bewildered chaos of Jewish history and
- biography; and most of the great events of the past, down to the period of
- the American Revolution, they instinctively attribute to Moses. There is a
- fine bold confidence in all their citations, however, and the record never
- loses piquancy in their hands, though strict accuracy may suffer. Thus one
- of my captains, last Sunday, heard a colored exhorter at Beaufort
- proclaim, ‘Paul may plant, <i>and may polish wid water</i>, but it won’t
- do,’ in which the sainted Apollos would hardly have recognized himself.
- </p>
- <p>
- “A correspondent of the Burlington “Free Press” gives an account of a
- Freedmen’s meeting at Belle Plain, Va. “Some of the negro prayers and
- exhortations were very simple and touching. One said in his prayer, ‘O
- Lord! we’s glad for de hour when our sins nailed us to de foot of de
- cross, and de bressed Lord Jesus put his soft arm around us, and tole us
- dat we’s his chilien: we’s glad we’s sinners, so dat we can be saved by
- his grace.’ Another thus earnestly prayed for the army of freedom:
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘O Lord! bress de Union army; be thou their bulwarks and ditches. O Lord!
- as thou didst hear our prayer when we’s down in de Souf country, as we
- held de plow and de hoe in the hot sun, so hear our prayer at dis time for
- de Union army. Guard’em on de right, and on de lef,’ and in de rear: don’t
- lef’ ‘em ‘lone, though they’s mighty wicked.’ Another (a young man) thus
- energetically desired the overthrow of Satan’s empire: ‘O Lord! if you
- please, sir, won’t you come forth out of de heaven, and take ride ‘round
- about hell, and give it a mighty shake till de walls fall down.’
- </p>
- <p>
- “A venerable exhorter got the story of the Prodigal Son slightly mixed,
- but not so as to damage the effect at all. He said, ‘He rose up and went
- to his fader’s house. And I propose he was ragged. And I propose de road
- dirty. But when his fader saw him coming over de hill, ragged and dirty,
- he didn’t say, “Dat ain’t my son.” He go and meet him. He throw his arms
- round his neck and kiss; and, while he was hugging and kissing him, he
- thought of dat robe in de wardroom, and he said, “Bring dat robe, and put
- it on him.” And when dey was a putting on de robe, he thought of de ring,
- dat splendid ring! and he said, “My son, dat was dead and is alive again,
- he like dat ring, cos it shine so.” And he made dem bring de ring and put
- it on his hand; and he put shoes on his feet, and killed de fatted calf.
- And here, my friends, see defection of de prodigal for his son. But, my
- bredren, you are a great deal better off dan de prodigal’s son. For he
- hadn’t no gemmen of a different color to come and tell him dat his fader
- was glad to hab him come home again. But dese handmaid bredren has kindly
- come dis evening to tell us dat our heabenly Father wants us to come back
- now. He’s ready to gib us de robe and de ring. De bressed Lord Jesus
- stands leaning over de bannisters of heaven, and reaching down his arms to
- take us up. O my friends! I ask you dis night to repent. If you lose your
- soul, you’ll never get anoder. I tell you all, if you don’t repent you’re
- goin’ straight to hell; and in de last day, when de Lord say to you,
- “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlastin’ fire,” if you’re ‘onorable,
- you’ll own up, and say it’s right. O my friends.! I tell you de truth:
- it’s de best way to come to de Lord Jesus dis night.’”.
- </p>
- <p>
- Regiment after regiment of blacks were mustered into the United-States
- service, in all the rebel States, and were put on duty at once, and were
- sooner or later called to take part in battle.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XVIII.—BATTLE OF MILLINERS BEND.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>Contraband Regiments; their Bravery; the Surprise.—Hand to hand
- Fight.—“No Quarters.”—Negroes rather die than surrender.—The
- Gunboat and her dreadful Havoc with the Enemy.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">O</span>n the 7th of June,
- 1863, the first regular battle was fought between the blacks and whites in
- the valley of the Mississippi. The planters had boasted, that, should they
- meet their former slaves, a single look from them would cause the negroes
- to throw down their weapons, and run. Many Northern men, especially
- copperheads, professed to believe that such would be the case. Therefore,
- all eyes were turned to the far off South, the cotton, sugar, and
- rice-growing States, to see how the blacks would behave on the field of
- battle; for it is well known that the most ignorant of the slave
- population belonged in that section.
- </p>
- <p>
- The following account of the fight is from an eye witness:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “My informant states that a force of about five hundred negroes, and two
- hundred men of the Twenty-third Iowa, belonging to the second brigade,
- Carr’s division (the Twenty-third Iowa had been up the river with
- prisoners, and was on its way back to this place), was surprised in camp
- by a rebel force of about two thousand men. The first intimation that the
- commanding officer received was from one of the black men, who went into
- the colonel’s tent, and said, ‘Massa, the secesh are in camp.” The colonel
- ordered him to have the men load their guns at once. He instantly replied,
- “We have done did dat now, massa.” Before the colonel was ready, the men
- were in line, ready for action. As before stated, the rebels drove our
- force towards the gunboats, taking colored men prisoners and murdering
- them. This so enraged them that they rallied, and charged the enemy more
- heroically and desperately than has been recorded during the war. It was a
- genuine bayonet-charge, a hand-to-hand fight, that has never occurred to
- any extent during this prolonged conflict. Upon both sides men were killed
- with the butts of muskets. White and black men were lying side by side,
- pierced by bayonets, and in some instances transfixed to the earth. In one
- instance, two men—one white and the other black—were found
- dead, side by side, each having the other’s bayonet through his body. If
- facts prove to be what they are now represented, this engagement of Sunday
- morning will be recorded as the most desperate of this war. Broken limbs,
- broken heads, the mangling of bodies, all prove that it was a contest
- between enraged men: on the one side, from hatred to a race; and, on the
- other, desire for self-preservation, revenge for past grievances, and the
- inhuman murder of their comrades. One brave man took his former master
- prisoner, and brought him into camp with great gusto. A rebel prisoner
- made a particular request, that <i>his own</i> negroes should not be
- placed over him as a guard.
- </p>
- <p>
- Capt. M. M. Miller, of Galena, III., who commanded a company in the Ninth
- Louisiana (colored) Regiment, in a letter, gives the following account of
- the battle:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “We were attacked here on June 7, about three o’clock in the morning, by a
- brigade of Texas troops, about two thousand five hundred in number. We had
- about six hundred men to withstand them, five hundred of them negroes. I
- commanded Company I, Ninth Louisiana. We went into the fight with
- thirty-three men. I had sixteen killed, eleven badly wounded, and four
- slightly. I was wounded slightly on the head, near the right eye, with a
- bayonet, and had a bayonet run through my right hand, near the forefinger;
- that will account for this miserable style of penmanship.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Our regiment had about three hundred men in the fight. We had one colonel
- wounded, four captains wounded, two first and two second lieutenants
- killed, five lieutenants wounded, and three white orderlies killed, and
- one wounded in the hand, and two fingers taken off. The list of killed and
- wounded officers comprised nearly all the officers present with the
- regiment, a majority of the rest being absent recruiting.
- </p>
- <p>
- “We had about fifty men killed in the regiment and eighty wounded; so you
- can judge of what part of the fight my company sustained. I never felt
- more grieved and sick at heart, than when I saw how my brave soldiers had
- been slaughtered,—one with six wounds, all the rest with two or
- three, none less than two wounds. Two of my colored sergeants were killed:
- both brave, noble men, always prompt, vigilant, and ready for the fray. I
- never more wish to hear the expression, ‘The niggers won’t fight.’ Come
- with me, a hundred yards from where I sit, and I can show you the wounds
- that cover the bodies of sixteen as brave, loyal, and patriotic soldiers
- as ever drew bead on a rebel.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The enemy charged us so close that we fought with our bayonets, hand to
- hand. I have six broken bayonets to show how bravely my men fought. The
- Twenty-third Iowa joined my company on the right; and I declare truthfully
- that they had all fled before our regiment fell back, as we were all
- compelled to do.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Under command of Col. Page, I led the Ninth and Eleventh Louisiana when
- the rifle-pits were retaken and held by our troops, our two regiments
- doing the work.
- </p>
- <p>
- “I narrowly escaped death once. A rebel took deliberate aim at me with
- both barrels of his gun; and the bullets passed so close to me that the
- powder that remained on them burnt my cheek. Three of my men, who saw him
- aim and fire, thought that he wounded me each fire. One of them was killed
- by my side, and he fell on me, covering my clothes with his blood; and,
- before the rebel could fire again, I blew his brains out with my gun.
- </p>
- <p>
- “It was a horrible fight, the worst I was ever engaged in,—not even
- excepting Shiloh. The enemy cried, ‘No quarter!’ but some of them were
- very glad to take it when made prisoners.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Col. Allen, of the Sixteenth Texas, was killed in front of our regiment,
- and Brig.-Gen. Walker was wounded. We killed about one hundred and eighty
- of the enemy. The gunboat “Choctaw” did good service shelling them. I
- stood on the breastworks after we took them, and gave the elevations and
- direction for the gunboat by pointing my sword; and they sent a shell
- right into their midst, which sent them in all directions. Three shells
- fell there, and sixty-two rebels lay there when the fight was over.
- </p>
- <p>
- “My wound is not serious but troublesome. What few men I have left seem to
- think much of me, because I stood up with them in the fight. I can say for
- them that I never saw a braver company of men in my life.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Not one of them offered to leave his place until ordered to fall back. I
- went down to the hospital, three miles, to-day to see the wounded. Nine of
- them were there, two having died of their wounds. A boy I had cooking for
- me came and bogged a gun when the rebels were advancing, and took his
- place with the company; and, when we retook the breastworks, I found him
- badly wounded, with one gun-shot and two bayonet wounds. A new recruit I
- had issued a gun to the day before the fight was found dead, with a firm
- grasp on his gun, the bayonet of which was broken in three pieces. So they
- fought and died, defending the cause that we revere. They met death
- coolly, bravely: not rashly did they expose themselves, but all were
- steady and obedient to orders.”
- </p>
- <p>
- This battle satisfied the slave-masters of the South that their charm was
- gone, and that the negro, as a slave, was lost forever. Yet there was one
- fact connected with the battle of Milliken’s Bend which will descend to
- posterity, as testimony against the humanity of slave-holders; and that
- is, that no negro was ever found alive that was taken a prisoner by the
- rebels in this fight.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XIX—RAISING BLACK REGIMENTS AT THE NORTH.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>Prejudices at the North.—Black Laws of Illinois and Indiana.—Ill-treatment
- of Negroes.—The Blacks forget their Wrongs, and come to the Rescue.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">I</span>n the struggle
- between the Federal Government and the rebels, the colored men asked the
- question, “Why should we fight?” The question was a legitimate one, at
- least for those residing in the Northern States, and especially in those
- States where there were any considerable number of colored people. In
- every State north of Mason and Dixon’s Line, except Massachusetts and
- Rhode Island, which attempted to raise a regiment of colored men, the
- blacks are disfranchised, excluded from the jury-box, and in most of them
- from the public schools. The iron hand of prejudice in the Northern States
- is as circumscribing and unyielding upon him as the manacles that fettered
- the slave of the South.
- </p>
- <p>
- Now, these are facts, deny it who will. The negro has little to hope from
- Northern sympathy or legislation. Any attempt to engraft upon the organic
- law of the States provisions extending to the colored man political
- privileges is overwhelmingly defeated by the people. It makes no
- difference that here is a pen, and there a voice, raised in his behalf:
- the general verdict is against him; and its repetition in any case where
- it is demanded shows that it is inexorable. We talk a great deal about the
- vice of slavery, and the cruelty of denying to our fellowmen their
- personal freedom and a due reward of labor; but we are very careful not to
- concede the corollary, that the sin of withholding that freedom is not
- vastly greater than withholding the rights to which he who enjoys it is
- entitled.
- </p>
- <p>
- When the war broke out, it was the boast of the Administration that the
- status of the negro was not to be changed in the rebel States. President
- Lincoln, in his inaugural address, took particular pains to commit himself
- against any interference with the condition of the blacks.
- </p>
- <p>
- When the Rebellion commenced, and the call was made upon the country, the
- colored men were excluded. In some of the Western States into which slaves
- went when escaping from their rebel masters, in the first and second years
- of the war, the black-laws were enforced to drive them out. Read what “The
- Daily Alton Democrat” said for Illinois, in the year 1862:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>Notice to the ‘Free Negroes.‘</i>—I hereby give public notice to
- all free negroes who have arrived here from a foreign State within the
- past two months, or may hereafter come into the city of Alton with the
- intention of being residents thereof, that they are allowed the space of
- thirty days to remove; and, upon failure to leave the city, will, after
- that period, be proceeded against by the undersigned, as by law directed.
- The penalty is a heavy fine, to liquidate which the law-officer is
- compelled to offer all free negroes arrested at public auction, unless the
- fine and all costs of suit are promptly paid. I hope the city authorities
- will be spared the <i>necessity</i> of putting the above law <i>in
- execution</i>. All railroad companies and steamboats are also forbidden to
- land free negroes within the city under the penalty of the law. No <i>additional</i>
- notice will be given. Suits will positively be instituted against all
- offenders.
- </p>
- <h3>
- “JAMES W. DAVIS,
- </h3>
- <p>
- “May 27, 1862.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>Prosecuting Attorney Alton-City Court.</i>”
- </p>
- <p>
- The authorities of the State of Indiana also got on the track of the
- contrabands from the rebel States; and the old black-laws were put forth
- as follows:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “Any person who shall employ a negro or mulatto who shall have come into
- the State of Indiana subsequent to the thirty-first day of October, in the
- year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, or shall hereafter come
- into said State, or who shall encourage such negro or mulatto to remain in
- the State, shall be fined in any sum not less than ten dollars, nor more
- than five hundred dollars.”
- </p>
- <p>
- The following will show how Illinois treated the colored people, even
- after the proclamation of freedom was put forth by President Lincoln.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The Whiteside (Ill.) Sentinel” says the following official notice is
- posted in the post-office and other public places in the city of Carthage,
- Hancock County, Ill. It is a practical exemplication of the Illinois
- “black-laws.” The notice reads as follows:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>Public Sale</i>.—Whereas, The following negroes and one mulatto
- man were, on the fifth and sixth days of February, 1863, tried before the
- undersigned, a Justice of the Peace within and for Hancock County, Ill.,
- on a charge of high misdemeanor, having come into this State and county,
- and remaining therein for ten days and more, with the evident intention of
- residing in this State, and were found guilty by a jury, and were each
- severally fined in the sum of fifty dollars, and the judgment was rendered
- against said negroes and mulatto man for fifty dollars’ fine each, and
- costs of suit, which fines and costs are annexed opposite to each name, to
- wit:—
- </p>
-<pre xml:space="preserve">
- Age. Fine. Costs.
-
- John, a negro man, tall and slim, about. 35 $50 $33.17
-
- Sambo, a negro man, about 21 50 32.17
-
- Austin, a negro man, heavy set, about 20 50 30.10
-
- Andrew, a negro man, about 50 30 33.00
-
- Amos, a negro man, about 40 50 29.67
-
- Nelson, a mulatto man, about 55 50 30.07
-</pre>
- <p>
- “And whereas. Said fines and costs have not been paid, notice is therefore
- given that the undersigned will, on Thursday, the nineteenth day of
- February, A.D. 1863, between the hours of one and five o’clock, p.m., of
- said day, at the west end of the Court House, in Carthage, Hancock County,
- 111., sell each of said negro men, John, Austin, Sambo, Andrew, Amos, and
- said mulatto man, Nelson, at public auction, to the person or persons who
- will pay the said fine and costs appended against each respectively for
- the shortest time of service of said negroes and mulatto.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The purchaser or purchasers will be entitled to the control and services
- of the negroes and mulatto purchased for the period named in the sale, and
- no longer, and will be required to furnish said negroes and mulatto with
- comfortable food, clothing, and lodging during said servitude. The fees
- for selling will be added on completion of the sale.
- </p>
- <h3>
- “<i>C. M. CHILD, J.P</i>.
- </h3>
- <p>
- “Carthage, Feb. 9, 1863.”
- </p>
- <p>
- It will be seen that these odious laws were rigidly enforced. With what
- grace could the authorities in those States ask the negro to fight? Yet
- they called upon him; and he, forgetting the wrongs of the past, and
- demanding no pledge for better treatment, left family, home, and every
- thing dear, enlisted, and went forth to battle. And even Connecticut, with
- her proscription of the negro, called on him to fight. How humiliating it
- must have been! And yet Connecticut, after appealing to black men, and
- receiving their aid in fighting her battles, retains her negro
- “black-laws” upon her statute-book by a vote of more than six thousand.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XX.—FIFTY-FOURTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>Its Organization.—Its Appearance.—Col. Shaw.—Presentation
- of Colors.—Its Dress-Parade.—Its Departure from Boston.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he Fifty-fourth
- Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry was called into the service
- of the United States by the President, under an act of Congress, passed
- July 21, 1861, entitled “An Act to authorize the Employment of Volunteers
- to aid in enforcing the Laws and protecting’ Public Property.” Recruiting
- began Feb. 9, 1863, in Boston. A camp of rendezvous was opened at “Camp
- Meigs,” Readville, Mass., on the 21st of February, with a squad of
- twenty-seven men; and, by the end of March, five companies were recruited,
- comprising four hundred and fourteen men. This number was doubled during
- April; and, on the 12th of May, the regiment was full.
- </p>
- <p>
- Orders being received for it to proceed to the Department of the South,
- the regiment broke camp on the 28th of May, and took cars for Boston.
- After passing through the principal streets, and reaching the Common, they
- prepared to receive the colors which were to be presented by the Governor.
- </p>
- <p>
- The regiment was formed in a hollow square, the distinguished persons
- present occupying the centre. The flags were four in number, comprising a
- national flag, presented by young colored ladies of Boston; a national
- ensign, presented by the “Colored Ladies’ Relief Society;” an emblematic
- banner, presented by ladies and gentlemen of Boston, friends of the
- regiment; and a flag presented by relatives and friends of the late Lieut.
- Putnam. The emblematic banner was of white silk, handsomely embroidered,
- having on one side a figure of the Goddess of Justice, with the words,
- “Liberty, Loyalty, and Unity,” around it. The fourth flag bore a cross
- with a blue field, surmounted with the motto, “<i>In hoc signo vinces.</i>”
- All were of the finest texture and workmanship.
- </p>
- <p>
- Prayer having been offered by the Rev. Mr. Grimes, Gov. Andrew presented
- the various flags, with the following speech:—
- </p>
- <h3>
- PRESENTATION SPEECH OF GOV. ANDREW.
- </h3>
- <p>
- “Col. Shaw,—As the official representative of the Commonwealth, and
- by favor of various ladies and gentlemen, citizens of the Commonwealth,
- and friends of the Fifty-fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, I
- have the honor and the satisfaction of being permitted to join you this
- morning for the purpose of presenting to your regiment the national flag,
- the State colors of Massachusetts, and the emblematic banner which the
- cordial, generous, and patriotic friendship of its patrons has seen fit to
- present to you.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Two years of experience in all the trials and vicissitudes of war,
- attended with the repeated exhibition of Massachusetts regiments marching
- from home to the scenes of strife, have left little to be said or
- suggested which could give the interest of novelty to an occasion like
- this. But, Mr. Commander, one circumstance pertaining to the composition
- of the Fifty-fourth Regiment, exceptional in its character when compared
- with any thing we have seen before, gives to this hour an interest and
- importance, solemn and yet grand, because the occasion marks an era in the
- history of the war, of the Commonwealth, of the country, and of humanity.
- I need not dwell upon the fact that the enlisted men constituting the rank
- and file of the Fifty-fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers are
- drawn from a race not hitherto connected with the fortunes of the war. And
- yet I cannot forbear to allude to the circumstance, because I can but
- contemplate it for a brief moment, since it is uppermost in your thoughts,
- and since this regiment, which for many months has been the desire of my
- own heart, is present now before this vast assembly of friendly citizens
- of Massachusetts, prepared to vindicate by its future, as it has already
- begun to do by its brief history of camp-life here, to vindicate in its
- own person and in the presence, I trust, of all who belong to it, the
- character, the manly character, the zeal, the manly zeal, of the colored
- citizens of Massachusetts and of those other States which have cast their
- lot with ours. (Applause.)
- </p>
- <p>
- “I owe to you, Mr. Commander, and to the officers who, associated with
- you, have assisted in the formation of this noble corps, composed of men
- selected from among their fellows for fine qualities of manhood,—I
- owe to you, sir, and to those of your associates who united with me in the
- original organization of this body, the heartiest and most emphatic
- expression of my cordial thanks. I shall follow you, Mr. Commander, your
- officers, and your men, with a friendly and personal solicitude, to say
- nothing of official care, which can hardly be said of any other corps
- which has marched from Massachusetts. My own personal honor, if I have
- any, is identified with yours. I stand or fall, as a man and a magistrate,
- with the rise or fall in the history of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts
- Regiment. (Applause.) I pledge not only in behalf of myself, but of all
- those whom I have the honor to represent to-day, the utmost generosity,
- the utmost kindness, the utmost devotion of hearty love, not only for the
- cause, but for you that represent it. We will follow your fortunes in the
- camp and in the field with the anxious eyes of brethren and the proud
- hearts of citizens.
- </p>
- <p>
- “To those men of Massachusetts, and of surrounding States who have now
- made themselves citizens of Massachusetts, I have no word to utter fit to
- express the emotions of my heart. These men, sir, have now, in the
- Providence of God, given to them an opportunity which, while it is
- personal to themselves, is still an opportunity for a whole race of men.
- (Applause.) With arms possessed of might to strike a blow, they have found
- breathed into their hearts an inspiration of devoted patriotism, and
- regard for their brethren of their own color, which has inspired them with
- a purpose to nerve that arm, that it may strike a blow which, while it
- shall help to raise aloft their country’s flag—<i>their</i>
- country’s flag, now as well as ours—by striking down the foes which
- oppose it, strikes also the last blow, I trust, needful to rend the last
- shackle which binds the limb of the bondman in the rebel States.
- (Applause.)
- </p>
- <p>
- “I know not, Mr. Commander, when, in all human history, to any given
- thousand men in arms there has been given a work so proud, so precious, so
- full of hope and glory, as the work committed to you. (Applause.) And may
- the infinite mercy of Almighty God attend you every hour of every day,
- through all the experiences and vicissitude of that dangerous life in
- which you have embarked! may the God of our fathers cover your heads in
- the day of battle! may he shield you with the arms of everlasting power!
- may he hold you always most of all, first of all, and last of all, up to
- the highest and holiest conception of duty; so that if, on the field of
- stricken fight, your souls shall be delivered from the thraldom of the
- flesh, your spirits shall go home to God, bearing aloft the exulting
- thought of duty well performed, of glory and reward won even at the hands
- of the angels who shall watch over you from above!
- </p>
- <p>
- “Mr. Commander, you, sir, and most of your officers, have been carefully
- selected from among the most intelligent and experienced officers who have
- already performed illustrious service upon the field during the last two
- years of our national conflict. I need not say, sir, with how much
- confidence and with how much pride we contemplate the leadership which we
- know this regiment will receive at your hands. In yourself, sir, your
- staff and line officers, we are enabled to declare a confidence which
- knows no hesitation and no doubt. Whatever fortune may betide you, we know
- from the past that all will be done for the honor of the cause, for the
- protection of the flag, for the defence of the right, for the glory of
- your country, and for the safety and the honor of these men whom we commit
- to you, that shall lie either in the human heart or brain or arm.
- (Applause.)
- </p>
- <p>
- “And now, Mr. Commander, it is my most agreeable duty and high honor to
- hand to you, as the representative of the Fifty-fourth Regiment of
- Massachusetts Volunteers, the American flag, the star-spangled banner of
- the Republic. Wherever its folds shall be unfurled, it will mark the path
- of glory. Let its stars be the inspiration of yourselves, your officers,
- and your men. As the gift of the young ladies of the city of Boston to
- their brethren in arms, they will cherish it as the lover cherishes the
- recollection and fondness of his mistress; and the white stripes of its
- field will be red with their blood before it shall be surrendered to the
- foe. (Applause.)
- </p>
- <p>
- “I have also the honor, Mr. Commander, to present to you the State colors
- of Massachusetts,—the State colors of the old Bay State, borne
- already by fifty-three regiments of Massachusetts soldiers, white men thus
- far, now to be borne by the Fifty-fourth Regiment of soldiers, not less of
- Massachusetts than the others. Whatever maybe said, Mr. Commander, of any
- other flag which has ever kissed the sunlight, or been borne on any field,
- I have the pride and honor to be able to declare before you, your
- regiment, and these witnesses, that, from the beginning up till now, the
- State colors of Massachusetts have never been surrendered to any foe.
- (Cheers.) The Fifty-fourth now holds in possession this sacred charge in
- the performance of their duties as citizen-soldiers. You will never part
- with that flag so long as a splinter of the staff, or a thread of its web,
- remains within your grasp. (Applause.) The State colors are presented to
- the Fifty-fourth by the Relief Society, composed of colored ladies of
- Boston.
- </p>
- <p>
- “And now let me commit to you this splendid emblematic banner. It is
- prepared for your acceptance by a large and patriotic committee,
- representing many others beside ladies and gentlemen of Boston, to whose
- hearty sympathy, and powerful co-operation and aid, much of the success
- which has hitherto attended the organization of this regiment is due. The
- Goddess of Liberty, erect in beautiful guise and form (liberty, loyalty,
- and unity are the emblems it bears),—the Goddess of Liberty shall be
- the lady-love whose fair presence shall inspire your hearts; liberty,
- loyalty, unity, the watchwords in the fight.
- </p>
- <p>
- “And now, Mr. Commander, the sacred, holy cross, representing passion, the
- highest heroism, I scarcely dare to trust myself to present to you. It is
- the emblem of Christianity. I have parted with the emblems of the State,
- of the nation,—heroic, patriotic emblems they are, dear,
- inexpressibly dear, to all our hearts; but now, <i>In hoc signo vinces</i>,
- the cross which represents the passion of our Lord, I dare to pass into
- your soldier hands; for we are fighting now a battle not merely for
- country, not merely for humanity, not only for civilization, but for the
- religion of our Lord itself. When this cause shall ultimately fall, if
- ever failure at the last shall be possible, it will only fail when the
- last patriot, the last philanthropist, and the last Christian shall have
- tasted death, and left no descendants behind them upon the soil of
- Massachusetts. (Applause.)
- </p>
- <p>
- “This flag, Mr. Commander, has connected with its history the most
- touching and sacred memory. It comes to your regiment from the mother,
- sister, friends, family relatives, of one of the dearest and noblest
- soldier-boys of Massachusetts. I need not utter the name of Lieut. Putnam
- in order to excite in every heart the tenderest emotions of fond regard,
- or the strongest feeling of patriotic fire. May you, sir, and these,
- follow not only on the field of battle, but in all the walks and ways of
- life, in camp, and hereafter, when, on returning peace, you shall resume
- the more quiet and peaceful duties of citizens,—may you but follow
- the splendid example, the sweet devotion mingled with manly, heroic
- character, of which the life, character, and death of Lieut. Putnam was
- one example! How many more there are we know not: the record is not yet
- complete; but, oh! how many there are of these Massachusetts sons, who,
- like him, have tasted death for this immortal cause! Inspired by such
- examples, fired by the heat and light of love and faith which illumined
- and warmed these heroic and noble hearts, may you, sir, and these, march
- on to glory, to victory, and to every honor! This flag I present to you,
- Mr. Commander, and your regiment. <i>In hoc signo vinces</i>
- </p>
- <h3>
- RESPONSE OF COL. SHAW.
- </h3>
- <p>
- “<i>Your Excellency</i>,—We accept these flags with feelings of deep
- gratitude. They will remind us not only of the cause we are fighting for,
- and of our country, but of the friends we have left behind us, who have
- thus far taken so much interest in this regiment, and who, we know, will
- follow us in our career. Though the greater number of men in this regiment
- are not Massachusetts men, I know there is not one who will not be proud
- to fight and serve under our flag. May we have an opportunity to show that
- you have not made a mistake in intrusting the honor of the State to a
- colored regiment!—the first State that has sent one to the war.
- </p>
- <p>
- “I am very glad to have this opportunity to thank the officers and men of
- the regiment for their untiring fidelity and devotion to their work from
- the very beginning. They have shown that sense of the importance of our
- undertaking, without which we should hardly have attained our end.
- (Applause)”
- </p>
- <p>
- At the conclusion of Col. Shaw’s remarks, the colors were borne to their
- place in the line by the guard, and the regiment was reviewed by the
- Governor. Thence they marched out of the Common, down Tremont Street, down
- Court Street, by the Court House, chained hardly a decade ago to save
- slavery and the Union. Thence down State Street, trampling on the very
- pavement over which Sims and Burns marched to their fate, encompassed by
- soldiers of the United States.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Their sisters, sweethearts, and wives”—a familiar quotation in the
- notices of previous departing regiments, but looking a little odd in this
- new place—ran along beside “the boys,” giving their parting
- benediction of smiles and tears, telling them to be brave, and to show
- their blood.
- </p>
- <p>
- They marched in good time, and wheeled with a readiness which showed that
- they had a clear idea of what was required, and only needed a little more
- practice to equal the best regiments that left the State.
- </p>
- <p>
- The regiment marched down State Street at a quarter past twelve o’clock to
- the tune of “John Brown,” and was vociferously cheered by the vast crowds
- that covered the sidewalks and filled the windows. Nowhere was the
- reception of the regiment more hearty.
- </p>
- <p>
- All attempts to express the feeling of the crowd or the soldiers seem to
- read stale and flat. Yet, as Goldsmith said that the weakest jokes were
- received as wit by the circle of the happy vicar, so these attempts were
- treated as successes by the happy crowd. One man said it was a
- verification of Shakspeare:—
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- “Know you not <i>Pompey?</i>
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- You have climbed up to the walls and battlements
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- To see <i>Great Pompey</i> pass the streets of Rome.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- One fact should be chronicled. Their regimental banner, of superb white
- silk had on one side the coat-of-anns of Massachusetts, and on the other a
- golden cross on a golden star, with <i>In hoc Signo Vinces</i> beneath. <i>This
- is the first Christian banner that has gone into our war</i>. By a
- strange, and yet not strange, providence, God has made this despised race
- the bearers of his standard. They are thus the real leaders of the nation.
- </p>
- <p>
- On reaching the wharf at a quarter before one, every thing had been placed
- on board through the efforts of Capt. McKim; the guns were placed in
- boxes, the horses put aboard, and the men began to embark. At four
- o’clock, the vessel steamed down the harbor, bound for Port Royal, S.C.
- </p>
- <h3>
- THE COMPLETE ROSTER OF THE REGIMENT.
- </h3>
- <p>
- Colonel.—Robert G. Shaw.
- </p>
- <p>
- Lieut.-Colonel.—Norwood P. Hallowell.
- </p>
- <p>
- Major.—Edward N. Hallowed.
- </p>
- <p>
- Surgeon.—Lincoln R. Stone.
- </p>
- <p>
- Assistant Surgeon.—C. B. Brigham.
- </p>
- <p>
- Captains.—Alfred S. Hartwell, David A. Partridge, Samuel Willard,
- John W. M. Appleton, Watson W. Bridge, George Pope, William II. Simpkins,
- Cabot J. Russell, Edward L. Jones, and Louis F. Emilo.
- </p>
- <p>
- 1st. Lieutenants.—John Ritchie, Garth W. James, William H. Hemans,
- Grin E. Smith, Erik Wulff, Walter H. Wild, Francis L. Higginson, James M.
- Walton, James M. Grace, R. K. L. Jewett.
- </p>
- <p>
- 2d Lieutenants.—Thomas L. Appleton, Benjamin F. Dexter, J. Albert
- Pratt, Charles F. Smith, Henry W. Littlefield, William Nutt, David Reid,
- Charles E. Tucker, and William Howard.
- </p>
- <p>
- Many of the men in the Fifty-Fourth had once been slaves at the South;
- some had enjoyed freedom for years; others had escaped after the breaking
- out of the Rebellion. Most of them had relatives still there, and had a
- double object in joining the regiment. They were willing to risk their
- lives for the freedom of those left behind; and, if they failed in that,
- they might, at least, have an opportunity of settling with the “ole boss”
- for a long score of cruelty.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- “From many a Southern field they trembling came,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Fled from the lash, the fetter, and the chain”;
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Return they now, not at base Slavery’s claim,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- To meet the oppressor on the battle-plain.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- “The following song was written by a private in Company A, Fifty-Fourth
- (colored) Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers, and has been sent to us for
- publication by a friend of the regiment.”—Boston Transcript.
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- “Air.—‘Hoist up the Flag.’
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- “Fremont told them, when the war it first begun,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- How to save the Union, and the way it should be done;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- But Kentucky swore so hard, and old Abe he had his fears,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Till every hope was lost but the colored volunteers.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Chorus.—Oh! give us a flag all free without a slave,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- We’ll fight to defend it as our fathers did so brave:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- The gallant Comp’ny A will make the rebels dance;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And we’ll stand by the Union, if we only have a chance.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- McClellan went to Richmond with two hundred thousand brave:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- He said, ‘keep back the niggers,’ and the Union he would save.
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Little Mac he had his way, still the Union is in tears:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Now they call for the help of the colored volunteers.
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Chor.—Oh! give us a flag, &c.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Old Jeff says he’ll hang us if we dare to meet him armed:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- A very big thing, but we are not at all alarmed;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- For he first has got to catch us before the way is clear,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And ‘that’s what’s the matter’ with the colored volunteer.
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Chor.—Oh! give us a flag, &c.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- So rally, boys, rally, let us never mind the past:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- We had a hard road to travel, but our day is coming fast;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- For God is for the right, and we have no need to fear:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- The Union must be saved by the colored volunteer.
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Chor.—Oh! give us a flag, &c.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /> <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XXI—BLACKS UNDER FIRE IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>Expedition up the St. Mary’s River.—The Negroes Long for a Fight.—Their
- Gallantry in Battle.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he Department of
- the South, under Major-Gen. Hunter, was the first in which the negro held
- the musket. By consent of the commanding-general, I give the following
- interesting report from Col. T. W. Higginson:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “On Board Steamer ‘Rex Deford,’ Sunday, Feb. 1, 1863.
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>Brig-Gen. Saxton, Military Governor, &c</i>.
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>General</i>,—I have the honor to report the safe return of the
- expedition under my command, consisting of four hundred and sixty-two
- officers and men of the First Regiment of South-Carolina Volunteers, who
- left Beaufort on Jan. 23, on board the steamers: John Adams,’ ‘Planter,’
- and ‘Ben Deford.’
- </p>
- <p>
- “The expedition has carried the regimental flag and the President’s
- proclamation far into the interior of Georgia and Florida. The men have
- been repeatedly under fire; have had infantry, cavalry, and even
- artillery, arrayed against them; and have, in every instance, come off,
- not only with unblemished honor, but with undisputed triumph. At Township,
- Fla., a detachment of the expedition fought a cavalry company which met us
- unexpectedly, on a midnight march through pine woods, and which completely
- surrounded us. They were beaten off with a loss on our part of one man
- killed and seven wounded; while the opposing party admits twelve men
- killed (including Lieut. Jones, in command of the company), besides many
- wounded. So complete was our victory, that the enemy scattered, hid in the
- woods all night, not returning to his camp, which was five miles distant,
- until noon next day; a fact which was unfortunately unknown until too late
- to follow up our advantage. Had I listened to the urgent appeals of my
- men, and pressed the flying enemy, we could have destroyed his camp; but,
- in view of the darkness, his uncertain numbers and swifter motions, with
- your injunctions of caution, I judged it better to rest satisfied with the
- victory already gained.
- </p>
- <p>
- “On another occasion, a detachment of about two hundred and fifty men, on
- board the ‘John Adams,’ fought its way forty miles up and down a river,
- the most dangerous in the department,—the St. Mary’s; a river left
- untraversed by our gunboats for many months, as it required a boat built
- like the ‘John Adams’ to ascend it successfully. The stream is narrow,
- swift, winding, and bordered at many places with high bluffs, which blazed
- with rifle-shots. With our glasses, as we approached these points, we
- could see mounted men by the hundreds galloping through the woods, from
- point to point, to await us; and, though fearful of our shot and shell,
- they were so daring against musketry, that one rebel actually sprang from
- the shore upon the large boat which was towed at our stern, where he was
- shot down by one of my sergeants. We could see our shell scatter the
- rebels as they fell among them, and some terrible execution must have been
- done; but not a man of this regiment was killed or wounded, though the
- steamer is covered with bullet-marks, one of which shows where our brave
- Capt. Clifton, commander of the vessel, fell dead beside his own
- pilot-house, shot through the brain by a Minie-ball. Major Strong, who
- stood beside him, escaped as if by magic, both of them being unnecessarily
- exposed without my knowledge. The secret of our safety was in keeping the
- regiment below, except the gunners; but this required the utmost energy of
- the officers, as the men were wild to come on deck, and even implored to
- be landed on shore, and charge on the enemy. Nobody knows any thing about
- these men who has not seen them in battle. I find that I myself knew
- nothing. There is a fiery energy about them beyond any thing of which I
- have ever read, unless it be the French Zouaves. It requires the strictest
- discipline to hold them in hand. During our first attack on the river,
- before I got them all penned below, they crowded at the open ends of the
- steamer, loading and firing with inconceivable rapidity, and shouting to
- each other, ‘Never give it up!’ When collected into the hold, they
- actually fought each other for places at the few port-holes from which
- they could fire on the enemy.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Meanwhile, the black gunners, admirably trained by Lieuts. Stockdale and
- O’Neil (both being accomplished artillerists), and Mr. Heron, of the
- gunboat, did their duty without the slightest protection, and with great
- coolness, amid a storm of shot.
- </p>
- <p>
- “No officer in this regiment now doubts that the key to the successful
- prosecution of this war lies in the unlimited employment of black troops.
- Their superiority lies simply in the fact that they know the country,
- which white troops do not; and, moreover, that they have peculiarities of
- temperament, position, and motive, which belong to them alone. Instead of
- leaving their homes and families to fight, they are fighting for their
- homes and families; and they show the resolution and sagacity which a
- personal purpose gives. It would have been madness to attempt with the
- bravest white troops what I have successfully accomplished with black
- ones.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Every thing, even to the piloting of the vessel, and the selection of the
- proper points for cannonading, was done by my own soldiers; indeed, the
- real conductor of the whole expedition at the St. Mary’s was Corporal
- Robert Sutton, of Company G, formerly a slave upon the St. Mary’s River; a
- man of extraordinary qualities, who needs nothing but a knowledge of the
- alphabet to entitle him to the most signal promotion. In every instance
- where I followed his advice, the predicted result followed; and I never
- departed from it, however slightly, without having reason for subsequent
- regret.
- </p>
- <p>
- “I have the honor to be, &c.,
- </p>
- <h3>
- “T. W. HIGGINSON,
- </h3>
- <p>
- “<i>Col. Com. First Regiment South-Carolina Vols.</i>”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XXII—FREEDMEN UNDER FIRE IN MISSISSIPPI.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>Bravery of the Freedmen.—Desperation of the Rebels.—Severe
- Battle. Negroes Triumphant.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">W</span>hile the people
- along the banks of the Mississippi, above New Orleans, were discussing the
- question as to whether the negro would fight, if attacked by white men, or
- not. Col. Daniels, of the Second Regiment Louisiana Volunteers, gave one
- side of the subject considerable of a “hist,” on the 9th of April, 1863.
- His official report will speak for itself.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Headquarters, Ship Island (Miss.), April 11, 1863.
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>Brig.-Gen. Sherman, commanding Defences of New Orleans</i>.
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>Sir</i>,—In compliance with instructions from your headquarters,
- to keep you promptly informed of any movements that the enemy might be
- known to be making up the Mississippi Sound, upon learning that repeated
- demonstrations had been made in the direction of Pascagoula, by
- Confederate troops ashore, and in armed boats along the coast; and,
- furthermore, having reliable information that the greater part of the
- forces at Mobile were being sent to re-enforce Charleston, I determined to
- make a reconnoissance within the enemy’s lines, at or near Pascagoula, for
- the purpose of not only breaking up their demonstrations, but of creating
- a diversion of the Mobile forces from Charleston, and precipitating them
- along the Sound; and accordingly embarked with a detachment of a hundred
- and eighty men of my command on United-States Transport ‘General Banks,’
- on the morning of the 9th of April, 1863, and made for Pascagoula, Miss.,
- where we arrived about nine o’clock, a.m., landed, and took possession of
- wharf and hotel, hoisted the stars and stripes upon the building, threw
- out pickets, and sent small detachments in various directions to take
- possession of the place, and hold the roads leading from the same.
- Immediately thereafter, a force of over three hundred Confederate cavalry
- came down the Mobile Road, drove in the pickets, and attacked the squad on
- the left, from whom they received a warm reception. They then fell back in
- some confusion, re-formed, and made a dash upon the detachment stationed
- at the hotel, at which point they were again repulsed; Confederate
- infantry, meanwhile, attacking my forces on the extreme left, and forcing
- a small detachment to occupy a wharf, from which they poured volley after
- volley into the enemy’s ranks, killing and wounding many, with a loss of
- one man only. The fight had now extended along the road from the river to
- the wharf, the enemy being under cover of the houses and forest; whilst my
- troops were, from the nature of the ground, unavoidably exposed. The
- Confederates had placed their women and children in front of their houses,
- for a cover, and even armed their citizens, and forced them to fight
- against us. After an hour’s continuous skirmishing, the enemy retreated to
- the woods, and my forces fell back to the hotel and wharf. Then the enemy
- sallied forth again, with apparently increased numbers, attempting to
- surround the hotel, and obtain possession of the wharf; but they were
- again repulsed, and driven back to their cover,—the forest. It was
- here that Lieut. Jones, with a detachment of only seven men, having been
- placed on the extreme right, cut his way through a large force of the
- enemy’s cavalry, and arrived at the hotel without losing a man, but
- killing and wounding a considerable number of the enemy.
- </p>
- <p>
- “After continuous fighting, from ten o’clock, a.m., to two o’clock, p.m.,
- and on learning that heavy re-enforcements of infantry and artillery had
- arrived from the camps up the Pascagoula River, I withdrew my forces from
- the hotel, and returned to Ship Island. The enemy’s loss was over twenty
- killed, and a large number wounded. From my own knowledge, and from
- information derived from prisoners taken in the fight, and from refugees
- since arrived, the enemy had over four hundred cavalry and infantry at
- Pascagoula, and heavy re-enforcements within six miles of the place.
- Refugees who have arrived since the engagement report the enemy’s loss as
- greater than mentioned in my first report.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The expedition was a perfect success, accomplishing all that was
- intended; resulting in the repulse of the enemy in every engagement with
- great loss; whilst our casualty was only two killed and eight wounded.
- Great credit is due to the troops engaged, for their unflinching bravery
- and steadiness under this their first fire, exchanging volley after volley
- with the coolness of veterans; and for their determined tenacity in
- maintaining their position, and taking advantage of every success that
- their courage and valor gave them; and also to their officers, who were
- cool and determined throughout the action, fighting their commands against
- five times their numbers, and confident throughout of success,—all
- demonstrating to its fullest extent that the oppression which they have
- heretofore undergone from the hands of their foes, and the obloquy that
- had been showered upon them by those who should have been friends, had not
- extinguished their manhood, or suppressed their bravery, and that they had
- still a hand to wield the sword, and a heart to vitalize its blow.
- </p>
- <p>
- “I would particularly call the attention of the Department to Major F. E.
- Dumas, Capt. Villeverd, and Lieuts. Jones and Martin, who were constantly
- in the thickest of the fight, and by their unflinching bravery, and
- admirable handling of their commands, contributed to the success of the
- attack, and reflected great honor upon the flag under and for which they
- so nobly struggled. Repeated instances of individual bravery among the
- troops might be mentioned; but it would be invidious where all fought so
- manfully aud so well.
- </p>
- <p>
- “I have the honor to be, most respectfully,
- </p>
- <p>
- “Your obedient servant,
- </p>
- <h3>
- “<i>N. U. DANIELS,</i>
- </h3>
- <p>
- “<i>Col. Second Regiment La. N. O. Vols., Commanding Post.</i>”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XXIII—BATTLE OF PORT HUDSON.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>The Louisiana Native Guard.—Capt. Callioux.—The Weather.—Spirit
- of the Troops.—The Battle begins.—“Charge.”—Great
- Bravery.—The Gallant Color-bearer.—Grape, Canister, and Shell
- sweep down the Heroic Men.—Death of Callioux.—Comments.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">O</span>n the 26th of May,
- 1863, the wing of the array under Major-Gen. Banks was brought before the
- rifle-pits and heavy guns of Port Hudson. Night fell—the lovely
- Southern night—with its silvery moonshine on the gleaming waters of
- the Mississippi, that passed directly by the intrenched town. The
- glistening stars appeared suspended in the upper air as globes of liquid
- light, while the fresh soft breeze was bearing such sweet scents from the
- odoriferous trees and plants, that a poet might have fancied angelic
- spirits were abroad, making the atmosphere luminous with their pure
- presence, and every breeze fragrant with their luscious breath. The
- deep-red sun that rose on the next morning indicated that the day would be
- warm; and, as it advanced, the heat became intense. The earth had been
- long parched, and the hitherto green verdure had begun to turn yellow.
- Clouds of dust followed every step and movement of the troops. The air was
- filled with dust: clouds gathered, frowned upon the earth, and hastened
- away.
- </p>
- <p>
- The weatherwise watched the red masses of the morning, and still hoped for
- a shower to cool the air, and lay the dust, before the work of death
- commenced; but none came, and the very atmosphere seemed as if it were
- from an overheated oven. The laying-aside of all unnecessary articles or
- accoutrements, and the preparation that showed itself on every side, told
- all present that the conflict was near at hand. Gen. Dwight, whose
- antecedents with regard to the rights of the negro, and his ability to
- fight, were not of the most favorable character, was the officer in
- command over the colored brigade; and busy Rumor, that knows every thing,
- had whispered it about that the valor of the black man was to be put to
- the severest test that day.
- </p>
- <p>
- The black forces consisted of the First Louisiana, under Lieut-Col.
- Bassett, and the Third Louisiana, under Col. Nelson. The line-officers of
- the Third were White; and the regiment was composed mostly of freedmen,
- many of whose backs still bore the marks of the lash, and whose brave,
- stout hearts beat high at the thought that the hour had come when they
- were to meet their proud and unfeeling oppressors. The First was the noted
- regiment called “The Native Guard,” which Gen. Butler found when he
- entered New Orleans, and which so promptly offered its services to aid in
- crushing the Rebellion. The line-officers of this regiment were all
- colored, taken from amongst the most wealthy and influential of the free
- colored people of New Orleans. It was said that not one of them was worth
- less than twenty-five thousand dollars. The brave, the enthusiastic, and
- the patriotic, found full scope for the development of their powers in
- this regiment, of which all were well educated; some were fine scholars.
- One of the most efficient officers was Capt. André Callioux, a man whose
- identity with his race could not be mistaken; for he prided himself on
- being the blackest man in the Crescent City. Whether in the drawing-room
- or on the parade, he was ever the centre of attraction. Finely educated,
- polished in his manners, a splendid horseman, a good boxer, bold,
- athletic, and daring, he never lacked admirers. His men were ready at any
- time to follow him to the cannon’s mouth; and he was as ready to lead
- them. This regiment petitioned their commander to allow them to occupy the
- post of danger in the battle, and it was granted.
- </p>
- <p>
- As the moment of attack drew near, the greatest suppressed excitement
- existed; but all were eager for the fight. Capt. Callioux walked proudly
- up and down the line, and smilingly greeted the familiar faces of his
- company. Officers and privates of the white regiments looked on as they
- saw these men at the front, and asked each other what they thought would
- be the result. Would these blacks stand fire? Was not the test by which
- they were to be tried too severe? Col. Nelson being called to act as
- brigadier-general, Lieut-Col. Finnegas took his place. The enemy In his
- stronghold felt his power, and bade defiance to the expected attack. At
- last the welcome word was given, and our men started. The enemy opened a
- blistering fire of shell, canister, grape, and musketry. The first shell
- thrown by the enemy killed and wounded a number of the blacks; but on they
- went. “Charge” was the word.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Charge!” Trump and drum awoke:
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Onward the bondmen broke;
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Bayonet and sabre-stroke
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Vainly opposed their rush.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- At every pace, the column was thinned by the falling dead and wounded. The
- blacks closed up steadily as their comrades fell, and advanced within
- fifty paces of where the rebels were working a masked battery, situated on
- a bluff where the guns could sweep the whole field over which the troops
- must charge. This battery was on the left of the charging line. Another
- battery of three or four guns commanded the front, and six heavy pieces
- raked the right of the line as it formed, and enfiladed its flank and rear
- as it charged on the bluff. It was ascertained that a bayou ran under the
- bluff where the guns lay,—a bayou deeper than a man could ford. This
- charge was repulsed with severe loss. Lieut-Col. Finnegas was then ordered
- to charge, and in a well-dressed steady line his men went on the
- doublequick down over the field of death. No matter how gallantly the men
- behaved, no matter how bravely they were led, it was not in the course of
- things that this gallant brigade should take these works by charge. Yet
- charge after charge was ordered and carried out under all these disasters
- with Spartan firmness. Six charges in all were made. Col. Nelson reported
- to Gen. Dwight the fearful odds he had to contend with. Says Gen. Dwight,
- in reply, “Tell Col. Nelson I shall consider that he has accomplished
- nothing unless he take those guns.” Humanity will never forgive Gen.
- Dwight for this last order; for he certainly saw that he was only throwing
- away the lives of his men. But what were his men? “Only niggers.” Thus the
- last charge was made under the spur of desperation.
- </p>
- <p>
- The ground was already strewn with the dead and wounded, and many of the
- brave officers had fallen early in the engagement. Among them was the
- gallant and highly cultivated Anselmo. He was a standardbearer, and hugged
- the stars and stripes to his heart as he fell forward upon them pierced by
- five balls. Two corporals near by struggled between themselves as to who
- should have the honor of again raising those bloodstained emblems to the
- breeze. Each was eager for the honor; and during the struggle a missile
- from the enemy wounded one of them, and the other corporal shouldered the
- dear old flag in triumph, and bore it through the charge in the front of
- the advancing lines.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- “Now,” the flag-sergeant cried,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- “Though death and hell betide,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Let the whole nation see
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- If we are fit to be
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Free in this land, or bound
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Down, like the whining hound,—
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Bound with red stripes aud pain
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- In our old chains again.”
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Oh! what a shout there went
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- From the black regiment!
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- Shells from the rebel guns cut down trees three feet in diameter, and they
- fell, at one time burying a whole company beneath their branches. Thus
- they charged bravely on certain destruction, till the ground was slippery
- with the gore of the slaughtered, and cumbered with the bodies of the
- maimed. The last charge was made about one o’clock. At this juncture,
- Capt. Callioux was seen with his left arm dangling by his side,—for
- a ball had broken it above the elbow,—while his right hand held his
- unsheathed sword gleaming in the rays of the sun; and his hoarse, faint
- voice was heard cheering on his men. A moment more, and the brave and
- generous Callioux was struck by a shell, and fell far in advance of his
- company. The fall of this officer so exasperated his men, that they
- appeared to be filled with new enthusiasm; and they rushed forward with a
- recklessness that probably has never been surpassed. Seeing it to be a
- hopeless effort, the taking of these batteries, order was given to change
- the programme; and the troops were called off. But had they accomplished
- any thing more than the loss of many of their brave men? Yes: they had.
- The self-forgetfulness, the undaunted heroism, and the great endurance of
- the negro, as exhibited that day, created a new chapter in American
- history for the colored man.
- </p>
- <p>
- Many Persians were slain at the battle of Thermopylæ; but history records
- only the fall of Leonidas and his four hundred companions. So in the
- future, when we shall have passed away from the stage, and rising
- generations shall speak of the conflict at Port Hudson, and the celebrated
- charge of the negro brigade, they will forget all others in their
- admiration for André Callioux and his colored associates. Gen. Banks, in
- his report of the battle of Port Hudson, says, “Whatever doubt may have
- existed heretofore as to the efficiency of organizations of this
- character, the history of this day proves conclusively to those who were
- in a condition to observe the conduct of these regiments, that the
- Government will find in this class of troops effective supporters and
- defenders. The severe test to which they were subjected, and the
- determined manner in which they encountered the enemy, leaves upon my mind
- no doubt of their ultimate success.”
- </p>
- <p>
- Hon. B. F. Flanders paid them the following tribute:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “The unanimous report of all those who were in the recent battle at Port
- Hudson, in regard to the negroes, is, that they fought like devils. They
- have completely conquered the prejudice of the army against them. Never
- before was there such an extraordinary revolution of sentiment as that of
- this army in respect to the negroes as soldiers.”
- </p>
- <p>
- This change was indeed needed; for only a few days previous to the battle,
- while the regiments were at Baton Rouge, the line-officers of the
- New-England troops, either through jealousy or hatred to the colored men
- on account of their complexion, demanded that the latter, as officers,
- should be dismissed. And, to the disgrace of these white officers, the
- colored men, through the mean treatment of their superiors in office, the
- taunts and jeers of their white assailants, were compelled to throw up
- their commissions. The colored soldiers were deeply pained at seeing the
- officers of their own color and choice taken from them; for they were much
- attached to their commanders, some of whom were special favorites with the
- whole regiment. Among these were First Lieut. Joseph Howard of Company I,
- and Second Lieut. Joseph G. Parker, of Company C. These gentlemen were
- both possessed of ample wealth, and had entered the army, not as a matter
- of speculation, as too many have done, but from a love of military life.
- Lieut. Howard was a man of more than ordinary ability in military tactics;
- and a braver or more daring officer could not be found in the Valley of
- the Mississippi. He was well educated, speaking the English, French, and
- Spanish languages fluently, and was considered a scholar of rare literary
- attainments. He, with his friend Parker, felt sorely the humiliation
- attending their dismissal from the army, and seldom showed themselves on
- the streets of their native city, to which they had returned. When the
- news reached New Orleans of the heroic charge made by the First Louisiana
- Regiment, at Port Hudson, on the 27th of May, Howard at once called on
- Parker; and they were so fired with the intelligence, that they determined
- to proceed to Port Hudson, and to join their old regiment as <i>privates</i>.
- That night they took passage, and the following day found them with their
- former friends in arms. The regiment was still in position close to the
- enemy’s works, and the appearance of the two lieutenants was hailed with
- demonstrations of joy. Instead of being placed as privates in the ranks,
- they were both immediately assigned the command of a company each, not
- from any compliment to them, but from sheer necessity, because the <i>white
- officers</i> of these companies, feeling that the colored soldiers were
- put in the front of the battle owing to their complexion, were not willing
- to risk their lives, and had thrown up their commissions.
- </p>
- <p>
- On the 5th of June, these two officers were put to the test, and nobly did
- they maintain their former reputation for bravery. Capt. Howard leading
- the way, they charged upon the rebel’s rifle-pits, drove them out, and
- took possession, and held them for three hours, in the face of a raking
- fire of artillery. Several times the blacks were so completely hidden from
- view by the smoke of their own guns and the enemy’s heavy cannon, that
- they could not be seen. It was at this time, that Capt. Howard exhibited
- his splendid powers as a commander. The negroes never hesitated. Amid the
- roar of artillery, and the rattling of musketry, the groans of the
- wounded, and the ghastly appearance of the dead, the heroic and intrepid
- Howard was the same. He never said to his men, “Go,” but always, “Follow
- me.” At last, when many of their men were killed, and the severe fire of
- the enemy’s artillery seemed to mow down every thing before it, these
- brave men were compelled to fall back from the pits which they had so
- triumphantly taken. At nightfall, Gen. Banks paid the negro officers a
- high compliment, shaking the hand of Capt. Howard, and congratulating him
- on his return, and telling his aides that this man was worthy of a more
- elevated position.
- </p>
- <p>
- Although the First Louisiana had done well, its great triumph was reserved
- for the 14th of June, when Capt. Howard and his associates in arms won for
- themselves immortal renown. Never, in the palmy days of Napoleon,
- Wellington, or any other general, was more true heroism shown. The effect
- of the battle of the 27th of May, is thus described in “The New-York
- Herald,” June 6:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “The First Regiment Louisiana Native Guard, Col. Nelson, were in this
- charge. <i>They went on the advance, and, when they came out, six hundred
- out of nine hundred men could not be accounted for. It is said on every
- side that they fought with the desperation of tigers</i>. One negro was
- observed with a rebel soldier in his grasp, tearing the flesh from his
- face with his teeth, other weapons having failed him. There are other
- incidents connected with the conduct of this regiment <i>that have raised
- them very much in my opinion as soldiers. After firing one volley, they
- did not deign to load again, but went in with bayonets; and, wherever they
- had a chance, it was all up with the rebels.”</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- From “The New-York Tribune,” June 8:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “Nobly done, First Regiment of Louisiana Native Guard! though you failed
- to carry the rebel works against overwhelming numbers, you did not charge
- and fight and fall in vain. That heap of six hundred corpses, lying there
- dark and grim and silent before and within the rebel works, is a better
- proclamation of freedom than even President Lincoln’s. A race ready to die
- thus was never yet retained in bondage, and never can be. Even the Wood
- copperheads, who will not fight themselves, and try to keep others out of
- the Union ranks, will not dare to mob negro regiments if this is their
- style of fighting.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Thus passes one regiment of blacks to death and everlasting fame.”
- </p>
- <p>
- Humanity should not forget, that, at the surrender of Port Hudson, not a
- single colored man could be found alive, although thirty-five were known
- to have been taken prisoners during the siege. All had been murdered.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XXIV—GENERAL BANKS IN LOUISIANA.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>Gen. Banks at New Orleans.—Old Slave-laws revived.—Treatment
- of Free Colored Persons.—Col. Jonas H. French.—Ill Treatment
- at Port Hudson.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">G</span>en. Banks’s
- antecedents were unfavorable to him when he landed in New Orleans. True,
- he was from Massachusetts, and was a Republican; but he belonged to the
- conservative portion of the party. The word “white” in the militia law,
- which had so long offended the good taste and better judgment of the
- majority of the people, was stricken out during the last term of Gov.
- Banks’s administration, but failed to receive his sanction. In his message
- vetoing the bill, he resorted to a laborious effort of special pleading to
- prove that the negro was not a citizen. The fact is, he was a Democrat
- dressed up in Republican garments. Gen. Butler had brought the whites and
- blacks nearly to a level with each other as citizens of New Orleans, when
- he was succeeded by Gen. Banks. The latter at once began a system of
- treatment to the colored people, which showed that his feelings were with
- the whites, and against the blacks. The old slave-law, requiring colored
- persons to be provided with passes to enable them to be out from their
- homes after half-past eight o’clock at night was revived by Gen. Banks’s
- understrappers, as the following will show:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>St. Charles Hotel, New Orleans, Jan. 25.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- “On Tuesday evening last, at half-past eight o’clock, while passing up St.
- Charles Street in company with F. S. Schell, Esq., the artist of ‘Frank
- Leslie’s Pictorial,’, who is attached to the Banks Expedition, I was
- suddenly accosted by two colored women, one of whom, a beautiful mulatto
- very tastily attired, besought me to protect her from the watchmen, who,
- she said, were following close behind her on the opposite side of the
- street, and were about to arrest her and her mother for being out without
- passes.
- </p>
- <p>
- “I offered her and her mother all the protection in my power until they
- should reach their home, which was but a few blocks distant; and I had but
- scarcely made the proffer, when two powerful and muscular watchmen came
- running across the street, club in hand, and at once proceeded to arrest
- the women. I inquired of the officers by what authority they arrested
- slaves or free colored people. They informed me that they were acting
- under orders received from the chief of police, Col. Jonas H. French.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The women begged, with tears in their eyes, for their liberty, that they
- might return to their homes, where a sister was lying dangerously ill, and
- towards whom they were hastening when seized by the watchmen. Being enough
- of a ‘Yankee abolitionist’ to feel a glow of indignation at this flagrant
- violation of human rights, and, as I supposed, illegal assumption of
- power, I proceeded to the prison or watch-house, adjoining the city hall,
- from the roof of which flies the flag of freedom.
- </p>
- <p>
- “What a sight was revealed to me on my visit to that prison! Such a scene
- may I never be permitted to visit again! Securing permission, I went into
- the corridor, from which lead the cells. There I saw, in one cell, fifteen
- feet by twenty feet, fifty colored women and girls packed like so many
- cattle: there were six or eight wooden berths, with <i>pine mattresses</i>
- and <i>oak pillows</i>, for these poor creatures to rest their limbs upon.
- Of course, the most of them were obliged to stand uprightly, or lie upon
- the wet flooring of the cell.
- </p>
- <p>
- “I never shall forget the emotions that arose within my bosom as I stood
- intently gazing upon the sorrowing faces of these unfortunates as they
- cast wistful glances through the heavy iron bars of their cell, and in
- supplicating tones implored me to secure them their release. One pretty
- young girl of fifteen, with a beautiful face, whose complexion was that of
- a pretty Boston brunette, and with long flowing hair, slightly crimpled,
- was sobbing as though her heart would break for her mother. She was
- terrified at the surroundings of her new position, and the hideous yells
- of drunken soldiers and sailors in the next cell.
- </p>
- <p>
- “There were confined in this cell several women, who, in New York or
- Boston, would pass for white women without the slightest difficulty or
- suspicion. And there were many darker countenances in that cell, that were
- intelligent, and indicated the existence and beating of hearts beneath
- those tinged and sable hues. In the opposite cells were over one hundred
- colored men and boys of all colors, from the ebony, thick-lipped African,
- to the mulatto, and delicately-tinged colored man. They were there from
- all ages, from the little child of nine years, to the aged and decrepit
- negro of seventy-five. There were the dandy darkey, slave and free; the
- laborer, slave and free; the mechanic and waiter, slave and free.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Some of these men were the fathers, husbands, and brothers of the women
- in the opposite cells. It was but a little while after, when, the jailer
- having barred the door which leads into the stone corridor, I heard
- distinctly the swelling notes of ‘John Brown’s body lies mouldering,’
- &c., and shortly after the grand chorus of an ancient Methodist hymn,
- ‘For Jesus’ sake, we’ll serve the Lord.’ The next evening, I visited the
- cells, and found that nearly all who had been imprisoned the previous
- evening had been released on paying a fine of one dollar and a quarter for
- free people, and one dollar and a half for slaves.
- </p>
- <p>
- “There were several likely-looking negro-girls still in the cell, and
- three mothers. All of these mothers had sons in the Union army, enlisted
- in the colored Native-Guard Regiment. One of them had <i>three</i> sons in
- one regiment; the other had two sons, her only children; and the only
- child of the third, a boy of nineteen years, was a sergeant in a colored
- company. These mothers were all the <i>property</i> of rebels; for they
- told me their masters and mistresses swore they would ‘never take the oath
- of allegiance to the abolition Yankee Government.’ I asked them how they
- happened to be imprisoned, and was informed that their masters and
- mistresses had them ‘sent to prison for safe-keeping.’
- </p>
- <p>
- “One mother told me she was always treated well until her sons joined the
- negro regiment, since which time she had been whipped and otherwise sadly
- abused. She was not allowed so much liberty at home, and her mistress had
- put her off on a short allowance of food, because she did not prevent her
- sons from enlisting.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Here is a verbatim copy of the official order requiring the arrest by the
- police of all colored people found in the streets. Beyond the simple
- written notice, nothing more has been made public in regard to this
- important matter:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>Office Chief of Police.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘<i>Lieut. J. Duan</i>,—You are hereby ordered to arrest all
- negroes out without passes after half past eight, P.M.
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘By order of
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘Col. J. H. French,
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘<i>Provost-marshal General and Chief of Police.</i>’”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Notices of this kind were sent to all the station-houses, and were posted
- in the offices. It is a most despotic law to put in force at such an hour
- as this, to protect the property, in the shape of human flesh and blood,
- in God’s creatures, belonging or <i>owned</i>, as they say, by the very
- fiends who have no compulsion at shedding the precious life’s blood of our
- sons and brothers, husbands and fathers.
- </p>
- <p>
- “We, who profess to be Christian people, contributing blood and treasure
- for the suppression of this cursed Rebellion, are now called upon to
- provide cells for the safekeeping of their slaves.”—<i>Correspondence
- of The Boston Traveller.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- The following private letter (says “The New-York Tribune”) from a colored
- man in New Orleans, cancelling an order he had previous sent to New York
- for a banner, may throw some light on the state of things in the Southern
- metropolis:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “Sir,—If you have not had the banner commenced, it is useless to
- have it made at all, as, since the issuing of the President’s
- proclamation, Jonas H. French has stopped all of our night-meetings, and
- has caused us to get permits to hold meetings on Sunday, and sends his
- police around to all of the colored churches every Sunday to examine all
- of the permits. He had all the slaves that were turned out of their former
- owners’ yards rearrested and sent back; those who belonged to rebels as
- well as those who belong to loyal persons. The slaves were mustered into
- the rebel army. He has them confined in jail to starve and die, and
- refuses their friends to see them. He is much worse than our rebel
- masters, he being the chief of police. Last night, after Gen. Banks left
- the city, Col. French issued a secret order to all the police-stations to
- arrest all the negroes who may be found in the streets, and at the places
- of amusement, and placed in jail. There were about five hundred, both free
- and slave, confined, without the least notice or cause,—persons who
- thought themselves free by the President’s proclamation, from the parishes
- of Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Catahoula, Concordia, Aragules,
- Jaques, Iberville, West Baton Rouge, Point Coupee, Filiciana, East Baton
- Rouge, St. Helena, Washington, St. Samany. Free persons of color from any
- of these parishes, who are found within the limits of the city, are
- immediately arrested and placed in jail by order of Col. French. Therefore
- it is useless to have the banner made, as there is no use for it since
- Gen. Butler has left. R. K. T.”
- </p>
- <p>
- All colored persons, even those who had been born free, and had resided in
- the city from infancy, were included in the order of the provost-marshal.
- It is a fact beyond dispute, that both officers and soldiers under Gen.
- Banks’s rule in Louisiana manifested a degree of negro hate that was
- almost unknown before their advent.
- </p>
- <p>
- At the siege of Port Hudson, this prejudice against the blacks was
- exhibited by all, from Gen. Banks down to the most ignorant private. A
- correspondent in “The Boston Commonwealth,” dated at Port Hudson, July 17,
- 1864, says,—
- </p>
- <p>
- “Thus, in the siege of Port Hudson, no one knew an instance of such
- terrible assaults, without possibility of success, but only repeated in
- obedience to Gen. Dwight’s order to ‘continue charging till further
- orders.’ The white troops were unanimous in praising the valor of this
- devoted regiment. How was it when the provisions of Paragraph 11, Appendix
- B, Revised Army Regulations, 1863, were carried out? A General Order from
- Gen. Banks authorizes ‘Port Hudson’ to be inscribed on every banner but
- those of the colored regiments, which are <i>overlooked</i>. Do those
- people who speak so loudly in praise of these regiments at Port Hudson
- know they are the only ones not authorized to inscribe ‘Port Hudson’ on
- their flags? Does <i>Adjutant-Gen. Thomas</i> know it? The only
- inscription on the banner of the glorious Seventy-third is the blood-stain
- of the noble sergeant who bore it in this fierce assault, and the rents
- made in the struggle of the corporals to obtain the dear rag from the
- dying man who had rolled himself up in its fold. Regiments which were
- ridiculed as cowards and vagabonds have Port Hudson on their flags. Let us
- be cautious how we praise the First Native Guards: they have it not on
- their flag. Thank God there were thousands of honest privates in the ranks
- of the white regiments who will tell the story of the First Native Guards!
- The changes of its designation and consolidation with other regiments will
- not entirely obliterate its fame. The blood of the heroic Callioux and his
- fellow-victims at Port Hudson will cry to Heaven, and will be heard.
- </p>
- <p>
- “And how has it run in the campaign of 1864? This same devoted regiment
- followed the army of Gen. Banks to Pleasant Hill; but Fort Pillow rushed
- red on the general’s sight, and he dare not let them fight. They were
- therefore made to ‘boost’ along the wagon-trains of the white troops; to
- build the greater part of the famous bridge which saved the fleet, and got
- Lieut.-Col. Bailey a star; to endure the kicks and insults of white
- soldiers: the officers to be put in arrest by inferior officers of white
- regiments, and returned to Morganzia.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Every available man is detailed daily, rain or shine, to work on the
- fortifications under the jeers of loafing white soldiers and officers.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “The labor-system adopted by Gen. Banks for the freedmen was nothing less
- than slavery under another name. Having no confidence in the negro’s
- ability to take care of himself, he felt that, even in freedom, he needed
- a master, and therefore put him in leading-strings. The general evidently
- considered that the wishes of the white planters, whether rebel or not,
- were to be gratified, although it were done at the expense of the black
- man. In reconstructing the civil authorities of the city of New Orleans,
- he carried out the same policy of ignoring the rights of the colored
- people, as will be seen by the following extract from a petition of the
- colored citizens to President Lincoln:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “Your petitioners aver that they have applied in respectful terms to
- Brig.-Gen. George F. Shepley, Military Governor of Louisiana, and to
- Major-Gen. N. P. Banks, commanding the Department of the Gulf, praying to
- be placed upon the registers as voters, to the end that they might
- participate in the re-organization of civil government in Louisiana; and
- that their petition has met with no response from those officers.”
- </p>
- <p>
- This petition was signed by the men, who, when the city was threatened by
- the rebels during the siege of Port Hudson, took up arms for its defence;
- all of whom were loyal to the American Union.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XXV—HONORS TO THE NOBLE DEAD.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>Capt. André Callioux.—His Body lies in State.—Personal
- Appearance.—His Enthusiasm.—His Popularity.—His Funeral.—The
- great Respect paid the Deceased.—General Lamentation.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he death of Capt.
- André Callioux created a profound sensation throughout Louisiana, and
- especially in New Orleans, where the deceased had lived from childhood.
- This feeling of sorrow found vent at the funeral, which took place on the
- 11th of July, 1863. We give the following, written at the time by a
- correspondent of a New-York Journal:—
- </p>
- <p>
- <i>“New Orleans, Saturday, Aug. 1, 1863.</i>” “The most extraordinary
- local event that has ever been seen within our borders, and, I think, one
- of the most extraordinary exhibitions brought forth by this Rebellion, was
- the funeral of Capt. André Callioux, Company E, First Louisiana National
- Guards. Here, in this Southern emporium, was performed a funeral ceremony
- that for numbers and impressiveness never had its superior in this city;
- and it was originated and carried through in honor of a gallant soldier of
- the despised race, to enslave which, it is said, will soothe this State
- back into the Union.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Capt. Callioux was fine-looking, and, in his military dress, had an
- imposing appearance. I remember seeing him at Gen. Banks’s headquarters,
- in company with at least fifteen of our prominent military officers; and
- he was a marked personage among them all. In the celebrated assault and
- repulse on Port Hudson by Gen. Banks, Capt. Callioux fell, at the head of
- his company, on the 27th of May last, while gallantly leading it on to the
- enemy’s works. His body, along with others of the national regiments,
- after the battle, lay within deadly reach of the rebel sharpshooters; and
- all attempts to recover the body were met with a shower of Minie-bullets.
- Thus guarded by the enemy, or, I might say, thus honored by their
- attention, the body lay exposed until the surrender of the place, the 8th
- of July, when it was recovered, and brought to this city to receive the
- astonishing ovation connected with the last rights of humanity.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The arrival of the body developed to the white population here that the
- colored people had powerful organizations in the form of civic societies;
- as the Friends of the Order, of which Capt. Callioux was a prominent
- member, received the body, and had the coffin containing it, draped with
- the American flag, exposed in state in the commodious hall. Around the
- coffin, flowers were strewn in the greatest profusion, and candles were
- kept continually burning. All the rights of the Catholic Church were
- strictly complied with. The guard paced silently to and fro, and
- altogether it presented as solemn a scene as was ever witnessed.
- </p>
- <p>
- “In due time, the band of the Forty-second Massachusetts Regiment made
- their appearance, and discoursed the customary solemn airs. The
- officiating priest, Father Le Maistre, of the Church of St. Rose of Lima,
- who has paid not the least attention to the excommunication and
- denunciations issued against him by the archbishop of this diocese, then
- performed the Catholic service for the dead. After the regular services,
- he ascended to the president’s chair, and delivered a glowing and eloquent
- eulogy on the virtues of the deceased. He called upon all present to offer
- themselves, as Callioux had done, martyrs to the cause of justice,
- freedom, and good government. It was a death the proudest might envy.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Immense crowds of colored people had by this time gathered around the
- building, and the streets leading thereto were rendered almost impassable.
- Two companies of the Sixth Louisiana (colored) Regiment, from their camp
- on the Company Canal, were there to act as an escort; and Esplanade
- Street, for more than a mile, was lined with colored societies, both male
- and female, in open order, waiting for the hearse to pass through.
- </p>
- <p>
- “After a short pause, a sudden silence fell upon the crowd, the band
- commenced playing a dirge; and the body was brought from the hall on the
- shoulders of eight soldiers, escorted by six members of the society, and
- six colored captains, who acted as pall-bearers. The corpse was conveyed
- to the hearse through a crowd composed of both white and black people, and
- in silence profound as death itself. Not a sound was heard save the
- mournful music of the band, and not a head in all that vast multitude but
- was uncovered.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The procession then moved off in the following order: The hearse
- containing the body, with Capts. J. W. Ringgold, W. B. Barrett, S. J.
- Wilkinson, Eugene Mailleur, J. A. Glea, and A. St. Leger (all of whom, we
- believe, belong to the Second Louisiana Native Guards), and six members of
- The Friends of the Order, as pall-bearers; about a hundred convalescent
- sick and wounded colored soldiers; the two companies of the Sixth
- Regiment; a large number of colored officers of all native guard
- regiments; the carriages containing Capt. Callioux’s family, and a number
- of army officers; winding up with a large number of private individuals,
- and the following-named societies:—
- </p>
- <p>
- Friends of the Order.
- </p>
- <p>
- Society of Economy and Mutual Assistance. United Brethren.
- </p>
- <p>
- Arts’ and Mechanics’ Association.
- </p>
- <p>
- Free Friends.
- </p>
- <p>
- Good Shepherd Conclave, No. 2.
- </p>
- <p>
- Artisans’ Brotherhood.
- </p>
- <p>
- Good Shepherd Conclave, No. 1. Union Sons’ Relief. Perseverance Society.
- </p>
- <p>
- Ladies of Bon Secours.
- </p>
- <p>
- La Fleur de Marie.
- </p>
- <p>
- Saint Rose of Lima.
- </p>
- <p>
- The Children of Mary Society.
- </p>
- <p>
- Saint Angela Society.
- </p>
- <p>
- The Immaculate Conception Society. The Sacred Union Society.
- </p>
- <p>
- The Children of Jesus.
- </p>
- <p>
- Saint Veronica Society.
- </p>
- <p>
- Saint Alphonsus Society.
- </p>
- <p>
- Saint Joachim Society.
- </p>
- <p>
- Star of the Cross.
- </p>
- <p>
- Saint Theresa Society.
- </p>
- <p>
- Saint Eulalia Society.
- </p>
- <p>
- Saint Magdalen Society.
- </p>
- <p>
- God Protect Us Society.
- </p>
- <p>
- United Sisterhood.
- </p>
- <p>
- Angel Gabriel Society.
- </p>
- <p>
- Saint Louis Roi Society.
- </p>
- <p>
- Saint Benoit Society. Benevolence Society.
- </p>
- <p>
- Well Beloved Sisters’ Society.
- </p>
- <p>
- Saint Peter Society.
- </p>
- <p>
- Saint Michael Archangel Society Saint Louis de Gonzague Society. Saint Ann
- Society.
- </p>
- <p>
- The Children of Moses
- </p>
- <p>
- “After moving through the principal down-town streets, the body was taken
- to the Bienville-street cemetery; and there interred with military honors
- due his rank.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Capt. Callioux was a native of this city, aged forty-three years, and was
- one of the first to raise a company under the call of Gen. Butler for
- colored volunteers. ‘The Union,’ of this city, a paper of stanch loyalty,
- which is devoted to the interests of the colored people, speaking of Capt.
- Callioux, says ‘By his gallant bearing, his gentlemanly deportment, his
- amiable disposition, and his capacities as a soldier,—having
- received a very good education,—he became the idol of his men, and
- won the respect and confidence of his superior officers. He was a true
- type of the Louisianian. In this city, where he passed his life, he was
- loved and respected by all who knew him.
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘In Capt. Callioux, the cause of the Union and freedom has lost a
- valuable friend. Capt. Callioux, defending the integrity of the sacred
- cause of liberty, vindicated his race from the opprobrium with which it
- was charged. He leaves a wife and several children, who will have the
- consolation that he died the death of the patriot and the righteous.’
- </p>
- <p>
- “The long pageant has passed away; but there is left deeply impressed on
- the minds of those who witnessed this extraordinary sight the fact that
- thousands of people born in slavery had, by the events of the Rebellion,
- been disinthralled enough to appear in the streets of New Orleans, bearing
- to the tomb a man of their own color, who had fallen gallantly fighting
- for the flag and his country,—a man who had sealed with his blood
- the inspiration he received from Mr. Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.
- The thousands of the unfortunates who followed his remains had the flag of
- the Union in miniature form waving in their hands, or pinned tastefully on
- their persons.
- </p>
- <p>
- “We would ask, Can these people ever again be subjected to slavery? Are
- these men who have been regenerated by wearing the United-States uniform,
- these men who have given their race to our armies to fight our would-be
- oppressors,—are these people to be, can they ever again be, handed
- over to the taskmaster? Would a Government that would do such a thing be
- respected by the world, be honored of God? Could the Christianized people
- of the globe have witnessed the funeral of Capt. Callioux, there would
- have been but one sentiment called forth, and that is this,—that the
- National Government can make no compromise on this slave question. It is
- too late to retreat: the responsibility has been taken, and the struggle
- must go on until there is not legally a slave under the folds of the
- American flag.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XXVI.—HE NORTHERN WING OF THE REBELLION.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>The New-York Mob.—Murder, Fire, and Robbery.—The City given
- up to the Rioters.—Whites and Blacks robbed in Open Day in the Great
- Thoroughfares.—Negroes murdered, burned, and their Bodies hung on
- Lamp-posts.—Southern Rebels at the Head of the Riot.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he partial
- successes which the rebels had achieved at Bull Run, Ball’s Bluff, and Big
- Bethel, together with the defiant position of Gen. Lee on the one hand,
- and the bad management of Gen. McClellan on the other, had emboldened the
- rebels, and made them feel their strength.
- </p>
- <p>
- Those who had served out their terms of service in the Union army were not
- very anxious to re-enlist. The Conscript Act had been passed by Congress,
- and the copperhead press throughout the land was urging the people to
- resist the draft, when the welcome news of the surrender of Vicksburg and
- Port Hudson came over the wires. The agents of the Confederacy were at
- once despatched to New York to “let loose the dogs of war.”
- </p>
- <p>
- As the blacks of the South had assisted in the capture of Vicksburg and
- Port Hudson, the colored people of the North must be made to suffer for
- it.
- </p>
- <p>
- The mob was composed of the lowest and most degraded of the foreign
- population (mainly Irish), raked from the filthy cellars and dens of the
- city, steeped in crimes of the deepest dye, and ready for any act, no
- matter how dark and damnable; together with the worst type of onr native
- criminals, whose long service in the prisons of the country, and whose
- training in the Democratic party, had so demoralized their natures, that
- they were ever on the hunt for some deed of robbery or murder.
- </p>
- <p>
- This conglomerated mass of human beings were under the leadership of men
- standing higher than themselves in the estimation of the public, but, if
- possible, really lower in moral degradation. Cheered on by men holding
- high political positions, and finding little or no opposition, they went
- on at a fearful rate.
- </p>
- <p>
- Never, in the history of mob-violence, was crime carried to such an
- extent. Murder, arson, robbery, and cruelty reigned triumphant throughout
- the city, day and night, for more than a week.
- </p>
- <p>
- Breaking into stores, hotels, and saloons, and helping themselves to
- strong drink, <i>ad libitum</i>, they became inebriated, and marched
- through every part of the city. Calling at places where large bodies of
- men were at work, and pressing them in, their numbers rapidly increased to
- thousands, and their fiendish depredations had no bounds. Having been
- taught by the leaders of the Democratic party to hate the negro, and
- having but a few weeks previous seen regiments of colored volunteers pass
- through New York on their way South, this infuriated band of drunken men,
- women, and children paid special visits to all localities inhabited by the
- blacks, and murdered all they could lay their hands on, without regard to
- age or sex. Every place known to employ negroes was searched: steamboats
- leaving the city, and railroad depots, were watched, lest some should
- escape their vengeance.
- </p>
- <p>
- Hundreds of the blacks, driven from their homes, and hunted and chased
- through the streets, presented themselves at the doors of jails, prisons,
- and police-stations, and begged admission. Thus did they prowl about the
- city, committing crime after crime; indeed, in point of cruelty, the
- Rebellion was transferred from the South to the North.
- </p>
- <p>
- These depredations were to offset the glorious triumphs of our arms in the
- rebel States.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- Peaceful o’er the placid waters rose the radiant summer sun,
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- Loyal voices shouted anthems o’er the conquest bravely won;
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- For the walls of Vicksburg yielded to the Union shot and shell,
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- While Port Hudson, trembling, waited but a clearer tale to tell.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- But, alas! day’s golden image scarce had left its impress there,
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- When above a Northern city rose the sounds of wild despair:
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- Fiends and demons yet unnumbered rallied forth in bold array;
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- Deeds of darkness, scenes of carnage, marked the traitors’ onward way.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- Blind to feeling, deaf to mercy, who may judge the depth of crime?
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- None but God may know the misery traced upon the Book of Time.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- The following account of the mob is from “The New-York Times” July 14,
- 1863:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “The Orphan Asylum for Colored Children was visited by the mob about four
- o’clock. This institution is situated on Fifth Avenue; and the building,
- with the grounds and gardens adjoining, extends from Forty-third to
- Forty-fourth Street. Hundreds and perhaps thousands of the rioters, the
- majority of whom were women and children, entered the premises, and, in
- the most excited and violent manner, ransacked and plundered the building
- from cellar to garret. The building was located in the most healthy
- portion of the city. It was purely a charitable institution. In it there
- was an average of six or eight hundred homeless colored orphans. The
- building was a large four-story one, with two wings of three stories each.
- </p>
- <p>
- “When it became evident that the crowd designed to destroy it, a flag of
- truce appeared on the walk opposite, and the principals of the
- establishment made an appeal to the excited populace; but in vain.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Here it was, that Chief-Engineer Decker showed himself one of the bravest
- of the brave. After the entire building had been ransacked, and every
- article deemed worth carrying had been taken,—<i>and this included
- even the little garments for the orphans, which were contributed by the
- benevolent ladies of the city,—the premises were fired on the first
- floor.</i> Mr. Decker did all he could to prevent the flames from being
- kindled; but, when he was overpowered by superior numbers, with his own
- hands he scattered the brands, and effectually extinguished the flames. A
- second attempt was made, and this time in three different parts of the
- house. Again he succeeded, with the aid of half a dozen of his men, in
- defeating the incendiaries. The mob became highly exasperated at his
- conduct, and threatened to take his life if he repeated the act. On the
- front steps of the building, he stood up amid an infuriated and
- half-drunken mob of two thousand, and begged of them to do nothing so
- disgraceful to humanity as to burn a benevolent institution, which had for
- its object nothing but good. He said it would be a lasting disgrace to
- them and to the city of New York.
- </p>
- <p>
- “These remarks seemed to have no good effect upon them, and meantime the
- premises were again fired,—this time in all parts of the house. Mr.
- Decker, with his few brave men, again extinguished the flames. This last
- act brought down upon him the vengeance of all who were bent on the
- destruction of the asylum; and but for the fact that some firemen
- surrounded him, and boldly said that Mr. Decker could not be taken except
- over their bodies, he would have been despatched on the spot. The
- institution was destined to be burned; and, after an hour and a half of
- labor on the part of the mob, it was in flames in all parts. Three or four
- persons were horribly bruised by the falling walls; but the names we could
- not ascertain. There is now scarcely one brick left on another of the
- Orphan Asylum.
- </p>
- <p>
- “At one o’clock yesterday, the garrison of the Seventh-avenue arsenal
- witnessed a sad and novel sight. Winding slowly along Thirty-fourth Street
- into Seventh Avenue, headed by a strong police force, came the little
- colored orphans, whose asylum had been burned down on Monday night. The
- boys, from two and three to fifteen years of age, followed by little girls
- of the same ages, to the number of about two hundred each, trotted along,
- and were halted in front of the arsenal.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Then came a large number of men and women, several having babes in their
- arms, who had been forced to seek refuge in adjacent station-houses from
- the fury of the mob. Most of them carried small bundles of clothing and
- light articles of furniture, all they had been able to save from the wreck
- of their property. The negroes who had sought safety under the guns of the
- arsenal were then taken out, and ordered to join their friends outside.
- The procession was then re-formed, and, headed by the police, marched back
- again down Thirty-fifth Street to the North River.
- </p>
- <p>
- “A strong detachment of Hawkins’s Zouaves guarded the flanks of the
- procession; while a company of the Tenth New-York Volunteers, and a squad
- of police, closed up the rear. Col. William Meyer had command of the
- escort; and on arriving at the pier, where a numerous crowd had followed
- them, he placed his men, with fixed bayonets, facing the people to keep
- them in check; and the negroes were all safely embarked, and conveyed to
- Ricker’s Island.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The poor negroes have had a hard time. Finding they were to be
- slaughtered indiscriminately, they have hid themselves in cellars and
- garrets, and have endeavored, under cover of darkness, to flee to
- neighboring places. The Elysian Fields, over in Hoboken, has been a pretty
- safe refuge for them, as there are but few Irish living-in that city. They
- have a sort of improvised camp there, composed mainly of women and
- children.”
- </p>
- <p>
- Blacks were chased to the docks, thrown into the river, and drowned; while
- some, after being murdered, were hung to lamp-posts. Between forty and
- fifty colored persons were killed, and nearly as many maimed for life. But
- space will not allow us to give any thing like a detailed account of this
- most barbarous outrage.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XXVII—ASSAULT ON FORT WAGNER.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment.—Col. Shaw.—March
- to the Island.—Preparation.—Speeches.—The Attack.—Storm
- of Shot, Shell, and Canister.—Heroism of Officers and Men.—Death
- of Col. Shaw.—The Color-sergeant.—The Retreat.—“Buried
- with his Niggers.”—Comments.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">O</span>n the 16th of
- July, the Fifty-fourth Regiment (colored), Col. R. G. Shaw, was attacked
- by the enemy, on James Island, in which a fight of two hours’ duration
- took place, the Rebels largely outnumbering the Union forces. The
- Fifty-fourth, however, drove the enemy before them in confusion. The loss
- to our men was fourteen killed and eighteen wounded. During the same day,
- Col. Shaw received orders from Gen. Gillmore to evacuate the island.
- Preparations began at dusk. The night was dark and stormy, and made the
- movement both difficult and dangerous. The march was from James Island to
- Cole Island, across marshes, streams, and dikes, and part of the way upon
- narrow foot-bridges, along which it was necessary to proceed in
- single-file. The whole force reached Cole Island the next morning, July
- 17, and rested during the day on the beach opposite the south end of Folly
- Island. About ten o’clock in the evening, the colonel of the Fifty-fourth
- received orders directing him to report, with his command, to Gen. George
- C. Strong, at Morris Island, to whose brigade the regiment was
- transferred.
- </p>
- <p>
- From eleven o’clock of Friday evening until four o’clock of Saturday, they
- were being put on the transport, “The Gen. Hunter,” in a boat which took
- about fifty at a time. There they breakfasted on the same fare, and had no
- other food before entering into the assault on Fort Wagner in the evening.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The Gen. Hunter” left Cole Island for Folly Island at six, a.m.; and the
- troops landed at Pawnee Lauding about nine and a half, a.m., and thence
- marched to the point opposite Morris Island, reaching there about two
- o’clock in the afternoon. They were transported in a steamer across the
- inlet, and at four, p.m., began their march for Fort Wagner. They reached
- Brigadier-Gen. Strong’s quarters, about midway on the island, about six or
- six and a half o’clock, where they halted for five minutes.
- </p>
- <p>
- Gen. Strong expressed a great desire to give them food and stimulants; but
- it was too late, as they had to lead the charge. They had been without
- tents during the pelting rains of Thursday and Friday nights. Gen. Strong
- had been impressed with the high character of the regiment and its
- officers; and he wished to assign them the post where the most severe work
- was to be done and the highest honor was to be won.
- </p>
- <p>
- The march across Folly and Morris Islands was over a sandy road, and was
- very wearisome. The regiment went through the centre of the island, and
- not along the beach, where the marching was easier.
- </p>
- <p>
- When they had come within six hundred yards of Fort Wagner, they formed in
- line of battle, the colonel heading the first, and the major the second
- battalion. This was within musket-shot of the enemy. There was little
- firing from the enemy; a solid shot falling between the battalions, and
- another falling to the right, but no musketry. At this point, the
- regiment, together with the next supporting regiment, the Sixth
- Connecticut, Ninth Maine, and others, remained half an hour. The regiment
- was addressed by Gen. Strong and by Col. Shaw. Then, at seven and a half
- or seven and three-quarters o’clock, the order for the charge was given.
- The regiment advanced at quick time, changed to double-quick when at some
- distance on.
- </p>
- <p>
- The intervening distance between the place where the line was formed and
- the fort was run over in a few minutes.
- </p>
- <p>
- When about one hundred yards from the fort, the rebel musketry opened with
- such terrible effect, that, for an instant, the first battalion hesitated,—but
- only for an instant; for Col. Shaw, springing to the front and waving his
- sword, shouted, “Forward, my brave boys!” and with another cheer and a
- shout they rushed through the ditch, gained the parapet on the right, and
- were soon engaged in a hand-to-hand conflict with the enemy. Col. Shaw was
- one of the first to scale the walls. He stood erect to urge forward his
- men, and, while shouting for them to press on, was shot dead, and fell
- into the fort. His body was found, with twenty of his men lying dead
- around him; two lying on his own body.
- </p>
- <p>
- The Fifty-fourth did well and nobly; only the fall of Col. Shaw prevented
- them from entering the fort. They moved up as gallantly as any troops
- could, and, with their enthusiasm, they deserved a better fate.
- </p>
- <p>
- Sergeant-major Lewis H. Douglass, son of Frederick Douglass, the
- celebrated orator, sprang upon the parapet close behind Col. Shaw, and
- cried out, “Come, boys, come, let’s fight for God and Governor Andrew.”
- This brave young man was the last to leave the parapet. Before the
- regiment reached the parapet, the color-sergeant was wounded; and, while
- in the act of falling, the colors were seized by Sergt. William H. Carney,
- who bore them up, and mounted the parapet, where he, too, received three
- severe wounds. But, on orders being given to retire, the color-bearer,
- though almost disabled, still held the emblem of liberty in the air, and
- followed his regiment by the aid of his comrades, and succeeded in
- reaching the hospital, where he fell exhausted and almost lifeless on the
- floor, saying, “The old flag never touched the ground, boys.” Capt. Lewis
- F. Emilio, the junior captain,—all of his superiors having been
- killed or wounded,—took command, and brought the regiment into camp.
- In this battle, the total loss in officers and men, killed and wounded,
- was two hundred and sixty-one.
- </p>
- <p>
- When John Brown was led out of the Charlestown jail, on his way to
- execution, he paused a moment, it will be remembered, in the passage-way,
- and, taking a little colored child in his arms, kissed and blessed it. The
- dying blessing of the martyr will descend from generation to generation;
- and a whole race will cherish for ages the memory of that simple caress,
- which, degrading as it seemed to the slaveholders around him, was as
- sublime and as touching a lesson, and as sure to do its work in the
- world’s history, as that of Him who said, “Suffer little children to come
- unto me.”
- </p>
- <p>
- When inquiry was made at Fort Wagner, under flag of truce, for the body of
- Col. Shaw of the Massachusetts Fifty-fourth, the answer was, “We have
- buried him with his niggers!” It is the custom of savages to outrage the
- dead, and it was only natural that the natives of South Carolina should
- attempt to heap insult upon the remains of the brave young soldier; but
- that wide grave on Morris Island will be to a whole race a holy sepulchre.
- No more fitting burial-place, no grander obsequies, could have been given
- to him who cried, as he led that splendid charge, “On, my brave boys!”
- than to give to him and to them one common grave. As they clustered around
- him in the fight: as they rallied always to the clear ring of his loved
- voice; as they would have laid down their lives, each and all of them, to
- save his; as they honored and reverenced him, and lavished on him all the
- strong affections of a warm-hearted and impulsive people: so when the
- fight was over, and he was found with the faithful dead piled up like a
- bulwark around him, the poor savages did the only one fitting thing to be
- done when they buried them together. Neither death nor the grave has
- divided the young martyr and hero from the race for which he died; and a
- whole people will remember in the coming centuries, when its new part is
- to be played in the world’s history, that “he was buried with his
- niggers!”
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- They buried him with his niggers!”
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Together they fought and died.
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- There was room for them all where they laid him
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- (The grave was deep and wide),
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- For his beauty and youth and valor,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Their patience and love and pain;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And at the last day together
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- They shall all be found again.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- They buried him with his niggers!”
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Earth holds no prouder grave:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- There is not a mausoleum
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- In the world beyond the wave,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- That a nobler tale has hallowed,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Or a purer glory crowned,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Than the nameless trench where they buried
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- The brave so faithful found.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- “They buried him with his niggers!”
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- A wide grave should it be.
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- They buried more in that shallow trench
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Than human eye could see.
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Ay: all the shames and sorrows
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Of more than a hundred years
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Lie under the weight of that Southern soil
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Despite those cruel sneers.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- “They buried him with his niggers!”
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- But the glorious souls set free
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Are leading the van of the army
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- That fights for liberty.
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Brothers in death, in glory
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- The same palm-branches bear;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And the crown is as bright o’er the sable brows
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- As over the golden hair.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- Only those who knew Col. Shaw can understand how fitting it seems, when
- the purpose of outrage is put aside and forgotten, that he should have
- been laid in a common grave with his black soldiers. The relations between
- colored troops and their officers—if these are good for any thing,
- and fit for their places—must need be, from the circumstances of the
- case, very close and peculiar. They were especially so with Col. Shaw and
- his regiment. His was one of those natures which attract first through the
- affections. Most gentle tempered, genial as a warm winter’s sun,
- sympathetic, full of kindliness, unselfish, unobtrusive, and gifted with a
- manly beauty and a noble bearing, he was sure to win the love, in a very
- marked degree, of men of a race peculiarly susceptible to influence from
- such traits of character as these. First, they loved him with a devotion
- which could hardly exist anywhere else than in the peculiar relation he
- held to them as commander of the first regiment of free colored men
- permitted to fling out a military banner in this country,—a banner
- that, so raised, meant to them so much! But, then, came closer ties; they
- found that this young man, with education and habits that would naturally
- lead him to choose a life of ease, with wealth at his command, with
- peculiarly happy social relations (one most tender one just formed),
- accepted the position offered him in consideration of his soldierly as
- well as moral fitness, because he recognized a solemn duty to the black
- man; because he was ready to throw down all that he had, all that he was,
- all that this world could give him, for the negro race! Beneath that
- gentle and courtly bearing which so won upon the colored people of Boston
- when the Fifty-fourth was in camp, beneath that kindly but unswerving
- discipline of the commanding officer, beneath that stern but always cool
- and cheerful courage of the leader in the fight, was a clear and deep
- conviction of a duty to the blacks. He hoped to lead them, as one of the
- roads to social equality, to fight their way to true freedom; and herein
- he saw his path of duty. Of the battle two days before that in which he
- fell, and in which his regiment, by their bravery, won the right to lead
- the attack on Fort Wagner, he said, “I wanted my men to fight by the side
- of whites, and they have done it;” thinking of others, not of himself;
- thinking of that great struggle for equality in which the race had now a
- chance to gain a step forward, and to which he was ready to devote his
- life. Could it have been for him to choose his last resting-place, he
- would, no doubt, have said, “Bury me with my men if I earn that
- distinction.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Buried with a band of brothers
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Who for him would fain have died;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Buried with the gallant fellows
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Who fell fighting by his side;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Buried with the men God gave him,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Those whom he was sent to save;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Buried with the martyred heroes,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- He has found an honored grave.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Buried where his dust so precious
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Makes the soil a hallowed spot;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Buried where, by Christian patriot,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- He shall never be forgot;
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Buried in the ground accursed,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Which man’s fettered feet have trod;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Buried where his voice still speaketh,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Appealing for the slave to God;
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Fare thee well, thou noble warrior,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Who in youthful beauty went
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- On a high and holy mission,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- By the God of battles sent.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Chosen of Him, “elect and precious,”
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Well didst thou fulfil thy part:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- When thy country “counts her jewels,”
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- She shall wear thee on her heart.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- One who was present, speaking of the incidents before the battle, says of
- Col. Shaw,—
- </p>
- <p>
- “The last day with us, or, I may say, the ending of it, as we lay flat on
- the ground before the assault, his manner was more unbending than I had
- ever noticed before in the presence of his men. He sat on the ground, and
- was talking to the men very familiarly and kindly. He told them how the
- eyes of thousands would look upon the night’s work they were about to
- enter on; and he said, ‘Now, boys, I want you to be men!’ He would walk
- along the line, and speak words of cheer to his men.
- </p>
- <p>
- “We could see that he was a man who had counted the cost of the
- undertaking before him; for his words were spoken ominously, his lips were
- compressed, and now and then there was visible a slight twitching of the
- corners of the month, like one bent on accomplishing or dying. One poor
- fellow, struck no doubt by the colonel’s determined bearing, exclaimed, as
- he was passing him, ‘Colonel, I will stay by you till I die;’ and he kept
- his word: he has never been seen since. For one so young, Col. Shaw showed
- a well-trained mind, and an ability of governing men not possessed by many
- older or more experienced men. In him the regiment has lost one of its
- best and most devoted friends. Col. Shaw was only about twenty-seven years
- of age, and was married a few weeks before he joined the army of the
- South.”
- </p>
- <p>
- The following correspondence between the father of Col. Shaw and Gen.
- Gillmore needs no comment, but is characteristic of the family:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>Brig-Gen. Gillmore, commanding Department of the South.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>Sir</i>,—I take the liberty to address you, because I am
- informed that efforts are to be made to recover the body of my son, Col.
- Shaw, of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment, which was buried at Fort
- Wagner. My object in writing is to say that such efforts are not
- authorized by me, or any of my family, and that they are not approved by
- us. We hold that a soldier’s most appropriate burial-place is on the field
- where he has fallen. I shall, therefore, be much obliged, general, if, in
- case the matter is brought to your cognizance, you will forbid the
- desecration of my son’s grave, and prevent the disturbance of his remains
- or of those buried with him. With most earnest wishes for your success, I
- am, sir, with respect and esteem,
- </p>
- <p>
- “Your most obedient servant,
- </p>
- <h3>
- “<i>FRANCIS GEORGE SHAW.</i>
- </h3>
- <p>
- “New York, Aug. 24,1863.
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>Headquarters Department of the South,</i> Morris Island, S.C., Sept.
- 5, 1863.
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>F. G. Shaw, Esq., Clifton, Staten Island, N.Y.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- <i>Sir!</i> I have just received your letter, expressing the
- disapprobation of yourself and family of any effort to recover the body of
- your son, the late Col. Shaw, of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts
- Volunteers, buried in Fort Wagner; and requesting me to forbid the
- desecration of his grave or disturbance of his remains.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Had it been possible to obtain the body of Col. Shaw immediately after
- the battle in which he lost his life, I should have sent it to his
- friends, in deference to a sentiment which I know to be widely prevalent
- among the friends of those who fall in battle, although the practice is
- one to which my own judgment has never yielded assent.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The views expressed in your letter are so congenial to the feelings of an
- officer, as to command not only my cordial sympathy, but my respect and
- admiration. Surely no resting-place for your son could be found more
- fitting than the scene where his courage and devotion were so
- conspicuously displayed.
- </p>
- <p>
- “I beg to avail myself of this opportunity to express my deep sympathy for
- yourself and family in their great bereavement, and to assure you that on
- no authority less than your own shall your son’s remains be disturbed.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
- </p>
- <h3>
- “<i>Q. A. GILLMORE</i>,
- </h3>
- <p>
- “<i>Brigadier-General commanding</i>.”
- </p>
- <p>
- The following address of the Military Governor of South Carolina to the
- people of color in the Department of the South pays a fit tribute to the
- memory of the lamented Col. Shaw:—
- </p>
- <p>
- <i>“Beaufort, S.C., July 27, 1863.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>To the Colored Soldiers and Freedmen in this Department.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- “It is fitting that you should pay a last tribute of respect to the memory
- of the late Col. Robert Gould Shaw, Colonel of the Fifty-fourth Regiment
- of Massachusetts Volunteers. He commanded the first regiment of colored
- soldiers from a free State ever mustered into the United-States service.
- </p>
- <p>
- “He fell at the head of his regiment, while leading a storming-party
- against a rebel stronghold. You should cherish in your inmost hearts the
- memory of one who did not hesitate to sacrifice all the attractions of a
- high social position, wealth and home, and his own noble life, for the
- sake of humanity; another martyr to your cause that death has added; still
- another hope for your race. The truths and principles for which he fought
- and died still live, and will be vindicated. On the spot where he fell, by
- the ditch into which his mangled and bleeding body was thrown, on the soil
- of South Carolina, I trust that you will honor yourselves and his glorious
- memory by appropriating the first proceeds of your labor as free men
- toward erecting an enduring monument to the hero, soldier, martyr, Robert
- Gould Shaw.
- </p>
- <h3>
- “<i>R. SAXTON,</i>
- </h3>
- <p>
- “<i>Brigadier-General and Military Governor.</i>”
- </p>
- <p>
- We are glad to be able to say, that the noble proposition of Gen. Saxton
- met with success.
- </p>
- <p>
- Col. Shaw was singularly fortunate in being surrounded by officers, like
- himself, young, brave, and enthusiastic. Major Hallowed, the next in
- command, was wounded while urging forward his men. Adjutant G. W. James,
- Capts. S. Willard, J. W. M. Appleton, E. L.
- </p>
- <p>
- Jones, G. Pope, W. H. Simpkins, C. J. Russell, and C. E. Tucker, and
- Lieuts. O. E. Smith, W. H. Homan, R. H. Jewett, and J. A. Pratt,—were
- severely wounded. A large proportion of the non-commissioned officers fell
- in the engagement or were badly wounded. Among these was Sergt. R. J.
- Simmons, a young man of more than ordinary ability, who had learned the
- science of war in the British army. The writer enlisted him in the city of
- New York, and introduced him to Francis George Shaw, Esq., who remarked at
- the time that Simmons would make “a valuable soldier’.” Col. Shaw, also,
- had a high opinion of him. He died of his wounds in the enemy’s hospital
- at Charleston, from bad treatment. The heroic act of Sergt. Carney, to
- which we have already alluded, called forth the following correspondence,
- which needs no comments, from the Adjutant-General’s Report of the State
- of Massachusetts for the year 1865:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>New York, 596 Broadway, Boom 10,</i> <i>Dec. 13, 1865.</i>.
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>To Adjutant-General of Massachusetts, Boston.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>Sir</i>,—Will you be pleased to give me the name of some officer
- of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts colored regiment, so that I can obtain
- information concerning the famous assault that regiment made on Fort
- Wagner? I wish to learn the facts relating to the wounded color-bearer,
- who, though wounded severely, bore the flag heroically while crawling from
- the parapet to his retreating or repulsed regiment. It would make a
- splendid subject for a. statuette.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Respectfully,
- </p>
- <h3>
- “<i>T. H. BARTLETT,</i>
- </h3>
- <p>
- “<i>Sculptor</i>.”
- </p>
- <p>
- I immediately forwarded the letter to Col. Hallowell, with a request that
- he would furnish me with all the facts relating to the incident which he
- possessed. The following is Col. Hallowell’s reply:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>Boston, Dec. 18, 1865.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>William Schouler, Adjutant-General.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>Dear Sir</i>,—Your letter of the 15th to my brother, enclosing
- one from Mr. Bartlett, and requesting me to furnish a statement of facts
- relating to Sergt. Carney, of the Fifty-fourth Regiment Massachusetts
- Volunteers, is received. The following statement is, to the best of my
- knowledge and belief, correct; but you must remember it is made up
- principally from hearsay, no one person having seen every incident, except
- the sergeant. During the assault upon Fort Wagner, July 18, 1863, the
- sergeant carrying the national colors of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts
- Volunteers fell; but, before the colors reached the ground, Sergt. Carney,
- of Company C, grasped them, and bore them to the parapet of the fort;
- where he received wounds in both legs, in the breast, and in the right
- arm: he, however, refused to give up his trust. When the regiment retired
- from the fort, Sergt. Carney, by the aid of his comrades, succeeded in
- reaching the hospital, still holding on to the flag, where he fell,
- exhausted and almost lifeless, on the floor, saying, ‘The old flag never
- touched the ground, boys.’ At the time the above happened, I was not in a
- condition to verify the truth of the statements made to me; but they come
- to me from very reliable parties, and from very different people; so,
- after a close cross-examination of the sergeant (who was known as a
- truthful man), I have concluded that the statement I have made is
- substantially correct.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Sergt. Carney was an African, of, I should think, full blood; of very
- limited education, but very intelligent; bright face, lips and nose
- (comparatively) finely cut, head rather round, skin very dark, height
- about five feet eight inches, not very athletic or muscular; had lived in
- New Bedford, Mass., for many years. Hoping this will be of service to Mr.
- Bartlett, I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
- </p>
- <p>
- “Your obedient servant,
- </p>
- <h3>
- “<i>E. N. HALLOWELL</i>,
- </h3>
- <p>
- “<i>Late Colonel, &c.</i>”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XXVIII—THE SLAVE-MARTYR.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>The Siege of Washington, N.C.—Big Bob, the Negro Scout.—The
- Perilous Adventure.—The Fight.—Return.—Night Expedition.—The
- Fatal Sandbar.—The Enemy’s Shells.—“Somebody’s got to die to
- get us out of this, and it may as well be me.”—Death of Bob.—Safety
- of the Boat.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he siege of
- Washington, N.C., had carried consternation among the planters of the
- surrounding country, and contrabands were flocking in by hundreds, when,
- just at day-break one morning, a band of seventeen came to the shore, and
- hailed the nearest gunboat. The blacks were soon taken on board, when it
- was ascertained that they had travelled fifty miles the previous night,
- guided by their leader, a negro whom they called “Big Bob.” This man was
- without a drop of Anglo-Saxon blood in his veins, if color was a true
- index. It was also soon known that he was a preacher, or had been, among
- his fellow-slaves. These men all expressed a desire to be put to work,
- and, if allowed, to fight for “de ole flag.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Big Bob” sported a suit of rebel gray, which his fellow-slaves could not;
- and the way in which he obtained it was rather amusing. In the region from
- which they escaped, the blacks were being enrolled in the rebel army; and
- Bob and his companions were taken, and put under guard, preparatory to
- their being removed to the nearest military post. Bob, however, resolved
- that he would not fight for the rebel cause, and induced his comrades to
- join in the plan of seizing the guard, and bringing him away with them;
- which they did, Bob claiming the rebel soldier’s clothes, when that
- individual was dismissed, after a march of thirty miles from their home.
- Bob made an amusing appearance, being above six feet in height, and
- dressed in a suit, the legs of the pants of which were five or six inches
- too short, and the arms of the coat proportionally short.
- </p>
- <p>
- A few days after the arrival of the contrabands, their services were
- needed in an important expedition in the interior. These negroes, upon
- being told what was wanted of them, although knowing that the enterprise
- would be attended with the greatest danger, and would require the utmost
- skill, volunteered their services, and, upon being furnished with arms and
- implements, immediately started upon the expedition. Being landed upon a
- point some little distance from Washington, they succeeded in penetrating
- the enemy’s country, arresting three very important rebels, and conveying
- them to the fleet. In the return march, the rebels complained at their
- being made to walk so far and so fast; but Bob, the captain of the
- company, would occasionally be heard urging them along after this style:
- “March along dar, massa; no straggling to de rear: come, close up dar,
- close up dar! we’re boss dis time.” On the arrival of the party, the
- blacks were highly complimented by the commander.
- </p>
- <p>
- A week had scarcely passed, and the slaves rested, before they were sent
- upon a more difficult and dangerous expedition; yet these men, with Bob to
- lead them, were ready for any enterprise, provided they could have arms
- and ammunition. Once more landed on shore, they started with a
- determination to accomplish the object for which they had been sent. They
- had not gone far before they were attacked by a scouting-party from the
- rebel camp, and four of the whites and one of the blacks were killed: one
- also of the latter was wounded. However, the rebels were put to flight,
- and the negroes made good their escape. Still bent on obeying the orders
- of the commander, they took a somewhat different route, and proceeded on
- their journey. Having finished their mission, which was the destroying of
- two very large salt-works, breaking up fifty salt-kettles, a large
- tannery, and liberating twenty-three slaves, some of whom they armed with
- guns taken in their fight with the rebels, Bob commenced retracing his
- steps. The return was not so easily accomplished, for the enemy were well
- distributed on the line between them and the gunboats. After getting
- within four miles of the fleet, and near Point Rodman, a fight took place
- between the colored men and the rebels, which lasted nearly an hour. The
- blacks numbered less than forty; while the whites were more than one
- hundred. The negroes were called upon to surrender; but Bob answered, “No,
- I never surrenders.” And then he cried out, “Come on, boys! ef we’s
- captud, we’s got to hang; and dat’s a fack.” And nobly did they fight,
- whipping their assailants, and reaching the gunboats with but the loss of
- three men killed and ten wounded. Bob and his companions were greatly
- praised when once more on the fleet.
- </p>
- <p>
- But Bob’s days were numbered; for the next day a flat full of soldiers,
- with four blacks, including Bob, attempted to land at Rodman’s Point, but
- were repulsed by a terrible fire of rebel bullets, all tumbling into the
- boat, and lying flat to escape being shot. Meanwhile the boat stuck fast
- on the sand-bar, while the balls were still whizzing over and around the
- flat. Seeing that something must be done at once, or all would be lost,
- Big Bob exclaimed, “Somebody’s got to die to get us out of this, and it
- may as well be me!” He then deliberately got out, and pushed the boat of,
- and fell into it, pierced by five bullets.
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- “The surf with ricochetting balls
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Was churned and splashed around us:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- I heard my comrades’ hurried calls,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- “The rebel guns have found us.’
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Our vessel shivered! Far beneath
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- The treacherous sand had caught her.
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- What man will leap to instant death
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- To shove her into water?
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Strange light shone in our hero’s eye;
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- His voice was strong and steady:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- ‘My brothers, one of us must die;
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- And I, thank God! am ready.’
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- A shell flew toward us, hissing hate,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Then screaming like a demon:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- He calmly faced the awful fate,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Resolved to die a freeman.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- He fell, his heart cut through with shot:
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- The true blood of that martyr
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Out from his body spurted hot
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- To flee the shame of barter.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- We lifted up the brave man’s corse;
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- We thought him fair aud saintly:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- The rebel bullets round us hoarse
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- We heard, but dull and faintly.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- ‘ Tis ever so: a great deed wrought,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- The doer falls that moment,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- As if to save the God-like thought
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- From any human comment.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Heroes are dead men by that fact;
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Fame haunts our grave-yards, sighing,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- ‘Alas! that man’s divinest act
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Should be the act of dying.’”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /> <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XXIX—BATTLE OF OLUSTEE, FLORIDA.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>The Union Troops decoyed into a Swamp.—They are outnumbered.—Their
- great Bravery.—The Heroism of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts.—Death
- of Col. Fribley.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he battle of
- Olustee was fought in a swamp situated thirty-five miles west of
- Jacksonville, and four miles from Sanderson, in the State of Florida. The
- expedition was under the immediate command of Gen. C. Seymour, and
- consisted of the Seventh New Hampshire, Seventh Connecticut (armed with
- Spencer rifles, which fire eight times without loading), Eighth
- United-States (colored) Battery, Third United-States Artillery,
- Fifty-fourth Massachusetts (colored), and First North-Carolina (colored).
- The command having rested on the night of the 19th of February, 1884, at
- Barbour’s Ford, on the St. Mary’s River, took up its line of march on the
- morning of the 20th, and proceeded to Sanderson, nine miles to the west,
- which was reached at one o’clock, p.m., without interruption; but, about
- three miles beyond, the advance drove in the enemy’s pickets. The Seventh
- Connecticut, being deployed as skirmishers, fell in with the enemy’s force
- in the swamp, strengthened still more by rifle-pits. Here they were met by
- cannon and musketry; but our troops, with their Spencer rifles, played
- great havoc with the enemy, making an attempt to take one of his pieces of
- artillery, but failed. However, they hold their ground nobly for
- three-quarters of an hour, and were just about retiring as the main body
- of our troops came up.
- </p>
- <p>
- The Eighth (colored), which had never been in battle, and which had been
- recruited but a few weeks, came up and filed to the right, when they met
- with a most terrific shower of musketry and shell. Gen. Seymour now came
- up, and pointing in front, towards the railroad, said to Col. Fribley,
- commander of the Eighth, “Take your regiment in there,”—a place
- which was sufficiently hot to make the oldest and most field-worn veterans
- tremble; and yet these men, who had never heard the sound of a cannon
- before, rushed in where they commenced dropping like grass before the
- sickle: still on they went without faltering, until they came within two
- hundred yards of the enemy’s strongest works. Here these brave men stood
- for nearly three hours before a terrible fire, closing up as their ranks
- were thinned out, fire in front, on their flank, and in the rear, without
- flinching or breaking.
- </p>
- <p>
- Col. Fribley, seeing that it was impossible to hold the position, passed
- along the lines to tell the officers to fire, and fall back gradually, and
- was shot before he reached the end. He was shot in the chest, told the men
- to carry him to the rear, and expired in a very few minutes. Major Burritt
- took command, but was also wounded in a short time. At this time Capt.
- Hamilton’s battery became endangered, and he cried out to our men for
- God’s sake to save his battery. Our United-States flag, after three
- sergeants had forfeited their lives by bearing it during the fight, was
- planted on the battery by Lieut. Elijah Lewis, and the men rallied around
- it; but the guns had been jammed up so indiscriminately, and so close to
- the enemy’s lines, that the gunners were shot down as fast as they made
- their appearance; and the horses, whilst they were wheeling the pieces
- into position, shared the same fate. They were compelled to leave the
- battery, and failed to bring the flag away. The battery fell into the
- enemy’s hands. During the excitement, Capt. Bailey took command, and
- brought out the regiment in good order. Sergt. Taylor, Company D, who
- carried the battle-flag, had his right hand nearly shot off, but grasped
- the colors with the left hand, and brought them out.
- </p>
- <p>
- The Seventh New Hampshire was posted on both sides of the wagon-road, and
- broke, but soon rallied, and did good execution. The line was probably one
- mile long, and all along the fighting was terrific.
- </p>
- <p>
- Our artillery, where it could be worked, made dreadful havoc on the enemy;
- whilst the enemy did us but very little injury with his, with the
- exception of one gun, a sixty-four pound swivel, fixed on a truck-car on
- the railroad, which fired grape and canister. On the whole, their
- artillery was very harmless; but their musketry fearful.
- </p>
- <p>
- Up to this time, neither the First North Carolina nor the Fifty-fourth
- Massachusetts had taken any part in the fight, as they were in the rear
- some distance. However, they heard the roar of battle, and were hastening
- to the field, when they were met by an aide, who came riding up to the
- colonel of the Fifty-fourth, saying, “For God’s sake, colonel,
- double-quick, or the day is lost!” Of all the regiments, every one seemed
- to look to the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts with the most dependence on the
- field of battle. This regiment was under the command of Col. E. N.
- Hallowell, who fell wounded by the side of Col. Shaw, at Fort Wagner, and
- who, since his recovery, had been in several engagements, in all of which
- he had shown himself an excellent officer, and had gained the entire
- confidence of his men, who were willing to follow him wherever he chose to
- lead. When the aide met these two regiments, he found them hastening on.
- </p>
- <p>
- The First North Carolina was in light marching order; the Fifty-fourth
- Massachusetts was in heavy marching order, with knapsacks, haversacks,
- canteens, and every other appurtenance of the soldier. But off went every
- thing, and they double-quicked on to the field. At the most critical
- juncture, just as the rebels were preparing for a simultaneous charge
- along the whole line, and they had captured our artillery and turned it
- upon us, Col. James Montgomery, Col. Hallo-well, and Lieut.-Col. Hooper
- formed our line of battle on right by file into line.
- </p>
- <p>
- The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts went in first, with a cheer. They were
- followed by the First North Carolina (colored). Lieut.-Col. Reed, in
- command, headed the regiment, sword in hand, and charged upon the rebels.
- They broke when within twenty yards of contact with our negro troops.
- Overpowered by numbers, the First North Carolina fell back in good order,
- and poured in a destructive fire. Their colonel fell, mortally wounded.
- Major Bogle fell wounded, and two men were killed in trying to reach his
- body. The Adjutant, William C. Manning, wounded before at Malvern Hills,
- got a bullet in his body, but persisted in remaining until another shot
- struck him. His lieutenant-colonel, learning the fact, embraced him, and
- implored him to leave the field. The next moment the two friends were
- stretched side by side: the colonel had received his own death-wound. <i>But
- the two colored regiments had stood in the gap, and saved the army!</i>
- The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, which, with the First North Carolina, may
- be truly said to have saved the forces from utter route, lost eighty men.
- </p>
- <p>
- There were three color-sergeants shot down: the last one was shot three
- times before he relinquished the flag of his country. His name was Samuel
- C. Waters, Company C, and his body sleeps where he fell. The battle-flag
- carried by Sergt. Taylor was borne through the fight with the left hand,
- after the right one was nearly shot off. The rebels fired into the place
- where the wounded were being attended to; and their cavalry was about
- making a charge on it just as the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts appeared on
- the field, when they retired.
- </p>
- <p>
- Had Col. Hallowell not seen at a glance the situation of affairs, the
- Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteers would have been killed or captured.
- When they entered the field with the First North Carolina, which is a
- brave regiment, they (the First North Carolina) fired well while they
- remained; but they gave way, thus exposing the right. On the left, the
- rebel cavalry were posted; and, as the enemy’s left advanced on our right,
- their cavalry pressed the left. Both flanks were thus being folded up, and
- slaughter or capture would have been the inevitable result. We fell back
- in good order, and established new lines of battle, until we reached
- Sanderson. Here a scene that beggars description was presented. Wounded
- men lined the railroad station; and the roads were filled with artillery,
- caissons, ammunition and baggage-wagons, infantry, cavalry, and
- ambulances. The only organized bodies ready to repel attack were a portion
- of the Fortieth Massachusetts Mounted Infantry, armed with the Spencer
- repeating-rifle, the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteers, and the
- Seventh Connecticut, commanded by Col. Hawley, now governor of
- Connecticut.
- </p>
- <p>
- An occurrence of thrilling interest took place during the battle, which I
- must not omit to mention: it was this:—
- </p>
- <p>
- Col. Hallowed ordered the color-line to be advanced one hundred and fifty
- paces. Three of the colored corporals, Pease, Palmer, and Glasgow, being
- wounded, and the accomplished Goodin killed, there were four only left,—Wilkins
- the acting sergeant, Helnian and Lenox. The colors were perforated with
- bullets, and the staff was struck near the grasp of the sergeant; but the
- color-guard marched steadily out, one hundred and fifty paces to the
- front, with heads erect and square to the front; and the battalion rallied
- around it, and fought such a fight as made Col. Hallowell shout with very
- joy, and the men themselves to ring out defiant cheers which made the
- pines and marshes of Ocean Pond echo again.
- </p>
- <p>
- The attachment which the colored men form for their officers is very
- great, often amounting to self-sacrifice. Thus when Major Bogle fell
- wounded, one of his soldiers sprang forward to rescue him, and bear him to
- the rear. At that instant a rebel sergeant fired, and wounded the black
- man in the shoulder. This, however, did not force him to relinquish his
- purpose, but appeared to add to his determination; and he had his arms
- around the wounded officer, when a second ball passed through the
- soldier’s head, and he fell and expired on the body of his superior, who
- was taken prisoner by the enemy.
- </p>
- <p>
- Although these colored men had never been paid off, and their families at
- home were in want, they were as obedient and fought as bravely as the
- white troops, whose pockets contained “greenbacks,” and whose wives and
- children were provided for.
- </p>
- <p>
- The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts went into the battle with “Three cheers for
- Massachusetts, and seven dollars a month.”
- </p>
- <p>
- It is well known that the general in command came to the colonel and said,
- “The day is lost: you must do what you can to save the army from
- destruction.” And nobly did they obey him. They fired their guns till
- their ammunition was exhausted, and then stood with fixed bayonets till
- the broken columns had time to retreat, and though once entirely
- outflanked, the enemy getting sixty yards in their rear, their undaunted
- front and loud cheering caused the enemy to pause, and allowed them time
- to change front. They occupied the position as rear guard all the way back
- to Jacksonville; and, where-ever was the post of danger, there was the
- Fifty-fourth to be found.
- </p>
- <p>
- When the forces arrived at Jacksonville, they there learned that the train
- containing the wounded was at Ten-Mile Station, where it had been left,
- owing to the breaking down of the engine. The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts,
- fatigued and worn out as it was, was despatched at once, late at night, to
- the assistance of the disabled train. Arriving at Ten-Mile Station, they
- found that the only way to bring the wounded with them was to attach ropes
- to the cars, and let the men act as motive power. Thus the whole train of
- cars containing the wounded from the battle of Olustee was dragged a
- distance of ten miles by that brave colored regiment. All accounts give
- the negroes great praise for gallantry displayed at this battle. Even the
- correspondent of “The New-York Herald“ gives this emphatic testimony: “The
- First North Carolina and the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, of the colored
- troops, <i>did admirably.</i> The First North Carolina <i>held the
- positions it was placed in with the greatest tenacity, and inflicted heavy
- loss on the enemy. It was cool and steady, and never flinched for a
- moment. The Fifty-fourth sustained the reputation they had gained at
- Wagner, and bore themselves like soldiers throughout the battle.</i>” A
- letter from Beaufort, dated Feb. 26, from a gentleman who accompanied Gen.
- Seymour’s expedition, has the following passage relative to the conduct of
- the Fifty-fourth in the repulse in Florida:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “A word about the terrible defeat in Florida. We have been driven from
- Lake City to within seven miles of Jacksonville,—fifty-three miles.
- The rebels allowed us to penetrate, and then, with ten to our one, cut us
- off, meaning to <i>‘bag’ us; and, had it not been for the glorious
- Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, the whole brigade would have been captured or
- annihilated.</i> This was the only regiment that rallied, broke the rebel
- ranks, and saved us. <i>The Eighth United-States (colored) lost their flag
- twice, and the Fifty-fourth recaptured it each time</i>. They had lost, in
- killed and missing, about three hundred and fifty. They would not retreat
- when ordered, but charged with the most fearful desperation, driving the
- enemy before them, and turning their left flank. If this regiment has not
- won glory enough to have shoulder-straps, where is there one that ever
- did?”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0030" id="link2HCH0030"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XXX—BATTLE OF POISON SPRINGS, ARKANSAS.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>Hand-fought Battle.—Bravery of the Kansas Colored Troops.—They
- die but will not yield.—Outnumbered by the Rebels.—Another
- severe Battle.—The heroic Negro, after being wounded, fights till he
- dies.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he battle of
- Poison Springs, Ark., between one thousand Union and eight thousand rebel
- troops, was one of the most severe conflicts of the war. Six hundred of
- the Union forces were colored, and from Kansas, some of them having served
- under old John Brown during the great struggle in that territory. These
- black men, as it will be seen, bore the brunt of the fight, and never did
- men show more determined bravery than was exhibited on this occasion. They
- went into the battle singing the following characteristic song:—
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- “Old John Brown’s body lies a mouldering in the grave,
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- While weep the sons of bondage, whom he ventured to save;
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- But though he lost his life in struggling for the slave,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- His soul is marching on.
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Glory, glory, Hallelujah!
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Glory, glory, Hallelujah!
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Glory, glory, Hallelujah!
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- His soul is marching on!
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- John Brown was a hero, undaunted, true, and brave,
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- And Kansas knew his valor, when he fought her rights to save;
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- And now, though the grass grows green above his grave,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- His soul is marching on.
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- He captured Harper’s Ferry with his nineteen men so few,
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- And he frightened ‘Old Virginny’ till she trembled through and through:
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- They hung him for a traitor, themselves a traitor crew,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- For his soul is marching on, &c.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- John Brown was John the Baptist, of the Christ we are to see,—
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- Christ, who of the bondman shall the Liberator be;
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- And soon throughout the sunny South the slaves shall all be free,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- For his soul is marching on, &c.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- The conflict that he heralded, he looks from heaven to view,
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- On the army of the Union, with its flag, red, white, and blue;
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- And heaven shall ring with anthems o’er the deed they mean to do,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- For his soul is marching on, &c.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- Ye soldiers of freedom then strike, while strike ye may,
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- The death-blow of oppression in a better time and way;
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- For the dawn of old John Brown has brightened into day,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- And his soul is marching on.
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Glory, glory, Hallelujah!
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Glory, glory, Hallelujah!
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Glory, glory, Hallelujah!
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- And his soul is marching on.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- The following graphic description of the battle will be read with
- thrilling interest:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>Official Report of Major Richard G. Ward, commanding First Kansas
- Colored Regiment at the battle of Poison Springs.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>Headquarters First Kansas Colored Vols.,</i> <i>Camden, Ark., April
- 20, 1864.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>Col. J. M. Williams, commanding Escort to Forage-train.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>Colonel</i>,—In conformity with the requirements of the circular
- issued by you, April 19, 1864, I submit the following report of the
- conduct of that portion of the escort which I had the honor to command,
- and of the part taken by them in the action of the 18th inst:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “I marched from the camp on White-Oak Creek, with the six companies left
- with me as rear-guard, about seven o’clock, a.m. When I arrived at the
- junction of the Washington Road, I found the Eighteenth Iowa Infantry and
- a detachment of cavalry waiting to relieve me as rear-guard. At this
- moment I received your order to press forward to the front, as your
- advance was skirmishing with the enemy. Upon arriving, agreeably to your
- order, I placed one wing of this regiment on each side of the section of
- Rabb’s Battery, to support it, and awaited further developments.
- </p>
- <p>
- “After your cavalry had ascertained the position of the enemy’s force on
- our right flank, and Lieut. Haines had planted one of his pieces in a
- favorable position, I placed Companies A, B, E, and H in position to
- support it. We had hardly got into position here, before our cavalry were
- forced back upon our line by an overwhelming force of the enemy. Lieut.
- Henderson, commanding detachment Sixth Kansas (than whom a braver officer
- never existed), was severely wounded, and I ordered Corp. Wallahan,
- Company M, Sixth Kansas, to form his men on my right. He had scarcely
- formed them, ere Lieut. Mitchell, commanding detachment Second Kansas
- Cavalry, was also driven in, when he was placed upon the extreme right
- under your personal supervision.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The line of battle was now nearly in the form of the segment, of a
- circle, the convex side being outward, or toward the enemy. Companies C
- and I being on the north side of the road facing toward the east;
- Companies D and F on the south side of the road, facing in the same
- direction, whilst on my extreme right the men were drawn up in line facing
- due south. It was now about half past eleven o’clock, a.m. These
- dispositions were scarcely made ere the enemy opened a severe and
- well-directed fire from a six-gun battery, at the distance of about one
- thousand yards. This battery was near the road, due east of our line. At
- the same time a howitzer battery, reported to me as having four guns,
- opened on the south opposite my right, at a distance of six or seven
- hundred yards. Although this was much the severest artillery fire that any
- of the men had ever before been subjected to, and many of the men were
- thus under fire for the <i>first time</i>, they were as cool as veterans,
- and patiently awaited the onset of the enemy’s infantry.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Just after twelve o’clock, the enemy’s batteries slackened their fire,
- and their infantry advanced to the attack. From the position of the
- ground, it was useless to deliver a fire until the enemy were within one
- hundred yards. I therefore reserved my fire until their first line was
- within that distance, when I gave the order to fire. For about a quarter
- of an hour, it seemed as though the enemy were determined to break my
- lines, and capture the guns; but their attempts were fruitless, and they
- were compelled to fall precipitately back, not, however, before they had
- disabled more than half of the gunners belonging to the gun on the right.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Again they opened their infernal cross-fires with their batteries, and
- through the smoke I could see them massing their infantry for another
- attack. I immediately applied to you for more men.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Companies G and K were sent me. I placed Company K upon the extreme right
- (where the cavalry had rested, but which had now retired), and Company G
- upon the left of Company B. Shortly after these dispositions were made,
- the enemy again advanced, this time in two columns yelling like fiends.
- Lieut. Macy, of Company C, whom you had sent out with skirmishers from the
- left, was driven in; and I placed him, with his small command, between
- Companies G and B. At this moment, yourself and Lieut. Haines arrived on
- the right, and I reported to you the condition of the gun, only two men
- being left to man it, when you ordered it to the rear. Just as the boys
- were preparing to limber, a large body of the enemy was observed making
- for the gun in close column, whereupon private Alonzo Hendshaw, of the
- Second Indiana Battery, himself double-loaded the piece with canister, and
- poured into the advancing column a parting salute at the distance of about
- three hundred yards, and then limbered. The effect was terrific. Our
- infantry redoubled their fire, and again the massed columns sullenly
- retired.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Three different times the enemy were thus repulsed; and, as they were
- massing for the fourth charge, I informed you that I believed it would be
- impossible to hold my position without more men on my right and centre.
- You replied that I should have them if they could be spared from other
- points. I held my position until you returned; when, seeing your horse
- fall, I gave you mine for the purpose of going to the Eighteenth Iowa to
- form them in a favorable position for my line to fall back upon. Agreeably
- to your order to hold the ground at any and all events until this could be
- done, I encouraged the men to renew their exertions, and repel the coming
- charge, intending, if I succeeded, to take that opportunity of falling
- back, instead of being compelled to do so under fire. My right succeeded
- in checking the advance; but, my left being outflanked at the same time
- that my left-centre was sustaining the attack of ten times their number, I
- ordered to fall back slowly toward the train, changing front toward the
- left, to prevent the enemy from coming up in my rear. We here made a stand
- of about ten minutes, when I perceived that the enemy had succeeded in
- flanking my extreme right, and that I was placed in a position to receive
- a cross-fire from their two lines. I was then compelled, in order to save
- even a fragment of the gallant regiment which for nearly two hours had,
- unaided, sustained itself against Price’s whole army, to order a retreat.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Although a portion retired precipitately, the greater portion of them
- kept up a continued fire the whole length of the train. I ordered the men
- to retire behind the line of the Iowa Eighteenth, and form; but, alas!
- four companies had lost their gallant commanders, and were without an
- officer. By your aid, and the assistance of the few unharmed officers, I
- succeeded in collecting a few of the command, and placing them on the left
- of the Iowa Eighteenth. As they were slowly forced backward, others took
- position in the line, and did all that could be done to check the advance
- of the overwhelming forces of the enemy. I sent a small force to assist
- Lieut. Haines in his gallant and manly efforts to save his guns; and, had
- it not been for the worn condition of the horses, I believe he would have
- succeeded. Accompanying this, I send the reports of company commanders of
- the losses sustained by their respective companies. It will be noticed
- that the heaviest punishment was inflicted upon Company G, from the fact
- that it was more exposed to the galling cross-fires of the enemy.
- </p>
- <p>
- “You will see that I went into action with about four hundred and fifty
- enlisted men, and thirteen officers of the line. Seven out of that gallant
- thirteen were killed or wounded. Five are reported dead on the field:
- Capt. A. J. Armstrong, Company D; Lieut. B. Hitchcock, Company G; Lieuts.
- Charles J. Coleman and Joseph B. Samuels, Company H; and Lieut. John
- Topping, Company B. The cheerful offering of the lives of such noble men
- needs not the assistance of any studied panegyric to bespeak for it that
- spirit of lasting admiration with which their memories will ever be
- enshrined.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Four companies fought their way to the rear, without a commissioned
- officer. One hundred and thirteen men are killed, and sixty-nine wounded,—some
- of them mortally. I cannot refrain from mentioning the names of Capt. B.
- W. Welch, Company K, and Lieut. E. Q. Macy, Company C. both of whom were
- wounded, as among the number of sufferers who have earned the thanks and
- merit the sympathy of the loyal and generous everywhere. Any attempt to
- mention the names of any soldier in particular would be unjust, unless I
- mentioned all; for every one, as far as I could see, did his duty coolly,
- nobly, and bravely. On the right, where the enemy made so many repeated
- attempts to break my line, I saw officers and men engaged in taking the
- cartridges from the bodies of the dead; and, upon inquiring, found that
- their ammunition was nearly expended.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The brave and soldier-like Topping was killed in the first charge; and
- the gallant young Coleman, commanding Company H, was shot down in the
- second charge. At what particular period of the engagement the other
- officers fell, I am unable to state. To Capt. John R, Gratton, Company C;
- Capt. William H. Smallwood, Company G; Lieut. R. L. Harris, Company I:
- Lieut. B. G. Jones, Company A; Lieut. John Overdier, Company E; Lieut. S.
- S. Crepps, Company F; and Adjutant William C. Gibbons, I would tender my
- heartfelt thanks, for the faithful, efficient, and manly performance of
- the most arduous duties, while subjected to the hottest fire.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The loss in arms and clothing is quite serious; but, from the exhausted
- state of the men, it is strange that as many of them brought in their arms
- and accoutrements as did. Out of seventy-eight hours preceding the action,
- sixty-three hours were spent by the entire command on duty, besides a
- heavy picket-guard having been furnished for the remaining fifteen hours.
- You are also reminded that the rations were of necessity exceedingly short
- for more than a week previous to the battle.
- </p>
- <p>
- “We were obliged to bring our wounded away the best we could, as the
- rebels were seen shooting those who fell into their hands. The men who
- brought in the wounded were obliged to throw away their arms; but the most
- who did so waited till they reached the swamps, and then sunk them in the
- bayous.
- </p>
- <p>
- “I am, colonel, very respectfully,
- </p>
- <p>
- “Your obedient servant,
- </p>
- <h3>
- “<i>R. G. WARD,</i>
- </h3>
- <p>
- “<i>Major First Kansas Colored Volunteers.</i>’’’
- </p>
- <p>
- “Since this Report was published, official information has been received
- at Fort Smith, that Capt. Armstrong and Lieut. Hitchcock are prisoners of
- war in Arkansas, and not killed as reported.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Yours,
- </p>
- <h3>
- “J. BOWLES,
- </h3>
- <p>
- “Lieutenant-Colonel First Kansas Volunteers.”
- </p>
- <p>
- Eight days later, the same colored regiment had a fight with a superior
- force in numbers of the rebels; and the subjoined account of the
- engagement will show with what determination they fought.
- </p>
- <p>
- “On the 29th, we skirmished in the forenoon. In the afternoon, the
- venturing-out of a detachment beyond the distance ordered brought on a
- severe though short general engagement. At least one hundred and twenty of
- the rebel cavalry made a charge upon this detachment of twenty-four men.
- Before we could bring up re-enforcements, these fearfully disproportioned
- parties were engaged in a desperate hand-to-hand encounter. I was on the
- field, doing, with the other officers, the best we could to bring up
- re-enforcements. There was no flinching, no hesitation, or trembling limbs
- among the men; but fierce determination flashing in their eyes, and
- exhibiting an eager, passionate haste to aid their comrades, and vindicate
- the manhood of their race. The air was rent with their yells, as they
- rushed on, and the difficulty manifested was in holding them well in
- rather than in faltering. Among the detachment cut off, of whom only six
- escaped unhurt, nothing I have ever seen, read, or heard in the annals of
- war, surpasses the desperate personal valor exhibited by each and every
- man. Bayonets came in bloody, as did the stocks of guns; and the last
- charge was found gone from cartridge-boxes.
- </p>
- <p>
- “During the fight, one poor fellow received a mortal wound, but would not
- go to the rear. He told his officer that he could not live, but would die
- fighting for the flag of liberty; and continued to load and discharge his
- rifle until he fell dead on the field of glory.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- “The ball had crushed a vital part,—
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- He could not long survive;
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- But, with a brave and loyal heart,
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- For victory still would strive;
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- His rifle ‘gainst the traitor foe
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- With deadly aim would ply;
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- And, till his life-blood ceased to flow,
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- Fight on for liberty.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- His skin was of the ebon hue,
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- His heart was nobly brave:
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- To country, flag, and freedom true,
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- He would not live a slave.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- His rifle flashed,—a traitor falls:
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- While death is in his eye,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- He bravely to his comrades calls,
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- ‘Fight on for liberty!’
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- He looked upon his bannered sign,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- He bowed his noble head,—
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- ‘Farewell, beloved flag of mine!’—
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- Then fell among the dead.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- His comrades will remember well
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- The hero’s battle-cry,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- As in the arms of death he fell,—
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- ‘Fight on for liberty!’
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- And still for liberty and laws
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- His comrades will contend,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Till victory crowns the righteous cause,
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- And tyrant power shall end.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Though low in earth the martyr lies,
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- Still rings his battle-cry:
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- From hill to hill the echo flies,—
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- ‘Fight on for liberty!’
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /> <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0031" id="link2HCH0031"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XXXI—THE MASSACRE AT FORT PILLOW.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>Assault and Capture of the Fort.—“No Quarter.”—Rebel
- Atrocities.—Gens. Forrest and Chalmers.—Firing upon Flags of
- Truce.—Murder of Men, Women, and Children.—Night after the
- Assault.—Buried Alive.—Morning after the Massacre.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">N</span>othing in the
- history of the Rebellion has equalled in inhumanity and atrocity the
- horrid butchery at Fort Pillow, Ky., on the 13th of April, 1864. In no
- other school than slavery could human beings have been trained to such
- readiness for cruelties like these. Accustomed to brutality and bestiality
- all their lives, it was easy for them to perpetrate the atrocities which
- will startle the civilized foreign world, as they have awakened the
- indignation of our own people.
- </p>
- <p>
- We have gleaned the facts of the fight from authentic sources, and they
- may be relied upon as truthful. The rebels, under Forrest, appeared, and
- drove in the pickets about sunrise on Tuesday morning. The garrison of the
- fort consisted of about two hundred of the Thirteenth Tennessee
- Volunteers, and four hundred negro artillery, all under command of Major
- Booth: the gunboat “No. 7” was also in the river. The rebels first
- attacked the outer forts, and, in several attempts to charge, were
- repulsed. They were constantly re-enforced, and extended their lines to
- the river on both sides of the fort. The garrison in the two outer forts
- was at length overpowered by superior numbers, and about noon evacuated
- them, and retired to the fort on the river. Here the fight was maintained
- with great obstinacy, and continued till about four, p.m. The approach to
- the fort from the rear is over a gentle declivity, cleared, and fully
- exposed to a raking fire from two sides of the fort. About thirty yards
- from the fort is a deep ravine, running all along the front, and so steep
- at the bottom as to be hidden from the fort, and not commanded by its
- guns. The rebels charged with great boldness dawn the declivity, and
- faced, without blanching, a murderous fire from the guns and small-arms of
- the fort, and crowded into the ravine; where they were sheltered from fire
- by the steep bank, which had been thus left by some unaccountable neglect
- or ignorance. Here the rebels organized for a final charge upon the fort,
- after sending a flag of truce with a demand for surrender, which was
- refused. The approach from the ravine was up through a deep, narrow gully,
- and the steep embankments of the fort. The last charge was made about
- four, p.m., by the whole rebel force, and was successful after a most
- desperate and gallant defence. The rebel army was estimated at from two
- thousand to four thousand, and succeeded by mere force of numbers. The
- gunboat had not been idle, but, guided by signals from the fort, poured
- upon the rebels a constant stream of shot and shell. She fired two hundred
- and sixty shells, and, as testified to by those who could see, with
- marvellous precision and with fatal effect. Major Booth, who was killed
- near the close of the fight, conducted the defence with great coolness,
- skill, and gallantry. His last signal to the boat was, “We are hard
- pressed and shall be overpowered.” He refused to surrender, however, and
- fought to the last. By the uniform and voluntary, testimony of the rebel
- officers, as well as the survivors of the fight, the negro-artillery
- regiments fought with the bravery and coolness of veterans, and served the
- guns with skill and precision. They did not falter nor flinch, until, at
- the last charge, when it was evident they would be overpowered, they
- broke, and fled toward the river: and here commenced the most barbarous
- and cruel outrages that ever the fiendishness of rebels has perpetrated
- during the war.
- </p>
- <p>
- After the rebels were in undisputed possession of the fort, and the
- survivors had surrendered, they commenced the indiscriminate butchery of
- all the Federal soldiery. The colored soldiers threw down their guns, and
- raised their arms, in token of surrender; but not the least attention was
- paid to it. They continued to shoot down all they found. A number of them,
- finding no quarter was given, ran over the bluff to the river, and tried
- to conceal themselves under the bank and in the bushes, where they were
- pursued by the rebel savages, whom they implored to spare their lives.
- Their appeals were made in vain; and they were all shot down in cold
- blood, and, in full sight of the gunboat, chased and shot down like dogs.
- In passing up the bank of the river, fifty dead might be counted, strewed
- along. One had crawled into a hollow log, and was killed in it; another
- had got over the bank into the river, and had got on a board that run out
- into the water. He lay on it on his face, with his feet in the water. He
- lay there, when exposed, stark and stiff. Several had tried to hide in
- crevices made by the falling bank, and could not be seen without
- difficulty; but they were singled out, and killed. From the best
- information to be had, the white soldiers were, to a very considerable
- extent, treated in the same way. H. W. Harrison, one of the Thirteenth
- Tennessee on board, says, that, after the surrender, he was below the
- bluff, and one of the rebels presented a pistol to shoot him. He told him
- he had surrendered, and requested him not to fire. He spared him, and
- directed him to go up the bluff to the fort. Harrison asked him to go
- before him, or he would be shot by others; but he told him to go along. He
- started, and had not proceeded far before he met a rebel, who presented
- his pistol. Harrison begged him not to fire; but, paying no attention to
- his request, he fired, and shot him through the shoulder; and another shot
- him in the leg. He fell; and, while he lay unable to move, another came
- along, and was about to fire again, when Harrison told him he was badly
- wounded twice, and implored him not to fire. He asked Harrison if he had
- any money. He said he had a little money, and a watch. The rebel took from
- him his watch and ninety dollars in money, and left him. Harrison is,
- probably, fatally wounded. Several such cases have been related to me; and
- I think, to a great extent, the whites and negroes were indiscriminately
- murdered. The rebel Tennesseeans have about the same bitterness against
- Tennesseeans in the Federal army, as against the negroes. It was told by a
- rebel officer that Gen. Forrest shot one of his men, and cut another with
- his sabre, who were shooting down prisoners. It may be so; but he is
- responsible for the conduct of his men. Gen. Chalmers stated publicly,
- while on the Platte Valley, that, though he did not encourage or
- countenance his men in shooting down negro captives, yet it was right and
- justifiable.
- </p>
- <p>
- The negro corporal, Jacob Wilson, who was picked up below Fort Pillow, had
- a narrow escape. He was down on the river-bank, and, seeing that no
- quarter was shown, stepped into the water so that he lay partly under it.
- A rebel coming along asked him what was the matter: he said he was badly
- wounded; and the rebel, after taking from his pocket all the money he had,
- left him. It happened to be near by a flat-boat tied to the bank, and
- about three o’clock in the morning. When all was quiet, Wilson crawled
- into it, and got three more wounded comrades also into it, and cut loose.
- The boat floated out into the channel, and was found ashore some miles
- below. The wounded negro soldiers aboard feigned themselves dead until
- Union soldiers came along.
- </p>
- <p>
- The atrocities committed almost exceed belief; and, but for the fact that
- so many confirm the stories, we could not credit them. One man, already
- badly wounded, asked of a scoundrel who was firing at him, to spare his
- life. “No: damn you!” was the reply. “You fight with niggers!” and
- forthwith discharged two more balls into him. One negro was made to assist
- in digging a pit to bury the dead in, and was himself cast in among
- others, and buried. Five are known to have been buried alive: of these,
- two dug themselves out, and are now alive, and in the hospital. Daniel
- Tyler, of Company B, was shot three times, and struck on the head,
- knocking out his eye. After this, he was buried; but, not liking his
- quarters, dug out. He laughs over his adventures, and says he is one of
- the best “dug-outs” in the world.
- </p>
- <p>
- Dr. Fitch says he saw twenty white soldiers paraded in line on the bank of
- the river; and, when in line, the rebels fired upon and killed all but
- one, who ran to the river, and hid under a log, and in that condition was
- fired at a number of times, and wounded. He says that Major Bradford also
- ran down to the river, and, after he told them that he had surrendered,
- more than fifty shots were fired at him. He then jumped into the river,
- and swam out a little ways, and whole volleys were fired at him there
- without hitting him. He returned to the shore, and meeting, as the doctor
- supposes, some officer, was protected; but he heard frequent threats from
- the rebels that they would kill him.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Yesterday afternoon,” says “The Cairo News” of April 16, “we visited the
- United-States Hospital at Mound City, and had an interview with the
- wounded men from Fort Pillow.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The Fort-Pillow wounded are doing much better than could be expected from
- the terrible nature of their wounds. But one, William Jones, had died,
- though Adjutant Bearing and Lieut. John H. Porter cannot possibly long
- survive. Of the whole number,—fifty-two,—all except two were
- cut or shot after they had surrendered! They all tell the same story of
- the rebel barbarities; and listening to a recital of the terrible scenes
- at the fort makes one’s blood run cold. They say they were able to keep
- the rebels at bay for several hours, notwithstanding the immense disparity
- of numbers; and, but for their treachery in creeping up under the walls of
- the fort while a truce was pending, would have held out until ‘The Olive
- Branch’ arrived with troops, with whose assistance they would have
- defeated Chalmers.
- </p>
- <p>
- “So well were our men protected behind their works, that our loss was very
- trifling before the rebels scaled the walls, and obtained possession. As
- soon as they saw the Rebels inside the walls, the Unionists ceased firing,
- knowing that further resistance was useless; but the Rebels continued
- firing, crying out, ‘Shoot them, shoot them! Show them no quarter!’
- </p>
- <p>
- “The Unionists, with one or two exceptions, had thrown down their arms in
- token of surrender, and therefore could offer no resistance. In vain they
- held up their hands, and begged their captors to spare their lives. But
- they were appealing to fiends; and the butchery continued until, out of
- near six hundred men who composed the garrison, but two hundred and thirty
- remained alive: and of this number, sixty-two were wounded, and nine died
- in a few hours after.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Capt. Bradford, of the First Alabama Cavalry, was an especial object of
- rebel hatred, and his death was fully determined upon before the assault
- was made. After he had surrendered, he was basely shot; but, having his
- revolver still at his side, he emptied it among a crowd of rebels,
- bringing three of the scoundrels to the ground. The massacre was
- acquiesced in by most of the rebel officers, Chalmers himself expressly
- declaring that ‘home-made Yankees and negroes should receive no quarter.’”
- </p>
- <p>
- The following is an extract from the Report of the Committee on the
- Conduct of the War on the Fort-Pillow Massacre:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “It will appear from the testimony that was taken, that the atrocities
- committed at Fort Pillow were not the results of passion elicited by the
- heat of conflict, but were the results of a policy deliberately decided
- upon, and unhesitatingly announced. Even if the uncertainty of the fate of
- those officers and men belonging to colored regiments, who have heretofore
- been taken prisoners by the rebels, has failed to convince the authorities
- of our Government of this fact, the testimony herewith submitted must
- convince even the most sceptical, that it is the intention of the rebel
- authorities not to recognize the officers and men of our colored regiments
- as entitled to the treatment accorded by all civilized nations to
- prisoners of war.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The declarations of Forrest and his officers, both before and after the
- capture of Fort Pillow, as testified to by such of our men as have escaped
- after being taken by him; the threats contained in the various demands for
- surrender made at Paducah, Columbus, and other places; the renewal of the
- massacre the morning after the capture of Fort Pillow; the statements made
- by the rebel officers to the officers of our gunboats who received the few
- survivors at Fort Pillow,—all this proves most conclusively the
- policy they have determined to adopt.
- </p>
- <p>
- “It was at Fort Pillow that the brutality and cruelty of the rebels were
- most fearfully exhibited. The garrison there, according to the last
- returns received at headquarters, amounted to ten officers and five
- hundred and thirty-eight enlisted men, of whom two hundred and sixty-two
- were colored troops, comprising one battalion of the Sixteenth
- United-States Heavy Artillery, formerly the First Alabama Artillery of
- colored troops, under the command of Major L. F. Booth; one section of the
- Second Light Artillery (colored); and a battalion of the Thirteenth
- Tennessee Cavalry (white ), commanded by Major A. F. Bradford. Major Booth
- was the ranking officer, and was in command of the fort.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Immediately after the second flag of truce retired, the rebels made a
- rush from the positions they had so treacherously gained, and obtained
- possession of the fort, raising the cry of ‘No quarter.’ But little
- opportunity was allowed for resistance. Our troops, white and black, threw
- down their arms, and sought to escape by running down the steep bluff near
- the fort, and secreting themselves behind trees and logs in the brush, and
- under the brush; some even jumping into the river, leaving only their
- heads above the water. Then followed a scene of cruelty and murder without
- parallel in civilized warfare, which needed but the tomahawk and
- scalping-knife to exceed the worst atrocities ever committed by savages.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The rebels commenced an indiscriminate slaughter, sparing neither age nor
- sex, white nor black, soldier nor civilian. The officers and men seemed to
- vie with each other in the devilish work. Men, women, and children,
- wherever found, were deliberately shot down, beaten, and hacked with
- sabres. Some of the children not more than ten years old were forced to
- stand up by their murderers while being shot. The sick and wounded were
- butchered without mercy; the rebels even entering the hospital-buildings,
- and dragging them out to be shot, or killing them as they lay there unable
- to offer the least resistance. All over the hillside the work of murder
- was going on. Numbers of our men were collected together in lines or
- groups, aud deliberately shot. Some were shot while in the river; while
- others on the bank were shot, and their bodies kicked into the water, many
- of them still living, but unable to make exertions to save themselves from
- drowning.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Some of the rebels stood upon the top of the hill, or a short distance
- from its side, and called to our soldiers to come up to them, and, as they
- approached, shot them down in cold blood; and, if their guns or pistols
- missed fire, forced them to stand there until they were again prepared to
- fire. All around were heard cries of ‘No quarter, no quarter!’ ‘Kill the d——d
- niggers, shoot them down!7 All who asked for mercy were answered by the
- most cruel taunts and sneers. Some were spared for a time, only to be
- murdered under circumstances of greater cruelty.
- </p>
- <p>
- “No cruelty which the most fiendish malignity could devise was omitted by
- these murderers. One white soldier who was wounded in the leg so as to be
- unable to walk was made to stand up while his tormentors shot him. Others
- who were wounded, and unable to stand up, were held up and again shot. One
- negro who had been ordered by a rebel officer to hold his horse was killed
- by him when he remonstrated; another, a mere child, whom an officer had
- taken up behind him on his horse, was seen by Gen. Chalmers, who at once
- ordered him to put him down and shoot him, which was done.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The huts and tents in which many of the wounded sought shelter were set
- on fire, both on that night and the next morning, while the wounded were
- still in them; those only escaping who were able to get themselves out, or
- who could prevail on others less injured to help them out: and some of
- these thus seeking to escape the flames were met by these ruffians, and
- brutally shot down, or had their brains beaten out. One man was
- deliberately fastened down to the floor of a tent, face upwards, by means
- of nails driven through his clothing and into the boards under him, so
- that he could not possibly escape; and then the tent was set on fire.
- Another was nailed to the sides of a building outside of the fort, and
- then the building was set on fire and burned. The charred remains of five
- or six bodies were afterwards found, all but one so much disfigured and
- consumed by the flames, that they could not be identified; and the
- identification of that one is not absolutely certain, although there can
- hardly be a doubt that it was the body of Lieut. Albertson, Quartermaster
- of the Thirteenth Virginia Cavalry, and a native of Tennessee. Several
- witnesses who saw the remains, and who were personally acquainted with him
- while living here, testified it to be their firm belief that it was his
- body that was thus treated.
- </p>
- <p>
- “These deeds of murder and cruelty closed when night came on, only to be
- renewed the next morning, when the demons carefully sought among the dead
- lying about in all directions for any other wounded yet alive; and those
- they found were deliberately shot. Scores of the dead and wounded were
- found there the day after the massacre by the men from some of our
- gunboats, who were permitted to go on shore, and collect the wounded, and
- bury the dead.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The rebels themselves had made a pretence of burying a great many of
- their victims; but they had merely thrown them, without the least regard
- to care or decency, in the trenches and ditches about the fort, or little
- hollows and ravines on the hillside, covering them but partially with
- earth. Portions of heads and faces were found protruding through the earth
- in every direction; and even when your Committee visited the spot, two
- weeks afterwards, although parties of men had been sent on shore from time
- to time to bury the bodies unburied, and re-bury the others, and were even
- then engaged in the same work, we found the evidences of the murder and
- cruelty still most painfully apparent.
- </p>
- <p>
- “We saw bodies still unburied, at some distance from the fort, of some
- sick men who had been met fleeing from the hospital, and beaten down and
- brutally murdered, and their bodies left where they had fallen. We could
- still see the faces and hands and feet of men, white and black, protruding
- out of the ground, whose graves had not been reached by those engaged in
- re-interring the victims of the massacre; and, although a great deal of
- rain had fallen within the preceding two weeks, the ground, more
- especially on the side and at the foot of the bluff where most of the
- murders had been committed, was still discolored by the blood of our brave
- but unfortunate soldiers; and the logs and trees showed but too plainly
- the evidences of the atrocities perpetrated.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Many other instances of equally, atrocious cruelty might be mentioned;
- but your Committee feel compelled to refrain from giving here more of the
- heart-sickening details, and refer to the statements contained in the
- voluminous testimony herewith submitted. These statements were obtained by
- them from eye-witnesses and sufferers. Many of them as they were examined
- by your Committee were lying upon beds of pain and suffering; some so
- feeble that their lips could with difficulty frame the words by which they
- endeavored to convey some idea of the cruelties which had been inflicted
- on them, and which they had seen inflicted on others.”
- </p>
- <p>
- When the murderers returned, the day after the capture, to renew their
- fiendish work upon the wounded and dying, they found a young and beautiful
- mulatto woman searching among the dead for the body of her husband. She
- was the daughter of a wealthy and influential rebel residing at Columbus.
- With her husband, this woman was living near the fort when our forces
- occupied it, and joined the Union men to assist in holding the place.
- Going from body to body with all the earnestness with which love could
- inspire an affectionate heart, she at last found the object of her search.
- He was not dead; but both legs were broken. The wife had succeeded in
- getting him out from among the piles of dead, and was bathing his face,
- and giving him water to drink from a pool near by, which had been
- replenished by the rain that fell a few hours before. At this moment she
- was seen by the murderous band; and the cry was at once raised, “Kill the
- wench, kill her!” The next moment the sharp crack of a musket was heard,
- and the angel of mercy fell a corpse on the body of her wounded husband,
- who was soon after knocked in the head by the butt-end of the same weapon.
- Though these revolting murders were done under the immediate eye of Gen.
- Chalmers, the whole was planned and carried out by Gen. Forrest whose
- inhumanity has never been surpassed in the history of civilized or even
- barbarous warfare.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0032" id="link2HCH0032"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XXXII—INJUSTICE TO COLORED TROOPS.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>The Pay of the Men.—Government refuses to keep its Promise.—Efforts
- of Gov. Andrew to have Justice done.—Complaint of the Men. —Mutiny.—Military
- Murder.—Everlasting Shame.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">W</span>hen the War
- Department commenced recruiting colored men as soldiers in Massachusetts,
- New Orleans, and Hilton Head, it was done with the promise that these men
- should receive the same pay, clothing, and treatment that white soldiers
- did. The same was promised at Camp William Penn, at Philadelphia. After
- several regiments had been raised and put in the field, the War Department
- decided to pay them but ten dollars per month, without clothing. The
- Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteers, and the Fifty-fifth, were both in
- South Carolina when this decision was made; yet the Government held on to
- the men who had thus been obtained under false pretences. Dissatisfaction
- showed itself as soon as this was known among the colored troops. Still
- the blacks performed their duty, hoping that Congress would see that
- justice was done to them. The men refused to receive less than was their
- just due when the paymaster came round, as the following will show:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>Hilton Head, S.C., Feb. 6,1864</i>.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Samuel Harrison, Chaplain of the Fifty-fourth Regiment Massachusetts
- Volunteers (colored troops), asks pay at the usual rate of chaplains,—one
- hundred dollars per month and two rations, which, he being of African
- descent, I decline paying, under Act of Congress, July 17, 1862, which
- authorizes the employment of persons of African descent in the army. The
- chaplain declines receiving any thing less.
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>Paymaster, United-States Army.”</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- It was left, however, for Massachusetts to take the lead, both by her
- governor, and by her colored soldiers in the field, to urge upon the
- Congress and the Administration the black man’s claims. To the honor of
- John A. Andrew, the patriotic Chief Magistrate of the Bay State during the
- Rebellion, justice was demanded again and again. The following will show
- his feelings upon the subject:—
- </p>
- <p>
- His Excellency Gov. Andrew, in a letter dated Executive Department,
- Boston, Aug. 24, and addressed to Mr. Frederick Johnson, an officer in the
- regiment, says,—
- </p>
- <p>
- “I have this day received your letter of the 10th of August, and in reply
- desire, in the first place, to express to you the lively interest with
- which I have watched every step of the Fifty-fourth Regiment since it left
- Massachusetts, and the feelings of pride and admiration with which I have
- learned and read the accounts of the heroic conduct of the regiment in the
- attack upon Fort Wagner, when you and your brave soldiers so well proved
- their manhood, and showed themselves to be true soldiers of Massachusetts.
- As to the matter inquired about in your letter, you may rest assured that
- I shall not rest until you shall have secured all of your rights, and that
- I have no doubt whatever of ultimate success. I have no doubt, by law, you
- are entitled to the same pay as other soldiers; and, on the authority of
- the Secretary of War, I promised that you should be paid and treated in
- all respects like other soldiers of Massachusetts. Till this is done, I
- feel that my promise is dishonored by the Government. The whole difficulty
- arises from a misapprehension, the correction of which will no doubt be
- made as soon as I can get the subject fully examined by the Secretary of
- War.
- </p>
- <p>
- “I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
- </p>
- <h3>
- “<i>JOHN A. ANDREW,</i>
- </h3>
- <p>
- “<i>Governor of Massachusetts.</i>”
- </p>
- <p>
- The subjoined letter, from a soldier of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts
- Volunteers, needs no explanation:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “We are still anticipating the arrival of the day when the Government will
- do justice to the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Regiments, and pay us what
- is justly our due.
- </p>
- <p>
- “We have fought like men; we have worked like men; we have been ready at
- every call of duty, and thus have proved ourselves to be men: but still we
- are refused the thirteen dollars per month.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Oh, what a shame it is to be treated thus! Some of us have wives and
- little children, who are looking for succor and support from their
- husbands and fathers; but, alas! they look in vain. The answer to the
- question, ‘When shall we be able to assist them?’ is left wholly to the
- Congress of the United States.
- </p>
- <p>
- “What will the families of those poor comrades of ours who fell at James’s
- Island, Fort Wagner, and Olus-tee, do? They must suffer; for their
- husbands and fathers have gone the way of all the earth. They have gone to
- join that number that John saw, and to rest at the right hand of God.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Our hearts pine in bitter anguish when we look back to our loved ones at
- home, and we are compelled to shed many a briny tear. We have offered our
- lives a sacrifice for a country that has not the magnanimity to treat us
- as men. All that we ask is the rights of other soldiers, the liberty of
- other free men. If we cannot have these, give us an honorable discharge
- from the United-States service, and we will not ask for pay.
- </p>
- <p>
- “We came here to fight for liberty and country, and not for money (we
- would scorn to do that); but they promised us, if we would enlist, they
- would give us thirteen dollars per month.
- </p>
- <p>
- “It was all false. They only wanted to get the halter over our heads, and
- then say, ‘Get out if you can.’
- </p>
- <p>
- “Sir, the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Regiments would sooner consent to
- fight for the whole three years, gratis, than to be put upon the footing
- of contrabands.
- </p>
- <p>
- “It is not that we think ourselves any better than they; for we are not.
- We know that God ‘hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell
- on all the face of the earth;’ but we have enlisted as Massachusetts
- Volunteers, and we will not surrender that proud position, come what may.”
- </p>
- <p>
- Sergt. William Walker, of Company A, Third South-Carolina colored troops,
- feeling that he and his associates were unjustly dealt with, persuaded his
- company to go to their captain’s tent, and stack their muskets, and refuse
- duty till paid. They did so, and the following was the result:—
- </p>
- <h3>
- CONDEMNED AND SHOT FOR MUTINY.
- </h3>
- <p>
- “Sergt. William Walker, of Company A, Third South-Carolina colored troops,
- was yesterday killed, in accordance with the sentence of a court-martial.
- He had declared he would no longer remain a soldier for seven dollars per
- month, and had brought his company to stack their arms before their
- captain’s tent, refusing to do duty until they should be paid thirteen
- dollars a month, as had been agreed when they were enlisted by Col. Saxon.
- He was a smart soldier and an able man, dangerous as leader in a revolt.
- His last moments were attended by Chaplain Wilson, Twenty-fourth
- Massachusetts, and Chaplain Moore, of the Second South-Carolina colored
- troops. The execution took place at Jacksonville, Fla., in presence of the
- regiments there in garrison. He met his death unflinchingly. Out of eleven
- shots first fired, but one struck him. A reserve firing-party had been
- provided, and by these he was shot to death.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The mutiny for which this man suffered death arose entirely out of the
- inconsistent and contradictory orders of the Paymaster and the Treasury
- Department at Washington.”—<i>Beaufort (S.C.) Cor. Tribune.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- The United-States Paymaster visited the Department three times, and
- offered to pay laborers’ wages, of ten dollars per month, to the
- Massachusetts Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth, which to a man they refused,
- saying, “‘Tis an insult, after promising us a soldier’s pay, and calling
- upon us to do a soldier’s duty (and faithfully has it been performed), to
- offer us the wages of a laborer, who is not called upon to peril his life
- for his country.” Finding that the Government had tried to force them to
- take this reduced pay, Massachusetts sent down agents to make up the
- difference to them out of the State Treasury, trusting, that, ere long,
- the country would acknowledge them as on an equality with the rest of the
- army. But, in a manner that must redound to their credit, they refused it.
- Said they, “‘Tis the principle, not the money, that we contend for: we
- will either be paid as soldiers, or fight without reward.” This drew down
- upon them the hatred of the other colored troops (for those regiments
- raised in the South were, promised but ten dollars, as the Government also
- took care of their families), and they had to bear much from them; but
- they did not falter. Standing by their expressed determination to have
- justice done them, they quietly performed their duties, only praying
- earnestly that every friend of theirs at the North would help the
- Government to see what a blot rests on its fair fame,—a betrayal of
- the trust reposed in them by the colored race.
- </p>
- <p>
- When they rushed forward to save our army from being slaughtered at
- Olustee, it was the irrepressible negro humor, with something more than a
- dash of sarcasm, that prompted the battle-cry, “Three cheers for Old
- Massachusetts, and seven dollars a month!” (Three dollars were reserved by
- Government for clothes.)
- </p>
- <p>
- Another soldier, a member of the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts, complains as
- follows:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “Eleven months have now passed away, and still we are without our pay. How
- our families are to live and pay house-rent I know not. Uncle Sam has long
- wind, and expects as much of us as any soldiers in the field; but, if we
- cannot get any pay, what have we to stimulate us?
- </p>
- <p>
- “To work the way this regiment has for day’s, weeks, nay, months, and yet
- to get no money to send to our wives, children, and mothers, who are now
- suffering, would cause the blush of shame to mantle the cheek of a
- cannibal, were he our paymaster.
- </p>
- <p>
- “But we will suffer all the days of our appointed time with patience, only
- let us know that we are doing some good, make manifest, too, that we are
- making men (and women) of our race; let us know that prejudice, the curse
- of the North as slavery is the curse of the South, is breaking, slowly but
- surely; then we will suffer more, work faster, fight harder, and stand
- firmer than before.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0033" id="link2HCH0033"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XXXIII.—BATTLE OF HONEY HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>Union Troops.—The March.—The Enemy.—The Swamp.—Earthworks.—The
- Battle.—Desperate Fighting.—Great Bravery.—Col.
- Hartwell.—Fifty-fifth Massachusetts.—The Dying and the Dead.—The
- Retreat.—The Enemy’s Position.—Earthworks.—His
- Advantages.—The Union Forces.—The Blacks.—Our Army
- outnumbered by the Rebels.—Their concealed Batteries.—Skirmishing.—The
- Rebels retreat to their Base.—The Battle.—Great Bravery of our
- Men.—The Fifty-fifth Massachusetts saves the Army.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">H</span>oney Hill is about
- two and a half miles east of the village of Grahamville, Beaufort
- District. On the crest of this, where the road or the highway strikes it,
- is a semicircular line of earthworks, defective, though, in construction,
- as they are too high for infantry, and have little or no exterior slope.
- These works formed the centre of the rebel lines; while their left reached
- up into the pine-lands, and their right along a line of fence that skirted
- the swamp below the batteries. They commanded fully the road in front as
- it passes through the swamp at the base of the hill, and only some fifty
- or sixty yards distant. Through the swamp runs a small creek, which
- spreads up and down the roads for some thirty or forty yards, but is quite
- shallow the entire distance. Some sixty yards beyond this creek, the main
- road turns off to the left, making an obtuse angle; while another and
- smaller road makes off to the right from the same point.
- </p>
- <p>
- The Union forces consisted of six thousand troops, artillery, cavalry, and
- infantry, all told, under the command of Major-Gen. J. G. Foster; Gen.
- John P. Hatch having the immediate command. The First Brigade, under Gen.
- E. E. Potter, was composed of the Fifty-sixth and One Hundred and
- Forty-fourth United-States, Twenty-fifth Ohio, and Thirty-fourth and
- Thirty-fifth United-States (colored). The Second Brigade, under Col. A. S.
- Hartwell, was composed of the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Massachusetts,
- and Twenty-sixth and Thirty-second United-States (colored). Col. E. P.
- Hallowed, of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, had, in spite of his express
- desire, been left behind in command of Morris and Folly Islands. As at the
- battle of Olustee, the enemy was met in small numbers some three or four
- miles from his base, and, retreating, led our army into the swamp, and up
- to his earthworks. So slight was the fighting as our troops approached the
- fort, that all the men seemed in high glee, especially the colored
- portion, which was making the woods ring with the following song:—
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- “Ho, boys, chains are breaking;
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Bondsmen fast awaking;
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Tyrant hearts are quaking;
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Southward we are making.
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- Huzza! Huzza!
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- Our song shall be
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- Huzza! Huzza!
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- That we are free!
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- For Liberty we fight,—
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Our own, our brother’s, right:
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- We’ll face Oppression’s blight
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- In Freedom’s earnest might.
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- Huzza! Huzza! &c.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- For now as men we stand
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Defending Fatherland:
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- With willing heart and hand,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- In this great cause we band.
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- Huzza! Huzza! &c.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Our flag’s Red, White, and Blue:
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- We’ll bear it marching through,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- With rifles swift and true,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- And bayonets gleaming too.
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- Huzza! Huzza! &c.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Now for the Union cheers,
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- Huzza! Huzza! Huzza!
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- For home and loved ones tears,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- For rebel foes no fears.
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- Huzza! Huzza! Huzza!
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- And joy that conflict nears.
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- Huzza! Huzza!
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- Our song shall be
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- Huzza! Huzza!
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- That we are free!
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- No more the driver’s horn
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Awakes us in the morn;
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- But battle’s music borne,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Our manhood shall adorn.
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- Huzza! Huzza! &c.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- No more for trader’s gold
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Shall those we love be sold;
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Nor crushed be manhood bold
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- In slavery’s dreaded fold.
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- Huzza! Huzza! &c.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- But each and all be free
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- As singing-bird in tree,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Or winds that whistling flee
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- O’er mountain, vale, and sea.
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- Huzza! Huzza! &c.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- The Union forces approached the fort by the left road, which brought them
- in front of the enemy’s guns pointing down the hill, which was also down
- the road. An eyewitness of the battle gives the following account of it:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “The Thirty-second United-States colored troops were ordered to charge the
- rebel fort as soon as we had got in position at the head of the road. They
- attempted, but got stuck in the marsh, which they found impassable at the
- point of their assault; and a galling fire of grape, canister, and
- musketry, being opened on them, they were forced to retire.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The Thirty-fourth United-States colored troops also essayed an assault,
- but could not get near enough to produce any effect upon it. These
- regiments, however, only fell back to the line of battle, where they
- remained throughout the entire fight.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The Fifty-fifth Massachusetts (colored) went into the fight on the right
- of the brigade, commanded by Col. Hartwell. The fire became very hot; but
- still the regiment did not waver,—the line merely quivered. Capt.
- Goraud, of Gen. Foster’s staff, whose gallantry was conspicuous all day,
- rode up just as Col. Hartwell was wounded in the hand, and advised him to
- retire; but the colonel declined.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Col. Hartwell gave the order: the colors came to the extreme front, when
- the colonel shouted, ‘Follow your colors!’ The bugle sounded the charge,
- and then the colonel led the way himself.
- </p>
- <p>
- “After an unsuccessful charge in line of battle by the Fifty-fourth and
- Fifty-fifth Massachusetts, the Fifty-fifth was formed in column by
- company, and again thrice marched up that narrow causeway in the face of
- the enemy’s batteries and musketry.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Capt. Crane, of the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts, whose company had been
- left in charge of Fort Delafield, at Folly Island, but who, at his own
- request, had gone as aide to Col. Hartwell, was, as well as the colonel,
- mounted.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Just as they reached the marsh in front of the turn in the road, and
- within a short distance of the rebel works, the horse of brave Col.
- Hartwell, while struggling through the mud, was literally blown in pieces
- by a discharge of canister.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The colonel was wounded at the same time, and attempted to jump from his
- horse; but the animal fell on him, pressing him into the mud. At this
- time, he was riding at the side of the column, and the men pressed on
- past; but, as they neared the fort, they met a murderous fire of grape,
- canister, and bullets at short range. As the numbers of the advance were
- thinned, the few who survived began to waver, and finally the regiment
- retreated.
- </p>
- <p>
- “In retiring, Lieut. Ellsworth, and one man of the Fifty-fifth
- Massachusetts, came to the rescue of Col. Hartwell, and in spite of his
- remonstrance that they should leave him to his Tate, and take care of
- themselves, released him from his horse, and bore him from the field. But,
- before he was entirely out of range of the enemy’s fire, the colonel was
- again wounded, and the brave private soldier who was assisting was killed,
- and another heroic man lost.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The Twenty-fifth Ohio, soon after the commencement of the engagement,
- were sent to the right, where they swung round, and fought on a line
- nearly perpendicular to our main front. A portion of the Fifty-fifth
- Massachusetts were with them. One or two charges were essayed, but were
- unsuccessful; but the front was maintained there throughout the afternoon.
- The Twenty-fifth had the largest loss of all the regiments.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The colored troops fought well throughout the day. Countercharges were
- made at various times during the fight by the enemy; but our infantry and
- artillery mowed them down, and they did not at any time get very near our
- lines. Whenever a charge of our men was repulsed, the rebels would flock
- out of their works, whooping like Indians; but Ames’s guns and the
- terrible volleys of our infantry would send them back. The Naval Brigade
- behaved splendidly.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, heroes of all the | hard fights that have
- occurred in the department, were too much scattered in this battle to do
- full justice to themselves. Only two companies went into the fight at
- first, under Lieut.-Col. Hooper. They were posted on the left.
- Subsequently they were joined by four more companies, who were left on
- duty in the rear.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Many scenes transpired in this battle which would furnish rich material
- for the artist. In the midst of the engagement, a shell exploded amongst
- the color-guard, severely wounding the color-sergeant, Ring, who was
- afterwards killed by a bullet. Private Fitzgerald, of Company D,
- Massachusetts Fifty-fifth, was badly wounded in the side and leg, but
- remained at his post. Major Nutt, seeing his condition, ordered him to the
- rear. The man obeyed; but soon the major saw that he had returned, when he
- spoke sharply, ‘Go to the rear, and have your wounds dressed.’ The man
- again obeyed the order; but in a few minutes more was seen by the major,
- with a handkerchief bound around the leg, and loading and firing. The
- major said to our informant, ‘I thought I would let him stay.’”
- </p>
- <p>
- Like the Fifty-fourth at Olustee, the Fifty-fifth was the last regiment to
- leave the field, and cover the retreat at Honey Hill. The following
- account of the battle is from “The Savannah Republican v (rebel),
- published a few days after the fight:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “The negroes, as usual, formed the advance, and had nearly reached the
- creek, when our batteries opened upon them down the road with a terrible
- volley of spherical case. This threw them into temporary confusion; but
- the entire force, estimated at five thousand, was quickly restored to
- order, and thrown into a line of battle parallel with our own, up and down
- the margin of the swamp. Thus the battle raged from eleven in the morning
- till dark. The enemy’s centre and left were most exposed, and suffered
- terribly. Their right was posted behind an old dam that ran through the
- swamp, and it maintained its position till the close of the fight. Our
- left was very much exposed, and an attempt was once or twice made by the
- enemy to turn it by advancing through the swamp, and up the hill; but they
- were driven back without a prolonged struggle.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The centre and left of the enemy fought; with a desperate earnestness.
- Several attempts were made to charge our batteries, and many got nearly
- across the swamp, but were, in every instance, forced back by the galling
- fire poured into them from our lines. We made a visit to the field the day
- following, and found the road literally strewn with their dead. Some eight
- or ten bodies were floating in the water where the road crosses; and in a
- ditch on the roadside, just beyond, we saw six negroes piled one on top of
- the other. A colonel of one of the negro regiments, with his horse, was
- killed while fearlessly leading his men across the creek in a charge.
- </p>
- <p>
- “With that exception, all the dead and wounded officers were carried off
- by the enemy during the night. Many traces were left where they were
- dragged from the woods to the road, and thrown into ambulances or carts.
- We counted some sixty or seventy bodies in the space of about an acre,
- many of which were horribly mutilated by shells; some with half their
- heads shot off, and others completely disembowelled. The artillery was
- served with great accuracy, and wo doubt if any battle-field of the war
- presents such havoc among the trees and shrubbery. Immense pines and other
- growth were cut short off or torn into shreds.”
- </p>
- <p>
- It is only simple justice to the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Regiment, to
- say, that at Honey Hill it occupied the most perilous position throughout
- nearly the entire battle.
- </p>
- <p>
- Three times did these heroic men march up the hill nearly to the
- batteries, and as many times were swept back by the fearful storm of
- grape-shot and shell; more than one hundred being cut down in less than
- half an hour. Great was its loss; and yet it remained in the gap, while
- our outnumbered army was struggling with the foe on his own soil, and in
- the stronghold chosen by himself.
- </p>
- <p>
- What the valiant Fifty-fourth Massachusetts had been at the battle of
- Olustee, the Fifty-fifth was at Honey Hill.
- </p>
- <p>
- Never was self-sacrifice, by both officers and men, more apparent than on
- this occasion; never did men look death more calmly in the face. See the
- undaunted and heroic Hartwell at the head of his regiment, and hear him
- shouting, “Follow your colors, my brave men!” and with drawn sword leading
- his gallant band. His horse is up to its knees in the heavy mud. The
- rider, already wounded, is again struck by the fragment of a shell, but
- keeps his seat; while the spirited animal struggling in the mire, and
- plunging about, attracts the attention of the braves, who are eagerly
- pressing forward to meet the enemy, to retake the lost ground, and gain a
- victory, or at least save the little army from defeat. A moment more he is
- killed; and the brave Hartwell attempts to jump from his charger, but is
- too weak. The horse falls with fearful struggles upon its rider, and both
- are buried in the mud. The brave Capt. Crane, the Adjutant, is killed, and
- falls from his horse near his colonel. Lieut. Boynton, while urging his
- men, is killed. Lieut. Hill is wounded, but still keeps his place. Capts.
- Soule and Woodward are both wounded, and yet keep their command. The blood
- is running freely from the mouth of Lieut. Jewett; but he does not leave
- his company. Sergeant-major Trotter is wounded, but still fights. Sergt.
- Shorter is wounded in the knee, yet will not go to the rear. A shell tears
- off the foot of Sergeant-major Charles L. Mitchel; and, as he is carried
- to the rear, he shouts, with uplifted hand, “Cheer up, boys: we’ll never
- surrender!” But look away in front: there are the colors, and foremost
- amongst the bearers is Robert M. King, the young, the handsome, and the
- gentlemanly sergeant, whose youth and bravery attract the attention of
- all. Scarcely more than twenty years of age, well educated, he has left a
- good home in Ohio to follow the fortunes of war, and to give his life to
- help redeem his race. The enemy train their guns upon the colors, the roar
- of cannon and crack of rifle is heard, the advanced flag falls, the heroic
- King is killed: no, he is not dead, but only wounded. A fellow sergeant
- seizes the colors; but the bearer will not give them up. He rises, holds
- the old flag aloft with one hand, and presses the other upon the wound in
- his side to stop the blood. “Advance the colors!” shouts the commander.
- The brave King, though saturated with his own blood, is the first to obey
- the order. As he goes forward, a bullet passes through his heart, and he
- falls. Another snatches the colors; but they are fast, the grasp of death
- holds them tight. The hand is at last forced open, the flag is raised to
- the breeze; and the lifeless body of Robert M. King is borne from the
- field. This is but a truthful sketch of the part played by one heroic son
- of Africa, whose death was lamented by all who knew him. This is only one
- of the two hundred and forty-nine that fell on the field of Honey Hill.
- With a sad heart, we turn away from the picture.
- </p>
- <p>
- But shall we weep for the sleeping braves, who, turning their backs upon
- the alluring charms of home-life, went forth at the call of country and
- race, and died, noble martyrs to the cause of liberty? ’Tis noble to <i>live</i>
- for freedom; but is it not nobler far to <i>die</i> that those coming
- after you may enjoy it?
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- “Dear is the spot where Christians weep;
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Sweet are the strains which angels pour:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Oh! why should we in anguish weep?
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- They are not lost, but gone before.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /> <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0034" id="link2HCH0034"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XXXIV—BEFORE PETERSBURG AND RICHMOND.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>Assault and Failure.—Who to Blame.—Heroic Conduct of the
- Blacks.—The Mine.—Success at the Second Attack.—Death of
- a Gallant Negro.—A Black Officer.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">W</span>hen the mining
- assault on Petersburg failed, with such fearful loss in killed and
- wounded, the cry went through the land that it was owing to the cowardice
- of the negro troops; but this falsehood was very soon exploded. However,
- it will be well to state the facts connected with the attempt. A writer in
- “The New-York Evening Post” gave the following account of the preparation,
- attack, and failure, a few days alter it occurred:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “We have been continually notified for the last fortnight, that our
- sappers were mining the enemy’s position. As soon as ready, our division
- was to storm the works on its explosion. This rumor had spread so wide, we
- had no faith in it. On the night of the 29th, we were in a position on the
- extreme left. We were drawn in about nine, P.M., and marched to Gen.
- Burnside’s headquarters, and closed in mass by division, left in front. We
- there received official notice that the long-looked-for mine was ready
- charged, and would be fired at daylight next morning. The plan of storming
- was as follows: One division of white troops was to charge the works
- immediately after the explosion, and carry the first and second lines of
- rebel intrenchments. Our division was to follow immediately, and push
- right into Petersburg, take the city, and be supported by the remainder of
- the Ninth and the Twenty-eighth corps. We were up bright and early, ready
- and eager for the struggle to commence. I had been wishing for something
- of this sort to do for some time, to gain the respect of the Army of the
- Potomac. You know their former prejudices. At thirty minutes after five,
- the ball opened. The mine, with some fifty pieces of artillery, went off
- almost instantaneously: at the same time, the white troops, according to
- the plan, charged the fort, which they carried, for there was nothing to
- oppose them; but they did not succeed in carrying either of the lines of
- Intrenchments.
- </p>
- <p>
- “We were held in rear until the development of the movement of the white
- troops; but, on seeing the disaster which was about to occur, we were
- pushed in by the flank (for we could go in in no other way to allow us to
- get in position): so you see on this failure we had nothing to do but gain
- by the flank. A charge in that manner has never proved successful, to my
- knowledge: when it does, it is a surprise.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Our men went forward with enthusiasm equal to any thing under different
- circumstances; but, in going through the fort that had been blown up, the
- passage was almost impeded by obstacles thrown up by the explosion. At the
- same time, we were receiving a most deadly cross-fire from both flanks. At
- this time, our Lieutenant-colonel (E. W. Ross) fell, shot through the left
- leg, bravely leading the men. I immediately assumed command, but only to
- hold it a few minutes, when I fell, struck by a piece of shell in the
- side.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Capt. Robinson, from Connecticut, then took command; and, from all we can
- learn, he was killed. At this time, our first charge was somewhat checked,
- and the men sought cover in the works. Again our charge was made, but,
- like the former, unsuccessful. This was followed by the enemy making a
- charge. Seeing the unorganized condition and the great loss of officers,
- the men fell back to our own works. Yet a large number still held the fort
- until two, p.m.; when the enemy charged again, and carried it. That ended
- the great attempt to take Petersburg.
- </p>
- <p>
- “It will be thus seen that the colored troops did not compose the first
- assaulting, but the supporting column; and they were not ordered forward
- until white troops in greater numbers had made a desperate effort to carry
- the rebel works, and had failed. Then the colored troops were sent in;
- moved over the broken ground, and up the slope, and within a short
- distance of the parapet, in order, and with steady courage; but finally
- broke and retreated under the same fire which just before had sent a whole
- division of white regiments to the rightabout. If there be any disgrace in
- that, it does not belong exclusively nor mainly to the negroes. A second
- attack is far more perilous and unlikely to succeed than a first; the
- enemy having been encouraged by the failure of the first, and had time to
- concentrate his forces. And, in this case, there seems to have been a
- fatal delay in ordering both the first and second assault.”
- </p>
- <p>
- An officer in the same engagement said,—
- </p>
- <p>
- “In regard to the bravery of the colored troops, although I have been in
- upwards of twenty battles, I never saw so many cases of gallantry. The
- ‘crater’ where we were halted, was a perfect slaughter-pen.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Had not ‘some one blundered,’ but moved us up at daylight, instead of
- eight o’clock, we should have been-crowned with success, instead of being
- cut to pieces by a terrific enfilading fire, and finally forced from the
- field in a panic. We had no trouble in rallying the troops, and moving
- them into the rifle-pits; and, in one hour after the rout, I had nearly as
- many men together as were left unhurt.
- </p>
- <p>
- “I was never under such a terrific fire, and can hardly realize how any
- escaped alive. Our loss was heavy. In the Twenty-eighth (colored), for
- instance, commanded by Lieut.-Col. Russell(a Bostonian), he lost seven
- officers out of eleven, and ninety-one men out of two hundred and
- twenty-four; and the colonel himself was knocked over senseless, for a few
- minutes, by a slight wound in the head: both his color-sergeants and all
- his color-guard were killed. Col Bross, of the Twenty-ninth, was killed
- outright, and nearly every one of his officers hit. This was nearly equal
- to Bunker Hill. Col. Ross, of the Thirty-first, lost his leg. The
- Twenty-eighth, Twenty-ninth, and Thirtieth (colored), all charged over the
- works; climbing up an earthwork six feet high, then down into a ditch, and
- up on the other side, all the time under the severest fire in front and
- flank. Not being supported, of course the storming-party fell back. I have
- seen white troops run faster than these blacks did, when in not half so
- tight a place. Our brigade lost thirty-six prisoners, all cut off after
- leaving the ‘crater.’ My faith in colored troops is not abated one jot.”
- </p>
- <p>
- Soon after the failure at Petersburg, the colored troops had a fair
- opportunity, and nobly sustained their reputation gained on other fields.
- At the battle of New-Market Heights, Va., the Tenth Army Corps, under
- Major-Gen. Birney, met a superior number of the enemy, and had a
- four-hours’ fight, Sept. 29, in which our men came off victorious. The
- following order, issued on the 8th of October, needs no explanation:—
- </p>
- <p>
- <i>“Headquarters, 3d Division, 18th Army Corps,</i> <i>Before Richmond,
- Va., Oct. 7, 1864.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>General Orders No. 103.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>Officers and Soldiers of this Division</i>,—Major-Gen. D. B.
- Birney, commanding the Tenth Army Corps, has desired me to express to you
- the high satisfaction he felt at your good conduct while we were serving
- with the Tenth Corps, Sept. 29 and 80, 1864, and with your gallantry in
- storming New-Market Heights.
- </p>
- <p>
- “I have delayed issuing this order, hoping for an opportunity to say this
- to you in person.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Accept, also, my own thanks for your gallantry on Sept. 29, and your good
- conduct since. You have won the good opinion of the whole Army of the
- James, and every one who knows your deeds.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Let every officer and man, on all occasions, exert himself to increase
- your present deserved reputation.
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>C. J. PAINE, Brigadier-General.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>(Signed) S. A. CARTER, A. A. G.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>Headquarters Tenth Army Corps,</i> <i>Aug. 19, 1864.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>Major-Gen. Butler commanding Department.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- “The enemy attacked my lines in heavy force last night, and were repulsed
- with great loss. In front of one colored regiment, eighty-two dead bodies
- of the enemy are already counted. The colored troops behaved handsomely,
- and are in fine spirits. The assault was in columns a division strong, and
- would have carried any works not so well defended. The enemy’s loss was at
- least one thousand.
- </p>
- <p>
- “(Signed) Respectfully,
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>D. B. BIRNEY, Major-General</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- “Seventy-five of our Black Virginia Cavalry were surrounded by three
- regiments of rebel infantry, and gallantly cut through them; and an
- orderly-sergeant killed with his sabre six of the enemy, and escaped with
- the loss of an arm by grape-shot. He lies in an adjoining room, and is
- slowly recovering.”
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- “Brave man, thy deeds shall fill the tramp of fame,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- And wake responsive echoes far and wide,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And on contemners of thy race east shame;
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- For thou hast nobly with the noblest vied.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Thy deeds recall the charge at Balaklava,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Wherein six hundred were immortalized:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Not any hero of that charge was braver;
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- And thy great valor shall be recognized.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- No wolf, pursued by hounds o’er hill and plain,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- At last more savagely stands up at bay,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Finding past efforts to escape all vain,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Then cleaves through dying hounds his bloody way.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Thine was the task, amid war’s wild alarm,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- The valor of thy race to vindicate:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Now admiration all true bosoms warm,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- And places thee among the gallant great.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- It thrills our hearts to think upon the strife
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- In which, surrounded by the rebel host,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Thou didst deal death for liberty and life,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- And freedom win, although an arm was lost.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- O lion-hearted hero! whose fierce sword
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Made breathless thy oppressors, bravely bear
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Thy sufferings; for our sympathies are poured
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- For thee, and gladly would relieve or share.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- At the second attack on Petersburg, the colored troops did nobly. A
- correspondent of “The New-York Times” wrote as follows:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “As everybody seems to have negro on the brain in the army, I may be
- pardoned for again alluding to the colored troops in this letter. A single
- day’s work has wiped out a mountain of prejudice, and fairly turned the
- popular current of feeling in this army in favor of the down-trodden race;
- and every one who has been with them on the field has some story to relate
- of their gallant conduct in action, or their humanity and social
- qualities. The capture of the fort before referred to is related, among
- other things, in evidence of their manhood and gallantry; taking prisoners
- in the exciting moment of actual hand-to-hand fighting, in face of the
- Fort-Pillow and other similar rebel atrocities perpetrated elsewhere, upon
- their colored companions-in-arms as evidence of their humanity,—that
- they are really something more than the stolid brutes, such as some people
- profess to believe. But, next to bravery, one impromptu act of theirs has
- done more than all else to remove a supposed natural prejudice against
- them. Wounded officers of two different brigades in the Second Corps tell
- me, that, when they relieved the colored troops in front Wednesday night,
- their men had been out of rations all day, and were very hungry, as may
- well be supposed. When this fact became known to the negroes, to use the
- expressive language of a wounded officer, ‘They emptied their haversacks,
- and gave the contents to our boys.’ The colored troops, I have had
- opportunity to know, bear their honors meekly, as become men. Hereafter,
- the vile oath and offensive epithet will not be blurted out against the
- negro soldier, and in his presence, upon every favorable opportunity, as
- has too generally heretofore been the practice. This will be exclusively
- confined to the professional stragglers, who are never at the front when
- danger is there.”
- </p>
- <p>
- Sergt. Peter Hawkins, of the Thirty-first United States, exhibited in the
- attack upon Petersburg marked abilities as a soldier. All the officers of
- Company A being killed or wounded, he took command, and held it for
- fourteen days. An eye-witness said,—
- </p>
- <p>
- “He appointed men for guard and picket duty, made out his regular morning
- report, issued rations, drilled his men, took them out on dress-parade, or
- on fatigue-duty. Whatever important duty was devolved upon him, he was the
- man to perform without murmuring. He is fully competent to fill the office
- of a lieutenant or captain. He has clearly proven on the field his
- unflinching courage and indomitable will.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0035" id="link2HCH0035"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XXXV—WIT AND HUMOR OF THE WAR.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>Negro Wit and Humor.—The Faithful Sentinel.—The Sentinel’s
- Respect for the United-States Uniform.—The “Nail-kag.”—The
- Poetical Drummerboy.—Contrabands on Sherman’s March.—Negro
- Poetry on Freedom.—The Soldier’s Speech.—Contraband capturing
- his Old Master.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">W</span>ith all the
- horrors of the Rebellion, there were occasions when these trying scenes
- were relieved by some amusing incident. Especially was this true with
- regard to the colored people. Thus when Adjutant-Gen. Thomas first
- announced the new policy in Mississippi, and they began enlisting
- freedmen, one was put on guard at night, at Lake Providence, and was
- instructed not to allow any one to pass without the countersign. He was,
- however, told not to fire upon a person until he had called out, “One,
- two, three.” The negro seemed not to understand it, and asked to have the
- instructions repeated. “You are to walk from here to that tree, and back,”
- continued the white sergeant, “and, if you see or hear any one, call out,
- ‘Who comes there? Give the countersign. One, two, three.’ And, if you
- receive no reply, shoot.”—“Yes, massa,” said Sam. “I got it dis
- time, and no mistake.” After an hour or more on duty, Sam thought he heard
- the tramp of feet, and began a sharp lookout. Presently bringing his gun
- to his shoulder, and taking sight, he called out in quick succession, “Who
- comes dar? Give de countersign. One, two, three!” And “bang” went the gun.
- Fortunately, the negro’s aim was not as reliable as was his determination
- to do his whole duty; and the only damage done was a bullet-hole through
- the Intruder’s hat. When admonished by the officer for not waiting for the
- man’s answer, the negro said, “Why, massa, I was afraid dat ef I didn’t
- shoot quick, he’d run.”
- </p>
- <p>
- A colored sentinel was marching on his beat in the streets of Norfolk,
- Va., when a white man, passing by, shouldered him insolently off the
- sidewalk, quite into the street. The soldier, on recovering himself,
- called out,—
- </p>
- <p>
- “White man, halt!”
- </p>
- <p>
- The white man, Southerner like, went straight on. The sentinel brought his
- musket to a ready, cocked it, and hailed again,—
- </p>
- <p>
- “White man, halt, or I’ll fire!”
- </p>
- <p>
- The white man, hearing <i>shoot</i> in the tone, halted, and faced about.
- </p>
- <p>
- “White man,” continued the sentry peremptorily, “come here!”
- </p>
- <p>
- He did so.
- </p>
- <p>
- “White man,” said, the soldier again, “me no care one cent’ bout this
- particklar Cuffee; but white man bound to respeck this uniform (striking
- his breast). White man, move on!”
- </p>
- <p>
- A Virginia rebel, who has issued a book giving his experience as a
- prisoner in the hands of the Federals at Point Lookout and Elmira, tells
- the following story:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “The boys are laughing at the summons which S., one of my
- fellow-Petersburgers, got to-day from a negro sentinel. S. had on when
- captured, and I suppose still possesses, a tall beaver of the antique
- pattern considered inseparable from extreme respectability in the last
- decade and for many a year before. While wandering around the enclosure,
- seeking, I suspect, ‘what he might devour,’ he accidentally stepped beyond
- the ‘dead line,’ and was suddenly arrested by a summons from the nearest
- negro on the parapet, who seemed to be in doubt whether so well-dressed a
- man could be a ‘reb,’ and therefore whether he should be shot at once.
- </p>
- <p>
- “White man, you b’long in dar?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Yes.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Well, ain’t you got no better sense dan to cross dat line?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “I did not notice the line.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Well, you had better notice it, and dat quick, or I’ll blow half dat <i>nail-kag</i>
- off!”
- </p>
- <p>
- The following doggerel was composed by a drummer-boy, aged thirteen, who
- had been a slave, and was without education. He sung it to the One Hundred
- and Seventh Regiment United-States colored troops, to which he was
- attached:—
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- “Captain Fiddler’s come to town
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- With his abolition triggers:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- He swears he’s one of Lincoln’s men,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- ‘Enlisting all the niggers.’
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- You’ll see the citizens on the street
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Whispering in rotation:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- What do they seem to talk about?
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Lincoln’s proclamation.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Some get sick, and some will die,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Be buried in rotation:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- What was the death of such a man?
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Lincoln’s proclamation.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- You’ll see the rebels on the street,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Their noses like a bee gum;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- I don’t care what in thunder they say,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- I’m fighting for my freedom!
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Richmond is a mighty place,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- And Grant’s as sound as a dollar;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And every time he throws a shell,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Jeff begins to holler.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- My old massa’s come to town,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Cutting a Southern figure:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- What’s the matter with the man?
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Lincoln’s got his niggers.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Some folks say this ‘almighty fuss
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Is getting worse and bigger;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Some folks say ‘it’s worse and worse,’
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Because I am ‘a nigger.’
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- We’ll get our colored regiments strung
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Out in a line of battle:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- I’ll bet my money agin the South
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- The rebels will skedaddle.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- In his march, Gen. Sherman was followed by large numbers of contrabands.
- They were always the first to welcome our troops. On entering
- Fayetteville, the general was met by slaves, old and young; and a man of
- many years exclaimed,—
- </p>
- <p>
- “Tank de Almighty God, Mr. Sherman has come at last! We knew it, we prayed
- for de day, and de Lord Jesus heard our prayers. Mr. Sherman has come wid
- his company.”
- </p>
- <p>
- One fat old woman said to him, while shaking him by the hand, which he
- always gladly gives to those poor people, “I prayed dis long time for yer,
- and de blessing ob de Lord is on yer. But yesterday afternoon, when yer
- stopped trowing de shells into de town, and de soldiers run away from de
- hill ober dar, I thout dat Gen. Burygar had driven you away, for dey said
- so; but here yer am dun gone. Bress de Lord, yer will hab a place in
- heaben: yer will go dar sure.”
- </p>
- <p>
- Several officers of the army, among them Gen. Slocum, were gathered round,
- interested in the scene. The general asked them:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “Well, men, what can I do for you? Where are you from?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “We’s jus come from Cheraw. Massa took us with him to carry mules and
- horses away from youins.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “You thought we would get them. Did you wish us to get the mules?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Oh, yes, massa! dat’s what I wanted. We knowed youins cumin’, and I
- wanted you to hav dem mules; but no use: dey heard dat youins on de road,
- and nuthin’ would stop dem. Why, as we cum along, de cavalry run away from
- the Yanks as if they fright to deth. Dey jumped into de river, and some of
- dem lost dere hosses. Dey frightened at the very name ob Sherman.”
- </p>
- <p>
- Some one at this point said, “That is Gen. Serman who is talking to you.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “God bress me! is you Mr. Sherman?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Yes: I am Mr. Sherman.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Dats him, su’ miff,” said one.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Is dat de great Mr. Sherman that we’s heard ob so long?” said another.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Why, dey so frightened at your berry name, dat dey run right away,”
- shouted a third.
- </p>
- <p>
- “It is not me that they are afraid of,” said the general: “the name of
- another man would have the same effect with them if he had this army. It
- is these soldiers that they run away from.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Oh, no!” they all exclaimed. “It’s de name of Sherman, su’; and we hab
- wanted to see you so long while you trabbel all roun jis whar you like to
- go. Dey said dat dey wanted to git you a little furder on, and den dey
- whip all your soldiers; but, God bress me, you keep cumin’ and a cumin’
- and dey allers git out.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Dey mighty ‘fraid ob you, sar; day say you kill de colored men, too,”
- said an old man, who had not heretofore taken part in the conversation.
- </p>
- <p>
- With much earnestness, Gen. Sherman replied,—
- </p>
- <p>
- “Old man, and all of you, understand me. I desire that bad men should fear
- me, and the enemies of the Government which we are all fighting for. Now
- we are your friends; you are now free.” (“Thank you, Massa Sherman,” was
- ejaculated by the group.) “You can go where you please; you can come with
- us, or go home to your children. Wherever you go, you are no longer
- slaves. You ought to be able to take care of yourselves.” (“We is; we
- will.”) “You must earn your freedom, then you will be entitled to it,
- sure; you have a right to be all that you can be, but you must be
- industrious, and earn the right to be men. If you go back to your
- families, and I tell you again you can go with us if you wish, you must do
- the best you can. When you get a chance, go to Beaufort or Charleston,
- where you will have a little farm to work for yourselves.”
- </p>
- <p>
- The poor negroes were filled with gratitude and hope by these kind words,
- uttered in the kindest manner, and they went away with thanks and
- blessings on their lips.
- </p>
- <p>
- During the skirmishing, one of our men who, by the way, was a forager, was
- slightly wounded. The most serious accident of the day occurred to a negro
- woman, who was in a house where the rebels had taken cover. When I saw
- this woman, who would not have been selected as a type of South-Carolina
- female beauty, the blood was streaming over her neck and bosom from a
- wound in the lobe of her ear, which the bullet had just clipped and passed
- on.
- </p>
- <p>
- “What was it that struck you, aunty?” I asked her.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Lor bress me, massa, I dun know, I jus fell right down.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Didn’t you feel any thing, nor hear any sound?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Yes, now I ‘member, I heerd a s-z-z-z-z-z, and den I jus knock down. I
- drap on de groun’. I’se so glad I not dead, for if I died den de bad man
- would git me, cos I dance lately a heap.”
- </p>
- <p>
- A contraband’s poetical version of the President’s Emancipation
- Proclamation.
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- “I’se gwine to tell ye, Sambo,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- What I heard in town to-day,—
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- I listened at the cap’n’s tent:
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- I’ll tell ye what he say.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- He say dat Massa Linkum,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Way yonder Norf, ye see,—
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Him write it in de Yankee book,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- ‘De nigger gwine for free.’
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And now, ye see, I tell ye
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- What Massa Linkum done:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- De seeesh can’t get way from dat
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- No more’n dey dodge a gun.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- It’s jes’ as sure as preachin’,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- I tell ye, Sambo, true,—
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- De nigger’s trouble ober now,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- No more dem lash for you.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- I ‘speeted dat would happen:
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- I had a sense, ye see,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Of something big been gwine to come
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- To make de people free.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- I t’ought de flamin’ angel
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Been gwine for blow de trump;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- But Massa Linkum write de word
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Dat make de rebel jump.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- So now we’ll pick de cotton,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- So now we’ll broke de corn:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- De nigger’s body am his own
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- De bery day he born.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- He grind de grits in safety,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- He eat de yams in peace;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- De Lord, him bring de jubilee,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- De Lord, him set de feas’.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- So now, I tell ye, Sambo,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Ye’re born a man to-day:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Nobody gwine for con trad ie’
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- What Massa Linkum say.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Him gwine for free de nigger:
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- De Lord, him gib de word;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And Massa Linkum write’em down,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- O Sambo! praise de Lord!”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- When the teachers were introduced into Jackson, Miss., soon after the
- Union forces occupied the place, they found some very ignorant material to
- work upon. One old woman, while attending the Sabbath school, being asked
- who made her, replied, “I don’t know, ’zacly, sir. I heard once who it was;
- but I done forgot de gent-mun’s name.” The teacher thought that the Lord’s
- name had been rather a stranger in that neighborhood. During the siege of
- Port Hudson, a new schoolhouse was erected for the black soldiers who had
- been enlisted in that vicinity; and, when it was opened, the following
- speech was made by a colored soldier, called Sergt. Spencer:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “I has been a-thinkin’ I was old man; for, on de plantation, I was put
- down wid de old hands, and I quinsicontly feeled myself dat I was a old
- man. But since I has come here to de Yankees, and been made a soldier for
- de Unite States, an’ got dese beautiful clothes on, I feels like one young
- man; and I doesn’t call myself a old man nebber no more. An’ I feels dis
- ebenin’ dat, if de rebs came down here to dis old Fort Hudson, dat I could
- jus fight um as brave as any man what is in the Sebenth Regiment.
- Sometimes I has mighty feelins in dis ole heart of mine, when I considers
- how dese ere ossifers come all de way from de North to fight in de cause
- what we is fighten fur. How many ossifers has died, and how many white
- soldiers has died, in dis great and glorious war what we is in! And now I
- feels dat, fore I would turn coward away from dese ossifers, I feels dat I
- could drink my own blood, and be pierced through wid five thousand
- bullets. I feels sometimes as doe I ought to tank Massa Linkern for dis
- blessin’ what we has; but again I comes to de solemn conclusion dat I
- ought to tank de Lord, Massa Linkern, and all dese ossifers.‘Fore I would
- be a slave ‘gain, I would fight till de last drop of blood was gone. I has
- ‘cluded to fight for my liberty, and for dis eddication what we is now to
- receive in dis beautiful new house what we has. Aldo I hasn’t got any
- eddication nor no book-learnin’, I has rose up dis blessed ebenin’ to do
- my best afore dis congregation. Dat’s all what I has to say now; but, at
- some future occasion, I may say more dan I has to say now, and edify you
- all when I has more preparation. Dat’s all what I has to say. Amen.”
- </p>
- <p>
- After the fall of Port Hudson, Sergt. Spencer was sent with his company
- into the interior; and, while in a skirmish, he captured his old master,
- who was marched off by the chattel to headquarters, distant about six
- miles. The master, not liking the long walk and his heavy gun, began
- upbraiding his slave for capturing him, and, complaining of his
- misfortune, stopped, laid down his gun, seated himself on an old log,
- lighted his pipe, and said he could walk no farther.
- </p>
- <p>
- However, old Spencer soon told the prisoner a different tale. Waiting a
- reasonable time for resting, the sergeant said, “Come, boss, you’s smoked
- enough dar: come, I is in a hurry. I can’t wait no longer.” The rebel
- still remonstrated with his slave, reminding him of what he once was, and
- the possibility of his being again in his power. But these admonitions
- made little or no impression on the sergeant, who resumed, “Come, boss,
- come: dis is no time to tell ‘bout what you’s been or what you’s gwine to
- be. Jes git right up and come long, or I’ll stick dis bayonet in you.”—“Well,
- Spencer,” said the master, “you carry my gun.”—“No, boss; you muss
- tote your own gun. I is bin toting you an’ all your chilen des forty
- years, and now de times is changed. Come, now, git up an move on, or I’ll
- stick you wid dis bayonet” (at the same time drawing the bayonet from its
- scabbard). “Massa reb” shouldered his unloaded shooter, and reluctantly
- continued his journey.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0036" id="link2HCH0036"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XXXVI—A THRILLING INCIDENT OF THE WAR.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>Heroic Escape of a Slave.—His Story of his Sister.—Resides
- North.—Joins the Army and returns to the South during the Rebellion.—Search
- for his Mother.—Finds her.—Thrilling Scene.—Truth
- stranger than Fiction.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">I</span>t was in the month
- of December, 1832, while Col. Rice and family were seated around a bright
- wood-fire, whose blaze lighted up the large dining-room in their old
- mansion, situated ten miles from Drayton, in the State of Ohio, that they
- heard a knock at the door, which was answered by the familiar “Come in,”
- that always greets the stranger in the Western States. Squire Loomis
- walked in, and took a seat in one of the three rocking-chairs which had
- been made vacant by the young folks, who rose to give place to their
- highly influential and wealthy neighbor. It was a beautiful night: the sky
- was clear, the wind had hushed its deep meanings. The most brilliant of
- the starry throng stood out in bold relief, despite the superior light of
- the moon. “I see some one standing at the gate,” said Mrs. Rice, as she
- left the window, and came nearer the fire. “I’ll go out and see who it
- is,” exclaimed George, as he quitted his chair, and started for the door.
- The latter soon returned, and whispered to his father; and both left the
- room, evincing that something unusual was at hand. Not many minutes
- elapsed, however, before the father and son entered, accompanied by a
- young man, whose complexion showed plainly that other than Anglo-Saxon
- blood coursed through his veins. The whole company rose, and the stranger
- was invited to draw near to the fire. Question after question was now
- pressed upon the new-comer by the colonel and squire, but without
- eliciting satisfactory replies. “You need not be afraid, my friend,” said
- his host, as he looked intently in the colored man’s face, “to tell where
- you are from, and to what place you are going. If you are a fugitive, as I
- suspect, give us your story, and we will protect and defend you to the
- last.” Taking courage from these kind remarks, the mulatto said, “I was
- born, sir, in the State of Kentucky, and raised in Missouri. My master was
- my father: my mother was his slave. That, sir, accounts for the fairness
- of my complexion. As soon as I was old enough to labor, I was taken into
- my master’s dwelling as a servant, to attend upon the family. My mistress,
- aware of my near relationship to her husband, felt humiliated; and often,
- in her anger, would punish me severely for no cause whatever. My near
- approach to the Anglo-Saxon aroused the jealousy and hatred of the
- overseer; and he flogged me, as he said, to make me know my place. My
- fellow-slaves hated me because I was whiter than themselves. Thus my
- complexion was construed into a crime, and I was made to curse my father
- for the Anglo-Saxon blood that courses through my veins.
- </p>
- <p>
- “My master raised slaves to supply the Southern market; and every year
- some of my companions were sold to the slave-traders, and taken farther
- South. Husbands were separated from wives, and children torn from the arms
- of their agonized mothers. These outrages were committed by the man whom
- nature compelled me to look upon as my father. My mother and brothers were
- sold, and taken away from me: still I bore all, and made no attempt to
- escape; for I yet had near me an only sister, whom I dearly loved. At last
- the negro-driver attempted to rob my sister of her virtue. She appealed to
- me for protection. Her innocence, beauty, and tears were enough to stir
- the stoutest heart. My own, filled with grief and indignation, swelled
- within me as though it would burst, or leap from my bosom. My tears
- refused to flow: the fever in my brain dried them up. I could stand it no
- longer. I seized the wretch by the throat, and hurled him to the ground;
- and, with this strong arm, I paid him for old and new. The next day I was
- tried by a jury of slaveholders for the crime of having within me the
- heart of a man, and protecting my sister from the licentious embrace of a
- libertine. And, would you believe it, sir? that jury of enlightened
- Americans,—yes, sir, Christian Americans,—after grave
- deliberation, decided that I had broken the laws, and sentenced me to
- receive five hundred lashes upon my bare back. But, sir, I escaped from
- them the night before I was to have been flogged. Afraid of being arrested
- and taken back, I remained the following day hid away in a secluded spot
- on the backs of the Mississippi River, protected from the gaze of man by
- the large trees and thick canebrakes that sheltered me. I waited for the
- coming of another night. All was silent around me save the sweet chant of
- the feathered songsters in the forest, or the musical ripple of the
- eddying waters at my feet. I watched the majestic bluffs as they gradually
- faded away through the gray twilight from the face of day into the darker
- shades of night. I then turned to the rising moon as it peered above,
- ascending the deep-blue ether, high in the heavens, casting its mellow
- rays over the surrounding landscape, and gilding the smooth surface of the
- noble river with its silvery hue. I viewed with interest the stars as they
- appeared one after another in the firmament. It was then and there that I
- studied nature in its lonely grandeur, and saw in it the goodness of God,
- and felt that he who created so much beauty, and permitted the fowls of
- the air and beasts of the field to roam at large, and be free, never
- intended that man should be the slave of his fellow-man. I resolved that I
- would be a bondman no longer; and, taking for my guide the <i>north star</i>,
- I started ‘for Canada, the negro’s land of liberty. For many weeks, I
- travelled by night, and lay by during the day. Oh! how often, while hid
- away in the forest, waiting for nightfall, have I thought of the beautiful
- lines I once heard a stranger recite!—
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- “‘Oh hail, Columbia! happy land,—
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- The cradle-land of liberty!
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Where none but negroes bear the brand,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Or feel the lash, of slavery.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Then let the glorious anthem peal,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- And drown “Britannia rules the waves:”
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Strike up the song that men can feel,—
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- “Columbia rules four million slaves!”’
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- “At last I arrived at a depot of the underground railroad, took the <i>express</i>
- train, and here I am.”—“You are welcome,” said Col. Rice, as he rose
- from his chair, walked to the window, and looked out, as if apprehensive
- that the fugitive’s pursuers were near by. “You are welcome,” continued
- he; “and I will aid you on your way to Canada, for you are not safe here.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Are you not afraid of breaking the laws by assisting this man to escape?”
- remarked Squire Loomis. “I care not for laws when they stand in the way of
- humanity,” replied the colonel. “If you aid him in reaching Canada, and we
- should ever have a war with England, maybe he’ll take up arms, and fight
- against his own country,” said the squire. The fugitive eyed the
- law-abiding man attentively for a moment, and then exclaimed, “Take up
- arms against my country? What country, sir, have I? The Supreme Court of
- the United States, and the laws of the South, doom me to be the slave of
- another. There is not a foot of soil over which the <i>stars and stripes</i>
- wave, where I can stand, and be protected by law. I’ve seen my mother sold
- in the cattle-market: I looked upon my brothers as they were driven away
- in chains by the slave-speculator. The heavy negro-whip has been applied
- to my own shoulders, until its biting lash sunk deep into my quivering
- flesh. Still, sir, you call this my country. True, true, I was born in
- this land. My grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War: my own father
- was in the war of 1812. Still, sir, I am a slave, a chattel, a thing, a
- piece of property. I’ve been sold in the market with horses and swine. The
- initials of my master’s name are branded on this arm. Still, sir, you call
- this my country. And, now that I am making my escape, you feel afraid if I
- reach Canada, and there should be war with England, that I will take up
- arms against my country. Sir, I have no country but the grave; and I’ll
- seek freedom there before I will be taken back to slavery. There is no
- justice for me at the South: every right of my race is trampled in the
- dust, until humanity bleeds at every pore. I am bound for Canada, and woe
- to him that shall attempt to arrest me! If it comes to the worst, I will
- die fighting for freedom.”—“I honor your courage,” exclaimed Squire
- Loomis, as he sprang from his seat, and walked rapidly to and fro-the
- room. “It is too bad,” continued he, “that such men should be enslaved in
- a land whose Declaration of Independence proclaims all men to be free and
- equal. I will aid you in any thing that I can. What is your name?”—“I
- have no name,” said the fugitive. “I once had a name,—it was
- William,—but my master’s nephew came to live with him; and as I was
- a house-servant, and the young master and I would, at times, get confused
- in the same name, orders were given for me to change mine. From that
- moment, I resolved, that, as slavery had robbed me of my liberty and my
- name, I would not attempt to have another till I was free. So, sir, for
- once, you have a man standing before you without a name.”—“I will
- name you George Loomis,” said the squire. “I accept it,” returned the
- fugitive, “and shall try never to dishonor it.”
- </p>
- <p>
- True to their promises, his new friends provided for his immediate wants,
- and, as soon as a favorable opportunity occurred, started him on his
- journey north. George reached Canada in a few weeks without further
- adventure, and settled near the city of Toronto, where he resided, engaged
- in honest labors and enjoying the fruits of his industry, until the
- breaking-out of the Rebellion, when he returned to the United States,
- eager to take part in the struggle. Owing to the fairness of his
- complexion, he readily passed for a white man, and enlisted as such in a
- Michigan regiment in 1863. He was with Gen. Grant’s army at the siege of
- Vicksburg; and, after the surrender of that, stronghold, the regiment to
- which George belonged was stationed in the town. Here the quadroon had
- ample opportunity of conversing with the freedmen, which he often did, for
- he had not lost his interest in the race. Going into a negro cabin one
- day, and getting into conversation with an old woman, he found that she
- was originally from the state of Kentucky, and lastly from Missouri, and
- that they were from the same neighborhood. As each related the experience
- through which they had passed, the interview became more and more
- interesting. Often they eyed each other, but there was nothing to indicate
- that they had ever met before.
- </p>
- <p>
- However, this was not to last long, for George, in describing the parting
- scene with his mother, riveted the attention of the old woman, who, at its
- close, said, “Dat scripshun peers like my gal, but you can’t be no kin to
- her. But what’s your name?” eagerly asked the woman. “William was my name,
- but I adopted the one I am known by now,” replied he. “You don’t mean to
- say dat you is William?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Yes: that was the name I was known by.”—“Well,” continued she, “I
- had a son named William; but he run away, and massa went arter him, and
- catch him, and sold him down the riber to de cotton-planter. So he said
- when he came back.” The features of the two had changed so much in thirty
- years, that they could not discover in each other any traces whatever of
- former acquaintance. “My son,” said the old woman, “had a scar on his
- right hand.” George sprang from his seat., and held out the right hand.
- Tremblingly she put on her glasses, seized the hand, and screamed, “Oh,
- oh, oh! I can’t ‘blieve dis is you. My son had a scar, a deep scar, on the
- side of the left foot.” Quick as thought, George took off the boot, and
- held up his foot, while the old woman was wiping her glasses; for they
- were wet with tears. A moment more, and mother and son were locked in each
- other’s arms. The dead was alive, the lost was found. God alone knew the
- sorrow that had visited the two since they had last met. Great was the
- rejoicing at this unexpected meeting; and the old woman would, for several
- days, cause Loomis to take off his boot, and show her the scar; and she
- would sit, hold the hand, and view the unmistakable cut which helped her
- to identity her long-lost son. And she would weep and exclaim, “Dis is de
- doins ob de Lord!”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0037" id="link2HCH0037"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XXXVII—PROGRESS AND JUSTICE.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>Great Change in the Treatment of Colored Troops.—Negro
- Appointments.—Justice to the Black Soldiers.—Steamer
- “Planter.”—Progress.—The Paymaster at last.—John S Rock.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he month of May,
- 1864, saw great progress in the treatment of the colored troops by the
- Government of the United States. The circumstances were more favorable for
- this change than they had hitherto been. Slavery had been abolished in the
- District of Columbia., Maryland, and Missouri: the heroic assault on Fort
- Wagner, the unsurpassed bravery exhibited at Port Hudson, the splendid
- fighting at Olustee and Honey Hill, had raised the colored men in the
- estimation of the nation. President Lincoln and his advisers had seen
- their error, and begun to repair the wrong. The year opened with the
- appointment of Dr. A. T. Augusta, a colored gentleman, as surgeon of
- colored volunteers, and he was at once assigned to duty, with the rank of
- major. Following this, was the appointment, by Gov. Andrew of
- Massachusetts, of Sergt. Stephen A. Swailes, of Company F, Fifty-fourth
- Massachusetts Regiment, as second lieutenant.
- </p>
- <p>
- M. R. Delany, M.D., was soon after appointed a major of negro volunteers,
- and assigned to duty at Charleston, S.C. W. P. Powell, jun., received an
- appointment as surgeon, about the same time.
- </p>
- <p>
- The steamer “Planter,” since being brought out of Charleston by Robert
- Small, was under the command of a Yankee, who, being ordered to do service
- where the vessel would be liable to come under the fire of rebel guns,
- refused to obey: whereupon Lieut.-Col. Elwell, without consultation with
- any higher authority, issued the following order, which, for simple
- justice to a brave and loyal negro, officially acknowledged, has seldom
- been equalled in this or any other department. It is unnecessary to say
- that Robert Small took command of the vessel, and faithfully discharged
- the duty required of him.
- </p>
- <p>
- <i>“Office of Chief Quartermaster,</i> <i>Port Royal, S.C., Nov. 26, 1863.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>Capt. A. T. Dutton, Chief Assistant Quartermaster, Folly and Morris
- Islands.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- “<i>Sir</i>,—You will please place Robert Small in charge of the
- United-States transport ‘Planter,’ as captain. He brought her out of
- Charleston Harbor more than a year ago, running under the guns of Sumter,
- Moultrie, and the other defences of that stronghold. He is an excellent
- pilot, of undoubted bravery, and in every respect worthy of the position.
- This is due him as a proper recognition of his heroism and services. The
- present captain is a coward, though a white man. Dismiss him, therefore,
- and give the steamer to this brave black Saxon.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Respectfully, your obedient servant,
- </p>
- <h3>
- “<i>J. J. ELWELL.</i>
- </h3>
- <p>
- “<i>Chief Quartermaster Department South.</i>”
- </p>
- <p>
- It may interest some to know that the above order was immediately approved
- by Gen. Gillmore.
- </p>
- <p>
- The following is very complimentary to Capt. Small:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “It was indeed a privilege to enter Charleston, as we did recently through
- the courtesy of Major-Gen, Saxton, in such a steamer as ‘The Planter,’ and
- with such a captain as Robert Small. It was their first appearance in the
- harbor since the memorable morning of their departure in 1862. The fog
- detained us for a few hours on our arrival at the bar. When it cleared
- away, you can imagine with what cheer our anchor came up, and with what
- smiles and satisfaction the vessel and her commander swept by the silenced
- and dismantled Sumter, and hauled in to the waiting, wondering wharves of
- the ruined city. Wherever we went on shore, we had only to say to the
- colored people, ‘The Planter and Capt. Small are at the dock;’ and away
- they all hurried to greet the well-known, welcome guests. ‘Too sweet to
- think of.’ cried one noble-looking old man, who had evidently waited long
- for the good news of our day, as he hastened to join the crowd.
- </p>
- <p>
- “We met Small afterwards, walking in the streets in peace and safety. When
- our rambles about the humble place were over, and we prepared to depart,
- the scene about the steamer was one that we can never forget. A goodly
- company of the leading colored people were arranging for a public meeting
- with Gen. Saxton in the largest hall of the city, to learn from his lips
- the purposes of our Government on the following week. Their interview
- over, they joined a large crowd of their own color upon the pier. Small
- was in the midst of them, with a couple of white men in conversation with
- him. Curiosity led us near. He introduced us to the builder of the vesel
- (sp.), and the maker of the engine and boilers. ‘I put the polish on,’ he
- added laughingly. They withdrew towards a couple of their own complexion.
- He pointed out the principal person in the group, to the general, as Col.
- Ferguson, the original owner of ‘The Planter,’ and of all her old hands,
- except Small. His owner did not show himself.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Upon our casting off, the colored folks raised at first a few feeble
- cheers, from a lurking regard to the pale listeners behind them; but, when
- the general before them called for three more for Capt. Small, every arm
- was swung, and every voice was raised till the welkin rang. ‘The Planter’
- has been placed under Gen. Saxton’s orders. She will be often seen in
- these waters. Her new claims to her name are to be manifested in her <i>planting</i>
- the freedmen of the captured city upon the neighboring sea-islands and the
- mainland, on their own homesteads, for the cultivation of their own crops
- of cotton, rice, corn, and whatever else they and their families, or the
- world, may need. A great price was once put upon Small’s head. He and all
- his crew, white and black alike, will be worth their weight in gold if
- they but continue to serve the general and the Government as we were sure
- they did on their first return-trip to Charleston Harbor.”
- </p>
- <p>
- There was one step more which the Government had taken, that sent a thrill
- of joy to many hearts. It was paying the men on the battle-field what it
- promised. The following announcement was made by Gen. Saxton, at Beaufort,
- S.C., May 22:—
- </p>
- <p>
- Colored soldiers, I have just received intelligence that the National
- Government, after a long and desperate struggle, has decided to put you on
- an equality with her white troops, making your pay equal with theirs. Now
- that she has done justice to you, I want you to do justice to her and
- justice to yourselves. Show yourselves men; and the way to show yourselves
- men is to be brave and stout-hearted. I want you to be particular in the
- execution of your ‘Shoulder arms,’ your ‘Charge bayonets.’ Learn to shoot
- well at your enemies. You can do it, can’t you?” (“Yes, sir!” was the
- answer from the columns.) “‘Well, do it, then. There is no reason why you
- should not make just as good soldiers as the whites. Do it, then; hold
- your heads up, and be fearless and brave men. Two years ago, when I came
- here, I was the first to organize a colored regiment into the
- United-States service; viz., the First South-Carolina Regiment. The first
- lesson I taught them was to hold up their heads before white men, and to
- say No. And now they are good soldiers. I would just as soon have the
- First South-Carolina Regiment to-day with which to go into the field and
- face the enemy as any white soldiers in the service.” The paymaster
- shortly after made his appearance, and paid off the men; and thus justice,
- though long kept back, at last came. Great was the rejoicing, both in the
- army by the men, and at their homes by their families and friends.
- Progress is slow, but sure. Everywhere the colored population appeared to
- be gaining their equality, and rising to a higher level of humanity. The
- acknowledgment of the civil rights of the negro had already been granted
- in the admission of John S. Rock, a colored man, to practise law in all
- the courts within the jurisdiction of the United States. The Supreme Court
- at Washington, Chief-Justice Chase presiding, did not heap any more honor
- on Mr. Rock, by this admission, than they gained by having so
- distinguished a scholar as a member of the bar. Mr. John F. Shorter, who
- was promoted to a lieutenancy in Company D, Fifty-fifth Massachusetts
- Regiment, was by trade a carpenter, and was residing in Delaware County,
- O., when the call was made for colored troops. Severely wounded at the
- battle of Honey Hill, S.C.,on the 30th of November, 1864, he still
- remained with his regiment, hoping to be of service. At the conclusion of
- the war, he returned home, but never recovered from his wound, and died a
- few days after his arrival. James Monroe Trotter, promoted for gallantry,
- was wounded at the battle of Honey Hill. He is a native of Grand Gulf,
- Miss; removed to Cincinnati, O; was educated at the Albany (O.) Manual
- Labor University, where he distinguished himself for his scholarly
- attainments. He afterwards became a school-teacher, which position he
- filled with satisfaction to the people of Muskingum and Pike Counties, O.,
- and with honor to himself. Enlisting as a private in the Fifty-fifth
- Massachusetts Regiment, on its organization, he returned with it to Boston
- as a lieutenant, an office honorably earned.
- </p>
- <p>
- William H. Dupree, a native of Petersburg, Va., was brought up and
- educated at Chillicothe, O. He enlisted in the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts
- Regiment, on its formation, as a private, was soon made orderly-sergeant,
- and afterwards promoted to a lieutenancy for bravery on the field of
- battle.
- </p>
- <p>
- Charles L. Mitchel, promoted to a lieutenancy in the Fifty-fifth
- Massachusetts Regiment for gallantry at the battle of Honey Hill, where he
- was severely wounded (losing a limb), is a native of Hartford, Conn., and
- son of Mr. William A. Mitchel of that city. Lieut. Mitchel served an
- apprenticeship to William II. Burleigh, in the office of the old “Charter
- Oak,” in Hartford, where he became an excellent printer. For five or six
- years previous to entering the army, he was employed in different
- printing-offices in Boston, the last of which was “The Liberator,” edited
- by William Lloyd Garrison, who never speaks of Lieut. Mitchel but in words
- of the highest commendation. Gen. A. S. Hartwell, late colonel of the
- Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Regiment, makes honorable mention of Lieut.
- Mitchel.
- </p>
- <p>
- The citizens of Boston in Ward Six, where he has so long resided, and who
- know him well, have shown then-appreciation of Lieut. Mitchel’s worth by
- electing him to represent them in the Massachusetts Legislature,—an
- office which he is every way qualified to fill.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0038" id="link2HCH0038"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XXXVIII—FOURTH-OF-JULY CELEBRATION AT THE HOME OF JEFF.
- DAVIS.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>Fourth-of-July Celebration at the Home of Jeff. Davis in Mississippi.—The
- Trip.—Joe Davis’s Place.—Jeff.‘s Place.—The Dinner.—Speeches
- and Songs.—Lively Times.—Return to Vicksburg.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">B</span>y invitation of
- the Committee of Arrangements, a party of teachers and their escorts, and
- other friends of the freedmen, embarked on board “The Diligent,” on the
- morning of the 4th inst. “The Diligent” left the levee at Vicksburg soon
- after seven o’clock, a.m., and made a pleasant trip in about three hours,
- down the river, stopping at the landing at Davis’s Bend; whence the party
- were conveyed in ambulances, wagons, buggies, and other vehicles, to the
- late residence of Jefferson Davis, about two miles from said landing.
- </p>
- <h3>
- <i>DAVIS’S BEND</i>.
- </h3>
- <p>
- This is one of the most extraordinary bends of the wonderful Mississippi
- River, and has received its name from the fact of the settlement, on the
- peninsula formed by the bend, of two members of the Davis Family, known as
- “Jeff.” and “Joe.” This peninsula is some twelve miles in length; and, at
- the point where it is attached to the main land of the State of
- Mississippi, it is so narrow, that the enterprising planters have dug a
- canal across, not unlike the celebrated Butler Canal of Petersburg fame,
- although not near so long. This canal is called the “cut-off;” and, in
- high water, the peninsula becomes, in fact, an island. This tract of land
- is of great fertility, being entirely a deposit of the rich soil washed
- from the prairies of the Great West. On this tract are some six
- plantations, of from eight hundred to twelve hundred acres each. Two of
- the largest and best of these were owned by Jeff, and Joe Davis, and are
- known now as “The Jeff, and Joe places.” The form of this peninsula is
- such that a few companies of soldiers, with one or two stockades, can keep
- out an army of rebels; and the inhabitants, although frequently surrounded
- by the hordes of Southern murderers and thieves on the opposite banks of
- the river and canal, dwell in peace and comparative security. In fact,
- this site, from being the home of traitors and oppressors of the poor, has
- become a sort of earthly paradise for colored refugees. There they flock
- in large numbers, and, like Lazarus of old, are permitted as it were, to
- repose in “Father Abraham’s bosom.” The rich men of the Southern
- Confederacy, now homeless wanderers, occasionally cry across for the
- Lazarus whom they have oppressed and despised; but he is not sent unto
- them, because, between the two parties, there is a great gulf fixed; so
- that they which would pass from hence cannot. On this freedman’s paradise,
- parties for cultivating the soil are organized under the superintendence
- of missionaries; each party cultivating from ten to one hundred acres,
- with a fair prospect of realizing handsomely. These efforts are aided by
- the Government; rations, teams, &c., being-supplied and charged to
- each party, to be deducted from the proceeds of their crops. Cotton is
- chiefly cultivated, and some very handsome stands appear.
- </p>
- <h3>
- <i>THE “JOE PLACE.”</i>
- </h3>
- <p>
- The “Joe Place” is nearest the landing. The fine brick house, however, is
- nearly demolished; but the cottage used as a sort of law library and
- office is remaining uninjured. The negro-quarters also remain.
- </p>
- <h3>
- <i>THE “JEFF. PLACE.”</i>
- </h3>
- <p>
- The “Jeff, place” is also a very fine plantation. The residence has not
- been injured, except the door-locks, and one or two marble mantels broken
- up, apparently for trophies. The Jeff, furniture has been removed; but the
- rooms are still furnished with furniture brought here.
- </p>
- <h3>
- <i>THE HOUSE THAT JEFF. BUILT.</i>
- </h3>
- <p>
- The house is, in its ground-plan, in the form of a cross,—but one
- floor, with large rooms and ample verandas. The portico in front is
- supported with pillars, and these form the only ornamental features of the
- house, except such as were added for this occasion by the artistic touches
- of our Northern sisters. Of these were festoons, wreaths, stars, and
- garlands mysteriously woven in evergreens and flowers. Over the portico
- entrance outside were the following inscriptions, the letters being formed
- by cedar foliage:—
- </p>
- <h3>
- <i>“THE HOUSE THAT JEFF. BUILT.”</i>
- </h3>
- <h3>
- <i>“WELCOME.”</i>
- </h3>
- <p>
- The latter motto was arched, and, with the festoons, made a beautiful
- appearance.
- </p>
- <p>
- Inside were beautiful stars and garlands of flowers; and over the exit at
- the back-door, the following inscription, surmounted by a star:—
- </p>
- <h3>
- <i>“EXIT TRAITOR.”</i>
- </h3>
- <p>
- It was facetiously remarked by an observer, that the moral was,—
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- “Down with the traitor,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- And up with the star.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- We understood that to Miss Lee, of Pennsylvania, and Miss Jennie
- Huddleson, of Indiana, the party was indebted for those ingenious and
- appropriate devices. Very likely; for wit and satire for traitors, and a
- cordial welcome to the loyal and patriotic, are characteristics of these
- whole-souled missionaries.
- </p>
- <p>
- The reception-rooms were also decorated with flowers; and every thing
- around showed that “gentle hands” had laid on “the last touches” of
- fragrance, grace, and beauty.
- </p>
- <p>
- These “ladies of the Management” were dressed in neat “patriotic prints;”
- they needed no addition to their toilets to add to the charming air of
- comfort which they so appropriately infused. Their smiles of welcome
- needed no verbal explanation; and the heartiness with which they were
- engaged in their labors of love, and the evidence of their success in all
- the surroundings, showed that they perfectly understood the science of
- making home happy. Whether they have read Mrs. H. B. Stowe’s “House and
- Home Papers” in “The Atlantic,” we know not, but there are many others,
- besides that literary lady (Mrs. Stowe), who understand how to keep house;
- by magic touches to turn the most simple objects into luxuries of
- ornamentation. We suspect also that Mrs. M. Watson and Miss Lizzie Findley
- had been engaged in these preparations, although appearing more in the
- character of guests. There were some other ladies, to whom we had not the
- honor of an introduction, who, doubtless, deserve particular mention; but
- your reporter, as the sequel of his story will show, only received his
- appointment as a publication committee <i>after all was over</i>, and,
- consequently, if he should omit anybody’s name that deserves mention, this
- must be his apology. He now declares his desire to be just to all, and
- especially to those whose devotion and patriotism rendered the 4th of
- July, 1864, the happiest day of the year.
- </p>
- <h3>
- <i>THE GROUNDS.</i>
- </h3>
- <p>
- On the grounds in front of the residence, the gunboat crew suspended a
- string of signal colors, on each side of the “starry banner,” presenting
- an effect amid the dense foliage of the live-oaks, and the gray moss,
- “altogether beauteous to look upon;” while on the tables under the trees
- were spread things not only “pleasant to the sight,” but “good for food.”
- And when we saw these pleasing objects, the “work of their hands,” and the
- merry, happy faces of the guests and their “escorts,” and reflected that
- the sable sons, by a guard of whom we were surrounded, were “no longer
- slaves;” that they had, with thousands of their brethren, been brought out
- from the house of bondage, by the “God of Abraham;” that the very house
- now occupied by missionaries and teachers had, but a year ago, been in the
- service of despotism, built, in fact, as a temple of slavery by the great
- chief, who preferred to rule in a miserable petty despotism to serving in
- a great and magnanimous republic,—we could but think that Heaven
- looked approvingly upon the scene; that “God saw every thing that he had
- made, and behold! it was very good.”
- </p>
- <h3>
- <i>THE EXERCISES.</i>
- </h3>
- <p>
- Rev. Dr. Warren conducted the exercises as president of the occasion; and
- he did it with that ease, freedom, and regard for the rights and interests
- of all, which usually characterize his public and social conduct. He
- opened the proceedings, under a grove of trees in front of the house, with
- an appropriate prayer, and then called upon those appointed to take part.
- </p>
- <p>
- Mr. Roundtree read the Declaration of Independence in a clear, emphatic,
- and impressive manner. It was listened to with becoming reverence for the
- great truths it contains, by both the white and colored races. It is quite
- improbable that these self-evident truths were ever expressed before
- publicly in this locality, and within hearing of every one within the
- “house that Jeff, built.”
- </p>
- <p>
- When this place was first taken by our troops, the following verse was
- found written on the wall:—
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- “Let Lincoln send his forces here!
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- We’ll lick’em like blue blazes,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And send them yelping hack to where
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- They sung their nigger praises.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- Rev. Mr. Livermore, of Wisconsin, delivered an appropriate oration.
- </p>
- <p>
- The meeting then adjourned for dinner.
- </p>
- <p>
- A gentle shower at this time rendered the air cool and pleasant, but made
- it necessary to remove the dining-tables to the house.
- </p>
- <h3>
- <i>THE DINNER.</i>
- </h3>
- <p>
- A sumptuous dinner was served on the veranda at the back of the mansion.
- There was an abundance of all that could be desired. This being concluded,
- the following sentiments were presented, and responded to in an impromptu
- but appropriate manner by the various speakers:—
- </p>
- <h3>
- <i>REGULAR TOASTS.</i>
- </h3>
- <p>
- 1. The Day we celebrate: The old ship was launched in ‘76, the bow-anchors
- cast out last year at Vicksburg and Gettysburg: may the storm-anchors be
- dropped to-day at Richmond and Atlanta!
- </p>
- <p>
- Response by Mr. Israel Lombard.
- </p>
- <p>
- 2. The President: Proved honest and wise by four years of unprecedented
- trial: we shall keep him there.
- </p>
- <p>
- Responded to by Dr. Wright.
- </p>
- <p>
- 3. Lieut.-Gen. Grant: We can tie to him in a gale.
- </p>
- <p>
- Responded to by Col. Clark.
- </p>
- <p>
- 4. The house that Jeff, built.
- </p>
- <p>
- Responded to by Capt. Powell.
- </p>
- <p>
- The following song composed for the occasion was led by Mr. McConnell:—
- </p>
- <h3>
- <i>“THE HOUSE THAT JEFF. BUILT.”</i>
- </h3>
- <p>
- <i>“Air.—‘Auld Lang Syne.‘</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- “How oft within these airy halls
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- The traitor of the day
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Has heard ambition’s trumpet-calls,
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- Or dreamed of war’s array!
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Or of an empire dreamed, whose base
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- Millions of blacks should be!
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Aha! before this day’s sweet face
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- Where can his lisions be?
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Those empire dreams shall be fulfilled,
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- But not as rebels thought:
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Like water at the cistern spilled,
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- Their boasts shall come to nought.
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- From gulf to lake, from sea to sea,
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- Behold our country grand!
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- The very home of Liberty,
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- And guarded by her hand.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- We revel in his halls to-day:
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- Next year where will he be?
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- A dread account he lias to pay:
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- May we be there to see!
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- And now for country, truth, and right,
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- Our heritage all free;
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- We’ll live and die. we’ll sing and fight:
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- The Union! three times three.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- 5. The Army and Navy: Veterans of three years. The heart of the nation
- beats anxiously at the cry, “Onward to victory!”
- </p>
- <p>
- Response by Dr. Foster.
- </p>
- <p>
- 6. Our Patriot Dead: Silence their most speaking eulogy
- </p>
- <p>
- 7. The Union: The storm will but root it the more firmly.
- </p>
- <p>
- Response by Rev.A. J. Compton.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The Star-spangled Banner,”—sung by the whole company, led by Mr.
- McConnell.
- </p>
- <p>
- 8. Missionaries to Freedmen: Peace has its heroes.
- </p>
- <p>
- Response by Rev. Mr. Buckley, chaplain Forty-seventh United-States Colored
- Infantry.
- </p>
- <p>
- 9. Gen Sherman, second in command: “All I am I owe to my Government, and
- nothing could tempt me to sacrifice my honor or my allegiance.”
- </p>
- <p>
- Response by Capt. Gilpin, Commissary of Subsistence.
- </p>
- <p>
- 10. The Freedmen: Slaves yesterday, to-day free: what shall they be
- to-morrow?
- </p>
- <p>
- The freedmen sung the following song:—
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- “De Lord he makes us free indeed
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- In his own time an’ way.
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- We plant de rice and cotton seed,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- And see de sprout some day:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- We know it come, but not de why,—
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- De Lord know more dan we.
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- We ‘spected freedom by an’ by;
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- An’ now we all are free.
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Praise de Lord! Praise de Lord!
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- For now we all are free.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- De Norf is on de side of right,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- An’ full of men, dey say;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- An’ dere, when poor man work, at night
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- He sure to get his pay.
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- De Lord he glad dey are so good,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- And make dem bery strong;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- An’ when dey called to give deir blood
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Dey all come right along.
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Praise de Lord! Praise do Lord!
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- Dey all come right along.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Deir blue coats cover all de groun’,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- An’ make it like de sky;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- An’ every gray back loafin’ round
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- He tink it time to fly.
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- We not afraid: we bring de child,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- An’ stan’ beside de door,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- An,’ oil! we hug it bery wild,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- An’ keep it ebermore.
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Praise de Lord! Praise de Lord!
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- We keep it ebermore.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- De massa’s come back from his tramp;
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- ‘Pears he is broken quite:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- He takes de basket to de camp
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- For rations ebery night.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Dey fought him when he loud and strong,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Dey fed him when he low:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Dey say dey will forgive the wrong,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- An’ bid him’pent an’ go.
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Praise de Lord! Praise de Lord!
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- Dey hid him’pent an’ go.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- De rice is higher far dis year,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- De cotton taller grow;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- De lowest corn-silk on de ear
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Is higher than de hoe.
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- De Lord he lift up every ting
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- ‘Cept rebel in his grave;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- De negro bress de Lord, an’ sing:
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- He is no longer slave.
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Praise de Lord! Praise de Lord!
- </p>
- <p class="indent30">
- De negro no more slave.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- 13. Our Colored Troops: Deserving of freedom because they fight like men.
- </p>
- <p>
- Response by Lieut. Wakeman.
- </p>
- <p>
- Song: “Babylon is fallen.”
- </p>
- <p>
- The party, after selecting a few simple trophies, such as fig-branches for
- walking-canes, large pond-lilies, flowers, wreaths, and bouquets, returned
- to the landing, and re-embarked for Vicksburg.
- </p>
- <h3>
- <i>CLOSING EXERCISES.</i>
- </h3>
- <p>
- On the boat, the following business was transacted:—
- </p>
- <p>
- Vote of thanks to Col. Thomas and staff for getting up the celebration; to
- the Orator of the Day, Parson Livermore; to the President, Rev. Dr.
- Warren, who made a brief response; and also to Capt. Wightman an officers
- of “The Diligent.”
- </p>
- <p>
- The following song was then sung by a young contraband:—
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- “We heard de proclamation, massa hush it as he will:
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- De bird he sing it to us, hoppin’ on de cotton-hill;
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- And de possum up de gum-tree he couldn’t keep it still.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- Father Abraham has spoken, and de message has been sent;
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- Do prison-doors he opened, and out de prisoners went
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- To joinde sable army of de ‘African descent.’
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- Dey said, ‘Now colored bredren, you shall be forever free,
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- From the first of January, eighteen hundred and sixty-three:’
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- We heard it in do riber goin’ rushin’ to dc sea.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- Den fall in, colored bredren, you’d better do it soon;
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- Don’t you hear de drum a-beatin’ de Yankee Doodle tune?
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- We are wid you now dis mornin’; we’ll lie far away at noon.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- Cheers were given for Abraham Lincoln, and groans for Jeff. Davis.
- </p>
- <p>
- The song, “The House that Jeff. Built,” was again sung; and Capt. Gilpin,
- Commissary of Subsistence, appointed a committee to furnish a copy of the
- same to “The New-York Tribune,” and also to Jeff. Davis.
- </p>
- <p>
- Capt. Henry S. Clubb, Assistant Quartermaster, was appointed a committee
- to furnish a report of the proceedings of the day to “The Vicksburg Daily
- Herald.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0039" id="link2HCH0039"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XXXIX—GALLANTRY, LOYALTY, AND KINDNESS OF THE NEGRO.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>The Nameless Hero at Fair Oaks.—The Chivalry whipped by their
- Former Slaves.—Endurance of the Blacks.—Man in Chains.—One
- Negro whips Three Rebels.—Gallantry.—Outrages on the Blacks.—Kindness
- of the Negroes.—Welcome.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he gallantry and
- loyalty of the blacks during the Rebellion is a matter of history, and
- volumes might be written upon that subject. I give here a few instances
- out of the many I have gathered:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “At the bloody battle of Fair Oaks, Va., the rebels, during the first
- day’s fight, drove Gen. Casey’s division from their camping-ground, and
- rested for the night, confident that the morrow would give them a chance
- to drive the Yankee invaders beyond the Chickahominy; but, just at
- daylight that morning, Heintzelman’s corps re-enforced our line, and at
- daybreak were hurled against the rebel foe. For a long time, the issue was
- doubtful; the line swayed to and fro; but at last the Excelsior Brigade
- the heroes of Williamsburg—were ordered to charge. That charge is a
- matter of history. It gave us the battle-ground of Fair Oaks.
- </p>
- <p>
- “During the month of June, that brigade held the ground they won, and
- skirmishes with the rebels were of daily occurrence. One afternoon, word
- was sent to Gen. Sickles that the enemy was advancing in force, and every
- preparation was at once made for battle. A few shots were heard from
- pickets but a few hundred yards in advance of our battery, and then all
- was quiet. What meant that quietness? What were the rebels doing? Several
- orderlies sent out to the pickets failed to bring any satisfactory
- intelligence. Gen. Sickles turned to Lieut. Palmer, one of his aides, and
- acting assistant adjutant-general, and directed him to take a squad of
- cavalry, and ride cautiously out to the first bend in the road, and
- communicate with our pickets.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Palmer was a noble fellow,—young, handsome, a perfect gentleman, a
- graceful rider, a gallant soldier. He was the pride of the brigade.
- Forgetful of the caution given him, with the impetuosity characteristic of
- youth, he dashed forward at a full gallop, with sabre drawn. He came to
- the first bend in the road, and (fatal mistake) kept on. He came to the
- second bend, and, as he turned it, directly across the road was a company
- of rebel infantry drawn up to receive him. They fired. One ball crashed
- through that handsome face into his brain, while another tore the arm that
- bore aloft his trusty blade.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The shots were heard at the battery; and in a moment Palmer’s riderless
- horse, bleeding from a wound in its neck, galloped from the woods,
- followed by the squad of cavalry, who told to the general the untimely
- fate of his aide.
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘Boys,’ said the general to the veterans who clustered around to hear the
- story, ‘Lieut. Palmer’s body lies out in that road.’ Not a word more
- needed saying. Quickly the men fell in, and a general advance of the line
- was made to secure it.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Whilst the cavalrymen were telling the story, a negro-servant of Lieut.
- Palmer’s was standing by. Unnoticed, he left the group; down that road,
- the Williamsburg Turnpike, he went. He passed our picket-line, and alone
- and unattended he walked along that avenue of death to so many, not
- knowing what moment he would be laid low by a rebel bullet, or be made a
- prisoner to undergo that still worse death, a life of slavery. Upon the
- advance of our line, that faithful servant was found by the side of his
- dead master,—faithful in life, and faithful amid all the horrors of
- the battle-field, even in the jaws of death.
- </p>
- <p>
- “None but those who knew the locality—the gallant men that make up
- Hooker’s division—can appreciate the heroism that possessed that
- contraband. That road was lined with sharpshooters. A wounded man once lay
- in it three days, neither party daring to rescue him. The act of that
- heroic, unknown (I regret that I cannot recall his name) but faithful
- contraband, was one of the most daring of the war, and prompted by none
- other than the noblest feelings known to the human breast.”—New-York
- Independent.
- </p>
- <p>
- <i>“In Camp, Bermuda Hundred, Va., May 26, 1864.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- “The chivalry of Fitzhugh Lee, and his cavalry division, was badly worsted
- in the contest last Tuesday with negro troops composing the garrison at
- Wilson’s Landing. Chivalry made a gallant fight, however. The battle began
- at half-past twelve, p.m., and ended at six o’clock; when chivalry
- retired, disgusted and defeated. Lee’s men dismounted far in the rear, and
- fought as infantry. They drove in the pickets and skirmishers to the
- intrenchments, and several times made valiant charges upon our works. To
- make an assault, it was necessary to come across an ‘open’ in front of our
- position, up to the very edge of a deep and impassable ravine. The rebels,
- with deafening yells, made furious onsets; but the negroes did not flinch,
- and the mad assailants, discomfited, turned to cover with shrunken ranks.
- The rebel fighting was very wicked. It showed that Lee’s heart was bent on
- taking the negroes at any cost. Assaults on the centre having failed, the
- rebels tried first the left and then the right flank, with no greater
- success. When the battle was over, our loss footed up one man killed
- outright, twenty wounded, and two missing. Nineteen rebels were prisoners
- in our hands. Lee’s losses must have been very heavy. The proof thereof
- was left on the ground. Twenty-five rebel bodies lay in the woods
- unburied; and pools of blood unmistakably told of other victims taken
- away. The estimate, from all the evidence carefully considered, puts the
- enemy’s casualties at two hundred. Among the corpses Lee left on the field
- was that of Major Breckinridge, of the Second Virginia Cavalry.
- </p>
- <p>
- “There is no hesitation here in acknowledging the soldierly qualities
- which the colored men engaged in this fight have exhibited. Even the
- officers who have hitherto felt no confidence in them are compelled to
- express themselves mistaken. Gen. Wild, commanding the post, says that the
- troops stood up to their work like veterans.”—<i>Correspondence of
- the New-York Times.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- “The conduct of the colored troops, by the way, in the actions of the last
- few days, is described as superb. An Ohio soldier said to me to-day, ‘I
- never saw men fight with such desperate gallantry as those negroes did.
- They advanced as grim and stern as death; and, when within reach of the
- enemy, struck about them with a pitiless vigor that was almost fearful.’
- Another soldier said to me, ‘These negroes never shrink nor hold back, no
- matter what the order. Through scorching heat and pelting storms, if the
- order comes, they march with prompt, ready feet.’ Such praise is great
- praise, and it is deserved. The negroes here who have been slaves are
- loyal to a man, and, on our occupation of Fredericksburg, pointed out the
- prominent secessionists, who were at once seized by our cavalry, and put
- in safe quarters. In a talk with a group of these faithful fellows, I
- discovered in them all a perfect understanding of the issues of the
- conflict, and a grand determination to prove themselves worthy of the
- place and privileges to which they are to be exalted.”—<i>New-York
- Herald</i>.
- </p>
- <p>
- <i>“Carrollton, La., June 2,1864.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- “I am writing in the camp of the Twelfth Connecticut Regiment, and about
- here are encamped the Nineteenth Army Corps, under marching-orders for
- Morganza, near the mouth of the Red River. In this tent sits a man,—unfortunate
- because black,—once a slave, but free now, a member of the grand
- army of the Unite! States, who is courageous, and who will wield a sword
- or thrust a bayonet as vigorously as any, because he has suffered so
- bitterly at the hands of those who would crush his race. His crime was
- remonstrating with his master for beating his wife. When our men found
- him, he was sitting on the floor, two long chains passing over his
- shoulders, and fastened to a staple; and over him stood four soldiers with
- muskets to prevent his escape. He is not only faithful; but he is
- gentlemanly, intelligent, and interesting in conversation and appearance.
- His brave heart is full of patriotism, and he is willing to serve or die
- for his country.”—<i>Springfield Republican</i>.
- </p>
- <p>
- An instance of the daring of negroes in that section is told by a Lake
- Providence (Louisiana) correspondent of “The Philadelphia Inquirer:”—
- </p>
- <p>
- “Recently a black man, after several days’ urgent request for a musket and
- rounds of ammunition, succeeded in securing his wish. He set out in the
- night, and by morning reached the vicinity of a rebel guard. He crept
- cautiously forward, but was seen and watched. Suddenly the sharp crack of
- rifles brought him to his feet. Before him were three rebel soldiers. He
- instantly brought his musket to his shoulder, and fired. One rebel fell
- dead. The negro, by the time the bewilderment of the other two had passed
- off, was upon them with uplifted musket, threatening them with its
- immediate descent, unless they surrendered at once. They acquiesced in a
- hurry. Leaving the dead rebel to the dogs, with the other two in tow, the
- negro returned to our lines, and delivered them to the authorities. Since
- this exploit, the negro has made himself useful in scouting and bringing
- in information.”
- </p>
- <p>
- A correspondent, of “The Cleveland Leader,” writing from the headquarters
- of the Fifty-ninth United-States Infantry (colored) at Memphis, under date
- of June 15, gives a detailed and graphic account of the brave fight of the
- colored troops in Gen. Sturgis’s command, fully confirming previous
- accounts. The following is a material part of the statement:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “About sunrise, June 11, the enemy advanced on the town of Ripley, and
- threatened our right, intending to cut us off from the Salem Road. Again
- the colored troops were the only ones that could be brought into line; the
- Fifty-ninth being on the right, and the Fifty-fifth on the left, holding
- the streets. At this time, the men had not more than ten rounds of
- ammunition, and the enemy were crowding closer and still closer, when the
- Fifty-ninth were ordered to charge on them, which they did in good style,
- while singing,—
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- ‘We’ll rally round the flag, boys.’
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- “This charge drove the enemy back, so that both regiments retreated to a
- pine-grove about two hundred yards distant.
- </p>
- <p>
- “By this time, all the white troops, except one squadron of cavalry, that
- formed in the rear, were on the road to Salem; and, when this brigade came
- up, they, too, wheeled and left, and in less than ten minutes this now
- little band of colored troops found themselves flanked. They then divided
- themselves into three squads, and charged the enemy’s lines; one squad
- taking the old Corinth Road, then a by-road, to the left. After a few
- miles, they came to a road leading to Grand Junction. After some
- skirmishing, they arrived, with the loss of one killed and one wounded.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Another and the largest squad covered the retreat of the white troops,
- completely defending them by picking up the ammunition thrown away by
- them, and with it repelling the numerous assaults made by the rebel
- cavalry, until they reached Collierville, a distance of sixty miles. When
- the command reached Dan’s Mills, the enemy attempted to cut it off by a
- charge; but the colored boys in the rear formed, and repelled the attack,
- allowing the whole command to pass safely on, when they tore up the
- bridge. Passing on to an open country, the officers halted, and
- re-organized the brigade into an effective force. They then moved forward
- until about four, p.m.; when some Indian flank skirmishers discovered the
- enemy, who came up to the left, and in the rear, and halted. Soon a
- portion advanced, when a company faced about and fired, emptying three
- saddles. From this time until dark, the skirmishing was constant.
- </p>
- <p>
- “A corporal in Company C, Fifty-ninth, was ordered to surrender. He let
- his would-be captor come close to him; when he struck him with the butt of
- his gun.
- </p>
- <p>
- “While the regiment was fighting in a ditch, and the order came to
- retreat, the color-bearer threw out the flag, designing to jump out and
- get it; but the rebels rushed for it, and in the struggle one of the boys
- knocked down with his gun the reb who had the flag, caught it, and ran.
- </p>
- <p>
- “A rebel, with an oath, ordered one of our men to surrender. He, thinking
- the reb’s gun was loaded, dropped his gun; but, on seeing the reb commence
- loading, our colored soldier jumped for his gun, and with it struck his
- captor dead.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Capt. H., being surrounded by about a dozen rebels, was seen by one of
- his men, who called several of his companions: they rushed forward and
- fired, killing several of the enemy, and rescued their captain.
- </p>
- <p>
- “A rebel came up to one, and laid, ‘Come, my good fellow, go with me and
- wait on me.’ In an instant, the boy shot his would-be master dead.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Once when the men charged on the enemy, they rushed forth with the cry,
- Remember Fort Pillow.’ The rebs called back, and said, ‘Lee’s men killed
- no prisoners.’
- </p>
- <p>
- “One man in a charge threw his antagonist to the ground, and pinned him
- fast; and, as he attempted to withdraw his bayonet, it came off his gun,
- and, as he was very busy just then, he left him transfixed to
- mother-earth.
- </p>
- <p>
- “One man killed a rebel by striking him with the butt of his gun, which he
- broke; but, being unwilling to stop his work, he loaded and fired three
- ‘times before he could get a better gun: the first time, not being
- cautious, the rebound of his gun badly cut his lip.
- </p>
- <p>
- “When the troops were in the ditch, three rebels came to one man, and
- ordered him to surrender. His gun being loaded, he shot one, and bayoneted
- another: and, forgetting he could bayonet the third, he turned the butt of
- his gun, and knocked him down.”
- </p>
- <p>
- Great were the sufferings which the colored people had to endure for their
- fidelity to liberty and the Union during the Rebellion. Space will allow
- me to give but one or two instances.
- </p>
- <p>
- “On Monday, Feb. 21, a band of guerillas, commanded by Col. Moore, of
- Louisiana, made a bold dash upon our lines at Waterproof, La., opening
- with four pieces of artillery upon Fort Anderson. Capt. Johnson, of the
- gunboat ‘No. 9,’ was on hand, and, after two hours’ vigorous shelling, the
- enemy abandoned the attack.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Our loss was three killed. Two colored soldiers, members of the Eleventh
- Louisiana Volunteers, were captured, and afterwards brutally murdered,
- with an old slave known by the sobriquet of ‘Uncle Peter.’ The bodies of
- the two soldiers were discovered the next day riddled with bullets. Old
- Uncle Peter had been of great service to our Government in piloting our
- officers to localities where large quantities of cotton belonging to the
- rebel Government were concealed. After capturing this old man, the
- assassins compelled him to kneel, with his hands behind his back, in
- presence of some fifty slaves on one of the adjoining plantations; and two
- Minie-balls pierced his body. They then intimidated the slaves by
- threatening to treat all negroes in a similar manner whom they caught
- aiding the Yankees.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Through the instrumentality of this faithful old man, Capt. Anderson had
- secured four hundred bales of fine cotton marked ‘Confederate States of
- America,’ together with a hundred and fifty fine horses, and a number of
- mules. The value of the cotton alone was a hundred thousand dollars. Among
- the prisoners captured by our forces was Lieut. Austin, adjutant-general
- on Gen. Harris’s staff, with his fine horses and costly equipments. Capt.
- Anderson succeeded in capturing the murderer of old Uncle Peter, and
- having plenty of slaves to testify who were obliged to witness the
- infamous crime, he ordered the guilty wretch to be shot; and in a few
- hours the villain paid the penalty of his dastard crime. Another one of
- the guerillas engaged in this outrage is now in our hands, under guard at
- this place; and it seems like an act of great injustice to our brave
- soldiers, that such outlaws should be treated as prisoners of war.
- </p>
- <p>
- “After shooting these three defenceless men, the chivalrous knights robbed
- old Uncle Peter of a thousand dollars in treasury notes, and completely
- stripped the two colored soldiers of all their outer clothing and their
- boots. We hear Northern copperheads, who have never been south of Mason
- and Dixon’s Line, constantly prating about the unconstitutionality of
- arming the slaves of rebels; and often these prejudiced people accuse the
- negro troops of cowardice. After the bloody proof at Milliken’s Bend, Port
- Hudson, and at Fort Wagner in front of Charleston, it would seem that
- nothing more was needed to substantiate the resolution and undaunted
- courage of the slave when arrayed against his master, fighting for the
- freedom of his race. The following incident speaks for itself:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “In the attack on Fort Anderson, Sergt. Robert Thompson exhibited traits
- of courage worthy of record. A party of eight guerillas surrounded Sergt.
- Thompson of Company I, Eleventh Louisiana, and Corp. Robinson of the same
- regiment. The two prisoners were threatened with torture and death, and
- were finally placed in charge of three guerillas, while the balance of
- their party were harassing our troops. Seeing a revolver in the sergeant’s
- belt, they ordered him to give it up. As he fumbled around his belt, he
- touched the corporal with his elbow as a signal to be ready. Drawing it
- slowly from his belt, he cocked it, and, ere the rebel could give the
- alarm, he fell a corpse from his horse. At the same time, Corp. Robinson
- shot another; and the third guerilla, without waiting for further
- instructions, put the spurs to his horse, and in a few seconds was out of
- sight. The two brave men are now on duty ready for another guerilla
- visit.”—<i>Correspondence of The Tribune.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- Kindness to Union men and all Northerners was a leading trait in the
- character of the colored people of the South throughout the war. James
- Henri Brown, special correspondent of “The New-York Tribune,” in his very
- interesting work, “Four years in Secessia,” says, “The negro who had
- guided us to the railway had told us of another of his color to whom we
- could apply for shelter and food at the terminus of our second stage. We
- could not find him until nearly dawn; and, when we did, he directed us to
- a large barn filled with corn-husks. Into that we crept with our dripping
- garments, and lay there for fifteen hours, until we could again venture
- forth. Floundering about in the husks, we lost our haversacks, pipes, and
- a hat. About nine o’clock, we procured a hearty supper from the generous
- negro, who even gave me his hat,—an appropriate presentation, as one
- of iny companions remarked, by an ‘intelligent contraband’ to the reliable
- gentleman of ‘The New-York Tribune.’ The negro did picket-duty while we
- hastily ate our meal, and stood by his blazing fire. The old African and
- his wife gave us ‘God bless you, massa!’ with trembling voice and
- moistened eyes, as we parted from them with grateful hearts. ‘God bless
- negroes!’ say I, with earnest lips. During our entire captivity, and after
- our escape, they were ever our firm, brave, unflinching friends. We never
- made an appeal to them they did not answer. They never hesitated to do us
- a service at the risk even of life; and, under the most trying
- circumstances, revealed a devotion and a spirit of self-sacrifice that
- were heroic.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The magic word ‘Yankee,’ opened all their hearts, and elicited the
- loftiest virtues. They were ignorant, oppressed, enslaved; but they always
- cherished a simple and beautiful faith in the cause of the Union, and its
- ultimate triumph, and never abandoned or turned aside from a man who
- sought food or shelter on his way to freedom.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “On the march of Grant’s army from Spottsylvania to the North Anna, at
- intervals of every few miles, families of negroes were gathered along the
- roadside, exchanging words of salutation to our soldiers as they passed,
- and grinning all over their faces. ‘Massa’s gone away, gemmen,’ was the
- answer in almost all cases where the query in relation to their master’s
- whereabouts was raised. ‘Specs he gwan to Richmon’. Dun know. He went away
- in a right smart hurry last night: dat’s all I knows.’ A sight of the
- fine, athletic, plump appearance of some of these negroes, of both sexes
- and all ages, would have driven a negro-trader crazy, especially when he
- became convinced of the fact that, according to the terms of President
- Lincoln’s proclamation, these negroes are free the moment the lines of the
- Union army closed in upon them. It was a pleasing spectacle, and
- commingled with not a little pathos, to hear the benedictions which the
- aged and infirm negroes poured out upon our soldiers as they marched by.
- ‘I’se been waitin’ for you,’ said an old negro, whose eyesight was almost
- entirely gone, and whose head was covered with the frosts of some
- eighty-five winters. ‘Ah! I’se been waitin’ for you gemmen some time. I
- knew you was comin’, kase I heerd massa and missus often talkin’ about
- you;’ and then the old hero chuckled, and almost ground his ivories out of
- his head.”
- </p>
- <p>
- No heroism surpasses that of the poor slave-boy Sam, on board the gunboat
- “Pawnee,” who, while passing shell from the magazine, had both legs shot
- away by a ball from the rebel guns; but, still holding the shell, cried
- out at the top of his voice, “Pass up de shell, boys. Nebber mine me: my
- time is up.” The greatest fidelity of the white man to the Union finds its
- parallel in the nameless negro, who, when his master sent him out to
- saddle his horse, mounted the animal, rode in haste to the Federal lines,
- and pointed out the road of safety to the harassed, retreating Army of the
- Potomac; then, returning for his wife and children, was caught by the
- rebels, and shot. When the rebels made their raid into the State of
- Pennsylvania, and the governor called the people to arms for defence, it
- is a well-known fact that a company of colored men from Philadelphia were
- the first to report at Harrisburg for service. These men were among the
- most substantial of the colored citizens in point of wealth and moral
- culture. Yet these patriotic individuals, together with all of their
- class, are disfranchised in that State.
- </p>
- <p>
- In the engagement on James Island between the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts
- and the rebels, the latter surrounded three companies of the former, which
- were on picket-duty, and ordered them to surrender; the colored troops
- replied by making the best possible use of their muskets. In the fight,
- Sergt. Wilson, of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, fought bravely, having
- fired his last cartridge, used the butt of his gun upon his enemies, and,
- even after being severely wounded, still struggled against the foe with
- his unloaded weapon. The enemy, seeing this, called repeatedly to the
- negro to surrender; but Wilson refused, and fought till he was shot dead.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0040" id="link2HCH0040"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XL—FALL OF THE CONFEDERACY, AND DEATH OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>Flight of Jeff. Davis from Richmond.—Visit of President Lincoln
- to the Rebel Capital.—Welcome by the Blacks.—Surrender of Gen.
- Lee.—Death of Abraham Lincoln.—The Nation in Tears.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">J</span>efferson Davis and
- his cabinet had hastily quitted Richmond, on Sunday, the third day of
- April, 1865; the Union troops had taken possession the day following; and
- Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, and the best-hated man by
- the rebels, entered the city a short time after. For the following account
- of the President’s visit, I am indebted to a correspondent of “The Boston
- Journal:”
- </p>
- <p>
- “I was standing upon the bank of the river, viewing the scene of
- desolation, when a boat, pulled by twelve sailors, came up stream. It
- contained President Lincoln and his son, Admiral Porter, Capt. Penrose of
- the army, Capt. A. H. Adams of the navy, Lieut. W. W. Clements of the
- signal corps. Somehow the negroes on the bank of the river ascertained
- that the tall man wearing the black hat was President Lincoln. There was a
- sudden shout. An officer who had just picked up fifty negroes to do work
- on the dock found himself alone. They left work, and crowded round the
- President. As he approached, I said to a colored woman,—
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘There is the man who made you free.’
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘What, massa?’
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘That is President Lincoln.’
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘Dat President Linkum?’
- </p>
- <p>
- “‘Yes.’
- </p>
- <p>
- “She gazed at him a moment, clapped her hands, and jumped straight up and
- down, shouting, ‘Glory, glory, glory!’ till her voice was lost in a
- universal cheer.
- </p>
- <p>
- “There was no carriage near; so the President, leading his son, walked
- three-quarters of a mile up to Gen. Weitzel’s headquarters,—Jeff.
- Davis’s mansion. What a spectacle it was! Such a hurly-burly, such wild,
- indescribable, ecstatic joy I never witnessed. A colored man acted as
- guide. Six sailors, wearing their round blue caps and short jackets and
- bagging pants, with navy carbines, were the advance-guard. Then came the
- President and Admiral Porter, flanked by the officers accompanying him,
- and the correspondent of ‘The Journal;’ then six more sailors with
- carbines,—twenty of us all told,—amid a surging mass of men,
- women, and children, black, white, and yellow, running, shouting, dancing,
- swinging their caps, bonnets, and handkerchiefs. The soldiers saw him, and
- swelled the crowd, cheering in wild enthusiasm. All could see him, he was
- so tall, so conspicuous.
- </p>
- <p>
- “One colored woman, standing in a doorway as the president passed along
- the sidewalk, shouted, ‘Thank you, dear Jesus, for this! thank you,
- Jesus!’ Another standing by her side was clapping her hands, and shouting,
- ‘Bless de Lord!’
- </p>
- <p>
- “A colored woman snatched her bonnet from her head, and whirled it in the
- air, screaming with all her might, ‘God bless you, Massa Linkum!’
- </p>
- <p>
- “A few white women looking out from the houses waved their handkerchiefs.
- One lady in a large and elegant building looked a while, and turned away
- her head as if it was a disgusting sight.
- </p>
- <p>
- “President Lincoln walked in silence, acknowledging the salutes of
- officers and soldiers, and of the citizens, black and white. It was the
- man of the people among the people. It was the great deliverer meeting the
- delivered. Yesterday morning the majority of the thousands who crowded the
- streets and hindered our advance were slaves: now they were free, and
- beholding him who had given them their liberty.”
- </p>
- <p>
- On the 9th of the same month, Gen. Lee, with his whole army, surrendered
- to Gen. Grant; and thus fell the Southern Confederacy, the enemy of the
- negro and of Republican government. The people of the North, already tired
- of the war, at once gave themselves up to rejoicing all over the free
- States.
- </p>
- <p>
- But the time of merry-making was doomed to be short; for slavery, the
- cause of the Rebellion, was dying hard. The tyrants of the South, so long
- accustomed to rule, were now determined to ruin. Slavery must have its
- victim. If it could not conquer, it must at least die an honorable death;
- and nothing could give it more satisfaction than to commit some great
- crime in its last struggles.
- </p>
- <p>
- Therefore the death of Abraham Lincoln by the hand of an assassin was but
- the work of slavery. It murdered Lovejoy at Alton, it slowly assassinated
- Torrey in a Maryland prison, it struck down Sumner in the Senate, it had
- taken the lives, by starvation, of hundreds at Anderson, Richmond, and
- Salisbury; why spare the great liberator?
- </p>
- <p>
- President Lincoln fell a sacrifice to his country’s salvation as
- absolutely and palpably, as though he had been struck down while leading
- an assault on the ramparts of Petersburg. The wretch who killed him was
- impelled by no private malice, but imagined himself an avenger of that
- downcast idol, which, disliking to be known simply as slavery, styles
- itself “The South.” He was murdered, not that slavery might live; but that
- it might bring down its most conspicuous enemy in its fall.
- </p>
- <p>
- The tears of four millions of slaves whom he had liberated, five hundred
- thousand free blacks whose future condition he had made better, and the
- twenty millions of whites in the free States, stricken as they never had
- been before by the death of a single individual, followed his body to the
- grave. No nation ever mourned more sincerely the loss of its head than did
- the people of the United States that of President Lincoln. We all love his
- memory still.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- “His name is not a sculptured thing, where old Renown has reared
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- Her marble in the wilderness, by smoke of battle seared;
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- But graven on life-leaping hearts, where <i>Freedom’s</i> banners wave,
- </p>
- <p class="indent10">
- It gleams to bid the tyrant back, and <i>loose the fettered slave</i>.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- Faults he had; but we forget them all in his death. It seemed to us that
- God had raised this man up to do a great work; and when he had finished
- his mission, flushed with success over the enemies of his country, while
- the peals of exultation for the accomplishment of the noble deed were yet
- ringing in his ears, and while our hearts were palpitating more generously
- for him, he permitted him to fall, that we should be humbled, and learn
- our own weakness, and be taught to put more dependence in the ruler of the
- universe than in man.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- ‘So sleep the good, who sink to rest
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- By all their country’s wishes blest.
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- When Spring with dewy fingers cold
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Returns to deck their hallowed mould,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- She there shall dress a sweeter sod
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Than Fancy’s feet have ever trod:
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- By forms unseen, their dirge is sung;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- By fairy hands, their knell is rung;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- There Honor comes, a pilgrim gray,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- To bless the turf that wraps their clay;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And Freedom shall a while repair,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- To dwell a weeping hermit there.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /> <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0041" id="link2HCH0041"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XLI—PRESIDENT ANDREW JOHNSON.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>Origin of Andrew Johnson.—His Speeches in Tennessee.—The
- Negro’s Moses.—The Deceived Brahmin.—The Comparison.—Interview
- with Southerners.—Northern Delegation.—Delegation of Colored
- Men.—Their Appeal.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">S</span>pringing from the
- highest circle of the lowest class of whites of the South, gradually
- rising, coming up over a tailor’s board, and all the obstacles that
- slaveholding society places between an humbly-born man and social and
- political elevation, Andrew Johnson entered upon his presidential duties,
- at the death of Mr. Lincoln, with the hearty good feeling of the American
- people. True, he had taken a glass too much on the day of his inauguration
- as vice-president, and the nation had not forgotten it; yet there were
- many palliating circumstances to be offered. The weather was cold, his
- ride from Tennessee had been long and fatiguing, he had met with a host of
- friends, who, like himself, were not afraid of the “critter.” And, after
- all, who amongst that vast concourse of politicians, on that fourth day of
- March, had not taken a “Tom and Jerry,” a “whiskey punch,” a “brandy
- smash,“or a “cocktail”? Again: the people had been robbed of their idol,
- and suddenly plunged into grief, and felt like looking up the commendable
- acts of the new President, rather than finding fault, and were desirous to
- see how far he was capable of filling the gap so recently made vacant.
- </p>
- <p>
- They remembered that when the secessionists were withdrawing from
- Congress, in 1860, Mr. Johnson said,
- </p>
- <p>
- “If I were president, I would try them for treason, and, if convicted, I
- would hang them.” This was mark number one in his favor. They had not
- forgotten his address to the Tennessee Convention, which, in the preceding
- January, had, by an almost unanimous vote, declared slavery in that State
- forever abolished.
- </p>
- <p>
- This speech was made on the 14th of January, and is very uncompromising
- and eloquent. “Yesterday,” said he to the Convention, “you broke the
- tyrant’s rod, and set the captive free. (Loud applause.) Yes, gentlemen,
- yesterday you sounded the death-knell of negro aristocracy, and performed
- the funeral obsequies of that thing called slavery.... I feel that God
- smiles on what you have done. Oh, how it contrasts with the shrieks and
- cries and wailings which the institution of slavery has brought on the
- land!”
- </p>
- <p>
- And his speech to the colored people of Nashville in the preceding October
- was exceedingly touching, by reason of its tender, heartfelt compassion
- for all the degradation, insult, and cruelty which had been heaped upon
- that poor and unoffending people so long. Its scorn and sarcasm were
- terrible as he arraigned the “master” class for their long career of lust,
- tyranny, and crime. He hoped a Moses would arise to lead this persecuted
- people to their promised land of freedom. “You are our Moses,” shouted
- first one, and then a great multitude of voices. But the speaker went on,
- </p>
- <p>
- “God, no doubt, has prepared, somewhere, an instrument for the great work
- he designs to perform in behalf of this outraged people; and in due time
- your leader will come forth,—your Moses will be revealed to you.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “We want no Moses but you!” again shouted the crowd. “Well, then,” replied
- Mr. Johnson, “humble and unworthy as I am, if no better shall be found, I
- will indeed be your Moses, and lead you through the Red Sea of war and
- bondage to a fairer future of liberty and peace.”
- </p>
- <p>
- These were brave words in behalf of the rights of man, and weighed heavily
- in Mr. Johnson’s favor. Also in his first public words, after taking the
- oath as President of the United States, Mr. Johnson referred to <i>the
- past</i> of his life as an indication of his course and policy in the
- future, rather than to make any verbal declarations now; thereby
- manifesting an honorable willingness to be judged by his acts, and a
- consciousness that the record was one which he need not be ashamed to own.
- </p>
- <p>
- What better words or greater promises could be demanded? And, moreover,
- the American people are admirers of self-made men. Indeed, it is the
- foundation of true republican principles; and those who come to the
- surface by their own genius or energies are sure to be well received by
- the masses. But was Andrew Johnson a genius? was he shrewd? was he smart?
- If not, how could he have attained to such a high position in his own
- State? Were the people there all fools, that they should send a mountebank
- to the United-States Senate? Or were they, as well as the
- National-Republican Convention that nominated him in 1864 for the
- Vice-Presidency, deceived?
- </p>
- <p>
- Macaulay, in his Criticism on the Poems of Robert Montgomery, says, “A
- pious Brahmin, it is written, made a vow, that, on a certain day, he would
- sacrifice a sheep; and on the appointed morning he went forth to buy one.
- There lived in his neighborhood three rogues, who knew his vow, and laid a
- scheme for profiting by it. The first met him, and said, ‘O Brahmin! wilt
- thou buy a sheep? I have one fit for sacrifice.’—‘It is for that
- very purpose,’ said the holy man, ‘that I came forth this day.’ Then the
- impostor opened a bag, and brought out of it an unclean beast,—an
- ugly dog, lame and blind. ‘Thereon the Brahmin cried out, ‘Wretch, who
- touchest things impure, and utterest things untrue, callest thou that cur
- a sheep?’—‘Truly,’ answered the other, ‘it is a sheep of the finest
- fleece, and of the sweetest flesh. O Brahmin! it will be an offering most
- acceptable to the gods!’—‘Friend,’ said the Brahmin, ‘either thou or
- I must be blind.’ Just then, one of the accomplices came up. ‘Praised be
- the gods,’ said this second rogue, ‘that I have been saved the trouble of
- going to the market for a sheep! This is such a sheep as I wanted. For how
- much wilt thou sell it?’ When the Brahmin heard this, his mind waved to
- and fro, like one swinging in the air at a holy festival. ‘Sir,’ said he
- to the new-comer, ‘take heed what thou dost. This is no sheep, but an
- unclean cur.’—‘O Brahmin!’ said the new-comer, ‘thou art drunk or
- mad.’ At this time, the third confederate drew near. ‘Let us ask this
- man,’ said the Brahmin, ‘what the creature is; and I will stand by what he
- shall say.’ To this the others agreed; and the Brahmin called out, ‘O
- stranger! what dost thou call this beast?’—‘Surely, O Brahmin!’ said
- the knave, ‘it is a fine sheep.’ Then the Brahmin said, ‘Surely the gods
- have taken away my senses!’ and he asked pardon of him who carried the
- dog, and bought it for a measure of rice and a pot of ghee; and offered it
- up to the gods, who, being wroth at this unclean sacrifice, smote him with
- a sore disease in all his joints!”
- </p>
- <p>
- The poor Brahmin was never more thoroughly imposed upon in receiving the
- dog for a sheep than were the American people in accepting Andrew Johnson
- as a statesman, or even as a friend of liberty and republican
- institutions. That he hated the slaveocracy, there is not the slightest
- doubt; for they were far above him, and all his efforts to be recognized
- by them as an equal had failed.
- </p>
- <p>
- But did he like the negro any better than the master? It is said, that
- while in his apprenticeship, on one occasion, young Johnson was passing
- along the street with a pair of pants upon his arm, when a well-dressed
- free negro accidentally ran against him, pushing the tailor into a ditch;
- whereupon, the latter threw a handful of mud at the black man, soiling his
- clothes very much. The negro turned, and indignantly said, “You better
- mind what you ‘bout, you low white clodhopper, poor white trash!” This
- retort of the negro no doubt touched a tender chord; for it reminded the
- rising young man of the “pit from whence he was digged,” and it is said he
- hated the race ever after. <i>But it must be acknowledged</i> that Mr.
- Johnson is a big man in little things; that he showed some shrewdness in
- taking advantage of the Union feeling, and especially the antislavery
- sentiment, of the North, in wiggling himself into the Republican party by
- his bunkum speeches. After all, what is the real character of the man?
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- “Great Judas of the nineteenth century,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Foul political traitor of the age,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Persistent speeechmaker, covered with falsity,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Come, sit now for your portrait. I will paint
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- As others see you,—men who love their God,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And hate not even you, aye you, attaint
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- With love of self, and power that’s outlawed.
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Behold the picture! See a drunken man
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Whose age brings nothing but increase of sin,—
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- A deceptive ‘policy,’ a hateful plan
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- To deceive the people, and reenslave the sons of Ham!
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- Now see it stretching out a slimy palm,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And striking hands with rebels. Nay, nay!
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- It grasps Columbia by the throat and arm,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And seeks to give her to that beast of prey.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- Intensely in love with himself, egotistical, without dignity, tyrannical,
- ungrateful, and fond of flattery, Mr. Johnson was entirely unprepared to
- successfully resist the overtures of the slaveholding aristocracy, by whom
- he had so long wished to be recognized. It was some weeks after the death
- of the good President, that a committee of these Southerners visited the
- White House. They found Mr. Johnson alone; for they had asked for an
- audience, which had been readily granted. Humbly they came, the lords of
- the lash, the men who, five years before, would not have shaken hands with
- him with a pair of tongs ten feet long. Many of them the President had
- seen on former occasions: all of them he knew by reputation. As they stood
- before him, he viewed them from head to feet, and felt an inward triumph.
- He could scarcely realize the fact, and asked himself, “Is it possible?
- have I my old enemies before me, seeking favors?” Yes: it was so; and they
- had no wish to conceal the fact. The chairman of the committee, a man of
- years, one whose very look showed that he was not without influence among
- those who knew him, addressing the Chief Magistrate, said, “Mr. President,
- we come as a committee to represent to you the condition of the South, and
- its wants. We fear that your Excellency has had things misrepresented to
- you by the Radicals; and knowing you to be a man of justice, a statesman
- of unsullied reputation, one who to-day occupies the proudest position of
- any man in the world, we come to lay our wants before you. We have, in the
- past, been your political opponents. In the future, we shall be your
- friends; because we now see that you were right, and we were wrong. We
- ask, nay, we beg you to permit us to reconstruct the Southern States. Our
- people, South, are loyal to a man, and wish to return at once to their
- relations in the General Government. We look upon you, Mr. President, as
- the embodiment of the truly chivalrous Southerner,—one who, born and
- bred in the South, understands her people: to you we appeal for justice;
- for we are sure that your impulses are pure. Your future, Mr. President,
- is to be a brilliant one. At the next presidential election, the South
- will be a unit for the man who saves her from the hands of these Yankees,
- who now, under the protection of the Freedman’s Bureau, are making
- themselves rich. We shall stand by the man that saves us; and you are that
- man. Your genius, your sagacity, and your unequalled statesmanship, mark
- you out as the father of his country. Without casting a single ungenerous
- reflection upon the great name of George Washington, allow me to say what
- I am sure the rest of the delegation will join me in, and that is, that, a
- hundred years to come, the name of Andrew Johnson will be the brightest in
- American history.” Several times during the delivery of the above speech,
- the President was seen to wipe his eyes, for he was indeed moved to tears.
- At its conclusion, he said, “Gentlemen, your chairman has perfectly
- overwhelmed me. I was not, I confess, prepared for these kind words, this
- cordial support, of the people of the South. Your professions of loyalty,
- which I feel to be genuine, and your promises of future aid, unman me. I
- thought you were my enemies, and it is to enemies that I love to give
- battle. As to my friends, they can always govern me. I will lay your case
- before the cabinet.”—“We do not appeal to your cabinet,” continued
- the chairman, “it is to you, Mr. President, that we come. Were you a
- common man, we should expect you to ask advice of your cabinet; but we
- regard you as master, aud your secretaries as your servants. You are
- capable of acting without consulting them: we think you the Andrew Jackson
- of to-day. Presidents, sir, are regarded as mere tools. We hope you, like
- Jackson, will prove an exception. We, the people of the South, are willing
- to let you do precisely as you please; and still we will support you. We
- are proud to acknowledge you as our leader. All we ask is, that we shall
- be permitted to organize our State Governments, elect our senators and
- representatives, and return at once into the Union; and this, Mr.
- President, lies entirely with you, unless you acknowledge yourself to be
- in leading-strings, which we know is not so; for Andrew Johnson can never
- play second fiddle to men or parties.” These last remarks affected Mr.
- Johnson very much, which he in vain attempted to conceal. “Gentlemen,”
- replied the President, “I confess that your chairman, has, in his remarks,
- made an impression on my mind that I little dreamed of when you entered. I
- admit that I am not pleased with the manner in which the Radicals are
- acting.”—“Allow me,” said the chairman, interrupting the President,
- “to say a word or two that I had forgotten.” “Proceed,” said the Chief
- Magistrate. “You are not appreciated,” continued the chairman, “by the
- Radicals. They speak of you sneeringly as the ‘accidental President,’ just
- as if you were not the choice of the people. The people of the North would
- never elect you again. No man, except Mr. Lincoln, has ever been elected a
- second time to the presidency, from the free States. They have so many
- peddling politicians, like so many hungry wolves, seeking office, that
- they are always crying, ‘Rotation, rotation.’ But, with us of the South,
- it is different. When we find a man with genius, talent, a statesman, we
- hold on to him, and keep him in office. You, Mr. President, can carry all
- the Southern, and enough of the Northern States to elect you to another
- term.”—“Yes,” responded one of the committee, “to two terms more.”
- Mr. Johnson, with suppressed emotion, said, “I will at once lay down a
- policy, which, I think, will satisfy the entire people of the South; but,
- but—I said that treason should be made odious, and traitors should
- be punished: what can I do so as not to stultify myself?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “I see it as clear as day, Mr. President,” said the chairman. “You have
- already made treason odious by those eloquent speeches which you have
- delivered at various times on the Rebellion; and now you can punish
- traitors by giving them office. St. Paul said, ‘If thine enemy hunger,
- feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing, thou shalt heap
- coals of fire on his head.’ Now, many of the Southerners are your old
- enemies; and they are hungry for office, and thirst for the good liquor
- they used to get in the congressional saloons.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “I am satisfied,” said the President, “that I can restore the Southern
- States to their relations to the Union, and let all who held office before
- the war, resume their positions again.—“Yes,” remarked a member of
- the committee; “and you can build up a new party of your own, that shall
- take the place of the Democratic party, which is already dead.”—“Very
- true,” replied the President, “there is both room and need of another
- political party. You may rest assured, gentlemen, that you will be
- re-instated in your former positions.” The committee withdrew. “My policy”
- was commenced. The Republicans did not like it; and a committee was sent
- to the White House, composed of some of the leading men of the North, the
- chairman of which was a man some six feet in height, stout, and well made;
- features coarse; full head of hair, touched with the frost of over fifty
- winters; dressed in a gray suit, light felt hat. The committee, on
- entering, found the President seated, with his feet under the table. He
- did not rise to welcome the delegation, but seemed to push his feet still
- farther under the table, for fear that they might think he was going to
- rise. The chairman, whom I have already described, said in a rather strong
- voice, “Mr. President, we have called to ask you to use your official
- power to protect the Union men of the South, white and black, from the
- murderous feeling of the rebels.
- </p>
- <p>
- “As faithful friends, and supporters of your Administration, we most
- respectfully petition you to suspend for the present your policy towards
- the rebel States. We should not present this prayer if we were not
- painfully convinced that, thus far, it has failed to obtain any reasonable
- guarantees for that security in the future which is essential to peace and
- reconciliation. To our minds, it abandons the freedmen to the control of
- their ancient masters, and leaves the national debt exposed to repudiation
- by returning rebels. The Declaration of Independence asserts the equality
- of all men, and that rightful government can be founded only on the
- consent of the governed. We see small chance of peace unless these great
- principles are practically established. Without this, the house will
- continue divided against itself.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Gentlemen,” replied the President, “I will take your request into
- consideration, and give it that attention that it demands.” The committee
- left, satisfied that Mr. Johnson was a changed man. Soon after, the
- President was called upon by another delegation, a committee of colored
- men, consisting of Frederick Douglass, William Whipper, George T. Downing,
- and L. H. Douglass. The negro race was singularly fortunate in having
- these gentlemen to represent them; for they are not only amongst the
- ablest of their class, but are men of culture, and all of them writers and
- speakers of distinguished, ability. The delegation, on entering, found the
- President seated, with his feet under the table, and his hands in his
- breeches pockets, and looking a little sour. Mr. Downing, the delegate
- from New England, first addressed the Chief Magistrate; and his finely
- chosen-words, and well-rounded periods, no doubt made the President not a
- lit-, tie uneasy, for he looked daggers at the speaker. The reflection of
- Downing’s highly cultivated mind, as seen through his admirable address,
- doubtless reminded the President of his own inferiority, and made him
- still more petulant; for, when he replied to the delegate, he said,—
- </p>
- <p>
- “I am free to say to you that I do not like to be arraigned by some who
- can get up handsomely-rounded periods, and deal in rhetoric, and talk
- about abstract ideas of liberty, who never perilled life, liberty, or
- property. This kind of theoretical, hollow, unpractical friendship,
- amounts to very little.”
- </p>
- <p>
- After Downing, came the strong words of Douglass. Of this speaker, the
- President had heard much, and appeared to eye him from head to feet; took
- his hands out of his pockets; and rested his elbows upon the table.
- Douglass, no doubt, reminded him of the well-dressed free negro, who,
- nearly forty years before, had pushed him into the ditch; and this
- recollection brought up, also, that hateful tailor’s bench, and, still
- back of that, his low origin.
- </p>
- <p>
- Mr. Douglass also reminded the President of his promise to be the negro’s
- Moses. This last remark was cruel in the speaker, for it carried Mr.
- Johnson back to the days when he was carrying out that deceptive policy by
- which he secured the nomination on the ticket with Mr. Lincoln; and he
- appeared much irritated at the remark. His whole reply to the delegation
- was weak, unfair, and without the slightest atom of logic. Mr. Downing
- addressed the President as follows:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “We present ourselves to your Excellency to make known, with pleasure, the
- respect which we are glad to cherish for you,—a respect which is
- your due as our Chief Magistrate. It is our desire that you should know
- that we come, feeling that we are friends meeting friends. We may,
- however, have manifested our friendship by not coming to further tax your
- already much-burdened and valuable time; but we have another object in
- calling. We are in a passage to equality before the law. God hath made it
- by opening a Red Sea. We would have your assistance through the same. We
- come to you in the name of the United States, and are delegated to come by
- some who have unjustly worn iron manacles on their bodies; by some whose
- minds have been manacled by class legislation in States called free. The
- colored people of the States of Illinois, Wisconsin, Alabama, Mississippi,
- Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania,
- New York, the New-England States, and the District of Columbia, have
- specially delegated us to come. Our coming is a marked circumstance. We
- are not satisfied with an amendment prohibiting slavery; but we wish that
- amendment enforced with appropriate legislation. This is our desire. We
- ask for it intelligently, with the knowledge and conviction that the
- fathers of the Revolution intended freedom for every American; that they
- should be protected in their rights as citizens, and be equal before the
- law. We are Americans,—native-born Americans. We are citizens. We
- are glad to have it known to the world that we bear no doubtful record on
- this point. On this fact, and with confidence in the triumph of justice,
- we base our hope. We see no recognition of color or race in the organic
- law of the land. It knows no privileged class, and therefore we cherish
- the hope that we may be fully enfranchised, not only here in this
- district, but throughout the land. We respectfully submit, that rendering
- any thing less than this will be rendering to us less than our just due;
- that granting any thing less than our full rights will be a disregard of
- our just rights,—of due respect for our feelings. If the powers that
- be do so, it will be used as a license, as it were, or an apology, for any
- community or individual, so disposed, to outrage our rights and feelings.
- It has been shown in the present war that the Government may justly reach
- its strong arm into States, and demand from them—from those who owe
- it—their allegiance, assistance, and support. May it not reach out a
- like arm to secure and protect its subjects upon whom it has a claim?”
- </p>
- <p>
- Following Mr. Downing, Mr. Frederick Douglass advanced, and addressed the
- President, saying,—
- </p>
- <p>
- “Mr. President, we are not here to enlighten you, sir, as to your duties
- as the Chief Magistrate of this republic, but to show our respect, and to
- present in brief the claims of our race to your favorable consideration.
- In the order of divine Providence, you are placed in a position where you
- have the power to save or destroy us, to bless or blast us,—I mean
- our whole race. Your noble and humane predecessor placed in our hands the
- sword, to assist in saving the nation; and we do hope that you, his able
- successor, will favorably regard the placing in our hands the ballot with
- which to save ourselves. We shall submit no argument on that point. The
- fact that we are the subjects of government, and subject to taxation,
- subject to volunteer in the service of the country, subject to being
- drafted, subject to bear the burdens of the State, makes it not improper
- that we should ask to share in the privileges of this condition. I have no
- speech to make on this occasion. I simply submit these observations as a
- limited expression of the views and feelings of the delegation with which
- I have come.”
- </p>
- <p>
- I omit Mr. Johnson’s long and untruthful speech, and give the reply of the
- delegation, which he would not listen to:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “Mr. President, in consideration of a delicate sense of propriety, as well
- as your own repeated intimation of indisposition to discuss or to listen
- to a reply to the views and opinions you were pleased to express to us in
- your elaborate speech to-day, we would respectfully take this method of
- reply thereto.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Believing, as we do, that the views and opinions expressed in that
- address are entirely unsound, and prejudicial to the highest interests of
- our race, as well as of our country, we cannot do otherwise than expose
- the same, and, so far as may be in our power, arrest their dangerous
- influence.
- </p>
- <p>
- “It is not necessary at this time to call attention to more than two or
- three features of your remarkable address.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The first point to which we feel especially bound to take exception is
- your attempt to found a policy opposed to our enfranchisement, upon the
- alleged ground of an existing hostility on the part, of the former slaves
- towards the poor white people of the South.
- </p>
- <p>
- “We admit the existence of this hostility, and hold that it is entirely
- reciprocal.
- </p>
- <p>
- “But you obviously commit an error by drawing an argument from an incident
- of a state of slavery, and making it a basis for a policy adapted to a
- state of freedom.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The hostility between the whites and blacks of the South is easily
- explained. It has its root and sap in the relation of slavery, and was
- incited on both sides by the cunning of the slave-masters. These masters
- secured their ascendency over both the poor whites and the blacks by
- putting enmity between them. They divided both to conquer each.
- </p>
- <p>
- “There was no earthly reason why the blacks should not hate and dread the
- poor whites when in a state of slavery; for it was from this class that
- their masters received their slave-catchers, slave-drivers, and overseers.
- They were the men called in upon all occasions by the masters when any
- fiendish outrage was to be committed upon the slave.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Now, sir, you cannot but perceive that, the cause of this hatred removed,
- the effect must be removed also. Slavery is abolished. The cause of
- antagonism is removed; and you must see that it is altogether illogical—‘putting
- new wine into old bottles, mending new garments with old clothes’—to
- legislate from slave-holding and slave-driving premises for a people whom
- you have repeatedly declared your purpose to maintain in freedom. Besides,
- even if it were true, as you allege, that the hostility of the blacks
- toward the poor whites must necessarily be the same in a state of freedom
- as in a state of slavery, in the name of Heaven, we reverently ask, how
- can you, in view of your professed desire to promote the welfare of the
- black man, deprive him of all means of defence, and clothe him whom you
- regard as his enemy in the panoply of political power?
- </p>
- <p>
- “Can it be that you would recommend a policy which would arm the strong
- and cast down the defenceless? Can you, by any possibility of reasoning,
- regard this as just, fair, or wise?
- </p>
- <p>
- “Experience proves that those are oftenest abused who can be abused with
- the greatest impunity. Men are whipped oftenest who are whipped easiest.
- Peace between races is not to be secured by degrading one race, and
- exalting another; by giving power to one race, and withholding it from
- another: but by maintaining a state of equal justice between all parties,—first
- pure, then peaceable.
- </p>
- <p>
- “On the colonization theory that you were pleased to broach, very much
- could be said. It is impossible to suppose, in view of the usefulness of
- the black man in time of peace as a laborer in the South, and in time of
- war as a soldier at the North, and the growing respect for his rights
- among the people, and his increasing adaptation to a high state of
- civilization in this his native land, that there can ever come a time when
- he can be removed from this country without a terrible shock to its
- prosperity and peace.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Besides, the worst enemy of the nation could not cast upon its fair name
- a greater infamy than to suppose that negroes could be tolerated among
- them in a state of the most degrading slavery and oppression, and must be
- cast away and driven into exile for no other cause than having been freed
- from their chains.”
- </p>
- <p>
- The most unhandsome and untruthful remarks of the President to the
- delegation are those in which he charges the slave-masters and the slave
- with combining to keep the poor whites in degradation.
- </p>
- <p>
- The construction which he put upon his promise to the blacks of Tennessee—to
- be the “Moses to lead the black race through the Red Sea of bondage” to—expatriation—was
- mean in the extreme, and shows a mind whose moral degradation is without
- its parallel.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0042" id="link2HCH0042"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XLII—ILL TREATMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE SOUTH
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>The Old Slave-holders.—The Freedmen.—Murders.—School-teachers.
- —Riot at Memphis.—Mob at New Orleans.—Murder of Union
- Men—Riot at a Camp-meeting.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">H</span>aughty and
- scornful as ever; regarding themselves as overpowered, but not conquered;
- openly regretting their failure to establish a Southern Confederacy;
- backed up by President Johnson in their rebellious course,—the
- Southerners appear determined to reduce the blacks to a state of serfdom
- if they cannot have them as slaves. The new labor-laws of all the Southern
- States place the entire colored population as much in the hands of the
- whites as they were in the palmiest day of chattel slavery, if we except
- the buying and selling. The negro <i>whipping-post</i>, which the laws of
- war swept away, has, under Andrew Johnson’s reconstruction policy, been
- again re-instated throughout the South. The Freedmen’s Bureau is as
- powerless to-day to protect the emancipated blacks in their rights as was
- the Hon. Samuel Hoar to remain in South Carolina against the will of the
- slave-holders of the days of Calhoun and of McDuffie. Where the old
- masters cannot control their former slaves, they do not hesitate to shoot
- them down in open day, as the following will show:—
- </p>
- <p>
- A Texas correspondent writes to “The New-York Evening Post” (he dare not
- allow his name and residence to be printed) as follows:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “Every day I hear of murders of freedmen. Since five o’clock this
- afternoon, four new ones have been reported here. The disloyal press
- suppress the mention of such occurrences.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Should there be another outbreak in Texas, very many Union men, as well
- as a large proportion of freedmen, would at once be massacred in order to
- bring about such another reign of terror as would make the South a
- unit....
- </p>
- <p>
- “Three freedmen were murdered in or near the line of an adjoining county a
- few days ago. The wagon which one of them was driving was robbed of all
- the fine goods it contained. The other two freedmen were shot by the same
- man, who is believed to be their former owner. The head of one of them was
- cut off, and they were left unburied. No investigation has been, or
- probably will be, made into these murders. If any Union man were to move
- in the matter, it would be at the peril of his life.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The brave and loyal man who told me of these murders was applied to by a
- freed man, a kinsman of one of the murdered, for advice. The freedman was
- told to go to Austin, and report the facts to the agent of the Freedmen’s
- Bureau: but he appears not to have arrived. Like the freedman despatched
- by the chief justice of Refugio County, with a letter setting forth the
- disorders in that county, he may have been shot on the road.
- </p>
- <p>
- “My informant, seeing that I set about writing down the facts as to these
- murders just as he stated them, said to me, ‘Do not make my name public,
- for it is all I can do to hold my own in—————county
- just now;’ and added, ‘Ikeep no money in my house but a few dollars for
- current expenses. I can take care of myself in the daytime, but I do not
- feel safe at night.’”
- </p>
- <p>
- On the 2d of April, 1866, a Mr. Quisenbery was tried at the Circuit Court
- for the County of Louisa, Va., for the murder of Washington Green. Green
- was the former slave of Quisenbery, had worked for said Quisenbery from
- the fall of Richmond, about the 3d of April, 1865, until about the 1st of
- October, 1865, when Quiserinbery told him, the said Washington Green, that
- he had better go and get work somewhere else; that he would not pay him
- for any thing that he had done. Washington Green went to work for a lady
- to get some shingles for her, and Quisenbery made a contract with this
- lady, that she should pay him, for Green’s getting the shingles, by
- thrashing out his, Quisenbery’s, wheat. It did not satisfy Washington
- Green, that Quisenbery should not only refuse to pay him for the work
- which he had already done for him, but that he should also collect what he
- had earned by hard working for this lady. Green went to Quisenbery, and
- asked him for the amount of getting the shingles for this lady. Quisenbery
- said, “Washington, this is three times that you have been after me for
- that money; I am now going to my hog-pen, and I warn you not to follow
- me.” He repeated that warning three times. He then went to the hog-pen,
- got over the fence, stooped down to throw out some corn that the hogs had
- not eaten. He looked up, and saw Washington Green at or near the fence,
- and said, “I thought I warned you not to follow me,” and pulled out his
- knife, and stabbed Green in the throat, and killed him instantly. This is
- the evidence and confession of Quisenbery, who was tried, and the jury
- found a verdict of <i>not guilty</i>, without scarcely leaving the
- jury-box; and Quisenbery was declared guiltless of any crime amid the
- plaudits of the people.
- </p>
- <p>
- At Jacksonville, Fla., on the 20th of June last, a freedman complained
- before Col. Hart, that his last employer would not pay him. The black man
- afterwards went to the pine-woods, chopping logs. While absent, the man of
- whom he had complained got a woman to go to the freedman’s wife, and get
- into a difficulty with her; whereupon the freedman’s wife was arrested,
- tried, found guilty, and fined fifty dollars, being unable to pay which,
- she was <i>put up at auction</i>, and sold to the person who would take
- her for the shortest time, and pay fine and costs. The <i>shortest time
- was four years!</i> Under another law of the State, the children were <i>bound
- out till they should become of age!</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- A free colored man named Jordan opened, by permission of the commandant of
- the post at Columbia, Tenn., a school for the blacks. The school went on
- smoothly till Monday, the 11th instant, when two soldiers of the Eighth
- Tennessee Cavalry went into the school, and broke it up; but the teacher,
- being so advised, resumed his labor the next day. But, on the 14th,
- Messrs. Datty, Porter, White, and others, including soldiers of the Eighth
- Tennessee, the party headed by White the city constable, proceeded to the
- schoolroom, seized the teacher, and brought him under guard to the
- court-house, where he received a mock trial. When being asked for his
- authority for teaching a school, Mr. Jordan replied, that Lieut.-Col.
- Brown and Major Sawyer were his authority, and wished they would bring
- Major Sawyer in. One of the men went out, but was absent only for a
- moment, when he came in, stating that Major Sawyer could not be found;
- whereupon Mr. Andrews ordered that the teacher be given twenty-five
- lashes. And they were administered, the man receiving the scourge like a
- martyr, telling his persecutors that he was willing to suffer for the
- right; and that Christ had received the same punishment for the same
- purpose; and he thought, if he could teach the children to read the Bible
- so that they might learn of heaven, he was doing a good work. To this, a
- soldier of the Eighth Tennessee said, “If you want to go to heaven you
- must pray: you can’t get there by teaching the niggers. We can’t go to
- school, and I’ll be damned if niggers shall.”
- </p>
- <p>
- Volumes might be written, recounting the shameful outrages committed at
- the South since the surrender of Lee. Not satisfied with murders of an
- individual character, the Southerners have, of late, gone into it more
- extensively. The first of these took place at Memphis, Tenn., May 4, 1866.
- A correspondent of Hon. W. D. Kelley, of Philadelphia, said,—
- </p>
- <p>
- “I have been an eye-witness to such sights as should cause the age in
- which we live to blush. Negro men have been shot down in cold blood on the
- streets; barbers, at their chairs and in their own shops; draymen on their
- drays, while attempting to earn an honest living; hotel-waiters, while in
- the discharge of their duties; hackmen, while driving female teachers of
- negro children to their schools; laborers, while handling cotton on the
- wharves, &c. All the negro schoolhouses, and all the negro churches,
- and many of the houses of the negroes, have been burned, this too, under
- the immediate auspices of the city police and the mayor: in fact, most of
- these outrages were committed by the police themselves,—<i>all
- Irish, and all rebels, and mostly drunk</i>. This is not the half: I have
- no heart to recount the outrages I have <i>seen</i>. The most prominent
- citizens stand on the streets, and see negroes hunted down and shot, and
- <i>laugh</i> at it as a good joke. Attempts have been made to fire every
- Government building, and fire has been set to many of the abodes and
- business-places of Union people.
- </p>
- <p>
- “There is no doubt but that there is a <i>secret</i> organization sworn to
- purge the city of all Northern men who are not <i>rebels</i>, all negro
- teachers, all Yankee enterprise, and return the city ‘to the good old days
- of Southern rule and chivalry.’
- </p>
- <p>
- “When the miscreants had fired Collins’s chapel (a large frame church,
- corner of Washington and Orleans Streets, which would now cost fully ten
- thousand dollars, to rebuild), they stood around the fire which lighted
- the midnight sky, and made the night hideous with their hellish cheers for
- ‘Andy Johnson’ and a ‘white man’s government!’ And the supporters of the
- President, aside from being midnight burners of churches and schoolhouses,
- robbed women and children, and men,—sparing none on account of age,
- sex, physical disabilities, or innocence of crime,—even burning
- women and children alive.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The board of aldermen had their usual meetings last night. Their
- proceedings show no reference to the riot. No rewards have been offered
- for the apprehension of the murderous assassins, thieves, and
- house-burners.”
- </p>
- <p>
- Next came, on a still larger scale, the rebel riot at New Orleans. The
- Military Commission appointed to investigate the cause of the riot charge
- it upon Mayor Monroe, Lieut.-Gov. Voorhies, and the rebel press of the
- city. The Commission speak of the murders as follows:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “They can only say that the work of massacre was pursued with a cowardly
- ferocity unsurpassed in the annals of crime. Escaping negroes were
- mercilessly pursued, shot, stabbed, and beaten to death by the mob and
- police. Wounded men on the ground begging for mercy <i>were savagely
- despatched</i> by mob, police, firemen, and, incredible as it may seem, in
- two instances by women; but, in two or three most honorable and
- exceptionable cases, white men and members of the Convention were
- protected by members of the police, both against the mob, and against
- other policemen. The chief of police, by great exertions, defended in this
- manner Gov. Hahn.
- </p>
- <p>
- “After the attack had commenced, the police appeared to be under no
- control as such; but acted as and with the mob. Their cheers and waving of
- hats as they threw the mangled Dostie, then supposed a <i>corpse, like a
- dead dog into the cart, sufficiently show their unison of feeling with
- their allies</i>.”
- </p>
- <p>
- Nothing, we take it, is more apparent from the array of evidence presented
- in this Report than that the New-Orleans riot was a preconcerted,
- deliberate, cold-blooded attempt to massacre the Unionists, white and
- black, of that city. The design can be traced like the development of a
- tragedy. Mayor Monroe is busy for a long time in advance in stirring up
- the passions of the mob by stigmatizing the members of the Convention as
- outlaws and revolutionists, threatening them with wholesale arrest, and
- preparing his police for action. He might have ascertained that the
- members had resolved to peacefully submit the legality of their course to
- the proper tribunals; but he had bloodier ends in view. He knew that the
- excitement he had fanned would surely lead to an outburst of violence,
- unless restrained by two forces alone,—his police and the
- United-States troops. To keep the latter away, Mayor Monroe suppresses all
- requisition for them until it is too late; and then tries to cover up his
- conduct with downright falsehood and perjury. His police, instead of being
- brought forward openly, so that they would have to take sides for the
- preservation of order, are concealed in hiding-places till the collision
- occurs; when they rush forth as allies of the mob, murdering negroes in
- cold blood; firing repeatedly into the Convention, even after a white flag
- is raised; shooting and barbarously maltreating the wounded; and
- perpetrating such feats of cowardly brutality and ferocity as were never
- before seen in this country, except in the congenial affairs of Memphis
- and Fort Pillow.
- </p>
- <p>
- Nothing goes so far towards reconciling one to what is called the
- “total-depravity” theory, as the contemplation of those scenes of blood.
- They carry us back to the crimes and cruelty of the Massacre of St.
- Bartholomew. Mayor Monroe acts the part of the Duke of Guise; Lieut.-Gov.
- Voorhies, that of the Duke of Alva; while President Johnson acts the part
- of Charles IX., who, on approaching the burning corpse of Admiral Coligny,
- exclaimed, “The smell of a dead enemy is always good.”
- </p>
- <p>
- During the mob, the appearance of rebel organizations on the ground with
- marks and badges, and scores of similar incidents, show that the plot was
- as deliberate as it was infernal.
- </p>
- <p>
- Again: a dispassionate consideration of the facts detailed by the
- Commission will lead to the conclusion that the underlying cause of the
- New-Orleans massacre was the old virus of slavery, still existing in the
- passions of Southern society, and likely to issue forth in violence
- whenever it shall be favored by similar circumstances. The members of the
- Louisiana Convention were entirely harmless, no matter how obnoxious or
- how indiscreet they were. Even if they were not disposed to submit their
- pretensions to a legal test,—as they were,—there would have
- been no difficulty in making their peaceable arrest on the occurrence of
- their first overt act; but the mob of New Orleans, who, by the
- acquiescence of the better classes, or else in defiance of them through
- their great numerical preponderance, elect and control the city
- authorities, were determined to permit no such result of the controversy.
- The Convention claimed to exercise free speech; they would have none of
- that Northern innovation: it was composed of Union men; and they should be
- made to feel their place in “reconstructed” New Orleans: worse than all,
- they had for their allies and supporters <i>colored</i> Unionists; and <i>they</i>
- should be made such an example of as should deter any more such movements
- at the South. It was a bloody crusade against the men and the principles
- that had triumphed in the Government of this country. Well do this
- Commission say, that, but for martial law and the United-States troops,
- “fire and bloodshed would have raged throughout the night in all negro
- quarters of the city, and that the lives and property of Unionists and
- Northern men would have been at the mercy of the mob.” Finally: the Report
- throws an impressive light upon President Johnson’s connection with the
- New-Orleans massacre. He had already, in a manner, inculpated himself in
- his speech at St. Louis. He there suppresses all the facts found by the
- Commission, and stigmatizes the members of the Convention as “traitors,”
- engaged, under the instigation of Congress, in getting up a “rebellion,”
- and therefore responsible for all the bloodshed that occurred. That is
- precisely the pretence of Mayor Monroe and his mob. Well might the
- President, therefore, play into their hands. Gen. Baird, from official
- experience, has been taught not to interfere with Mayor Monroe. When he
- telegraphs to Washington for orders, he gets no answer: the other side
- telegraph, and receive replies that encourage them in their course. Gen.
- Sheridan, like a true soldier, telegraphs the facts, with indignant
- comments; and his despatches are garbled for public effect. Of all the
- murderers on that dreadful day, not one has been called to account; nor
- has any one of them received therefor the least censure of the Government
- at Washington.
- </p>
- <p>
- The appointment, since the riot, of Adams, one of the most notorious of
- the rioters, as sergeant in the police force, by Mayor Monroe, confirms
- the fact of his guilt in the massacre. The blood of the martyrs Dostie and
- Horton cries to Heaven for justice for the Union men of the South, white
- and black. The mob, composed of ex-rebel soldiers and citizens, that broke
- up the colored campmeeting near Baltimore, Md., a few weeks after the
- New-Orleans riot, was only a part of the programme concocted by the men
- engaged in carrying out the reconstruction policy of Andrew Johnson.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0043" id="link2HCH0043"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XLIII—PROTECTION FOR THE COLORED PEOPLE.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>Protection for the Colored People South.—The Civil Rights Bill.—Liberty
- without the Ballot no Boon.—Impartial Suffrage.—Test Oaths not
- to be depended upon.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">I</span>n attempting to
- form a Southern Confederacy, with slavery as its corner-stone, by breaking
- up the Union, and repudiating the Constitution, the people of the South
- compelled the National Government to abolish chattel slavery in
- self-defence. The protection, defence, and support which self-interest
- induced the master to extend to the slave have been taken away by the
- emancipation of the latter. This, taken in connection with the fact that
- the negroes, by assisting the Federal authorities to put down the
- Rebellion, gained the hatred of their old masters, placed the blacks
- throughout the South in a very bad position. Now, what shall be done to
- protect these people from the abuse of their former oppressors? The Civil
- Rights Bill passed by Congress is almost a dead letter, and many of the
- rebel judges declare it unconstitutional. The States having relapsed into
- the hands of the late slave-holders, and they becoming the executioners of
- the law, the blacks cannot look for justice at their hands. The negro must
- be placed in a position to protect himself. How shall that be done? We
- answer, the only thing to save him is the ballot. Liberty without equality
- is no boon. Talk not of civil without political emancipation! It is the
- technical pleading of the lawyer: it is not the enlarged view of the
- statesman. If a man has no vote for the men and the measures which tax
- himself, his family, and his property, and all which determine his
- reputation, that man is still a slave.
- </p>
- <p>
- We are told—what seems to be the common idea—that the elective
- franchise is not a <i>right</i>, but a <i>privilege</i>. But is this true?
- We used to think so; that is, we assented to it before we gave the subject
- any special thought: but we do not think so now. We maintain, that in a
- government like ours, a republican government, or government of <i>the
- people</i>, the elective franchise, as it is called, is not a mere
- privilege, but an actual and absolute <i>right</i>,—a right
- belonging, of right, to every free man who has not forfeited that right by
- crime. We in this country enjoy what is properly called self-government,
- and self-government necessarily implies the <i>right to vote</i>,—the
- right to <i>help to govern</i>, and to make the laws; and this, in a
- government like ours, a government of the people, can only be done by or
- through the elective franchise. We maintain that in self-government, or
- government of the people, every man who is a free man and citizen has a
- right to assist and take part in that government. This right inheres and
- belongs to every man alike, to you and me, and every other man,—no
- matter what the color of his skin,—if he be a free man and citizen,
- and helps to support the government by paying taxes: it is one of the
- fundamental principles of self-government and of a democratic or
- republican government. But the elective franchise, the right to choose and
- elect the men who are to fill the offices, and make the laws and execute
- them, lies at the very bottom of such government. It is the first
- principle and starting-point, and is as much implied in the very name and
- idea of self-government, or <i>government of the people</i>, as any other
- principle, right, or idea pertaining to such a government. Does any one
- doubt this? Let him ask himself what constitutes a republican government,
- or government of the people, and what is implied by such a government, and
- he will soon see, that without the elective franchise, or right to choose
- rulers and law-makers, there can be no such government. It will not do,
- therefore, to call this right a privilege. If it is but a privilege, all
- may be deprived of its exercise. What sort of a republican or self
- government would that be in which none of the people were allowed to vote?
- But if it is but a privilege, and granted to but a class or part, it may
- be restricted to a still smaller part, and finally allowed to none!
- </p>
- <p>
- Any proposal to submit the question of the political or civil rights of
- the negroes to the arbitrament of the whites is as unjust and as absurd as
- to submit the question of the political rights of the whites to the
- arbitrament of the negroes, with this difference,—that the negroes
- are loyal everywhere, and the great body of the whites disloyal
- everywhere.
- </p>
- <p>
- A white loyalist of the South, one who remained loyal during the whole of
- the Rebellion, says,—
- </p>
- <p>
- “To permit the whites to disfranchise the negroes is to permit those who
- have been our enemies to ostracize our friends. The negroes are the only
- persons in those States who have not been in arms against us. They have
- not been in arms against us. They have always and everywhere been
- friendly, and not hostile, to us. They alone have a deep interest in the
- continued supremacy of the United States; for their freedom depends on it.
- On them alone can we depend to suppress a new insurrection. They alone
- will be inclined to vote for the friends of the Government in all the
- Southern States. They alone have sheltered, fed, and pioneered our starved
- and hunted brethren through the swamps and woods of the South, in their
- flight from those who now aspire to rule them.
- </p>
- <p>
- “The <i>shame and folly of deserting the negroes</i> are equalled by the
- <i>wisdom of recognizing and protecting their power</i>. They will form a
- clear and controlling majority against the united white vote in South
- Carolina. Mississippi, and Louisiana. With a very small accession from the
- loyal whites, they will form a majority in Alabama, Georgia, and Virginia.
- Unaided in all those States, they will be a majority in many congressional
- and legislative districts; and that alone suffices to break the terrible
- and menacing unity of the Southern vote in Congress.”
- </p>
- <p>
- It is said that the slaves are too ignorant to exercise the elective
- franchise judiciously. To this we reply, they are as intelligent as the
- average of “poor whites,” and were intelligent enough to be Unionists
- during the great struggle, when the Federal Government needed friends. In
- a conflict with the spirit of rebellion, the blacks can always be depended
- upon, the whites cannot; and, for its own security against future
- outbreaks, the National Government should see that the negro is placed
- where he can help himself, and assist it.
- </p>
- <p>
- The ballot will secure for the colored people respect; that respect will
- be a protection for their schools; and, through education and the elective
- franchise, the negro is to rise to a common level of humanity in the
- Southern States.
- </p>
- <p>
- But little aid can be expected for the freedmen from the Freedmen’s
- Bureau; for its officers, if not Southern men, will soon become upon
- intimate terms with the former slave-holders, and the Bureau will be
- converted into a power of oppression, instead of a protection.
- </p>
- <p>
- The anti-Union whites know full well the great influence of the ballot,
- and therefore are afraid to give it to the blacks. The franchise will be
- of more service to this despised race than a standing army in the South.
- The ballot will be his standing army. The poet has truly said,—
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- “There is a weapon surer yet,
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- And better, than the bayonet;
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- A weapon that comes down as still
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- As snow-flakes fall upon the sod,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And executes a freeman’s will
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- As lightning does the will of God;
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- A weapon that no bolts nor locks
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Can bar. It is the ballot-box.”
- </p>
- <p>
- Even “The New-York Herald,” some time ago, went so far as to say,—
- </p>
- <p>
- “We would give the suffrage at once to four classes of Southern negroes.
- First, and emphatically, to every negro who has borne arms in the cause of
- the United States; second, to every negro who owns real estate; third, to
- every negro who can read and write; and, fourth, to every negro that had
- belonged to any religious organization or church for five years before the
- war. These points would cover every one that ought to vote; and they would
- insure in every negro voter a spirit of manhood as well as discipline,
- some practical shrewdness, intellectual development, and moral
- consciousness and culture.”
- </p>
- <p>
- Impartial suffrage is what we demand for the colored people of the
- Southern States. No matter whether the basis be a property or an
- educational qualification, let it be impartial: upon this depends the
- future happiness of all classes at the South. Test-oaths, or promises to
- support the laws, mean nothing with those who have come up through the
- school of slavery.
- </p>
- <p>
- “As for oaths, the rebels, whose whole career has been a violation of the
- solemn obligations of which oaths are merely the sign, care no more for
- them than did the rattlesnake to which our soldiers in West Virginia once
- administered the oath of allegiance. Impartial suffrage affords the only
- sure and permanent means of combating the rebel element in the Southern
- States.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0044" id="link2HCH0044"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XLIV—CASTE.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>Slavery the Foundation of Caste.—Black its Preference.—The
- General Wish for Black Hair and Eyes.—No Hatred to Color.—The
- White Slave.—A Mistake.—Stole his Thunder.—The Burman.—Pew
- for Sale.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">C</span>aste is usually
- found to exist in communities or countries among majorities, and against
- minorities. The basis of it is owing to some supposed inferiority or
- degradation attached to the hated ones. However, nothing is more foolish
- than this prejudice. But the silliest of all caste is that which is
- founded on <i>color</i>; for those who entertain it have not a single
- logical reason to offer in its defence.
- </p>
- <p>
- The fact is, slavery has been the cause of all the prejudice against the
- negro. Wherever the blacks are ill treated on account of their color, it
- is because of their identity with a race that has long worn the chain of
- slavery. Is there any thing in black, that it should be hated? If so, why
- do we see so much black in common use as clothing among all classes?
- Indeed, black is preferred to either white or colors. How often the young
- man speaks in ecstasies of the black eyes and black hair of his lady-love!
- Look at the hundreds of advertised hair-dyes, used for the purpose of
- changing nature! See men with their gray beards dyed black; women with
- those beautiful black locks, which, but yesterday, were as white as the
- driven snow! Not only this, but even those with light or red whiskers run
- to the dye-kettle, steal a color which nature has refused them, and, an
- hour after, curse the negro for a complexion that is not stolen. If black
- is so hateful, why do not gentlemen have their boots whitewashed? If the
- slaves of the South had been white, the same prejudice would have existed
- against them. Look at the “poor white trash,” as the lower class of whites
- in the Southern States are termed.
- </p>
- <p>
- Henry Clay would much rather have spent an evening with his servant
- Charles than to have made a companion of one of his poor white neighbors.
- It is the condition, not the color, that is so hateful.
- </p>
- <p>
- “When the Britons first became known to the Tyrian mariners,” says
- Macaulay, “they were little superior to the Sandwich Islanders.” Cæsar,
- writing home from Britain, said, “They are the most ignorant people I ever
- conquered.” Many of the Britons, after their conquest by the Romans, were
- sent as slaves to Rome. Cicero, writing to his friend Atticus, advised him
- not to buy slaves from England; “because,” said he, “they cannot be taught
- to read, and are the ugliest and most stupid race I ever saw.” These
- writers created a prejudice against the Britons, which caused them to be
- sold very cheap in Rome, where they were seen for years with brass collars
- on, containing their owner’s name. The prejudice against the American
- negro is not worse today than that which existed against the Britons. But,
- as soon as the condition of the poor, ill-treated, and enslaved Britons
- was changed, the caste disappears.
- </p>
- <p>
- Twenty-five years ago, a slave escaped from Tennessee, and came to
- Buffalo, N.Y. He was as fair as the majority of whites, and, having been a
- house-servant, his manners and language were not bad. His name was Green.
- It was said that he had helped himself to some of his master’s funds
- before leaving. For more than a month he had boarded at the American, the
- finest hotel in the city, where he sat at table with the boarders, and
- occupied the parlors in common with the rest of the inmates.
- </p>
- <p>
- Mr. Green passed for a Southern gentleman, sported a gold watch, smoked
- his Havanas, and rode out occasionally. He was soon a favorite, especially
- with the daughters of Col. D————. Unfortunately
- for Mr. Green, one day, as he was taking his seat at the dinner-table, he
- found himself in front of one of his master’s neighbors, who recognized
- him. The Southerner sent for the landlord, with whom he had a few moments’
- conversation, after which mine host approached the boarder, and said, “We
- don’t allow niggers at the table here: get up. You must wait till the
- servants eat.” Mr. Green was driven from the table, not on account of his
- color, but his condition. Under the old reign of slavery, it not
- unfrequently occurred that the master’s acknowledged sons or daughters
- were of a much darker complexion than some of the slave children.
- </p>
- <p>
- On one occasion, after my old master had returned home from the
- Legislature (of which he was a member), he had many new visitors. One of
- these, a Major Moore, called in my master’s absence. The major had never
- been to our place before, and therefore we were all strangers to him. The
- servant showed the visitor into the parlor, and the mistress soon after
- came in, and to whom the major introduced himself. I was at that time
- about ten years old, and was as white as most white boys. Whenever
- visitors came to the house, it was my part of the programme, to dress
- myself in a neat suit, kept for such times, and go into the room, and
- stand behind the lady’s chair. As I entered the room on this occasion, I
- had to pass near by the major to reach the mistress. As I passed him,
- mistaking me for the son, he put out his hand, and said, “How do you do,
- bub?” And, before any answer could be given, he continued, “Madam, I would
- have known your son if I had met him in Mexico; for he looks so much like
- his papa.” The lady’s face reddened up, and she replied, “That’s one of
- the niggers, sir;” and told me to go to the kitchen.
- </p>
- <p>
- On my master’s return home, I heard him and the major talking the matter
- over in the absence of the mistress. “I came near playing the devil here
- to-day, colonel,” said the major.—“In what way?” inquired the
- former. “It is always my custom,” said the latter, “to make fond of the
- children where I visit; for it pleases the mammas. So, to-day, one of your
- little niggers came into the room, and I spoke to him, reminding the madam
- how much he resembled you.”—“Ha, ha, ha!” exclaimed the colonel, and
- continued, “you did not miss it much by calling him my son. Ha, ha, ha!”
- </p>
- <p>
- An incident of a rather amusing character took place on Cayuga Lake some
- years ago. I had but recently returned from England, where I had never
- been unpleasantly reminded of my color, when I was called to visit the
- pretty little city of Ithaca. On my return, I came down the lake in the
- steamer which leaves early in the morning. When the bell rang for
- breakfast, I went to the table, where I found some twenty or thirty
- persons. I had scarcely taken my seat, when a rather snobby-appearing man,
- of dark complexion, looking as if a South-Carolina or Georgia sun had
- tanned him, began rubbing his hands, and, turning up his nose, called the
- steward, and said to him, “Is it the custom on this boat to put niggers at
- the table with white people?” The servant stood for a moment, as if
- uncertain what reply to make, when the passenger continued, “Go tell the
- captain that I want him.” Away went the steward. I had been too often
- insulted on account of my connection with the slave, not to know for what
- the captain was wanted. However, as I was hungry, I commenced helping
- myself to what I saw before me, yet keeping an eye to the door, through
- which the captain was soon to make his appearance. As the steward
- returned, and I heard the heavy boots of the commander on the stairs, a
- happy thought struck me; and I eagerly watched for the coming-in of the
- officer.
- </p>
- <p>
- A moment more, and a strong voice called out, “Who wants me?”
- </p>
- <p>
- I answered at once, “I, sir.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “What do you wish?” asked the captain.
- </p>
- <p>
- “I want you to take this man from the table,” said I. At this unexpected
- turn of the affair, the whole cabin broke out into roars of laughter;
- while my rival on the opposite side of the table seemed bursting with
- rage. The captain, who had joined in the merriment, said,—
- </p>
- <p>
- “Why do you want him taken from the table?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Is it your custom, captain,” said I, “to let niggers sit at table with
- white folks on your boat?”
- </p>
- <p>
- This question, together with the fact that the other passenger had sent
- for the officer, and that I had “stolen his thunder,” appeared to please
- the company very much, who gave themselves up to laughter; while the
- Southern-looking man left the cabin with the exclamation, “<i>Damn fools!</i>”
- </p>
- <p>
- Nothing is more ridiculous than the legal decision in the States of Ohio
- and Michigan, that a man containing not more than one-sixteenth of African
- blood in his veins shall be considered a white man, and, upon the-above
- basis, shall enjoy the elective franchise.
- </p>
- <p>
- We know of a family in Cincinnati, with three brothers, the youngest of
- whom is very fair, and who, under the above rule, is a voter; while the
- other two brothers are too dark to exercise the suffrage. Now, it so
- happens that the voting brother is ignorant and shiftless, while the
- others are splendid scholars. Where there is a great difference in the
- complexion of the husband and wife, there is generally a much greater
- difference in the color of the children; and this picking out the sons, on
- account of their fair complexion, seems cruel in the extreme, as it
- creates a jealous feeling in the family. While visiting my friend William
- Still, Esq., in Philadelphia, some time since, I was much amused at seeing
- his little daughter, a child of eight or nine years, and her cousin,
- entering the omnibus which passed the door, going towards their school.
- Colored persons were not allowed to ride in those conveyances; and one of
- the girls, being very fair, would pay the fare for both; while the
- dark-complexioned one would keep her face veiled. Thus the two children
- daily passed unmolested from their homes to the school, and returned. I
- was informed that once while I was there the veil unfortunately was
- lifted, the dark face seen, and the child turned out of the coach. How
- foolish that one’s ride on a stormy day should depend entirely on a black
- veil!
- </p>
- <p>
- “Colorphobia, which has hitherto been directed against ‘American citizens
- of African descent,’ has broken out in a new direction. Mong Chan Loo is a
- Burman who recently graduated at Lewisburg University, Penn., and has
- since been studying medicine, preparatory to returning to Asia as a
- missionary. He is quite dark, but has straight hair, and is a gentlemen of
- much cultivation. The other day, he took passage on the Muskingum-river
- packet, ‘J. H. Bert,’ and, when the supper-bell rang, was about to seat
- himself at the table. The captain prevented him, informing him that, by
- the rules of the boat, colored persons must eat separately from the
- whites. He grew indignant at this, refused to eat on the boat at all, and,
- on arriving at Marietta, sued the owners of the boat for five thousand
- dollars damages for ‘mental and bodily anguish suffered.’ The case is a
- novel one; and its decision will perhaps involve the question, whether
- Africans alone, or Asiatics, and, perhaps, all dark-complexioned people,
- are included in the designation ‘colored.’ If the more sweeping definition
- prevails, brunettes will have to be provided with legally-attested
- pedigrees to secure for themselves seats at the first table and other
- Caucasian privileges.”—<i>Cincinnati Gazette.</i>
- </p>
- <p>
- “The Dunkards, a peculiar religious society, numerous in some of the
- Western States, at their recent annual meeting discussed the question,
- ‘Shall we receive colored persons into the church? and shall we salute
- them with the holy kiss?’ It was decided that they should be received into
- the church, but that all the members were to be left to their own choice
- and taste in regard to saluting their colored brethren, with the
- understanding, however, that all who refused to do so were to be regarded
- as weak.”
- </p>
- <p>
- In the year 1844, I visited a town in the State of Ohio, where a radical
- abolitionist informed me that he owned a pew in the village church, but
- had not attended worship there for years, owing to the proslavery
- character of the preacher.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Why don’t you sell your pew?” I inquired.
- </p>
- <p>
- “I offered to sell it, last week, to a man, for ten dollars’ worth of
- manure for my garden,” said he; “but the farmer, who happens to be one of
- the pillars of the church, wants it for five dollars.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “What did it cost?” I inquired.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Fifty dollars,” was the reply.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Are they very proslavery, the congregation?” I asked.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Yes: they hate a black man worse than <i>pizen</i>,” said he.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Have you any colored family in your neighborhood?” I inquired.
- </p>
- <p>
- “We have,” said he, “a family about, four miles from here.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Are they very black?” I asked.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Yes: as black as tar,” said he.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Now,” said I, “my friend, I can put you in the way of selling your pew,
- and for its worth, or near what it cost you.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “If you can, I’ll give you half I get,” he replied.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Get that colored family, every one of them, take them to church, don’t
- miss a single Sunday; and, my word for it, in less than four weeks, they,
- the church-folks, will make you an offer,” said I.
- </p>
- <p>
- An arrangement was made with Mr. Spencer, the black man, by which himself,
- wife, and two sons, were to attend church four successive Sabbaths; for
- which, they were to receive in payment a hog. The following Sunday,
- Mason’s pew was the centre of attraction. From the moment that the Spencer
- Family arrived at the church, till the close of the afternoon service, the
- eyes of the entire congregation were turned towards “the niggers.” Early
- on Monday, Mr. Mason was called upon by the “pillar,” who said, “I’ve
- concluded to give you ten dollars’ worth of manure for your pew, Mr.
- Mason.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “I can’t sell it for that,” was the reply. “I ask fifty dollars for my
- pew; and I guess Mr. Spencer will take it, if he likes the preaching,”
- continued the abolitionist.
- </p>
- <p>
- “What!” said the ‘pillar,’ “does that nigger want the pew?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “He’ll take it if the preaching suits him,” returned Mason.
- </p>
- <p>
- The churchman left with a flea in his ear. The second Sunday, the blacks
- were all on hand to hear the lining of the first hymn. The news of the pew
- being occupied by the negroes on the previous occasion had spread far and
- wide, and an increase of audience was the result. The clergyman preached a
- real negro-hating sermon, apparently prepared for the express purpose of
- driving the blacks away. However, this failed; for the obnoxious persons
- were present in the afternoon. Mr. Mason was called upon on Monday by
- another weighty member, who inquired if the pew was for sale, and its
- price.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Fifty dollars,” was the reply.
- </p>
- <p>
- “I’ll give you twenty-five dollars,” said the member.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Fifty dollars, and nothing less,” was Mason’s answer.
- </p>
- <p>
- The weighty member left, without purchasing the pew. Being on a lecturing
- tour in the vicinity, I ran into town, occasionally, to see how the matter
- progressed; for I had an eye to one-half of the proceeds of the sale of
- the pew.
- </p>
- <p>
- During the week, Spencer came, complained of the preaching, saying that
- his wife could not and would not stand it, and would refuse to attend
- again: whereupon, I went over, through a dreary rain, and promised the
- wife a shilling calico-dress if she would fulfil the agreement. This
- overcame her objections. I also arranged that two colored children of
- another family, near by, should be borrowed for the coming Sunday. Mason
- was asked how the Spencers liked the preaching. He replied that the blacks
- were well pleased, and especially with the last sermon, alluding to the
- negro-hating discourse.
- </p>
- <p>
- The following Sunday found Mason’s pew filled to overflowing; for the two
- additional ones had left no space unoccupied. That Sunday did the work
- completely; for the two borrowed boys added interest to the scene by
- taking different courses. One was tumbling about over the laps of the
- older persons in the pew, attracting rather more attention than was due
- him, and occasionally asking for “bed and butter;” while the smaller one
- slept, and snored loud enough to be heard several pews away. On Monday
- morning following, Mr. Mason was called upon. The pew was sold for fifty
- dollars cash. I received my portion of the funds, and gave Spencer’s wife
- the calico gown. Mason called in the few hated radicals, and we had a
- general good time.
- </p>
- <p>
- During the same lecturing tour, I was called to visit the village of
- Republic, some thirty miles from Sandusky.
- </p>
- <p>
- On taking a seat in one of the cars where other passengers had seated
- themselves, I was ordered out, with the remark, that “Niggers ain’t
- allowed in here.” Refusing to leave the car, two athletic men, employed by
- the road, came in at the bidding of the conductor, and, taking me by the
- collar, dragged me out.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Where shall I ride?” I asked. “Where you please; but not in these cars,”
- was the reply. Under ordinary circumstances, I would have declined going
- by the train. But I had an appointment, and must go. As the signal for
- starting was given, I reluctantly mounted a flour-barrel in the open
- freight-car attached to the train, and away we went through the woods.
- </p>
- <p>
- From my position, I had a very good view of the passengers in the nearest
- car, and must confess that they did not appear to be the most refined
- individuals. The majority looked like farmers. There were some drovers,
- one of whom, with his dog at his feet, sat at the end window: the animal
- occasionally got upon the seat by the side of its master, when the latter
- would take him by the ears, and pull him off. The drover seemed to say to
- me, as he eyed me sitting on the barrel in the hot sun, “You can’t come
- where my dog is.” At the first stopping-place, a dozen or more
- laboring-men, employed in repairing the road, got on the train with their
- pickaxes and shovels. They, too, took seats in a passenger-car. I had a
- copy of Pope’s poems, and was trying to read “The Essay on Man;” but
- almost failed, on account of the severity of the sun. However, a gentleman
- in the car, seeing my condition, took pity on me, and, at the next
- stopping-place, kindly lent me his umbrella; which was no sooner hoisted
- than it drew the attention of the drover at one of the end windows, and
- some of the Irishmen at the other, who set up a jolly laugh at my expense.
- Up to this time, the conductor had not called on me for my ticket; but, as
- the train was nearing the place of my destination, he climbed upon the
- car, came to me, and, holding out his hand, said, “I’ll take your ticket,
- sir. “I have none,” said I. “Then, I’ll take your fare,” continued he,
- still holding ont his hand. “How much is it?” I inquired. “A dollar and a
- quarter,” he replied. “How much do you charge those in the passenger-car?”—“The
- same,” was the response. “Do you think that I will pay as much as those
- having comfortable seats? No, sir. I shall do no such thing,” said I.
- “Then,” said the conductor, “you must get off.”—“Stop your train,
- and I’ll get off,” I replied. “Do you think I’ll stop these cars for you?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Well,” said I, “you can do as you please. I will not pay full fare, and
- ride on a flour-barrel in the hot sun.”—“Since you make so much fuss
- about it, give me a dollar, and you may go,” said the conductor. “I’ll do
- no such thing,” I replied. “Why? Don’t you wish to pay your fare?” asked
- he. “Yes,” I replied. “I will pay what’s right; but I’ll not pay you a
- dollar for riding on a flour-barrel in the hot sun.”—“Then, since
- you feel so terribly bad about it, give me seventy-five cents, and I’ll
- say no more about it,” said the officer. “No, sir: I shall not do it,”
- said I. “What do you mean to pay?” asked he. “How much do you charge per
- hundred for freight?” I asked. “Twenty-five cents per hundred,” answered
- the conductor. “Then I’ll pay thirty-seven and a-half cents,” said I; “for
- I weigh one hundred and fifty pounds.” The astonished man eyed me from
- head to feet; while the drover and the Irish laborers, who were piled up
- at each window of the passenger-car, appeared not a little amused at what
- they supposed to be a muss between the conductor and me.
- </p>
- <p>
- Finally, the officer took a blank account out of his pocket, and said,
- “Give me thirty-seven and a-half cents, and I’ll set you down as freight.”
- I paid over the money, and saw myself duly put among the other goods in
- the freight-car.
- </p>
- <p>
- A New-York journal is responsible for the following:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “It is not many months since a colored man came to this city from abroad.
- A New-York merchant had been in business connection with him for several
- years; and from that business connection had realized a fortune, and felt
- that he must treat him kindly. When Sunday came, he invited him to go to
- church with him. He went; and the merchant took him into his own pew, near
- the pulpit, in a fashionable church. There was a prominent member of the
- church near the merchant, who saw this with great amazement. He could not
- be mistaken: it was a genuine ‘nigger,’ and not a counterfeit. Midway in
- his sermon, the minister discovered him, and was so confused by it, that
- he lost his place, and almost broke down.
- </p>
- <p>
- “After service, the man who sat near the merchant went to him, and in
- great indignation asked,—
- </p>
- <p>
- “What does this mean?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “What does what mean?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “That you should bring a nigger into this church?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “It is my pew.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Your pew, is it? And, because it is your pew, you must insult the whole
- congregation!”
- </p>
- <p>
- “He is intelligent and well educated,” answered the merchant.
- </p>
- <p>
- “What do I care for that? He is a nigger!”
- </p>
- <p>
- “But he is a friend of mine.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “What of that? Must you therefore insult the whole congregation?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “But he is a Christian, and belongs to the same denomination.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “What do I care for that? Let him worship with his nigger Christians.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “But he is worth five million dollars,” said the merchant.
- </p>
- <p>
- “Worth what?”
- </p>
- <p>
- “Worth five million dollars.”
- </p>
- <p>
- “For God’s sake introduce me to him,” was the reply.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br /><br />
- </p>
- <hr />
- <p>
- <a name="link2HCH0045" id="link2HCH0045"> </a>
- </p>
- <div style="height: 4em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
- <h2>
- CHAPTER XLV—SIXTH REGIMENT UNITED-STATES VOLUNTEERS.
- </h2>
- <p>
- <i>Organization of the Regiment.—Assigned to Hard Work.—Brought
- under Fire.—Its Bravery.—Battle before Richmond.—Gallantry
- of the Sixth.—Officers’ Testimony.</i>
- </p>
- <p class="pfirst">
- <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he following
- sketch of the Sixth Regiment United-States colored troops was kindly
- furnished by a gentleman of Philadelphia, but came too late to appear in
- its proper place.
- </p>
- <p>
- The Sixth Regiment United-States colored troops was the second which was
- organized at Camp William Penn, near Philadelphia, by Lieut.-Col. Louis
- Wagner, of the Eighty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers. The regiment left
- Philadelphia on the 14th of October, 1863, with nearly eight hundred men,
- and a full complement of officers, a large majority of whom had been in
- active service in the field.
- </p>
- <p>
- The regiment reported to Major-Gen. B. F. Butler, at Fortress Monroe, and
- were assigned to duty at York-town, Va., and became part of the brigade
- (afterwards so favorably known), under the command of Col. S. A. Duncan,
- Fourth United-States colored troops. Here they labored upon the
- fortifications, and became thoroughly disciplined under the tuition of
- their colonel, John W. Ames, formerly captain of the Eleventh Infantry,
- United-States Army, ably seconded by Lieut.-Col. Royce and Major Kiddoo.
- During the winter, the regiment took a prominent part in the several raids
- made in the direction of Richmond, and exhibited qualities that elicited
- the praise of their officers, and showed that they could be fully relied
- upon in more dangerous work.
- </p>
- <p>
- The regiment was ordered to Camp Hamilton, Virginia, in May, 1864; where a
- division of colored troops was formed, and placed under the command of
- Brig.-Gen. Hinks. In the expedition made up the James River the same
- month, under Gen. Butler, this division took part. The white troops were
- landed at Bermuda Hundreds. Three regiments of colored men were posted at
- various points along the river. Duncan’s brigade landed at City Point,
- where they immediately commenced fortifications. The Sixth and Fourth
- Regiments were soon after removed to Spring Hill, within five miles of
- Petersburg. Here they labored night and day upon those earthworks, which
- were soon to be the scene of action which was to become historical. The
- Sixth was in a short time left alone, by the removal of the Fourth
- Regiment to another point.
- </p>
- <p>
- On the 29th of May, the rebel forces made an assault on the picket-line,
- the enemy soon after attacking in strong force, but were unable to drive
- back the picketline any considerable distance. The Fourth Regiment was
- ordered to the assistance of the Sixth; but our forces were entirely too
- weak to make it feasible or prudent to attack the enemy, who withdrew
- during the night, having accomplished nothing.
- </p>
- <p>
- This was the first experience of the men under actual fire, and they
- behaved finely. When the outer works around Petersburg were attacked, June
- 15, Duncan’s brigade met the rebels, and did good service, driving the
- enemy before him. We had a number killed and wounded in this engagement.
- The rebels sought shelter in their main works, which were of the most
- formidable character. These defences had been erected by the labor of
- slaves, detailed for the purpose. Our forces followed them to their
- stronghold. The white troops occupied the right; and in order to attract
- the attention of the enemy, while these troops were manoeuvring for a
- favorable attacking position, the colored soldiers were subject to a most
- galling fire for several hours, losing a number of officers and men.
- Towards night, the fight commenced in earnest by the troops on the right,
- who quickly cleared their portion of the line: this was followed by the
- immediate advance of the colored troops, the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and
- Twenty-second Regiments. In a very short time, the rebels were driven from
- the whole line; these regiments capturing seven pieces of artillery, and a
- number of prisoners. For their gallantry in this action, the colored
- troops received a highly complimentary notice from Gen. W. H. Smith, in
- General Orders.
- </p>
- <p>
- A few hours after entering the rebel works, our soldiers were gladdened by
- a sight of the veterans of the Army of the Potomac, who that night
- relieved our men at the front. A glance at the strong works gave the
- new-comers a better opinion of the fighting qualities of the negroes than
- they had calculated upon; and a good feeling was at once established, that
- rapidly dispelled most of the prejudices then existing against the blacks;
- and from that time to the close of the war the negro soldier stood high
- with the white troops.
- </p>
- <p>
- After spending some time at the Bermuda Hundreds, the Sixth Regiment was
- ordered to Dutch Gap, Va., where, on the 16th of August, they assisted in
- driving the rebels from Signal Hill; Gen. Butler, in person, leading our
- troops. The Sixth Regiment contributed its share towards completing
- Butler’s famous canal, during which time they were often very much annoyed
- by the rebel shells thrown amongst them. The conduct of the men throughout
- these trying scenes reflected great credit upon them. On the 29th of
- September, the regiment occupied the advance in the demonstration made by
- Butler that day upon Richmond. The first line of battle was formed by the
- Fourth and Sixth Regiments: the latter entered the fight with three
- hundred and fifteen men, including nineteen officers.
- </p>
- <p>
- The enemy were driven back from within two miles of Deep Bottom, to their
- works at New-Market Heights: the Sixth was compelled to cross a small
- creek, and then an open field. They were met by a fearful fire from the
- rebel works, men fell by scores: still the regiment went forward. The
- color-bearers, one after another, were killed or wounded, until the entire
- color-guard were swept from the field. Two hundred and nine men, and
- fourteen officers, were killed and wounded. Few fields of battle showed
- greater slaughter than this; and in no conflict did both officers and men
- prove themselves more brave. Capts. York and Sheldon and Lieut. Meyer were
- killed close to the rebel works. Leuts. Pratt, Landon, and McEvoy
- subsequently died of the wounds received. Lieut. Charles Fields, Company
- A, was killed on the skirmish line: this left the company in charge of the
- first sergeant, Richard Carter, of Philadelphia, who kept it in its
- advanced position throughout the day, commanding with courage and great
- ability, attracting marked attention for his officer-like bearing. During
- the battle many instances of unsurpassed bravery were shown by the common
- soldier, which proved that these heroic men were fighting for the freedom
- of their race, and the restoration of a Union that should protect man in
- his liberty without regard to color. No regiment did more towards
- extinguishing prejudice against the negro than the patriotic Sixth.
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- “And thus are Afric’s injured sons
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- The oppressor’s scorn abating,
- </p>
- <p class="indent15">
- And to the world’s admiring gaze
- </p>
- <p class="indent20">
- Their manhood vindicating.”
- </p>
- <p>
- <br />
- </p>
- <p>
- The writer regrets that he cannot remember all those whose good conduct in
- this our last battle deserves honorable mention. It may not, however, be
- invidious to mention the names remembered. These are, Sergt.-Major
- Hawkins, Sergt. Jackson, Company B (since deceased); Sergts. Ellesberry,
- Kelley, Terry, and Carter All of these, as well as a number of others,
- were capable of filling positions as commissioned officers.
- </p>
- <p>
- Several of the enlisted men received medals for gallantry, and were
- mentioned in General Orders by Major-Gen. Butler. The works which the
- Sixth Regiment attempted to take at such fearful cost of life were in a
- short time taken at the point of the bayonet by another brigade of colored
- troops. Had these latter been present to aid in the first attack, it would
- have saved many valuable lives; for the force was entirely too weak for
- the object. When the Sixth Regiment was finally paid off at Philadelphia,
- at the close of the Rebellion, the officers held a farewell meeting at the
- Continental Hotel; and the following resolutions were adopted as
- expressive of their appreciation of the conduct of the troops under their
- command:—
- </p>
- <p>
- “1. <i>Resolved</i>, That, in our intercourse with them during the past
- two years, they have shown themselves to be brave, reliable, and efficient
- as soldiers; patient to endure, and prompt to execute.
- </p>
- <p>
- “2. That, being satisfied with their conduct in the high position of
- soldiers of the United States, we see no reason why they should not be
- fully recognized as equals, honorable and responsible citizens of the
- same.”
- </p>
- <p>
- From the commencement of the enlistment of colored troops, to the close of
- the war, there were engaged in active service one hundred and
- sixty-nine-thousand six hundred and twenty-four colored men.
- </p>
- <div style="height: 6em;">
- <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
- </div>
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-<pre>
-
-
-
-
-
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