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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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