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diff --git a/old/50130-h/50130-h.htm b/old/50130-h/50130-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index b296145..0000000 --- a/old/50130-h/50130-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,15054 +0,0 @@ -<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> - -<!DOCTYPE html - PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > - -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> - <title> - The Negro in the American Rebellion, by William Wells Brown - </title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> - - body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} - P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } - H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } - hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} - .foot { margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%; text-align: justify; font-size: 80%; font-style: italic;} - blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} - .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} - .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} - .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} - .indent5 { margin-left: 5%;} - .indent10 { margin-left: 10%;} - .indent15 { margin-left: 15%;} - .indent20 { margin-left: 20%;} - .indent30 { margin-left: 30%;} - .indent40 { margin-left: 40%;} - div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } - div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } - .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} - .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} - .pagenum {position: absolute; right: 1%; font-size: 0.6em; - font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; - text-align: right; background-color: #FFFACD; - border: 1px solid; padding: 0.3em;text-indent: 0em;} - .side { float: left; font-size: 75%; width: 15%; padding-left: 0.8em; - border-left: dashed thin; text-align: left; - text-indent: 0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; - font-weight: bold; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: solid 1px;} - .head { float: left; font-size: 90%; width: 98%; padding-left: 0.8em; - border-left: dashed thin; text-align: center; - text-indent: 0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; - font-weight: bold; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: solid 1px;} - p.pfirst, p.noindent {text-indent: 0} - span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 0.8 } - pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} - -</style> - </head> - <body> - - -<pre> - -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 - - - - - - -</pre> - - <div style="height: 8em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h1> - THE NEGRO IN THE AMERICAN REBELLION - </h1> - <h3> - <i>His Heroism and His Fidelity</i> - </h3> - <h2> - By William Wells Brown - </h2> - <h4> - <i>Author of “Sketches of Places and People Abroad,” “The Black Man,” Etc</i> - </h4> - <h5> - Lee & Shepard, 149 Washington Street - </h5> - <h4> - 1867 - </h4> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <p> - <b>CONTENTS</b> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2H_PREF"> PREFACE. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> <b>THE NEGRO IN THE AMERICAN REBELLION</b> </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I—BLACKS IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR - AND IN 1812. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II—THE SOUTH-CAROLINA FRIGHT. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III.—THE NAT TURNER INSURRECTION. - </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV.—SLAVE REVOLT AT SEA. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V—GROWTH OF THE SLAVE-POWER. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI.—THE JOHN BROWN RAID. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII—THE FIRST GUN OF THE REBELLION. - </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII—THE UNION AND SLAVERY BOTH TO - BE PRESERVED. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX—INTELLIGENT CONTRABANDS </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X—PROCLAMATIONS OF FREMONT AND - HUNTER. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI—HEROISM OF NEGROES ON THE HIGH - SEAS. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII—GENERAL BUTLER AT NEW ORLEANS. - </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII—THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FREE. - </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV—THE BLACK BRIGADE OF - CINCINNATI. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. PROCLAMATION OF FREEDOM. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI.—THE NEW POLICY. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII.—ARMING THE BLACKS. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII.—BATTLE OF MILLINERS BEND. - </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX—RAISING BLACK REGIMENTS AT THE - NORTH. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX.—FIFTY-FOURTH MASSACHUSETTS - REGIMENT. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI—BLACKS UNDER FIRE IN SOUTH - CAROLINA. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII—FREEDMEN UNDER FIRE IN - MISSISSIPPI. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER XXIII—BATTLE OF PORT HUDSON. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER XXIV—GENERAL BANKS IN LOUISIANA. - </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER XXV—HONORS TO THE NOBLE DEAD. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0026"> CHAPTER XXVI.—HE NORTHERN WING OF THE - REBELLION. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0027"> CHAPTER XXVII—ASSAULT ON FORT WAGNER. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0028"> CHAPTER XXVIII—THE SLAVE-MARTYR. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0029"> CHAPTER XXIX—BATTLE OF OLUSTEE, FLORIDA. - </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0030"> CHAPTER XXX—BATTLE OF POISON SPRINGS, - ARKANSAS. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0031"> CHAPTER XXXI—THE MASSACRE AT FORT PILLOW. - </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0032"> CHAPTER XXXII—INJUSTICE TO COLORED TROOPS. - </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0033"> CHAPTER XXXIII.—BATTLE OF HONEY HILL, SOUTH - CAROLINA. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0034"> CHAPTER XXXIV—BEFORE PETERSBURG AND - RICHMOND. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0035"> CHAPTER XXXV—WIT AND HUMOR OF THE WAR. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0036"> CHAPTER XXXVI—A THRILLING INCIDENT OF THE - WAR. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0037"> CHAPTER XXXVII—PROGRESS AND JUSTICE. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0038"> CHAPTER XXXVIII—FOURTH-OF-JULY CELEBRATION - AT THE HOME OF JEFF. DAVIS. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0039"> CHAPTER XXXIX—GALLANTRY, LOYALTY, AND - KINDNESS OF THE NEGRO. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0040"> CHAPTER XL—FALL OF THE CONFEDERACY, AND - DEATH OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0041"> CHAPTER XLI—PRESIDENT ANDREW JOHNSON. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0042"> CHAPTER XLII—ILL TREATMENT OF COLORED - PEOPLE SOUTH </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0043"> CHAPTER XLIII—PROTECTION FOR THE COLORED - PEOPLE. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0044"> CHAPTER XLIV—CASTE. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0045"> CHAPTER XLV—SIXTH REGIMENT UNITED-STATES - VOLUNTEERS. </a> - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - PREFACE. - </h2> - <p> - Feeling anxious to preserve for future reference an account of the part - which the Negro took in suppressing the Slaveholders’ Rebellion, I have - been induced to write this work. In doing so, it occurred to me that a - sketch of the condition of the race previous to the commencement of the - war would not be uninteresting to the reader. - </p> - <p> - For the information concerning the services which the blacks rendered to - the Government in the Revolutionary War, I am indebted to the late George - Livermore, Esq., whose “Historical Research” is the ablest work ever - published on the early history of the negroes of this country. - </p> - <p> - In collecting facts connected with the Rebellion, I have availed myself of - the most reliable information that could be obtained from newspaper - correspondents, as well as from those who were on the battle-field. To - officers and privates of several of the colored regiments I am under many - obligations for detailed accounts of engagements. - </p> - <p> - No doubt, errors in fact and in judgment will be discovered, which I shall - be ready to acknowledge, and correct in subsequent editions. The work - might have been swelled to double its present size; but I did not feel - bound to introduce an account of every little skirmish in which colored - men were engaged. - </p> - <p> - I waited patiently, before beginning this work, with the hope that some - one more competent would take the subject in hand; but, up to the present, - it has not been done, although many books have been written upon the - Rebellion. - </p> - <h3> - WILLIAM WELLS BROWN. - </h3> - <p> - Cambridgeport, Mass., Jan. 1, 1867. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h1> - THE NEGRO IN THE AMERICAN REBELLION - </h1> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER I—BLACKS IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND IN 1812. - </h2> - <p> - <i>The First Cargo of Slaves landed in the Colonies in 1620.—Slave - Representation in Congress.—Opposition to the Slave-Trade.—Crispus - Attucks, the First Victim of the Revolutionary War.—Bancroft’s - Testimony.—Capture of Gen. Prescott.—Colored Men in the War of - 1812.—Gen. Andrew Jackson on Negro Soldiers.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">I</span> now undertake to - write a history of the part which the colored men took in the great - American Rebellion. Previous to entering upon that subject, however, I may - be pardoned for bringing before the reader the condition of the blacks - previous to the breaking out of the war. - </p> - <p> - The Declaration of American Independence, made July 4, 1776, had scarcely - been enunciated, and an organization of the government commenced, ere the - people found themselves surrounded by new and trying difficulties, which, - for a time, threatened to wreck the ship of state. - </p> - <p> - The forty-five slaves landed on the banks of the James River, in the - colony of Virginia, from the coast of Africa, in 1620, had multiplied to - several thousands, and were influencing the political, social, and - religious institution’s of the country. Brought into the colonies against - their will; made the “hewers of wood and the drawers of water;” - considered, in the light of law and public opinion, as mere chattels,—things - to be bought and sold at the will of the owner; driven to their unrequited - toil by unfeeling men, picked for the purpose from the lowest and most - degraded of the uneducated whites, whose moral, social, and political - degradation, by slavery, was equal to that of the slave,—the - condition of the negro was indeed a sad one. - </p> - <p> - The history of this people, full of sorrow, blood, and tears, is full also - of instruction for mankind. God has so ordered it that one class shall not - degrade another, without becoming themselves contaminated. So with slavery - in America. The institution bred in the master insulting arrogance, - deteriorating sloth, pampered the loathsome lust it inflamed, until - licentious luxury sapped the strength and rottened the virtue of the - slave-owners of the South. Never were the institutions of a people, or the - principles of liberty, put to such a severe test as those of the American - Republic. The convention to frame the Constitution for the government of - the United States had not organized before the slave-masters began to - press the claims of their system upon the delegates. They wanted their - property represented in the national Congress, and undue guarantees thrown - around it; they wanted the African slave-trade made lawful, and their - victims returned if they should attempt to escape; they begged that an - article might be inserted in the Constitution, making it the duty of the - General Government to put down the slaves if they should imitate their - masters in striking a blow for freedom. They seemed afraid of the very - evil they were clinging so closely to. “Thus conscience doth make cowards - of us all.” - </p> - <p> - In all this early difficulty, South Carolina took the lead against - humanity, her delegates ever showing themselves the foes of freedom. Both - in the Federal Convention to frame the Constitution, and in the State - Conventions to ratify the same, it was admitted that the blacks had fought - bravely against the British, and in favor of the American Republic; for - the fact that a black man (Crispus Attucks) was the first to give his life - at the commencement of the Revolution was still fresh in their minds. - Eighteen years previous to the breaking out of the war, Attucks was held - as a slave by Mr. ‘William Brown of Framingham, Mass., and from whom he - escaped about that time, taking up his residence in Boston. The Boston - Massacre, March 5, 1770, may be regarded as the first act in the great - drama of the American Revolution. “From that moment,” said Daniel Webster, - “we may date the severance of the British Empire.” The presence of the - British soldiers in King Street excited the patriotic indignation of the - people. The whole community was stirred, and sage counsellors were - deliberating and writing and talking about the public grievances. But it - was not for “the wise and prudent” to be the first to <i>act</i> against - the encroachments of arbitrary power. “A motley rabble of saucy boys? - negroes and mulattoes, Irish Teagues, and outlandish Jack tars” (as John - Adams described them in his pica in defence of the soldiers) could not - restrain their emotion, or stop to inquire if what they <i>must do</i> was - according to the letter of any law. Led by Crispus Attucks, the mulatto - slave, and shouting, “The way to get rid of these soldiers is to attack - the main guard; strike at the root; this is the nest,” with more valor - than discretion, they rushed to King Street, and were fired upon by Capt. - Preston’s Company. Crispins Attucks was the first to fall: he and Samuel - Gray and Jonas Caldwell were killed on the spot. Samuel Maverick and - Patrick Carr were mortally wounded. - </p> - <p> - The excitement which followed was intense. The bells of the town were - rung. An impromptu town meeting was held, and an immense assembly was - gathered. - </p> - <p> - Three days after, on the 8th, a public funeral of the martyrs took place. - The shops in Boston were closed; and all the bells of Boston and the - neighboring towns were rung. It is said that a greater number of persons - assembled on this occasion than were ever before gathered on this - continent for a similar purpose. The body of Crispus Attucks, the mulatto - slave, had been placed in Faneuil Hall, with that of Caldwell, both being - strangers in the city. Maverick was buried from his mother’s house, in - Union Street; and Gray from his brother’s, in Royal Exchange Lane. The - four hearses formed a junction in King Street; and there the procession - marched in columns six deep, with a long file of coaches belonging to the - most distinguished citizens, to the Middle Burying-ground, where the four - victims were deposited in one grave, over which a stone was placed with - this inscription:— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “Long as in Freedom’s cause the wise contend, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Dear to your country shall your fame extend; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - While to the world the lettered stone shall tell - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Where Caldwell, Attucks, Gray, and Maverick fell.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - The anniversary of this event was publicly commemorated in Boston, by an - oration and other exercises, every year until after our national - independence was achieved, when the Fourth of July was substituted for the - Fifth of March, as the more proper day for a general celebration. Not only - was the event commemorated, but the martyrs who then gave up their lives - were remembered and honored. - </p> - <p> - For half a century after the close of the war, the name of Crispus Attucks - was honorably mentioned by the most noted men of the country who were not - blinded by foolish prejudice. At the battle of Bunker Hill, Peter Salem, a - negro, distinguished himself by shooting Major Pitcairn, who, in the midst - of the battle, having passed the storm of fire without, mounting the - redoubt, and waving his sword, cried to the “rebels” to surrender. The - fall of Pitcairn ended the battle in favor of liberty. - </p> - <p> - A single passage from Mr. Bancroft’s history will give a succinct and - clear account of the condition of the army, in respect to colored - soldiers, at the time of the battle of Bunker Hill:— - </p> - <p> - “Nor should history forget to record, that, as in the army at Cambridge, - so also in this gallant band, the free negroes of the colony had their - representatives. For the right of free negroes to bear arms in the public - defence was, at that day, as little disputed in New England as their other - rights. They took their place, not in a separate corps, but in the ranks - with the white man; and their names may be read on the pension-rolls of - the country, side by side with those of other soldiers of the Revolution.”—<i>Bancroft’s - History of the United States</i>, vol. vii. p. 421. - </p> - <p> - The capture of Major-Gen. Prescott, of the British army, on the 9th of - July, 1777, was an occasion of great joy throughout the country. Prince, - the valiant negro who seized that officer, ought always to be remembered - with honor for his important service. The exploit was much commended at - the time, as its results were highly important; and Col. Barton, very - properly, received from Congress the compliment of a sword for his - ingenuity and bravery. It seems, however, that it took more than one head - to plan and to execute the undertaking. The following account of the - capture is historical:—. - </p> - <p> - “They landed about five miles from Newport, and three-quarters of a mile - from the house, which they approached cautiously, avoiding the main guard, - which was at some distance. <i>The colonel went foremost, with a stout, - active negro close behind him, and another at a small distance: the rest - followed so as to be near, but not seen.</i> - </p> - <p> - “A single sentinel at the door saw and hailed the colonel: he answered by - exclaiming against, and inquiring for, rebel prisoners, but kept slowly - advancing. The sentinel again challenged him, and required the - countersign. He said he had not the countersign, but amused the sentry by - talking about rebel prisoners, and still advancing till he came within - reach of the bayonet, which, he presenting, the colonel suddenly struck - aside, and seized him. He was immediately secured, and ordered to be - silent on pain of instant death. <i>Meanwhile, the rest of the men - surrounding the house, the negro, with his head, at the second stroke, - forced a passage into it, and then into the landlord’s apartment. The - landlord at first refused to give the necessary intelligence; but, on the - prospect of present death, he pointed to the general’s chamber, which - being instantly opened by the negro’s head, the colonel, calling the - general by name, told him he was a prisoner.”—Pennsylvania Evening - Post</i>, Aug. 7, 1777 (in Frank Moore’s “Diary of the American - Revolution,” vol. i. p. 468). - </p> - <p> - There is abundant evidence of the fidelity and bravery of the colored - patriots of Rhode Island during the whole war. Before they had been formed - into a separate regiment, they had fought valiantly with the white - soldiers at Red Bank and elsewhere. Their conduct at the “Battle of’ Rhode - Island,” on the 29th of August, 1778, entitles them to perpetual honor. - That battle has been pronounced by military authorities to have been one - of the best-fought battles of the Revolutionary War. Its success was - owing, in a great degree, to the good fighting of the negro soldiers. Mr. - Arnold, in his “History of Rhode Island,” thus closes his account of it:— - </p> - <p> - “A third time the enemy, with desperate courage and increased strength, - attempted to assail the redoubt, and would have carried it, but for the - timely aid of two Continental battalions despatched by Sullivan to support - his almost exhausted troops. It was in repelling these furious onsets, - that the newly raised black regiment, under Col. Greene, distinguished - itself by deeds of desperate valor. Posted behind a thicket in the valley, - they three times drove back the Hessians, who charged repeatedly down the - hill to dislodge them: and so determined were the enemy in these - successive charges, that, the day after the battle, the Hessian colonel, - upon whom this duty had devolved, applied to exchange his command, and go - to New York, because he dared not lead his regiment again to battle, lest - his men should shoot him for having caused them so much loss.”—<i>Arnold’s - History of Rhode Island</i>, vol. ii. pp. 427, 428. - </p> - <p> - Three years later, these soldiers are thus mentioned by the Marquis de - Chastellux:— - </p> - <p> - “The 5th [of January, 1781] I did not set out till eleven, although I had - thirty miles’ journey to Lebanon. At the passage to the ferry, I met with - a detachment of the Rhode-Island regiment,—the same corps we had - with us all the last summer; but they have since been recruited and - clothed. The greatest part of them are negroes or mulattoes: they are - strong, robust men; and those I have seen had a very good appearance.”—<i>Chastellux’s - Travels</i>, vol. i. p. 454; London, 1789. - </p> - <p> - When Col. Greene was surprised and murdered, near Points Bridge, New York, - on the 14th of May, 1781, his colored soldiers heroically defended him - till they were cut to pieces; and the enemy reached him over the dead - bodies of his faithful negroes. - </p> - <p> - That large numbers of negroes were enrolled in the army, and served - faithfully as soldiers during the whole period of the war of the - Revolution, may be regarded as a well-established historical fact. And it - should be borne in mind, that the enlistment was not confined, by any - means, to those who had before enjoyed the privileges of free citizens. - Very many slaves were offered to, and received by, the army, on the - condition that they were to be emancipated, either at the time of - enlisting, or when they had served out the term of their enlistment. The - inconsistency of keeping in slavery any person who had taken up arms for - the defence of our national liberty had led to the passing of an order - forbidding “slaves,” as such, to be received as soldiers. - </p> - <p> - That colored men were equally serviceable in the last war with Great - Britain is true, as the following historical document will show:— - </p> - <h3> - GENERAL JACKSON’S PROCLAMATION TO THE NEGROES. - </h3> - <p> - <i>Headquarters, Seventh Military District, Mobile, Sept. 21, 1814</i>. - </p> - <p> - To the Free Colored Inhabitants of Louisiana. - </p> - <p> - Through a mistaken policy, you have heretofore been deprived of a - participation in the glorious struggle for national rights in which our - country is engaged. This no longer shall exist. - </p> - <p> - As sons of freedom, you are now called upon to defend our most inestimable - blessing. As Americans, your country looks with confidence to her adopted - children for a valorous support, as a faithful return for the advantages - enjoyed under her mild and equitable government. As fathers, husbands, and - brothers, you are summoned to rally around the standard of the Eagle to - defend all which is dear in existence. - </p> - <p> - Your country, although calling for your exertions, does not wish you to - engage in her cause without amply remunerating you for the services - rendered. Your intelligent minds are not to be led away by false - representations. Your love of honor would cause you to despise the man who - should attempt to deceive you. In the sincerity of a soldier, and the - language of truth, I address you. - </p> - <p> - To every noble-hearted, generous freeman of color, volunteering to serve - during the present contest with Great Britain, and no longer, there will - be paid the same bounty, in money and lands, now received by the white - soldiers of the United States; viz., one hundred and twenty dollars in - money, and one hundred and sixty acres of land. The non-commissioned - officers and privates will also be entitled to the same monthly pay, and - daily rations, and clothes, furnished to any American soldier. - </p> - <p> - On enrolling yourselves in companies, the Major-General Commanding will - select officers for your government from your white fellow-citizens. Your - non-commissioned officers will be appointed from among yourselves. - </p> - <p> - Due regard will be paid to the feelings of freemen and soldiers. You will - not, by being associated with white men in the same corps, be exposed to - improper comparisons or unjust sarcasm. As a distinct, independent - battalion or regiment, pursuing the path of glory, you will, undivided, - receive the applause and gratitude of your countrymen. - </p> - <p> - To assure you of the sincerity of my intentions, and my anxiety to engage - your invaluable services to our country, I have communicated my wishes to - the Governor of Louisiana, who is fully informed as to the manner of - enrollment, and will give you every necessary information on the subject - of this address. - </p> - <h3> - ANDREW JACKSON, - </h3> - <p> - <i>Major-General Commanding.</i> - </p> - <p> - [Niles’s Register, vol. vii. p. 205.] - </p> - <p> - Three months later, Gen. Jackson addressed the same troops as follows:— - </p> - <p> - “To the Men of Color. Soldiers! From the shores of Mobile I collected you - to arms. I invited you to share in the perils and to divide the glory of - your white countrymen. I expected much from you; for I was not uninformed - of those qualities which must render you so formidable to an invading foe. - I knew that you could endure hunger and thirst, and all the hardships of - war. I knew that you loved the land of your nativity, and that, like - ourselves, you had to defend all that is most dear to man. But you surpass - my hopes. I have found in you, united to these qualities, that noble - enthusiasm which impels to great deeds. - </p> - <p> - “Soldiers! The President of the United States shall be informed of your - conduct on the present occasion; and the voice of the Representatives of - the American nation shall applaud your valor, as your general now praises - your ardor. The enemy is near. His sails cover the lakes. But the brave - are united; and, if he finds us contending with ourselves, it will be for - the prize of valor, and fame its noblest reward.”—<i>Niles’s - Register,</i> vol. vii. pp. 345, 346. - </p> - <p> - Black men served in the navy with great credit to themselves, receiving - the commendation of Com. Perry and other brave officers. - </p> - <p> - <i>Extract of a Letter from Nathaniel Shaler, Commander of the - private-armed Schooner Gen. Tompkins, to his Agent in New York, dated</i>,— - </p> - <p> - “At Sea, Jan. 1, 1813. - </p> - <p> - “Before I could get our light sails in, and almost before I could turn - round, I was under the guns, not of a transport, but of a large <i>frigate!</i> - and not more than a quarter of a mile from her.... Her first broadside - killed two men, and wounded six others.... - </p> - <p> - “My officers conducted themselves in a way that would have done honor to a - more permanent service.... - </p> - <p> - “The name of one of my poor fellows who was killed ought to be registered - in the book of fame, and remembered with reverence as long as bravery is - considered a virtue. He was a black man, by the name of John Johnson. A - twenty-four pound shot struck him in the hip, and took away all the lower - part of his body. In this state, the poor brave fellow lay on the deck, - and several times exclaimed to his shipmates, ‘<i>Fire away, my boy: no - haul a color down.</i>’ The other was also a black man, by the name of - John Davis, and was struck in much the same way. He fell near me, and - several times requested to be thrown overboard, saying he was only in the - way of others. - </p> - <p> - “When America has such tars, she has little to fear from the tyrants of - the ocean.”—<i>Niles’s Weekly Register, Saturday</i>, Feb. 26, 1814. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER II—THE SOUTH-CAROLINA FRIGHT. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Denmark Vesey, Peter Poyas, and their Companions.—The deep-laid - Plans.—Religious Fanaticism.—The Discovery.—The Trials.—Convictions.—Executions.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">H</span>uman bondage is - ever fruitful of insurrection, wherever it exists, and under whatever - circumstances it may be found. - </p> - <p> - An undeveloped discontent always pervaded the black population of the - South, bond and free. Many attempts at revolt were made: two only, - however, proved of a serious and alarming character. The first was in - 1812, the leader of which was Denmark Vesey, a free colored man, who had - purchased his liberty in the year 1800, and who resided in Charleston, - S.C. A carpenter by trade, working among the blacks, Denmark gained - influence with them, and laid a plan of insurrection which showed - considerable generalship. Like most men who take the lead in revolts, he - was deeply imbued with a religious duty; and his friends claimed that he - had “a magnetism in his eye, of which his confederates stood in great awe: - if he once got his eye on a man, there was no resisting it.” - </p> - <p> - After resolving to incite the slaves to rebellion, Denmark began taking - into his confidence such persons as he could trust, and instructing them - to gain adherents from among the more reliable of both bond and free. - </p> - <p> - Peter Poyas, a slave of more than ordinary foresight and ability, was - selected by him as his lieutenant; and to him was committed the arduous - duty of arranging the mode of attack, and of acting as the military - leader. Poyas voluntarily undertook the management of the most difficult - part of the enterprise, the capture of the main guard-house, and had - pledged himself to advance alone, and surprise the sentinel. Gullah Jack, - Tom Russell, and Ned Bennett,—the last two were not less valuable - than Peter Poyas; for Tom was an ingenious mechanic, and made battle-axes, - pikes, and other instruments of death with which to carry on the war,—all - of the above were to be generals of brigades, and were let into every - secret of the intended rising. It had long been the custom in Charleston - for the country slaves to visit the city in great numbers on Sunday, and - return to their homes in time to commence work on the following morning. - It was, therefore, determined by Vesey to have the rising take place on - Sunday. The slaves of nearly every plantation in the neighborhood were - enlisted, and were to take part. The details of the plan, however, were - not rashly committed to the mass of the confederates: they were known only - to a few, and were finally to have been announced after the evening - prayer-meeting on the appointed Sunday. But each leader had his own - company enlisted, and his own work marked out. When the clock struck - twelve, all were to move. Poyas was to lead a party ordered to assemble at - South Bay, and to be joined by a force from James’ Island: he was then to - march up and seize the arsenal and guard-house opposite St. Michael’s - Church, and detach a sufficient number to cut off all white citizens who - should appear at the alarm-posts. A second body of blacks, from the - country and the Neck, headed by Ned Bennett, was to assemble on the Neck, - and seize the arsenal there. A third was to meet at Governor Bennett’s - Mills under the command of Rolla, another leader, and, after putting the - governor and intendant to death, to march through the city, or be posted - at Cannon’s Bridge, thus preventing the inhabitants of Cannons-borough - from entering the city. - </p> - <p> - A fourth, partly from the country and partly from the neighboring - localities in the city, was to rendezvous on Gadsden’s Wharf, and attack - the upper guard-house. A fifth, composed of country and Neck blacks, was - to assemble at Bulkley’s Farm, two miles and a half from the city, seize - the upper powder magazine, and then march down; and a sixth was to - assemble at Vesey’s, and obey his orders. A seventh detachment, under - Gullah Jack, was to come together in Boundry Street, at the head of King - Street, to capture the arms of the Neck company of militia, and to take an - additional supply from Mr. Duguereron’s shop. The naval stores on Meg’s - Wharf were also to be attacked. Meanwhile a horse company, consisting of - many draymen, hostlers, and butcher boys, was to meet at Lightwood’s - Alley, and then scour the streets to prevent the whites from assembling. - </p> - <p> - Every white man coming out of his own door was to be killed, and, if - necessary, the city was to be fired in several places; a slow match for - this purpose having been purloined from the public arsenal, and placed in - an accessible position. The secret and plan of attack, however, were - incautiously divulged to a slave named Devany, belonging to Col. Prioleau; - and he at once informed his master’s family. The mayor, on getting - possession of the facts, called the city council together for - consultation. The investigation elicited nothing new, for the slaves - persisted in their ignorance of the matter; and the authorities began to - feel that they had been imposed upon by Devany and his informants, when - another of the conspirators, being bribed, revealed what he knew. Arrest - after arrest was made, and the mayor’s court held daily examinations for - weeks. After several weeks of incarceration, the accused, one hundred and - twenty in number, were brought to trial: thirty-four were sentenced to - transportation, twenty-seven acquitted by the court, twenty-five - discharged without trial, and thirty-five condemned to death. With but two - or three exceptions, all of the conspirators went to the gallows feeling - that they had acted right, and died like men giving their lives for the - cause of freedom. A report of the trial, written soon after, says of - Denmark Vesey, “For several years before he disclosed his intentions to - any one, he appears to have been constantly and assiduously engaged in - endeavoring to imbitter the minds of the colored population against the - whites. He rendered himself perfectly familiar with those parts of the - Scriptures which he could use to show that slavery was contrary to the - laws of God; that slaves were bound to attempt their emancipation, however - shocking and bloody might be the consequences; and that such efforts would - not only be pleasing to the Almighty, but were absolutely enjoined, and - their success predicted, in the Scriptures. - </p> - <p> - “His favorite texts, when he addressed those of his own color, were Zech. - xiv. 1-3, and Joshua vi. 21; and, in all his conversations, he identified - their situation with that of the Israelites. Even while walking through - the streets in company with another, he was not idle; for, if his - companion bowed to a white person, he would rebuke him, and observe that - all men were born equal, and that he was surprised that any one would - degrade himself by such conduct; that he would never cringe to the whites, - nor ought any one who had the feelings of a man. When answered, ‘We are - slaves,’ he would sarcastically and indignantly reply, ‘You deserve to - remain slaves;’ and if he were further asked, ‘What can we do?’ he would - remark, ‘Go and buy a spelling-book, and read the fable of Hercules and - the wagoner,’ which he would then repeat, and apply it to their situation. - </p> - <p> - “He sought every opportunity of entering into conversation with white - persons, when they could be overheard by slaves near by, especially in - grog-shops, during which conversation, he would artfully introduce some - bold remark on slavery; and sometimes, when from the character of the - person he was conversing with he found he might be still bolder, he would - go so far, that, had not his declarations in such situations been clearly - proved, they would scarcely have been credited. He continued this course - till some time after the commencement of the last winter; by which time he - had not only obtained incredible influence amongst persons of color, but - many feared him more than they did their masters, and one of them - declared, even more than his God.” - </p> - <p> - The excitement which the revelations of the trial occasioned, and the - continual fanning of the flame by the newspapers, was beyond description. - Double guard in the city, the country patrol on horseback and on foot, the - watchfulness that was observed on all plantations, showed the deep feeling - of fear pervading the hearts of the slave-holders, not only in South - Carolina, but the fever extended to the other Southern States, and all - seemed to feel that a great crisis had been passed. And, indeed, their - fears appear not to have been without ground; for a more complicated plan - for an insurrection could scarcely have been conceived. - </p> - <p> - Many were of opinion, that, the rising once begun, they would have taken - the city, and held it, and might have sealed the fate of slavery in the - South. The best account of this whole matter is to be found in an able - article in the “Atlantic Monthly” for June, 1861, from the pen of Col. T. - W. Higginson, and to which I am indebted for the extracts contained in - this sketch. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER III.—THE NAT TURNER INSURRECTION. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Nat Turner.—His Associates.—Their Meetings.—Nat’s - Religious Enthusiasm.—Bloodshed.—Wide-spread Terror.—The - Trials and Executions.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he slave - insurrection which occurred in Southampton County, Na., in the year 1831, - although not as well planned as the one portrayed in the preceding - chapter, was, nevertheless, more widely felt in the South. Its leader was - Nat Turner, a slave. - </p> - <p> - On one of the oldest and largest plantations in Southampton County, Va., - owned by Benjamin Turner, Esq., Nat was born a slave, on the 2d of - October, 1800. His parents were of unmixed African descent. Surrounded as - he was by the superstition of the slave-quarters, and being taught by his - mother that he was born for a prophet, a preacher, and a deliverer of his - race, it was not strange that the child should have imbibed the principles - which were afterwards developed in his career. Early impressed with the - belief that he had seen visions, and received communications direct from - God, he, like Napoleon, regarded himself as a being of destiny. In his - childhood, Nat was of an amiable disposition; but circumstances in which - he was placed as a slave brought out incidents that created a change in - his disposition, and turned his kind and docile feeling into the most - intense hatred to the white race. - </p> - <p> - The ill-treatment he experienced at the hands of the whites, and the - visions he claimed to have seen, caused Nat to avoid, as far as he could, - all intercourse with his fellow-slaves, and threw around him a gloom and - melancholy that disappeared only with his life. - </p> - <p> - Both the young slave and his friends averred that a full knowledge of the - alphabet came to him in a single night. Impressed with the belief that his - mission was a religious one, and this impression strengthened by the - advice of his grandmother, a pious but ignorant woman, Nat commenced - preaching when about twenty-five years of age, but never went beyond his - own master’s locality. In stature, he was under the middle size, - long-armed, round-shouldered, and strongly marked with the African - features. A gloomy fire burned in his looks, and he had a melancholy - expression of countenance. He never tasted a drop of ardent spirits in his - life, and was never known to smile. In the year 1828, new visions appeared - to Nat; and he claimed to have direct communication with God. Unlike most - of those born under the influence of slavery, he had no faith in - conjuring, fortunetelling, or dreams, and always spoke with contempt of - such things. Being hired out to a cruel master, he ran away, and remained - in the woods thirty days, and could have easily escaped to the Free - States, as did his father some years before; but he received, as he says - in his confession, a communication from the Spirit, which said, “Return to - your earthly master; for he who knoweth his Master’s will, and doeth it - not, shall be beaten with many stripes.” It was not the will of his - earthly but his heavenly Master that he felt bound to do; and therefore - Nat returned. His fellow-slaves were greatly incensed at him for coming - back; for they knew well his ability to reach Canada, or some other land - of freedom, if he was so inclined. He says further, “About this time I had - a vision, and saw white spirits and black spirits engaged in battle; and - the sun was darkened, the thunder rolled in the heavens, and blood flowed - ‘in streams; and I heard a voice saying, ‘Such is your luck, such are you - called on to see; and let it come, rough or smooth, you must surely bear - it!’” Some time after this, Nat had, as he says, another vision, in which - the spirit appeared and said, “The Serpent is loosened, and Christ has - laid down the yoke he has borne for the sins of men; and you must take it - up, and fight against the Serpent, for the time is fast approaching when - the first shall be last, and the last shall be first.” There is no doubt - but that this last sentence filled Nat with enthusiastic feeling in favor - of the liberty of his race, that he had so long dreamed of. “The last - shall be first, and the first shall be last,” seemed to him to mean - something. He saw in it the overthrow of the whites, and the establishing - of the blacks in their stead; and to this end he bent the energies of his - mind. In February, 1881, Nat received his last communication, and beheld - his last vision. He said, “I was told I should arise and prepare myself, - and slay my enemies with their own weapons.” The plan of an insurrection - was now formed in his own mind, and the time had arrived for him to take - others into the secret; and he at once communicated his ideas to four of - his friends, in whom he had implicit confidence. Hark Travis, Nelson - Williams, Sam Edwards, and Henry Porter were slaves like himself, and, - like him, had taken their names from their masters. A meeting must be held - with these, and it must take place in some secluded place where the whites - would not disturb them; and a meeting was appointed. The spot where they - assembled was as wild and romantic as were the visions that had been - impressed upon the mind of their leader. - </p> - <p> - Three miles from where Nat lived was a dark swamp, filled with reptiles, - in the middle of which was a dry spot, reached by a narrow, winding path, - and upon which human feet seldom ever trod, on account of its having been - the place where a slave had been tortured to death by a slow fire, for the - crime of having flogged his cruel and inhuman master. The night for the - meeting arrived, and they came together. Hark brought a pig, Sam bread, - Nelson sweet potatoes, and Henry brandy; and the gathering was turned into - a feast. Others were taken in, and joined the conspiracy. All partook - heartily of the food, and drank freely, except Nat. He fasted and prayed. - It was agreed that the revolt should commence that night, and in their own - masters’ households, and that each slave should give his oppressor the - death-blow. Before they left the swamp, Nat made a speech, in which he - said, “Friends and brothers! We are to commence a great work to-night. Our - race is to be delivered from slavery, and God has appointed us as the men - to do his bidding; and let us be worthy of our calling. I am told to slay - all the whites we encounter, without regard to age or sex. We have no arms - or ammunition, but we will find these in the houses of our oppressors; - and, as we go on, others can join us. Remember that we do not go forth for - the sake of blood and carnage; but it is necessary, that, in the - commencement of this revolution, all the whites we meet should die, until - we have an army strong enough to carry on the war upon a Christian basis. - Remember that ours is not a war for robbery, and to satisfy our passions: - it is a struggle for freedom. Ours must be deeds, and not words. Then - let’s away to the scene of action.” - </p> - <p> - Among those who had joined the conspirators was Will, a slave, who scorned - the idea of taking his master’s name. Though his soul longed to be free, - he evidently became one of the party as much to satisfy revenge as for the - liberty that he saw in the dim distance. Will had seen a dear and beloved - wife sold to the negro-trader, and taken away, never to be beheld by him - again in this life. His own back was covered with scars, from his - shoulders to his feet. A large scar, running from his right eye down to - his chin, showed that he had lived with a cruel master. Nearly six feet in - height, and one of the strongest and most athletic of his race, he proved - to be the most unfeeling of all the insurrectionists. His only weapon was - a broad-axe, sharp and heavy. - </p> - <p> - Nat and his accomplices at once started for the plantation of Joseph - Travis, with whom the four lived; and there the first blow was struck. In - his confession, just before his execution, Nat said,— - </p> - <p> - “On returning to the house, Hark went to the door with an axe, for the - purpose of breaking it open,—as we knew we were strong enough to - murder the family should they be awakened by the noise; but, reflecting - that it might create an alarm in the neighborhood, we determined to enter - the house secretly, and murder them whilst sleeping. Hark got a ladder, - and set it against the chimney, on which I ascended, and, hoisting a - window, entered and came down stairs, unbarred the doors, and removed the - guns from their places. It was then observed that I must spill the first - blood. On which, armed with a hatchet, and accompanied by Will, I entered - my master’s chamber. It being dark, I could not give a death-blow. The - hatchet, glanced from his head: he sprang from the bed, and called his - wife. It was his last word. Will laid him dead with a blow of his axe.” - </p> - <p> - They went from plantation to plantation, until the whole neighborhood was - aroused; and the whites turned out in large numbers to suppress the - rebellion. Nat and his accomplices fought bravely, but to no purpose. - </p> - <p> - Reinforcements came to the whites; and the blacks were overpowered and - defeated by the superior numbers of the enemy. In this battle, many were - slain on both sides. Will, the blood-thirsty and revengeful slave, fell - with his broad-axe uplifted, after having laid three of the whites dead at - his feet with his own strong arm and his terrible weapon. His last words - were, “Bury my axe with me.” For he religiously believed, that, in the - next world, the blacks would have a contest with the whites, and that he - would need his axe. Nat Turner, after fighting to the last with his short - sword, escaped with some others to the woods near by, and was not captured - for nearly two months. When brought to trial, he pleaded “not guilty,” - feeling, as he said, that it was always right for one to strike for his - own liberty. After going through a mere form of trial, he was convicted - and executed at Jerusalem, the county-seat for Southhampton County, Ya. - Not a limb trembled, or a muscle was observed to move. Thus died Nat - Turner, at the early age of thirty-one years, a martyr to the freedom of - his race, and a victim to his own fanaticism. He meditated upon the wrongs - of his oppressed and injured people till the idea of their deliverance - excluded all other ideas from his mind; and he devoted his life to its - realization. Every thing appeared to him a vision, and all favorable omens - were signs from God. He foretold, that, at his death, the sun would refuse - to shine, and that there would be signs of disapprobation given from - Heaven. And it is true that the sun was darkened, a storm gathered, and - more boisterous weather had never appeared in Southampton County than on - the day of Nat’s execution. The sheriff, warned by the prisoner, refused - to cut the cord that held the trap. No black man would touch the rope. A - poor old white man, long-besotted by drink, was brought forty miles to be - the executioner. - </p> - <p> - Fifty-five whites and seventy-three blacks lost their lives in the - Southampton Rebellion. On the fatal night, when Nat and his companions - were dealing death to all they found, Capt. Harris, a wealthy planter, had - his life saved by the devotion and timely warning of his slave Jim, said - to have been half-brother to his master. After the revolt had been put - down, and parties of whites were out hunting the suspected blacks, Capt. - Harris, with his faithful slave, went into the woods in search of the - negroes. In saving his master’s life, Jim felt that he had done his duty, - and could not consent to become a betrayer of his race; and, on reaching - the woods, he handed his pistol to his master, and said, “I cannot help - you hunt down these men: they, like myself, want to be free. Sir, I am - tired of the life of a slave: please give me my freedom, or shoot me on - tire spot.” Capt. Harris took the weapon, and pointed it at the slave. - Jim, putting his right hand, upon his heart, said, “This is the spot; aim - here.” The captain fired, and the slave fell dead at his feet. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER IV.—SLAVE REVOLT AT SEA. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Madison Washington.—His Escape from the South.—His Love of - Liberty.—His Return.—His Capture.—The Brig “Creole.”—The - Slave-traders.—Capture of the Vessel.—Freedom of the - Oppressed.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he revolt on board - of the brig “Creole,” on the high seas, by a number of slaves who had been - shipped for the Southern market, in the year 1841, created at the time a - profound sensation throughout the country. Before entering upon it, - however, I will introduce to the reader the hero of the occasion. - </p> - <p> - Among the great number of fugitive slaves who arrived in Canada towards - the close of the year 1840, was one whose tall figure, firm step, and - piercing eye attracted at once the attention of all who beheld him. Nature - had treated him as a favorite. His expressive countenance painted and - reflected every emotion of his soul. There was a fascination in the gaze - of his finely cut eyes that no one could withstand. Born of African - parentage, with no mixture in his blood, he was one of the handsomest of - his race. His dignified, calm, and unaffected features announced at a - glance that he was endowed with genius, and created to guide his - fellow-men. He called himself Madison Washington, and said that his - birthplace was in the “Old Dominion.” He might have been twenty-five - years; but very few slaves have any correct idea of their age. Madison was - not poorly dressed, and had some money at the end of his journey, which - showed that he was not from amongst the worst-used slaves of the South. He - immediately sought employment at a neighboring farm, where he remained - some months. A strong, able-bodied man, and a good worker, and apparently - satisfied with his situation, his employer felt that he had a servant who - would stay with him a long while. The farmer would occasionally raise a - conversation, and try to draw from Madison some account of his former - life, but in this he failed; for the fugitive was a man of few words, and - kept his own secrets. His leisure hours were spent in learning to read and - write; and in this he seemed to take the utmost interest. He appeared to - take no interest in the sports and amusements that occupied the attention - of others. Six months had not passed ere Madison began to show signs of - discontent. In vain his employer tried to discover the cause. - </p> - <p> - “Do I not pay you enough, and treat you in a becoming manner?” asked Mr. - Dickson one day when the fugitive seemed in a very desponding mood. - </p> - <p> - “Yes, sir,” replied Madison. - </p> - <p> - “Then why do you appear so dissatisfied of late?” - </p> - <p> - “Well, sir,” said the fugitive, “since you have treated me with such - kindness, and seem to take so much interest in me, I will tell you the - reason why I have changed, and appear to you to be dissatisfied. I was - born in slavery, in the State of Virginia. From my earliest recollections - I hated slavery, and determined to be free. I have never yet called any - man master, though I have been held by three different men who claimed me - as their property. The birds in the trees and the wild beasts of the - forest made me feel that I, like them, ought to be free. My feelings were - all thus centred in the one idea of liberty, of which I thought by day and - dreamed by night. I had scarcely reached my twentieth year, when I became - acquainted with the angelic being who has since become my wife. It was my - intention to have escaped with her before we were married, but - circumstances prevented. - </p> - <p> - “I took her to my bosom as my wife, and then resolved to make the attempt. - But, unfortunately, my plans were discovered; and, to save myself from - being caught and sold off to the far South, I escaped to the woods, where - I remained during many weary months. As I could not bring my wife away, I - would not come without her. Another reason for remaining was that I hoped - to get up an insurrection of the slaves, and thereby be the means of their - liberation. In this, too, I failed. At last it was agreed, between my wife - and I, that I should escape to Canada, get employment, save my earnings, - and with it purchase her freedom. With the hope of attaining this end, I - came into your service. I am now satisfied, that, with the wages I can - command here, it will take me not less than five years to obtain by my - labor the amount sufficient to purchase the liberty of my dear Susan. Five - years will be too long for me to wait; for she may die, or be sold away, - ere I can raise the money. This, sir, makes me feel low spirited; and I - have come to the rash determination to return to Virginia for my wife.” - </p> - <p> - The recital of the story had already brought tears to the eyes of the - farmer, ere the fugitive had concluded. In vain did Mr. Dickson try to - persuade Madison to give up the idea of going back into the very grasp of - the tyrant, and risking the loss of his own freedom without securing that - of his wife. The heroic man had made up his mind, and nothing could move - him. Receiving the amount of wages due him from his employer, Madison - turned his face once more towards the South. Supplied with papers - purporting to have been made out in Virginia, and certifying to his being - a freeman, the fugitive had no difficulty in reaching the neighborhood of - his wife. But these “free papers” were only calculated to serve him where - he was not known. Madison had also provided himself with files, saws, and - other implements, with which to cut his way out of any prison into which - he might be cast. These instruments were so small as to be easily - concealed in the lining of his clothing; and, armed with them, the - fugitive felt sure he should escape again were he ever captured. On his - return, Madison met, in the State of Ohio, many of those whom he had seen - on his journey to Canada; and all tried to prevail upon him to give up the - rash attempt. But to every one he would reply, “Liberty is worth nothing - to me while my wife is a slave.” When near his former home, and unable to - travel in open day without being detected, Madison betook himself to the - woods during the day, and travelled by night. At last he arrived at the - old farm at night, and hid away in the nearest forest. Here he remained - several days, filled with hope and fear, without being able to obtain any - information about his wife. One evening, during this suspense, Madison - heard the singing of a company of slaves, the sound of which appeared - nearer and nearer, until he became convinced that it was a gang going to a - corn-shucking; and the fugitive resolved that he would join it, and see if - he could get any intelligence of his wife. - </p> - <p> - In Virginia, as well as in most of the other corn-raising slave-States, - there is a custom of having what is termed “a corn-shucking,” to which - slaves from the neighboring plantations, with the consent of their - masters, are invited. At the conclusion of the shucking, a supper is - provided by the owner of the corn; and thus, together with the bad whiskey - which is freely circulated on such occasions, the slaves are made to feel - very happy. Four or five companies of men may be heard in different - directions, and at the same time, approaching the place of rendezvous; - slaves joining the gangs along the roads as they pass their masters’ - farms. Madison came out upon the highway; and, as the company came along - singing, he fell into the ranks, and joined in the song. Through the - darkness of the night he was able to keep from being recognized by the - remainder of the company, while he learned from the general conversation - the most important news of the day. - </p> - <p> - Although hungry and thirsty, the fugitive dared not go to the supper-table - for fear of recognition. However, before he left the company that night, - he gained information enough to satisfy him that his wife was still with - her old master; and he hoped to see her, if possible, on the following - night. The sun had scarcely set the next evening, ere Madison was wending - his way out of the forest, and going towards the home of his loved one, if - the slave can be said to have a home. Susan, the object of his affections, - was indeed a woman every way worthy of his love. Madison knew well where - to find the room usually occupied by his wife, and to that spot he made - his way on arriving at the plantation; but, in his zeal and enthusiasm, - and his being too confident of success, he committed a blunder which - nearly cost him his life. Fearful that if he waited until a late hour, - Susan would be asleep, and in awakening her she would in her fright alarm - the household, Madison ventured to her room too early in the evening, - before the whites in the “great house” had retired. Observed by the - overseer, a sufficient number of whites were called in, and the fugitive - secured ere he could escape with his wife; but the heroic slave did not - yield until he with a club had laid three of his assailants upon the - ground with his manly blows; and not then until weakened by loss of blood. - Madison was at once taken to Richmond, and sold to a slave-trader, then - making up a gang of slaves for the New-Orleans market. - </p> - <p> - The brig “Creole,” owned by Johnson & Eperson of Richmond, and - commanded by Capt. Enson, lay at the Richmond dock, waiting for her cargo, - which usually consisted of tobacco, hemp, flax, and slaves. There were two - cabins for the slaves,—one for the men, the other for the women. The - men were generally kept in chains while on the voyage; but the women were - usually unchained, and allowed to roam at pleasure in their own cabin. On - the 27th of October, 1841, “The Creole” sailed from Hampton Roads, bound - for New Orleans, with her full load of freight, a hundred and thirty-five - slaves, and three passengers, besides the crew. Forty of the slaves were - owned by Thomas McCargo, nine belonged to Henry Hewell, and the remainder - were held by Johnson & Eperson. Hewell had once been an overseer for - McCargo, and on this occasion was acting as his agent. - </p> - <p> - Among the slaves owned by Johnson & Eperson, was Madison Washington. - He was heavily ironed, and chained down to the floor of the cabin occupied - by the men, which was in the forward hold. As it was known by Madison’s - purchasers that he had once escaped, and had been in Canada, they kept a - watchful eye over him. The two cabins were separated, so that the men and - women had no communication whatever during the passage. - </p> - <p> - Although rather gloomy at times, Madison on this occasion seemed very - cheerful, and his owners thought that he had repented of the experience he - had undergone as a runaway, and in the future would prove a more - easily-governed chattel. But, from the first hour that he had entered the - cabin of “The Creole,” Madison had been busily engaged in the selection of - men who were to act parts in the great drama. He picked out each one as if - by intuition. Every thing was done at night and in the dark, as far as the - preparation was concerned. The miniature saws and files were faithfully - used when the whites were asleep. - </p> - <p> - In the other cabin, among the slave-women, was one whose beauty at once - attracted attention. Though not tall, she yet had a majestic figure. Her - well-moulded shoulders, prominent bust, black hair which hung in ringlets, - mild blue eyes, finely-chiselled mouth, with a splendid set of teeth, a - turned and well-rounded chin, skin marbled with the animation of life, and - veined by blood given to her by her master, she stood as the - representative of two races. With only one-eighth of African blood, she - was what is called at the South an “octoroon.” It was said that her - grandfather had served his country in the Revolutionary War, as well as in - both Houses of Congress. This was Susan, the wife of Madison. Few slaves, - even among the best-used house-servants, had so good an opportunity to - gain general information as she. - </p> - <p> - Accustomed to travel with her mistress, Susan had often been to Richmond, - Norfolk, White-Sulphur Springs, and other places of resort for the - aristocracy of the Old Dominion. Her language was far more correct than - that of most slaves in her position. Susan was as devoted to Madison as - she was beautiful and accomplished. - </p> - <p> - After the arrest of her husband, and his confinement in Richmond jail, it - was suspected that Susan had long been in possession of the knowledge of - his whereabouts when in Canada, and knew of his being in the neighborhood; - and for this crime it was resolved that she should be sold, and sent off - to a Southern plantation, where all hope of escape would be at an end. - Each was not aware that the other was on board “The Creole;” for Madison - and Susan were taken to their respective cabins at different times. On the - ninth day out, “The Creole” encountered a rough sea, and most of the - slaves were sick, and therefore were not watched with that vigilance that - they had been since she first sailed. This was the time for Madison and - his accomplices to work, and nobly did they perform their duty. Night came - on, the first watch had just been summoned, the wind blowing high, when - Madison succeeded in reaching the quarter-deck, followed by eighteen - others, all of whom sprang to different parts of the vessel, seizing - whatever they could wield as weapons. The crew were nearly all on deck. - Capt. Enson and Mr. Merritt, the first mate, were standing together, while - Hewell was seated on the companion, smoking a cigar. The appearance of the - slaves all at once, and the loud voice and commanding attitude of their - leader, so completely surprised the whites, that— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “They spake not a word; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - But, like dumb statues or breathless stones, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Stared at each other, and looked deadly pale.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - The officers were all armed; but so swift were the motions of Madison that - they had nearly lost command of the vessel before they attempted to use - them. - </p> - <p> - Hewell, the greater part of whose life had been spent on the plantation in - the capacity of a negro-driver, and who knew that the defiant looks of - these men meant something, was the first to start. Drawing his old - horse-pistol from under his coat, he fired at one of the blacks, and - killed him. The next moment Hewell lay dead upon the deck, for Madison had - struck him with a capstan bar. The fight now became general, the white - passengers, as well as all the crew, taking part. The battle was Madison’s - element, and he plunged into it without any care for his own preservation - or safety. He was an instrument of enthusiasm, whose value and whose place - was in his inspiration. “If the fire of heaven was in my hands, I would - throw it at those cowardly whites,” said he to his companions, before - leaving their cabin. But in this he did not mean revenge, only the - possession of his freedom and that of his fellow-slaves. Merritt and - Gifford, the first and second mates of the vessel, both attacked the - heroic slave at the same time. Both were stretched out upon the deck with - a single blow each, but were merely wounded: they were disabled, and that - was all that Madison cared for for the time being. The sailors ran up the - rigging for safety, and a moment more he that had worn the fetters an hour - before was master of the brig “Creole.” His commanding attitude and daring - orders, now that he was free, and his perfect preparation for the grand - alternative of liberty or death which stood before him, are splendid - exemplifications of the true heroic. After his accomplices had covered the - slaver’s deck, Madison forbade the shedding of more blood, and ordered the - sailors to come down, which they did, and with his own hands dressed their - wounds. A guard was placed over all except Merritt, who was retained to - navigate the vessel. With a musket doubly charged, and pointed at - Merritt’s breast, the slaves made him swear that he would safely take the - brig into a British port. All things now secure, and the white men in - chains or under guard, Madison ordered that the fetters should be severed - from the limbs of those slaves who still wore them. The next morning - “Capt. Washington” (for such was the name he now bore) ordered the cook to - provide the best breakfast that the storeroom could furnish, intending to - surprise his fellow-slaves, and especially the females, whom he had not - yet seen. But little did he think that the woman for whom he had risked - his liberty and life would meet him at the breakfast-table. The meeting of - the hero and his beautiful and accomplished wife, the tears of joy shed, - and the hurrahs that followed from the men, can better be imagined than - described. Madison’s cup of joy was filled to the brim. He had not only - gained his own liberty, and that of one hundred and thirty-four others, - but his dear Susan was safe. Only one man, Howell, had been killed. Capt. - Enson, and others who were wounded, soon recovered, and were kindly - treated by Madison, and for which they proved ungrateful; for, on the - second night, Capt. Enson, Mr. Gilford, and Merritt, took advantage of the - absence of Madison from the deck, and attempted to retake the vessel. The - slaves, exasperated at this treachery, fell upon the whites with deadly - weapons. The captain and his men fled to the cabin, pursued by the blacks. - Nothing but the heroism of the negro leader saved the lives of the white - men on this occasion; for, as the slaves were rushing into the cabin, - Madison threw himself between them and their victims, exclaiming, “Stop! - no more blood. My life, that was perilled for your liberty, I will lay - down for the protection of these men. They have proved themselves unworthy - of life which we granted them; still let us be magnanimous.” By the kind - heart and noble bearing of Madison, the vile slave-traders were again - permitted to go unwhipped of justice. This act of humanity raised the - uncouth son of Africa far above his Anglo-Saxon oppressors. - </p> - <p> - The next morning “The Creole” landed at Nassau, New Providence, where the - noble and heroic slaves were warmly greeted by the inhabitants, who at - once offered protection, and extended hospitality to them. - </p> - <p> - But the noble heroism of Madison Washington and his companions found no - applause from the Government, then in the hands of the slaveholders. - Daniel Webster, then Secretary of State, demanded of the British - authorities the surrender of these men, claiming that they were murderers - and pirates: the English, however, could not see the point. - </p> - <p> - Had the “Creole” revolters been white, and committed their noble act of - heroism in another land, the people of the United States would have been - the first to recognize their claims. The efforts of Denmark Vesey, Nat - Turner, and Madison Washington to strike the chains of slavery from the - limbs of their enslaved race will live in, history, and will warn all - tyrants to beware of the wrath of God and the strong arm of man. - </p> - <p> - Every iniquity that society allows to subsist for the benefit of the - oppressor is a sword with which she herself arms the oppressed. Right is - the most dangerous of weapons: woe to him who leaves it to his enemies. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER V—GROWTH OF THE SLAVE-POWER. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Introduction of the Cotton-gin.—Its effect on Slavery.—Fugitive - Slave Law.—Anthony Burns.—The Dred Scott Decision.—Imprisonment - for reading “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.”—Struggles with Slavery.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he introduction of - the cotton-gin into the South, by Whitney of Connecticut, had materially - enhanced the value of slave property; the emancipation societies of - Virginia and Maryland had ceased to petition their Legislatures for the - “Gradual Emancipation” of the slaves; and the above two States had begun - to make slave-raising a profitable business, when the American Antislavery - Society was formed in the city of Philadelphia, in the year 1833. The - agitation of the question in Congress, the mobbing of William Lloyd - Garrison in Boston, the murder of the Rev. E. P. Lovejoy in Illinois, and - the attempt to put down free speech throughout the country, only hastened - the downfall of the institution. - </p> - <p> - In the earlier days of the Antislavery movement, not a year, sometimes - hardly a month, passed that did not bear upon its record the report of - mobs, almost always ferocious in spirit, and sometimes cruel and - blood-stained in act. It was the first instinctive and brutal response of - a proslavery people convicted of guilt and called to repentance; and it - was almost universal. Wherever antislavery was preached, honestly, and - effectually, there the mobocratic spirit followed it; so that, in those - times, he who escaped this ordeal was, with some justice, held to be - either inefficient or unfaithful. Hardly a town or city, from Alton to - Portland, where much antislavery labor was bestowed, in the first fifteen - years of this enterprise, that was not the scene of one of these attempts - to crush all free discussion of the subject of slavery by violence or - bloodshed. Hardly one of the earlier public advocates of the cause that - was not made to suffer, either in person or in property, or in both, from - popular violence,—the penalty of obedience to the dictates of his - own conscience. Nor was this all: official countenance was often given to - the mad proceedings of the mob; or, if not given, its protection was - withheld from those who were the objects of popular hatred; and, as if - this were not enough, legislation was invoked to the same end. It was - suggested to the Legislature of one of the Southern States, that a large - reward be offered for the head of a citizen of Massachusetts who was the - pioneer in the modern antislavery movement. A similar reward was offered - for the head of a citizen of New York. Yet so foul an insult excited - neither the popular indignation nor legislative resentment in either of - those States. - </p> - <p> - Great damage was done to the cause of Christianity by the position assumed - on the question of slavery by the American churches, and especially those - in the Southern States. Think of a religious kidnapper! a Christian - slave-breeder! a slave-trader, loving his neighbor as himself, receiving - the “sacraments” in some Protestant church from the hand of a Christian - apostle, then the next day selling babies by the dozen, and tearing young - women from the arms of their husbands to feed the lust of lecherous New - Orleans! Imagine a religious man selling his own children into eternal - bondage! Think of a Christian defending slavery out of the Bible, and - declaring there is no higher law, but atheism is the first principle of - Republican Government! - </p> - <p> - Yet this was the stand taken, and maintained, by the churches in the slave - States down to the day that Lee surrendered to Grant. - </p> - <p> - One of the bitterest fruits of slavery in our land is the cruel spirit of - caste, which makes the complexion even of the free negro a badge of social - inferiority, exposing him to insult in the steamboat and the railcar, and - in all places of public resort, not even excepting the church; banishing - him from remunerative occupations; expelling him from the legislative - hall, the magistrate’s bench, and the jury-box; and crushing his noblest - aspirations under a weight of prejudice and proscription which he - struggles in vain to throw off. Against this unchristian and hateful - spirit, every lover of liberty should enter his solemn protest. This - hateful prejudice caused the breaking up of the school of Miss Prudence - Crandall, in the State of Connecticut, in the early days of the - antislavery agitation. - </p> - <p> - Next came the burning of Pennsylvania Hall, one of the most beautiful - edifices in the City of Brotherly Love, simply because colored persons - were permitted to occupy seats by the side of whites. - </p> - <p> - The enactment by Congress of the Fugitive Slave Law caused the friends of - freedom, both at home and abroad, to feel that the General Government was - fast becoming the bulwark of slavery. The rendition of Thomas Sims, and - still later that of Anthony Burns, was, indeed, humiliating in the extreme - to the people of the Northern States. - </p> - <p> - On that occasion, the sons of free, enlightened, and Christian - Massachusetts, descendants of the Pilgrim Fathers, bowed submissively to - the behests of a tyranny more cruel than Austrian despotism; yielded up - their dignity and self-respect; became the allies of slave-catchers, the - associates and companions of bloodhounds. At the bidding of slaveholders - and serviles, they seized the image of God, bound their fellow-man with - chains, and consigned him to torture and premature death under the lash of - a piratical overseer. God’s law and man’s rights were trampled upon; the - self-respect, the constitutional privileges, of the free States, were - ignominiously surrendered. A people who resisted a paltry tax upon tea, at - the cannon’s mouth, basely submitted to an imposition tenfold greater, in - favor of brutalizing their fellow-men. Soil which had been moistened with - the blood of American patriots was polluted by the footsteps of - slave-catchers and their allies. - </p> - <p> - The Boston Court House in chains, two hundred rowdies and thieves sworn in - as special policemen, respectable citizens shoved off the side-walks by - these slave-catchers; all for the purpose of satisfying “our brethren of - the South.” But this act did not appease the feelings, or satisfy the - demands, of the slave-holders, while it still further inflamed the fire of - abolitionism. - </p> - <p> - The “Dred Scott Decision” added fresh combustibles to the smouldering - heap. Dred Scott, a slave, taken by his master into free Illinois, and - then beyond the line of 36° 30’, and then back into Missouri, sued for and - obtained his freedom on the ground, that, having been taken where by the - Constitution slavery was illegal, his master had lost all claim. But the - Supreme Court, on appeal, reversed the judgment; and Dred Scott, with his - wife and children, was taken back into slavery. By this decision in the - highest court of American law, it was affirmed that no free negro could - claim to be a citizen of the United States, but was only under the - jurisdiction of the separate State in which he resided; that the - prohibition of slavery in any Territory of the Union was unconstitutional; - and that the slave-owner might go where he pleased with his property, - throughout the United States, and retain his right. - </p> - <p> - This decision created much discussion, both in America and in Europe, and - materially injured the otherwise good name of our country abroad. - </p> - <p> - The Constitution, thus interpreted by Judge Taney, became the emblem of - the tyrants and the winding sheet of liberty, and gave a boldness to the - people of the South, which soon showed itself, while good men at the North - felt ashamed of the Government under which they lived. - </p> - <p> - The slave-holders in the cotton, sugar, and rice growing States began to - urge the re-opening of the African slave-trade, and the driving out from - the Southern States of all free colored persons. - </p> - <p> - In the Southern Rights’ Convention, which assembled at Baltimore, June 8, - 1800, a resolution was adopted, calling on the Legislature to pass a law - driving the free colored people out of the State. Nearly every speaker - took the ground that the free colored people must be driven out to make - the slave’s obedience more secure. Judge Mason, in his speech, said, “It - is the thrifty and well-to-do free negroes, that are seen by our slaves, - that make them dissatisfied.” A similar appeal was made to the Legislature - of Tennessee. Judge Catron, of the Supreme Court of the United States, in - a long and able letter to “The Nashville Union,” opposed the driving out - of the colored people. He said they were among the best mechanics, the - best artisans, and the most industrious laborers in the State, and that to - drive them out would be an injury to the State itself. This is certainly - good evidence in their behalf. - </p> - <p> - The State of Arkansas passed a law driving the free colored people out of - the State, and they were driven out three years ago. The Democratic press - howled upon the heels of the free blacks until they had all been - expatriated; but, after they had been driven out, “The Little Rock - Gazette”—a Democratic paper—made a candid acknowledgment with - regard to the character of the free colored people. It said, “Most of the - exiled free negroes are industrious and respectable. One of them, Henry - King, we have known from our boyhood, and take the greatest pleasure in - testifying to his good character. The community in which he casts his lot - will be blessed with that noblest work of God, an honest man.” - </p> - <p> - Yet these free colored people were driven out of the State, and those who - were unable to go, as many of the women and children were, were reduced to - slavery. - </p> - <p> - “The New Orleans True Delta” opposed the passage of a similar law by the - State of Louisiana. Among other things, it said, “There are a large free - colored population here, correct in their general deportment, honorable in - their intercourse with society, and free from reproach so far as the laws - are concerned; not surpassed in the inoffensiveness of their lives by any - equal number of-persons in any place, North or South.” - </p> - <p> - And yet these free colored persons were not permitted by law to school - their children, or to read books that treated against the institution of - slavery. The Rev. Samuel Green, a colored Methodist preacher, was - convicted and sent to the Maryland penitentiary, in 1858, for the offence - of being found reading “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” - </p> - <p> - The growth of the “Free-Soil” party, which had taken the place of the - “Liberty” party; and then the rapid increase of the “Republican” party; - the struggle in Kansas; the “Oberlin Rescue Trials;” and, lastly, the - “John Brown Raid,” carried the discussion of slavery to its highest point. - </p> - <p> - All efforts, in Congress, in the proslavery political conventions, and in - the churches, only added fuel to the flame that was fast making inroads - upon the vitals of the monster. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER VI.—THE JOHN BROWN RAID. - </h2> - <p> - <i>John Brown.—His Religious Zeal.—His Hatred to Slavery.—Organization - of his Army.—Attack on Harper’s Ferry.—His Execution.—John - Brown’s Companions, Green and Copeland.—The Executions.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he year 1859 will - long be memorable for the bold attempt of John Brown and his companions to - burst the bolted door of the Southern house of bondage, and lead out the - captives by a more effectual way than they had yet known: an attempt in - which, it is true, the little band of heroes dashed themselves to bloody - death, but, at the same time, shook the prison-walls from summit to - foundation, and shot wild alarm into every tyrant-heart in all the - slave-land. What were the plans and purposes of the noble old man is not - precisely known, and perhaps will never be; but, whatever they were, there - is reason to believe they had been long maturing,—brooded over - silently and secretly, with much earnest thought, and under a solemn sense - of religious duty. As early as the fall of 1857, he began to organize his - band, chiefly from among the companions of his warfare against the “Border - Ruffians” in Kansas. Nine or ten of these spent the winter of 1857-8 in - Iowa, where a Col. Forbes was to have given them military instruction; but - he, having-fallen out with Brown, did not join them, and Aaron D. Stevens, - one of the company, took his place. - </p> - <p> - About the middle of April, 1858, they left Iowa, and went to Chatham, - Canada, where, on the 8th of May, was held a convention, called by a - written circular, which was sent to such persons only as could be trusted. - The convention was composed mostly of colored men, a few of whom were from - the States, but the greater part residents in Canada, with no white men - but the organized band already mentioned. A “Provisional Constitution,” - which Brown had previously prepared, was adopted; and the members of the - convention took an oath to support it. Its manifest purpose was to insure - a perfect organization of all who should join the expedition, whether free - men or insurgent slaves, and to hold them under such strict control as to - restrain them from every act of wanton or vindictive violence, all waste - or needless destruction of life or property, all indignity or unnecessary - severity to prisoners, and all immoral practices; in short, to keep the - meditated movement free from every possibly avoidable evil ordinarily - incident to the armed uprising of a long-oppressed and degraded people. - </p> - <p> - And let no one who glories in the revolutionary struggles of our fathers - for their freedom deny the right of the American bondsman to imitate their - high example. And those who rejoice in the deeds of a Wallace or a Tell, a - Washington or a Warren; who cherish with unbounded gratitude the name of - Lafayette for volunteering his aid in behalf of an oppressed people in a - desperate crisis, and at the darkest hour of their fate,—cannot - refuse equal merit to this strong, free, heroic man, who freely - consecrated all his powers, and the labors of his whole life, to the help - of the most needy, friendless, and unfortunate of mankind. - </p> - <p> - The picture of the Good Samaritan will live to all future ages, as the - model of human excellence, for helping one whom he chanced to find in - need. - </p> - <p> - John Brown did more: he went to <i>seek</i> those who were lost that he - might save them. - </p> - <p> - On Sunday night, Oct. 16, John Brown, with twenty followers (five of them - colored), entered the town of Harper’s Ferry, in the State of Virginia; - captured the place, making the United-States Armory his headquarters; sent - his men in various directions in search of slaves with which to increase - his force. - </p> - <p> - The whole thing, though premature in its commencement, struck a blow that - rang on the fetters of the enslaved in every Southern State, and caused - the oppressor to tremble for his own safety, as well as for that of the - accursed institution. - </p> - <p> - John Brown’s trial, heroism, and execution, an excellent history of which - has been given to the public by Mr. James Redpath, saves me from making - any lengthened statement here. His life and acts are matters of history, - which will live with the language in which it is written. But little can - be said of his companions in the raid on slavery. They were nearly all - young men, unknown to fame, enthusiastic admirers of the old Puritan, - entering heartily into all of his plans, obeying his orders, and dying - bravely, with no reproach against their leader. - </p> - <p> - Of the five colored men, two only were captured alive,—Shields Green - and John A. Copeland. The former was a native of South Carolina, having - been born in the city of Charleston in the year 1832. Escaping to the - North in 1857, he resided in Rochester, N.Y., until attracted by the - unadorned eloquence and native magnetism of the hero of Harper’s Ferry. - The latter was from North Carolina, and was a mulatto of superior - abilities, and a genuine lover of liberty and justice. The following - letter, written a short time before his execution, needs no explanation:— - </p> - <p> - “Charlestown, Va., Dec. 10, 1859. - </p> - <p> - “My dear Brother,—I now take my pen to write you a few lines to let - you know how I am, and in answer to your kind letter of the 5th inst. Dear - brother, I am, it is true, so situated at present as scarcely to know how - to commence writing: not that my mind is filled with fear, or that it has - become shattered in view of my near approach to death; not that I am - terrified by the gallows which I see staring me in the face, and upon - which I am so soon to stand and suffer death for doing what George - Washington, the so-called father of this great but slavery-cursed country, - was made a hero for doing while he lived, and when dead his name was - immortalized, and his great and noble deeds in behalf of freedom taught by - parents to their children. And now, brother, for having lent my aid to a - general no less brave, and engaged in a cause no less honorable and - glorious, I am to suffer death. Washington entered the field to fight for - the freedom of the American people,—not for the white man alone, but - for both black and white. Nor were they white men alone who fought for the - freedom of this country. The blood of black men flowed as freely as that - of white men. Yes, the <i>very first</i> blood that was spilt was that of - a negro. It was the blood of that heroic man (though black he was), - Crispus Attucks. And some of the <i>very last</i> blood shed was that of - black men. To the truth of this, history, though prejudiced, is compelled - to attest. <i>It is true</i> that black men did an equal share of the - fighting for American independence; and they were assured by the whites - that they should share equal benefits for so doing. But, after having - performed their part honorably, they were by the whites most treacherously - deceived,—they refusing to fulfil their part of the contract. But - this you know as well as I do; and I will therefore say no more in - reference to the claims which we, as colored men, have on the American - people.... - </p> - <p> - “It was a sense of the wrongs which we have suffered that prompted the - noble but unfortunate Capt. Brown and his associates to attempt to give - freedom to a small number, at least, of those who are now held by cruel - and unjust laws, and by no less cruel and unjust men. To this freedom they - were entitled by every known principle of justice and humanity; and, for - the enjoyment of it, God created them. And now, dear brother, could I die - in a more noble cause? Could I, brother, die in a manner and for a cause - which would induce true and honest men more to honor me, and the angels - more readily to receive me to their happy home of everlasting joy above? I - imagine that I hear you, and all of you, mother, father, sisters and - brothers, say, ‘No, there is not a cause for which we, with less sorrow, - could see you die!’” - </p> - <p> - “Your affectionate brother, - </p> - <p> - “John A. Copeland.” - </p> - <p> - “The Baltimore Sun” says, “A few moments before leaving the jail, Copeland - said, ‘If I am dying for freedom, I could not die for a better cause. <i>I - had rather die than be a slave!</i>’ A military officer in charge on the - day of the execution says, ‘I had a position near the gallows, and - carefully observed all. I can truly say I never witnessed more firm and - unwavering: fortitude, more perfect composure, or more beautiful - propriety, than were manifested by young Copeland to the very last.’” - </p> - <p> - Shields Green behaved with equal heroism, ascending the scaffold with a - firm and unwavering step, and died, as he had lived, a brave man, and - expressing to the last his eternal hatred to human bondage, prophesying - that slavery would soon come to a bloody end. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER VII—THE FIRST GUN OF THE REBELLION. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Nomination of Fremont.—Nomination of Lincoln.—The Mob - Spirit.—Spirit of Slavery.—The Democracy.—Cotton.—Northern - Promises to the Rebels.—Assault on Fort Sumter.—Call for - 75,000 Men.—Response of the Colored Men.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he nomination of - John C. Fremont by the Republican party in 1856, and the large vote given - him at the election that autumn, cleared away all doubts, if any existed - as to the future action of the Federal Government on the spread and power - of slavery. The Democratic party, which had ruled the nation so long and - so badly, saw that it had been weighed, and found wanting; that it must - prepare to give up the Government into the hands of better men. - </p> - <p> - But the party determined to make the most of Mr. Buchanan’s - administration, both in the profuse expenditure of money among themselves, - and in getting ready to take the Southern States out of the Union. - </p> - <p> - Surrounded by the men who believed that the Government was made for them, - and that their mission was to rule the people of the United States, Mr. - Buchanan was nothing more than a tool,—clay in the hands of the - potters; and he permitted them to prepare leisurely for disunion, which - culminated, in 1860, in the nomination of Abraham Lincoln for the - presidency. - </p> - <p> - The proslavery Democracy became furious at the prospect of losing the - control of the situation, and their hatred of free speech was revived. - From the nomination of Mr. Lincoln to his inauguration, mob-law ruled in - most of the cities and large villages. These disgraceful scenes, the first - of which commenced at the antislavery-meeting at the Tremont Temple, - Boston, was always gotten up by members of the Democratic party, who - usually passed a series of resolutions in favor of slavery. New York, - Philadelphia, Albany, Buffalo, Troy, Cincinnati, and Chicago, all followed - the example set by Boston. - </p> - <p> - These demonstrations were caused more by sympathy with the South, and the - long-accustomed subserviency of the Northern people to slaveholding - dictation, than to any real hatred to the negro. - </p> - <p> - During all this time the Abolitionists were laboring faithfully to widen - the gulf between the North and South. - </p> - <p> - Towards the close of the year 1860, the spirit of compromise began to show - itself in such unmistakable terms as to cause serious apprehension on the - part of the friends of freedom for the future of American liberty. The - subdued tone of the liberal portion of the press, the humiliating offers - of Northern political leaders of compromises, and the numerous cases of - fugitive slaves being returned to their masters, sent a thrill of fear to - all colored men in the land for their safety, and nearly every train going - North found more or less negroes fleeing to Canada. - </p> - <p> - At the South, the people were in earnest, and would listen to no proposals - whatever in favor of their continuance in the Union. - </p> - <p> - The vast wealth realized by the slave-holder had made him feel that the - South was independent of the rest of the world. - </p> - <p> - Prosperity had made him giddy. Cotton was not merely king: it was God. - Moral considerations were nothing. The sentiment of right, he argued, - would have no influence over starving operatives; and England and France, - as well as the Eastern States of the Union, would stand aghast, and yield - to the masterstroke which should deprive them of the material of their - labor. Millions were dependent on it in all the great centres of - civilization; and the ramifications of its power extended into all ranks - of society and all departments of industry and commerce. It was only - necessary to wave this imperial sceptre over the nations; and all of them - would fall prostrate, and acknowledge the supremacy of the power which - wielded it. Nothing could be more plausible than this delusion. Satan - himself, when about to wage war in heaven, could not have invented one - better calculated to marshal his hosts, and give promise of success in - rebellion against the authority of the Most High. But, alas! the supreme - error of this anticipation lay in omitting from the calculation all power - of principle. The right still has authority over the minds of men and in - the counsels of nations. Factories may cease their din; men and women may - be thrown out of employment; the marts of commerce may be silent and - deserted: but truth and justice still command some respect among men; and - God yet remains the object of their adoration. - </p> - <p> - Drunk with power, and dazzled with prosperity, monopolizing cotton, and - raising it to the influence of a veritable fetich, the authors of the - Rebellion did not admit a doubt of the success of their attack on the - Federal Government. They dreamed of perpetuating slavery, though all - history shows the decline of the system as industry, commerce, and - knowledge advance. The slave-holders proposed nothing less than to reverse - the currents of humanity, and to make barbarism flourish in the bosom of - civilization. - </p> - <p> - Weak as were the Southern people in point of numbers and political power, - compared with those of the opposite section, the haughty slave-holders - easily persuaded themselves and their dependents that they could - successfully cope in arms with the Northern adversary, whom they affected - to despise for his cowardly and mercenary disposition. Proud and - confident, they indulged the belief that their great political prestige - would continue to serve them among their late party associates in the - North, and that the counsels of the adversary would be distracted, and his - power weakened, by the fatal effects of dissension. - </p> - <p> - The proslavery men in the North are very much to blame for the - encouragement that they gave the rebels before the breaking out of the - war. The Southerners had promises from their Northern friends, that, in - the event of a rebellion, civil war should reign in the free States,—that - men would not be permitted to leave the North to go South to put down - their rebellions brethren. - </p> - <p> - All legitimate revolutions are occasioned by the growth of society beyond - the growth of government; and they will be peaceful or violent just in - proportion as the people and government shall be wise and virtuous or - vicious and ignorant. Such revolutions or reforms are generally of a - peaceful nature in communities in which the government has made provision - for the gradual expansion of its institutions to suit the onward march of - society. No government is wise in overlooking, whatever may be the - strength of its own traditions, or however glorious its history, that - human institutions which have been adapted for a barbarous age or state of - society will cease to be adapted for more civilized and intelligent times; - and, unless government makes a provision for the gradual expansion, - nothing can prevent a storm, either of an intellectual or a physical - nature. Slavery was always the barbarous institution of America; and the - Rebellion was the result of this incongruity between it and freedom. - </p> - <p> - The assault on Fort Sumter on the 12th of April, 1861, was the dawn of a - new era for the negro. The proclamation of President Lincoln, calling for - the first 75,000 men to put down the Rebellion, was responded to by the - colored people throughout the country. In Boston, at a public meeting of - the blacks, a large number came forward, put their names to an agreement - to form a brigade, and march at once to the seat of war. A committee - waited on the Governor three days later, and offered the services of these - men. His Excellency replied that he had no power to receive them. This was - the first wet blanket thrown over the negro’s enthusiasm. “This is a white - man’s war,” said most of the public journals. “I will never fight by the - side of a nigger,” was heard in every quarter where men were seen in Uncle - Sam’s uniform. - </p> - <p> - Wherever recruiting offices were opened, black men offered themselves, and - were rejected. Yet these people, feeling conscious that right would - eventually prevail, waited patiently for the coming time, pledging - themselves to go at their country’s call, as the following will show:— - </p> - <p> - “Resolved, That our feelings urge us to say to our countrymen that we are - ready to stand by and defend the Government as the equals of its white - defenders; to do so with our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor, - for the sake of freedom and as good citizens; and we ask you to modify - your laws, that we may enlist,—that full scope may be given to the - patriotic feelings burning in the colored man’s breast.”—<i>Colored - Men’s Meeting, Boston</i>. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER VIII—THE UNION AND SLAVERY BOTH TO BE PRESERVED. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Union Generals offer to suppress Slave Insurrections.—Return of - Slaves coming into our Army.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">A</span>t the very - commencement of the Rebellion, the proslavery generals in the field took - the earliest opportunity of offering their services, together with those - under their commands, to suppress any slave insurrection that might grow - out of the unsettled condition of the country. Major-Gen. B. F. Butler led - off, by tendering his services to Gov. Hicks of Maryland. About the same - time, Major-Gen. Geo. B. McClellan issued the following, “<i>To the Union - Men of Western Virginia</i>,” on entering that portion of the State with - his troops:—“The General Government cannot close its ears to the - demands you have made for assistance. I have ordered troops to cross the - river. They come as Your friends and brothers,—as enemies only to - the armed rebels who are preying upon you. Your homes, your families, your - property, are safe under our protection. All your rights shall be - religiously respected. Notwithstanding all that has been said by the - traitors to induce you to believe our advent among you will be signalled - by an interference with your slaves, understand one thing clearly: not - only will we abstain from all such interference, but we shall, on the - contrary, <i>with an iron hand</i>, crush any attempt at insurrection on - their part.” - </p> - <p> - Slaves escaping from their masters were promptly returned by the officers - of the army. Gen. W. S. Harney, commanding in Missouri, in responding to - the claims of slave-holders for their blacks, said,— - </p> - <p> - “Already, since the commencement of these unhappy disturbances, slaves - have escaped from their owners, and have sought refuge in the camps of - United-States troops from the Northern States, and commanded by a Northern - general. <i>They were carefully sent Back to their owners.</i>” - </p> - <p> - The correspondent of “The New-York Herald” gave publicity to the - following:— - </p> - <p> - “The guard on the bridge across the Anacostia arrested a negro who - attempted to pass the sentries on the Maryland side. He seemed to feel - confident that he was among friends, for he made no concealment of his - character and purpose. He said he had walked sixty miles, and was going - North. He was very much surprised and disappointed when he was taken into - custody, and informed that he would be sent back to his master. He is now - in the guard-house, and answers freely all questions relating to his weary - march. Of course, such an arrest excites much comment among the men. - Nearly all are restive under the thought of acting as slave-catchers. The - Seventy-first made a forced march, and the privations they endured have - been honorably mentioned in the country’s history. This poor negro made a - forced march, twice the length—in perils often, in fasting,—hurrying - toward the North for his liberty! And the Seventy-first catches him at the - end of his painful journey,—the goal in sight,—and sends him - back to the master who even now may be in arms against us, or may take the - slave, sell him for a rifle, and use it on his friends in the - Seventy-first New-York Regiment. Humanity speaks louder here than it does - in a large city; and the men who in New York would dismiss the subject - with a few words about ‘constitutional obligations’ are now the loudest in - denouncing the abuse of power which changes a regiment of gentlemen into a - regiment of negro-catchers.” At Pensacola, Slemmer did even more, putting - in irons fugitives who fled to him for protection, and returning them to - their masters to be scourged to death. Col. Dimmick, at Fortress Monroe, - told the rebel Virginians that he had not an Abolitionist in his command, - and that no molestation of their slave-system would be suffered. - </p> - <p> - Gen. D. C. Buell, commanding in Tennessee, said, in reply to a committee - of slave-holders demanding the return of their fugitives,— - </p> - <p> - “It has come to my knowledge that slaves sometimes make their way - improperly into our lines, and in some instances they may be enticed - there; but I think the number has been magnified by report. Several - applications have been made to me by persons whose servants have been - found in our camps; and, in every instance that I know of, the master has - removed his servant, and taken him away. - </p> - <p> - “I need hardly remind you that there will always be found some lawless and - mischievous persons in every army; but I assure you that the mass of this - army is law-abiding, and that it is neither its disposition nor its policy - to violate law or the rights of individuals in any particular.” - </p> - <p> - Yet, while Union soldiers were returning escaped slaves to rebels, it was - a notorious fact that the enemy were using negroes to build - fortifications, drive teams, and raise food for the army. - </p> - <p> - Black hands piled up the Sand-bags, and raised the batteries, which drove - Anderson out of Sumter. At Montgomery, the capital of the confederacy, - negroes were being drilled and armed for military duty. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER IX—INTELLIGENT CONTRABANDS - </h2> - <p> - <i>James Lawson.—His Bravery.—Rescue of his Wife and Children.—He - is sent out on Important Business.—He fights his Way Back.—He - is Admired by Gens. Hooker and Sickles.—Rhett’s Servant.—“Foraging - for Butter and Eggs.”</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">I</span> spent three weeks - at Liverpool Point, the outpost of Hooker’s Division, almost directly - opposite Aquia Creek, waiting patiently for the advance of our left wing - to follow up the army, becoming, if not a participator against the dying - struggles of rebeldom, at least a chronicler of the triumphs in the march - of the Union army. - </p> - <p> - During this time I was the guest of Col. Graham, of Mathias-Point memory, - who had brought over from that place (last November) some thirty valuable - chattels. A part of the camp was assigned to them. They built log huts, - and obtained from the soldiers many comforts, making their quarters equal - to any in the camp. - </p> - <p> - They had friends and relatives. Negroes feel as much sympathy for their - friends and kin as the whites; and, from November to the present time, - many a man in Virginia has lost a very likely slave, for the camp contains - now upwards of a hundred fat and healthy negroes, in addition to its - original number from Mathias Point. - </p> - <p> - One of the number deserves more honor than that accorded to Toussaint - L’Ouverture in the brilliant lecture delivered by Wendell Phillips. He is - unquestionably the hero of the Potomac, and deserves to be placed by the - side of his most renowned black brethren. - </p> - <p> - The name of this negro is James Lawson, born near Hempstead, Virginia, and - he belonged to a Mr. Taylor. He made his escape last December. On hearing - his praises spoken by the captains of the gunboats on the Potomac, I was - rather indisposed to admit the possession of all the qualities they give - him credit for, and thought possibly his exploits had been exaggerated. - His heroic courage, truthfulness, and exalted Christian character seemed - too romantic for their realization. However, my doubts on that score were - dispelled; and I am a witness of his last crowning act. - </p> - <p> - Jim, after making his escape from Virginia, shipped on board of “The - Freeborn,” Flag-gunboat, Lieut. Samuel Ma-gaw commanding. He furnished - Capt. Magaw with much valuable intelligence concerning the rebel - movements, and, from his quiet, every-day behavior, soon won the esteem of - the commanding officer. - </p> - <p> - Capt. Magaw, shortly after Jim’s arrival on board “The Freeborn,” sent him - upon a scouting tour through the rebel fortifications, more to test his - reliability than anything else; and the mission, although fraught with - great danger, was executed by Jim in the most faithful manner. Again Jim - was sent into Virginia, landing at the White House, below Mount Vernon, - and going into the interior for several miles; encountering the fire of - picket-guards and posted sentries; returned in safety to the shore; and - was brought off in the captain’s gig, under the fire of the rebel - musketry. - </p> - <p> - Jim had a wife and four children at that time still in Virginia. They - belonged to the same man as Jim did. He was anxious to get them; yet it - seemed impossible. - </p> - <p> - One day in January, Jim came to the captain’s room, and asked for - permission to be landed that evening on the Virginia side, as he wished to - bring off his family. “Why, Jim,” said Capt. Magaw, “how will you be able - to pass the pickets?” - </p> - <p> - “I want to try, captain: I think I can get ‘em over safely,” meekly - replied Jim. - </p> - <p> - “Well, you have my permission;” and Capt. Magaw ordered one of the - gunboats to land Jim that night on whatever part of the shore he - designated, and return for him the following evening. - </p> - <p> - True to his appointment, Jim was at the spot with his wife and family, and - was taken on board the gunboat, and brought over to Liverpool Point, where - Col. Graham had given them a log-house to live in, just back of his own - quarters. Jim ran the gauntlet of the sentries unharmed, never taking to - the roads, but keeping in the woods, every foot-path of which, and almost - every tree, he knew from his boyhood up. - </p> - <p> - Several weeks afterwards another reconnoissance was planned, and Jim sent - on it. He returned in safety, and was highly complimented by Gens. Hooker, - Sickles, and the entire flotilla. - </p> - <p> - On Thursday, week ago, it became necessary to obtain correct information - of the enemy’s movements. Since then, batteries at Shipping and Cockpit - Points had been evacuated, and their troops moved to Fredericksburg. Jim - was the man picked out for the occasion, by Gen. Sickles and Capt. Magaw. - The general came down to Col. Graham’s quarters, about nine in the - evening, and sent for Jim. There were present, the general, Col. Graham, - and myself. Jim came into the colonel’s. - </p> - <p> - “Jim.” said the general, “I want you to go over to Virginia to-night, and - find out what forces they have at Aquia Creek and Fredericksburg. If you - want any men to accompany you, pick them out.” - </p> - <p> - “I know <i>two</i> men that would like to go,” Jim answered. - </p> - <p> - “Well, get them, and be back as soon as possible.” Away went Jim over to - the contraband camp, and, returning almost immediately, brought into our - presence two very intelligent-looking darkies. - </p> - <p> - “Are you all ready?” inquired the general. - </p> - <p> - “All ready, sir,” the trio responded. - </p> - <p> - “Well, here, Jim, you take my pistol,” said Gen. Sickles, unbuckling it - from his belt; “and, if you are successful, I will give you $100.” - </p> - <p> - Jim hoped he would be, and, bidding us good-by, started off for the - gunboat “Satellite,” Capt. Foster, who landed them a short distance below - the Potomac-Creek Batteries. They were to return early in the morning, but - were unable, from the great distance they went in the interior. Long - before daylight on Saturday morning, the gunboat was lying off at the - appointed place. As the day dawned, Capt. Foster discovered a mounted - picket-guard near the beach, and almost at the same instant saw Jim to the - left of them, in the woods, sighting his gun at the rebel cavalry. He - ordered the “gig” to be manned, and rowed to the shore. The rebels moved - along slowly, thinking to intercept the boat, when Foster gave them a - shell, which scattered them. Jim, with only one of his original - companions, and two fresh contrabands, came on board. Jim had <i>lost the - other</i>. He had been challenged by a picket when some distance in - advance of Jim, and the negro, instead of answering the summons, fired the - contents of Sickles’s revolver at the picket. It was an unfortunate - occurrence; for at that time the entire picket-guard rushed out of a small - house near the spot, and fired the contents of their muskets at Jim’s - companion, killing him instantly. Jim and the other three hid themselves - in a hollow, near a fence, and, after the pickets gave up pursuit, crept - through the woods to the shore. From the close proximity of the rebel - pickets, Jim could not display a light, which was the signal for Capt. - Foster to send a boat. - </p> - <p> - Capt. Foster, after hearing Jim’s story of the shooting of his companion, - determined to avenge his death; so, steaming his vessel close in to the - shore, he sighted his guns for a barn, where the rebel cavalry were hiding - behind. He fired two shells: one went right through the barn, killing four - of the rebels, and seven of their horses. Capt. Foster, seeing the effect - of his shot, said to Jim, who stood by, “Well, Jim, I’ve avenged the death - of poor Cornelius” (the name of Jim’s lost companion). - </p> - <p> - Gen. Hooker has transmitted to the War Department an account of Jim’s - reconnoissance to Fredericksburg, and unites with the army and navy - stationed on the left wing of the Potomac, in the hope that the Government - will present Jim with a fitting recompense for his gallant services.—<i>War - Correspondent of the New-York Times</i>. - </p> - <p> - On Thursday, beyond Charlestown, our pickets descried a solitary horseman, - with a bucket on his arm, jogging soberly towards them. He proved to be a - dark mulatto, of about thirty-five. As he approached, they ordered a halt. - </p> - <p> - “Where are you from?” - </p> - <p> - “Southern Army, cap’n,” giving the military salute. - </p> - <p> - “Where are you going?” - </p> - <p> - “Coming to yous all.” - </p> - <p> - “What do you want?” - </p> - <p> - “Protection, boss. You won’t send me back, will you?” - </p> - <p> - “No, come in. Whose servant are you?” - </p> - <p> - “Cap’n Rhett’s, of South Carliny: you’s heard of Mr. Barnwell Rhett, - editor of ‘The Charleston Mercury’? His brother commands a battery.” - </p> - <p> - “How did you get away?” - </p> - <p> - “Cap’n gove me fifteen dollars this morning, and said, ‘John, go out, and - forage for butter and eggs.’ So you see, boss (with a broad grin), I’se - out foraging! I pulled my hat over my eyes, and jogged along on the - cap’n’s horse (see the brand S.C. on him?) with this basket on my arm, - right by our guards and pickets. They never challenged me once. If they - had, though, I brought the cap’n’s pass. And the new comer produced this - document from his pocket-book, written in pencil, and carefully folded. I - send you the original:— - </p> - <p> - <i>“Pass my servant, John, on horseback, anywhere between Winchester and - Martinsburg, in search of butter, &c., &e.</i> - </p> - <p> - <i>“A. BURNETT RHETT, Capt. Light Artillery, Lee’s Battalion.”</i> - </p> - <p> - “Are there many negroes in the rebel corps?” - </p> - <p> - “Heaps, boss.” - </p> - <p> - “Would the most of them come to us if they could?” - </p> - <p> - “All of them, cap’n. There isn’t a little pickanniny so high (waving his - hand two feet from the ground) that wouldn’t.” - </p> - <p> - “Why did <i>you</i> expect protection?” - </p> - <p> - “Heard so in Maryland, before the Proclamation.” - </p> - <p> - “Where did you hear about the Proclamation?” - </p> - <p> - “Read it, air, in a Richmond paper.” - </p> - <p> - “What is it?” - </p> - <p> - “That every slave is to be emancipated on and after the thirteenth day of - January. I can’t state it, boss.” - </p> - <p> - “Something like it. When did you learn to read?” - </p> - <p> - “In ‘49, sir. I was head waiter at Mrs. Nevitt’s boarding-house in - Savannah, and Miss Walcott, a New-York lady, who was stopping there, - taught me.” - </p> - <p> - “Does your master know it?” - </p> - <p> - “Capt. Rhett doesn’t know it, sir; but he isn’t my master. He thinks I’m - free, and hired me at twenty five dollars a month; but he never paid me - any of it. I belong to Mrs. John Spring. She used to hire me out summers, - and have me wait on her every winter, when she came South. After the war, - she couldn’t come, and they were going to sell me for Government because I - belonged to a Northerner. Sold a great many negroes in that way. But I - slipped away to the army. Have tried to come to you twice before in - Maryland, but couldn’t pass our pickets.” - </p> - <p> - “Were you at Antietam?” - </p> - <p> - “Yes, boss. Mighty hard battle!” - </p> - <p> - “Who whipped?” - </p> - <p> - “Yous all, massa. They say you didn’t; but I saw it, and know. If you had - fought us that next day,—Thursday,—you would have captured our - whole army. They say so themselves.” - </p> - <p> - “Who?” - </p> - <p> - “Our officers, sir.” - </p> - <p> - “Did you ever hear of old John Brown?” - </p> - <p> - “Hear of <i>him?</i> Lord bless you, yes, boss: I’ve read his life, and - have it now in my trunk in Charleston; sent to New York by the steward of - ‘The James Adger,’ and got it. I’ve read it to heaps of the colored folks. - Lord, they think John Brown was almost a god. Just say you was a friend of - his, and any slave will almost kiss your feet, if you let him. They sav, - if he was only alive now, he would be king. How it did frighten the white - folks when he raised the insurrection! It was Sunday when we heard of it. - They wouldn’t let a negro go into the streets. I was waiter at the Mills - House in Charleston. There was a lady from Massachusetts, who came down to - breakfast that morning at my table. ‘John,’ she says, ‘I want to see a - negro church; where is the principal one?’ ‘Not any open to-day, - mistress,’ I told her. ‘Why not?’ ‘Because a Mr. John Brown has raised an - insurrection in Virginny.’ ‘Ah!’ she says; ‘well, they’d better look out, - or they’ll get the white churches shut up in that way some of these days, - too!’ Mr. Nicholson, one of the proprietors, was listening from the office - to hear what she said. Wasn’t that lady watched after that? I have a - History of San Domingo, too, and a Life of Fred. Douglass, in my trunk, - that I got in the same way.” - </p> - <p> - “What do the slaves think about the war?” - </p> - <p> - “Well, boss, they all wish the Yankee army would come. The white folks - tell them all sorts of bad stories about you all; but they don’t believe - them.” - </p> - <p> - John was taken to Gen. McClellan, to whom he gave all the information he - possessed about the position, numbers, and organization of the rebel army. - His knowledge was full and valuable, and is corroborated by all the facts - we have learned from other sources. The principal features of it I have - already transmitted to you by telegraph. At the close of the interview, he - asked anxiously,— - </p> - <p> - “General, you won’t send me back, will you?” - </p> - <p> - “Yes,” replied the general, with a smile, “I believe I will.” - </p> - <p> - “I hope you won’t, general. If you say so, I know I will have to go; but I - come to yous all for protection, and I hope you won’t.” - </p> - <p> - “Well, then, I suppose we will not. No, John, you are at liberty to go - where you please. Stay with the army, if you like. No one can ever take - you against your will.” - </p> - <p> - “May the Lord bless you, general. I <i>thought</i> you wouldn’t drive me - out. You’s the best friend I ever had; I shall never forget you till I - die.” And John made the salute, re-mounted his horse, and rode back to the - rear, his dusky face almost white with radiance. - </p> - <p> - An hour later, he was on duty as the servant of Capt. Batchelor, - Quartermaster of Couch’s Second Division; and I do not believe there was - another heart in our corps so light as his in the unwonted joy of freedom.—<i>New - York Tribune.</i> - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER X—PROCLAMATIONS OF FREMONT AND HUNTER. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Gen. Fremont’s Proclamation, and its Effect on the Public Mind.—Gen. - Hunter’s Proclamation; the Feeling it created.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">W</span>hile the country - seemed drifting to destruction, and the Administration without a policy, - the heart of every loyal man was made glad by the appearance of the - proclamation of Major-Gen. John C. Fremont, then in command at the West. - The following extract from that document, which at the time caused so much - discussion, will bear insertion here:— - </p> - <p> - “All persons who shall be taken with arms in their hands within these - lines shall be tried by court martial, and, if found guilty, will be shot. - The property, real and personal, of all persons in the State of Missouri, - who shall take up arms against the United States, or who shall be directly - proven to have taken active part with their enemies in the field, is - declared to be confiscated to the public use, and their slaves, if any - they have, are hereby declared free men.” - </p> - <p> - The above was the first official paper issued after the commencement of - the war, that appeared to have the ring of the right kind of mettle. But - while the public mind was being agitated upon its probable effect upon the - Rebellion, a gloom was thrown over the whole community by the President’s - removal of Gen. Fremont, and the annulling of the proclamation. This act - of Mr. Lincoln gave unintentional “aid and comfort” to the enemy, and was - another retrograde movement in the Way of crushing out the Rebellion. - </p> - <p> - Gen. Fremont, before the arrival of the President’s letter, had given - freedom to a number of slaves, in accordance with his proclamation. His - mode of action may be seen in the following deed of manumission:— - </p> - <p> - “Whereas, Thomas L. Snead, of the city and county of St. Louis, State of - Missouri, has been taking an active part with the enemies of the United - States, in the present insurrectionary movement against the Government of - the United States; now, therefore, I, John Charles Fremont, Major-General - commanding the Western Department of the Army of the United States, by - authority of law, and the power vested in me as such commanding general, - declare Hiram Reed, heretofore held to service or labor by Thomas L. - Snead, to be free, and forever discharged from the bonds of servitude, - giving him full right and authority to have, use, and control his own - labor or service as to him may seem proper, without any accountability - whatever to said Thomas L. Snead, or any one to claim by, through, or - under him. - </p> - <p> - “And this deed of manumission shall be respected and treated by all - persons, and in all courts of justice, as the full and complete evidence - of the freedom of said Hiram Reed. - </p> - <p> - “In testimony whereof, this act is done at headquarters of the Western - Department of the Army of the United States, in the city of St. Louis, - State of Missouri, on this twelfth day of September, A.D. eighteen hundred - and sixty-one, as is evidenced by the Departmental Seal hereto affixed by - my order. - </p> - <h3> - “J. C. FREMONT, - </h3> - <p> - “<i>Major-General Commanding.</i>” - </p> - <p> - “Done at the office of the Provost-Marshal, in the city of St. Louis, the - twelfth day of September, A.D. eighteen hundred and sixty-one, at nine - o’clock in the evening of said day. - </p> - <p> - “Witness my hand and seal of office-hereto affixed. - </p> - <p> - “J. McKINSTRY, - </p> - <p> - “<i>Brigadier-General, Provost-Marshal</i>.” - </p> - <p> - The agitation in the public mind on account of the proclamation and its - annulment, great as it was, was soon surpassed by one still more bold and - sweeping from Major-Gen. David Hunter, in the following language, issued - from his headquarters, at Hilton Head, S.C., on the 9th of May:— - </p> - <p> - “Headquarters Department of the South, Hilton Head, S.C., May 9, 1802. - </p> - <p> - “General Orders, No. 11: - </p> - <p> - “The three States of Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, comprising the - Military Department of the South, having deliberately declared themselves - no longer under the protection of the United States of America, and having - taken up arms against the said United States, it became a military - necessity to declare them under martial law. This was accordingly done on - the 25th day of April, 1862. Slavery and martial law in a free country are - altogether incompatible. The persons in these three States, Georgia, - Florida, and South Carolina, heretofore held as slaves, are therefore - declared forever free. - </p> - <h3> - “DAVID HUNTER, - </h3> - <p> - “<i>Major-General Commanding.</i> - </p> - <p> - “[Official.] - </p> - <p> - “<i>Ed. W. Smith, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.</i>” - </p> - <p> - But, before Mr. Lincoln was officially informed of the issuing of the - above order, he made haste to annul it in the terms following: “That - neither Gen. Hunter nor any other commander or person has been authorized - by the Government of the United States to make proclamation declaring the - slaves of any State free; and that the supposed proclamation now in - question, whether genuine or false, is altogether void, so far as respects - such declaration. - </p> - <p> - “I further make known, that, whether it be competent for me, as - Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, to declare the slaves of any - State or States free, and whether at any time or in any case it shall have - become a necessity indispensable to the maintenance of the Government to - exercise such supposed power, are questions which, under my - responsibility, I reserve to myself, and which I cannot feel justified in - leaving to the decision of commanders in the field.” - </p> - <p> - These words of the President were hailed with cheers by the proslavery - press of the North, and carried comfort to the hearts of the rebels; - although the Chief-Magistrate did not intend either. However, before the - President’s proclamation reached Carolina, Gen. Hunter was furnishing - slaves with free papers, of which the succeeding is a copy:— - </p> - <h3> - “DEED OF EMANCIPATION. - </h3> - <p> - “It having been proven, to the entire satisfaction of the general - commanding the Department of the South, that the bearer, named————————, - heretofore held in involuntary servitude, has been directly employed to - aid and assist those in rebellion against the United States of America. - </p> - <p> - “Now, be it known to all, that, agreeably to the laws, I declare the said - person free, and forever absolved from all claims to his services. Both he - and his wife and children have full right to go North, East, or West, as - they may decide. - </p> - <p> - “Given under my hand, at the Headquarters of the Department of the South, - this nineteenth day of April, 1862. - </p> - <h3> - “D. HUNTER, - </h3> - <p> - “<i>Major-General Commanding.</i>” - </p> - <p> - The words, “forever free,” sounded like a charm upon the ears of the - oppressed, and seemed to give hopes of a policy that would put down the - Rebellion, and leave the people untrammelled with slavery. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “God’s law of compensation worketh sure, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - So we may know the right shall aye endure! - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - ‘<i>Forever free!</i>’ God! how the pulse doth bound - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - At the high, glorious, Heaven-prompted sound - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - That greets our ears from Carolina’s shore! - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - ‘<i>Forever free!</i>’ and slavery is no more! - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Ere time the hunter followed up the slave; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - But now a Hunter, noble, true, and brave, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Proclaims the right, to each who draws a breath, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - To lift himself from out a living death, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And plant his feet on Freedom’s happy soil, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Content to take her wages for his toil, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And look to God, the author of his days, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - For food and raiment, sounding forth His praise.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - Deep indeed was the impression left upon the public mind by the orders of - both Fremont and Hunter; and they hastened the policy which the President - eventually adopted, to the great gratification of the friends of freedom - everywhere. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XI—HEROISM OF NEGROES ON THE HIGH SEAS. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Heroism of Negroes.—William Tillman re-captures “The S. G. - Waring.”—George Green.—Robert Small captures the Steamer - “Planter.”—Admiral Dupont’s Opinion on Negro Patriotism.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">I</span>n the month of - June, 1861, the schooner “S. J. Waring,” from New York, bound to South - America, was captured on the passage by the rebel privateer “Jeff. Davis,” - a prize-crew put on board, consisting of a captain, mate, and four seamen; - and the vessel set sail for the port of Charleston, S.C. Three of the - original crew were retained on board, a German as steersman, a Yankee who - was put in irons, and a black man named William Tillman, the steward and - cook of the schooner. The latter was put to work at his usual business, - and told that he was henceforth the property of the Confederate States, - and would be sold, on his arrival at Charleston, as a slave. Night comes - on; darkness covers the sea; the vessel is gliding swiftly towards the - South; the rebels, one after another, retire to their berths; the hour of - midnight approaches; all is silent in the cabin; the captain is asleep; - the mate, who has charge of the watch, takes his brandy toddy, and - reclines upon the quarter-deck. The negro thinks of home and all its - endearments: he sees in the dim future chains and slavery. - </p> - <p> - He resolves, and determines to put the resolution into practice upon the - instant. Armed with a heavy club, he proceeds to the captain’s’room. He - strikes ‘the fatal blow: he feels the pulse, and all is still. He next - goes to the adjoining room: another blow is struck, and the black man is - master of the cabin. Cautiously he ascends to the deck, strikes the mate: - the officer is wounded but not killed. He draws his revolver, and calls - for help. The crew are aroused: they are hastening to aid their commander. - The negro repeats his blows with the heavy club: the rebel falls dead at - Tillman’s feet. The African seizes the revolver, drives the crew below - deck, orders the release of the Yankee, puts the enemy in irons, and - proclaims himself master of the vessel. - </p> - <p> - “The Waring’s” head is turned towards New York, with the stars and stripes - flying, a fair wind, and she rapidly retraces her steps. A storm comes up: - more men are needed to work the ship. Tillman orders the rebels to be - unchained, and brought on deck. The command is obeyed; and they are put to - work, but informed, that, if they show any disobedience, they will be shot - down. Five days more, and “The S. J. Waring” arrives in the port of New - York, under the command of William Tillman, the negro patriot. - </p> - <p> - “The New-York Tribune” said of this event,— - </p> - <p> - “To this colored man was the nation indebted for the first vindication of - its honor on the sea.” Another public journal spoke of that achievement - alone as an offset to the defeat of the Federal arms at Bull Run. - Unstinted praise from all parties, even those who are usually awkward in - any other vernacular than derision of the colored man, has been awarded to - this colored man. At Barnum’s Museum he was the centre of attractive gaze - to daily increasing thousands. Pictorials vied with each other in - portraying his features, and in graphic delineations of the scene on board - the brig; while, in one of them, Tillman has been sketched as an - embodiment of black action on the sea, in contrast with some delinquent - Federal officer as white inaction on land. - </p> - <p> - The Federal Government awarded to Tillman the sum of six thousand dollars - as prize-money for the capture of the schooner. All loyal journals joined - in praise of the heroic act; and, even when the news reached England, the - negro’s bravery was applauded. A few weeks later, and the same rebel - privateer captured the schooner “Enchantress,” bound from Boston to St. - Jago, while off Nantucket Shoals. A prize-crew was put on board, and, as - in the case of “The Waring,” retaining the colored steward; and the vessel - set sail for a Southern port. When off Cape Hatteras, she was overtaken by - the Federal gunboat “Albatross,” Capt. Prentice. - </p> - <p> - On speaking her, and demanding where from and whence bound, she replied, - “Boston, for St. Jago.” At this moment the negro rushed from the galley, - where the pirates had secreted him, <i>and jumped into the sea</i>, - exclaiming, “They are a privateer crew from The ‘Jeff. Davis,’ and bound - for Charleston!” The negro was picked up, and taken on board “The - Albatross.” The prize was ordered to heave to, which she did. Lieut. - Neville jumped aboard of her, and ordered the pirates into the boats, and - to pull for “The Albatross,” where they were secured in irons. “The - Enchantress” was then taken in tow by “The Albatross,” and arrived in - Hampton Loads. On the morning of the 13th of May, 1862, the rebel gunboat - “Planter” was captured by her colored crew, while lying in the port of - Charleston, S.C., and brought out, and delivered over to our squadron then - blockading the place. The following is the dispatch from Com. Dupont to - the Secretary of War, announcing the fact:— - </p> - <p> - “U. S. Steamship Augusta, off Charleston, May 13, 1862. - </p> - <p> - “Sir,—I have the honor to inform you that the rebel armed gunboat - ‘Planter’ was brought out to us this morning from Charleston by eight - contrabands, and delivered up to the squadron. Five colored women and - three children are also on board. She was the armed despatch and - transportation steamer attached to the engineer department at Charleston, - under Brig.-Gen. Ripley. At four in the morning, in the absence of the - captain who was on shore, she left her wharf close to the government - office and head-quarters, with the Palmetto and confederate flags flying, - and passed the successive forts, saluting as usual, by blowing the - steam-whistle. After getting beyond the range of the last gun, they hauled - down the rebel flags, and hoisted a white one. ‘The Onward’ was the inside - ship of the blockading squadron in the main channel, and was preparing to - fire when her commander made out the white flag. - </p> - <p> - “The armament of the steamer is a thirty-two pounder, on pivot, and a fine - twenty-four-pound howitzer. She has, besides, on her deck, four other - guns, one seven-inch, rifled, which were to be taken on the following - morning to a new fort on the middle ground. One of the four belonged! to - Fort Sumter, and had been struck, in the rebel attack, on the muzzle. - Robert Small, the intelligent slave; and pilot of the boat, who performed - this bold feat so skilfully, is a superior man to any who have come into - our lines; intelligent as many of them have been. His in formation: has - been most interesting, and portions of it of the utmost importance. The - steamer is quite a valuable acquisition to the squadron by her good - machinery and very light draught. The bringing out of this steamer would - have done credit to any one. I do not know whether, in the view of the - Government, the vessel will be considered a prize; but, if so, I - respectfully submit to the Department the claims of the man Small and his - associates. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, - </p> - <h3> - “S. F. DUPONT, - </h3> - <p> - “<i>Flag-Officer Commanding.</i>” - </p> - <p> - The New-York “Commercial Advertiser” said of the capture, “We are forced - to confess that this is a heroic act, and that the negroes deserve great - praise. Small is a middle-aged negro, and his features betray nothing of - the firmness of character he displayed. He is said to be one of the most - skilful pilots of Charleston, and to have a thorough knowledge of all the - ports and inlets of South Carolina.” - </p> - <p> - A bill was introduced in Congress to give the prize to Robert Small and - his companions; and, while it was under consideration, the “New-York - Tribune” made the following timely remarks: “If we must still remember - with humiliation that the Confederate flag yet waves where our national - colors were struck, we should be all the more prompt to recognize the - merit that has put in our possession the first trophy from Fort Sumter. - And the country should feel doubly humbled if there is not magnanimity - enough to acknowledge a gallant action, because it was the head of a black - man that conceived, and the hand of a black man that executed it. It would - better, indeed, become us to remember that no small share of the naval - glory of the war belongs to the race which we have forbidden to fight for - us; that one negro has captured a vessel from a Southern privateer, and - another has brought away from under the very guns of the enemy, where no - fleet of ours has yet dared to venture, a prize whose possession a - commodore thinks worthy to be announced in a special despatch.” The bill - was taken up, passed both branches of Congress, and Robert Small, together - with his associates, received justice at the hands of the American - Government. - </p> - <p> - The “New-York Herald” gave the following account of the capture:— - </p> - <p> - “One of the most daring and heroic adventures since the war commenced was - undertaken and successfully accomplished by a party of negroes in - Charleston on Monday night last. Nine colored men, comprising the pilot, - engineers, and crew of the rebel gunboat ‘Planter,’ took the vessel under - their exclusive control, passed the batteries and forts in Charleston - Harbor, hoisted the white flag, ran out to the blockading squadron, and - thence to Port Royal, <i>via</i> St. Helena Sound and Broad River, - reaching the flagship ‘Wabash’ shortly after ten o’clock last evening. - </p> - <p> - “‘The Planter’ is just such a vessel as is needed to navigate the shallow - waters between Hilton Head and the adjacent islands, and will prove almost - invaluable to the Government. It is proposed, I hear, by the commodore, to - recommend the appropriation of $20,000 as a reward to the plucky Africans - who have distinguished themselves by this gallant service, $5,000 to be - given to the pilot, and the remainder to be divided among his companions. - </p> - <p> - “‘The Planter’ is a high-pressure, side-wheel steamer, one hundred and - forty feet in length, and about fifty feet beam, and draws about five feet - of water. She was built in Charleston, was formerly used as a cotton boat, - and is capable of carrying about 1,400 bales. On the organization of the - Confederate navy, she was transformed into a gunboat, and was the most - valuable war-vessel the Confederates had at Charleston. Her armament - consisted of one thirty-two-pound rifle-gun forward, and a - twenty-four-pound howitzer aft. Besides, she had on board, when she came - into the harbor, one seven-inch rifle-gun, one eight-inch columbiad, one - eight-inch howitzer, one long thirty-two pounder, and about two hundred - rounds of ammunition, which had been consigned to Fort Ripley, and which - would have been delivered at that fortification on Tuesday had not the - designs of the rebel authorities been frustrated. She was commanded by - Capt. Relay, of the Confederate Navy, all the other employees of the - vessel, excepting the first and second mates, being persons of color. - </p> - <p> - “Robert Small, with whom I had a brief interview at Gen. Benham’s - headquarters this morning, is an intelligent negro, born in Charleston, - and employed for many years as a pilot in and about that harbor. He - entered upon his duties on board ‘The Planter’ some six weeks since, and, - as he told me, adopted the idea of running the vessel to sea from a joke - which one of his companions perpetrated. He immediately cautioned the crew - against alluding to the matter in any way on board the boat; but asked - them, if they wanted to talk it up in sober earnestness, to meet at his - house, where they would devise and determine upon a plan to place - themselves under the protection of the Stars and Stripes, instead of the - stars and bars. Various plans were proposed; but finally the whole - arrangement of the escape was left to the discretion and sagacity of - Robert, his companions promising to obey him, and be ready at a moment’s - notice to accompany him. For three days he kept the provisions of the - party secreted in the hold, awaiting an opportunity to slip away. At - length, on Monday evening, the white officers of the vessel went on shore - to spend the night, Intending to start on the following morning for Fort - Ripley, and to be absent from the city for some days. The families of the - contrabands were notified, and came stealthily on board. At about three - o’clock, the fires were lit under the boilers, and the vessel steamed - quietly away down the harbor. The tide was against her, and Fort Sumter - was not reached till broad daylight. However, the boat passed directly - under its walls, giving the usual signal—two long pulls and a jerk - at the whistle-cord—as she passed the sentinel. - </p> - <p> - “Once out of range of the rebel guns, the white flag was raised, and ‘The - Planter’ steamed directly for the blockading steamer ‘Augusta.’ Capt. - Parrott, of the latter vessel, as you may imagine, received them - cordially, heard their report, placed Acting-Master Watson, of his ship, - in charge of ‘The Planter,’ and sent the Confederate gunboat and crew - forward to Commodore Dupont.” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XII—GENERAL BUTLER AT NEW ORLEANS. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Recognition of Negro Soldiers with Officers of their own Color.—Society - in New Orleans.—The Inhuman Master.—Justice.—Change of - Opinion.—The Free Colored Population.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">W</span>hen Major-Gen. - Butler found himself in possession of New Orleans, he was soon satisfied - of the fact that there were but few loyalists amongst the whites, while - the Union feeling of the colored people was apparent from the hour of his - landing; they having immediately called upon the commander, and, through a - committee, offered their services in behalf of the Federal cause. Their - offer was accepted, as the following will show:— - </p> - <p> - “Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, Aug. 22, 1862. - </p> - <p> - “General Order, No. 63: - </p> - <p> - “Whereas, on the twenty-third day of April, in the year eighteen hundred - and sixty-one, at a public meeting of the free colored population of the - city of New Orleans, a military organization, known as the ‘Native Guards’ - (colored), had its existence, which military organization was duly and - legally enrolled as a part of the military of the State, its officers - being commissioned by Thomas O. Moore, Governor, and Commander- in-Chief - of the Militia, of the State of Louisiana, in the form following, that is - to say:— - </p> - <p> - “‘The State of Louisiana. - </p> - <p> - [Seal of the State.] - </p> - <p> - “‘By Thomas Overton Moore, Governor of the State of Louisiana, and - Commander-in-Chief of the Militia thereof. - </p> - <p> - “‘In the name and by the authority of the State of Louisiana: - </p> - <p> - “‘Know ye that————————, - having been duly and legally elected Captain of the “Native Guards” - (colored), First Division of the Militia of Louisiana, to serve for the - term of the war, - </p> - <p> - “I do hereby appoint and commission him Captain as aforesaid, to take rank - as such, from the second day of May, 1861. - </p> - <p> - “‘He is, therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge the duties of - his office, by doing and performing all manner of things thereto - belonging. And I do strictly charge and require all officers, - non-commissioned officers, and privates under his command to be obedient - to his orders as Captain; and he is to observe and follow such orders and - directions, from time to time, as he shall receive from me, or the future - Governor of the State of Louisiana, or other superior officers, according - to the Rules and Articles of War, and in conformity to law. - </p> - <p> - “‘In testimony whereof, I have caused these letters to be made patent, and - the seal of the State to be hereunto annexed. - </p> - <p> - “‘Given under my hand, at the city of Baton Rouge, on the second day of - May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two. - </p> - <p> - “‘(Signed) - </p> - <h3> - “‘THOMAS O. MOORE. - </h3> - <p> - “‘By the Governor. - </p> - <p> - “‘P. D. HARDY, <i>Secretary of State</i>.” - </p> - <h3> - [INDORSED.] - </h3> - <p> - “‘I, Maurice Grivot, Adjutant and Inspector-General of the State of - Louisiana, do hereby certify that————————, - named in the within commission, did, on the twenty-second day of May, in - the year 1861, deposit In my office his written acceptance of the office - to which he is commissioned, and his oath of office taken according to - law. - </p> - <p> - “‘M. GRIVOT‘“<i>Adjutant and Inspector-General La</i>.’ - </p> - <p> - “And whereas such military organization elicited praise and respect, and - was complimented in general orders for its patriotism and loyalty, and was - ordered to continue during the war, in the words following:— - </p> - <p> - “‘Headquarters Louisiana Militia, - </p> - <p> - “‘Adjutant-General’s Office, Mardi 24, 1862. - </p> - <p> - “‘Order No. 426: - </p> - <p> - “‘I, The Governor and Commander-in-Chief, relying implicitly upon the - loyalty of the free colored population of the city and State, for the - protection of their homes, their property, and for Southern rights, from - the pollution of a ruthless invader, and believing that the military - organization which existed prior to the 15th February, 1862, and elicited - praise and respect for the patriotic motives which prompted it, should - exist for and during the war, calls upon them to maintain their - organization, and hold themselves prepared for such orders as may be - transmitted to them. - </p> - <p> - “‘II. The colonel commanding will report without delay to Major-Gen. - Lewis, commanding State Militia. - </p> - <p> - “’ By order of - </p> - <p> - “‘THOS. O. MOORE, <i>Governor</i>. - </p> - <p> - “‘31. GRIVOT, <i>Adjutant-General</i>.’ - </p> - <p> - “And whereas said military organization, by the same order, was directed - to report to Major-Gen. Lewis for service, but did not leave the city of - New Orleans when he did: - </p> - <p> - “Now, therefore, the commanding-general, believing that a large portion of - this military force of the State of Louisiana are willing to take service - in the volunteer forces of the United States, and be enrolled and - organized to ‘defend their homes from ruthless invaders;’ to protect their - wives and children and kindred from wrongs and outrages; to shield their - property from being seized by bad men; and to defend the flag of their - native country as their fathers did under Jackson at Chalmette against - Packingham and his myrmidons, carrying the black flag of ‘beauty and - booty’. - </p> - <p> - “Appreciating their motives, relying upon their ‘well-known loyalty and - patriotism,’ and with ‘praise and respect’ for these brave men, it is - ordered that all the members of the ‘Native Guards’ aforesaid, and all - other free colored citizens recognized by the first and late governor and - authorities of the State of Louisiana as a portion of the militia of the - State, who shall enlist in the volunteer service of the United States, - shall be duly organized by the appointment of proper officers, and - accepted, paid, equipped, armed, and rationed as are other volunteer corps - of the United States, subject to the approval of the President of the - United States. All such persons are required to report themselves at the - Touro Charity Building, Front Levee Street, New Orleans, where proper - officers will muster them into the service of the United States. - </p> - <p> - “By command of - </p> - <p> - “R. S. DAVIS, <i>Captain and A.A.A.G.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>Major-Gen. BUTLER</i>.” - </p> - <p> - The commanding general soon discovered that he was amongst a different - people from those with whom he had been accustomed to associate. New - Orleans, however, though captured was not subdued. The city had been for - years the headquarters and focus of all Southern rowdyism. An immense - crowd of “loafers,” many without regular occupation or means, infested the - streets, controlled the ballot-boxes, nominated the judges, selected the - police, and affected to rule every one except a few immensely wealthy - planters, who governed them by money. These rowdies had gradually - dissolved society, till New Orleans had become the most blood-thirsty city - in the world; a city where every man went armed, where a sharp word was - invariably answered by a stab, and where the average of murdered men taken - to one hospital was three a day. The mob were bitter advocates of slavery, - held all Yankees in abhorrence, and guided by the astute brain of Pierre - Soulé, whilom ambassador to Spain, resolved to contest with Gen. Butler - the right to control the city. They might as well have contested it with - Bonaparte. The first order issued by the general indicated a policy from - which he never swerved. The mob had surrounded the St. Charles Hotel, - threatening an attack on the building, then the general’s headquarters; - and Gen. Williams, commanding the troops round it, reported that he would - be unable to control the mob. “Gen. Butler, in his serenest manner, - replied, ‘Give my compliments to Gen. Williams, and tell him, if he finds - he cannot control the mob, to open upon them with artillery.’” The mob did - that day endeavor to seize Judge Summers, the Recorder; and he was only - saved by the determined courage of Lieut. Kinsman, in command of an armed - party. From this moment the general assumed the attitude he never - abandoned, that of master of New Orleans, making his own will the law. He - at first retained the municipal organization; but, finding the officials - incurably hostile, he sent them to Fort Lafayette, and thenceforward ruled - alone, feeding the people, re-establishing trade, maintaining public - order, and seeing that negroes obtained some reasonable measure of - security. Their evidence was admitted, “Louisiana having, when she went - out of the Union, taken her black code with her;” the whipping-house was - abolished, and all forms of torture sternly prohibited. - </p> - <p> - The following interesting narrative, given by a correspondent of “The - Atlantic Monthly,” will show, to some extent, the scenes which Gen. Butler - had to pass through in connection with slavery:— - </p> - <p> - “One Sunday morning, late last summer, as I came down to the - breakfast-room, I was surprised to find a large number of persons - assembled in the library. - </p> - <p> - “When I reached the door, a member of the staff took me by the arm, and - drew me into a room toward a young and delicate mulatto girl, who was - standing against the opposite wall, with the meek, patient bearing of her - race, so expressive of the system of repression to which they have been so - long subjected. - </p> - <p> - “Drawing down the border of her dress, my conductor showed me a sight more - revolting than I trust ever again to behold. - </p> - <p> - “The poor girl’s back was flayed until the quivering flesh resembled a - fresh beefsteak scorched on a gridiron. With a cold chill creeping through - my veins, I turned away from the sickening spectacle, and, for an - explanation of the affair, scanned the various persons about the room. - </p> - <p> - “In the centre of the group, at his writing-table, sat the general. His - head rested on his hand, and he was evidently endeavoring to fix his - attention upon the remarks of a tall, swarthy-looking man who stood - opposite, and who, I soon discovered, was the owner of the girl, and was - attempting a defence of the foul outrage he had committed upon the - unresisting and helpless person of his unfortunate victim, who stood - smarting, but silent, under the dreadful pain inflicted by the brutal - lash. - </p> - <p> - “By the side of the slave-holder stood our adjutant-general, his face - livid with almost irrepressible rage, and his fists tight clenched, as if - to violently restrain himself from visiting the guilty wretch with summary - and retributive justice. Disposed about the room, in various attitudes, - but all exhibiting in their countenances the same mingling of horror and - indignation, were other members of the staff; while near the door stood - three or four house-servants, who were witnesses in the case. - </p> - <p> - “To the charge of having administered the inhuman castigation, Landry (the - owner of the girl) pleaded guilty, but urged, in extenuation, that the - girl had dared to make an effort for that freedom which her instincts, - drawn from the veins of her abuser, had taught her was the God-given right - of all who possess the germ of immortality, no matter what the color of - the casket in which it is hidden. - </p> - <p> - “I say ‘drawn from the veins of her abuser,’ because she declared she was - his daughter; and everyone in the room, looking upon the man and woman - confronting each other, confessed that the resemblance justified the - assertion. - </p> - <p> - “At the conclusion of all the evidence in the case, the general continued - in the same position as before, and remained for some time apparently lost - in abstraction. I shall never forget the singular expression on his face. - </p> - <p> - “I had been accustomed to see him in a storm of passion at any instance of - oppression or flagrant injustice; but, on this occasion, he was too deeply - affected to obtain relief in the usual way. - </p> - <p> - “His whole air was one of dejection, almost listlessness; his indignation - too intense, and his anger too stern, to find expression, even in his - countenance. After sitting in the mood which I have described at such - length, the general again turned to the prisoner, and said, in a quiet, - subdued tone of voice,— - </p> - <p> - “‘Mr. Landry, I dare not trust myself to decide to-day what punishment - would be meet for your offence; for I am in that state of mind that I fear - I might exceed the strict demands of justice. I shall therefore place you - under guard for the present, until I conclude upon your sentence.’ - </p> - <p> - “A few days after, a number of influential citizens having represented to - the general that Mr. Landry was not only a ‘high-toned gentleman,’ but a - person of unusual ‘amiability’ of character, and was consequently entitled - to no small degree of leniency, he answered, that, in consideration of the - prisoner’s ‘high-toned’ character, and especially of his ‘amiability,’ of - which he had seen so remarkable a proof, he had determined to meet their - views; and therefore ordered that Landry give a deed of manumission to the - girl, and pay a fine of five hundred dollars, to be placed in the hands of - a trustee for her benefit.” - </p> - <p> - It was scenes like the above that changed Gen. Butler’s views upon the - question of slavery; for it cannot be denied, that, during the first few - weeks of his command in New Orleans, he had a controversy with Gen. - Phelps, owing to the latter’s real antislavery feelings. Soon after his - arrival, Gen. Butler gave orders that all negroes not needed for service - should be removed from the camps. The city was sealed against their - escape. Even secession masters were assured that their property, if not - employed, should be returned. It is said that pledges of reimbursement for - loss of labor were made to such. Gen. Phelps planted himself on the side - of the slave; would not exile them from his camp; branded as cruel the - policy that harbored, and then drove out the slave to the inhuman revenge - that awaited him. - </p> - <p> - Yet the latter part of Gen. Butler’s reign compensated for his earlier - faults. It must be remembered, that, when he landed in New Orleans, he was - fresh from Washington, where the jails were filled with fugitive slaves, - awaiting the claim of their masters; where the return of the escaped - bondman was considered a military duty. Then how could he be expected to - do better? The stream cannot rise higher than the spring. - </p> - <p> - His removal from the Department of the Gulf, on account of the crushing - blows which he gave the “peculiar institution,” at once endeared him to - the hearts of the friends of impartial freedom throughout the land. - </p> - <p> - The following imitation of Leigh Hunt’s celebrated poem is not out of - place here:— - </p> - <h3> - “ABOU BEN BUTLER.” - </h3> - <p class="indent15"> - “Abou Ben Butler (may his tribe increase! ) - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Awoke one night down by the old Balize, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And saw, outside the comfort of his room, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Making it warmer for the gathering gloom, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - A black man, shivering in the Winter’s cold. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Exceeding courage made Ben Butler bold; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And to the presence in the dark lie said, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “What wantest thou?” The figure raised its head, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And, with a look made of all sad accord, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Answered, “The men who’ll serve the purpose of the Lord.” - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “And am I one?” said Butler. “Nay, not so,” - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Replied the black man. Butler spoke more low, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - But cheerly still, and said, “As <i>I am Ben</i>, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - You’ll not have cause to tell me that again!” - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - The figure bowed and vanished. The next night - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - It came once more, environed strong in light, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And showed the names whom love of Freedom blessed; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And, lo! Ben Butler’s name led all the rest.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - —<i>Boston Transcript.</i> - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - It is probably well known that the free colored population of New Orleans, - in intelligence, public spirit, and material wealth, surpass those of the - same class in any other city of the Union. Many of these gentlemen have - been highly educated, have travelled extensively in this and foreign - countries, speak and read the French, Spanish, and English languages - fluently, and in the Exchange Rooms, or at the Stock Boards, wield an - influence at anytime fully equal to the same number of white capitalists. - Before the war, they represented in that city alone fifteen millions of - property, and were heavily taxed to support the schools of the State, but - were not allowed to claim the least benefit therefrom. - </p> - <p> - These gentlemen, representing so much intelligence, culture, and wealth, - and who would, notwithstanding the fact that they all have negro blood in - their veins, adorn any circle of society in the North, who would be taken - upon Broadway for educated and wealthy Cuban planters, rather than free - negroes, although many of them have themselves held slaves, have always - been loyal to the Union; and, when New Orleans seemed in danger of being - re-captured by the rebels under Gen. Magruder, these colored men rose <i>en - masse</i>, closed their offices and stores, armed and organized themselves - into six regiments, and for six weeks abandoned their business, and stood - ready to fight for the defence of New Orleans, while, at the same time, - not a single white regiment from the original white inhabitants was - raised. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XIII—THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FREE. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Emancipation in the District.—Comments of the Press.—The - Good Result.—Recognition of Hayti and Liberia.—The - Slave-trader Gordon.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">F</span>or many years - previous to the Rebellion, efforts had been made to induce Congress to - abolish slavery in the District of Columbia, without success. The - “negro-pens” which adorned that portion of the national domain had long - made Americans feel ashamed of the capital of their country; because it - was well known that those pens were more or less connected with the - American slave-trade, which, in its cruelty, was as bad as that of the - African slave-trade, if not worse. It was expected, even by the democracy, - that one of the first acts of the Republicans on coming into office would - be the emancipation of the slaves of the District; and therefore no one - was surprised at its being brought forward in the earliest part of Mr. - Lincoln’s administration. The bill was introduced into the Senate by Hon. - Henry Wilson of Massachusetts. Its discussion caused considerable - excitement among slave-holders, who used every means to prevent its - passage. Nevertheless, after going through the Senate, it passed the House - on the 11th of April, 1862, by a large majority, and soon received the - sanction of the President. The Copperhead press howled over the doings of - Congress, and appeared to see the fate of the institution in this act. The - “Louisville Journal” said,— - </p> - <p> - “The President, contrary to our most earnest hopes, has approved the bill - for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia. - </p> - <p> - “We need hardly say that the President’s reasons for approving the bill - are not, in our opinion, such as should have governed him at this - extraordinary juncture of the national history. They are not to us - sufficient reasons. On the contrary, we think they weigh as nothing - compared with the grave reasons in the opposite scale. - </p> - <p> - “The enemies of the country will no doubt attempt so to use the act by - representing it as the first step towards the abolition of slavery in the - States; but this representation, if made, will be a very gross - misrepresentation. The Republicans, as a body, our readers know full well, - always declared that Congress had the constitutional power to abolish - slavery in the District of Columbia, and that Congress ought to exercise - the power. They, however, have always declared, with the same unanimity, - that Congress does not possess the constitutional power to interfere with - slavery in the States. And they now declare so with especial distinctness - and solemnity. - </p> - <p> - “We, of course, except from the scope of the remarks we have now made such - abolitionists as Sumner and his scattered followers in Congress. With the - exception of these few <i>raving zealots, of whom most Republicans are - heartily ashamed,</i> the men who voted to abolish slavery in the District - of Columbia avow themselves as resolutely opposed to interfering with - slavery in the States as the men who voted against the measure are known - to be. Their avowals are distinct and emphatic. - </p> - <p> - “We hope that the majority in Congress are at length through with such - tricks, and will henceforth leave in peace the myrtle of party eye-sores, - while they split the oak of the Rebellion.” - </p> - <p> - However, the predictions and hopes of the “Journal” were not to avail any - thing for the slavemongers. The Rebellion had sounded the death-knell of - the crime of crimes. Too many brave men had already fallen by the hands of - the upholders of the barbarous system to have it stop there. The God of - liberty had proclaimed that— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “In this, the District where my Temple stands, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - I burst indignant every captive’s bands; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Here in my home my glorious work begin; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Then blush no more each day to see this sin. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Thus finding room to freely breathe and stand, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - I’ll stretch my sceptre over all the land, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Until, unfettered, leaps the waiting slave, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And echoes back the blessings of the brave.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - The “Press,” Forney’s paper, spoke thus, a few days after slavery had died - in the District:— - </p> - <p> - “The emancipation of slaves in the District of Columbia was one of the - most suggestive events of the age. It was an example and an illustration. - The great idea of the past century, the idea which had associated and - identified itself with our institutions, was at last tried by a practical - test. Good results came from it; none of the evils dreaded and prophesied - have been manifested. It was a simple measure of legislative policy, and - was established amid great opposition and feeling. Yet it was succeeded by - no agitation, no outbreaks of popular prejudice. The District of Columbia - is now a free Territory by the easy operation of a statute law,—by - what enemies of the measure called forcible emancipation; and yet the - District of Columbia is as pleasant and as prosperous as at any period of - its history. There has been no negro saturnalia, no violent outbreak of - social disorder, no attempt to invade those barriers of social distinction - that must forever exist between the African and Anglo-Saxon [?]. It was - said that property would depreciate; that there would be excesses and - violences; that the negro would become insolent and unbearable; that the - city of Washington would become a desolated metropolis; that negro labor - would become valueless; that hundreds of the emancipated negroes would - flock to the Northern States. We have seen no such results as yet; we know - that nothing of the kind is anticipated. We have yet to hear of the first - emancipated negro coming to Philadelphia. Labor moves on in its accustomed - way, with the usual supply and demand. We do not think a white woman has - been insulted by an emancipated negro; we are confident that no - emancipated negro has sought the hand of any fair damsel of marriageable - age and condition. - </p> - <p> - “Society is the same in Maryland and Kentucky. In accomplishing - emancipation in the District of Columbia, we have shown the timid that - their fears were but of the imagination, the mere prejudices of education. - Slavery has been the cancer of the Southern social system. We employ an - old metaphor, perhaps, but it is a forcible and appropriate illustration. - It rooted itself into the body of Southern society, attacking the glands, - terminating in an ill-conditioned and deep disease, and causing the - republic excruciating pain. It became schirrous and indurated. It brought - disaster and grief upon them, and the sorest of evils upon us. It brought - us blood and civil war, ruined commerce and desolated fields, blockaded - ports, and rivers that swarm with gunboats instead of merchant vessels. It - was tolerated as a necessary evil, until its extent and virulence made it - incumbent upon us to terminate it as such, or to be terminated by it. The - champions of this institution, not content with submitting to the - toleration and protection of our great Northern free community, have made - it the pretext for aggression and insult, and by their own acts are - accomplishing its downfall. The emancipation of slavery in the District of - Columbia was the necessary and natural result of the Southern Rebellion. - It is but the beginning of the results the Rebellion must surely bring. - The wedge has only entered the log, and heavy blows are falling upon it - day by day.” - </p> - <p> - Great was the rejoicing in Washington and throughout the Free States; for - every one saw “the end from the beginning.” Our own Whittier strung his - harp anew, and sung,— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “I knew that truth would crush the lie,— - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Somehow, sometime the end would be; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Yet scarcely dared I hope to see - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - The triumph with my mortal eye. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - But now I see it. In the sun - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - A free flag floats from yonder dome, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And at the nation’s hearth and home - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - The justice long delayed is done.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - With the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, commenced a new - era at our country’s capital. The representatives of the Governments of - Hayti and Liberia had both long knocked in vain to be admitted with the - representatives of other nations. The slave power had always succeeded in - keeping them out. But a change had now come over the dreams of the people, - and Congress was but acting up to this new light in passing the following - bill:— - </p> - <p> - “<i>Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United - States of America in Congress assembled</i>, That the President of the - United States be, and he hereby is, authorized, by and with the consent of - the Senate, to appoint diplomatic representatives of the United States to - the republics of Hayti and Liberia, respectively. Each of the said - representatives so appointed shall be accredited as commissioner and - consul general, and shall receive, out of any money in the treasury not - otherwise appropriated, the compensation of commissioners provided for by - the Act of Congress approved August 18, 1856: <i>Provided</i> that the - compensation of the representative at Liberia shall not exceed $4,000.” - </p> - <p> - The above bill was before the Senate some time, and elicited much - discussion, and an able speech was made by Hon. Charles Sumner in favor of - the recognition of the independence of Hayti and Liberia. To use his own - expressive words, “Slavery in the national capital is now abolished: it - remains that this other triumph shall be achieved. Nothing but the sway of - a slave-holding despotism on the floor of Congress, hitherto, has - prevented the adoption of this righteous measure; and now that that - despotism has been exorcised, no time should be lost by Congress to see it - carried into immediate execution. All other civilized nations have ceased - to make complexion a badge of superiority or inferiority in the matter of - nationality; and we should make haste, therefore, to repair the injury we - have done, as a republic, in refusing to recognize Liberian and Haytian - independence.” - </p> - <p> - Even after all that had passed, the African slave-trade was still being - carried on between the Southern States and Africa. Ships were fitted out - in Northern ports for the purpose of carrying on this infernal traffic. - And, although it was prohibited by an act of Congress, none had ever been - convicted for dealing in slaves. The new order of things was to give these - traffickers a trial, and test the power by which they had so long dealt in - the bodies and souls of men whom they had stolen from their native land. - One Nathaniel Gordon was already in prison in New York, and his trial was - fast approaching: it came, and he was convicted of piracy in the United - States District Court in the city of New York; the piracy consisting in - having fitted out a slaver, and shipped nine hundred Africans at Congo - River, with a view to selling them as slaves. The same man had been tried - for the same offence before; but the jury failed to agree, and he - accordingly escaped punishment for the time. Every effort was made which - the ingenuity of able lawyers could invent, or the power of money could - enforce, to save this miscreant from the gallows; but all in vain: for - President Lincoln utterly refused to interfere in any way whatever, and - Gordon was executed on the 7th of February. - </p> - <p> - This blow appeared to give more offence to the commercial Copperheads than - even the emancipation of the slaves in the District of Columbia; for it - struck an effectual blow at a very lucrative branch of commerce, in which - the New Yorkers were largely interested. Thus it will be seen that the - nation was steadily moving on to the goal of freedom. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XIV—THE BLACK BRIGADE OF CINCINNATI. - </h2> - <p> - <i>The Great Fright.—Cruel Treatment of the Colored People by the - Police. —Bill Homer and his Roughs.—Military Training.—Col. - Dickson.—The Work.—Mustering Out.—The Thanks.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">H</span>atred to the negro - is characteristic of the people of Cincinnati; more so, probably, than any - other city in the West. Mobs in which the colored citizens have been the - victims have more than once occurred in that place, to the utter disgrace - of its white inhabitants,—mobs resulting often in the loss of life, - and always in the destruction of property. The raid of John Morgan in the - month of July, 1862, and, soon after, the defeat of the Union troops in - Kentucky, had given warning of impending danger. This feeling of fear - culminated on the first of September, in the mayor of Cincinnati calling - on the people to organize and prepare for the defence of the city, in the - following proclamation:— - </p> - <p> - “Mayor’s Office, <i>City of Cincinnati</i>. - </p> - <p> - “In accordance with a resolution passed by the City Council of Cincinnati - on the first instant, I hereby request that all business of every kind or - character be suspended at ten o’clock of this day, and that all persons, - employers and employees, assemble in their respective wards, at the usual - places of voting, and then and there organize themselves in such manner as - may be thought best for the defence of the city. Every man, of every age, - be he citizen or alien, who lives under the protection of our laws, is - expected to take part in the organization. - </p> - <p> - “Witness my hand, and the corporate seal of the city of Cincinnati, this - second day of September, A.D. 1862. - </p> - <p> - “GEORGE HATCH, <i>Mayor.</i>” - </p> - <p> - At two o’clock on the morning of the same day, the mayor issued another - proclamation, notifying the citizens that the police force would perform - the duty of a provost-guard, under the direction of Gen. Wallace. - </p> - <p> - The mayor’s proclamation, under ordinary circumstances, would be explicit - enough. “Every man, of every age, be he citizen or alien,” surely meant - the colored people. A number thought themselves included in the call; but, - remembering the ill-will excited by former offers for home defence, they - feared to come forward for enrolment. The proclamation ordered the people - to assemble “in the respective wards, at the usual places of voting.” The - colored people had no places of voting. Added to this, George Hatch was - the same mayor who had broken up the movement for home defence, before - mentioned. Seeking to test the matter, a policeman was approached, as he - strutted in his new dignity of provost-guard. To the question, humbly, - almost tremblingly, put, “Does the mayor desire colored men to report for - service in the city’s defence?” he replied, “You know d———d - well he does’nt mean you. Niggers ain’t citizens.”—“But he calls on - all, citizens and aliens. If he does not mean all, he should not say so.”—“The - mayor knows as well as you do what to write, and all he wants is for you - niggers to keep quiet.” This was at nine o’clock on the morning of the - second. The military authorities had determined, however, to impress the - colored men for work upon the fortifications. The privilege of - volunteering, extended to others, was to be denied to them. Permission to - volunteer would imply some freedom, some dignity, some independent - manhood. For this the commanding officer is alone chargeable. - </p> - <p> - If the guard appointed to the duty of collecting the colored people had - gone to their houses, and notified them to report for duty on the - fortifications, the order would have been cheerfully obeyed. But the - brutal ruffians who composed the regular and special police took every - opportunity to inflict abuse and insult upon the men whom they arrested. - The special police was entirely composed of that class of the population, - which, only a month before, had combined to massacre the colored - population, and were only prevented from committing great excesses by the - fact that John Morgan, with his rough riders, had galloped to within forty - miles of the river, when the respectable citizens, fearing that the - disloyal element within might combine with the raiders without, and give - the city over to pillage, called a meeting on ‘Change, and demanded that - the riot be stopped. The special police was, in fact, composed of a class - too cowardly or too traitorous to aid, honestly and manfully, in the - defence of the city. They went from house to house, followed by a gang of - rude, foul-mouthed boys. Closets, cellars, and garrets were searched; - bayonets were thrust into beds and bedding; old and young, sick and well, - were dragged out, and, amidst shouts and jeers, marched like felons to the - pen on Plum Street, opposite the Cathedral. No time was given to prepare - for camp-life; in most cases no information was given of the purpose for - which the men were impressed. The only-answers to questions were curses, - and a brutal “Come along now; you will find out time enough.” Had the city - been captured by the Confederates, the colored people would have suffered - no more than they did at the hands of these defenders. Tuesday night, - Sept. 2, was a sad night to the colored people of Cincinnati. The greater - part of the male population had been dragged from home, across the river, - but where, and for what, none could tell. - </p> - <p> - The captain of these conscripting squads was one William Homer, and in him - organized ruffianism had its fitting head. He exhibited the brutal - malignity of his nature in a continued series of petty tyrannies. Among - the first squads marched into the yard was one which had to wait several - hours before being ordered across the river. Seeking to make themselves as - comfortable as possible, they had collected blocks of wood, and piled up - bricks, upon which they seated themselves on the shaded side of the yard. - Coming into the yard, he ordered all to rise, marched them to another - part, then issued the order, “D——n you, squat.” Turning to the - guard, he added, “Shoot the first one who rises.” Reaching the opposite - side of the river, the same squad were marched from the sidewalk into the - middle of the dusty road, and again the order, “D—n you, squat,” and - the command to shoot the first one who should rise. - </p> - <p> - The drill of this guard of white ruffians was unique, and not set down in - either Scott or Hardee. Calling up his men, he would address them thus: - “Now, you fellows, hold up your heads. Pat, hold your musket straight; - don’t put your tongue out so far; keep your eyes open: I believe you are - drunk. Now, then, I want you fellows to go out of this pen, and bring all - the niggers you can catch. Don’t come back here without niggers: if you - do, you shall not have a bit of grog. Now be off, you shabby cusses, and - come back in forty minutes, and bring me niggers; that’s what I want.” - This barbarous and inhuman treatment of the colored citizens of Cincinnati - continued for four days, without a single word of remonstrance, except - from the “Gazette.” - </p> - <p> - Finally, Col. Dickson, a humane man and gentlemanly officer, was appointed - to the command of the “Black Brigade,” and brutality gave way to kind - treatment. The men were permitted to return to their homes, to allay the - fears of their families, and to prepare themselves the better for - camp-life. The police were relieved of provost-guard duty, and on Friday - morning more men reported for duty than had been dragged together by the - police. Many had hidden too securely to be found; others had escaped to - the country. These now came forward to aid in the city’s defence. With - augmented numbers, and glowing with enthusiasm, the Black Brigade marched - to their duty. Receiving the treatment of men, they were ready for any - thing. Being in line of march, they were presented with a national flag by - Capt. Lupton, who accompanied it with the following address:— - </p> - <p> - “I have the kind permission of your commandant, Col. Dickson, to hand you, - without formal speech or presentation, this national flag,—my sole - object to encourage and cheer you on to duty. On its broad folds is - inscribed, ‘<i>The Black Brigade of Cincinnati</i>.’ I am confident, that, - in your hands, it will not be dishonored. - </p> - <p> - “The duty of the hour is <i>work</i>,—hard, severe labor on the - fortifications of the city. In the emergency upon us, the highest and the - lowest alike owe this duty. Let it be cheerfully undertaken. He is no <i>man</i> - who now, in defence of home and fireside, shirks duty. - </p> - <p> - “A flag is the emblem of sovereignty, a symbol and guaranty of <i>protection</i>. - Every nation and people are proud of the flag of their country. England, - for a thousand years, boasts her Red Flag and Cross of St. George; France - glories in her Tri-color and Imperial Eagle; ours, the ‘Star-spangled - Banner,’ far more beautiful than they,—<i>this dear old flag!</i>—the - sun in heaven never looked down on so proud a banner of beauty and glory. - Men of the Black Brigade, rally around it! Assert your <i>manhood</i>; be - loyal to duty; be obedient, hopeful, patient: Slavery will soon die; the - slave-holders’ rebellion, accursed of God and man, will shortly and - miserably perish. There will then be, through all the coming ages, in very - truth, a land of the free,—one country, one flag, one destiny. - </p> - <p> - “I charge you, <i>men of the Black Brigade of Cincinnati</i>, remember - that for you, and for me, and for your children, and your children’s - children, there is but <i>one flag</i>, as there is but one Bible, and one - God, the Father of us all.” - </p> - <p> - For nearly three weeks the Black Brigade labored upon the fortifications, - their services beginning, as we have seen, Sept. 2, and terminating Sept: - 20. - </p> - <p> - When the brigade was mustered out, the commander thanked them in the - following eloquent terms:— - </p> - <p> - “<i>Soldiers of the Black Brigade!</i> You have finished the work assigned - to you upon the fortifications for the defence of the city. You are now to - be discharged. You have labored faithfully; you have made miles of - military roads, miles of rifle-pits, felled hundreds of acres of the - largest and loftiest forest trees, built magazines and forts. The hills - across yonder river will be a perpetual monument of your labors. You have, - in no spirit of bravado, in no defiance of established prejudice, but in - submission to it, intimated to me your willingness to defend with your - lives the fortifications your hands have built. <i>Organized companies of - men of your race have tendered their services to aid in the defence of the - city</i>. In obedience to the policy of the Government, the authorities - have denied you this privilege. In the department of labor permitted, you - have, however, rendered a willing and cheerful service. Nor has your zeal - been dampened by the cruel treatment received. The citizens, of both - sexes, have encouraged you with their smiles and words of approbation; the - soldiers have welcomed you as co-laborers in the same great cause. But a - portion of the police, ruffians in character, early learning that your - services were accepted, and seeking to deprive you of the honor of - voluntary labor, before opportunity was given you to proceed to the field, - rudely seized you in the streets, in your places of business, in your - homes, everywhere, hurried you into filthy pens, thence across the river - to the fortifications, not permitting you to make any preparation for - camp-life. You have borne this with the accustomed patience of your race; - and when, under more favorable auspices, you have received only the - protection due to a common humanity, you have labored cheerfully and - effectively. - </p> - <p> - “Go to your homes with the consciousness of having performed your duty,—of - deserving, if you do not receive, the protection of the law, and bearing - with you the gratitude and respect of all honorable men. You have learned - to suffer and to wait; but, in your hours of adversity, remember that the - same God who has numbered the hairs of our heads, who watches over even - the fate of a sparrow, is the God of your race as well as mine. The - sweat-blood which the nation is now shedding at every pore is an awful - warning of how fearful a thing it is to oppress the humblest being.” - </p> - <p> - A letter in “The Tribune,” dated Cincinnati, Sept. 7, giving an account of - the enthusiasm of the people in rallying for the city’s defence, says, - “While all have done well, the negroes, as a class, must bear away the - palm. When martial law was declared, a few prominent colored men tendered - their services in any capacity desired. As soon as it became known that - they would be accepted, Mayor Hatch’s police commenced arresting them - everywhere, dragging them away from their houses and places of business - without a moment’s notice, shutting them up in negro-pens, and subjecting - them to the grossest abuse and indignity. Mr. Hatch is charged with - secession proclivities. During the recent riots against the negroes, the - <i>animus</i> of his police was entirely hostile to them, and many - outrages were committed upon that helpless and unoffending class. On this - occasion, the same course was pursued. No opportunity was afforded the - negro to volunteer; but they were treated as public enemies. They were - taken over the river, ostensibly to work upon the fortification; but were - scattered, detailed as cooks for white regiments, some of them - half-starved, and all so much abused that it finally caused a great - outcry. When Gen. Wallace’s attention was called to the matter, he - requested Judge William M. Dickson, a prominent citizen, who is related by - marriage to President Lincoln, to take the whole matter in charge. Judge - Dickson undertook the thankless task: organized the negroes into two - regiments of three hundred each, made the proper provision for their - comfort, and set them at work upon the trenches. They have accomplished - more than any other six hundred of the whole eight thousand men upon the - fortifications. Their work has been entirely voluntary. Judge Dickson - informed them at the outset that all could go home who chose; that it must - be entirely a labor of love with them. <i>Only one man</i> of the whole - number has availed himself of the privilege; the rest have all worked - cheer, fully and efficiently. One of the regiments is officered by white - captains, the other by negroes. The latter, proved so decidedly superior - that both regiments will hereafter be commanded by officers of their own - race. They are not only working, but drilling; and they already go through - some of the simpler military movements very creditably.. Wherever they - appear, they are cheered by our troops. Last night, one of the colored - regiments, coming off duty for twenty-four hours, was halted in front of - headquarters, at the Burnet House, front faced, and gave three rousing - cheers for Gen. Wallace, and three more for Judge Dickson.” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XV. PROCLAMATION OF FREEDOM. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Emancipation Proclamation.—Copperhead View of It.—“Abraham - Spare the South.”—The Contrabands Rejoicing.—The Songs.—Enthusiasm.—Faith - in God.—Negro Wit.—“Forever Free.”</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">O</span>n the 22d of - September, 1862, President Lincoln sent forth his proclamation, warning - the rebel States that he would proclaim emancipation to their slaves if - such States did not return to the Union before the first day of the - following January. Loud were the denunciations of the copperheads of the - country; and all the stale arguments against negro emancipation which had - been used in the West Indies thirty years before, and since then in our - country, were newly vamped, and put forward to frighten the President and - his Cabinet. - </p> - <p> - The toleration of a great social wrong in any country is ever accompanied - by blindness of vision, hardness of heart, and cowardice of mind, as well - as moral deterioration and industrial impoverishment. Hence, whenever an - earnest attempt is made for the removal of the wrong, those without eyes - noisily declare that they see clearly that nothing but disastrous - consequences will follow; those who are dead to all sensibility profess to - be shocked beyond measure in contemplating the terrible scenes that must - result from the change; and those who have no faith in justice are thrown - into spasms at the mention of its impartial administration. For a whole - generation, covering the period of the antislavery struggle in this - country, have they not incessantly raised their senseless clamors and - indignant outcries against the simplest claim of bleeding humanity to be - released from its tortures, as though it were a proposition to destroy all - order, inaugurate universal ruin, and “let chaos come again?” - </p> - <p> - “The proclamation won’t reach the slaves,” said one. “They wont heed it,” - said another. - </p> - <p> - “This proclamation is an invitation to the blacks to murder their - masters,” remarked a Boston copperhead newspaper. “The slaves will fight - for their masters,” said the same journal, the following day. - </p> - <p> - “It will destroy the Union.”—“It is harmless and impotent.”—“It - will excite slave insurrection.”—“The slaves will never hear of it.”—“It - will excite the South to desperation.”—“The rebels will laugh it to - scorn.” Delegation after delegation waited on the President, and urged a - postponement of emancipation. The Kentucky Congressional delegation did - all in their power to put back the glorious event. Conservative old-line - Whigs and backsliding antislavery men were afraid to witness the coming - day. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - “Abraham, spare the South, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Touch not a single slave, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Nor e’en by word of mouth - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Disturb the thing, we crave. - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - ‘Twas our forefathers’ hand - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - That slavery begot: - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - There, Abraham, let it stand; - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Thine acts shall harm it not,” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - cried thousands who called at the White House. Washington, Alexandria, and - Georgetown were crowded with “contrabands;” and hundreds were forwarded to - the Sea Islands, to be occupied in cultivating the deserted plantations. - As the day drew near, reports were circulated that the President would - re-call the pledge. The friends of the negro were frightened; the negro - himself trembled for fear that the cause would be lost. The blacks in all - the Southern departments were behaving well, as if to deepen the already - good impression made by them on the Government officials. Rejoicing - meetings were advertised at the Tremont Temple, Boston, Cooper Institute, - New York, and the largest hall in Philadelphia, and in nearly every-city - and large town in the north. Great preparation was made at the “Contraband - Camp,” in the District of Columbia. At the latter place, they met on the - last night in December, 1862, in the camp, and waited patiently for’ the - coming day, when they should become free. The fore part of the night was - spent in singing and prayer, the following being sung several times:— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - “Oh, go down, Moses, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Way down into Egypt’s land; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Tell king Pharaoh - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - To let my people go. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Oh, Pharaoh said he would go cross, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Let my people go. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - But Pharaoh and his host was lost, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Let my people go. - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - <i>Chorus</i>—Oh, go down, Moses, &c. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - O Moses, stretch your hands across, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Let my people go. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And don’t get lost in the wilderness, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Let my people go. - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - <i>Chorus</i>—Oh, go down, Moses, &c. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - You may hinder me here, but you can’t up there, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Let my people go. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - He sits in heaven, and answers prayer, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Let my people go. - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - <i>Chorus</i>—Oh, go down, Moses, &c.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - After this an old man struck up, in a clear and powerful voice, “I am a - free man now: Jesus Christ has made me free!” the company gradually - joining in; and, before the close, the whole assemblage was singing in - chorus. - </p> - <p> - It was quite evident, through the exercises of the day and night, that the - negroes regard the condition of the Israelites in Egypt as typical of - their own condition in slavery; and the allusions to Moses, Pharaoh, the - Egyptian task-masters, and the unhappy condition of the captive - Israelites, were continuous; and any reference to the triumphant escape of - the Israelites across the Red Sea, and the destruction of their pursuing - masters, was certain to bring out a strong “Amen!” - </p> - <p> - An old colored preacher, who displays many of the most marked - peculiarities of his race, calling himself “John de Baptis,” and known as - such by his companions,-from his habit of always taking his text, as he - expresses it, from the “regulations ob de 2d chapter of Matthew, ‘And in - those days came John de Baptis,’” came forward, and, taking his usual - text, went on to show the necessity of following good advice, and rebuked - his hearers for being more lawless than they were in Dixie. - </p> - <p> - Then came another contraband brother, who said,— - </p> - <p> - “Onst, the time was dat I cried all night. What’s de matter? What’s de - matter? Matter enough. De nex mornin’ my child was to be sold, an’ she was - sold; an’ I neber spec to see her no more till de day ob judgment. Now, no - more dat! no more dat! no more dat! Wid my hands agin my breast I was - gwine to my work, when de overseer used to whip me along. Now, no more - dat! no more dat! no more dat! When I tink what de Lord’s done for us, an’ - brot us thro’ de trubbles, I feel dat I ought go inter his service. We’se - free now, bress de Lord! (Amens! were vociferated all over the building.) - Dey can’t sell my wife an’ child any more, bress de Lord! (Glory, glory! - from the audience.) No more dat! no more dat! no more dat, now! (Glory!) - Presurdund Lincum hav shot de gate! Dat’s what de matter!” and there was a - prolonged response of Amens! - </p> - <p> - A woman on her knees exclaimed at the top of her voice,— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - “If de Debble do not ketch - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Jeff. Davis, dat infernal retch, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - An roast and frigazee dat rebble, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Wat is de use ob any Debble?” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - “Amen! amen! amen!” cried many voices. - </p> - <p> - At this juncture of the meeting, an intelligent contraband broke out in - the following strain:— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “The first of January next, eighteen sixty-three,— - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - So says the Proclamation,—the slaves will all be free! - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - To every kindly heart ‘twill be the day of jubilee; - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - For the bond shall all go free! - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - John Brown, the dauntless hero, with joy is looking on; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - From his home among the angels he sees the coming dawn; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Then up with Freedom’s banners, and hail the glorious mom - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - When the slaves shall all go free! - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - We’ve made a strike for liberty; the Lord is on our side; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And Christ, the friend of bondmen, shall ever be our guide; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And soon the cry will ring, throughout this glorious land so wide, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - ‘Let the bondmen all go free!’ - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - No more from crushed and bleeding hearts we hear the broken sigh; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - No more from brothers bound in chains we’ll hear the pleading cry; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - For the happy day, the glorious day, is coming by and by, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - When the slaves shall all go free! - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - We’re bound to make our glorious flag the banner of the free, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - The first of January next, eighteen sixty-three; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Of every loyal Northern heart the glad cry then shall be, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - ‘Let the bondmen all go free!’ - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - ‘No Compromise with Slavery!’ we hear the cheering sound, The road to - peace and happiness ‘Old Abe’ at last has found: - </p> - <p> - With earnest hearts and willing hands to stand by him we’re hound, While - he sets the bondmen free! - </p> - <p> - The morning light is breaking: we see its cheering ray,— - </p> - <p> - The light of Truth and Justice, that can never fade away; - </p> - <p> - And soon the light will brighten to a great and glorious day, - </p> - <p> - When the slaves shall all go free! - </p> - <p> - And when we on the ‘other side’ do all together stand, - </p> - <p> - As children of one family we’ll clasp the friendly hand: - </p> - <p> - We’ll be a band of brothers in that brighter, better land,— - </p> - <p> - Where the bond shall all be free! - </p> - <p> - After several others had spoken, George Payne, another contraband, made a - few sensible remarks, somewhat in these words: “Friends, don’t you see de - han’ of God in dis? Haven’t we a right to rejoice? You all know you - couldn’t have such a meetin’ as dis down in Dixie! Dat you all knows! have - a right to rejoice; an’ so have you; for we shall be free in jus’ about - five minutes. Dat’s a fact. I shall rejoice that God has placed Mr. Lincum - in de president’s chair, and dat he wouldn’t let de rebels make peace - until after dis new year. De Lord has heard de groans of de people, and - has come down to deliver! You all knows dat in Dixie you worked de day - long, an’ never got no satisfacshun. But here, what you make is yourn. - I’ve worked six months; and what I’ve made is mine! Let me tell you, - though, don’t be too free! De lazy man can’t go to heaven. You must be - honest, an’ work, an’ show dat you is fit to be free; an’ de Lord will - bless you an’ Abrum Lincum. Amen!” - </p> - <p> - A small black man, with a rather cracking voice, appearing by his jestures - to be inwardly on fire, began jumping, and singing the following:— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “Massa gone, missy too; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Cry! niggers, cry! - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Tink I’ll see de bressed Norf, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - ‘Fore de day I die.. - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Hi! hi! Yankee shot’im; - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Now I tink dc debbil’s got’im.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - The whole company then joined in singing the annexed song, which made the - welkin ring, and was heard far beyond the camp. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <h3> - I. - </h3> - <p class="indent15"> - “Oh! we all longed for freedom, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Oh! we all longed for freedom, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Oh! we all longed for freedom, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Ah! we prayed to be free; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Yes, we prayed to be free, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Oh! we prayed to be free, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Though the day was long in coming, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Though the day was long in coming, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Though the day was long in coming, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - That we so longed to see, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - That we so longed to see, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - That we so longed to see, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Though the day was long in coming - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - That we so longed to see. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <h3> - II. - </h3> - <p class="indent15"> - But bless the great Jehovah, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - But bless the great Jehovah, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - But bless the great Jehovah, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - At last the glad day’s come, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - At last the glad day’s come, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - At last the glad day’s come. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - By fire and sword he brought us, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - By fire and sword he brought us, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - By fire and sword he brought us, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - From slavery into freedom. - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - From slavery into freedom, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - From slavery into Freedom; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - By fire and sword he brought us - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Front slavery into freedom. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <h3> - III. - </h3> - <p class="indent15"> - We’ll bless the great Redeemer, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - We’ll bless the great Redeemer, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - We’ll bless the great Redeemer, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And glorify his name, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And glorify his name, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And glorify his name, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And all who helped to bring us, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And all who helped to bring us, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And all who helped to bring us - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - From sorrow, grief, and shame, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - From sorrow, grief, and shame, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - From sorrow, grief, and shame, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And all who helped to bring us - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - From sorrow, grief, and shame. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <h3> - IV. - </h3> - <p class="indent15"> - And blessed be Abraham Lincoln, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And blessed be Abraham Lincoln, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And blessed be Abraham Lincoln, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And the Union army too, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And the Union army too. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - May the choicest of earth’s blessings, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - May the choicest of earth’s blessings, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - May the choicest of earth’s blessings, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Their pathways ever strew, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Their pathways ever strew, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Their pathways ever strew! - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - May the choicest of earth’s blessings - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Their pathways ever strew! - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <h3> - V. - </h3> - <p class="indent15"> - We’ll strive to learn our duty, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - We’ll strive to learn our duty, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - We’ll strive to learn our duty, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - That all our friends may see, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - That all our friends may see, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - That all our friends may see, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Though so long oppressed in bondage, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Though so long oppressed in bondage, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Though so long oppressed in bondage, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - We were worthy to be free, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - We were worthy to be free, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - We were worthy to be free: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Though so long oppressed in bondage, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - We were worthy to be free.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - Just before midnight, Dr. Nichols requested all present to kneel, and to - silently invoke the blessing of the Almighty. The silence was almost - deadly when the clock announced the new year; and Dr. Nichols said, “Men - and women (for you are this day to be declared free, and I can address you - as men and women), I wish you a happy new year!” An eloquent prayer was - then offered by an aged negro; after which, all rose, and joined in - singing their version of “Glory! glory! hallelujah!” shaking each other by - the hand, and indulging in joyous demonstrations. They then promenaded the - grounds, singing hymns, and finally serenaded the superintendent, in whose - honor a sable improvisatore carolled forth an original ode, the chorus of - which was, “Free forever! Forever free!” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “Ring, ring! O Bell of Freedom, ring! - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And to the ears of bondmen bring - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Thy sweet and freeman-thrilling tone. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - On Autumn’s blast, from zone to zone, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - The joyful tidings go proclaim, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - In Liberty’s hallowed name: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Emancipation to the slave, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - The rights which his Creator gave, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - To live with chains asunder riven, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - To live free as the birds of heaven, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - To live free as the air he breathes, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Entirely free from galling greaves; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - The right to act, to know, to feel, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - That bands of iron and links of steel - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Were never wrought to chain the mind, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Nor human flesh in bondage bind; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - That Heaven, in its generous plan, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Gave like and equal rights to man. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Go send thy notes from shore to shore, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Above the deep-voiced cannon’s roar; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Go send Emancipation’s peal - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Where clashes North with Southern steel, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And nerve the Southern bondmen now - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - To rise and strike the final blow, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - To lay Oppression’s minions low. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Oh! rouse the mind and nerve the arm - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - To brave the blast and face the storm; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And, ere the war-cloud passes by, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - We’ll have a land of liberty. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Our God has said, “Let there be light - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Where Error palls the land with night.” - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Then send forth now, O Freedom’s bell, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Foul Slavery’s last and fatal knell! - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Oh! speed the tidings o’er the land, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - That tells that stern Oppression’s hand - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Has yielded to the power of Right: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - That Wrong is weak, that Truth is might! - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Then Union shall again return, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And Freedom’s fires shall brightly burn; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And peace and jot, sweet guests, shall come, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And dwell in every heart and home.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - “Free forever! Forever free!” - </p> - <p> - No pen can fitly portray the scene that followed this announcement. Every - heart seemed to leap for joy: some were singing, some praying, some - weeping, some dancing, husbands embracing Wives, friends shaking hands, - and appearing to feel that the Day of Jubilee had come. A sister broke out - in the following strain, which was heartily joined in by the vast - assembly:— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “Go down, Abraham, away down in Dixie’s land, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Tell Jeff. Davis to let my people go. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Our bitter tasks are ended, all onr unpaid labor done; - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Our galling chains are broken, and our onward march begun: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Go down, Abraham, away down in Dixie’s land, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Tell Jeff. Davis to let my people go. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Down in the house of bondage we have watched and waited long; - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - The oppressor’s heel was heavy, the oppressor’s arm was strong: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Go down, Abraham, away down in Dixie’s land, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Tell Jeff. Davis to let my people go. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Not vainly have we waited through the long and darkened years; - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Not vain the patient watching, ’mid our sweat and blood and tears: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Go down, Abraham, away down in Dixie’s land, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Tell Jeff. Davis to let my people go. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Now God is with Grant, and he’ll surely whip Lee; - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - For the Proclamation says that the niggers must be free: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Go down, Abraham, away down in Dixie’s land, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Tell Jeff. Davis to let my people go.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - Thus ended the last night of slavery in the contraband camp at Washington. - </p> - <p> - The morning of Jan. 1, 1863, was anxiously looked for by the friends of - freedom throughout the United States; and, during the entire day, the - telegraph offices in the various places were beset by crowds, waiting to - hear the news from the Nation’s capital. Late in the day the following - proclamation made its appearance:— - </p> - <p> - <i>Washington</i>, Jan. 1, 1863.—I Abraham Lincoln, President of the - United States of America, do issue this my Proclamation:— - </p> - <p> - Whereas, On the 22d day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand - eight hundred and sixty-three, a proclamation was issued by the President - of the United States, containing, among other things, the following, to - wit:— - </p> - <p> - “That, on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord, one thousand - eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State - or any designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in - rebellion against the United States, shall be then, henceforward, and - forever, free; and the Executive Government of the United States, - including the military and naval force thereof, will recognize and - maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to - repress such persons, or any of them, in any effort they may make for - their actual freedom; that the Executive will, on the first day of January - aforesaid, by proclamation, designate the States and parts of States, if - any in which the people therein respectively shall then be in rebellion - against the United States; and the fact that any State or people thereof - shall on that day be in good faith represented in the Congress of the - United States by members chosen thereto, at elections wherein a majority - of the qualified voters of such States shall have participated, shall, in - the absence of strong countervailing testimony, be deemed conclusive - evidence that such State and the people thereof are not then in rebellion - against the United States. - </p> - <p> - “Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, by - virtue of the power in me vested, as Commander-in-Chief of the Army and - Navy of the United States in times of actual rebellion against the - authorities and Government of the United States, and as a fit and - necessary war measure for suppressing this rebellion, do on this, the - first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred - and sixty-three, and in accordance with my purpose so to do, publicly - proclaimed for the full period of one hundred days from the date of the - first above-mentioned order, do designate as the States and parts of - States wherein the people thereof respectively, are this day in rebellion - against the United States. The following, to wit:— - </p> - <p> - “Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South - Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. - </p> - <p> - “Louisiana (except the parishes of St. Bernard, Placquemines, Jefferson, - St. John, St. Charles, St. James, Ascension, Assumption, Terre Bonne, - Lafourche, St. Mary, St. Martin, and Orleans, including the city of New - Orleans), Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North - Carolina, and Virginia, except the forty-eight counties designated as West - Virginia, and also the counties of Berkley, Accomac, Northampton, - Elizabeth City, York, Princess Anne, and Norfolk, including the cities of - Norfolk and Portsmouth, which excepted parts are for the present left - precisely as if this proclamation were not made. - </p> - <p> - “And by virtue of the power, for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and - declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States and - parts of States are, and henceforward shall be, free; and the Executive - Government of the United States, including the military and naval - authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such - persons. - </p> - <p> - “And I hereby enjoin upon the people so declared to be free to abstain - from all violence, unless in necessary self-defence; and I recommend to - them, that, in all cases where allowed, they labor faithfully for - reasonable wages. - </p> - <p> - “And I further declare and make known, that such persons, if in suitable - condition, will be received into the armed service of the United States, - to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other places, and to man - vessels of all sorts in said service. And upon this, sincerely believed to - be an act of justice warranted by the Constitution, and upon military - necessity, I invoke the considerate judgment of mankind and the gracious - favor of Almighty God. - </p> - <p> - “In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of - the United States to be affixed. - </p> - <p> - “Done at the city of Washington, this first day of January, in the year of - our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the - independence of the United States of America the eighty-seventh. - </p> - <p> - [L. S.] (Signed) “<i>ABRAHAM LINCOLN</i>. - </p> - <p> - “By the President. - </p> - <p> - “Wm. H. Seward, <i>Secretary of State</i>.” - </p> - <p> - This was the beginning of a new era: the word had gone forth, and a policy - was adopted. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “The deed is done. Millions have yearned - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - To see the spear of Freedom cast: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - The dragon writhed and roared and burned; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - You’ve smote him full and square at last.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - The proclamation gave new life and vigor to our men on the battle-field. - The bondmen everywhere caught up the magic word, and went with it from - farm to farm, and from town to town. Black men flocked to recruiting - stations, and offered themselves for the war. Everybody saw light in the - distance. What newspapers and orators had failed to do in months was done - by the proclamation in a single week. Frances Ellen Harper, herself - colored, cheered in the following strain:— - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “It shall flash through coming ages; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - It shall light the distant years; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And eyes now dim with sorrow - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Shall be brighter through their tears. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - It shall flush the mountain ranges, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And the valleys shall grow bright; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - It shall bathe the hills in radiance, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And crown their brows with light. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - It shall flood with golden splendor - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - All the huts of Caroline; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And the sun-kissed brow of labor - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - With lustre new shall shine. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - It shall gild the gloomy prison, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Darkened with the age’s crime, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Where the dumb and patient millions - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Wait the better coming time. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - By the light that gilds their prison, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - They shall seize its mouldering key; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And the bolts and bars shall vibrate - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - With the triumphs of the free. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Like the dim and ancient Chaos, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Shuddering at Creation’s light, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Oppression grim and hoary - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Shall cower at the sight. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And her spawn of lies and malice - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Shall grovel in the dust; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - While joy shall thrill the bosoms - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Of the merciful and just. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Though the morning seems to linger - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - O’er the hilltops far away, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - The shadows bear the promise - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Of the quickly coming day. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Soon the mists and murky shadows - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Shall be fringed with crimson light, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And the glorious dawn of freedom - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Break resplendent on the sight.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XVI.—THE NEW POLICY. - </h2> - <p> - <i>A New Policy announced.—Adjutant-Gen. Thomas.—Major-Gen. - Prentiss.—Negro Wit and Humor.—Proslavery Correspondents.—Feeling - in the Army.—Let the Blacks fight.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">A</span>ttorney-Gen. Bates - had already given his opinion with regard to the citizenship of the negro, - and that opinion was in the black man’s favor. The Emancipation - Proclamation was only a prelude to calling on the colored men to take up - arms, and the one soon followed the other; for the word “Emancipation” had - scarcely gone over the wires, ere Adjutant-Gen. Thomas made his appearance - in the valley of the Mississippi. At Lake Providence, La., he met a large - wing of the army, composed of volunteers from all parts of the country, - and proclaimed to them the new policy of the administration; and he did it - in very plain words, as will be seen:— - </p> - <p> - “<i>Fellow-Soldiers</i>,—Your commanding general has so fully stated - the object of my mission, that it is almost unnecessary for me to say any - thing to you in reference to it. Still, as I come here with full authority - from the President of the United States to announce the policy, which, - after mature deliberation, has been determined upon by the wisdom of the - nation, it is my duty to make known to you clearly and fully the features - of that policy. - </p> - <p> - “It is a source of extreme gratification to me to come before you this - day, knowing, as I do full well, how glorious have been your achievements - on the field of battle. No soldier can come before soldiers of tried - valor, without having the deepest emotions of his soul stirred within him. - These emotions I feel on the present occasion; and I beg you will listen - to what I have to say, as soldiers receiving from a soldier the commands - of the President of the United States. - </p> - <p> - “I came from Washington clothed with the fullest power in this matter. - With this power, I can act as if the President of the United States were - himself present. I am directed to refer nothing to Washington, but to act - promptly,—what I have to do to do at once; to strike down the - unworthy and to elevate the deserving. - </p> - <p> - “Look along the river, and see the multitude of deserted plantations upon - its banks. These are the places for these freedmen, where they can be - self-sustaining and self-supporting. All of you will some day be on - picket-duty; and I charge you all, if any of this unfortunate race come - within your lines, that you do not turn them away, but receive them kindly - and cordially. They are to be encouraged to come to us; they are to be - received with open arms; they are to be fed and clothed; <i>they are to be - armed.</i> - </p> - <p> - “This is the policy that has been fully determined upon. I am here to say - that I am authorized to raise as many regiments of blacks as I can. I am - authorized to give commissions, from the highest to the lowest; and I - desire those persons who are earnest in this work to take hold of it. I - desire only those whose hearts are in it, and to them alone will I give - commissions. I don’t care who they are, or what their present rank may be. - I do not hesitate to say, that all proper persons will receive - commissions. - </p> - <p> - “While I am authorized thus in the name of the Secretary of War, I have - the fullest authority to dismiss from the army any man, be his rank what - it may, whom I find maltreating the freedmen. This part of my duty I will - most assuredly perform if any case comes before me. I would rather do that - than give commissions, because such men are unworthy the name of soldiers. - </p> - <p> - “This, fellow-soldiers, is the determined policy of the Administration. - You all know, full well, when the President of the United States, though - said to be slow in coming to a determination, once puts his foot down, it - is there; and he is not going to take it up. He has put his foot down. I - am here to assure you that my official influence shall be given that he - shall not raise it.” Major-Gen. B. M. Prentiss, after the cheering had - subsided which greeted his appearance, indorsed, in a forcible and - eloquent speech, the policy announced by Adjutant-Gen. Thomas, and said, - that, “from the time he was a prisoner, and a negro sentinel, with firm - step, <i>beat</i> in front of his cell, and with firmer voice commanded - silence within, he prayed God for the day of revenge; and he now thanked - God that it had come.” Turning to Gen. Thomas, the speaker continued, - “Yes: tell the President for me, I will receive them into the lines; I - will beg them to come in; <i>I will make them come in!</i> and if any - officer in my command, high or low, <i>neglects to receive them friendly, - and treat them kindly, I will put them outside the lines</i>. (Tremendous - applause.) Soldiers, when you go to your quarters, if you hear any one - condemning the policy announced here to-day, put him down as a - contemptible copperhead traitor. Call them what you please, copperheads, - secesh, or traitors, they are all the same to me: <i>enemies of our - country</i>, against whom I have taken a solemn oath, and called God as my - witness, to whip them wherever I find them.” - </p> - <p> - Congress had already passed a bill empowering the President “to enroll, - arm, equip, and receive into the land and naval service of the United - States, such a number of volunteers of African descent as he may deem - equal to suppress the present rebellion, for such term of service as he - may prescribe, not exceeding five years; the said volunteers to be - organized according to the regulations of the branch of the service into - which they may be enlisted, to receive the same rations, clothing, and - equipments as other volunteers, and a monthly pay not to exceed that of - the volunteers.” - </p> - <p> - Proslavery newspaper correspondents from the North, in the Western and - Southern departments, still continued to report to their journals that the - slaves would not fight if an opportunity was offered to them. Many of - these were ridiculously amusing. The following is a sample:— - </p> - <p> - “I noticed upon the hurricane-deck, to-day, an elderly negro, with a very - philosophical and retrospective cast of countenance, squatted upon his - bundle, toasting his shins against the chimney, and apparently plunged - into a state of profound meditation. Finding by inquiry that he belonged - to the Ninth Illinois, one of the most gallantly-behaved and - heavily-losing regiments at the Fort-Donelson battle, and part of which - was aboard, I began to interrogate him upon the subject. His philosophy - was so much in the Falstaffian vein that I will give his views in his own - words, as near as my memory serves me:— - </p> - <p> - “‘Were you in the fight?’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Had a little taste of it, sa.’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Stood your ground, did you?’ - </p> - <p> - “‘No, sa; I runs.’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Run at the first fire, did you?’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Yes, sa; and would ha’ run soona had I know’d it war comin’.’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Why, that wasn’t very creditable to your courage.’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Dat isn’t in my line, sa; cookin’s my perfeshun.’ “‘Well, but have you - no regard for your reputation?’ ‘“Refutation’s nuffin by the side ob - life.’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Do you consider your life worth more than other people’s?’ - </p> - <p> - “‘It’s worth more to me, sa.’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Then you must value it very highly.’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Yes, sa, I does; more dan all dis wuld; more dan a million of dollars, - sa: for what would dat be wuf to a man wid de bref out of him. - Self-perserbashum am de fust law wid me.’ - </p> - <p> - “‘But why should you act upon a different rule from other men?’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Because different men set different values upon dar lives: mine is not - in de market.’ - </p> - <p> - “‘But if you lost it, you would have the satisfaction of knowing that you - died for your country.’ - </p> - <p> - “‘What satisfaction would dat be to me when de power ob feelin’ was gone?’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Then patriotism and honor are nothing to you?’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Nuffin whatever, sa: I regard dem as among de vanities; and den de - gobernment don’t know me; I hab no rights; may be sold like old hoss any - day, and dat’s all.’ - </p> - <p> - “‘If our old soldiers were like you, traitors might have broken up the - Government without resistance.’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Yes, sa; dar would hab been no help for it. I wouldn’t put my life in de - scale ‘ginst any gobernment dat ever existed; for no gobernment could - replace de loss to me.’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Do you think any of your company would have missed you if you had been - killed?’ - </p> - <p> - “‘May be not, sa; a dead white man ain’t much to dese sogers, let alone a - dead nigga; but I’d a missed myself, and dat was de pint wid me.’ - </p> - <p> - “It is safe to say that the dusky corpse of that African will never darken - the field of carnage.” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XVII.—ARMING THE BLACKS. - </h2> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">D</span>epartment of the - South.—Gen. Hunter Enlisting Colored Men.—Letter to Gov. - Andrew.—Success.—The Earnest Prayer.—The Negro’s - Confidence in God. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he Northern - regiments stationed at the South, or doing duty in that section, had met - with so many reverses on the field of battle, and had been so inhumanly - treated by the rebels, both men and women, that the new policy announced - by Adjutant-Gen. Thomas, at Lake Providence and other places, was received - with great favor, especially when the white soldiers heard from their - immediate commanders, that the freedmen, when enlisted, would be employed - in doing fatigue-duty, when not otherwise needed. The slave, regarding the - use of the musket as the only means of securing his freedom permanently, - sought the nearest place of enlistment with the greatest speed. - </p> - <p> - The appointment of men from the ranks of the white regiments over the - blacks caused the former to feel still more interest in the new levies. - The position taken by Major-Gen. Hunter, in South Carolina, and his - favorable reports of the capability of the freedmen for military service, - and the promptness with which that distinguished scholar and Christian - gentleman, Thomas Wentworth Higginson, accepted the colonelcy of the First - South Carolina, made the commanding of negro regiments respectable, and - caused a wish on the part of white volunteers to seek commissions over the - blacks. - </p> - <p> - The new regiments filled up rapidly; the recruits adapted themselves to - their new condition with a zeal that astonished even their friends; and - their proficiency in the handling of arms, with only a few days’ training, - set the minds of their officers at rest with regard to their future - action. The following testimonial from Gen. Hunter is not without - interest:— - </p> - <p> - “Headquarters Department of the South, - </p> - <p> - “Hilton Head, Port Royal, S.C., May 4, 1863. - </p> - <p> - <i>“To His Excellency the Governor of Massachusetts, Boston, Mass.</i> - </p> - <p> - “I am happy to be able to announce to you my complete and eminent - satisfaction with the results of the organization of negro regiments in - this department. In the field, so far as tried, they have proved brave, - active, enduring, and energetic, frequently outrunning, by their zeal, and - familiarity with the Southern country, the restrictions deemed prudent by - certain of their officers. They have never disgraced their uniform by - pillage or cruelty, but have so conducted themselves, upon the whole, that - even our enemies, though more anxious to find fault with these than with - any other portion of our troops, have not yet been able to allege against - them a single violation of any of the rules of civilized warfare. - </p> - <p> - “These regiments are hardy, generous, temperate, patient, strictly - obedient, possessing great natural aptitude for arms, and deeply imbued - with that religious sentiment—call it fanaticism, such as like—which - made the soldiers of Cromwell invincible. They believe that now is the - time appointed by God for their deliverance; and, under the heroic - incitement of this faith, I believe them capable of showing a courage, and - persistency of purpose, which must, in the end, extort both victory and - admiration. - </p> - <p> - “In this connection, I am also happy to announce to you that the - prejudices of certain of our white soldiers and officers against these - indispensable allies are rapidly softening, or fading out; and that we - have now opening before us in this department, which was the first in the - present war to inaugurate the experiment of employing colored troops, - large opportunities of putting them to distinguished and profitable use. - </p> - <p> - “With a brigade of liberated slaves already in the field, a few more - regiments of intelligent colored men from the North would soon place this - force in a condition to make extensive incursions upon the main land, - through the most densely populated slave regions; and, from expeditions of - this character, I make no doubt the most beneficial results would arise. - </p> - <p> - “I have the honor to be, Governor, - </p> - <p> - “Very respectfully, - </p> - <p> - “Your most obedient servant, - </p> - <h3> - “D. HUNTER, - </h3> - <p> - “<i>Major-Gen. Commanding.”</i> - </p> - <p> - Reports from all parts of the South gave corroborative evidence of the - deep religious zeal with which the blacks entered the army. Every thing - was done for “God and liberty.” - </p> - <p> - Col. T. W. Higginson, in “The Atlantic Monthly,” gives the following - prayer, which he heard from one of his contraband soldiers:— - </p> - <p> - Let me so lib dat when I-die I shall <i>hab manners</i>; dat I shall know - what to say when I see my heabenly Lord. - </p> - <p> - “‘Let me lib wid de musket in one hand, an’ de Bible in de oder—dat - if I die at de muzzle of de musket, die in de water, die on de land, I may - know I hab de bressed Jesus in my hand, an’ hab no fear. - </p> - <p> - “‘I hab lef my wife in de land o’ bondage; my little ones dey say eb’ry - night, “Whar is my fader?” But when I die, when de bressed mornin’ rises, - when I shall stan’ in de glory, wid one foot on de water an’ one foot on - de land, den, O Lord! I shall see my wife an’ my little chil’en once - more.’” - </p> - <p> - “These sentences I noted down, as best I could, beside the glimmering - camp-fire last night. The same person was the hero of a singular little <i>contre-temps</i> - at a funeral in the afternoon. It was our first funeral. The man had died - in hospital, and we had chosen a picturesque burial place above the river, - near the old church, and beside a little nameless cemetery, used by - generations of slaves. It was a regular military funeral, the coffin being - draped with the American flag, the escort marching behind, and three - volleys fired over the grave. During the services, there was singing, the - chaplain deaconing out the hymn in their favorite way. This ended, he - announced his text: ‘This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and - delivered him out of all his trouble.’ Instantly, to my great amazement, - the cracked voice of the chorister was uplifted, intoning the text, as if - it were the first verse of another hymn. So calmly was it done, so - imperturbable were all the black countenances that I half began to - conjecture that the chaplain himself intended it for a hymn, though I - could imagine no prospective rhyme for <i>trouble</i>, unless it were - approximated by <i>debbil</i>; which is, indeed, a favorite reference, - both with the men and with his reverence. But the chaplain, peacefully - awaiting, gently repeated his text after the chant, and to my great relief - the old chorister waived all further recitative, and let the funeral - discourse proceed. - </p> - <p> - “Their memories are a vast bewildered chaos of Jewish history and - biography; and most of the great events of the past, down to the period of - the American Revolution, they instinctively attribute to Moses. There is a - fine bold confidence in all their citations, however, and the record never - loses piquancy in their hands, though strict accuracy may suffer. Thus one - of my captains, last Sunday, heard a colored exhorter at Beaufort - proclaim, ‘Paul may plant, <i>and may polish wid water</i>, but it won’t - do,’ in which the sainted Apollos would hardly have recognized himself. - </p> - <p> - “A correspondent of the Burlington “Free Press” gives an account of a - Freedmen’s meeting at Belle Plain, Va. “Some of the negro prayers and - exhortations were very simple and touching. One said in his prayer, ‘O - Lord! we’s glad for de hour when our sins nailed us to de foot of de - cross, and de bressed Lord Jesus put his soft arm around us, and tole us - dat we’s his chilien: we’s glad we’s sinners, so dat we can be saved by - his grace.’ Another thus earnestly prayed for the army of freedom: - </p> - <p> - “‘O Lord! bress de Union army; be thou their bulwarks and ditches. O Lord! - as thou didst hear our prayer when we’s down in de Souf country, as we - held de plow and de hoe in the hot sun, so hear our prayer at dis time for - de Union army. Guard’em on de right, and on de lef,’ and in de rear: don’t - lef’ ‘em ‘lone, though they’s mighty wicked.’ Another (a young man) thus - energetically desired the overthrow of Satan’s empire: ‘O Lord! if you - please, sir, won’t you come forth out of de heaven, and take ride ‘round - about hell, and give it a mighty shake till de walls fall down.’ - </p> - <p> - “A venerable exhorter got the story of the Prodigal Son slightly mixed, - but not so as to damage the effect at all. He said, ‘He rose up and went - to his fader’s house. And I propose he was ragged. And I propose de road - dirty. But when his fader saw him coming over de hill, ragged and dirty, - he didn’t say, “Dat ain’t my son.” He go and meet him. He throw his arms - round his neck and kiss; and, while he was hugging and kissing him, he - thought of dat robe in de wardroom, and he said, “Bring dat robe, and put - it on him.” And when dey was a putting on de robe, he thought of de ring, - dat splendid ring! and he said, “My son, dat was dead and is alive again, - he like dat ring, cos it shine so.” And he made dem bring de ring and put - it on his hand; and he put shoes on his feet, and killed de fatted calf. - And here, my friends, see defection of de prodigal for his son. But, my - bredren, you are a great deal better off dan de prodigal’s son. For he - hadn’t no gemmen of a different color to come and tell him dat his fader - was glad to hab him come home again. But dese handmaid bredren has kindly - come dis evening to tell us dat our heabenly Father wants us to come back - now. He’s ready to gib us de robe and de ring. De bressed Lord Jesus - stands leaning over de bannisters of heaven, and reaching down his arms to - take us up. O my friends! I ask you dis night to repent. If you lose your - soul, you’ll never get anoder. I tell you all, if you don’t repent you’re - goin’ straight to hell; and in de last day, when de Lord say to you, - “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlastin’ fire,” if you’re ‘onorable, - you’ll own up, and say it’s right. O my friends.! I tell you de truth: - it’s de best way to come to de Lord Jesus dis night.’”. - </p> - <p> - Regiment after regiment of blacks were mustered into the United-States - service, in all the rebel States, and were put on duty at once, and were - sooner or later called to take part in battle. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XVIII.—BATTLE OF MILLINERS BEND. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Contraband Regiments; their Bravery; the Surprise.—Hand to hand - Fight.—“No Quarters.”—Negroes rather die than surrender.—The - Gunboat and her dreadful Havoc with the Enemy.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">O</span>n the 7th of June, - 1863, the first regular battle was fought between the blacks and whites in - the valley of the Mississippi. The planters had boasted, that, should they - meet their former slaves, a single look from them would cause the negroes - to throw down their weapons, and run. Many Northern men, especially - copperheads, professed to believe that such would be the case. Therefore, - all eyes were turned to the far off South, the cotton, sugar, and - rice-growing States, to see how the blacks would behave on the field of - battle; for it is well known that the most ignorant of the slave - population belonged in that section. - </p> - <p> - The following account of the fight is from an eye witness:— - </p> - <p> - “My informant states that a force of about five hundred negroes, and two - hundred men of the Twenty-third Iowa, belonging to the second brigade, - Carr’s division (the Twenty-third Iowa had been up the river with - prisoners, and was on its way back to this place), was surprised in camp - by a rebel force of about two thousand men. The first intimation that the - commanding officer received was from one of the black men, who went into - the colonel’s tent, and said, ‘Massa, the secesh are in camp.” The colonel - ordered him to have the men load their guns at once. He instantly replied, - “We have done did dat now, massa.” Before the colonel was ready, the men - were in line, ready for action. As before stated, the rebels drove our - force towards the gunboats, taking colored men prisoners and murdering - them. This so enraged them that they rallied, and charged the enemy more - heroically and desperately than has been recorded during the war. It was a - genuine bayonet-charge, a hand-to-hand fight, that has never occurred to - any extent during this prolonged conflict. Upon both sides men were killed - with the butts of muskets. White and black men were lying side by side, - pierced by bayonets, and in some instances transfixed to the earth. In one - instance, two men—one white and the other black—were found - dead, side by side, each having the other’s bayonet through his body. If - facts prove to be what they are now represented, this engagement of Sunday - morning will be recorded as the most desperate of this war. Broken limbs, - broken heads, the mangling of bodies, all prove that it was a contest - between enraged men: on the one side, from hatred to a race; and, on the - other, desire for self-preservation, revenge for past grievances, and the - inhuman murder of their comrades. One brave man took his former master - prisoner, and brought him into camp with great gusto. A rebel prisoner - made a particular request, that <i>his own</i> negroes should not be - placed over him as a guard. - </p> - <p> - Capt. M. M. Miller, of Galena, III., who commanded a company in the Ninth - Louisiana (colored) Regiment, in a letter, gives the following account of - the battle:— - </p> - <p> - “We were attacked here on June 7, about three o’clock in the morning, by a - brigade of Texas troops, about two thousand five hundred in number. We had - about six hundred men to withstand them, five hundred of them negroes. I - commanded Company I, Ninth Louisiana. We went into the fight with - thirty-three men. I had sixteen killed, eleven badly wounded, and four - slightly. I was wounded slightly on the head, near the right eye, with a - bayonet, and had a bayonet run through my right hand, near the forefinger; - that will account for this miserable style of penmanship. - </p> - <p> - “Our regiment had about three hundred men in the fight. We had one colonel - wounded, four captains wounded, two first and two second lieutenants - killed, five lieutenants wounded, and three white orderlies killed, and - one wounded in the hand, and two fingers taken off. The list of killed and - wounded officers comprised nearly all the officers present with the - regiment, a majority of the rest being absent recruiting. - </p> - <p> - “We had about fifty men killed in the regiment and eighty wounded; so you - can judge of what part of the fight my company sustained. I never felt - more grieved and sick at heart, than when I saw how my brave soldiers had - been slaughtered,—one with six wounds, all the rest with two or - three, none less than two wounds. Two of my colored sergeants were killed: - both brave, noble men, always prompt, vigilant, and ready for the fray. I - never more wish to hear the expression, ‘The niggers won’t fight.’ Come - with me, a hundred yards from where I sit, and I can show you the wounds - that cover the bodies of sixteen as brave, loyal, and patriotic soldiers - as ever drew bead on a rebel. - </p> - <p> - “The enemy charged us so close that we fought with our bayonets, hand to - hand. I have six broken bayonets to show how bravely my men fought. The - Twenty-third Iowa joined my company on the right; and I declare truthfully - that they had all fled before our regiment fell back, as we were all - compelled to do. - </p> - <p> - “Under command of Col. Page, I led the Ninth and Eleventh Louisiana when - the rifle-pits were retaken and held by our troops, our two regiments - doing the work. - </p> - <p> - “I narrowly escaped death once. A rebel took deliberate aim at me with - both barrels of his gun; and the bullets passed so close to me that the - powder that remained on them burnt my cheek. Three of my men, who saw him - aim and fire, thought that he wounded me each fire. One of them was killed - by my side, and he fell on me, covering my clothes with his blood; and, - before the rebel could fire again, I blew his brains out with my gun. - </p> - <p> - “It was a horrible fight, the worst I was ever engaged in,—not even - excepting Shiloh. The enemy cried, ‘No quarter!’ but some of them were - very glad to take it when made prisoners. - </p> - <p> - “Col. Allen, of the Sixteenth Texas, was killed in front of our regiment, - and Brig.-Gen. Walker was wounded. We killed about one hundred and eighty - of the enemy. The gunboat “Choctaw” did good service shelling them. I - stood on the breastworks after we took them, and gave the elevations and - direction for the gunboat by pointing my sword; and they sent a shell - right into their midst, which sent them in all directions. Three shells - fell there, and sixty-two rebels lay there when the fight was over. - </p> - <p> - “My wound is not serious but troublesome. What few men I have left seem to - think much of me, because I stood up with them in the fight. I can say for - them that I never saw a braver company of men in my life. - </p> - <p> - “Not one of them offered to leave his place until ordered to fall back. I - went down to the hospital, three miles, to-day to see the wounded. Nine of - them were there, two having died of their wounds. A boy I had cooking for - me came and bogged a gun when the rebels were advancing, and took his - place with the company; and, when we retook the breastworks, I found him - badly wounded, with one gun-shot and two bayonet wounds. A new recruit I - had issued a gun to the day before the fight was found dead, with a firm - grasp on his gun, the bayonet of which was broken in three pieces. So they - fought and died, defending the cause that we revere. They met death - coolly, bravely: not rashly did they expose themselves, but all were - steady and obedient to orders.” - </p> - <p> - This battle satisfied the slave-masters of the South that their charm was - gone, and that the negro, as a slave, was lost forever. Yet there was one - fact connected with the battle of Milliken’s Bend which will descend to - posterity, as testimony against the humanity of slave-holders; and that - is, that no negro was ever found alive that was taken a prisoner by the - rebels in this fight. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XIX—RAISING BLACK REGIMENTS AT THE NORTH. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Prejudices at the North.—Black Laws of Illinois and Indiana.—Ill-treatment - of Negroes.—The Blacks forget their Wrongs, and come to the Rescue.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">I</span>n the struggle - between the Federal Government and the rebels, the colored men asked the - question, “Why should we fight?” The question was a legitimate one, at - least for those residing in the Northern States, and especially in those - States where there were any considerable number of colored people. In - every State north of Mason and Dixon’s Line, except Massachusetts and - Rhode Island, which attempted to raise a regiment of colored men, the - blacks are disfranchised, excluded from the jury-box, and in most of them - from the public schools. The iron hand of prejudice in the Northern States - is as circumscribing and unyielding upon him as the manacles that fettered - the slave of the South. - </p> - <p> - Now, these are facts, deny it who will. The negro has little to hope from - Northern sympathy or legislation. Any attempt to engraft upon the organic - law of the States provisions extending to the colored man political - privileges is overwhelmingly defeated by the people. It makes no - difference that here is a pen, and there a voice, raised in his behalf: - the general verdict is against him; and its repetition in any case where - it is demanded shows that it is inexorable. We talk a great deal about the - vice of slavery, and the cruelty of denying to our fellowmen their - personal freedom and a due reward of labor; but we are very careful not to - concede the corollary, that the sin of withholding that freedom is not - vastly greater than withholding the rights to which he who enjoys it is - entitled. - </p> - <p> - When the war broke out, it was the boast of the Administration that the - status of the negro was not to be changed in the rebel States. President - Lincoln, in his inaugural address, took particular pains to commit himself - against any interference with the condition of the blacks. - </p> - <p> - When the Rebellion commenced, and the call was made upon the country, the - colored men were excluded. In some of the Western States into which slaves - went when escaping from their rebel masters, in the first and second years - of the war, the black-laws were enforced to drive them out. Read what “The - Daily Alton Democrat” said for Illinois, in the year 1862:— - </p> - <p> - “<i>Notice to the ‘Free Negroes.‘</i>—I hereby give public notice to - all free negroes who have arrived here from a foreign State within the - past two months, or may hereafter come into the city of Alton with the - intention of being residents thereof, that they are allowed the space of - thirty days to remove; and, upon failure to leave the city, will, after - that period, be proceeded against by the undersigned, as by law directed. - The penalty is a heavy fine, to liquidate which the law-officer is - compelled to offer all free negroes arrested at public auction, unless the - fine and all costs of suit are promptly paid. I hope the city authorities - will be spared the <i>necessity</i> of putting the above law <i>in - execution</i>. All railroad companies and steamboats are also forbidden to - land free negroes within the city under the penalty of the law. No <i>additional</i> - notice will be given. Suits will positively be instituted against all - offenders. - </p> - <h3> - “JAMES W. DAVIS, - </h3> - <p> - “May 27, 1862.” - </p> - <p> - “<i>Prosecuting Attorney Alton-City Court.</i>” - </p> - <p> - The authorities of the State of Indiana also got on the track of the - contrabands from the rebel States; and the old black-laws were put forth - as follows:— - </p> - <p> - “Any person who shall employ a negro or mulatto who shall have come into - the State of Indiana subsequent to the thirty-first day of October, in the - year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, or shall hereafter come - into said State, or who shall encourage such negro or mulatto to remain in - the State, shall be fined in any sum not less than ten dollars, nor more - than five hundred dollars.” - </p> - <p> - The following will show how Illinois treated the colored people, even - after the proclamation of freedom was put forth by President Lincoln. - </p> - <p> - “The Whiteside (Ill.) Sentinel” says the following official notice is - posted in the post-office and other public places in the city of Carthage, - Hancock County, Ill. It is a practical exemplication of the Illinois - “black-laws.” The notice reads as follows:— - </p> - <p> - “<i>Public Sale</i>.—Whereas, The following negroes and one mulatto - man were, on the fifth and sixth days of February, 1863, tried before the - undersigned, a Justice of the Peace within and for Hancock County, Ill., - on a charge of high misdemeanor, having come into this State and county, - and remaining therein for ten days and more, with the evident intention of - residing in this State, and were found guilty by a jury, and were each - severally fined in the sum of fifty dollars, and the judgment was rendered - against said negroes and mulatto man for fifty dollars’ fine each, and - costs of suit, which fines and costs are annexed opposite to each name, to - wit:— - </p> -<pre xml:space="preserve"> - Age. Fine. Costs. - - John, a negro man, tall and slim, about. 35 $50 $33.17 - - Sambo, a negro man, about 21 50 32.17 - - Austin, a negro man, heavy set, about 20 50 30.10 - - Andrew, a negro man, about 50 30 33.00 - - Amos, a negro man, about 40 50 29.67 - - Nelson, a mulatto man, about 55 50 30.07 -</pre> - <p> - “And whereas. Said fines and costs have not been paid, notice is therefore - given that the undersigned will, on Thursday, the nineteenth day of - February, A.D. 1863, between the hours of one and five o’clock, p.m., of - said day, at the west end of the Court House, in Carthage, Hancock County, - 111., sell each of said negro men, John, Austin, Sambo, Andrew, Amos, and - said mulatto man, Nelson, at public auction, to the person or persons who - will pay the said fine and costs appended against each respectively for - the shortest time of service of said negroes and mulatto. - </p> - <p> - “The purchaser or purchasers will be entitled to the control and services - of the negroes and mulatto purchased for the period named in the sale, and - no longer, and will be required to furnish said negroes and mulatto with - comfortable food, clothing, and lodging during said servitude. The fees - for selling will be added on completion of the sale. - </p> - <h3> - “<i>C. M. CHILD, J.P</i>. - </h3> - <p> - “Carthage, Feb. 9, 1863.” - </p> - <p> - It will be seen that these odious laws were rigidly enforced. With what - grace could the authorities in those States ask the negro to fight? Yet - they called upon him; and he, forgetting the wrongs of the past, and - demanding no pledge for better treatment, left family, home, and every - thing dear, enlisted, and went forth to battle. And even Connecticut, with - her proscription of the negro, called on him to fight. How humiliating it - must have been! And yet Connecticut, after appealing to black men, and - receiving their aid in fighting her battles, retains her negro - “black-laws” upon her statute-book by a vote of more than six thousand. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XX.—FIFTY-FOURTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Its Organization.—Its Appearance.—Col. Shaw.—Presentation - of Colors.—Its Dress-Parade.—Its Departure from Boston.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he Fifty-fourth - Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry was called into the service - of the United States by the President, under an act of Congress, passed - July 21, 1861, entitled “An Act to authorize the Employment of Volunteers - to aid in enforcing the Laws and protecting’ Public Property.” Recruiting - began Feb. 9, 1863, in Boston. A camp of rendezvous was opened at “Camp - Meigs,” Readville, Mass., on the 21st of February, with a squad of - twenty-seven men; and, by the end of March, five companies were recruited, - comprising four hundred and fourteen men. This number was doubled during - April; and, on the 12th of May, the regiment was full. - </p> - <p> - Orders being received for it to proceed to the Department of the South, - the regiment broke camp on the 28th of May, and took cars for Boston. - After passing through the principal streets, and reaching the Common, they - prepared to receive the colors which were to be presented by the Governor. - </p> - <p> - The regiment was formed in a hollow square, the distinguished persons - present occupying the centre. The flags were four in number, comprising a - national flag, presented by young colored ladies of Boston; a national - ensign, presented by the “Colored Ladies’ Relief Society;” an emblematic - banner, presented by ladies and gentlemen of Boston, friends of the - regiment; and a flag presented by relatives and friends of the late Lieut. - Putnam. The emblematic banner was of white silk, handsomely embroidered, - having on one side a figure of the Goddess of Justice, with the words, - “Liberty, Loyalty, and Unity,” around it. The fourth flag bore a cross - with a blue field, surmounted with the motto, “<i>In hoc signo vinces.</i>” - All were of the finest texture and workmanship. - </p> - <p> - Prayer having been offered by the Rev. Mr. Grimes, Gov. Andrew presented - the various flags, with the following speech:— - </p> - <h3> - PRESENTATION SPEECH OF GOV. ANDREW. - </h3> - <p> - “Col. Shaw,—As the official representative of the Commonwealth, and - by favor of various ladies and gentlemen, citizens of the Commonwealth, - and friends of the Fifty-fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, I - have the honor and the satisfaction of being permitted to join you this - morning for the purpose of presenting to your regiment the national flag, - the State colors of Massachusetts, and the emblematic banner which the - cordial, generous, and patriotic friendship of its patrons has seen fit to - present to you. - </p> - <p> - “Two years of experience in all the trials and vicissitudes of war, - attended with the repeated exhibition of Massachusetts regiments marching - from home to the scenes of strife, have left little to be said or - suggested which could give the interest of novelty to an occasion like - this. But, Mr. Commander, one circumstance pertaining to the composition - of the Fifty-fourth Regiment, exceptional in its character when compared - with any thing we have seen before, gives to this hour an interest and - importance, solemn and yet grand, because the occasion marks an era in the - history of the war, of the Commonwealth, of the country, and of humanity. - I need not dwell upon the fact that the enlisted men constituting the rank - and file of the Fifty-fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers are - drawn from a race not hitherto connected with the fortunes of the war. And - yet I cannot forbear to allude to the circumstance, because I can but - contemplate it for a brief moment, since it is uppermost in your thoughts, - and since this regiment, which for many months has been the desire of my - own heart, is present now before this vast assembly of friendly citizens - of Massachusetts, prepared to vindicate by its future, as it has already - begun to do by its brief history of camp-life here, to vindicate in its - own person and in the presence, I trust, of all who belong to it, the - character, the manly character, the zeal, the manly zeal, of the colored - citizens of Massachusetts and of those other States which have cast their - lot with ours. (Applause.) - </p> - <p> - “I owe to you, Mr. Commander, and to the officers who, associated with - you, have assisted in the formation of this noble corps, composed of men - selected from among their fellows for fine qualities of manhood,—I - owe to you, sir, and to those of your associates who united with me in the - original organization of this body, the heartiest and most emphatic - expression of my cordial thanks. I shall follow you, Mr. Commander, your - officers, and your men, with a friendly and personal solicitude, to say - nothing of official care, which can hardly be said of any other corps - which has marched from Massachusetts. My own personal honor, if I have - any, is identified with yours. I stand or fall, as a man and a magistrate, - with the rise or fall in the history of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts - Regiment. (Applause.) I pledge not only in behalf of myself, but of all - those whom I have the honor to represent to-day, the utmost generosity, - the utmost kindness, the utmost devotion of hearty love, not only for the - cause, but for you that represent it. We will follow your fortunes in the - camp and in the field with the anxious eyes of brethren and the proud - hearts of citizens. - </p> - <p> - “To those men of Massachusetts, and of surrounding States who have now - made themselves citizens of Massachusetts, I have no word to utter fit to - express the emotions of my heart. These men, sir, have now, in the - Providence of God, given to them an opportunity which, while it is - personal to themselves, is still an opportunity for a whole race of men. - (Applause.) With arms possessed of might to strike a blow, they have found - breathed into their hearts an inspiration of devoted patriotism, and - regard for their brethren of their own color, which has inspired them with - a purpose to nerve that arm, that it may strike a blow which, while it - shall help to raise aloft their country’s flag—<i>their</i> - country’s flag, now as well as ours—by striking down the foes which - oppose it, strikes also the last blow, I trust, needful to rend the last - shackle which binds the limb of the bondman in the rebel States. - (Applause.) - </p> - <p> - “I know not, Mr. Commander, when, in all human history, to any given - thousand men in arms there has been given a work so proud, so precious, so - full of hope and glory, as the work committed to you. (Applause.) And may - the infinite mercy of Almighty God attend you every hour of every day, - through all the experiences and vicissitude of that dangerous life in - which you have embarked! may the God of our fathers cover your heads in - the day of battle! may he shield you with the arms of everlasting power! - may he hold you always most of all, first of all, and last of all, up to - the highest and holiest conception of duty; so that if, on the field of - stricken fight, your souls shall be delivered from the thraldom of the - flesh, your spirits shall go home to God, bearing aloft the exulting - thought of duty well performed, of glory and reward won even at the hands - of the angels who shall watch over you from above! - </p> - <p> - “Mr. Commander, you, sir, and most of your officers, have been carefully - selected from among the most intelligent and experienced officers who have - already performed illustrious service upon the field during the last two - years of our national conflict. I need not say, sir, with how much - confidence and with how much pride we contemplate the leadership which we - know this regiment will receive at your hands. In yourself, sir, your - staff and line officers, we are enabled to declare a confidence which - knows no hesitation and no doubt. Whatever fortune may betide you, we know - from the past that all will be done for the honor of the cause, for the - protection of the flag, for the defence of the right, for the glory of - your country, and for the safety and the honor of these men whom we commit - to you, that shall lie either in the human heart or brain or arm. - (Applause.) - </p> - <p> - “And now, Mr. Commander, it is my most agreeable duty and high honor to - hand to you, as the representative of the Fifty-fourth Regiment of - Massachusetts Volunteers, the American flag, the star-spangled banner of - the Republic. Wherever its folds shall be unfurled, it will mark the path - of glory. Let its stars be the inspiration of yourselves, your officers, - and your men. As the gift of the young ladies of the city of Boston to - their brethren in arms, they will cherish it as the lover cherishes the - recollection and fondness of his mistress; and the white stripes of its - field will be red with their blood before it shall be surrendered to the - foe. (Applause.) - </p> - <p> - “I have also the honor, Mr. Commander, to present to you the State colors - of Massachusetts,—the State colors of the old Bay State, borne - already by fifty-three regiments of Massachusetts soldiers, white men thus - far, now to be borne by the Fifty-fourth Regiment of soldiers, not less of - Massachusetts than the others. Whatever maybe said, Mr. Commander, of any - other flag which has ever kissed the sunlight, or been borne on any field, - I have the pride and honor to be able to declare before you, your - regiment, and these witnesses, that, from the beginning up till now, the - State colors of Massachusetts have never been surrendered to any foe. - (Cheers.) The Fifty-fourth now holds in possession this sacred charge in - the performance of their duties as citizen-soldiers. You will never part - with that flag so long as a splinter of the staff, or a thread of its web, - remains within your grasp. (Applause.) The State colors are presented to - the Fifty-fourth by the Relief Society, composed of colored ladies of - Boston. - </p> - <p> - “And now let me commit to you this splendid emblematic banner. It is - prepared for your acceptance by a large and patriotic committee, - representing many others beside ladies and gentlemen of Boston, to whose - hearty sympathy, and powerful co-operation and aid, much of the success - which has hitherto attended the organization of this regiment is due. The - Goddess of Liberty, erect in beautiful guise and form (liberty, loyalty, - and unity are the emblems it bears),—the Goddess of Liberty shall be - the lady-love whose fair presence shall inspire your hearts; liberty, - loyalty, unity, the watchwords in the fight. - </p> - <p> - “And now, Mr. Commander, the sacred, holy cross, representing passion, the - highest heroism, I scarcely dare to trust myself to present to you. It is - the emblem of Christianity. I have parted with the emblems of the State, - of the nation,—heroic, patriotic emblems they are, dear, - inexpressibly dear, to all our hearts; but now, <i>In hoc signo vinces</i>, - the cross which represents the passion of our Lord, I dare to pass into - your soldier hands; for we are fighting now a battle not merely for - country, not merely for humanity, not only for civilization, but for the - religion of our Lord itself. When this cause shall ultimately fall, if - ever failure at the last shall be possible, it will only fail when the - last patriot, the last philanthropist, and the last Christian shall have - tasted death, and left no descendants behind them upon the soil of - Massachusetts. (Applause.) - </p> - <p> - “This flag, Mr. Commander, has connected with its history the most - touching and sacred memory. It comes to your regiment from the mother, - sister, friends, family relatives, of one of the dearest and noblest - soldier-boys of Massachusetts. I need not utter the name of Lieut. Putnam - in order to excite in every heart the tenderest emotions of fond regard, - or the strongest feeling of patriotic fire. May you, sir, and these, - follow not only on the field of battle, but in all the walks and ways of - life, in camp, and hereafter, when, on returning peace, you shall resume - the more quiet and peaceful duties of citizens,—may you but follow - the splendid example, the sweet devotion mingled with manly, heroic - character, of which the life, character, and death of Lieut. Putnam was - one example! How many more there are we know not: the record is not yet - complete; but, oh! how many there are of these Massachusetts sons, who, - like him, have tasted death for this immortal cause! Inspired by such - examples, fired by the heat and light of love and faith which illumined - and warmed these heroic and noble hearts, may you, sir, and these, march - on to glory, to victory, and to every honor! This flag I present to you, - Mr. Commander, and your regiment. <i>In hoc signo vinces</i> - </p> - <h3> - RESPONSE OF COL. SHAW. - </h3> - <p> - “<i>Your Excellency</i>,—We accept these flags with feelings of deep - gratitude. They will remind us not only of the cause we are fighting for, - and of our country, but of the friends we have left behind us, who have - thus far taken so much interest in this regiment, and who, we know, will - follow us in our career. Though the greater number of men in this regiment - are not Massachusetts men, I know there is not one who will not be proud - to fight and serve under our flag. May we have an opportunity to show that - you have not made a mistake in intrusting the honor of the State to a - colored regiment!—the first State that has sent one to the war. - </p> - <p> - “I am very glad to have this opportunity to thank the officers and men of - the regiment for their untiring fidelity and devotion to their work from - the very beginning. They have shown that sense of the importance of our - undertaking, without which we should hardly have attained our end. - (Applause)” - </p> - <p> - At the conclusion of Col. Shaw’s remarks, the colors were borne to their - place in the line by the guard, and the regiment was reviewed by the - Governor. Thence they marched out of the Common, down Tremont Street, down - Court Street, by the Court House, chained hardly a decade ago to save - slavery and the Union. Thence down State Street, trampling on the very - pavement over which Sims and Burns marched to their fate, encompassed by - soldiers of the United States. - </p> - <p> - “Their sisters, sweethearts, and wives”—a familiar quotation in the - notices of previous departing regiments, but looking a little odd in this - new place—ran along beside “the boys,” giving their parting - benediction of smiles and tears, telling them to be brave, and to show - their blood. - </p> - <p> - They marched in good time, and wheeled with a readiness which showed that - they had a clear idea of what was required, and only needed a little more - practice to equal the best regiments that left the State. - </p> - <p> - The regiment marched down State Street at a quarter past twelve o’clock to - the tune of “John Brown,” and was vociferously cheered by the vast crowds - that covered the sidewalks and filled the windows. Nowhere was the - reception of the regiment more hearty. - </p> - <p> - All attempts to express the feeling of the crowd or the soldiers seem to - read stale and flat. Yet, as Goldsmith said that the weakest jokes were - received as wit by the circle of the happy vicar, so these attempts were - treated as successes by the happy crowd. One man said it was a - verification of Shakspeare:— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - “Know you not <i>Pompey?</i> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - You have climbed up to the walls and battlements - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - To see <i>Great Pompey</i> pass the streets of Rome.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - One fact should be chronicled. Their regimental banner, of superb white - silk had on one side the coat-of-anns of Massachusetts, and on the other a - golden cross on a golden star, with <i>In hoc Signo Vinces</i> beneath. <i>This - is the first Christian banner that has gone into our war</i>. By a - strange, and yet not strange, providence, God has made this despised race - the bearers of his standard. They are thus the real leaders of the nation. - </p> - <p> - On reaching the wharf at a quarter before one, every thing had been placed - on board through the efforts of Capt. McKim; the guns were placed in - boxes, the horses put aboard, and the men began to embark. At four - o’clock, the vessel steamed down the harbor, bound for Port Royal, S.C. - </p> - <h3> - THE COMPLETE ROSTER OF THE REGIMENT. - </h3> - <p> - Colonel.—Robert G. Shaw. - </p> - <p> - Lieut.-Colonel.—Norwood P. Hallowell. - </p> - <p> - Major.—Edward N. Hallowed. - </p> - <p> - Surgeon.—Lincoln R. Stone. - </p> - <p> - Assistant Surgeon.—C. B. Brigham. - </p> - <p> - Captains.—Alfred S. Hartwell, David A. Partridge, Samuel Willard, - John W. M. Appleton, Watson W. Bridge, George Pope, William II. Simpkins, - Cabot J. Russell, Edward L. Jones, and Louis F. Emilo. - </p> - <p> - 1st. Lieutenants.—John Ritchie, Garth W. James, William H. Hemans, - Grin E. Smith, Erik Wulff, Walter H. Wild, Francis L. Higginson, James M. - Walton, James M. Grace, R. K. L. Jewett. - </p> - <p> - 2d Lieutenants.—Thomas L. Appleton, Benjamin F. Dexter, J. Albert - Pratt, Charles F. Smith, Henry W. Littlefield, William Nutt, David Reid, - Charles E. Tucker, and William Howard. - </p> - <p> - Many of the men in the Fifty-Fourth had once been slaves at the South; - some had enjoyed freedom for years; others had escaped after the breaking - out of the Rebellion. Most of them had relatives still there, and had a - double object in joining the regiment. They were willing to risk their - lives for the freedom of those left behind; and, if they failed in that, - they might, at least, have an opportunity of settling with the “ole boss” - for a long score of cruelty. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “From many a Southern field they trembling came, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Fled from the lash, the fetter, and the chain”; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Return they now, not at base Slavery’s claim, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - To meet the oppressor on the battle-plain.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - “The following song was written by a private in Company A, Fifty-Fourth - (colored) Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers, and has been sent to us for - publication by a friend of the regiment.”—Boston Transcript. - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - “Air.—‘Hoist up the Flag.’ - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “Fremont told them, when the war it first begun, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - How to save the Union, and the way it should be done; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - But Kentucky swore so hard, and old Abe he had his fears, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Till every hope was lost but the colored volunteers. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Chorus.—Oh! give us a flag all free without a slave, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - We’ll fight to defend it as our fathers did so brave: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - The gallant Comp’ny A will make the rebels dance; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And we’ll stand by the Union, if we only have a chance. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - McClellan went to Richmond with two hundred thousand brave: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - He said, ‘keep back the niggers,’ and the Union he would save. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Little Mac he had his way, still the Union is in tears: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Now they call for the help of the colored volunteers. - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Chor.—Oh! give us a flag, &c. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Old Jeff says he’ll hang us if we dare to meet him armed: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - A very big thing, but we are not at all alarmed; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - For he first has got to catch us before the way is clear, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And ‘that’s what’s the matter’ with the colored volunteer. - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Chor.—Oh! give us a flag, &c. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - So rally, boys, rally, let us never mind the past: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - We had a hard road to travel, but our day is coming fast; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - For God is for the right, and we have no need to fear: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - The Union must be saved by the colored volunteer. - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Chor.—Oh! give us a flag, &c.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXI—BLACKS UNDER FIRE IN SOUTH CAROLINA. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Expedition up the St. Mary’s River.—The Negroes Long for a Fight.—Their - Gallantry in Battle.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he Department of - the South, under Major-Gen. Hunter, was the first in which the negro held - the musket. By consent of the commanding-general, I give the following - interesting report from Col. T. W. Higginson:— - </p> - <p> - “On Board Steamer ‘Rex Deford,’ Sunday, Feb. 1, 1863. - </p> - <p> - “<i>Brig-Gen. Saxton, Military Governor, &c</i>. - </p> - <p> - “<i>General</i>,—I have the honor to report the safe return of the - expedition under my command, consisting of four hundred and sixty-two - officers and men of the First Regiment of South-Carolina Volunteers, who - left Beaufort on Jan. 23, on board the steamers: John Adams,’ ‘Planter,’ - and ‘Ben Deford.’ - </p> - <p> - “The expedition has carried the regimental flag and the President’s - proclamation far into the interior of Georgia and Florida. The men have - been repeatedly under fire; have had infantry, cavalry, and even - artillery, arrayed against them; and have, in every instance, come off, - not only with unblemished honor, but with undisputed triumph. At Township, - Fla., a detachment of the expedition fought a cavalry company which met us - unexpectedly, on a midnight march through pine woods, and which completely - surrounded us. They were beaten off with a loss on our part of one man - killed and seven wounded; while the opposing party admits twelve men - killed (including Lieut. Jones, in command of the company), besides many - wounded. So complete was our victory, that the enemy scattered, hid in the - woods all night, not returning to his camp, which was five miles distant, - until noon next day; a fact which was unfortunately unknown until too late - to follow up our advantage. Had I listened to the urgent appeals of my - men, and pressed the flying enemy, we could have destroyed his camp; but, - in view of the darkness, his uncertain numbers and swifter motions, with - your injunctions of caution, I judged it better to rest satisfied with the - victory already gained. - </p> - <p> - “On another occasion, a detachment of about two hundred and fifty men, on - board the ‘John Adams,’ fought its way forty miles up and down a river, - the most dangerous in the department,—the St. Mary’s; a river left - untraversed by our gunboats for many months, as it required a boat built - like the ‘John Adams’ to ascend it successfully. The stream is narrow, - swift, winding, and bordered at many places with high bluffs, which blazed - with rifle-shots. With our glasses, as we approached these points, we - could see mounted men by the hundreds galloping through the woods, from - point to point, to await us; and, though fearful of our shot and shell, - they were so daring against musketry, that one rebel actually sprang from - the shore upon the large boat which was towed at our stern, where he was - shot down by one of my sergeants. We could see our shell scatter the - rebels as they fell among them, and some terrible execution must have been - done; but not a man of this regiment was killed or wounded, though the - steamer is covered with bullet-marks, one of which shows where our brave - Capt. Clifton, commander of the vessel, fell dead beside his own - pilot-house, shot through the brain by a Minie-ball. Major Strong, who - stood beside him, escaped as if by magic, both of them being unnecessarily - exposed without my knowledge. The secret of our safety was in keeping the - regiment below, except the gunners; but this required the utmost energy of - the officers, as the men were wild to come on deck, and even implored to - be landed on shore, and charge on the enemy. Nobody knows any thing about - these men who has not seen them in battle. I find that I myself knew - nothing. There is a fiery energy about them beyond any thing of which I - have ever read, unless it be the French Zouaves. It requires the strictest - discipline to hold them in hand. During our first attack on the river, - before I got them all penned below, they crowded at the open ends of the - steamer, loading and firing with inconceivable rapidity, and shouting to - each other, ‘Never give it up!’ When collected into the hold, they - actually fought each other for places at the few port-holes from which - they could fire on the enemy. - </p> - <p> - “Meanwhile, the black gunners, admirably trained by Lieuts. Stockdale and - O’Neil (both being accomplished artillerists), and Mr. Heron, of the - gunboat, did their duty without the slightest protection, and with great - coolness, amid a storm of shot. - </p> - <p> - “No officer in this regiment now doubts that the key to the successful - prosecution of this war lies in the unlimited employment of black troops. - Their superiority lies simply in the fact that they know the country, - which white troops do not; and, moreover, that they have peculiarities of - temperament, position, and motive, which belong to them alone. Instead of - leaving their homes and families to fight, they are fighting for their - homes and families; and they show the resolution and sagacity which a - personal purpose gives. It would have been madness to attempt with the - bravest white troops what I have successfully accomplished with black - ones. - </p> - <p> - “Every thing, even to the piloting of the vessel, and the selection of the - proper points for cannonading, was done by my own soldiers; indeed, the - real conductor of the whole expedition at the St. Mary’s was Corporal - Robert Sutton, of Company G, formerly a slave upon the St. Mary’s River; a - man of extraordinary qualities, who needs nothing but a knowledge of the - alphabet to entitle him to the most signal promotion. In every instance - where I followed his advice, the predicted result followed; and I never - departed from it, however slightly, without having reason for subsequent - regret. - </p> - <p> - “I have the honor to be, &c., - </p> - <h3> - “T. W. HIGGINSON, - </h3> - <p> - “<i>Col. Com. First Regiment South-Carolina Vols.</i>” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXII—FREEDMEN UNDER FIRE IN MISSISSIPPI. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Bravery of the Freedmen.—Desperation of the Rebels.—Severe - Battle. Negroes Triumphant.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">W</span>hile the people - along the banks of the Mississippi, above New Orleans, were discussing the - question as to whether the negro would fight, if attacked by white men, or - not. Col. Daniels, of the Second Regiment Louisiana Volunteers, gave one - side of the subject considerable of a “hist,” on the 9th of April, 1863. - His official report will speak for itself. - </p> - <p> - “Headquarters, Ship Island (Miss.), April 11, 1863. - </p> - <p> - “<i>Brig.-Gen. Sherman, commanding Defences of New Orleans</i>. - </p> - <p> - “<i>Sir</i>,—In compliance with instructions from your headquarters, - to keep you promptly informed of any movements that the enemy might be - known to be making up the Mississippi Sound, upon learning that repeated - demonstrations had been made in the direction of Pascagoula, by - Confederate troops ashore, and in armed boats along the coast; and, - furthermore, having reliable information that the greater part of the - forces at Mobile were being sent to re-enforce Charleston, I determined to - make a reconnoissance within the enemy’s lines, at or near Pascagoula, for - the purpose of not only breaking up their demonstrations, but of creating - a diversion of the Mobile forces from Charleston, and precipitating them - along the Sound; and accordingly embarked with a detachment of a hundred - and eighty men of my command on United-States Transport ‘General Banks,’ - on the morning of the 9th of April, 1863, and made for Pascagoula, Miss., - where we arrived about nine o’clock, a.m., landed, and took possession of - wharf and hotel, hoisted the stars and stripes upon the building, threw - out pickets, and sent small detachments in various directions to take - possession of the place, and hold the roads leading from the same. - Immediately thereafter, a force of over three hundred Confederate cavalry - came down the Mobile Road, drove in the pickets, and attacked the squad on - the left, from whom they received a warm reception. They then fell back in - some confusion, re-formed, and made a dash upon the detachment stationed - at the hotel, at which point they were again repulsed; Confederate - infantry, meanwhile, attacking my forces on the extreme left, and forcing - a small detachment to occupy a wharf, from which they poured volley after - volley into the enemy’s ranks, killing and wounding many, with a loss of - one man only. The fight had now extended along the road from the river to - the wharf, the enemy being under cover of the houses and forest; whilst my - troops were, from the nature of the ground, unavoidably exposed. The - Confederates had placed their women and children in front of their houses, - for a cover, and even armed their citizens, and forced them to fight - against us. After an hour’s continuous skirmishing, the enemy retreated to - the woods, and my forces fell back to the hotel and wharf. Then the enemy - sallied forth again, with apparently increased numbers, attempting to - surround the hotel, and obtain possession of the wharf; but they were - again repulsed, and driven back to their cover,—the forest. It was - here that Lieut. Jones, with a detachment of only seven men, having been - placed on the extreme right, cut his way through a large force of the - enemy’s cavalry, and arrived at the hotel without losing a man, but - killing and wounding a considerable number of the enemy. - </p> - <p> - “After continuous fighting, from ten o’clock, a.m., to two o’clock, p.m., - and on learning that heavy re-enforcements of infantry and artillery had - arrived from the camps up the Pascagoula River, I withdrew my forces from - the hotel, and returned to Ship Island. The enemy’s loss was over twenty - killed, and a large number wounded. From my own knowledge, and from - information derived from prisoners taken in the fight, and from refugees - since arrived, the enemy had over four hundred cavalry and infantry at - Pascagoula, and heavy re-enforcements within six miles of the place. - Refugees who have arrived since the engagement report the enemy’s loss as - greater than mentioned in my first report. - </p> - <p> - “The expedition was a perfect success, accomplishing all that was - intended; resulting in the repulse of the enemy in every engagement with - great loss; whilst our casualty was only two killed and eight wounded. - Great credit is due to the troops engaged, for their unflinching bravery - and steadiness under this their first fire, exchanging volley after volley - with the coolness of veterans; and for their determined tenacity in - maintaining their position, and taking advantage of every success that - their courage and valor gave them; and also to their officers, who were - cool and determined throughout the action, fighting their commands against - five times their numbers, and confident throughout of success,—all - demonstrating to its fullest extent that the oppression which they have - heretofore undergone from the hands of their foes, and the obloquy that - had been showered upon them by those who should have been friends, had not - extinguished their manhood, or suppressed their bravery, and that they had - still a hand to wield the sword, and a heart to vitalize its blow. - </p> - <p> - “I would particularly call the attention of the Department to Major F. E. - Dumas, Capt. Villeverd, and Lieuts. Jones and Martin, who were constantly - in the thickest of the fight, and by their unflinching bravery, and - admirable handling of their commands, contributed to the success of the - attack, and reflected great honor upon the flag under and for which they - so nobly struggled. Repeated instances of individual bravery among the - troops might be mentioned; but it would be invidious where all fought so - manfully aud so well. - </p> - <p> - “I have the honor to be, most respectfully, - </p> - <p> - “Your obedient servant, - </p> - <h3> - “<i>N. U. DANIELS,</i> - </h3> - <p> - “<i>Col. Second Regiment La. N. O. Vols., Commanding Post.</i>” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXIII—BATTLE OF PORT HUDSON. - </h2> - <p> - <i>The Louisiana Native Guard.—Capt. Callioux.—The Weather.—Spirit - of the Troops.—The Battle begins.—“Charge.”—Great - Bravery.—The Gallant Color-bearer.—Grape, Canister, and Shell - sweep down the Heroic Men.—Death of Callioux.—Comments.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">O</span>n the 26th of May, - 1863, the wing of the array under Major-Gen. Banks was brought before the - rifle-pits and heavy guns of Port Hudson. Night fell—the lovely - Southern night—with its silvery moonshine on the gleaming waters of - the Mississippi, that passed directly by the intrenched town. The - glistening stars appeared suspended in the upper air as globes of liquid - light, while the fresh soft breeze was bearing such sweet scents from the - odoriferous trees and plants, that a poet might have fancied angelic - spirits were abroad, making the atmosphere luminous with their pure - presence, and every breeze fragrant with their luscious breath. The - deep-red sun that rose on the next morning indicated that the day would be - warm; and, as it advanced, the heat became intense. The earth had been - long parched, and the hitherto green verdure had begun to turn yellow. - Clouds of dust followed every step and movement of the troops. The air was - filled with dust: clouds gathered, frowned upon the earth, and hastened - away. - </p> - <p> - The weatherwise watched the red masses of the morning, and still hoped for - a shower to cool the air, and lay the dust, before the work of death - commenced; but none came, and the very atmosphere seemed as if it were - from an overheated oven. The laying-aside of all unnecessary articles or - accoutrements, and the preparation that showed itself on every side, told - all present that the conflict was near at hand. Gen. Dwight, whose - antecedents with regard to the rights of the negro, and his ability to - fight, were not of the most favorable character, was the officer in - command over the colored brigade; and busy Rumor, that knows every thing, - had whispered it about that the valor of the black man was to be put to - the severest test that day. - </p> - <p> - The black forces consisted of the First Louisiana, under Lieut-Col. - Bassett, and the Third Louisiana, under Col. Nelson. The line-officers of - the Third were White; and the regiment was composed mostly of freedmen, - many of whose backs still bore the marks of the lash, and whose brave, - stout hearts beat high at the thought that the hour had come when they - were to meet their proud and unfeeling oppressors. The First was the noted - regiment called “The Native Guard,” which Gen. Butler found when he - entered New Orleans, and which so promptly offered its services to aid in - crushing the Rebellion. The line-officers of this regiment were all - colored, taken from amongst the most wealthy and influential of the free - colored people of New Orleans. It was said that not one of them was worth - less than twenty-five thousand dollars. The brave, the enthusiastic, and - the patriotic, found full scope for the development of their powers in - this regiment, of which all were well educated; some were fine scholars. - One of the most efficient officers was Capt. André Callioux, a man whose - identity with his race could not be mistaken; for he prided himself on - being the blackest man in the Crescent City. Whether in the drawing-room - or on the parade, he was ever the centre of attraction. Finely educated, - polished in his manners, a splendid horseman, a good boxer, bold, - athletic, and daring, he never lacked admirers. His men were ready at any - time to follow him to the cannon’s mouth; and he was as ready to lead - them. This regiment petitioned their commander to allow them to occupy the - post of danger in the battle, and it was granted. - </p> - <p> - As the moment of attack drew near, the greatest suppressed excitement - existed; but all were eager for the fight. Capt. Callioux walked proudly - up and down the line, and smilingly greeted the familiar faces of his - company. Officers and privates of the white regiments looked on as they - saw these men at the front, and asked each other what they thought would - be the result. Would these blacks stand fire? Was not the test by which - they were to be tried too severe? Col. Nelson being called to act as - brigadier-general, Lieut-Col. Finnegas took his place. The enemy In his - stronghold felt his power, and bade defiance to the expected attack. At - last the welcome word was given, and our men started. The enemy opened a - blistering fire of shell, canister, grape, and musketry. The first shell - thrown by the enemy killed and wounded a number of the blacks; but on they - went. “Charge” was the word. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Charge!” Trump and drum awoke: - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Onward the bondmen broke; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Bayonet and sabre-stroke - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Vainly opposed their rush.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - At every pace, the column was thinned by the falling dead and wounded. The - blacks closed up steadily as their comrades fell, and advanced within - fifty paces of where the rebels were working a masked battery, situated on - a bluff where the guns could sweep the whole field over which the troops - must charge. This battery was on the left of the charging line. Another - battery of three or four guns commanded the front, and six heavy pieces - raked the right of the line as it formed, and enfiladed its flank and rear - as it charged on the bluff. It was ascertained that a bayou ran under the - bluff where the guns lay,—a bayou deeper than a man could ford. This - charge was repulsed with severe loss. Lieut-Col. Finnegas was then ordered - to charge, and in a well-dressed steady line his men went on the - doublequick down over the field of death. No matter how gallantly the men - behaved, no matter how bravely they were led, it was not in the course of - things that this gallant brigade should take these works by charge. Yet - charge after charge was ordered and carried out under all these disasters - with Spartan firmness. Six charges in all were made. Col. Nelson reported - to Gen. Dwight the fearful odds he had to contend with. Says Gen. Dwight, - in reply, “Tell Col. Nelson I shall consider that he has accomplished - nothing unless he take those guns.” Humanity will never forgive Gen. - Dwight for this last order; for he certainly saw that he was only throwing - away the lives of his men. But what were his men? “Only niggers.” Thus the - last charge was made under the spur of desperation. - </p> - <p> - The ground was already strewn with the dead and wounded, and many of the - brave officers had fallen early in the engagement. Among them was the - gallant and highly cultivated Anselmo. He was a standardbearer, and hugged - the stars and stripes to his heart as he fell forward upon them pierced by - five balls. Two corporals near by struggled between themselves as to who - should have the honor of again raising those bloodstained emblems to the - breeze. Each was eager for the honor; and during the struggle a missile - from the enemy wounded one of them, and the other corporal shouldered the - dear old flag in triumph, and bore it through the charge in the front of - the advancing lines. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - “Now,” the flag-sergeant cried, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - “Though death and hell betide, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Let the whole nation see - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - If we are fit to be - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Free in this land, or bound - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Down, like the whining hound,— - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Bound with red stripes aud pain - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - In our old chains again.” - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Oh! what a shout there went - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - From the black regiment! - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - Shells from the rebel guns cut down trees three feet in diameter, and they - fell, at one time burying a whole company beneath their branches. Thus - they charged bravely on certain destruction, till the ground was slippery - with the gore of the slaughtered, and cumbered with the bodies of the - maimed. The last charge was made about one o’clock. At this juncture, - Capt. Callioux was seen with his left arm dangling by his side,—for - a ball had broken it above the elbow,—while his right hand held his - unsheathed sword gleaming in the rays of the sun; and his hoarse, faint - voice was heard cheering on his men. A moment more, and the brave and - generous Callioux was struck by a shell, and fell far in advance of his - company. The fall of this officer so exasperated his men, that they - appeared to be filled with new enthusiasm; and they rushed forward with a - recklessness that probably has never been surpassed. Seeing it to be a - hopeless effort, the taking of these batteries, order was given to change - the programme; and the troops were called off. But had they accomplished - any thing more than the loss of many of their brave men? Yes: they had. - The self-forgetfulness, the undaunted heroism, and the great endurance of - the negro, as exhibited that day, created a new chapter in American - history for the colored man. - </p> - <p> - Many Persians were slain at the battle of Thermopylæ; but history records - only the fall of Leonidas and his four hundred companions. So in the - future, when we shall have passed away from the stage, and rising - generations shall speak of the conflict at Port Hudson, and the celebrated - charge of the negro brigade, they will forget all others in their - admiration for André Callioux and his colored associates. Gen. Banks, in - his report of the battle of Port Hudson, says, “Whatever doubt may have - existed heretofore as to the efficiency of organizations of this - character, the history of this day proves conclusively to those who were - in a condition to observe the conduct of these regiments, that the - Government will find in this class of troops effective supporters and - defenders. The severe test to which they were subjected, and the - determined manner in which they encountered the enemy, leaves upon my mind - no doubt of their ultimate success.” - </p> - <p> - Hon. B. F. Flanders paid them the following tribute:— - </p> - <p> - “The unanimous report of all those who were in the recent battle at Port - Hudson, in regard to the negroes, is, that they fought like devils. They - have completely conquered the prejudice of the army against them. Never - before was there such an extraordinary revolution of sentiment as that of - this army in respect to the negroes as soldiers.” - </p> - <p> - This change was indeed needed; for only a few days previous to the battle, - while the regiments were at Baton Rouge, the line-officers of the - New-England troops, either through jealousy or hatred to the colored men - on account of their complexion, demanded that the latter, as officers, - should be dismissed. And, to the disgrace of these white officers, the - colored men, through the mean treatment of their superiors in office, the - taunts and jeers of their white assailants, were compelled to throw up - their commissions. The colored soldiers were deeply pained at seeing the - officers of their own color and choice taken from them; for they were much - attached to their commanders, some of whom were special favorites with the - whole regiment. Among these were First Lieut. Joseph Howard of Company I, - and Second Lieut. Joseph G. Parker, of Company C. These gentlemen were - both possessed of ample wealth, and had entered the army, not as a matter - of speculation, as too many have done, but from a love of military life. - Lieut. Howard was a man of more than ordinary ability in military tactics; - and a braver or more daring officer could not be found in the Valley of - the Mississippi. He was well educated, speaking the English, French, and - Spanish languages fluently, and was considered a scholar of rare literary - attainments. He, with his friend Parker, felt sorely the humiliation - attending their dismissal from the army, and seldom showed themselves on - the streets of their native city, to which they had returned. When the - news reached New Orleans of the heroic charge made by the First Louisiana - Regiment, at Port Hudson, on the 27th of May, Howard at once called on - Parker; and they were so fired with the intelligence, that they determined - to proceed to Port Hudson, and to join their old regiment as <i>privates</i>. - That night they took passage, and the following day found them with their - former friends in arms. The regiment was still in position close to the - enemy’s works, and the appearance of the two lieutenants was hailed with - demonstrations of joy. Instead of being placed as privates in the ranks, - they were both immediately assigned the command of a company each, not - from any compliment to them, but from sheer necessity, because the <i>white - officers</i> of these companies, feeling that the colored soldiers were - put in the front of the battle owing to their complexion, were not willing - to risk their lives, and had thrown up their commissions. - </p> - <p> - On the 5th of June, these two officers were put to the test, and nobly did - they maintain their former reputation for bravery. Capt. Howard leading - the way, they charged upon the rebel’s rifle-pits, drove them out, and - took possession, and held them for three hours, in the face of a raking - fire of artillery. Several times the blacks were so completely hidden from - view by the smoke of their own guns and the enemy’s heavy cannon, that - they could not be seen. It was at this time, that Capt. Howard exhibited - his splendid powers as a commander. The negroes never hesitated. Amid the - roar of artillery, and the rattling of musketry, the groans of the - wounded, and the ghastly appearance of the dead, the heroic and intrepid - Howard was the same. He never said to his men, “Go,” but always, “Follow - me.” At last, when many of their men were killed, and the severe fire of - the enemy’s artillery seemed to mow down every thing before it, these - brave men were compelled to fall back from the pits which they had so - triumphantly taken. At nightfall, Gen. Banks paid the negro officers a - high compliment, shaking the hand of Capt. Howard, and congratulating him - on his return, and telling his aides that this man was worthy of a more - elevated position. - </p> - <p> - Although the First Louisiana had done well, its great triumph was reserved - for the 14th of June, when Capt. Howard and his associates in arms won for - themselves immortal renown. Never, in the palmy days of Napoleon, - Wellington, or any other general, was more true heroism shown. The effect - of the battle of the 27th of May, is thus described in “The New-York - Herald,” June 6:— - </p> - <p> - “The First Regiment Louisiana Native Guard, Col. Nelson, were in this - charge. <i>They went on the advance, and, when they came out, six hundred - out of nine hundred men could not be accounted for. It is said on every - side that they fought with the desperation of tigers</i>. One negro was - observed with a rebel soldier in his grasp, tearing the flesh from his - face with his teeth, other weapons having failed him. There are other - incidents connected with the conduct of this regiment <i>that have raised - them very much in my opinion as soldiers. After firing one volley, they - did not deign to load again, but went in with bayonets; and, wherever they - had a chance, it was all up with the rebels.”</i> - </p> - <p> - From “The New-York Tribune,” June 8:— - </p> - <p> - “Nobly done, First Regiment of Louisiana Native Guard! though you failed - to carry the rebel works against overwhelming numbers, you did not charge - and fight and fall in vain. That heap of six hundred corpses, lying there - dark and grim and silent before and within the rebel works, is a better - proclamation of freedom than even President Lincoln’s. A race ready to die - thus was never yet retained in bondage, and never can be. Even the Wood - copperheads, who will not fight themselves, and try to keep others out of - the Union ranks, will not dare to mob negro regiments if this is their - style of fighting. - </p> - <p> - “Thus passes one regiment of blacks to death and everlasting fame.” - </p> - <p> - Humanity should not forget, that, at the surrender of Port Hudson, not a - single colored man could be found alive, although thirty-five were known - to have been taken prisoners during the siege. All had been murdered. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXIV—GENERAL BANKS IN LOUISIANA. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Gen. Banks at New Orleans.—Old Slave-laws revived.—Treatment - of Free Colored Persons.—Col. Jonas H. French.—Ill Treatment - at Port Hudson.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">G</span>en. Banks’s - antecedents were unfavorable to him when he landed in New Orleans. True, - he was from Massachusetts, and was a Republican; but he belonged to the - conservative portion of the party. The word “white” in the militia law, - which had so long offended the good taste and better judgment of the - majority of the people, was stricken out during the last term of Gov. - Banks’s administration, but failed to receive his sanction. In his message - vetoing the bill, he resorted to a laborious effort of special pleading to - prove that the negro was not a citizen. The fact is, he was a Democrat - dressed up in Republican garments. Gen. Butler had brought the whites and - blacks nearly to a level with each other as citizens of New Orleans, when - he was succeeded by Gen. Banks. The latter at once began a system of - treatment to the colored people, which showed that his feelings were with - the whites, and against the blacks. The old slave-law, requiring colored - persons to be provided with passes to enable them to be out from their - homes after half-past eight o’clock at night was revived by Gen. Banks’s - understrappers, as the following will show:— - </p> - <p> - “<i>St. Charles Hotel, New Orleans, Jan. 25.</i> - </p> - <p> - “On Tuesday evening last, at half-past eight o’clock, while passing up St. - Charles Street in company with F. S. Schell, Esq., the artist of ‘Frank - Leslie’s Pictorial,’, who is attached to the Banks Expedition, I was - suddenly accosted by two colored women, one of whom, a beautiful mulatto - very tastily attired, besought me to protect her from the watchmen, who, - she said, were following close behind her on the opposite side of the - street, and were about to arrest her and her mother for being out without - passes. - </p> - <p> - “I offered her and her mother all the protection in my power until they - should reach their home, which was but a few blocks distant; and I had but - scarcely made the proffer, when two powerful and muscular watchmen came - running across the street, club in hand, and at once proceeded to arrest - the women. I inquired of the officers by what authority they arrested - slaves or free colored people. They informed me that they were acting - under orders received from the chief of police, Col. Jonas H. French. - </p> - <p> - “The women begged, with tears in their eyes, for their liberty, that they - might return to their homes, where a sister was lying dangerously ill, and - towards whom they were hastening when seized by the watchmen. Being enough - of a ‘Yankee abolitionist’ to feel a glow of indignation at this flagrant - violation of human rights, and, as I supposed, illegal assumption of - power, I proceeded to the prison or watch-house, adjoining the city hall, - from the roof of which flies the flag of freedom. - </p> - <p> - “What a sight was revealed to me on my visit to that prison! Such a scene - may I never be permitted to visit again! Securing permission, I went into - the corridor, from which lead the cells. There I saw, in one cell, fifteen - feet by twenty feet, fifty colored women and girls packed like so many - cattle: there were six or eight wooden berths, with <i>pine mattresses</i> - and <i>oak pillows</i>, for these poor creatures to rest their limbs upon. - Of course, the most of them were obliged to stand uprightly, or lie upon - the wet flooring of the cell. - </p> - <p> - “I never shall forget the emotions that arose within my bosom as I stood - intently gazing upon the sorrowing faces of these unfortunates as they - cast wistful glances through the heavy iron bars of their cell, and in - supplicating tones implored me to secure them their release. One pretty - young girl of fifteen, with a beautiful face, whose complexion was that of - a pretty Boston brunette, and with long flowing hair, slightly crimpled, - was sobbing as though her heart would break for her mother. She was - terrified at the surroundings of her new position, and the hideous yells - of drunken soldiers and sailors in the next cell. - </p> - <p> - “There were confined in this cell several women, who, in New York or - Boston, would pass for white women without the slightest difficulty or - suspicion. And there were many darker countenances in that cell, that were - intelligent, and indicated the existence and beating of hearts beneath - those tinged and sable hues. In the opposite cells were over one hundred - colored men and boys of all colors, from the ebony, thick-lipped African, - to the mulatto, and delicately-tinged colored man. They were there from - all ages, from the little child of nine years, to the aged and decrepit - negro of seventy-five. There were the dandy darkey, slave and free; the - laborer, slave and free; the mechanic and waiter, slave and free. - </p> - <p> - “Some of these men were the fathers, husbands, and brothers of the women - in the opposite cells. It was but a little while after, when, the jailer - having barred the door which leads into the stone corridor, I heard - distinctly the swelling notes of ‘John Brown’s body lies mouldering,’ - &c., and shortly after the grand chorus of an ancient Methodist hymn, - ‘For Jesus’ sake, we’ll serve the Lord.’ The next evening, I visited the - cells, and found that nearly all who had been imprisoned the previous - evening had been released on paying a fine of one dollar and a quarter for - free people, and one dollar and a half for slaves. - </p> - <p> - “There were several likely-looking negro-girls still in the cell, and - three mothers. All of these mothers had sons in the Union army, enlisted - in the colored Native-Guard Regiment. One of them had <i>three</i> sons in - one regiment; the other had two sons, her only children; and the only - child of the third, a boy of nineteen years, was a sergeant in a colored - company. These mothers were all the <i>property</i> of rebels; for they - told me their masters and mistresses swore they would ‘never take the oath - of allegiance to the abolition Yankee Government.’ I asked them how they - happened to be imprisoned, and was informed that their masters and - mistresses had them ‘sent to prison for safe-keeping.’ - </p> - <p> - “One mother told me she was always treated well until her sons joined the - negro regiment, since which time she had been whipped and otherwise sadly - abused. She was not allowed so much liberty at home, and her mistress had - put her off on a short allowance of food, because she did not prevent her - sons from enlisting. - </p> - <p> - “Here is a verbatim copy of the official order requiring the arrest by the - police of all colored people found in the streets. Beyond the simple - written notice, nothing more has been made public in regard to this - important matter:— - </p> - <p> - “<i>Office Chief of Police.</i> - </p> - <p> - “‘<i>Lieut. J. Duan</i>,—You are hereby ordered to arrest all - negroes out without passes after half past eight, P.M. - </p> - <p> - “‘By order of - </p> - <p> - “‘Col. J. H. French, - </p> - <p> - “‘<i>Provost-marshal General and Chief of Police.</i>’” - </p> - <p> - “Notices of this kind were sent to all the station-houses, and were posted - in the offices. It is a most despotic law to put in force at such an hour - as this, to protect the property, in the shape of human flesh and blood, - in God’s creatures, belonging or <i>owned</i>, as they say, by the very - fiends who have no compulsion at shedding the precious life’s blood of our - sons and brothers, husbands and fathers. - </p> - <p> - “We, who profess to be Christian people, contributing blood and treasure - for the suppression of this cursed Rebellion, are now called upon to - provide cells for the safekeeping of their slaves.”—<i>Correspondence - of The Boston Traveller.</i> - </p> - <p> - The following private letter (says “The New-York Tribune”) from a colored - man in New Orleans, cancelling an order he had previous sent to New York - for a banner, may throw some light on the state of things in the Southern - metropolis:— - </p> - <p> - “Sir,—If you have not had the banner commenced, it is useless to - have it made at all, as, since the issuing of the President’s - proclamation, Jonas H. French has stopped all of our night-meetings, and - has caused us to get permits to hold meetings on Sunday, and sends his - police around to all of the colored churches every Sunday to examine all - of the permits. He had all the slaves that were turned out of their former - owners’ yards rearrested and sent back; those who belonged to rebels as - well as those who belong to loyal persons. The slaves were mustered into - the rebel army. He has them confined in jail to starve and die, and - refuses their friends to see them. He is much worse than our rebel - masters, he being the chief of police. Last night, after Gen. Banks left - the city, Col. French issued a secret order to all the police-stations to - arrest all the negroes who may be found in the streets, and at the places - of amusement, and placed in jail. There were about five hundred, both free - and slave, confined, without the least notice or cause,—persons who - thought themselves free by the President’s proclamation, from the parishes - of Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Catahoula, Concordia, Aragules, - Jaques, Iberville, West Baton Rouge, Point Coupee, Filiciana, East Baton - Rouge, St. Helena, Washington, St. Samany. Free persons of color from any - of these parishes, who are found within the limits of the city, are - immediately arrested and placed in jail by order of Col. French. Therefore - it is useless to have the banner made, as there is no use for it since - Gen. Butler has left. R. K. T.” - </p> - <p> - All colored persons, even those who had been born free, and had resided in - the city from infancy, were included in the order of the provost-marshal. - It is a fact beyond dispute, that both officers and soldiers under Gen. - Banks’s rule in Louisiana manifested a degree of negro hate that was - almost unknown before their advent. - </p> - <p> - At the siege of Port Hudson, this prejudice against the blacks was - exhibited by all, from Gen. Banks down to the most ignorant private. A - correspondent in “The Boston Commonwealth,” dated at Port Hudson, July 17, - 1864, says,— - </p> - <p> - “Thus, in the siege of Port Hudson, no one knew an instance of such - terrible assaults, without possibility of success, but only repeated in - obedience to Gen. Dwight’s order to ‘continue charging till further - orders.’ The white troops were unanimous in praising the valor of this - devoted regiment. How was it when the provisions of Paragraph 11, Appendix - B, Revised Army Regulations, 1863, were carried out? A General Order from - Gen. Banks authorizes ‘Port Hudson’ to be inscribed on every banner but - those of the colored regiments, which are <i>overlooked</i>. Do those - people who speak so loudly in praise of these regiments at Port Hudson - know they are the only ones not authorized to inscribe ‘Port Hudson’ on - their flags? Does <i>Adjutant-Gen. Thomas</i> know it? The only - inscription on the banner of the glorious Seventy-third is the blood-stain - of the noble sergeant who bore it in this fierce assault, and the rents - made in the struggle of the corporals to obtain the dear rag from the - dying man who had rolled himself up in its fold. Regiments which were - ridiculed as cowards and vagabonds have Port Hudson on their flags. Let us - be cautious how we praise the First Native Guards: they have it not on - their flag. Thank God there were thousands of honest privates in the ranks - of the white regiments who will tell the story of the First Native Guards! - The changes of its designation and consolidation with other regiments will - not entirely obliterate its fame. The blood of the heroic Callioux and his - fellow-victims at Port Hudson will cry to Heaven, and will be heard. - </p> - <p> - “And how has it run in the campaign of 1864? This same devoted regiment - followed the army of Gen. Banks to Pleasant Hill; but Fort Pillow rushed - red on the general’s sight, and he dare not let them fight. They were - therefore made to ‘boost’ along the wagon-trains of the white troops; to - build the greater part of the famous bridge which saved the fleet, and got - Lieut.-Col. Bailey a star; to endure the kicks and insults of white - soldiers: the officers to be put in arrest by inferior officers of white - regiments, and returned to Morganzia. - </p> - <p> - “Every available man is detailed daily, rain or shine, to work on the - fortifications under the jeers of loafing white soldiers and officers.” - </p> - <p> - “The labor-system adopted by Gen. Banks for the freedmen was nothing less - than slavery under another name. Having no confidence in the negro’s - ability to take care of himself, he felt that, even in freedom, he needed - a master, and therefore put him in leading-strings. The general evidently - considered that the wishes of the white planters, whether rebel or not, - were to be gratified, although it were done at the expense of the black - man. In reconstructing the civil authorities of the city of New Orleans, - he carried out the same policy of ignoring the rights of the colored - people, as will be seen by the following extract from a petition of the - colored citizens to President Lincoln:— - </p> - <p> - “Your petitioners aver that they have applied in respectful terms to - Brig.-Gen. George F. Shepley, Military Governor of Louisiana, and to - Major-Gen. N. P. Banks, commanding the Department of the Gulf, praying to - be placed upon the registers as voters, to the end that they might - participate in the re-organization of civil government in Louisiana; and - that their petition has met with no response from those officers.” - </p> - <p> - This petition was signed by the men, who, when the city was threatened by - the rebels during the siege of Port Hudson, took up arms for its defence; - all of whom were loyal to the American Union. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXV—HONORS TO THE NOBLE DEAD. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Capt. André Callioux.—His Body lies in State.—Personal - Appearance.—His Enthusiasm.—His Popularity.—His Funeral.—The - great Respect paid the Deceased.—General Lamentation.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he death of Capt. - André Callioux created a profound sensation throughout Louisiana, and - especially in New Orleans, where the deceased had lived from childhood. - This feeling of sorrow found vent at the funeral, which took place on the - 11th of July, 1863. We give the following, written at the time by a - correspondent of a New-York Journal:— - </p> - <p> - <i>“New Orleans, Saturday, Aug. 1, 1863.</i>” “The most extraordinary - local event that has ever been seen within our borders, and, I think, one - of the most extraordinary exhibitions brought forth by this Rebellion, was - the funeral of Capt. André Callioux, Company E, First Louisiana National - Guards. Here, in this Southern emporium, was performed a funeral ceremony - that for numbers and impressiveness never had its superior in this city; - and it was originated and carried through in honor of a gallant soldier of - the despised race, to enslave which, it is said, will soothe this State - back into the Union. - </p> - <p> - “Capt. Callioux was fine-looking, and, in his military dress, had an - imposing appearance. I remember seeing him at Gen. Banks’s headquarters, - in company with at least fifteen of our prominent military officers; and - he was a marked personage among them all. In the celebrated assault and - repulse on Port Hudson by Gen. Banks, Capt. Callioux fell, at the head of - his company, on the 27th of May last, while gallantly leading it on to the - enemy’s works. His body, along with others of the national regiments, - after the battle, lay within deadly reach of the rebel sharpshooters; and - all attempts to recover the body were met with a shower of Minie-bullets. - Thus guarded by the enemy, or, I might say, thus honored by their - attention, the body lay exposed until the surrender of the place, the 8th - of July, when it was recovered, and brought to this city to receive the - astonishing ovation connected with the last rights of humanity. - </p> - <p> - “The arrival of the body developed to the white population here that the - colored people had powerful organizations in the form of civic societies; - as the Friends of the Order, of which Capt. Callioux was a prominent - member, received the body, and had the coffin containing it, draped with - the American flag, exposed in state in the commodious hall. Around the - coffin, flowers were strewn in the greatest profusion, and candles were - kept continually burning. All the rights of the Catholic Church were - strictly complied with. The guard paced silently to and fro, and - altogether it presented as solemn a scene as was ever witnessed. - </p> - <p> - “In due time, the band of the Forty-second Massachusetts Regiment made - their appearance, and discoursed the customary solemn airs. The - officiating priest, Father Le Maistre, of the Church of St. Rose of Lima, - who has paid not the least attention to the excommunication and - denunciations issued against him by the archbishop of this diocese, then - performed the Catholic service for the dead. After the regular services, - he ascended to the president’s chair, and delivered a glowing and eloquent - eulogy on the virtues of the deceased. He called upon all present to offer - themselves, as Callioux had done, martyrs to the cause of justice, - freedom, and good government. It was a death the proudest might envy. - </p> - <p> - “Immense crowds of colored people had by this time gathered around the - building, and the streets leading thereto were rendered almost impassable. - Two companies of the Sixth Louisiana (colored) Regiment, from their camp - on the Company Canal, were there to act as an escort; and Esplanade - Street, for more than a mile, was lined with colored societies, both male - and female, in open order, waiting for the hearse to pass through. - </p> - <p> - “After a short pause, a sudden silence fell upon the crowd, the band - commenced playing a dirge; and the body was brought from the hall on the - shoulders of eight soldiers, escorted by six members of the society, and - six colored captains, who acted as pall-bearers. The corpse was conveyed - to the hearse through a crowd composed of both white and black people, and - in silence profound as death itself. Not a sound was heard save the - mournful music of the band, and not a head in all that vast multitude but - was uncovered. - </p> - <p> - “The procession then moved off in the following order: The hearse - containing the body, with Capts. J. W. Ringgold, W. B. Barrett, S. J. - Wilkinson, Eugene Mailleur, J. A. Glea, and A. St. Leger (all of whom, we - believe, belong to the Second Louisiana Native Guards), and six members of - The Friends of the Order, as pall-bearers; about a hundred convalescent - sick and wounded colored soldiers; the two companies of the Sixth - Regiment; a large number of colored officers of all native guard - regiments; the carriages containing Capt. Callioux’s family, and a number - of army officers; winding up with a large number of private individuals, - and the following-named societies:— - </p> - <p> - Friends of the Order. - </p> - <p> - Society of Economy and Mutual Assistance. United Brethren. - </p> - <p> - Arts’ and Mechanics’ Association. - </p> - <p> - Free Friends. - </p> - <p> - Good Shepherd Conclave, No. 2. - </p> - <p> - Artisans’ Brotherhood. - </p> - <p> - Good Shepherd Conclave, No. 1. Union Sons’ Relief. Perseverance Society. - </p> - <p> - Ladies of Bon Secours. - </p> - <p> - La Fleur de Marie. - </p> - <p> - Saint Rose of Lima. - </p> - <p> - The Children of Mary Society. - </p> - <p> - Saint Angela Society. - </p> - <p> - The Immaculate Conception Society. The Sacred Union Society. - </p> - <p> - The Children of Jesus. - </p> - <p> - Saint Veronica Society. - </p> - <p> - Saint Alphonsus Society. - </p> - <p> - Saint Joachim Society. - </p> - <p> - Star of the Cross. - </p> - <p> - Saint Theresa Society. - </p> - <p> - Saint Eulalia Society. - </p> - <p> - Saint Magdalen Society. - </p> - <p> - God Protect Us Society. - </p> - <p> - United Sisterhood. - </p> - <p> - Angel Gabriel Society. - </p> - <p> - Saint Louis Roi Society. - </p> - <p> - Saint Benoit Society. Benevolence Society. - </p> - <p> - Well Beloved Sisters’ Society. - </p> - <p> - Saint Peter Society. - </p> - <p> - Saint Michael Archangel Society Saint Louis de Gonzague Society. Saint Ann - Society. - </p> - <p> - The Children of Moses - </p> - <p> - “After moving through the principal down-town streets, the body was taken - to the Bienville-street cemetery; and there interred with military honors - due his rank. - </p> - <p> - “Capt. Callioux was a native of this city, aged forty-three years, and was - one of the first to raise a company under the call of Gen. Butler for - colored volunteers. ‘The Union,’ of this city, a paper of stanch loyalty, - which is devoted to the interests of the colored people, speaking of Capt. - Callioux, says ‘By his gallant bearing, his gentlemanly deportment, his - amiable disposition, and his capacities as a soldier,—having - received a very good education,—he became the idol of his men, and - won the respect and confidence of his superior officers. He was a true - type of the Louisianian. In this city, where he passed his life, he was - loved and respected by all who knew him. - </p> - <p> - “‘In Capt. Callioux, the cause of the Union and freedom has lost a - valuable friend. Capt. Callioux, defending the integrity of the sacred - cause of liberty, vindicated his race from the opprobrium with which it - was charged. He leaves a wife and several children, who will have the - consolation that he died the death of the patriot and the righteous.’ - </p> - <p> - “The long pageant has passed away; but there is left deeply impressed on - the minds of those who witnessed this extraordinary sight the fact that - thousands of people born in slavery had, by the events of the Rebellion, - been disinthralled enough to appear in the streets of New Orleans, bearing - to the tomb a man of their own color, who had fallen gallantly fighting - for the flag and his country,—a man who had sealed with his blood - the inspiration he received from Mr. Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. - The thousands of the unfortunates who followed his remains had the flag of - the Union in miniature form waving in their hands, or pinned tastefully on - their persons. - </p> - <p> - “We would ask, Can these people ever again be subjected to slavery? Are - these men who have been regenerated by wearing the United-States uniform, - these men who have given their race to our armies to fight our would-be - oppressors,—are these people to be, can they ever again be, handed - over to the taskmaster? Would a Government that would do such a thing be - respected by the world, be honored of God? Could the Christianized people - of the globe have witnessed the funeral of Capt. Callioux, there would - have been but one sentiment called forth, and that is this,—that the - National Government can make no compromise on this slave question. It is - too late to retreat: the responsibility has been taken, and the struggle - must go on until there is not legally a slave under the folds of the - American flag.” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXVI.—HE NORTHERN WING OF THE REBELLION. - </h2> - <p> - <i>The New-York Mob.—Murder, Fire, and Robbery.—The City given - up to the Rioters.—Whites and Blacks robbed in Open Day in the Great - Thoroughfares.—Negroes murdered, burned, and their Bodies hung on - Lamp-posts.—Southern Rebels at the Head of the Riot.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he partial - successes which the rebels had achieved at Bull Run, Ball’s Bluff, and Big - Bethel, together with the defiant position of Gen. Lee on the one hand, - and the bad management of Gen. McClellan on the other, had emboldened the - rebels, and made them feel their strength. - </p> - <p> - Those who had served out their terms of service in the Union army were not - very anxious to re-enlist. The Conscript Act had been passed by Congress, - and the copperhead press throughout the land was urging the people to - resist the draft, when the welcome news of the surrender of Vicksburg and - Port Hudson came over the wires. The agents of the Confederacy were at - once despatched to New York to “let loose the dogs of war.” - </p> - <p> - As the blacks of the South had assisted in the capture of Vicksburg and - Port Hudson, the colored people of the North must be made to suffer for - it. - </p> - <p> - The mob was composed of the lowest and most degraded of the foreign - population (mainly Irish), raked from the filthy cellars and dens of the - city, steeped in crimes of the deepest dye, and ready for any act, no - matter how dark and damnable; together with the worst type of onr native - criminals, whose long service in the prisons of the country, and whose - training in the Democratic party, had so demoralized their natures, that - they were ever on the hunt for some deed of robbery or murder. - </p> - <p> - This conglomerated mass of human beings were under the leadership of men - standing higher than themselves in the estimation of the public, but, if - possible, really lower in moral degradation. Cheered on by men holding - high political positions, and finding little or no opposition, they went - on at a fearful rate. - </p> - <p> - Never, in the history of mob-violence, was crime carried to such an - extent. Murder, arson, robbery, and cruelty reigned triumphant throughout - the city, day and night, for more than a week. - </p> - <p> - Breaking into stores, hotels, and saloons, and helping themselves to - strong drink, <i>ad libitum</i>, they became inebriated, and marched - through every part of the city. Calling at places where large bodies of - men were at work, and pressing them in, their numbers rapidly increased to - thousands, and their fiendish depredations had no bounds. Having been - taught by the leaders of the Democratic party to hate the negro, and - having but a few weeks previous seen regiments of colored volunteers pass - through New York on their way South, this infuriated band of drunken men, - women, and children paid special visits to all localities inhabited by the - blacks, and murdered all they could lay their hands on, without regard to - age or sex. Every place known to employ negroes was searched: steamboats - leaving the city, and railroad depots, were watched, lest some should - escape their vengeance. - </p> - <p> - Hundreds of the blacks, driven from their homes, and hunted and chased - through the streets, presented themselves at the doors of jails, prisons, - and police-stations, and begged admission. Thus did they prowl about the - city, committing crime after crime; indeed, in point of cruelty, the - Rebellion was transferred from the South to the North. - </p> - <p> - These depredations were to offset the glorious triumphs of our arms in the - rebel States. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Peaceful o’er the placid waters rose the radiant summer sun, - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Loyal voices shouted anthems o’er the conquest bravely won; - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - For the walls of Vicksburg yielded to the Union shot and shell, - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - While Port Hudson, trembling, waited but a clearer tale to tell. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - But, alas! day’s golden image scarce had left its impress there, - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - When above a Northern city rose the sounds of wild despair: - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Fiends and demons yet unnumbered rallied forth in bold array; - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Deeds of darkness, scenes of carnage, marked the traitors’ onward way. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Blind to feeling, deaf to mercy, who may judge the depth of crime? - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - None but God may know the misery traced upon the Book of Time. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - The following account of the mob is from “The New-York Times” July 14, - 1863:— - </p> - <p> - “The Orphan Asylum for Colored Children was visited by the mob about four - o’clock. This institution is situated on Fifth Avenue; and the building, - with the grounds and gardens adjoining, extends from Forty-third to - Forty-fourth Street. Hundreds and perhaps thousands of the rioters, the - majority of whom were women and children, entered the premises, and, in - the most excited and violent manner, ransacked and plundered the building - from cellar to garret. The building was located in the most healthy - portion of the city. It was purely a charitable institution. In it there - was an average of six or eight hundred homeless colored orphans. The - building was a large four-story one, with two wings of three stories each. - </p> - <p> - “When it became evident that the crowd designed to destroy it, a flag of - truce appeared on the walk opposite, and the principals of the - establishment made an appeal to the excited populace; but in vain. - </p> - <p> - “Here it was, that Chief-Engineer Decker showed himself one of the bravest - of the brave. After the entire building had been ransacked, and every - article deemed worth carrying had been taken,—<i>and this included - even the little garments for the orphans, which were contributed by the - benevolent ladies of the city,—the premises were fired on the first - floor.</i> Mr. Decker did all he could to prevent the flames from being - kindled; but, when he was overpowered by superior numbers, with his own - hands he scattered the brands, and effectually extinguished the flames. A - second attempt was made, and this time in three different parts of the - house. Again he succeeded, with the aid of half a dozen of his men, in - defeating the incendiaries. The mob became highly exasperated at his - conduct, and threatened to take his life if he repeated the act. On the - front steps of the building, he stood up amid an infuriated and - half-drunken mob of two thousand, and begged of them to do nothing so - disgraceful to humanity as to burn a benevolent institution, which had for - its object nothing but good. He said it would be a lasting disgrace to - them and to the city of New York. - </p> - <p> - “These remarks seemed to have no good effect upon them, and meantime the - premises were again fired,—this time in all parts of the house. Mr. - Decker, with his few brave men, again extinguished the flames. This last - act brought down upon him the vengeance of all who were bent on the - destruction of the asylum; and but for the fact that some firemen - surrounded him, and boldly said that Mr. Decker could not be taken except - over their bodies, he would have been despatched on the spot. The - institution was destined to be burned; and, after an hour and a half of - labor on the part of the mob, it was in flames in all parts. Three or four - persons were horribly bruised by the falling walls; but the names we could - not ascertain. There is now scarcely one brick left on another of the - Orphan Asylum. - </p> - <p> - “At one o’clock yesterday, the garrison of the Seventh-avenue arsenal - witnessed a sad and novel sight. Winding slowly along Thirty-fourth Street - into Seventh Avenue, headed by a strong police force, came the little - colored orphans, whose asylum had been burned down on Monday night. The - boys, from two and three to fifteen years of age, followed by little girls - of the same ages, to the number of about two hundred each, trotted along, - and were halted in front of the arsenal. - </p> - <p> - “Then came a large number of men and women, several having babes in their - arms, who had been forced to seek refuge in adjacent station-houses from - the fury of the mob. Most of them carried small bundles of clothing and - light articles of furniture, all they had been able to save from the wreck - of their property. The negroes who had sought safety under the guns of the - arsenal were then taken out, and ordered to join their friends outside. - The procession was then re-formed, and, headed by the police, marched back - again down Thirty-fifth Street to the North River. - </p> - <p> - “A strong detachment of Hawkins’s Zouaves guarded the flanks of the - procession; while a company of the Tenth New-York Volunteers, and a squad - of police, closed up the rear. Col. William Meyer had command of the - escort; and on arriving at the pier, where a numerous crowd had followed - them, he placed his men, with fixed bayonets, facing the people to keep - them in check; and the negroes were all safely embarked, and conveyed to - Ricker’s Island. - </p> - <p> - “The poor negroes have had a hard time. Finding they were to be - slaughtered indiscriminately, they have hid themselves in cellars and - garrets, and have endeavored, under cover of darkness, to flee to - neighboring places. The Elysian Fields, over in Hoboken, has been a pretty - safe refuge for them, as there are but few Irish living-in that city. They - have a sort of improvised camp there, composed mainly of women and - children.” - </p> - <p> - Blacks were chased to the docks, thrown into the river, and drowned; while - some, after being murdered, were hung to lamp-posts. Between forty and - fifty colored persons were killed, and nearly as many maimed for life. But - space will not allow us to give any thing like a detailed account of this - most barbarous outrage. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXVII—ASSAULT ON FORT WAGNER. - </h2> - <p> - <i>The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment.—Col. Shaw.—March - to the Island.—Preparation.—Speeches.—The Attack.—Storm - of Shot, Shell, and Canister.—Heroism of Officers and Men.—Death - of Col. Shaw.—The Color-sergeant.—The Retreat.—“Buried - with his Niggers.”—Comments.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">O</span>n the 16th of - July, the Fifty-fourth Regiment (colored), Col. R. G. Shaw, was attacked - by the enemy, on James Island, in which a fight of two hours’ duration - took place, the Rebels largely outnumbering the Union forces. The - Fifty-fourth, however, drove the enemy before them in confusion. The loss - to our men was fourteen killed and eighteen wounded. During the same day, - Col. Shaw received orders from Gen. Gillmore to evacuate the island. - Preparations began at dusk. The night was dark and stormy, and made the - movement both difficult and dangerous. The march was from James Island to - Cole Island, across marshes, streams, and dikes, and part of the way upon - narrow foot-bridges, along which it was necessary to proceed in - single-file. The whole force reached Cole Island the next morning, July - 17, and rested during the day on the beach opposite the south end of Folly - Island. About ten o’clock in the evening, the colonel of the Fifty-fourth - received orders directing him to report, with his command, to Gen. George - C. Strong, at Morris Island, to whose brigade the regiment was - transferred. - </p> - <p> - From eleven o’clock of Friday evening until four o’clock of Saturday, they - were being put on the transport, “The Gen. Hunter,” in a boat which took - about fifty at a time. There they breakfasted on the same fare, and had no - other food before entering into the assault on Fort Wagner in the evening. - </p> - <p> - “The Gen. Hunter” left Cole Island for Folly Island at six, a.m.; and the - troops landed at Pawnee Lauding about nine and a half, a.m., and thence - marched to the point opposite Morris Island, reaching there about two - o’clock in the afternoon. They were transported in a steamer across the - inlet, and at four, p.m., began their march for Fort Wagner. They reached - Brigadier-Gen. Strong’s quarters, about midway on the island, about six or - six and a half o’clock, where they halted for five minutes. - </p> - <p> - Gen. Strong expressed a great desire to give them food and stimulants; but - it was too late, as they had to lead the charge. They had been without - tents during the pelting rains of Thursday and Friday nights. Gen. Strong - had been impressed with the high character of the regiment and its - officers; and he wished to assign them the post where the most severe work - was to be done and the highest honor was to be won. - </p> - <p> - The march across Folly and Morris Islands was over a sandy road, and was - very wearisome. The regiment went through the centre of the island, and - not along the beach, where the marching was easier. - </p> - <p> - When they had come within six hundred yards of Fort Wagner, they formed in - line of battle, the colonel heading the first, and the major the second - battalion. This was within musket-shot of the enemy. There was little - firing from the enemy; a solid shot falling between the battalions, and - another falling to the right, but no musketry. At this point, the - regiment, together with the next supporting regiment, the Sixth - Connecticut, Ninth Maine, and others, remained half an hour. The regiment - was addressed by Gen. Strong and by Col. Shaw. Then, at seven and a half - or seven and three-quarters o’clock, the order for the charge was given. - The regiment advanced at quick time, changed to double-quick when at some - distance on. - </p> - <p> - The intervening distance between the place where the line was formed and - the fort was run over in a few minutes. - </p> - <p> - When about one hundred yards from the fort, the rebel musketry opened with - such terrible effect, that, for an instant, the first battalion hesitated,—but - only for an instant; for Col. Shaw, springing to the front and waving his - sword, shouted, “Forward, my brave boys!” and with another cheer and a - shout they rushed through the ditch, gained the parapet on the right, and - were soon engaged in a hand-to-hand conflict with the enemy. Col. Shaw was - one of the first to scale the walls. He stood erect to urge forward his - men, and, while shouting for them to press on, was shot dead, and fell - into the fort. His body was found, with twenty of his men lying dead - around him; two lying on his own body. - </p> - <p> - The Fifty-fourth did well and nobly; only the fall of Col. Shaw prevented - them from entering the fort. They moved up as gallantly as any troops - could, and, with their enthusiasm, they deserved a better fate. - </p> - <p> - Sergeant-major Lewis H. Douglass, son of Frederick Douglass, the - celebrated orator, sprang upon the parapet close behind Col. Shaw, and - cried out, “Come, boys, come, let’s fight for God and Governor Andrew.” - This brave young man was the last to leave the parapet. Before the - regiment reached the parapet, the color-sergeant was wounded; and, while - in the act of falling, the colors were seized by Sergt. William H. Carney, - who bore them up, and mounted the parapet, where he, too, received three - severe wounds. But, on orders being given to retire, the color-bearer, - though almost disabled, still held the emblem of liberty in the air, and - followed his regiment by the aid of his comrades, and succeeded in - reaching the hospital, where he fell exhausted and almost lifeless on the - floor, saying, “The old flag never touched the ground, boys.” Capt. Lewis - F. Emilio, the junior captain,—all of his superiors having been - killed or wounded,—took command, and brought the regiment into camp. - In this battle, the total loss in officers and men, killed and wounded, - was two hundred and sixty-one. - </p> - <p> - When John Brown was led out of the Charlestown jail, on his way to - execution, he paused a moment, it will be remembered, in the passage-way, - and, taking a little colored child in his arms, kissed and blessed it. The - dying blessing of the martyr will descend from generation to generation; - and a whole race will cherish for ages the memory of that simple caress, - which, degrading as it seemed to the slaveholders around him, was as - sublime and as touching a lesson, and as sure to do its work in the - world’s history, as that of Him who said, “Suffer little children to come - unto me.” - </p> - <p> - When inquiry was made at Fort Wagner, under flag of truce, for the body of - Col. Shaw of the Massachusetts Fifty-fourth, the answer was, “We have - buried him with his niggers!” It is the custom of savages to outrage the - dead, and it was only natural that the natives of South Carolina should - attempt to heap insult upon the remains of the brave young soldier; but - that wide grave on Morris Island will be to a whole race a holy sepulchre. - No more fitting burial-place, no grander obsequies, could have been given - to him who cried, as he led that splendid charge, “On, my brave boys!” - than to give to him and to them one common grave. As they clustered around - him in the fight: as they rallied always to the clear ring of his loved - voice; as they would have laid down their lives, each and all of them, to - save his; as they honored and reverenced him, and lavished on him all the - strong affections of a warm-hearted and impulsive people: so when the - fight was over, and he was found with the faithful dead piled up like a - bulwark around him, the poor savages did the only one fitting thing to be - done when they buried them together. Neither death nor the grave has - divided the young martyr and hero from the race for which he died; and a - whole people will remember in the coming centuries, when its new part is - to be played in the world’s history, that “he was buried with his - niggers!” - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - They buried him with his niggers!” - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Together they fought and died. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - There was room for them all where they laid him - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - (The grave was deep and wide), - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - For his beauty and youth and valor, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Their patience and love and pain; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And at the last day together - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - They shall all be found again. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - They buried him with his niggers!” - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Earth holds no prouder grave: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - There is not a mausoleum - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - In the world beyond the wave, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - That a nobler tale has hallowed, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Or a purer glory crowned, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Than the nameless trench where they buried - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - The brave so faithful found. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “They buried him with his niggers!” - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - A wide grave should it be. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - They buried more in that shallow trench - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Than human eye could see. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Ay: all the shames and sorrows - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Of more than a hundred years - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Lie under the weight of that Southern soil - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Despite those cruel sneers. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “They buried him with his niggers!” - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - But the glorious souls set free - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Are leading the van of the army - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - That fights for liberty. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Brothers in death, in glory - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - The same palm-branches bear; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And the crown is as bright o’er the sable brows - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - As over the golden hair. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - Only those who knew Col. Shaw can understand how fitting it seems, when - the purpose of outrage is put aside and forgotten, that he should have - been laid in a common grave with his black soldiers. The relations between - colored troops and their officers—if these are good for any thing, - and fit for their places—must need be, from the circumstances of the - case, very close and peculiar. They were especially so with Col. Shaw and - his regiment. His was one of those natures which attract first through the - affections. Most gentle tempered, genial as a warm winter’s sun, - sympathetic, full of kindliness, unselfish, unobtrusive, and gifted with a - manly beauty and a noble bearing, he was sure to win the love, in a very - marked degree, of men of a race peculiarly susceptible to influence from - such traits of character as these. First, they loved him with a devotion - which could hardly exist anywhere else than in the peculiar relation he - held to them as commander of the first regiment of free colored men - permitted to fling out a military banner in this country,—a banner - that, so raised, meant to them so much! But, then, came closer ties; they - found that this young man, with education and habits that would naturally - lead him to choose a life of ease, with wealth at his command, with - peculiarly happy social relations (one most tender one just formed), - accepted the position offered him in consideration of his soldierly as - well as moral fitness, because he recognized a solemn duty to the black - man; because he was ready to throw down all that he had, all that he was, - all that this world could give him, for the negro race! Beneath that - gentle and courtly bearing which so won upon the colored people of Boston - when the Fifty-fourth was in camp, beneath that kindly but unswerving - discipline of the commanding officer, beneath that stern but always cool - and cheerful courage of the leader in the fight, was a clear and deep - conviction of a duty to the blacks. He hoped to lead them, as one of the - roads to social equality, to fight their way to true freedom; and herein - he saw his path of duty. Of the battle two days before that in which he - fell, and in which his regiment, by their bravery, won the right to lead - the attack on Fort Wagner, he said, “I wanted my men to fight by the side - of whites, and they have done it;” thinking of others, not of himself; - thinking of that great struggle for equality in which the race had now a - chance to gain a step forward, and to which he was ready to devote his - life. Could it have been for him to choose his last resting-place, he - would, no doubt, have said, “Bury me with my men if I earn that - distinction.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Buried with a band of brothers - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Who for him would fain have died; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Buried with the gallant fellows - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Who fell fighting by his side; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Buried with the men God gave him, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Those whom he was sent to save; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Buried with the martyred heroes, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - He has found an honored grave. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Buried where his dust so precious - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Makes the soil a hallowed spot; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Buried where, by Christian patriot, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - He shall never be forgot; - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Buried in the ground accursed, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Which man’s fettered feet have trod; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Buried where his voice still speaketh, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Appealing for the slave to God; - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Fare thee well, thou noble warrior, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Who in youthful beauty went - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - On a high and holy mission, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - By the God of battles sent. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Chosen of Him, “elect and precious,” - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Well didst thou fulfil thy part: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - When thy country “counts her jewels,” - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - She shall wear thee on her heart. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - One who was present, speaking of the incidents before the battle, says of - Col. Shaw,— - </p> - <p> - “The last day with us, or, I may say, the ending of it, as we lay flat on - the ground before the assault, his manner was more unbending than I had - ever noticed before in the presence of his men. He sat on the ground, and - was talking to the men very familiarly and kindly. He told them how the - eyes of thousands would look upon the night’s work they were about to - enter on; and he said, ‘Now, boys, I want you to be men!’ He would walk - along the line, and speak words of cheer to his men. - </p> - <p> - “We could see that he was a man who had counted the cost of the - undertaking before him; for his words were spoken ominously, his lips were - compressed, and now and then there was visible a slight twitching of the - corners of the month, like one bent on accomplishing or dying. One poor - fellow, struck no doubt by the colonel’s determined bearing, exclaimed, as - he was passing him, ‘Colonel, I will stay by you till I die;’ and he kept - his word: he has never been seen since. For one so young, Col. Shaw showed - a well-trained mind, and an ability of governing men not possessed by many - older or more experienced men. In him the regiment has lost one of its - best and most devoted friends. Col. Shaw was only about twenty-seven years - of age, and was married a few weeks before he joined the army of the - South.” - </p> - <p> - The following correspondence between the father of Col. Shaw and Gen. - Gillmore needs no comment, but is characteristic of the family:— - </p> - <p> - “<i>Brig-Gen. Gillmore, commanding Department of the South.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>Sir</i>,—I take the liberty to address you, because I am - informed that efforts are to be made to recover the body of my son, Col. - Shaw, of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment, which was buried at Fort - Wagner. My object in writing is to say that such efforts are not - authorized by me, or any of my family, and that they are not approved by - us. We hold that a soldier’s most appropriate burial-place is on the field - where he has fallen. I shall, therefore, be much obliged, general, if, in - case the matter is brought to your cognizance, you will forbid the - desecration of my son’s grave, and prevent the disturbance of his remains - or of those buried with him. With most earnest wishes for your success, I - am, sir, with respect and esteem, - </p> - <p> - “Your most obedient servant, - </p> - <h3> - “<i>FRANCIS GEORGE SHAW.</i> - </h3> - <p> - “New York, Aug. 24,1863. - </p> - <p> - “<i>Headquarters Department of the South,</i> Morris Island, S.C., Sept. - 5, 1863. - </p> - <p> - “<i>F. G. Shaw, Esq., Clifton, Staten Island, N.Y.</i> - </p> - <p> - <i>Sir!</i> I have just received your letter, expressing the - disapprobation of yourself and family of any effort to recover the body of - your son, the late Col. Shaw, of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts - Volunteers, buried in Fort Wagner; and requesting me to forbid the - desecration of his grave or disturbance of his remains. - </p> - <p> - “Had it been possible to obtain the body of Col. Shaw immediately after - the battle in which he lost his life, I should have sent it to his - friends, in deference to a sentiment which I know to be widely prevalent - among the friends of those who fall in battle, although the practice is - one to which my own judgment has never yielded assent. - </p> - <p> - “The views expressed in your letter are so congenial to the feelings of an - officer, as to command not only my cordial sympathy, but my respect and - admiration. Surely no resting-place for your son could be found more - fitting than the scene where his courage and devotion were so - conspicuously displayed. - </p> - <p> - “I beg to avail myself of this opportunity to express my deep sympathy for - yourself and family in their great bereavement, and to assure you that on - no authority less than your own shall your son’s remains be disturbed. - </p> - <p> - “Very respectfully, your obedient servant, - </p> - <h3> - “<i>Q. A. GILLMORE</i>, - </h3> - <p> - “<i>Brigadier-General commanding</i>.” - </p> - <p> - The following address of the Military Governor of South Carolina to the - people of color in the Department of the South pays a fit tribute to the - memory of the lamented Col. Shaw:— - </p> - <p> - <i>“Beaufort, S.C., July 27, 1863.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>To the Colored Soldiers and Freedmen in this Department.</i> - </p> - <p> - “It is fitting that you should pay a last tribute of respect to the memory - of the late Col. Robert Gould Shaw, Colonel of the Fifty-fourth Regiment - of Massachusetts Volunteers. He commanded the first regiment of colored - soldiers from a free State ever mustered into the United-States service. - </p> - <p> - “He fell at the head of his regiment, while leading a storming-party - against a rebel stronghold. You should cherish in your inmost hearts the - memory of one who did not hesitate to sacrifice all the attractions of a - high social position, wealth and home, and his own noble life, for the - sake of humanity; another martyr to your cause that death has added; still - another hope for your race. The truths and principles for which he fought - and died still live, and will be vindicated. On the spot where he fell, by - the ditch into which his mangled and bleeding body was thrown, on the soil - of South Carolina, I trust that you will honor yourselves and his glorious - memory by appropriating the first proceeds of your labor as free men - toward erecting an enduring monument to the hero, soldier, martyr, Robert - Gould Shaw. - </p> - <h3> - “<i>R. SAXTON,</i> - </h3> - <p> - “<i>Brigadier-General and Military Governor.</i>” - </p> - <p> - We are glad to be able to say, that the noble proposition of Gen. Saxton - met with success. - </p> - <p> - Col. Shaw was singularly fortunate in being surrounded by officers, like - himself, young, brave, and enthusiastic. Major Hallowed, the next in - command, was wounded while urging forward his men. Adjutant G. W. James, - Capts. S. Willard, J. W. M. Appleton, E. L. - </p> - <p> - Jones, G. Pope, W. H. Simpkins, C. J. Russell, and C. E. Tucker, and - Lieuts. O. E. Smith, W. H. Homan, R. H. Jewett, and J. A. Pratt,—were - severely wounded. A large proportion of the non-commissioned officers fell - in the engagement or were badly wounded. Among these was Sergt. R. J. - Simmons, a young man of more than ordinary ability, who had learned the - science of war in the British army. The writer enlisted him in the city of - New York, and introduced him to Francis George Shaw, Esq., who remarked at - the time that Simmons would make “a valuable soldier’.” Col. Shaw, also, - had a high opinion of him. He died of his wounds in the enemy’s hospital - at Charleston, from bad treatment. The heroic act of Sergt. Carney, to - which we have already alluded, called forth the following correspondence, - which needs no comments, from the Adjutant-General’s Report of the State - of Massachusetts for the year 1865:— - </p> - <p> - “<i>New York, 596 Broadway, Boom 10,</i> <i>Dec. 13, 1865.</i>. - </p> - <p> - “<i>To Adjutant-General of Massachusetts, Boston.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>Sir</i>,—Will you be pleased to give me the name of some officer - of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts colored regiment, so that I can obtain - information concerning the famous assault that regiment made on Fort - Wagner? I wish to learn the facts relating to the wounded color-bearer, - who, though wounded severely, bore the flag heroically while crawling from - the parapet to his retreating or repulsed regiment. It would make a - splendid subject for a. statuette. - </p> - <p> - “Respectfully, - </p> - <h3> - “<i>T. H. BARTLETT,</i> - </h3> - <p> - “<i>Sculptor</i>.” - </p> - <p> - I immediately forwarded the letter to Col. Hallowell, with a request that - he would furnish me with all the facts relating to the incident which he - possessed. The following is Col. Hallowell’s reply:— - </p> - <p> - “<i>Boston, Dec. 18, 1865.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>William Schouler, Adjutant-General.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>Dear Sir</i>,—Your letter of the 15th to my brother, enclosing - one from Mr. Bartlett, and requesting me to furnish a statement of facts - relating to Sergt. Carney, of the Fifty-fourth Regiment Massachusetts - Volunteers, is received. The following statement is, to the best of my - knowledge and belief, correct; but you must remember it is made up - principally from hearsay, no one person having seen every incident, except - the sergeant. During the assault upon Fort Wagner, July 18, 1863, the - sergeant carrying the national colors of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts - Volunteers fell; but, before the colors reached the ground, Sergt. Carney, - of Company C, grasped them, and bore them to the parapet of the fort; - where he received wounds in both legs, in the breast, and in the right - arm: he, however, refused to give up his trust. When the regiment retired - from the fort, Sergt. Carney, by the aid of his comrades, succeeded in - reaching the hospital, still holding on to the flag, where he fell, - exhausted and almost lifeless, on the floor, saying, ‘The old flag never - touched the ground, boys.’ At the time the above happened, I was not in a - condition to verify the truth of the statements made to me; but they come - to me from very reliable parties, and from very different people; so, - after a close cross-examination of the sergeant (who was known as a - truthful man), I have concluded that the statement I have made is - substantially correct. - </p> - <p> - “Sergt. Carney was an African, of, I should think, full blood; of very - limited education, but very intelligent; bright face, lips and nose - (comparatively) finely cut, head rather round, skin very dark, height - about five feet eight inches, not very athletic or muscular; had lived in - New Bedford, Mass., for many years. Hoping this will be of service to Mr. - Bartlett, I have the honor to be, very respectfully, - </p> - <p> - “Your obedient servant, - </p> - <h3> - “<i>E. N. HALLOWELL</i>, - </h3> - <p> - “<i>Late Colonel, &c.</i>” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXVIII—THE SLAVE-MARTYR. - </h2> - <p> - <i>The Siege of Washington, N.C.—Big Bob, the Negro Scout.—The - Perilous Adventure.—The Fight.—Return.—Night Expedition.—The - Fatal Sandbar.—The Enemy’s Shells.—“Somebody’s got to die to - get us out of this, and it may as well be me.”—Death of Bob.—Safety - of the Boat.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he siege of - Washington, N.C., had carried consternation among the planters of the - surrounding country, and contrabands were flocking in by hundreds, when, - just at day-break one morning, a band of seventeen came to the shore, and - hailed the nearest gunboat. The blacks were soon taken on board, when it - was ascertained that they had travelled fifty miles the previous night, - guided by their leader, a negro whom they called “Big Bob.” This man was - without a drop of Anglo-Saxon blood in his veins, if color was a true - index. It was also soon known that he was a preacher, or had been, among - his fellow-slaves. These men all expressed a desire to be put to work, - and, if allowed, to fight for “de ole flag.” - </p> - <p> - “Big Bob” sported a suit of rebel gray, which his fellow-slaves could not; - and the way in which he obtained it was rather amusing. In the region from - which they escaped, the blacks were being enrolled in the rebel army; and - Bob and his companions were taken, and put under guard, preparatory to - their being removed to the nearest military post. Bob, however, resolved - that he would not fight for the rebel cause, and induced his comrades to - join in the plan of seizing the guard, and bringing him away with them; - which they did, Bob claiming the rebel soldier’s clothes, when that - individual was dismissed, after a march of thirty miles from their home. - Bob made an amusing appearance, being above six feet in height, and - dressed in a suit, the legs of the pants of which were five or six inches - too short, and the arms of the coat proportionally short. - </p> - <p> - A few days after the arrival of the contrabands, their services were - needed in an important expedition in the interior. These negroes, upon - being told what was wanted of them, although knowing that the enterprise - would be attended with the greatest danger, and would require the utmost - skill, volunteered their services, and, upon being furnished with arms and - implements, immediately started upon the expedition. Being landed upon a - point some little distance from Washington, they succeeded in penetrating - the enemy’s country, arresting three very important rebels, and conveying - them to the fleet. In the return march, the rebels complained at their - being made to walk so far and so fast; but Bob, the captain of the - company, would occasionally be heard urging them along after this style: - “March along dar, massa; no straggling to de rear: come, close up dar, - close up dar! we’re boss dis time.” On the arrival of the party, the - blacks were highly complimented by the commander. - </p> - <p> - A week had scarcely passed, and the slaves rested, before they were sent - upon a more difficult and dangerous expedition; yet these men, with Bob to - lead them, were ready for any enterprise, provided they could have arms - and ammunition. Once more landed on shore, they started with a - determination to accomplish the object for which they had been sent. They - had not gone far before they were attacked by a scouting-party from the - rebel camp, and four of the whites and one of the blacks were killed: one - also of the latter was wounded. However, the rebels were put to flight, - and the negroes made good their escape. Still bent on obeying the orders - of the commander, they took a somewhat different route, and proceeded on - their journey. Having finished their mission, which was the destroying of - two very large salt-works, breaking up fifty salt-kettles, a large - tannery, and liberating twenty-three slaves, some of whom they armed with - guns taken in their fight with the rebels, Bob commenced retracing his - steps. The return was not so easily accomplished, for the enemy were well - distributed on the line between them and the gunboats. After getting - within four miles of the fleet, and near Point Rodman, a fight took place - between the colored men and the rebels, which lasted nearly an hour. The - blacks numbered less than forty; while the whites were more than one - hundred. The negroes were called upon to surrender; but Bob answered, “No, - I never surrenders.” And then he cried out, “Come on, boys! ef we’s - captud, we’s got to hang; and dat’s a fack.” And nobly did they fight, - whipping their assailants, and reaching the gunboats with but the loss of - three men killed and ten wounded. Bob and his companions were greatly - praised when once more on the fleet. - </p> - <p> - But Bob’s days were numbered; for the next day a flat full of soldiers, - with four blacks, including Bob, attempted to land at Rodman’s Point, but - were repulsed by a terrible fire of rebel bullets, all tumbling into the - boat, and lying flat to escape being shot. Meanwhile the boat stuck fast - on the sand-bar, while the balls were still whizzing over and around the - flat. Seeing that something must be done at once, or all would be lost, - Big Bob exclaimed, “Somebody’s got to die to get us out of this, and it - may as well be me!” He then deliberately got out, and pushed the boat of, - and fell into it, pierced by five bullets. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “The surf with ricochetting balls - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Was churned and splashed around us: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - I heard my comrades’ hurried calls, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - “The rebel guns have found us.’ - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Our vessel shivered! Far beneath - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - The treacherous sand had caught her. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - What man will leap to instant death - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - To shove her into water? - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Strange light shone in our hero’s eye; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - His voice was strong and steady: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - ‘My brothers, one of us must die; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And I, thank God! am ready.’ - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - A shell flew toward us, hissing hate, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Then screaming like a demon: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - He calmly faced the awful fate, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Resolved to die a freeman. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - He fell, his heart cut through with shot: - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - The true blood of that martyr - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Out from his body spurted hot - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - To flee the shame of barter. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - We lifted up the brave man’s corse; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - We thought him fair aud saintly: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - The rebel bullets round us hoarse - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - We heard, but dull and faintly. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - ‘ Tis ever so: a great deed wrought, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - The doer falls that moment, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - As if to save the God-like thought - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - From any human comment. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Heroes are dead men by that fact; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Fame haunts our grave-yards, sighing, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - ‘Alas! that man’s divinest act - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Should be the act of dying.’” - </p> - <p> - <br /> <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXIX—BATTLE OF OLUSTEE, FLORIDA. - </h2> - <p> - <i>The Union Troops decoyed into a Swamp.—They are outnumbered.—Their - great Bravery.—The Heroism of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts.—Death - of Col. Fribley.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he battle of - Olustee was fought in a swamp situated thirty-five miles west of - Jacksonville, and four miles from Sanderson, in the State of Florida. The - expedition was under the immediate command of Gen. C. Seymour, and - consisted of the Seventh New Hampshire, Seventh Connecticut (armed with - Spencer rifles, which fire eight times without loading), Eighth - United-States (colored) Battery, Third United-States Artillery, - Fifty-fourth Massachusetts (colored), and First North-Carolina (colored). - The command having rested on the night of the 19th of February, 1884, at - Barbour’s Ford, on the St. Mary’s River, took up its line of march on the - morning of the 20th, and proceeded to Sanderson, nine miles to the west, - which was reached at one o’clock, p.m., without interruption; but, about - three miles beyond, the advance drove in the enemy’s pickets. The Seventh - Connecticut, being deployed as skirmishers, fell in with the enemy’s force - in the swamp, strengthened still more by rifle-pits. Here they were met by - cannon and musketry; but our troops, with their Spencer rifles, played - great havoc with the enemy, making an attempt to take one of his pieces of - artillery, but failed. However, they hold their ground nobly for - three-quarters of an hour, and were just about retiring as the main body - of our troops came up. - </p> - <p> - The Eighth (colored), which had never been in battle, and which had been - recruited but a few weeks, came up and filed to the right, when they met - with a most terrific shower of musketry and shell. Gen. Seymour now came - up, and pointing in front, towards the railroad, said to Col. Fribley, - commander of the Eighth, “Take your regiment in there,”—a place - which was sufficiently hot to make the oldest and most field-worn veterans - tremble; and yet these men, who had never heard the sound of a cannon - before, rushed in where they commenced dropping like grass before the - sickle: still on they went without faltering, until they came within two - hundred yards of the enemy’s strongest works. Here these brave men stood - for nearly three hours before a terrible fire, closing up as their ranks - were thinned out, fire in front, on their flank, and in the rear, without - flinching or breaking. - </p> - <p> - Col. Fribley, seeing that it was impossible to hold the position, passed - along the lines to tell the officers to fire, and fall back gradually, and - was shot before he reached the end. He was shot in the chest, told the men - to carry him to the rear, and expired in a very few minutes. Major Burritt - took command, but was also wounded in a short time. At this time Capt. - Hamilton’s battery became endangered, and he cried out to our men for - God’s sake to save his battery. Our United-States flag, after three - sergeants had forfeited their lives by bearing it during the fight, was - planted on the battery by Lieut. Elijah Lewis, and the men rallied around - it; but the guns had been jammed up so indiscriminately, and so close to - the enemy’s lines, that the gunners were shot down as fast as they made - their appearance; and the horses, whilst they were wheeling the pieces - into position, shared the same fate. They were compelled to leave the - battery, and failed to bring the flag away. The battery fell into the - enemy’s hands. During the excitement, Capt. Bailey took command, and - brought out the regiment in good order. Sergt. Taylor, Company D, who - carried the battle-flag, had his right hand nearly shot off, but grasped - the colors with the left hand, and brought them out. - </p> - <p> - The Seventh New Hampshire was posted on both sides of the wagon-road, and - broke, but soon rallied, and did good execution. The line was probably one - mile long, and all along the fighting was terrific. - </p> - <p> - Our artillery, where it could be worked, made dreadful havoc on the enemy; - whilst the enemy did us but very little injury with his, with the - exception of one gun, a sixty-four pound swivel, fixed on a truck-car on - the railroad, which fired grape and canister. On the whole, their - artillery was very harmless; but their musketry fearful. - </p> - <p> - Up to this time, neither the First North Carolina nor the Fifty-fourth - Massachusetts had taken any part in the fight, as they were in the rear - some distance. However, they heard the roar of battle, and were hastening - to the field, when they were met by an aide, who came riding up to the - colonel of the Fifty-fourth, saying, “For God’s sake, colonel, - double-quick, or the day is lost!” Of all the regiments, every one seemed - to look to the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts with the most dependence on the - field of battle. This regiment was under the command of Col. E. N. - Hallowell, who fell wounded by the side of Col. Shaw, at Fort Wagner, and - who, since his recovery, had been in several engagements, in all of which - he had shown himself an excellent officer, and had gained the entire - confidence of his men, who were willing to follow him wherever he chose to - lead. When the aide met these two regiments, he found them hastening on. - </p> - <p> - The First North Carolina was in light marching order; the Fifty-fourth - Massachusetts was in heavy marching order, with knapsacks, haversacks, - canteens, and every other appurtenance of the soldier. But off went every - thing, and they double-quicked on to the field. At the most critical - juncture, just as the rebels were preparing for a simultaneous charge - along the whole line, and they had captured our artillery and turned it - upon us, Col. James Montgomery, Col. Hallo-well, and Lieut.-Col. Hooper - formed our line of battle on right by file into line. - </p> - <p> - The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts went in first, with a cheer. They were - followed by the First North Carolina (colored). Lieut.-Col. Reed, in - command, headed the regiment, sword in hand, and charged upon the rebels. - They broke when within twenty yards of contact with our negro troops. - Overpowered by numbers, the First North Carolina fell back in good order, - and poured in a destructive fire. Their colonel fell, mortally wounded. - Major Bogle fell wounded, and two men were killed in trying to reach his - body. The Adjutant, William C. Manning, wounded before at Malvern Hills, - got a bullet in his body, but persisted in remaining until another shot - struck him. His lieutenant-colonel, learning the fact, embraced him, and - implored him to leave the field. The next moment the two friends were - stretched side by side: the colonel had received his own death-wound. <i>But - the two colored regiments had stood in the gap, and saved the army!</i> - The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, which, with the First North Carolina, may - be truly said to have saved the forces from utter route, lost eighty men. - </p> - <p> - There were three color-sergeants shot down: the last one was shot three - times before he relinquished the flag of his country. His name was Samuel - C. Waters, Company C, and his body sleeps where he fell. The battle-flag - carried by Sergt. Taylor was borne through the fight with the left hand, - after the right one was nearly shot off. The rebels fired into the place - where the wounded were being attended to; and their cavalry was about - making a charge on it just as the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts appeared on - the field, when they retired. - </p> - <p> - Had Col. Hallowell not seen at a glance the situation of affairs, the - Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteers would have been killed or captured. - When they entered the field with the First North Carolina, which is a - brave regiment, they (the First North Carolina) fired well while they - remained; but they gave way, thus exposing the right. On the left, the - rebel cavalry were posted; and, as the enemy’s left advanced on our right, - their cavalry pressed the left. Both flanks were thus being folded up, and - slaughter or capture would have been the inevitable result. We fell back - in good order, and established new lines of battle, until we reached - Sanderson. Here a scene that beggars description was presented. Wounded - men lined the railroad station; and the roads were filled with artillery, - caissons, ammunition and baggage-wagons, infantry, cavalry, and - ambulances. The only organized bodies ready to repel attack were a portion - of the Fortieth Massachusetts Mounted Infantry, armed with the Spencer - repeating-rifle, the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteers, and the - Seventh Connecticut, commanded by Col. Hawley, now governor of - Connecticut. - </p> - <p> - An occurrence of thrilling interest took place during the battle, which I - must not omit to mention: it was this:— - </p> - <p> - Col. Hallowed ordered the color-line to be advanced one hundred and fifty - paces. Three of the colored corporals, Pease, Palmer, and Glasgow, being - wounded, and the accomplished Goodin killed, there were four only left,—Wilkins - the acting sergeant, Helnian and Lenox. The colors were perforated with - bullets, and the staff was struck near the grasp of the sergeant; but the - color-guard marched steadily out, one hundred and fifty paces to the - front, with heads erect and square to the front; and the battalion rallied - around it, and fought such a fight as made Col. Hallowell shout with very - joy, and the men themselves to ring out defiant cheers which made the - pines and marshes of Ocean Pond echo again. - </p> - <p> - The attachment which the colored men form for their officers is very - great, often amounting to self-sacrifice. Thus when Major Bogle fell - wounded, one of his soldiers sprang forward to rescue him, and bear him to - the rear. At that instant a rebel sergeant fired, and wounded the black - man in the shoulder. This, however, did not force him to relinquish his - purpose, but appeared to add to his determination; and he had his arms - around the wounded officer, when a second ball passed through the - soldier’s head, and he fell and expired on the body of his superior, who - was taken prisoner by the enemy. - </p> - <p> - Although these colored men had never been paid off, and their families at - home were in want, they were as obedient and fought as bravely as the - white troops, whose pockets contained “greenbacks,” and whose wives and - children were provided for. - </p> - <p> - The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts went into the battle with “Three cheers for - Massachusetts, and seven dollars a month.” - </p> - <p> - It is well known that the general in command came to the colonel and said, - “The day is lost: you must do what you can to save the army from - destruction.” And nobly did they obey him. They fired their guns till - their ammunition was exhausted, and then stood with fixed bayonets till - the broken columns had time to retreat, and though once entirely - outflanked, the enemy getting sixty yards in their rear, their undaunted - front and loud cheering caused the enemy to pause, and allowed them time - to change front. They occupied the position as rear guard all the way back - to Jacksonville; and, where-ever was the post of danger, there was the - Fifty-fourth to be found. - </p> - <p> - When the forces arrived at Jacksonville, they there learned that the train - containing the wounded was at Ten-Mile Station, where it had been left, - owing to the breaking down of the engine. The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, - fatigued and worn out as it was, was despatched at once, late at night, to - the assistance of the disabled train. Arriving at Ten-Mile Station, they - found that the only way to bring the wounded with them was to attach ropes - to the cars, and let the men act as motive power. Thus the whole train of - cars containing the wounded from the battle of Olustee was dragged a - distance of ten miles by that brave colored regiment. All accounts give - the negroes great praise for gallantry displayed at this battle. Even the - correspondent of “The New-York Herald“ gives this emphatic testimony: “The - First North Carolina and the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, of the colored - troops, <i>did admirably.</i> The First North Carolina <i>held the - positions it was placed in with the greatest tenacity, and inflicted heavy - loss on the enemy. It was cool and steady, and never flinched for a - moment. The Fifty-fourth sustained the reputation they had gained at - Wagner, and bore themselves like soldiers throughout the battle.</i>” A - letter from Beaufort, dated Feb. 26, from a gentleman who accompanied Gen. - Seymour’s expedition, has the following passage relative to the conduct of - the Fifty-fourth in the repulse in Florida:— - </p> - <p> - “A word about the terrible defeat in Florida. We have been driven from - Lake City to within seven miles of Jacksonville,—fifty-three miles. - The rebels allowed us to penetrate, and then, with ten to our one, cut us - off, meaning to <i>‘bag’ us; and, had it not been for the glorious - Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, the whole brigade would have been captured or - annihilated.</i> This was the only regiment that rallied, broke the rebel - ranks, and saved us. <i>The Eighth United-States (colored) lost their flag - twice, and the Fifty-fourth recaptured it each time</i>. They had lost, in - killed and missing, about three hundred and fifty. They would not retreat - when ordered, but charged with the most fearful desperation, driving the - enemy before them, and turning their left flank. If this regiment has not - won glory enough to have shoulder-straps, where is there one that ever - did?” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0030" id="link2HCH0030"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXX—BATTLE OF POISON SPRINGS, ARKANSAS. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Hand-fought Battle.—Bravery of the Kansas Colored Troops.—They - die but will not yield.—Outnumbered by the Rebels.—Another - severe Battle.—The heroic Negro, after being wounded, fights till he - dies.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he battle of - Poison Springs, Ark., between one thousand Union and eight thousand rebel - troops, was one of the most severe conflicts of the war. Six hundred of - the Union forces were colored, and from Kansas, some of them having served - under old John Brown during the great struggle in that territory. These - black men, as it will be seen, bore the brunt of the fight, and never did - men show more determined bravery than was exhibited on this occasion. They - went into the battle singing the following characteristic song:— - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - “Old John Brown’s body lies a mouldering in the grave, - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - While weep the sons of bondage, whom he ventured to save; - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - But though he lost his life in struggling for the slave, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - His soul is marching on. - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Glory, glory, Hallelujah! - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Glory, glory, Hallelujah! - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Glory, glory, Hallelujah! - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - His soul is marching on! - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - John Brown was a hero, undaunted, true, and brave, - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - And Kansas knew his valor, when he fought her rights to save; - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - And now, though the grass grows green above his grave, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - His soul is marching on. - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - He captured Harper’s Ferry with his nineteen men so few, - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - And he frightened ‘Old Virginny’ till she trembled through and through: - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - They hung him for a traitor, themselves a traitor crew, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - For his soul is marching on, &c. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - John Brown was John the Baptist, of the Christ we are to see,— - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Christ, who of the bondman shall the Liberator be; - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - And soon throughout the sunny South the slaves shall all be free, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - For his soul is marching on, &c. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - The conflict that he heralded, he looks from heaven to view, - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - On the army of the Union, with its flag, red, white, and blue; - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - And heaven shall ring with anthems o’er the deed they mean to do, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - For his soul is marching on, &c. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Ye soldiers of freedom then strike, while strike ye may, - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - The death-blow of oppression in a better time and way; - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - For the dawn of old John Brown has brightened into day, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And his soul is marching on. - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Glory, glory, Hallelujah! - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Glory, glory, Hallelujah! - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Glory, glory, Hallelujah! - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And his soul is marching on.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - The following graphic description of the battle will be read with - thrilling interest:— - </p> - <p> - “<i>Official Report of Major Richard G. Ward, commanding First Kansas - Colored Regiment at the battle of Poison Springs.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>Headquarters First Kansas Colored Vols.,</i> <i>Camden, Ark., April - 20, 1864.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>Col. J. M. Williams, commanding Escort to Forage-train.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>Colonel</i>,—In conformity with the requirements of the circular - issued by you, April 19, 1864, I submit the following report of the - conduct of that portion of the escort which I had the honor to command, - and of the part taken by them in the action of the 18th inst:— - </p> - <p> - “I marched from the camp on White-Oak Creek, with the six companies left - with me as rear-guard, about seven o’clock, a.m. When I arrived at the - junction of the Washington Road, I found the Eighteenth Iowa Infantry and - a detachment of cavalry waiting to relieve me as rear-guard. At this - moment I received your order to press forward to the front, as your - advance was skirmishing with the enemy. Upon arriving, agreeably to your - order, I placed one wing of this regiment on each side of the section of - Rabb’s Battery, to support it, and awaited further developments. - </p> - <p> - “After your cavalry had ascertained the position of the enemy’s force on - our right flank, and Lieut. Haines had planted one of his pieces in a - favorable position, I placed Companies A, B, E, and H in position to - support it. We had hardly got into position here, before our cavalry were - forced back upon our line by an overwhelming force of the enemy. Lieut. - Henderson, commanding detachment Sixth Kansas (than whom a braver officer - never existed), was severely wounded, and I ordered Corp. Wallahan, - Company M, Sixth Kansas, to form his men on my right. He had scarcely - formed them, ere Lieut. Mitchell, commanding detachment Second Kansas - Cavalry, was also driven in, when he was placed upon the extreme right - under your personal supervision. - </p> - <p> - “The line of battle was now nearly in the form of the segment, of a - circle, the convex side being outward, or toward the enemy. Companies C - and I being on the north side of the road facing toward the east; - Companies D and F on the south side of the road, facing in the same - direction, whilst on my extreme right the men were drawn up in line facing - due south. It was now about half past eleven o’clock, a.m. These - dispositions were scarcely made ere the enemy opened a severe and - well-directed fire from a six-gun battery, at the distance of about one - thousand yards. This battery was near the road, due east of our line. At - the same time a howitzer battery, reported to me as having four guns, - opened on the south opposite my right, at a distance of six or seven - hundred yards. Although this was much the severest artillery fire that any - of the men had ever before been subjected to, and many of the men were - thus under fire for the <i>first time</i>, they were as cool as veterans, - and patiently awaited the onset of the enemy’s infantry. - </p> - <p> - “Just after twelve o’clock, the enemy’s batteries slackened their fire, - and their infantry advanced to the attack. From the position of the - ground, it was useless to deliver a fire until the enemy were within one - hundred yards. I therefore reserved my fire until their first line was - within that distance, when I gave the order to fire. For about a quarter - of an hour, it seemed as though the enemy were determined to break my - lines, and capture the guns; but their attempts were fruitless, and they - were compelled to fall precipitately back, not, however, before they had - disabled more than half of the gunners belonging to the gun on the right. - </p> - <p> - “Again they opened their infernal cross-fires with their batteries, and - through the smoke I could see them massing their infantry for another - attack. I immediately applied to you for more men. - </p> - <p> - “Companies G and K were sent me. I placed Company K upon the extreme right - (where the cavalry had rested, but which had now retired), and Company G - upon the left of Company B. Shortly after these dispositions were made, - the enemy again advanced, this time in two columns yelling like fiends. - Lieut. Macy, of Company C, whom you had sent out with skirmishers from the - left, was driven in; and I placed him, with his small command, between - Companies G and B. At this moment, yourself and Lieut. Haines arrived on - the right, and I reported to you the condition of the gun, only two men - being left to man it, when you ordered it to the rear. Just as the boys - were preparing to limber, a large body of the enemy was observed making - for the gun in close column, whereupon private Alonzo Hendshaw, of the - Second Indiana Battery, himself double-loaded the piece with canister, and - poured into the advancing column a parting salute at the distance of about - three hundred yards, and then limbered. The effect was terrific. Our - infantry redoubled their fire, and again the massed columns sullenly - retired. - </p> - <p> - “Three different times the enemy were thus repulsed; and, as they were - massing for the fourth charge, I informed you that I believed it would be - impossible to hold my position without more men on my right and centre. - You replied that I should have them if they could be spared from other - points. I held my position until you returned; when, seeing your horse - fall, I gave you mine for the purpose of going to the Eighteenth Iowa to - form them in a favorable position for my line to fall back upon. Agreeably - to your order to hold the ground at any and all events until this could be - done, I encouraged the men to renew their exertions, and repel the coming - charge, intending, if I succeeded, to take that opportunity of falling - back, instead of being compelled to do so under fire. My right succeeded - in checking the advance; but, my left being outflanked at the same time - that my left-centre was sustaining the attack of ten times their number, I - ordered to fall back slowly toward the train, changing front toward the - left, to prevent the enemy from coming up in my rear. We here made a stand - of about ten minutes, when I perceived that the enemy had succeeded in - flanking my extreme right, and that I was placed in a position to receive - a cross-fire from their two lines. I was then compelled, in order to save - even a fragment of the gallant regiment which for nearly two hours had, - unaided, sustained itself against Price’s whole army, to order a retreat. - </p> - <p> - “Although a portion retired precipitately, the greater portion of them - kept up a continued fire the whole length of the train. I ordered the men - to retire behind the line of the Iowa Eighteenth, and form; but, alas! - four companies had lost their gallant commanders, and were without an - officer. By your aid, and the assistance of the few unharmed officers, I - succeeded in collecting a few of the command, and placing them on the left - of the Iowa Eighteenth. As they were slowly forced backward, others took - position in the line, and did all that could be done to check the advance - of the overwhelming forces of the enemy. I sent a small force to assist - Lieut. Haines in his gallant and manly efforts to save his guns; and, had - it not been for the worn condition of the horses, I believe he would have - succeeded. Accompanying this, I send the reports of company commanders of - the losses sustained by their respective companies. It will be noticed - that the heaviest punishment was inflicted upon Company G, from the fact - that it was more exposed to the galling cross-fires of the enemy. - </p> - <p> - “You will see that I went into action with about four hundred and fifty - enlisted men, and thirteen officers of the line. Seven out of that gallant - thirteen were killed or wounded. Five are reported dead on the field: - Capt. A. J. Armstrong, Company D; Lieut. B. Hitchcock, Company G; Lieuts. - Charles J. Coleman and Joseph B. Samuels, Company H; and Lieut. John - Topping, Company B. The cheerful offering of the lives of such noble men - needs not the assistance of any studied panegyric to bespeak for it that - spirit of lasting admiration with which their memories will ever be - enshrined. - </p> - <p> - “Four companies fought their way to the rear, without a commissioned - officer. One hundred and thirteen men are killed, and sixty-nine wounded,—some - of them mortally. I cannot refrain from mentioning the names of Capt. B. - W. Welch, Company K, and Lieut. E. Q. Macy, Company C. both of whom were - wounded, as among the number of sufferers who have earned the thanks and - merit the sympathy of the loyal and generous everywhere. Any attempt to - mention the names of any soldier in particular would be unjust, unless I - mentioned all; for every one, as far as I could see, did his duty coolly, - nobly, and bravely. On the right, where the enemy made so many repeated - attempts to break my line, I saw officers and men engaged in taking the - cartridges from the bodies of the dead; and, upon inquiring, found that - their ammunition was nearly expended. - </p> - <p> - “The brave and soldier-like Topping was killed in the first charge; and - the gallant young Coleman, commanding Company H, was shot down in the - second charge. At what particular period of the engagement the other - officers fell, I am unable to state. To Capt. John R, Gratton, Company C; - Capt. William H. Smallwood, Company G; Lieut. R. L. Harris, Company I: - Lieut. B. G. Jones, Company A; Lieut. John Overdier, Company E; Lieut. S. - S. Crepps, Company F; and Adjutant William C. Gibbons, I would tender my - heartfelt thanks, for the faithful, efficient, and manly performance of - the most arduous duties, while subjected to the hottest fire. - </p> - <p> - “The loss in arms and clothing is quite serious; but, from the exhausted - state of the men, it is strange that as many of them brought in their arms - and accoutrements as did. Out of seventy-eight hours preceding the action, - sixty-three hours were spent by the entire command on duty, besides a - heavy picket-guard having been furnished for the remaining fifteen hours. - You are also reminded that the rations were of necessity exceedingly short - for more than a week previous to the battle. - </p> - <p> - “We were obliged to bring our wounded away the best we could, as the - rebels were seen shooting those who fell into their hands. The men who - brought in the wounded were obliged to throw away their arms; but the most - who did so waited till they reached the swamps, and then sunk them in the - bayous. - </p> - <p> - “I am, colonel, very respectfully, - </p> - <p> - “Your obedient servant, - </p> - <h3> - “<i>R. G. WARD,</i> - </h3> - <p> - “<i>Major First Kansas Colored Volunteers.</i>’’’ - </p> - <p> - “Since this Report was published, official information has been received - at Fort Smith, that Capt. Armstrong and Lieut. Hitchcock are prisoners of - war in Arkansas, and not killed as reported. - </p> - <p> - “Yours, - </p> - <h3> - “J. BOWLES, - </h3> - <p> - “Lieutenant-Colonel First Kansas Volunteers.” - </p> - <p> - Eight days later, the same colored regiment had a fight with a superior - force in numbers of the rebels; and the subjoined account of the - engagement will show with what determination they fought. - </p> - <p> - “On the 29th, we skirmished in the forenoon. In the afternoon, the - venturing-out of a detachment beyond the distance ordered brought on a - severe though short general engagement. At least one hundred and twenty of - the rebel cavalry made a charge upon this detachment of twenty-four men. - Before we could bring up re-enforcements, these fearfully disproportioned - parties were engaged in a desperate hand-to-hand encounter. I was on the - field, doing, with the other officers, the best we could to bring up - re-enforcements. There was no flinching, no hesitation, or trembling limbs - among the men; but fierce determination flashing in their eyes, and - exhibiting an eager, passionate haste to aid their comrades, and vindicate - the manhood of their race. The air was rent with their yells, as they - rushed on, and the difficulty manifested was in holding them well in - rather than in faltering. Among the detachment cut off, of whom only six - escaped unhurt, nothing I have ever seen, read, or heard in the annals of - war, surpasses the desperate personal valor exhibited by each and every - man. Bayonets came in bloody, as did the stocks of guns; and the last - charge was found gone from cartridge-boxes. - </p> - <p> - “During the fight, one poor fellow received a mortal wound, but would not - go to the rear. He told his officer that he could not live, but would die - fighting for the flag of liberty; and continued to load and discharge his - rifle until he fell dead on the field of glory. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - “The ball had crushed a vital part,— - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - He could not long survive; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - But, with a brave and loyal heart, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - For victory still would strive; - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - His rifle ‘gainst the traitor foe - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - With deadly aim would ply; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And, till his life-blood ceased to flow, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Fight on for liberty. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - His skin was of the ebon hue, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - His heart was nobly brave: - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - To country, flag, and freedom true, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - He would not live a slave. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - His rifle flashed,—a traitor falls: - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - While death is in his eye, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - He bravely to his comrades calls, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - ‘Fight on for liberty!’ - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - He looked upon his bannered sign, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - He bowed his noble head,— - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - ‘Farewell, beloved flag of mine!’— - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Then fell among the dead. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - His comrades will remember well - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - The hero’s battle-cry, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - As in the arms of death he fell,— - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - ‘Fight on for liberty!’ - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And still for liberty and laws - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - His comrades will contend, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Till victory crowns the righteous cause, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - And tyrant power shall end. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Though low in earth the martyr lies, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Still rings his battle-cry: - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - From hill to hill the echo flies,— - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - ‘Fight on for liberty!’ - </p> - <p> - <br /> <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0031" id="link2HCH0031"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXXI—THE MASSACRE AT FORT PILLOW. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Assault and Capture of the Fort.—“No Quarter.”—Rebel - Atrocities.—Gens. Forrest and Chalmers.—Firing upon Flags of - Truce.—Murder of Men, Women, and Children.—Night after the - Assault.—Buried Alive.—Morning after the Massacre.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">N</span>othing in the - history of the Rebellion has equalled in inhumanity and atrocity the - horrid butchery at Fort Pillow, Ky., on the 13th of April, 1864. In no - other school than slavery could human beings have been trained to such - readiness for cruelties like these. Accustomed to brutality and bestiality - all their lives, it was easy for them to perpetrate the atrocities which - will startle the civilized foreign world, as they have awakened the - indignation of our own people. - </p> - <p> - We have gleaned the facts of the fight from authentic sources, and they - may be relied upon as truthful. The rebels, under Forrest, appeared, and - drove in the pickets about sunrise on Tuesday morning. The garrison of the - fort consisted of about two hundred of the Thirteenth Tennessee - Volunteers, and four hundred negro artillery, all under command of Major - Booth: the gunboat “No. 7” was also in the river. The rebels first - attacked the outer forts, and, in several attempts to charge, were - repulsed. They were constantly re-enforced, and extended their lines to - the river on both sides of the fort. The garrison in the two outer forts - was at length overpowered by superior numbers, and about noon evacuated - them, and retired to the fort on the river. Here the fight was maintained - with great obstinacy, and continued till about four, p.m. The approach to - the fort from the rear is over a gentle declivity, cleared, and fully - exposed to a raking fire from two sides of the fort. About thirty yards - from the fort is a deep ravine, running all along the front, and so steep - at the bottom as to be hidden from the fort, and not commanded by its - guns. The rebels charged with great boldness dawn the declivity, and - faced, without blanching, a murderous fire from the guns and small-arms of - the fort, and crowded into the ravine; where they were sheltered from fire - by the steep bank, which had been thus left by some unaccountable neglect - or ignorance. Here the rebels organized for a final charge upon the fort, - after sending a flag of truce with a demand for surrender, which was - refused. The approach from the ravine was up through a deep, narrow gully, - and the steep embankments of the fort. The last charge was made about - four, p.m., by the whole rebel force, and was successful after a most - desperate and gallant defence. The rebel army was estimated at from two - thousand to four thousand, and succeeded by mere force of numbers. The - gunboat had not been idle, but, guided by signals from the fort, poured - upon the rebels a constant stream of shot and shell. She fired two hundred - and sixty shells, and, as testified to by those who could see, with - marvellous precision and with fatal effect. Major Booth, who was killed - near the close of the fight, conducted the defence with great coolness, - skill, and gallantry. His last signal to the boat was, “We are hard - pressed and shall be overpowered.” He refused to surrender, however, and - fought to the last. By the uniform and voluntary, testimony of the rebel - officers, as well as the survivors of the fight, the negro-artillery - regiments fought with the bravery and coolness of veterans, and served the - guns with skill and precision. They did not falter nor flinch, until, at - the last charge, when it was evident they would be overpowered, they - broke, and fled toward the river: and here commenced the most barbarous - and cruel outrages that ever the fiendishness of rebels has perpetrated - during the war. - </p> - <p> - After the rebels were in undisputed possession of the fort, and the - survivors had surrendered, they commenced the indiscriminate butchery of - all the Federal soldiery. The colored soldiers threw down their guns, and - raised their arms, in token of surrender; but not the least attention was - paid to it. They continued to shoot down all they found. A number of them, - finding no quarter was given, ran over the bluff to the river, and tried - to conceal themselves under the bank and in the bushes, where they were - pursued by the rebel savages, whom they implored to spare their lives. - Their appeals were made in vain; and they were all shot down in cold - blood, and, in full sight of the gunboat, chased and shot down like dogs. - In passing up the bank of the river, fifty dead might be counted, strewed - along. One had crawled into a hollow log, and was killed in it; another - had got over the bank into the river, and had got on a board that run out - into the water. He lay on it on his face, with his feet in the water. He - lay there, when exposed, stark and stiff. Several had tried to hide in - crevices made by the falling bank, and could not be seen without - difficulty; but they were singled out, and killed. From the best - information to be had, the white soldiers were, to a very considerable - extent, treated in the same way. H. W. Harrison, one of the Thirteenth - Tennessee on board, says, that, after the surrender, he was below the - bluff, and one of the rebels presented a pistol to shoot him. He told him - he had surrendered, and requested him not to fire. He spared him, and - directed him to go up the bluff to the fort. Harrison asked him to go - before him, or he would be shot by others; but he told him to go along. He - started, and had not proceeded far before he met a rebel, who presented - his pistol. Harrison begged him not to fire; but, paying no attention to - his request, he fired, and shot him through the shoulder; and another shot - him in the leg. He fell; and, while he lay unable to move, another came - along, and was about to fire again, when Harrison told him he was badly - wounded twice, and implored him not to fire. He asked Harrison if he had - any money. He said he had a little money, and a watch. The rebel took from - him his watch and ninety dollars in money, and left him. Harrison is, - probably, fatally wounded. Several such cases have been related to me; and - I think, to a great extent, the whites and negroes were indiscriminately - murdered. The rebel Tennesseeans have about the same bitterness against - Tennesseeans in the Federal army, as against the negroes. It was told by a - rebel officer that Gen. Forrest shot one of his men, and cut another with - his sabre, who were shooting down prisoners. It may be so; but he is - responsible for the conduct of his men. Gen. Chalmers stated publicly, - while on the Platte Valley, that, though he did not encourage or - countenance his men in shooting down negro captives, yet it was right and - justifiable. - </p> - <p> - The negro corporal, Jacob Wilson, who was picked up below Fort Pillow, had - a narrow escape. He was down on the river-bank, and, seeing that no - quarter was shown, stepped into the water so that he lay partly under it. - A rebel coming along asked him what was the matter: he said he was badly - wounded; and the rebel, after taking from his pocket all the money he had, - left him. It happened to be near by a flat-boat tied to the bank, and - about three o’clock in the morning. When all was quiet, Wilson crawled - into it, and got three more wounded comrades also into it, and cut loose. - The boat floated out into the channel, and was found ashore some miles - below. The wounded negro soldiers aboard feigned themselves dead until - Union soldiers came along. - </p> - <p> - The atrocities committed almost exceed belief; and, but for the fact that - so many confirm the stories, we could not credit them. One man, already - badly wounded, asked of a scoundrel who was firing at him, to spare his - life. “No: damn you!” was the reply. “You fight with niggers!” and - forthwith discharged two more balls into him. One negro was made to assist - in digging a pit to bury the dead in, and was himself cast in among - others, and buried. Five are known to have been buried alive: of these, - two dug themselves out, and are now alive, and in the hospital. Daniel - Tyler, of Company B, was shot three times, and struck on the head, - knocking out his eye. After this, he was buried; but, not liking his - quarters, dug out. He laughs over his adventures, and says he is one of - the best “dug-outs” in the world. - </p> - <p> - Dr. Fitch says he saw twenty white soldiers paraded in line on the bank of - the river; and, when in line, the rebels fired upon and killed all but - one, who ran to the river, and hid under a log, and in that condition was - fired at a number of times, and wounded. He says that Major Bradford also - ran down to the river, and, after he told them that he had surrendered, - more than fifty shots were fired at him. He then jumped into the river, - and swam out a little ways, and whole volleys were fired at him there - without hitting him. He returned to the shore, and meeting, as the doctor - supposes, some officer, was protected; but he heard frequent threats from - the rebels that they would kill him. - </p> - <p> - “Yesterday afternoon,” says “The Cairo News” of April 16, “we visited the - United-States Hospital at Mound City, and had an interview with the - wounded men from Fort Pillow. - </p> - <p> - “The Fort-Pillow wounded are doing much better than could be expected from - the terrible nature of their wounds. But one, William Jones, had died, - though Adjutant Bearing and Lieut. John H. Porter cannot possibly long - survive. Of the whole number,—fifty-two,—all except two were - cut or shot after they had surrendered! They all tell the same story of - the rebel barbarities; and listening to a recital of the terrible scenes - at the fort makes one’s blood run cold. They say they were able to keep - the rebels at bay for several hours, notwithstanding the immense disparity - of numbers; and, but for their treachery in creeping up under the walls of - the fort while a truce was pending, would have held out until ‘The Olive - Branch’ arrived with troops, with whose assistance they would have - defeated Chalmers. - </p> - <p> - “So well were our men protected behind their works, that our loss was very - trifling before the rebels scaled the walls, and obtained possession. As - soon as they saw the Rebels inside the walls, the Unionists ceased firing, - knowing that further resistance was useless; but the Rebels continued - firing, crying out, ‘Shoot them, shoot them! Show them no quarter!’ - </p> - <p> - “The Unionists, with one or two exceptions, had thrown down their arms in - token of surrender, and therefore could offer no resistance. In vain they - held up their hands, and begged their captors to spare their lives. But - they were appealing to fiends; and the butchery continued until, out of - near six hundred men who composed the garrison, but two hundred and thirty - remained alive: and of this number, sixty-two were wounded, and nine died - in a few hours after. - </p> - <p> - “Capt. Bradford, of the First Alabama Cavalry, was an especial object of - rebel hatred, and his death was fully determined upon before the assault - was made. After he had surrendered, he was basely shot; but, having his - revolver still at his side, he emptied it among a crowd of rebels, - bringing three of the scoundrels to the ground. The massacre was - acquiesced in by most of the rebel officers, Chalmers himself expressly - declaring that ‘home-made Yankees and negroes should receive no quarter.’” - </p> - <p> - The following is an extract from the Report of the Committee on the - Conduct of the War on the Fort-Pillow Massacre:— - </p> - <p> - “It will appear from the testimony that was taken, that the atrocities - committed at Fort Pillow were not the results of passion elicited by the - heat of conflict, but were the results of a policy deliberately decided - upon, and unhesitatingly announced. Even if the uncertainty of the fate of - those officers and men belonging to colored regiments, who have heretofore - been taken prisoners by the rebels, has failed to convince the authorities - of our Government of this fact, the testimony herewith submitted must - convince even the most sceptical, that it is the intention of the rebel - authorities not to recognize the officers and men of our colored regiments - as entitled to the treatment accorded by all civilized nations to - prisoners of war. - </p> - <p> - “The declarations of Forrest and his officers, both before and after the - capture of Fort Pillow, as testified to by such of our men as have escaped - after being taken by him; the threats contained in the various demands for - surrender made at Paducah, Columbus, and other places; the renewal of the - massacre the morning after the capture of Fort Pillow; the statements made - by the rebel officers to the officers of our gunboats who received the few - survivors at Fort Pillow,—all this proves most conclusively the - policy they have determined to adopt. - </p> - <p> - “It was at Fort Pillow that the brutality and cruelty of the rebels were - most fearfully exhibited. The garrison there, according to the last - returns received at headquarters, amounted to ten officers and five - hundred and thirty-eight enlisted men, of whom two hundred and sixty-two - were colored troops, comprising one battalion of the Sixteenth - United-States Heavy Artillery, formerly the First Alabama Artillery of - colored troops, under the command of Major L. F. Booth; one section of the - Second Light Artillery (colored); and a battalion of the Thirteenth - Tennessee Cavalry (white ), commanded by Major A. F. Bradford. Major Booth - was the ranking officer, and was in command of the fort. - </p> - <p> - “Immediately after the second flag of truce retired, the rebels made a - rush from the positions they had so treacherously gained, and obtained - possession of the fort, raising the cry of ‘No quarter.’ But little - opportunity was allowed for resistance. Our troops, white and black, threw - down their arms, and sought to escape by running down the steep bluff near - the fort, and secreting themselves behind trees and logs in the brush, and - under the brush; some even jumping into the river, leaving only their - heads above the water. Then followed a scene of cruelty and murder without - parallel in civilized warfare, which needed but the tomahawk and - scalping-knife to exceed the worst atrocities ever committed by savages. - </p> - <p> - “The rebels commenced an indiscriminate slaughter, sparing neither age nor - sex, white nor black, soldier nor civilian. The officers and men seemed to - vie with each other in the devilish work. Men, women, and children, - wherever found, were deliberately shot down, beaten, and hacked with - sabres. Some of the children not more than ten years old were forced to - stand up by their murderers while being shot. The sick and wounded were - butchered without mercy; the rebels even entering the hospital-buildings, - and dragging them out to be shot, or killing them as they lay there unable - to offer the least resistance. All over the hillside the work of murder - was going on. Numbers of our men were collected together in lines or - groups, aud deliberately shot. Some were shot while in the river; while - others on the bank were shot, and their bodies kicked into the water, many - of them still living, but unable to make exertions to save themselves from - drowning. - </p> - <p> - “Some of the rebels stood upon the top of the hill, or a short distance - from its side, and called to our soldiers to come up to them, and, as they - approached, shot them down in cold blood; and, if their guns or pistols - missed fire, forced them to stand there until they were again prepared to - fire. All around were heard cries of ‘No quarter, no quarter!’ ‘Kill the d——d - niggers, shoot them down!7 All who asked for mercy were answered by the - most cruel taunts and sneers. Some were spared for a time, only to be - murdered under circumstances of greater cruelty. - </p> - <p> - “No cruelty which the most fiendish malignity could devise was omitted by - these murderers. One white soldier who was wounded in the leg so as to be - unable to walk was made to stand up while his tormentors shot him. Others - who were wounded, and unable to stand up, were held up and again shot. One - negro who had been ordered by a rebel officer to hold his horse was killed - by him when he remonstrated; another, a mere child, whom an officer had - taken up behind him on his horse, was seen by Gen. Chalmers, who at once - ordered him to put him down and shoot him, which was done. - </p> - <p> - “The huts and tents in which many of the wounded sought shelter were set - on fire, both on that night and the next morning, while the wounded were - still in them; those only escaping who were able to get themselves out, or - who could prevail on others less injured to help them out: and some of - these thus seeking to escape the flames were met by these ruffians, and - brutally shot down, or had their brains beaten out. One man was - deliberately fastened down to the floor of a tent, face upwards, by means - of nails driven through his clothing and into the boards under him, so - that he could not possibly escape; and then the tent was set on fire. - Another was nailed to the sides of a building outside of the fort, and - then the building was set on fire and burned. The charred remains of five - or six bodies were afterwards found, all but one so much disfigured and - consumed by the flames, that they could not be identified; and the - identification of that one is not absolutely certain, although there can - hardly be a doubt that it was the body of Lieut. Albertson, Quartermaster - of the Thirteenth Virginia Cavalry, and a native of Tennessee. Several - witnesses who saw the remains, and who were personally acquainted with him - while living here, testified it to be their firm belief that it was his - body that was thus treated. - </p> - <p> - “These deeds of murder and cruelty closed when night came on, only to be - renewed the next morning, when the demons carefully sought among the dead - lying about in all directions for any other wounded yet alive; and those - they found were deliberately shot. Scores of the dead and wounded were - found there the day after the massacre by the men from some of our - gunboats, who were permitted to go on shore, and collect the wounded, and - bury the dead. - </p> - <p> - “The rebels themselves had made a pretence of burying a great many of - their victims; but they had merely thrown them, without the least regard - to care or decency, in the trenches and ditches about the fort, or little - hollows and ravines on the hillside, covering them but partially with - earth. Portions of heads and faces were found protruding through the earth - in every direction; and even when your Committee visited the spot, two - weeks afterwards, although parties of men had been sent on shore from time - to time to bury the bodies unburied, and re-bury the others, and were even - then engaged in the same work, we found the evidences of the murder and - cruelty still most painfully apparent. - </p> - <p> - “We saw bodies still unburied, at some distance from the fort, of some - sick men who had been met fleeing from the hospital, and beaten down and - brutally murdered, and their bodies left where they had fallen. We could - still see the faces and hands and feet of men, white and black, protruding - out of the ground, whose graves had not been reached by those engaged in - re-interring the victims of the massacre; and, although a great deal of - rain had fallen within the preceding two weeks, the ground, more - especially on the side and at the foot of the bluff where most of the - murders had been committed, was still discolored by the blood of our brave - but unfortunate soldiers; and the logs and trees showed but too plainly - the evidences of the atrocities perpetrated. - </p> - <p> - “Many other instances of equally, atrocious cruelty might be mentioned; - but your Committee feel compelled to refrain from giving here more of the - heart-sickening details, and refer to the statements contained in the - voluminous testimony herewith submitted. These statements were obtained by - them from eye-witnesses and sufferers. Many of them as they were examined - by your Committee were lying upon beds of pain and suffering; some so - feeble that their lips could with difficulty frame the words by which they - endeavored to convey some idea of the cruelties which had been inflicted - on them, and which they had seen inflicted on others.” - </p> - <p> - When the murderers returned, the day after the capture, to renew their - fiendish work upon the wounded and dying, they found a young and beautiful - mulatto woman searching among the dead for the body of her husband. She - was the daughter of a wealthy and influential rebel residing at Columbus. - With her husband, this woman was living near the fort when our forces - occupied it, and joined the Union men to assist in holding the place. - Going from body to body with all the earnestness with which love could - inspire an affectionate heart, she at last found the object of her search. - He was not dead; but both legs were broken. The wife had succeeded in - getting him out from among the piles of dead, and was bathing his face, - and giving him water to drink from a pool near by, which had been - replenished by the rain that fell a few hours before. At this moment she - was seen by the murderous band; and the cry was at once raised, “Kill the - wench, kill her!” The next moment the sharp crack of a musket was heard, - and the angel of mercy fell a corpse on the body of her wounded husband, - who was soon after knocked in the head by the butt-end of the same weapon. - Though these revolting murders were done under the immediate eye of Gen. - Chalmers, the whole was planned and carried out by Gen. Forrest whose - inhumanity has never been surpassed in the history of civilized or even - barbarous warfare. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0032" id="link2HCH0032"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXXII—INJUSTICE TO COLORED TROOPS. - </h2> - <p> - <i>The Pay of the Men.—Government refuses to keep its Promise.—Efforts - of Gov. Andrew to have Justice done.—Complaint of the Men. —Mutiny.—Military - Murder.—Everlasting Shame.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">W</span>hen the War - Department commenced recruiting colored men as soldiers in Massachusetts, - New Orleans, and Hilton Head, it was done with the promise that these men - should receive the same pay, clothing, and treatment that white soldiers - did. The same was promised at Camp William Penn, at Philadelphia. After - several regiments had been raised and put in the field, the War Department - decided to pay them but ten dollars per month, without clothing. The - Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteers, and the Fifty-fifth, were both in - South Carolina when this decision was made; yet the Government held on to - the men who had thus been obtained under false pretences. Dissatisfaction - showed itself as soon as this was known among the colored troops. Still - the blacks performed their duty, hoping that Congress would see that - justice was done to them. The men refused to receive less than was their - just due when the paymaster came round, as the following will show:— - </p> - <p> - “<i>Hilton Head, S.C., Feb. 6,1864</i>. - </p> - <p> - “Samuel Harrison, Chaplain of the Fifty-fourth Regiment Massachusetts - Volunteers (colored troops), asks pay at the usual rate of chaplains,—one - hundred dollars per month and two rations, which, he being of African - descent, I decline paying, under Act of Congress, July 17, 1862, which - authorizes the employment of persons of African descent in the army. The - chaplain declines receiving any thing less. - </p> - <p> - “<i>Paymaster, United-States Army.”</i> - </p> - <p> - It was left, however, for Massachusetts to take the lead, both by her - governor, and by her colored soldiers in the field, to urge upon the - Congress and the Administration the black man’s claims. To the honor of - John A. Andrew, the patriotic Chief Magistrate of the Bay State during the - Rebellion, justice was demanded again and again. The following will show - his feelings upon the subject:— - </p> - <p> - His Excellency Gov. Andrew, in a letter dated Executive Department, - Boston, Aug. 24, and addressed to Mr. Frederick Johnson, an officer in the - regiment, says,— - </p> - <p> - “I have this day received your letter of the 10th of August, and in reply - desire, in the first place, to express to you the lively interest with - which I have watched every step of the Fifty-fourth Regiment since it left - Massachusetts, and the feelings of pride and admiration with which I have - learned and read the accounts of the heroic conduct of the regiment in the - attack upon Fort Wagner, when you and your brave soldiers so well proved - their manhood, and showed themselves to be true soldiers of Massachusetts. - As to the matter inquired about in your letter, you may rest assured that - I shall not rest until you shall have secured all of your rights, and that - I have no doubt whatever of ultimate success. I have no doubt, by law, you - are entitled to the same pay as other soldiers; and, on the authority of - the Secretary of War, I promised that you should be paid and treated in - all respects like other soldiers of Massachusetts. Till this is done, I - feel that my promise is dishonored by the Government. The whole difficulty - arises from a misapprehension, the correction of which will no doubt be - made as soon as I can get the subject fully examined by the Secretary of - War. - </p> - <p> - “I have the honor to be your obedient servant, - </p> - <h3> - “<i>JOHN A. ANDREW,</i> - </h3> - <p> - “<i>Governor of Massachusetts.</i>” - </p> - <p> - The subjoined letter, from a soldier of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts - Volunteers, needs no explanation:— - </p> - <p> - “We are still anticipating the arrival of the day when the Government will - do justice to the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Regiments, and pay us what - is justly our due. - </p> - <p> - “We have fought like men; we have worked like men; we have been ready at - every call of duty, and thus have proved ourselves to be men: but still we - are refused the thirteen dollars per month. - </p> - <p> - “Oh, what a shame it is to be treated thus! Some of us have wives and - little children, who are looking for succor and support from their - husbands and fathers; but, alas! they look in vain. The answer to the - question, ‘When shall we be able to assist them?’ is left wholly to the - Congress of the United States. - </p> - <p> - “What will the families of those poor comrades of ours who fell at James’s - Island, Fort Wagner, and Olus-tee, do? They must suffer; for their - husbands and fathers have gone the way of all the earth. They have gone to - join that number that John saw, and to rest at the right hand of God. - </p> - <p> - “Our hearts pine in bitter anguish when we look back to our loved ones at - home, and we are compelled to shed many a briny tear. We have offered our - lives a sacrifice for a country that has not the magnanimity to treat us - as men. All that we ask is the rights of other soldiers, the liberty of - other free men. If we cannot have these, give us an honorable discharge - from the United-States service, and we will not ask for pay. - </p> - <p> - “We came here to fight for liberty and country, and not for money (we - would scorn to do that); but they promised us, if we would enlist, they - would give us thirteen dollars per month. - </p> - <p> - “It was all false. They only wanted to get the halter over our heads, and - then say, ‘Get out if you can.’ - </p> - <p> - “Sir, the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Regiments would sooner consent to - fight for the whole three years, gratis, than to be put upon the footing - of contrabands. - </p> - <p> - “It is not that we think ourselves any better than they; for we are not. - We know that God ‘hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell - on all the face of the earth;’ but we have enlisted as Massachusetts - Volunteers, and we will not surrender that proud position, come what may.” - </p> - <p> - Sergt. William Walker, of Company A, Third South-Carolina colored troops, - feeling that he and his associates were unjustly dealt with, persuaded his - company to go to their captain’s tent, and stack their muskets, and refuse - duty till paid. They did so, and the following was the result:— - </p> - <h3> - CONDEMNED AND SHOT FOR MUTINY. - </h3> - <p> - “Sergt. William Walker, of Company A, Third South-Carolina colored troops, - was yesterday killed, in accordance with the sentence of a court-martial. - He had declared he would no longer remain a soldier for seven dollars per - month, and had brought his company to stack their arms before their - captain’s tent, refusing to do duty until they should be paid thirteen - dollars a month, as had been agreed when they were enlisted by Col. Saxon. - He was a smart soldier and an able man, dangerous as leader in a revolt. - His last moments were attended by Chaplain Wilson, Twenty-fourth - Massachusetts, and Chaplain Moore, of the Second South-Carolina colored - troops. The execution took place at Jacksonville, Fla., in presence of the - regiments there in garrison. He met his death unflinchingly. Out of eleven - shots first fired, but one struck him. A reserve firing-party had been - provided, and by these he was shot to death. - </p> - <p> - “The mutiny for which this man suffered death arose entirely out of the - inconsistent and contradictory orders of the Paymaster and the Treasury - Department at Washington.”—<i>Beaufort (S.C.) Cor. Tribune.</i> - </p> - <p> - The United-States Paymaster visited the Department three times, and - offered to pay laborers’ wages, of ten dollars per month, to the - Massachusetts Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth, which to a man they refused, - saying, “‘Tis an insult, after promising us a soldier’s pay, and calling - upon us to do a soldier’s duty (and faithfully has it been performed), to - offer us the wages of a laborer, who is not called upon to peril his life - for his country.” Finding that the Government had tried to force them to - take this reduced pay, Massachusetts sent down agents to make up the - difference to them out of the State Treasury, trusting, that, ere long, - the country would acknowledge them as on an equality with the rest of the - army. But, in a manner that must redound to their credit, they refused it. - Said they, “‘Tis the principle, not the money, that we contend for: we - will either be paid as soldiers, or fight without reward.” This drew down - upon them the hatred of the other colored troops (for those regiments - raised in the South were, promised but ten dollars, as the Government also - took care of their families), and they had to bear much from them; but - they did not falter. Standing by their expressed determination to have - justice done them, they quietly performed their duties, only praying - earnestly that every friend of theirs at the North would help the - Government to see what a blot rests on its fair fame,—a betrayal of - the trust reposed in them by the colored race. - </p> - <p> - When they rushed forward to save our army from being slaughtered at - Olustee, it was the irrepressible negro humor, with something more than a - dash of sarcasm, that prompted the battle-cry, “Three cheers for Old - Massachusetts, and seven dollars a month!” (Three dollars were reserved by - Government for clothes.) - </p> - <p> - Another soldier, a member of the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts, complains as - follows:— - </p> - <p> - “Eleven months have now passed away, and still we are without our pay. How - our families are to live and pay house-rent I know not. Uncle Sam has long - wind, and expects as much of us as any soldiers in the field; but, if we - cannot get any pay, what have we to stimulate us? - </p> - <p> - “To work the way this regiment has for day’s, weeks, nay, months, and yet - to get no money to send to our wives, children, and mothers, who are now - suffering, would cause the blush of shame to mantle the cheek of a - cannibal, were he our paymaster. - </p> - <p> - “But we will suffer all the days of our appointed time with patience, only - let us know that we are doing some good, make manifest, too, that we are - making men (and women) of our race; let us know that prejudice, the curse - of the North as slavery is the curse of the South, is breaking, slowly but - surely; then we will suffer more, work faster, fight harder, and stand - firmer than before.” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0033" id="link2HCH0033"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXXIII.—BATTLE OF HONEY HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Union Troops.—The March.—The Enemy.—The Swamp.—Earthworks.—The - Battle.—Desperate Fighting.—Great Bravery.—Col. - Hartwell.—Fifty-fifth Massachusetts.—The Dying and the Dead.—The - Retreat.—The Enemy’s Position.—Earthworks.—His - Advantages.—The Union Forces.—The Blacks.—Our Army - outnumbered by the Rebels.—Their concealed Batteries.—Skirmishing.—The - Rebels retreat to their Base.—The Battle.—Great Bravery of our - Men.—The Fifty-fifth Massachusetts saves the Army.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">H</span>oney Hill is about - two and a half miles east of the village of Grahamville, Beaufort - District. On the crest of this, where the road or the highway strikes it, - is a semicircular line of earthworks, defective, though, in construction, - as they are too high for infantry, and have little or no exterior slope. - These works formed the centre of the rebel lines; while their left reached - up into the pine-lands, and their right along a line of fence that skirted - the swamp below the batteries. They commanded fully the road in front as - it passes through the swamp at the base of the hill, and only some fifty - or sixty yards distant. Through the swamp runs a small creek, which - spreads up and down the roads for some thirty or forty yards, but is quite - shallow the entire distance. Some sixty yards beyond this creek, the main - road turns off to the left, making an obtuse angle; while another and - smaller road makes off to the right from the same point. - </p> - <p> - The Union forces consisted of six thousand troops, artillery, cavalry, and - infantry, all told, under the command of Major-Gen. J. G. Foster; Gen. - John P. Hatch having the immediate command. The First Brigade, under Gen. - E. E. Potter, was composed of the Fifty-sixth and One Hundred and - Forty-fourth United-States, Twenty-fifth Ohio, and Thirty-fourth and - Thirty-fifth United-States (colored). The Second Brigade, under Col. A. S. - Hartwell, was composed of the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Massachusetts, - and Twenty-sixth and Thirty-second United-States (colored). Col. E. P. - Hallowed, of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, had, in spite of his express - desire, been left behind in command of Morris and Folly Islands. As at the - battle of Olustee, the enemy was met in small numbers some three or four - miles from his base, and, retreating, led our army into the swamp, and up - to his earthworks. So slight was the fighting as our troops approached the - fort, that all the men seemed in high glee, especially the colored - portion, which was making the woods ring with the following song:— - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - “Ho, boys, chains are breaking; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Bondsmen fast awaking; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Tyrant hearts are quaking; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Southward we are making. - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Huzza! Huzza! - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Our song shall be - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Huzza! Huzza! - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - That we are free! - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - For Liberty we fight,— - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Our own, our brother’s, right: - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - We’ll face Oppression’s blight - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - In Freedom’s earnest might. - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Huzza! Huzza! &c. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - For now as men we stand - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Defending Fatherland: - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - With willing heart and hand, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - In this great cause we band. - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Huzza! Huzza! &c. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Our flag’s Red, White, and Blue: - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - We’ll bear it marching through, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - With rifles swift and true, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And bayonets gleaming too. - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Huzza! Huzza! &c. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Now for the Union cheers, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Huzza! Huzza! Huzza! - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - For home and loved ones tears, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - For rebel foes no fears. - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Huzza! Huzza! Huzza! - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And joy that conflict nears. - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Huzza! Huzza! - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Our song shall be - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Huzza! Huzza! - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - That we are free! - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - No more the driver’s horn - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Awakes us in the morn; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - But battle’s music borne, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Our manhood shall adorn. - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Huzza! Huzza! &c. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - No more for trader’s gold - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Shall those we love be sold; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Nor crushed be manhood bold - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - In slavery’s dreaded fold. - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Huzza! Huzza! &c. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - But each and all be free - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - As singing-bird in tree, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Or winds that whistling flee - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - O’er mountain, vale, and sea. - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Huzza! Huzza! &c. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - The Union forces approached the fort by the left road, which brought them - in front of the enemy’s guns pointing down the hill, which was also down - the road. An eyewitness of the battle gives the following account of it:— - </p> - <p> - “The Thirty-second United-States colored troops were ordered to charge the - rebel fort as soon as we had got in position at the head of the road. They - attempted, but got stuck in the marsh, which they found impassable at the - point of their assault; and a galling fire of grape, canister, and - musketry, being opened on them, they were forced to retire. - </p> - <p> - “The Thirty-fourth United-States colored troops also essayed an assault, - but could not get near enough to produce any effect upon it. These - regiments, however, only fell back to the line of battle, where they - remained throughout the entire fight. - </p> - <p> - “The Fifty-fifth Massachusetts (colored) went into the fight on the right - of the brigade, commanded by Col. Hartwell. The fire became very hot; but - still the regiment did not waver,—the line merely quivered. Capt. - Goraud, of Gen. Foster’s staff, whose gallantry was conspicuous all day, - rode up just as Col. Hartwell was wounded in the hand, and advised him to - retire; but the colonel declined. - </p> - <p> - “Col. Hartwell gave the order: the colors came to the extreme front, when - the colonel shouted, ‘Follow your colors!’ The bugle sounded the charge, - and then the colonel led the way himself. - </p> - <p> - “After an unsuccessful charge in line of battle by the Fifty-fourth and - Fifty-fifth Massachusetts, the Fifty-fifth was formed in column by - company, and again thrice marched up that narrow causeway in the face of - the enemy’s batteries and musketry. - </p> - <p> - “Capt. Crane, of the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts, whose company had been - left in charge of Fort Delafield, at Folly Island, but who, at his own - request, had gone as aide to Col. Hartwell, was, as well as the colonel, - mounted. - </p> - <p> - “Just as they reached the marsh in front of the turn in the road, and - within a short distance of the rebel works, the horse of brave Col. - Hartwell, while struggling through the mud, was literally blown in pieces - by a discharge of canister. - </p> - <p> - “The colonel was wounded at the same time, and attempted to jump from his - horse; but the animal fell on him, pressing him into the mud. At this - time, he was riding at the side of the column, and the men pressed on - past; but, as they neared the fort, they met a murderous fire of grape, - canister, and bullets at short range. As the numbers of the advance were - thinned, the few who survived began to waver, and finally the regiment - retreated. - </p> - <p> - “In retiring, Lieut. Ellsworth, and one man of the Fifty-fifth - Massachusetts, came to the rescue of Col. Hartwell, and in spite of his - remonstrance that they should leave him to his Tate, and take care of - themselves, released him from his horse, and bore him from the field. But, - before he was entirely out of range of the enemy’s fire, the colonel was - again wounded, and the brave private soldier who was assisting was killed, - and another heroic man lost. - </p> - <p> - “The Twenty-fifth Ohio, soon after the commencement of the engagement, - were sent to the right, where they swung round, and fought on a line - nearly perpendicular to our main front. A portion of the Fifty-fifth - Massachusetts were with them. One or two charges were essayed, but were - unsuccessful; but the front was maintained there throughout the afternoon. - The Twenty-fifth had the largest loss of all the regiments. - </p> - <p> - “The colored troops fought well throughout the day. Countercharges were - made at various times during the fight by the enemy; but our infantry and - artillery mowed them down, and they did not at any time get very near our - lines. Whenever a charge of our men was repulsed, the rebels would flock - out of their works, whooping like Indians; but Ames’s guns and the - terrible volleys of our infantry would send them back. The Naval Brigade - behaved splendidly. - </p> - <p> - “The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, heroes of all the | hard fights that have - occurred in the department, were too much scattered in this battle to do - full justice to themselves. Only two companies went into the fight at - first, under Lieut.-Col. Hooper. They were posted on the left. - Subsequently they were joined by four more companies, who were left on - duty in the rear. - </p> - <p> - “Many scenes transpired in this battle which would furnish rich material - for the artist. In the midst of the engagement, a shell exploded amongst - the color-guard, severely wounding the color-sergeant, Ring, who was - afterwards killed by a bullet. Private Fitzgerald, of Company D, - Massachusetts Fifty-fifth, was badly wounded in the side and leg, but - remained at his post. Major Nutt, seeing his condition, ordered him to the - rear. The man obeyed; but soon the major saw that he had returned, when he - spoke sharply, ‘Go to the rear, and have your wounds dressed.’ The man - again obeyed the order; but in a few minutes more was seen by the major, - with a handkerchief bound around the leg, and loading and firing. The - major said to our informant, ‘I thought I would let him stay.’” - </p> - <p> - Like the Fifty-fourth at Olustee, the Fifty-fifth was the last regiment to - leave the field, and cover the retreat at Honey Hill. The following - account of the battle is from “The Savannah Republican v (rebel), - published a few days after the fight:— - </p> - <p> - “The negroes, as usual, formed the advance, and had nearly reached the - creek, when our batteries opened upon them down the road with a terrible - volley of spherical case. This threw them into temporary confusion; but - the entire force, estimated at five thousand, was quickly restored to - order, and thrown into a line of battle parallel with our own, up and down - the margin of the swamp. Thus the battle raged from eleven in the morning - till dark. The enemy’s centre and left were most exposed, and suffered - terribly. Their right was posted behind an old dam that ran through the - swamp, and it maintained its position till the close of the fight. Our - left was very much exposed, and an attempt was once or twice made by the - enemy to turn it by advancing through the swamp, and up the hill; but they - were driven back without a prolonged struggle. - </p> - <p> - “The centre and left of the enemy fought; with a desperate earnestness. - Several attempts were made to charge our batteries, and many got nearly - across the swamp, but were, in every instance, forced back by the galling - fire poured into them from our lines. We made a visit to the field the day - following, and found the road literally strewn with their dead. Some eight - or ten bodies were floating in the water where the road crosses; and in a - ditch on the roadside, just beyond, we saw six negroes piled one on top of - the other. A colonel of one of the negro regiments, with his horse, was - killed while fearlessly leading his men across the creek in a charge. - </p> - <p> - “With that exception, all the dead and wounded officers were carried off - by the enemy during the night. Many traces were left where they were - dragged from the woods to the road, and thrown into ambulances or carts. - We counted some sixty or seventy bodies in the space of about an acre, - many of which were horribly mutilated by shells; some with half their - heads shot off, and others completely disembowelled. The artillery was - served with great accuracy, and wo doubt if any battle-field of the war - presents such havoc among the trees and shrubbery. Immense pines and other - growth were cut short off or torn into shreds.” - </p> - <p> - It is only simple justice to the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Regiment, to - say, that at Honey Hill it occupied the most perilous position throughout - nearly the entire battle. - </p> - <p> - Three times did these heroic men march up the hill nearly to the - batteries, and as many times were swept back by the fearful storm of - grape-shot and shell; more than one hundred being cut down in less than - half an hour. Great was its loss; and yet it remained in the gap, while - our outnumbered army was struggling with the foe on his own soil, and in - the stronghold chosen by himself. - </p> - <p> - What the valiant Fifty-fourth Massachusetts had been at the battle of - Olustee, the Fifty-fifth was at Honey Hill. - </p> - <p> - Never was self-sacrifice, by both officers and men, more apparent than on - this occasion; never did men look death more calmly in the face. See the - undaunted and heroic Hartwell at the head of his regiment, and hear him - shouting, “Follow your colors, my brave men!” and with drawn sword leading - his gallant band. His horse is up to its knees in the heavy mud. The - rider, already wounded, is again struck by the fragment of a shell, but - keeps his seat; while the spirited animal struggling in the mire, and - plunging about, attracts the attention of the braves, who are eagerly - pressing forward to meet the enemy, to retake the lost ground, and gain a - victory, or at least save the little army from defeat. A moment more he is - killed; and the brave Hartwell attempts to jump from his charger, but is - too weak. The horse falls with fearful struggles upon its rider, and both - are buried in the mud. The brave Capt. Crane, the Adjutant, is killed, and - falls from his horse near his colonel. Lieut. Boynton, while urging his - men, is killed. Lieut. Hill is wounded, but still keeps his place. Capts. - Soule and Woodward are both wounded, and yet keep their command. The blood - is running freely from the mouth of Lieut. Jewett; but he does not leave - his company. Sergeant-major Trotter is wounded, but still fights. Sergt. - Shorter is wounded in the knee, yet will not go to the rear. A shell tears - off the foot of Sergeant-major Charles L. Mitchel; and, as he is carried - to the rear, he shouts, with uplifted hand, “Cheer up, boys: we’ll never - surrender!” But look away in front: there are the colors, and foremost - amongst the bearers is Robert M. King, the young, the handsome, and the - gentlemanly sergeant, whose youth and bravery attract the attention of - all. Scarcely more than twenty years of age, well educated, he has left a - good home in Ohio to follow the fortunes of war, and to give his life to - help redeem his race. The enemy train their guns upon the colors, the roar - of cannon and crack of rifle is heard, the advanced flag falls, the heroic - King is killed: no, he is not dead, but only wounded. A fellow sergeant - seizes the colors; but the bearer will not give them up. He rises, holds - the old flag aloft with one hand, and presses the other upon the wound in - his side to stop the blood. “Advance the colors!” shouts the commander. - The brave King, though saturated with his own blood, is the first to obey - the order. As he goes forward, a bullet passes through his heart, and he - falls. Another snatches the colors; but they are fast, the grasp of death - holds them tight. The hand is at last forced open, the flag is raised to - the breeze; and the lifeless body of Robert M. King is borne from the - field. This is but a truthful sketch of the part played by one heroic son - of Africa, whose death was lamented by all who knew him. This is only one - of the two hundred and forty-nine that fell on the field of Honey Hill. - With a sad heart, we turn away from the picture. - </p> - <p> - But shall we weep for the sleeping braves, who, turning their backs upon - the alluring charms of home-life, went forth at the call of country and - race, and died, noble martyrs to the cause of liberty? ’Tis noble to <i>live</i> - for freedom; but is it not nobler far to <i>die</i> that those coming - after you may enjoy it? - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “Dear is the spot where Christians weep; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Sweet are the strains which angels pour: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Oh! why should we in anguish weep? - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - They are not lost, but gone before.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0034" id="link2HCH0034"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXXIV—BEFORE PETERSBURG AND RICHMOND. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Assault and Failure.—Who to Blame.—Heroic Conduct of the - Blacks.—The Mine.—Success at the Second Attack.—Death of - a Gallant Negro.—A Black Officer.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">W</span>hen the mining - assault on Petersburg failed, with such fearful loss in killed and - wounded, the cry went through the land that it was owing to the cowardice - of the negro troops; but this falsehood was very soon exploded. However, - it will be well to state the facts connected with the attempt. A writer in - “The New-York Evening Post” gave the following account of the preparation, - attack, and failure, a few days alter it occurred:— - </p> - <p> - “We have been continually notified for the last fortnight, that our - sappers were mining the enemy’s position. As soon as ready, our division - was to storm the works on its explosion. This rumor had spread so wide, we - had no faith in it. On the night of the 29th, we were in a position on the - extreme left. We were drawn in about nine, P.M., and marched to Gen. - Burnside’s headquarters, and closed in mass by division, left in front. We - there received official notice that the long-looked-for mine was ready - charged, and would be fired at daylight next morning. The plan of storming - was as follows: One division of white troops was to charge the works - immediately after the explosion, and carry the first and second lines of - rebel intrenchments. Our division was to follow immediately, and push - right into Petersburg, take the city, and be supported by the remainder of - the Ninth and the Twenty-eighth corps. We were up bright and early, ready - and eager for the struggle to commence. I had been wishing for something - of this sort to do for some time, to gain the respect of the Army of the - Potomac. You know their former prejudices. At thirty minutes after five, - the ball opened. The mine, with some fifty pieces of artillery, went off - almost instantaneously: at the same time, the white troops, according to - the plan, charged the fort, which they carried, for there was nothing to - oppose them; but they did not succeed in carrying either of the lines of - Intrenchments. - </p> - <p> - “We were held in rear until the development of the movement of the white - troops; but, on seeing the disaster which was about to occur, we were - pushed in by the flank (for we could go in in no other way to allow us to - get in position): so you see on this failure we had nothing to do but gain - by the flank. A charge in that manner has never proved successful, to my - knowledge: when it does, it is a surprise. - </p> - <p> - “Our men went forward with enthusiasm equal to any thing under different - circumstances; but, in going through the fort that had been blown up, the - passage was almost impeded by obstacles thrown up by the explosion. At the - same time, we were receiving a most deadly cross-fire from both flanks. At - this time, our Lieutenant-colonel (E. W. Ross) fell, shot through the left - leg, bravely leading the men. I immediately assumed command, but only to - hold it a few minutes, when I fell, struck by a piece of shell in the - side. - </p> - <p> - “Capt. Robinson, from Connecticut, then took command; and, from all we can - learn, he was killed. At this time, our first charge was somewhat checked, - and the men sought cover in the works. Again our charge was made, but, - like the former, unsuccessful. This was followed by the enemy making a - charge. Seeing the unorganized condition and the great loss of officers, - the men fell back to our own works. Yet a large number still held the fort - until two, p.m.; when the enemy charged again, and carried it. That ended - the great attempt to take Petersburg. - </p> - <p> - “It will be thus seen that the colored troops did not compose the first - assaulting, but the supporting column; and they were not ordered forward - until white troops in greater numbers had made a desperate effort to carry - the rebel works, and had failed. Then the colored troops were sent in; - moved over the broken ground, and up the slope, and within a short - distance of the parapet, in order, and with steady courage; but finally - broke and retreated under the same fire which just before had sent a whole - division of white regiments to the rightabout. If there be any disgrace in - that, it does not belong exclusively nor mainly to the negroes. A second - attack is far more perilous and unlikely to succeed than a first; the - enemy having been encouraged by the failure of the first, and had time to - concentrate his forces. And, in this case, there seems to have been a - fatal delay in ordering both the first and second assault.” - </p> - <p> - An officer in the same engagement said,— - </p> - <p> - “In regard to the bravery of the colored troops, although I have been in - upwards of twenty battles, I never saw so many cases of gallantry. The - ‘crater’ where we were halted, was a perfect slaughter-pen. - </p> - <p> - “Had not ‘some one blundered,’ but moved us up at daylight, instead of - eight o’clock, we should have been-crowned with success, instead of being - cut to pieces by a terrific enfilading fire, and finally forced from the - field in a panic. We had no trouble in rallying the troops, and moving - them into the rifle-pits; and, in one hour after the rout, I had nearly as - many men together as were left unhurt. - </p> - <p> - “I was never under such a terrific fire, and can hardly realize how any - escaped alive. Our loss was heavy. In the Twenty-eighth (colored), for - instance, commanded by Lieut.-Col. Russell(a Bostonian), he lost seven - officers out of eleven, and ninety-one men out of two hundred and - twenty-four; and the colonel himself was knocked over senseless, for a few - minutes, by a slight wound in the head: both his color-sergeants and all - his color-guard were killed. Col Bross, of the Twenty-ninth, was killed - outright, and nearly every one of his officers hit. This was nearly equal - to Bunker Hill. Col. Ross, of the Thirty-first, lost his leg. The - Twenty-eighth, Twenty-ninth, and Thirtieth (colored), all charged over the - works; climbing up an earthwork six feet high, then down into a ditch, and - up on the other side, all the time under the severest fire in front and - flank. Not being supported, of course the storming-party fell back. I have - seen white troops run faster than these blacks did, when in not half so - tight a place. Our brigade lost thirty-six prisoners, all cut off after - leaving the ‘crater.’ My faith in colored troops is not abated one jot.” - </p> - <p> - Soon after the failure at Petersburg, the colored troops had a fair - opportunity, and nobly sustained their reputation gained on other fields. - At the battle of New-Market Heights, Va., the Tenth Army Corps, under - Major-Gen. Birney, met a superior number of the enemy, and had a - four-hours’ fight, Sept. 29, in which our men came off victorious. The - following order, issued on the 8th of October, needs no explanation:— - </p> - <p> - <i>“Headquarters, 3d Division, 18th Army Corps,</i> <i>Before Richmond, - Va., Oct. 7, 1864.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>General Orders No. 103.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>Officers and Soldiers of this Division</i>,—Major-Gen. D. B. - Birney, commanding the Tenth Army Corps, has desired me to express to you - the high satisfaction he felt at your good conduct while we were serving - with the Tenth Corps, Sept. 29 and 80, 1864, and with your gallantry in - storming New-Market Heights. - </p> - <p> - “I have delayed issuing this order, hoping for an opportunity to say this - to you in person. - </p> - <p> - “Accept, also, my own thanks for your gallantry on Sept. 29, and your good - conduct since. You have won the good opinion of the whole Army of the - James, and every one who knows your deeds. - </p> - <p> - “Let every officer and man, on all occasions, exert himself to increase - your present deserved reputation. - </p> - <p> - “<i>C. J. PAINE, Brigadier-General.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>(Signed) S. A. CARTER, A. A. G.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>Headquarters Tenth Army Corps,</i> <i>Aug. 19, 1864.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>Major-Gen. Butler commanding Department.</i> - </p> - <p> - “The enemy attacked my lines in heavy force last night, and were repulsed - with great loss. In front of one colored regiment, eighty-two dead bodies - of the enemy are already counted. The colored troops behaved handsomely, - and are in fine spirits. The assault was in columns a division strong, and - would have carried any works not so well defended. The enemy’s loss was at - least one thousand. - </p> - <p> - “(Signed) Respectfully, - </p> - <p> - “<i>D. B. BIRNEY, Major-General</i> - </p> - <p> - “Seventy-five of our Black Virginia Cavalry were surrounded by three - regiments of rebel infantry, and gallantly cut through them; and an - orderly-sergeant killed with his sabre six of the enemy, and escaped with - the loss of an arm by grape-shot. He lies in an adjoining room, and is - slowly recovering.” - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “Brave man, thy deeds shall fill the tramp of fame, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And wake responsive echoes far and wide, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And on contemners of thy race east shame; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - For thou hast nobly with the noblest vied. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Thy deeds recall the charge at Balaklava, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Wherein six hundred were immortalized: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Not any hero of that charge was braver; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And thy great valor shall be recognized. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - No wolf, pursued by hounds o’er hill and plain, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - At last more savagely stands up at bay, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Finding past efforts to escape all vain, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Then cleaves through dying hounds his bloody way. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Thine was the task, amid war’s wild alarm, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - The valor of thy race to vindicate: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Now admiration all true bosoms warm, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And places thee among the gallant great. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - It thrills our hearts to think upon the strife - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - In which, surrounded by the rebel host, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Thou didst deal death for liberty and life, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And freedom win, although an arm was lost. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - O lion-hearted hero! whose fierce sword - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Made breathless thy oppressors, bravely bear - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Thy sufferings; for our sympathies are poured - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - For thee, and gladly would relieve or share.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - At the second attack on Petersburg, the colored troops did nobly. A - correspondent of “The New-York Times” wrote as follows:— - </p> - <p> - “As everybody seems to have negro on the brain in the army, I may be - pardoned for again alluding to the colored troops in this letter. A single - day’s work has wiped out a mountain of prejudice, and fairly turned the - popular current of feeling in this army in favor of the down-trodden race; - and every one who has been with them on the field has some story to relate - of their gallant conduct in action, or their humanity and social - qualities. The capture of the fort before referred to is related, among - other things, in evidence of their manhood and gallantry; taking prisoners - in the exciting moment of actual hand-to-hand fighting, in face of the - Fort-Pillow and other similar rebel atrocities perpetrated elsewhere, upon - their colored companions-in-arms as evidence of their humanity,—that - they are really something more than the stolid brutes, such as some people - profess to believe. But, next to bravery, one impromptu act of theirs has - done more than all else to remove a supposed natural prejudice against - them. Wounded officers of two different brigades in the Second Corps tell - me, that, when they relieved the colored troops in front Wednesday night, - their men had been out of rations all day, and were very hungry, as may - well be supposed. When this fact became known to the negroes, to use the - expressive language of a wounded officer, ‘They emptied their haversacks, - and gave the contents to our boys.’ The colored troops, I have had - opportunity to know, bear their honors meekly, as become men. Hereafter, - the vile oath and offensive epithet will not be blurted out against the - negro soldier, and in his presence, upon every favorable opportunity, as - has too generally heretofore been the practice. This will be exclusively - confined to the professional stragglers, who are never at the front when - danger is there.” - </p> - <p> - Sergt. Peter Hawkins, of the Thirty-first United States, exhibited in the - attack upon Petersburg marked abilities as a soldier. All the officers of - Company A being killed or wounded, he took command, and held it for - fourteen days. An eye-witness said,— - </p> - <p> - “He appointed men for guard and picket duty, made out his regular morning - report, issued rations, drilled his men, took them out on dress-parade, or - on fatigue-duty. Whatever important duty was devolved upon him, he was the - man to perform without murmuring. He is fully competent to fill the office - of a lieutenant or captain. He has clearly proven on the field his - unflinching courage and indomitable will.” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0035" id="link2HCH0035"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXXV—WIT AND HUMOR OF THE WAR. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Negro Wit and Humor.—The Faithful Sentinel.—The Sentinel’s - Respect for the United-States Uniform.—The “Nail-kag.”—The - Poetical Drummerboy.—Contrabands on Sherman’s March.—Negro - Poetry on Freedom.—The Soldier’s Speech.—Contraband capturing - his Old Master.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">W</span>ith all the - horrors of the Rebellion, there were occasions when these trying scenes - were relieved by some amusing incident. Especially was this true with - regard to the colored people. Thus when Adjutant-Gen. Thomas first - announced the new policy in Mississippi, and they began enlisting - freedmen, one was put on guard at night, at Lake Providence, and was - instructed not to allow any one to pass without the countersign. He was, - however, told not to fire upon a person until he had called out, “One, - two, three.” The negro seemed not to understand it, and asked to have the - instructions repeated. “You are to walk from here to that tree, and back,” - continued the white sergeant, “and, if you see or hear any one, call out, - ‘Who comes there? Give the countersign. One, two, three.’ And, if you - receive no reply, shoot.”—“Yes, massa,” said Sam. “I got it dis - time, and no mistake.” After an hour or more on duty, Sam thought he heard - the tramp of feet, and began a sharp lookout. Presently bringing his gun - to his shoulder, and taking sight, he called out in quick succession, “Who - comes dar? Give de countersign. One, two, three!” And “bang” went the gun. - Fortunately, the negro’s aim was not as reliable as was his determination - to do his whole duty; and the only damage done was a bullet-hole through - the Intruder’s hat. When admonished by the officer for not waiting for the - man’s answer, the negro said, “Why, massa, I was afraid dat ef I didn’t - shoot quick, he’d run.” - </p> - <p> - A colored sentinel was marching on his beat in the streets of Norfolk, - Va., when a white man, passing by, shouldered him insolently off the - sidewalk, quite into the street. The soldier, on recovering himself, - called out,— - </p> - <p> - “White man, halt!” - </p> - <p> - The white man, Southerner like, went straight on. The sentinel brought his - musket to a ready, cocked it, and hailed again,— - </p> - <p> - “White man, halt, or I’ll fire!” - </p> - <p> - The white man, hearing <i>shoot</i> in the tone, halted, and faced about. - </p> - <p> - “White man,” continued the sentry peremptorily, “come here!” - </p> - <p> - He did so. - </p> - <p> - “White man,” said, the soldier again, “me no care one cent’ bout this - particklar Cuffee; but white man bound to respeck this uniform (striking - his breast). White man, move on!” - </p> - <p> - A Virginia rebel, who has issued a book giving his experience as a - prisoner in the hands of the Federals at Point Lookout and Elmira, tells - the following story:— - </p> - <p> - “The boys are laughing at the summons which S., one of my - fellow-Petersburgers, got to-day from a negro sentinel. S. had on when - captured, and I suppose still possesses, a tall beaver of the antique - pattern considered inseparable from extreme respectability in the last - decade and for many a year before. While wandering around the enclosure, - seeking, I suspect, ‘what he might devour,’ he accidentally stepped beyond - the ‘dead line,’ and was suddenly arrested by a summons from the nearest - negro on the parapet, who seemed to be in doubt whether so well-dressed a - man could be a ‘reb,’ and therefore whether he should be shot at once. - </p> - <p> - “White man, you b’long in dar?” - </p> - <p> - “Yes.” - </p> - <p> - “Well, ain’t you got no better sense dan to cross dat line?” - </p> - <p> - “I did not notice the line.” - </p> - <p> - “Well, you had better notice it, and dat quick, or I’ll blow half dat <i>nail-kag</i> - off!” - </p> - <p> - The following doggerel was composed by a drummer-boy, aged thirteen, who - had been a slave, and was without education. He sung it to the One Hundred - and Seventh Regiment United-States colored troops, to which he was - attached:— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “Captain Fiddler’s come to town - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - With his abolition triggers: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - He swears he’s one of Lincoln’s men, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - ‘Enlisting all the niggers.’ - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - You’ll see the citizens on the street - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Whispering in rotation: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - What do they seem to talk about? - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Lincoln’s proclamation. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Some get sick, and some will die, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Be buried in rotation: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - What was the death of such a man? - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Lincoln’s proclamation. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - You’ll see the rebels on the street, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Their noses like a bee gum; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - I don’t care what in thunder they say, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - I’m fighting for my freedom! - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Richmond is a mighty place, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And Grant’s as sound as a dollar; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And every time he throws a shell, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Jeff begins to holler. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - My old massa’s come to town, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Cutting a Southern figure: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - What’s the matter with the man? - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Lincoln’s got his niggers. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Some folks say this ‘almighty fuss - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Is getting worse and bigger; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Some folks say ‘it’s worse and worse,’ - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Because I am ‘a nigger.’ - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - We’ll get our colored regiments strung - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Out in a line of battle: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - I’ll bet my money agin the South - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - The rebels will skedaddle.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - In his march, Gen. Sherman was followed by large numbers of contrabands. - They were always the first to welcome our troops. On entering - Fayetteville, the general was met by slaves, old and young; and a man of - many years exclaimed,— - </p> - <p> - “Tank de Almighty God, Mr. Sherman has come at last! We knew it, we prayed - for de day, and de Lord Jesus heard our prayers. Mr. Sherman has come wid - his company.” - </p> - <p> - One fat old woman said to him, while shaking him by the hand, which he - always gladly gives to those poor people, “I prayed dis long time for yer, - and de blessing ob de Lord is on yer. But yesterday afternoon, when yer - stopped trowing de shells into de town, and de soldiers run away from de - hill ober dar, I thout dat Gen. Burygar had driven you away, for dey said - so; but here yer am dun gone. Bress de Lord, yer will hab a place in - heaben: yer will go dar sure.” - </p> - <p> - Several officers of the army, among them Gen. Slocum, were gathered round, - interested in the scene. The general asked them:— - </p> - <p> - “Well, men, what can I do for you? Where are you from?” - </p> - <p> - “We’s jus come from Cheraw. Massa took us with him to carry mules and - horses away from youins.” - </p> - <p> - “You thought we would get them. Did you wish us to get the mules?” - </p> - <p> - “Oh, yes, massa! dat’s what I wanted. We knowed youins cumin’, and I - wanted you to hav dem mules; but no use: dey heard dat youins on de road, - and nuthin’ would stop dem. Why, as we cum along, de cavalry run away from - the Yanks as if they fright to deth. Dey jumped into de river, and some of - dem lost dere hosses. Dey frightened at the very name ob Sherman.” - </p> - <p> - Some one at this point said, “That is Gen. Serman who is talking to you.” - </p> - <p> - “God bress me! is you Mr. Sherman?” - </p> - <p> - “Yes: I am Mr. Sherman.” - </p> - <p> - “Dats him, su’ miff,” said one. - </p> - <p> - “Is dat de great Mr. Sherman that we’s heard ob so long?” said another. - </p> - <p> - “Why, dey so frightened at your berry name, dat dey run right away,” - shouted a third. - </p> - <p> - “It is not me that they are afraid of,” said the general: “the name of - another man would have the same effect with them if he had this army. It - is these soldiers that they run away from.” - </p> - <p> - “Oh, no!” they all exclaimed. “It’s de name of Sherman, su’; and we hab - wanted to see you so long while you trabbel all roun jis whar you like to - go. Dey said dat dey wanted to git you a little furder on, and den dey - whip all your soldiers; but, God bress me, you keep cumin’ and a cumin’ - and dey allers git out.” - </p> - <p> - “Dey mighty ‘fraid ob you, sar; day say you kill de colored men, too,” - said an old man, who had not heretofore taken part in the conversation. - </p> - <p> - With much earnestness, Gen. Sherman replied,— - </p> - <p> - “Old man, and all of you, understand me. I desire that bad men should fear - me, and the enemies of the Government which we are all fighting for. Now - we are your friends; you are now free.” (“Thank you, Massa Sherman,” was - ejaculated by the group.) “You can go where you please; you can come with - us, or go home to your children. Wherever you go, you are no longer - slaves. You ought to be able to take care of yourselves.” (“We is; we - will.”) “You must earn your freedom, then you will be entitled to it, - sure; you have a right to be all that you can be, but you must be - industrious, and earn the right to be men. If you go back to your - families, and I tell you again you can go with us if you wish, you must do - the best you can. When you get a chance, go to Beaufort or Charleston, - where you will have a little farm to work for yourselves.” - </p> - <p> - The poor negroes were filled with gratitude and hope by these kind words, - uttered in the kindest manner, and they went away with thanks and - blessings on their lips. - </p> - <p> - During the skirmishing, one of our men who, by the way, was a forager, was - slightly wounded. The most serious accident of the day occurred to a negro - woman, who was in a house where the rebels had taken cover. When I saw - this woman, who would not have been selected as a type of South-Carolina - female beauty, the blood was streaming over her neck and bosom from a - wound in the lobe of her ear, which the bullet had just clipped and passed - on. - </p> - <p> - “What was it that struck you, aunty?” I asked her. - </p> - <p> - “Lor bress me, massa, I dun know, I jus fell right down.” - </p> - <p> - “Didn’t you feel any thing, nor hear any sound?” - </p> - <p> - “Yes, now I ‘member, I heerd a s-z-z-z-z-z, and den I jus knock down. I - drap on de groun’. I’se so glad I not dead, for if I died den de bad man - would git me, cos I dance lately a heap.” - </p> - <p> - A contraband’s poetical version of the President’s Emancipation - Proclamation. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “I’se gwine to tell ye, Sambo, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - What I heard in town to-day,— - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - I listened at the cap’n’s tent: - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - I’ll tell ye what he say. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - He say dat Massa Linkum, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Way yonder Norf, ye see,— - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Him write it in de Yankee book, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - ‘De nigger gwine for free.’ - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And now, ye see, I tell ye - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - What Massa Linkum done: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - De seeesh can’t get way from dat - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - No more’n dey dodge a gun. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - It’s jes’ as sure as preachin’, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - I tell ye, Sambo, true,— - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - De nigger’s trouble ober now, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - No more dem lash for you. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - I ‘speeted dat would happen: - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - I had a sense, ye see, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Of something big been gwine to come - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - To make de people free. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - I t’ought de flamin’ angel - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Been gwine for blow de trump; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - But Massa Linkum write de word - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Dat make de rebel jump. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - So now we’ll pick de cotton, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - So now we’ll broke de corn: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - De nigger’s body am his own - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - De bery day he born. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - He grind de grits in safety, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - He eat de yams in peace; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - De Lord, him bring de jubilee, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - De Lord, him set de feas’. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - So now, I tell ye, Sambo, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Ye’re born a man to-day: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Nobody gwine for con trad ie’ - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - What Massa Linkum say. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Him gwine for free de nigger: - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - De Lord, him gib de word; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And Massa Linkum write’em down, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - O Sambo! praise de Lord!” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - When the teachers were introduced into Jackson, Miss., soon after the - Union forces occupied the place, they found some very ignorant material to - work upon. One old woman, while attending the Sabbath school, being asked - who made her, replied, “I don’t know, ’zacly, sir. I heard once who it was; - but I done forgot de gent-mun’s name.” The teacher thought that the Lord’s - name had been rather a stranger in that neighborhood. During the siege of - Port Hudson, a new schoolhouse was erected for the black soldiers who had - been enlisted in that vicinity; and, when it was opened, the following - speech was made by a colored soldier, called Sergt. Spencer:— - </p> - <p> - “I has been a-thinkin’ I was old man; for, on de plantation, I was put - down wid de old hands, and I quinsicontly feeled myself dat I was a old - man. But since I has come here to de Yankees, and been made a soldier for - de Unite States, an’ got dese beautiful clothes on, I feels like one young - man; and I doesn’t call myself a old man nebber no more. An’ I feels dis - ebenin’ dat, if de rebs came down here to dis old Fort Hudson, dat I could - jus fight um as brave as any man what is in the Sebenth Regiment. - Sometimes I has mighty feelins in dis ole heart of mine, when I considers - how dese ere ossifers come all de way from de North to fight in de cause - what we is fighten fur. How many ossifers has died, and how many white - soldiers has died, in dis great and glorious war what we is in! And now I - feels dat, fore I would turn coward away from dese ossifers, I feels dat I - could drink my own blood, and be pierced through wid five thousand - bullets. I feels sometimes as doe I ought to tank Massa Linkern for dis - blessin’ what we has; but again I comes to de solemn conclusion dat I - ought to tank de Lord, Massa Linkern, and all dese ossifers.‘Fore I would - be a slave ‘gain, I would fight till de last drop of blood was gone. I has - ‘cluded to fight for my liberty, and for dis eddication what we is now to - receive in dis beautiful new house what we has. Aldo I hasn’t got any - eddication nor no book-learnin’, I has rose up dis blessed ebenin’ to do - my best afore dis congregation. Dat’s all what I has to say now; but, at - some future occasion, I may say more dan I has to say now, and edify you - all when I has more preparation. Dat’s all what I has to say. Amen.” - </p> - <p> - After the fall of Port Hudson, Sergt. Spencer was sent with his company - into the interior; and, while in a skirmish, he captured his old master, - who was marched off by the chattel to headquarters, distant about six - miles. The master, not liking the long walk and his heavy gun, began - upbraiding his slave for capturing him, and, complaining of his - misfortune, stopped, laid down his gun, seated himself on an old log, - lighted his pipe, and said he could walk no farther. - </p> - <p> - However, old Spencer soon told the prisoner a different tale. Waiting a - reasonable time for resting, the sergeant said, “Come, boss, you’s smoked - enough dar: come, I is in a hurry. I can’t wait no longer.” The rebel - still remonstrated with his slave, reminding him of what he once was, and - the possibility of his being again in his power. But these admonitions - made little or no impression on the sergeant, who resumed, “Come, boss, - come: dis is no time to tell ‘bout what you’s been or what you’s gwine to - be. Jes git right up and come long, or I’ll stick dis bayonet in you.”—“Well, - Spencer,” said the master, “you carry my gun.”—“No, boss; you muss - tote your own gun. I is bin toting you an’ all your chilen des forty - years, and now de times is changed. Come, now, git up an move on, or I’ll - stick you wid dis bayonet” (at the same time drawing the bayonet from its - scabbard). “Massa reb” shouldered his unloaded shooter, and reluctantly - continued his journey. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0036" id="link2HCH0036"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXXVI—A THRILLING INCIDENT OF THE WAR. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Heroic Escape of a Slave.—His Story of his Sister.—Resides - North.—Joins the Army and returns to the South during the Rebellion.—Search - for his Mother.—Finds her.—Thrilling Scene.—Truth - stranger than Fiction.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">I</span>t was in the month - of December, 1832, while Col. Rice and family were seated around a bright - wood-fire, whose blaze lighted up the large dining-room in their old - mansion, situated ten miles from Drayton, in the State of Ohio, that they - heard a knock at the door, which was answered by the familiar “Come in,” - that always greets the stranger in the Western States. Squire Loomis - walked in, and took a seat in one of the three rocking-chairs which had - been made vacant by the young folks, who rose to give place to their - highly influential and wealthy neighbor. It was a beautiful night: the sky - was clear, the wind had hushed its deep meanings. The most brilliant of - the starry throng stood out in bold relief, despite the superior light of - the moon. “I see some one standing at the gate,” said Mrs. Rice, as she - left the window, and came nearer the fire. “I’ll go out and see who it - is,” exclaimed George, as he quitted his chair, and started for the door. - The latter soon returned, and whispered to his father; and both left the - room, evincing that something unusual was at hand. Not many minutes - elapsed, however, before the father and son entered, accompanied by a - young man, whose complexion showed plainly that other than Anglo-Saxon - blood coursed through his veins. The whole company rose, and the stranger - was invited to draw near to the fire. Question after question was now - pressed upon the new-comer by the colonel and squire, but without - eliciting satisfactory replies. “You need not be afraid, my friend,” said - his host, as he looked intently in the colored man’s face, “to tell where - you are from, and to what place you are going. If you are a fugitive, as I - suspect, give us your story, and we will protect and defend you to the - last.” Taking courage from these kind remarks, the mulatto said, “I was - born, sir, in the State of Kentucky, and raised in Missouri. My master was - my father: my mother was his slave. That, sir, accounts for the fairness - of my complexion. As soon as I was old enough to labor, I was taken into - my master’s dwelling as a servant, to attend upon the family. My mistress, - aware of my near relationship to her husband, felt humiliated; and often, - in her anger, would punish me severely for no cause whatever. My near - approach to the Anglo-Saxon aroused the jealousy and hatred of the - overseer; and he flogged me, as he said, to make me know my place. My - fellow-slaves hated me because I was whiter than themselves. Thus my - complexion was construed into a crime, and I was made to curse my father - for the Anglo-Saxon blood that courses through my veins. - </p> - <p> - “My master raised slaves to supply the Southern market; and every year - some of my companions were sold to the slave-traders, and taken farther - South. Husbands were separated from wives, and children torn from the arms - of their agonized mothers. These outrages were committed by the man whom - nature compelled me to look upon as my father. My mother and brothers were - sold, and taken away from me: still I bore all, and made no attempt to - escape; for I yet had near me an only sister, whom I dearly loved. At last - the negro-driver attempted to rob my sister of her virtue. She appealed to - me for protection. Her innocence, beauty, and tears were enough to stir - the stoutest heart. My own, filled with grief and indignation, swelled - within me as though it would burst, or leap from my bosom. My tears - refused to flow: the fever in my brain dried them up. I could stand it no - longer. I seized the wretch by the throat, and hurled him to the ground; - and, with this strong arm, I paid him for old and new. The next day I was - tried by a jury of slaveholders for the crime of having within me the - heart of a man, and protecting my sister from the licentious embrace of a - libertine. And, would you believe it, sir? that jury of enlightened - Americans,—yes, sir, Christian Americans,—after grave - deliberation, decided that I had broken the laws, and sentenced me to - receive five hundred lashes upon my bare back. But, sir, I escaped from - them the night before I was to have been flogged. Afraid of being arrested - and taken back, I remained the following day hid away in a secluded spot - on the backs of the Mississippi River, protected from the gaze of man by - the large trees and thick canebrakes that sheltered me. I waited for the - coming of another night. All was silent around me save the sweet chant of - the feathered songsters in the forest, or the musical ripple of the - eddying waters at my feet. I watched the majestic bluffs as they gradually - faded away through the gray twilight from the face of day into the darker - shades of night. I then turned to the rising moon as it peered above, - ascending the deep-blue ether, high in the heavens, casting its mellow - rays over the surrounding landscape, and gilding the smooth surface of the - noble river with its silvery hue. I viewed with interest the stars as they - appeared one after another in the firmament. It was then and there that I - studied nature in its lonely grandeur, and saw in it the goodness of God, - and felt that he who created so much beauty, and permitted the fowls of - the air and beasts of the field to roam at large, and be free, never - intended that man should be the slave of his fellow-man. I resolved that I - would be a bondman no longer; and, taking for my guide the <i>north star</i>, - I started ‘for Canada, the negro’s land of liberty. For many weeks, I - travelled by night, and lay by during the day. Oh! how often, while hid - away in the forest, waiting for nightfall, have I thought of the beautiful - lines I once heard a stranger recite!— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “‘Oh hail, Columbia! happy land,— - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - The cradle-land of liberty! - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Where none but negroes bear the brand, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Or feel the lash, of slavery. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Then let the glorious anthem peal, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And drown “Britannia rules the waves:” - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Strike up the song that men can feel,— - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - “Columbia rules four million slaves!”’ - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - “At last I arrived at a depot of the underground railroad, took the <i>express</i> - train, and here I am.”—“You are welcome,” said Col. Rice, as he rose - from his chair, walked to the window, and looked out, as if apprehensive - that the fugitive’s pursuers were near by. “You are welcome,” continued - he; “and I will aid you on your way to Canada, for you are not safe here.” - </p> - <p> - “Are you not afraid of breaking the laws by assisting this man to escape?” - remarked Squire Loomis. “I care not for laws when they stand in the way of - humanity,” replied the colonel. “If you aid him in reaching Canada, and we - should ever have a war with England, maybe he’ll take up arms, and fight - against his own country,” said the squire. The fugitive eyed the - law-abiding man attentively for a moment, and then exclaimed, “Take up - arms against my country? What country, sir, have I? The Supreme Court of - the United States, and the laws of the South, doom me to be the slave of - another. There is not a foot of soil over which the <i>stars and stripes</i> - wave, where I can stand, and be protected by law. I’ve seen my mother sold - in the cattle-market: I looked upon my brothers as they were driven away - in chains by the slave-speculator. The heavy negro-whip has been applied - to my own shoulders, until its biting lash sunk deep into my quivering - flesh. Still, sir, you call this my country. True, true, I was born in - this land. My grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War: my own father - was in the war of 1812. Still, sir, I am a slave, a chattel, a thing, a - piece of property. I’ve been sold in the market with horses and swine. The - initials of my master’s name are branded on this arm. Still, sir, you call - this my country. And, now that I am making my escape, you feel afraid if I - reach Canada, and there should be war with England, that I will take up - arms against my country. Sir, I have no country but the grave; and I’ll - seek freedom there before I will be taken back to slavery. There is no - justice for me at the South: every right of my race is trampled in the - dust, until humanity bleeds at every pore. I am bound for Canada, and woe - to him that shall attempt to arrest me! If it comes to the worst, I will - die fighting for freedom.”—“I honor your courage,” exclaimed Squire - Loomis, as he sprang from his seat, and walked rapidly to and fro-the - room. “It is too bad,” continued he, “that such men should be enslaved in - a land whose Declaration of Independence proclaims all men to be free and - equal. I will aid you in any thing that I can. What is your name?”—“I - have no name,” said the fugitive. “I once had a name,—it was - William,—but my master’s nephew came to live with him; and as I was - a house-servant, and the young master and I would, at times, get confused - in the same name, orders were given for me to change mine. From that - moment, I resolved, that, as slavery had robbed me of my liberty and my - name, I would not attempt to have another till I was free. So, sir, for - once, you have a man standing before you without a name.”—“I will - name you George Loomis,” said the squire. “I accept it,” returned the - fugitive, “and shall try never to dishonor it.” - </p> - <p> - True to their promises, his new friends provided for his immediate wants, - and, as soon as a favorable opportunity occurred, started him on his - journey north. George reached Canada in a few weeks without further - adventure, and settled near the city of Toronto, where he resided, engaged - in honest labors and enjoying the fruits of his industry, until the - breaking-out of the Rebellion, when he returned to the United States, - eager to take part in the struggle. Owing to the fairness of his - complexion, he readily passed for a white man, and enlisted as such in a - Michigan regiment in 1863. He was with Gen. Grant’s army at the siege of - Vicksburg; and, after the surrender of that, stronghold, the regiment to - which George belonged was stationed in the town. Here the quadroon had - ample opportunity of conversing with the freedmen, which he often did, for - he had not lost his interest in the race. Going into a negro cabin one - day, and getting into conversation with an old woman, he found that she - was originally from the state of Kentucky, and lastly from Missouri, and - that they were from the same neighborhood. As each related the experience - through which they had passed, the interview became more and more - interesting. Often they eyed each other, but there was nothing to indicate - that they had ever met before. - </p> - <p> - However, this was not to last long, for George, in describing the parting - scene with his mother, riveted the attention of the old woman, who, at its - close, said, “Dat scripshun peers like my gal, but you can’t be no kin to - her. But what’s your name?” eagerly asked the woman. “William was my name, - but I adopted the one I am known by now,” replied he. “You don’t mean to - say dat you is William?” - </p> - <p> - “Yes: that was the name I was known by.”—“Well,” continued she, “I - had a son named William; but he run away, and massa went arter him, and - catch him, and sold him down the riber to de cotton-planter. So he said - when he came back.” The features of the two had changed so much in thirty - years, that they could not discover in each other any traces whatever of - former acquaintance. “My son,” said the old woman, “had a scar on his - right hand.” George sprang from his seat., and held out the right hand. - Tremblingly she put on her glasses, seized the hand, and screamed, “Oh, - oh, oh! I can’t ‘blieve dis is you. My son had a scar, a deep scar, on the - side of the left foot.” Quick as thought, George took off the boot, and - held up his foot, while the old woman was wiping her glasses; for they - were wet with tears. A moment more, and mother and son were locked in each - other’s arms. The dead was alive, the lost was found. God alone knew the - sorrow that had visited the two since they had last met. Great was the - rejoicing at this unexpected meeting; and the old woman would, for several - days, cause Loomis to take off his boot, and show her the scar; and she - would sit, hold the hand, and view the unmistakable cut which helped her - to identity her long-lost son. And she would weep and exclaim, “Dis is de - doins ob de Lord!” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0037" id="link2HCH0037"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXXVII—PROGRESS AND JUSTICE. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Great Change in the Treatment of Colored Troops.—Negro - Appointments.—Justice to the Black Soldiers.—Steamer - “Planter.”—Progress.—The Paymaster at last.—John S Rock.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he month of May, - 1864, saw great progress in the treatment of the colored troops by the - Government of the United States. The circumstances were more favorable for - this change than they had hitherto been. Slavery had been abolished in the - District of Columbia., Maryland, and Missouri: the heroic assault on Fort - Wagner, the unsurpassed bravery exhibited at Port Hudson, the splendid - fighting at Olustee and Honey Hill, had raised the colored men in the - estimation of the nation. President Lincoln and his advisers had seen - their error, and begun to repair the wrong. The year opened with the - appointment of Dr. A. T. Augusta, a colored gentleman, as surgeon of - colored volunteers, and he was at once assigned to duty, with the rank of - major. Following this, was the appointment, by Gov. Andrew of - Massachusetts, of Sergt. Stephen A. Swailes, of Company F, Fifty-fourth - Massachusetts Regiment, as second lieutenant. - </p> - <p> - M. R. Delany, M.D., was soon after appointed a major of negro volunteers, - and assigned to duty at Charleston, S.C. W. P. Powell, jun., received an - appointment as surgeon, about the same time. - </p> - <p> - The steamer “Planter,” since being brought out of Charleston by Robert - Small, was under the command of a Yankee, who, being ordered to do service - where the vessel would be liable to come under the fire of rebel guns, - refused to obey: whereupon Lieut.-Col. Elwell, without consultation with - any higher authority, issued the following order, which, for simple - justice to a brave and loyal negro, officially acknowledged, has seldom - been equalled in this or any other department. It is unnecessary to say - that Robert Small took command of the vessel, and faithfully discharged - the duty required of him. - </p> - <p> - <i>“Office of Chief Quartermaster,</i> <i>Port Royal, S.C., Nov. 26, 1863.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>Capt. A. T. Dutton, Chief Assistant Quartermaster, Folly and Morris - Islands.</i> - </p> - <p> - “<i>Sir</i>,—You will please place Robert Small in charge of the - United-States transport ‘Planter,’ as captain. He brought her out of - Charleston Harbor more than a year ago, running under the guns of Sumter, - Moultrie, and the other defences of that stronghold. He is an excellent - pilot, of undoubted bravery, and in every respect worthy of the position. - This is due him as a proper recognition of his heroism and services. The - present captain is a coward, though a white man. Dismiss him, therefore, - and give the steamer to this brave black Saxon. - </p> - <p> - “Respectfully, your obedient servant, - </p> - <h3> - “<i>J. J. ELWELL.</i> - </h3> - <p> - “<i>Chief Quartermaster Department South.</i>” - </p> - <p> - It may interest some to know that the above order was immediately approved - by Gen. Gillmore. - </p> - <p> - The following is very complimentary to Capt. Small:— - </p> - <p> - “It was indeed a privilege to enter Charleston, as we did recently through - the courtesy of Major-Gen, Saxton, in such a steamer as ‘The Planter,’ and - with such a captain as Robert Small. It was their first appearance in the - harbor since the memorable morning of their departure in 1862. The fog - detained us for a few hours on our arrival at the bar. When it cleared - away, you can imagine with what cheer our anchor came up, and with what - smiles and satisfaction the vessel and her commander swept by the silenced - and dismantled Sumter, and hauled in to the waiting, wondering wharves of - the ruined city. Wherever we went on shore, we had only to say to the - colored people, ‘The Planter and Capt. Small are at the dock;’ and away - they all hurried to greet the well-known, welcome guests. ‘Too sweet to - think of.’ cried one noble-looking old man, who had evidently waited long - for the good news of our day, as he hastened to join the crowd. - </p> - <p> - “We met Small afterwards, walking in the streets in peace and safety. When - our rambles about the humble place were over, and we prepared to depart, - the scene about the steamer was one that we can never forget. A goodly - company of the leading colored people were arranging for a public meeting - with Gen. Saxton in the largest hall of the city, to learn from his lips - the purposes of our Government on the following week. Their interview - over, they joined a large crowd of their own color upon the pier. Small - was in the midst of them, with a couple of white men in conversation with - him. Curiosity led us near. He introduced us to the builder of the vesel - (sp.), and the maker of the engine and boilers. ‘I put the polish on,’ he - added laughingly. They withdrew towards a couple of their own complexion. - He pointed out the principal person in the group, to the general, as Col. - Ferguson, the original owner of ‘The Planter,’ and of all her old hands, - except Small. His owner did not show himself. - </p> - <p> - “Upon our casting off, the colored folks raised at first a few feeble - cheers, from a lurking regard to the pale listeners behind them; but, when - the general before them called for three more for Capt. Small, every arm - was swung, and every voice was raised till the welkin rang. ‘The Planter’ - has been placed under Gen. Saxton’s orders. She will be often seen in - these waters. Her new claims to her name are to be manifested in her <i>planting</i> - the freedmen of the captured city upon the neighboring sea-islands and the - mainland, on their own homesteads, for the cultivation of their own crops - of cotton, rice, corn, and whatever else they and their families, or the - world, may need. A great price was once put upon Small’s head. He and all - his crew, white and black alike, will be worth their weight in gold if - they but continue to serve the general and the Government as we were sure - they did on their first return-trip to Charleston Harbor.” - </p> - <p> - There was one step more which the Government had taken, that sent a thrill - of joy to many hearts. It was paying the men on the battle-field what it - promised. The following announcement was made by Gen. Saxton, at Beaufort, - S.C., May 22:— - </p> - <p> - Colored soldiers, I have just received intelligence that the National - Government, after a long and desperate struggle, has decided to put you on - an equality with her white troops, making your pay equal with theirs. Now - that she has done justice to you, I want you to do justice to her and - justice to yourselves. Show yourselves men; and the way to show yourselves - men is to be brave and stout-hearted. I want you to be particular in the - execution of your ‘Shoulder arms,’ your ‘Charge bayonets.’ Learn to shoot - well at your enemies. You can do it, can’t you?” (“Yes, sir!” was the - answer from the columns.) “‘Well, do it, then. There is no reason why you - should not make just as good soldiers as the whites. Do it, then; hold - your heads up, and be fearless and brave men. Two years ago, when I came - here, I was the first to organize a colored regiment into the - United-States service; viz., the First South-Carolina Regiment. The first - lesson I taught them was to hold up their heads before white men, and to - say No. And now they are good soldiers. I would just as soon have the - First South-Carolina Regiment to-day with which to go into the field and - face the enemy as any white soldiers in the service.” The paymaster - shortly after made his appearance, and paid off the men; and thus justice, - though long kept back, at last came. Great was the rejoicing, both in the - army by the men, and at their homes by their families and friends. - Progress is slow, but sure. Everywhere the colored population appeared to - be gaining their equality, and rising to a higher level of humanity. The - acknowledgment of the civil rights of the negro had already been granted - in the admission of John S. Rock, a colored man, to practise law in all - the courts within the jurisdiction of the United States. The Supreme Court - at Washington, Chief-Justice Chase presiding, did not heap any more honor - on Mr. Rock, by this admission, than they gained by having so - distinguished a scholar as a member of the bar. Mr. John F. Shorter, who - was promoted to a lieutenancy in Company D, Fifty-fifth Massachusetts - Regiment, was by trade a carpenter, and was residing in Delaware County, - O., when the call was made for colored troops. Severely wounded at the - battle of Honey Hill, S.C.,on the 30th of November, 1864, he still - remained with his regiment, hoping to be of service. At the conclusion of - the war, he returned home, but never recovered from his wound, and died a - few days after his arrival. James Monroe Trotter, promoted for gallantry, - was wounded at the battle of Honey Hill. He is a native of Grand Gulf, - Miss; removed to Cincinnati, O; was educated at the Albany (O.) Manual - Labor University, where he distinguished himself for his scholarly - attainments. He afterwards became a school-teacher, which position he - filled with satisfaction to the people of Muskingum and Pike Counties, O., - and with honor to himself. Enlisting as a private in the Fifty-fifth - Massachusetts Regiment, on its organization, he returned with it to Boston - as a lieutenant, an office honorably earned. - </p> - <p> - William H. Dupree, a native of Petersburg, Va., was brought up and - educated at Chillicothe, O. He enlisted in the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts - Regiment, on its formation, as a private, was soon made orderly-sergeant, - and afterwards promoted to a lieutenancy for bravery on the field of - battle. - </p> - <p> - Charles L. Mitchel, promoted to a lieutenancy in the Fifty-fifth - Massachusetts Regiment for gallantry at the battle of Honey Hill, where he - was severely wounded (losing a limb), is a native of Hartford, Conn., and - son of Mr. William A. Mitchel of that city. Lieut. Mitchel served an - apprenticeship to William II. Burleigh, in the office of the old “Charter - Oak,” in Hartford, where he became an excellent printer. For five or six - years previous to entering the army, he was employed in different - printing-offices in Boston, the last of which was “The Liberator,” edited - by William Lloyd Garrison, who never speaks of Lieut. Mitchel but in words - of the highest commendation. Gen. A. S. Hartwell, late colonel of the - Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Regiment, makes honorable mention of Lieut. - Mitchel. - </p> - <p> - The citizens of Boston in Ward Six, where he has so long resided, and who - know him well, have shown then-appreciation of Lieut. Mitchel’s worth by - electing him to represent them in the Massachusetts Legislature,—an - office which he is every way qualified to fill. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0038" id="link2HCH0038"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXXVIII—FOURTH-OF-JULY CELEBRATION AT THE HOME OF JEFF. - DAVIS. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Fourth-of-July Celebration at the Home of Jeff. Davis in Mississippi.—The - Trip.—Joe Davis’s Place.—Jeff.‘s Place.—The Dinner.—Speeches - and Songs.—Lively Times.—Return to Vicksburg.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">B</span>y invitation of - the Committee of Arrangements, a party of teachers and their escorts, and - other friends of the freedmen, embarked on board “The Diligent,” on the - morning of the 4th inst. “The Diligent” left the levee at Vicksburg soon - after seven o’clock, a.m., and made a pleasant trip in about three hours, - down the river, stopping at the landing at Davis’s Bend; whence the party - were conveyed in ambulances, wagons, buggies, and other vehicles, to the - late residence of Jefferson Davis, about two miles from said landing. - </p> - <h3> - <i>DAVIS’S BEND</i>. - </h3> - <p> - This is one of the most extraordinary bends of the wonderful Mississippi - River, and has received its name from the fact of the settlement, on the - peninsula formed by the bend, of two members of the Davis Family, known as - “Jeff.” and “Joe.” This peninsula is some twelve miles in length; and, at - the point where it is attached to the main land of the State of - Mississippi, it is so narrow, that the enterprising planters have dug a - canal across, not unlike the celebrated Butler Canal of Petersburg fame, - although not near so long. This canal is called the “cut-off;” and, in - high water, the peninsula becomes, in fact, an island. This tract of land - is of great fertility, being entirely a deposit of the rich soil washed - from the prairies of the Great West. On this tract are some six - plantations, of from eight hundred to twelve hundred acres each. Two of - the largest and best of these were owned by Jeff, and Joe Davis, and are - known now as “The Jeff, and Joe places.” The form of this peninsula is - such that a few companies of soldiers, with one or two stockades, can keep - out an army of rebels; and the inhabitants, although frequently surrounded - by the hordes of Southern murderers and thieves on the opposite banks of - the river and canal, dwell in peace and comparative security. In fact, - this site, from being the home of traitors and oppressors of the poor, has - become a sort of earthly paradise for colored refugees. There they flock - in large numbers, and, like Lazarus of old, are permitted as it were, to - repose in “Father Abraham’s bosom.” The rich men of the Southern - Confederacy, now homeless wanderers, occasionally cry across for the - Lazarus whom they have oppressed and despised; but he is not sent unto - them, because, between the two parties, there is a great gulf fixed; so - that they which would pass from hence cannot. On this freedman’s paradise, - parties for cultivating the soil are organized under the superintendence - of missionaries; each party cultivating from ten to one hundred acres, - with a fair prospect of realizing handsomely. These efforts are aided by - the Government; rations, teams, &c., being-supplied and charged to - each party, to be deducted from the proceeds of their crops. Cotton is - chiefly cultivated, and some very handsome stands appear. - </p> - <h3> - <i>THE “JOE PLACE.”</i> - </h3> - <p> - The “Joe Place” is nearest the landing. The fine brick house, however, is - nearly demolished; but the cottage used as a sort of law library and - office is remaining uninjured. The negro-quarters also remain. - </p> - <h3> - <i>THE “JEFF. PLACE.”</i> - </h3> - <p> - The “Jeff, place” is also a very fine plantation. The residence has not - been injured, except the door-locks, and one or two marble mantels broken - up, apparently for trophies. The Jeff, furniture has been removed; but the - rooms are still furnished with furniture brought here. - </p> - <h3> - <i>THE HOUSE THAT JEFF. BUILT.</i> - </h3> - <p> - The house is, in its ground-plan, in the form of a cross,—but one - floor, with large rooms and ample verandas. The portico in front is - supported with pillars, and these form the only ornamental features of the - house, except such as were added for this occasion by the artistic touches - of our Northern sisters. Of these were festoons, wreaths, stars, and - garlands mysteriously woven in evergreens and flowers. Over the portico - entrance outside were the following inscriptions, the letters being formed - by cedar foliage:— - </p> - <h3> - <i>“THE HOUSE THAT JEFF. BUILT.”</i> - </h3> - <h3> - <i>“WELCOME.”</i> - </h3> - <p> - The latter motto was arched, and, with the festoons, made a beautiful - appearance. - </p> - <p> - Inside were beautiful stars and garlands of flowers; and over the exit at - the back-door, the following inscription, surmounted by a star:— - </p> - <h3> - <i>“EXIT TRAITOR.”</i> - </h3> - <p> - It was facetiously remarked by an observer, that the moral was,— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - “Down with the traitor, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And up with the star.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - We understood that to Miss Lee, of Pennsylvania, and Miss Jennie - Huddleson, of Indiana, the party was indebted for those ingenious and - appropriate devices. Very likely; for wit and satire for traitors, and a - cordial welcome to the loyal and patriotic, are characteristics of these - whole-souled missionaries. - </p> - <p> - The reception-rooms were also decorated with flowers; and every thing - around showed that “gentle hands” had laid on “the last touches” of - fragrance, grace, and beauty. - </p> - <p> - These “ladies of the Management” were dressed in neat “patriotic prints;” - they needed no addition to their toilets to add to the charming air of - comfort which they so appropriately infused. Their smiles of welcome - needed no verbal explanation; and the heartiness with which they were - engaged in their labors of love, and the evidence of their success in all - the surroundings, showed that they perfectly understood the science of - making home happy. Whether they have read Mrs. H. B. Stowe’s “House and - Home Papers” in “The Atlantic,” we know not, but there are many others, - besides that literary lady (Mrs. Stowe), who understand how to keep house; - by magic touches to turn the most simple objects into luxuries of - ornamentation. We suspect also that Mrs. M. Watson and Miss Lizzie Findley - had been engaged in these preparations, although appearing more in the - character of guests. There were some other ladies, to whom we had not the - honor of an introduction, who, doubtless, deserve particular mention; but - your reporter, as the sequel of his story will show, only received his - appointment as a publication committee <i>after all was over</i>, and, - consequently, if he should omit anybody’s name that deserves mention, this - must be his apology. He now declares his desire to be just to all, and - especially to those whose devotion and patriotism rendered the 4th of - July, 1864, the happiest day of the year. - </p> - <h3> - <i>THE GROUNDS.</i> - </h3> - <p> - On the grounds in front of the residence, the gunboat crew suspended a - string of signal colors, on each side of the “starry banner,” presenting - an effect amid the dense foliage of the live-oaks, and the gray moss, - “altogether beauteous to look upon;” while on the tables under the trees - were spread things not only “pleasant to the sight,” but “good for food.” - And when we saw these pleasing objects, the “work of their hands,” and the - merry, happy faces of the guests and their “escorts,” and reflected that - the sable sons, by a guard of whom we were surrounded, were “no longer - slaves;” that they had, with thousands of their brethren, been brought out - from the house of bondage, by the “God of Abraham;” that the very house - now occupied by missionaries and teachers had, but a year ago, been in the - service of despotism, built, in fact, as a temple of slavery by the great - chief, who preferred to rule in a miserable petty despotism to serving in - a great and magnanimous republic,—we could but think that Heaven - looked approvingly upon the scene; that “God saw every thing that he had - made, and behold! it was very good.” - </p> - <h3> - <i>THE EXERCISES.</i> - </h3> - <p> - Rev. Dr. Warren conducted the exercises as president of the occasion; and - he did it with that ease, freedom, and regard for the rights and interests - of all, which usually characterize his public and social conduct. He - opened the proceedings, under a grove of trees in front of the house, with - an appropriate prayer, and then called upon those appointed to take part. - </p> - <p> - Mr. Roundtree read the Declaration of Independence in a clear, emphatic, - and impressive manner. It was listened to with becoming reverence for the - great truths it contains, by both the white and colored races. It is quite - improbable that these self-evident truths were ever expressed before - publicly in this locality, and within hearing of every one within the - “house that Jeff, built.” - </p> - <p> - When this place was first taken by our troops, the following verse was - found written on the wall:— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “Let Lincoln send his forces here! - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - We’ll lick’em like blue blazes, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And send them yelping hack to where - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - They sung their nigger praises.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - Rev. Mr. Livermore, of Wisconsin, delivered an appropriate oration. - </p> - <p> - The meeting then adjourned for dinner. - </p> - <p> - A gentle shower at this time rendered the air cool and pleasant, but made - it necessary to remove the dining-tables to the house. - </p> - <h3> - <i>THE DINNER.</i> - </h3> - <p> - A sumptuous dinner was served on the veranda at the back of the mansion. - There was an abundance of all that could be desired. This being concluded, - the following sentiments were presented, and responded to in an impromptu - but appropriate manner by the various speakers:— - </p> - <h3> - <i>REGULAR TOASTS.</i> - </h3> - <p> - 1. The Day we celebrate: The old ship was launched in ‘76, the bow-anchors - cast out last year at Vicksburg and Gettysburg: may the storm-anchors be - dropped to-day at Richmond and Atlanta! - </p> - <p> - Response by Mr. Israel Lombard. - </p> - <p> - 2. The President: Proved honest and wise by four years of unprecedented - trial: we shall keep him there. - </p> - <p> - Responded to by Dr. Wright. - </p> - <p> - 3. Lieut.-Gen. Grant: We can tie to him in a gale. - </p> - <p> - Responded to by Col. Clark. - </p> - <p> - 4. The house that Jeff, built. - </p> - <p> - Responded to by Capt. Powell. - </p> - <p> - The following song composed for the occasion was led by Mr. McConnell:— - </p> - <h3> - <i>“THE HOUSE THAT JEFF. BUILT.”</i> - </h3> - <p> - <i>“Air.—‘Auld Lang Syne.‘</i> - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - “How oft within these airy halls - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - The traitor of the day - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Has heard ambition’s trumpet-calls, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Or dreamed of war’s array! - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Or of an empire dreamed, whose base - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Millions of blacks should be! - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Aha! before this day’s sweet face - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Where can his lisions be? - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Those empire dreams shall be fulfilled, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - But not as rebels thought: - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Like water at the cistern spilled, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Their boasts shall come to nought. - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - From gulf to lake, from sea to sea, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Behold our country grand! - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - The very home of Liberty, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - And guarded by her hand. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - We revel in his halls to-day: - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Next year where will he be? - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - A dread account he lias to pay: - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - May we be there to see! - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And now for country, truth, and right, - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Our heritage all free; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - We’ll live and die. we’ll sing and fight: - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - The Union! three times three. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - 5. The Army and Navy: Veterans of three years. The heart of the nation - beats anxiously at the cry, “Onward to victory!” - </p> - <p> - Response by Dr. Foster. - </p> - <p> - 6. Our Patriot Dead: Silence their most speaking eulogy - </p> - <p> - 7. The Union: The storm will but root it the more firmly. - </p> - <p> - Response by Rev.A. J. Compton. - </p> - <p> - “The Star-spangled Banner,”—sung by the whole company, led by Mr. - McConnell. - </p> - <p> - 8. Missionaries to Freedmen: Peace has its heroes. - </p> - <p> - Response by Rev. Mr. Buckley, chaplain Forty-seventh United-States Colored - Infantry. - </p> - <p> - 9. Gen Sherman, second in command: “All I am I owe to my Government, and - nothing could tempt me to sacrifice my honor or my allegiance.” - </p> - <p> - Response by Capt. Gilpin, Commissary of Subsistence. - </p> - <p> - 10. The Freedmen: Slaves yesterday, to-day free: what shall they be - to-morrow? - </p> - <p> - The freedmen sung the following song:— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “De Lord he makes us free indeed - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - In his own time an’ way. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - We plant de rice and cotton seed, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And see de sprout some day: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - We know it come, but not de why,— - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - De Lord know more dan we. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - We ‘spected freedom by an’ by; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - An’ now we all are free. - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Praise de Lord! Praise de Lord! - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - For now we all are free. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - De Norf is on de side of right, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - An’ full of men, dey say; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - An’ dere, when poor man work, at night - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - He sure to get his pay. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - De Lord he glad dey are so good, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And make dem bery strong; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - An’ when dey called to give deir blood - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Dey all come right along. - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Praise de Lord! Praise do Lord! - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Dey all come right along. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Deir blue coats cover all de groun’, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - An’ make it like de sky; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - An’ every gray back loafin’ round - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - He tink it time to fly. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - We not afraid: we bring de child, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - An’ stan’ beside de door, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - An,’ oil! we hug it bery wild, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - An’ keep it ebermore. - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Praise de Lord! Praise de Lord! - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - We keep it ebermore. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - De massa’s come back from his tramp; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - ‘Pears he is broken quite: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - He takes de basket to de camp - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - For rations ebery night. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Dey fought him when he loud and strong, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Dey fed him when he low: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Dey say dey will forgive the wrong, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - An’ bid him’pent an’ go. - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Praise de Lord! Praise de Lord! - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - Dey hid him’pent an’ go. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - De rice is higher far dis year, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - De cotton taller grow; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - De lowest corn-silk on de ear - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Is higher than de hoe. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - De Lord he lift up every ting - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - ‘Cept rebel in his grave; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - De negro bress de Lord, an’ sing: - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - He is no longer slave. - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Praise de Lord! Praise de Lord! - </p> - <p class="indent30"> - De negro no more slave.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - 13. Our Colored Troops: Deserving of freedom because they fight like men. - </p> - <p> - Response by Lieut. Wakeman. - </p> - <p> - Song: “Babylon is fallen.” - </p> - <p> - The party, after selecting a few simple trophies, such as fig-branches for - walking-canes, large pond-lilies, flowers, wreaths, and bouquets, returned - to the landing, and re-embarked for Vicksburg. - </p> - <h3> - <i>CLOSING EXERCISES.</i> - </h3> - <p> - On the boat, the following business was transacted:— - </p> - <p> - Vote of thanks to Col. Thomas and staff for getting up the celebration; to - the Orator of the Day, Parson Livermore; to the President, Rev. Dr. - Warren, who made a brief response; and also to Capt. Wightman an officers - of “The Diligent.” - </p> - <p> - The following song was then sung by a young contraband:— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - “We heard de proclamation, massa hush it as he will: - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - De bird he sing it to us, hoppin’ on de cotton-hill; - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - And de possum up de gum-tree he couldn’t keep it still. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Father Abraham has spoken, and de message has been sent; - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Do prison-doors he opened, and out de prisoners went - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - To joinde sable army of de ‘African descent.’ - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Dey said, ‘Now colored bredren, you shall be forever free, - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - From the first of January, eighteen hundred and sixty-three:’ - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - We heard it in do riber goin’ rushin’ to dc sea. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Den fall in, colored bredren, you’d better do it soon; - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Don’t you hear de drum a-beatin’ de Yankee Doodle tune? - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - We are wid you now dis mornin’; we’ll lie far away at noon.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - Cheers were given for Abraham Lincoln, and groans for Jeff. Davis. - </p> - <p> - The song, “The House that Jeff. Built,” was again sung; and Capt. Gilpin, - Commissary of Subsistence, appointed a committee to furnish a copy of the - same to “The New-York Tribune,” and also to Jeff. Davis. - </p> - <p> - Capt. Henry S. Clubb, Assistant Quartermaster, was appointed a committee - to furnish a report of the proceedings of the day to “The Vicksburg Daily - Herald.” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0039" id="link2HCH0039"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XXXIX—GALLANTRY, LOYALTY, AND KINDNESS OF THE NEGRO. - </h2> - <p> - <i>The Nameless Hero at Fair Oaks.—The Chivalry whipped by their - Former Slaves.—Endurance of the Blacks.—Man in Chains.—One - Negro whips Three Rebels.—Gallantry.—Outrages on the Blacks.—Kindness - of the Negroes.—Welcome.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he gallantry and - loyalty of the blacks during the Rebellion is a matter of history, and - volumes might be written upon that subject. I give here a few instances - out of the many I have gathered:— - </p> - <p> - “At the bloody battle of Fair Oaks, Va., the rebels, during the first - day’s fight, drove Gen. Casey’s division from their camping-ground, and - rested for the night, confident that the morrow would give them a chance - to drive the Yankee invaders beyond the Chickahominy; but, just at - daylight that morning, Heintzelman’s corps re-enforced our line, and at - daybreak were hurled against the rebel foe. For a long time, the issue was - doubtful; the line swayed to and fro; but at last the Excelsior Brigade - the heroes of Williamsburg—were ordered to charge. That charge is a - matter of history. It gave us the battle-ground of Fair Oaks. - </p> - <p> - “During the month of June, that brigade held the ground they won, and - skirmishes with the rebels were of daily occurrence. One afternoon, word - was sent to Gen. Sickles that the enemy was advancing in force, and every - preparation was at once made for battle. A few shots were heard from - pickets but a few hundred yards in advance of our battery, and then all - was quiet. What meant that quietness? What were the rebels doing? Several - orderlies sent out to the pickets failed to bring any satisfactory - intelligence. Gen. Sickles turned to Lieut. Palmer, one of his aides, and - acting assistant adjutant-general, and directed him to take a squad of - cavalry, and ride cautiously out to the first bend in the road, and - communicate with our pickets. - </p> - <p> - “Palmer was a noble fellow,—young, handsome, a perfect gentleman, a - graceful rider, a gallant soldier. He was the pride of the brigade. - Forgetful of the caution given him, with the impetuosity characteristic of - youth, he dashed forward at a full gallop, with sabre drawn. He came to - the first bend in the road, and (fatal mistake) kept on. He came to the - second bend, and, as he turned it, directly across the road was a company - of rebel infantry drawn up to receive him. They fired. One ball crashed - through that handsome face into his brain, while another tore the arm that - bore aloft his trusty blade. - </p> - <p> - “The shots were heard at the battery; and in a moment Palmer’s riderless - horse, bleeding from a wound in its neck, galloped from the woods, - followed by the squad of cavalry, who told to the general the untimely - fate of his aide. - </p> - <p> - “‘Boys,’ said the general to the veterans who clustered around to hear the - story, ‘Lieut. Palmer’s body lies out in that road.’ Not a word more - needed saying. Quickly the men fell in, and a general advance of the line - was made to secure it. - </p> - <p> - “Whilst the cavalrymen were telling the story, a negro-servant of Lieut. - Palmer’s was standing by. Unnoticed, he left the group; down that road, - the Williamsburg Turnpike, he went. He passed our picket-line, and alone - and unattended he walked along that avenue of death to so many, not - knowing what moment he would be laid low by a rebel bullet, or be made a - prisoner to undergo that still worse death, a life of slavery. Upon the - advance of our line, that faithful servant was found by the side of his - dead master,—faithful in life, and faithful amid all the horrors of - the battle-field, even in the jaws of death. - </p> - <p> - “None but those who knew the locality—the gallant men that make up - Hooker’s division—can appreciate the heroism that possessed that - contraband. That road was lined with sharpshooters. A wounded man once lay - in it three days, neither party daring to rescue him. The act of that - heroic, unknown (I regret that I cannot recall his name) but faithful - contraband, was one of the most daring of the war, and prompted by none - other than the noblest feelings known to the human breast.”—New-York - Independent. - </p> - <p> - <i>“In Camp, Bermuda Hundred, Va., May 26, 1864.</i> - </p> - <p> - “The chivalry of Fitzhugh Lee, and his cavalry division, was badly worsted - in the contest last Tuesday with negro troops composing the garrison at - Wilson’s Landing. Chivalry made a gallant fight, however. The battle began - at half-past twelve, p.m., and ended at six o’clock; when chivalry - retired, disgusted and defeated. Lee’s men dismounted far in the rear, and - fought as infantry. They drove in the pickets and skirmishers to the - intrenchments, and several times made valiant charges upon our works. To - make an assault, it was necessary to come across an ‘open’ in front of our - position, up to the very edge of a deep and impassable ravine. The rebels, - with deafening yells, made furious onsets; but the negroes did not flinch, - and the mad assailants, discomfited, turned to cover with shrunken ranks. - The rebel fighting was very wicked. It showed that Lee’s heart was bent on - taking the negroes at any cost. Assaults on the centre having failed, the - rebels tried first the left and then the right flank, with no greater - success. When the battle was over, our loss footed up one man killed - outright, twenty wounded, and two missing. Nineteen rebels were prisoners - in our hands. Lee’s losses must have been very heavy. The proof thereof - was left on the ground. Twenty-five rebel bodies lay in the woods - unburied; and pools of blood unmistakably told of other victims taken - away. The estimate, from all the evidence carefully considered, puts the - enemy’s casualties at two hundred. Among the corpses Lee left on the field - was that of Major Breckinridge, of the Second Virginia Cavalry. - </p> - <p> - “There is no hesitation here in acknowledging the soldierly qualities - which the colored men engaged in this fight have exhibited. Even the - officers who have hitherto felt no confidence in them are compelled to - express themselves mistaken. Gen. Wild, commanding the post, says that the - troops stood up to their work like veterans.”—<i>Correspondence of - the New-York Times.</i> - </p> - <p> - “The conduct of the colored troops, by the way, in the actions of the last - few days, is described as superb. An Ohio soldier said to me to-day, ‘I - never saw men fight with such desperate gallantry as those negroes did. - They advanced as grim and stern as death; and, when within reach of the - enemy, struck about them with a pitiless vigor that was almost fearful.’ - Another soldier said to me, ‘These negroes never shrink nor hold back, no - matter what the order. Through scorching heat and pelting storms, if the - order comes, they march with prompt, ready feet.’ Such praise is great - praise, and it is deserved. The negroes here who have been slaves are - loyal to a man, and, on our occupation of Fredericksburg, pointed out the - prominent secessionists, who were at once seized by our cavalry, and put - in safe quarters. In a talk with a group of these faithful fellows, I - discovered in them all a perfect understanding of the issues of the - conflict, and a grand determination to prove themselves worthy of the - place and privileges to which they are to be exalted.”—<i>New-York - Herald</i>. - </p> - <p> - <i>“Carrollton, La., June 2,1864.</i> - </p> - <p> - “I am writing in the camp of the Twelfth Connecticut Regiment, and about - here are encamped the Nineteenth Army Corps, under marching-orders for - Morganza, near the mouth of the Red River. In this tent sits a man,—unfortunate - because black,—once a slave, but free now, a member of the grand - army of the Unite! States, who is courageous, and who will wield a sword - or thrust a bayonet as vigorously as any, because he has suffered so - bitterly at the hands of those who would crush his race. His crime was - remonstrating with his master for beating his wife. When our men found - him, he was sitting on the floor, two long chains passing over his - shoulders, and fastened to a staple; and over him stood four soldiers with - muskets to prevent his escape. He is not only faithful; but he is - gentlemanly, intelligent, and interesting in conversation and appearance. - His brave heart is full of patriotism, and he is willing to serve or die - for his country.”—<i>Springfield Republican</i>. - </p> - <p> - An instance of the daring of negroes in that section is told by a Lake - Providence (Louisiana) correspondent of “The Philadelphia Inquirer:”— - </p> - <p> - “Recently a black man, after several days’ urgent request for a musket and - rounds of ammunition, succeeded in securing his wish. He set out in the - night, and by morning reached the vicinity of a rebel guard. He crept - cautiously forward, but was seen and watched. Suddenly the sharp crack of - rifles brought him to his feet. Before him were three rebel soldiers. He - instantly brought his musket to his shoulder, and fired. One rebel fell - dead. The negro, by the time the bewilderment of the other two had passed - off, was upon them with uplifted musket, threatening them with its - immediate descent, unless they surrendered at once. They acquiesced in a - hurry. Leaving the dead rebel to the dogs, with the other two in tow, the - negro returned to our lines, and delivered them to the authorities. Since - this exploit, the negro has made himself useful in scouting and bringing - in information.” - </p> - <p> - A correspondent, of “The Cleveland Leader,” writing from the headquarters - of the Fifty-ninth United-States Infantry (colored) at Memphis, under date - of June 15, gives a detailed and graphic account of the brave fight of the - colored troops in Gen. Sturgis’s command, fully confirming previous - accounts. The following is a material part of the statement:— - </p> - <p> - “About sunrise, June 11, the enemy advanced on the town of Ripley, and - threatened our right, intending to cut us off from the Salem Road. Again - the colored troops were the only ones that could be brought into line; the - Fifty-ninth being on the right, and the Fifty-fifth on the left, holding - the streets. At this time, the men had not more than ten rounds of - ammunition, and the enemy were crowding closer and still closer, when the - Fifty-ninth were ordered to charge on them, which they did in good style, - while singing,— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - ‘We’ll rally round the flag, boys.’ - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - “This charge drove the enemy back, so that both regiments retreated to a - pine-grove about two hundred yards distant. - </p> - <p> - “By this time, all the white troops, except one squadron of cavalry, that - formed in the rear, were on the road to Salem; and, when this brigade came - up, they, too, wheeled and left, and in less than ten minutes this now - little band of colored troops found themselves flanked. They then divided - themselves into three squads, and charged the enemy’s lines; one squad - taking the old Corinth Road, then a by-road, to the left. After a few - miles, they came to a road leading to Grand Junction. After some - skirmishing, they arrived, with the loss of one killed and one wounded. - </p> - <p> - “Another and the largest squad covered the retreat of the white troops, - completely defending them by picking up the ammunition thrown away by - them, and with it repelling the numerous assaults made by the rebel - cavalry, until they reached Collierville, a distance of sixty miles. When - the command reached Dan’s Mills, the enemy attempted to cut it off by a - charge; but the colored boys in the rear formed, and repelled the attack, - allowing the whole command to pass safely on, when they tore up the - bridge. Passing on to an open country, the officers halted, and - re-organized the brigade into an effective force. They then moved forward - until about four, p.m.; when some Indian flank skirmishers discovered the - enemy, who came up to the left, and in the rear, and halted. Soon a - portion advanced, when a company faced about and fired, emptying three - saddles. From this time until dark, the skirmishing was constant. - </p> - <p> - “A corporal in Company C, Fifty-ninth, was ordered to surrender. He let - his would-be captor come close to him; when he struck him with the butt of - his gun. - </p> - <p> - “While the regiment was fighting in a ditch, and the order came to - retreat, the color-bearer threw out the flag, designing to jump out and - get it; but the rebels rushed for it, and in the struggle one of the boys - knocked down with his gun the reb who had the flag, caught it, and ran. - </p> - <p> - “A rebel, with an oath, ordered one of our men to surrender. He, thinking - the reb’s gun was loaded, dropped his gun; but, on seeing the reb commence - loading, our colored soldier jumped for his gun, and with it struck his - captor dead. - </p> - <p> - “Capt. H., being surrounded by about a dozen rebels, was seen by one of - his men, who called several of his companions: they rushed forward and - fired, killing several of the enemy, and rescued their captain. - </p> - <p> - “A rebel came up to one, and laid, ‘Come, my good fellow, go with me and - wait on me.’ In an instant, the boy shot his would-be master dead. - </p> - <p> - “Once when the men charged on the enemy, they rushed forth with the cry, - Remember Fort Pillow.’ The rebs called back, and said, ‘Lee’s men killed - no prisoners.’ - </p> - <p> - “One man in a charge threw his antagonist to the ground, and pinned him - fast; and, as he attempted to withdraw his bayonet, it came off his gun, - and, as he was very busy just then, he left him transfixed to - mother-earth. - </p> - <p> - “One man killed a rebel by striking him with the butt of his gun, which he - broke; but, being unwilling to stop his work, he loaded and fired three - ‘times before he could get a better gun: the first time, not being - cautious, the rebound of his gun badly cut his lip. - </p> - <p> - “When the troops were in the ditch, three rebels came to one man, and - ordered him to surrender. His gun being loaded, he shot one, and bayoneted - another: and, forgetting he could bayonet the third, he turned the butt of - his gun, and knocked him down.” - </p> - <p> - Great were the sufferings which the colored people had to endure for their - fidelity to liberty and the Union during the Rebellion. Space will allow - me to give but one or two instances. - </p> - <p> - “On Monday, Feb. 21, a band of guerillas, commanded by Col. Moore, of - Louisiana, made a bold dash upon our lines at Waterproof, La., opening - with four pieces of artillery upon Fort Anderson. Capt. Johnson, of the - gunboat ‘No. 9,’ was on hand, and, after two hours’ vigorous shelling, the - enemy abandoned the attack. - </p> - <p> - “Our loss was three killed. Two colored soldiers, members of the Eleventh - Louisiana Volunteers, were captured, and afterwards brutally murdered, - with an old slave known by the sobriquet of ‘Uncle Peter.’ The bodies of - the two soldiers were discovered the next day riddled with bullets. Old - Uncle Peter had been of great service to our Government in piloting our - officers to localities where large quantities of cotton belonging to the - rebel Government were concealed. After capturing this old man, the - assassins compelled him to kneel, with his hands behind his back, in - presence of some fifty slaves on one of the adjoining plantations; and two - Minie-balls pierced his body. They then intimidated the slaves by - threatening to treat all negroes in a similar manner whom they caught - aiding the Yankees. - </p> - <p> - “Through the instrumentality of this faithful old man, Capt. Anderson had - secured four hundred bales of fine cotton marked ‘Confederate States of - America,’ together with a hundred and fifty fine horses, and a number of - mules. The value of the cotton alone was a hundred thousand dollars. Among - the prisoners captured by our forces was Lieut. Austin, adjutant-general - on Gen. Harris’s staff, with his fine horses and costly equipments. Capt. - Anderson succeeded in capturing the murderer of old Uncle Peter, and - having plenty of slaves to testify who were obliged to witness the - infamous crime, he ordered the guilty wretch to be shot; and in a few - hours the villain paid the penalty of his dastard crime. Another one of - the guerillas engaged in this outrage is now in our hands, under guard at - this place; and it seems like an act of great injustice to our brave - soldiers, that such outlaws should be treated as prisoners of war. - </p> - <p> - “After shooting these three defenceless men, the chivalrous knights robbed - old Uncle Peter of a thousand dollars in treasury notes, and completely - stripped the two colored soldiers of all their outer clothing and their - boots. We hear Northern copperheads, who have never been south of Mason - and Dixon’s Line, constantly prating about the unconstitutionality of - arming the slaves of rebels; and often these prejudiced people accuse the - negro troops of cowardice. After the bloody proof at Milliken’s Bend, Port - Hudson, and at Fort Wagner in front of Charleston, it would seem that - nothing more was needed to substantiate the resolution and undaunted - courage of the slave when arrayed against his master, fighting for the - freedom of his race. The following incident speaks for itself:— - </p> - <p> - “In the attack on Fort Anderson, Sergt. Robert Thompson exhibited traits - of courage worthy of record. A party of eight guerillas surrounded Sergt. - Thompson of Company I, Eleventh Louisiana, and Corp. Robinson of the same - regiment. The two prisoners were threatened with torture and death, and - were finally placed in charge of three guerillas, while the balance of - their party were harassing our troops. Seeing a revolver in the sergeant’s - belt, they ordered him to give it up. As he fumbled around his belt, he - touched the corporal with his elbow as a signal to be ready. Drawing it - slowly from his belt, he cocked it, and, ere the rebel could give the - alarm, he fell a corpse from his horse. At the same time, Corp. Robinson - shot another; and the third guerilla, without waiting for further - instructions, put the spurs to his horse, and in a few seconds was out of - sight. The two brave men are now on duty ready for another guerilla - visit.”—<i>Correspondence of The Tribune.</i> - </p> - <p> - Kindness to Union men and all Northerners was a leading trait in the - character of the colored people of the South throughout the war. James - Henri Brown, special correspondent of “The New-York Tribune,” in his very - interesting work, “Four years in Secessia,” says, “The negro who had - guided us to the railway had told us of another of his color to whom we - could apply for shelter and food at the terminus of our second stage. We - could not find him until nearly dawn; and, when we did, he directed us to - a large barn filled with corn-husks. Into that we crept with our dripping - garments, and lay there for fifteen hours, until we could again venture - forth. Floundering about in the husks, we lost our haversacks, pipes, and - a hat. About nine o’clock, we procured a hearty supper from the generous - negro, who even gave me his hat,—an appropriate presentation, as one - of iny companions remarked, by an ‘intelligent contraband’ to the reliable - gentleman of ‘The New-York Tribune.’ The negro did picket-duty while we - hastily ate our meal, and stood by his blazing fire. The old African and - his wife gave us ‘God bless you, massa!’ with trembling voice and - moistened eyes, as we parted from them with grateful hearts. ‘God bless - negroes!’ say I, with earnest lips. During our entire captivity, and after - our escape, they were ever our firm, brave, unflinching friends. We never - made an appeal to them they did not answer. They never hesitated to do us - a service at the risk even of life; and, under the most trying - circumstances, revealed a devotion and a spirit of self-sacrifice that - were heroic. - </p> - <p> - “The magic word ‘Yankee,’ opened all their hearts, and elicited the - loftiest virtues. They were ignorant, oppressed, enslaved; but they always - cherished a simple and beautiful faith in the cause of the Union, and its - ultimate triumph, and never abandoned or turned aside from a man who - sought food or shelter on his way to freedom.” - </p> - <p> - “On the march of Grant’s army from Spottsylvania to the North Anna, at - intervals of every few miles, families of negroes were gathered along the - roadside, exchanging words of salutation to our soldiers as they passed, - and grinning all over their faces. ‘Massa’s gone away, gemmen,’ was the - answer in almost all cases where the query in relation to their master’s - whereabouts was raised. ‘Specs he gwan to Richmon’. Dun know. He went away - in a right smart hurry last night: dat’s all I knows.’ A sight of the - fine, athletic, plump appearance of some of these negroes, of both sexes - and all ages, would have driven a negro-trader crazy, especially when he - became convinced of the fact that, according to the terms of President - Lincoln’s proclamation, these negroes are free the moment the lines of the - Union army closed in upon them. It was a pleasing spectacle, and - commingled with not a little pathos, to hear the benedictions which the - aged and infirm negroes poured out upon our soldiers as they marched by. - ‘I’se been waitin’ for you,’ said an old negro, whose eyesight was almost - entirely gone, and whose head was covered with the frosts of some - eighty-five winters. ‘Ah! I’se been waitin’ for you gemmen some time. I - knew you was comin’, kase I heerd massa and missus often talkin’ about - you;’ and then the old hero chuckled, and almost ground his ivories out of - his head.” - </p> - <p> - No heroism surpasses that of the poor slave-boy Sam, on board the gunboat - “Pawnee,” who, while passing shell from the magazine, had both legs shot - away by a ball from the rebel guns; but, still holding the shell, cried - out at the top of his voice, “Pass up de shell, boys. Nebber mine me: my - time is up.” The greatest fidelity of the white man to the Union finds its - parallel in the nameless negro, who, when his master sent him out to - saddle his horse, mounted the animal, rode in haste to the Federal lines, - and pointed out the road of safety to the harassed, retreating Army of the - Potomac; then, returning for his wife and children, was caught by the - rebels, and shot. When the rebels made their raid into the State of - Pennsylvania, and the governor called the people to arms for defence, it - is a well-known fact that a company of colored men from Philadelphia were - the first to report at Harrisburg for service. These men were among the - most substantial of the colored citizens in point of wealth and moral - culture. Yet these patriotic individuals, together with all of their - class, are disfranchised in that State. - </p> - <p> - In the engagement on James Island between the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts - and the rebels, the latter surrounded three companies of the former, which - were on picket-duty, and ordered them to surrender; the colored troops - replied by making the best possible use of their muskets. In the fight, - Sergt. Wilson, of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, fought bravely, having - fired his last cartridge, used the butt of his gun upon his enemies, and, - even after being severely wounded, still struggled against the foe with - his unloaded weapon. The enemy, seeing this, called repeatedly to the - negro to surrender; but Wilson refused, and fought till he was shot dead. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0040" id="link2HCH0040"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XL—FALL OF THE CONFEDERACY, AND DEATH OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Flight of Jeff. Davis from Richmond.—Visit of President Lincoln - to the Rebel Capital.—Welcome by the Blacks.—Surrender of Gen. - Lee.—Death of Abraham Lincoln.—The Nation in Tears.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">J</span>efferson Davis and - his cabinet had hastily quitted Richmond, on Sunday, the third day of - April, 1865; the Union troops had taken possession the day following; and - Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, and the best-hated man by - the rebels, entered the city a short time after. For the following account - of the President’s visit, I am indebted to a correspondent of “The Boston - Journal:” - </p> - <p> - “I was standing upon the bank of the river, viewing the scene of - desolation, when a boat, pulled by twelve sailors, came up stream. It - contained President Lincoln and his son, Admiral Porter, Capt. Penrose of - the army, Capt. A. H. Adams of the navy, Lieut. W. W. Clements of the - signal corps. Somehow the negroes on the bank of the river ascertained - that the tall man wearing the black hat was President Lincoln. There was a - sudden shout. An officer who had just picked up fifty negroes to do work - on the dock found himself alone. They left work, and crowded round the - President. As he approached, I said to a colored woman,— - </p> - <p> - “‘There is the man who made you free.’ - </p> - <p> - “‘What, massa?’ - </p> - <p> - “‘That is President Lincoln.’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Dat President Linkum?’ - </p> - <p> - “‘Yes.’ - </p> - <p> - “She gazed at him a moment, clapped her hands, and jumped straight up and - down, shouting, ‘Glory, glory, glory!’ till her voice was lost in a - universal cheer. - </p> - <p> - “There was no carriage near; so the President, leading his son, walked - three-quarters of a mile up to Gen. Weitzel’s headquarters,—Jeff. - Davis’s mansion. What a spectacle it was! Such a hurly-burly, such wild, - indescribable, ecstatic joy I never witnessed. A colored man acted as - guide. Six sailors, wearing their round blue caps and short jackets and - bagging pants, with navy carbines, were the advance-guard. Then came the - President and Admiral Porter, flanked by the officers accompanying him, - and the correspondent of ‘The Journal;’ then six more sailors with - carbines,—twenty of us all told,—amid a surging mass of men, - women, and children, black, white, and yellow, running, shouting, dancing, - swinging their caps, bonnets, and handkerchiefs. The soldiers saw him, and - swelled the crowd, cheering in wild enthusiasm. All could see him, he was - so tall, so conspicuous. - </p> - <p> - “One colored woman, standing in a doorway as the president passed along - the sidewalk, shouted, ‘Thank you, dear Jesus, for this! thank you, - Jesus!’ Another standing by her side was clapping her hands, and shouting, - ‘Bless de Lord!’ - </p> - <p> - “A colored woman snatched her bonnet from her head, and whirled it in the - air, screaming with all her might, ‘God bless you, Massa Linkum!’ - </p> - <p> - “A few white women looking out from the houses waved their handkerchiefs. - One lady in a large and elegant building looked a while, and turned away - her head as if it was a disgusting sight. - </p> - <p> - “President Lincoln walked in silence, acknowledging the salutes of - officers and soldiers, and of the citizens, black and white. It was the - man of the people among the people. It was the great deliverer meeting the - delivered. Yesterday morning the majority of the thousands who crowded the - streets and hindered our advance were slaves: now they were free, and - beholding him who had given them their liberty.” - </p> - <p> - On the 9th of the same month, Gen. Lee, with his whole army, surrendered - to Gen. Grant; and thus fell the Southern Confederacy, the enemy of the - negro and of Republican government. The people of the North, already tired - of the war, at once gave themselves up to rejoicing all over the free - States. - </p> - <p> - But the time of merry-making was doomed to be short; for slavery, the - cause of the Rebellion, was dying hard. The tyrants of the South, so long - accustomed to rule, were now determined to ruin. Slavery must have its - victim. If it could not conquer, it must at least die an honorable death; - and nothing could give it more satisfaction than to commit some great - crime in its last struggles. - </p> - <p> - Therefore the death of Abraham Lincoln by the hand of an assassin was but - the work of slavery. It murdered Lovejoy at Alton, it slowly assassinated - Torrey in a Maryland prison, it struck down Sumner in the Senate, it had - taken the lives, by starvation, of hundreds at Anderson, Richmond, and - Salisbury; why spare the great liberator? - </p> - <p> - President Lincoln fell a sacrifice to his country’s salvation as - absolutely and palpably, as though he had been struck down while leading - an assault on the ramparts of Petersburg. The wretch who killed him was - impelled by no private malice, but imagined himself an avenger of that - downcast idol, which, disliking to be known simply as slavery, styles - itself “The South.” He was murdered, not that slavery might live; but that - it might bring down its most conspicuous enemy in its fall. - </p> - <p> - The tears of four millions of slaves whom he had liberated, five hundred - thousand free blacks whose future condition he had made better, and the - twenty millions of whites in the free States, stricken as they never had - been before by the death of a single individual, followed his body to the - grave. No nation ever mourned more sincerely the loss of its head than did - the people of the United States that of President Lincoln. We all love his - memory still. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - “His name is not a sculptured thing, where old Renown has reared - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - Her marble in the wilderness, by smoke of battle seared; - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - But graven on life-leaping hearts, where <i>Freedom’s</i> banners wave, - </p> - <p class="indent10"> - It gleams to bid the tyrant back, and <i>loose the fettered slave</i>.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - Faults he had; but we forget them all in his death. It seemed to us that - God had raised this man up to do a great work; and when he had finished - his mission, flushed with success over the enemies of his country, while - the peals of exultation for the accomplishment of the noble deed were yet - ringing in his ears, and while our hearts were palpitating more generously - for him, he permitted him to fall, that we should be humbled, and learn - our own weakness, and be taught to put more dependence in the ruler of the - universe than in man. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - ‘So sleep the good, who sink to rest - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - By all their country’s wishes blest. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - When Spring with dewy fingers cold - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Returns to deck their hallowed mould, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - She there shall dress a sweeter sod - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Than Fancy’s feet have ever trod: - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - By forms unseen, their dirge is sung; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - By fairy hands, their knell is rung; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - There Honor comes, a pilgrim gray, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - To bless the turf that wraps their clay; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And Freedom shall a while repair, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - To dwell a weeping hermit there.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0041" id="link2HCH0041"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XLI—PRESIDENT ANDREW JOHNSON. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Origin of Andrew Johnson.—His Speeches in Tennessee.—The - Negro’s Moses.—The Deceived Brahmin.—The Comparison.—Interview - with Southerners.—Northern Delegation.—Delegation of Colored - Men.—Their Appeal.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">S</span>pringing from the - highest circle of the lowest class of whites of the South, gradually - rising, coming up over a tailor’s board, and all the obstacles that - slaveholding society places between an humbly-born man and social and - political elevation, Andrew Johnson entered upon his presidential duties, - at the death of Mr. Lincoln, with the hearty good feeling of the American - people. True, he had taken a glass too much on the day of his inauguration - as vice-president, and the nation had not forgotten it; yet there were - many palliating circumstances to be offered. The weather was cold, his - ride from Tennessee had been long and fatiguing, he had met with a host of - friends, who, like himself, were not afraid of the “critter.” And, after - all, who amongst that vast concourse of politicians, on that fourth day of - March, had not taken a “Tom and Jerry,” a “whiskey punch,” a “brandy - smash,“or a “cocktail”? Again: the people had been robbed of their idol, - and suddenly plunged into grief, and felt like looking up the commendable - acts of the new President, rather than finding fault, and were desirous to - see how far he was capable of filling the gap so recently made vacant. - </p> - <p> - They remembered that when the secessionists were withdrawing from - Congress, in 1860, Mr. Johnson said, - </p> - <p> - “If I were president, I would try them for treason, and, if convicted, I - would hang them.” This was mark number one in his favor. They had not - forgotten his address to the Tennessee Convention, which, in the preceding - January, had, by an almost unanimous vote, declared slavery in that State - forever abolished. - </p> - <p> - This speech was made on the 14th of January, and is very uncompromising - and eloquent. “Yesterday,” said he to the Convention, “you broke the - tyrant’s rod, and set the captive free. (Loud applause.) Yes, gentlemen, - yesterday you sounded the death-knell of negro aristocracy, and performed - the funeral obsequies of that thing called slavery.... I feel that God - smiles on what you have done. Oh, how it contrasts with the shrieks and - cries and wailings which the institution of slavery has brought on the - land!” - </p> - <p> - And his speech to the colored people of Nashville in the preceding October - was exceedingly touching, by reason of its tender, heartfelt compassion - for all the degradation, insult, and cruelty which had been heaped upon - that poor and unoffending people so long. Its scorn and sarcasm were - terrible as he arraigned the “master” class for their long career of lust, - tyranny, and crime. He hoped a Moses would arise to lead this persecuted - people to their promised land of freedom. “You are our Moses,” shouted - first one, and then a great multitude of voices. But the speaker went on, - </p> - <p> - “God, no doubt, has prepared, somewhere, an instrument for the great work - he designs to perform in behalf of this outraged people; and in due time - your leader will come forth,—your Moses will be revealed to you.” - </p> - <p> - “We want no Moses but you!” again shouted the crowd. “Well, then,” replied - Mr. Johnson, “humble and unworthy as I am, if no better shall be found, I - will indeed be your Moses, and lead you through the Red Sea of war and - bondage to a fairer future of liberty and peace.” - </p> - <p> - These were brave words in behalf of the rights of man, and weighed heavily - in Mr. Johnson’s favor. Also in his first public words, after taking the - oath as President of the United States, Mr. Johnson referred to <i>the - past</i> of his life as an indication of his course and policy in the - future, rather than to make any verbal declarations now; thereby - manifesting an honorable willingness to be judged by his acts, and a - consciousness that the record was one which he need not be ashamed to own. - </p> - <p> - What better words or greater promises could be demanded? And, moreover, - the American people are admirers of self-made men. Indeed, it is the - foundation of true republican principles; and those who come to the - surface by their own genius or energies are sure to be well received by - the masses. But was Andrew Johnson a genius? was he shrewd? was he smart? - If not, how could he have attained to such a high position in his own - State? Were the people there all fools, that they should send a mountebank - to the United-States Senate? Or were they, as well as the - National-Republican Convention that nominated him in 1864 for the - Vice-Presidency, deceived? - </p> - <p> - Macaulay, in his Criticism on the Poems of Robert Montgomery, says, “A - pious Brahmin, it is written, made a vow, that, on a certain day, he would - sacrifice a sheep; and on the appointed morning he went forth to buy one. - There lived in his neighborhood three rogues, who knew his vow, and laid a - scheme for profiting by it. The first met him, and said, ‘O Brahmin! wilt - thou buy a sheep? I have one fit for sacrifice.’—‘It is for that - very purpose,’ said the holy man, ‘that I came forth this day.’ Then the - impostor opened a bag, and brought out of it an unclean beast,—an - ugly dog, lame and blind. ‘Thereon the Brahmin cried out, ‘Wretch, who - touchest things impure, and utterest things untrue, callest thou that cur - a sheep?’—‘Truly,’ answered the other, ‘it is a sheep of the finest - fleece, and of the sweetest flesh. O Brahmin! it will be an offering most - acceptable to the gods!’—‘Friend,’ said the Brahmin, ‘either thou or - I must be blind.’ Just then, one of the accomplices came up. ‘Praised be - the gods,’ said this second rogue, ‘that I have been saved the trouble of - going to the market for a sheep! This is such a sheep as I wanted. For how - much wilt thou sell it?’ When the Brahmin heard this, his mind waved to - and fro, like one swinging in the air at a holy festival. ‘Sir,’ said he - to the new-comer, ‘take heed what thou dost. This is no sheep, but an - unclean cur.’—‘O Brahmin!’ said the new-comer, ‘thou art drunk or - mad.’ At this time, the third confederate drew near. ‘Let us ask this - man,’ said the Brahmin, ‘what the creature is; and I will stand by what he - shall say.’ To this the others agreed; and the Brahmin called out, ‘O - stranger! what dost thou call this beast?’—‘Surely, O Brahmin!’ said - the knave, ‘it is a fine sheep.’ Then the Brahmin said, ‘Surely the gods - have taken away my senses!’ and he asked pardon of him who carried the - dog, and bought it for a measure of rice and a pot of ghee; and offered it - up to the gods, who, being wroth at this unclean sacrifice, smote him with - a sore disease in all his joints!” - </p> - <p> - The poor Brahmin was never more thoroughly imposed upon in receiving the - dog for a sheep than were the American people in accepting Andrew Johnson - as a statesman, or even as a friend of liberty and republican - institutions. That he hated the slaveocracy, there is not the slightest - doubt; for they were far above him, and all his efforts to be recognized - by them as an equal had failed. - </p> - <p> - But did he like the negro any better than the master? It is said, that - while in his apprenticeship, on one occasion, young Johnson was passing - along the street with a pair of pants upon his arm, when a well-dressed - free negro accidentally ran against him, pushing the tailor into a ditch; - whereupon, the latter threw a handful of mud at the black man, soiling his - clothes very much. The negro turned, and indignantly said, “You better - mind what you ‘bout, you low white clodhopper, poor white trash!” This - retort of the negro no doubt touched a tender chord; for it reminded the - rising young man of the “pit from whence he was digged,” and it is said he - hated the race ever after. <i>But it must be acknowledged</i> that Mr. - Johnson is a big man in little things; that he showed some shrewdness in - taking advantage of the Union feeling, and especially the antislavery - sentiment, of the North, in wiggling himself into the Republican party by - his bunkum speeches. After all, what is the real character of the man? - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “Great Judas of the nineteenth century, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Foul political traitor of the age, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Persistent speeechmaker, covered with falsity, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Come, sit now for your portrait. I will paint - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - As others see you,—men who love their God, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And hate not even you, aye you, attaint - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - With love of self, and power that’s outlawed. - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Behold the picture! See a drunken man - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Whose age brings nothing but increase of sin,— - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - A deceptive ‘policy,’ a hateful plan - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - To deceive the people, and reenslave the sons of Ham! - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - Now see it stretching out a slimy palm, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And striking hands with rebels. Nay, nay! - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - It grasps Columbia by the throat and arm, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And seeks to give her to that beast of prey.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - Intensely in love with himself, egotistical, without dignity, tyrannical, - ungrateful, and fond of flattery, Mr. Johnson was entirely unprepared to - successfully resist the overtures of the slaveholding aristocracy, by whom - he had so long wished to be recognized. It was some weeks after the death - of the good President, that a committee of these Southerners visited the - White House. They found Mr. Johnson alone; for they had asked for an - audience, which had been readily granted. Humbly they came, the lords of - the lash, the men who, five years before, would not have shaken hands with - him with a pair of tongs ten feet long. Many of them the President had - seen on former occasions: all of them he knew by reputation. As they stood - before him, he viewed them from head to feet, and felt an inward triumph. - He could scarcely realize the fact, and asked himself, “Is it possible? - have I my old enemies before me, seeking favors?” Yes: it was so; and they - had no wish to conceal the fact. The chairman of the committee, a man of - years, one whose very look showed that he was not without influence among - those who knew him, addressing the Chief Magistrate, said, “Mr. President, - we come as a committee to represent to you the condition of the South, and - its wants. We fear that your Excellency has had things misrepresented to - you by the Radicals; and knowing you to be a man of justice, a statesman - of unsullied reputation, one who to-day occupies the proudest position of - any man in the world, we come to lay our wants before you. We have, in the - past, been your political opponents. In the future, we shall be your - friends; because we now see that you were right, and we were wrong. We - ask, nay, we beg you to permit us to reconstruct the Southern States. Our - people, South, are loyal to a man, and wish to return at once to their - relations in the General Government. We look upon you, Mr. President, as - the embodiment of the truly chivalrous Southerner,—one who, born and - bred in the South, understands her people: to you we appeal for justice; - for we are sure that your impulses are pure. Your future, Mr. President, - is to be a brilliant one. At the next presidential election, the South - will be a unit for the man who saves her from the hands of these Yankees, - who now, under the protection of the Freedman’s Bureau, are making - themselves rich. We shall stand by the man that saves us; and you are that - man. Your genius, your sagacity, and your unequalled statesmanship, mark - you out as the father of his country. Without casting a single ungenerous - reflection upon the great name of George Washington, allow me to say what - I am sure the rest of the delegation will join me in, and that is, that, a - hundred years to come, the name of Andrew Johnson will be the brightest in - American history.” Several times during the delivery of the above speech, - the President was seen to wipe his eyes, for he was indeed moved to tears. - At its conclusion, he said, “Gentlemen, your chairman has perfectly - overwhelmed me. I was not, I confess, prepared for these kind words, this - cordial support, of the people of the South. Your professions of loyalty, - which I feel to be genuine, and your promises of future aid, unman me. I - thought you were my enemies, and it is to enemies that I love to give - battle. As to my friends, they can always govern me. I will lay your case - before the cabinet.”—“We do not appeal to your cabinet,” continued - the chairman, “it is to you, Mr. President, that we come. Were you a - common man, we should expect you to ask advice of your cabinet; but we - regard you as master, aud your secretaries as your servants. You are - capable of acting without consulting them: we think you the Andrew Jackson - of to-day. Presidents, sir, are regarded as mere tools. We hope you, like - Jackson, will prove an exception. We, the people of the South, are willing - to let you do precisely as you please; and still we will support you. We - are proud to acknowledge you as our leader. All we ask is, that we shall - be permitted to organize our State Governments, elect our senators and - representatives, and return at once into the Union; and this, Mr. - President, lies entirely with you, unless you acknowledge yourself to be - in leading-strings, which we know is not so; for Andrew Johnson can never - play second fiddle to men or parties.” These last remarks affected Mr. - Johnson very much, which he in vain attempted to conceal. “Gentlemen,” - replied the President, “I confess that your chairman, has, in his remarks, - made an impression on my mind that I little dreamed of when you entered. I - admit that I am not pleased with the manner in which the Radicals are - acting.”—“Allow me,” said the chairman, interrupting the President, - “to say a word or two that I had forgotten.” “Proceed,” said the Chief - Magistrate. “You are not appreciated,” continued the chairman, “by the - Radicals. They speak of you sneeringly as the ‘accidental President,’ just - as if you were not the choice of the people. The people of the North would - never elect you again. No man, except Mr. Lincoln, has ever been elected a - second time to the presidency, from the free States. They have so many - peddling politicians, like so many hungry wolves, seeking office, that - they are always crying, ‘Rotation, rotation.’ But, with us of the South, - it is different. When we find a man with genius, talent, a statesman, we - hold on to him, and keep him in office. You, Mr. President, can carry all - the Southern, and enough of the Northern States to elect you to another - term.”—“Yes,” responded one of the committee, “to two terms more.” - Mr. Johnson, with suppressed emotion, said, “I will at once lay down a - policy, which, I think, will satisfy the entire people of the South; but, - but—I said that treason should be made odious, and traitors should - be punished: what can I do so as not to stultify myself?” - </p> - <p> - “I see it as clear as day, Mr. President,” said the chairman. “You have - already made treason odious by those eloquent speeches which you have - delivered at various times on the Rebellion; and now you can punish - traitors by giving them office. St. Paul said, ‘If thine enemy hunger, - feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing, thou shalt heap - coals of fire on his head.’ Now, many of the Southerners are your old - enemies; and they are hungry for office, and thirst for the good liquor - they used to get in the congressional saloons.” - </p> - <p> - “I am satisfied,” said the President, “that I can restore the Southern - States to their relations to the Union, and let all who held office before - the war, resume their positions again.—“Yes,” remarked a member of - the committee; “and you can build up a new party of your own, that shall - take the place of the Democratic party, which is already dead.”—“Very - true,” replied the President, “there is both room and need of another - political party. You may rest assured, gentlemen, that you will be - re-instated in your former positions.” The committee withdrew. “My policy” - was commenced. The Republicans did not like it; and a committee was sent - to the White House, composed of some of the leading men of the North, the - chairman of which was a man some six feet in height, stout, and well made; - features coarse; full head of hair, touched with the frost of over fifty - winters; dressed in a gray suit, light felt hat. The committee, on - entering, found the President seated, with his feet under the table. He - did not rise to welcome the delegation, but seemed to push his feet still - farther under the table, for fear that they might think he was going to - rise. The chairman, whom I have already described, said in a rather strong - voice, “Mr. President, we have called to ask you to use your official - power to protect the Union men of the South, white and black, from the - murderous feeling of the rebels. - </p> - <p> - “As faithful friends, and supporters of your Administration, we most - respectfully petition you to suspend for the present your policy towards - the rebel States. We should not present this prayer if we were not - painfully convinced that, thus far, it has failed to obtain any reasonable - guarantees for that security in the future which is essential to peace and - reconciliation. To our minds, it abandons the freedmen to the control of - their ancient masters, and leaves the national debt exposed to repudiation - by returning rebels. The Declaration of Independence asserts the equality - of all men, and that rightful government can be founded only on the - consent of the governed. We see small chance of peace unless these great - principles are practically established. Without this, the house will - continue divided against itself.” - </p> - <p> - “Gentlemen,” replied the President, “I will take your request into - consideration, and give it that attention that it demands.” The committee - left, satisfied that Mr. Johnson was a changed man. Soon after, the - President was called upon by another delegation, a committee of colored - men, consisting of Frederick Douglass, William Whipper, George T. Downing, - and L. H. Douglass. The negro race was singularly fortunate in having - these gentlemen to represent them; for they are not only amongst the - ablest of their class, but are men of culture, and all of them writers and - speakers of distinguished, ability. The delegation, on entering, found the - President seated, with his feet under the table, and his hands in his - breeches pockets, and looking a little sour. Mr. Downing, the delegate - from New England, first addressed the Chief Magistrate; and his finely - chosen-words, and well-rounded periods, no doubt made the President not a - lit-, tie uneasy, for he looked daggers at the speaker. The reflection of - Downing’s highly cultivated mind, as seen through his admirable address, - doubtless reminded the President of his own inferiority, and made him - still more petulant; for, when he replied to the delegate, he said,— - </p> - <p> - “I am free to say to you that I do not like to be arraigned by some who - can get up handsomely-rounded periods, and deal in rhetoric, and talk - about abstract ideas of liberty, who never perilled life, liberty, or - property. This kind of theoretical, hollow, unpractical friendship, - amounts to very little.” - </p> - <p> - After Downing, came the strong words of Douglass. Of this speaker, the - President had heard much, and appeared to eye him from head to feet; took - his hands out of his pockets; and rested his elbows upon the table. - Douglass, no doubt, reminded him of the well-dressed free negro, who, - nearly forty years before, had pushed him into the ditch; and this - recollection brought up, also, that hateful tailor’s bench, and, still - back of that, his low origin. - </p> - <p> - Mr. Douglass also reminded the President of his promise to be the negro’s - Moses. This last remark was cruel in the speaker, for it carried Mr. - Johnson back to the days when he was carrying out that deceptive policy by - which he secured the nomination on the ticket with Mr. Lincoln; and he - appeared much irritated at the remark. His whole reply to the delegation - was weak, unfair, and without the slightest atom of logic. Mr. Downing - addressed the President as follows:— - </p> - <p> - “We present ourselves to your Excellency to make known, with pleasure, the - respect which we are glad to cherish for you,—a respect which is - your due as our Chief Magistrate. It is our desire that you should know - that we come, feeling that we are friends meeting friends. We may, - however, have manifested our friendship by not coming to further tax your - already much-burdened and valuable time; but we have another object in - calling. We are in a passage to equality before the law. God hath made it - by opening a Red Sea. We would have your assistance through the same. We - come to you in the name of the United States, and are delegated to come by - some who have unjustly worn iron manacles on their bodies; by some whose - minds have been manacled by class legislation in States called free. The - colored people of the States of Illinois, Wisconsin, Alabama, Mississippi, - Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, - New York, the New-England States, and the District of Columbia, have - specially delegated us to come. Our coming is a marked circumstance. We - are not satisfied with an amendment prohibiting slavery; but we wish that - amendment enforced with appropriate legislation. This is our desire. We - ask for it intelligently, with the knowledge and conviction that the - fathers of the Revolution intended freedom for every American; that they - should be protected in their rights as citizens, and be equal before the - law. We are Americans,—native-born Americans. We are citizens. We - are glad to have it known to the world that we bear no doubtful record on - this point. On this fact, and with confidence in the triumph of justice, - we base our hope. We see no recognition of color or race in the organic - law of the land. It knows no privileged class, and therefore we cherish - the hope that we may be fully enfranchised, not only here in this - district, but throughout the land. We respectfully submit, that rendering - any thing less than this will be rendering to us less than our just due; - that granting any thing less than our full rights will be a disregard of - our just rights,—of due respect for our feelings. If the powers that - be do so, it will be used as a license, as it were, or an apology, for any - community or individual, so disposed, to outrage our rights and feelings. - It has been shown in the present war that the Government may justly reach - its strong arm into States, and demand from them—from those who owe - it—their allegiance, assistance, and support. May it not reach out a - like arm to secure and protect its subjects upon whom it has a claim?” - </p> - <p> - Following Mr. Downing, Mr. Frederick Douglass advanced, and addressed the - President, saying,— - </p> - <p> - “Mr. President, we are not here to enlighten you, sir, as to your duties - as the Chief Magistrate of this republic, but to show our respect, and to - present in brief the claims of our race to your favorable consideration. - In the order of divine Providence, you are placed in a position where you - have the power to save or destroy us, to bless or blast us,—I mean - our whole race. Your noble and humane predecessor placed in our hands the - sword, to assist in saving the nation; and we do hope that you, his able - successor, will favorably regard the placing in our hands the ballot with - which to save ourselves. We shall submit no argument on that point. The - fact that we are the subjects of government, and subject to taxation, - subject to volunteer in the service of the country, subject to being - drafted, subject to bear the burdens of the State, makes it not improper - that we should ask to share in the privileges of this condition. I have no - speech to make on this occasion. I simply submit these observations as a - limited expression of the views and feelings of the delegation with which - I have come.” - </p> - <p> - I omit Mr. Johnson’s long and untruthful speech, and give the reply of the - delegation, which he would not listen to:— - </p> - <p> - “Mr. President, in consideration of a delicate sense of propriety, as well - as your own repeated intimation of indisposition to discuss or to listen - to a reply to the views and opinions you were pleased to express to us in - your elaborate speech to-day, we would respectfully take this method of - reply thereto. - </p> - <p> - “Believing, as we do, that the views and opinions expressed in that - address are entirely unsound, and prejudicial to the highest interests of - our race, as well as of our country, we cannot do otherwise than expose - the same, and, so far as may be in our power, arrest their dangerous - influence. - </p> - <p> - “It is not necessary at this time to call attention to more than two or - three features of your remarkable address. - </p> - <p> - “The first point to which we feel especially bound to take exception is - your attempt to found a policy opposed to our enfranchisement, upon the - alleged ground of an existing hostility on the part, of the former slaves - towards the poor white people of the South. - </p> - <p> - “We admit the existence of this hostility, and hold that it is entirely - reciprocal. - </p> - <p> - “But you obviously commit an error by drawing an argument from an incident - of a state of slavery, and making it a basis for a policy adapted to a - state of freedom. - </p> - <p> - “The hostility between the whites and blacks of the South is easily - explained. It has its root and sap in the relation of slavery, and was - incited on both sides by the cunning of the slave-masters. These masters - secured their ascendency over both the poor whites and the blacks by - putting enmity between them. They divided both to conquer each. - </p> - <p> - “There was no earthly reason why the blacks should not hate and dread the - poor whites when in a state of slavery; for it was from this class that - their masters received their slave-catchers, slave-drivers, and overseers. - They were the men called in upon all occasions by the masters when any - fiendish outrage was to be committed upon the slave. - </p> - <p> - “Now, sir, you cannot but perceive that, the cause of this hatred removed, - the effect must be removed also. Slavery is abolished. The cause of - antagonism is removed; and you must see that it is altogether illogical—‘putting - new wine into old bottles, mending new garments with old clothes’—to - legislate from slave-holding and slave-driving premises for a people whom - you have repeatedly declared your purpose to maintain in freedom. Besides, - even if it were true, as you allege, that the hostility of the blacks - toward the poor whites must necessarily be the same in a state of freedom - as in a state of slavery, in the name of Heaven, we reverently ask, how - can you, in view of your professed desire to promote the welfare of the - black man, deprive him of all means of defence, and clothe him whom you - regard as his enemy in the panoply of political power? - </p> - <p> - “Can it be that you would recommend a policy which would arm the strong - and cast down the defenceless? Can you, by any possibility of reasoning, - regard this as just, fair, or wise? - </p> - <p> - “Experience proves that those are oftenest abused who can be abused with - the greatest impunity. Men are whipped oftenest who are whipped easiest. - Peace between races is not to be secured by degrading one race, and - exalting another; by giving power to one race, and withholding it from - another: but by maintaining a state of equal justice between all parties,—first - pure, then peaceable. - </p> - <p> - “On the colonization theory that you were pleased to broach, very much - could be said. It is impossible to suppose, in view of the usefulness of - the black man in time of peace as a laborer in the South, and in time of - war as a soldier at the North, and the growing respect for his rights - among the people, and his increasing adaptation to a high state of - civilization in this his native land, that there can ever come a time when - he can be removed from this country without a terrible shock to its - prosperity and peace. - </p> - <p> - “Besides, the worst enemy of the nation could not cast upon its fair name - a greater infamy than to suppose that negroes could be tolerated among - them in a state of the most degrading slavery and oppression, and must be - cast away and driven into exile for no other cause than having been freed - from their chains.” - </p> - <p> - The most unhandsome and untruthful remarks of the President to the - delegation are those in which he charges the slave-masters and the slave - with combining to keep the poor whites in degradation. - </p> - <p> - The construction which he put upon his promise to the blacks of Tennessee—to - be the “Moses to lead the black race through the Red Sea of bondage” to—expatriation—was - mean in the extreme, and shows a mind whose moral degradation is without - its parallel. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0042" id="link2HCH0042"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XLII—ILL TREATMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE SOUTH - </h2> - <p> - <i>The Old Slave-holders.—The Freedmen.—Murders.—School-teachers. - —Riot at Memphis.—Mob at New Orleans.—Murder of Union - Men—Riot at a Camp-meeting.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">H</span>aughty and - scornful as ever; regarding themselves as overpowered, but not conquered; - openly regretting their failure to establish a Southern Confederacy; - backed up by President Johnson in their rebellious course,—the - Southerners appear determined to reduce the blacks to a state of serfdom - if they cannot have them as slaves. The new labor-laws of all the Southern - States place the entire colored population as much in the hands of the - whites as they were in the palmiest day of chattel slavery, if we except - the buying and selling. The negro <i>whipping-post</i>, which the laws of - war swept away, has, under Andrew Johnson’s reconstruction policy, been - again re-instated throughout the South. The Freedmen’s Bureau is as - powerless to-day to protect the emancipated blacks in their rights as was - the Hon. Samuel Hoar to remain in South Carolina against the will of the - slave-holders of the days of Calhoun and of McDuffie. Where the old - masters cannot control their former slaves, they do not hesitate to shoot - them down in open day, as the following will show:— - </p> - <p> - A Texas correspondent writes to “The New-York Evening Post” (he dare not - allow his name and residence to be printed) as follows:— - </p> - <p> - “Every day I hear of murders of freedmen. Since five o’clock this - afternoon, four new ones have been reported here. The disloyal press - suppress the mention of such occurrences. - </p> - <p> - “Should there be another outbreak in Texas, very many Union men, as well - as a large proportion of freedmen, would at once be massacred in order to - bring about such another reign of terror as would make the South a - unit.... - </p> - <p> - “Three freedmen were murdered in or near the line of an adjoining county a - few days ago. The wagon which one of them was driving was robbed of all - the fine goods it contained. The other two freedmen were shot by the same - man, who is believed to be their former owner. The head of one of them was - cut off, and they were left unburied. No investigation has been, or - probably will be, made into these murders. If any Union man were to move - in the matter, it would be at the peril of his life. - </p> - <p> - “The brave and loyal man who told me of these murders was applied to by a - freed man, a kinsman of one of the murdered, for advice. The freedman was - told to go to Austin, and report the facts to the agent of the Freedmen’s - Bureau: but he appears not to have arrived. Like the freedman despatched - by the chief justice of Refugio County, with a letter setting forth the - disorders in that county, he may have been shot on the road. - </p> - <p> - “My informant, seeing that I set about writing down the facts as to these - murders just as he stated them, said to me, ‘Do not make my name public, - for it is all I can do to hold my own in—————county - just now;’ and added, ‘Ikeep no money in my house but a few dollars for - current expenses. I can take care of myself in the daytime, but I do not - feel safe at night.’” - </p> - <p> - On the 2d of April, 1866, a Mr. Quisenbery was tried at the Circuit Court - for the County of Louisa, Va., for the murder of Washington Green. Green - was the former slave of Quisenbery, had worked for said Quisenbery from - the fall of Richmond, about the 3d of April, 1865, until about the 1st of - October, 1865, when Quiserinbery told him, the said Washington Green, that - he had better go and get work somewhere else; that he would not pay him - for any thing that he had done. Washington Green went to work for a lady - to get some shingles for her, and Quisenbery made a contract with this - lady, that she should pay him, for Green’s getting the shingles, by - thrashing out his, Quisenbery’s, wheat. It did not satisfy Washington - Green, that Quisenbery should not only refuse to pay him for the work - which he had already done for him, but that he should also collect what he - had earned by hard working for this lady. Green went to Quisenbery, and - asked him for the amount of getting the shingles for this lady. Quisenbery - said, “Washington, this is three times that you have been after me for - that money; I am now going to my hog-pen, and I warn you not to follow - me.” He repeated that warning three times. He then went to the hog-pen, - got over the fence, stooped down to throw out some corn that the hogs had - not eaten. He looked up, and saw Washington Green at or near the fence, - and said, “I thought I warned you not to follow me,” and pulled out his - knife, and stabbed Green in the throat, and killed him instantly. This is - the evidence and confession of Quisenbery, who was tried, and the jury - found a verdict of <i>not guilty</i>, without scarcely leaving the - jury-box; and Quisenbery was declared guiltless of any crime amid the - plaudits of the people. - </p> - <p> - At Jacksonville, Fla., on the 20th of June last, a freedman complained - before Col. Hart, that his last employer would not pay him. The black man - afterwards went to the pine-woods, chopping logs. While absent, the man of - whom he had complained got a woman to go to the freedman’s wife, and get - into a difficulty with her; whereupon the freedman’s wife was arrested, - tried, found guilty, and fined fifty dollars, being unable to pay which, - she was <i>put up at auction</i>, and sold to the person who would take - her for the shortest time, and pay fine and costs. The <i>shortest time - was four years!</i> Under another law of the State, the children were <i>bound - out till they should become of age!</i> - </p> - <p> - A free colored man named Jordan opened, by permission of the commandant of - the post at Columbia, Tenn., a school for the blacks. The school went on - smoothly till Monday, the 11th instant, when two soldiers of the Eighth - Tennessee Cavalry went into the school, and broke it up; but the teacher, - being so advised, resumed his labor the next day. But, on the 14th, - Messrs. Datty, Porter, White, and others, including soldiers of the Eighth - Tennessee, the party headed by White the city constable, proceeded to the - schoolroom, seized the teacher, and brought him under guard to the - court-house, where he received a mock trial. When being asked for his - authority for teaching a school, Mr. Jordan replied, that Lieut.-Col. - Brown and Major Sawyer were his authority, and wished they would bring - Major Sawyer in. One of the men went out, but was absent only for a - moment, when he came in, stating that Major Sawyer could not be found; - whereupon Mr. Andrews ordered that the teacher be given twenty-five - lashes. And they were administered, the man receiving the scourge like a - martyr, telling his persecutors that he was willing to suffer for the - right; and that Christ had received the same punishment for the same - purpose; and he thought, if he could teach the children to read the Bible - so that they might learn of heaven, he was doing a good work. To this, a - soldier of the Eighth Tennessee said, “If you want to go to heaven you - must pray: you can’t get there by teaching the niggers. We can’t go to - school, and I’ll be damned if niggers shall.” - </p> - <p> - Volumes might be written, recounting the shameful outrages committed at - the South since the surrender of Lee. Not satisfied with murders of an - individual character, the Southerners have, of late, gone into it more - extensively. The first of these took place at Memphis, Tenn., May 4, 1866. - A correspondent of Hon. W. D. Kelley, of Philadelphia, said,— - </p> - <p> - “I have been an eye-witness to such sights as should cause the age in - which we live to blush. Negro men have been shot down in cold blood on the - streets; barbers, at their chairs and in their own shops; draymen on their - drays, while attempting to earn an honest living; hotel-waiters, while in - the discharge of their duties; hackmen, while driving female teachers of - negro children to their schools; laborers, while handling cotton on the - wharves, &c. All the negro schoolhouses, and all the negro churches, - and many of the houses of the negroes, have been burned, this too, under - the immediate auspices of the city police and the mayor: in fact, most of - these outrages were committed by the police themselves,—<i>all - Irish, and all rebels, and mostly drunk</i>. This is not the half: I have - no heart to recount the outrages I have <i>seen</i>. The most prominent - citizens stand on the streets, and see negroes hunted down and shot, and - <i>laugh</i> at it as a good joke. Attempts have been made to fire every - Government building, and fire has been set to many of the abodes and - business-places of Union people. - </p> - <p> - “There is no doubt but that there is a <i>secret</i> organization sworn to - purge the city of all Northern men who are not <i>rebels</i>, all negro - teachers, all Yankee enterprise, and return the city ‘to the good old days - of Southern rule and chivalry.’ - </p> - <p> - “When the miscreants had fired Collins’s chapel (a large frame church, - corner of Washington and Orleans Streets, which would now cost fully ten - thousand dollars, to rebuild), they stood around the fire which lighted - the midnight sky, and made the night hideous with their hellish cheers for - ‘Andy Johnson’ and a ‘white man’s government!’ And the supporters of the - President, aside from being midnight burners of churches and schoolhouses, - robbed women and children, and men,—sparing none on account of age, - sex, physical disabilities, or innocence of crime,—even burning - women and children alive. - </p> - <p> - “The board of aldermen had their usual meetings last night. Their - proceedings show no reference to the riot. No rewards have been offered - for the apprehension of the murderous assassins, thieves, and - house-burners.” - </p> - <p> - Next came, on a still larger scale, the rebel riot at New Orleans. The - Military Commission appointed to investigate the cause of the riot charge - it upon Mayor Monroe, Lieut.-Gov. Voorhies, and the rebel press of the - city. The Commission speak of the murders as follows:— - </p> - <p> - “They can only say that the work of massacre was pursued with a cowardly - ferocity unsurpassed in the annals of crime. Escaping negroes were - mercilessly pursued, shot, stabbed, and beaten to death by the mob and - police. Wounded men on the ground begging for mercy <i>were savagely - despatched</i> by mob, police, firemen, and, incredible as it may seem, in - two instances by women; but, in two or three most honorable and - exceptionable cases, white men and members of the Convention were - protected by members of the police, both against the mob, and against - other policemen. The chief of police, by great exertions, defended in this - manner Gov. Hahn. - </p> - <p> - “After the attack had commenced, the police appeared to be under no - control as such; but acted as and with the mob. Their cheers and waving of - hats as they threw the mangled Dostie, then supposed a <i>corpse, like a - dead dog into the cart, sufficiently show their unison of feeling with - their allies</i>.” - </p> - <p> - Nothing, we take it, is more apparent from the array of evidence presented - in this Report than that the New-Orleans riot was a preconcerted, - deliberate, cold-blooded attempt to massacre the Unionists, white and - black, of that city. The design can be traced like the development of a - tragedy. Mayor Monroe is busy for a long time in advance in stirring up - the passions of the mob by stigmatizing the members of the Convention as - outlaws and revolutionists, threatening them with wholesale arrest, and - preparing his police for action. He might have ascertained that the - members had resolved to peacefully submit the legality of their course to - the proper tribunals; but he had bloodier ends in view. He knew that the - excitement he had fanned would surely lead to an outburst of violence, - unless restrained by two forces alone,—his police and the - United-States troops. To keep the latter away, Mayor Monroe suppresses all - requisition for them until it is too late; and then tries to cover up his - conduct with downright falsehood and perjury. His police, instead of being - brought forward openly, so that they would have to take sides for the - preservation of order, are concealed in hiding-places till the collision - occurs; when they rush forth as allies of the mob, murdering negroes in - cold blood; firing repeatedly into the Convention, even after a white flag - is raised; shooting and barbarously maltreating the wounded; and - perpetrating such feats of cowardly brutality and ferocity as were never - before seen in this country, except in the congenial affairs of Memphis - and Fort Pillow. - </p> - <p> - Nothing goes so far towards reconciling one to what is called the - “total-depravity” theory, as the contemplation of those scenes of blood. - They carry us back to the crimes and cruelty of the Massacre of St. - Bartholomew. Mayor Monroe acts the part of the Duke of Guise; Lieut.-Gov. - Voorhies, that of the Duke of Alva; while President Johnson acts the part - of Charles IX., who, on approaching the burning corpse of Admiral Coligny, - exclaimed, “The smell of a dead enemy is always good.” - </p> - <p> - During the mob, the appearance of rebel organizations on the ground with - marks and badges, and scores of similar incidents, show that the plot was - as deliberate as it was infernal. - </p> - <p> - Again: a dispassionate consideration of the facts detailed by the - Commission will lead to the conclusion that the underlying cause of the - New-Orleans massacre was the old virus of slavery, still existing in the - passions of Southern society, and likely to issue forth in violence - whenever it shall be favored by similar circumstances. The members of the - Louisiana Convention were entirely harmless, no matter how obnoxious or - how indiscreet they were. Even if they were not disposed to submit their - pretensions to a legal test,—as they were,—there would have - been no difficulty in making their peaceable arrest on the occurrence of - their first overt act; but the mob of New Orleans, who, by the - acquiescence of the better classes, or else in defiance of them through - their great numerical preponderance, elect and control the city - authorities, were determined to permit no such result of the controversy. - The Convention claimed to exercise free speech; they would have none of - that Northern innovation: it was composed of Union men; and they should be - made to feel their place in “reconstructed” New Orleans: worse than all, - they had for their allies and supporters <i>colored</i> Unionists; and <i>they</i> - should be made such an example of as should deter any more such movements - at the South. It was a bloody crusade against the men and the principles - that had triumphed in the Government of this country. Well do this - Commission say, that, but for martial law and the United-States troops, - “fire and bloodshed would have raged throughout the night in all negro - quarters of the city, and that the lives and property of Unionists and - Northern men would have been at the mercy of the mob.” Finally: the Report - throws an impressive light upon President Johnson’s connection with the - New-Orleans massacre. He had already, in a manner, inculpated himself in - his speech at St. Louis. He there suppresses all the facts found by the - Commission, and stigmatizes the members of the Convention as “traitors,” - engaged, under the instigation of Congress, in getting up a “rebellion,” - and therefore responsible for all the bloodshed that occurred. That is - precisely the pretence of Mayor Monroe and his mob. Well might the - President, therefore, play into their hands. Gen. Baird, from official - experience, has been taught not to interfere with Mayor Monroe. When he - telegraphs to Washington for orders, he gets no answer: the other side - telegraph, and receive replies that encourage them in their course. Gen. - Sheridan, like a true soldier, telegraphs the facts, with indignant - comments; and his despatches are garbled for public effect. Of all the - murderers on that dreadful day, not one has been called to account; nor - has any one of them received therefor the least censure of the Government - at Washington. - </p> - <p> - The appointment, since the riot, of Adams, one of the most notorious of - the rioters, as sergeant in the police force, by Mayor Monroe, confirms - the fact of his guilt in the massacre. The blood of the martyrs Dostie and - Horton cries to Heaven for justice for the Union men of the South, white - and black. The mob, composed of ex-rebel soldiers and citizens, that broke - up the colored campmeeting near Baltimore, Md., a few weeks after the - New-Orleans riot, was only a part of the programme concocted by the men - engaged in carrying out the reconstruction policy of Andrew Johnson. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0043" id="link2HCH0043"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XLIII—PROTECTION FOR THE COLORED PEOPLE. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Protection for the Colored People South.—The Civil Rights Bill.—Liberty - without the Ballot no Boon.—Impartial Suffrage.—Test Oaths not - to be depended upon.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">I</span>n attempting to - form a Southern Confederacy, with slavery as its corner-stone, by breaking - up the Union, and repudiating the Constitution, the people of the South - compelled the National Government to abolish chattel slavery in - self-defence. The protection, defence, and support which self-interest - induced the master to extend to the slave have been taken away by the - emancipation of the latter. This, taken in connection with the fact that - the negroes, by assisting the Federal authorities to put down the - Rebellion, gained the hatred of their old masters, placed the blacks - throughout the South in a very bad position. Now, what shall be done to - protect these people from the abuse of their former oppressors? The Civil - Rights Bill passed by Congress is almost a dead letter, and many of the - rebel judges declare it unconstitutional. The States having relapsed into - the hands of the late slave-holders, and they becoming the executioners of - the law, the blacks cannot look for justice at their hands. The negro must - be placed in a position to protect himself. How shall that be done? We - answer, the only thing to save him is the ballot. Liberty without equality - is no boon. Talk not of civil without political emancipation! It is the - technical pleading of the lawyer: it is not the enlarged view of the - statesman. If a man has no vote for the men and the measures which tax - himself, his family, and his property, and all which determine his - reputation, that man is still a slave. - </p> - <p> - We are told—what seems to be the common idea—that the elective - franchise is not a <i>right</i>, but a <i>privilege</i>. But is this true? - We used to think so; that is, we assented to it before we gave the subject - any special thought: but we do not think so now. We maintain, that in a - government like ours, a republican government, or government of <i>the - people</i>, the elective franchise, as it is called, is not a mere - privilege, but an actual and absolute <i>right</i>,—a right - belonging, of right, to every free man who has not forfeited that right by - crime. We in this country enjoy what is properly called self-government, - and self-government necessarily implies the <i>right to vote</i>,—the - right to <i>help to govern</i>, and to make the laws; and this, in a - government like ours, a government of the people, can only be done by or - through the elective franchise. We maintain that in self-government, or - government of the people, every man who is a free man and citizen has a - right to assist and take part in that government. This right inheres and - belongs to every man alike, to you and me, and every other man,—no - matter what the color of his skin,—if he be a free man and citizen, - and helps to support the government by paying taxes: it is one of the - fundamental principles of self-government and of a democratic or - republican government. But the elective franchise, the right to choose and - elect the men who are to fill the offices, and make the laws and execute - them, lies at the very bottom of such government. It is the first - principle and starting-point, and is as much implied in the very name and - idea of self-government, or <i>government of the people</i>, as any other - principle, right, or idea pertaining to such a government. Does any one - doubt this? Let him ask himself what constitutes a republican government, - or government of the people, and what is implied by such a government, and - he will soon see, that without the elective franchise, or right to choose - rulers and law-makers, there can be no such government. It will not do, - therefore, to call this right a privilege. If it is but a privilege, all - may be deprived of its exercise. What sort of a republican or self - government would that be in which none of the people were allowed to vote? - But if it is but a privilege, and granted to but a class or part, it may - be restricted to a still smaller part, and finally allowed to none! - </p> - <p> - Any proposal to submit the question of the political or civil rights of - the negroes to the arbitrament of the whites is as unjust and as absurd as - to submit the question of the political rights of the whites to the - arbitrament of the negroes, with this difference,—that the negroes - are loyal everywhere, and the great body of the whites disloyal - everywhere. - </p> - <p> - A white loyalist of the South, one who remained loyal during the whole of - the Rebellion, says,— - </p> - <p> - “To permit the whites to disfranchise the negroes is to permit those who - have been our enemies to ostracize our friends. The negroes are the only - persons in those States who have not been in arms against us. They have - not been in arms against us. They have always and everywhere been - friendly, and not hostile, to us. They alone have a deep interest in the - continued supremacy of the United States; for their freedom depends on it. - On them alone can we depend to suppress a new insurrection. They alone - will be inclined to vote for the friends of the Government in all the - Southern States. They alone have sheltered, fed, and pioneered our starved - and hunted brethren through the swamps and woods of the South, in their - flight from those who now aspire to rule them. - </p> - <p> - “The <i>shame and folly of deserting the negroes</i> are equalled by the - <i>wisdom of recognizing and protecting their power</i>. They will form a - clear and controlling majority against the united white vote in South - Carolina. Mississippi, and Louisiana. With a very small accession from the - loyal whites, they will form a majority in Alabama, Georgia, and Virginia. - Unaided in all those States, they will be a majority in many congressional - and legislative districts; and that alone suffices to break the terrible - and menacing unity of the Southern vote in Congress.” - </p> - <p> - It is said that the slaves are too ignorant to exercise the elective - franchise judiciously. To this we reply, they are as intelligent as the - average of “poor whites,” and were intelligent enough to be Unionists - during the great struggle, when the Federal Government needed friends. In - a conflict with the spirit of rebellion, the blacks can always be depended - upon, the whites cannot; and, for its own security against future - outbreaks, the National Government should see that the negro is placed - where he can help himself, and assist it. - </p> - <p> - The ballot will secure for the colored people respect; that respect will - be a protection for their schools; and, through education and the elective - franchise, the negro is to rise to a common level of humanity in the - Southern States. - </p> - <p> - But little aid can be expected for the freedmen from the Freedmen’s - Bureau; for its officers, if not Southern men, will soon become upon - intimate terms with the former slave-holders, and the Bureau will be - converted into a power of oppression, instead of a protection. - </p> - <p> - The anti-Union whites know full well the great influence of the ballot, - and therefore are afraid to give it to the blacks. The franchise will be - of more service to this despised race than a standing army in the South. - The ballot will be his standing army. The poet has truly said,— - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “There is a weapon surer yet, - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - And better, than the bayonet; - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - A weapon that comes down as still - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - As snow-flakes fall upon the sod, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And executes a freeman’s will - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - As lightning does the will of God; - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - A weapon that no bolts nor locks - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Can bar. It is the ballot-box.” - </p> - <p> - Even “The New-York Herald,” some time ago, went so far as to say,— - </p> - <p> - “We would give the suffrage at once to four classes of Southern negroes. - First, and emphatically, to every negro who has borne arms in the cause of - the United States; second, to every negro who owns real estate; third, to - every negro who can read and write; and, fourth, to every negro that had - belonged to any religious organization or church for five years before the - war. These points would cover every one that ought to vote; and they would - insure in every negro voter a spirit of manhood as well as discipline, - some practical shrewdness, intellectual development, and moral - consciousness and culture.” - </p> - <p> - Impartial suffrage is what we demand for the colored people of the - Southern States. No matter whether the basis be a property or an - educational qualification, let it be impartial: upon this depends the - future happiness of all classes at the South. Test-oaths, or promises to - support the laws, mean nothing with those who have come up through the - school of slavery. - </p> - <p> - “As for oaths, the rebels, whose whole career has been a violation of the - solemn obligations of which oaths are merely the sign, care no more for - them than did the rattlesnake to which our soldiers in West Virginia once - administered the oath of allegiance. Impartial suffrage affords the only - sure and permanent means of combating the rebel element in the Southern - States.” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0044" id="link2HCH0044"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XLIV—CASTE. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Slavery the Foundation of Caste.—Black its Preference.—The - General Wish for Black Hair and Eyes.—No Hatred to Color.—The - White Slave.—A Mistake.—Stole his Thunder.—The Burman.—Pew - for Sale.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">C</span>aste is usually - found to exist in communities or countries among majorities, and against - minorities. The basis of it is owing to some supposed inferiority or - degradation attached to the hated ones. However, nothing is more foolish - than this prejudice. But the silliest of all caste is that which is - founded on <i>color</i>; for those who entertain it have not a single - logical reason to offer in its defence. - </p> - <p> - The fact is, slavery has been the cause of all the prejudice against the - negro. Wherever the blacks are ill treated on account of their color, it - is because of their identity with a race that has long worn the chain of - slavery. Is there any thing in black, that it should be hated? If so, why - do we see so much black in common use as clothing among all classes? - Indeed, black is preferred to either white or colors. How often the young - man speaks in ecstasies of the black eyes and black hair of his lady-love! - Look at the hundreds of advertised hair-dyes, used for the purpose of - changing nature! See men with their gray beards dyed black; women with - those beautiful black locks, which, but yesterday, were as white as the - driven snow! Not only this, but even those with light or red whiskers run - to the dye-kettle, steal a color which nature has refused them, and, an - hour after, curse the negro for a complexion that is not stolen. If black - is so hateful, why do not gentlemen have their boots whitewashed? If the - slaves of the South had been white, the same prejudice would have existed - against them. Look at the “poor white trash,” as the lower class of whites - in the Southern States are termed. - </p> - <p> - Henry Clay would much rather have spent an evening with his servant - Charles than to have made a companion of one of his poor white neighbors. - It is the condition, not the color, that is so hateful. - </p> - <p> - “When the Britons first became known to the Tyrian mariners,” says - Macaulay, “they were little superior to the Sandwich Islanders.” Cæsar, - writing home from Britain, said, “They are the most ignorant people I ever - conquered.” Many of the Britons, after their conquest by the Romans, were - sent as slaves to Rome. Cicero, writing to his friend Atticus, advised him - not to buy slaves from England; “because,” said he, “they cannot be taught - to read, and are the ugliest and most stupid race I ever saw.” These - writers created a prejudice against the Britons, which caused them to be - sold very cheap in Rome, where they were seen for years with brass collars - on, containing their owner’s name. The prejudice against the American - negro is not worse today than that which existed against the Britons. But, - as soon as the condition of the poor, ill-treated, and enslaved Britons - was changed, the caste disappears. - </p> - <p> - Twenty-five years ago, a slave escaped from Tennessee, and came to - Buffalo, N.Y. He was as fair as the majority of whites, and, having been a - house-servant, his manners and language were not bad. His name was Green. - It was said that he had helped himself to some of his master’s funds - before leaving. For more than a month he had boarded at the American, the - finest hotel in the city, where he sat at table with the boarders, and - occupied the parlors in common with the rest of the inmates. - </p> - <p> - Mr. Green passed for a Southern gentleman, sported a gold watch, smoked - his Havanas, and rode out occasionally. He was soon a favorite, especially - with the daughters of Col. D————. Unfortunately - for Mr. Green, one day, as he was taking his seat at the dinner-table, he - found himself in front of one of his master’s neighbors, who recognized - him. The Southerner sent for the landlord, with whom he had a few moments’ - conversation, after which mine host approached the boarder, and said, “We - don’t allow niggers at the table here: get up. You must wait till the - servants eat.” Mr. Green was driven from the table, not on account of his - color, but his condition. Under the old reign of slavery, it not - unfrequently occurred that the master’s acknowledged sons or daughters - were of a much darker complexion than some of the slave children. - </p> - <p> - On one occasion, after my old master had returned home from the - Legislature (of which he was a member), he had many new visitors. One of - these, a Major Moore, called in my master’s absence. The major had never - been to our place before, and therefore we were all strangers to him. The - servant showed the visitor into the parlor, and the mistress soon after - came in, and to whom the major introduced himself. I was at that time - about ten years old, and was as white as most white boys. Whenever - visitors came to the house, it was my part of the programme, to dress - myself in a neat suit, kept for such times, and go into the room, and - stand behind the lady’s chair. As I entered the room on this occasion, I - had to pass near by the major to reach the mistress. As I passed him, - mistaking me for the son, he put out his hand, and said, “How do you do, - bub?” And, before any answer could be given, he continued, “Madam, I would - have known your son if I had met him in Mexico; for he looks so much like - his papa.” The lady’s face reddened up, and she replied, “That’s one of - the niggers, sir;” and told me to go to the kitchen. - </p> - <p> - On my master’s return home, I heard him and the major talking the matter - over in the absence of the mistress. “I came near playing the devil here - to-day, colonel,” said the major.—“In what way?” inquired the - former. “It is always my custom,” said the latter, “to make fond of the - children where I visit; for it pleases the mammas. So, to-day, one of your - little niggers came into the room, and I spoke to him, reminding the madam - how much he resembled you.”—“Ha, ha, ha!” exclaimed the colonel, and - continued, “you did not miss it much by calling him my son. Ha, ha, ha!” - </p> - <p> - An incident of a rather amusing character took place on Cayuga Lake some - years ago. I had but recently returned from England, where I had never - been unpleasantly reminded of my color, when I was called to visit the - pretty little city of Ithaca. On my return, I came down the lake in the - steamer which leaves early in the morning. When the bell rang for - breakfast, I went to the table, where I found some twenty or thirty - persons. I had scarcely taken my seat, when a rather snobby-appearing man, - of dark complexion, looking as if a South-Carolina or Georgia sun had - tanned him, began rubbing his hands, and, turning up his nose, called the - steward, and said to him, “Is it the custom on this boat to put niggers at - the table with white people?” The servant stood for a moment, as if - uncertain what reply to make, when the passenger continued, “Go tell the - captain that I want him.” Away went the steward. I had been too often - insulted on account of my connection with the slave, not to know for what - the captain was wanted. However, as I was hungry, I commenced helping - myself to what I saw before me, yet keeping an eye to the door, through - which the captain was soon to make his appearance. As the steward - returned, and I heard the heavy boots of the commander on the stairs, a - happy thought struck me; and I eagerly watched for the coming-in of the - officer. - </p> - <p> - A moment more, and a strong voice called out, “Who wants me?” - </p> - <p> - I answered at once, “I, sir.” - </p> - <p> - “What do you wish?” asked the captain. - </p> - <p> - “I want you to take this man from the table,” said I. At this unexpected - turn of the affair, the whole cabin broke out into roars of laughter; - while my rival on the opposite side of the table seemed bursting with - rage. The captain, who had joined in the merriment, said,— - </p> - <p> - “Why do you want him taken from the table?” - </p> - <p> - “Is it your custom, captain,” said I, “to let niggers sit at table with - white folks on your boat?” - </p> - <p> - This question, together with the fact that the other passenger had sent - for the officer, and that I had “stolen his thunder,” appeared to please - the company very much, who gave themselves up to laughter; while the - Southern-looking man left the cabin with the exclamation, “<i>Damn fools!</i>” - </p> - <p> - Nothing is more ridiculous than the legal decision in the States of Ohio - and Michigan, that a man containing not more than one-sixteenth of African - blood in his veins shall be considered a white man, and, upon the-above - basis, shall enjoy the elective franchise. - </p> - <p> - We know of a family in Cincinnati, with three brothers, the youngest of - whom is very fair, and who, under the above rule, is a voter; while the - other two brothers are too dark to exercise the suffrage. Now, it so - happens that the voting brother is ignorant and shiftless, while the - others are splendid scholars. Where there is a great difference in the - complexion of the husband and wife, there is generally a much greater - difference in the color of the children; and this picking out the sons, on - account of their fair complexion, seems cruel in the extreme, as it - creates a jealous feeling in the family. While visiting my friend William - Still, Esq., in Philadelphia, some time since, I was much amused at seeing - his little daughter, a child of eight or nine years, and her cousin, - entering the omnibus which passed the door, going towards their school. - Colored persons were not allowed to ride in those conveyances; and one of - the girls, being very fair, would pay the fare for both; while the - dark-complexioned one would keep her face veiled. Thus the two children - daily passed unmolested from their homes to the school, and returned. I - was informed that once while I was there the veil unfortunately was - lifted, the dark face seen, and the child turned out of the coach. How - foolish that one’s ride on a stormy day should depend entirely on a black - veil! - </p> - <p> - “Colorphobia, which has hitherto been directed against ‘American citizens - of African descent,’ has broken out in a new direction. Mong Chan Loo is a - Burman who recently graduated at Lewisburg University, Penn., and has - since been studying medicine, preparatory to returning to Asia as a - missionary. He is quite dark, but has straight hair, and is a gentlemen of - much cultivation. The other day, he took passage on the Muskingum-river - packet, ‘J. H. Bert,’ and, when the supper-bell rang, was about to seat - himself at the table. The captain prevented him, informing him that, by - the rules of the boat, colored persons must eat separately from the - whites. He grew indignant at this, refused to eat on the boat at all, and, - on arriving at Marietta, sued the owners of the boat for five thousand - dollars damages for ‘mental and bodily anguish suffered.’ The case is a - novel one; and its decision will perhaps involve the question, whether - Africans alone, or Asiatics, and, perhaps, all dark-complexioned people, - are included in the designation ‘colored.’ If the more sweeping definition - prevails, brunettes will have to be provided with legally-attested - pedigrees to secure for themselves seats at the first table and other - Caucasian privileges.”—<i>Cincinnati Gazette.</i> - </p> - <p> - “The Dunkards, a peculiar religious society, numerous in some of the - Western States, at their recent annual meeting discussed the question, - ‘Shall we receive colored persons into the church? and shall we salute - them with the holy kiss?’ It was decided that they should be received into - the church, but that all the members were to be left to their own choice - and taste in regard to saluting their colored brethren, with the - understanding, however, that all who refused to do so were to be regarded - as weak.” - </p> - <p> - In the year 1844, I visited a town in the State of Ohio, where a radical - abolitionist informed me that he owned a pew in the village church, but - had not attended worship there for years, owing to the proslavery - character of the preacher. - </p> - <p> - “Why don’t you sell your pew?” I inquired. - </p> - <p> - “I offered to sell it, last week, to a man, for ten dollars’ worth of - manure for my garden,” said he; “but the farmer, who happens to be one of - the pillars of the church, wants it for five dollars.” - </p> - <p> - “What did it cost?” I inquired. - </p> - <p> - “Fifty dollars,” was the reply. - </p> - <p> - “Are they very proslavery, the congregation?” I asked. - </p> - <p> - “Yes: they hate a black man worse than <i>pizen</i>,” said he. - </p> - <p> - “Have you any colored family in your neighborhood?” I inquired. - </p> - <p> - “We have,” said he, “a family about, four miles from here.” - </p> - <p> - “Are they very black?” I asked. - </p> - <p> - “Yes: as black as tar,” said he. - </p> - <p> - “Now,” said I, “my friend, I can put you in the way of selling your pew, - and for its worth, or near what it cost you.” - </p> - <p> - “If you can, I’ll give you half I get,” he replied. - </p> - <p> - “Get that colored family, every one of them, take them to church, don’t - miss a single Sunday; and, my word for it, in less than four weeks, they, - the church-folks, will make you an offer,” said I. - </p> - <p> - An arrangement was made with Mr. Spencer, the black man, by which himself, - wife, and two sons, were to attend church four successive Sabbaths; for - which, they were to receive in payment a hog. The following Sunday, - Mason’s pew was the centre of attraction. From the moment that the Spencer - Family arrived at the church, till the close of the afternoon service, the - eyes of the entire congregation were turned towards “the niggers.” Early - on Monday, Mr. Mason was called upon by the “pillar,” who said, “I’ve - concluded to give you ten dollars’ worth of manure for your pew, Mr. - Mason.” - </p> - <p> - “I can’t sell it for that,” was the reply. “I ask fifty dollars for my - pew; and I guess Mr. Spencer will take it, if he likes the preaching,” - continued the abolitionist. - </p> - <p> - “What!” said the ‘pillar,’ “does that nigger want the pew?” - </p> - <p> - “He’ll take it if the preaching suits him,” returned Mason. - </p> - <p> - The churchman left with a flea in his ear. The second Sunday, the blacks - were all on hand to hear the lining of the first hymn. The news of the pew - being occupied by the negroes on the previous occasion had spread far and - wide, and an increase of audience was the result. The clergyman preached a - real negro-hating sermon, apparently prepared for the express purpose of - driving the blacks away. However, this failed; for the obnoxious persons - were present in the afternoon. Mr. Mason was called upon on Monday by - another weighty member, who inquired if the pew was for sale, and its - price. - </p> - <p> - “Fifty dollars,” was the reply. - </p> - <p> - “I’ll give you twenty-five dollars,” said the member. - </p> - <p> - “Fifty dollars, and nothing less,” was Mason’s answer. - </p> - <p> - The weighty member left, without purchasing the pew. Being on a lecturing - tour in the vicinity, I ran into town, occasionally, to see how the matter - progressed; for I had an eye to one-half of the proceeds of the sale of - the pew. - </p> - <p> - During the week, Spencer came, complained of the preaching, saying that - his wife could not and would not stand it, and would refuse to attend - again: whereupon, I went over, through a dreary rain, and promised the - wife a shilling calico-dress if she would fulfil the agreement. This - overcame her objections. I also arranged that two colored children of - another family, near by, should be borrowed for the coming Sunday. Mason - was asked how the Spencers liked the preaching. He replied that the blacks - were well pleased, and especially with the last sermon, alluding to the - negro-hating discourse. - </p> - <p> - The following Sunday found Mason’s pew filled to overflowing; for the two - additional ones had left no space unoccupied. That Sunday did the work - completely; for the two borrowed boys added interest to the scene by - taking different courses. One was tumbling about over the laps of the - older persons in the pew, attracting rather more attention than was due - him, and occasionally asking for “bed and butter;” while the smaller one - slept, and snored loud enough to be heard several pews away. On Monday - morning following, Mr. Mason was called upon. The pew was sold for fifty - dollars cash. I received my portion of the funds, and gave Spencer’s wife - the calico gown. Mason called in the few hated radicals, and we had a - general good time. - </p> - <p> - During the same lecturing tour, I was called to visit the village of - Republic, some thirty miles from Sandusky. - </p> - <p> - On taking a seat in one of the cars where other passengers had seated - themselves, I was ordered out, with the remark, that “Niggers ain’t - allowed in here.” Refusing to leave the car, two athletic men, employed by - the road, came in at the bidding of the conductor, and, taking me by the - collar, dragged me out. - </p> - <p> - “Where shall I ride?” I asked. “Where you please; but not in these cars,” - was the reply. Under ordinary circumstances, I would have declined going - by the train. But I had an appointment, and must go. As the signal for - starting was given, I reluctantly mounted a flour-barrel in the open - freight-car attached to the train, and away we went through the woods. - </p> - <p> - From my position, I had a very good view of the passengers in the nearest - car, and must confess that they did not appear to be the most refined - individuals. The majority looked like farmers. There were some drovers, - one of whom, with his dog at his feet, sat at the end window: the animal - occasionally got upon the seat by the side of its master, when the latter - would take him by the ears, and pull him off. The drover seemed to say to - me, as he eyed me sitting on the barrel in the hot sun, “You can’t come - where my dog is.” At the first stopping-place, a dozen or more - laboring-men, employed in repairing the road, got on the train with their - pickaxes and shovels. They, too, took seats in a passenger-car. I had a - copy of Pope’s poems, and was trying to read “The Essay on Man;” but - almost failed, on account of the severity of the sun. However, a gentleman - in the car, seeing my condition, took pity on me, and, at the next - stopping-place, kindly lent me his umbrella; which was no sooner hoisted - than it drew the attention of the drover at one of the end windows, and - some of the Irishmen at the other, who set up a jolly laugh at my expense. - Up to this time, the conductor had not called on me for my ticket; but, as - the train was nearing the place of my destination, he climbed upon the - car, came to me, and, holding out his hand, said, “I’ll take your ticket, - sir. “I have none,” said I. “Then, I’ll take your fare,” continued he, - still holding ont his hand. “How much is it?” I inquired. “A dollar and a - quarter,” he replied. “How much do you charge those in the passenger-car?”—“The - same,” was the response. “Do you think that I will pay as much as those - having comfortable seats? No, sir. I shall do no such thing,” said I. - “Then,” said the conductor, “you must get off.”—“Stop your train, - and I’ll get off,” I replied. “Do you think I’ll stop these cars for you?” - </p> - <p> - “Well,” said I, “you can do as you please. I will not pay full fare, and - ride on a flour-barrel in the hot sun.”—“Since you make so much fuss - about it, give me a dollar, and you may go,” said the conductor. “I’ll do - no such thing,” I replied. “Why? Don’t you wish to pay your fare?” asked - he. “Yes,” I replied. “I will pay what’s right; but I’ll not pay you a - dollar for riding on a flour-barrel in the hot sun.”—“Then, since - you feel so terribly bad about it, give me seventy-five cents, and I’ll - say no more about it,” said the officer. “No, sir: I shall not do it,” - said I. “What do you mean to pay?” asked he. “How much do you charge per - hundred for freight?” I asked. “Twenty-five cents per hundred,” answered - the conductor. “Then I’ll pay thirty-seven and a-half cents,” said I; “for - I weigh one hundred and fifty pounds.” The astonished man eyed me from - head to feet; while the drover and the Irish laborers, who were piled up - at each window of the passenger-car, appeared not a little amused at what - they supposed to be a muss between the conductor and me. - </p> - <p> - Finally, the officer took a blank account out of his pocket, and said, - “Give me thirty-seven and a-half cents, and I’ll set you down as freight.” - I paid over the money, and saw myself duly put among the other goods in - the freight-car. - </p> - <p> - A New-York journal is responsible for the following:— - </p> - <p> - “It is not many months since a colored man came to this city from abroad. - A New-York merchant had been in business connection with him for several - years; and from that business connection had realized a fortune, and felt - that he must treat him kindly. When Sunday came, he invited him to go to - church with him. He went; and the merchant took him into his own pew, near - the pulpit, in a fashionable church. There was a prominent member of the - church near the merchant, who saw this with great amazement. He could not - be mistaken: it was a genuine ‘nigger,’ and not a counterfeit. Midway in - his sermon, the minister discovered him, and was so confused by it, that - he lost his place, and almost broke down. - </p> - <p> - “After service, the man who sat near the merchant went to him, and in - great indignation asked,— - </p> - <p> - “What does this mean?” - </p> - <p> - “What does what mean?” - </p> - <p> - “That you should bring a nigger into this church?” - </p> - <p> - “It is my pew.” - </p> - <p> - “Your pew, is it? And, because it is your pew, you must insult the whole - congregation!” - </p> - <p> - “He is intelligent and well educated,” answered the merchant. - </p> - <p> - “What do I care for that? He is a nigger!” - </p> - <p> - “But he is a friend of mine.” - </p> - <p> - “What of that? Must you therefore insult the whole congregation?” - </p> - <p> - “But he is a Christian, and belongs to the same denomination.” - </p> - <p> - “What do I care for that? Let him worship with his nigger Christians.” - </p> - <p> - “But he is worth five million dollars,” said the merchant. - </p> - <p> - “Worth what?” - </p> - <p> - “Worth five million dollars.” - </p> - <p> - “For God’s sake introduce me to him,” was the reply. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0045" id="link2HCH0045"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XLV—SIXTH REGIMENT UNITED-STATES VOLUNTEERS. - </h2> - <p> - <i>Organization of the Regiment.—Assigned to Hard Work.—Brought - under Fire.—Its Bravery.—Battle before Richmond.—Gallantry - of the Sixth.—Officers’ Testimony.</i> - </p> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he following - sketch of the Sixth Regiment United-States colored troops was kindly - furnished by a gentleman of Philadelphia, but came too late to appear in - its proper place. - </p> - <p> - The Sixth Regiment United-States colored troops was the second which was - organized at Camp William Penn, near Philadelphia, by Lieut.-Col. Louis - Wagner, of the Eighty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers. The regiment left - Philadelphia on the 14th of October, 1863, with nearly eight hundred men, - and a full complement of officers, a large majority of whom had been in - active service in the field. - </p> - <p> - The regiment reported to Major-Gen. B. F. Butler, at Fortress Monroe, and - were assigned to duty at York-town, Va., and became part of the brigade - (afterwards so favorably known), under the command of Col. S. A. Duncan, - Fourth United-States colored troops. Here they labored upon the - fortifications, and became thoroughly disciplined under the tuition of - their colonel, John W. Ames, formerly captain of the Eleventh Infantry, - United-States Army, ably seconded by Lieut.-Col. Royce and Major Kiddoo. - During the winter, the regiment took a prominent part in the several raids - made in the direction of Richmond, and exhibited qualities that elicited - the praise of their officers, and showed that they could be fully relied - upon in more dangerous work. - </p> - <p> - The regiment was ordered to Camp Hamilton, Virginia, in May, 1864; where a - division of colored troops was formed, and placed under the command of - Brig.-Gen. Hinks. In the expedition made up the James River the same - month, under Gen. Butler, this division took part. The white troops were - landed at Bermuda Hundreds. Three regiments of colored men were posted at - various points along the river. Duncan’s brigade landed at City Point, - where they immediately commenced fortifications. The Sixth and Fourth - Regiments were soon after removed to Spring Hill, within five miles of - Petersburg. Here they labored night and day upon those earthworks, which - were soon to be the scene of action which was to become historical. The - Sixth was in a short time left alone, by the removal of the Fourth - Regiment to another point. - </p> - <p> - On the 29th of May, the rebel forces made an assault on the picket-line, - the enemy soon after attacking in strong force, but were unable to drive - back the picketline any considerable distance. The Fourth Regiment was - ordered to the assistance of the Sixth; but our forces were entirely too - weak to make it feasible or prudent to attack the enemy, who withdrew - during the night, having accomplished nothing. - </p> - <p> - This was the first experience of the men under actual fire, and they - behaved finely. When the outer works around Petersburg were attacked, June - 15, Duncan’s brigade met the rebels, and did good service, driving the - enemy before him. We had a number killed and wounded in this engagement. - The rebels sought shelter in their main works, which were of the most - formidable character. These defences had been erected by the labor of - slaves, detailed for the purpose. Our forces followed them to their - stronghold. The white troops occupied the right; and in order to attract - the attention of the enemy, while these troops were manoeuvring for a - favorable attacking position, the colored soldiers were subject to a most - galling fire for several hours, losing a number of officers and men. - Towards night, the fight commenced in earnest by the troops on the right, - who quickly cleared their portion of the line: this was followed by the - immediate advance of the colored troops, the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and - Twenty-second Regiments. In a very short time, the rebels were driven from - the whole line; these regiments capturing seven pieces of artillery, and a - number of prisoners. For their gallantry in this action, the colored - troops received a highly complimentary notice from Gen. W. H. Smith, in - General Orders. - </p> - <p> - A few hours after entering the rebel works, our soldiers were gladdened by - a sight of the veterans of the Army of the Potomac, who that night - relieved our men at the front. A glance at the strong works gave the - new-comers a better opinion of the fighting qualities of the negroes than - they had calculated upon; and a good feeling was at once established, that - rapidly dispelled most of the prejudices then existing against the blacks; - and from that time to the close of the war the negro soldier stood high - with the white troops. - </p> - <p> - After spending some time at the Bermuda Hundreds, the Sixth Regiment was - ordered to Dutch Gap, Va., where, on the 16th of August, they assisted in - driving the rebels from Signal Hill; Gen. Butler, in person, leading our - troops. The Sixth Regiment contributed its share towards completing - Butler’s famous canal, during which time they were often very much annoyed - by the rebel shells thrown amongst them. The conduct of the men throughout - these trying scenes reflected great credit upon them. On the 29th of - September, the regiment occupied the advance in the demonstration made by - Butler that day upon Richmond. The first line of battle was formed by the - Fourth and Sixth Regiments: the latter entered the fight with three - hundred and fifteen men, including nineteen officers. - </p> - <p> - The enemy were driven back from within two miles of Deep Bottom, to their - works at New-Market Heights: the Sixth was compelled to cross a small - creek, and then an open field. They were met by a fearful fire from the - rebel works, men fell by scores: still the regiment went forward. The - color-bearers, one after another, were killed or wounded, until the entire - color-guard were swept from the field. Two hundred and nine men, and - fourteen officers, were killed and wounded. Few fields of battle showed - greater slaughter than this; and in no conflict did both officers and men - prove themselves more brave. Capts. York and Sheldon and Lieut. Meyer were - killed close to the rebel works. Leuts. Pratt, Landon, and McEvoy - subsequently died of the wounds received. Lieut. Charles Fields, Company - A, was killed on the skirmish line: this left the company in charge of the - first sergeant, Richard Carter, of Philadelphia, who kept it in its - advanced position throughout the day, commanding with courage and great - ability, attracting marked attention for his officer-like bearing. During - the battle many instances of unsurpassed bravery were shown by the common - soldier, which proved that these heroic men were fighting for the freedom - of their race, and the restoration of a Union that should protect man in - his liberty without regard to color. No regiment did more towards - extinguishing prejudice against the negro than the patriotic Sixth. - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - “And thus are Afric’s injured sons - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - The oppressor’s scorn abating, - </p> - <p class="indent15"> - And to the world’s admiring gaze - </p> - <p class="indent20"> - Their manhood vindicating.” - </p> - <p> - <br /> - </p> - <p> - The writer regrets that he cannot remember all those whose good conduct in - this our last battle deserves honorable mention. It may not, however, be - invidious to mention the names remembered. These are, Sergt.-Major - Hawkins, Sergt. Jackson, Company B (since deceased); Sergts. Ellesberry, - Kelley, Terry, and Carter All of these, as well as a number of others, - were capable of filling positions as commissioned officers. - </p> - <p> - Several of the enlisted men received medals for gallantry, and were - mentioned in General Orders by Major-Gen. Butler. The works which the - Sixth Regiment attempted to take at such fearful cost of life were in a - short time taken at the point of the bayonet by another brigade of colored - troops. Had these latter been present to aid in the first attack, it would - have saved many valuable lives; for the force was entirely too weak for - the object. When the Sixth Regiment was finally paid off at Philadelphia, - at the close of the Rebellion, the officers held a farewell meeting at the - Continental Hotel; and the following resolutions were adopted as - expressive of their appreciation of the conduct of the troops under their - command:— - </p> - <p> - “1. <i>Resolved</i>, That, in our intercourse with them during the past - two years, they have shown themselves to be brave, reliable, and efficient - as soldiers; patient to endure, and prompt to execute. - </p> - <p> - “2. That, being satisfied with their conduct in the high position of - soldiers of the United States, we see no reason why they should not be - fully recognized as equals, honorable and responsible citizens of the - same.” - </p> - <p> - From the commencement of the enlistment of colored troops, to the close of - the war, there were engaged in active service one hundred and - sixty-nine-thousand six hundred and twenty-four colored men. - </p> - <div style="height: 6em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Negro in The American Rebellion, by -William Wells Brown - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NEGRO IN THE AMERICAN REBELLION *** - -***** This file should be named 50130-h.htm or 50130-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/1/3/50130/ - -Produced by David Widger from page images generously -provided by the Internet Archive - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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