Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-11-22
Vnc south carolina Contrnbnnds.

The south Carolina Contrabands'
The Port Royal correspondent OF the N
Y. Herald, states that some of the masters
At Beaufort actually shot down some OF
their slaves who refused to run away from
the Yankee invaders with them. They had
been told all sorts Of frighttul stories as to
what the Yankees would do with them, and
vet they were ready and glad to fall into
the hands Of their owners enemies. The
fact SHOWS how much there is in the boast
eEat slaves love their masters and prefer
their condition to freedom, and that black
human nature Is genuine human nature at
ter all. The slaves of the notabililies
of Beaufort, Gen. Drayton, Coatesworth,
Pinckney, and others. were the first to come
into camp. Some paragraphs of the vari-
Gus letters from the expedition viii show
the feeling among the Contrabands ;" =
As soon as the negro slaves observed us
coming on shore they fiocked along the
banks in great numbers, some bearing par
cells and bundles, as if expecting us 10 take
them at once 10 a home of freedom. Every
variety Of negro and slave, for il is q mel
ancholy fact that some slaves are apparent
| " as white as their masters, and as intelli-
gent. Darkies Of genuine Congo physiques,
and darkies of the genuine Uncle Tom pat
tern, darkies youug and iubilant, darkies
hal rod an
emn-looking fellows. Some appeared hys-
tilted and some intelligent. The quadroon
and the octoroon, possessing an undfstln-
gnishabls tint Of negro blood mingled, one
drop with seven of southern nativity and
ancient family, formed, to speak mildly, an
interesting scene. As fast aa the contra
band article came within reach il was placed
in the cuard-house, an cid frame building
behind Fort Walker. Here quite a col
lection was made. They were budding
! together, half in fear and half in hope,
when naval officer Of the Bienvile looked
in upon them, asking Well. well. what
are you all a5ou, Z" OATS jest what we'd
like to find out, mas'r,' was the response.
! The officer assured them that they would
. be kindly taken care Of and perhaps found
something to do, and need not be alarmed.
"Tank God for dat, mas'r," was the re-
ply. On drawing them into conversation
they said they caught great deal Of fish in
Port Royal harbor, fishing at night, after
the plantation wark was over. Two slaves
were found accommodating about on their
own account, and on being brought into
camp explained that they belonged TO Mrs.
Pinckney of Charleston, and came down
, !. TO see what de white people were all
about They said that the white people
: all ran away when the ships came up. cry.
/ ing :. Great God great God great God
E the Yankees are coming FIRE the boats,
Other slaves reported that "waen III,
white folks see the little boats coming up
dey LATED at dem, but when dey see de BIZ
). ehecker-sided vessels comm, they LATED oil
s de oder side der moufs."
d Fairly in the morning after the victory
"a the plantation negroes began to come int
camp, and with tie genuine African iastinC
for trade, each had provided himself wit
n a turkey, shoulder of bacon, or two shou
a ders and brace of hams in the shape Of
struggling porker which he bore kickin
!, ami squealing under his arm. 1t was anus
: ing to see the pertuacity with which til
h fellows would cling to their prize, eve
re while waiting 10 be questioned under guar
OF a file of soldiers. The instant one we
spoken to. the bit Of wide awake or III
81 rimless crown of straw hat would be lerl
e ed off with characteristic obsequiousnes
r. the negro stand scraping and bowing, az
Il swering meanwhile his catechism, as we
o., h. al az, o.tI
= beast distracting his attention. Sewers
A. who came in brought wagons loaded wit
tx knapsacks and other accou.rements whic
hit they had picked up on the way. All seen
i ed ready to work. and those who were fo
tunate enough to possess themselves
- some stray horse or pair of plantatio
q mules found abundant occupation.
~ Our troops were accompanied in the
of first reconnaissance into the island by ID
- j. S. Craven, who reports the negroes 0
~ the plantations further inland as almo
wild with delight at the advent of o,
ed troops and the hastv fight Of their master
a. which they described with the utmos
gusto. !" o Lord massa,9 said one, 'swe'
~ SO glad to see YOU. We'se prayed az
to prayed the good Lord that he would sen
IS, yer Yank ses, and we knowed you'se ".
TO coming" How could you know that ?
: asked DIR. Craven. q You can't read II
paper; how did you get the news ;" n
''e massa, wese can't read, but we'se can Ii
nd ten. Massa and missus uses TO read, al
ed sometimes they's would read loud, and til,
we would listen so making an expires
i've gesture Indicative of close attension
ea key hole" When Use git chance l.
Is, would listen, and Jim BIN would listen, an
lis we put the bits together, and we knowe
10 the Yankees were coming. Bless the Lor
massa.p
TAXING THE OATH.--If traitors are