Litchfield enquirer., 1861-06-06
Accounts from Virginia
 THE RISE OF THE NEGROs. FEARS AMONG THE MASTERS, 4c., &C.,, sc.

To TuE EDITOR OF THE LIrCHFIELp ENQUIRER. As there are some doubts expressed about the Union sentiment of Western Virginia, and the loyalty of the slaves to their masters, any relia- ble information on these points is interesting to all lovors of the Union. The following state mcnts were made to me by Mir. R. c. Loveridge, (formerly a teacher of penmanship in your vill- age,) and for the past three years, . teacher in virgInIa and North Carolina. Since the Seces- sion Rebellion until tho day of the Virginia election he has resided in South Western Vir- sinia, and has been in communication or teach ing in the following counties Giles, Monroe, Alleghany, Mercer, Raleigh, Greenbrier, Poca- hontss, Nicholas and Randolph, in all of which, although in South Western Virginia, there are as many Union men as Sccessionists, but arc compelled to fight for the rebels, and only need the presence of the United States forces and to be asssred they will be protected, and they would willingly fight under the "Stars and Stripes" Although Mir. L. voted the Union ticket in the Presidential election, he was suspected of not being friendly to secession, and was obliged to l.ave the State to save his neck from the halter, or be drafted into the rebel army. After riding five days on horseback, he left his horse and all his valuables behind and took the cars at Milboro teen was appointed to search Mir. L. and exam inc his correspondence. He was allowed by the railroad agent to take the cars upon the repre- sentation that he was going after his brothers to join the rebel army, upon the assurance of which he received an order to purchase four boxes of cartridges for the rebels His pass was to Gov. Letcher, but he succeeded with about sixty others in leaving the State passing through Alexandria on the last train before it was occu- pied by U. s. Troops. Great joy was manifest ed by the party when they crossed the bridge into Washington to know they could hail each other as Union men and express Union senti- ments with safety.
 It has been stated by the secessionists that the slaves will fight for their masters. That there is no danger of an insurreetion. That the negros are armed, and that they do not need . patrol or home guard. In regard to these points Mir. L. says there is home guard or patrol in euery neigh6orhood, torn and vilsge large or small. Patrols are on duty every night. No slaves are allowed of the plantation without . pass, and at night are not allowed to leave at al Several negroes are in jail for being found with Lewisburg for that offence, and one in Hunters vile. That they expect instructions is evident from the fact that they readily believe all the reports of insurrections, and rally to defend themselves. One instance of which came under his own observation. It was rumored that an insurrection had broken out on a creek in. Bath county, and that seventeen families were mur- dered by the negroes. On the strength of which Capt. Bird rode down one of the best horses in the county in rallying ths home guard of the county. Several companies met and were on duty all night. Fuel was added to their terror by an old negro saying, "TI fight for missis as live, but Mas'r better look out, some bad mig gers bout here" Mir. L. thinks there in an un- derstanding among the negroes that they are concerned and are to be benefited in some way by this war, IS The following conversation be- tween an old slave and her mistress win show l: When the news of the bombardment of Fort Sumpter was received upon the plantation, this old negro woman ran into the house clapping her hands and shouting "Glery Glory!" Her mistress asked her . what is the matter,'' " Dis is what been praying for these twenty years. 2 Her mistress says "what! what!" she says "WarY'
 The greatest ignorance exists as to the cause, and purpose of the war. It is the opinion of most of them that Lincoln is to give gty acres of Virginia land to all who will make wal upon the state and'help to free the negroes. And other