Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-04-11

Psnic among the Negro PepulatIon Of chi.
cREo-sudden and Rapid Rxodus oG FuGi-
tive Siaves-PecuIfar ana characteristics
Scenes among the Departing DarIties.
Tuesday evenings Chicago (Ill.) Journal
has the following;
The utmost CONSERVATION prevails among
all classes of the colored residents of the
city, and the exodus from state of uncer-
tainty 10 one of absolute freedom still con-
tinues. All day yesterday the vicinity of
the Michigan Southern depot was scene Of
excitement and confusion. After the re-
hgious Services at the Zoar Baptist Church,
in the morning, which was densely at
tended, the leave. taking commenced. Edna
place, Buffalo, Clark, and Harrison.streets,
which are largely inhabited by the colored
population, were crowded all the afternoon
by the fugitiVes and their friends, going
from door to door, bidding each other
good by, and mingling their Congratulations
and tears. The colored clergymen of the
city were also among the number, and Ia
bored ardently in extending encouragement
and consolation to those about to depart.
Sorrowful groups Of men, women, and
children gathered in door-yards and upon
the sidewalks, and many affecting scenes
occurred. In some instances, entire families
were going together, in which cases there
seemed to be general jubilation in Others
few members, wife leaving husband, or
mother her children, amid tears and PRONE
ises of constant recollection until a good
time coming. Upon the part of all, affective
as they considered this dispensatien, there
seemed to be general and decided belief
that the day Of their emancipation from
trouble was near at hand. ....... .s
Four freight cars had been chartered of the
Michigan Southern Railroad Company, at q
tariff of 5000, and all the afternoon, drayg,
express-wagons and other vehicles, were
busy transporting trunks, bandboxes valises
and various articles of household furniture
to the depot. The wants Of the outer man
had been attended to also, and q goodly
store of provisions, such as crackers, bread,
BEANS dried beef and apples, were packed in,
| and barrel of water in each car; for the
fugitives were to be slowed away in the
same cars with the freight, with plenty of
fresh air, but no light, and in crowded, un-
! wholesome state. Df mn ... #.
AS the hour of departure-half. past six-
drew nigh, the streets adjacent to the depot
and the immediate vicinity of the four cars,
near the corner of Harrison and Griswold-
Streets were thronged with an excited null
titude of colored people of both sexes and
all ages Large numbers of white people
also gathered, from motives of curiosity,
and stood silent spectators of this rather
unusual spectacle. ...e -,f ..-....
The four cars were rapidly filed with the
fugitives, numbering LOG in all, and en-
bracing men, women, youth and infants.
In the rear car were two or three sick
women, who were treated with the utmost
tenderness and made the recipients of every
attention possible, to alleviate their hard
lot. The whole business of the transporta-
tion was supervised by two or three colored
men, assisted by several white people.
| Alter all were aboard, which was con-
cluded by six o'clock, the immense crowd
! pressed up to the cars and commenced the
! last farewell. The general appearance of all,
both of those going and those staying, was
one of Joy at the expected deliverance from
an uncertainty, which might at any hour
return them to the bondage they had es-
| capped Here and there was one in tears aud
| wringiug the hands, but the majority were
in the best of humor, and were congratulated
by their friends lingering behind, that to-
morrow they would be free. "Never mind,n
said one, "the good Lord will save US all in
the coming day." --, -r
! Another was encouraging a weeping
/ woman and urging her not to cry but thank
God she had place to go TO, out of the way
| of the slave catchers. These and like CON.
gratulatioDs were interchanged, and as one
crowd finished, their places were supplied by
fresh delegations from the outside multitude,
who also went through their congratulations
| and shaking hands, bidding their friends
write when they got to "the other side of
Jordan" and not forget them in the new
country. The minister of the neighboring
church where they had attended, also went
from car to car bidding them be men when
they got 20 Canada. 'f
The larger proportion of the fugitives were
stout, able-bodied young men, many of them
well dressed and some of them almost white
| These apparently were light hearted and
looked forward to their nights ride, albeit
| under privations and difficulties, with large
degree of pleasure and good nature, some of
them seeming to enjoy it as q good Joke.
The elder ones evinced no levity, but acted
| like those who had been hardened by trouble,
and were now suffering lot foreseen and
prepared for. .sn
In every csse they stocially bade their
friends good bye, each expressing hope of
| good time coming, a belief which seemed
deeply implanted in the breasts of al. Said
one of them, an old man, about seventy, to
another of a like age, who was to remain,
"Ahi Johnsing, Johnsinng, de road must
! turn; it's bout done goneW
| The women more frequently gave way to
| their troubles, but upon the encouragement
| of their friends would soon become bouyant
and light hearted and attempt to laugh off
their troubles.
| Quite number of children were among
the crowd, who, ignorant of the cause Of
| such commotion, gave the rest constant
! trouble by getting into the wrong cars and
climbing round and between the wheels.
But al were finally slowed away, the bell
of the engine sounded, and the train started
amid lusty cheers, many-yoiced good byes
and the waving of hats and handkerchief as
far as the eye could see. The fugitives
heartily responded, and the train vanished
in the distance. 1t probably reached Detroit
this morning, if on time, and long before this
was printed, the crowd Of fugitives were
standing on free soil.
About 1000 fugitives have arrived in this
city since last fall, large number of whom
have left within the past few days. 1t is
evidently the wisest course for them to pur-
sue, as it is sheer folly for them to remain,
where they are in imminent danger of being
returned TO slavery.
BELLIeERENr THREATS OF THE VIRGINIA