Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1862-12-06
The Irrepressible African--Coi. Utley OF
the Wisconsin 22d Threatened with
Imprisonment.

A correspondent of the Milwaukee Sen
tinel gives an account of the difficulties
which have recently arisen between Col.
UrLEY of the 22d Wisconsin, and the con-
ditional Union men in Central Kentucky.
Our readers have already been advised of
the Coloneps refusal to obey Gen. Gil
MoRE's order ard deliver certain negroes
who had sought refuge in the camp to
their allegel masters. This was at George
town.
When the brigade was about to leave
Georgetowp, Gen. Gilmore, aware that an
intense feeling had been excited against
the Twenty. in consequence OF Col.
Utley's refusal to render up the tugitives,
ordered his regiment to remain behind, as
If he desired that whatever wrath was to
be showered upon the brigade, should be
conferred where 1t belonged-upon the
Twenty second Wisconsin. AS the brig
ade was passing through Georgetown, the
mob sssailed it with revolvers, stones and
whatever missiles they could lay their
hands to, demanding the negroes they
had with them. Like whipped dogs they
cowed and yielded to the mob those hu-
man beings who had sought protection
within their lines. When Col. Utley
started the next day the citizens told him
he never would be permitted 20 leave the
city with the negroes he bad with him.
he ordered his regiment to load their guns
and fix bayonets, then advised the citizens
that If they intended any hostile demon.
STATIONS upon him, as was shown to the
other regiments the day previous, to clear
the city of women and children, for, as
sure as there was God above, he would
shoot down every man who interfered
with him and lay their town il ashes. The
result was, as might be expected, he
marched through the city with flying COL
ors, led by that splendid Regimental band
OF his, and no man dared to oppose him.
Subsequently at the Camp Nicholasville,
a little dwarf negro came into camp, who
said he bad been living in the WOODS for
some weeks on acorns. Judge ROB
INsoN came to the camp and claimed
him. Col. UULEY told him that if the boy
was willing to go with him he should per-
NIT him, but would not deliver him up
otherwise. The Sentinel's correspondent
continues:
The Colonel found the boy secreted in
one OF the tents. He asked him if he ran
away from Judge Robinson, and if So,
what for? He replied that he was the
Judges hoy that the Judge had been in
the habit OF hiring him out ever since be
was five years old that for the last year
he had hired him to an lrishman for fifty
dollars, who had beat, bruised and mall
treated him in shameful manner, until
he had rather die than endure it any ION
ger. The Irishman's excuse was that the
Judge had cheated him in representing
that the boy was larger than he was, and
he sWOre that he would have the value of
his money if he had to take his blood
The boy further stated that he had repeat
edly told his master that he could not en-,
dure the treatment he was receiving
whose only reply was, ego back, you
dog"
Col Utley returned to the Judge and
related the boys story, and asked him if
he supposed he was going to deliver that
little innocent boy, who had been dwarfed
in body and mind, to an inhuman aristo>
cratic bloat who had grown fat on the la
bors and sweat he had robbed from him.
The Judge said:
{" You can't believe him niggers will
lie"
The boy was then brought out, who
mantully met the tyrant with 'sgood
mornin', massa," and shook hands with
him. He then confronted him with the
same story he had told the Colonel, and
added; Il" Massa, you know it is So"
The Judge did not deny it but said:
Yes; but didn't l tell you | would
take you away?"
Yes, massa," said the boy, shut you
never did,"
The Judge then inquired of the Colonel
If he would deliver him up.
NO" the Colonel replied, but if he
is willing to go he may
When asked if he was willing to 90
back with his master, the boy said "no."
The Judge then threw himself back on
his dignity, and informed Col. Utley that
be Ohe judge was "some punkins :" that
he was the on ly man living who voted for
the Missouri compromise that he had
written able and eloquent articles on the
subject OF emancipation, which Abe Lin
coin had sent for ; that he didn't like slave
ry, but If this is the way the Union army
and the administration are going to tram
pie their rights under their feet. there
would not be a Union man left IN Ken.
lucky, and the Union never would be re
stored.
Col. Utley told him he never had much
confidence in the loyalty of Kentucky.
but he and thousands OF his fellow coun.
trymeu had left their families. their
homes and their business, and perilIed
their lives and their happiness, to protect
him and his neighbor5 from the lawless
ravages of robbers and murderers. That
but few days since this county was
overrun by Kirby Smith and Morgan, who
stole In this immediate vicinity over $780,
OOO worth of horses, without pay or re-
ward; they robbed your corntields and
your granarles they drove off your cattle
and your hogs, and helped themselves
without stint to everything a hungry,
ra gged ana destitute horde of barbarians
could desire, and you howled and groaned
with patriotic loyalty and unteigned
Unionism, until You induced the Govern
ment to send US here to protect you. And
what is our reward Have we lived upon
you? Yes, at the rate of two dollars
per bushel for potatoes, seventy FIVE cents
for chicken. half dollar a pound for
butter, under Kentucky Generals, who
have issued orders that We shall be Sc
verely punished for taking a mouthfnl of
food from citizen when presented to US.
and even L was ordered to march two of
my boys in front of my regiment. to the
tune OF the Rogue's March, for taking
few aDDles from An orchard with tho cn,