New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-03-19
FIDELITY OF a CONTRABAND-SrO Oh
A REFUGEE FAMILY.

From The huorri Uoa.rGi
4 Union man named Smith has resided about six
miles from Fayetteville, Arkansas, the owner OF a
tract Of coo acres of land with comfortable dwelling
stock, &c. Obnoxious to the Secessl0msls, his
property was plundered by their foraging and other
parties during the Winter, his place being about Il
mile from McCullocbs headquarters. The family
consisted OF MI Smith, his wife and child his
moiherin-law, and also "a brother-in.hw, ,Iames
Watkins and wife married less than n wear ago.
Beside these, Charley, the slave OF Mr. smith.
Upon news of the approach Of Curiiss forces TO
Springfield the SecessiOnists began pursuing all the
| Mon mrn 10 hang them, and Smith and Walk ms
fed, hoping TO make their way 10 some OF The Union
camps. The women thus left, in fear Of outrage
and torture on their husbands occount-if not death
left their home the night of the 9Th Of February
with Charley AZ their guide and protector leaving
tho aged motheraud child. who were unable 10 move.
On foot they wended their way, sleeping what they
did sleep in the open arr upon such straw or litter
as Charley could gather for them, and covered BY
tho single blanket which he carried, and subsisng
upon the food which he carried IN pair OF saddle
bugs. lie would have been seized as market
able property belonging 10 Union man, and
the women regarded their own jeopardy M
something more than thut Of their lives, If net
or caught by the Secessionists. They travelled, he
thinks about eight miles the first day Che women
being feeble and one of them IN delicate s,uatonl,
fording creeks, and avoiding the Travelled roads Ga
one occasion crossinga creek upon log one OF the
ladies iel in, and was with difficulty extricated by
Charley, who az he Said, "cooEed il on de log 10
that bis mistress rot hold Of him, ard when she
reached the bank he pulled her ont Thus for nearly
"a week, foot-soro aud with thou and painful Jour
neys, having no shelter, and not seeing fire, sub
fstinR on the scant provision which Charley car
red, they slowly made their way until they first met
the advance guard OF the Union forces nj Midtown.
Here the ladies were AZ cared for by the
Colonel, while Charley was taken some niles on
horseback to Mister Sigel," who examined him at
great length, comparing his stories with his own
maps OF the country. lie was satisfied OF Charley
truthiuinefs, and gave him pass FOR himself and
the two ladies'.
From this point Conveyance wac given them 20
Springfield and 10 kolla and they arrived in ST.
Louis on Friday night, BY rail-he faithful Charley
tlil their servant, protector and friend. Sle ex-
bibited the various passes furnished him. lie speaLs
Of them with the utmost affection. 4" broRgnt dem
ctddreR gP," said he, though not more than ~
years old himself.
Whether Messrs. Smith and Hopkins mado their
escape or not, the ladies DO not know One of them
Ted from his hOuse IN his .hif seeves and no intel.
hgefce has been received from them
Charley is ii preacher, he says, and seems inte.
gent for bic condition. and manly m his bearing
His wife, belonging 10 another master was sold of
INTO Louisiana some months ago, when they began
TO rush che slaves off from that section Ia conse.
quence of ibs troubles.
Charley Is anxious uow 60 got into Illinois, where
he can md work to support these two ladies'. Says
he 10 stout, aud has good trade can lay brick or
rock, OF work on do farm, aLd arm enough 10 keen
tber.' They are staying 1t tie keiose Hous, Oh