The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-12-16
MISCELLANY.


correspondent Wfltihg 10 the oostoh
Journal from the Z. S. barque Restless, of
the Charleston blockading squadron, relates
the following interesting adventure:
little trip to the ''main" was made day
or two since by Masters Mate James w. Rus
sell. of this ship, a brief account of which
may prove of some interest TO your readers.
Our Captain had received information from
contrabands that the mail between Charleston,
Santee and Georgetown, passed two or three
times week, in the night, along road about
five miles inland, and determined to attempt
its capture Mr.. Russell was detailed for this
Duty and accordingly started on the afternoon
of the Sd inst. accompanied by two contra
bands, called Jerry and Harry, who were ac-
quainted with the locality. They arrived at
the main about SHUTDOWN, and proceeded to
the road where the mail was expected TO pass.
Close by was the plantation upon which the
two contrabands had been slaves, and where
their families still lived. One of them was
sent to his hut to make inquiries about the
mail, and soon returned with another negro,
slave, called Jack. who appeared very intelli-
gent, expressed a desire TO be free, and who
offered TO aid the enterprise in any way posi-
BILE. Mr.. Russell sent him to the mail station
near by, to ascertain what time the mail would
pass, and get such other information as he
could Jack showed more shrewdness than
many white people would have done. Peul-
try is sometimes sent by the mail carrier
Jack boldly entered the station, and inquired
what time the mail came, saying he had some
chickens to send. He found that it did not
come until the next night. After obtaining
all the information possible, he returned. Mr..
Russell determined TO watt and being assured
of the negroes on the plantation, and told tina
the master and overseer were away, and no
one TO fear except the driver, was induced TO
go over to one of the huts to stay until the
ts,f.r 10 iallx yaI
and although it was quite late, supper of
boiled hominy and roast sweet potatoes the
best they had, was Immediately prepared
There was soon quite crowd of slaves COL
lected in the hut. All had heard of the Pres
idents emancipation proclamation, and made
eager inquiries concerning it. They supposed
that when Charleston should be taken the
proclamation would be enforced. They all
wanted to be free. There was among them
very old man, a great-grandlather. Notwith-
standing his age, he said he was obliged to go
into the field every day TO his work or be cow
hided. The whip and the one who used it /
will describe presently. The "best bed,' but
not the "spare bed" for there was none, was
given to their guest. 1t was a rough bunk
with no bed save the boards, hard cotton
pillow, and two very old blankets, which APP
peared to have been targets for Berdan's reg
iment. All the bedding they possessed was
offered to him. pitch pine knot served the
purpose of candle. About midnight Mr..
Russell was aroused by a noise in the adjoining
hut, where Harry was with his family. He
went out and found that the driver who by
some means had become appraised Of the return
of the two contrabands, was dragging Harry
out of the hut by the throat, and belaboring
him with a whip.
This driver was ferocious mulatto, over
six feet high very large, and extremely mus
cular and powerful. The whip he used which
was made expressly for him, was of plated
cowhide about ten feet lone and one and
half inches in diameter at the butt, gradually
tapering to the end. This whip was after
wards obtained and brought away as trophy.
Mr.. Russell did not wish himself to be seen, be-
cause it might Illustrate his mail enterprise
the next night, and so kept himself concealed
for while, but soon found it necessary TO
interfere, which he did by coming forward and
leveling a revolver at the drivers head, caus-
ing him to drop both Harry and the whip, and
run for his life. Mr.. Russell thought it about
time to leave, and taking the three contrabands
started for his boat and rowed to Bulls Island.
He now concluded that there was still a
chance for the mail, provided he made bold
push in the day time. A sharp lookout would
be kept at the landing the next night He star
ted back again at noon, arrived at the landing
about o'clock, left Jack in charge of the boat,
with orders to keep concealed, and with the
other two cnntrabands made his way back
through the woods to the road, arriving before
dark. Here he remained concealed until about
halfpast 10 O'Clock, when the mail came along.
1t was carried by one man, with a horse and
sulky. Mr.. Russell, having stationed the two
negroes, jumped out into the road with pistol
and commanded the man to stop. He refined
up at once, and asked what for. He was as
sured he would not be harmed, and told he
would save all further trouble by aighting.
He wanted TO know by what authority he was
stopped "By authority OF the United States
Government" " Thank God," said the man,
and jumped out, 81 am glad of ii. hare
,odnted chance like this for some time.'
After searching the man and his sulky, Mr..
Russell tied the horse TO a tree near the road
aud proceeded with the man and his mail bags
toward the boat Upon arriving at the spot
four mounted pickets were discovered few
feet in advance, on the watch. Mr.. Russell's
party concealed themselves until daybreak,
when the pickets rode away. Upon giving the
agreed signal, Jack. the new contraband, who
had faithfully remained by the boat since the
preceding afternoon made his appearance, and
pull of few hours brought them safely to
the ship. The gunboat Flag" happened to be
in sight, and the man and the mail bags were
Immediately dispatched to the flag ship of the
squadron. The contents of the mail, which
was large one, were not ascertained at the
time, but Charleston papers Of the 4th THE day
the mail was taken)were obtained. They con-
tain very little news
A good deal of information was obtained
from the mail carrier. | should Judge him to
be good representative of the more intelli-
gent portion of the poor whites of the South
He was over forty years of age, was born in
Charleston, and had never been more than six
ty miles from that city in his life. He said he
liked the South for it had been his home, but
now there was no chance for poor white
man, and he was glad to leave. There were
many others who felt as he did, but many be-
lieved If they should come within our power.
they would be imprisoned and otherwise abus-
ed, and perhaps killed. The farmers in that
vicinity believe that if Charleston is taken
they will be driven away, their slaves liberated,
and their lands confiscated. This carrier, of
course, would have been compelled to join the
army. had he not been engaged in carrying the
mail, which the law will not allow to be car
ried by a negro.