New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-05-28
he had appointed him chief aid and guide for the


day. .
This conspicuous position and sudden promotion
rather embarrassed the faithful black at rst, but II
a few moments your correspondent couid no. uis
cover 80 far as modestv OF department, ana th'
prompt execution of all orders committed to him wal
concerned, but what he acquitted himself az well a
any one else upon the staff and that is saying great
deal, for more gallant and gentlemanly staff thar
Gen Paricks there is not in the army OF the Kappa
hammock During the entire reconnaissance Gen.
Patrick consulted Henry every few moments with
regard TO the position of the roads and paths the
names Of the occupants OF the different dwellings, we
passed, whether they were loyal or dsloyal, the
amount of corn on hand, and the number Of slaves
to consume it, and on many other subjects OF value
to an officer making re cOnnoissance.
Upon seeing how graceful Henry bore his honors
and how well be discharged his duties, your cores
ponden. became curious to know more Of him
something of his past life experience. He told
me LIZ was born slave of Alfred Bernard, that he
remained with him until about six months ago,
when after the most inhuman treatment, he re-
solved 10 be free Being quite the most ener-
getc person the plantation he made harangues to
the other slaves, and urged them all to strike for
their freedom. After much urging and nersuadlng,
he at last prevailed upon fourteen to leave, and one
dark rainy night $l4 900 worth Of Alfred Bernard
property suddenly disappeared.
Thirteen Of the fourteen escaped, and found what
they 20 much prlzed-tbeir freedom within the lines
of the Union Army. Henry. after seeing the others
safely through went back-traveled by night
through the woods-with the intention Of bridging
of ali the remaining slaves on Demands plantation
In this attempt he was discovered. VI course,
treatment the most brutal and inhuman followed.
The sharp lash of the overseer gashed his back ms
wrists were confined in iron handcuus, ana MS Ieet
bound together with Cords
la this condition he was cent to prison in Rich
mond, then confined in loathsome dungeon month
with bread and water food, and then sent TO work
OF the bottom OF coal pit and closely watched.
His natural sagacity and shrewdness, however room
enabled him to device means to escape. lie left the
coal pit without a permit, Travelled through tne
woods by night, and at last reached our lines.
Henry Tyler now has the pleasure Of hiding by
the plantation Of Alfred Bernard daily without
the least fear Of being scourged, handcufed, and
cent TO prison. His colored friends Oh the adjoining
plantations as we passed by them, received him
with cheers, the swinging OF old hats, and every
demonstration of Joy they could manifest Like VIM.
jackson. JET. Days's coaehman lie is pure negro,
and is not Indebted to any Of bis white brothers for
bis intelligence.
Cant Vim. II. Paine, Typographical engineer on
Gen. McDowelrs staff informed me this evening,
that the most valuable information he had been able
to obtain with regard TO the streams and the bridges
which cross them the distance from one to the other
the names of the planters who reside on the roads,
the villages hamlets schoolhouses the exact nature
of the country. and all that engineer requires IN
order TO make an accurate map OF the country, had
been given him by the loyal blacks who sought pro-
tection within our lines.
One man especially, Dabney Walker, had rem
dered invaluable service. He gave the distances OF
the streams to the OTHER 90 accurately That
in adding them all mp he made mistake OF but two
miles from Fredericksburg to Richmond. Capt.
Paine also said that he had ceased to employ white
Inen, not finding them accurate, and now had aIl-
thorty from Gen. Mcdowell to mount twelve
negroes and use them constantly in the service.
am found, Gays Capt. Pane, the negroes, as
rule far more intelligent than the poor white folks
and the whole observe Emancipation simply for
the service already rendered, or would have been
rendered, if many of our Generals had acted upon
the information obtained through them. Says one
OF the most popular BrigaderGenerals in the army,
now the Commander of a division: Oar Govern
men has spent hundreds Of thousands of dollars for
secret service and yet have not obtained rs much
OF the enemys movements rs eight or
ten poor blacks have given them. The name OF this
General can be given if necessary.