The New York herald., 1862-02-04
ARKANSAS.
AN ESCAPED PRISONER FROM CAIRO-A FAITHFUL
SERVANT.

ARKANSAS.
AN ESCAPED PRISONER FROM cAIRO-A FAITHFUL
SERVANT.
From the Helena (Ark.) Shield.
few days since Major, slave belonging to Mrs Rabb
of this vicinity who taken prisoner at the battle or
Belmont and carried to Cairo good his escape and
retured home and is at the plantation among his
real riends-a happy, contened, honest darkey Many
interesting incidents connected with his captivity peril
escape fortunate meeting with friends in the depths
OF the forests of Missouri his arrival at Columbus where
he had the happiness OF finding that his young master had
escaped unhurt on the battle field, where he was taken
prisoner are all related by Major in manner at once con
else, Straightforward and doubtless honest
On the morning of the battle lie was instructed by ms
master, Mr.. Rabb, who was private in company A,
Thirteenth regiment Arkansas Volunteers to remain at
the hospital tent during the progress OF the conflict but
the enemy having gotten possession Of the encampmn
Caircwas cor fined in one of the guard rooms several
days during which time he frequently nerrogated
as to whether he would like to return home.
Being shrewd enough for unprincped captors he told
them that he had regard for his owners and was de-
lighted at the prcsrect Of freedom which was promised
of course. lie was Subsequently taken by an Illinois
captain for his cook with promise Of $l2 Ter month";
but up to the 31st of December received nothing On
that night he managed to crawl through the lines,
secured old leaky skin, which he had seen in the
willows about a mile above town the day previous,
whist out with officers servant watering horses.
He found tho skin destitute Of oars, but with bit of
plank substitute, poor as IL was he boldly pushed out
into tho streamlanded upon an island first, misaking
il for the Missouri shore whore he wandered about Sc
oil hours: again embarked reached the main shore,
where he being discovered by sentry
by or at Birds Point But he eluded the drowsy Lin
conitc escaped into the woods and made for Columbus
This Wednesday, January /, and he wandered
about until Friday following, when he came upon
humble dwelling far back in the forest He tells
that this time he greatly fatigced and worn out
by constantly travelling and the cravings of hunger He
determined into this rude hut, and did so,
finding it anted by tirer salwart whom he
found uthorrers to whom he, without reserve,
told his tale Of suffering and privaton and who kindly
prosred acc m any him Colunbus wherc the four
ard reached their destination about the
day, whore the poor fow experienced the joyful happi
OF again meeting his young master.
Lincoln and his mym will learn from the story Of
Major which have briefly narrated, that they cannot
convert srch he (aad there many such in the
SOUTH into incendares and The truth Is.
we know many servants whose attachments for their
masters and owners amount almost TO frenzy adO-a
ton There are, may be few who might be induced to
raise their hands in insureocton put foot by abo
on emssaries, but the loyal slaves in midst would
30 far outnumber them that they could do but slight
mischief.