New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-03-26
TuR RENDITION AND MURDER
OF A LOYAL FUGITIVE.


Beyond the admissions in letter from
Mary land Justice, which we published in late
issue. nothing was needed to establish the charge
previously published in our columns, thas on
the night of the 23d of November last. q negro
man who had been of service TO the national
soldiers in furnishing information concerning
the Rebels. and who had Joined the Excelsior
Brirade at the time of its departure from Port
Tobacco. was surrendered by one OF our officers
on the application of his alleged master-waS
taken the same night to the plantation where
he belonged, and was there whipped until he
sank under the punishment, and died lew
hours afterward. These facts, we say, are a.
mitted in an eIcHlpatory letter from tho Judge
who presided at the inquest held on the negro
body. and who asks us to believe that the ne
gro. master, being Of excellent repute as On
amisble end kind slayeowner, must be held
innocent of the crime alleged. The only ques'
tons additional therefore, which arse-seeing
that the surrender Of the slaye, and his subse-
ouent punishment and death are admitted
Apply TO tie conditions under which tho negro
was given up to bis pursuers, and the charac-
ter sustained By bis owner as citizen OF the
United States; and OF both these points con-
siderable light is thrown in communication
which We pubiish in other columns this morning.
Referring to what had previously appeared
and TO what is published to-day, the main
points OF the story seem 70 be these; A Mr..
Cox. owning q farm and certain number Of
.laye, IN the State OF Maryland, five miles
from Port Tobacco, was the possessor, among
other chettels, of m old negro, named Jack.
who made himself conspicuous, on the arrival
Of the Excelsior Brigade IN that neighborhood.
by mixing with the Union soldiers, by supply
inc them with reports, which they generally
found correct as to the loyalty of the residents
OF the neishborhood, and by furnishing aid in
the discovery of concealed implements of
treason. Among others pointed out as disoyal
by the old negro was his own master and the
facts elected from him in this regard more
than justified the suspicion OF CoIs dsloyalty.
HE house was repeatedly searched, and in q
portion of his outlying property evidences OF
his treacherous character were discovered.
Having supplied this information, aud rem
dered the National soldiers other services of q
nature more or less valuable, the negro took
occasion, on the order of the removal Of the
9TH Regiment OF the brigade from Port To-
bacco, TO fall quietly into the ranks; having
previously attempted to persuade some OF bis
feow.sInyes to join tho same service. On
Sunday the 18th Of November, the negro tool,
up his quarters with the National coldiers; aud
five days later, when they were ordered to
march, he naturally took the road along with
them. His desertion from bis master, however.
was by this time generally known.in the neigh
borhood; aud Mr. Cox, in company With d
band OF sympathizlng friends, determined on
his recovery. With this intent they followed
and overlook the regiment; pressed into the
ranks with bludgcons, and would at once have
secured the prize, but for the honest resentment
of the men OF the regiment, who protected the
negro and soundy punished his pursuers. The
facts, however, we're subsequently reported Il
some officers of the regiment, who undertook
to have the fugitive expelled from the rank.
and surrendered to his lawful owner. The
same evening il was ordered accordingly. The
old negro was sent back to Port Tobacco
where his master aud his friends received him
Thence be- was marched to the homestead OF
Mr.. Cox, and at once, Cor his contumacy aud
desertion tied to u tree and lashed with Z
leather Strap-not until he died, but until h,
became 30 weak that he died next day. Al
inquest. held the Sunday following, resulted il
verdict which purportcd to show that tn,
negro Jacks death was cnused BY "long con
i" tinued exposure, fatigue, and excitement'--
serious complication OF disorders it must b,
admitted, and amply sufficient, one would sup
pose, along with q hundred supplemental,
lashes, to account for tho hasty dissolution
even of younger man than thi, pro.Unior
chattel, Jack-nged 90.
The moral of tho story, ws take it, il point
cd in that verdict Of tho Shareholders Jury
Tho fugitive died "lrom continued exposure