Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-04-01
VOL. 9.---NO. 81.
From LAKE PROVIDENCE.

correspondent OF the New York Times
gives the following account of Negroes dock
ing to the Army, and of their horrible suffer-
ings in the swamps in their efforts to gain
their freedom:
ssEvery few minutes we met little groups of
negroes who had escaped from their masters
on the other side of s.Bayou Macon:'' We
stopped to talk to many of these groups. They
usually comprised one or two families-men,
women and childreu--who had escaped togeth-
er. Many of them told us of frightful hard
ships that they had endured in their endeav-
ors to escape. Two families told us that they
had waded across the swamp, six miles in
width, which lies on this side OF ssBayo Ma:
con,' and during the two days and one night
which they had passed in the swamp, they
had the greater portion of the time been up
to their waists in mud and water, and during
that time had nothing to eat. They were car
ry ing their children mounted on their shoul-
ders, and in this position had carried them
through the whole of those fearful two days
and night. The black faces of the little erea-
lures looked ashy and haggard from long fast
ing and sieeplessness, and more than one Of
them looked as though death had set his seal
upon its pnched little features. Yet, under
all this suffering, the adults were cheerful.
They were clad in rags, were half starved, had
been half drowned in mud and water. were suf-
fering from the fatigue of carrying their chill
dren on their shoulders, and yet their faces
looked radient with Joy. They had volunta-
rily braved the dangers Of being detected and
shot, willingly encountered the horrors of the
swamp for the one great boon of freedom.
They had gained it, and were happy 1t
seemed to me that no man who had the least
spark of human kindness in his composition,
or whatever his prejudices might have been,
could have looked upon their patient, trustful
and joyous countenances without compassi on
Group after group we met, vending their way
to the army at Lake Providence, until in our
ride of five miles estimated that we had met
over two hundred. We asked some of the
men if they were willing to fight for the gov
ernment If they were armed, and to diesif
need be, In the cause. To such a question
the most of them answered in that quiet but
determined manner which, though but few
words were spoken, seems but the cover to
stern and deadly resolution. One answer
ed .sDoes you tink, massa, dat we would be
afraid to fight after DARN to go into dat
swamp 20 We thought not. We were told of
one negro whom the soldiers call "Union
Jim, - who: on recent scouting expedition,
came across three rebels in the swamp. He
called upon them to surrender. They answer
ed by firing upon him, but fortunately with
out hurting him. He returned the fire killing
one of them. He then called upon them a
second time to surrender, which they consid-
cred il discreet to do. They laid down their
guns of which Jim took possession, and
marched their owners into camp as lis prison.
ers.
'sThe negroes tell us that the rebel inhab-
Itants of Lake Providence and vicinity, who
have moved back to the other side of HBa-
) ou Macon,'' have bnilt themselves log hous-
es, and made quite a settlement. On this
side of Bayou Macon" cypress swamp, six
niles in width, extends for fifty miles up
and down the Bayou, Behind this swamp,
impassable to any one but the negroes incIted
by their desire for freedom, the rebels feel
safe, for the present at least. The negroes
say, also, that there are 500 rebel troops there,
and three or four times that many negroes.
The utmost vigilence on the part OF the rebel
roops is necessary to keep the negroes from
Using in insurrection, or from running away.
+ two negroes are seen talking to each other,
hey are Immediately ordered to separate. If
me is detected In a second offense of the kind.
lie is immediately shot without mercy. They
re as strictly guarded as felons in the hulks,
md are really more cause of anxiety to the
ebel garrison of 500 than our whole army at
lake Providence. When the idea of armine
nd organizing them az soldiers was first sug-
ested, doubted if they possessed sufficient
Intelligence and pride to make good soldiers.
nd doubted if they had the moral courage to
ght. l have now been with the various ar
lies ofthe Southwest nearly year. | have
ad good opportunities for observation, and
ave endeavorcd to form an opinion of the
verage intelligence of the slave population,
by the color of their skin, and
think that no man, whose perception is not
bscured by prejudice, could fail tosarrive at
he conclusion that at least two thirds of the
len slaves would make brave and effective
,ldiers.
'etly organizing under the lead of 7prominen.
lakes of that party, for the purpose Of resist
g the military laws passed by the last Con-
ress. 1t is said that these organizations pre-
iii in many other counties in this State We
lall soon see OF what metal they are compos-
\ : Il