The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-08-13

ard flowers and green fields we're, to be do
Iprived even Of the cool breezes of beavan
was bad enough but there was worse tban
this. The ball, the chain, the shackles vora
not wanting to make the lives of these noo,
creatures more miserable. Sixteen men wor1
bound together with shackles at the anko,
others were chained two by two, and one oI5
man had his legs fastened together by sback
les connected by chains bound to his waist
The poor wretches were all terribly frightened
when called up by the colonel. They thoupbt
he had come to buy them and take them "a
South, as it seems they have been kept there
by their masters to await either peace and
: the Union as it was,' or good chance fl,
shipment to the South. They were soon re,
assured, however, and a blacksmith hayin,
been sent for, the chains and shackles wer9
speedily removed.
When the chains fell from the ankles Of
the old man, he lifted up his eyes and hand,
and exclaimed, Thank God The e.
preston was simple, but in its tone revoalJ
the suffering, the despair OF mouths Whe
told they were to 20 out and be free, tbe7
could not believe it at first, but when assured
again and again that it vas so, simultaDe.
Gus shout Of gladness went up, which must
have made the angels rejoice, and { Gid
oless you, massa God Almighty bless you
The Lord Jesus love you, massa were the
blessings freely showered upon the colonel
Sho, scarcely less happy than they, tried to
make them understand that they owed their
eIease to the Government. They listened
nd assented. but still evidently looked uDoD
be colonel as their deliverer after all. The
Gene, he says he shall never forget. Their
oy found vent, with the men, 10 prayers and
jacuations Of praise with the women in
ears aud embraces of each other.
Finally, the colonel told them they must
ct ready to 60 out. Then they fairly flew
0 their cells for their bags and bundles And
the colonel told it with smile-even in
his supreme moment womanIy vanity (shall
'e so call laudable selfrespect p showed /
tself. He could see them smoothing their I
air, putting on little articles of fnery, and /
thelwise 'prettying up before their bits Of |
1t was not many minutes
oweVer, before they all came down, and /
7ere marched out, men. women, and children \
nto The free-to them doubly free-air.
They were taken to the recruiting office in
)amden street, and here another most affect.
1g scene took place. The news of the open.
lg of the prison had spread like wildfre,
nd the office and pavement in front were
rowded with colored people, many of whom
ow met friends and relatives for the first /
me for three years. Well, | must no; make
y letter too long Suffice it to say that Joy /
'igned supreme, and when the coone
'ked, Now, what is to be done with the2 |
eople for tonight 2 the most generou
was literally rendered. Ate /
elDg them thus all provided for and ec.
sting sixteen able-bodied men in the ser.
&C. the colonel returned to camp, feeling
lat the blessing of heaven would be upon
e work he had that day done.
In the evening one of the ieutenants, talk
6 with the new freedmen, asked them if
ey knew the person who liberated them
No., answered one, we don't know him, but
know that God sent him.. Yes echoed
rest God sent him-God sent him
Thus, you see, the and-breadth cloud
sages feared is spreading. The colonel
pes soon to open every slave-pen in BaDi'
're' and through Gods grace and the strong
n OF the Government, they shall never be
cd as such sgain."