The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-07-04
THF ATROCITIES OF SLAVERY.
-
An Episode In gen. ButlOr's Admin.
IstrRtIOR at New Orleans

The July number Of the Atlantic
Monthly contains very interesting re.
view Of General Buffers admins tration
of The Department of Louisiana. A mong
the many personal anecdotes are the fol-
lowing, which are almost TOO horrible TO
be published, but for the impressive les
son they convey. One of the incidents
was related more briefly by the General
himself, when in New York in January
last. We quote from the writer in the
Atlantic
Just previous TO the arrival of Genera al
Banks at New Orleans, was appointed
Deputy Provost Marshal Of the city, and
held the olllce for some days after he
had assumed command. One day, du-
ring the last week Of our stay in the
South, youag woman of about twenty
years called upon me 70 complain that
her landlord had ordered her out Of her
house, because she was unable longer TO
pay the rent, and she wished me TO au-
thOrize her TO take possession of one of
her fathers houses that had been con-
fiscated, he being a wealthy rebel, then
in the COnfederaoy, and actively engaged
in the rebellion.
The girl was perfect blonde in com
plexion; her hair was of a very pretty,
light shade of brown, aud perfectly
straight; her eyes clear, honest gray;
and her skin as delicate and fair as
ohild's. Her manner was modest and in :
genuous, and her language indiaated much
intelligence.
Considering these circumstances,
think was justified in wheeling around
in my chair and indulging in On unequiv-
ocal stare Of incrednlous amazsment
when in the course of conversation she
dropped remark about having been
born q slave.
"thAt you have negro blood In your
veinsF And was conscious of feel
ing of embarrassment At asking q ques-
| tion apparently preposterous.
"Yee," she replied, and then related
the history Of her life, which / shall re
peat as briefly rs possible.
"My father" she commenced, dis Mr
Cox, formerly Judge of one Of the courts
in this city. He is very rich, and owned
q great many houses here. There is one
Of them over there, she remarked, naive
ly, pointing 60 handsome residence op-
posite my Office in Canal street. "My
mother was one of his slaves. When
was sufficiently grown, he placed me al
school at the Mechanics Institute Semi
nary, on Broadway, New York. / re.
mained there until / was about fifteen
years OF age, when Mr.. Cox came on "a
New York and took me from the school Il
a hotel, where he obliged me 70 live with
him as his mistress and to-day, at the
age of twsnty am the mother Of 4
boy five years old, who is my fathers
son.
"After remaining some time in New
York, he took me to Cincinnati and other
cities at the North, in all Of which con.
tinued TO live with him IS before. Dp-
ring this sojCurn in the free States, in
| duced him to give me q deed of manu-
mission; but on our return TO New Or
| leans he obtained il IRON me and de
stroYed it, At this time tried to break
off the unnatural connection, whereupon
he caused me 10 be publicly whipped in
the streets of the city, and then obliged
me TO marry = cOlored man; and now he
| has run of, leaving me without the least
provision against want or actual starya-
tiOn, and l TASK you TO give me. one OF
his houses, that l may have home for
myself and three little children"
Strange and improbable as this story
appeared, remembered, as il progressed
that / had heard il from Governor
Sheply, who, as well as General Butler,
had investigated il and learned that il
was not only true in every particular
but was perfectly familiar 10 the citizens
of New Orleans, by whom Judge Cox
had been elected 10 administer justice.
The clerks Of my Office, most OF whom
were old residents of the city, were well
informed in the facts of the case and at
tested the truth Of the girls story.
/ was exceedingly perpleKed and
knew not what 10 do in the matter but
after some thought answered her; thus
"This Department has changed rulers
and know nothing of the policy of tbs
new commander. lfGeneral Butler were
still in authority, should not hesitate .
moment 10 grant your request, for even II
| should commit an error Of Judgment
am perfectly certain he would overlook
il, and applaud the humane impulse thai
prompted the act; but General Banks
might be less indulgeni, and make very
serious trouble with mo for taking
step he would perhaps regard as un.
wArrantable.'
still hesiiated, undecide how to act
when suddenly happy thought strucl
me, and turning to the girl, ! added
"To-day is Thursday next Tuesday
leave this city with General Batter foi
land where, thank God such wrongs
as yours cannot exist and, as General
Banks is deeply engrossed in the imme
diate business al headquarters he will
hardly hear Of my action before the shif
leayes--sO ! aw going 10 give you ih'
house"
am sure the And-heMted reader viii
find no fault with me that took par
uculAr pains 10 select one OF the largest
Of her fathers houses, (it contained forty
I a