Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-10-15

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Letter from Delegate of the Christina Commission.
- ST LOUIS SEPTEMBER /, 1863.
Rev. w. g. ELIOT, DD.-Dsar Sir knowing that you
take deep interest in all that pertains 10 inc elevation
the negro have thought not ams To present you
facts which aud learned relative 10 their con-
don n and around Vcksburg durisg my recent visit TO
that place. Through the kindness OF Gen Grant; was
permitted to pass unmoesed through all lines III his army
and thus had unusual opportunities for observing the con-
don both Of his troops and that OF the negroes VINO 30
lately had been delivered from bondage Desiring 10 an
humble way, to contribute something to your knowledge
OF the condition Of these people, submit TO your peura
and use the following narrative with tue nope tna you
may be enabled to do something for their relief
On the afternoon OF July 1st passing down the
Mississippi from Lake Providence TO Vicksburg, on the
| steamer W.. Between Lake Providence and Milf
kens Bend the Louisiana side Of the river there are
many fine plantations which deserted by their
ard taken Of by the United States Government
Nothing remaiued of their former beauty but the waste
land the negro quarters and cotton gins, the planters
hoes being mosy destroyed and marked only by stand
log chimneys and the scoched groves which once EN-
lowered them To give employment and furnish homes
for large numbers of conrabands who would otherwise
be destitute and honeers these plantations were taken
Of the Government and leased to certain
es with to employ the negroes and raise cot
on corn and other products On the afternoon mention
I'D nearly every plantation thus situated invaded by
parties Of armed rebels the leaseholder in Instances
rezed and carried OF, with many OF his negroes
could be- found the cOttongns and negro quarters burnt
and every thing capable of destruction destroyed. wit
messed every hand the ascending columns of smoke
rising from the burning ruins and ptied the negroes
that had fled in terror to the rivers bank for safety Men,
women and children, sick and WELL in battered garments
which scarcely covered their nakedness, crouchng
in sroups behind the friendly bank at the waters edge
evident dread lest their should find them AT
point they had got possession Of old skf or dugou
and three Mt time, quite company had crossed
to sand bar on the Mississippi side where they were
hudded together under sh de- Of brush which they were
building shelter themselves from the and rain and
the dews Of night They beckoned despaltngly to be
taken on beard, but we passed on What became OF
Vhavp ,,isf bnva hare
vera hundred.
On eyeung o the Fourth Of July rode along the evee
OF Vcksburg observing The hungry multitude pacing up
and down. and begging bread meat from the fifty or
steamers that lying in front OF the city The
prisoners generally sad and weak from misfortune
and long fasting but the negroes gathered in companies
Of laughing and rejoicing with ire
pressbe delight At dark Intelligent 10 king negro
TO and said, Massa, am almost starved; have
meat crackere and pickles He then asked me to
him till he could share his food with his wife, who at
house by He returned after brief absence and
then told that he and his wife belonged to DR. Booth
who lived eight miles of yicksburg and had
brought them u the city for safety before its surrender
He confded implicitly 10 me as soon as he learned that
from the North While slept on an elevated plat |
form in front Of old saw-ml, this negro faithfully
guarded and horse through the darkness OF the
night. trusted him, aud found him faithful. ~ am
quit the negroes generally to their d-verers
and such they regard all Union soers and Northern
till deceived While he thus guarding man tried
in vain, by fair PROMISES and liberal oers to induce him
fleet He confdentially informed that he had
been saving money for long time and that he had then
eight hundred dollars in gold and silver He wanted me
get permission for him and his wife to keep boarding
house. made inquiries but matters were then in
much confu,ion that could give him no satisfaction
other than to act a. eemsn He was so"n sitter en-
ployed by the Government and saw him no more.
Immediately after troops took possession Of Vicks
burg the negroes who taking Of thir masters
in camps and hospitals forook them for their de-
iverers On July 9Th visited several of the reb, hos
Ditas and and found them
distressed condition. owing great MEASURE to the de-
seron Of the negroes who had been c"k' nurses and
attendants These slaves showed but little affection for
their masters when freedom brought After
Pemberton marched OUT With his army Vicksburg was
looked upon by the negroes as the very gate Of heaven
aud they roOping to il pigeons to their roost at
night When Gen Sherman returned from the pursuit OF
Johnston crowds of them followed his army the
Big Black and spread them'siv., over the Country BE-
ing the Missouri troops in Gen. Shrrmans corps saw
large numbers these neg oes in camps and CON-
panic in most wreched aud pitiaLlo condition Their
only sheer brush, pieces Of old tents quilts and
whatever else would afford them any protection They
lived upon such od they could obtain 10 camps by
working for The soldiers or IN other ways gratifying them
After the departure OF Pembertons army the 18th of
July thousands Of these miserable creatures filed the
vacant houses churches sheds aud caves. Here they
crowded together sometimes twenty or more 10 single
room weary weak, and sick from their long march aud
spiritess and sad and many OF them longing
to be once old massas plantation On the morn
ing of July 80 having slept the night previous in the
Presbytei church, went out early ~ examine the
premises The first object that attracted attention in
the rear Of the church the tall skeleton of negro
man sitting the ground with his back to post and lis
head hanging down upon his breast aud bis resting
almost powerless Mt his side. He evidently very
sick raced his head little and asked what aied him
.Oh sir" he feeby exclaimed. have the dIe-a aud
the fever" "Have you friends" asked. "Yes;
my mother and sister live in that house there pointing to
little frame building containing dozen inmates
aud have out here to be cool" passed TO the
front and the stone door sill found another lying with
gourd filed with water at his side. As looked at hls
dirty aud wasted FORM thought his sudengs would be
but short He had burning fever, and some kind negro
had brought him water. reused him up little, and
he told me that be had medicine no bread nothing 10
eat soldier happened to pass just then with some bis
cult under his arm. asked tor the negro which he
readily gave had medicine turned To enter the
basement and met by third negro with swollen feet
trembling from weakness aud want, asking for little
water. A fourth negro passing with bucket Of
water and the sick served and his fevered hips
cooled. such my morning visit before six o'clock
All bese men told me that they had been servants Of off
GERS in the Union army, aud when taken sick driven
away.
After breakfast set out with another delegate 10 visit
one of the post hospitals As passed along the streets
we encountered every hand negro men, women, aud
children gathered in little groups the paw 'ment in
lots and in the yards that surround houses already
filled overlooking with others Of the color. The
want and wetchedness Of these unforunates stared
fully 10 the face. went into Baptist Church, where
large number had taken quarters. shall not attempt 10
describe the had before filthy and pitiabe
a group Of suffering humanity gathered to-
Qether learned from themselves that they mostly
from beyond jackson. They mostly plantation |
negroes and many of them longing TO be- back to
Al -,I1 w. d. The s.sfaI