The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-02-10


tive manner, was trio of cotton specu-
ators, who had been feeced by the reb-
els at Holly Springs. A look of sadness
was visible on their counlenances AS they
reflected on the downfall Of all their glo-
rious air castles. Imagination bore
them swiftly back TO the time when in
Holly Springs they had massed the GOV
eted cotton bales, and how, when they
were just ready to reap the golden har-
vest, and snap their fingers at English
financiers, the wild cavalry Of Forests.
with whoop and yell, burst upon their
devoted stores. consigned them TO the
flames, and then, drawing their hapless
forms up in line. had compelled them TO
disgorge TO the last shirt. Wearied, dis
couraged and foot sore, they had at last
made their way through TO Memphis.
and after trials, vexations ard dsap-
pontments, sufficient TO sour the spirits
of the old saints, had at length procured
passage on the good Hilman for the
more congerial North. Buying cotton
under the present state Of affairs, is haz.
ardous in the extreme, and yet the prof
its are so great in proportion TO the small
amount of capital invested, that numbers
are always found who are willing to in
cur the risk of capture and confiscation
The cotton speculator generally plies his
trade in the night, and by lavish dis
play Of green backs, can generally in.
duce some teamster TO accompany him
to the country. Here the best samples
of cotton can be purchased from IO@l5
cents per pound, the same being worth
the moment it reaches Memphis from 40
TO so cents. The planters are obliged
to keep their cotton secreted, for if it
was ascertained that they were boarding
it up for the detested Yankees il would
be burned Immediately, and their homes
levelled to the ground. Such is the
reign of deSpotism and terror that now
rides supreme at the South. We were
still blessed with the presence of the intel
ligent contraband. Quite a number ofthese
chdttelS we're crowded on the steeraoe deck.
with motley collection of boxes, old
blankets, and cast-otf clothing. The poor
creatures were being shipped to the con
lraband camp, at Cairo. and manifested
much interest 10 know what kind OF
place the North was. All Of them had
heard vague rumors of proclamation
setting them forever free, and were much
reloiced IN consequence. While on this
subject may state lhst the mass of ne
groes within our lines at the South, are
not capable of approaching the direct
benefits of emancipation. Ground down
and oppressed as they have been for cen.
turies, by the baleful influences of the
slave system, this is not to be wondered
at. AT present they are not capable of
realizing the change from degrading
vassalage, to the rights, privileges, and
immunites of freemen But this will be
impressed upon their minds by slow DE-
grees, and even now an advancement in
knowledge has been made, that would
never permit them to wear the chains OF
slavery again. Especially is this the
case in cities, where the negroes are
quite intelligent. Many Of them have
truer and better defined views in regard
to the cause and result of the rebellion.
than the oorer classes Of whites. The
negro has fair share Of native talent,
and with the fostering hand of education
extended over him, and the conscious.
ness that he is free man, his prog gress
will be rapid.
On the evening Of the 29lh we arrived
at Cairo. Looking from the deck of the
steamer over the mud bespattered city,
could see nothing particularly inviting,
or any signs of lis having improved in Z
material point Of view during the war
Back of the city still stretched the same
dreary swamps, where bulIfrogs Of al
dermanic rotundity chaunted their plain
tive evening melody. while between were
few luekless pedestrians struggling
with might aud main TO work their way
through the angry sea of mud threaten
ed 10 engulf them. Bidding good bye
TO the officers of the boat and settling ,
dime debt with the grinning boot black
who was in mortal fear that massa woulc
repudiate the whole, l stepped ashor,
and floundered my way up to the St
Charles. Was lucky enough to find al
the rooms engaged, but finally succeed
ed in obtaining breakfast al the moderat,
price OF one dollar This sudden rise il
the culinary stock is attributable to th,
fact that the evening boat from ST. Lou