Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-01-16
THE CONTRABANDs AT WASHING.
The following is an interesting account of
the meeting Of contrabands to pray in the
new year Of jubilee:


the meeting Of contrabands to pray in the
new year of jubilee:
About noon Of new years the oontrabands--mon. wo-
men and ohdren-gathercd in large numbers in front Of
superintendent Nichols Office, at the camp and engaged
their condition
They were first taught a musical composition c.ed
for learning music by peculiar 10 this people, were
able 70 give the air and considerable portion Of the
words a. well, AFTER 'ingle repetition To them. IL was
then sung with great ELECT by those assembled the vol
uue Of voices reaching many squares from the camp.
After this an old struck up IN clear and power
full voice, I'm Free Man Now Jesus Christ has made
me Free y the company gradually joining in and before
the close the whole ssscmblage singing in chorus
An old colored woman then took up The theme, and
raised their popular hymn go Down Moses" keep
ing time with head hand and oo) which piece was sung
WIN fer'of that indicated thai there may be tfuth
in shat has been minated, that this piece Is the
negro hDsetiaise or National OF not revolutionary
Hmm.
It quite evident through the exercises Of the day
and night that the negroes regard the condition Of the
lsraeltes In Egypt as typical Of their condition
slavery aud the illusions to Moses, Pharoah, the Egyp-
tan task masters and the unhappy condition II the cap
tive israeltss were continuous, and any reference 20
the triumphant escape Of the lsraetos across the Red
Sea- aud the destruction Of their pu suing master
certain to bring out a strong Amen
An old colored preacher, who displays many " the
most marked peoulaturs Of his race, calling himself
John de Baptist" and known such by h's compan
ions from his habit Of always taking his text as he
presses it, from the regulations ob de I'd chapter of
Matthew, and in those days came John de Bapus, came
forward and taking his usual text went TO show the
necessity following good advice and rebuked his hear
ers for being more lawless than they were IN Dixie.
A woman then sang a song composed for the occasion,
commencing, There will be more task masters"
thu others joining IN the chorus.
Virginia contraband next spoke Of the proclama-
down and deliver them" you know said he, "how
it Dixie. when you worked all day without giving
satisfaction, have worked by the month for Dix months
since left Dixie. aud the money Is all my own and ~
he added, mphantly "ll eddicate my children
But, btethren he continued don't be too free. The
lazy man can't 20 heaven. DON'T lean master
(pointing Dr. Nlebos) for he is the master Of us all
now. You must de2snd on yourselves and be hones'-
They then clo,edt he afternoon services by singing
There a better day coming and otheri breaking
songs a. they term them.
During the recess, the different families visited and
congratulated each other the prospect OF the heedom
granted by the proclamation and the hope Of seeing
their friends now in the South enjoying the same blessings
About o'clock a stand was erected in front Of the
Office which placid quantities u pics, cakes, ap
pies and toys donated by benevolent parties aud
they distributed by Miss Patton piece Of pie, cake
apple and toy being given to each child
READING TUE PnocLAMArIoS
Al o'clock in the evening bcll.man was sent the
rounds Of the oontabsnd quarters summunng the people
to assemble at their chapel to near the Presidents proc
amatou read. They answered the summons, coming in
dTOves from the various cabins surrounding the quad
raugular SPACE, and the bulldog closely pack
ed. 1t viii accommodate comfortably perhaps three
hundred persons. nut htld quite evidently many
than this number last night Two lamps suspend
ed from the low roof and candle upon raiter
shed dim religious lg ht through the and upon
the dusky erotesquciy ella forms therein.
Prior 10 the appearance OF Of Dr. Nichols, the
blage engaged In singing "hime, as they termed it,
of Indefinite length and which indeed seemed 10 have
expansive qualities suited any OCCASION the amount
uf ue requisite 70 be occupied 1t was lined OUT by
John dc Bapus lie secuted to be the recognized lead
er of the cunuabands Ia their religious exercises, and
altogether good deal OF character lie is perhaps
sixty years OF age with rugged feature not
grzzed locks and somewuu martid bearing FROM Lis
erect carriage and Ia" mihia) coat worn D. him The
hymn, ''hime, sung in full chorus, the
who were mostly cungegated by themselves keeping
time by that wide yaSing motion familiar 70 those who
have Witnessed negro camp meeting and the venerable
leader he sung extending his the crowd, in
sort u wild enthusiasm.
BRO he Henry smith" was thencaed hpon 20 lead in
prayeI aud that individual kneeiins the floor raised
voice Of such musical ID aiUwness a Mario or Brig
noh might eoyet, and thanked God for his goodness to
mem. 1--WE sccch thee, said he, ITO member de
Union army support dem de right and left carry
on thy work. 90 before dem like a burning lamp
Member de President de sailors and Ian trabbeers
member me- de meancst 90 dem all Write US a ticket
and gb US fee admission in heaoen. Amen"
During tue delivery Of this prayer there frequent
responses aud these Increased and cunn
uity the evening wore on. They peculiar aud
stuklug commencing casually with the women sort
of humnng inufmur. like bees swarming and gradual
~ increasing in volume aud range MI emefA ing the
whole audience ana filling the room As thus-as near
mn, M ne ,s az an ~ % al ~ M
Whether not this is some provincial sly Of Amen.
response applause peculiar TO the county localities
from which these people come, the writer not
As tue congregat gained heir feet john de Bap-
It's endorsed the brots' VINO had just prayed "a dea
con Of our clutch at frtdeHeshuIg much houghted of
by b3f white and eulled, aud well bestowed. he war
deacon Of ali de color, aud ful-breasted member and
JUS cum to camp
John led OFT singing, 'Hark from the tomb doleful
soua'." On II concusos several persons commence
talk and John called out sharply stop DAT talkn ober
daf Dein dat coughs can't stop de coughin, tut dem
dat talks can stop de talkn,"
JOHN IN reply to question stated that be had been
here three weeks, and dat he from bout twelve
miles low fredericksburg, towards Richmond"
Mr.. Nichols the superintendent, made his way
70 the centre Of the ROOM and said he supposed they had
all come to heal President Lincoln proclamation which
he about read lie remarked that il did Mt set
free all the slaves II only freed the slaves in rebel
States 1t would not feed any II all the States had
elected members Of Congress AL the States and parts
Of states which had elected representa- and in
allegiance TO the government were exemp; His hear
all interested for they and their children were
made free TO the latest generations.
Or. Nichols then called for silence in the room and
proceeded read slowly and clearly aud giving running
explanations as they read, that all might understand -
Thus he explained 70 them IN just what portions Of the
seeded states the Emancipation Proclamation was ope
ratiye.
Considerable Interest was manifested when he stated
that any Of them who came from NoIth Carolina were
fee, but on his enumersting the different portion Of Vr
guia in which freedom Was declared the excitement
great In the assemblage, and as county 10 county
was named ordinations from all quartel OF the room
such as 80 OATS me- "Dafs whar | cum from +
" BTcss God for dat," SC
They could tell, he said by this Proclamation, VIII,
were fee and who were not II the portion of the coun
try from where they not in rebellion and ex
ceped by the pfoclanation they held Just a. IA,
Maryland slaves. (Cnes from all parts Of the House. 81
am ireol'J C'John de Bapst--iul On, he amt go
through They could now work for themselves, an,
h advised them not To ask too much, begin with Low
wages and work up gradually which the best plan
Let the people that they needed They weT
like white men, and II called on would have 1,
shoulder the musket like them.
he then asked that prayer be offered for Abraham
Lincoln IN whose heart God had put to do this work
/ m Reyerly fcOutfabauM then lfd In Mo
ing God forgive their sins and look in tender compass
sion them, MAY thy will be done on earth as il i
is in heaven. Prosper the work be done this
and country, and aid by thy inuincibe hand Let tn,
blessing rest everything belonging to the Unite'
States President who has bestowed such gifts upon
this night We were bound as slayes--ehains on GU
hands. We have our people bound in cheins ant
carried away. Some got fathers in foreign countries
Some got mothers in foreign countries Bless the Presi
dent, Jesus. Lay down with him this uight | pral
GOd--Tise in the morning with him. God give him
light of wisdom God bless the Union army wherever i
may be- God Almighty 60 with peOple-ead US a
| long in this dark, bowling Wilderness Make us good
We pray for Lends who still in the south Jesu
stan BY them. Lord be wild dem in the particula
manner Lord Almighty reooueile us--Inake US wiu.
obey the United States President as do ih
soldiers down TO break chains We wer
bruised and dragged about. Let us lay down our live
for those who break slayerys chains from neck lie
the war be pushed Brcss dem who have Just rui
away and cum here, aud bress ali''
On rising from their knees general handsha king fol
/ lowed. The " white brethren" present came in 70
their share, and in this way become acquainted viii
peculiar grip amongst them, which Dr. Nj hols inform
ed US of religious character, peculiar 10 the
gTOes. Ii pretty trying those used to IT, an
We were not sorry when the brothers and sisters subde