Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1863-03-04
CONDITION Of THE CONTRABANDs.


JOTfG5DJUft|tcE OF ne ttcGy) iHCS.
WurE RIVER, Ark, Jan, Is.
Gen Gorman lett llalena las! Sunday, a
week ago to,day, With large fleet A
heavy force of cavalry has gone A.
cross the country TO meet MS. Colo,
mel Bussey, Of Iowa, is Post CommandanL
at Halena. where about five thousand inN
fantry and cavalry are stationed.
Halena is the county seat of Phillips co.,
Arkansas, and an important point nO%, as
H. WAS before the wal began. The village
contains about two thousand inhabitants.
II is situated on plateau, backed by a
range Of broken bids extending back two
miles from the river where the finest praI,
rie country the South can boast Of com.
mences. This prairie is about one hur,
dred and fifty miles wide and thicklY
covered with splendid cotton plantations,
The planters arc, or were, previous 10 the
war, very wealthy, their plantations and
negroes being worth an glerage Of about
two hundred thousand dollars each. Tho
Federal pickets extend two miles back
from the river. Beyond them all are en-
emies, Guerillas swarm through the coun'
try, picking of the pickets at the rate OF
from one to thirty night. Helena itself
is all secession. There is nota truly loyal
man in the entire country, except those
in uniform,
Since the lst Of January the children Of
Ham are having a hard time Of it. They
are free, with no one to care for them,
nothing to live on, half clothed and worse
fed God only knows what will become
of the poor creatures.
Col Bussey, Post Commandant, is a true
gentleman and well liked. Prompt, court
eous, aud business like, he is good man
for the position. Every day negroes are
coming into his camp with their little buns
dies, claiming protection and food Thurs
day afternoon the following actual event
took place:
j. Is. Pillow, brother of the rebel Gener~
al, who has beautiful plantation a few
miles from Halena, aud who was worth
half million OF dollars previous to the
war, came into camp, through the lines,
with one hundred and eighty three ne
groes, OF both sexes and all ayes. At the
head Of his servants, who f)l.owed in single
fle, he walked to the Coloneps headquar'
ters, where the following coryersation
took place;
Good morning, sir"
Good morning, sir"
"Where is the commander Of the Post "
Before you, sir"
Well Colonel, here is my small charge,
in the shape of free American citizens Of
African descent, which | deliver over TO
you. Here is correct list of their names,
ages, and occupations. Please send them
to the President with my compliments,
and say to him that if he wishe, anything
else Under my roof, OF OIL my grounds, OF
in my pockets, all he has to do is to ask
and receive"
"Mr. Pillow cannot receive these peo.
Pile have no food for hem-have moth
ing for them to do--h0ve not foodenouSh
for our soldiers, hardly"
And cannot use them. | had bacon
to keep them on, but it was stolen. ! had
corn, but it has been gobbled Now have
nothing for them to eat, aud as Lincoln
has turned this army into a niger board
ing house, you will please seat these peo,
pie at your table"
"Rut have no such power"
Then give them work. If you fail to
manage them, will teach you. The art
can be learned in about thirty years.
have nothing for them to do"
"Nor |. You VIII not see them starve, I
hope. am loyal man, - have been a
pros perous one, but can no longer care for
these people You have surely some use
for them The women you can find use
for somewhere
well. can't take them"
my Gbd what will they dol Can you
sell me corn and bacon? They will starye
unless you do" "
mo, | cannot"
And you cannot keep item"
NO"
"Well, God only knows what will be,
come ofthem."
At the head Of his old servants, he eft,
and the free people followed him back,
crying and wondering what next will
come in their behalf The poor creatures
come into camp, steal provisions, &c, are
kicked and cuifed about by all hands, and
at times most numerically pounded by
soldiers who will not take their "sass."-
The only idea ninely.fve every hundred
of slaves have of freedom is ease freedom
from labor theft and lust.