Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-03-30

tans Its present athtude-and it is not vet So
high within two feet as it was last spring
there is no doubt of the success of the scheme
But 1t Will require some time, perhaps two or
three weeks-tor the flood to reach fort Green
| wood, owing to the width of the bottom lands
throughout all this extent Of two hundred and
| fifty miles of river, and must be filled I'M ac-
cording to natural laws. The whole valley of
the Coldwater and the Tallahatclie must he
tlled by the overflow before it can work its
results at fort Greenwood. But the results
seem sure to come.
WHITE SLAVE.
CAIRO, March 24.-While out in pursuance
OF his duties as a news gatherer, the other
Jay your correspondent met friend, who
informed nm that rough-looking individual
apparently from the far south, was anxiousy
looking and inquiring for him. He was at
my hotel, busily hunting me still, with dirty
covered letter in his hand, directed to me in a
well-remembered style of chirography. As
he could not himself read, he was the more
wiling to allow every one else to read the ad.
dress upon the envelope of the missive. The
letter merely introduced to my favorable no
uce MT. Charles Grayson, who for some
months had been cook in a COMPANY of the
3D. Michigan cavalry.
The stranger answered my question by pro-
ducing a second envelope and handing it to
me. 1t was addressed to "Col. Smith, pro-
vost marshal, at Memphis" | opened it. rhe
contents staggered me. The enclosed docu-
ment set forth that the bearer Charles GRAY
son, was Wh'fe man, and yet for twenty
three years he had been held IN BONDAGE in
Calhoun county, Mississippi. TO all of this
vouched Lieut.. Col. Rogers, of the Sd Michi-
gan cavalry; Capt. Theodore Reese, of the
same regiment, and my personal friend, the
author OF The letter of introduction, who holds
prominent position in the army, now located
at jackson, Tennessee. | took down the fol.
lowing brief narrative of the mans history
My grandmother, a child of wealth, par
entS, mother Of my mother, rather than suffer
disgrace to come upon herself, consigned her
female child, when but a few days old, to a
colored woman, under tavoring circumstances
to be brought up by her. She thus, by the
slave code, entailed slavery upon that child
and all the chlds issue. The slave woman
kept her secret well. NV mother was born
upon plantation in Mississippi, the child of
slave, hence herself slave, yet not one
drop OF colored blood flowed in her mothers
VEINS: or IN those of father, or grandfather or
most distant relation. And it was well known
from the appearance Of my mother, that she
was white, and that her six children were
white, but it made no difference: she and her
offspring were servants-Slaves. NV father
was reputed to be a man residing in jackson.
Mississippi, clerk of some court held there.
But never saw him, for when about six wears
OF age l was sold to man by the name of
Steen, living on Il plantation three miles from
Paris, Calhoun county, Mississippi with
whose slaves passed Serenteen gears of ma
life.
1t said that my father purchased my young
1sfA frnt harn
and took her with him to bring her up as his
child and legal heir. But of this | have no
positive proof. My mother, poor and broken
in heart and body, is yet slave, and labors |
on cotton plantation with the negroes with |
whom she has daily associated since she was
deserted by my father He knows this, but
mahes no effort to save her, and allows her to |
suffer; yet she Is the mother of his children: |
had been his tavorte in times past. | had not |
been long under Stems overseer when |
made an attempt to escape from him, and al
though scarcely dozen years old, determined
to seek my fortune in a northern CLINE. But
was captured, taken home, whipped severe
ly, and returned to my quarters, with the adj
vice never again to make such an escapade.
if | wanted to live. l did no. :. main
Time passed in the usual labors of the field, |
sometimes well used, more frequently well
abused and at all times kept under closer
watch than the blacks, being more valuable,
and it being feared, from my inherited intel
lect, which was never allowed to cultivate,
even to the extent of learning to read, that |
would still endeavor to make my escape, until
the 18th of December last. | had frequently
heard that there was war with the original
government; in fact many Of my neighbors
and their slaves had entered the rebel army,
and [ secretly hoped the confederates would
be whipped.
Yet did not dare to speak a single word
aloud on the subject. Finally it was rumor-
ed in our quarters that some Yankees were
encamped near the plantation. [ found out
the direction Of their camp, and, on the night
Of the 18th, mounted upon horse, ran with
in the lines, told my story, and was received
by the Michigan boys their cook. l re-
mained with them until the 9th Of the pres
ent month, when, after procuring the papers
you have seen, and receiving my pay from
the mess, with just fifteen dollars in my
pocket | started for Memphis from jackson,
intending to make the trip north and to join
the relatives OF one of the ':Thirds" boys, in
Cass county, Michigan. 1 have ten dollars
left.
This was the substance of the mans story.
1t is undoubtedly true. With the aid of few
friends here he has been sent on his way re-
joicing, and it is to be hoped, ere this, may
have found refuge in northern home,
whence no cruel master can command his
time, body and soul, without reward and with
out price.
OFFICIAL.