The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1864-04-22
.a. For the JeiIersonian Democrat.
Observations and Experiences in the
Army. b


ing and romantic, that perhaps it is proper
to apologize for intrudpg upon the notice of
your readers what may appear as common.
place; yet ovory aspect of tho great change
now going on is interesting to a rejecting
mind, and have concluded to trouble them
with somo of my observations and reflec
tions Ispeut several months in yicksbuye.
10 Government service, and bad opportuni-
tics of.becomine acquainted with the char.
nctcr of tho blacks, from observation and
BY conversation with them. Tboy arc by
no mcans so deficient in sagacity and judg.
oSt as many asserted. It is truo that
they wero a degraded race in their own
country. and have been kept in that con.
dtion 10 this land henco, they often pro-
sens the combined vices of civilized and
savage lifc still, they are capable of great
improvement. Shortly after came there.
one of the dcspised negroes spoke of q
great medical 'pretonder. who protested to
DO surgeon In co'ored regiment, thus,
Dat long legged doctor is no count"
which opinion wss confirmed by a surgeon
OF high rank, who pronounced him to be
worthless fellow. The blacks have appa.
rently been in tho habit of deceiying ,heir
'mastors. to avoid tho rod or to obtain some
favor AT first, tboy wero distrust.ul Of
me, and rathor shy yet, in q short time,
they learned that they we're not to be beat.
on. but to bc treated like rational beings.
When tho blacks fully comprehend .ha, YOU
mean to trcat them kindly, and labor for
their welfare, IL makes great difference
with them. Whom they lea,n that you arc
their friend, their seeming stupidity and in
difference disappears, aud thcir ative
sbrewdncss takes the place Of the low Gun.
ping which they had learned to practice
whilo in slavery. They arc vory grateful
for ac,s OF kindness, and arc ready to show
their gratitude when occasion offers, The
evil example of many white mon is vcry in.
furious to tho blacks, some of. whom initiate
1t, and others lose their confidence ia the
whites, and become suspicious of ,hom.-
| Aftor they have tested tho charaster of white
men. and learned that they arc honorable
and desirous OF promoting their welfare, the
negroes are as ready to tako their advice
and follow their excmple as otber races.
Good examples, kindness. and few month.
of patient Iabo. and instruction, will result
In gratifying Improvement, physically
mentally and morally, which will amply re
pay for all tho care and toll bestowed upor
them. can bear testimony. from personal
observation, to their fathfuIuess in por.
forming the duties of a soldier. e' 20.
l have found among them very general
l might almost say universal, desire for cd
ucation. One Of tboir most frequent in
quircs is for spelling book. Procure /
for them. and they arc very thankful. Yo,
can scarcely do anything moro pleasing to
negro than to offer to teach him the alpha
bet. They appear anxious to give thei
children an education, and listen attentive!,
to those who describe the necessity, benefits
and pleasures of learning. l havo visited
one or,two largo schools for colored chill
dren in Vicksburg. and was much pleased
with the earnestness which thoy manifested
in pursuing their studies. The children az
pearod to be quick to learn and diligent II
heir studies. There are several day school
for children and adults, and also evenin,
schools for negro soldiers, or other black
who are employed during tho day. 1 wa
pleased with little incident, which showet
that the children understood something o
tho conflict In which we are engaged, aut
INDUCED in the anticipations Of vici or,
which we hope may be realized. One day
at noon, while passing by tho school-room,
noticed that the children were engaged il
some exciting sports. 1t was q sham fgh
to represent battle between the Rebel ant
Union forces. After nm animated and an
parently desperate fight, those representing
tho Rebels retreatod, closely pursued b,
tho Union men, who were proclaiming thei
victory with shouts and cheers. Many 9th
or instances might be mentioned, shown,
that tho negroes understand the nature o.
the issue and the probable resul. of th,
conflict. H4faFv t
had occasion also to visit Huntsville, IL
Northern Alabama. This is beau.i.n
place, few miles from the Flint and Ten
nessee rivers. The surface of the countr,
is diversified. gently undulating, and som.
parts resembling rolling prairie land in ap
pearance. There are one or two mouRt Rtaini
in the vicinity of Huntsville. from the sum
NIT of one of which there ia fine view o.
the place. The climate is very salubrious
Huntsville being considered one of the
healthiest places in the South, and the sol
is warm and fertile.
Tho Rev. DR.. Ross. distinguished as one
of the champions in the defence of Slavery
mas been, for several years past, the pastor
of the Presbyterian church in this place
l attended bis church one Sabbath morning
He was apparently in pensive and con.
templativo mood. In bis prayers he ap.
peared to be under some constraint. Il
would not do. in the presence of 30 many
Union soldiers, to pray for the success Of
the Confederate Government, and so he re
Trained from praying for either President
His text was in the Doth Psalm $50 teach
us to number our days that we may apply
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