The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-04-22
THE RED RIVER EXPEDITION.
Sketches Of Campaign Life.

ALEXANDRIA, La, March %, 1854.
THE NEGROES.
Everywhere the slaves come out to
to meet US, and hung on the fences, all
ages, sexes and colors, gay, and anxious
to tell US all they could, and to help US
from their little store of eggs, corn, chick.
ems, &c. They are, of course, ignorant,
dirty, ragged creatures, and not bit bet
ter here than they are in Africa, ! think !;
but they are quick aud hopeful. One old
fellow in the midst of a crowd at Paine's
place, shouted out to US as we passed
Massa Linkum comm long-he in
dar?"
And they all scanned our faces, expect
ing a deliverer to appear.
/ Ons old man at Ford's place stopped
me to tell me bis story. He said that last
year, when Banks withdrew after skir-
mish, some of the negroes helped them
selves to the dead soldisrs' guns. and day
or two after rebel soldier gave to his
care two guns, to be kept for his return !;
one of his fellow slaves betrayed the fact,
so some white men hung him-hung him
hung him twice. But I didn't die, mas
sa, and here 1 is, and glad to see you wild
my old eyes,"
The negroes upon Joe Chambers place
all agreed in the same story. overlook
an old man, who had joined our march,
aud asked him how he got along. he
said:
"Oh, master! since you were here last,
we have had dreadful times. We seen
stars in the day time" ....
''How SC ?" ......
"They treated US dreadful bad
What did they do?"
They beat us, and they hung us, and
starved u.s."
"What for?"
"Just because they could, and to spite
us, '.ause We thought we liked the Yam
KEGS"
"Did they beat your"
Master, l am just one scar from here
to here" (pointing along his back.)
"Did you behave badly ?"
No, master; they did it just cause
they could, and to spite u.s."
"WhaS did they do to the rest?"
"Why, the day after you left, they jist
had us all Sut in a row and told US they
was going to shoot us; and Mr.. Pierce, the
overseer, (Silas Pierce) Knocked one with
fence rail, and he died next day. Oh,
master, we seen stars in de day time
And now we goin' with you, we go back
no MOI"
He was 20 years old l found the whole
party scattered along the road, and they
told the same story.
Please remember this chivalrous master
was Joseph Chambers, now lieutenant in
the Southern army, and this experienced
Overseer was Silas Pierce. He was taken
into Alexandria to-day, and hope may
himself 81 see stars in de day time"
came upon a chit of boy, nearly
white, mounted upon carcass Of pony,
who had been with US for days on this tire
some march; he certainly was not more
than nine years old so Isaid,
"By boy, what regiment do you belong
to?" 5
He answered quickly: eBH b
eighty seven Illinois Mounted Infan-
try-hurrah .1
One of our Majors was so unfeeling as to
"And you, suppose, are the mounted
infant!" IaB +, aa
Troops Of them are now marching on
with US. They all say:
"We 60 when you co." and
"What you going to do wild us, any
way2"
1t is fearful question, for we don't
value life, white or black, and what can
not take care of itself gets under the
wheels, l said to one of them. "what are |
you going to do with yourselvesp Oan you
take care of yourselves if you can be free?"
We'll, l think so. I have learned my
self to be blacksmith and a sugar-maker
NOT very good one, master ana l
have done good deal for my master and
mistress, and this year have had to raise
my own food, too!.'
"What time do you have to raise it?"
"Only Sundays. We WORKED for them
from sun to SUM-"
Ibelieve he spoke the truth: But 10