Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-02-26

4 said to huge negro the other day,
Tom, they tell me that you won't fight
if you do enlist and that you love your
masters SO much, that, the moment you
meet them on the battlefield, you will
throw down your own arms, and rush
into theirs. Is that SO? He was lean
ing against a gate post, with his arms
folded but he Strengthened up at my
question, and bis dull eye flashed as he
replied, know dey says
desc tings; but dey lies. Our masters
may talk now all dey choose; but one
ting's sartain,-dey don't dare to try us.
Jess put de guns in our hans, and you II
soon see dat we not only knows how to
shoot. but who to shoot. My master
wouldn't be wuff much eff / was a SOL
der One thing is certain it will be a
most unfortunate thing for our 'erring
southern brethren when we conclude to
do what we ought to have sense enough
to do year and half ago,-recruit all
the able bodied blacks on the plantations,
in every southern department, and then
send our own boys home to keep up the
arts of peace, and do such thriving
business that we shall not feel the weight
OF the war tax. That can be done ;
and. when it is doLe, we shall have one
of the most terrible force of fighting
material the world ever saw. do not
know that it would be terrible in Mexico
or Europe, or against any other foe. But
am willing to aver, after nine months
intimate acquaintance with thousands OF
negroes, that, between them and the
whites of the South, there exists most
deadly hostility. 1t is the natnra! result
of years of slavery. Let the planter
talk as he pleases about cowardice, igno-
rance, and love of the master. Put a
good gun into his slaves hands, let him
know that he will be protected, and you
may stake your life that be will make a
bee line for his masters house, with bay
onet fixed and, when be comes out OF
the door again, the same man does not
own him.
The most painful parts of the book
are where the author speaks of the army
surgeons, only too many Of whom be
has known to be culpably selfish or gross
ly incompetent and where he exposes
the rerkiess vonality of contractors
ouartermasters, and other faithless off
cials. There are, of course, in all de-
partments, brave and incorruptible men
but the comparative impunity with which
money may be made by pIundering tht
nation and its defenders makes excep
tions pitiably frequent. Mr.. Hepwortl
tells an anecdote which places the sturdy
integrity of young lieutenant in strong
contrast with inexcusable laxity some
where else -
!, While a company was placed OF
guard at an outpost beyond Carrolton
: attempts we're made constantly TO SNUG
gle goods to the enemy through bayo'
that ran by their headquarters. On
, night, the soldier on duty was startled
t as he walked his quiet beat, by the rust
, ling of some bushes near him. ii
stopped, listened, heard nothing; and
!. concluding that he had been mistaken
/ resumed his walk. Soon be heard th
S same sound, and, in addition, the crack
f ling of twig. WHO goes there? ? b
e cried; and, receiving no answer, calle
J, the corporal of the guard, who at one
sent out his men. They soon returned
e bringing with them youth dressed i
e citizens clothes. He was taken befor
b the lieutenant in command /; when it wa
It discovered that be was an officer IN th
= confederate army, who had wealthy pa
/. rents living in New Orleans, whom b
had not seen for more than year. Fee
s ing extremely homesick, be determine
o to attempt to pass our lines. lie bol
n rowed or bought a suit of citizen
e clothes and after secreting himself insth
e woods few days, found an opportunit
d to pass our pickets. He had been wit
e his parents thirty days, and was now
ID tempting to repass the pickets on his n
d turn. Poor fellowl He felt badl
D enough at being caught; for, accordin
If to the rules of war, he would be regar'
+ ed as a spy, and shot. Fearing tn
at penalty, he begged hard that his fath'
Iy might he sent for. The lieutenant,
ir length, moved by his entreaties, sent a
fe orderly with a message to the city. III
le father arrived in due time and, in
re instant, saw the peril into which his SC
| had fallen. He tried all the argumen
ne fond father could summon to persuat
Ill the lieutenant to allow his son to go FIRE