The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-07-02


On the 1st of the present month, there
came into our lines at Beaufort, s. c., a
short, stout, thick set negro man, black as
night, with not a drop of white blood in
in his veins, but with unmistakable intel
ligence in every feature, n countenance RAJ
diant with good nature, and whose shrewd
observations and remarks would have
done credit to the intellect of the best spe-
cimen OF the Caucasian race. He landed
from a primitive boat, not made OF "bnl-
rushes," but from a coarse kind OF grass
which had first been twisted into a rope OF
u inches in diameter. To keep this rope
together, it was bound round, or as the
sailors would term it, served, with other
grass.
This rope was plated together as have
seen door mats, beginning in the center and
building out to form the foundation or
floor, then up to form the sides. 1t was
five feet four inches in length, three fee.
four inches broad, and one foot six inches
in depth-rneasuring from the top or bull
warks of the boat. On the bottom, or
inside floor, to keep from collapsing, there
were three pieces Of pine wood. There
was an old shutter on the outside, or un-
derneatb, on which the boat was fastened.
Inside and outside it was pitched, TO keep
it water-tight. The man gave his name
as Jack Frowers, stating that he was born
the slave Of DR.. Henry Fuller of Beaufort,
s. c., now Of BaltimOre-a man who was
among the foremost to take South Carolina
out OF the Union, but who was too snrewtl
Tor something else) to continue with Seces-
sion, as by SO doing he might lose his pos
sessions, for he was rich. 1t would De hard
to convince Jack that his masler is no. q
Secessionist still, or his fifteen brethren
lent to Elder Holley for their vituals and
clothes 'till the war is over"
Jack spent most of his life on one or me
other of the Doctors plantations near
Beaufort, always working as a field hand.
Judge him to be As. The noble fellow
would not make his age an excuse for nd
fighting for others freedom. He has en-
listed in what was formerly the LIST S. C..
Colored Regiment (Col. HigginsOn) now
known AZ the SD U. sc. 7. give Jack 8
narrative in his own words, as written
down by Mr.. Judd, emitting such passa-
ges as would implicate Jacks assistants.
1.-TWO years ago now, the Doctor sent ne
and sixteen others to the village of Akin,
lbs miles back, where the country is ali
broken up into hills and valleys, where
we were to work for Mellidge Holley, who
was to keep US, the Doctor told US, till the
war was over-he Holley) giving US vict-
uals and clothes. About the 18th of May,
1853, started off one dark night to get to
Beaufort; took only q blanket and pair Of
R0uUoS 0uu tIaV010u - AAOAO 90 ! CVA4A IAAx
almost morning, and then hid in the
swamp. Twas distured and frightened by
the cry of bloodhounds coming on my
track. To get away had to cross the
swamp and double on them, going toward
Augusta. But they kept the scent, and
chased me all day, though went across
brooks and swamPs ever so many times
So it was II o'clock at night when got to
the bridge at Augusta, though distant but
16 miles from Aiken. At the far end of the
bridge is gate where the guard stands
post, and when came to him he asked me
where / was from, and told him from
Gardner's Corners, when he said he thought
/ was lying, and if he knew was he would
surely kill me, for no niger should run
away to the ID Yankees if be could
help it. After that he took me to Jail, and
word was sent to DR.. Fuller, who sent and
told HOlley was in Jail at Augusta, and he
had best take me out, and do just as he
chose to do with me, only he must keep me
alive till after the war;.
"There we're l6 blOodhounds and II men
after me, as found out when / got back
to Aiken, and they only lost my track z. 10