, 1865-03-09
Condition Of Freedmen In Tennessee.
Correspondence Of the Chicago Trlbune.]
co1uAukA. TEsK-, Feb. e8. 1865.


CozuznIA. TKsr., Feb. R8. 1865.
TIE FIRST aAnBA1H OF FREEDoM.
To-day is the first Sabbath that the former
slaves Of Tennessee could call themselves free.
The election Of the 222d-last wcek-put the
fnal seal to what was before virtually done.
Two hundred and seyenty-f1ve thousand chat
tells are converted into men. How they re-:
ccived their boon Of freedom here can but be
interesting to your readers.
I vas invited to meet with them in their
church to-day. The house was we'll filled
with attentive listeners First, / explained
to thcm'hoW, step BY step, God had brought
about their freedom-that, by the late cleo
tion, they were made legally free, and today
WAS their first free Sabbath. Their eyes
sparkled with interest, and much joy ap-
peared throughout all the house. proposed
that all bow down and spend season of
silent prayer ind thanksgiving to
Gcd for this their freedom. Quickly
MI bowed. Thesa were moments Of
indescribable joy-moments in which my anti
slavery heart did "rejoice with ttose that do
rejoice" 4 vocal prayer followed, in which
all seemed to unite, amid tears of rejoicing
and expressions Of praise.
then addressed them upon their duties as
freedmen, and how to make 1t q blessing.
Every car was attentive, and frequent re-
they could for themselves. At the close Of
the meeting ! told them they could now shake
halb as freemen and women. o what
sight! They jumped up, they embraced each
other in their free arms, they shouted, they
sung, they shook hands all around, they clap
Glory to Cod" Tears Of Joy flowed down
their checks as they crowded up to the stand,
every one to shake hands. 1t WAS q shake.
This thought 10 worth taxing journey South
to see-to see the freedmen enjoy their first
Sabbath.
called to order to consider about school.
AL seemed alike anxious for school, and
said they would do all they could to sustain
one They appointed three Of their number
trustees, to attend to this mattcr-to get 4
good teacher, If possible, from the North, see
conc to the city Of Columbia, Tenn, and
teach these freedmen? Two ladies Or gen.
tleman and lady can at once 20 to work
here. The field Is white for the harvest. Pi-
Gus teachers, who will pray with and for
them, and properly instruct them, they say
they Wnnt. Who will come? Aye, and who
Will send them forths Let those churches
and Individuals who have hitherto done little
or nothing for the freedmen answer this ques-
ton By specify contribution TO the North
western Ffcedmen's Aid Commission. Then
can our Secretary soon send teacher here.
O, brethren, sisters, friends, do, do come up to
this great work, and Heaven will reward you.
These Tennessee slaves now stand before
Us Freedmen, but sud indeed is the condition
Of many of them. Old, decrepitcd, sick
orphans, ali ages and conditions, with little
protection, little ASSURANCE Of pay when they
labor and no encouragements from their old
masters. By sheer necessity, the maddened
Ia Aa 49, rr-nx@ -AI3a q
slaves. The horrors Of war, and the fear Of
the United States armY under God, alone has
done 1t. And he and all his family try to make
the Frccdman's lot hard, and rejoice in Lis
misery. With few exceptions, this Is true all
through this region. Now shall not Northern
friends rally around him to old and give him
start ! If not, then, " told you So" will be
the revtllngs Of these men and women WHO
still seek to oppress. Ifthc race rises, under
oil these disadvantages, then arc they worthy
by NoFthern friends. Let Us each and ali do
our duty. H. ". Conn.