Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-02-10


safe exit from Dixie, and my feelings
found expression somewhat as follows:
"How are you, Jack? You're the best
looking darky ever saw"
"I'se berry well, Massa, berry well.--
Hope you's WE'LL" replied Jack, grinning
until he made himself uglier than Nature
intended, rs glad you tinks is good
looking
"Good looking You're better looking
than any man, black or white, ever
met"
"Youve odd notions of beauty" said
the Judge smiling. "That accounts for
your being an Abolitionist.7
"No it don't" And added in tone
too low for Jack to hear, 1T only implies
that until saw that darky, doubted our
getting out of Richmond"
The Judge gave low whistle.
$50 you smelt a rat?'
Yes, very big one. Tell US, why
you were SO long behind time p
an tell you when the war is over
Now l will take you to Libby and the
Hospitals, ifyou would like to CO."
We said we would, and, ordering Jack
to follow with the Ambulance, The Judge
led US down the principal thoroughfare.
A few shops we're open, few negro wo-
men we're passing in and out among hem,
few wounded soldiers were limPing a.
long the sidewalks; but scarcely an able
bodied nan was to be seen anywhere
A poor soldier, who had lost both legs
and a hand, ~as seated at street corner,
asking aims of the coored women as they
passed. Pointing to him, the Judge
said:
There is one of our arguments against
reunion. Ifyou viii walk two squares,
I'll show you thousand"
"All asking aims of black women P
That is another indication of what you
are coming to-"
He made no reply. After awhile,
scanning our faces as if he would read
our hidden thoughts, he said in an abrupt,
pointed way.
"Grant was to have attacked US yester-
day. Why didn't he doit ?"
"Iow should we know?"
"You came from Fosters only the day /
before. That's where the attack was to
have been made"
81 don't know. Some think it was be-
cause you came in, and we're expected out
that way"
"Ohl That accounts for yo1r being
so latel You think we are spies, sent in |
to survey, and report on the route 2"
No, do not. think you are honest |
men, and I've said so.'
And | have no doubt it was because he !
said SO that we got out OF Richmond.
BY this time we had reached dingy |
brick building, from one corner of which |
protruded a small sign, bearing, in black
letters on a white ground, the words,
LIBBY & SON,
SHIP -CHANDLERs AND GRoCERs.
1t was three stories high, and, was
told, eighty feet in Width, and hundred
and Ten in depth. In from, 1.-The frst sto-
ry was on level with the street, allow
ing space for tier of dungeons under
the side walk but in the rear the land
sloped away till the basement-hoor rose
above ground. Its unpainted walls were
scorched to a rusty brown, and its sunken
doors and low windows, filed here and
there with dusky pane, were cob'wel-
bed and weather-st stained, giving the whole
building most uninvting and desolate
appearance. A haxen.haired boy, in
ragged 'butternu.s and Union cap, and
an old man, in gray regimentals, with a
bent body and limping gait, were pa
cling before it with muskets on their shoul-
ders; but no other soldiers were in
sight.
'If Ben. Butler knew that Richmond
was defended by only such men, how
long would it be before he took itY ,
said turning to the Judge. /,
Several years. When these men give {
out, our women will fall in. Let Butler ,
try it, I
Opening door at the right, he led Us !
into a large, high-studded apartment, with
a bare floor, and greasy brown walls hung
round with battle. scenes and cheap lith- 1
ographs of the rebel leaders. Several c
officers in Secession gray were lounging t
about this room, and one of them, short, !
slightly built. youthful-looking man, rose '
as we entered, and in half pompous, a
half obsequous way, said to Judge ]
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