The Portland daily press., 1865-03-28

w SHiP eno ioaAo"Ah cAtaaclS from long
account of Sherman's sweeping march, after
leaving Savannah, given by correspondent
OF New York paper: - 4
GENERAL SHERMAN AND THE NEGROES.
happened to be present This afternoon at
one OF those interviews which so often occu,
between General Sherman and the peoroes.-
The conversation was piquant and interesting,
not only as being characteristic of both PAL
ties, but 1t was the more significant because,
on the p2rs OF the General, balieve it a fail
expression of his feelings On the slavery ques-
ton. Aa4 a-a-5d ss
A party Of ten or fifteen negroes had Just
iound their way through the lines from Che
raw. Their owners had carried them from
the vicinity OF Columbia to the other side O
the fedee, with their mules and horses, which
they were running away from our army. The
negroes had escaped, and were on their way
back 10 find their families. more ragged
set OF human beings would not have been
found out of the slave states, or perhaps Ita
ly. These negroes were OF all ages, and had
stopped in trout Of the Generals tent, which
was pitched lew feet back from the sidewalk
oi the main street. ~ fl8f5fGt fI3JFrtt q
Several officers of the army, among them
General elocum, were gathered round, inter,
ested III the scene. The General asked
them: aaalso taa & r
"Well, men, what can / 90 for you-where
are youIromp
"Wese jus como from Cheraw. Massa took
us with him to carry mules and horses away
from youlns."
"You thought we would get them. Did you
wish US to get the mules ?n udaha
"Oh, yes, msssa, DAFT what l wanted. We
knowed youins cumin, and wanted you TO
have dem mules; but no use, dey heard dat
ON, do onIl i
dem. Why, as we cum along, de cavalry run
away from de Yanks as if dey fright to deth.
Dey jumped into de river, and some of dem
lost dere hosses. Dey frightened at de very
name OBJ Sherman"
Some one at this point said:
''That is General Sherman who Is talking to
you" gee d@
"G0d bress me, is you Mr.. Sherman ?"
"Yes, am Mr.. Sherman"
"Dats him SUI nuff," said one" aE
as dat de great Mr.. Sherman dat we's heard
OBJ so iong? said another.
"Why, dey sofrightened at your berry name
dat dey run right away" shouted third.
1T is not me that they are afraid Of" said
the General; "the name of another man would
have the same effect with them ii he had this
army. 1t is these soldiers that they run away
from" W II e
"Oh no." they all exclaimed, ''its de name
OD Sn6fulttD5 anu We udD WauteQ 10 see
you SO long while you trabbel all roun jis
whar you like to go. Dey said dat dey want
ed 10 get you little furder on and den dey
whip all your soldiers but God bresS me, you
cUmn' and cumin' an dey alters git out"
'Dey mighty iraid OBJ you, sar; dey say you
ki.ll de colored men, too," said an old man,
wiso had not heretofore taken part in the con-
versation. npr re
With much earnestness, Gen. Sherman re-
piled: -
sOid man, and all Of you, understand me-
i desire that bad men should fear me, and the
enemies OF lha government which we are all
fighting for. Now we are your friends; you
are now Tree l'Tank you, Massa Sherman
was calculated by the group) You can go
where you please you can come with US or
20 home 10 your children. Wherever you go
you are no Ion ger slaves. You ought to be
able TO take care of yourselves. GIVE is; we
will) You must earn your freedom, then you
will be entitled to it, sure; you have right
10 be all that you can be, but you must be in.
ustrious, and earn the right to be men. Ii
GU go back to your families, and | tell you
again you can go with us if you wish, you
must do the best you can. When you get a
chance, go to Beaufort or Charleston, where
yea viii have a little farm TO work for your
selves" sE ~ q - a0 to tel
The poor negroes were filed with gratitude
and hope by these kind words, uttered in the
kindest manner. and they went away With
thanks and blessings on their lips.