The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1865-04-01

The New York Post was represented on
Shernan's Carolina campaign by very
Intelligent correspondent, who gives the
following highly interesting account Of the
Generals talks with the negroes on the
road.
aENERALsHERMAN AND TEE NEGROES.
happened to be present this afternoon
March 81 at one Of those interviews which
30 often occur between General Sherman
piquant and interesting, not only as being
characteristic of both parties, but it was
the more significant because, on the part
Of the General, belieye it fair ex-
presaion Of his feelings on the slavery
question.
a party OF ten or fifteen negroes had just
found their way through the lines from
from the vicinity of Columbia to the other
side of the Pedee, with their mules and
horses, which they were running away
from our army. The negroes had escaped,
and were on their way hack to find their
families. A more ragged set of human
beings would not have tDeon found out Of
the Slave states or perhaps Italy. These
negroes were Of all ages, aud had stopped
in front of the Generals tent, which was
pitched b few feet back from The sidewalk
Of the main street.
Several officers Of the army, among them
General Slocum, were gathered around, in
tereated in the scene. The General asked
them:
''Well, men, what can do for you
where are you from ?"
'Wese JUS from Cheraw. Massa took us
from youins.n
"You thought we would get them. Did
you wish us to get the mulesf"
..Oh yes, masSa, dat's what wanted
We knowed youine cumiu, and I wanted
you to have dem mules but no use, dey
heard dat youins op de road, aud nuthin
would stop dem. Why, as we cum along,
II oey fright to delh. Dey jumped into
horses. Dey frightened at de very name
oh Sherman" gt
Some one at this point said: .:::rhat is
General Sherman who is now talking TO
you.''
'God bress me, is you Mr.. Sherman ?'
eyes, am Mr.. Sherman"
"Dat's him, su' 'nuff," said one.
"Ist dat de great Mr.. Sherman dat we's
heard OBJ 90 long, said another.
"Why, dey so frightened at your berry
name dat dey run right away" shouted q
.'It's not me that they are afraid Of" said
the General, ''the name Of another man
would have the same effect with them II be
had this army. It is these soldiers that
hey .:25 run na sHay yns fsomu =, c,.;.a ..,.,.
name ob Sherman, sn'; and We hab want
ID 70 see you % long while you trabble all
roun' jist whar yoh like to go. Dey sa,d
dat dey wanted to gil you little further
On, and den dey will whip all you soldiers;
but God bress me, you keep cnmins and
cunnin', and dey allers git out" Il Il ID
"Dey mighty 'ffaid ob you, sar; dey say
you kilfd de co1ored man. too, sold an old
man who had not yet taken part in the CON-
!, with much sarnestness Gen. Sherman
replied. b asg.
''Old man, and all Of you, understand
me. Idesirethat bad men should fear me,
and the enemies Of the Government which
We are all fighting for. Now we are your
friends, you are now ffes. 'Tank you,
Massa Sherman" was calculated w the
crowd.) You can go where yon please
yon can come with Us OF go homo to your
children. Wherever yon SO you are mol
longer slaves. You ought to DO able to
take care Of yourselves. GIVE is; we Willy
YOu must earn your freedom, then you
will be entitled to it, sure: you have right
to be all that y0u can be, but you must be
Industrious and earn the right to be men:
If you go back to your families, and tell
yOu again you can go VITA uSH you WISH,
Sou must do the best you can, When yoas
yet a chance 90 to Beaufort or Charleston,
luhere you spill haze a little farm to toork for
yo,srsefVes.''
The poor negroes were filled with grati-
tude and hope by these kind words, uttered
in the kindest manner, and went away
With thanks and blessings on their lips.
General Hampton, Of the rebel army.
was self sacrificing enou6h to burn his own
rouse at Columbia, but not to stay in it
While burning.