The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1866-07-11
The ELIMINATION Of the Yankee
Colonel.
For the Louisiana Democrat
.CHENEYvILLE, La, July Sd, 1866.
EDITOR LA. DEMOCRAT

.CHENEYvILLE, La, July Sd, 1866.
EDITOR LA. DEMecRAT:-
Dear Sir Your request that I write out
a full statement of the exhu1nation of the
body of Colonel B., alluded to by a
correspondent of the metropolitan Re
cord" under date of Marksville, La, june
list, was received through friend.
have, prior to this time, been earnestly
requested by several persons to write Out
said statement, but hayedeclined to do so
because I conceived that it could do nc
good; that it would necessarily expose the
inhumanity of my fellow man, and he g
Ioyal citizen of the United States, and har
row up afresh the tender feelings Of the
widow of the deceased Charity, if moth
ing nobler, made me willing to let the cur
tain of silence gently fall and hide from
pubic gaze a scene so repulsive to all the
finer feelings of our nature. But we can
not always have things our own way. The
Marksville correspondent of the Metropo
Titan Record" yourself, and The
circumstances in the case seem a0w to com
pel me, however reluctant, to lift the cur
tain little higher and reveal a scene, S,
extraordinary, so out of the regular ron
tine of human events" and so repulsivt
that all who read will require strong proc
of it's reality and then wish that it may
never be repeated.
All that I shall attempt will be simple
and plain statement of the facts as l sau
and heard them.
On the Sd day of May, 1864, Col. Chaun
cy Basset, commanding the 72nd Regimen
U. s. Colored Infantry, was MORTAL,
wounded on the u. S. Transport City Belle
when she was captured by the Cenfede
rates, on Red River, near Echo Landing,
miles from this place. He was conveyed
to this place, put in a room at the Hotel
then occupied by Mr.. Riggs. Dr. F. W. N.
was called in to see him. DR.. NJ. assured
him (Col. b. that he need have no fears
as to the treatment he would receive
That he, DR.. NJ, " regarded him and should
treat him as a patient not an enemy
"ias he Woald treat any other patient" The
Doctor, with much trouble, procured thu
services of a nurse, George, slave of Mr.. R
Mrs. S. furnished a matrass. He received
/ kindness and only kindness He died the
next morning, after Dr.. M. saw him in the
evening. 0# a
The country was in state of excitement
and alarm. The Federal army under Gems
Banks and A. j. Smith, had justsretreate(
from Grand Ecore to Alexandria, guided il
front and marked in rear, by "pillars o
cloud by day and of fire by night" caused
by the flames and smoke issuing from burn
ingdwelfings, gin houses, barnsandcabins
while delicate ladies and tender children
We're compelled to fly, they knew no
where, and find sustenance, they knew no
how. And we knew not /" the day nor TIT
hour" when the same tender marks OF at
fectionate regard, and The same moving ar
gument for return to the extended arm
of Mother Union, might be visited upon us
Such were the circumstances under which
l found it my duty to assist in burying TIT
remains of Col. B. Mr.. Smith of Greens
old Regiment, two privates from
Regiment, Polignac's Division and mysel
dug his grave, carried him to it, wrapped
his blanket carefully around him, laid hin
in it, and raised the yellow mound owe
him. placed a board at his head, remark
| ing at the time" He may have wife, {
mother, or sister, who, at some future time
may desire to know where he is buried"
In October or November last, lette,
was placed in my hands directed to tn,
Post Master here Said letter was from
the widow of Col B., and making inquiries
relative to his death, burial and grave
Also desiring to know the names of til,
Minister, Physician and Nurse, who hat
attended him in his last hours answered
giving the desired information. In tn,
mean time Capt. NJ. received a letter from
the same source, holding out the idea o
liberal pecuniary compensation to sail
Minister. Doctor, Nurse and any one VIII,
would point out the grave.
| About the middle of April in the after
noon, a stranger suddenly made his appear
ance at the Parsonage, who from dress
physiognomy and dialect, without otbe
evidence, was undoubtedly fresh from tn,
land of Pilgrims and Puritans. But othe
evidence was not wanting. He at ono
announced himself as Mr. Bradley, brothe
of Mrs. Col. G. j. Basset, Of Lee, Berkshire
County, Massachusetts, and handed me
letter from said lady in answer to NINE
This letter did not mention her brother a
the bearer, nor his mission to take the re
mains North. 1t was only polite note o
acknowledgement and thanks.
Mr.. B. soon made his business known
which was toassure himself that there wa
no mistake. that the Col. B. buried her,
was the Col. B. whose remains he wished
to OF and take home: 2. to find the grave
hire freedmen, get the remains and star
with them. Noticed, in the conversation
had with him, that there was no desire tt
see DR., M. and the nurse. No intimatiol
Of an intention to pay DR.. Ms bill, if b
had one, orrewarding the nurse, ifhe coul,
be found. There was not the least leanin,
that way. On the other hand there was
desire to see Mrs s., and an offer to pay fo
the matrass. More than once during hi
conversations, he expressed fear that b
was engaged in what would appear to u
an unpopular business, and which would
if known, subject him to harsh treatmen
perhaps violence at the hands of our Gil
liens. told him to have no fears-tha
we were quiet and civilized people; tina
no one would hinder OF disturb him.
assisted him all / could; sent for freed
man Jim Pool; he and Mr.. B. made thei
own bargain, and Jim got freedman San
Wallace as partner.
3. asked if metallic coffin could be pun
chased here. / answered that it could moi
but that there We're three or four good cal
penters and they could soon make wood
en- one. He then intimated that his fund
were getting l0w--that it had cost, an,
would cost much more than he expected
that he presumed there was nothing bu
bones-that he would get box, put then
it, take them to New Orleans, and tina
there he would get Surgeon to put then
together, place them in metallic coffil
and thus carry them to his home.
He was very anxious to know of M
what he ought to offer the freedmen b,
way of compensation. told him had nj
idea, but that he must prepare himself t
pay them well; that my experience witt
them was that. they always exacted al
they could get. These preliminaries bein,
disposed of, wethen wendell our way t,
the place appointed for us M-the silen
grave yard. We soon found the grave
then another conference took place between
B. and freedman Jim Pool; in which jim
says that B. promised to pay he and San
hanescmely--iu shortwhatever they shout,