National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1866-07-13
A SLAVE OWNER FOILED.


Gently published, and which in our
Judgment is in some important res
poets one of the best of the many
books which compose our rebellion
literature, will illustrate the spirit
which animated the vast majority of
our officers and soldiers in the hate
war. Let us rejoice that all such
scenes are forever at an end in this
country. The incident related is of
the 22nd Wisconsin regiment, Col.
Utley:
The day after it's arrival at Mich
olasville, large, portly gentleman,
lying back in an elegant carriage,
rode up to the camp and making his
appearance before the colonel nitro
duced himself as Judge Robertson,
chief Justice of the state of Ken
lucky.
" am in pursuit of one of my
bows, who, understand, is i'll this
regiment" he Salu.
"You mean one of your slaves, |
presume!
Yes. sir. Here is an order from
the general, which you will see di-
reefs that | may be permitted to en-
ter the lines and get tie boy" said
the Judge, with great dignity. ..
!" do not permit any civilian to
enter my lines for any suchpurpose,"
said the colonel.
The Judge sat down, not greatly
astonished, for the reputation of the
twenty second Wisconsin, as an alb
clifton regiment, was well establish
ed. He talked of the compromises
of the constitution, and proceeded
to say:
- was in congress, sir, when the
Missouri compromise was adopted,
and voted for it ; bat | am opposed
to slavery, and | once wrote an es-
say on the subject, favoring emah-
cipation.'
:. Well, sir, all that may be. If
you did it from principle, it was com
mcndable; but your mission here
to-day, gives the lie to your protes-
sions. | don't permit negro-hunters
to go through my regiment; but
will see if can find the boy, and il
he is willing to go, | will not hinder
him.
The colonel went out and found
the negro Joe, a poor, halt-starved
unsized boy, nineteen years old. I'll,
told hi. story. lie belonged to tha
Judge, who had let him to bruta
Irishman, for $50 Il year. He ha(
been kick1 4 and cuf1ed, starved ant
whipped. til he could stand it NJ
longer. He went to the judge ant
complained. out had been sent zach
only to receive worse punishment
for daringyto complain. At last he
took to the woods, living on wal
nuts, green corn and apples, sleep
ing among the corn shuckS an,
wheat stacks till the army came
There were tears in Joe's eyes as h
rehearscd his sufferings.
l. I!t tOluIltl Ntlit b'tth W tllt ,)ut9s
Have you found him.'
q have found Il little yellow boy
who says that he belongs to a MAJ
in Lexington. Come and see him.
"This man claims you as his pre-
perty, Joe: he says that YOU IA
away and left him. said the colo
, mel.
, eyes, sab, | belongs to him,
: said Joe who told his story agai
d. in plain, straightforward manner
5 showing neck cut and Scared b
p the whip.
You can talk with Joe, sir,
+. You wish,- said the colonel.
Have not always treated 20
we'll :" the judge asked.
g" No, massa, you hasn't" was til
= square, plump reply.
i" How so..'
/. " When | came to you and said
) couldn't stand it any longer, yo
s said. &" Go back, you dogw
|. Ibid not tell you that | wouI
Il take you away p"
> "Ycs, Massa, but you never dI
,l it,
II The soldiers came round and lis
d cncd. Joe saw that they we
II friends. Thcjudgc stood spcccllc
Il moment.
e. joe" said the colonel, are "
&c willing to 20 home with your mi
lc ter!'
c. " No, sab, isn't"
n "Judgc Robertson, | don't thi1
Dr YOU can get that boy. 1t You thil
h. YOU can. there he is, try it, said t
to colonel, casting a significant CLAN
II. around the soldiers who had gath
* ed about them.
ut The Judge saw that he could !
c. lay hold upon Joe. " III see wheI
IS. or there is any virtue in the laws
IN Kentucky" he said, with great c
by phasis.
Is, "Perlaps, judge, it will be as W
or for you to leave the camp. SO
ID. of my met. are little excitablc
the subject of slavery
mt "You are Il set Of nigger stcalcl
re said the Judge, losing his temper.
as ALLOW me to say, Judge, thai
all does not become you to call us II
m. ger stcalcrs. You talk about II
ed ger stealing, you who live upon
sweat and blood of such crcatu
in as Joe. Your dwellings,, yo
*, churches, arc built from the ca