The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-04-22
Correspondence oflhe Richmond Dispatch.
Two. Negroes near being Drowned
s Rescued by Whites.
CHESTERFIELD COURTHOUSE, }
April 20, 1868.

al pm AU, ACOCs
On Friday morning last two freedmen,
named respectively Manuel and Tarleton,
procured horse and cart from Mr. Pinch
beck, near the pits, and were proceeding on
their way to Richmond but in attempting
to cross Swift Greek bridge, near the court
house, they were carried bye the high
water down the stream, and both Of them
swept out of the cart. The horse-a very
fine one-was soon drowned, and the poor
negroes contrived to cling to the saplings
near them till their cries aroused colored
man asleep on the bank and he could give the
alarm to the gentlemen st the courthouse.
True to the kindly instinct Of the southern
heart, they fastened to the spot, and regard
less of the rapid waters, plunged in. MIR.
S. O. Duyal swan to the oldest man, Tarle-
ton, eighty years Of age, and whose strength
and courage was well nigh exhausted, and
cheered him with the hope of safety if he
could hold on few minutes longer, mean
while supporting him until Messrs. N. II.
and L. Cogbill, W. Duval, and WA. Archer
reached them with ropes in their mouths /;
and securing them around the bodies Of the
poor shiyering creatures, brought them to
the bank, though they did SO at great risk
of their lives, MIR. Duyal having been in the
water SO long that he was almost too much
exhausted to reach the shore. Several freed
men were looking on whilst the poor crea-
lures begged 80 piteously for help, and but
two offered the slightest assistance. These
two, William Pryor and Jim Cheatham,
were perfectly willing to help, but being
unable to swim, were afraid to venture:
When they reached the courthouse the
physician summoned (Dr. Anderson) needed
help in resuscitating the old man, and
called on colored man to assist him; but
he very coolly walked off, leaving his aged
brother to the tender mercies Of the hard
hearted southern white man. DR.. Ander-
son and Mr.. Thomas Archer chafed his
limbs and applied the necessary restora-
tivcs until, after some length Of time, other
freedmen came in and assisted them.
About sunset consciousness was restored to
the aged sufferer, and both Manuel and Tarle-
ton are overwhelmed with gratitude noao,
and say that no one can ever make them
believe hereafter that the southern gentle
man is not his best friend. Alas poor At
rican, that you do not all truly know your
best friends, ere, in mistaken folly, you
forever ALLEVIATE them. My heart, for one,
though oiteH s"clihS Will ouaaSou Phhue
at the action of some, still kindly remem-
bers the dusky friends of olden days, and
preserves the utmost respect and good feel
ing for those who, while fully realizing
their changed position, seek not to abuse
their privileges, and show by their de-
meanor that they wish not to sever the ties
of friendship and affection which bind
them to theirformer master. Radicals may
preach forever of the enmity the southern
man cherishes towards his former slaves !;
but when not one, but many, Of these noble
men, without moments parley, risks his
life to save two, whom his enemies are
striving to arm against him, the story is told.
What need of more? Y. N. Il.