The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1868-02-11
SERGEANT BATES.
His Arrival at jackson, MisS.--Ex-
Psctati0n that He will DO Murder
ed by Radicals.

From the jackson (Miss.) Clarion, Jan. 5.
Sergt. Gilbert HI. Bates, the great "walk-
list, arrived in this city yesterday morning,
having left Clinton at 10 o'clock. After
dining at the Benton house, he came up
Capitol street about 3 o'clock, carrying a
beautiful silk flag. He was met and well
coined by large crowd at the capitol gate,
and from there conducted to the Convention
hall, whence a messenger had been sent to
invite him. On entering the hall, aud upon
the motion of Mr.. Woodmansee, Sergt.
Bates was conducted to the secretarys desk
and related the origin and object of his ex-
petition.
He stated that he is native Of Dane
county, Wisconsin, and citizen of the
town of Albin in that state that at casual
meeting Of friends and neighbors on the
l4th of December last, a declaration was
made that the people of the south were not
vet TO be trusted and that if the troops were
withdrawn they would tear down the flag
that they were as rebellious to-day as dur
ing the war, &c. In order to demonstrate
the absurdity of such assertions, Serg. Bates
proposed to walk from Vicksburg to Wash
ington, bearing the United States flag, pro-
vided the parties with whom he was con-
versing would obligate themselves to pay
his family 81 per day. The proposition was
accepted, and writings entered into to con
firm it. He had been advised that it was a
hazardous task, and that he should have his
life insured, but he would rely, for his insur-
anee, upon the good sense and loyalty OF the
southern people. He believed that the peo-
pie of the south would respect the flag; at
any rate, he would attempt to go through, be
the consequences what they may. Hestated
that he was not acting for any party,-for
the flag only. Three cheers were given for
the flag, and three, with "tiger," for Serg.
Bates.
At the conclusion of his remarks, Judge
Potter was called upon, who remarked sub
stantially.
Sergt. Bates, we welcome you to the CAPT
tai of Mississippi. We are glad to receive
you with the flag you bear, as herald Of
peace and union to the southern people,
You may be assured that you are received
and you win leave, with our hearty good
will and we believe that your exploit will
show to the north that your confidence in
the honesty of the southern people is well
founded. We owe you thanks that you have
undertaken this great labor for the convic
ton of some of your doubling fellow citizens
anu IOE TIE CUuNiCblUu Vi SOIlc mere hL nDfDe
who have taken the strange fancy that the
war is not yet over The southern people
desire. sir, peace, hearty brotherhood, and
perpetual union under the constitution a:
our fathers framed it; and on your long
journey feel assured that you will find tbs
late southern soldier your best friend, ant
the southern citizen everywhere will welcom,
| you to what remains of his home. In con
clusion, Judge Potter wished the sergeant
peaceful and prosperous journey.
1t was the intention of Mayor Bsrrows Il
formally welcome Sergt. Bates to the city
but, being absent at the time of arrival, h
was welcomed, on behalf of the mayor ant
citizens, by James R. Yerger, Esq, in
brief and appropriate speech.
| Sergt. Bates will leave for Brandon this
morning at 81 o'clock, starting from the
capitol gate. He will pass through Meri
dian, Selma, Montgomery, Columbus, and
! Mllledgeville. Ga, Columbia, s. c., ant
Charlotte, n. C. He is quite confident o
being able TO make the trip. He is dressed
in suit of black velvet, presented him a
Vicxsburg. and travels unarmed and unat
tended. He is 30 years of age, feet 81
inches high, and weighs l42 pounds. I'll,
has wife and two children. He was ser
gent in the LIST Wisconsin battery. WewisI
him god-speed
From the Cairo Democrat.
1t is known that democratic union sol
der, ..Sergt Bates, has undertaken to carr
the United States flag through the south
commencing at Vicksburg, Miss, and endin
at Richmond, Va He is now on his way
receiving the kindest attentions from tn
late rebels, and even exciting an enthusiasm
unexpected by himself. But the agents Q
the negro bureau and the Yankee parsons G
the south, who insult Sergt. Bates at ever
point. have determined that he shall not en-,
his journey. and to prevent such consum
nation will procure his murder. We hav
already received the strongest intimation
OF this from Georgia and Alabama. TIL
rebels have rendered the sergeant an escor
OF honor, but this under the terms of his wa
ger cannot be accepted. We append let
ter received from an old and prominent citi
| zen of Atlanta, which indicates a feeliut
that obtains all along the sergent's propose,
| route:
'.ArLASTA. Ga, Feb. ], 1865
editor of Carlo Democrat:
| 81 have seen it announced in your paper that
| Sergt. Bates was about to travel through til
south. carrying United States flag.
Mr.. Bates will meet with no unkindness from
neiaee lepeis on the contrary. ne Will ne receive
with marked kindness and consideration along hi
whole route.
Il regret. however, that he has undertaken
the trip The negro bureau and Yankee parson
VIII not let him pass through safely. To make
point against the rebels, they will procure hi
murder on the route. just as Cairo is q
the mouth of the Ohio river will this unfortunat
young man be murdered by the above agencies
for the purpose, as say, to make q point agains
the rebels.
81 write this that you make public notice q
/ it.
II know of no effective plan to prevent tn
| murder of Mr.. Bates by the radicals 1t is an on
opportunity for them of which they will be sur
to avail themselves.
Every respectfully,
"JoNATHAN SMITH"