The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-02-22
Sergeant Bates.

In the village Of Albin, Dane county, Wis
consin-an intensely radical scttlement-there
tried to live peaceably with his neighbors a
returned soldier, named Gilbert II. Bates. who
had served his four years in the war, and risen
to the rank Of sergeant, but who all his life,
as we'll before as after the war, was a demo-
crat. At little gathering one evening in the
village aforesaid, in December last, political
discussion ran high, and the assertion having
been made that the people of the South were
as disfoyal now aS ever that they sbhorred
the American flag; that no loyal man could
live safely among them, &c, our democratic
sergeant, to prove how grossly in error were
the radicals around him, made this offer that
if they would pay his family one dollar day
for their support during his absence, he would
go to Vicksburg, Miss, and without a cent of
money in his pocket, would walk, from vicks-
burg to Washington carrying the American
flag in hands, not only relying on the good
feeling Of the people ofthe south for his safety
but on their hospitality tor his s,stenancc on
the way. The proposition was accepted, and
writings entered into to confirm it. Sergeant
Bates soon after left his home tor Vicksburg
arranging to start from that city about the 1st
OF January. There, however, he was some
what dstained by the "rebels," who not only
gave him an ovation, but found fault with the
shabbiness Of his clothes, and presented him
with splendid new velvet walking suit, as
also with beautiful silk flag After leaving
Vicksburg, we next hear from him at Jackson.
Miss, where he was Welcomed by large
crowd who went cut several miles on foot and
in carriages to meet him, and being conducted
to the State house, received u formal reception
in speech by the mayor. Of course. during
his briefstay there he had the best the CITY
afforded, and more than he would take was
pressed upon him to help him on his way.
And so we hear Of him by telegraph a. he
passes through every southern city, the des-
patches running in this style: q u
MONTGOMERY, Ala, Feb. 10.
Sergeant Bates, carrying the U. s. flag reached
this city to-day He was met by large number
| OF citizens in carriages decorated with United
St"1es H'SS, ana Dy Dand OF music. About
three thousand people turned out to hear the re-
scption speeches and to welcome him. He is tho
guest Of the city. All the speakers and marshals
OF the day were confederate soldiers.
OF course, Sergeant Bates, instead of find.
ing rebel behind every tree ready to shoot
him, or tear the 'hated flag out of his hands.
finds the flag greeted with cheers wherever he
shows it, and is living on the fat of the land.
The only enemies he has thus far encountered
are the carpet bag politicians that inftst the
land, from New England-"Southern radi-
calls" as they call MISUNDERSTANDING who
have gone south to be elected to office by ne.
gro votes, and besides these the negro bureau
agents. Every step Of sergeant Bates involves
tho refitation of lie or two against the south
ern people written or uttered by the sort OF
iben we have Indicated, and Of course thew
hate him, and would assa.sinate him if they,
dared.