New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-05-02
Departure of Frederick Douglass.
Military Escort.


Frederick Douglass, the statesman and
patriot, left our city Friday afternoon on the
$50 train of the New Orleans, Jackson &
Great Northern Railroad for Washington,
his present home.
The occasion was one that will long be re-
membered, as we believe it the first instance
IN the history of this country where military
honors were paid to distinguished colored
man.
AT about o'clock, General A. E. Barber
with his staff, among whom we noticed Cap
talns Barrett, Canonge, Boree, and Antoine,
with Captain j. r. Harrison, of Company A,
Second Regiment; Captain r. T. Wheeler,
Company &, Second Regiment, with their
commands handsomely uniformed and pre-
senting soldier like appearance, appeared in
front of Lieutenant Governor Pinchback's
residence and informed him that they had
come for the purpose of escorting his dstin-
gulshed guest to the depot, whereupon the
General and all the officers were invited in,
and many were the expressions of regret that
his stay could not be prolonged. 1t really
seemed as If he would not be able to get of, ,
and it was not until he had made repeated
promises that he would soon visit our city
again that he was enabled to take his leave
OF the family of his host. In the meantime
quite crowd had gathered, all anxiously
striving to get last look at and shake of
hands with Frederick Douglass.
About thirty minutes past four O'Clock the
escort formed in the following order: Music,
Gen. Barber and staff, two companies infan-
try, four carriages containing, first, Frederick
Douglass and Lieutenant Governor Pinch
back; second, w. Ii. Smith and Administra-
tor James Lewis; third, George L. Downing
and j. Sella Martin; fourth, Hon. Lewis HI.
Douglass, Frederick Barbados, Miffin w.
Gibbs, and James p. Jones, and started for
the depot, marching up Canal to Carondelet,
up Carondelet to Poydras, up Poydras to st.
Charles, up st. Charles to Caliope, down
Calliope to the depot. just at the moment
OF starting, heavy shower of rain camp up,
and from the expressions of sorrow on the
faces of the entire crowd, we were fearful
that much of the enthusiasm would be damp
ened, if not entirely acashed out. But not so.
The order, Forward! march," was given
the band (kelly's) struck up one of its soul
stirring quick steps; the crowd kept increas-
ing until arriving at the depot it numbered
at least six hundred who, as Mr.. Douglass
and party approached, gave three rousing
cheers for Frederick Douglass. The troops
halted, formed in line, presented arms, as
the distinguished guests passed in view when
three more cheers were given, and, having
entered the depot, the numerous friends and
followers of this leader took last farewell
of the man who is the pride and boast of his
race, and wished him a safe, happy, and
prosperous journey. Entering a special car
which, by the kindness of the Jackson rail-
road management, had been provided for the
guest, the great crowd present gave three
rousing cheers for Frederick Douglass, and
then he was borne away on his journey.
There was a general regret felt by the
whole crowd at the sudden departure, but it
was still mingled with hope that this dis
tinguished colored statesman of high and
unblemished character would soon again be
among them.-New Orleans Lomsianian.