Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1874-12-03
THREE BLAk REBELS.
BY G. B.. /.

G OIedklnS out Ol Tue TeDelIlOn, 4
had a warm friend named John
Alexander, who ranked among
the most successful of Louisiana
planters. We had business
dealings as well as social rela-
tions, and it generally happened
that l paid him a visit at least
once a year.
Alexander had q fine planta-
ton, and worked over a hun
dred negroes, great and small.
He was kind hearted man,
and whatever may be said a.
gainst the institution of slave
ry as it once existed, it could
not be said that any of his peo-
pie were ever neglected or a.
bused. The same slaves were
to be found on his plantation
year after year,and more corten-
ted chattles could not be found
in the South. rt
One October, when business
called me TO go down to the
Alexander plantation from New
Orleans, l found the master i'll
of fever-not dangerous but
down in bed with prospect of
staying there for three or four
weeks. There was nothing else
out of the usual routine, except
three men just come on the
plantation. Three negroes had
arrived from Vicksburg the
week previous, having been ta-
ken by Alexander in payment
Of a debt which he could not
otherwise collect. They were
the first slaves he had bought
in eleven years. They were
large powerful fellows, and af-
ter | had taken look ut them
as / rode over the plantation
with the oversecr, | warned him
that they would make him
trouble.
~ guess not" he replied
"They have been a little slow and
sulky, but l guess they'll get
over that by-and-by. Ihope so,
for l haven't had to strike a blow
here i'll more than a year, and |
don't care about lashing any
body"
The new arrivals had been in
formed that so long as they
were prompt and obcdieht they
would be we'll fed, kindly treat
ed, and allowed privileges which
did not exist on other planta- |
tions. Instead of taking adj
vantage of the offer to better
their condition, they agreed
that the overseer was afraid of
them. He had been told that |
they were obstinate and refrac-
tory, and that all three had |
made attempts to reach the |
North, but he was determined |
TO nse them like the other hands
until they forfeited the priyil-
sge.
On the third morning after
ny arrival, as the family sat eat
ing breakfast, one of the slaves
came running from the field and
said that the three new hands
aad set upon the sub-oyerseer,
a black man, and beaten him al
most to death, and were then
harangning the hands and en-
leavoring to incite an insurrec-
ion.
The field was q mile away,
md while the horses were being
'addled we looked to our re-
and got down couple
If shot guns. Alexander ad-
Used peaceable coercion, if pos
iible, and cha ged the overseer,
DIR. Camp, to inquire if his as
istant had not been harsh and
,ruel with the new hands, whom
le did not like.
When we reached the field,
ghere about thirty of the peo--
lie were at work, the new men
we're making threats and defy
ng punishment. Before speak
ng to them, the overseer made
INQUIRY among the old hands,
nd of his assistant, and all a.
freed that the trio had sudden
= flung down their tools with
ut any excuse, and declared
hat they would not do another
troke. When Mr.. Camp ap-
the men, they did not !
eek to excuse their conduct,
,ut were bold and defiant, even
threatening to attack rs with
lubs. II
"Go to the house, he said; |.
iding close up to them antilev-
ling his shot gun. isvs4
They hesitateds still holding
N to their clubs, | brought Z.
nv gun 10 bear with his. and
nc oyersccr continued;