Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-07-01
A VERY STRANGE STORY.

In 1863 General Pemberton commanded
at this point. Colonel Hemingway owned
faithful slave-Peyton by name-a noted
negro fiddler, known for miles around, and
highly respected by both black and white.
When his young master, W. Lynn Heming.
way, at present, State Treasurer of Mississippi,
Joined the old Carroll Rifles" he took Pey-
ton along as a trusted servant. He went
with him into Virginia and returned home in
1863. In February or March of that year
a faithful spy was needed to visit the FEEDER
al gunboats then coming down the river on
Fort Pemberton. Peyton at once undertook
the mission, and representing himself as fu'
gtive slave to the commanders of the boats
was we'll received. Being bright far beyond
ordinary, he managed to secrete their official
papers, maps, de-, and escaped with these
documents to Fort Pemberton.
After the fall of Vicksburg, in July follow
ing, Peyton went with his young master
again to Virginia, where he remained until
the surrender of General Lee. The former
being compelled to remain number of days
thereafter, in order to comply with the for.
malities of the surrender, sent Peyton ahead
of him to his home, near Carrollton, Miss.
On his way, however, he was betrayed to the
enemy by some Confederate as the spy who
had deceived them above Fort Pemberton,
was captured and carried in irons to New
York. thence to Cuba, and sold as a slave.
together with many others. The vessel on
which he was taken was a Federal gun
boat. In Cuba lie worked as slave in fac
tories for nearly fifteen years, being entirely
cut off from all communication with home
and friends He made seven attempts to es.
cape from bondage, all but the last, Of course,
being unsuccessful. Finally he found an
American vessel, commanded by Southern.
er, to whom he related the history of his cap
ture, enslavement and forced exile, and
begged to be returned to his home and family.
The Captain secreted him in the hold of his
vessel, carried him toCosta Rica. thence to
New York. Peyton then worked his way to
Virginia, where number of ladies raised the
means to return him to his home after an alb
sence of seventeen years. He reached Win
ona, Miss, on the 18th of April, 1880. Pey-
ton says that numbers of mulatto women are
being constantly sold in Cuba as slaves.
Northern men marry them, take them to Gu
ba "on bridal tour and there sell them as
cooks and fancy house servants. He saw
one sold last Fail by the man who married
her, for $500; and further, that as he came
through Cincinnati on his way home he saw
the man, and recognized him, who sold her
in Cuba. The facts above given are from
one of the most reliable and responsible gen.
tlemen in Mississippi, written to distinguish.
ed member of Congress from that State.
Closing his letter he says of Peyton:
"He was delighted to again meet his wife,
who had married in his long absence, though
her second husband was drowned several
months ago. Hence, he found her widow.
With both husband and wife it was like
return to life from death. Peyton is an ex-
ceedingly intelligent negro, and says he can
hardly realize the changes that have taken
place. He left his children babes, and finds
them married and with children of their
own"
If any one doubts the truth Of this story he
or she can write to Captain B. F. Jones,
Winona, Miss, or to G. Y. F. Merr' wether
Oakland, Yalabusha county, same State
Washington (Miss.) Gazette.