The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-06-09
A VERY STRANGE STORY.


How Negro Confederate Spy Was Arrested
After the War and Sold Into Slavery i'm
Washington (Miss.) Gazette.l
In 1868 General Pemberton commanded at
this boiut Colonel Hemingway owned a
faithful slave-Peyton by name, noted
negro fiddler, known for miles around, and
highly respected by both black and white
When his young master, w. Lynn HemlDg-
vTav. at present State Treasurer Of Missls-
sippi, Joined the old Carroll Rifles" be took
Peyton along ss trusted servant. He went
with him into Virginia, and returned home
in 1868 In February or March OF that wear
a faithful spy was needed to visit the Fed
eral gunboats then coming down the river
on Fort PembeTton. Peyton &c once under
took the mission, aud representing himself
as e fugitive slave 10 the commanders OF the
bosts, was we'll received. Being bright far
beyond ordinary, be managed TO secrefe
their official papers, maps, etc, and escaped
with these documents 10 Fort Pemoerton.
After the fall of Vlcssburg, in July follow
ing, Peytnn went with his young master
agsip to Virginia. where he remained until
the surrender of General Lee. The former
being compelled TO remain number of days
thereafter, IN order 10 comply Win the
formalitiss of the surrender, sent
Peyton ahead of him to his home near Car
rollton, Miss. On his way, however, be was
betrayed to the enemy by some Confederate
as the SPY who had deceived them above
Fort PembertoD. was captured and carried IN
irons to New York, thence to Cuba, and cold
Is slave, together with many others. The
vessel on which he was taken was q Federal
gunboat. In Cuba he worked as slave In
factories for nearly fifteen years, being en-
tirely cut off from all communication with
home and friends. he mede seven attempts
to escape from bondage, all but the lest, OF
afuI ia
found an American vessel, commanded by a
SOuthsrner, 10 whom he related the history
of his capture, 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 to Costa Rica, thence TO New
York. Peyton then worked his way TO Vir-
ginia, where a number of ladies raised the
means to return him to his home after an
sbsence OF seventeen years. He reached
Winons, Miss, on the 15.h of April. 1880.
Peyton says that numbers of mulatto VIC
men are being constantly sold in Cuba as
slaves. Northern men marry them, take
them to Cuba ION bridal tour" and there
sell them as cooks and fancy house servants.
He saw one sold last fall, by the man who
married her. for $500; and further, that as
be came through Cincinnati on his way
home he saw the man, and recognized him,
who told her in Cuba. The facts above
given are from one OF the most reliable and
responsible gentlemen in Mississippi writ
ten to distinguished member Of Congress
fron that State. Closing his letter. he Gays
OF Peyton:
"He was delighted to again meet bis wifa,
who had married in his long absence, though
her fecond husband was drowned some
months ago. Hence, he found her q widow.
With both husband and wife il was like
return to life from death. Peytor IS an ex-
ceedingly intelligent negro, and says he can
hardly realzs the changes that have taken
place. He left his children babes, aud finds
them married and with children OF their
own"
Ii anyone doubts the truth OF this story he
or she can write to Captain B. F. Jones,
Winona, Miss. or to G. Y. +. Merriwether,
oakland, Yalobusha County, same State.