The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1880-07-17


Monroe (Mich.,) Sentinel
The following is from George @. Gard
ner, Captain of the Filth Wisconsin Bat
terry, of Rosecrans' Army of the Cumber-
land: ns......
DEBORAH, Ia, June 18, 1880.
Dear Charley-Your postal card of the
14th instant asking me to refresh your
mind as to the. dates, facts, etc of an incl
dent which occurred during the war of
1851, and in which General Garfield was
an actor and / a spectator, was duly re-
ceived, and herewith attempt to comply
with your request:
After the great and sanguinary battle of
Chickamauga Il think in the latter part of
October, 1889, was bound North on
twenty days furlough. At Louisville
met Generals Garfield and Steedman. Gar
field was going to Congress and Steedman
North on business. Garfield had been our
commanding Generals Chief-of-staff, and
Steedman commanded fine division in
the same army. We happened to 60 down
to the ferryboat in the same bus, on top
which were Garield's and Steedmans
negro servants. 1t appears that, owing
to the fact that the Emancipation Procla-
nation was not general, and did not at
that time apply to Kentucky, that States
Legislature had taken advantage of it and
passed laws authorizing the kidnapping
and cOnfecating of every stray negro that
the gangs of civil officers and citizens
could lay hands upon. OUHers with
posses were stationed at the levees, in.
structed and authorized to sieze all Negroes
attempting to cross the river on the boats,
no matter where they were from. When
we went on the boat we were all in ignor-
ance of this state law, and of the fact that
that strong force of men were on the
boat for the purpose of Selling any un-
lucky darkey who might be going North
with Union officers. My attention was
first called to the fact by hearing General
Garfield ask pompous looking man
"What do you want with that boy?
looked out of the bus window and noti-
ced that the man, in company with others,
was ordering the two boys to get down
from the bus and 60 ashore with them
The man who claimed to be the Sheriff,
said the boys could not 60 across the
river; that he should take possession of
them etc., and proceed to force them off
the boat. At this Garfield and Steedman
jumped out of the bus. Garfield was
mad; he told those insolent men that he
had been fighting rebels in the field for
two years, that he would now do some
fighting on the water, and that If they
did not leave the boat at once they would
get hurt. He stood between the negroes
and the officers, and shook his fist in their
faces, and dared them to touch the black
boys who had so faithfully stood by him
in the camp and battle grounds of Stone
River and Chickamauga. General Steed-
man was mad; he pulled off his coat, and
marched into the crowd, saying he would
fight such a white-livered set of rascals
with good relish; Chickamauga had no
teIrors for him, neither had kidnapers. 1t
was an exciting time then. While Gar
field and Steedman were getting the
negroes awav from the Sheriff, and his
deputies, we fellows in the bus were get
ting our revolvers out of our valices, and
we soon were out and forming line of
battle, one deep and far apart in the rear
of Garfield and Steedman. The Sheriff
finally exhibited disposition to take the
negroes at any risk. Garfield. followed by
force. They retreated right smart to the
shore. The Sheriff from his safe place on
the shore ordered the Captain not to move
o"O Uoot Will VIC uO6ioOc vi Uooius AuC
Captain then came to Garfield, and told
him that he, the Captain, could not take
the boys across the river without incur.
ring heavy fine, and therefore would not
move the boat General Garfield said he
would relieve him of responsibility, 80 he
announced he would pilot the boat across
il some one would volunteer to run the
engine. Upon several of the soldiers agree
ing to do it. the Captain cayed and Or
dered the boat united, saying he would
take the damed crowd across, and stop
the 'tarnel fuss The boat started and the
row ended.
Garfield and Steedman were resolute
and brave. Their bold and determined
manner, no doubt saved, bloodshed
as the kidnapping crowd were too much
cowed to presist in their attempt to take
the negroes. Had even one shot been
fired there would have been red hot
time on the boat; the blue-coats present
and looking on were worked up to good
fighting condition. l am yours hastily.
Fl