National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-06-04
MISCELLANEOUS.
4 rERr SrnANGE sroRH.

How Negro Confederate Spy was Arrested
After tho War and sold Into Slavery in
Cuba.
In 1868 General Pcmbcrton commanded az
this point. Colonel Hemingway owned a
faithful slave-Peyton by name, "A noted negro
fiddler, known for miles around and highly
respected by both black aud white. When
his young master, w. Lynn Hemingway, at
present state treasurer of Mississippi, joined
the old Carroll rifles" he took Peyton along
as trusted servant. fIc went with him into
Virginia, and returned home in 1863, In Feb
ruary or March Of that year faithful spy was
needed TO visit tho federal gunboats then
coming down tho river on Fort Pombcrton.
Peyton at once undertook the mission, aud
representing himself us a fugitive slave to the
commanders of the boats, was we'll received
Being bright far beyond ordinary lie man
aged to secretc their oilicia! papers, maps, etc,
and escaped with these documents TO Fort
Pemberton. After the fall of Vicksburg, In
July following, Pcyton went with his young
master again to Virginin, where he remained
until tbs surrender of General Lee. The
former being compelled TO remain II number Of
days thereafter, in order to comply with the
formaitios Of the surrender, sent Pcyton ahead
of him to his home, near Carrolltou, Miss. On
his way, however, lie was betrayed 10 tho
enemy by some confederate Ms tho spy
who had deceived them above Fort
Pcmberton, was captured aud carried in
! irons to New York, thence to Cuba,
and sold rs a slave, together with many
others. The vessel on which lie was taken was
federal gunboat. IN Cuba he worked us IL
| slave in factories for nearly fifteen years, be-
| ing entirely cut of from all communication
with home and friends. He made seven at
| tcmpts to escape from bondage, all but the last,
of course, being unsuccessful. Finally he
| found an American vessel commanded by u
| southerner, TO whom he related the history of
| his capture, cnslavemcnt and forced exile, aud
| begged to be returned to his homo and family.
Tho captain sccrcted him in the hold of his
vessel, carried him to Costa 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
| absence Of seventeen years. lie reached
| WinOna, Miss, on the 10Th Of April, 1850. Pey-
| ton says that numbers ofmuutto women are be.
ing constantly sold in Cuba as slaves Northern
men marry them. take them to Cuba ION n
| bridal tour" and there sell them rs cooks aud
| fancy house servants. He saw one sold last
fall, by tho man who married her, for $500;
and further, that as lie came through Ciu"'"-
natl on his way home he saw the man, 81
recognized him, who sold her in Cuba.
facts above given are from one of the mos
liable and responsible gentlemen in Missis
written TO n distinguished member of cor
from that state. Closing his letter, he st H.
| Peyton:
"IIe 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 aud wife it was like a re-
turn to life from death. Peyton is an exceed
ingly intelligent negro, and says he can hardly
realize tho changes that have taken place He
left his children babes and finds them mar
ried and with children of their own"
If any one doubts the truth of this story he
or she can write to Captain b. L. Jones, Win
ona Miss, or to G. Y. +. Merriwether, Oak
land, Yulobusha county, same state.-L Wash
iugton (Aliss) Gazette.