The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-03-31
"wHAR.s DAT NIGGERs"
An Incident of the Rebellion.
rPbiladelphia Weekly Pness.l

fnlladSiphla weekly fress
In July, 1868, when the army lay at Win
chester, Tennessee, one of our foraging par
ties had for guide old Jim, one OF the black
est niggers that ever you did see. Jim was
so black he would shine at night in the dark,
and his eyeballs were more than three fourths
white, or as the boys used to say, had 'little
or no yoke into them"
The first place Jim led us to was the house
of his former master Riding up to the door
and dismounting, the first sound that was
heard was:
"Well, il there amt Jiml How could you
leave us, Jim, when we have always treated
you so kindly2 Didn't you always say that
you loved US dearly2"
These remarks were addressed to Jim by q
lsdy-like looking woman, and for moment
or two he stood twirling his hat and not
knowing what to say; then he blurted out:
"Yes, missus, always Tub you, and l hub
you now a heap; but really, missus, / find
Tub myself best after all"
The good lady could not help smiling, and
went into the house. Then Jim conducted US
over the place where he had for so many years
been slave with as much pride as if ne vas
the real owner.
Jim showed his peculiar nature more per-
haps in the following incident than in any
other. During the advance toward Bridge
port heavy artillery duel was fought and
Jim got scared and hid away. He was not
seen for whole day, and when night came
on the colonel, whose cook he was, began to
inquire ''where that niger was. and why
they did not have something to eat" The
Sumpter mules were brought up, the old ham
unpacked and soldier set to cooking, when,
just as we had given up all hope of ever see
ing Jim again, he was observed slipping
quietly into camp, his large eyes rolling Wild
ly.
"Come here, you black scoundreL" cried
the colonel 'and tell us where you have
beenl'
Jim came up smiling, and, holding out his
hand, said:
"Dat you, colnel2 Alive, too, and well2
Bless de Lord And dar is de captin a-look-
in right at me and a-seemin' hull. Lordl
Lord colonel, wasn't it a dreful day, and
you is all alive shuah an no mistake. Never
expected to see you in dis world any more;
no, l didn't"
'Why, JIM" said the colonel, "you were
| demoralized; it wasn't SO bad as you think"
Don't swear, colonel, dear. l may have.
as you observed got dsrd-darn. It's bad
word, and / can't jist make it OUT but /
never afore was so near my blessed Lord and
Master as hev been dis day.
"How is that" we all inquired.
"Wbat did ] ever do to dem rebels dat
dey should aim at me so2" said Jim savage
ly.
'Aim at your" said the colonel. "Why
Jim, that is absurd. They aimed at the,
soldiers; not you"
look here colonel, don't fool fore God
dey aim at me, an pretty near hit me. |
| heard dat shot a-comin' through the air and
sayin' as plain as l am sayin' it now:
'Whar's dat niger? Whars dat niger?
| Where is-den he see me, and come straight
for me a-yellin': Il see him. see himl'
and when l run away he burst, and de little
| debbils went skirmishing all around right
after me. hid under the log, and heard
dem huutin' for me, but de good Lord pre-
served me and dey didn't fine me-" Jim
was in dead earnest, and really believed the
rebels had singled him out for target, and
every shell thrown from their batteries was
aimed directly at himself