Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-01-22
BURLINGTON, VT. FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, j

my orders. | assembled the stairs and
searched the upper rooms and in one of
them, snugly slowed away between two
matt resses, found a young Confederate
cavalry officer, in full uniform invited
him to accompany me downstairs, and he
did so. The ladies had withdrawn them
selves behind violently slammed doors |
conducted my prisoner to my command:
Behind us calmly walked my colored
friend, whose loyal gesticulations had
pointed to our quarry, with these TWO
curiously different additions to our force
we wendell our way onward. Arriving at
thick grove of trees in ravine | halted
the men. What was ] to do on rapid
scout with these incongruous companions
Even if | could mount them both and
take them along with me, my Confederate
friend might-doubtless would-make it
precious awkward for us, by crying out or
shouting when we were trying to surprise
Il party of his late comrades. An idea
struck me, and carried it out without
loss of time. | asked my friend from
Africa if he could guard the prisoner I'M
til | returned. 1t was then about noon,
and would surely, told him, come back
early next morning He SAID he could,
and would, keep the gentleman for us
| told the officer to sit down i'll the angle
of the rail fence and assured him he
would be uuhurt if he made no move. |
put the slave in front of him, gave the
!
shoot his prisoner if he, on any preteXt
whatever, tried to rise. Then we rode
away How the matter would turn out !
knew moi ana rure little but If | had
time to think ! should have said the
chances were ten to one thai ] W9'l!d never
see the captain or guard again
We executed the duty assigned TO us
and an arduous and important duty it
was-and started on our return. About y
O'Clock next morning us we again neared
I the spot where we had left the strange
couple, the men we've cranlng their necks
for II sight of the spot. When we came
into view of that angle of the fence, there,
Just as we had left them, were they-the
officer seated, and the negro covering him
with the carbiue. For twenty mortal
hours had they maintained their positions .
Now we had horses to spare, ana we TOOK
both men with us to CONlngton. In the
frame building used as headquarters were
several officers waiting anXlously lor inc
news we brought. | had been "A hours in
the saddle and was precious tired, but
knew that in Gen y. j. Smiths bright
vocabulary there was no such word as
fatigue where duty was to be done so
told my story and answered all questions
asked me, well aware, meanwhile, that 1t
was as likely as not that | would be order
ed to mount and ride away again. In due
course spoke of my captain and the OH
Ger was turned over to the provost guard.
Then told the general about my colored
friend and the service he had rendered. 1t
must be remembered that the emancipa-
ton proclamation was not made until
January |, 1868, and that under the orders
of commanding officers interference with
the peculiar institution especially III Il
State not seeded, was ticklish business.
81 could not leave this man" said l.
"Ile had done us Il service and his life
would not have been worth five minutes
purchase after we were gone. They would
have killed him as they would II snake.
What is to be done with him - Before
Gen. Smith had time to reply Il small man
with red hair rose to his feet
Turn HIM over to me-" he cried, 81 am
Lieutenant-Governoro of kentucky. Now,
gentlemen, Il little subscription if you
please, to help the boy and he passed
round the hat with much success.
'.Iim, said he TO the cOlOred man, here
are so, and here (he had been hurredly
writing), els pass across the bridge.
Away with you and dOHt stop uHtU Y0U
rcuch Cunuid." The man needed no fur
Their instructions ; but in five minutes he
was making the best time of the season
towards the Ohio river.
In all the long years that have passed
since September, 1862, / have never seen
that negro again, but | have AN abiding
conviction that | shall meet him yet for
the world is very small. Doubtless y
terially, but think | should know him.
Some day it will be my lot to see him pass
ing the dishes in II hotel dining-room,
making up my berth in ii sleeping car, or,
| for all know, preaching to the brethren
and sisters in Il cOlOred Church-One of the
first slaves liberated ON Kentucky soil
AN OLD SOLDIER.