Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-11-29
A BROTHER In BLACK.
INTERESTING HISTORY or A BRAVE
CONFEDERATE NEGRO.
CeIestIn Beauiieu. the colored COOK OF
tho Tenth Louisiana Regiment, An
swers tho Last RoIi-Call.

"Celestin Beaulieu (cOloreul, an eA-
Confederate soldier, one OF the bestowed
negroes in the South, is dead" says the
New Orleans Picdyune. lie was faitn-
ful man and brave one" said woll-
known gentleman TO a PicaHms reporter
as the two met yesterday evening. In
war and IN peace he bore reputation
which any man might have envied. when
the news of his death was brought to me
was moved almost as deeply as IL one OK
my own kin had gone TO that undiscoV-
cred bourne"
The death of this excellent old man re-
calls many curious incidents OF his career.
Celestln Beaulieu was born IN MaryIanu III
Aucust. 1886. His birthplace was IN Tiny
cabin on a plantation belonging TO Dr.
Pierre prussan, to whose eldest son, Henry,
he was given at the age OF ten. When MS
master came TO New Orleans, he accom-
panied him as body servant and conhdshy
generally. The good qualities OF mead ana
heart which he displayed throughout MS
life had already ondeared him to his young
owner, and the two lived together as near
ly upon an equality as the difference Oh
races permitted. ~
Rut Celestin never shone forth III the
full blaze Of his dusky splendor until the
civil war commenced. When the news
came from Sumter he spent little hoard
which he had collected TO purchase hlnt-
lock musket, and prepared 20 serve MS
country to the best of his ability. ne
urged his master repeatedly 70 JOIN the
army. aud when the Tenth regiment OF
Louisiana volunteers was organized ooth
of them joined.
DAUNTLEss COURAGE.
1t was one bright, sunshny day IN MID
summer when the volunteers went TO the
front. Young Prussan wore the stripes Oh
an adjutant CelestIn, the apron OF a
cook. Battle proved that the gold BRAID
covered a heart oqualed in dauntles scour-
age by the one that beat beneath the white
cotton. When the youthful planter was
detailed on dangerous duty IN the he!d
black Celestin rode at his heels with ms
| Aint-lock on the pommel Of bis saddle.
Behind the breastwOrks in Virginia mas
ter and man stood side bv side, hghtlng
for home and liberty with quiet bravery.
Once in the desperate melee OF charge
| Cele5tln saw his beloved master iali'
pierced by bullet. His own safety was
| forgotten in an instant. Despite the bat
tie which ragged about them, the slave
| lifted the wounded adJutant IN his arms
and bore him 20 the shsde of a grove near
by. After the battle a party found thetWO
together, Celestin eEdeayOrlng to stanch
the blood that oozsd from Prussan's
breast, having torn mis- own shirt into INT
and bandG2es.
Another incident revealed the character
of the man IN another light. lie was lett
behind on one occasion with the other
camp followers, while the army marched
forward to meet the enemy. Ceiestln's
anger and establishment were great when ne
found that be was excluded from partlcl.
nation IN the fray. "I'se gOoder'n none OF
dem white trash, | is,' was his indignant
comment, and shouldering his beloved
flnt-lock he marched 10 the front with
logged determination to tight. Ana hght
he did, so we'll and so bravely that the
Colonel praised him before the regiment at
the close of the action.
At Spotsylyania Celestin lost his master.
The enemy came upon Prussan une1pect-
eddy ono evening while leading scouting
party and took him prisoner. The faith
ful black mourned his masters fate, but
made it an excuse for greater galantry IN
battle. In after days he used 10 tell now
many men fell beneath his weapon, but
the number was constantly on the increase,
and, therefore, may not be given here.
GREATER CALAMITY.
Peace brought the two friends together
once more, and they were parted only by
the death Of the master. Celestin accept
| ed the SAD event Win e7ls uaIlOI' iC " 10
obliged to 90 into service. since the bounty
of his master no longer could MAINTAIN him:
Wherever he worked ke won therespect OF
his employers and the regard OF his fellows
lie married. and at the time OF his death
WAS residing on Liberty street in pleasant
cottage. about which be had laid out. a
fragrant garden. He took great pride in
being called a Creole and loved to talk Of
the past. His character was replete with
noble traits of which sterling honesty and
unfaltering devotion were not the least.
Celestin Beaulieu died ,palnlesSly, sur
ronnded bv his friends and mourned by all
who knew him. He was o typical negro,
and represented o race of whom there are
now but few suryivors-the loving,
| faithful slave, whose attachment neither
| time nor change, war or peace, could sepa-
ratio from the family to whom he once be-
| lOuued.