The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-04-20
THE CONTRABAND.
How the Cavalry brought a Coiored Man
into Suffolk

into SafTsIk.
~ OMETIME in July. 1862, detachment
49, Of the 1lth Pa. Cav under Lieut.-Co
~ Spear was stationed at Suffolk, Va Gen.
Mansfield was ia command. and orders
had been issued allowing citizens outside Of OF r
lines to come in and purchase supplies upon
their taking the oath of allegiance. Many had
awaited themselves of the privilege. This ex-
cited the wrath OF their rebel fellow tiZens,
and SYSTEM of persecution so common in the
South in those days once begun
Complaints came into Hcadq 9artets, aud Co.
A Capt. +. A. Stratton, WAS sent out TO inyes-
tigate and warn the evif-deers of the conse-
gueBees Of their conduct Our route led us
threegh Somerteu toward the Ciiogan River.
4 part Of two days WIS spent in chasing rebel
preachers and aFrestipg Home Guards, other
Wise guerriiIas. Ga cur return We halted ut
DR.. Savages to feed cur horses and make ceffee.
The corn came from the Doctors crib.
As | was sitting leg enjoying my salt
pork and hardtack the Doctor took seat beside
NE ard inquired how he WAS to get pay for bis
corn told him there would be ne difficulty
about it; all he weald have to DO was to 20 TO
Suffolk aad prove his loyalty, aud the Govern
meut would pay him His chin fell sud
denly thought IL would drop OF.
We were soou on the march. | was riding
at the rear of the columa and when about a
mile from the Doctors celored boy came out
of the woods and trotted alongside my horse.
aske ed him where he was going 20 i gwine
gith you-alL" He said he belonged to Dir.
Savage: that the Doctor was hard master
lie was telling me his troubles when, chanc-
ing TO look back, saw the Doctor coming ia
his gig az fast as his horse could carry him.
As he came up he asked nae to catch the boy
for him. | told him i WAS not engaged in that
business just then. The boy passed through
among the horses so to pat the moving col
! h.tyra inn and ha Iaofav nd nm,
TO the head where the Captain was riding. the
Doctor maxi ing his way to the same point.
The command matted, End / rode up TO the
front. The boy. with both hands raised and
tears streaming from his eyes, was pleading
with the Captain not to send him back. He
told Whist Secesh the Doctor was; how be
cursed yOu-all; how he said il lac took the oath
be would spit ii out
The Doctor told the boy that if he would 90
back with him he would not hurt him. "Oh,
yes You know you will. You will Hhip me to
DEATH the boy replied. The Doctor asked the
Captsin what he intended TO do about it. The
Captain said that if the boy wanted to 20 back
he could do 80. but he should no, compel him.
The Doctor then asked if he should attempt TO
take him and he resisted aud he should shoot
him, what we weald do
At that question Hi Evans, who certainly
laid 30 claims 10 being an Abolitionist, spoke
up: We would shoot you, - quick"
some o. as nAu psel Trying 10 give the boy a
| hint to Ia Ike TO the woods At this point poor
white came up in his cart, aud the Doctor
called OH him to assist in taking the boy. One
| glance and the boy WIS in the woods out OF
! sight. The help would not have avaiIed the
| Doctor, as the men would not have allowed
| them to take the boy.
We moved on. the Doctor following at the
rear. We could occasionally catch u glimpse
! OF the boy as he ran through the woods parallel
| with the column, and he was certainly doing
! himself credit in the way Of speed. Finally,
! Barnes dropped out of the ranks and informed
| the Doctor that tue men were becoming i'm.
| patient about his following them; that he N lsst
| get behind the rear guard. The Doctor wanted
| to know il it was the Captains order. Barnes
replied that il was his order, and If he knew
| when he Was well eff he woald obey He
| waited with the Doctor until the rear guard
| came up, and posted them on the situation
| They moved very slowly. and got long way
behind. After run Of two or three miles the
! boy came out the road One Of the men
dismounted and let him ride until he got his
breath. He went into SafsoIk with us, and We
saw our caEtraband no more.-G. l. CRUIK-
| SHANK, Co A. Ilth Pa. Cav. Addison, Iowa.