The National tribune., 1893-05-25
A FAITHFUL NEGRO.
an Incident Of the Surrender OF the
City of Vicksburg.
BY MARY S. GIsT, SO TWELFTH STREET n. VI.
WASHINGTON, D. c.

Al the Union army lay. Hundreds were
y daily sickening and dying; the in
tense heat bad water, and hard labor
had well-nigh proved too much for human
nature All looked sad and disheartenlng.
Though little was said, the bravest felt the
noble Union army was destined to fade away
ere the great work before them should be
accomplished.
Never dawned a sadder morning than that
of the memorable 4th of July, 1863 Judge,
then, of the wonderful reaction when the
glorious tidings spread through our lines that
Ficksburg had surrendered, and at IL m. the
line would be formed to 90 in and possess the
city. There were no stragglers that day, no
STRIKERS from duty.
The sick rose from their beds the wounded
dragged their helpless limbs all who possibly
could Joined in that march, and three poor
helpless boys, alas too weak for the under
taking lay down by the roadside and died.
One of them. as his comrade stopped to raise
him, said: 60 on, Bill; don't trouble about
me; I'm near enough; l can die here. Tell
mother almost got into the drasted old city"
Returning next day to camp, his body was
found half a mile nearer the city than where
he had fallen the day before. his hands torn
and bloody from his efforts TO drag his weary
body over the stony road as near as possible TO
The conquered spot.
Arrived in the city, the army were filed
ground the courthouse, where the Confederate
DAG foated. 1t was the work of but a few
moments to remove it and throw to the breeze
The Union banner amid shouts that well be-
Fitted the occasion. By request of Gen. Grant
rally Round the Flag" was sung. Never
sgain do i expect to witness so affecting scene.
Many soldiers wept, and Gen. Grant. the man
whom many then thought had no feeling, sat
upon his horse like statue, the tears courslng
Town his cheeks.
Nba o;t Z ft,nT T,,io he fret py
done was to open the prison doors. Gen. Grant
on foot. led the procession through the Streets
md entered the prison just behind the flag.
To describe this wretched abode is beyond my
power. The ultima thule OF rags filth, starva-
ton and misery certainly was reached. Over
$50 Union soldiers were shut up here, who for
the first time in many months beheld the flag
under which they had fought. You are ali
familiar with the adage, Blessings brighten as
they pass away" and who that has lain in a
Southern prison does not remember his feelings
when he again beheld his cOuntry's emblem.
0ne brave old man, near unto death, said :
" / can't see; bring me the flag; let me feel it
once more" and tenderly passing his hands
over its folds. pressed it to his lips, cried out
Beautiful flag, too late; / have starved to
death for you" and closing his arms about it
fell back from exhaustion, and died soon after
Gen. Grant was asked 10 speak. " ! cannot" he
replied; the sight of my eyes makes my heart
sick"
The entire army were relieved from duty for
"a hours. a longer respite than they had
known since the war began; and, OH the
touching. sickening, and ludicrOus sights that
met our eyes. Union and Confederate soldiers
walked the streets arm in arm, chewing from
the Union cud (of tobaccol and eating of Union
ratiOns, for the rebs had neither. Some of our
officers dined with Confederate officers on mule
meat. Women and children, half frightened
TO death, were found hidden in caves that had
been dug around the city in billy portions,
where hundreds Of families had taken refuge
from the fury of the storm OF battle.
After sunset party of officers aud ladies
rode out to view the Notifications, and on our
return ] cut branch from the tree under the
shade of which Gems. Grant and Pemberton
arranged the terms of surrender. / soon began
to feel like the man who drew an elephant, and
did not know what TO do with the stick. In
the army it was impossible to lay anything
down and ever find it again. So, how was
to keep it, when was constantly on the go?
While walking along the street the next
morning, was accOsted by an old negro woman
with:
Say honey. don't you long to Uncle Abe ?'
Il live North" replied.
We'll. then, you js take this little mig along
with you" at the same time dragging from be-
hind her a grinning, half-aaked little boy
Chicago, and sent word back that she had found
a good home, and wanted her boy. Use done
kept watch ever since. Now, you take the child,
be good to him, aud the Lord bless you both
and bring you to glory!
She ran OF as fast as she could 90, and / was
left with a much greater responsibility on my
hands than a stick Of wood. Resolving, if
must care for the negro, he should help me take
care of my stick, ] took him TO the Soldiers
Home. just opened, and placed him in care of
an old negro woman employed in the kitchen.
gave my stick into his charge, telling him If
he would take good care of it he should get to
his mother
Within "a hours the news reached US that
Lee was in Pennsylvania. had destroyed sew
eral cities and was sending an army into the
coal region 10 set fire 10 the coal mines. That
touched a tender spot. Home parents and
children were III Schuylkill Co., Pa. / forgot
my duty TO nay country, my negro. and my stick
OF wood and went on board the FIRST boat going
North, and not until j reached Cairo H., was
assured Of the glorious victory at Gettysburg
and the perfect safety of those dear to me- l
spent twO weeks in an old barn at Gettysburg
nursing soldiers, visited nay home, aud returned
in September to Vicksburg. / had given I'D
al hopes of ever seeing either negro or stick
OF wood again, but as / entered the Soldiers
Home ! was saluted with, Here's my miss:
knowed you'd come for me. Pse done kept the
SICK; Use slept with it every night" And
sure enough it was my little mig, and safely
slowed away in his bed, on the floor in corner
OF the kitchen, was my stick, with my name
cut upon the bark.
BY little negro ] succeeded in getting to his
mother, under whose care aided by generous
friends, he became an educated and useful
citizen. The stick / had made into a hand
some cane and presented it to a Republican
club TO be used to help Grant into the White
House the first time. By the faithfulness OF
this little negro child / was able TO preserve a
greatly priced relic. Let US not forget that the
negro las ever been true TO our country's cause,
and let Us see to it that he receives sympathy
and justice from our hands
The Chinese Law.