Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-05-17
MiseelIaneous &eaaing.
A TRUE AND FAITHFUL SLAVE.

From the Charleston News and Courier.
1t was in the "leafy month of june"
in 1862, in old Williamsburg, Va. I
had been severely wounded in the
fight of the 5th of May around Will
liamsburg, and was scarcely able to 20
about on crutches. The Presbyterian
pastor of that town, the Rev. Samuel
Blsir, of sainted memory, had taken
me to his home, and, with tender, low
ing care, his wife, remarkable wo.
man, had nursed me as I slowly grew
stronger.
Late one afternoon, as I sat in the
cool shade of the veranda, Negro
came through the gate with a timid,
hesitating air. He spoke to me in a
profoundly respectful manner. His
whole demeanor was that of a Negro
who had been we'll raised. He had
evidently served the best class Of
whites. With prompt directness he
told me he was the cook and man-of-
all work for his young master, Mr.
Perkins, who was a private in the l4th
(2) Mississippi regiment of Confederate
volunteers; that he, the Negro, was
sick at Yorktown when his regiment
was ordered back to the Chickahom-
my. He was too sick to 90, and was,
therefore, left in the camp. McClel-
lands army, as it came up, paid no at,
tention to him. By the indifference OF
the enemy be escaped capture, but he
was stranger in a strange land, and
with all the Negroes passion for home
and the old plantation, be longed for
his Mississippi quarters. "Are you a
wounded Confed ?" said he. "Yes."
II don't want the Yankees to get me.
1 want to 60 back home to the Missis-
sip. Will you take me as your boy
aud get me through the lines?" There
was something of pathetic pleading in
this simple request. 1t was made with
real feeling.
How strange it sounded that slave,
with freedom at hand, should yet crave
the joy of slavery. All that was dear
to him was associated with the home
in the Mississippi. The event proved
how deep, how real a thing was his
love for it.
1 told him that I doubted very seri-
ously whether I could carry him
through the lines, but if he would con-
sent to be my "boy" I would do'the
best 1 could for him; that 1 did not
know where 1 would be sent when
able to travel, but if he was willing to
share nv lot I would make an honest
effort to get him back home. That
was the bargain. The Negroes name
was George Perkins. He was slave
of Judge Perkins, of Jackson, Miss.
His master was an Influential elder of
the Presbyterian church, a man of
wealth and high standing, the founder
of the "Perkins professorship" in Co.
lumbia Theological Seminary-a pro.
fessorship which has been a bone OF
contention in the Southern Presbyter-
ian church. DR.. Woodrow was the
first professor to occupy the chair, and
we know the rest.
The name of the Negro who was 30
strangely my servant by voluntary
offer was "George." He was intelli-
gent, very polite, capable and made a
superb body servant. In few weeks
after he came to me at Williamsburg
orders were issued that we should all
20 down to Fortress Mouroe. 1t re-:
NAMED to be seen whether "George"
would pass muster as my servant.
Very soon after going on the boat the
military commander came along,
making register of all the prisoners.
The only question put to George"
was, "Where is your master" He
pointed to me. When the captain
came to me he asked me if that fellow
was nv servant. l answered Eyes,"
He passed on and said nothing. Very
soon we were landed, not at Fortress
Monroe, but at Hampton Female COL
lege, which was used as hospital for
the soldiers convalescing. Very soon
after registering l found that my COL
onel, Bratton, was there with his SER
want. George at once took up with
him but he was not at all at ease in
his mind. He was in a state of con-
slant dread lest he might be removed
to some northern prison. There was
camp of "contraband" near Hampton
institute. Here George paid some
visits, to his great discomfort. Strong
efforts were made to entice him from
his newly found master. When mild
measures failed threats were tried, but
all in vain. George told me that he
must go back to the folks at home.
After a stay of a month or so at
Hampton the joyous news came that
we were to be exchanged and that we
were to take the boat for the Confed-
crate landing the next day. George
looked forward to the trip as the real
test of his final return. Joyous anti
cipation and painful anxiety were
struggling together in his breast.
Early on the morning of September l,
we gladly took the boat to 60 up the
river to the place appointed for the
exchange. George was in fever OF
anxiety when the captain registered
his passengers. When he came to
George he spoke somewhat sternly and
and said, "Who is your master ?"
"There he is," was the definite and
laconic answer. 1 made out as good
case as the circumstances would ad-
NIT. After several inquiries the ordeal
was past, and George was allowed to
60 with his new master. Colonel Brat
ton, who saw his pitiful apprehension,
took delight in teasing him. More