The National tribune., 1903-07-02

which lie stated we would need before we
got back to our regiment
Just before dark we went aboard the
steamer which we found to be the Evans
Vile" There were on board the boat
owner, the Captain, a pilot, one engineer,
a cotton buyer from Boston, and a crew of
white deck hands. besides a colOred stew
ard. who acted also as cook. A small flat
boat had been in use, making many trips
back and forth from the steamer to the
shore. carrying cotton to the boat and
probably contraband goods to the shore.
That the reader may fully understand
this matter, l will state that by this time
the scarcity of cotton had caused the price
to go to 81 per pound. and common calico
at the North was sold at from GO to 20
cents per yard.
There had been much influence brought
to bear with the authorities to induce
them to permit trading with the planters,
TO thus obtain their cotton. This was
violently opposed by the Army command
ers, as it would have tendency to cause
the smuggling out Of our lines of large
amount of contraband goods.
TRAFFIC IN CoNTRABAND GOODS.
In his memoirs" Vol. /, Page 800, Gen
Grant has said: "Among other embar-
easements, at the time of which / write.
was the fact that the Government wanted
to get out all the cotton possible from the
South, and directed me to give every ia
cility toward that end. Pay in gold was
authorized, and stations on the Mississippi
River and on the railroad in our posses
sion had to be designated where cotton
would be received. This opened to the
enemy not only the means of converting
cotton into money which had a value all
over the world, and which they so much
needed, but it afforded them means of OBJ
tanning accurate and intelligent informa-
ton in regard to our position and strength.
Citizens obtaining permit from the Treas
ury Department had to be protected within
our lines, and given facilities to get out
cotton, by which they realized enormous
profits"
This plan did not work well, so the
rules were modified so as to provide that
all cotton-trading boats on the river were
required to obtain n permit, and also ia
receive on board Government Aid" (as
lie was called appointed by the Treasury
Department, whose duty it was to be pres
eGt at and supervise every transaction, and
TO see tina: no forbidden contraband goods
were given in exchange. Among other
stringent rules by which they We're gov,
erned We're that. no gold, silver, quinine
arms, ammunition or other war material
III fact anything which would tend to the
advantage of the Southern COnfederacy
was permitted TO be exchanged for cotton
| We had learned that this portion of the
river was not the main channel, but that
a few years previously the river hati cut
through, leaving this bayou, and the
main river traffic did not pass this way
hence We did not see any of the steamer,
passing up and down the river: also, tina
at the present stage of water gunboats
could not come into this port, therefore We
were isolated from the world.
| We We're given n state room and told
that everything on board, even to the bar
was free to us. If / remember rightly, this
was about - miles above Helena, Ark
The boat lay here at anchor for the neXt
two days, and all times of the day anG
part of each night traffic was kept up be
tween the boat and shore, rebel soldiers
and civilians coming and going Mt thei:
sweet will. Large quantities of liquol
were consumed at the bar, for which
never saw any money given in exchange
Many Of those who came aboard wer,
those we saw when on shore, who alway.
treated us with respect frequently insist
ing that we join them at the bar.
On the next day after our arrival w,
noticed that there was very ill feeling
between the Captain, owner, and cottoI
buyer on the one side, and the Govern
ment Aid on the other side. Louie" n.
he was called by everyone, was quite drunl
ana abusive much OF the time. Ever,
one was very guarded in his languag,
while in our presence, but Louie would oc
casionally blurt out remark that wa
|, very compromising, to say the least. HI
seemed TO carry the idea that he was no
getting n sufficient rake-off.
The officers of the boat were very re
ticent with us, and we could not get ,
, clear idea of what was going on. w
noticed that every time the flatboat WI
being loaded for the shore, some one woul,
entertain us in the cabin or at the bar, s.
that we could not see what was bein,
sent on shore. This did not matter t
White and l, because We had decided, be
tween ourselves, that if they continue,
r to treat US right and landed us safely il
Memphis, our mouths would be closed a
} to any irregularities that might come unde
, our observation, thinking this one of til
! conditions of our parole. On one occasion
, we heard Louie make some kind of a kcl
about four dozen Navy reyolyers he ha,