Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-03-23
DEATH or AGED CEDAR RAPIDS
NEGRO RECALLS THRILLING
EXPERIENCE.
RAN AWAY FROM HOME,
ENLIsTED IN NORTH
Met Former Master Face 70 Face on
Bloody Battle Field and Killed Him
With Bayonstte Owners Plea
(, For Life Unhesdsd-Nesro Partici-
pated in Many Battles.

Cedar Rapids, MarCn z3.-In ne sOeath
of William p. Brickle in an old soldiers
home recently has recalled to those
VINO knew the aged colored soldier the
remarkable story Of his life-his birth
into slavery and escape, his experiences
during the civil war as he fought for
his unrestricted freedom and the shad-
ing. of his later days into a long period
Of quiet and contentment.
Mr.. Brickle was born into slavery
80 years ago on q Huntsville. Ala,
plantation. The serf of a cruel and
herd master, he developed during his
early years, all the resentment and
desire for revenge against indignities
that Harriet Beecher Stowe incorpor-
ated in her Uncle Toms Cabin
In his early manhood he married
Cecilia Curran, a slave on an adjoin-
ing plantation, and rather than have
his children born slaves, as he him
self had been, he escaped from his
master, and like George and Eliza of
Mrs Stoves book, made his way to
liberty, travelling thru the night and
seeking Quaker shelter during the day.
With his family he made his way to
free territory and there enlisted with
the union troops when Lincoln issued
his call for volunteers. AS private
he served under General Andrew jack
son Smith while his wife toiled In
the cook tents.
On one occasion. while campaign
ing in the vicinity OF his old home he
was detailed to give his old master
safe conduct back to the plantation.
Imagine his feelings. He often re-
marked afterwards that he resisted
the greatest temptation Of his life by
not killing the man on the spot. But,
duty bound as he was, he saw the
man safely thru the lines, little think
ing that they would one day meet
face to face on the battlefield.
Meets and Kills Master.
That day came in the year 1864. 1t
was on the 18th of April that Rebel
General Forest laid siege to Fort Pill
low and assaulted it with a large and
superior force, captured it and indis-
criminately butchered and massacred
the whole brave little garrison-wo-
men, children, sick and wounded alike.
And at this time the most horrible
cruelties were inflicted upon the COL
ored regiment Of four hundred that
aided SO valiantly in the defense of
the fort. Soon after this General
Smiths forces engaged General For
ests men and surrounded them in an
immense swamp. AT the command OF
charge, the entire union regiment
swept into the swamp crying Re
venge for Fort Pillow" and not a
confe derate escaped the bayonets of
- he enra ued aOli3ierS
During the charge Private Brickle
was shot thru the hips while another
rifle ball furrowed his scalp, and as
he ran, covered from head to foot with
blood, he came face to face with the
man he had served in the south. The
slave owner threw UP his hands cry
ing. "My God, Billy. don't kill me"
but unrestrained by discipline and
mad with the spirit of war, the negro
swung his bayonet and the old score
was wiped out.
Mr.. Brickle also saw action at the
second battle Of Bull Run, Gun Town,
Tupelo and several other minor en-
gagements. He faithfully and val
iantly defended the union, and when
his services were no longer needed he
received his honorable discharge and
came with his wife and children to
Iowa City. Until the death of his wife
and the breaking up Of his home. Mr..
FBrickle lived in retirement, later en-
tering the soldiers home to pass his
declining years.