The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1916-05-04
Condition of the Slaves Before War

were the best tney ever naQ DeeH VI
ever will be again for it it is plain
that they were greatly elevated and
improved both morally and physical
ly by their servitude in the South.
They were we'll clothed and fed,
were taught good morals, to observe
the Sabbath, were allowed to go to
white peoples churches (the
churches having galleries for them) &.
They were happy and care free, al
lowed to have some pleasures, such
as one dance a week, always to
break up at IL o'clock that they
might get a good nights rest so as
to be able to attend to their duties
the following day. They were gov
erned by simple laws, that they were
all able to understand-which were
read to them four times a year. All
were expected to be on their own
masters plantation by dark and to
remain there over night. Each fam.
lily had house to themselves, a gar
den and fruit trees, and once a week
they came to the house to get their
rations, which was good substantial
food, all were fat and healthy. AS for
disease, such as consumption, it was
rarely, if ever, heard Of This was
the condition in the Piedmont Sec
ton, but on the coast the rice-groW-
ing section, they had to provide their
own meat by hunting and fishing.
They were given every attention when
sick or disabled. There was some
one of the women slaves appointed
to care for the babies while the moth
ers went about their work. 1t was
very rare, if ever, they had a cruel
master. There are instances when
it is said slave holders employed
Irish and German gangs for doing
very heavy or dangerous work, so as
to safeguard the health and lives Of
their slaves. With few exceptions,
the relation between master and
slave was one of loyalty and even
affection, and they were always jeal-
Gus of their masters reputation and,
like the Scots, ready to fight for their
chieftain. And even now, the chill
dren of our ancestors slaves, grin
from ear to ear when they see us and
always make themselves known to
u.s.
The fidelity of the slaves during
the war was remarkable. During the
early period of war, even the privates
had their servants, but when food
got so scarce they were dispensed
with. Those of the slaves left at
home deserve to be mentioned, refus-
ing to desert to- the army of liberia
ton, risked and often lost their lives
in protecting the property of their
owners.
There are instances in my own
family when both men and women
proved their loyalty in time of dis
tress. Two boys were taken off by a
Northern regiment, and just as soon
as they could escape, they returned
to their master, my grandfather
(Gen. Cook and offered to be his
slaves as long as they lived. Others
of his slaves were asked by the Yam
KEGS if they wanted freedom? They
answered most emphatically, "No, We
are as free as we wish to be- and
when it was known that Sherman
and his army were coming, two very
faithful women hid away some of the
silver and other valuables and tried
in every way to shield this mistress
and children (the master of the
home, of course, was in the army J.
In another branch of the family,
when the house was surrounded by
the Yankees, a faithful slave got his
axe and came in and stood near his
mistress to protect her. Although
told by Yankee officer to go to the
| we'll and fill his canteen with water,
| he never moved till hsi mistress said,
| "Steve, go and fill the canteen' and
as he went, he was knocked down
and killed. Although they outnum-
bered the white people, the women
and children were unmolested. All
this goes to show how greatly they
had been uplifted in this country o1
civilization and Christianity, fol
they were nothing more than savages
when brought from their native
country.-Robt. H. Wallace.
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