The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1916-04-14
PAPERS READ BEFORE WIN.
WALLACE CHAPTER, u. D. c.
CONDITION OF THE SLAVES
BEFORE AND DURING THE WAR
(By Robert H. Wallace).

DEF OnE AMI DOnlNU he w AN
(By Robert H. Wallace).
would say the condition of the
slaves before and during the war
were the best they ever had been or
ever will be again for it is plain that
they were greatly elevated and i'm
proved both morally and physically 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, allowed 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 governed 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
family had house to themselves, a
garden and fruit trees, and once a
week they came to the house to get
their rations, which was good substan-
tial food, all were fat and healthy. AS
for disease, such as consumption, was
rarely, if ever, heard of. This was
the condition. in the Piedmont section,
but on the coast the rice-growing sec
ton, 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 mothers went
about their work. 1t was very rare,
if ever, they had cruel master.
There are instances when it is said
slave holders employed Irish and Ger
man gangs for doing very heavy or
dangerous work, so as to safeguard
the health and lives of their slaves.
With few exceptions, the relation be-
tween master and slave was one of
loyalty and even affection, and they
were always jealous of their masters
reputation and, like the Scots, ready
to fight for their schieftains And even
now, the children OF our ancestors
slaves, grin from ear to ear when they
see US and always make themselves
known to us.
The fidelity of the slaves during
the war was remarkable. During
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 de-
serve to be mentioned, refusing to de-
sert to the army of liberation, risked
and often lost their lives in protect
ing the property of their owners.
There are instances in my own fam
lily when both men and women proved
their loyalty in time of distress. 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 Yankees 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 chill
dren (the master of the home, of
course, was in the army. In an
other branch of the family, when the
house was surrounded by the Yankees,
faithful slave got his axe and came
in and stood near his mistress to pro-
tect her. Although told by Yankee
officer to go to the well and fill his
canteen with water, he never moved
till his mistress said, "Steve, go and
fill the canteen" and as he went, he
was knocked down and killed. AL
though they outnumbered the white
people, the women and children were
unmolested. All this goes to show
how greatly they had been uplifted
in this country of civilization and
Christianity, for they were nothing
more than savages when brought from
their native country.
How the Children Were Taught Be-
fore and During the War