Charles Sumner: his complete works, volume 08 (of 20)Sumner, Charles
History
Charles Sumner: his complete works, volume 08 (of 20)
Sumner, Charles
Slavery -- United States; Speeches, addresses, etc., American
“He visited the camp of General McCook, in Maury County, in
quest of a fugitive, and that officer, instead of throwing
obstacles in the way, afforded him every facility for the
successful prosecution of his search. That General treated
him in the most courteous and gentlemanly manner, as
also did General Johnson, and Captain Blake, the brigade
provost-marshal. Their conduct toward him was in all respects
that of high-toned gentlemen desirous of discharging their
duties promptly and honorably. It is impossible for the army to
prevent slaves from following them; but whenever the fugitives
come into the lines of General McCook, they are secured, and a
record made of their names and the names of their owners. All
the owner has to do is to apply either in person or through an
agent, examine the record or look at the slaves, and, if he
finds any that belong to him, take them away.”
Can we listen to such a statement and not feel indignant at the levity
with which human freedom is treated?
Yet similar cases multiply. There is the provost-marshal of Louisville,
who seems to be a disgrace to our army, if we may believe the following
report.
Here Mr. Sumner quoted at length the description of his
conduct: making colored people “his subjects of oppression and
inhuman treatment”; “ordering his provost guards to flog all
colored persons out after dark”; “now being revenged on the
colored people for their faithfulness to the Union cause.”[307]
But, Sir, an incident has occurred under General Buell’s command which
cannot be read without a blush. Here it is, as described in the
letter of a soldier who was more than a witness, even a party to it.
I find this letter in a newspaper, but it has been furnished to me in
manuscript by the person to whom it is addressed.
“CAMP ANDY JOHNSON, NEAR NASHVILLE,
TENNESSEE, March 8, 1862.
“MY DEAR PARENTS,-- … A great outrage was perpetrated in our
camp yesterday, as follows.
“A black boy, named Henry, has been at work for the Colonel for
some days. His owner came after him while we were camped on the
other side of the river, but the boys hooted him out of camp.
The negro said he would sooner be killed on the spot than go
back with his master, even if he knew he would not be punished.
His master, he said, was a Secessionist, and had kept him (the
boy) on some fortifications down the river at work for four
mouths.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account