History of the Negro Race in America from 1619 to 1880. Vol. 2: Negroes as Slaves, as Soldiers, and as CitizensWilliams, George Washington
History
History of the Negro Race in America from 1619 to 1880. Vol. 2: Negroes as Slaves, as Soldiers, and as Citizens
Williams, George Washington
African Americans -- History; Liberia; Sierra Leone
"At this time, Brig.-Gen. Boyle, or Boyd (I think Boyle), was in
command of the District of Kentucky, and had issued his general
order, that fugitive slaves should be delivered up. Brig.-Gen. H.
M. Judah was in command of Post of Bowling Green, also of our
brigade, there stationed.
"The owner of Alfred Jackson found out his whereabouts, and sent
a U. S. marshal to Bowling Green to get him. Said marshal came to
my headquarters under a pretence to see my very fine
saddle-horse, but really to identify Alfred Jackson. The horse
was brought out by Alfred Jackson. The marshal went to Brig.-Gen.
Judah's headquarters and got a written order addressed to me,
describing the lad and ordering me to deliver the boy. This order
was delivered to me by Col. Sterling, of Gen. Judah's staff, in
person. I refused to obey it. I sent word to Gen. Judah that he
could have my sword, but while I commanded that regiment no
fugitive slave should ever be delivered to his master. The
officer made my compliments to Gen. Judah as aforesaid, and I was
placed under arrest for disobedience to orders, and my sword
taken from me.
"In a few days the command was ordered to move to Glasgow, Ky.,
and Gen. Judah, not desiring to trust the regiment in command of
a captain, I was temporarily restored to command, pending the
meeting of a court-martial to try my case. When the command moved
I took Alfred Jackson along. After we reached Glasgow, Ky., Gen.
Judah sent for me, and said if I would then deliver up Alfred
Jackson he would restore me to command. The United States marshal
was present. This I again refused to do.
"The same day, I sent an ambulance out of the lines, with Alfred
Jackson tucked under the seat, in charge of a man going North,
and I gave him money to get to Hillsdale, Michigan, where he
went, and where he resided and grew up to be a good man and a
citizen. I called the attention of Hon. James M. Ashley (then
Member of Congress) to the matter, and under instructions from
Secretary Stanton, Gen. Boyle's order was revoked, and I never
delivered a fugitive, nor was I ever tried."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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