Thirty Years a Slave eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 175 pages of information about Thirty Years a Slave.

Thirty Years a Slave eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 175 pages of information about Thirty Years a Slave.

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The battle of Shiloh, April 9, 1862.

Boss came hurrying in one morning, right after breakfast, calling to me:  “Lou, Lou, come; we have a great victory!  I want to go up and carry the boys something to eat.  I want you and Matilda to get something ready as quickly as you can.”  A barrel of flour was rolled into the kitchen, and my wife and I “pitched in” to work.  Biscuit, bread, hoe-cake, ham, tongue—­all kinds of meat and bread were rapidly cooked; and, though the task was a heavy one for my wife and me, we worked steadily; and, about five o’clock in the afternoon the things were ready.  One of the large baskets used to hold cotton was packed full of these provisions.  Our limbs ached from the strain of the work, for we had little help.  One reason for the anxiety of the Boss for the preparation of this provision for the soldiers was that he knew so many in one of the companies, which was known as the “Como Avengers,” and he had a son, a nephew and a brother of his wife connected with it; the latter a major on Gen. Martin’s staff.  On the following morning I got up early, and hurried with my work to get through, as I had to go to the postoffice.  Madam hurried me off, as she expected a letter from her husband, who had promised to write, at the earliest moment, of their friends and relatives.  I rushed into the city, at full speed, got some letters and a morning paper, and, returning as rapidly as possible, gave them to her.  She grasped them eagerly, and commenced reading the paper.  In a short time I heard her calling me to come to her.  I went in, and she said, in great excitement:  “Louis, we want to have you drive us into town, to see the Yankee prisoners, who are coming through, at noon, from Shiloh.”  I went and told Madison to hitch up, as soon as he could.  In the meantime I got myself ready, and it was not long before we were off for the city.  The madam was accompanied by a friend of hers, a Mrs. Oliver.  We were at the station in plenty of time.  About twelve o’clock the train from Shiloh drew into the station; but the prisoners that were reported to be on board were missing—­it proved to be a false report.  While they were looking for the prisoners, Mrs. Oliver saw Jack, a servant of Edward McGee, brother of madam.  “Oh!  Look,” said Mrs. Oliver, “there is Edward’s Jack.  Lou, run and call him.”  In a minute I was off the carriage, leaving the reins in madam’s hands.  Jack came up to the carriage, and the women began to question him:  “Where is your Master, Ed,” asked both of them.  “He is in the car, Missis—­he is shot in the ankle,” said Jack.  In a minute the women were crying.  “I was going to get a hack,” said Jack, “to—­” “No, No!” said both of them.  “Go, Lou, and help Jack to bring him to our carriage.  You can drive him more steadily than the hackman.”  Jack and I went to the car, and helped him out, and after some effort, got him into our carriage. 

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Thirty Years a Slave from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.