The good old negro and Elsie accompanied the Doctor to Alabama, and are now residing on the Doctor’s plantation.  The old woman still resides in a cabin by herself, for no amount of persuasion could induce her to stay at the residence, but every day she may be seen hobbling to the house with some present for the little Alfred.  The clothes which little Ella died in, and the remainder of the wedding gown, are kept sacredly by her, and often she narrates, to a group of open-mouthed negro children, the sad tale of the soldier’s wife, embellishing, as a matter of course, the part she had in the eventful drama.  Her kindness to Mrs. Wentworth and Ella, was not forgotten by the soldier, and before he left for the army, she received a substantial reward as a token of his gratitude.  She often speaks of Ella as the little angel who “was not feared to die, case she was a angel on earf.”

Notwithstanding he had yielded to so many offers of the Doctor, Alfred would not consent to receive Elsa from him, unless he paid back the sum of money given for the girl.  This he could not do at the time, and it was decided that she should remain as the slave of Doctor Humphries, until he could refund the amount.  She is now serving exclusively as the nurse of the little boy, and is as happy and contented as any slave in the South.  Her attachment to the child increases daily, and nothing in the world could induce her to forego the pleasure of attending to her wants.  The old negro and herself are often together, conversing of the unfortunate family of her former master, and their remarks teem with sympathy and abound with the affection felt by every slave for a kind and indulgent owner.  Although of a servile race, we leave these negroes, regretting that in the hearts of many of our white people the same generous feelings do not exist.  It is sad to think that, with all the advantages of birth, education, and position, there should be found men of Caucasian origin, who are below the negro in all the noble attributes of mankind.  But there are many such, and while they do not elevate the servile race, they lower, to a considerable degree, the free born and educated.

Vicksburg fell on the fourth day of July, 1863, and the anniversary of American independence was celebrated by the Yankees in a Southern city which had cost them thousands of lives to capture.  A few days after the surrender, the enemy advanced on Jackson, and compelled General Johnston to evacuate that city, to save his army.  These are matters of history, and are doubtless well known to the reader.  After retaining possession a short time, the Yankees retreated from the place, but not before they had given another proof of the vandalism for which they have been rendered infamous throughout the civilized world, by setting the city on fire.  Luckily only a portion of the town was destroyed, and we could almost rejoice at being able to write that among the many buildings burnt were those belonging to Mr. Elder.  Did not the homes