Atlanta Constitution Nov 4, 1900
WHAT THE NEGRO IS DOING:
Matters of Interest among thee Colored People,
Butler, H.R. Atlanta Constitution Nov 4, 1900 Lower part of article
I am glad to see an effort on the part of some of the confederate veterans to pension Amos Rucker, one of their grand heroes in black. This is a grand and noble effort on the part of those having the matter in charge. There are many others like Amos Rucker scattered throughout the south who would welcome a pension though small it might be.
I am personally acquainted with one of these black confederates though now living in Philadelphia in old age, who followed a Colonel Mallett, his young master to war. He was with him in the thickest of the fight, and it would break his stoutest heart in grief to hear him tell how in a desperate battle they were separated and how he searched the field over to see if his master were among the dead, and how his soul wept when he found him barely alive. This faithful servant took his blanket, wrapped Colonel Mallett in it and carried him to the rear. The colonel soon died. This servant took that body from the bloody fields of Virginia to a weeping mother and relatives in north Carolina. The sight of his mistress beating on the big gate and the sound of her voice as her son and his bodyguard rode away to war. saying "Philip, if the colonel gets wounded or killed bring him home to me.", was ever before him. He kept his word.
I say there are many of these men still living to whom a pension would be a blessing about this stage in old age. But how about the old ex-slave that fed confederate soldiers, that helped make his clothes, his shoes and his bedding; the ex-slave that guarded his home and when his old master was bowed down in grief for the loss of a son would cheer her heart with those old plantation melodies.
While these men and women were not on the field of battle, yet they were heroes and heroines just the same, for they did honorable duty at home while the soldier did duty on the battlefield. Many of these black heroes and heroines in this and other states of the south are hobbling about in their old age half fed, half clothed and with no friends. This class of ex-slaves ought to be pensioned. for it was largely through their "selflessness"(illegible word) and fidelity that the confederates held out as long as they did. The statesman who will take up the honest cause of these black mothers and fathers that stood by the southern cause throughout the entire struggle and see to it that they are pensioned will recieve the thanks humanity and the blessings of God.
H. R. BUTLER
Matters of Interest among thee Colored People,
Butler, H.R. Atlanta Constitution Nov 4, 1900 Lower part of article
I am glad to see an effort on the part of some of the confederate veterans to pension Amos Rucker, one of their grand heroes in black. This is a grand and noble effort on the part of those having the matter in charge. There are many others like Amos Rucker scattered throughout the south who would welcome a pension though small it might be.
I am personally acquainted with one of these black confederates though now living in Philadelphia in old age, who followed a Colonel Mallett, his young master to war. He was with him in the thickest of the fight, and it would break his stoutest heart in grief to hear him tell how in a desperate battle they were separated and how he searched the field over to see if his master were among the dead, and how his soul wept when he found him barely alive. This faithful servant took his blanket, wrapped Colonel Mallett in it and carried him to the rear. The colonel soon died. This servant took that body from the bloody fields of Virginia to a weeping mother and relatives in north Carolina. The sight of his mistress beating on the big gate and the sound of her voice as her son and his bodyguard rode away to war. saying "Philip, if the colonel gets wounded or killed bring him home to me.", was ever before him. He kept his word.
I say there are many of these men still living to whom a pension would be a blessing about this stage in old age. But how about the old ex-slave that fed confederate soldiers, that helped make his clothes, his shoes and his bedding; the ex-slave that guarded his home and when his old master was bowed down in grief for the loss of a son would cheer her heart with those old plantation melodies.
While these men and women were not on the field of battle, yet they were heroes and heroines just the same, for they did honorable duty at home while the soldier did duty on the battlefield. Many of these black heroes and heroines in this and other states of the south are hobbling about in their old age half fed, half clothed and with no friends. This class of ex-slaves ought to be pensioned. for it was largely through their "selflessness"(illegible word) and fidelity that the confederates held out as long as they did. The statesman who will take up the honest cause of these black mothers and fathers that stood by the southern cause throughout the entire struggle and see to it that they are pensioned will recieve the thanks humanity and the blessings of God.
H. R. BUTLER
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