A letter in the Cincinnati Enquirer, from a member of Company K, 1st Iowa Cavalry, relates how a fugitive slave was introduced to freedom. His master appeared at Camp Benton, St. Louis, to recover him, when he was ordered off by a corporal of the Iowa cavalry. So soon as he was gone, the negro appeared from under a bundle of sacks in one corner of the corporal’s quarters. The rest is thus told by the letter writer:
“Innumerable questions were being propounded to him, when the corporal advanced, observing, “see here, Dixie, before you can enter the service of the United States, you must be sworn.” “Yes, massa, I do dat,” he replied, when the corporal continued, “Well then take hold of the Bible” – holding out a letter envelope upon which was delineated the Goddess of Liberty standing upon a Suffolk Pig, wearing the emblem of our country. The negro grasped the envelope cautiously with his thumb and forefinger, when the corporal proceeded to administer the oath by saying: “You do solemnly swear that you will support the constitution of the United States, and see that there are no grounds floating upon the coffee at all times.” – “Yes, massa, I do dat,” he replied, “I allers settle him in de coffee pot.” Here he let go of the envelope to gesticulate by a downward thrust of the forefinger, the direction that would be given to the coffee grounds for the future. “Never mind how you do it, shouted the corporal, “but hold onto the Bible.” “Lordy massy, I forgot,” said the negro as he darted forward and grasped the envelope with a firmer clutch, when the corporal continued – “and do you solemnly swear that you will support the Constitution of the loyal States and not spit upon the plates when cleaning them, or wipe them with your shirt sleeve.” Here a frown lowered upon the brow of the negro, his eyes expanded to their largest dimensions, while his lips protruded with a round form, as he exclaimed, “Lordy massa, I nebber do dat; I allers wash him nice; ole missus mighty ‘ticular ‘bout dat.” “Never mind ole missus,” shouted the corporal, as he resumed – “and you do solemnly swear that you will put milk in the coffee every morning, and see that the ham and eggs are not cooked too much or too little. “Yes, I do dat; I’s a good cook.” – “And lastly,” continued the corporal, “you do solemnly swear that when this war is over you’ll make tracks for Africa almighty fast.” “Yes, Massa, I do dat. I allers wanted to go to Cheecargo.” Here the regimental drums beat up for dress parade, when Tom Bonton (That being his name) was declared duly sworn in and commissioned as chief cook in Company K of the first Iowa Cavalry.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 4
“Innumerable questions were being propounded to him, when the corporal advanced, observing, “see here, Dixie, before you can enter the service of the United States, you must be sworn.” “Yes, massa, I do dat,” he replied, when the corporal continued, “Well then take hold of the Bible” – holding out a letter envelope upon which was delineated the Goddess of Liberty standing upon a Suffolk Pig, wearing the emblem of our country. The negro grasped the envelope cautiously with his thumb and forefinger, when the corporal proceeded to administer the oath by saying: “You do solemnly swear that you will support the constitution of the United States, and see that there are no grounds floating upon the coffee at all times.” – “Yes, massa, I do dat,” he replied, “I allers settle him in de coffee pot.” Here he let go of the envelope to gesticulate by a downward thrust of the forefinger, the direction that would be given to the coffee grounds for the future. “Never mind how you do it, shouted the corporal, “but hold onto the Bible.” “Lordy massy, I forgot,” said the negro as he darted forward and grasped the envelope with a firmer clutch, when the corporal continued – “and do you solemnly swear that you will support the Constitution of the loyal States and not spit upon the plates when cleaning them, or wipe them with your shirt sleeve.” Here a frown lowered upon the brow of the negro, his eyes expanded to their largest dimensions, while his lips protruded with a round form, as he exclaimed, “Lordy massa, I nebber do dat; I allers wash him nice; ole missus mighty ‘ticular ‘bout dat.” “Never mind ole missus,” shouted the corporal, as he resumed – “and you do solemnly swear that you will put milk in the coffee every morning, and see that the ham and eggs are not cooked too much or too little. “Yes, I do dat; I’s a good cook.” – “And lastly,” continued the corporal, “you do solemnly swear that when this war is over you’ll make tracks for Africa almighty fast.” “Yes, Massa, I do dat. I allers wanted to go to Cheecargo.” Here the regimental drums beat up for dress parade, when Tom Bonton (That being his name) was declared duly sworn in and commissioned as chief cook in Company K of the first Iowa Cavalry.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 4
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