High Price of Negroes - published January 22, 1857

The Montgomery (Alabama) Messenger of the 7^th instant says:

We mentioned something yesterday of the sale of negroes on Monday, but we did not give the highest price paid which was a fellow, field hand, $1,800.  The lot of sixteen—of which the above was one—old, young and every description, averaged something over 800 each.  Yesterday another lot was sold here, bringing large prices—the highest we learn, bringing $1,600.

On Tuesday last, the sale day in Muscogee county, we are credibly informed by the sellers that a lot of negroes—a large one—“old an[d] young, and every description averaged” $850 each.  Now who can believe there is no money in the country?  And negroes hired at very high rates—ordinary female servants were bid off at $120 and upwards, and others in proportion.—Columbus Sun.

SOURCE: The Carolina Spartan, Spartanburg, South Carolina, Thursday, January 22, 1857, p. 2

Diary of Sir Arthur James Lyon Fremantle: Monday, June 8, 1863

I arrived at Charleston at 5 A.M., and drove at once in an omnibus to the Charleston hotel. At nine o'clock I called at General Beauregard's office, but, to my disappointment, I found that he was absent on a tour of inspection in Florida. He is, however, expected to return in two or three days.

I then called on General Ripley, who commands the garrison and forts of Charleston. He is a jovial character, very fond of the good things of this life; but it is said that he never allows this propensity to interfere with his military duties, in the performance of which he displays both zeal and talent. He has the reputation of being an excellent artillery officer, and although by birth a Northerner, he is a red-hot and indefatigable rebel. I believe he wrote a book about the Mexican war, and after leaving the old army, he was a good deal in England, connected with the small-arms factory at Enfield, and other enterprises of the same sort. Nearly all the credit of the efficiency of the Charleston fortifications is due to him. And notwithstanding his Northern birth and occasional rollicking habits, he is generally popular.

I then called on Mr Robertson, a merchant, for whom I had brought a letter of introduction from England. This old gentleman took me a drive in his buggy at 6 P.M. It appears that at this time of year the country outside the city is quite pestilential, for when we reached the open, Mr Robertson pointed to a detached house and said, “Now, I am as fond of money as any Jew, yet I wouldn't sleep in that house for one night if you gave it to me for doing so.”

I had intended to have visited Mr Blake, an English gentleman for whom I had a letter, on his Combahee plantation, but Mr Robertson implored me to abandon this idea. Mr Robertson was full of the disasters which had resulted from a recent Yankee raid of the Combahee river. It appears that a vast amount of property had been destroyed and slaves carried off. This morning I saw a poor old planter in Mr Robertson's office, who had been suddenly and totally ruined by this raid. The raiders consisted principally of Northern armed negroes, and as they met with no Southern whites to resist them, they were able to effect their depredations with total impunity. It seems that a good deal of the land about Charleston belongs either to Blakes or Heywards. Mr Blake lost thirty negroes in the last raid, but he has lost since the beginning of the war about 150.

Mr Robertson afterwards took me to see Mrs –––, who is Mr Walter Blake's daughter. To me, who had roughed it for ten weeks to such an extent, Charleston appeared most comfortable and luxurious. But its inhabitants must, to say the least, be suffering great inconvenience. The lighting and paving of the city had gone to the bad completely. Most of the shops were shut up. Those that were open contained but very few goods, and those were at famine prices. I tried to buy a black scarf, but I couldn't find such an article in all Charleston.

An immense amount of speculation in blockade-running was going on, and a great deal of business is evidently done in buying and selling negroes, for the papers are full of advertisements of slave auctions. That portion of the city destroyed by the great fire presents the appearance of a vast wilderness in the very centre of the town, no attempt having been made towards rebuilding it; this desert space looks like the Pompeian ruins, and extends, Mr Robertson says, for a mile in length by half a mile in width. Nearly all the distance between the Mills House hotel and Charleston hotel is in this desolate state. The fire began quite by accident, but the violent wind which suddenly arose rendered all attempts to stop the flames abortive. The deserted state of the wharves is melancholy — the huge placards announcing lines of steamers to New York, New Orleans, and to different parts of the world, still remain, and give one an idea of what a busy scene they used to be. The people, however, all seem happy, contented, and determined. Both the great hotels are crowded; and well dressed, handsome ladies are plentiful; the fare is good, and the charge at the Charleston hotel is eight dollars a day.

SOURCE: Sir Arthur James Lyon Fremantle, Three Months in the Southern States: April-June, 1863, p. 179-82

Diary of William Howard Russell: May 6, 1861

I forgot to say that yesterday before dinner I drove out with some gentlemen and the ladies of the family of Mr. George N. Sanders, once United States consul at Liverpool, now a doubtful man here, seeking some office from the Government, and accused by a portion of the press of being a Confederate spy — Porcus de grege epicuri — but a learned pig withal, and weatherwise, and mindful of the signs of the times, catching straws and whisking them upwards to detect the currents. Well, in this great moment I am bound to say there was much talk of ice. The North owns the frozen climates; but it was hoped that Great Britain, to whom belongs the North Pole, might force the blockade and send aid.

The environs of Montgomery are agreeable — well-wooded, undulating, villas abounding, public gardens, and a large negro and mulatto suburb. It is not usual, as far as I can judge, to see women riding on horseback in the South, but on the road here we encountered several.

After breakfast I walked down with Senator Wigfall to the capitol of Montgomery — one of the true Athenian Yankeeized structures of this novo-classic land, erected on a site worthy of a better fate and edifice. By an open cistern, on our way, I came on a gentleman engaged in disposing of some living ebony carvings to a small circle, who had more curiosity than cash, for they did not at all respond to the energetic appeals of the auctioneer.

The sight was a bad preparation for an introduction to the legislative assembly of a Confederacy which rests on the Institution as the corner-stone of the social and political arch which maintains it. But there they were, the legislators or conspirators, in a large room provided with benches and seats, and listening to such a sermon as a Balfour of Burley might have preached to his Covenanters — resolute and massive heads, and large frames — such men as must have a faith to inspire them. And that is so. Assaulted by reason, by logic, argument, philanthropy, progress directed against his peculiar institutions, the Southerner at last is driven to a fanaticism—a sacred faith which is above all reason or logical attack in the propriety, righteousness, and divinity of slavery.

The chaplain, a venerable old man, loudly invoked curses on the heads of the enemy, and blessings on the arms and councils of the New State. When he was done, Mr. Howell Cobb, a fat, double-chinned, mellow-eyed man, rapped with his hammer on the desk before the chair on which he sat as speaker of the assembly, and the house proceeded to business. I could fancy that, in all but garments, they were like the men who first conceived the great rebellion which led to the independence of this wonderful country — so earnest, so grave, so sober, and so vindictive — at least; so embittered against the power which they consider tyrannical and insulting.

The word "liberty" was used repeatedly in the short time allotted to the public transaction of business and the reading of documents; the Congress was anxious to get to its work, and Mr. Howell Cobb again thumped his desk and announced that the house was going into “secret session,” which intimated that all persons who were not members should leave. I was introduced to what is called the floor of the house, and had a delegate's chair, and of course I moved away with the others, and with the disappointed ladies and men from the galleries; but one of the members, Mr. Rhett, I believe, said jokingly: “I think you ought to retain your seat. If the ‘Times’ will support the South, we'll accept you as a delegate.” I replied that I was afraid I could. not act as a delegate to a Congress of Slave States. And, indeed, I had been much affected at the slave auction held just outside the hotel, on the steps of the public fountain, which I had witnessed on my way to the capitol. The auctioneer, who was an ill-favored, dissipated-looking rascal, had his “article “ beside him, on, not in, a deal packing-case — a stout young negro badly dressed and ill-shod, who stood with all his goods fastened in a small bundle in his hand, looking out at the small and listless gathering of men, who, whittling and chewing, had moved out from the shady side of the street as they saw the man put up. The chattel character of slavery in the States renders it most repulsive. What a pity the nigger is not polypoid — so that he could be cut up in junks, and each junk should reproduce itself.

A man in a cart, some volunteers in coarse uniforms, a few Irish laborers in a long van, and four or five men in the usual black coat, satin waistcoat, and black hat, constituted the audience, whom the auctioneer addressed volubly: “A prime field hand! Just look at him — good-natered, well-tempered; no marks, nary sign of bad about him! En-i-ne hunthered — only nine hun-ther-ed and fifty dol'rs for 'em! Why, it's quite rad-aklous! Nine hundred and fifty dol'rs! I can't raly

That's good. Thank you, sir. Twenty-five bid — nine huntherd and seventy-five dol'rs for this most useful hand. The price rose to one thousand dollars, at which the useful hand was knocked down to one of the black hats near me. The auctioneer and the negro and his buyer all walked off together to settle the transaction, and the crowd moved away.

“That nigger went cheap,” said one of them to a companion, as he walked towards the shade. “Yes, Sirr! Niggers is cheap now — that's a fact.” I must admit that I felt myself indulging in a sort of reflection whether it would not be nice to own a man as absolutely as one might possess a horse — to hold him subject to my will and pleasure, as if he were a brute beast without the power of kicking or biting — to make him work for me — to hold his fate in my hands: but the thought was for a moment. It was followed by disgust.

I have seen slave markets in the East, where the traditions of the race, the condition of family and social relations divest slavery of the most odious characteristics which pertain to it in the States if but the use of the English tongue in such a transaction, and the idea of its taking place among a civilized Christian people, produced in me a feeling of inexpressible loathing and indignation. Yesterday I was much struck by the intelligence, activity, and desire to please of a good-looking colored waiter, who seemed so light-hearted and light colored I could not imagine he was a slave. So one of our party, who was an American, asked him: “What are you, boy — a free nigger?” Of course he knew that in Alabama it was most unlikely he could reply in the affirmative. The young man's smile died away from his lips, a flush of blood embrowned the face for a moment, and he answered in a sad, low tone: “No, sir! I b'long to Massa Jackson,” and left the room at once. As I stood at an upper window of the capitol, and looked on the wide expanse of richly-wooded, well-cultivated land which sweeps round the hill-side away to the horizon, I could not help thinking of the misery and cruelty which must have been borne in tilling the land and raising the houses and streets of the dominant race before whom one nationality of colored people has perished within the memory of man. The misery and cruelty of the system are established by the advertisements for runaway negroes, and by the description of the stigmata on their persons — whippings and brandings, scars and cuts — though these, indeed, are less frequent here than in the border States.

On my return, the Hon. W. M. Browne, Assistant-Secretary of State, came to visit me — a cadet of an Irish family, who came to America some years ago, and having lost his money in land speculations, turned his pen to good account as a journalist, and gained Mr. Buchanan's patronage and support as a newspaper editor in, Washington. There he became intimate with the Southern gentlemen, with whom he naturally associated in preference to the Northern members; and when they went out, he walked over alongwith them. He told me the Government had already received numerous — I think he said 400 — letters from ship-owners applying for letters of marque and reprisal. Many of these applications were from merchants in Boston, and other maritime cities in the New England States. He further stated that the President was determined to take the whole control of the army, and the appointments to command in all ranks of officers into his own hands.

There is now no possible chance of preserving the peace or of averting the horrors of war from these great and prosperous communities. Thy Southern people, right or wrong, are bent on independence and on separation, and they will fight to the last for their object.

The press is fanning the flame on both sides: it would be difficult to say whether it or the telegraphs circulate lies most largely; but that as the papers print the telegrams they must have the palm. The Southerners are told there is a reign of terror in New York — that the 7th New York Regiment has been captured by the Baltimore people — that Abe Lincoln is always drunk — that General Lee has seized Arlington Heights, and is bombarding Washington. The New York people are regaled with similar stories from the South. The coincidence between the date of the skirmish at Lexington and of the attack on the 6th Massachusetts Regiment at Baltimore is not so remarkable as the fact, that the first man who was killed at the latter place, 86 years ago, was a direct descendant of the first of the colonists who was killed by the royal soldiery. Baltimore may do the same for the South which Lexington did for all the Colonies. Head-shaving, forcible deportations, tarring and feathering are recommended and adopted as specifics to produce conversion from erroneous opinions. The President of the United States has called into service of the Federal Government 42,000 volunteers, and increased the regular army by 22,000 men, and the navy by 18,000 men. If the South secede, they ought certainly to take over with them some Yankee hotel keepers. This “Exchange” is in a frightful state — nothing but noise, dirt, drinking, wrangling

SOURCE: William Howard Russell, My Diary North and South, p. 167-71

Diary of Mary Boykin Chesnut: March 4, 1861

The Washington Congress has passed peace measures. Glory be to God (as my Irish Margaret used to preface every remark, both great and small). At last, according to his wish, I was able to introduce Mr. Hill, of Georgia, to Mr. Mallory,¹ and also Governor Moore and Brewster, the latter the only man without a title of some sort that I know in this democratic subdivided republic. I have seen a negro woman sold on the block at auction. She overtopped the crowd. I was walking and felt faint, seasick. The creature looked so like my good little Nancy, a bright mulatto with a pleasant face. She was magnificently gotten up in silks and satins. She seemed delighted with it all, sometimes ogling the bidders, sometimes looking quiet, coy, and modest, but her mouth never relaxed from its expanded grin of excitement. I dare say the poor thing knew who would buy her. I sat down on a stool in a shop and disciplined my wild thoughts. I tried it Sterne fashion. You know how women sell themselves and are sold in marriage from queens downward, eh? You know what the Bible says about slavery and marriage; poor women! poor slaves! Sterne, with his starling — what did he know? He only thought, he did not feel. In Evan Harrington I read: “Like a true English female, she believed in her own inflexible virtue, but never trusted her husband out of sight.”

The New York Herald says: “Lincoln's carriage is not bomb-proof; so he does not drive out.” Two flags and a bundle of sticks have been sent him as gentle reminders. The sticks are to break our heads with. The English are gushingly unhappy as to our family quarrel. Magnanimous of them, for it is their opportunity.

_______________

¹ Stephen R. Mallory was the son of a shipmaster of Connecticut, who had settled in Key West in 1820. From 1851 to 1861 Mr. Mallory was United States Senator from Florida, and after the formation of the Confederacy, became its Secretary of the Navy.

SOURCE: Mary Boykin Chesnut, Edited by Isabella D. Martin and Myrta Lockett Avary, A Diary From Dixie, p. 12-13

Down The Mississippi

EFFECT OF THE BATTLE OF SHILOH.

The refugees corroborate the statement that the battle of Shiloh, though claimed as a triumph, is regarded throughout the South as a great calamity by the leaders and abettors of the rebellion; and that the people, though deceived at first by the press, have, from interviews with the wounded soldiers, learned what was so carefully sought to be concealed. There is no doubt that Shiloh has been a terrible blow to the enemy, and one from which they can hardly recover.


LIBERTY OR DEATH.

Within the past three months a large number of slaves have been sent further South and sold to new masters; and the scenes in the auction marts have been often harrowing to witness – families being separated without the least regard for humanity, or that kind of external decency which the slave-owners frequently affect to observe.

A week or two since, a large and rather intelligent mulatto was taken from his wife and children and sold to a Texas planter at James’s mart. He, poor fellow, was greatly depressed, and seemed for a time unconscious of everything passing around him. At last he aroused himself from his introspection, and asked if he had been sold, and to whom? The name of his planter was given, and the location of his plantation.

An expression of agony, succeeded by a cloud of despair, passed over the man’s face; but without speaking, he walked quietly into the middle of the street, and before any one could divine his motive, or anticipate his intentions, he drew a pistol, which he had concealed upon his person, and placing the muzzle to his forehead pulled the trigger.

The upper part of the mulatto’s head was fairly blown off; and he fell a mangled corpse in the mist of the crowded thoroughfare.

The bondsman was free. Suicide had saved him from slavery.

The crowd, ever curious, but rarely sympathetic, especially when a negro is the sufferer or the victim, gathered for a moment about the body; but no one pitied, no one bestowed more thought upon the heart-broken, self-slain husband and father than if he had been a butchered ox.

A few asked, “What the devil was the matter with the nigger?” Others observed: “The d----d cursed darkey. I could have sold him for two thousand dollars. I’m just so much out of pocket. If he’d come to life again, I’d give him forty lashes.”

But the crowd went hurrying on, and the negro, and the great tragedy, deeper, and grander and more awful than “Othello,” were forgotten; and the heroic martyr was hauled away like a poisoned dog.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2

A Depreciated Commodity

The Charleston Mercury for April 5th has a notice of an auction sale of negroes, which shows that, though Confederate “shinplasters” pass for only about sixty cents on the dollar down there, yet slaves are selling at what would have been called there two years ago ridiculous low rates:

“Messrs. Wilber & Son sold a woman, 40 years old, with a boy 13 years of age, for $850 - $425 each; a woman 50 years old with a family of five children, aged respectively 22 years, 9 years, 7 years, 5 years and an infant, for $2,130 – averaging $355; a woman 40 years old, with a boy of 10 years and two girls, aged 7 and 9, for $1,800 – averaging $450; a boy 13 years old, $700; another, aged 15, brought $775; and a man 42 years of aged, sold for $625 – all cash transactions.”

Two years ago an able-bodied slave brought in Charleston from $1,250 to $1,500 in such money as would pass at par all over the Union; today the same persons sell for about half as much in money which is rated at a discount of forty per cent., which makes the real sum, got for “a man of forty two years of age,” not $625, but $375, instead of say $1,250, and this when the price of necessaries of life is enormously enhanced, as appears from the following account of another sale in the same number of the Mercury:

“Sugar cured hams sold for 71 cents per lb.; No. 1 mackerel $38.25 per barrel; letter paper 13@14 dollars per ream; kerosene oil $4 12½@ $5.50 per gallon; Gorham cheese 42½@80c. per pound.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2

Cairo Budget

CAIRO, April 28. – our army at Pittsburg is still gradually advancing, but everything is quiet. Reconnoissance on Friday discovered a camp of the enemy at Pea Ridge, some 72 miles beyond our line of pickets, but they did not advance to attack them.

There is no news from Fort Pillow. The mortars fire occasionally, our gunboats being some distance above.

Refugees from Memphis report a strong Union feeling existing there, and a majority of the people anxiously waiting the arrival of our forces to take possession. It was not believed that the city would be burned, but all cotton sugar and molasses would be destroyed.

Van Dorn, Price, and Jeff Thompson were at Memphis with about 6,000 miserably clad troops. They seemed there to awe people into submission to the conscription act, which was being enforced. Hundreds of inhabitants were leaving daily to avoid impressment.

Most of the twelve months men whose term of service is about to expire, refuse to re-enlist under any circumstances and are deserting in large numbers.

All passes to citizens to go up the Tennessee river are refused.

The river is rising slowly.

CAIRO, April 28. – Six refugees from Memphis arrived here this morning. They left on Sunday, the 20th, in a skiff, and reached our fleet, opposite Fort Pillow, on Friday. Five of them are natives of Connecticut, the other from Freeport, Illinois. They crossed the Mississippi 6 miles below Randolph, making the rest of the way to Ozark, on the Arkansas shore, being often compelled to carry their skiff over bluffs and through fields. They represent that a strong Union feeling exists in Memphis. Several Union clubs met nightly and were constantly increasing in members.

General Prentiss and Federal prisoners taken at Pittsburg were in Memphis two hours, and were taken to Tuscaloosa, Alabama. They received marked attention from Union citizens while in the city, who are becoming bolder daily. Gen. Prentiss made a speech from the platform of the cars, assuring the people that they would all cheer for the Stars and Stripes in two or three weeks. Our prisoners united in singing the “Star Spangled Banner,” and were loudly applauded by the people.

The refugees left Memphis to avoid being impressed, as the conscript act recently passed by the rebel Congress was being enforced. All male inhabitants between the age of 18 and 35 are compelled to take up arms. Large numbers were daily leaving the city and making their way towards our fleet.

Van Dorn, Price and Jeff. Thompson were at Memphis with about 6,000 troops, poorly equipped, most of their clothing in rags. Gov. Harris is at Corinth.

Twenty-nine deserters, from Fort Pillow, arrived yesterday.

Some 6,000 hogsheads of sugar and between 10,000 and 15,000 barrels of molasses were piled on the bluff, ready to be thrown into the river on the approach of the Federal fleet, which was daily expected, as it was generally conceded by the rebels that our fleet would compel them to evacuate Fort Pillow. Gen. Villipgue [sic] was still in command.

It was reported that Gen. Curtis’s scouts had reached the mouth of White River, and that his advance was within one day’s march.

All ideas of burning Memphis had been given up. The gunboat Mallory had been in the course of construction for some time and was rapidly approaching completion. She is plated with railroad iron. Rebel gunboats were continually plying between Memphis and Fort Pillow.

The Fortifications near Memphis have been abandoned, there being no guns mounted on any of them. All rebel stores and machinery had been removed to Columbus, Mississippi.

Negroes had recently advanced considerably in value. At an auction sale, two weeks ago, several were sold at prices ranging from $500 from to $1100. Coffee retailed at 80 cents, rice 7 [¼] cents, bacon 25 cents, chickens $1 each, eggs 40 cents per dozen.

Boats from below report nothing new. Mortars fire occasionally, but with what effect is not [known].

Gen. Halleck is moving forward slowly.

Reconnoissances in force, commanded by Gen. Garfield, went out on Friday and discovered the enemy’s advance about three miles beyond our out posts, encamped on Pea Ridge. Pickets are continually firing on each other.

Our heavy siege guns are being moved to the front as fast as the condition of the roads will permit.

The river continues to rise. Rain has set in, accompanied by strong wind, which may send water over the levee.

Rebel Cavalry have appeared in considerable force upon the river, about 20 miles below Savannah, near Clifton. One of the gunboats had been sent down the river to watch movements.

All boats leaving this point for above have brass pieces on board each side, besides armed guards upon hurricane deck, to return fire from guerrillas on shore.

CAIRO, April 29. – The river has risen an inch since morning.

Intelligence from Pittsburgh indicates an immediate forward movement of our whole army.

Gen. Pope, on Sunday, advanced his division over four miles into the interior from Pittsburg.

A battle was daily expected.

Generals Halleck and Grant have moved head quarters to front and are personally superintending the details of preparations.

Steamer Desoto arrived from gunboat flotilla, but brings no further news.

Deserters from the rebel army confirms the reports of the taking of New Orleans, but gave no particulars.

The Desoto brought 54 bales of cotton and a lot of hides from Osceola, Arkansas.

Gov. Yates has charted the steamer Champion, and is fitting her up as a hospital boat for wounded soldiers. She leaves for St. Louis on Wednesday night, with a fully corps of surgeons and nurses, and will proceed thence up the Tennessee river to await the coming battle.

Later arrivals report the gradual advance of our army from Pittsburgh.

Rumors of the evacuation of Corinth were reiterated by deserters who had arrived at Gen Halleck’s headquarters.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 4

From Tennessee

CAIRO, April 28.

Six refugees from Memphis arrived here this morning. They left on Sunday afternoon the 20th in a [skiff] and reached our fleet opposite Fort Pillow on Friday. Five of them are natives of Tennessee, and the other from Freeport, Ill. They crossed the Mississippi six miles below Rondo, making the rest of the way to Osceola through the backwater on the Arkansas shore. They represent the strongest union feeling existing in Memphis. Several union clubs meet nightly and are constantly increasing in numbers.

Gen. Prentiss and the federal prisoners taken at the Pittsburg landing were in Memphis 24 hours and taken to Tuscaloosa, Ala. They received marked attentions from Union citizens while in the city, who are becoming bolder daily.

Gen. Prentiss made a speech from the platform of a car, assuring the people they would all cheer for the stars and stripes in two or three weeks. Our prisoners united in singing the “Star Spangled Banner” and were loudly applauded by the people!

The refugees left Memphis to avoid being impressed, as the conscript act, recently passed by the rebel congress, was being enforced. Large numbers were daily leaving the city and making their way towards our fleet.

Van Dorn, Price and Jeff. Thompson are at Memphis with about 6,000 troops, partly equipped and most of their clothing in rags.

Gov. Harris is at Corinth.

Some 6,000 hhds. of sugar and between 10,000 & 15,000 bbls. of molasses were piled up below the city ready to be thrown into the river on the approach of the federal fleet, which was daily expected. It was generally conceded by rebels that our fleet would compel them to evacuate Fort Pillow, where Gen. Villippegue was still in command.

It was reported that Gen. Curtis’ scouts had reached the mouth of white river and that his advance was within a day’s march.

The gunboat Mallory has been in course of construction for some time, and was rapidly approaching completion. She is plated with railroad iron.

Rebel gunboats were continually plying between Memphis and Fort Pillow.

The fortifications near Memphis have been abandoned, there being no mounted guns on them.

Negroes had recently advanced considerably in value. At an auction sale two weeks ago, several were sold at prices ranging from $500 to $1,000.

Coffee 80c; rice 7 ½; butter 50c; bacon 25c; chickens $1 each; eggs 40c per dozen.

Boats from below report nothing new.

The mortars fire occasionally, but with what effect is not known.

Gen. Halleck is moving forward slowly.

A reconnoisance in force, commanded by Gen. Garfield, went out Friday and discovered the enemy’s advance some miles beyond our outposts, encamped on Pea Ridge.

The pickets are continually firing on each other.

Our heavy siege guns are being moved to the front as fast as the condition of the roads will permit.

Our army at Pittsburg is still gradually advancing, but everything is quite. A reconnaissance on Friday discovered the enemy in camp at Pea Ridge, some 12 miles beyond our lines of pickets, but we did not advance to attack them.

There is no news from Fort Pillow. The mortars fire occasionally.


CHICAGO, April 29.

The Tribune’s special from Cairo says that rebel cavalry have recently appeared in considerable force on the Tennessee river 20 below Savannah, and one of the gunboats had been sent down to watch their movements.

All boats leaving this point for above carry two brass pieces on the bow, one on each side, besides a guard on the hurricane deck.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 30, 1862, p. 1

The gentleman who furnished us with the following . . .

. . . gives us the assurance of its correctness to the letter, except names. It is, however, nothing more than an every day scene in the slave marts of the south. – ED. GAZ.

My Last Day In Savannah.

From the Gallery of an Auction Bazar [sic].

(SCENE – Auction Room.)

Auctioneer and clerk. Thirty negroes for sale, large and small, male and female, of all shades from coal black to almost white. Fifty gentlemen, and six negro traders assembled to purchase.

Auctioneer takes the stand. Gentlemen, I am now going to offer you thirty likely negroes; mechanics, field-hands, house servants, seamstresses, and several children. Terms, one-half cash, the balance at ninety days with mortgage.

I will first offer you the quadroon girl, Lydia; 16 years of age, kind disposition, child’s nurse, and seamstress, warranted against the vices and maladies prescribed by law.*

What is offered for the girl Lydia - $900 – nine hundred dollars – nine hundred dollars - $1,000 – one thousand dollars – one thousand dollars - $1,100 – eleven hundred – eleven hundred dollars - $1,500 – Fifteen hundred dollars – fifteen hundred by a new bidder; fifteen hundred dollars. The Young gentleman near the west column will have to advance, or he will lose this pleasant looking girl. (At the same time giving the audience a knowing wink.) Fifteen hundred and fifty is bid – fifteen hundred and fifty – no one bids more – all done; last call – once, twice, three times. Sam Highflyer she is yours, and a likely wench she is too, and cheap at that.

I will now offer you this family of seven; Solomon Gumbo, Dorcas, his wife, and five children, Victoria, Albert, Achilles, Jenny, Lind, and the infant Floyd. All warranted against the vices and maladies prescribed by law.

What is bid for this family of valuable negroes. (Old gent in slouch hat.) Who in H-ll wants all those small whelps; put up the old ones separate, and they will sell better.

Auctioneer. – Can’t do it. I am instructed by the owner not to separate this family. What is bid for the family, in bulk - $1,700 – one thousand seven hundred dollars is bid. $1,800 – eighteen hundred is bid. Can I get no better offer, if not, I must knock them down – once, twice, three times. Judas Benjamin, they are yours. Judas (to “slouch hat,”) now sir if you want the old ones, I am ready for a trade; give me fifteen hundred dollars for them and they are yours. It is a bargain, and we will take the liquor on it. (Retire to the bar, and I departed.) STE. MAGUERITE’S HILL.

*Habitual drunkenness, and the habit of trying to escape from slavery are among the vices. Fits, defect of heart, and other disease are among the maladies prescribed by law.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, April 19, 1862, p. 2