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ss Story of an Emigrant. 102
ilies. Work early and late, and get up at night and see if your crops aie
growing. Above all things avoid political discussions. If any man says
"nigger" to you, swear that you never knew or saw one in your lifr. We
have talked about the niggers for forty years, and have been out-talked.
We have fought four years for the niggers, and have been d-d badly
whipped, and now it is not "your put." The Yankees have won the nigger
and will do what they please with him, and you hare no sa}r in the matter.
If the}’ want him they will take him; and if they say that you must keep
him, you have to do it, and no mistake. I tell 3’ou that you have 110 say in
the matter, and you oughtn’t to have any. Go home and stay there.
Don’t go anywhere but to mill. Don’t go to church, for the minister will
put knots and mischief in your heads, and get you into trouble. Be good
citizens, and then those of you who have been good, honest and brave
soldiers need have nothing to fear; but I warn those of yon who have been
nothing but sneaking, cowardly jayhawkers, cutthroats and thieves, that
a just retribution awaits you, and I hope to God that the federal
authorities will hang you, wherever and whenever they find you, and they will do
it, sure.
’Do not complain if you are not permitted to have a voice in electionsand
civil affairs. You have forfeited all such rights, and it now becomes you to
submit to such laws and regulations as the federal authorities may deem
proper to enact. I believe and know that they will do the best they can for
you, especially if you show henceforth that you now desire to merit their
confidence by strict obedience to the laws where 3-011 may reside.
’ We are conquered and subjected; we have 110 rights, but must accept
such privileges and favors as the government may see proper to bestow
upon Again I say, go home; attend to your business, and try to raise
a new generation of boys that shall become better men than von have been.’
"Jeff. Thompson lived many years alter that day, a good
and loyal citizen. He was a brave and generous man, and
had always treated our prisoners with humanity whenever
they had fallen into his hands. His advice to his soldiers
echoed the sentiments of the better class of the rebels in the
district at that time.
"We remained there the whole summer, always impatient
to be mustered out and return to our own homes, but never
deviating from the orderly and friendly position first taken.
Manv of the men formed friendships and other connections
that have lasted ever since. Some of them returned after
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