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ss Story of an Emigrant.
102
"Soon another class of people came in large numbers to
seek help and protection from the Union forces. It was the
poverty-stricken old men, and the women and children who
had lost their natural protectors. It was a sight sad enough
to move the stoutest hearts to look at their helplessness and
misery, and I never had a more pleasant duty to perform
than that of relieving their wants at the expense of our
generous government. The department commander had placed
a steamboat at mv disposal, and given me unlimited power
to draw on the commissary stores at Duvall’s Bluff. That
steamer made regular trips with supplies tor all who were
actually in need, and most of the applicants returned to
their homes with plenty of Hour, bacon, salt, seed, corn and
other necessaries, with a government mule sometimes
thrown in to carry the load home, and there was no
distinction made between rebels and Unionists, except that the
former were placed on their good behavior as to their future
conduct. It was in this work that our soldiers,—officers
and men,—showed without exception, that trait of
character which entitles them to the name of exemplary citizens as
well as exemplary soldiers, which they had previously earned
in a service of four years. They never forgot that the
conquered inhabitants were our own people, and members of
the same great republic.
"After a while our picket lines were withdrawn, and only
enough guards posted to take care of the public property.
Citizens and soldiers mingled freely in social intercourse, not
as conquerors and conquered, but as friends and equals, our
men interesting themselves in everything that tended to the
welfare of the citizens, often helping them in their work and
business, and always treating the helpless with gallantry
and tenderness. On the Fourth of July citizens and soldiers,
ex-rebels and Union men, to the number of many hundreds,
met under the stars and stripes, in a lovely grove, to celebrate
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