13G A SCHOOL HISTORY OF THE
6000 colored troops. But all over the South, while
their masters were away at war, the Negro women
and men were enlisted in the ranks of the private
duties of the Southern soldiers' homes, which, ever
be it remembered to the honor and credit of the
Negro race of America, they protected faithfully and
industriously. The opportunity for outrage and plun¬
der was open on every side, but not a hurtful hand
was laid on the thousands of white widows, orphans,
and aged, who lay defenceless in the Negroes' power.
This action on the part of the slaves proves that the
race is not fond of bloodshed, and is kind even to
its foes.
Some Plantations, on the contrary, were found
in better trim on the return of the masters from the
war than when they left them.
Negro Body-servants accompanied their mas¬
ters into the war, shared the roughs of camp-life,
and often were the last to minister to their wants in
the hospital, and the first to bear the tidings home
to the anxious family after death ; taking with them
sometimes the treasured watch or ring.
Mr. James H. Jones,* of Raleigh, N C, served
as messenger to Mr. Jefferson Davis during his
* He emphatically denies the assertion that has gained currency, to the
effect that Mr. Jefferson Davis, while escaping from the Union forces was at¬
tired in female clothes. Mr. J. states that the Confederate President used a
large cloak, which he usually wore indoors,to disguise himself with.
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