clotelle(有色女英雄)-第33节
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liberty。 Among the latter； none came with swifter steps or more zeal than
Jerome and Clotelle Fletcher。 They arrived in New Orleans a week after
the capture of that city by the expedition under the command of Major…
Gen。 B。 F。 Butler。 But how changed was society since Clotelle had last set
feet in the Crescent City！ Twenty…two years had passed； her own
chequered life had been through many shifting scenes； her old
acquaintances in New Orleans had all disappeared； and with the exception
of the black faces which she beheld at every turn； and which in her
younger days were her associates； she felt herself in the midst of strangers；
and these were arrayed against each other in mortal combat。 Possessed
with ample means； Mr。 and Mrs。 Fletcher set about the work of assisting
those whom the rebellion had placed in a state of starvation and sickness。
With a heart overflowing with the milk of human kindness； and a tear
for every sufferer； no matter of what color or sect； Clotelle was soon
known as the 〃Angel of Mercy。〃
The 〃General Order No。 63；〃 issued on the 22nd of August； 1862； by
Gen。 Butler； recognizing； and calling into the service of the Federal
Government； the battalion of colored men known as the 〃Native Guard；〃
at once gave full scope to Jerome's military enthusiasm； and he made haste
to enlist in the organization。
The 〃Native Guard〃 did good service in New Orleans and vicinity； till
ordered to take part in the siege of Port Hudson； where they appeared
under the name of the 〃First Louisiana；〃 and under the immediate
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command of Lieut。…Col。 Bassett。 The heroic attack of this regiment； made
on the 27th of May； 1863； its unsurpassed 〃charge；〃 its great loss； and its
severe endurance on the field of battle； are incidents which have passed
into history。 The noble daring of the First Louisiana gained for the black
soldiers in our army the praise of all Americans who value Republican
institutions。
There was； however； one scene； the closing one in the first day's attack
on Port Hudson； which； while it reflects undying credit upon the bravery
of the negro； pays but a sorry tribute to the humanity of the white general
who brought the scene into existence。 The field was strewn with the
dead； the dying； and the wounded； and as the jaded regiments were leaving
the ground； after their unsuccessful attack； it was found that Capt。 Payne；
of the Third Louisiana； had been killed； and his body； which was easily
distinguished by the uniform； was still on the battle…field。 The colonel of
the regiment； pointing to where the body lay； asked； 〃Are there four men
here who will fetch the body of Capt。 Payne from the field？〃 Four men
stepped out； and at once started。 But； as the body lay directly under the
range of the rebel batteries； they were all swept down by the grape；
canister； and shell which were let loose by the enemy。 The question was
again repeated； 〃Are there four men who will go for the body？〃 The
required number came forth； and started upon a run； but； ere they could
reach the spot； they were cut down。 〃Are there four more who will try？〃
The third call was answered in the affirmative； and the men started upon
the double…quick。 They； however； fell before getting as far as the preceding
four。 Twelve men had been killed in the effort to obtain the body of the
brave Payne； but to no purpose。 Humanity forbade another trial； and yet it
was made。 〃Are there four more men in the regiment who will volunteer to
go for Capt。 Payne's body？〃 shouted the officer。 Four men sprang forward；
as if fearful that they would miss the opportunity of these last： one was
Jerome Fletcher； the hero of our story。 They started upon the run； and；
strange to tell； all of them reached the body； and had nearly borne it from
the field； when two of the number were cut down。 Of these； one was
Jerome。 His head was entirely torn off by a shell。 The body of the
deceased officer having been rescued； an end was put t the human
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sacrifice。
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CHAPTER XXXVII
THE ANGEL OF MERCY
The sad intelligence of Jerome's death was brought to Clotelle while
she was giving her personal attention to the sick and wounded that filled
the hospitals of New Orleans。 For a time she withdrew from the gaze of
mankind； and gave herself up to grief。 Few unions had been productive of
more harmonious feelings than hers。 And this blow； so unexpected and at a
time when she was experiencing such a degree of excitement caused by
the rebellion； made her； indeed； feel the affliction severely。
But the newspaper accounts of the intense suffering of the Union
prisoners in the rebel States aroused her； and caused her to leave her
retirement。 In the month of October； 1863； Clotelle resolved to visit
Andersonville； Ga。； for the purpose of alleviating the hardships of our sick
and imprisoned soldiers； and at once put her resolution into effect by
going immediately to that place。 After crossing the lines； she passed as a
rebel lady； to enable her the more successfully to carry out her object。 On
her arrival at Andersonville； Clotelle took up her abode with a private
family； of Union proclivities； and commenced her work of mercy。 She first
visited the hospitals； the buildings of which were merest excuses for
hospitals。
It was the beginning of November； and； even in that southern latitude；
the cold made these miserable abodes uncomfortable nights and mornings。
The dirty； unventilated rooms； with nothing but straw upon the cold； damp
floor； for beds； upon which lay the ragged； emaciated Union prisoners；
worn down to skin and bone with disease and starvation； with their sunken
eyes and wild looks； made them appear hideous in the extreme。 The
repulsive scenes； that showed the suffering； neglect； and cruelty which
these poor creatures had experienced； made her heart sink within her。
Having paid considerable attention to hospital life in Europe； and so
recently from amongst the sick at New Orleans； Clotelle's experience；
suggestions； and liberal expenditure of money； would have added greatly
to the comfort of these helpless men； if the rebel authorities had been so
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disposed。 But their hatred to Union prisoners was so apparent； that the
interest which this angel of humanity took in the condition of the rebel
sick could not shield her from the indignation of the secession officials for
her good feeling for the Union men。 However； with a determination to do
all in her power for the needy； she labored in season and out。
The brutal treatment and daily murders committed upon our soldiers in
the Andersonville prisons caused Clotelle to secretly aid prisoners in their
escape。 In the latter work； she brought to her assistance the services of a
negro man named Pete。 This individual was employed about the prison；
and； having the entire confidence of the commandant； was in a position to
do much good without being suspected。 Pete was an original character；
of a jovial nature； and； when intending some serious adventure； would
appear very solemn； and usually singing a doleful ditty； often the
following； which was a favorite with him：
〃Come listen； all you darkies； come listen to my song： It am about
old Massa； who use me bery wrong。 In de cole； frosty mornin'； it an't so
bery nice； Wid de water to de middle； to hoe among de rice；
When I neber hab forgotten
