Newspaper Page Text
The Cartersville Courant-American.
VOL. VIII.
CONFEDERATE COLONISTS,
Who Left Their Native Land for
a Home in Brazil.
The Trials ami Troubles of Getting a Stai t
—Perilous Times on the Deep—A
Rough, Kventful Passage.
i<
Written for Oie Conrant-Amerjefec, by George
S. Barnsley , M. Dt
'l'iip liisnstroiiK termuiation ofthe L'on
fedmite war to the South pi-oduqod a,
groat shock, mentally and morally, to
its people. Many, no doubt, there were
who ultimately saw what would be the
result of the strife, but the mass of the
army were blind only to their wishes —a
separate government. The downfall of
Richmond, the march of Sherman
through Georgia, and the surrender of
Johnston, were events so sudden, so un
expected, that few they were who had
formed any definite opinion as to what
would he the fate of the country after the
surrender. Terror, indifference, reckless
ness, hope and despair took their sway
in the agitated minds of the people.
Some looked to Kirby Smith —that if he
could hold out, the disbanded armies of
the East would rally around this nucleus
once more to try the fortunes of war,
kand as a last resort, if again defeated, to
"cross the Rio Grande, and, uniting with
Maximillian, establish a barrier to the
aims of the Northern Radicals. But,
alas! both hopes soon faded away—Kir
by Smith had cotton to sell and Maxi
millian was dreaming of the glory of the
Latin race. Then there remained to ac
cept the condition of affairs, rebuild the
waste places, turn the sword into a
ploughshare, and to await calmly and in
a dignified manner the future, or to emi
grate. The first was moat wisely and no
bly urged by our ever-loved Gen. Lee,
and his generals; the latter was the Uto
pian dream of those who forgot that it
is better to bear the ills we have than to
fly to those we know not of. However,
the desire to emigrate was very general
and explorers were sent to Mexico, and
to Brazil. Among those who, either
with their own means or that of combi
nations, started on these missions of ex
plorations, were Gen. W. W. Wood, Rev.
Ballard Bunn, Br. J. M. F. Gaston, Mr.
Gunther and (Nil. Frank McMullen ; all of
whom went to Brazil. With the explo
rations of Mexico, I know little, save
that the only colony which settled there,
after a prosperous career of two years,
under Maximillian, was utterly broken
up by the Mexicans. The visit of Gen.
Jfood was productive of only amuse
ment to himself, tne Brazilian govern
ment treating iiim with great distinction.
Mr. Dnun and Dr. Gaston wrote books
upon their voyages and expressed them
selves favorably to emigration. McMul
len printed only his own and Mr. Gunth
er's reports to the government of Bra
zil. If there was any one else who wrote '
I have no knowledge of the fact. These j
gentlemen, with the exception of the gen
eral, were soon on their return to the
states, overwhelmed with correspondence
of inquiry. The lapse of a year from the j
end of the war and the appear- ;
ance of pacific legislation of the North
tended to produce a general apathy to
wards emigration, yet while the mass re
ftnained unmoved by the expatriation de
sires it found favor with some few- hun
dreds of some who were especially bitter
■>r despondent, or of that class which are
■eady ever for a change, and ever seek
■he Eldorado. With a few Brazil was
Shosen because it was the last resting
•lace of slavery. Thus in the years 18GG
■nd 18G7 were organized various parties
Bf emigrants, under Dr. Gaston from
Bouth Carolina an<i Georgia, under the
Bev. Ballard Dunn from Mississippi and
Alabama, and McMullen from Texas. It
* necessary to say that these gentle
ten-'Tjinwere much influenced by the fair
*iromises made by the Brazilian govern
ment. By a fortuitous event these ex-
Horers found that patriotic statesman,
Haulo Souga, in the cabinet, as minister
oil agriculture, and also the Liberal party
■ power. Guided by the sympathy for a
who contested with such valor for
Heir liberties (or ideas); chained by a
Hmilai.itv of views in relation to slavery;
away by an enthusiasm of filling
wastes with energetic people, who
pd their arts and artisans; deceived by
He exaggerated representations of such
I pen as General Wood and Mr. Duun,
I fce Emperor, government and ministry,
I itened to and aided all projects for
I Lnerican colonization with a reckless-
I Iss of expenditure of money and time
fpjdy to be expected among people of ar-
Hnt imaginations and patriotic desires.
Hie candid historian will give the gov-
Hunent of Brazil little credit for these
Hterprises for other than a good and
Hidable desire towards internal develop
ment of their country. He will be shock-
Hat the waste of money and at a loss
H understand the consent given to at
to colonize tracts which were
Kj6*n, or should have been known, could
Ht and would not be, for unknown time,
Habited by their own people.
Ht the representation, aud by the re
quests from choice of location, immense
tracts of wilderness were ceded to Messrs.
Gunther, Bunn, McMullen and Gaston,
und orders accordingly were issued for
the prompt measurement of such parts
by the government engineers and such
foreigners as were competent. Mr.
Gunther selected the Province of Espeoite
Santo, on a small river, called the Rio
Doci; the other gentlemen located in the
valley of the Rio Ribeira, in the Province
of S. Paulo.
In the month of November, 1860, some
120 emigrants from various e.ounties
and states were assembled at Galveston,
Texas, under the guidance of Col. McMul
len, encamped on some vacant lots. Of
the class of persons who composed these
emigrants it must be said that any out
sider could have found much with which
to amuse. There were a number of fam
ilies with children, of farmers and me
chanics, old men and women, a large
number of young men, a few young la
dies, plenty of ex-officers of the Confeder
ate army; all in all, composing a body
on a small scale only seen since the Cru
sades. It was true that I joined them in
the capacity as physician, to be paid on
arrival in Brazil. It appeared that
McMullen bad chartered a vessel of sev
eral hundred tons, called the “Derby,”
Capt. Cross, in New Orleans; the brig
was old, bntstauncli oak-ribbed one, and
was insured to a certain extent. It was
said that the owners were various, or
there were many claims against the ves
sel so that weeks elapsed ere matters
could be adjusted bylaw. The months of
November. December and a part of Jan
uary elapsed ere this famous brig ap
nppeared. Discontent and grumbling
abounded in the camp, for every one
going was obliged to pay passage in ad
vance, with thecouditionary proviso that
on arrival at Rio de Janeiro the amount
expended would be refunded by the Bra
zilian government. A like proposition
was offered to Dr. Gaston. It was with
great joy when the old brig was hailed.
Early there sprang up a spirit of dissen
sion and insubordination. The state of
nffairs on the arrival of the Derby was
much ns since has been seen amongst the
communes of Baris. A meeting was held
and some half dozen of the oldest men
were selected to purchase provisions for
the voyage, and without regard to the
advice of Capt. Cross or of the sailors
amongst the party, the committee selected
for provisions old fat bacon, flour, a lit
tle hard tack, corn meal, a few beans,
very little vinegar and a barrel of saur
kraut. The day after arrival attempts
were made by the health officers of the
United States government to prevent a
departure of the vessel. To allow a room
to every family the hull of the barge was
cleared out, except a small portion aft
for provisions, and the forecastle for the
crew. The baggage of the emigrants, a
most heterogenous mnss of old boxes,
grindstones, mills, old feather beds, box
es with scraps of iron, horse shoes, old
chairs, stools, etc.; in fact, had Barnutn
bought this freight his museum would
have been more conducive to progress
than it is with beautiful women and mer
maids. The vessel was chartered by the
Commune, and it had a right to do
just at it pleased, McMullen to the con
trary. In the center of (he large saloon,
to wnich mention is made, was placed on
a long wooden table, nailed to the floor,
between it and the state rooms, which
were nothing more than boxes, with
shelves for human bundles, there was
scaree room for two persons abreast to
pass. A row of trunks was placed under
the table.
The attempt of the health officers was
followed by the anathemas of the Com
mune and Capt. Cross, justly or unjustly,
accused of complicity in the dosiced de
tention of the vessel. Therefore OieCom
mnne committee redoubled its energies
and the clearance was effected. In fear
of further complications no attention
was given to the water casks, and after
three days out, the party were on short
allowance of water. On the 2+th of Jan
uary, 1866, the sails of the Derby were
spread to the breeze and soon the waters
of the Gulf of Mexico separated us from
the land of our nativity.
Few, indeed, there were, however igno
rant, whose heart did not grow sad when
the land faded in the dim distance, as the
sun's last rays glittered on the sandy
beach and lingered on the far-off prairies.
And those of us who knew and felt the
reasons of our exile, bitter burning
thoughts brought tears to our eyes.
Amidst the din and clatter of arms there
were, perhaps, often thoughts of expa
triation, but the reality was as chilling
as the icy hand of death. In that land
whose sun for us had set, perhaps for
ever, were buried all the great glories of
the past; alike slept the ashes of our kin
dred and remained the records of a war
which, however contrary to the opinions
of many, had for its origin other aims
and objects than to sustain a system of
slavery. Whatever was the result, hn
man history has had to witness another
tribute of an English race to constitu
tional liberty. The question of slavery
was but the foam which covered the
deep waters of agitation. There were
CARTERSVILLE. GA.. THURSDAY. MAY Iff 1889.
involved matters of constitutional, state
and individual liberty. However, the
billows of the gulf soon ceased to chant
its monotonous hymn upon the beach
and the practical affairs of life called the
attention of the Communes.
The lighthouseof Galveston had scarce
ly sunk beneath the horizon when the
committee pressed all hands, for it is to
be remembered that the Commune was
already constituted mariners for having
gone aboard a ship and left, the sight of
land. All the men repaired to the saloon,
speeches were made, some angry and vio
lent, condemning the conduct of Capt.
Cross and visiting upon his head all the
ills of the three months of delay and
some thousands dollars expended. Up
denied, when summoned to the court of
the Commune, such charges, but did not
prove his innocence. It was gravely pro
posed by a Texan that he should be
thrown overboard, or shot, or hung, to
which delicate tokens of esteem Capt.
Cross gave his dignified assent by a tear
ful question as to how the ship could lie
managed in that case. To which the
Commune gave the quick rejoinder that
it was competent among its members to
find some one sufficient. As the physi
cian of the Commune, I risked a chance
for calmer counsel, and made a few re
marks, which, happily far me, were heard
and acquiesced in. I felt nervous when
I called the house, for I was not too sure
that if Capt. Cross was thrown overboard
that I might be sent to investigate his
condition. A committee was appointed
to wait upon the captain, who had
availed himself of time taken in bursts
of savage denunciations to retire to his
stateroom, and state to him that if he
denied his assent to certain propositions
of the Commune that he should remain
under guard as a prisoner during the
voyage. These were that he should take
charge of the vessel, and should not com
municate with the shore, unless accom
panied with a guard of the Commune,
and fin a! if, if he put us ashore, his life
should be the forfeiture. He would not
consent to the terms. During the time
that this ‘pow-wow’ was going on the
brig had sped onward and aw no defi
nite course had been taken, the sea com
menced to produce its sedative effects
and I observed on my return to the sa
loon that there was a palor on the coun
tenances of many and a remarked dispo
sition to smother down some internal
commotions. Some of the younger mem
bers had returned to the deck and were
busily looking into the distance where
the land was last seen. After delivery of
the captain’s decision I was asked if T
had ever studied navigation, to which I
replied yes, in a collegiate course; so I
became afraid of being chosen captain,
and mildly suggested that perhaps the
mates would answer. The committee
was then ordered to consult the mates.
From the mate to the cook our appeal
was in vain, all replying that it was ille
gal. and if we did not tfwiug them, it was
likely they would be soon after they
reached shore. So, as no one conld be
found, I slipped around to the captain’s
room with another of this special com
mittee and by dintof pleading and coax
ing the captain took charge of the ves
sel, order was restored, the coarse was
chosen to the month of the Mississippi
to take in water. Old Neptune, exacting
his tribute, aided the Goddess of Peace
to take the mantle of night and spread
it over the agitated slumbers of the
Commune, but softened not the heart’of
Capt. Cross—from this time the vessel
was doomed if chance occurred.
Several days passed in electing officers,
such as cook, steward, and regulating
the baggage, cleaning np the rooms—
time sufficient to bring the Derby to the
mouth of the Mississippi. How well I
recollect the necessity of water; the stiff
breeze which urged the old craft forward
to the yellow waters of the Delta. Al
ready the low, familiar marshes were
distinguished; eight bells had struck and
the morning rounds were denjnndpd. As
soon ns I could hurry through this work
I came on deck; to my horror and as ton
isment, alas! there were no more yellow
waters or marshes! The brig bounded on
its course to Cuba! The committee of
the Commune had determined that Capt.
Cross was unworthy of trust and that i
we reached the Balize the vessel would
once more puss under arrest and; per
haps, they too; arid that there was water
enough for five days with care, and with
the strong breeze then blowing Cuba
could be reached before any suffering
should occur. 0, blessed Commune!
Away to the home of summer we sailed
for several days and nights, amusing
ourselves in the meantime in the mental
occupations of idle talk and quarrels, and
in the physical of digesting balls of fat
and the toughest of bread, worthy of a
patent for the New York gutta peroha
company. This last gentle and whole
some amusement produced sickness, and
my time was much occupied. The Com
mune were learning that it takes more
than the smelling of salt water to make
a sailor. The rations of drinking water
became scarcer and scarcer, and the
grumbling louder and louder. Had it
not been ior the rains the suffering would
New Goods! New Goods!
JUST RECEIVED,
—at
PORTER a VAUGHAN’S,
We Have'Just Received a Full Line of
NEW GINGHAMS AND CALICOES!
Novelty Ginghams! Striped Ginghams! Plaid Ginghams! Linen Chambrays! in all the
* New Designs !
PORTER & VAUGHAN
% Have Just Received a Full Line of
, u
New Goods In All Departments.
See Our Line of
f
Hem-stitched Swiss Skirtings IFloimcings
Lovely Designs ! Exquisite Patterns!
They weft bought cheap and prices are marked very low. Full line
NEAV : WHITE GOODS!
In all the season’s novelties. Porter & Vaughan are acknowledged
HEADQUARTERS for FINE and STYLISH SHOES.
Don’t fail to see our line of new Shoes and Slippers. Full line of J. F. Swain & Co.’s fine
Shoes for children. Just received, a big line of Clement tfe Ball’a Lai* l-turned Shoes,
Oxford Ties and Opera Slippers. All styles, all sizes all grades of
Shoes at Porter Ac Vaughan’s.
... * * .... \ \
Porter & Vaughan are now offering some of the Grandest Bar
gains Ever Before Shown the Trading Public.
Porter A Vaughan buy their goods at bottom prices and sell for reasonable promts. See our line
New Embroideries, Black Silk Drapery Netts!
Just the thing, latest Styles. Full line New HANDKERCHIEFS. New LACES. Black
Silk Hortense NETTS. Porter & Vaughan have just receiver ha
NEW LINE OF HOSIERY.
At prices which will make them go with a rush. Full regular made Misses’ Fast Black Hose,
elastic ribbed knee, only 20c. Grand Bargains in Hosiery.
1,000 Yards genuine 4 4 Lonsdale Bleaching for This Week Onlv 9
Cents per Yard.
PORTER & VAUGHAN,
LEADERS OF FIRST-GLASS GOODS AND LOWEST PBIGES.
have been great. On the evening of the
7th of February Ihe Miils flapped lazily
against tiie masts, and the ominous cry
for water arose on all sides. Some of
the Commune rested about the decks,
listening to the songs of the women or
taking lessons in Portuguese from Col.
McMullen, and others dozed away be
tween decks T was in the forechains
watching the scinti'lations of the sun
fish down deep mi the dear, blue gulf
stream, and thinking of this great river
of waters, whose currents and effects are
so ably depicted by Lieutenant. Maury,
oftheCnited States navy.- The air was
soft and a delicious langim- pervaded
the body, dreamy thoughts of t!-* Lotus
Eaters came, chanting their melodics in
unison with the gentle hi.-peis of the
zephyrs, while minute waves lazily lifted
up their voices as they beat against tin*
vessel's side or danced in wild delight of
eddying whirls in the rear. We were only
one day lrom Havana. At four o'clock
the zephyrs aforesaid stole back to their
home in Cuba, chased by tierce winds
from the bleak north. Clouds gathered,
arid ere night closed in, the Derby danced
wildly over ami through the angry
waters. Capt. Cross became animated,
and every sail was set that the brig
could carry—for what purpose it did not
then appear to me. Other vessels in the
offing had most all the sails furled and
appeared to be trying to get away from
some point to which we were headed. At
9 p. in., when the writer lay down, the
yard arms already were touching the
water as the old barge labored onward.
It had been necessary to furl all sails ex
cept one nr two, as the wind became
steadily more furious, and the chant of
the nooseman’s son# was howled and
screeched through the rigging, much to
the discontent of the Commune, hied
away in the bunks, thinking of the fate
of the Rev. Mr. Jonah, of biblical noto
riety. At one or two o’clock a. m., my
brother called me to state that he had
been watching affairs and that the ship
had sprung a leak; that the helm had
been ti§d down and all sail was set possi
ble; and lastly, Capt. Cross, after re
marking that we would all be in heaven
or hell that night, had quietly lain down
to sleep. Crawling out of the cabin win
dow was a matter of an instant; to go
between decks and recruit for the pumps
was an affair attended with waste of
time and imr recations. The Commune
slept. With aid of my brother and one
or two others a desultory pmtipina was
kept an; it wes impossible to keep loot
ing except Io- ranging to ro|*%. About
M o’clock a, m . icct'cs became worse;
laud was descried ; the captain came for
ward and crowded on all sail. ,Suddenly
a huge wave, like a mountain of water,
struck the vessel on the starboard side,
and rushed over the deck and down into
the hold, carrying several of us about
deck in a most unceremonious manner. 1
One or two went under the water casks,
one went overboard, but was brought
back by an eddy, and for the writer’s
part, his fate was decided by loose ropes,
in which he became entangled, as also
were his brothers. The old Derby, made
out of English ouk, however much she
groaned for such treatment, rose from
valleys of water and of death, shaking
the spray away as if this all was a inat
i ter of amusement. It seemed as if the
‘ vessel struck a reef at the time of the
wave, but she went bowling onward.
The Commune awoke, but remained
quiet. A few, who had not forgotten
how, pleaded the Lord of the waves aud
creation to take them to llis care; others
were amused, accustomed, as they had
been, to the dangers and deaths of a
hundred battles. One half hour more
and Capt. Cross was avenged. The Derby
rested high on the coral reefs of Cuba,
and when daylight came creepiug in we
saw, to our astonishment, dry land under
the bowsprit. This settled condition of
affairs, however, was not taken without
a “tremendous amount of thumping,
crashing of timbers, aud rolling ,1m k
wards aud forwards as the j, , ; , -,-c
waves- cblx-d and flowed, ami tlies> <-
incurs we-'a.s- t,y sand y cud
pbiitacs ~1 the ~p . ■ -at 1 -, ami im.xcs
m fit*- in,jd i Vni-*-s he im'iic. -lot a
shriek arose ln-twa-ei, decks; there was
no v, ilri hurry and recklessness Or selfish
ness; in the great hour of trial the hiek
eriim's nf the quiet were forgotten and
tlm voice* of the eoniinand all obeyed.
Only one of the 15> souls on board show
ed tin* spirit of a coward, nnd that one
was the first to reach the shore, and fled.
\V ith daylight the women and numerouK'
children were passed to the beach. The
mate, a German or Dane, rendered all
possible assistance to the people. Capt.
Cross showed great courage in the de
scent to the shore with a child which he
held in his teeth by its clothes. No life
was lost, .and few were the bones broken
and bruised to be healed.
(concluded next week.)
We have only 50 bushels whippoorwill
peas left. R. F. Bhadfobd,
NO. 49.