University of Virginia Library

26. A Colored Waif
By ELIZABETH HYDE BOTUME (1865)

ONE bright morning in May, 1865, an orderly rode up to our door at the plantation with a military order from General Saxton, requiring us, Miss Fannie and myself, to report at headquarters in Beaufort that afternoon. An ambulance would be sent for us at three o'clock. Unless something unexpected prevented we should be returned to our home Sunday afternoon. This was Friday.

With this order was a bright note from the major's wife, telling us not to be alarmed by a military summons; they all knew that nothing less than a command with authority would bring us to them, and indeed, we must know they wanted to see us very much; besides, they had something to tell us.

So in due time we were packed into an ambulance and conveyed to town, where we were received at headquarters by an orderly, and conducted to the

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We soon learned why we were summoned at this special time. A little mulatto boy had been sent to General Saxton by Mrs. Jefferson Davis, and now the question came up, what was the best thing to do with him.

He was about seven years old, but small for his age; was a very light mulatto, with brown curly hair, thin lips, and a defiant nose. When brought before us he looked around suspiciously and fearlessly. When Mrs. Saxton called him he walked calmly up to her; but when I held out my hand to him he folded his arms and stood still, straight as an arrow, with his head thrown back, without meeting my friendly advances. It was comical to see the cool indifference of this tiny scrap of humanity.

"Jimmie, this lady is your friend,"said Mrs. Saxton. Thereupon he walked up to me and held out his hand. "Now go out on the piazza, and wait until I call you,"continued the lady.

Now his whole manner changed. Taking the major's little boy by the hand, he went out of the room laughing and talking and we soon saw him racing around with Eddie full of fun and frolic. He was evidently fond of children, but he distrusted grown people. Well he might, for he had seen only troublous times. This was his story as then told us: an officer brought with him this small colored boy, sent by Mrs. Davis to General Saxton. She also sent the following note by the boy, written with pencil on the blank leaf of a book:—

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As he was the constant companion and playmate of Mrs. Davis's children, he considered himself as one of them, adopting their views and sharing their prejudices. President Davis was to him the one great man in the world. Mrs. Davis bad given him the kindly care of a mother, and he had for her the loving devotion of a child.

His clothing consisted of a threadbare jacket and pants, much too small for him. He had no covering for his head, and he was barefooted.

One of the ladies asked him if he had any more clothing. He held down his head, and said with a trembling voice:—

"Her couldn't do any better,"meaning Mrs. Davis; "her hadn't any more to give me, for her hadn't any

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He was very quick and active, and always alert. One day he heard some little darkies singing "We'll hang Jeff Davis on a sour-apple tree."This was more than Jimmie could stand. He dashed into their gang, and waving his new straw hat, of which he was very proud, shouted, "Three cheers for President Jefferson Davis."At this the whole crowd was in commotion. They shouted "A rebel! a rebel! " and began to throw oyster-shells at him, and all wanted to fight. Jimmie backed up against the house, and told them to come on; that "President Davis was no rebel, but a good gentleman who would whip the Yankees yet."

General Saxton was informed of the fight going on amongst the pickaninnies; so he called James to him and questioned him about the affair.

The boy bravely told him all that had happened, and angrily declared that if he were a man he would kill every one of them.

General Saxton replied it was true General Davis had been his best friend, and he highly approved of his fidelity to him. But fighting for him was of no avail. He doubted if fighting ever helped anybody. He could love and honor President Davis, but it would be wiser at present to say nothing about him. Mrs. Davis had sent him here, and they meant to take care of him.

The little fellow faltered out that-

"Her didn't want to send me, sir, and her cry

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General and Mrs. Saxton took him with them to Charleston, and while there he became very fond of his new protectors. But the vicissitudes of army life made it impossible for them to keep him, so he was sent to us to be taken North and placed where he could go to school. This was another great trial for the lad.

When Mrs. Saxton told him he was to go to the plantation she said, "You will be very happy with the ladies."He tearfully replied, " I'll be more happier with the general. I likes to wait on them I love."

"He came to us in March, and soon settled down into regular duties in school, where he seemed very happy. One day he said, "Is to-day March? well, to-morrow will be deeper March, won't it? And then summer will come, and I shall see the general."He told me with evident pleasure of the presents offered General Saxton in Charleston. Then he said thoughtfully, "God is a good man, ain't him? I think him and General Saxton two of the goodest men in the world."

When it was explained to him that God was not a man, he seemed to reflect upon it for a time; then he exclaimed, "Well, the general is most as good as him !"

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