_Fourth-of-July Celebration at the Home of Jeff. Davis in
Mississippi.--The Trip.--Joe Davis’s Place.--Jeff.’s Place.--The
Dinner.--Speeches and Songs.--Lively Times.--Return to Vicksburg._
By invitation of the Committee of Arrangements, a party of teachers and
their escorts, and other friends of the freedmen, embarked on board “The
Diligent,” on the morning of the 4th inst. “The Diligent” left the levee
at Vicksburg soon after seven o’clock, a.m., and made a pleasant trip
in about three hours, down the river, stopping at the landing at Davis’s
Bend; whence the party were conveyed in ambulances, wagons, buggies,
and other vehicles, to the late residence of Jefferson Davis, about two
miles from said landing.
_DAVIS’S BEND_.
This is one of the most extraordinary bends of the wonderful Mississippi
River, and has received its name from the fact of the settlement, on the
peninsula formed by the bend, of two members of the Davis Family, known
as “Jeff.” and “Joe.” This peninsula is some twelve miles in length;
and, at the point where it is attached to the main land of the State of
Mississippi, it is so narrow, that the enterprising planters have dug a
canal across, not unlike the celebrated Butler Canal of Petersburg fame,
although not near so long. This canal is called the “cut-off;” and, in
high water, the peninsula becomes, in fact, an island. This tract of
land is of great fertility, being entirely a deposit of the rich soil
washed from the prairies of the Great West. On this tract are some six
plantations, of from eight hundred to twelve hundred acres each. Two of
the largest and best of these were owned by Jeff, and Joe Davis, and are
known now as “The Jeff, and Joe places.” The form of this peninsula is
such that a few companies of soldiers, with one or two stockades, can
keep out an army of rebels; and the inhabitants, although frequently
surrounded by the hordes of Southern murderers and thieves on the
opposite banks of the river and canal, dwell in peace and comparative
security. In fact, this site, from being the home of traitors and
oppressors of the poor, has become a sort of earthly paradise for
colored refugees. There they flock in large numbers, and, like Lazarus
of old, are permitted as it were, to repose in “Father Abraham’s bosom.”
The rich men of the Southern Confederacy, now homeless wanderers,
occasionally cry across for the Lazarus whom they have oppressed
and despised; but he is not sent unto them, because, between the two
parties, there is a great gulf fixed; so that they which would pass from
hence cannot. On this freedman’s paradise, parties for cultivating the
soil are organized under the superintendence of missionaries; each
party cultivating from ten to one hundred acres, with a fair prospect
of realizing handsomely. These efforts are aided by the Government;
rations, teams, &c., being-supplied and charged to each party, to be
deducted from the proceeds of their crops. Cotton is chiefly cultivated,
and some very handsome stands appear.
_THE “JOE PLACE.”_
The “Joe Place” is nearest the landing. The fine brick house, however,
is nearly demolished; but the cottage used as a sort of law library and
office is remaining uninjured. The negro-quarters also remain.
_THE “JEFF. PLACE.”_
The “Jeff, place” is also a very fine plantation. The residence has
not been injured, except the door-locks, and one or two marble mantels
broken up, apparently for trophies. The Jeff, furniture has been
removed; but the rooms are still furnished with furniture brought here.
_THE HOUSE THAT JEFF. BUILT._
The house is, in its ground-plan, in the form of a cross,--but one
floor, with large rooms and ample verandas. The portico in front is
supported with pillars, and these form the only ornamental features of
the house, except such as were added for this occasion by the artistic
touches of our Northern sisters. Of these were festoons, wreaths, stars,
and garlands mysteriously woven in evergreens and flowers. Over the
portico entrance outside were the following inscriptions, the letters
being formed by cedar foliage:--
_“THE HOUSE THAT JEFF. BUILT.”_
_“WELCOME.”_
The latter motto was arched, and, with the festoons, made a beautiful
appearance.
Inside were beautiful stars and garlands of flowers; and over the exit
at the back-door, the following inscription, surmounted by a star:--
_“EXIT TRAITOR.”_
It was facetiously remarked by an observer, that the moral was,--
“Down with the traitor,
And up with the star.”
We understood that to Miss Lee, of Pennsylvania, and Miss Jennie
Huddleson, of Indiana, the party was indebted for those ingenious and
appropriate devices. Very likely; for wit and satire for traitors, and a
cordial welcome to the loyal and patriotic, are characteristics of these
whole-souled missionaries.
The reception-rooms were also decorated with flowers; and every thing
around showed that “gentle hands” had laid on “the last touches” of
fragrance, grace, and beauty.
These “ladies of the Management” were dressed in neat “patriotic
prints;” they needed no addition to their toilets to add to the charming
air of comfort which they so appropriately infused. Their smiles of
welcome needed no verbal explanation; and the heartiness with which they
were engaged in their labors of love, and the evidence of their success
in all the surroundings, showed that they perfectly understood the
science of making home happy. Whether they have read Mrs. H. B. Stowe’s
“House and Home Papers” in “The Atlantic,” we know not, but there are
many others, besides that literary lady (Mrs. Stowe), who understand
how to keep house; by magic touches to turn the most simple objects into
luxuries of ornamentation. We suspect also that Mrs. M. Watson and
Miss Lizzie Findley had been engaged in these preparations, although
appearing more in the character of guests. There were some other ladies,
to whom we had not the honor of an introduction, who, doubtless, deserve
particular mention; but your reporter, as the sequel of his story will
show, only received his appointment as a publication committee _after
all was over_, and, consequently, if he should omit anybody’s name that
deserves mention, this must be his apology. He now declares his desire
to be just to all, and especially to those whose devotion and patriotism
rendered the 4th of July, 1864, the happiest day of the year.
_THE GROUNDS._
On the grounds in front of the residence, the gunboat crew suspended a
string of signal colors, on each side of the “starry banner,” presenting
an effect amid the dense foliage of the live-oaks, and the gray moss,
“altogether beauteous to look upon;” while on the tables under the
trees were spread things not only “pleasant to the sight,” but “good
for food.” And when we saw these pleasing objects, the “work of their
hands,” and the merry, happy faces of the guests and their “escorts,”
and reflected that the sable sons, by a guard of whom we were
surrounded, were “no longer slaves;” that they had, with thousands of
their brethren, been brought out from the house of bondage, by the
“God of Abraham;” that the very house now occupied by missionaries and
teachers had, but a year ago, been in the service of despotism, built,
in fact, as a temple of slavery by the great chief, who preferred
to rule in a miserable petty despotism to serving in a great and
magnanimous republic,--we could but think that Heaven looked approvingly
upon the scene; that “God saw every thing that he had made, and behold!
it was very good.”
_THE EXERCISES._
Rev. Dr. Warren conducted the exercises as president of the occasion;
and he did it with that ease, freedom, and regard for the rights and
interests of all, which usually characterize his public and social
conduct. He opened the proceedings, under a grove of trees in front
of the house, with an appropriate prayer, and then called upon those
appointed to take part.
Mr. Roundtree read the Declaration of Independence in a clear, emphatic,
and impressive manner. It was listened to with becoming reverence for
the great truths it contains, by both the white and colored races. It
is quite improbable that these self-evident truths were ever expressed
before publicly in this locality, and within hearing of every one within
the “house that Jeff, built.”
When this place was first taken by our troops, the following verse was
found written on the wall:--
“Let Lincoln send his forces here!
We’ll lick’em like blue blazes,
And send them yelping hack to where
They sung their nigger praises.”
Rev. Mr. Livermore, of Wisconsin, delivered an appropriate oration.
The meeting then adjourned for dinner.
A gentle shower at this time rendered the air cool and pleasant, but
made it necessary to remove the dining-tables to the house.
_THE DINNER._
A sumptuous dinner was served on the veranda at the back of the
mansion. There was an abundance of all that could be desired. This being
concluded, the following sentiments were presented, and responded to in
an impromptu but appropriate manner by the various speakers:--
_REGULAR TOASTS._
1. The Day we celebrate: The old ship was launched in ‘76, the
bow-anchors cast out last year at Vicksburg and Gettysburg: may the
storm-anchors be dropped to-day at Richmond and Atlanta!
Response by Mr. Israel Lombard.
2. The President: Proved honest and wise by four years of unprecedented
trial: we shall keep him there.
Responded to by Dr. Wright.
3. Lieut.-Gen. Grant: We can tie to him in a gale.
Responded to by Col. Clark.
4. The house that Jeff, built.
Responded to by Capt. Powell.
The following song composed for the occasion was led by Mr. McConnell:--
_“THE HOUSE THAT JEFF. BUILT.”_
_“Air.--‘Auld Lang Syne.’_
“How oft within these airy halls
The traitor of the day
Has heard ambition’s trumpet-calls,
Or dreamed of war’s array!
Or of an empire dreamed, whose base
Millions of blacks should be!
Aha! before this day’s sweet face
Where can his lisions be?
Those empire dreams shall be fulfilled,
But not as rebels thought:
Like water at the cistern spilled,
Their boasts shall come to nought.
From gulf to lake, from sea to sea,
Behold our country grand!
The very home of Liberty,
And guarded by her hand.
We revel in his halls to-day:
Next year where will he be?
A dread account he lias to pay:
May we be there to see!
And now for country, truth, and right,
Our heritage all free;
We’ll live and die. we’ll sing and fight:
The Union! three times three.
5. The Army and Navy: Veterans of three years. The heart of the nation
beats anxiously at the cry, “Onward to victory!”
Response by Dr. Foster.
6. Our Patriot Dead: Silence their most speaking eulogy
7. The Union: The storm will but root it the more firmly.
Response by Rev.A. J. Compton.
“The Star-spangled Banner,”--sung by the whole company, led by Mr.
McConnell.
8. Missionaries to Freedmen: Peace has its heroes.
Response by Rev. Mr. Buckley, chaplain Forty-seventh United-States
Colored Infantry.
9. Gen Sherman, second in command: “All I am I owe to my Government, and
nothing could tempt me to sacrifice my honor or my allegiance.”
Response by Capt. Gilpin, Commissary of Subsistence.
10. The Freedmen: Slaves yesterday, to-day free: what shall they be
to-morrow?
The freedmen sung the following song:--
“De Lord he makes us free indeed
In his own time an’ way.
We plant de rice and cotton seed,
And see de sprout some day:
We know it come, but not de why,--
De Lord know more dan we.
We ‘spected freedom by an’ by;
An’ now we all are free.
Praise de Lord! Praise de Lord!
For now we all are free.
De Norf is on de side of right,
An’ full of men, dey say;
An’ dere, when poor man work, at night
He sure to get his pay.
De Lord he glad dey are so good,
And make dem bery strong;
An’ when dey called to give deir blood
Dey all come right along.
Praise de Lord! Praise do Lord!
Dey all come right along.
Deir blue coats cover all de groun’,
An’ make it like de sky;
An’ every gray back loafin’ round
He tink it time to fly.
We not afraid: we bring de child,
An’ stan’ beside de door,
An,’ oil! we hug it bery wild,
An’ keep it ebermore.
Praise de Lord! Praise de Lord!
We keep it ebermore.
De massa’s come back from his tramp;
‘Pears he is broken quite:
He takes de basket to de camp
For rations ebery night.
Dey fought him when he loud and strong,
Dey fed him when he low:
Dey say dey will forgive the wrong,
An’ bid him’pent an’ go.
Praise de Lord! Praise de Lord!
Dey hid him’pent an’ go.
De rice is higher far dis year,
De cotton taller grow;
De lowest corn-silk on de ear
Is higher than de hoe.
De Lord he lift up every ting
‘Cept rebel in his grave;
De negro bress de Lord, an’ sing:
He is no longer slave.
Praise de Lord! Praise de Lord!
De negro no more slave.”
13. Our Colored Troops: Deserving of freedom because they fight like
men.
Response by Lieut. Wakeman.
Song: “Babylon is fallen.”
The party, after selecting a few simple trophies, such as fig-branches
for walking-canes, large pond-lilies, flowers, wreaths, and bouquets,
returned to the landing, and re-embarked for Vicksburg.
_CLOSING EXERCISES._
On the boat, the following business was transacted:--
Vote of thanks to Col. Thomas and staff for getting up the celebration;
to the Orator of the Day, Parson Livermore; to the President, Rev.
Dr. Warren, who made a brief response; and also to Capt. Wightman an
officers of “The Diligent.”
The following song was then sung by a young contraband:--
“We heard de proclamation, massa hush it as he will:
De bird he sing it to us, hoppin’ on de cotton-hill;
And de possum up de gum-tree he couldn’t keep it still.
Father Abraham has spoken, and de message has been sent;
Do prison-doors he opened, and out de prisoners went
To joinde sable army of de ‘African descent.’
Dey said, ‘Now colored bredren, you shall be forever free,
From the first of January, eighteen hundred and sixty-three:’
We heard it in do riber goin’ rushin’ to dc sea.
Den fall in, colored bredren, you’d better do it soon;
Don’t you hear de drum a-beatin’ de Yankee Doodle tune?
We are wid you now dis mornin’; we’ll lie far away at noon.”
Cheers were given for Abraham Lincoln, and groans for Jeff. Davis.
The song, “The House that Jeff. Built,” was again sung; and Capt.
Gilpin, Commissary of Subsistence, appointed a committee to furnish a
copy of the same to “The New-York Tribune,” and also to Jeff. Davis.
Capt. Henry S. Clubb, Assistant Quartermaster, was appointed a committee
to furnish a report of the proceedings of the day to “The Vicksburg
Daily Herald.”