While Father Abraham was using his utmost powers to put down the
rebellion, in 1864, a young man who had "been most unrighteously sold
for seven years," desirous of enlisting, sought advice from the wise and
faithful Underground Rail Road manager, who gave him the following
letter, which may be looked upon in the light of a rare anecdote, as
there is no doubt but that the "professed non-resistant" in this
instance, hoped to see the poor fellow "_snugly fixed in his
regimentals_" doing service for "Father Abraham."
WILMINGTON, 1st mo. 23d, 1864.
RESPECTED FRIEND, WILLIAM STILL:--The bearer of this, Winlock
Clark, has lately been most unrighteously sold for seven years,
and is desirous of enlisting, and becoming one of Uncle Sam's
boys; I have advised him to call on thee so that no land sharks
shall get any bounty for enlisting him; he has a wife and
several children, and whatever bounty the government or the
State allows him, will be of use to his family. Please write me
when he is snugly fixed in his regimentals, so that I may send
word to his wife. By so doing, thee will much oblige thy friend,
and the friend of humanity,