They fall to dreaming: Contending armies are seen in battle, and the
one favorable to the liberty of the slave is seen to prevail. Old trees
appear to wither and disappear before trees of new sort.
The war cloud bursts and the slave mingles his prayers with the roar of
the booming cannon, tarrying on his knees while the American soldiery
contend in mortal strife. It was understood to mean liberty. At last
the deadly struggle ceased, and emancipation was declared. It was only
the dawning, and therefore the light was dim.