The Negro in The American Rebellion

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: —