| From ‘The Western Daily Mercury’ - 27th October 1864
During the last winter a “contraband” came into the Federal lines in North Carolina, and was marched up to the officer of the day to give an account of himself, whereupon the following colloquy ensued: “What’s your name?” “My name’s Sam.” “Sam what?” “No, sah; not Sam Watt. I’se jist Sam.” “What’s your other name?” “I hasn’t got no oder name, sah. I’se Sam – dat’s all.” “What’s your master’s name?” “I’se got no massa now; massa runned away – yah! Yah! I’se free nigger now.” “Well, what’s your father’s and mother’s name?” “I’se got none, sah – neber had none. I’se jist Sam – ain’t nobody else.” “Haven’t you any brothers and sister’s?” “No, sah! Neber had none. No brudder, no sister, no fader, no mudder, no massa – nothin’ but Sam. When you see Sam you see all dere is of us!”
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