and if the Major were not careful, he might get himself into serious difficulty with his own Government. Still he was determined not to leave the poor negro to perish. A happy thought struck him. He needed help to get the muskets to his camp—and he determined to impress the negro for this service, on the plea of military necessity. Once in camp, he left the negro to go where he pleased: and it did not please him to return to the place from which he had just been taken. He hung around the detachment and returned with it to headquarters. He was found to be not only a harmless but a truly pious man; and when asked how he felt when he lay chained in his prison, awaiting execution, he replied that he betook himself to God in prayer for deliverance. And will he ever doubt that the arrival of Major Peck was in answer to his prayer? And does any one of us doubt that God himself, — moved by the prayers of that humble suppliant,— sent our noble-hearted townsman to undo those heavy fetters and let the oppressed go free? This negro continued with the Twelfth regiment until the decree of emancipation made it safe for him to return; and he is now a willing, because a free, laboror on the very plantation where he came so near being murdered. The first serious battle in which the Twelfth was engaged, occurred in October, at Labadieville. The regiment, then under command of Col. Colburn, (Col. Deming having been detailed as Mayor of New Orleans), formed the right, and bore the brunt of the battle. Their superior drill and discipline showed to great advantage—they advanced as they fired, keeping their line straight, and consequently suffered less than those regiments which were more broken and confused. The officers, from the Colonel down, were perfectly cool; and so, in consequence, were the men. The victory was complete, and resulted in the expulsion of the rebels from the whole country of La Fourche, and as far west as Brashear City. On the resignation of Col. Deming, Jan. 31, 1863, and
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