"They have taken all the negroes from the ranks of the other regiments, and they intend to take yours."
The Colonel turned to his men and said, quietly, "Fix bayonets."
The regiment moved on through the streets, and reached the Gault House, where the slaveholders had congregated. A half-dozen approached the regiment rather cautiously, but one bolder than the rest sprang into the ranks and seized a negro by the collar.
A dozen bayonets came down around him, some not very gently. He let go his hold and sprang back again quite as quickly as he entered the lines.
There was a shaking of fists and muttered curses, but the regiment passed on to the landing, just as if nothing had happened.
General Granger, who had charge of the transportation, had issued orders that no negro should be allowed on the boats without free papers.
General Baird saw the negroes on the steamer, and approaching Colonel Utley, said,—
"Why, Colonel, how is this? Have all of these negroes free papers?"
"Perhaps not all, but those who haven't, have declared their intentions!" said the Colonel.
The Twenty-Second took transportation on the steamer Commercial. The captain of the boat was a Kentuckian, who came to Colonel Utley in great trepidation, saying: "Colonel, I can't start till those negroes are put on shore. I shall be held responsible. My boat will be seized and libelled under the laws of the State."