OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
Camp Mary, Banks of the Anacostia, July 10, 1861.
On Sunday last five slaves made their way to the camp of the Thirty-seventh regiment, selling fruit, and two of them stated that they wished to escape from the tyranny of their masters. These two were young women, who had an infant with them. The other two were middle-aged male negroes, who said they wanted to return to slavery. Colonel McCunn ordered the whole party a tent and refreshments, and had a guard placed over them. They looked healthy, and though they were totally illiterate, were surprisingly intelligent. They all said that they were from Prince George’s County, Maryland, and the women complained that they belonged to Captain Berry, who commands a troop of horse in the rebel army. The men belonged to a different owner.
The women also stated that they had been cruelly treated by their master, and that they were frequently insulted, and worked hard always. The men complained of hard work and cruel treatment also, but were not ready to say they wanted to escape. The Colonel reported the circumstance to General Mansfield, who ordered that the fugitives be conducted outside the lines. This was accordingly done by your correspondent after they had received a supply of provisions to help them on their journey home, which is fifteen miles distant.
I have nothing further of interest to communicate in this letter, except that all the regiments here progress well in drill and are healthy, the only trouble being the warmth of the climate. The rumors of war, battles, victories and defeats that flood the camps continually would surprise any sane person. I will say nothing further about these, as you have doubtless enough of reality to deal with in this way these times. The boys of the Thirty-seventh have just captured a rebel horse, and are now having their fun around the camp with him, à la Mickey Free.