A Lone Nigger — 272
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 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 sisters?” “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.”