Newton County GaArchives Obituaries.....Gilbert Carter January 1907
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Phyllis Thompson mandpthompson@bellsouth.net May 9, 2004, 12:14 am

The Enterprise, Jan. 18, 1907
Uncle Gilbert is Dead
  The casual hearer will say what of that, more than any other old worn out
Negro. But to Confederate Veteran's what a train of thought this simple 
announcement sets in motion!
  On a spring day in 1861, the first company of the bright young manhood of
Newton county marched through the streets of Covington to board a train bound
for Richmond, the seat of war and capital of the young confederacy.
  At their head marched Gilbert Carter, their fifer, playing perhaps "The Girl
I Left Behind." Their banner floated proudly in the rippling southern breeze.
They made a brave picture of Georgia's chivalry. They left with the blessings
of old men and the prayers and tears of mothers, wives and sisters.
  This was but the beginning of the sacrifices that was in store for the South.
How many of these young men found graves along the rivers and in the valleys
of Virginia, the records alone can tell.
  But in the providence of God their faithful black fifer has been permitted
to reach nearly the century mark. Uncle Gilbert was a typical representative
of the faithful slave- and they deserve a monument at our hands. He gave
obedience to his Master and diligently performed the task he was given to do.
  In the army he was a great help to the boys-freqently cheering the heart
of some home sick youth who found the hardships of camp very different from 
the romance of war.
  After he became a free man he deported himself quietly and was respectful
to everyone-setting a good example to his race-and as long as he was able earned
his living at the carpenters trade, doing good and satisfactory work.
  During his long life there has never been a black mark set against his name.
He was never arrested of convicted of a crime.
  At one time he was the servant of Howell Cobb. Thus we see he came in contact
with the representative white people of Georgia, and received great benefit
thereby, and a a free man he associated with the best element of his race and 
always commended obedience to the law and peace between the races.
  At the time of his death he is said to have been ninety nine years old. He
was buried in Covington January 13, 1907, by the colored Masons. The sun was
shining brightly, the evening was as pleasant as a summer day, and as the 
services were ended, the sun went down behind the Western hills, the great
crowd of whites and blacks who attended his funeral quietly dispersed to their
home, conscious of the fact that they had paid the last tribute of respect to a
faithful slave, a quiet and industrious free man, and a good friend.
L. L. MIDDLEBROOK

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/gafiles/

File size: 3.1 Kb