March 31, 1863, Nashville Dispatch
Yesterday afternoon six or seven of Uncle Sam’s four-in-hands drove up to the Recorder’s office, laden down with a lot of contrabands, varying in age from d’enfant to second childhood, except the strong middle-aged, whom the officer in charge was about to consign to the care of the Recorder, when the civic powers protested, and ordered a retreat.Failing to obey, a parley ensued, which ended in a compromise, U. S. ordering the eighty-five negro paupers to take possession of the Court House, and Nashville agreeing to “let ’em slide.”This interesting portion of Uncle Sam’s children are said to hail from the neighborhood of Triune, and have brought with them their bags and baggage, expecting to settle down among us.