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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/20509-8.txt b/20509-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a8333f6 --- /dev/null +++ b/20509-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6687 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Daring and Suffering:, by William Pittenger + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Daring and Suffering: + A History of the Great Railroad Adventure + +Author: William Pittenger + +Release Date: February 2, 2007 [EBook #20509] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DARING AND SUFFERING: *** + + + + +Produced by Wolfgang Menges, Suzanne Shell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + +Transcriber's Note: All printer's errors retained. + + +[Illustration: _Engraved by Samuel Sartain, Phil.^a_ + +(Signed) Wm Pittenger] + + +DARING AND SUFFERING: + +A HISTORY OF + +THE GREAT RAILROAD ADVENTURE. + + +BY LIEUT. WILLIAM PITTENGER, +ONE OF THE ADVENTURERS. + + +WITH AN INTRODUCTION, +BY REV. ALEXANDER CLARK. + + +"The expedition, in the daring of its conception, had the wildness of +a romance; while in the gigantic and overwhelming results it sought +and was likely to accomplish, it was absolutely sublime."--_Official +Report of Hon. Judge Holt to the Secretary of War._ + +"It was all the deepest laid scheme, and on the grandest scale, that +ever emanated from the brains of any number of Yankees +combined."--_Atlanta "Southern Confederacy" of April 15th, 1862._ + + +PHILADELPHIA: +J. W. DAUGHADAY, PUBLISHER, +1308 CHESTNUT STREET. +1863. + + + +Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1863, by + +J. W. DAUGHADAY, + +In the Office of the Clerk of the District Court for the Eastern +District of Pennsylvania. + + + + +TO + +R. T. TRALL, M. D., + +EDITOR OF THE "HERALD OF HEALTH," + +AND + +Leader of the Hygienic Reform, + +THIS VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED + +AS A TRIBUTE OF + +ESTEEM AND GRATITUDE, + +BY + +THE AUTHOR. + +NEW SOMERSET, Jefferson Co., O., +October, 1863. + + + + +NAMES OF THE ADVENTURERS. + + +EXECUTED. + +J. J. ANDREWS, _Leader_, Citizen of Kentucky. +WILLIAM CAMPBELL, Citizen of Kentucky. +GEORGE D. WILSON, Co. B, Second Reg't Ohio Vols. +MARION A. ROSS, Co. A, Second Reg't Ohio Vols. +PERRY G. SHADRACK, Co. K, Second Reg't Ohio Vols. +SAMUEL SLAVENS, Thirty-third Reg't Ohio Vols. +SAMUEL ROBINSON, Co. G, Thirty-third Reg't Ohio Vols. +JOHN SCOTT, Co. K, Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols. + + +ESCAPED IN OCTOBER. + +W. W. BROWN, Co. F, Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols. +WILLIAM KNIGHT, Co. E, Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols. +J. R. PORTER, Co. C, Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols. +MARK WOOD, Co. C, Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols. +J. A. WILSON, Co. C, Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols. +M. J. HAWKINS, Co. A, Thirty-third Reg't Ohio Vols. +JOHN WOLLAM, Co. C, Thirty-third Reg't Ohio Vols. +D. A. DORSEY, Co. H, Thirty-third Reg't Ohio Vols. + + +EXCHANGED IN MARCH. + +JACOB PARROTT, Co. K, Thirty-third Reg't Ohio Vols. +ROBERT BUFFUM, Co. H, Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols. +WILLIAM BENSINGER, Co. G, Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols. +WILLIAM REDDICK, Co. B, Thirty-third Reg't Ohio Vols. +E. H. MASON, Co. K, Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols. +WILLIAM PITTENGER, Co. G, Second Reg't Ohio Vols. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +The following work is a narration of facts. My only desire is to give +a clear and connected record of what will ever be regarded as a most +remarkable episode in the history of the Great Rebellion. + +The style of the book demands an apology. It was begun in sickness +induced by the privations of rebel prisons, and completed amidst the +fatigue and excitement of the most glorious campaign which has yet +crowned our arms. Under these circumstances, there must be many faults +of expression, which a generous reader will readily pardon. + +To the many kind friends who sympathized with me during the weary +interval when my fate was considered hopeless, as well as those who +rejoiced with me on my return, I can only tender my most sincere +thanks. + +Myself and comrades are greatly indebted to the PRESIDENT and +Secretary STANTON for their generous recognition of our services, and +the munificent rewards bestowed upon us. To them, and to Judge HOLT, +Major-General HITCHCOCK, and JAMES C. WETMORE, Ohio State Military +Agent, we take this opportunity of expressing our heartfelt +obligations. + +Another to whom I am indebted is Dr. R. T. TRALL of New York. At his +beautiful "_Hygiean Home_," on the mountain side, near Wernersville, +Berks county, Pennsylvania, I regained my lost health. For his +kindness, and that of his skillful assistants, Drs. GLASS and +FAIRCHILD, I will ever be deeply grateful. It was with regret, woven +with many pleasant memories, that I left their hospitable home when +recovered health and duty called me again to the field. + +To my early friend, Rev. ALEXANDER CLARK, Editor of the "_School +Visitor_," I am still more deeply indebted. His literary experience +was freely placed at my service, and when discouraged in the +preparation of my story, which was to me an arduous undertaking, his +words of hope and cheer stimulated me to renewed efforts. But for aid +derived from his sympathy and advice, I would have probably abandoned +my task. May he be fully rewarded! + +There are a host of others whose good offices will always be kindly +remembered. Among them are W. R. ALLISON of the "_Steubenville +Herald_," Dr. JOHN McCOOK, also of Steubenville, Dr. GEORGE McCOOK of +Pittsburgh, Rev. WILLIAM B. WATKINS, A. M., Dr. JOHN MILLS, and many +others. Thanks to them all! + +WILLIAM PITTENGER. + +_Army of the Cumberland, August, 1863._ + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +CHAPTER I. + +Sad Retrospective--Object of the Book--Military Situation +in the Southwest--Disaster and Energy of the Rebels--Necessity +for a Secret Expedition--A Proposition to +Buell and Mitchel--An Attempt and Failure--Return of +Adventurers--Second Expedition--Writer Volunteers--Andrews, +the Leader--Parting from the Regiment--On +the Way--Perplexities--The Writer _Cur-tailed_! 23-35 + + +CHAPTER II. + +Midnight Consultation--Plans Developed--Money Distributed--_Compagnons +du Voyage_--A Dismal Night--Sheltered +from the Storm--Southern Unionist--Arrested by +Federal Soldiers--Beyond the Lines--Panic Caused by +Negroes--Method of Avoiding Suspicion--Continuous +Rain--Behind Time--Hunting Human Beings with +Bloodhounds--The Cumberland Mountains--Rain again. 36-45 + + +CHAPTER III. + +Crossing the Mountains--Playing Hypocrite--Legend of +Battle Creek Valley--Lodged with a Secessionist--Strategy--A +Welcome but Fatal Delay--Exaggerated +Accounts of Shiloh--Prevented from Crossing the Tennessee--In +the Mountains again--Amusing Rebel Story--To +the River again--Perilous Crossing--Success--Chattanooga--On +the Cars--Night--Arrive at Marietta. 46-56 + + +CHAPTER IV. + +Take an Early Train--Prospecting--Capture of the Train--Panic +in Confederate Camp--Away at Lightning +Speed--Thrilling Experience--Cut the Telegraph--Tear +up the Track--Unexpected Obstacle--Running a Powder +Train to Beauregard--Red Flag--Dropping Cross-Ties--Battering +out Spikes--Immense Exertion of Strength--Pursuing +Backward--Terrible Chase--Attempt to Wreck +the Enemy's Train--Fearful Speed--Bold Plan. 57-67 + + +CHAPTER V. + +Consternation along the Route--Wood and Water--Attempt +to Fire the Train--Partial Failure--Message sent +to Chattanooga--Terrific Preparations--Abandon the +Train--A Capital Error--In the Woods--A Thrilling +Account of the Chase from the Atlanta "_Southern Confederacy_." + 68-90 + +CHAPTER VI. + +Stupendous "Man Hunt"--My Own Adventures--Playing +Acrobat--Perilous Crossing of a River--Hunger--The +Bloodhounds--Flying for Life--No Sun or Star to Guide +me--Traveling in a Circle--Nearing Chattanooga--Lost +in Deadened Timber--Glimpse of the Moon--Fatigue +produces Phantoms--Dreadful Storm--I Sleep and enter +Fairy Land--Glorious Visions--Reality--A Picket--Romance +Faded--Horrible Situation--Day Dawn--No Relief. 91-105 + + +CHAPTER VII. + +Sabbath--Continuous Rain--Press Onward--Observed--Arrested--Curious +Examination--Equivocating for Life--Plans +Foiled by Unexpected News--Plundered--Jail--Terrible +Reflections--New and Hopeful Resolve--Unwelcome +Visitors--Vigilance Committee Disappointed--Ordered +to Chattanooga--A Mob--Chained to the +Carriage--Escort--The Journey--Musings--Arrival--Another +Mob--Benevolent Gentleman(?)--General +Leadbetter--Andrews. 106-126 + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +Negro Prison--Swims, the Jailor--Horrible Dungeon--Black +Hole of Calcutta--Suffocation--Union Prisoners--Slave +Catching--Our Party Reunited--Breakfast Lowered +by Rope--Hunger--Counseling--Fiendish Barbarity--Chained +in the Dungeon--Andrews tried as a Spy +and Traitor--Sweet, but Stolen News--Removed from +Dungeon--Pure Air and Sunlight--Attacked by a Mob--"A +Friend"--Madison--Daring Adventure and Narrow +Escape. 127-147 + + +CHAPTER IX. + +Return to Chattanooga--Caution of Rebels--Unchain Ourselves--Mock +Trials--The Judge--Singing--One Kindness--Projected +Escape--Loitering Comrades--A Gleam +of Hope--Sad Parting--Knoxville--Prison Inmates--Brownlow--Awful +Cruelty--Andrews Condemned to +Death--Escapes with Wollam--Fearful Perils--Swimming +the River--Hiding on an Island--Found by Children--Yields +to His Fate--Horrible Death--Wollam's +Stratagem--On the River--Passes a Gun Boat--Final +Capture. 148-170 + + +CHAPTER X. + +Sorrow for Andrews--Prepare for Trial--Charges and +Specifications--Plan of Defence--Incidents of Trial--Encouragement--Not +Allowed to Hear Pleading--Lawyer's +Plea--Seven Tried--Mitchel Dissolves the Court--Tied +Again--A Saucy Reply--Advantage of Sickness--Fry +Deceived--Revolting Inhumanity--Fry's Capture--Starve +to Atlanta--Taunts of the Mob--Atlanta Prison--A +Kind Jailor. 171-183 + + +CHAPTER XI. + +Cavalry Approach--Seven Removed from the Room--Suspense--Sentence +of Death--Heart-rending Separation--Death +and the Future--Not Prepared--Inhuman Haste--The +Tragedy--Speech on the Scaffold--Breaking Ropes--Enemies +Affected--Gloom of Survivors--Prayer. 184-192 + + +CHAPTER XII. + +Religious Experience--Contraband Assistance--Intelligence +of Negroes--Love of Freedom--Wollam's Recapture--A +Friendly Preacher--Obtain Books--Disgusting +Diet--Plays--Debates--Reading Hours--Envy the Birds--Dreams +of Home--Telegraphing--Friends from our +Army--Hope Deferred--Union Society--Difficulties of +Tobacco-chewers--Precious Books. 193-207 + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +Contemplated Escape--Startling Intelligence--Our Doom +Pronounced from Richmond--Hesitate no Longer--Our +Plan--All Ready--Supper--Farewell--Life or Death--Seize +the Jailor--Guns Wrested from Guards--Alarm +Given--Scaling the Wall--Guards Fire--Terrible Chase--Six +Recaptured--Wood and Wilson Reach the Gulf--Dorsey's +Narrative--Porter's Account--Boasting of the +Guards--Barlow's Cruel Death. 208-223 + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +Despair and Hope--Bitten Finger--Removed to Barracks--Greater +Comfort--Jack Wells--Cruel Punishment of +Tennesseeans--Story of a Spy--Help Him to Escape--Virtue +of a Coat--A Practical Joke--Unionism--Sweet +Potatoes--Enlisting in Rebel Army--Description of a +Day--Happy News--Start for Richmond--Not Tied--Night +Journey--Varied Incidents--Lynchburg--Rebel +Audacity Punished--Suffering from the Cold--Arrival +in Richmond. 224-246 + + +CHAPTER XV. + +The City by Moonlight--Old Accusation Renewed--Libby +Prison--Discomfort--A Change--Citizens' Department--Richmond +Breakfast--Removed under Guard--Castle +Thunder--Miniature Bedlam--Conceal a Knife--Confined +in a Stall--Dreadful Gloom--Routine of a Day--Suffering +at Night--Friends Exchanged--Newspapers--Burnside--Pecuniary +Perplexities--Captain Webster--Escape +Prevented--Try Again on Christmas Night--Betrayed--Fearful +Danger Avoided. 247-266 + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +Letter sent Home--Alarming Pestilence--Our Quarters +Changed--Rowdyism--Fairy Stories--Judge Baxter--Satanic +Strategy--Miller's History--An Exchange with a +Dead Man--Effect of Democratic Victories--Attempt to +Make us Work--Digging out of a Cell--Worse than the +Inquisition--Unexpected Interference--List from "Yankee +Land"--Clothing Stolen--Paroled--A Night of Joy--Torch-light +March--On the Cars--The Boat--Reach +Washington--Receive Medals, Money, and Promotion--Home. 267-288 + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +While our absent brothers are battling on the field, it is becoming +that the friends at home should be eager for the minutest particulars +of the camp-life, courage and endurance of the dear boys far away; for +to the loyal lover of his country every soldier is a brother. + +The narrative related on the following pages is one of extraordinary +"daring and suffering," and will excite an interest in the public mind +such as has rarely, if ever, arisen from any personal adventures +recorded on the page of history. + +WILLIAM PITTENGER, the oldest of a numerous family, was born in +Jefferson county, Ohio, January 31st, 1840. His father, THOMAS +PITTENGER, is a farmer, and trains his children in the solid +experiences of manual labor. His mother is from a thinking familyhood +of people, many of whom are well known in Eastern Ohio as pioneers in +social and moral progress--the MILLS'S. WILLIAM learned to love his +country about as early as he learned to love his own mother; for his +first lessons were loyalty and liberty, syllabled by a mother's lips. +Even before the boy could read, he knew in outline the history of our +nation's trials and triumphs, from the days of Bunker Hill, forward to +the passing events of the latest newspaper chronicling,--all of which +facts were nightly canvassed around the cabin-hearth. + +Although he was an adept in all branches of learning, yet, in school +days, as now, young PITTENGER had two favorite studies; and they +happened to be the very ones in the prosecution of which his teachers +could aid him scarcely at all--History and Astronomy. But, in the face +of discouragement, with the aid only of accidental helps, and by the +candle-light and the star-light after the sunny hours had been toiled +away, he pressed patiently and perseveringly forward in his own chosen +methods, until he became an accurate historian, and a practical +astronomer. At the age of seventeen, he manufactured, for the most +part with his own hands, a reflecting telescope, which his friends +came from near and far to see, and gaze through, at the wonderful +worlds unthought-of before. + +The ambitions of farm-life were not sufficient to occupy the head and +hands of this searcher for knowledge. To explore the fields of the +firmament with his telescope, gave him intenser pleasure than the most +faithful farmer ever realized from furrowing his fields in the dewiest +spring mornings. To follow the footsteps of heroes through the world's +annals, as they struggled up through conflicts to glorious liberty, +thrilled him with a livelier enthusiasm than ever sprang from the +music of marching harvesters. While other young men of his age and +neighborhood idled their rainy days and winter nights in trifling +diversions, there was one who preferred the higher joy of communion +with Humboldt in his "Cosmos," Macaulay in his "England," Irving in +his "Columbus," or Burritt in his "Geography of the Heavens." + +Owing to this decided preference for science and literature, the +father found it advisable to indulge his son in the desire to enter a +field more consonant with his wishes. He accordingly qualified +himself, by close study at home, and without a tutor, for the +profession of teaching. In this honorable avocation he labored with +industry and promise, until he felt constrained by love of country to +quit the desk and the children, for the tent and the hosts of armëd +men. + +During his career as teacher, he was, for awhile, associated with the +writer in the publication of the _School Visitor_, then issued at +Cleveland, Ohio. The enterprise was, at that time, (1857-8,) to the +great outer world, an unnoticed and insignificant one; yet to those +whose little all was enlisted in the mission of a Day School paper, it +was, indeed, something that lay close upon their hearts. That was a +cheerless, friendless time in the history of the little _Visitor_, to +at least two inexperienced adventurers in the literary world. But +these were hidden trials, and shall be unwritten still. + +The never-forgotten teachings of his mother, together with the +unconscious tuition resulting from observation and experience, made +PITTENGER an early and constant friend of freedom. Any mind imbued +with an admiration of God's marches in the Heavens as an Omnipotent +Creator, and inspired by a contemplation of God's finger in History as +a merciful Deliverer, will rise to the high level of universal love to +man, and will comprehend the broad equality of Gospel liberty and +republican brotherhood. Let a man be educated, head and heart, and he +will love freedom, and demand freedom, and "dare and suffer" for +freedom, not for himself only, but for all the oppressed of the whole +earth. + +Reader, you may draw lines. You may profess a conservative +Christianity that would theologize the very grace out of the command, +"_Love thy neighbor as thyself._" You may ignore this Christ-like +precept, and adopt something more fashionable and aristocratic; but if +you do, you entertain in your heart treason, both to your Father in +heaven and to your brother on earth. This law of love is revealed to +lowly men. It cuts down through crowns and creeds and chains, and +rests as a blessed benediction on sufferers and slaves. This is the +inspiration that brings victory to our arms, and deals death to +destroyers. This was the spirit that prompted our young hero to stand +forth, one of the very first from his native county, a soldier for +right and righteousness, the moment the Sumter cry rang up the valley +of his Ohio home. + +When PITTINGER became a volunteer, it was for the suppression of the +Rebellion with all its belongings,--and if its overthrow should tumble +slavery, with its clanking fetters and howling hounds, to the +uttermost destruction, he would grasp his gun the firmer for the +hope, and thank God for the prospect, the test, and the toil! He +enlisted as a soldier for his country, ready to march anywhere, strike +with any weapon, endure any fatigue, or share any sorrow. He went out +not merely an armored warrior, to ward off attacks, not to strike off +obnoxious top-growths; but to "lay the ax at the root of the tree," +and to pierce the very heart of the monster iniquity. + +In three days after the receipt of the startling intelligence that the +Stars and Stripes had been fired upon by rebels in arms, PITTENGER was +on his way to the Capital as a private soldier in the Second Ohio +Regiment of volunteers. He fought bravely on the disastrous 21st of +July, in the battle of Bull Run, while many of his comrades fell +bleeding at his side. For his calm, heroic conduct throughout that +memorable day of peril and panic, he received the highest praise from +every officer of his regiment. Although thus a sharer of war's +sternest conflicts during the three months' campaign, he was ready to +re-enlist immediately, when his country called for a longer service; +and after a few days' rest beneath the old homestead roof, he was +again on his way with the same regiment to the seat of war in the +Southwest. + +During the fall and winter he saw severe service on the "dark and +bloody ground." No soldiers ever endured so many midnight marches more +patiently, or manifested more self-sacrificing devotion to country, +through rains and storms, and wintry desolations, than the noble Ohio +Second, under the command of Colonel HARRIS, through the campaign in +the mountains of eastern Kentucky. + +In December, the regiment was transferred to the Division commanded by +the lamented General MITCHEL, then encamped at Louisville. From this +point, the army pressed forward victoriously through Elizabethtown, +Bowling Green, Nashville, and Murfreesboro', until the old banner +floated in the Tennessee breezes at Shelbyville. While here, the +daring expedition to penetrate the heart of the Confederacy was +organized, of which party PITTENGER was one of the most enthusiastic +and determined. + +From the day the brave fellows departed over the Southern hills on +their adventurous journey, a veil was dropped which hid them from +sight of friends for many weary months--and some of them for ever! No +tidings came in answer to all the beseeching thought-questionings +that followed their mysterious pathway "beyond the lines." + +Vague rumors were current around the camp-fires and home-circles that +the whole party had been executed. Friends began to despair. Strangers +began to inquire as if for missing friends. A universal sympathy +prevailed in their behalf, and whole communities were excited to the +wildest fervor on account of the lost adventurers. The widely-read +letters from the Steubenville _Herald's_ army correspondent were +missed, for PITTENGER wrote no more. The family were in an agony of +suspense for the silent, absent son and brother. His ever faithful +friend, Chaplain GADDIS, of the Ohio Second, made an effort to go, +under a flag of truce, in search of the party, but was dissuaded by +the commanding officers from so hopeless an undertaking. The summer +passed, and yet no tidings came. The autumn came with its +melancholy,--and uncertain rumors, like withered, fallen leaves, were +again afloat about the camps and the firesides. The dreary winter +came, and still the hearts of the most hopeful were chilled with +disappointment. The father began to think of William as dead,--the +mother to talk of her darling as one who had lived,--the children to +speak of their elder brother as one they should never see any more +until all the lost loved ones meet in the better land. The writer was +even solicited by a mutual friend to preach the funeral sermon of one +whose memory was still dear, but whom none of us ever hoped to see +again on earth. + +But our Father in heaven was kinder than we thought. Our prayers had +been heard! As our fervent petitions winged up from family altars to +the ear of the Infinite Lover, the guardian angels winged afar +downward through battle alarms, and ministered to him for whom we +besought protection. When the bright spring days came smiling over the +earth, a message came from the hand of the missing one, brighter and +sunnier to our hearts than the April sunlight on the hills! Soon the +story was told, and we all thanked God for the merciful deliverance of +him for whom we prayed, and who had found, even in a dismal +prison-cell, the Pearl of great price! The one we loved returned home +a witness of the Spirit that came to him as a Comforter in his +dreariest loneliness, and is already a minister of the precious Gospel +that gladdened him in the time of his tribulation. + +And now the reader shall know all about the tedious delay and the +long silence, from the pen of him who survives to tell the story. + +We commend to all who peruse this narrative an interesting volume, +entitled "_Beyond the Lines_," another sad rehearsal of terror in +rebel prisons and Southern swamps, in other portions of the +Confederacy--the experience of Rev. Capt. J. J. GEER, now one of +Lieutenant PITTENGER'S associate-advocates for liberty in the pulpit, +as he was recently a brother-bondman in the land of tyranny and death. +A. C. + +PHILADELPHIA, September 15, 1863. + + + + +DARING AND SUFFERING. + + +CHAPTER I. + +Sad Retrospective--Object of the Book--Military Situation in the +Southwest--Disaster and Energy of the Rebels--Necessity for a Secret +Expedition--A Proposition to Buell and Mitchel--An Attempt and +Failure--Return of Adventurers--Second Expedition--Writer +Volunteers--Andrews, the Leader--Parting from the Regiment--On the +Way--Perplexities--The Writer _Cur-tailed_! + + +It is painful for me to write the adventures of the last year. As I +compose my mind to the task, there arises before me the memory of days +of suffering, and nights of sleepless apprehension--days and nights +that, in their black monotony, seemed well nigh eternal. And the +sorrow, too, which I felt on that terrible day, when my companions, +whom common dangers and common sufferings had made as brothers to me, +were dragged away to an ignominious death that I expected soon to +share--all comes before me in the vividness of present reality, and I +almost shrink back and lay down the pen. But I believe it to be a +duty to give to the public the details of the great railroad +adventure, which created such an excitement in the South, and which +Judge Holt pronounced to be the most romantic episode of the war, both +on account of the intrinsic interest involved, and still more because +of the light it throws on the manners and feelings of the Southern +people, and their conduct during the rebellion. + +With this view, I have decided to give a detailed history of the +expedition, its failure, and the subsequent imprisonment and fate of +all of the members of the party. In doing this, I will have the aid of +the survivors of the expedition--fourteen in all--and hope to give a +narrative that will combine the strictest truth with all the interest +of a romance. + +In order to understand why the destruction of the Georgia State +Railroad was of so much consequence, I will refer to the situation of +affairs in the Southwest, in the opening of the spring of 1862. + +The year commenced very auspiciously for our arms. Fort Donelson had +fallen, after a desperate contest, and nearly all its garrison were +taken prisoners. The scattered remains of the rebel army, under +Johnston, had retreated precipitately from Kentucky, which had indeed +been to them "the dark and bloody ground." Columbus and Nashville were +evacuated, and fell into our hands. Island No. 10 was invested, and +the Tennessee river groaned beneath a mighty army afloat, the same +that had conquered Donelson, under its popular leader, General Grant, +and which, it was fondly hoped, would strike far away into the center +of the rebel States. Throughout the North, men talked of the war as +done, and speculated as to the terms of a peace that was soon to come. + +But the end was not yet. The rebel leaders, who had embarked their all +in this cause, and had pictured to themselves a magnificent +slaveholding empire, stretching away from the Potomac to the Sierra +Madre, in Mexico, and swallowing up all tropical America in one mighty +nation, devoted to the interests of cotton and slavery alone, over +which they should reign, were not yet satisfied to relinquish their +cause as desperate, and abandon their glorious dreams. With a +wonderful energy that must command our admiration, though it be only +of the kind that is accorded to Satan as pictured in "Paradise Lost," +they passed the conscription law, abandoned the posts they still held +on the frontier, and concentrated their forces on a shorter line of +defence. + +The eastern part of this line extended from Richmond, through +Lynchburg, to East Tennessee. In the west, it was represented by the +Memphis and Charleston Railroad, extending from Memphis, through +Corinth, Huntsville, Chattanooga, and Atlanta, to Charleston. Here +they poured forward their new levies, and began to prepare for another +desperate contest. + +The unaccountable inertness of the Eastern army of the Union, under +McClellan, gave them time to strengthen their defences, and reinforce +their army, which had dwindled to a very low ebb during the winter. +But while the commander of the East was planning strategy that, by the +slowness of its development, if by nothing _worse_, was destined to +dim the lustre of the Union triumphs, and lose the results of a year +of war, the West was in motion. Down the Mississippi swept our +invincible fleet, with an army on shore to second its operations. Up +the Tennessee steamed Grant's victorious army, and Buell, with forty +thousand men, was marching across the State of Tennessee, to reach the +same point. My own division, under the lamented General O. M. Mitchel, +was also marching across the State, but in a different direction, +having Chattanooga as its ultimate aim, while Morgan, with another +strong force, many of whom were refugees from East Tennessee, lay +before Cumberland Gap, ready to strike through that fastness to +Knoxville, and thus reach the very heart of rebellion. + +To meet these powerful forces, whose destination he could not +altogether foresee, Beauregard, who commanded in the west, +concentrated his main army at Corinth, with smaller detachments +scattered along the railroad to Chattanooga. The railroads on which he +relied for supplies and reinforcements, as well as for communication +with the eastern portion of rebeldom, formed an irregular +parallelogram, of which the northern side extended from Memphis to +Chattanooga, the eastern from Chattanooga to Atlanta, the southern +from Atlanta to Jackson, Mississippi, and the western, by a network of +roads, from Jackson to Memphis. The great East Tennessee and Virginia +Railroad, which has not inaptly been called "the backbone of the +rebellion," intersected this parallelogram at Chattanooga. Thus it +will be seen that to destroy the northern and eastern sides of this +parallelogram isolated Beauregard, and left East Tennessee, which was +then almost stripped of troops, to fall easily before General Morgan. + +So important was this destruction of communication deemed by those in +power, that it was at first intended to reach both sides, and destroy +them by armies; but the distance was so great that the design of +destroying it in this manner was abandoned. + +However, just at this time, J. J. Andrews, who was a secret agent of +the United States, and had repeatedly visited every part of the South, +proposed another method of accomplishing the same object, by means of +a _secret_ military expedition, to burn the bridges on the road, and +thus interrupt communication long enough for the accomplishment of the +schemes which were expected to give rebellion in the southwest its +death-blow. He first made the proposition to General Buell, who did +not, for some reason, approve of it. Afterwards he repeated it to +General Mitchel, who received it with more favor. + +Our division was at this time lying at Murfreesboro', repairing some +bridges that had been destroyed, preparatory to an onward march +further into the interior. All at once, eight men were detailed from +our regiment--four of them from my own company. No one knew anything +of their object or destination, and numberless were the conjectures +that were afloat concerning them. Some supposed they had gone home to +arrest deserters; others, that they were deserters themselves. But +this last idea was contradicted by the fact that they were seen in +close and apparently confidential communication with the officers just +before their departure, as well as by the character of the men +themselves, who were among the boldest and bravest of the regiment. +Many supposed that they were sent into the enemy's country as spies; +but the idea of sending such a number of spies from the privates in +the ranks was so obviously absurd, that I did not seriously consider +it. However, I was not long to remain in uncertainty, for an officer, +who was an intimate friend of mine, revealed the secret to me. The +enterprise was so grand and so audacious, that it instantly charmed my +imagination, and I at once went to Colonel L. A. Harris, of the Second +Ohio, and asked, as a favor from him, that if any detail was made for +another expedition of the same kind, I should be placed on it. + +Soon after, one of the party, from Company C, returned, and reported +that he had ventured as far as Chattanooga, and there had met a +Confederate soldier who recognized him as belonging to the Union army; +and while, for the sake of old friendship, he hesitated to denounce +him to the authorities, yet advised him to return, which he +immediately did, and arrived safely in camp in a few days. He would +give no details that might embarrass his companions, who were still +pressing their way onward into the Confederacy. + +A short time after this, all the party came back, and I received full +details of their trip to the center of rebeldom. They had proceeded in +citizens' dress, on foot and unsuspected, to Chattanooga; there had +taken the cars for Atlanta, where they arrived in safety. Here they +expected to meet a Georgia engineer, who had been running on the State +road for some time, and, with his assistance, intended to seize the +passenger train, at breakfast, and run through to our lines, burning +all the bridges in their rear. For several days they waited for him, +but he came not. They afterwards learned that he had been pressed to +run troops to Beauregard, who was then concentrating every available +man at Corinth, in anticipation of the great battle which afterwards +took place. Thus foiled, and having no man among them capable of +running an engine, they abandoned the enterprise for that time, and +quietly stole back to our lines. Had an engineer then been along, they +would, in all probability, have been successful, as the obstacles +which afterward defeated us did not then exist. + +Our camp had been moved onward from Murfreesboro' to Shelbyville, +which is a beautiful little city, situated on Duck river. We camped +above the town, in a delightful meadow. + +It was Sabbath, the 6th of April, and the earliness of the clime made +the birds sing, and the fields bloom with more than the brilliancy of +May in our own northern land. Deeply is the quiet of that Sabbath, +with the green beauty of the warm spring landscape, pictured on my +mind! An impression, I know not what, made me devote the day to +writing letters to my friends. It was well I did so, for long and +weary months passed ere I was permitted to write to them again. + +But while the day was passing in such sweet repose with us, it was far +different in another army; that was the day on which Grant was +surprised by Beauregard, and only saved from destruction by the +assistance of the gunboats. This, however, we did not learn for +several days after. + +On Monday, Andrews returned to our camp. He had spent some time along +the line of the Georgia State road, and on his return reported to +General Mitchel that the scheme was still feasible, and would be of +more advantage than ever. He, however, asked for a larger detail of +men, and twenty-four were given from the three Ohio regiments then in +Sill's Brigade. One man was detailed from a company, though all the +companies were not represented, and I believe in two[1] instances, two +men were detailed from one company--they were probably intimate +friends, who wished to go together. + +[1] One of these I noticed only very lately. + +During the day, I saw Andrews in the camp. I had seen him frequently +before, away up in the mountains of eastern Kentucky, but did not then +observe him particularly. Now I paid more attention. He was nearly six +feet in hight, of powerful frame, black hair, and long, black, silken +beard, Roman features, a high and expansive forehead, and a voice fine +and soft as a woman's. He gave me the impression of a man who combined +intellect and refinement with the most cool and dauntless courage. Yet +his manner and speech, which was slow and pensive, indicated what I +afterwards found to be almost his only fault--a slowness to decide on +the spur of the moment, and back his decision by prompt, vigorous +action. This did not detract from his value as a secret agent, when +alone, for then all his actions were premeditated, and carried out +with surpassing coolness and bravery; but it did unfit him for the +command of men, in startling emergencies, where instant action +afforded the only chance of safety. This trait of character will be +more fully developed in the course of my story. I conversed with him +on the object of the expedition, not, of course, expecting a full +detail, but receiving a general idea. I put particular stress on his +promise, that whatever happened, he would keep us all together, and, +if necessary, we would cut our way through in a body. This was +because, being near-sighted, and, therefore, a bad hand to travel in a +strange country, with no guide, I had a particular horror of being +left alone. + +I returned to my company, and procured a suit of citizen's clothes +from our boys who had been out before. All the members of the company, +seeing me so arrayed, came around to try to dissuade me from the +enterprise, which to them appeared full of unknown perils. It was +gratifying to be the object of so much solicitude, but having decided +to go, I could not yield. + +My captain, J. F. Sarratt, of Company G, Second Ohio, as brave and +true-hearted a soldier as ever lived, earnestly entreated me not to +go; but finding my determination was fixed, he bade me an affectionate +farewell. Seldom have I parted with more emotion from any one than +these war-worn veterans. + +It was about four o'clock in the afternoon when we left camp, and +started for the place of rendezvous at Shelbyville. The sun was +shining brightly, and the bracing evening air sent the blood coursing +cheerily through our veins, and inspired us with the brightest hopes +of the future. Soon we reached Shelbyville, and lingered there for an +hour or two, when Ross and I, acting under the previous direction of +Andrews, started out of town. Our orders were for us all to proceed +along the road in small squads, for two or three miles, and then halt +and wait for him. + +We walked quietly along, until about dark, when, seeing none of the +others, we began to grow uneasy, fearing we had gone on the wrong +road. We met several persons, but they could give no account of any +one before; then we saw a house just by the road, and crossing the +fence, went up to it to get a drink of water. Before we reached the +door, a dog came up behind my companion and bit him--then ran away +before punishment could be inflicted. + +The bite was not severe, and I good-humoredly laughed at his mishap; +but before we again reached the fence, the same dog came once more. +Ross saw him, and sprang over the fence; but I had only time to reach +the top of it, where I sat in fancied security. But the merciless +whelp, in his ire, sprang at me, seized my coat, and tore a large +piece out of it! That coat, thus _cur_-tailed, I wore all through +Dixie. I mention this incident, because it was what some would call a +bad omen. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +Midnight Consultation--Plans Developed--Money Distributed--_Compagnons +du Voyage_--A Dismal Night--Sheltered from the Storm--Southern +Unionist--Arrested by Federal Soldiers--Beyond the Lines--Panic Caused +by Negroes--Method of Avoiding Suspicion--Continuous Rain--Behind +Time--Hunting Human Beings with Bloodhounds--The Cumberland +Mountains--Rain again. + + +We now proceeded on our way--not rejoicing, for our situation grew +every moment more perplexing. Darkness was falling rapidly, and not +one of our comrades was visible. We were almost certain we had taken +the wrong road. Finally, we resolved to retrace our steps, and +endeavor to obtain some clue to our journey, or if we could not, to +return to camp; for, without instruction, we knew not how or where to +go. We therefore retraced our steps till in sight of Shelbyville, and +then, sure that none could pass without our knowledge, we waited +nearly an hour longer. + +Our patience was rewarded. A few, whom we recognized as belonging to +our party, came along the road; we fell in with them, and were soon +overtaken by others, among whom was Andrews. Now all was right. Soon +we were as far from Shelbyville as Ross and I had been when alone, and +a few hundred yards further on we found the remainder of our comrades. + +In a little thicket of dead and withered trees, sufficiently open to +assure us that no listening ear was near, we halted, and Andrews +revealed to us his plans. There were twenty-three gathered around him; +twenty-four had been detailed, but from some cause, one had failed to +report. In low tones, amid the darkness, he gave us the details of the +romantic expedition. + +We were to break up in small squads of three or four, and travel as +far south as Chattanooga. If questioned, we were to answer so as to +avoid exciting suspicion, and tell any plausible tale that might +answer our purpose. + +We were to travel rapidly, and, if possible, reach Chattanooga on +Thursday evening at five o'clock. This was Monday, and the distance +was one hundred and three miles, a heavy travel on foot; but then we +were allowed to hire conveyances, if we could. + +Andrews then gave us some Confederate money to bear our expenses, and +we parted. There were three others with me; P. G. Shadrack, of Company +K, Second Ohio, a merry, reckless fellow, but at heart noble and +generous; William Campbell, a citizen of Kentucky, who had received +permission to come with us, in a soldier's place. He was a man of two +hundred and twenty pounds weight, handsome as Apollo, and of immense +physical strength, which he was not slow to use when roused, though +good-natured and clever in the main. + +The third was the most remarkable man of the whole party. He was not +educated highly, though he had read a great deal; but in natural +shrewdness, I rarely, if ever, saw his equal. He had traveled +extensively over the United States, had observed everything, and +remembered all he observed. Had he lived, the composition of this book +would have been in abler hands than mine. In addition to this, he +excelled, perhaps, even Parson Brownlow, in the fiery and scorching +denunciation he could hurl on the head of an opponent. In action he +was brave and cool; no danger could frighten him, no emergency find +him unprepared. These were my companions. + +The rain had begun to fall slightly as we walked out the railroad, on +our route, and soon it increased to torrents. The night was pitchy +dark, and we stumbled along, falling into gutters here, and nearly +sticking in the mud there, until midnight, when we resolved to seek +shelter from the storm. + +For a long time we could find no indication of a house, until, at +last, the barking of a dog gave us a clue. After some dispute as to +which side of the road it was on, we struck off over a field. Our only +guide were the random flashes of lightning that gave us a momentary +view of the country around. The better to prosecute our search, we +formed a line within hearing distance of each other, and thus swept +around in all directions. At last we found a barn, but were so wet and +chilly that we resolved to hunt on, in the hope of finding a fire and +a bed. + +After a still more tedious search, we found the goal of our wishes. It +was a rude, double log-house. Here we roused up the inmates, and +demanded a shelter for the night. The man of the house was evidently +alarmed, but let us in, and then commenced questioning us as to who we +were. + +We told him we were Kentuckians who were disgusted with the tyranny of +the Lincoln Government, and were seeking an asylum in the free and +independent South. + +"Oh," said he, "you come on a bootless errand, and had better go back +home, for I have no doubt the whole of the South will soon be as much +under Lincoln as Kentucky is." + +"Never!" we answered, "we will fight till we die first!" + +At this the old man chuckled quietly, and only said, "Well, we'll see; +we'll see," which closed the discussion. + +We were truly glad to find a Union man under such circumstances, but +did not dare to reveal our true character to him, and he probably +believes to this day that he harbored some chivalric Southerners. +However, he provided us with a good supper and a comfortable bed, +promising, also, not to inform the Federal pickets on us. The next +morning, the sky for a time was clear, but it soon became overcast, +and we were again compelled to suffer the inevitable drenching that +befel us every day of this dreary journey. + +We reached Wartrace in the midst of a pelting storm. At first we +intended to go around the town, as it was the last station on our +picket line. It was raining so hard that we thought we would not be +interrupted in passing through it, but our guards were too vigilant +for us. They stopped us, and after being for some time detained, and +trying to play off the innocent Southern citizen, as hundreds do, we +were obliged to reveal our true character to the commanding officer +of the post, which, of course, secured our release. + +Then again, we traveled onward for a time, wading the swollen creeks, +and plodding through the mud as fast as we could. We were now outside +of our lines, with nothing to trust to but the tender mercies of the +rebels. Soon after, we found what a slender ground of trust that was, +but _now_ we were safe in the completeness of our disguise. + +We met many others of our party, and trudged along--sometimes in +company with them, but oftener alone. Toward evening, we reached +Manchester, crossed Duck river, which was at flood hight, and entered +the town. + +Here we found the population in a wild ferment, and on inquiring the +cause, learned that some of the citizens had reported an approaching +band of Yankee cavalry, and that they were even now visible from the +public square. We repaired thither with all speed to witness the novel +spectacle of the entrance of National troops into a hostile town, from +a Southern point of view. Mingled were the emotions expressed; fear +was most prominent, but I thought I could detect on some countenances +a half-concealed smile of exultation. Soon the terrible band loomed +up over the hill which bounded the view, when lo! the dreaded enemies +were seen to be only a party of negroes, who had been working in the +coal mines in the mountains somewhere. Some of Mitchel's men had +destroyed the works, and the contrabands were brought here for safe +keeping. The feelings of the chivalry may be better imagined than +described, as they dispersed with curses on the whole African race! + +We here obtained from some of the citizens the names of the most +prominent secessionists along the route we were to travel, who would +be most likely to help us on to that blissful land where we might +enjoy our rights in peace (?) undisturbed by even dreams of +Abolitionists. These names were a great advantage to us, because +always having some one to inquire for, and being recommended from one +influential man to another, it was taken for granted that we were +trustworthy characters, and few questions asked. That night we were +within a few miles of Hillsboro', but so much were we delayed by the +rain, that we began to fear we could not reach our destination in +time. My feet, too, were sore from the gravel and dirt that filled my +shoes in crossing the creeks, and wading through the mud, and already +we were weary and stiff from traveling in the wet. But we resolved to +press on, and, if necessary, to travel in the night, too, rather than +miss our appointment. + +Where we stayed that night, I first heard from the lips of a +slave-owner himself of hunting negroes with bloodhounds. Our host said +he had seen some one dodging around the back of his plantation, by the +edge of the woods, just as it was getting dark, and in the morning he +would take his bloodhounds, and go to hunt him up, and if it proved to +be a negro, he would get the reward. He said he had caught great +numbers of them, and seemed to regard it as a highly profitable +business. + +We, of course, had to agree with him; but I well remember that the +idea of hunting human beings with bloodhounds, for money, sent a +thrill of horror and detestation through my veins. Not long after, we +found that bloodhounds were not for negroes alone. + +The next morning, we continued our journey, and after walking three +miles, found a man who agreed, for an exorbitant price, and for the +good of the Confederacy, to give us conveyance in a wagon for a few +miles. This was a great help to us, and as we trotted briskly along, +we soon came in sight of the Cumberland Mountains. + +Never did I behold more beautiful scenery. The rain had for a short +time ceased to fall, and the air was clear. The mountains shone in the +freshest green, and around their tops, just high enough to veil their +loftiest summits, clung a soft, shadowy mist, gradually descending +lower, shrouding one after another of the spurs and high mountain +valleys from view. But the beautiful scene did not long continue. Soon +the mist deepened into cloud, and again the interminable rain began to +fall. To add to our discomforts, our wagon would go no further, and +once more we trudged along afoot. + +At noon we stopped for dinner at a house belonging to one of the +"sand-hillers." This is the general name applied to the poor class of +whites at the South. They have no property of their own, and live in +small hovels, on the worst portions of the lands of the rich. Here +they lead an ignorant, lazy life, devoting most of their time to +hunting and fishing; only raising a little patch of corn to furnish +their bread. They are almost as completely owned by their landlords as +the slaves, and are compelled to vote as their masters choose. In the +social scale they are no higher than any slave, nor do they deserve to +be, for their intelligence is less. The term "sand-hiller," or +"clay-eater," is a terrible one of reproach, and is applied +unsparingly by the aristocrats. Of course, our entertainment here was +composed of rather rude fare, but we ate the half-ground and +half-baked corn bread, with the strong pork, and went on our way +rejoicing. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +Crossing the Mountains--Playing Hypocrite--Legend of Battle-Creek +Valley--Lodged with a Secessionist--Strategy--A Welcome but Fatal +Delay--Exaggerated Accounts of Shiloh--Prevented from Crossing the +Tennessee--In the Mountains Again--Amusing Rebel Story--To the River +Again--Perilous Crossing--Success--Chattanooga--On the Cars--Night--Arrive +at Marietta. + + +We were near the foot of the Cumberland Mountains, and addressed +ourselves to the task of crossing them. Just as we were mounting the +first spur, we fell in with a Confederate soldier, who was at home on +a furlough. He had been in a number of battles, and among others the +first Manassas, which he described very minutely to me. Little did he +think that I, too, had been there, as we laughed together at the wild +panic of the Yankees. He was greatly delighted to see so many +Kentuckians coming out on the right side, and contrasted our noble +conduct with that of some persons of his own neighborhood, who still +sympathized with the Abolitionists. + +When we parted, he grasped my hand with tears in his eyes, and said he +hoped "the time would soon come when we would be comrades, fighting +side by side in one glorious cause." My heart revolted from the +hypocrisy I was compelled to use; but having commenced, there was no +possibility of turning back. + +On we clambered up the mountain till the top was reached; then across +the summit, which was a tolerably level road for six miles; then down +again, over steep rocks, yawning chasms, and great gullies; a road +that none but East Tennesseeans or soldier Yankees could have traveled +at all. This rough jaunt led us down into Battle Creek, which is a +delightful, picturesque valley, hemmed in by projecting ridges of +lofty mountains. + +While here, they told me how this valley obtained its name, which is +certainly a very romantic legend, and no doubt true. + +In early times there was war among the Indians. One tribe made a +plundering expedition into the camp of another, and after securing +their booty retreated. Of course they were pursued, and in their +flight were traced to this valley. There the pursuers believed them to +be concealed, and to make their capture sure, divided their force into +two bands, each one taking an opposite side of the valley. + +It was early in the morning, and as they wended their way cautiously +onward, the mountain mist came down just as I had seen it descend +that morning, and enveloped each of the parties in its folds. +Determined not to be foiled, they marched on, and meeting at the head +of the valley, each supposed the other to be the enemy. They poured in +their fire, and a deadly conflict ensued. Not till nearly all their +number had fallen did the survivors discover their mistake, and they +slowly and sorrowfully returned to their wigwams. The plunderers, who +had listened to their conflict in safety, being further up the +mountains, were thus left to carry home their booty in triumph. + +But we had no leisure for legendary tales. + +The sun had set, and we stopped for the night with a rabid +Secessionist, whom our soldier-friend on the mountain had recommended +to us. He received us with open arms, shared with us the best his +house afforded--giving us his bedroom, and sleeping with his family in +the kitchen. We spent the evening in denouncing the Abolitionists, +which term was used indiscriminately to designate all Federals who did +not advocate the acknowledgment of the Confederacy. This did not go +quite so hard as it did at first, for practice had rendered it nearly +as easy for us to falsify our sentiments as to express them plainly. + +Among other things we instanced to show the tyranny of the Lincolnites +in Kentucky, was the expatriation law. This law provides that all +persons aiding or abetting the rebels, or leaving the State and going +South with their army, shall be _expatriated_, and lose all their +right of citizenship in the State. The old man thought this was an act +of unparalleled oppression; and in the morning, before I was out of +bed, came in the room, and desired that some one of us would write +that law down, that he might show his Union neighbors what the Yankees +would do when they had the sway. I wrote it, and we all afterward +signed our names to it. No doubt that document has been the theme of +many angry discussions. + +So thoroughly did we deceive the old man, that when, three days after, +the railroad adventure fell on the astonished Confederates like a clap +of thunder out of a clear sky, he would not believe that we were part +of the men engaged in it. One of his neighbors, who was a Union man, +and was arrested and confined in the same prison with us, told us that +to the last our host maintained that his guests, at least, were true +and loyal Southerners. Should I ever again be in that part of the +country, I would delight to call on him in my true character, and +talk over the national troubles from another point of view. + +We stayed with him Wednesday night, and were still a long way from +Chattanooga. We had designed, notwithstanding our weariness, to travel +all that night, but accidentally met some of our comrades who had seen +Andrews, who informed them that he had postponed the enterprise one +day longer. This was a great relief, as it saved us a most wearisome +and dreaded night tramp. But better to have taken it, for the delay of +that _one_ day was fatal. On Friday there would have been no extra +trains to meet, and our success would have been sure. But this we did +not know at the time. + +The next day, which was Thursday, we came to Jasper, stopped in the +town and around the groceries awhile, talking of the state of the +country. We told them Kentucky was just ready to rise and shake off +her chains, and they were just foolish enough to believe it! + +Here we heard the first indistinct rumor of the battle of Shiloh--of +course, a wonderful victory to the rebels, killing thousands of +Yankees, and capturing innumerable cannon. It was the impression that +our army was totally destroyed. One countryman gravely assured me that +five hundred gunboats had been sunk. I told him I did not think the +Yankees had so many as that, but was unable to shake his faith. + +That night we stayed at Widow Hall's, and there met Andrews and some +of our other comrades. This was on the banks of the Tennessee river, +and Andrews advised us to cross there, and to take passage on the cars +at Shell Mound station, as there had been a stringent order issued to +let no one cross above, who could not present perfectly satisfactory +credentials. Andrews had these, but we had not; it was, therefore, +advisable for us to be challenged as few times as possible. We passed +a pleasant evening, during which the wit of my friend Shadrack kept us +in a continual roar of laughter. + +At last morning came, and we went down to the bank of the river to +cross. The ferryman had just swung the boat into the stream, and we +were getting into it, when a man arrived with positive orders from the +military authorities to let no one across for three days. + +Affairs now looked dark. We could not cross except at the upper +ferries, and not there unless our credentials were good. However, we +resolved to persevere, and thinking in this case, as in many others, +the boldest plan would be the safest, we again struck over the wild +spurs of the Cumberland, which here sweep directly down to the river, +on in the direction of Chattanooga, with the intention of trying to +cross there, at headquarters. + +Our journey was far from a pleasant one, and several times we lost our +road in the entanglements of the mountains; but at last we reached a +valley that ran directly down to the river, opposite Chattanooga. Here +the road was more frequented, and from the travelers we met we learned +further particulars of the battle of Shiloh. Still the accounts were +rose-tinted for the Confederates, though they now admitted a +considerable loss. + +One man gave me an interesting item of news from the East; it was, +that the Merrimac had steamed out, and after engaging the Monitor for +some time with no decisive results, had ran alongside, and throwing +grappling-hooks on her, towed her ashore, where, of course, she fell +an easy prey. He said that now they had the two best gunboats in the +world, and they would be able to raise the blockade without +difficulty, and even to burn the Northern cities. But I have not space +to tell of all the wild chimeras and absurd stories that we heard on +our entrance into a land where truth always has been contraband. From +that time forward, we heard of continuous Confederate victories, and +not one Union triumph, till in September, when they admitted that they +were repulsed by Rosecrans at Corinth. + +On reaching the river, we found a great number of persons on the bank +waiting to go over. The ferryman was there with a horse-boat, but the +wind was so high that he feared to attempt the crossing. We waited as +patiently as we could, though the time for the cars to start on the +other side had nearly arrived, and we could not well afford to miss +them. At length, the ferryman agreed to attempt the passage. He found +it very difficult. We were about an hour in crossing, though the river +was only a few hundred yards in width. Several times we were beaten +back to our own side, but at last perseverance conquered, and we +landed at Chattanooga. + +The passage was an anxious one, for we expected to find the guard +waiting for us on the other side; and then, if we failed to satisfy +them that we were loyal subjects of King Jefferson, we would at once +land in a Southern prison. Judge, then, of our delight when we saw no +guard there, and were permitted to pass unmolested and unquestioned on +our route. + +I do not yet know the reason of this sudden relaxation of vigilance. +Perhaps it was because all their attention was directed to Huntsville, +which was now occupied in force by General Mitchel. The panic produced +by this occupation was immense, as the only communication it left them +with Beauregard was by the circuitous route through Atlanta, and when, +the next day, this too was endangered, their excitement knew no +bounds. + +Chattanooga is a small town--not much more than a village. It is +pleasantly situated on the banks of the Tennessee, and is bowered in +amidst lofty mountain peaks. One of these hangs right over the town, +and is more than seven hundred feet in perpendicular hight. From its +summit parts of four States are visible--Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, +and North Carolina. It is capable of being very strongly fortified; +and though there were no works erected when I was there, many may have +been built since. It is one of the most important strategic points in +the whole South, and should have been in the possession of our forces +long ago. + +From the river we went directly to the depot. Some of our party had +arrived earlier, and gone down to Marietta on a former train. We found +the cars nearly ready to start, and after loitering around a few +minutes in the depot, which was crowded full of travelers--mostly +soldiers--we purchased our tickets and got aboard. The cars were +jammed full. There was scarcely room to stand. Many of the passengers +were soldiers who had been at home on furlough, and were returning to +join Beauregard. The conversation was mostly on the great battle which +had just been fought, and the accounts were by no means so glowing as +they had been at first; still they announced a great victory. We took +part in the conversation, and expressing as much interest as any one, +our true character was not suspected. There was at this time no system +of passports in use on that line, and travel was entirely +unrestricted. + +The sun was about an hour high as we glided out of the depot, and soon +sunk to rest behind the hills of Georgia. There were many bridges on +the road, and as we passed over them, we could not help picturing to +ourselves our proposed return on the morrow, and the probabilities of +the destruction we intended to wreck on them. Darkness gradually +closed in, and on we went amid the laughter and oaths of the +Confederates, many of whom were very much intoxicated. I procured a +seat on the coal-box, and for awhile gave myself up to the +reflections naturally suggested by the near culmination of the +enterprise in which I was engaged. Visions of former days and +friends--dear friends, both around the camp-fire and by the hearth of +home, whom I might never see again, floated before me. But gradually, +as the night wore on, these faded, and I slept. + +At midnight, we were wakened by the conductor calling "Marietta." The +goal was reached. We were in the center of the Confederacy, with our +deadly enemies all around. Before we left, we were to strike a blow +that would either make all rebeldom vibrate to the center, or be +ourselves at the mercy of the merciless. It was a time for solemn +thought; but we were too weary to indulge in speculations of the +future. We retired to bed in the Tremont House, and were soon folded +in sweet slumbers--the last time we slept on a bed for many weary +months. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +Take an Early Train--Prospecting--Capture of the Train--Panic in +Confederate Camp--Away at Lightning Speed--Thrilling Experience--Cut +the Telegraph--Tear up the Track--Unexpected Obstacle--Running a +Powder Train to Beauregard--Red Flag--Dropping Cross-Ties--Battering +out Spikes--Immense Exertion of Strength--Pursuing Backward--Terrible +Chase--Attempt to Wreck the Enemy's Train--Fearful Speed--Bold Plan. + + +The waiter aroused us at four o'clock in the morning, as we told him +we wished to take the train at that hour back to Camp McDonald, which +is located at a place called Big Shanty, eight miles north of +Marietta, and is also a breakfast station. Andrews had gone to another +hotel, and warned the members of the party there to be in readiness to +take passage. Two of them, Hawkins and Porter, who had arrived +earlier, were not warned, and were, therefore, left behind. It was not +their fault, as they had no certain knowledge of the time we were to +start, but rather thought it would be the next day. + +There were just twenty of us on the train, Andrews and nineteen +others, of whom several were engineers. We went along very quietly +and inoffensively, just as any other passengers would do, until we +reached Big Shanty. I knew that we were to take possession of the +train at this place, but did not just know how it was to be done. I +thought we would probably have to fight, and compel the conductor, +train-hands, and passengers to get off. We might have done this, but +it would have required very quick work, for there were then some ten +thousand troops, mostly conscripts, camped there, and a guard was +placed watching the train. But a far better plan was adopted. + +As soon as we arrived, the engineer, conductor, and many of the +passengers went over to the eating-house. Now was our opportunity! +Andrews, and one or two others, went forward and examined the track, +to see if everything was in readiness for a rapid start. + +Oh! what a thrilling moment was that! Our hearts throbbed thick and +fast with emotions we dared not manifest to those who were loafing +indifferently around. In a minute, which seemed an hour, Andrews came +back, opened the door, and said, very quietly and carelessly, "Let us +go, now, boys." Just as quietly and carelessly we arose and followed +him. The passengers who were lazily waiting for the train to move +on and carry them to their destination, saw nothing in the transaction +to excite their suspicions. Leisurely we moved forward--reached the +head of the train--then Andrews, Brown our engineer, and Knight, who +also could run an engine, leaped on the locomotive; Alfred Wilson took +the top of the cars as brakesman, and the remainder of us clambered +into the foremost baggage car, which, with two others, had been +previously uncoupled from the hinder part of the train. For one moment +of most intense suspense all was still--then a pull--a jar--a +clang--and we were flying away on our perilous journey. + +[Illustration: "A pull--a jar--a clang--and we were flying away on our +perilous journey."--Page 59.] + +There are times in the life of man when whole years of intensest +enjoyment seem condensed into a single moment. It was so with me then. +I could comprehend the emotion of Columbus, when he first beheld +through the dim dawn of morning, the new found, but long dreamed-of +shores of America, or the less innocent, but no less vivid joy of +Cortez, when he first planted the cross of Spain over the golden halls +of Montezuma. My breast throbbed full with emotions of delight and +gladness, that words labor in vain to express. A sense of ethereal +lightness ran through all my veins, and I seemed to be ascending +higher--higher--into realms of inexpressible bliss, with each +pulsation of the engine. It was a moment of triumphant joy that will +never return again. Not a dream of failure now shadowed my rapture. +All had told us that the greatest difficulty was to reach and take +possession of the engine, and after that, success was certain. _It +would have been_, but for unforeseen contingencies. + +Away we scoured, passing field, and village, and woodland. At each +leap of the engine our hearts rose higher, and we talked merrily of +the welcome that would greet us when we dashed into Huntsville a few +hours later--our enterprise done, and the brightest laurels of the +guerilla Morgan far eclipsed! + +But the telegraph ran by our side, and was able, by the flashing of a +single lightning message ahead, to arrest our progress and dissipate +all our fondest hopes. There was no telegraphic station where we took +the train, but we knew not how soon our enemies might reach one, or +whether they might not have a portable battery at command. To obviate +all danger on this point, we stopped, after running some four miles, +to cut the wire. + +John Scott, an active young man, climbed the pole, and with his hand +knocked off the insulated box at the top, and swung down on the wire. +Fortunately, there was a small saw on the engine, with which the wire +was soon severed. While this was being done, another party took up a +rail, and put it into the car to carry off with us. This did not long +check our pursuers, but we had the satisfaction of learning that it +threw them down an embankment, as will be narrated more fully in a +Confederate account inserted hereafter. + +When the engine first stopped, Andrews jumped off, clasped our hands +in ecstasy, congratulating us that our difficulties were now all over; +that we had the enemy at such a disadvantage that he could not harm +us, and exhibited every sign of joy. Said he, "Only one more train to +pass, and then we will put our engine to full speed, burn the bridges +after us, dash through Chattanooga, and on to Mitchel at Huntsville." +The programme would have been filled if we had met _only one_ train. + +We were ahead of time, and in order to meet the down train just _on_ +time, we were obliged to stop on the track awhile. These were tedious +moments while we waited, but soon we moved on very slowly again. At +the next station, Andrews borrowed a schedule from the tank-tender, +telling him that he was running an express powder-train through to +Beauregard. He gave the schedule, saying that he would send his shirt +to Beauregard if he wanted it. When asked afterwards if he did not +suspect anything, he said he would as soon have thought of suspecting +Jeff Davis, as one who talked with so much assurance as Andrews did! + +On we went till we reached the station where we were to pass what we +believed to be the last train. Here the switch was not properly +adjusted, and Andrews entered the station-house, without asking leave +of anybody, took down the keys, and adjusted the switch. This raised +some disturbance on the part of those around the station, but it was +quieted by telling them the same powder story. After waiting a short +time, the down train arrived, and we passed it without difficulty. But +we observed on it what we did not like--a _red flag_, indicating that +another train was behind. + +This was most discouraging, for we had now hoped to have the road +exclusively to ourselves; but still we did not despair. However, we +had yet to run on regular time, which was, unfortunately, very _slow_ +time--not more than twelve or fifteen miles an hour. Thus unavoidably +consuming our precious moments, we glided on till we reached the +station where we expected to meet what we were now sure would be our +last hindrance. We stopped on a side-track to wait for it, and there +had to remain _twenty-five_ minutes. Just as we had concluded to go +on, and risk the chances of a collision, the expected train hove in +sight. + +It was safely passed, as the other had been before; but judge of our +dismay when we beheld a _red flag_ on this train also! Matters now +began to look dark. Much of our precious time, which we had reserved +as a margin for burning bridges, was now gone, and we were still tied +down to the slow regular rate of running. Yet we could not retreat, +and had no resource but to press firmly on. This we did, and +obstructed the track as well as we could, by laying on cross-ties at +different places. We also cut the telegraph wire between every +station. + +Finally, when we were nearly to the station where we expected to meet +the last train, we stopped to take up a rail. We had no instruments +for doing this, except a crowbar, and, instead of pulling out the +spikes, as we could have done with the pinch burrs used for that +purpose by railroad men, we had to _batter_ them out. This was slow +work. We had loosened this rail at one end, and eight of us took hold +of it to try to pull the other end loose. Just as we were going to +relinquish the effort in despair, the _whistle of an engine in pursuit +sounded in our ears_! The effect was magical. With one convulsive +effort we broke the rail in two, and tumbled pell-mell over the +embankment. No one was hurt, and we took up our precious half rail, +which insured us time to pass the train ahead, before our pursuers +could be upon us. + +We were not a moment too soon, for we were scarcely out of sight of +where we had taken up the last rail, before the other train met us. +This was safely passed, and when our pursuers came to the place where +we had broken the rail, they abandoned their own train, and ran on +foot till they met the one we had just passed, and turned it back +after us, running with great speed. + +We were now aware of our danger, and adopted every expedient we could +think of to delay pursuit; but, as we were cutting the wire near +Calhoun, they came in sight of us. Then ensued the most terrible and +thrilling chase ever known on the American continent. + +We instantly put our engine to full speed, and in a moment its wheels +were striking fire from the rails in their rapid revolutions. The car +in which we were, rocked furiously, and threw us from one side to the +other like peas rattled in a gourd. Still on after us relentlessly +came the pursuers. The smoke of their engine could be distinguished in +every long reach, and the scream of their whistle sounded in our ears +around every curve. It was still necessary for us to cut the wire, +and, in order to gain time for that, we dropped a car on the track, +and, soon after, another. This left us with only the locomotive, +tender, and one baggage-car. Each time, when we stopped to cut the +wire, we would try to take up another rail; but before we could loosen +its fastenings with our imperfect tools, the approach of our enemies +would compel us to hasten on. + +The thought of a new expedient crossed my mind, which saved us for +some time longer. It was to knock out the end of our car, and drop the +rails on the track as we ran. Soon after, in one of our necessary +stoppages to take care of the telegraph, we loaded on some cross ties, +which we threw out in the same manner. One rail I reserved for a +particular purpose. When we stopped again, I took it, placed one end +under the track, and let the other project upward, jointing toward the +advancing train. It was very nearly effectual. The engineer of the +train in pursuit, who afterward visited us in prison, said that if it +had been only one inch higher, nothing could have saved their train +from wreck, because, being so dark and small, it was not noticed till +too late to stop. However, it was a little too low to hook in the bars +of the cow-catcher, as I intended. + +Our enemies pursued us with great determination. One man rode on the +cow-catcher, and, springing off, would throw the obstructions from the +track, and jump on again while they had merely checked the engine. So +great was our velocity, that most of the ties we threw out bounced off +the track; but the few that remained enabled us several times to get +out of sight of them. When this was the case, we would stop, and again +try to take up a rail, which would have given us leisure for the +greater operation of burning a bridge. + +By this time we had a few more instruments, which Andrews and Wilson +had simultaneously procured from a switch tender. We worked +faithfully, but each time, before we had loosened a rail, the +inexorable pursuers were again visible. + +I then proposed to Andrews a plan that afforded a hope of final +escape. It was to let our engineer take our engine on out of sight, +while we hid on a curve after putting a tie on the track, and waited +for the pursuing train to come up; then, when they checked to remove +the obstruction, we could rush on them, shoot every person on the +engine, reverse it, and let it drive at will back as it came. It would +have chased all the trains following, of which there were now two or +three, back before it, and thus have stopped the whole pursuit for a +time. This would have required quick work, and have been somewhat +dangerous, as the trains were now loaded with soldiers; but it +afforded a _chance_ of success. Andrews said it was a good +plan--looked all around, and then hurried to the engine, and I had no +further opportunity of discussing the subject. After we were in +prison, he said he was very sorry that we had not made the effort. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +Consternation Along the Route--Wood and Water--Attempt to Fire the +Train--Partial Failure--Message Sent to Chattanooga--Terrific +Preparations--Abandon the Train--A Capital Error--In the Woods--A +Thrilling Account of the Chase from the Atlanta "_Southern +Confederacy_." + + +All this time we were rushing through towns and villages at terrific +speed. Some passengers came down when they heard our whistle, to go +aboard, but they all shrank back amazed when they saw us pass with the +noise of thunder, and the speed of lightning. Still more were they +astonished when they saw three other trains dashing by in close +pursuit, and loaded with excited soldiers. Thus the break-neck chase +continued through Dalton, Ringgold, and the other small towns on the +route. + +But it soon became evident that it could not continue much longer. We +had taken on wood and water before we were so closely pressed, but now +our supply was nearly exhausted, and our pursuers were too close +behind to permit us to replenish it. But before yielding, we resolved +to try one more expedient. + +For this purpose, we broke open the forward end of the only box-car we +had left, and with the fragments endeavored to kindle a fire in it. +Had we succeeded, we would have detached it, left it burning on a +bridge, and run on with the locomotive alone. But the fuel on the +latter was too nearly gone to afford us kindling wood, and the draught +through the car, caused by our rapid motion, blew our matches out. At +length we succeeded in kindling a small fire; but the drizzling rain, +which had been falling all morning, blew in on it, and prevented it +from burning rapidly enough to be of any service. + +Thus our last hope expired, and our magnificent scheme, on which we +had so long thought and toiled, was a failure. But one thing more now +remained--to save ourselves, if possible. + +We were within, perhaps, fifteen miles of Chattanooga, when we +resolved to abandon the engine. Having made this resolve, we did not +cut the telegraph wire, and then, for the first time, they succeeded +in sending a message ahead of us. + +This was no serious detriment to us, but it raised the wildest +excitement in Chattanooga. The women and children instantly fled from +the town, and sought safety in the woods and mountains. The whole +military force, which was encamped near the place, came out, and +selected an advantageous position to meet us. There they planted +cannon, felled trees across the track, tore up the rails for some +distance, and waited for our approach. Their orders were for them to +make a general massacre--not to spare a single man. But we came not, +and therefore they had no opportunity to display their latent cruelty. + +It was at this point, when he saw every scheme we attempted to execute +completely foiled, that Andrews' presence of mind, for a time, seemed +to desert him. It was only fifteen miles across the country to the +Tennessee river, and we could have reached it ahead of any opposition, +had we all stuck together. One man had a compass, and with that, and +Andrews' knowledge of the country, we could have gained, and crossed +the Tennessee, and struck into the mountains beyond, before the +country could have been aroused around us. Once there, in those +interminable forests, it would have been almost impossible for them to +capture us, well armed as we were, before we could have reached the +shelter of our army. But this was not done, and this last chance of +escape was lost. + +The locomotive was run on till the wood and water were completely +exhausted, and the pursuers plainly in view. Then Andrews gave the +order for us to leave the train, disperse, and for every man to save +himself, if he could. We obeyed, jumping off the train while still in +motion, and were soon making the best of our way through the tangled +pines of Georgia. + +Before giving an account of our adventures in the woods, I will insert +the following article from the "_Southern Confederacy_," of April 15, +1862, a paper published in Atlanta, Georgia, only three days after our +adventure. This I purloined from the officer in charge of us, and +carried concealed about my clothes all the time I remained in the +South. It contains a good many errors of statement, particularly where +it refers to our numbers and plans, but is valuable as showing the +estimate the rebels placed on our enterprise, and as giving their +ideas of the chase. It also represents us as tearing up the railroad +many more times than we did. In _no case_ did they take up rails +behind, and lay them down before their train. This assertion was made +to give Messrs. Fuller and Murphy more credit at our expense. So +highly were the services of these gentlemen appreciated, that the +Georgia State Legislature, in the fall of 1862, gave them a vote of +thanks, and recommended the Governor to grant them the highest +offices in his gift. I do not know what they actually did receive. + +Below is the account: + + + THE GREAT RAILROAD CHASE! + + _The Most Extraordinary and Astounding Adventure of the + War--The Most Daring Undertaking that Yankees ever Planned + or Attempted to Execute--Stealing an Engine--Tearing up the + Track--Pursued on Foot, on Hand-Cars, and + Engines--Overtaken--A Scattering--The Capture--The Wonderful + Energy of Messrs. Fuller, Murphy and Cain--Some Reflections, + &c., &c._ + + FULL PARTICULARS!! + + Since our last issue, we have obtained full particulars of + the most thrilling railroad adventure that ever occurred on + the American continent, as well as the mightiest and most + important in its results, if successful, that has been + conceived by the Lincoln Government since the commencement + of this war. Nothing on so grand a scale has been attempted, + and nothing within the range of possibility could be + conceived, that would fall with such a tremendous, crushing + force upon us, as the accomplishment of the plans which + were concocted and dependent on the execution of the one + whose history we now proceed to narrate. + + Its _reality_--_what was actually done_--excels all the + extravagant _conceptions_ of the Arrow-Smith hoax, which + fiction created such a profound sensation in Europe. + + To make the matter more complete and intelligible, we will + take our readers over the same history of the case which we + related in our last, the main features of which are correct, + but are lacking in details, which have since come to hand. + + We will begin at the breakfast-table of the Big Shanty Hotel + at Camp McDonald, on the Western and Atlantic Railroad, + where several regiments of soldiers are now encamped. The + morning mail and passenger train had left here at four A. + M., on last Saturday morning, as usual, and had stopped + there for breakfast. The conductor, William A. Fuller; the + engineer, I. Cain, both of this city; and the passengers + were at the table, when some eight men, having uncoupled the + engine and three empty box-cars next to it, from the + passenger and baggage-cars, mounted the engine, pulled open + the valve, put on all steam, and left conductor, engineer, + passengers, spectators, and the soldiers in the camp hard + by, all lost in amazement, and dumbfounded at the strange, + startling, and daring act. + + This unheard-of act was, doubtless, undertaken at that place + and time upon the presumption that pursuit could not be made + by an engine short of Kingston, some thirty miles above, or + from this place; and that by cutting down the telegraph + wires as they proceeded, the adventurers could calculate on + at least three or four hours' start of any pursuit it was + reasonable to expect. This was a legitimate conclusion, and + but for the will, energy, and quick good judgment of Mr. + Fuller, and Mr. Cain, and Mr. Anthony Murphy, the + intelligent and practical foreman of the wood department of + the State Road shop, who accidentally went on the train from + this place that morning, their calculations would have + worked out as originally contemplated, and the results would + have been obtained long ere this reaches the eye of our + readers--the most terrible to us of any that we can conceive + as possible, and unequaled by any attempted or conceived + since this war commenced. + + Now for the chase! + + These three determined men, without a moment's delay, put + out after the flying train--_on foot_, amidst shouts of + laughter by the crowd, who, though lost in amazement at the + unexpected and daring act, could not repress their + risibility at seeing three men start after a train on foot, + which they had just witnessed depart at lightning speed. + They put on all their speed, and ran along the track for + three miles, when they came across some track-raisers, who + had a small truck-car, which is shoved along by men so + employed on railroads, on which to carry their tools. This + truck and men were at once "impressed." They took it by + turns of two at a time to run behind this truck, and push it + along all up grades and level portions of the road, and let + it drive at will on all the down grades. A little way + further up the fugitive adventurers had stopped, cut the + telegraph wires, and torn up the track. Here the pursuers + were thrown off pell mell, truck and men, upon the side of + the road. Fortunately "nobody was hurt on our side." The + truck was soon placed on the road again; enough hands were + left to repair the track, and with all the power of + determined will and muscle, they pushed on to Etowah + Station, some twenty miles above. + + Here, most fortunately, Major Cooper's old coal engine, the + "Yonah"--one of the first engines on the State road--was + standing out, fired up. This venerable locomotive was + immediately turned upon her own track, and like an old + racer, at the tap of the drum, pricked up her ears and made + fine time to Kingston. + + The fugitives, not expecting such early pursuit, quietly + took in wood and water at Cass Station, and borrowed a + schedule from the tank-tender, upon the plausible plea that + they were running a pressed train, loaded with powder, for + Beauregard. The attentive and patriotic tank-tender, Mr. + William Russell, said he gave them his schedule, and would + have sent the shirt off his back to Beauregard, if it had + been asked for. Here the adventurous fugitives inquired + which end of the switch they should go in on at Kingston. + When they arrived at Kingston, they stopped, went to the + agent there, told the powder story, readily got the + switch-key, went on the upper turn-out, and waited for the + down _way freight train to pass_. To all inquiries they + replied with the same powder story. When the freight train + had passed, they immediately proceeded on to the next + station--Adairsville--where they were to meet the _regular + down freight train_. At some point on the way they had taken + on some fifty cross-ties, and before reaching Adairsville, + they stopped on a curve, tore up the rails, and put seven + cross-ties on the track--no doubt intending to wreck this + down freight train, which would be along in a few minutes. + They had out upon the engine a red handkerchief, as a kind + of flag or signal, which, in railroading, means another + train is behind--thereby indicating to all that the regular + passenger train would be along presently. They stopped a + moment at Adairsville, and said Fuller, with the regular + passenger train, was behind, and would wait at Kingston for + the freight train, and told the conductor thereon to push + ahead and meet him at that point. They passed on to Calhoun, + where they met the down passenger train, due here at 4.20 P. + M., and without making any stop, they proceeded--on, on, and + on. + + But we must return to Fuller and his party, whom we have + unconsciously left on the old "Yonah," making their way to + Kingston. + + Arriving there, and learning the adventurers were but twenty + minutes ahead, they left the "Yonah" to blow off, while they + mounted the engine of the Rome Branch Road, which was ready + fired up, and waiting for the arrival of the passenger train + nearly due, when it would have proceeded to Rome. A large + party of gentlemen volunteered for the chase, some at + Acworth, Altoona, Kingston, and other points, taking such + arms as they could lay their hands on at the moment; and + with this fresh engine they set out with all speed, but with + great "care and caution," as they had scarcely time to make + Adairsville, before the down freight train would leave that + point. Sure enough, they discovered, this side of + Adairsville, three rails torn up and other impediments in + the way. They "took up" in time to prevent an accident, but + could proceed with the train no further. This was most + vexatious, and it may have been in some degree + disheartening; but it did not cause the slightest relaxation + of efforts, and, as the result proved, was but little in the + way of the _dead game_, pluck and resolutions of Fuller and + Murphy, who left the engine and again _put out on foot + alone_! After running two miles, they met the down freight + train, one mile out from Adairsville. They immediately + reversed the train, and ran backwards to Adairsville--put + the cars on the siding, and pressed forward, making fine + time to Calhoun, where they met the regular down passenger + train. Here they halted a moment, took on board a telegraph + operator, and a number of men who again volunteered, taking + their guns along--and continued the chase. Mr. Fuller also + took on here a company of track-hands to repair the track as + they went along. A short distance above Calhoun, they + _flushed their game_ on a curve, where they doubtless + supposed themselves out of danger, and were quietly oiling + the engine, taking up the track, &c. Discovering that they + were pursued, they mounted and sped away, throwing out upon + the track as they went along, the heavy cross-ties they had + prepared themselves with. This was done by breaking out the + end of the hindmost box-car, and pitching them out. Thus, + "nip and tuck," they passed with fearful speed Resaca, + Tilton, and on through Dalton. + + The rails which they had taken up last they took off with + them--besides throwing out cross-ties upon the track + occasionally--hoping thereby the more surely to impede the + pursuit; but all this was like tow to the touch of fire to + the now thoroughly-aroused, excited, and eager pursuers. + These men, though so much excited, and influenced by so much + determination, still retained their well-known caution, were + looking out for this danger, and discovered it, and though + it was seemingly an insuperable obstacle to their making any + headway in pursuit, was quickly overcome by the genius of + Fuller and Murphy. Coming to where the rails were torn up, + they stopped, tore up rails behind them, and laid them down + before, till they had passed over that obstacle. When the + cross-ties were reached, they hauled to and threw them off, + and thus proceeded, and under these difficulties gained on + the frightened fugitives. At Dalton they halted a moment. + Fuller put off the telegraph operator, with instructions to + telegraph to Chattanooga to have them stopped, in case he + should fail to overhaul them. + + Fuller pressed on in hot chase--sometimes in sight--as much + to prevent their cutting the wires before the message could + be sent, as to catch them. The daring adventurers stopped + just opposite and very near to where Colonel Glenn's + regiment is encamped, and cut the wires; but the operator at + Dalton _had put the message through about two minutes + before_. They also again tore up the track, cut down a + telegraph pole, and placed the two ends of it under the + cross-ties, and the middle over the rail on the track. The + pursuers stopped again, and got over this impediment in the + same manner they did before--taking up the rails behind, and + laying them down before. Once over this, they shot on, and + passed through the great tunnel at Tunnel Hill, being there + only five minutes behind. The fugitives, thus finding + themselves closely pursued, uncoupled two of the box-cars + from the engine, to impede the progress of the pursuers. + Fuller hastily coupled them to the front of his engine, and + pushed them ahead of him, to the first turn-out or siding, + where they were left, thus preventing the collision the + adventurers intended. + + Thus the engine-thieves passed Ringgold, where they began to + fag. They were out of wood, water, and oil. Their rapid + running and inattention to the engine had melted all the + brass from the journals. They had no time to repair or + refit, for an iron-horse of more bottom was close behind. + Fuller and Murphy, and their men, soon came within four + hundred yards of them, when the fugitives jumped from the + engine, and left it, three on the north side, and five on + the south side; all fleeing precipitately, and scattering + through the thicket. Fuller and his party also took to the + woods after them. + + Some gentleman, also well armed, took the engine and some + cars of the down passenger train at Calhoun, and followed up + Fuller and Murphy and their party in the chase, but a short + distance behind, and reached the place of the stampede but a + very few moments after the first pursuers did. A large + number of men were soon mounted, armed, and scouring the + country in search of them. Fortunately, there was a militia + muster at Ringgold. A great many countrymen were in town. + Hearing of the chase, they put out on foot and on horseback + in every direction, in search of the daring, but now + thoroughly frightened and fugitive men. + + We learn that Fuller, soon after leaving his engine, in + passing a cabin in the country, found a mule, having on a + bridle but no saddle, and tied to a fence. "_Here's your + mule_," he shouted, as he leaped upon his back, and put out + as fast as a good switch, well applied, could impart vigor + to the muscles and accelerate the speed of the patient + donkey. The cry of "Here's your mule," and "Where's my + mule," have become national, and are generally heard when, + on the one hand, no mule is about, and on the other when no + one is hunting a mule. It seems not to be understood by any + one, though it is a peculiar Confederate phrase, and is as + popular as Dixie, from the Potomac to the Rio Grande. It + remained for Fuller, in the midst of this exciting chase, to + solve the mysterious meaning of this national by-word or + phrase, and give it a practical application. + + All of the eight men were captured, and are now safely + lodged in jail. The particulars of their capture we have not + received. This we hope to obtain in time for a postscript to + this, or for our second edition. They confessed that they + belonged to Lincoln's army, and had been sent down from + Shelbyville to burn the bridges between here and + Chattanooga; and that the whole party consisted of nineteen + men, eleven of whom were dropped at several points on the + road as they came down, to assist in the burning of the + bridges as they went back. + + When the morning freight train which left this city reached + Big Shanty, Lieutenant-Colonels R. F. Maddox and C. P. + Phillips took the engine and a few cars, with fifty picked + men, well armed, and followed on as rapidly as possible. + They passed over all difficulties, and got as far as + Calhoun, where they learned the fugitives had taken the + woods, and were pursued by plenty of men, with the means to + catch them if it were possible. + + One gentleman who went upon the train from Calhoun, who has + furnished us with many of these particulars, and who, by the + way, is one of the most experienced railroad men in Georgia, + says too much praise cannot be bestowed on Fuller and + Murphy, who showed a cool judgment and forethought in this + extraordinary affair, unsurpassed by anything he ever knew + in a railroad emergency. This gentleman, we learn from + another, offered, on his own account, one hundred dollars + reward on each man, for the apprehension of the villains. + + We do not know what Governor Brown will do in this case, or + what is his custom in such matters; but if such a thing is + admissible, we insist upon Fuller and Murphy being promoted + to the highest honors on the road; if not by actually giving + them the highest position, at least let them be promoted by + _brevet_. Certainly their indomitable energy, and quick, + correct judgment and decision in the many difficult + contingencies connected with this unheard-of emergency, has + saved all the railroad bridges above Ringgold from being + burned; the most daring scheme that this revolution has + developed has been thwarted, and the tremendous results + which, if successful, can scarcely be imagined, much less + described, have been averted. Had they succeeded in burning + the bridges, the enemy at Huntsville would have occupied + Chattanooga before Sunday night. Yesterday they would have + been in Knoxville, and thus had possession of all East + Tennessee. Our forces at Knoxville, Greenville, and + Cumberland Gap, would, ere this, have been in the hands of + the enemy. Lynchburg, Virginia, would have been moved upon + at once. This would have given them possession of the Valley + of Virginia, and Stonewall Jackson could have been attacked + in the rear. They would have possession of the railroad + leading to Charlottesville and Orange Court House, as well + as the South Side Railroad leading to Petersburg and + Richmond. They might have been able to unite with + McClellan's forces, and attack Jo. Johnston's army, front + and flank. It is not by any means improbable that our army + in Virginia would have been defeated, captured, or driven + out of the State this week. + + Then reinforcements from all the Eastern and Southeast + portion of the country would have been cut off from + Beauregard. The enemy have Huntsville now, and with all + these designs accomplished, his army would have been + effectually flanked. The mind and heart shrink appalled at + the awful consequences that would have followed the success + of this one act. When Fuller, Murphy, and Cain started from + Big Shanty _on foot, to capture that fugitive engine_, they + were involuntarily laughed at by the crowd, serious as the + matter was--and to most observers it was indeed most + ludicrous; but _that footrace saved us_, and prevented the + consummation of these tremendous consequences. + + One fact we must not omit to mention, is the valuable + assistance rendered by Peter Bracken, the engineer on the + down freight train which Fuller and Murphy turned back. He + ran his engine fifty and a half miles--two of them backing + the whole freight train up to Adairsville--made twelve + stops, coupled to the two cars which the fugitives had + dropped, and switched them off on sidings--all this, _in one + hour and five minutes_. + + We doubt if the victory of Manasses or Corinth were worth as + much to us as the frustration of this grand _coup d' etat_. + It is not by any means certain that the annihilation of + Beauregard's whole army at Corinth would be so fatal a blow + to us as would have been the burning of the bridges at that + time and by these men. + + When we learned by a private telegraph dispatch, a few days + ago, that the Yankees had taken Huntsville, we attached no + great importance to it. We regarded it merely as a dashing + foray of a small party to destroy property, tear up the + road, &c., _a la_ Morgan. When an additional telegram + announced the Federal force there to be from 17,000 to + 20,000, we were inclined to doubt--though coming from a + perfectly honorable and upright gentleman, who would not be + apt to seize upon a wild report to send here to his friends. + The coming to that point with a large force, where they + would be flanked on either side by our army, we regarded as + a most stupid and unmilitary act. We now understand it all. + They were to move upon Chattanooga and Knoxville as soon as + the bridges were burnt, and press on into Virginia as far as + possible, and take all our forces in that State in the rear. + It was all the deepest laid scheme, and on the grandest + scale, that ever emanated from the brains of any number of + Yankees combined. It was one that was also entirely + practicable on almost any day for the last year. There were + but two miscalculations in the whole programme; they did not + expect men to start out afoot to pursue them, and they did + not expect these pursuers on foot to find Major Cooper's old + "Yonah" standing there all ready fired up. Their + calculations on every other point were dead certainties, and + would have succeeded perfectly. + + This would have eclipsed anything Captain Morgan ever + attempted. To think of a parcel of Federal soldiers, + officers and privates, coming down into the heart of the + Confederate States--for they were here in Atlanta and at + Marietta--(some of them got on the train at Marietta that + morning, and others were at Big Shanty;) of playing such a + serious game on the State Road, which is under the control + of our prompt, energetic and sagacious Governor, known as + such all over America; to seize the passenger train on his + road, right at Camp McDonald, where he has a number of + Georgia regiments encamped, and run off with it; to burn the + bridges on the same road, and to go safely through to the + Federal lines--all this would have been a feather in the cap + of the man or men who executed it. + + Let this be a warning to the railroad men and everybody else + in the Confederate States. Let an engine never be left alone + a moment. Let additional guards be placed at our bridges. + This is a matter we specially urged in the Confederacy long + ago. We hope it will now be heeded. Further, let a + sufficient guard be placed to watch the government stores in + this city; and let increased vigilance and watchfulness be + put forth by the watchmen. We know one solitary man who is + guarding a house in this city, which contains a lot of + bacon. Two or three men could throttle and gag him, and set + fire to the house at any time; and worse, he conceives that + there is no necessity for a guard, as he is sometimes seen + off duty for a few moments, fully long enough for an + incendiary to burn the house he watches. Let Mr. Shakelford, + whom we know to be watchful and attentive to his duties, + take the responsibility at once of placing a well-armed + guard of sufficient force around every house containing + government stores. Let this be done without waiting for + instructions from Richmond. + + One other thought. The press is requested by the Government + to keep silent about the movements of the army, and a great + many things of the greatest interest to our people. It has, + in the main, patriotically complied. We have complied in + most cases, but our judgment was against it all the while. + The plea is that the enemy will get the news if it is + published in our papers. Now, we again ask, what's the use? + The enemy get what information they want. They are with us + and pass among us almost daily. They find out from us what + they want to know, by passing through our country unimpeded. + It is nonsense--it is folly, to deprive our own people of + knowledge they are entitled to and ought to know, for fear + the enemy will find it out. We ought to have a regular + system of passports over all our roads, and refuse to let + any man pass who could not give a good account of himself, + come well vouched for, and make it fully appear that he is + not an enemy, and that he is on legitimate business. This + would keep information from the enemy far more effectually + than any reticence of the press, which ought to lay before + our people the full facts in everything of a public nature. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +Stupendous "Man Hunt"--My Own Adventures--Playing Acrobat--Perilous +Crossing of a River--Hunger--The Bloodhounds--Flying for Life--No Sun +or Star to Guide me--Traveling in a Circle--Nearing Chattanooga--Lost +in Deadened Timber--Glimpse of the Moon--Fatigue Produces +Phantoms--Dreadful Storm--I Sleep and enter Fairy Land--Glorious +Visions--Reality--A Picket--Romance Faded--Horrible Situation--Day +Dawn--No Relief. + + +On leaving the train, I confess for a moment my heart sunk within me. +I was alone, for no one happened to strike off in the same direction I +did. I knew not where I was--whether fifteen or fifty miles from +Chattanooga[2]--neither had I the most indefinite idea of the lay of +the country. I only knew that north or northwest would bring me to our +forces; but the sun did not shine, to give me even the points of the +compass. + +[2] The description of places and distances given in the preceding +chapter, was mostly obtained from Confederates, who afterward visited +and talked with us. + + +I supposed that the country would be aroused, and a vigorous pursuit +made, but my worst anticipations proved far short of the reality. It +was Saturday, the 12th of April, and was a general muster-day for the +conscripts over the whole country; but as soon as the news of our raid +was received, drill was suspended, and every one turned out in search +of us. Then was organized the most stupendous _man-hunt_ that ever +took place in the South. Horsemen hurried at full speed along every +road, and proclaimed the news as they went. Each planter, with his +dependents, for at least fifty miles in every direction, took his +bloodhounds and scoured the woods. Every cross-road, every river, +ford, or ferry, was at once picketed by bodies of cavalry. Large +rewards were offered, and thousands of soldiers pursued us, in +addition to the universal uprising of the citizens. The only partially +known object of the expedition imparted a tone of romantic +exaggeration to it, and made the people doubly anxious to solve the +mystery. The feeling in northern Georgia may be best conceived by +imagining what would be the excitement in the immediate vicinity, if a +party of Confederates would seize a train near Philadelphia, and +attempt to run it through Baltimore, especially if the movements of +their armies should be such as would lead to the belief that this was +only _part_ of a grand scheme! + +I will now give a personal sketch of my own adventures after leaving +the train. It was still moving when I jumped off,--fast enough to make +me perform several inconvenient gyrations on reaching the ground. Most +of the party were ahead of me. Three had taken the eastern side of the +road, and the remainder the opposite side. I followed the example of +the latter, and soon reached the cover of the stunted pines that grew +near the road. Feeling the necessity of getting away as far as +possible before the enemy could pursue us on foot, I struck off at a +rapid rate. + +Soon I passed the little brook that ran along the foot of the hill, +and pressed on up its steep side. There were three of my comrades not +far from me on the left, but I could not overtake them, and still +proceeded alone. I knew that pursuit would be rapid and instantaneous. +I seemed to hear the tread of cavalry in every breeze that sighed +through the branches of the naked forest! + +The country was rough and uneven. On the bottoms, and by the streams, +were a few pines; but on the mountain spurs, which here are a low +continuation of the Cumberland range, the timber is mostly oak and +other varieties, which were not then in foliage. This was a great +disadvantage, because it left no hiding place, and exposed us to the +view of the watchful eyes of our enemies. + +Soon I found myself in the bend of a little river that empties into +the Tennessee at Chattanooga. It was swollen by continuous rains, and +for some time I searched along its bank for a place to cross the +turbulent stream; but, seeing none, and believing that death was +behind, I committed myself to its angry current, and, after being +thoroughly soaked, and almost washed away, I succeeded in reaching the +opposite side. Here the bank rose in an almost perpendicular precipice +of more than a hundred feet in hight. I dared not recross the stream, +for I knew the enemy could not be far behind, and, therefore, I +clambered up the precipice. Several times when near the top did I feel +my grasp giving way; but as often did some bush or projecting rock +afford me the means of saving myself. At last, after the most imminent +danger, I reached the top utterly exhausted, pulled myself out of +sight, and breathed for a while. + +I had had no breakfast or dinner, and had spent not only that day, but +many preceding ones, in the most fatiguing exertion. I was very faint +and sick, and almost out of hope. I had no guide even in the direction +of home, for the sun still lingered behind an impenetrable veil. + +While I thus lay and mused on the unenviable situation in which I +found myself placed, a sound reached my ears that again sent the blood +leaping wildly through my veins. It was the distant baying of a +bloodhound! Never again will I read the story of human beings, of any +color, pursued by these revolting instruments of man's most savage +"inhumanity to man," with indifference! + +I started to my feet, and a few moments' listening confirmed my first +impression. It was true. They were after us with their bloodhounds! +not one pack alone, but all in the country, as the widening circle, +from which echoed their dismal baying, revealed but too plainly. There +was no longer safety in idleness, and I at once started up, and +hurried off, as nearly at right angles to the railroad as I could +ascertain by the whistling of the trains, which seemed to be moving in +great numbers, and much excited. The fearful barking of the dogs also +gave me a clue to avoid them. Faint and weak as I was, excitement +supplied the place of strength, and I rapidly placed a considerable +distance between myself and pursuers. + +Away across the hills and streams I sped, I knew not how far--I only +knew that the noise of the dogs grew fainter and fainter as the +evening wore on. I had distanced them, and began to breathe freer. I +even indulged the hope of being able ultimately to work my way to the +lines, and still think I might have done so, had the weather been +clear enough to permit my traveling by the sun or stars. + +As I descended the long slope of a wooded hill into a wild, solitary +valley, I saw a rude hut, and a man in the garden beside it. I +approached him to inquire the road to Chattanooga, though that was the +last place I wished to go. The answer was, that it was only eight +miles. This was nearer than I liked to be, as I rightly judged the +pursuit would be most vigorous in that vicinity. However, I continued +my journey in that direction, until out of sight, and then climbed up +the hill at right angles to my former course. I traveled this way for +some time, when an incident occurred that would have been amusing, had +it been less vexatious. + +I had often heard that persons who were lost would naturally travel in +a circle, but did not attach a great deal of credit to the assertion. +Now I had the proof. I had crossed a road, and left it for something +like an hour, during which time I walked very fast, when, to my +surprise, I came to the same place again. + +I was considerably annoyed to thus lose my labor, but struck over the +hill in what I supposed to be the right direction. Judge of my +astonishment when, after an hour or more of hard walking, I found +myself at precisely the same spot again! So much time had been lost, +that I now could hear the bloodhounds once more. I was perplexed +beyond measure. A few steps further brought me to the _same river_ I +had crossed hours before. In sheer desperation I took the first road I +came to, and followed it a long time, almost regardless of where it +should lead, or whom I should meet. + +Thus I pressed forward till twilight was deepening into darkness, when +I met a negro driving a team. From him I learned that I was within +four miles of Chattanooga; words can not describe the tide of +vexation, disappointment, and anger that swept over my breast, when I +found that in spite of my most determined efforts I was steadily +approaching the lion's mouth. But it was no use to give way to +despair. Learning from the negro the direction of both Ringgold and +Chattanooga, I resolved to make an effort to reach the Tennessee +river some eight or ten miles below Chattanooga. For this purpose, I +struck across the fields in the proper course. + +For some time now I did well enough, but before long I came to a large +field of deadened timber. When I had crossed this, I was again +completely lost. Soon, however, I reached a road which seemed to lead +right, which I followed with renewed vigor for several miles. At last +I met three men on horseback; it was too dark to tell whether they +were negroes or white men, but I ventured to ask them: + +"How far is it to Chattanooga?" + +"_Three miles!_" + +"Is this the road?" + +"Yes, sah! _right ahead_." + +I had afterwards reason to believe that these were men sent out to +arrest us, and that they did not stop me just because I was going +right to Chattanooga! + +But it was evident that I was again on the wrong road. Indeed, it +seemed as if I was so hopelessly bewildered that it was impossible for +me to travel any _but_ the wrong road. As soon as the horsemen got out +of sight, I turned and followed them three or four miles, when I came +to a large road running at right angles with my own, which terminated +where it joined the other. I deliberated for some time as to which end +of this new road I should take. I had no guide to direct me, for my +old road was too crooked even to give me the direction of the dreaded +Chattanooga. + +Many a time have I wished for a sight of the moon and stars. Long +before the clash of arms was heard in our land, before the thunder and +the wailing of battle had filled a nation with weeping, have I waited +and wished for the parting away of the tedious clouds, that, with my +telescope, I might gaze on the wonders and beauties of the worlds +above. But never did I bend a more anxious eye to the darkened +firmament, than in my solitary wanderings over the Georgia hills that +memorable night. But all in vain; no North Star appeared to point with +beam of hope to the land of the free. + +At length I started off on the road that I thought most likely to lead +me in the right direction; but as usual I had the misfortune of being +wrong; for after I had gone a long distance, the moon broke through a +rift in the clouds, and for a moment poured her light down on the dark +forest through which I was passing. That one glance was enough to show +me that I was heading back toward the railroad I had left in the +morning. Wearily I turned and retraced my tedious steps. + +One of my feet had been injured by an accident three mouths before, +and now pained me excessively. Still I dragged myself along. My nerves +had become completely exhausted by the long-continued tension they had +sustained, and now played me many fantastic tricks, which became more +vivid as the night waned away. I passed the place where I had made the +wrong choice of roads, and still toiled on. + +The rain fell in torrents now. I was thinly clad, and as the wind, +which was blowing quite hard, drove the falling showers against me, my +teeth chattered, and I shivered to the bone. I passed many houses, and +feared the barking of the dogs might betray me to watchers within; but +my fears were groundless. The storm, which was then howling fearfully +through the trees, served to keep most of those who sought our lives, +within doors. Even the barking of the bloodhounds was heard but +seldom, and then far in the distance. I seemed to have the lonely, +fearful, stormy night to myself. + +At last all thoughts gave way to the imperative necessity of repose. I +reeled to a large log that lay by the side of the road, on the edge +of a small patch of woodland, and crawling close under the side of it, +not for shelter from the driving rain, but for concealment from my +worse-dreaded human foes, I slept in peace. + +Up to this time the image of that terrible night is graven on my +memory with a scorching pen of fire. After this it changes, and with +the exception of a few real incidents that aroused me from my trance, +it floats before me in more than the voluptuous splendor of an +opium-dream. The cause of this change is a curious chapter in mental +philosophy. It was no doubt purely physical, resulting from want of +sleep, fatigue, dampness, lack of food, and intense mental exertion. +But let me narrate facts. + +When I awoke, it was with a full realization of my position. But in +addition to this, I seemed to hear some one whisper, as plainly as +ever I heard human voice: + +"Shoot him! shoot him! Let us shoot him before he wakes!" + +My first impression was, that a party of rebels had discovered my +hiding-place, and were about to murder me in my sleep, to save +themselves further trouble. But the next thought brought a new +suspicion, and I cautiously opened my eyes to test it, and see if my +senses were really playing false. + +Directly before me stood a small tree. The first glance showed a tree +and nothing more. The next showed a score of angels, all clad in +softest outlines, their heads nodding with feathery plumes above all +beauty, and their wings slowly waving with borders of violet and +pearl. The whole forest was suddenly transformed into a paradise of +radiant glory, in which moved celestial beings of every order, all +instinct with life, blushing with love, and bending their kindest +regards on me. Ladies, too, were there, fairer than ever walked the +fields of earth, embowered in roses; little cherubs with laughing +faces, on cloudlets of amber and gold, floated around. Indeed, all +that the imagination could conceive of beauty was comprised in that +one gorgeous, glorious vision. + +The most singular fact of all was, that although the brain and eye +were thus impressed with that which had no real existence, I was +perfectly calm and self-possessed, knowing the whole thing to be but a +pleasing illusion. I did not in the least fear these figures of the +brain, but on the contrary found them pleasant company. Not always, +however, did they personate the same characters. Occasionally they +would change to the old feudal knights, sometimes on horseback, +sometimes on foot, but always clad in glittering armor. + +The finest landscapes would start up from the cold, dull hills around, +like mirages in the desert; panoramas of the most vivid action passed +before me; even language was not denied to my visitants, whose voices +were inexpressibly melodious; every thought that passed through my +mind seemed sounded audibly at my side. + +Thus through the visions of night and darkness I passed rapidly on, +for now I felt refreshed and endowed with new strength. Even the +merciless pelting of the cold rain seemed pleasant and luxurious as a +cool bath in the parching heats of harvest. But beyond these +illusions, another faculty seemed to penetrate and show me, though but +dimly, the true face of the country. + +Once the two became mingled, and very nearly involved me in a serious +difficulty. At a cross-road, a considerable distance ahead, I saw what +I at first supposed to be some more of my spectral friends, standing +around a fire, the ruddy blaze of which served to render them clearly +visible. They were not quite so beautiful as those I had seen before, +but still I advanced carelessly toward them, and would probably have +continued to do so, until too late for retreat, had not my progress +been arrested by a sound of all others the least romantic. It was the +squealing of a pig they had caught, and were killing, preparatory to +roasting in the fire. + +This at once drove away the seraphs and the angels, and left me in +full possession of my faculties. I listened, and soon became convinced +that they were a picket, sent out there to watch for just such persons +as myself. They had some dogs with them, which, fortunately, were too +much absorbed in the dying agonies of the poor pig to give attention +to me. + +I crawled cautiously away, and made a long circuit through the fields. +A dog made himself exceedingly annoying by following and barking after +me. I did not apprehend danger from him, for I yet had my trusty +revolver, and had managed to keep it dry all the time; but I feared he +would attract the attention of the picket, who might easily have +captured me, for I was too weary to elude them. + +At last he left me, and I again returned to the road. I had not gone +far till I came to three horses hobbled down, which, no doubt, +belonged to the picket behind, and had to make another circuit to +avoid driving them away before me. On again reaching the road, I +pressed on as fast as possible, hoping, before the morning light, to +be beyond the circle of guarded roads, and the line of planters who +were scouring the woods with their dogs. It was a vain hope, but I +knew not then the gigantic plan of search which had been organized. + +The visions which had made the lonely forest almost a paradise, now +grew dimmer and dimmer. The roses faded, and all the forms of beauty +vanished into thin air. + +The chill horror of my situation froze deeper into my veins. I would +find myself walking along, almost asleep, then would wander a short +distance from the road to a secluded spot,--throw myself down on the +flooded ground, and sleep a few minutes; then would awaken, almost +drowned by the pitiless rain, and so sore and benumbed that I could +scarcely stagger to my feet, and plod onward. + +Thus that dreary night wore on; it seemed an age of horror, and placed +a shuddering gulf between my present life and the past. But at last +the cold gray of a clouded morning broke through the weeping sky. Day +brought no relief. Every one I saw seemed to be a foe. Still I did not +avoid them. I carefully washed all traces of that terrible night from +my clothes. The wet did not matter, for the rain was still falling +fast enough to account for that. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +Sabbath--Continuous Rain--Press Onward--Observed--Arrested--Curious +Examination--Equivocating for Life--Plans Foiled by Unexpected +News--Plundered--Jail--Terrible Reflections--New and Hopeful +Resolve--Unwelcome Visitors--Vigilance Committee Disappointed--Ordered +to Chattanooga--A Mob--Chained to the Carriage--Escort--The +Journey--Musings--Arrival--Another Mob--Benevolent Gentleman(?)--General +Leadbetter--Andrews. + + +It was Sabbath morning, but it came not to me with the blessed +calmness and peace that accompany it in my own sweet Ohio. I saw the +people going to church, and longed to go with them, but dared not +encounter the prying eyes that would have greeted a stranger, even if +I had wished thus to loiter on my journey. + +But why should I dwell longer on this dreary morning? why linger over +its miseries, deepened by the faintness of the hope that they would +ever cease, and give me again to the comfort and love of home? I +wandered on till about noon, when I was observed by some one on the +watch for strangers. This was just beyond Lafayette, Georgia. A party +of pursuit was at once organized numbering twenty or more. I knew +nothing of my danger, till they were within about fifty yards of me, +when they ordered me to stop. + +I put my hand on my pistol, and looked round. The country was level +and open for some distance, and I was too weary to run, even if some +of the party had not been mounted; therefore I made a virtue of +necessity, and stopped, asking what they wanted. They replied that +they wanted to talk with me awhile. Soon they came up, and a little, +conceited man, who had the epaulets of a lieutenant, but whom they +called major, undertook to question me. He was very bland about it, +and apologized hugely for interrupting me, but said if I was a +patriotic man, as he had no doubt I was, I would willingly undergo a +slight inconvenience for the good of the Confederacy. I endeavored to +imitate his politeness, and begged him to proceed in the performance +of his duty, assuring him that he would find nothing wrong. He then +searched me very closely for papers, looking over my money and pistol, +but found nothing suspicious. + +He next asked me who I was, where I came from, and where I was going. +I told him that I was a citizen of Kentucky, who had been disgusted +with the tyranny of Lincoln, and was ready to fight against it; that I +came to Chattanooga, but would not enlist at that place, because most +of the troops there were conscripts, and the few volunteers were very +poorly armed. I told him all about where I had been in Chattanooga, +and the troops there, for I had heard a good deal said about them as I +went down on the cars to Marietta, on the previous Friday evening. I +had also heard them praising the First Georgia, which was with +Beauregard, and now told the Major that I wanted to join it. He then +asked why I did not proceed at once to Corinth, without going so far +around the country. I alleged that General Mitchel was in the way at +Huntsville, and that I was merely making a circuit far enough around +to be out of the danger of capture. + +This seemed to be perfectly satisfactory to the little man, and +turning to the crowd he said: + +"We may as well let this fellow go on, for he seems to be all right." + +These words rejoiced me, but my joy was premature. A dark-complexioned +man, who sat on his horse, with his hat drawn down over his brows, +raised his eyes slowly, and drawled out: + +"Well, y-e-s! Perhaps we'd as well take him back to town, and if all's +right, maybe we can help him on to Corinth." + +This was rather more help than I wanted, but it was useless to demur. + +They conducted me to the largest hotel in the place, where I was +received very kindly. Soon a number of lawyers came in, and commenced +asking me all kinds of hard questions. I answered as well as I could. +When I told them I was from Kentucky, they wished to know the county. +I told them Fleming. Then they asked the county seat. This also I was +able to give; but when they required me to give the counties which +bounded it, I was nonplussed. I mentioned a few at random, but suspect +most of them were wrong. They said it looked suspicious to find a man +who could not bound his own county, but proceeded in their +examination. + +They requested a narrative of my journey all the way through from +Kentucky. This I gave very easily, as long as it was on ground that +was not accessible to them; but it sorely puzzled me to account for +the time I had been on the railroad, and for the last night, which I +spent in the woods. I had to _invent_ families with whom I +stayed--tell the number of children and servants at each, and all the +particulars. This was rather perilous, as many of my auditors knew all +the country around which I was thus fancifully populating; but I had +no alternative. I might have refused to answer at all, but this would +have been construed into positive proof of guilt--at least as good as +a _mob_ would have required. Besides, I still had a faint hope that +they might be induced to release me, and allow me to continue my +journey. As it was, my assurance puzzled them somewhat, and they held +numerous private consultations. + +But while they were thus deliberating over my case, and could only +agree that it needed further investigation, a man, riding a horse +covered with foam, dashed up to the door. He came from Ringgold, and +brought the news that part of the bridge-burners had been captured, +and that they had at first pretended to be _citizens of Kentucky, from +Fleming county_,--but, on finding that this did not procure their +release, they confessed that they were Ohio soldiers, sent out to burn +the bridges on the Georgia State Road. + +The remarkable coincidence of their first story with the one I had +been trying so hard to make the rebels believe, produced a marked +change in their conduct toward me. They at once adjourned to another +room, and, after a brief consultation, agreed to commit me to jail to +await further developments. + +The little major was my escort. He first purloined my money, then took +me to the county jail and handed me over to the jailor. This personage +took my penknife and other little articles,--then led me up +stairs,--unfastened the door of a cage of crossing iron bars, in which +was one poor fellow--a Union man, as I afterward found--and bade me +enter. My reflections could not have been more gloomy if the +celebrated inscription, _Dante_, placed over the gates of hell, had +been written above the massive iron door. + + "All hope abandon, ye who enter here." + +My feelings were terrible when the jailor turned the key in the lock, +secured the heavy iron bar that crossed the door, and left me. Never +before had I been locked up as a prisoner, and now it was no trivial +matter--a few days or weeks. There was absolutely no hope ahead. I was +there as a criminal, and too well did I realize the character of the +Southern people, to believe that they would be fastidious about proof. +Life is held too cheap in that country to cause them a long delay in +its disposal. + +In that hour, my most distressing thought was of my friends at home, +and particularly of my mother--thinking what would be their sorrow +when they heard of my ignominious fate--if indeed they ever heard, for +I had given an assumed name. That all my young hopes and ambitions, my +fond dreams of being useful, should perish, as I then had no doubt +they would, on a Southern scaffold, seemed unbearable in the extreme. +But only one moment did these thoughts sweep over me; the next they +were rejected as not calculated to profit in the least. My first +action was to borrow from my Union companion his blankets, of which he +had a plentiful supply, and wrap myself in them. The warmth they +produced soon threw me into a deep sleep,--profound and +dreamless,--such as only extreme fatigue can afford. + +I awoke hours after, feeling much refreshed, but did not at first +realize where I was; yet a glance at the woven bars which everywhere +bounded me in, brought back the knowledge that I was a prisoner; but I +did not give way to useless despair. I was almost amused at the +quaint, yet truthful remark my fellow-prisoner made to me. Said he: + +"If you are innocent of the charge they have against you, there is no +hope for you. But if it is true, you may save yourself by telling +what regiment and company you belong to, and claiming protection as a +United States prisoner of war." + +I thought a good deal over this opinion, and became more and more +impressed with its wisdom. It contained a truth that I could not +gainsay. To hang a poor stranger in the South would be a common-place +affair--only what was often done by the Southerners before the war +began. In fact, they did kill a man at Dalton, under circumstances of +the greatest cruelty, because he cheered as we dashed through the +town. Afterward they found out that the man was as good a rebel as any +of them, and had merely cheered because he thought we, too, were +rebels; then they set the matter right by apologizing to his friends! + +It was quite different in the case of our soldiers. If they were +murdered, there was an unpleasant probability that some of the +chivalry themselves would have to suffer in retaliation. Besides, I +reflected with a glow of hope, the first I experienced since I fell +into their hands, that our government held a number of rebels, who had +been taken in Missouri on a similar expedition. All day and night I +mused on these things, and endeavored to come to such a decision as +would be for the best. When I heard of the capture of many of our +party, and the announcement of the regiments to which they belonged, +showing that they had been influenced by the same considerations I had +been revolving, I at once determined to rest my fate on my claim as a +United States soldier. I believe that this decision ultimately saved +my life. + +All this time I was not in loneliness. Throngs of Georgians came in to +see the caged Yankee--both ladies and gentlemen. Many were the odd +remarks they made, criticising every feature, and not a few adding +every possible word of insult. The whole day they crowded in, and I +was glad when the approach of night put an end to the annoyance. + +The coarse food the jailor brought was eaten with such a relish as +hunger only can impart. I was fortunate in respect to quantity, for my +companion was not well, and could not eat much; but I atoned for his +shortcoming by eating both of our allowances without difficulty. + +In the morning, they took me before a self-constituted committee of +vigilance. These committees were very common in the South, and still +more summary in their modes of administering justice, or rather +vengeance, than were the celebrated vigilance committees of San +Francisco, in the early history of the gold mines. They were prepared +with a board of the most eminent lawyers in the vicinity, and no doubt +hoped to entangle me still more deeply in the meshes of contradiction +than they did the day before. But I cut the whole matter short by +saying: + +"Gentlemen, the statements I gave you yesterday were intended to +deceive you. I will now tell you the truth." + +The clerk got his pen ready to take down the information. + +"Go on, sir; go on," said the president. + +"I am ready," said I, "to give you my true name and regiment, and to +tell you why I came into your country." + +"Just what we want, sir. Go on," said they. + +"But," I returned, "I will make no statement whatever, until taken +before the regular military authority of this department." + +This took them by surprise, and they used every threat and argument in +their power to induce me to change my purpose, but in vain. My reason +for this, was to avoid the violence of mob law. While in the hands of +the populace, there was danger of the summary infliction of punishment +that the military authorities could disavow, if our government +threatened retaliation. But if I was once under the regular military +jurisdiction, they would be responsible both to the United States and +to the civilized world. + +When they found that I would tell them nothing further, they made +arrangements to take me to Chattanooga, which was distant twenty +miles. It was the same to Ringgold, near which we abandoned the train. +Thus it will be seen that in that long and terrible night I had +traveled twenty miles in a straight line, and, with my meanderings, +must have walked fifty. + +I was remanded to the jail to wait for the preparation of a suitable +escort. Here I remained till after dinner, when I was guarded by about +a dozen men to the public square. A carriage was in waiting, in which +I was placed, and then commenced the process of tying and chaining. + +A great mob gathered around, completely filling the whole square, and +was exceedingly angry and excited. They questioned me in loud and +imperious tones, demanding why I came down there to fight them, and +adding every possible word of insult. I heard many significant hints +about getting ropes, and the folly of taking me down to Chattanooga, +when I could be hanged just as well there. + +However, as the mob grew more violent in their denunciations, I +selected some of the more intelligent ones and addressed them. They +answered with curses; but in the very act of cursing, they grew milder +and more willing to converse. I was not very much in the humor for +talking, but following the dictates of policy rather than inclination, +I answered their innuendoes merrily, and soon had some of the laughers +on my side. Before long, I heard some of them say, "Pity he is a +Yankee, for he seems to be a good fellow." This was gratifying, and we +were soon ready to start. + +I had been secured in such a manner as to make assurance doubly sure. +A heavy chain was put around my neck and fastened by a padlock; the +other end was hitched to one foot, and secured in the same manner; the +chain being extended to its full length, while I was in a sitting +position, making it impossible for me to rise.--My hands were tied +together; my elbows were pinioned to my side by ropes; and, to crown +all, I was firmly bound to the carriage seat! + +My evil genius, the little major, took the seat beside me as driver. +He was armed to the teeth. Two other officers on horseback, likewise +fully armed, constituted the rest of the guard that was thought +necessary to attend one chained and helpless Yankee. Oh! spirit of +chivalry! how art thou fallen! No longer one brave Southern knight a +match for eight or ten Northern mudsills; but three well-armed +officers to guard one chained Union soldier! The same exaggerated +caution I frequently noticed afterward. There seemed to be a perpetual +fear on the minds of the miscreants that we were about to do something +desperate. + +As we journeyed along, the sky, which for days had been overcast, and, +during that time, had hardly afforded us a glimpse of its celestial +blue, became suddenly clear. The sun shone out in beauty, and smiled +on the first faint dawnings of spring that lay in tender green on the +surrounding hills. I am ever very sensitive to the influences of +nature in all its phases, and now felt my spirit grow more light as I +breathed the fresh air, and listened to the singing of the birds. + +My companions were quite talkative, and though I hated them for the +indignity they had thus put upon me in chaining me as a criminal, yet +I knew it would be unavailing to indulge a surly and vindictive +disposition, and therefore talked as fast and as lively as they could. + +My guards, themselves, did not subject me to any insults, and even +endeavored to prove that the extraordinary manner in which I was bound +was a compliment to me. I could not see it in that light, and would +have willingly excused the tying and the compliment together! The +worst was that when they passed any house they would call out, "We've +got a live Yankee here;" then men, women, and children, would rush to +the door, and stare as though they saw some great monster, asking: + +"Whar did you ketch him? Goin' to hang him when you get him to +Chattanooga?" and similar expressions without end. + +This was only amusing at first, but its perpetual recurrence soon grew +terribly wearisome, and was not without its effect in making me +believe they really would hang me. In fact, my expectation of escaping +was never very bright; yet I considered it my duty to keep up my +spirits as well as I could, and not despair till it really was certain +that there remained no ground for hope. The afternoon wore slowly away +as we traveled along, passing some very grand and romantic scenery, +that in any other frame of mind would have been enthusiastically +enjoyed; but now my thoughts were otherwise engaged. + +It was not the thought of death I so much dreaded, as the manner of +death. Death amid the smoke, and excitement, and glory of battle, was +not half so terrible as in the awful calmness and chill horror of the +scaffold! And sadder yet, to think of my friends, who would count the +weary months that had gone by, and wish and long for my return, till +hope became torturing suspense, and suspense deepened into despair. +These thoughts were almost too much for stoicism; yet there was no +alternative but to patiently endure. + +The sun went down, and night came on--deep, calm, and clear. One by +one the stars twinkled into light. I gazed upon their beauty with new +feelings, as I wondered whether the short, revolving course of a few +more suns might not bring me a dweller above the stars! And as I +thought of the blessed rest for the weary beyond the shores of time, +my thoughts took a new direction. I was not then a professor of +Christianity, but had often and believingly thought of the great +interests of the future, and had resolved to make them my particular +study; but had never hitherto addressed myself in earnest to the task, +and latterly, the confusion and bustle of a camp-life had almost +driven the subject out of my mind. But now, whether it came from the +clustering stars above, or from the quiet and stillness so congenial +to exhausted nature, after the weariness and excitement of the last +few days, or from a still deeper source, I know not. I only know that +the memory of that night, when I was thus being carried chained to an +unknown fate, is one of the sweetest of my life. My babbling guards +had subsided into silence, and, as we wended along through the +gathering darkness, high and noble thoughts of the destiny of man +filled my breast, and death seemed only the shining gate to eternal +and blissful life. I was nerved for any fate. + +We arrived at Chattanooga while a feeble glow of the soft spring +twilight still lingered on the earth. We immediately drove to the +headquarters of General Leadbetter, then commanding that place, and +while our guards ascended to inform him of our arrival, I was left in +the carriage. As soon as we entered the town, the word was given: + +"We've got a live Yankee; one that took the train the other day." + +I was not the first one of the party captured, but was the first +brought to Chattanooga. The curiosity to see one of the men who had +frightened women and children into the woods, was, of course, most +extreme, and an immense crowd soon gathered around. They behaved just +as Southern mobs usually do--jeering and hooting--calling me by every +epithet of reproach the language afforded, and wanting to know why I +came down there to burn their property, and murder them and their +children. To these multitudinous questions and assertions I made no +answer. I was greatly amused (afterward!) by their criticisms on my +appearance. One would say that "it was a pity that so young and +clever-looking a man should be caught in such a scrape." Another, of +more penetrating cast, could tell that "he was a rogue by his +appearance--probably came out of prison in his own country." Another +was surprised that I could hold up my head and look around on honest +men--arguing that such brazen effrontery was a proof of enormous +depravity of heart. I did not give my opinion on the subject. Indeed, +it was not asked. + +There was one man I noticed in particular. He was tall and +venerable-looking; had gray hair, gray beard, a magnificent forehead, +and an altogether commanding and intellectual expression of +countenance. He was treated with great deference, and appeared to me +most like a doctor of divinity. As he parted his way through the +crowd toward me, I thought: + +"Surely I will receive some sympathy from that noble-looking man." + +His first question was calculated to confirm my impression. Said he: + +"How old are you?" + +I answered, "Twenty-two, sir." + +Gradually his lip wreathed itself into a curl of unutterable scorn, as +he slowly continued: + +"Poor young fool! and I suppose you was a school-teacher, or something +of that kind in your own land! and you thought you would come down +here and rob us, and burn our houses, and murder us, did you? Now let +me give you a little advice: if you ever get home again, (but you +never will,) do try, for God's sake, and have a little better sense, +and stay there!" + +Then he turned contemptuously on his heel, and strode away, while the +rabble around rewarded him with a cheer. I never could find out who he +was. After that I looked no more for sympathy in that crowd. + +My conductors now returned, and escorted me into the presence of +General Leadbetter. They said he was a Northern man; but if so, it is +very little credit to my section, for he was one of the most +contemptible individuals I ever knew. He was a perfect sot, and had +just two states of body, as a Confederate captain afterwards explained +to us--these were, dead drunk, and gentlemanly drunk. He oscillated +constantly between these two. He was a coward as well, and though only +a brigadier-general, managed to stay as far away from the field when +the fight was going on, as one of our own most conspicuous +major-generals did. He had been promoted to his present position for +his _gallantry_ in hanging some defenceless East Tennessee citizens, +which he did without a trial. + +All these facts I learned afterward, except one, which was apparent +when I entered the room. He was "gentlemanly drunk." He commenced +questioning me, and I told him partly the truth, and partly not--going +on the principle that truth is a pearl, and pearls are not to be +thrown before swine. I told him that I was a United States soldier, +giving him my company and regiment; but saying that I was detailed +without my consent, that I was ignorant of where I was going, and what +I was to perform, which I only learned as fast as I was to execute it. +He wanted to know our intention in thus seizing the engine, but I +plead ignorance. He next inquired who was our engineer, but I refused +to tell. He then said: + +"Sir, I want you to tell me just how many men you had on that train, +and to describe them so I may know when I get them." + +I answered, "General, I have freely told you whatever concerns only +myself, because I thought it better that you should know that I am a +soldier under the protection of the United States, but I have not yet +become base enough to describe my comrades!" + +"O!" sneered he, "I don't know that I ought to have asked you that." + +"I think not, sir," I replied. + +"Well," said he, "I know all about it. Your leader's name is Andrews. +What kind of a man is he?" + +I was perfectly astonished that he should have Andrews' name, and know +him to be our leader; but I never imagined what I afterward found to +be the true cause--that Andrews had been captured, and had given his +name, with the fact that he was the leader of the expedition. I had +every confidence that _he_ would get away, and try some measures for +our relief; so I answered boldly: + +"I can tell you only one thing about him, and that is, he is a man +whom you will never catch." + +I _thought_ I noticed a peculiar smile on the General's face as I said +this, but he only replied: + +"That will do for you;" and turning to a captain who stood by, he +continued, "take him to the hole; you know where that is." + +With a nod in reply, the captain took me out of the room. As I passed +through the door, I saw an explanation of the General's smile. There +stood Andrews, ironed, waiting an audience, and Marion Ross and John +Williams with him. I did not choose to recognize them; for such +recognition might have compromised them, as I knew not what course +they would pursue. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +Negro Prison--Swims, the Jailor--Horrible Dungeon--Black Hole of +Calcutta--Suffocation--Union Prisoners--Slave Catching--Our Party +Reunited--Breakfast Lowered by Rope--Hunger--Counseling--Fiendish +Barbarity--Chained in the Dungeon--Andrews tried as a Spy and +Traitor--Sweet, but Stolen News--Removed from Dungeon--Pure Air and +Sunlight--Attacked by a Mob--"A Friend"--Madison--Daring Adventure and +Narrow Escape. + + +The captain now called a guard of eight men, and conducted me through +the streets for some time; at last we came to a little brick building, +surrounded by a high board fence. Those who have ever been in +Chattanooga, and visited the negro prison, will recognize my +description. A portion of the building was occupied by the jailor, but +the prison part consisted of two rooms, one under the other, and also +partly underground. This under room had no entrance from the outside, +but was accessible only through a trap-door from the room directly +overhead. + +Chattanooga is not a county-seat, and, therefore, this prison was +built only for the accommodation of negroes by their humane owners. + +The jailor, Swims, was a character, and merits a particular +description. He was an old man--perhaps sixty. His hair, which was +very abundant, was white as snow, and his face had a dry and withered +expression. His voice was always keyed on a whining tone, except when +some great cause, such as the demand of prisoners for an extra bucket +of water, excited him, and then it rose to a hoarse scream. Avarice +was his predominant, almost his only, characteristic. He seemed to +think his accommodations were vastly too good for negroes and Yankees, +and that when they were admitted within his precincts, they should be +thankful, and give as little trouble as possible. With such notions, +it was not wonderful that he managed to make the lot of the prisoner +an uncomfortable one. In addition to this, he was very fond of a dram, +and frequently became sufficiently intoxicated to reveal many +important matters that we would not otherwise have learned. + +He bustled to the gate, growling all the time about being troubled so +much, unlocked it, and admitting us, led us up the outside stairway, +and then into the upper room. I now saw why the General called the +place a "hole," and truly I thought the name was appropriate. It was +only thirteen feet square, destitute of every convenience, without +chairs, beds, or anything of the kind. There were in it five or six +old, miserable-looking men, who had not been washed for months. The +place looked hard to me, and I shuddered at the idea of taking up my +abode in such a den. But I soon found that I was not to enjoy that +luxury. + +Said the jailor to the captain, "Where shall I put him?" + +"Below, of course," was the reply. + +The jailor then advanced to the middle of the floor, and taking a +large key from his pocket, knelt down and unlocked two rusty locks; +then, with a great effort, raised a ponderous trap-door just at my +feet. The hot air and the stifling stench smote me back, but the +bayonets of the guards were just behind, and I was compelled to move +forward again. A long ladder was next thrust down through the +trap-door, and the inmates warned to stand from under. A mingled +volley of cries, oaths, and questions ascended, and the ladder was +secured. The captain then ordered me to descend into what seemed more +like Pandemonium than any place on earth. Down I went into the +cimmerian gloom--clambering step by step to a depth of fully thirteen +feet; for the place, as I afterwards learned, when I had more leisure +for observation, was a cube, just thirteen feet each way. I stepped +off the ladder, treading on human beings I could not discern, and +crowding in as best I might. + +[Illustration: "Down I went into the cimmerian gloom--clambering step +by step to a depth of fully thirteen feet."--Page 129.] + +The heat was so great that the perspiration broke from me in streams. +The foeted air made me for a time deadly sick, and I wondered whether +it could be possible they would leave human beings in this horrible +place to perish. The thought of the black hole at Calcutta, where so +many Englishmen died, rushed over me. True, this was done by the cruel +and savage East Indians, while we were in the hands of "our Southern +brethern," the "chivalry;" but I could not perceive that this +difference of captors made any difference of treatment. + +My breath came thick and heavy, and I thought of suffocation. The +ladder was drawn up, and with a dull and heavy sound that seemed +crushing down on my heart, the trap-door fell. I wedged and jammed my +way through the living throng to the window. The one I reached was +just under the wooden stairs, and, of course, gave no light. The other +was below the surface of the ground. They were at opposite sides of +the room, and were only about a foot square, being filled with a +triple row of thick set iron bars, that almost excluded every current +of air. I pressed my face close to the bars, and breathed the purest +air I could get, until I became partly reconciled to the oppression, +and then turned to ascertain the condition of my companions. It was +wretched beyond description. They were ragged, dirty, and crawling +with vermin. Most of them were nearly naked; but this was no +inconvenience there, for it was so warm that those who had clothes +were obliged to take them off, and nearly all were in a state of +nudity. I soon found it necessary myself to disrobe, and even then the +perspiration poured off me most profusely. It was an atmosphere of +death. + +Yet among the prisoners were old men, just trembling on the verge of +the grave, who were arrested merely because they had ventured to +express a preference for the old, well-tried Government, over the new, +slave-built Confederacy. The cruelty practiced on the Tennessee Union +men will never half be told. It forms the darkest page in the history +of the war. In every prison of which I was an inmate in Georgia and +Virginia, as well as in Tennessee, I found these miserable but +patriotic men thus heartlessly immured. But I will speak more of them +hereafter; at that time the thought of my own danger banished every +other consideration. + +There were fourteen white men in the room beside myself, and one +negro. I wonder what those tender soldiers, who consider it derogatory +to their dignity to fight in the same army that blacks do, would think +if they were confined with them so closely that there was no +possibility of getting away. But we endured too many real evils to +fret at imaginary ones; and besides, Aleck was so kind and +accommodating, so anxious to do everything in his power for us, that +he soon became a general favorite; and when he was taken out to be +whipped, as he was several times, to ascertain whether he was telling +a true story or not, we could not help feeling the sincerest sympathy +for him. + +The Southern method of catching stray negroes is about this: When one +is found traveling without a pass, he is arrested, taken to the jail, +and severely flogged. This usually brings some kind of a confession +from him, and he is advertised in accordance with that confession. If +no answer is received in a limited time, it is taken for granted that +he lied, and he is whipped again, in order to bring a new confession. +Thus they continue alternately whipping and advertising, till the +close of the year. If a master is found before this, he can pay the +costs and take his property; if not, the negro is sold to pay the jail +and whipping fees. No trial is ever allowed at which the negro might +prove himself free. When once arrested his doom is sealed, and in this +way many free negroes are enslaved. + +Aleck had been in this prison seven months, and was to remain five +more, with no other prospect than that of being sold into perpetual +bondage! + +Every society has its aristocrats, and here I soon found that the +eminence was given to those who were charged with the most daring +deeds. The spy--there was but one so accused, and he was +blind,[3]--was considered much above the ordinary Union men. I was +charged with the greatest adventure of any confined there, and, of +course, was treated with becoming deference. + +[3] The rebels thought he was counterfeiting blindness, but I believe +it was real. + +I was not long the only one of the _engine-thieves_, (by which name we +were known during our stay in the Confederacy,) who was confined in +this dungeon. Soon the trap-door again opened, causing a stream of +comparatively cool air from the room above to rush down. It was an +inconceivable relief--a _luxury_ that none could appreciate who had +not, as we had, been deprived of that greatest blessing God has given +to man--pure air. + +We wondered who was coming next, as the feeble glimmering of a candle +above revealed several forms descending. The Tennesseeans cried out: + +"Don't put any more down here! We're full! We'll die if more are put +down!" which did not seem improbable. + +But these remonstrances produced no effect. Down they came, and I, +stationing myself at the foot of the ladder, spoke something +indifferently to them, and heard my name called in return. + +It was Andrews, Wollam, and Ross, who gave me their hands in silent +condolence of our common misery. Still others were brought, I do not +now remember whether that evening, or in the morning. Again the door +was closed, and the free air, which had seemed to flow to us in +sympathy, was once more shut out. + +We tried to arrange ourselves to secure the repose we so much needed, +but the room was too small. Think of this, ye who sleep on your downy +beds at home. Here were your brothers of Ohio, not only compelled to +sleep on the bare floor, but not even enough of that, in this vilest +of dens, on which to lie down at all! and yet some of you sympathize +with those who were the authors of this cruelty, and think it so hard +that their property should be confiscated for such trifles as these, +and, worst of all, that their negroes should be taken from them! What +shall we think of _you_? + +We did the best we could. Some found room to lie down. Others sat +against the wall, and still others leaned on the breasts of those who +were thus supported. It is no wonder if, while in such a situation we +should be afflicted with the nightmare, and have innumerable bad +dreams. If any one wanted to move his position, or go for a drink, +(and the stifling heat rendered us all very thirsty,) he was sure to +tread on his neighbors, and tempers being naturally very short here, +some warm altercations took place, which contributed still more to +disturb our slumbers. + +The next morning we slept late. Indeed, as long as we remained in this +prison we were inclined to sleep much. The great quantity of carbonic +acid gas our breathing produced, seemed to act as an opiate, and thus +served, in some measure, to deaden the sense of pain. We were aroused +the next morning--early, as we supposed--by the opening of the door +above, and the delicious shower of cool air that fell on us. As we +looked up, we saw the white head of our old jailor bending over, and +saying, in drawling tones, "Boys, here's your breakfast," and down he +lowered a bucket, by a rope, containing a very small piece of bread, +and the same of meat, for each of us. This was seized and devoured +almost instantly. I had received nothing to eat since breakfast the +day before, and the little morsel I got only served to whet my +appetite; but there was no more! We asked what time it was, and were +told nine o'clock. We were also informed that we would get our meals +only twice a day. This was rather discouraging information for persons +as hungry as ourselves, but we had no remedy. + +During the day a few more of our party came in, and among them was G. +D. Wilson. I found that they had all done as I had in acknowledging +themselves United States soldiers, influenced by the same reasons, and +most of them sooner than myself. We consulted about the matter, and +concluded that the only hope we had, was in adhering to the same +story, and trying to make them believe that we were actually detailed +without our consent, and without a knowledge of what we had to do. +This was true for part, but not for all, or even for the most of us. +We agreed to conceal the name of the engineer at all hazards--the fact +of a previous expedition being sent down into Georgia, and that +Campbell was not a soldier--also our previous acquaintance with +Andrews, thus leaving him free to make his own defense. With the +exception of these reserved facts, which were not even to be whispered +among ourselves, we were to talk freely; to answer all questions and +convey the impression that we had nothing to conceal. We carried out +this idea, and, as more of our men came in, they agreed to it, and +gave, without reserve, their true names, companies, and regiments. +This course gained us sympathy from those whose bosoms were not +steeled against every kindly feeling; and to this, more than anything +else, I attribute the fact of some of the party being alive to-day. + +We afterward communicated our plan to Andrews, who cordially approved +it--saying that if we adhered to it there would be some chance for our +lives. We did adhere to it, and no amount of persuasion, threatening, +or promises, could induce any of the party to betray one of our +reserved secrets. The rebels were particularly anxious to discover who +was the engineer, and would first ask the question in the most +careless manner; then afterward would sternly demand to know. They +even employed a man, who was a freemason, to visit the party, and try +to gain the confidence of one of our number, who belonged to that +order, and subsequently urge him to tell the desired name, under the +sanction of the masonic oath! But all in vain. + +As others of our party joined us, in bands of two or three, they told +the story of their capture. This was, in some cases, most thrilling, +and still further illustrates the fiendish barbarities of the rebels. + +Two of them, Parrott and Robinson, who were captured the same day they +left the train, were taken to Ringgold. Here they endeavored to compel +Parrott, who was the youngest looking of the party, to betray his +companions, and particularly the engineer; but he refused to do it; +then these villains in Confederate uniform, stripped him naked, and +stretched him down on a rock, four men holding him by each hand and +foot, while two others stood by with loaded revolvers, threatening him +with instant death if he offered the least resistance; then a rebel +lieutenant commenced whipping him with a raw hide; three different +times he ceased and raised Parrott up, asking him if he was ready to +confess; but the heroic boy refused, and at last the whipping was +discontinued, after more than a hundred lashes had been inflicted. His +back remained sore a long time, and he suffered very much from being +obliged to lie on the hard floor. They did not apply anything to his +wounds to heal them, and the scars still remain. + +All the party came in chained, but of course expected, when they were +put down into the dungeon--and _such_ a dungeon!--that they would at +least have the use of their hands. But this was too great an +indulgence to be allowed. We were handcuffed, and then chained +together by the neck in twos and threes. My partner was William +Reddick, to whom I was _strongly attached_ for some time! + +Thus chained together, packed into a little cramped dungeon, deprived +even of light, and almost of air, crawled over by all kinds of vermin, +for there were innumerable rats, mice, and bugs, as well as a smaller +and still more pestiferous insect, we presented a picture of nearly +perfect misery. + +In this state we remained almost three weeks. During this time Andrews +had received a trial. The evidence was strong against him. A Mr. +Whiteman, whom Andrews himself had directed to be summoned, and who +was a former business partner of his, testified that Andrews had been +repeatedly in the South, that he had professed allegiance to the +Southern Confederacy, and in all things represented himself to be a +citizen of the same. In fact he had passes in his possession when he +was captured that could hardly have been obtained without his taking +the oath of allegiance. This did much to sustain the charge of treason +against him, as he admitted being the leader of the expedition. The +other indictment, which was that of being a spy, was not supported by +any evidence, so far as I could learn; but this was of no importance, +as the punishment of the first charge was death. However, the sentence +was not then given, and Andrews' lawyers gave him some reason to hope +that there was an informality in the proceedings which would render +the whole trial void. + +All this time we were most intensely anxious to know how military +affairs were progressing in the world without. I had appropriated from +an officer in charge of us, a paper containing the Confederate account +of our chase, which has been given before, and also an admission that +the battle of Shiloh was not so much of a victory as they had at first +supposed. We managed, likewise, to get one or two other papers which +gave the welcome news that our armies were still pressing onward, and +earnestly did we wish and hope that Chattanooga would be reached in +time to effect our deliverance. + +But the best item of news we received, was from our old jailor, who, +on one occasion, became too drunk to remember the orders he had +received against telling us anything, and let out the very interesting +fact that General Mitchel had advanced to Bridgeport, only +twenty-eight miles below us, on the Tennessee river, and there had +sorely defeated the rebels, capturing some of the very same men who +had been guarding us a few days before. + +This was very cheering, and we began to hope that we, too, would soon +be captured. The officer of the guard was obviously uneasy. All the +time we were in the dungeon, we had been guarded by twenty-six men, +with a captain over them. This was certainly enough to keep +twenty-two, confined and chained as we were, in our place, but we +thought it would be a capital joke should they be captured with us! + +But it was not their intention to let us fall into Mitchel's hands. An +order was sent to the captain in charge to prepare us for moving. He +did so; and soon after, we were in the cars, carried down the same +road we came up so rapidly three weeks before. + +How beautiful all nature appeared! It was May, and the time we had +spent without one glance at the expansive sky or green earth, had not +been lost in the material world. The landscape had been robed in a +richer verdure, the budding trees had swelled into leafy screens, the +sky was of a softer blue, the birds warbled with new melody, and +everything seemed to wear its holiday dress. + +O, the joy! the gladness! of being once more under the canopy of +heaven, and of looking up to its unfathomable depths, with no envious +bars to obstruct our view. Many a time have I passed the month of May, +amidst the most romantic scenery, but never yet did I so deeply feel, +that this is indeed a pleasant world, full of beauty and goodness, as +on that balmy evening, when the rays of the setting sun, glowing from +the west, streamed over the grass and wheatfields on their path, and +poured in mellowed, yellow radiance, through our car-window. But even +then the glories of earth and sky could not make me forget that I was +still chained to my companion, and surrounded by guards with gleaming +bayonets. + +The wild excitement caused by our raid had not subsided in the least, +and as it became known that we were passing along the road, a mob +greeted us at every station. It is not necessary to again describe +these mobs, for all are alike, and one description answers for many. +They were, as usual, rude, loquacious, and insulting. + +When we arrived in Atlanta, which was in the morning, there was no +jail-room for us; but before going further, we were obliged to wait +for the evening train. When it became known in the city that we were +there, a mob instantly collected, and prepared to hang us. They were +prevented by our guard, probably on the principle that a mouse is +protected by a kitten--that it may have the pleasure of first playing +with it, and afterwards killing it itself. During the progress of the +strife between those who wanted to hang us and those who wanted the +law to take its course, several persons were severely injured. But +while the disturbance was in progress, one man succeeded in reaching +the car window unnoticed, and handed us a paper, using only the single +but magical word--"a friend"--and then was lost in the throng. We read +the paper by snatches as the attention of the guard was directed to +other objects, and found it to contain glorious news--nothing less +than _the capture of New Orleans by our fleet_! Need I say that, for +the time, all thought of private misfortune was lost in the +exhilaration of national triumph? + +The cause of secession then looked gloomy. I took particular pains to +talk with the officer in charge of us, and other intelligent rebels, +about their prospects, and found them discouraged. Our captain would +not let us have any newspapers, or _knowingly_ give us any +information; yet he thought it no harm to talk with us on the great +subject of the war, after we had learned the facts from other sources. +Frequently, by pretending to know, we could get from him a full idea +of things concerning which we were ignorant before. Of this character +was McClellan's advance on Richmond. The captain admitted that he was +moving with an overwhelming force, and that they had then but a +comparatively small army to resist him. Indeed, everything looked +bright for the Union cause, and the only uneasiness that disturbed us +was the apprehension that we might not live to witness that happy +triumph which now seemed so near. + +In the evening we glided on again, and at length arrived at Madison. +This is a flourishing village, and looked well as we entered it. +There were then some six hundred of our prisoners confined there, and +we indulged the hope that we might be put with them. But we soon +learned that the brand of criminality for our daring adventure still +rested on us; for we were marched past the dilapidated cotton factory +where our friends were confined, to the old county jail, which was +then entirely unoccupied. It was a gloomy stone building, and had two +rooms, but both had doors, and were above ground. Of the upper story I +can not speak, as our party was divided, and I was one that was +assigned to the lower apartment. The room was very dark, and its heavy +stone walls rendered it quite damp. It would have seemed like a +wretched place, had it not been for our previous experience in +Chattanooga. Besides, we were now further from the influence of +General Leadbetter, and only under the control of our captain, who +showed us some kindness, though we were still in irons. + +The citizens of the place were freely admitted to see us, and ranged +themselves--always in the presence of the guard--along one side of the +cell, and talked about all the exciting topics of the day. They +pretended to admire us very much, and contrasted our daring expedition +with what they were pleased to call the cowardice of the Yankees +generally, and asked if there were any more like us in the army. +Wilson, of Cincinnati, assured them that we were the poorest men in +Mitchel's Division, and only sent away because he had no use for us. +This rather astonished them; but from the way in which Mitchel, with +his small and divided force, was controlling Northern Alabama, and +much of Eastern Tennessee, as well as defeating them at all points, +they were rather inclined to believe it. + +But among these visitors was one who came not for mere curiosity. He +was dressed in rebel uniform, but was instantly recognized by Andrews +as a _spy in the service of the United States_. They had no +opportunity for private communication, but our situation was revealed +in such a way as not to excite suspicion. His character was made known +to us by Andrews, after his departure; and while we were wondering at +his audacity, and rather inclined to disbelieve the story, the captain +of the guard, who had come to bring supper, told us that a most +remarkable occurrence had taken place that afternoon. + +He said that the Provost-Marshal had learned, from some source, that a +spy of Lincoln's had been among our visitors, and had at once sent a +guard to arrest him. The guard found him at the depot, just as the +cars were coming in. The stranger was very indignant at his arrest, +and told them scornfully that he had papers in his pocket that would +prove his character anywhere. They were somewhat abashed at this, and +released their hold on him, but asked him to produce the papers. He +put his hand in his pocket, as though searching for them, and fumbled +about, until he noticed that the train, which was starting, had +attained a good rate of speed, and then, just as the last car swung +by, he dashed from them, and jumped aboard! There was no telegraph +station at Madison, and he escaped. + +At this the Confederates were very much enraged, and would permit no +more visiting; but we felt ample consolation in the certainty that our +condition would be at once reported to our officers, and every effort +made for our release. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +Return to Chattanooga--Caution of Rebels--Unchain Ourselves--Mock +Trials--The Judge--Singing--One Kindness--Projected Escape--Loitering +Comrades--A Gleam of Hope--Sad Parting--Knoxville--Prison +Inmates--Brownlow--Awful Cruelty--Andrews Condemned to Death--Escapes +with Wollam--Fearful Perils--Swimming the River--Hiding on an +Island--Found by Children--Yields to His Fate--Horrible +Death--Wollam's Stratagem--On the River--Passes a Gun Boat--Final +Capture. + + +We remained only three days in Madison, when the rebel general, +becoming convinced that Mitchel was not then going to advance on +Chattanooga, ordered us back to that place. Again we were compelled to +run the gauntlet of insulting and jeering mobs that had annoyed our +course down the road. We traveled in rude box-cars, that were wet and +filthy, and the journey was rendered still more uncomfortable by the +idea of going back to our old quarters in the wretched prison at +Chattanooga. + +However, by the time we arrived there, our captain, who had never been +a very warm secessionist, and, therefore, had no very hard feelings +towards us, had become quite friendly. He now proved this by +interceding in our behalf, and procuring us permission to remain in +the upper room. This was the same size as the lower one, but it had +three windows instead of two, and these were larger, and obscured by +only one row of bars. But the poor Tennessee Union men had to go +below. + +It was amusing to see the exaggerated caution with which they guarded +us. Even when we were below, where scarcely any man could have got out +without assistance, they never raised the trap-door unprotected by a +strong guard. Now, when we were in the upper room, their vigilance was +still further increased. They would bring a guard into the jailor's +room, through which ours was entered, and there array them with +leveled bayonets, into two lines across the door. At the same time, +the stairway was guarded, and another guard always surrounded the jail +outside of the wall. And even the old jailor would fret, and predict +that evil would result from showing the Yankees so much indulgence. + +All this time we were chained, and as the authorities were thus slow +in relieving us of what we believed to be an unnecessary incumbrance, +we set our wits to work to free ourselves. One of the party had +managed to secrete a small knife while they were searching him, and +with this made rude keys from the bones of the meat given us, and in a +short time opened every lock. We could not, of course, appear in +public in our new liberty, or more effectual means of fastening would +probably have been devised. To avoid detection, we kept some one +always on the watch. Then, when any person was heard approaching our +room, a signal was given, and a quick rattling of chains accompanied +the adjustment and re-locking of our bands. When the door opened, we +would be chained all right, and as soon as it closed we would be free +again. We continued this deception during our stay in this prison, and +were never detected. + +While here, we relieved the tedious time that hung heavily on our +hands by mock trials. We would charge one of the company with some +offence, generally a trifling breach of our prison rules, and proceed +to trial. Campbell, whose immense personal strength better enabled him +to inflict the punishment that would be awarded, usually officiated as +judge, until at last he got the name of Judge firmly fixed on him. +These trials produced much sport. We had ample time for it, and the +opposing counsel would make very long and learned speeches. So +interesting were these arguments, and so eloquent our appeals, that no +one of the auditors was ever known to leave the house while they were +in progress! The witnesses, too, were very slippery, and it was +sometimes quite difficult to reconcile their testimony. There were +always some nullifiers present who would attempt to resist the +enforcement of the laws, and the infliction of the penalties adjudged; +but in these cases the _personal weight_ of the judge decided the +matter. This resistance would give rise to new arrests and trials, and +thus the work became interminable. + +Another and more refined enjoyment was singing. There were several +good singers in the party, and, by practicing together, they soon +acquired great proficiency. Most of the songs were of a tender and +melancholy cast; such as the "Carrier Dove," "Do They Miss Me at +Home," "Nettie More," "Twenty Years Ago," &c. Our time for singing was +when twilight began to fall. Then in the gathering darkness the voice +of song would ring out, as glad and free as if it was not strained +through prison bars. The guards liked very much to hear us sing, and +frequently citizens of the town would gather round outside to listen +to the caged Yankees. + +There is one man in the Confederacy whom I must praise. Amid the +worthless and boastful aristocrats who have monopolized for themselves +the name of "chivalry," I found _one_ gentleman. This was Colonel +Claiborne, at that time Provost-Marshal of Chattanooga. When he first +visited us, he said boldly that it was a shame to keep men in such a +condition, and tried in vain to get permission from General +Leadbetter, to remove our irons; he then ordered us to be brought into +the yard to breathe the fresh air every afternoon. This was an +inexpressible relief, for it was now intensely hot in our room; and +simply to be in the open air a short time was a luxury above all +price. This he did on his own responsibility, and some weeks afterward +was dismissed from his post on account of his humanity to us! + +While here, the idea of escape frequently presented itself. It is true +that our guards outnumbered us, and always used the cautions I have +described above; but the very fear this argued would have been our +best help. We often discussed the subject among ourselves. + +All were anxious to go but Ross and Wilson, who thought the +proposition premature, as they, relying on what the officers in charge +of us said, believed that there was some hope of our exchange. But +others of us were impatient to make one bold effort for our own +deliverance. Two plans were proposed. The first, which I suggested, +was to have all our irons off when the guards came up to feed us, and +then, as the door opened, to make a simultaneous rush on the leveled +bayonets outside, wrest the arms from their owners, and pour down +stairs on the guard below. As soon as we had secured the arms of the +remainder, we could leave the prison-yard in a solid body, and pass on +double-quick to the ferry-boat, which lay on our side of the river, +not far distant. Once over the river, and thus armed, we would have +been comparatively safe. + +The other plan, which we finally agreed to adopt, was proposed by +Andrews. It was, that some one should secrete himself under the bed in +the jailor's room, when we were coming up from our breathing in the +yard, and remain there till all was quiet at night; then come out and +noiselessly unlock the door; after this, we could rush down, seize the +guard, and proceed, as in the first plan. + +There were two of our party who failed to reach the place of +rendezvous in time to be with us on the train. One was from the +Twenty-first, the other from the Second Ohio Regiment. They were +suspected, and to save themselves, were compelled to join a rebel +battery, which they did, representing themselves as brothers from +Kentucky. In the battle at Bridgeport, in which the secessionists were +so badly panic-stricken, the one from the Twenty-first found an +opportunity to escape to General Mitchel. This caused suspicion to +rest on his supposed brother, who was arrested, brought to +Chattanooga, and confined in the dungeon while we were there. We +recognized him, and talked, though very cautiously, about his +adventures. He asked us not to divulge the fact that he was one of +us--an unnecessary request. He remained there for some time, and was +finally released, and put into the battery again, from which, by a +wonderful series of adventures, he succeeded in making good his escape +to our lines. + +At this time there was a great talk of exchange. A son of General +Mitchel's had been captured; but he also held a considerable number of +prisoners, and it was believed that an exchange would be effected. A +lieutenant, whom Mitchel had released on parole, for the purpose of +seeing Kirby Smith, at that time commanding the department of East +Tennessee, and obtaining his consent to an exchange, visited us. His +story raised the most sanguine hopes. The Confederate officers, +however, said that it would be first necessary to have a trial, and +prove that we were really United States soldiers, and then we, too, +would be embraced in the exchange. Andrews, some time before, wanted +to send a flag of truce through the lines to get from our officers a +statement of our true character; but they refused permission, saying +that they could believe our own story on the subject without going to +so much trouble. + +The prospect of an exchange served to defer our attempted escape, but +at last we resolved to wait no longer. The very day we came to this +conclusion, an order was given to send twelve to Knoxville for +trial--a mere formal one as the commander of the guard and the marshal +told us--to clearly prove that we were an authorized military +expedition, and not mere citizen adventurers. George D. Wilson was in +the yard when the order came. He was permitted to be down there, +because he was very sick. The officer of the guard handed him the +order, asking him to select twelve to go, as no names were mentioned. +He did so, selecting all his own regiment (Second Ohio) first, and +afterward his special friends from the other regiments, because he +thought it would be a favor to them--that they would probably be +first exchanged. This unexpected order induced us to abandon our +cherished scheme of escape, which, in all probability, judging from +the result of a subsequent attempt, under far more unfavorable +circumstances, would have been completely successful. + +As we twelve, who were to go to Knoxville, prepared for our departure, +we felt a shade of gloom fall over our spirits. Our little band, who +had for nearly two months been companions in dangers and privations, +such as few men ever experienced, was now to be divided, and we knew +not where we should unite again; for in spite of their fair words, the +_fact_ remained that we were in the power of that enemy who has +deluged our land in blood. + +With Andrews, the parting was peculiarly affecting; we had been +accustomed to look up to him in all emergencies. He was our leader, +and was the particular mark for the vengeance of the foe. Officers, in +bidding us hope, spoke no words of comfort to him. He bore this like a +hero, as he was, and continued to hope against hope. But _now_, after +we had sung our songs together for the last time, and come to bid him +farewell, we were moved even to tears. I will never forget his last +words, as he silently pressed our hands, and with a tear in his blue +eye, and a low, sweet voice, that thrilled through my inmost being, +said: "Boys, if I never see you here again, try to meet me on the +other side of Jordan." It _was_ our last earthly meeting. + +Colonel Claiborne accompanied us to the cars, where we found we were +to be escorted by a detachment of Morgan's celebrated guerillas. +Claiborne gave orders for our humane treatment, saying: "They are men, +like other men, and gentlemen too, and I want them treated as such." +When he left, I felt we had parted from a friend, rebel as he was. + +Claiborne's parting charge procured us courtesy from our guard. +Indeed, they were a much better class of men than the great mass of +the Southern army. Several of them told us that they had enlisted with +Morgan only to make money, and were getting it fast. All were well +dressed in citizens' clothes, and had the language and manners of +gentlemen. They had another motive in treating us kindly. A large +number of their own band were now in the hands of the government, and +were equally liable with ourselves, under every rule of right, to be +treated as criminals; for they had not only dressed in citizens' +clothes, but had even assumed our uniform wherever it was their +interest to do so. They were indignant to see us in irons, and said +they would not be afraid to guard us with our limbs free, but did not, +of course, dare to remove our fastenings. + +We had been started as usual, without any rations, on the calculation +that we should fast till we reached our destination, which would be in +about twenty-four hours. But our guerilla friends would not permit +this. They bought pies, and literally feasted us, saying that their +money was plenty, and when it was gone they could easily get more from +our men. We hoped that we might have Morgan's men for our escort in +all future migrations. + +We arrived in Knoxville shortly after noon, and marched through the +hot, dusty streets, directly to the old jail. This is now a historical +edifice. It will forever remain associated with the extreme sufferings +of the loyal East Tennesseeans, during the progress of the great +rebellion. + +The building itself is a noble one, and resembles some old baronial +hall. It is of a peculiar style of architecture--solid, square and +massive, with lofty projecting towers and sharp angles--altogether +presenting an imposing appearance. It was used as a military prison, +and was filled from top to bottom with ragged, dirty-looking +prisoners. Some were Union men, and others were deserters from their +own rebel ranks. These constituted the _lower_ class of prisoners, and +were permitted to range over most of the building, which was +completely encircled outside by a strong guard. + +The higher class, or those who were charged with more desperate +offences, were shut up in cages. There were five of these. Two of them +were at once cleared for our reception. The smaller one was about +seven feet by nine, and four of us were put into it. The larger, in +which the remainder of the party were placed, was perhaps ten by +twelve. The latter was the cage in which Parson Brownlow had been +confined, and we felt honored by being in the same cell that this +noble champion of the Union had once occupied. + +While in this cage, we read an article in a copy of the _Knoxville +Register_, stating that Brownlow was in the North, humbugging the +Yankees by telling them that he had been kept in an iron cage, and +fired at by his guards, when everybody in that vicinity knew that the +whole thing was a falsity. Even while we read this, we looked at the +shot-marks which were still visible on the cage, and which the guards +and prisoners assured us had been made in the way Brownlow stated. +This may serve as a specimen of the manner in which Southern papers +are accustomed to deal with facts. + +It was in the latter part of May when we arrived in Knoxville, and +_outside_, the weather was intensely warm, but _inside_, from the +enormous masses of stone and iron around, it was quite cool. Indeed +the nights, which are always cool, even in midsummer, in the warmest +parts of the South, were here very cold, and as we had no beds or +blankets, but had to lie on the partly iron floor, we suffered +greatly. + +Here we formed the acquaintance of a few Tennesseeans, who continued +with us during the remainder of our sojourn in Dixie. One of the most +remarkable of their number was named Pierce. He was some sixty years +old, and had received a stroke with a gun-barrel, right down his +forehead, which, even after healing, had left a gash more than an inch +deep. From this he was denominated, "Gun-barrel," "Forked head," &c. +He was at the same time very religious and very profane. His voice +would first be heard singing hymns, and next cursing the Confederacy +in no measured terms. He was, however, a very clever man, and almost +adored the name of a Union soldier. + +Here it was that we first became acquainted with Captain Fry. He was +confined in a cage in another room. We could not get to see him, but +could entrust little notes, written on the margin of newspapers, to +the more faithful of the outside prisoners, and were always sure of a +reply. + +There was one man in the same room with me, but in another cage, in +whom I became especially interested. He was between seventy and eighty +years old, and was awaiting sentence of death. Before his arrest he +had been a Union man, and, of course, a marked object of suspicion to +his secession neighbors. A band of these came one night for the +purpose of robbing him. He endeavored to prevent them, when they +attacked him, drawing revolvers and bowie-knives. They fired several +shots, and pursued him. He dodged around old barrels and other pieces +of furniture in the outhouse where the assault was made, for some +time, until finally he managed to seize a pitch-fork and plunge it +into the foremost of his foes; then breaking away, he escaped for the +time. The robber whom he wounded afterwards died, and the Confederate +government arrested the old man, and confined him in the cage on a +charge of murder! I never heard the result of it, but have no doubt +that he has long since been hung. + +We obtained quite a number of papers while here, and were much pleased +to learn of the continued progress of our arms, particularly in the +West. The taking of Fort Pillow, the evacuation of Memphis and +Corinth, with the destruction of the rebel flotilla on the +Mississippi, all came out in one paper; and the editor complained that +he had been restrained from publishing this by the government for more +than two weeks after the intelligence arrived. + +One day we received news that sent the blood coursing through our +veins in swifter flow. It was that Andrews and one other of our party +_had escaped from Chattanooga_! + +Here, to preserve the unity of the story, I will give a history of the +events that took place at Chattanooga subsequent to our departure. + +No unusual event occurred until a week after we had left. Then, one +day, an officer entered the yard, where our boys were enjoying the +shade of the prison, in the cool of the afternoon, and carelessly +handed to Andrews his _death-warrant_! It was a terrible shock, but +was borne bravely. He communicated the startling intelligence to our +comrades as soon as they again assembled in their room. At once they +resolved to carry into immediate execution the long-projected plan of +escape, on which now depended their leader's only chance of life. + +He was separated from them, and put down into the dungeon. But this +did not interfere with their plans, for with the same knife which was +so serviceable in making keys, a hole was cut above the bolts of the +trap-door, allowing it to be raised. This done, which was late at +night, they drew Andrews up by blankets, and then went to work cutting +another hole through the ceiling. While they were performing the most +noisy part of this operation, they deadened the sound by singing. The +jailor afterward remarked that he might have known there was something +the matter by their singing so mournfully. + +When all their preparations were completed, the gray tint of dawn was +just beginning to rise in the east. There was no time to lose. Andrews +quickly mounted aloft. A rope was formed of some twisted blankets, and +the next moment he was swinging outside of the wall. But in passing +through the hole he loosened some bricks which fell to the ground, and +thus gave the alarm. The accident caused him to drop his boots, which +he afterward sorely needed. + +The guard was instantly aroused, but Andrews dropped to the ground, +darted to the fence, and was over before he could be prevented. John +Wollam followed, and even while suspended in the air by the blankets, +was fired upon. Fortunately, the hands of the guards were too unsteady +to inflict any injury, and he, too, succeeded in getting out of the +yard in safety. + +Now the excitement became intense. All Chattanooga was roused, and the +whole force started in pursuit of the flying fugitives. The officers +hurried to the prison and roundly berated our boys because they did +not give the alarm when their comrades were escaping! Colonel +Claiborne, the Marshal, who had shown us some humanity, was summarily +dismissed from his office for that cause alone! And the press came out +in the most violent language, denouncing the officers in charge, and +particularly General Leadbetter, for their false philanthropy in not +having us chained to the floor in such a manner as to make escape +impossible. + +Our flying comrades had separated as soon as they left the prison. It +was now daylight, and they could not continue their flight without +the most imminent danger of discovery. Andrews went only a few hundred +yards from town, and there secreted himself in a tree, in plain view +of the railroad. He remained all day in this uncomfortable position, +and saw the trains running under his feet, and heard his pursuers +speculating as to what course he could have taken. The search was most +thorough; but, fortunately, his umbrageous shelter was secure. + +At night he came down and swam the river, but lost most of his +clothing in the passage; he then journeyed on nearly naked. In the +morning, just at the break of day, he crossed a small open field on +his way to a tree, in which he intended to take shelter, as he had +done the day before; but, unfortunately, he was observed. Immediately +pursuit was made, but he dashed through the woods, and regained the +river, much lower down than he had crossed the evening before. Here he +swam a narrow channel, and reached a small island, where, for a time, +he secreted himself among some driftwood at the upper end of the +island. + +A party with bloodhounds now came over from the mainland in search of +him. He was soon observed, but broke away from them, and ran around +the lower end of the island, wading in the shallow water, and in this +way threw the hounds off his track; then he plunged into a dense +thicket, with which the island was covered, and again ascended a tree. +There, for a long time, he remained securely concealed, while his +pursuers searched the whole island, being frequently under the very +tree whose high foliage effectually screened him from the sight of +dogs and men. At last they abandoned the search in despair, concluding +that he had, by some means, left the island, and slowly took their +departure to the shore to concert new plans of search. Two little +boys, who came along merely for curiosity, were all that still +lingered behind. + +At length, in their childish prattle, one of them said he saw a great +bunch on a tree. The other looked--shifted his position--looked again, +and exclaimed that it was _a man_! This alarmed them both, and they +called aloud, announcing the discovery to their friends on shore. The +latter instantly returned, and Andrews, seeing himself observed, +dropped from the tree, ran to the lower end of the island, took a +small log, with a limb for a paddle, and shoved into the stream, +hoping to reach the opposite shore before he could be overtaken. But +there was another party with a skiff, lower down the river, who saw +him, and rowed out to meet him. Thus enclosed, there was no hope, and +he surrendered. + +He was in a most wretched condition, having eaten nothing since he +left the jail. His feet were all cut and bleeding from running over +the sharp stones, and his back and shoulders were parched and +blistered from exposure, unprotected, to the rays of the sun. He said +he felt so miserable that the thought of the certain death, to which +he then resigned himself, had no further terror for him. + +He was brought back to Chattanooga, where a blacksmith welded a pair +of heavy clevises on his ankles, and connected them with a chain only +about eighteen inches in length. He had then but few more days to +live, and his confinement was most rigid. They prepared a scaffold for +him at Chattanooga, but the indications of an advance by Mitchel, +induced them to change the death scene to Atlanta. All the way down to +that place he was taunted with his approaching doom by the mobs who +surrounded every station. Our eight comrades accompanied him to +Atlanta, but parted as soon as they arrived--they going to prison, and +he to the place of execution. He was compelled to walk, all ironed as +he was, and the clanking of his chains no doubt made sweet music in +the ears of these human bloodhounds. + +He displayed great firmness when led to the place of execution, and +mounted the scaffold without a tremor. When swung off, the rope by +which he was suspended, stretched so that his feet came to the ground, +but, nothing disconcerted, these wretches dug the earth away from +under him and completed the murder! Thus died a good and brave man, at +the early age of thirty-three, by the hands of rebels, for the crime +of loving and trying to serve his country! He was engaged to be +married to a young lady of his own adopted State the same month in +which he suffered death on the scaffold! + +It is now time to return to Wollam, whom we left outside of the +jail-fence, trying to get away from Chattanooga. + +He ran down to the river side, and seeing no way of crossing himself, +hit on the brilliant ruse of making them believe that he was across. +To this end he threw off his coat and vest, dropping them on the bank +of the river, and then, after walking a few rods in the water to elude +the hounds, quietly slipped back, and hid in a dense thicket of canes +and rushes. He heard his pursuers on the bank above him, and all +around, talking of their various plans. At last they found the +clothes, and at once concluded that he had taken to the river. Then +they took the bloodhounds over to the other side, and searched for the +place of his exit from the water. The dogs could not find that, as +might be expected, and then, after a due time spent in consultation, +they concluded that he was drowned, and departing much comforted, +searched no more for him. + +After spending a day of most anxious suspense, the approach of night +gave him an opportunity of leaving his hiding-place. He now cautiously +made his way down the river on the Chattanooga side. At length he +found a canoe, in which he rowed at night, and when morning came, he +would sink it, and hide in the bushes; then in the evening raise it, +and again pursue his way. Twice he passed the extempore gun-boat +Mitchel had made, but feared it was some secession craft, and +therefore crept cautiously by in the shadow of the shore, without +being discovered. At last he thought he was beyond the danger of +probable capture, and went boldly forward in the day time. + +This was a fatal mistake. A band of cavalry, who were camped almost +within our lines, saw him, and procuring a boat, came out to meet him. +He was unable to escape, and thus the poor fellow was captured on the +very brink of safety. He at first tried to persuade them that he was a +Confederate, but, unfortunately, a Lieutenant Edwards, who had +assisted in capturing him the first time, happened to be present, and +at once recognized him. He was soon after taken to Atlanta, where the +rest of the party then were. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +Sorrow for Andrews--Prepare for Trial--Charges and Specifications--Plan +of Defence--Incidents of Trial--Encouragement--Not Allowed to Hear +Pleading--Lawyers' Plea--Seven Tried--Mitchel Dissolves the Court--Tied +Again--A Saucy Reply--Advantage of Sickness--Fry Deceived--Revolting +Inhumanity--Fry's Capture--Starve to Atlanta--Taunts of the Mob--Atlanta +Prison--A Kind Jailor. + + +We, who were at Knoxville, read of the recapture of Andrews with the +most poignant regret, though we knew not yet that he had received the +sentence of death. Of Wollam we heard nothing. + +We were well supplied with papers here, as there were plenty of Union +people who ministered to our wants. One day we received a paper +containing an account of the _execution of Andrews_. It was awful news +to us. We had been engaged, just before, in all kinds of games and +story-telling, for we were always merry, and never suffered ourselves +to indulge in gloomy forebodings. But when this news came, all noise +and merriment were hushed, and we passed a whole day in the most +heartfelt mourning. We all loved our leader, and would willingly have +engaged in the most desperate enterprise to save his life; but, alas! +he was gone, and there was no chance even for that vengeance for which +our souls thirsted. + +Before we had been long at Knoxville, we were notified to prepare for +trial. We requested that we should all be tried at once, as our cases +were precisely alike. When this was not granted, we next asked that +one might be tried, and his sentence be the sentence of the whole +party. But this too, was refused, with the reply that they knew their +own business best. We were forced to accept this decision, though we +could not imagine why it was that they should thus insist on trying +but one at a time. The only reason that I can yet conjecture for this +proceeding is, that it would have looked too absurd to arraign +twenty-one, or even twelve men, all in a body, and from one brigade, +as spies. + +They allowed us the privilege of counsel, and we employed two good +Union men, Colonels Baxter and Temple, who volunteered their services. +We were each to pay them one hundred and fifty dollars, and as fast as +we were tried, to give our notes for that amount. + +The charges and specifications of William Campbell were first handed +in. He was a citizen, but claimed to be a soldier, and we endorsed his +position. The charge against all who were brought to trial was for +"lurking in and around Confederate camps as spies, for the purpose of +obtaining information." Not a word was said of taking the cars, or of +anything we really did do. + +Our plan of defence has been partly indicated before. It was to tell +just who we were, and what we had done, with the exceptions of the +pranks we had played on the rebel citizens coming down, and to claim +that we were United States soldiers, detailed on a military expedition +without our consent, and therefore entitled to the protection accorded +to regular prisoners of war. This was put into words, and read on the +trial as the acknowledgement of the party while pleading "not guilty" +to the charge. The only evidence they had was of the men who pursued +us on the train, and also of those who afterward arrested us; but of +course none of these knew anything of our lurking around the camps. + +George D. Wilson related a ludicrous incident that occurred when he +was on trial, and which fitly illustrates the desire they had to +convict us. It was of a young lieutenant belonging to the +court-martial, who requested to be sworn, saying that he could tell of +at least one place we had passed the Confederate guards. On his +request being complied with, he testified that we crossed their +picket-line at the ferry, on the evening of our first arrival at +Chattanooga. Immediately the president of the court arose, and said +that he commanded the guard that day, and _no guard was placed at the +ferry_. The whole court was instantly in a roar of laughter, and the +confusion of our would-be convictor may be better imagined than +described. + +Our lawyers were delighted with the course we took, and said that it +had deranged all the plans of the prosecution, and that they had not a +particle of evidence against us; that if we were convicted now, it +would be through mere prejudice and perjury on the part of the court. + +As the trial of different ones proceeded, we had still greater +encouragement from the court itself. Members called on us, and told us +to keep in good heart, as there was no evidence before them to convict +any one. This cheered us somewhat, but there was still one thing which +I did not like, and which looked as if something was wrong. The court +would not let our boys be present to hear the pleading of counsel on +either side, though they urgently requested it. They could neither +hear what our lawyers had to say for them, nor what the Judge Advocate +urged against them. This seemed still stranger, because Andrews had +not been debarred this privilege. But they used our soldiers with even +less show of justice than had been accorded to him. + +After three or four had been tried, one of our lawyers visited the +prison, and read to us the plea which he said he had read to the +court. It was an able paper. I still remember its principal features. +He contended that our being dressed in citizens' clothes was nothing +more than what the Confederate government had expressly authorized, +and that it was done by all the guerillas in the service of the +Confederacy, whenever it was for their interest. And he cited the +instance of General Morgan having dressed his men in Federal uniform, +and passed them off as belonging to the Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry, +by which means he succeeded in reaching a railroad and damaging it. +Also that our government had captured some of these very men, and +treated them as prisoners of war. This instance was mentioned to show +that our being dressed in citizens' clothes did not take from us the +right to be treated as United States soldiers. The plea went on +further to state that we had told the object of our expedition; that +it was a purely military one, for the destruction of communications, +and as such, entirely lawful according to the rules of war. What reply +the Judge Advocate made to this, we never had the means of +ascertaining. + +The trials proceeded rapidly. One man was taken out each day, and in +about an hour returned. The table in the court room was covered with +bottles, newspapers, and novels, and the court passed its time during +trial in discussing these. This was very well if the trial was, as +they said, a mere matter of formality; but if it was a trial in +earnest, on which depended issues of life or death, it was most +heartless conduct. + +At last the number of seven was reached, and they would probably have +proceeded in trying others, had not General Mitchel, who was +continually troubling them, now advanced, and shelled Chattanooga from +the opposite side of the Tennessee river. This at once broke up the +court-martial, and sent the officers in hot haste to their regiments +to resist his progress. Soon after, General Morgan advanced through +Cumberland Gap, and threatened Knoxville, which also rendered it +necessary to remove us. + +They came in with ropes and began to tie us. We did not at first +understand this, and some supposed we were to be taken out for +execution; but we soon became convinced that it was only a change of +place. They arranged us for transportation by first binding our hands +together; then, fixing our arms securely in the loops of long ropes, +tied them firmly to our sides, after which we were coupled two and +two. Ropes were used in fastening us instead of irons as before, +because they had borrowed the latter for some Union prisoners, who had +just been sent to Richmond; therefore we had to be content with a most +liberal allowance of cotton rope. While they were thus arranging our +manacles, I had a most amusing passage-at-words with the adjutant who +was superintending the operation. I said to him as politely as I +could: + +"I suppose, sir, our destination is not known?" + +"It is not known to you at any rate, sir," was the gruff rejoinder. + +This was noticed by the whole party, and I felt rather beaten; but a +moment later came my chance for revenge. He turned again to me, and +said, in a dictatorial manner: + +"Who was it that run your engine through?" + +I bowed and returned in the blandest tone, "_That is not known to you +at any rate, Sir._" + +All around roared with laughter, and the adjutant, reddening to the +eyes, turned away, muttering that he believed I was the engineer +myself! + +When everything was in readiness, we bade an adieu to the capital of +down-trodden East Tennessee. Oh! what bitter memories cluster around +that old gloomy building. It has been one of the principal instruments +in crushing the life and loyalty out of the hearts of a brave, but +unfortunate people. May the day soon come when the suffering of East +Tennessee will be richly repaid on the heads of its guilty authors! + +While we remained here, our fare was of the most scanty character. We +received it only twice a day, and then in homeopathic doses. We +continually suffered with hunger while we were well. I, myself, became +quite sick during our imprisonment here, and continued so for most of +the summer. Several others were in the same condition. This was rather +an advantage, for when sick we did not so much mind the scantiness of +our diet. + +A number of Tennesseeans were removed with us. Among them was Captain +Fry and Mr. Pierce. In conversation with the former, I learned the +full particulars of his history, some incidents of which I had heard +before leaving our camp. He had raised a company of his neighbors, and +running the gauntlet of guarded roads, succeeded in reaching our army +in Kentucky. Here he was elected captain, and remained for some time. +After a while, the general in command wished him to go into Tennessee, +and there destroy the bridges on the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad; +then to raise the loyal citizens of that vicinity, and hold the +country till our forces could arrive. He refused to go, until assured +of support from McClellan himself, who was at that time (the fall of +1861) in command of the whole United States army, and who promised +that a column should advance as soon as Fry succeeded. With this +assurance, he departed on his perilous mission. He aroused the Union +men in both Virginia and Tennessee, burned the bridges, and thus for a +time destroyed the most important rebel line of communication; and, +with a force of fifteen hundred men, held the entire country embraced +in his operations, and even seriously threatened Knoxville itself. Now +was the time for our forces to have struck the decisive blow, and not +only have redeemed East Tennessee from its chains, but also severed +the rebellion in halves! It was perfectly practicable. A large body +lay near Camp Dick Robinson, with only a trifling force in front to +impede its progress. But in the meantime, McClellan _had changed his +plans_, and without warning Fry, left him and his brave companions to +their fate. The struggle was a brief one; the secessionists, thus left +to themselves, concentrated an overwhelming force against him. Several +skirmishes were fought, and finally the Union force was compelled to +disperse. Some of them succeeded in reaching our lines in Kentucky. +Others were caught, and several of these were hung without a trial! +Such were some of the murders that first rendered General Leadbetter +notorious! + +One of these cases is almost too horrible for belief. I would hesitate +to record it, were I not assured of its truth by the testimony of +eyewitnesses separated by hundreds of miles. It was of a man named +named Whan, who, on being arrested, acknowledged that he helped to +burn the bridges, but refused to describe his companions. For this, he +was put into a barrel driven full of small, sharp-pointed nails, and +rolled down a steep hill--then taken out, all bleeding, and hung! This +was on Saturday and he, with his companions, was allowed to hang till +Monday night, when some of his friends, at the risk of their own +lives, came and took them down! Should we compromise with such fiends +in human shape, and purchase their fellowship again, or give them the +puishment that injured humanity demands? + +Fry passed the whole winter in the wild mountains with which Tennessee +abounds, and in the spring he again gathered his neighbors together, a +regiment strong, and tried to reach the Union lines. Near the border, +he was attacked by a superior rebel force, and after a severe contest, +his band was dispersed, himself wounded and taken prisoner. This was +on the 5th of March, and he remained in solitary confinement until he +joined us on the 13th of June. He was an uneducated man, but possessed +of great natural ability, and the most undaunted courage, with a heart +as tender and sympathetic as a child's. + +We took no rations along, and were obliged to _starve through_, as we +now had no guerillas along to buy us pies. On the way, the populace +taunted us with Andrews' death, and charitably hoped that we might +soon meet the same fate. But some of the officers talked with us in a +friendly spirit, assuring us that we would not be hurt. This produced +some impression, and taken in connection with what had been told us by +members of the court-martial, and others at Knoxville, made us quite +hopeful. + +When we neared the Atlanta city jail, which was to be our abode for +many weary months, a crowd gathered as usual, and a man who called +himself mayor of the city began to insult Captain Fry, telling him +that he knew him to be a rascal in his own country, and that he hoped +soon to have the pleasure of hanging him. Then turning to us, he +boasted that he had put the rope around Andrews' neck, and was waiting +and anxious to do the same for us! + +This prison was smaller than that at Knoxville, but was still a large +edifice. The lower story was occupied by the jailor and his family. +The upper contained four rooms, of which we, with Captain Fry, +occupied one. The Tennesseeans were put into another, just across the +entry from us. Our comrades, who had been left at Chattanooga, were in +another; and the last one, which was on the same side as ours, was +frequently occupied by negroes who had been in search of the North +Star. + +For some time here, our rations were comparatively good and abundant. +But after awhile, the task of feeding us was taken from the jailor, +who had at first assumed it, and then our fare became worse than it +ever had been before. The jailor himself was a kind man, and rather of +Union sentiments. He showed us all the favor in his power, and, +indeed, became so much suspected, that an odious old man named Thoer +was hired to watch him. The constant vigilance of this antiquated +scoundrel, with the superintendence of the officers of the guard, who +were always at hand, prevented the jailor from befriending us as much +as his heart dictated. + +Here we remained for a week in quietness and hope, thinking the worst +of our trials were past. Little did we foresee how fearful a storm was +soon to burst over us. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +Cavalry Approach--Seven Removed from the Room--Suspense--Sentence of +Death--Heart-rending Separation--Death and the Future--Not +Prepared--Inhuman Haste--The Tragedy--Speech on the Scaffold--Breaking +Ropes--Enemies Affected--Gloom of Survivors--Prayer. + + +One day while we were very merry, amusing ourselves with games and +stories, we saw a squadron of cavalry approaching. This did not at +first excite any attention, for it was a common thing to see bodies of +horsemen in the streets; but soon we observed them halt at our gate, +and surround the prison. What could this mean? + +A moment after, the clink of the officers' swords was heard as they +ascended the stairway, and we knew that something unusual was about to +take place. They paused at our door, threw it open, called the names +of our seven companions, and took them out to the room opposite, +putting the Tennesseeans in with us. One of our boys, named Robinson, +was sick of a fever, and had to be raised to his feet, and supported +out of the room. + +With throbbing hearts we asked one another the meaning of these +strange proceedings. Some supposed they were to receive their +acquittal; others, still more sanguine, believed they were taken out +of the room to be paroled, preparatory to an exchange. + +I was sick, too, but rose to my feet, oppressed with a nameless fear. +A half crazy Kentuckian, who was with the Tennesseeans, came to me and +wanted to play a game of cards. I struck the greasy pack out of his +hands, and bade him leave me. + +A moment after, the door opened, and George D. Wilson entered, his +step firm and his form erect, but his countenance pale as death. Some +one asked a solution of the dreadful mystery, in a whisper, for his +face silenced every one. + +"_We are to be executed immediately_," was the awful reply, whispered +with thrilling distinctness. The others came in all tied, ready for +the scaffold. Then came the farewells--farewells with no hope of +meeting again in this world! It was a moment that seemed an age of +measureless sorrow. + +Our comrades were brave; they were soldiers, and had often looked +death in the face on the battle-field. They were ready, if need be, to +die for their country; but to die on the _scaffold_--to die as +murderers die--seemed almost too hard for human nature to bear. + +Then, too, the prospect of a future world, into which they were thus +to be hurled without a moment's preparation, was black and appalling. +Most of them had been careless, and had no hope beyond the grave. +Wilson was a professed infidel, and many a time had argued the truth +of the Christian religion with me for a half day at a time; but in +this awful hour he said to me: + +"Pittenger, I believe you are right, now! Oh! try to be better +prepared when you come to die than I am." Then, laying his hand on my +head with a muttered "God bless you," we parted. + +Shadrack was profane and reckless, but good-hearted and merry. Now, +turning to us with a voice, the forced calmness of which was more +affecting than a wail of agony, he said: + +"Boys, I am not prepared to meet Jesus." + +When asked by some of us in tears to think of heaven, he answered, +still in tones of thrilling calmness, "I'll try! I'll try! But I +_know_ I am _not_ prepared." + +Slavens, who was a man of immense strength and iron resolution, +turned to his friend Buffum, and could only articulate, +"Wife--children--tell"--when utterance failed. + +Scott was married only three days before he came to the army, and the +thought of his young and sorrowing wife nearly drove him to despair. +He could only clasp his hands in silent agony. + +Ross was the firmest of all. His eyes beamed with unnatural light, and +there was not a tremor in his voice as he said, "Tell them at home, if +any of you escape, that I died for my country, and did not regret it." + +All this transpired in a moment, and even then the Marshal and other +officers standing by him in the door, exclaimed: + +"Hurry up there! come on! we can't wait!" + +In this manner my poor comrades were hurried off. Robinson, who was +too sick to walk, was dragged away with them. They asked leave to bid +farewell to our other boys, who were confined in the adjoining room, +but it was sternly refused! + +Thus we parted. We saw the death cart containing our comrades drive +off, surrounded by cavalry. In about an hour it came back _empty_. The +tragedy was complete! + +Later in the evening, the Provost-Marshal came to the prison, and, in +reply to our questions, informed us that our friends "Had met their +fate as brave men should die everywhere." + +The next day we obtained from the guards, who were always willing to +talk with us in the absence of the officers, full particulars of the +seven-fold murder. + +When our companions were mounted on the scaffold, Wilson asked +permission to say a few words, which was granted--probably in the hope +of hearing some confession which would justify them in the murder they +were about to commit. But this was not his intention. It was a strange +stand--a dying speech to a desperate audience, and under the most +terrible circumstances. + +But he was equal to the occasion. Unterrified by the near approach of +death, he spoke his mind freely. He told them that "they were all in +the wrong; that he had no hard feelings toward the Southern people for +what they were about to do, because they had been duped by their +leaders, and induced by them to engage in the work of rebellion. He +also said, that though he was condemned as a spy, yet he was none, and +they well knew it. He was only a soldier in the performance of the +duty he had been detailed to do; that he did not regret to die for his +country, but only regretted the manner of his death. He concluded by +saying that they would yet live to regret the part they had taken in +this rebellion, and would see the time when the old Union would be +restored, and the flag of our country wave over the very ground +occupied by his scaffold." + +This made a deep impression on the minds of those who listened, and I +often afterward heard it spoken of in terms of the highest admiration. +When he ceased, the signal was given, and the traps fell![4] + +[4] A refugee from the State of Georgia, now in this city, who +witnessed the execution, but, from peculiar circumstances, does not +make his name public, corroborates this statement, and adds, that +these brave men were surrounded by three or four hundred guerillas and +partisan rangers, as they called themselves, who disputed for the +honor of being the executioners. The matter was settled by the party +taking a vote, when twelve were selected as the favored ones. The +rebel soldiers who perpetrated this outrageous murder, spent the rest +of the day in spreeing and jollification, many of them writing to +their friends at home an account of the pleasure they felt in +assisting in the hanging of "seven blue-bellies," as they termed the +Union soldiers.--_Note from a Pamphlet entitled "Ohio Boys in Dixie," +published in New York in April, 1863._ + +Five only remained dangling in the air; for two of the seven, Campbell +and Slavens, being very heavy men, broke the ropes, and fell to the +ground insensible. In a short time they recovered, and asked for a +drink of water, which was given them. Then they requested an hour to +pray before entering the future world which lay so near and dark +before them. This last petition was indignantly refused, and as soon +as the ropes could be adjusted, they were compelled to re-ascend the +scaffold, and were again turned off! + +The whole proceeding, from beginning to end, was marked by the most +revolting haste. They seemed to wish, by thus affording no time to +prepare for death, to murder soul and body both. Even the worst +criminals in our country are allowed some weeks to ask for God's +mercy, before they are thrust into his presence; but our poor boys, +whose only crime was loving and trying to serve their country, were +not allowed one moment! Could the barbarity of fiends go further? + +That afternoon was one of deepest gloom for those who remained. We +knew not how soon we might be compelled to follow in the same path, +and drink the same bitter cup our comrades drank. Once during the +trial we had offered to accept the award of the court in one of the +cases as the sentence of all, since we could not see the slightest +reason for leaving some and taking others. At that time, however, we +believed that all would be acquitted. Now every hope had vanished. + +But even without the addition of fear for ourselves, the parting from +our loved friends, whose voices were still ringing in our ears, while +they themselves had passed beyond the gates of death into the unknown +land of shadows, was enough to rend the stoutest heart. There were +tears then from eyes that shrank before no danger. + +But I could not shed a tear. A cloud of burning heat rushed to my head +that seemed to scorch through every vein. For hours I scarcely knew +where I was, or the loss I had sustained. Every glance around the +room, which revealed the vacant places of our friends, would bring our +sorrow freshly on us again. Thus the afternoon passed away in grief +too deep for words. Slowly and silently the moments wore on, and no +one ventured to whisper of hope. + +At last some voice suggested that we should seek relief in prayer. The +very idea seemed to convey consolation, and was eagerly accepted. Soon +we knelt around the bare walls of our strange sanctuary, and with +bleeding hearts drew near the throne of God. Captain Fry first led us, +and mingled sobs with strong supplications. Then each followed in his +turn, with but one or two exceptions, and even these were kneeling +with the rest. As the twilight deepened, our devotional exercises grew +more solemn. In the lonely shadow of coming night, with eternity thus +open tangibly before us, and standing on its very brink, we prayed +with a fervor that those who dwell in safety can scarcely conceive. We +besought our Father only that we might be prepared for the fate that +was inevitable, and that as he had led us through great trials, he +would be our Comforter, and sustain us still. Who will say that such +prayer was not effectual! It was heard in heaven. Even there, in that +prison, surrounded by an armed guard, amid the gloom of coming danger, +the peace of God, like a dove bearing the olive branch, descended into +every broken and believing heart. It was a holy hour, and if the +angels above ever bend from their bright mansions to comfort human +sorrow, I do believe that they were then hovering near. From that hour +I date the birth of an immortal hope, and I believe that many of my +companions also, on looking back, will realize that they passed from +death to life in that dreary prison-room! + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +Religious Experience--Contraband Assistance--Intelligence of Negroes--Love +of Freedom--Wollam's Recapture--A Friendly Preacher--Obtain +Books--Disgusting Diet--Plays--Debates--Reading Hours--Envy the +Birds--Dreams of Home--Telegraphing--Friends from our Army--Hope +Deferred--Union Society--Difficulties of Tobacco-chewers--Precious Books. + + +From this time forward, we had religious exercises each morning and +evening, and they were a blessed consolation to us--sustaining our +hearts when every earthly avenue of hope had closed. Frequently we +startled the guards who were around us, by the hymns we sang, for now +the character of our songs was changed, and our thoughts and +aspirations began to point upward. It is a delicate matter to speak of +one's own religious experience, but in the hope of doing good, I will +venture. At first my hopes were not bright. For days and weeks an +impenetrable cloud seemed to rest over me, and to vail heaven from my +view; sometimes for a moment it would give way, and show light and +peace beyond, then close up, thick, and dark, and lowering, as ever. +But at last the day gradually arose, and I was enabled to rejoice in +hopes the world can neither give nor take away. + +But these were long and weary days. Our room was of greater size than +that in Chattanooga, and had larger windows, yet the heat was +fearfully oppressive. Our other boys were put in the room with us, +which made fifteen in all. One of them, named Wood, was very sick. He +had been prostrated with the fever for nearly a month, and at this +time his life was despaired of. This was not thought to be any great +misfortune to him by the others, who administered consolation in a +style worthy of the best of Job's friends. They reasoned, "Now, if you +get well, you will only be hung. You had better try to die yourself, +and thus you will outwit them." Wood, however, did not relish the +counsel, and getting contrary, he recovered, "just for spite," as he +often declared. He yet lives to laugh over the advice that his +despairing associates gave him. + +We had friends in the waiters of the prison, though their faces were +black. They assisted us by every means in their power. It was not long +till they found that there was nothing we desired so much as to read +the news; and they taxed their ingenuity to gratify us. They would +wait till the jailor or some of the guard had finished reading a +paper, and laid it down, and then slyly purloin it. When meal time +came, it would be put into the bottom of the pan in which our food was +brought, and thus handed in to us. The paper had to be returned in the +same way, to avoid suspicion.[5] The guards and officers would talk +with us, and always finding us possessed of a knowledge of the events +of the war, at least as far as the Southern papers gave it, came at +last to think we had an instinctive idea of news--something like what +the bee has of geometrical forms! They never suspected the negroes, +though for several months it was only through their instrumentality +that we could obtain any definite information of what was going on in +the world without. + +[5] In one of these papers I noticed a description of two Federal +officers who had escaped from Macon, Georgia. It was Captain Geer, +with whom I have lectured in several places since my return, and his +comrade, Lieutenant Collins. Their adventures are recorded in a book +called "_Beyond the Lines_." + +Having found the negroes thus intelligent and useful, far beyond what +I had supposed possible, I questioned them about other matters. They +were better informed than I had given them credit for, and knew enough +to disbelieve all the stories rebels told. When the whites were not +present, they laughed at the grand victories the papers were +publishing every day, but rather leaned to the opposite extreme, and +gave them less credit than was their due, for they would believe that +the Federal troops were always victorious. Even after McClellan's +repulse before Richmond, they continued, for weeks, to assure us that +he had the town, and had beaten the rebels in every engagement! + +They imagined that all the Northern troops were chivalrous soldiers, +fighting for the universal rights of man, and, of course, they +esteemed it a high privilege to contribute to the comfort of such +noble men. Some of them had imbibed the idea, which is common with the +poor whites of the South, that Lincoln is a negro or a mulatto; but +most of them placed so little credit in the assertions of their +masters, that they disbelieved this story also. But they never wavered +in their belief that the Union troops would conquer, and that the +result of the victory would be their freedom. I had extensive +opportunities for observing them, as the room next to us was +appropriated to the safe-keeping of negroes, and I never yet saw one +who did not cherish an ardent desire for freedom, and wish and long +for the time when the triumph of the national forces would place the +coveted boon within his grasp. + +One morning our jailor came to our room, and asked us if we knew John +Wollam. We hesitated to answer, as we could not fathom the motives of +the inquiry. But even while we deliberated among ourselves, John came +up, and ended our doubts by greeting us heartily. He had been parted +from us some three weeks, and in that time had suffered most +incredible hardships in the manner I have narrated before. He joined +us in our prayer-meeting with much good will. Now all the survivors of +our party were together again. + +There is one Georgia minister I will always remember with gratitude, +not that he was a Union man, for I have no evidence that he was, but +because of his generosity to us. He was a Methodist clergyman in +Atlanta, by the name of McDonnell. He came to visit us at the +suggestion of our old jailor, who, seeing us engaged in religious +exercises, naturally supposed we would like to talk with a preacher. +We received him kindly, and an interesting conversation took place. +Some of the boys were slightly offended by his first prayer, in which +he petitioned that our lives might be spared, if consistent with the +_interests of the Confederacy_. We did not very well like the +condition, but said nothing, and were afterward rewarded for our +complacency. At my request, he loaned us a few books, and when these +were read through, gave us still others, until we had read nearly his +entire library. Those only who know what a terrible weariness it is to +pass time without any definite employment, and with no means of +relieving the hours that hang so heavily on their hands, or of +diverting their thoughts from the one never-ending round, can form any +idea of the great boon that a few good books bestowed on us. + +Our provision here became worse and less, until it very nearly reached +the starvation point. For some months, the only food we received was a +very short allowance of corn-bread, baked with all the bran in it, and +without salt, with a little pork, mostly spoiled! Frequently the pork +would be completely covered with maggots, and disgusting as it was, +hunger compelled us to eat it! Even then, there was not enough of this +miserable fare to satisfy our appetites! What would those who spend +their time in denouncing our government as the only enemy, and +sympathize with "our mistaken Southern brethren," who have been +alienated by the misconduct of the loyal States, say, if these +"brethren" had subjected them to the same treatment. Their sympathies +would hardly have survived the trial. + +Dreary as the days were here, yet we did not surrender ourselves to +gloomy forebodings and vain lamentings over our misfortunes. Although +the fate of our companions seemed suspended over our heads by a single +hair, yet we shunned despondency, and labored to provide such +amusements as would relieve us of the heavy tedium of our prison-life. + +On that terrible day of execution, we threw away our cards, which +before had been played almost day and night, and resolved to engage no +more in that game. But the necessity of doing something prompted us to +search for new pastimes. We carved a checker-board on the floor, and +it was occupied from morning till evening by eager players. We all +became very expert in checkers. To provide a more intellectual +amusement, we also formed a debating society, and spent hour after +hour in discussing quaint questions of every kind. Many were the +long-winded speeches that were made, for time was no object; and if no +one was convinced of a new position, we still had the consolation of +knowing that there was no lost labor, where the labor itself was a +pleasure. + +In order to enjoy to the fullest extent the books we had so +fortunately procured, we appointed regular reading hours--two in the +forenoon, and the same in the afternoon. During this time, no one was +allowed even to whisper. Some of our boys were a little wild and +restless at times, and would break the rules; but generally our order +was excellent. We gained much useful knowledge during these hours of +intellectual employment in our novel school. + +But all our efforts to pleasantly while away those terribly long +summer days were in vain. The tediousness, and oppressiveness, and +vain longing for action, would press down on us closer and closer. +Brown, who was one of the most restless of mortals, would amuse +himself, as long as he could endure it, at the pastimes we had +devised, then suddenly cease playing, and commence pacing the floor +like a caged bear; when this, too, grew unendurable, he would stop at +the door, and say, in the most piteous tones (of course meant only for +us to hear) "O! kind sir, please let me out!" The feeling he expressed +was shared by all. Never before could I realize the full value of +liberty, and the horror of confinement. Even in the prisons where we +had hitherto been, the novelty of our situation, the frequency of our +removals, and the bustle and excitement of the trial, prevented the +blank monotony of imprisonment from settling down on us as it did +here, when the first few weeks had rolled by, and no intimations of +our fate reached us. It was like the stillness and the death that +brood over the Dead Sea. + +We would sit at the windows, in the sultry noon, and look out through +the bars, at the free birds as they flew past, seemingly so merry and +full of joyous life, and foolishly wish that we, too, were birds, that +we might fly away, and be at peace. + +At long intervals, two of us would be permitted to go down into the +yard, to do our washing. One day it came my turn; it was then three +months since I had stepped out of my room, and the unobscured vision +of open air and sky made it seem like another world. I remember +looking up at the snowy clouds, my eyes almost dazzled by the unusual +light, and wondering, as I gazed on their beautiful and changing +forms, whether beyond them lay a world of rest, in which were neither +wars nor prisons. And with the thought came the fear that if I was +once more permitted to mingle as a free man, away from the immediate +pressure of danger, with the busy throng of life, I would forget my +prison-made vows, and thus lose my claim to a world of never-fading +light. Such a sense of weakness and helplessness came over me, that it +was with a feeling almost of relief that I returned once more to my +dark and narrow room, where the contrast between freedom and bondage +was less palpably forced on my view. + +All this time we hardly permitted ourselves to indulge a hope of ever +getting home again. The friends we once knew in happier days, seemed +separated from us by an impassable gulf; and when our minds would call +up before us the scenes and loved ones of home, it was like treading +on forbidden ground. But when the miseries of the day were passed, and +we were wrapped in that sweet slumber that ever visits the weary alike +in prison and palace, there was no longer any restraint, and we were +once more at home--once more in the enjoyment of love and freedom. + +Often have I seen in dreams the streets and buildings of my own town +rise before me, and have felt a thrilling pleasure in contemplating +them, as I wended my way towards the sacred precincts for ever +hallowed by affection. But the waking from these incursions into the +realms of paradise was sad beyond measure, and the cold, bare walls +of prison never looked half so dreary, as when seen in contrast with +the visions which had just been dispersed by the morning light. + +An anecdote here will fitly illustrate the affection and exaggerated +reverence we felt for what we, to the great annoyance of the guards +and citizens, insisted on calling "God's country." I had been reading +one of Bascom's sermons, from a book which the minister had loaned us, +on "The Joys of Heaven." All listened to his magnificent description +with the greatest of interest, and when it was finished, some one +started the query as to whether they would rather be in heaven, safe +from all harm, or in Cincinnati. After a debate which was conducted +with great animation on both sides, the majority concluded, no doubt +honestly, that they would rather be in Cincinnati--for a while, at +least! + +In order to keep thoroughly posted, we opened communications to every +room in the prison. Those on the other side of the entry, we reached +by means of a small stick, attached to a string, and thrown under the +door. There was a chimney came up between our room and the other on +the same side of the entry; each of our stove-pipes led into this +chimney at points directly opposite, and by taking off the pipes, we +could talk through, but there was danger of being overheard. To +obviate this, we split a long lath off the side of our room, in such a +way as to be able to take it down and put it up at pleasure. This we +used for passing notes backward and forward through this concealed +passage, and it became very useful when we afterward contemplated an +escape. + +One morning the guard brought up some prisoners, and as soon as they +had retired, we resorted to our usual method of telegraphing, to +ascertain their character. To our great surprise and pleasure, we +found that two of them were from the Tenth Wisconsin, a regiment in +our own brigade. They told us that we had long since been given up for +dead,[6] and that our comrades were vowing vengeance for our murder. +They were quite surprised to find so many of us still alive. The other +two were regulars, who had been captured on the coast of Florida. +These soldiers remained with us till we were taken to Richmond. From +them we gained a complete detail of the movements of our army since +we had left it. + +[6] All our friends at home believed we were executed. My obituary +notice was published in our county paper, and the Rev. Alexander Clark +was invited to preach my funeral sermon, which providential +circumstances alone prevented. + +One of the hardest things we had to endure was the rejoicing that +accompanied McClellan's flight from Richmond. Before this occurrence, +the secessionists were down-spirited and despairing; but afterward +they were jubilant. About the last of May, a prominent officer said to +me: "Any other officer of yours but McClellan, would now take +Richmond, for we have not men enough at present to offer successful +resistance; but _he_ will fortify each step of his way, and lay grand +plans, and thus delay until we can raise men enough by the conscript +law to defeat him." I did not then think that his prediction would be +verified, and hoped that McClellan would show that he was not delaying +for nothing; but when I heard of the precipitate retreat to Harrison's +Landing, I was ready to confess that the Confederate officer had been +more penetrating in his views than myself. From this moment, the tide +of victory seemed to set to the southward side, with a still deeper +and stronger flow, till the next spring, when it returned again. + +I can preserve no order of time in relating the events of these +tedious mouths, which slowly rolled away their ponderous length. It +was almost a perfect isolation from the world, with little hope of +ever again mingling in its busy throng. As each month closed, we were +startled by the thought we were still alive--that the bolt had not yet +descended--and we surmised and wondered how much longer it could be +delayed. At last a small ray of hope began to arise--very feeble at +first--based on the long and incomprehensible reprieve we were +enjoying. As week after week glided tediously away, marked only by the +monotony which is more wearying to heart and frame than the most +severe anguish, this hope grew stronger; yet still so little assured +that the most trifling circumstance, such as strengthening the guard, +or a visit from the officers, was sufficient to blast the hopes we +were beginning so fondly to cherish. + +I saw many instances of the iron rule with which the Southern Union +men are kept in subjection. The strictest espionage was maintained +through every order of society. The spies of the government would +pretend to be Union men, and thus worm themselves into loyal +societies; and when they had learned the names of the members, would +denounce them to the government. It was not necessary to be particular +about truth, as the suspicion of guilt, in their mode of procedure, +was just as good as its positive evidence. One day seventy men and +twelve women were arrested, and sent in irons to Richmond! Many other +instances of this remorseless tyranny will be given hereafter. + +Most of our boys were tobacco-chewers, and were driven to numberless +expedients to obtain that which some of them declared they valued more +than their daily food. There were several articles of which the rebels +had not seen fit to rob us, such as handkerchiefs and a few vests; +These were now sold to the surrounding guards. Andrews had given +Hawkins a very large, fine coat, and as there seemed to be no prospect +of taking it home, he sold it to the jailor, and invested the proceeds +in tobacco, apples, &c., which he generously divided among his +comrades. + +I wanted books more than anything else, and sold my vest and a +pocket-book the rebels had left when they took what was in it, and +bought three books--all gems--"Paradise Lost," "Pilgrim's Progress," +and "Pollock's Course of Time." These I nearly committed to memory. It +was a profitable employment, while I am sure it very much lightened +and shortened these interminable days. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +Contemplated Escape--Startling Intelligence--Our Doom Pronounced from +Richmond--Hesitate no Longer--Our Plan--All Ready--Supper--Farewell--Life +or Death--Seize the Jailor--Guns Wrested from Guards--Alarm Given--Scaling +the Wall--Guards Fire--Terrible Chase--Six Recaptured--Wood and Wilson +Reach the Gulf--Dorsey's Narrative--Porter's Account--Boasting of the +Guards--Barlow's Cruel Death. + + +We frequently talked and plotted about making our escape. All agreed, +that if they should proceed to try us, we should make one desperate +effort for life; for we had learned by sad experience, that they did +not take the trouble of going to the formality of a trial unless they +were fully resolved to hang the accused. But as time rolled on, and +the dreaded preparations for trial were not made, the imprisonment +became daily more unendurable. The food was of a poorer quality, and +more scanty at that. It was, therefore, proposed that we should make a +bold strike for freedom. The question was a serious one. On the one +hand was the bright prize of liberty--of which none ever knew the +value better than we,--shining ahead as the sure reward of success. +But on the other hand was the danger of failure. We were in the very +center of the Confederacy, and the nearest point where we could reach +our lines was two hundred miles distant. This journey had to be made +through the enemy's country, and by traveling at night, with no guide +but the stars, which the envious clouds might conceal from us for many +successive nights, as they had done before. Then there was the +probability that those who were retaken would be mercilessly dealt +with, if not instantly put to death. + +It was a grave question. And then the great heat of the days, added to +our enfeebled condition, caused by the close confinement, and the +meagre character of our diet, as well as the actual sickness of some +of our party, including myself, induced me to believe that the attempt +should at least be postponed. Still, day by day, we discussed the +subject. It afforded us an inexhaustible theme for conversation, and +had this further advantage that all the knowledge possessed by the +party collectively was communicated to each one. Besides, the plans +were laid by which to avoid pursuit, and all possible information +respecting the country obtained from the guards and negroes, and then +we felt quite prepared for the issue when it should come. + +At last we received a piece of intelligence which made us resolve to +hesitate no longer. Colonel Lee, Provost-Marshal, came to our room one +morning, and after talking some time, told us that he had just +received a letter from the Secretary of War, asking why _all_ the +party had not been executed. He had answered that he did not know, but +referred him to the court-martial which had tried our comrades at +Knoxville. This court had dispersed long before, and I feel hopeful +that many of the perjured villains have fallen beneath the avenging +bullets of Union soldiers! So the Secretary could not have obtained +much information from them. A few days after, we received still +further and more alarming information. + +One of the regular soldiers in the adjoining room overheard the +officer of the guard telling the jailor that Colonel Lee had received +another letter from the Secretary, ordering our immediate execution. +This was duly telegraphed to us through the stove-pipe, and at once +put an end to all our deliberations. The time had come for us to save +ourselves or perish. + +Quietly we sat down and arranged our plans. We were in an upper story, +and several locked doors had to be opened before we could reach the +ground. There were seven guards keeping watch over us, and a large +force near by ready to rush to their assistance at the slightest +notice. It was evident that our only chance of success lay in moving +very quickly and silently. We could not leave at night, for then all +the doors were closed, and we had no means of opening them. The best +time was at supper, which was brought a little before sundown, and by +starting then, we would soon have the cover of darkness to conceal our +flight. The soldiers in the next room, and a deserter who was confined +with them, agreed to go with us, if we would open their door. Only one +of the Tennesseeans, named Barlow, would risk the trial, although they +were anxious for the movement before it was seriously contemplated. + +The plan on which we finally settled, was to seize the jailor when he +came to take out the buckets in which our supper was brought, holding +him so that he could make no noise, take the keys from him, and let +Buffum unlock the doors and release the remaining prisoners. While +this was being done, our other boys would divide into two squads, and, +cautiously descending the stairway, pounce upon the guards, and take +their guns from them; then, at a signal, we would all come down, and +march, thus armed, on our homeward journey. We very nearly succeeded +in our programme. + +The second day after receiving the news, all our plans were completed. +We had patched our clothes as best we could, and made cloth moccasins +to protect our feet, for many of our shoes were altogether worn out. +Now we only awaited the approach of the appointed hour. Slowly the sun +rolled down the west; slowly the shadows lengthened in the east, till +the gloomy shade of the jail had nearly reached the crest of the hill +which usually marked our supper time. The eventful hour drew nigh. We +bade one another a solemn farewell, for we knew not when we should +meet again on earth, or how many of us might be cold and lifeless +before the stars shone out. Captain Fry, who was tender-hearted as a +child, wept at the parting. He had two coats, and, as he could not +take both with him, he gave one to me. I needed it extremely, for I +was very nearly destitute of clothing. + +Everything was now in readiness. I had piled up the books of the +minister, some of which we still retained, in the corner, and had +written him a note thanking him for the use of them. We had on our +coats, and had a few canes, and bottles, and pieces of lath, taken out +of the wall, which were to be used in the fight down stairs, if +necessary. Then came the supper. It was brought in by negroes, the +jailor standing at the door. Our preparations for leaving were not +noticed. We ate in silence, stowing part of the bread in our pockets +for future emergencies. It so happened that the old watchman, whom +everybody hated, was away. It was well for him, as he would have +received little mercy. + +After the jailor had given their food to the inmates of the other +rooms, he came back to ours. We asked him to let Barlow come over and +stay with us that night. He consented, and soon Barlow was with us. +Now was the time for action. + +It was a thrilling moment! On the action of the next few minutes hung +the issues, probably, of life or death. I confess that for one moment +the blood flowed to my heart with a sharp throb of pain. The others +were pale, but determined. As for Captain Fry, who was to initiate the +movement, and whom I had seen weeping a few minutes before--he was +perfectly calm, and his face wore a pleasant smile. He stepped out of +the door as if it was the most natural action in the world, and said, +very quietly: + +"A pleasant evening, Mr. Turner." + +"Yes, rather pleasant," responded the latter, looking as if he could +not understand what Fry was out there for. + +"We feel like taking a little walk this evening," continued the +captain. + +The astonishment of the jailor now knew no bounds. "_What! How!_ +WHERE!" he exclaimed, in broken ejaculations. + +Fry's countenance grew darker as he clasped the old man in his arms, +and said: + +"We have stayed as long as we can stand it, and we now are going to +leave, and let out the other prisoners; so give up the keys, and make +no noise, or it will be the worse for you!" + +Turner tightened his grasp on the keys desperately, and exclaimed, +"You can't do that!" then commenced in a loud tone, "Guar"--when my +hand closed across his mouth and stifled the incipient call for help. + +It was not our intention to hurt the old man, for he had been kind to +us; but it was necessary to keep him quiet. He possessed great +strength, and struggled very hard, managing to bite my finger; but we +held him fast, and easily wrestled the keys from him. Buffum was soon +at work on the locks of the doors. + +Meantime, our companions had quietly descended the stairway, and burst +out on the guards. There were seven of them, but they were so much +taken by surprise as to be incapable of resistance. Our boys divided +into two parties, one for the front and the other for the back door. +The latter was completely successful, capturing the guard, and taking +their guns from them without the least alarm being given. + +The attack at the front door was made with equal skill and bravery, +and the guards who stood near were at once secured. Unfortunately +there were two in the yard gate, which happened to be open. As soon as +these saw the charge made, they, without waiting to attempt +resistance, ran through the gate, shrieking, "Help! murder!" in tones +that aroused the whole neighborhood. There were troops near at hand, +who instantly rushed to the rescue. + +Our boys saw their peril, and knew that the part of our scheme which +provided for a regular and quiet departure was defeated, and they +endeavored to save themselves. They threw away the guns, which now +would only hinder their flight, and scaled the wall, some ten feet in +hight, and made for the woods, nearly a mile distant. It was a close +chase. Several times they were fired on by the pursuing rebels, but +fortunately not hit. + +We, who were above, heard the noise, and were admonished by it to take +our leave as soon as possible. Buffum had just succeeded in unlocking +the door that kept in our other soldiers, who at once came out. The +deserter confined with them, who was the most powerful and active of +the whole party, also broke out, and passed by where Fry and myself +still held the jailor, like a tiger on the leap. When he reached the +yard, he found two soldiers before him, with their bayonets at a +charge. Without a moment's hesitation, he seized them, cutting his +hands severely, but dashing them aside with such violence as nearly to +throw the rebels from their feet, and bounded on his way. His almost +incredible swiftness soon placed him in advance of all the fugitives. + +Captain Fry and I started down stairs together. He was a little in +advance, and at once saw there was no chance in the front yard, which +was now filled with armed rebels, and darted to the back door. Here he +scaled the wall just in time to get away, after a most desperate +chase, being repeatedly fired upon by the guards, who were only a few +feet from him, but, fortunately, was unharmed. + +I did not so soon comprehend the state of affairs, (probably because I +am near-sighted,) and rushed to the front yard. Here I saw two rebels +who seemed perfectly distracted, and were throwing their guns wildly +about and exclaiming: "What shall we do? O! what shall we do?" Not +thinking them very dangerous, I darted past them, but was checked by a +stream of less frightened guards pouring through the gate. Seeing then +that there was no chance of escape in that direction, I turned and +regained the jail. One man snapped his gun at me, but, fortunately, it +did not go off. I instantly tried the back yard, and succeeded in +getting to the top of the wall; but here I found that the rebels had +again been too fast for me, and were around under the wall outside. +Under these circumstances, I could do no better than surrender. + +I was taken back to prison, and instead of going to my own room, went +to that occupied by the prisoners of war, who had all been recaptured +and put in again. Buffum, too, who had managed to get over the wall, +was retaken and brought back. Parrott and Reddick were captured +inside of the wall, and Mason and Bensinger the next day, making six +of our party who were retaken. + +From the window where I was, I had a good view of all the proceedings +below. In a very short time, the whole force of the place, including a +regiment of cavalry, was drawn up in front of the jail. I heard +Colonel Lee, (the Provost-Marshal,) give his orders. He said: "Don't +take one of the villains alive! Shoot them down, and let them lie in +the woods for the birds and hogs to eat!" He also ordered pickets to +be placed at the ferries of the Chattahoochie, along the railroad, and +at all cross-roads. This arrangement pleased me, for these were the +very places we had agreed to avoid, and I was sure none of the boys +would be caught there. Our intention had been to travel in the night +time, through the woods, and cross the rivers on logs, as far from the +ferries as possible. + +Eight escaped. Wood and Wilson traveled southward, and, after passing +through a series of the most startling adventures, that recall the old +Indian tales we have all listened to in the winter evenings, they +succeeded in reaching the Gulf, where they were taken on board a +United States ship, and brought around to Washington. + +Porter and Wollam started westward. Their journey was a most perilous +one. I will insert a short account which Porter has since furnished +me. + +"We started on the 16th of October, and reached the Federal lines on +the 18th of November. During this time, we endured all the hardships +imaginable. We traveled night and day, sleeping mostly in the woods, +and subsisting on wild grapes, chestnuts, hickory-nuts, walnuts, and +some few sweet potatoes. Occasionally, we got a little corn-bread from +the poor class of whites and the negroes. It was miserable stuff. +Several times we slipped into the fields where the negroes were at +work, and stole the provisions they had brought out for their dinner. +Once we were seven days without a bite of bread, and often went +without for two or three days. + +"We suffered much with cold, for our clothes were very poor. We slept +but twice in houses during the whole journey. One night we traveled +till we became chilled and weary; it was very late, and we were nearly +frozen, when we fortunately discovered _a nest of hogs_. Immediately +we routed them up, and, lying down in the warm retreat they had left, +slept till morning! + +"Many streams were in our way, which we were obliged to wade, or float +across on logs. After twenty-two days of such privations, we reached +the Tennessee river, twenty-seven miles below Bridgeport. Here we +pressed a canoe into the service, and started down the river. We would +run the canoe at night, and hide it and ourselves in the day time. +When we arrived at the head of the Muscle Shoals, we were compelled to +abandon our canoe on account of low water, and make a circuit of forty +miles around. When we reached the foot of the Shoals, we procured a +skiff, and continued our voyage until within twelve miles of Pittsburg +Landing. Here we left the river, and striking across the country to +Corinth, reached there in safety. Thus, after six months of suffering, +we were once more under the glorious flag of the free." + +These[7] will serve as specimens of what the brave boys endured in +the truly herculean task of penetrating for hundreds of miles--in +fact, from the very center of the Confederacy to its circumference--in +different directions. It is an achievement I can not look upon without +wonder, and in dangers to be encountered, and difficulties to be +overcome, is at least equal to the proudest exploits of Park or +Livingstone! + +[7] Hawkins and myself associated, and made good our escape. We think +all our party escaped to the woods. Whether any were afterward caught +by the rebels, we know not. We traveled by starlight for more than +three weeks. After twenty-one days of fatigue and hunger--living most +of the time on corn or persimmons--occasionally a few raw sweet +potatoes or a head of cabbage--dodging the rebel pickets and cavalry, +climbing mountains, dragging through brush, and wading streams, we +finally were so fortunate as to meet some Union men in the Cumberland +Mountains. We met them, three in number, in the woods, and asked them +to give us some supper, stating that we had no money, but we belonged +to the rebel army, had been sick and left behind, and were now on our +way to rejoin our regiments. They refused to supply our wants, and +finally openly declared themselves to be Union men. When we became +satisfied that they were all right, we made known our true character, +and warmer friends were never met. They lodged and fed us, then +piloted us to another Union man who did the same, and he to another; +thus we were passed from one to another till we arrived at Somerset, +Kentucky, where we procured transportation to our regiments.--_Extract +from an Account published by D. A. Dorsey._ + +All night long the guards talked over their adventures. Generally they +praised their own bravery to the skies, but occasionally one who had +arrived since the affray, would suggest that it was not very much to +their credit to let unarmed men snatch their guns from them; but +these hinted slanders were always received with the contempt they +deserved, and the work of self-glorifying went on! One wondered at the +speed of the Yankees, who had been kept in prison so long; another +accounted for it by saying that they had received so much practice in +that line, in all the battles they had fought, that it was no wonder +if they were fleet of foot. This sally was received with prodigious +applause. + +I heard some confused sounds of distress from the room of the +Tennesseeans, and on inquiring what was the matter, learned that +Barlow had broken his ankle. He had gone down into the yard with our +party, but in jumping from the wall, had received this very serious +injury. Here he was found by a guard, who at first threatened to shoot +him; but on being persuaded not to do that, ordered him to get up and +lead the way into the jail. Barlow tried to do so, but fell down +again. Then this inhuman guard punched him with the bayonet, and made +him crawl, in all the agony that pain could produce, back to his cell, +and as he went, kept hurrying him along by the sharp admonition of the +bayonet! When here, his companions asked for surgical aid for him, but +the Confederate authorities refused it, saying that he had caused the +injury himself, and that they rather preferred that it should kill +him! Their wishes were gratified. For months he lingered on in the +greatest pain, until, finally, the leg mortified, and terminated his +life. He was quite a young man--only eighteen--and had just been +married when he was arrested. Thus died, in darkness and dungeon, one +other East Tennessee martyr! + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +Despair and Hope--Bitten Finger--Removed to Barracks--Greater Comfort--Jack +Wells--Cruel Punishment of Tennesseeans--Story of a Spy--Help Him to +Escape--Virtue of a Coat--A Practical Joke--Unionism--Sweet +Potatoes--Enlisting in Rebel Army--Description of a Day--Happy News--Start +for Richmond--Not Tied--Night Journey--Varied Incidents--Lynchburg--Rebel +Audacity Punished--Suffering from the Cold--Arrival in Richmond. + + +All night long I lay in the hammock that one of the regulars had swung +by the window, and listened to the boasting below. + + "Sadly I thought of the morrow." + +I had little doubt now, that the full weight of their vengeance would +fall on every one who had been recaptured. And then, too, was the news +we had received, and which had induced us to make our desperate effort +to escape! We could scarcely hope that the death which had so long +stared us in the face would now be longer delayed. And _such_ a death! +No vision of glory to dazzle the sight, and hide the grim monster from +view, or wreathe him in flowers. No eye of friends beholding the last +struggle, and sure, if you acted well your part, to tell it to those +whose love and praise were more than life. Nothing but ignominy and an +impenetrable darkness, beyond which no loving eye might ever pierce! +But even as the cold horror of the scaffold and the vision of the +heartless, jeering crowd, rose once more freshly before me, I looked +out in the clear night, and up to the shining stars, and felt that I +had one Friend--that He who dwelt above the stars, and to whom I had +plighted my faith, would not forsake me, even if I had to pass through +the very "valley of the shadow of death." With the thought came a +still and heavenly peace once more--a peace that visits only those who +feel, in the midst of sorrow and fear, that there is a blissful rest +beyond the night bounding life's fleeting day! + +The next morning, the jailor put me in the room I had formerly +occupied, with the remainder of my companions. He told us that a man +had put his hand over his mouth, and nearly smothered him, but added, +with great satisfaction: "I bit his finger terribly, and gave the +rascal a mark he will carry to the grave with him." However, his teeth +were not so sharp as he thought, and he only managed to inflict a +slight scratch. He had no suspicion that I was the person to whom he +referred, as his fright had prevented him from observing anything. For +a while, he was rather cross, and brought up the guards when he came +to feed us; but this soon wore off. + +About the middle of the day, some officers came, and, with many +threats, asked us which way our boys intended to travel. I answered, +"I heard them say that they were going to try to get to our lines, and +that traveling in _any_ direction would bring them there, for our men +had you surrounded." They asked no more questions, but retired, +satisfied that there was no information to be gained. + +Our anticipations of worse treatment in consequence of our attempted +escape were not realized. Colonel Lee thought the jail was no longer a +safe place, and ordered us to be taken to the city barracks. Our +apartment here was far more pleasant than our quarters in the jail had +been. It was large, well lighted, and provided with a fire-place, +which the chilliness of the days (it was now in October) made a great +acquisition. It also commanded a view of one of the busiest public +squares of Atlanta, and we would sit in the windows, which had no bars +across them, and watch the tide of human life that flowed before us, +for hours at a time, with an interest that only our long seclusion +from the world could have given. + +Jack Wells, the commander of the barracks, had been an old United +States soldier. Being thus brought up under a more honorable system +than obtains in the South at present, he did not consider it +derogatory to his dignity to treat prisoners kindly. He would come +around to our room and talk with us by the hour--telling us great +stories of his adventures, and receiving as great in return. Most of +the time he was half drunk, and very frequently did not stop at the +half way point. In these cases, and when he was in a communicative +mood, he would tell us that he did not care a cent which side +whipped--that he only held his present position to avoid being +conscripted. But his masters knew him to be such a faithful, vigilant +officer, and he could so readily control the rude mass who occupied +the rebel portion of the barracks, that they readily forgave these +little slips of the tongue. We passed our time while here more +pleasantly than at any other place in the Confederacy; yet even here, +our path was not one of roses. The following incidents will prove +this: + +The Tennesseeans were confined with us, making twenty in all. Our +provisions, which were still very scanty, were handed around in a +tray. Mr. Pierce, who is mentioned before, one time conceived his +allowance to be too small, and threw it back into the tray again. Not +a word was spoken on either side; but in a few minutes the guards came +up, and, seizing Pierce, took him out of the room into the cold hall, +and tying his hands before his knees, with a stick inserted across +under his knees and over his arms, in the way that soldiers call +"bucking," they left him there all night. This indignity was +perpetrated on an old man over sixty! + +One of the guards was a malicious fellow, who delighted in teasing our +men by asking them how they liked being shut up in a prison, "playing +checkers with their noses on the windows," &c. One day, when he was +talking as usual, a Tennesseean, named Barker, replied that _he_ need +not be so proud of it, for he would some time have to work like a +slave, in the cotton-fields, to help pay the expenses of the war. The +guard reported this _treasonable_ remark to the commander. Poor Barker +was seized and taken to the punishment-room up stairs, and there +suspended by the heels till he fainted; then let down until he +revived, then hung up again. This was continued till they were +satisfied, when he was taken down, and put into a little, dark +dungeon, only about four feet square, and there kept twenty-four hours +with nothing to eat! + +While in this prison, I had the heartfelt pleasure of helping one man +to escape. The guards, and, indeed, all the poorer class of +Southerners, were very illiterate. Out of twenty-six who guarded us, +only two or three could write at all, and these not enough to be of +any service. Wells wrote a hand that nobody but himself could read, +and even he not always. Therefore he often came for the prisoners to +write short articles for him. On one of these occasions I was in the +office, which was just by our room, and equally guarded, writing a +requisition for provisions. While thus engaged, a man, dressed in the +uniform of a rebel officer, was brought in for confinement in the +barracks. He appeared to be very drunk, but remonstrated so hard +against being put into the room where the remainder of the prisoners +were kept, that Wells consented to let him stay for a while in his +office. His money was not taken from him, for Wells, not knowing the +charge against him, believed he was arrested only for being drunk--an +offence with which he had a good deal of sympathy. Wells had some +business to attend to, and went out. A sergeant was with us, but he, +too, soon took his departure, leaving us alone. I was busy writing, +but, looking up, I saw the stranger approaching me. There was no trace +of drunkenness about him. I watched his movements attentively. Soon he +was standing by me. + +"You are a prisoner?" he queried. + +"Yes, sir." + +"One they call engine-thieves?" he continued. + +I again answered in the affirmative. + +"I know you," said he; "I know all about you. I was here when your +comrades were hung. Brave men they were, and the cruel deed will yet +be avenged. I am not afraid to trust you. They don't yet know who I +am, but they will learn to-morrow, and then, if I am still in their +hands, I will _die_, for I am _a spy from the Federal army_. Can't you +help me to escape?" + +I was astonished at this revelation, and for a moment doubted his +character, thinking that his aim might be to betray me for a selfish +advantage. I put a few hasty questions to him, to test his knowledge +of the Federal army. The answers were satisfactory, and seeing +nothing but truth in his clear eye, I hesitated no longer, but asked: + +"What can I do for you?" + +He answered: "Can't you write me a pass, and sign the commander's name +to it?" + +"That," I returned, "would probably be detected; but I think I can put +you on a better plan. Take that overcoat," pointing to one belonging +to Wells, and lying on the foot of a bed, "put it around you, and just +walk past the guards as independently as though you owned the entire +establishment. It is now nearly dark, and the chances are that you +will not be halted by the guard at all." + +"A good idea," said he, "I'll try it." + +At once folding himself in the coat, he bade me an affectionate adieu. +Eagerly I sat with beating heart in the deepening twilight, listening +for any sound that might betray the success or failure of the scheme; +but all was silence. I have since learned that the guard, seeing the +familiar coat, supposed that, of course, its owner was in it, and +allowed it to pass unchallenged! A moment after, the sergeant came in, +and I instantly engaged him in conversation, inducing him to tell some +good stories, to keep him from missing my companion, and to allow as +much time for a start as possible, before the inevitable alarm was +given. I succeeded perfectly for some five minutes, when Wells came +in, threw an uneasy glance around the room, and at once exclaimed: + +"Sergeant, where is that officer?" + +The sergeant protested that he knew nothing about him; that he was not +in the room when he entered. + +Wells then turned to me, and demanded: + +"Pittenger, where's that officer?" + +"What officer?" + +"That officer I put in here." + +"Oh! that drunken fellow?" + +"Yes; where is he?" + +"The last I saw of him, he picked up his coat, and said he was going +to supper."[8] + +[8] I do not pretend to justify the falsehoods recorded in this book. +But it is better to give a _true_ narrative, and bear the censure +awarded by the reader, than to increase the guilt by omitting or +misrepresenting facts. + +"Going to supper, was he! Ho! I see it! Sergeant, run to the guards, +and tell them if they let him out, I will have every one of them hung +up by the heels." + +This was rather a useless punishment, considering that the prisoner +was already far away. + +But the sergeant departed to muster the guards. Shortly after, Wells, +who had resumed his seat, said in a meditative tone: + +"Had he a coat?" + +"I suppose so, sir," I returned, "or he would not have taken it." + +"Where did he get it?" + +"Off the foot of that bed." + +Wells sprang to his feet as quickly as though he had been galvanized, +kicking over the chair on which he had been sitting, and exclaimed: + +"_My coat!_ sure as----! worth eighty dollars! The villain!" then +pressing his head between his hands, sat down again, but, as if +thinking better of it, ejaculated, "Well, if that ain't a cool joke!" +and burst into a loud laugh, which ended the scene. + +There are some facts connected with the Union sentiment in the South, +which I would like to publish, if I dared; but I cannot do it in full, +for it might be the means of exposing persons who befriended us, to +the vengeance of the tyrant rebels. I will only say that there exists +in Atlanta a society of over four hundred members,[9] who are still +devoted to the cause of union and liberty; who endure in patient faith +all the cruel persecutions heaped on them by the slavery-loving +aristocrats who now rule their beautiful land. From members of this +society many prisoners as well as myself, received money and other +needed articles, which were of the greatest value to us. These were +given at great risk to the donors, for _there_ to give a Union soldier +money is a serious criminal offence. One man I know was confined for +four months on the mere suspicion of having aided the Shiloh prisoners +in this manner. + +[9] My impression of Southern feeling is very different from +Vallandigham's. But the Union men were my friends. Were they his? + +Sweet potatoes were very abundant in Atlanta, and with the money Union +friends supplied us, we bought a great many, roasting them in the +ashes of the large fire-place that made our room so comfortable. They +added materially to our rations, and rendered our living here more +tolerable. In fact, had it not been for that universal Confederate +pest, with which all, from the least to the greatest, seemed +supplied--sometimes termed the "rebel body guard"--and from which, for +the want of clean clothes, no exertions of ours could free ourselves, +we might have passed our time not unpleasantly. + +We still continued our devotions in the morning and evening, and trust +that God blessed them to us. We met with occasional hindrances. Some +of our own party seemed to consider that our release from the dark +cells of a criminal prison did away with the necessity of continued +prayer. The Confederates also annoyed us very much by interruptions, +while thus engaged in seeking help from above. On these occasions, +Wells was our friend. He declared that he could not stand praying +himself, and so invariably stayed away; but that if it did us any +good, we were welcome to it, and ought not to be disturbed. The +opposition we met with was of short continuance. As soon as they found +us firmly resolved on our own course, they did as all cavilers do in +similar circumstances--let us alone. Thus even there we enjoyed many +pleasant moments, which will ever be remembered as a green oasis in +the parched desert of prison-life. + +While here, the Confederates wanted some of us to enlist in their +army. They tried particularly hard to get the regulars, Wells +declaring that he would rather have the two, than any half dozen of +his own men. They pretended not to be unfavorable to the scheme, but +delayed complying with it for a time, to see what the ultimate +prospects of an exchange might be. + +The cartel of exchange had been agreed upon long before; yet these +men, who had no charge against them, were still held. They believed +that it was because they were with us, and that the rebels feared to +let them go, as they would most certainly convey to our government +intelligence as to our whereabouts, condition, and treatment. This +view appeared still more probable, when I learned, since returning to +Washington, that the Confederate government had _officially_ denied +hanging any of the party. They have never yet acknowledged it. + +The time wore wearily away here, as it had done before. The delay, +since the death of our friends, had now been so long extended, that we +began to believe that our lives might be spared. This conviction was +strengthened as the months rolled on. + +At last a court-martial was convened--the first since the +ever-memorable one at Knoxville, and we awaited its action with the +utmost anxiety. A week of sickening suspense passed by, and no summons +came for us. Then the court adjourned, and we breathed freer. It now +seemed probable that they did not intend to prosecute the feeble +remnant of our party any further; and, passing from the extreme of +despair to that of hope, we began to indulge once more the blissful +expectation of being permitted to revisit the scenes of our loved +North, and stand beneath the "old flag," which we honored and +reverenced as the embodiment of liberty with law--the emblem of the +highest national life. But our time for freedom had not yet come. + +The weeks rolled on. Few things occurred worthy of note. That same +monotony which makes prison-life so dreary, robs it of interest when +recorded. We would rise in the morning from our hard bed, and wash +ourselves, pouring the water upon each others' hands, and eat our +scanty breakfast; then loll listlessly around, seeking in vain for +anything which might relieve the almost unendurable tedium. When +dinner came, which was of the same quality as the breakfast, we would +eat it, and then try desperately to kill time until dark, when the gas +was lit--not from any favor to us, but that the guard could watch us +from the ever-open door, and see that we were working no plots to get +out. + +This was the most cheerful hour of the day, for under the soft +inspiration of the gaslight, conversation flowed more freely, and all +the incidents of our past lives were rehearsed to attentive listeners. +To vary the subject, an argument would be started on science, +politics, or religion, and warmly discussed. When the talk would flag, +which was frequently not till the midnight bells were striking in the +town, we would offer up our devotions, and lie down to sleep, and +often to indulge in the most delightful dreams of freedom, friends, +and home. In the morning we waked again, and the same round was +recommenced. Thus days glided into weeks, and weeks passed into +months. The light golden hues of autumn deepened into the dead and +sombre colors of early winter, and still we were in Atlanta. Our weak +faith, judging what would be from what had been, could scarcely +conceive that we would ever be anywhere else! A heavy, dead +indifference, like the lack of sensibility which the repeated +infliction of pain produces in our physical natures, took possession +of us. We almost ceased even to hope! + +But at last there came a day of rejoicing. A number of officers +visited the barracks, and inquired which was the room occupied by the +Federal prisoners. On being shown around to our apartment, they told +us to fall into line, and then said they had glad news for us. + +"You have all been exchanged, and all that now remains is for us to +send you out of our territory." + +They then came along the lines, and shook hands with us, offering +congratulations on the happy termination of our trials, and wishing us +much joy on our arrival at home. + +Our feelings may be better imagined than described. There was an +overwhelming rush of emotions which forbade utterance--happy +joy--exhilarating, and yet mingled with a deep touch of sorrow, that +our seven dead--murdered--comrades were not with us to share the joy +of this unexpected release. And the eight also who had managed to get +out of the clutches of the rebels by their own daring--we were uneasy +about them. Only a day or two before, we had seen in an Atlanta paper, +obtained, as usual, through a _contraband_ source, an article clipped +from the "_Cincinnati Commercial_," giving notice of the arrival of +Porter and Wollam at Corinth, in a very wretched and famished +condition. This was most gratifying to us, but of the others we had, +as yet, received no reliable information. The Provost-marshal told us +that three of them had been shot and left in the woods, but judging by +the source, we considered the account very doubtful, and still +cherished the hope that the whole story was a fabrication.[10] Thus we +were in suspense as to their fate. But still, beyond all this, the +prospect of speedily gaining our liberty, was enough to make our +hearts overflow with gratitude to that Being who had so wonderfully +preserved us through all our trials. I was so agitated that when Wells +asked me to write a requisition for provisions for our journey, I +could not do it, and had to transfer the task to more steady hands. It +was six in the morning when we received the news, and we were to start +for "home--_via_ Richmond"--at seven in the evening. We spent the +intervening time in arranging what clothes we had, and preparing for +the journey. And as the time for departure drew near, we again lit the +gas, and built a fire, the ruddy blaze of which was itself an emblem +of cheerfulness, to take a farewell view of the room in which we had +spent so many not altogether unhappy hours. Often afterward did we +think of that bright hour of expectation, during the dreary lapse of +succeeding months, which we were still doomed to pass in the South. + +[10] It was a malicious falsehood. All were safe. + +We had obtained quite a number of pieces of carpet, which served as +blankets, but were forbidden to take these with us, being told that we +would be run directly through, and would soon be where blankets were +plenty. We however managed to secrete two very small pieces, which +were afterwards of great advantage to us. They did not tie us now for +the first time in all our travels. This was truly remarkable, and +afforded strong confirmation to our hopes. + +All was now in readiness for our departure, and we took a long, and, I +trust, a last look at Atlanta--at least while it remains in rebel +possession. The guards fell in on each side of us, and we wended our +silent way along the dark streets. Wells, even drunker than usual, +accompanied us to the cars, where he hiccoughed an affectionate +farewell. White, the sergeant who was with me when our spy escaped, +commanded our escort. He was one of the best-natured rebels I ever +saw, and, like his superior, did not care which side came out best, so +long as he was not hurt. The guard was only ten in number, while we, +including the Tennesseeans, were twenty--a great falling off in +precaution from their former custom. + +We were crowded into rude box-cars, and soon began to suffer severely +with the cold, for the night air was most piercing. It was the 3d of +December, and we had only summer clothing, which was, in addition, +very ragged. At about three o'clock in the morning we arrived at +Dalton. We were not to go through Chattanooga. + +The stars were sparkling in light and frosty brilliancy when we +stopped. The other train, on which we were to continue our journey, +had not yet arrived, and the keen and icy wind cut almost through us. +We stood shivering here, and suffering extremely from the cold, for +something like an hour, when, to our great relief, the expected train +arrived. We were more comfortably fixed in it, and managed to doze +away the time till daybreak. + +In the morning, we found that our three days rations, which were to +last us to Richmond, were scarcely enough for a breakfast. However, we +ate what we had, and trusted to buying a few necessaries with the +remaining money which our Union friends had given us. When that +failed, we had still a sure resource that never failed--endurance of +hunger. + +During the day, we discussed the question whether it would not be +best, at nightfall, to try making our escape, as we were within forty +miles of our own lines. It would be an easy task. The guards were +perfectly careless, and at any time we could have had as many guns as +they had. They sat on the same seats with us, and slept. Frequently +those guarding the doors would fall asleep, and we would wake them as +the corporal came around, thus saving them from punishment. The most +complete security seemed to pervade them, utterly forbidding the idea +that _they_ thought they were taking us onward for any other purpose +than that of exchange. Once the sergeant laughingly told us that we +could escape if we wished, for we had the matter in our own hands; but +that he thought it would be more pleasant to ride on around, than to +walk across on our own responsibility. This very security lulled our +suspicions, and, combined with what the Marshal and other officers had +told us in Atlanta, induced us to shrink from undertaking a journey, +almost naked and barefoot as some of us were, over the mountains and +in the snow, which now began to appear. + +In the afternoon, we passed the town of Knoxville, now a place of +loathing and hatred to us; then the town of Greenville, which we +noticed as being the residence of our heroic companion, Captain Fry; +then on into the lower part of Western Virginia. It was nightfall when +we entered this State, and a beautiful night it was. The moon shone +over the pale, cold hills with a mellow, silver radiance, which made +the whole landscape enchanting. On, on, we glided, over hill and +plain, at the dead of night, and saw, in the shifting scenery of the +unreal-looking panorama without, a representation of the fleeting +visions of life--like us, now lost in some dark, gloomy wood, or +walled in by the encroaching mountain side, and now catching a +magnificent view of undulating landscapes, far away in the shadowy +distance. Thus, through the silent night, we journeyed on, and morning +dawned on us, still steaming through the romantic valleys of Virginia. + +The next day was a wet, dreary one. Our car leaked, our fire went out, +and we were most thoroughly uncomfortable. The evening found us at the +mountain city of Lynchburg, which is literally "set on a hill." Here +we discovered that we had missed the connection, and would have to +wait for twenty-four hours. We were very sorry for this, as we were in +a great hurry to get to our own lines, and had been talking all the +way about what we should do when we arrived at Washington. But there +was no help for it, and we marched up to the barracks with as good +grace as possible. + +We here found a large, empty-looking room, with some of the refuse of +the Confederate army in it. There was an immense stove in the center +of the room, but, being without fire, it was of no particular +benefit. We resigned ourselves to another night of freezing, with the +consoling thought that we would not have many more of such to endure. +I paced the floor till nearly morning, and witnessed a good many +amusing incidents. Many of the Confederates were quite drunk, and +disposed to be mischievous. One of them diverted himself by walking +about on the forms of those who were trying to sleep. Soon he came +around to Bensinger. He endured the infliction patiently the first +time; but as the sot came again, Bensinger was on the look-out, and, +springing to his feet, gave him a blow that laid him out on the floor. +Some of his companions rushed forward to resent the infliction; but, +finding that nobody was frightened, they gave over. + +Here, in Virginia, I met the most spiteful and venomous secessionists +I had yet seen. + +One of them--a prisoner--said that he had advocated raising the black +flag, asserting that if it "had been done at first, the war would have +been over long since." + +"No doubt of it," I replied; "the whole Southern race would have been +exterminated long before this." + +This way of ending the war had not entered his mind, and he became +very indignant at the suggestion. + +All the next day was cold and gloomy. After noon, we succeeded in +obtaining some wood for the big stove, with permission to make a fire +in it, which was soon done, and a genial glow diffused over the whole +room, in time to warm us before taking our departure for Richmond. + +We started a while before dark, seated in good, comfortable cars--the +best we enjoyed on the route. But we only ran a short distance to a +junction, where we were again to change cars. The next train had not +yet arrived, and we built a large fire, as it still continued bitterly +cold. We could easily have escaped, for the passengers mingled with us +around the fire, and we even went to a considerable distance away to +procure fuel. But so confident were we of a speedy exchange, that we +did not make the effort, and the golden opportunity passed unimproved. +Oh! how greatly we afterward regretted that we had not at least made +the attempt. Soon the other train arrived, and a few hours placed us +in Richmond--the goal to which every Union soldier is turning his +eyes, though he would not wish to reach it in the manner we did. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +The City by Moonlight--Old Accusation Renewed--Libby Prison--Discomfort--A +Change--Citizens' Department--Richmond Breakfast--Removed under +Guard--Castle Thunder--Miniature Bedlam--Conceal a Knife--Confined in a +Stall--Dreadful Gloom--Routine of a Day--Suffering at Night--Friends +Exchanged--Newspapers--Burnside--Pecuniary Perplexities--Captain +Webster--Escape Prevented--Try Again on Christmas Night--Betrayed--Fearful +Danger Avoided. + + +It was still the same sparkling moonlight, and the same intense and +piercing cold, that marked our journey the preceding night, when we +left the cars, and entered the rebel capital. + +Everything looked grim and silent through the frosty air, and our +teeth chattered fast and loud as we walked through a few squares of +this now historic city. + +But suddenly the sergeant recollected that he did not know what to do +with us, and we were obliged to remain where we were, till he could find +the Provost-Marshal's office, and get instructions. We endeavored to +shelter ourselves as best we could from the unbearable cold, which +really threatened to prove fatal. We had two blankets, or rather pieces +of carpet, and we spread them over the heads of us all as we huddled +together in a solid mass, in the angle of a brick wall. It was +astonishing how much more comfortable this made us--especially in the +inside of the _pack_, where I happened to be. Here we remained shivering +till the sergeant returned. He had found the Provost-Marshal's office, +and proceeded to conduct us thither. + +We marched through several of the principal streets, which, but for +the moonlight, would have been entirely dark. At last we arrived at +the office, which, to add to our discomfort, was destitute of fire. We +stood in the empty room looking at the grim portraits of the rebel +generals that stared at us from the walls, until the Marshal himself +entered. He did not deign to speak to us, but opened a sealed letter +which the sergeant handed him, and read that ten disloyal +Tennesseeans, four prisoners of war, and _six engine-thieves_, were +hereby forwarded to Richmond, by order of General Beauregard. We had +hoped that the title of thieves, of which we had become heartily +tired, would now be left behind; but it seemed still to cling to us, +and afforded an unpleasant premonition of the Confederacy's not yet +being done with us. The Marshal then gave his orders, and we were +again marched off. + +By this time it was daylight, December 7th, 1862. Richmond looked +still more cheerless by the cold beams of morning than it did before. + +We now threaded several tedious streets, and at last came to the James +river, where we halted in front of a most desolate-looking, but very +large brick building, situated on the bank, and surrounded by a +formidable circle of guards. This building we very naturally took to +be a prison, and soon learned that we were right. It was the famous +LIBBY. We entered its precincts, and were conducted up a flight of +stairs, and then, on reaching the upper room, which was a vast, open +one, we saw, almost for the first time since our capture, the old +familiar United States uniform. We were soon in the midst of over a +hundred Union soldiers. + +At first our greeting was not very warm, as we still wore the rebel +rags that had served us all summer; but as soon as our true character +and history were made known, we were most cordially welcomed. There +was a small stove--only one--in the cold, empty room, and part of the +inmates were huddled around it. But with the characteristic courtesy +and charity of the American soldier, they soon cleared a place beside +it for us. Then I had leisure to look around. + +The room was very large and bare; the floor above was taken out, +leaving it open to the roof. Beside this, the window sashes were all +removed, and the cold wind whistled in from the river far more sharply +than was consistent with comfort. The inmates informed me that they +had only a limited amount of fuel allowed them per day, and when that +was exhausted, they had to endure the freezing as best they could. +Even when the fire was burning, only about a dozen could get around +it, and the room was too large and open to be warmed more than a few +feet from the stove. Yet, with all these discomforts, we rejoiced to +be here. It was the sure pledge that our foes had not been deceiving +us in their promises of an exchange, for these men, with whom we found +ourselves, were actually going northward in the next truce-boat, which +was daily expected. Our hearts beat high as we thought that, after +drinking the bitter draught of bondage and persecution for eight long +months, we were at last to taste the sweets of liberty. What wonder if +our joy was too deep for words, and we could only turn it over in our +minds, and tremble lest it should prove too delightful to be +realized! What cared we for the cold that made our teeth chatter, and +sent the icy chill to our very bones! It was only for the moment, and +beyond that we painted the bright vision of freedom, with such +vividness and warmth, that cold and privations were forgotten +together. But our dream was short. + +We talked with our companions, and learned from them many interesting +items of news. The worst we heard, and which, at first, we could +hardly credit, was the existence of a large party in the North who +were opposed to the war; because, as my informant said, "They were +afraid if the thing went on, they would be drafted, and would have to +fight themselves." Oh! how bitterly some of the prisoners, who were +profanely inclined, cursed those who could oppose their government in +such a time as this! Not many of the soldiers sympathized with these +traitors. They were still hopeful of success, and confident that the +time would soon come when they would crush rebellion. + +But in the midst of our conversation, an officer entered, and called +for the men who had just been admitted. Expecting to be paroled, as +all the other prisoners in the room were, we at once responded. They +conducted us down to the entrance hall, and called over our names. +The four prisoners of war, and one of the Tennesseeans, were put on +one side, and we on the other. The first party were then taken up +stairs again, while we were put into an immense, but dark and low +room, on the left of the stairway. + +This was an awful moment. We now felt that we had been deceived, and +our hopes at once fell from the highest heaven, to which they had +soared, down to perfect nothingness, and a cold sense of misery and +despair came over us. To be thus separated from our friends, also, +seemed like parting the sheep from the goats, and could only be for +the purpose of punishment! No wonder that we looked at each other with +pale, troubled countenances, and asked questions which none were +prepared to solve. But only one moment were we thus crushed beneath +this unexpected blow; the next, we again sought an avenue for hope. + +Perhaps they did not recognize us as soldiers, and only wanted to +exchange us as citizens--a matter of indifference to us, provided we +were exchanged at all. We looked around to see what foundation there +might be for this pleasing conjecture. + +Our present apartment contained even more prisoners than the one +up-stairs. They were men from all parts of the South. Some of them +had been in prison ever since the war broke out, and a few had been +arrested for supposed anti-slavery principles, even before that event, +and had lived in loathsome dungeons ever since. This would be called +barbarous tyranny if it occurred in Italy; but I have seen men, even +in my own Ohio, who could see no wrong in it when practiced in the +South, on supposed _abolitionists_. There were also some of our own +soldiers here, who had been put in for attempting to escape. This +survey was not calculated to increase our feeble hopes of a speedy +exchange, or even to weaken our fears of further punishment. + +In the meantime, breakfast was brought in. It consisted of a small +quantity of thin soup, and a very scanty allowance of bread. To our +delight, the latter was made of flour, instead of corn meal; and all +the time we remained in Richmond, we received good bread, though often +very deficient in quantity. + +While we were talking with our new room-mates, an officer again +entered, and inquired for the fifteen men who had last come in. We +answered quickly, for hope was again busy whispering in our hearts, +and suggesting that there had been some mistake, which would now be +rectified, and we taken up stairs again. But there was no such good +fortune in store for us. We were taken out of doors, and there found a +guard waiting to remove us to another prison. Again our hearts sank +within us. + +We crossed the street, and halted at a desolate-looking building, +which we afterward learned was "CASTLE THUNDER," the far-famed Bastile +of the South. We were conducted through a guarded door into the +reception-room, where we had to wait for some time. While here, a +fierce-looking, black-whiskered man, who, I afterwards learned, was +Chillis, the commissary of the prison, came in, and said: + +"Bridge burners, are they! They ought to be hung, every man of them; +and so ought every man that does anything against the Confederacy." +Had he said _for_, I would have agreed with him heartily. + +Soon the guide returned, and ordered us to be conducted up stairs. Up +we went, passing by a room filled with a howling and yelling +multitude, who made such an outrageous racket that I was compelled to +put my hands to my ears. As we came in view, a score of voices +screamed with all the energy their lungs could give: + +"Fresh fish! Fresh fish!" The same exclamation greeted every new +arrival. + +We were taken into the office and searched, to see if we possessed +anything contraband, or, in plainer terms, anything they could make +useful to themselves. They took some nice pocket knives from the +Tennesseeans, which they had contrived to keep secreted till now. When +it came my turn, I managed to slip a large knife, that I had obtained +at Atlanta, up my sleeve, and by carefully turning my arm when they +felt for concealed weapons, succeeded in keeping it out of the way. + +The examination over, I thought they were going to put us into the +miniature mad-house we had just passed; and they did not do much +better, for they put us into a stall beside it. I call it a stall, for +the word describes it most fully. It was one of a range, partitioned +off from the large room in which were the noisy miscreants, and from +each other by loose plank, with cracks wide enough to let the wind +circulate freely through them. Most of the windows of the large room +were out, which greatly increased the cold. Our stall was only eight +or nine feet wide, and perhaps sixteen in length. It was bare of any +furniture--not even having a chair, or any means of making a fire. + +In this cheerless place our party, six in number, and nine +Tennesseeans, were confined during the months of December and January! + +The first day of our imprisonment here, our spirits sank lower than +they had ever done before. All our bright hopes were dashed to the +ground, and there seemed every reason to believe that we were doomed +to this dreary abode for the remaining term of the war, even if we +escaped sharing with our murdered friends the horrors of a Southern +scaffold. It was too disheartening for philosophy, and that day was +one of the blackest gloom. We seldom spoke, and when we did, it was to +denounce our folly, in suffering ourselves to be deluded to Richmond +by the lies they had told, and not seizing some of the many +opportunities our journey afforded for making our escape. But it was +no use lamenting; and all we could do was to register a solemn vow +never to be deceived by them again. When night came, we knelt in +prayer to God, and if I ever prayed with fervor, it was in this hour +of disappointment and dread. I tried to roll all my cares upon the +Lord, and partly succeeded, rising from my knees comforted, and +assured that whatever might be the issue, we had one Friend who was +nigh to save, and had often made his children rejoice, in worse +situations than ours. The next morning I awoke again cheerful, and +felt nerved for any fate that might befall me. + +Here the routine of prison life did not differ materially from that at +Atlanta. We had to go down to the court (the building was square, and +built with an open court in the center) to wash in the morning, and +were immediately taken back to our stall, and locked up. But the +principal difference was our want of fire. This made it our greatest +difficulty to keep warm, and effectually destroyed all those pleasant +fireside chats that had done so much to make our condition endurable +in the Atlanta barracks. + +As the darkness and coldness of night drew on, we were compelled to +pace the floor, trying to keep warm; and when sleep became a +necessity, we would all pile down in a huddle, as pigs sometimes do, +and spread over us the thin protection of our two bits of carpet. Thus +we would lie until too cold to remain longer, and then arise and +resume our walk. We had always plenty of light, except when the +awkwardness of the gas managers left the whole city in darkness, which +was frequently the case. + +We never omitted our devotions. For awhile the deserters outside, who +were composed of the very scum of Southern society, many of them +being the rowdies, gamblers, and cutthroats of the large cities, tried +to interrupt us by every means in their power; but finding that their +efforts produced no effect, they finally gave over, and left us to +pursue our own way in peace. We found afterward, when, for a short +time, we were put among them, that they respected us the more for it. +Thus it will always be when perseverance is exercised in a good cause. + +A few days after our arrival, we noticed a great stir among the +prisoners at the Libby, which was plainly in view across the road, and +but a short distance from us. We learned that a truce-boat had +arrived. Soon a body of United States soldiers came up the street by +us, and our five friends with them. As they passed our window, they +waved their hands in farewell, and continued their journey. No doubt +they were soon with their friends at home.[11] The parting was a hard +one for us. It seemed so much like fulfilling the passage of +Scripture--"One shall be taken and the other left," that we turned +away from the window feeling again the gloom which darkened the first +day of our arrival. We felt utterly deserted and alone; yet we were +glad that some had been able to escape from the power of this accursed +rebellion, "every throb of whose life is a crime against the very race +to which we belong." + +[11] A letter was received from one of them by my father a short time +ago. He had not heard of our release, but described our parting, and +gave a rumor which he had heard of our subsequent execution. + +In the dead sameness which now settled down again over our +prison-life, we had a delightful daily oasis, in reading the +newspapers. In Richmond we were not, as elsewhere, debarred their +perusal, and there was always some one who had money enough to buy +them, and then charity enough to lend them all over the prison. In +this way, we were enabled to see most of the dailies published. As +soon as we received one, all the party would gather around, while I +read the news and editorials aloud. + +The time of our arrival was an exciting one. Burnside had just made +his celebrated advance, and as we read of his crossing the river, we +breathed a prayer that he would be successful, and continue onward to +Richmond. Had he done so, we would either have fallen into his hands +or been removed. In the latter case, we would have made a desperate +effort to escape, for we had firmly resolved never to be moved again +without making a strike for freedom. + +But soon came the sad news of his repulse--sad to us, but causing the +greatest rejoicings among the rebels, who felt that they had escaped a +great danger, and renewed the life of their tottering treason. + +We missed the books we were no longer able to borrow, and planned all +kinds of means to obtain them. Among other expedients, I managed to +sell my hat. It was a fine one, and had formerly belonged to Jack +Wells; but one day when he was drunk enough to be in a clever humor, +he took mine, which was a very poor one, from me, and put his own on +my head, saying that I looked better in that. No doubt he intended to +trade back, but forgot it when we started away, and so left me in +possession. I sold this hat for three dollars and a half, and bought +another extremely poor one for half a dollar, leaving me three dollars +of available funds; which, added to five more afterward obtained from +a Union man, made quite a fortune. With this I tried to procure a book +I wanted. I gave the money to the corporal who attended the prison, +but he kept it several days, and then returned it to me. I next tried +one of the officers of the prison, but met with no better success. +Determined not to be baffled, I dropped the money through a crack in +the floor to a lady prisoner below, who was allowed to go out in town, +but in a few days she, too, sent it back, saying that the book was not +in Richmond. + +Still persevering, I wrote the names of several books on a slip of +paper, and gave it to Chillis, the commissary, who wanted us hung when +we first came, but who was, nevertheless, the kindest official of the +prison; he likewise returned it, saying that _none_ of the books named +were to be found. I then yielded, and reserved my money for the next +best purpose to which it could be applied--to buy bread, which I often +needed. We could at first get small cakes for ten cents apiece; but +they afterward rose to fifteen. We had to take postage stamps in +change, and, having no pocket-book to carry them in, they would often +become torn and cracked, which rendered them worthless. Thus we lost a +considerable portion of our precious money. + +We soon became very restless and discontented here, and revolved +desperate plans of escape. It seemed like a hopeless prospect, for we +were in the third story, and could only escape by passing at each door +through successive relays of guards, all of which had a reserve ready +to coöperate with them in case of alarm. Our room was next to the +jailor's office, and on the opposite side was a row of rooms +containing all kinds of prisoners. The one next to us was occupied by +a number of Federal soldiers--some charged with being spies, and +others with murder. + +One of the latter was Captain Webster. He was a young and most +handsome man, not over twenty-two years of age. He had, on one +occasion, been sent to take a notorious guerilla captain, named +Simpson, who was then hiding within our lines. When he was found, +Webster summoned him to surrender. Instead of doing so he fired his +pistol and started to run; but Webster also fired, and mortally +wounded him. + +When Webster was subsequently taken prisoner, he was held for the +_murder_ of Simpson, and confined in the room next to us. The charge I +have repeatedly heard, not only from himself and fellow prisoners, but +from the officers of the prison. Judge of my surprise, then, on +reading, since my return home, of the hanging of Webster for +_violating his parole_. This being a charge that the law of war would +visit with death, the Confederates _officially lied_ in substituting +the one charge for the other, in order to justify themselves, and +prevent retaliation. + +Webster, too, was tired of confinement, and ready to risk all in a +bold strike for freedom. The decision was soon made, and Christmas +evening was the time fixed for the attempt. There were a number of +citizens in the room below, who were in a more favorable situation for +initiating the movement than we were. We had opened telegraphic +communication, as we had done before at Atlanta, and after full +consultation, it was agreed to let these citizens give the signal. +This was to be the cry of fire, and when it was heard, we were all to +rush upon the guards, and overpower them. There were only about thirty +guards in the building, and we had over a hundred and fifty men +concerned in the plot. We were, therefore, sure of success if every +one performed his part--at least in getting out of the building, which +was a less difficult task than leaving the city. + +On Christmas eve everything was in readiness with us, and most +anxiously did we wait for the signal. The hours rolled slowly on, and +midnight passed, but no signal was given. We afterward learned that +the citizens below failed in courage when the decisive moment came, +and thus defeated a plan which would, in all probability, have been +successful, and would have startled rebeldom no little in thus +bursting open their strongest prison. + +The next night we resolved to try once more. And that no +faint-heartedness might now interfere, we appointed Webster our +leader, knowing that he would not falter. Again we prepared. The locks +of all the rooms were drawn except our own, which was so close to the +guard that it could not be taken off without great danger of +discovery. + +Some did not want to go, but were very kind to those of us who did, +supplying us with serviceable shoes, and taking our worn-out ones in +return. At last everything being in readiness, we again waited for the +signal. Those in our room were to remain quiet till it was given, and +then burst off the door, which was a light one, and rush on the guard. +We took a board that supported the water-bucket, and four of us, +holding it as a battering-ram, did not doubt our ability to dash the +door into the middle of the large room, and seize the guard before he +could make up his mind as to the nature of the assault. + +The other small rooms were soon vacated, the movement being concealed +from the observation of the guard, by the inmates of the large room, +into which all the others opened, standing up around the doors. + +For an instant all was silence. We lifted up our hearts in prayer to +God, that He would be with us, and preserve us through the coming +strife, and if consistent with His high will, permit us to regain our +liberty. + +What can cause the delay? Minute after minute passes, and the dead +silence is only broken by the throbbing of our own hearts. We stand +with the board ready, and our spirits eager for the coming contest, +which shall lead us to grapple, with naked arms, the shining bayonets +of the guards. We do not doubt the issue, for the hope of liberty +inspires us. + +But now we see our friends creeping _back to their rooms_! We grind +our teeth with rage and chagrin, but soon hear the explanation, which +makes us think that the Lord is indeed watching over us. + +Just as our leader was ready to give the signal, a friend pressed to +his side, and informed him that we were betrayed, and that an extra +guard of over eighty men was drawn up in line before the door, with +orders to shoot down every one that issued from it, while still +another detachment was ready to close in behind, and make an +indiscriminate massacre. Had we attempted to carry out our plan, the +guard would have yielded before us until we were drawn into the trap, +and then they hoped to make such a slaughter as would be a perpetual +warning to prison-breakers. + +When I first heard this story, I thought it the invention of some +weak-nerved individual who feared the trial and the danger of our +scheme. But it was true. The next day the Richmond papers contained a +full _expose_ of the whole affair, and Captain Alexander, the tyrant +who commanded the prison, threatened to have every one engaged in it +tied up and whipped. But he finally concluded not to do so, and the +excitement passed away. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +Letter sent Home--Alarming Pestilence--Our Quarters +Changed--Rowdyism--Fairy Stories--Judge Baxter--Satanic +Strategy--Miller's History--An Exchange with a Dead Man--Effect of +Democratic Victories--Attempt to Make us Work--Digging out of a +Cell--Worse than the Inquisition--Unexpected Interference--List from +"Yankee Land"--Clothing Stolen--Paroled--A Night of Joy--Torch-light +March--On the Cars--The Boat--Reach Washington--Receive Medals, Money, +and Promotion--Home. + + +All of our party had repeatedly tried to send letters home to let our +friends know that we were still alive, but hitherto had failed. Now we +had a providential opportunity. Some of the prisoners who were +captured at the battle of Murfreesboro' were brought to Richmond, and +confined in the basement of our building. While they remained, I wrote +a note with a pencil, on the fly-leaf of a book, and when taken down +to wash in the morning, slipped around to the door of the Western +prisoners, and gave it to an Irishman. He concealed it until he was +exchanged, and then mailed it to my father. It produced a great +sensation among my friends, most of whom had long since given me up +for dead. It was the first that had been heard of our party since the +Atlanta escape, and was at once published in my county paper, and +copied in many others. The following is the note: + + + RICHMOND, VA., January 6th, 1863. + + DEAR FATHER--I take the opportunity of writing by a paroled + prisoner, to let you know that I am well, and doing as well + as could be expected under the circumstances. I have seen + some rather hard times, but the worst is past. Our lives are + now safe, but we will be kept during the war, unless + something lucky turns up for us. There are six of our + original railroad party here yet. Seven were executed in + June, and eight escaped in October. + + I stand the imprisonment pretty well. The worst of it is to + hear of our men getting whipped so often. I hear all the + news here; read three or four papers a day. I even know that + Bingham was beat in the last election, for which I am very + sorry. + + The price of everything here is awful. It costs thirty cents + to send a letter. This will account for my not writing to + all my friends. Give my sincere love to them, and tell them + to write to me. + + You may write by leaving the letter unsealed, putting in + nothing that will offend the Secesh, and directing to Castle + Thunder, Richmond, Virginia. I want to know the private + news--how many of my friends have fallen. Also tell who has + been drafted in our neighborhood, who married, and who like + to be. Also if you have a gold dollar at hand, slip it into + the letter--not more, as it might tempt the Secesh to _hook_ + it. I have tried to send word through to you several times + before, but there is now a better chance of communicating + since we came from Atlanta to Richmond. Mother, (here + referring to religious experience.) * * * * * * * + + No doubt you all would like to see me again, but let us have + patience; many a better man than I am has suffered more, and + many parents are mourning for their children without the + hope of seeing them again. So keep your courage up, and do + not be uneasy about me. Write as soon as you can, and tell + all my friends to do the same. + Ever yours, + WILLIAM PITTENGER. + To THOMAS PITTENGER, + New Somerset, Jefferson county, Ohio. + + +We remained in this prison, reading of the victories of Southern +rebels, and the doings of Northern traitors, until the first of +February. At that time they wanted our range of rooms for a hospital. +This range was not adapted to the purpose, but was at least as good as +the garret above, where all who went were sure of death. + +Disease was now making fearful havoc. The small-pox prevailed to a +frightful extent, and the whole town was alarmed. Men were dying +around us every day; none of our party was infected, but many of the +Tennesseeans were. It was no wonder that they found it necessary to +extend their hospitals, for the treatment we received was well +calculated to make the hardiest men sink beneath their trials. But +these fearful ravages of pestilence did at least the good of securing +our removal from the pen in which we had been confined. At first we +were taken to the bedlam I have described before; and even this was +better than the loneliness and _ennui_ of our strict confinement. + +It seemed like freedom by contrast. We now had a fire also--a luxury +which one who has been _freezing_ for two months knows well how to +appreciate. It is true it did not warm half the people around it, and +these had not the courtesy of our brethern in the Libby; yet it was a +great thing to be occasionally warm. + +The amusements of our new friends were striking, if not elegant. When +a dense crowd would gather round the fire, some mischievous Irishman +would cry out, "Char-rge, me boys;" and, with his confederates, rush +against the mass, knocking men in all directions, upsetting pots, +skinning elbows, and spoiling tempers generally. Fights were of +frequent occurrence, and it only needed the addition of intoxicating +liquor to constitute a perfect pandemonium. + +The evenings were a compensation. After the turmoil of the day was +over, and most of those who had blankets had retired to rest, a party +of the worst rowdies, who had been annoying us all day, would gather +around the stove, and appear in a new character--that of +story-tellers. I have spent the greater part of the night in listening +to them, and have heard some of the finest fairy tales, and most +romantic legends. But the approach of day put an end to all the +romantic disposition of my companions, and left them ill ruffians as +before. + +We soon wearied of this perpetual ferment, and petitioned to be put +below in the room with the Union men. After some delay it was granted, +and then came a more pleasant part of my prison life. The room was +large, but dark, and the windows not only secured by crossing bars, +but woven over with wires. The refuse tobacco-stems of the manufactory +had been thrown in this room, till they covered the floor to a depth +of several inches. + +But to compensate for these disagreeable accompaniments of our new +apartment, it had a stove, and was warm; so that the terrible +suffering with the cold, which none can appreciate but those who have +endured, was now at an end. There was also good society here--nearly a +hundred Union men from different parts of the South--all intensely +patriotic, and many of them possessing great intelligence. In talking +with these men, and hearing their adventures and opinions, I passed +many a pleasant hour, and gained a great insight into the views of +Southern Unionists. + +One of these, who became an intimate friend, was a Scotchman, named +Miller. When the war commenced, he was residing in Texas, and +witnessed the manner in which that State was precipitated into +secession. The first part of the plan was to excite rumors of a +contemplated slave insurrection; then the conspirators would place +poison and weapons in certain localities, and find them, as if by +accident. This was continued till the public mind was in a perfect +ferment. The next step was to take some slaves, and whip them until +the torture made them confess their own guilt, and also implicate the +leading opponents of secession. This was enough. The slaves and +Unionists were hung together on the nearest tree, and all opposition +to the nefarious schemes brutally crushed. Thus has slavery furnished +the means of paving the way to treason! + +Miller himself was taken, and after narrowly escaping the fate of his +friends, was sent eastward to be tried as a traitor. He twice made his +escape, once traveling over two hundred miles, and each time, when +captured, telling a different story. Finally, he represented himself +as a citizen from New York. When brought before Judge Baxter, the +magistrate of Castle Thunder, for examination, he merely said: + +"I told you all about my case before." + +The judge, who was considerably intoxicated, thought that he had +actually been examined before, and dismissed him without further +questioning. He was brought up several times after that, but always +gave them the same answer, thus keeping them completely deceived, and +was at length exchanged. + +I here became acquainted with a young man of the Potomac army, whom I +shall call Charlie. He was employed to go near Richmond to fire a +bridge, and collect important information. While executing his +perilous mission, he was captured, with papers in his possession fully +proving his character as a spy, and was despatched with a sergeant as +escort, toward Richmond. While on the way, the sergeant, who was fond +of liquor, got a chance to indulge, and became very careless. Charlie, +watching his opportunity, slipped from the breast pocket of his guard +the packet of papers containing his charges, with the directions for +his disposal, and threw them into a pond by the wayside. + +When he arrived at Richmond, the authorities did not know his +character, and put him into the large room with the other prisoners, +instead of confining him separately. When the evidence against him +arrived, the commanding officer entered with a guard, and inquired for +him. Now was his last chance for life, and well was it improved! It so +happened that a man had died in the prison the night before, and +Charlie at once responded: + +"O! that fellow died last night," and pointed to the corpse. + +"Died, has he! the rascal! We'd 'a hung him this week, and saved him +the trouble if he'd only held on!" growled the officer, and departed. + +Charlie was shortly after exchanged under the _dead man's name_! + +Just when the discouragement of all lovers of their country was the +greatest, resulting from the news of the rise and progress of the +peace party in the North, a Tennessee Congressman visited our prison. +He gathered the Tennesseeans around him, and urged them to return to +their allegiance; stating that the Union cause was now hopeless, as it +was abandoned even by the Northern States, which were in the hands of +the Democrats, who would make peace on any terms; closing by asking +them now to _do right_, take the oath of allegiance to the +Confederacy, and go into its army, promising that all their previous +obstinacy should be forgiven. The effect was wonderful! Listen, ye who +cavil at the government, and while opposing its policy, still think +you do no harm! These were loyal men, and had proved it by abandoning +all for the cherished cause--many of them spending weary months in +loathsome dungeons. Yet on hearing of the triumph of this faction, +which promises to restore the Union by conciliating and wooing back +the rebels, over one-half of them yielded, and gave that consent which +neither danger nor suffering had been able to force from them! Thus +were over twenty recruits from one room of one prison, obtained for +the rebel army by the triumphs of Northern Democracy! + +A part remained faithful, and this excited the ire of the +secessionists. To punish them, Captain Alexander issued an order that +all the menial service of the prison should be performed by Union men. +Some obeyed the order, while others would not. But those who did the +work complained that unwilling ones were not made to help them. To +remedy this, a list was prepared, and the names taken in order. One of +the first called was a Tennesseean, named McCoy. He answered boldly: + +"I'm not going." + +"What's the matter, now?" demanded the sergeant. + +"I didn't come here to work; and if you can't board me without, you +may send me home," replied the fearless man. + +"Well! well! you'll be attended to," growled the sergeant, and +proceeded with the roll. Four others likewise refused, and were +reported to Captain Alexander, who at once ordered them to be put into +"the cell." This was a dark place beside the open court, and only +about four feet wide, by six or seven in length. It had no floor but +the damp earth, and was destitute of light. Here they were informed +that they should remain until they agreed to work. + +We found another alternative for them.--There was a piece of file and +a scrap of stove-pipe in our room, which we took, and buying a candle +from the commissary, watched our opportunity, when taken out to wash, +to slip them into the cell. As soon as these necessaries were +received, the boys begun faithfully to dig their way out under the +wall. All day and night they worked, but did not get through. The next +day, we supplied them with another candle, and they labored on. Toward +morning, they broke upward through the crust of the ground outside. +The foremost one wormed his way out, and glided off. He was never +heard from, and no doubt reached the Union lines. The next man was +just under the wall, when the barking of a dog, that happened to be +prowling around, drew the attention of the guard that way, and +prevented his escape. But though the stampede was thus arrested, it +was a lesson that prevented the confinement of any more in the cell. + +Yet they were not content to give up the idea of making us their +servants. I happened to be on the next list prepared. This time the +task was to dig in Captain Alexander's garden, which we would have +been obliged to perform with an armed guard standing over us. + +Of course, we refused to go. As a punishment, we were ordered into the +yard, which was only a vacant corner of the building, enclosed by high +brick walls, on the top of which guards walked. It was a cold day in +February, and was raining. We were nearly naked, having only the +remnant of the rags that had already served for more than their time. +The bottoms were out of my shoes, and the water stood in the yard +several inches deep. The cold, wet wind, swept down with biting +sharpness, and almost robbed us of sensation. We paced the narrow +bounds, through the mud and water, until too weary to walk any more, +and then resigned ourselves to our misery! + +Here we remained from early in the morning till in the evening. They +told us we would have to stay there till we agreed to work, or froze +to death! The first we resolved never to do. The latter was prevented +by relief from an unexpected source. + +The old commissary, who had been so harsh to us when we first arrived, +now went to Captain Alexander, and remonstrated with him for his +cruelty. + +Said he, "If you want to kill the men, and I know the rascals deserve +it, do it at once. Hanging is the best way. But don't keep them there +to die by inches, for it will disgrace us all over the world." + +This logic produced a good effect, and the order was given to send us +back to our room, which, with its warm fire, never seemed more +pleasant. It was well they did not keep us out during the night, for +we had determined to scale the wall, if we lost half of our number in +the attempt. + +The effects of that terrible day of freezing were soon visible. On +entering the room, the grateful warmth produced a stupor from which +most of us awoke, sick. Some died. I, myself, contracted a disease of +the lungs, which rendered me an invalid for months after regaining my +freedom. + +One day we were ordered into line, and the names of all our railroad +party, with a few of the others, called over. One, whose name was +omitted, asked the reason of the omission. The officer answered: + +"We can't tell, for this list came from Yankee land." + +The mention of "Yankee land" started conjectures afloat thick and +fast. Why should a list be sent from the North? Could it be for the +purpose of exchange? The whole prison was in a ferment. + +They soon discovered that a general exchange of political prisoners +was in contemplation. This added fuel to the flames. But as the +truce-boats went off one after another, and week after week passed by, +leaving us still in our dark and wearisome prison, hope again died +away. Every person who ventured to speak of exchange was laughed into +silence. + +One day an officer came into the room, and ordered a sergeant to take +the name of every man who claimed United States protection, in order +to obtain clothes for him. Soon the clothing came. It did not +comprise a complete suit, but was extremely welcome. Never did I see a +peacock strut with more ostentation than did some of the prisoners on +donning the uniform. And it was worthy of pride. It was a token that +we were not forsaken, but that a great nation was extending its +protection over us. The ragged guards around, clad in their miserable +butternut suits, growled many uncomplimentary allusions to the +penuriousness of their own government, in contrast with the +munificence of ours. + +There were only about one hundred _parts_ of suits distributed, though +the papers, the next day, stated the number at _five_ hundred! and +this I afterward found was actually the number sent from Washington. +The entire four hundred, and part of the last hundred, was kept by the +officers as a compensation for their trouble in distributing them! But +they certainly acted with more than their ordinary honesty in giving +us any at all! + +On the evening of the 17th of March, when we were sitting around the +fire, lazily, but not indifferently, discussing the siege of +Vicksburg, and laying many infallible plans by which it might be at +once reduced, an officer entered, and gave the strange order for all +"who wanted to go to the _United States_ to come to the office!" + +When I obeyed, it was with very little hope that there was really a +chance once more to stand beneath the folds of our loved banner. Even +when part of our room-mates had gone in, and signed the oath of +parole, I feared that the good news was _only_ for them. To test the +matter, I went forward, and as I gave my name, fully expected to +hear--"The engine-thieves can't go"--but no objection was made. For a +moment a delicious hope thrilled through my veins--a vision of +happiness and home, dazzling as a flash of summer lightning, shone +before my eyes--but it instantly faded before the remembrance of our +Atlanta deception. + +It was announced that we were to start at four o'clock the next +morning. The evening, as might be expected, was one of wild +excitement. Nearly all acted like men bereft of reason. Their +joyousness found vent in vociferous cheers--in dancing and bounding +over the floor--in embracing each other, and pledging kind +remembrances. But there were a few who were not permitted to go, and I +pitied them. I remembered when we had been left by our comrades on our +first arrival in Richmond, and my heart bled for these forsaken ones, +as they sat cheerless and alone, seeming to feel even more wretched +than ever, amid the general joy. + +It was near midnight before we became calm enough to offer up our +usual evening devotions. But when all were at length still, wearied +out by the very excess of joy, and when the quietness that ever +follows overwhelming emotions had settled down upon us, we knelt in +prayer--a prayer of deep, strong, fervent thankfulness; and we +implored that we might not be deceived in our bright and vivid hopes, +and dashed back from our anticipated paradise; yet if such should be +His high and mysterious will, and we should see these hopes fade, as +others faded before them, we asked for strength to bear the trial. +Thus composed, we laid down to sleep, and await the event. + +Few eyes closed during the entire night. Fancy was too busy peopling +her fairy landscapes--picturing the groups that awaited us beyond that +boundary which, for nearly a year, frowned before us, gloomy and +impassable as the silent river of death! But even as we muse, what +unbidden fears spring up to darken the prospect, and stain the +brightness of our joy! How many of those friends whose love was as our +life, may be no more! For a year, not a whisper had been heard, and we +trembled as we thought of the ravages of time and of battle. These +and other thoughts whirled through our throbbing brains during that +ever-memorable night, and were only broken by the summons of the +commanding officer, who, long ere morning light, gave the thrilling +order to--_prepare for our journey_! + +Hurriedly we thronged to our feet. It was true! Freedom once more! Our +terrible captivity was passed! O joy! JOY!--almost too wild and +delirious for earth! + +There was a hurrying around in the darkness illumined by the flashing +of torch-lights--a discordant calling of names--a careful inspection +to see that none went but those allowed; then, forming two lines in +the courtyard, and with bounding hearts, we passed _outward_ through +the dreaded portals of Castle Thunder--the same portals we had passed +_inward_ more than three months before! passed out into the cool, but +_free_ night air! + +We next marched through the muddy, unlighted streets for many squares. +There were with us a number of sick, who were not willing to be left +behind; and as the rebels refused to provide conveyances, we helped +them--encircling them in our arms, and supporting their tottering +steps during the weary distance. Some had to be carried altogether, +but the burden was light, upborne, as we were, on the wings of hope +and exultation. + +After we were seated in the cars, we found in some Richmond papers the +intelligence that "a large number of engine-thieves, bridge-burners, +murderers, robbers, and traitors will leave this morning for the +United States," also congratulating themselves on the riddance. Our +congratulations were not less fervid! + +We glided slowly along, passing fortifications and rifle-pits, till we +arrived at Petersburg; then onward to City Point, the place of general +exchange. Here, for the first time in eleven months, we saw the "flag +of the free," floating in proud beauty from the truce-boat "State of +Maine." It was a glad sight! Her undulating stars were fairer to us +than the brightest constellations that ever sparkled in the azure +fields above. + +The grossest frauds are often practised by the unscrupulous +secessionists in these exchanges. I will give a case that occurred at +this time. + +A rebel soldier was wounded in the head at the first battle of +Manassas. It affected his brain, and disordered his intellect, so that +even after he had recovered physically, he was mentally unable to +perform the duties of a soldier. He was confined a short time in +Castle Thunder, and then sent to Camp Lee, to try him again. But he +was no better than before, and they gave up the attempt in despair. +Then they exchanged him to us, and got a _sound man_ in his place! + +When the boat rounded out from the shore on its homeward way, our joy +knew no bounds. It seemed as if we had awakened from a hideous +nightmare dream to find that all its shapes of horror and grinning +fiends had passed away, and left us standing in the free sunlight once +more. Our hearts beat glad music to the thresh of the wheels on the +water, knowing that each ponderous stroke was placing a greater +distance between us and our hated enemies. + +Then, too, the happy welcome with which we were greeted; and the good +cheer, so different from our miserable prison fare, and the kind +faces, smiling all around, showed in living colors that we were +freemen again. + +Down the river we went, passing the historic ground of the James, as +in a delirious dream of rapture! We were scarcely conscious of passing +events. No emotion on earth has the same sweep and intensity as the +wild, throbbing sensations that rush thick and fast through the bosom +of the liberated captive! + +On we went--reached the gunboats that ply up and down the river, like +giant sentinels, guarding the avenue to rebellion--reached the river's +mouth, passed onward up the bay to Washington! As we came in sight, we +thronged tumultuously to the vessel's side, and bent eager, loving +eyes on the snowy marble front, and white towering steeple of our +nation's Capitol. + +On our arrival, we were requested by the Secretary of War to give our +depositions before Hon. Joseph Holt, Judge Advocate General, that the +world at large might know on the surest foundation the truth of our +narrative. We were received by the Judge himself, and Major-General +Hitchcock, who was present, with the most marked cordiality. This +interview was merely a friendly one, and was passed in familiar +conversation. + +On our second visit, we found a justice of the peace in waiting to +administer the necessary oath, and also a phonographer to write our +testimony. We were examined separately, and the result published +officially in the _Army and Naval Gazette_, and also in most of the +newspapers of the day. + +We then called on the Secretary of War, accompanied by our kind +friends, Major-General Hitchcock and J. C. Wetmore, Ohio State Agent. +Generals Sigel and Stahl, with many other distinguished personages, +were in waiting, but we were given the preference, and at once +admitted. + +The Secretary conversed with us most affably for some time. Then going +into another room, he brought out _six medals_, (see engraving--all +are similar,) and presented them to us, saying that they were the +first ever given to private soldiers. Jacob Parrott, the boy who +endured the terrible beating, received, as he well deserved, the first +one. + +[Illustration: THE MEDAL--(_reduced size._)] + +[Illustration: REVERSE OF MEDAL.] + +He next presented us with one hundred dollars each, and ordered all +arrearages to be paid, and the money and the value of the arms taken +from us to be refunded. + +This was not all. He requested Governor Todd to promote each of us to +first lieutenants in the Ohio troops; and, if he failed to do so, +promised to give us that grade in the regular army. We then received +furloughs to visit our homes, and left his presence profoundly +convinced that "republics are" not always "ungrateful." + +We were then escorted by our friends to the Executive mansion, and had +a most pleasing interview with our noble President. His kindness was +equal to that of the Secretary. After relating to him some incidents +of prison experience, and receiving his sympathizing comments, we took +our leave. + + +And now--safe in a land of freedom--with the consciousness of having +performed our duty--surrounded by fathers and mothers, brothers and +sisters, wives and children, who had long mourned us as dead--our +dangers past, and our sufferings rewarded--I drop the vail. + + +THE END. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Daring and Suffering:, by William Pittenger + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DARING AND SUFFERING: *** + +***** This file should be named 20509-8.txt or 20509-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/5/0/20509/ + +Produced by Wolfgang Menges, Suzanne Shell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Daring and Suffering: + A History of the Great Railroad Adventure + +Author: William Pittenger + +Release Date: February 2, 2007 [EBook #20509] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DARING AND SUFFERING: *** + + + + +Produced by Wolfgang Menges, Suzanne Shell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h5>Transcriber's Note: All printer's errors retained.</h5> + +<h1>DARING AND SUFFERING:<br /> +A HISTORY OF<br /> +THE GREAT RAILROAD ADVENTURE.</h1> + +<h2>BY LIEUT. WILLIAM PITTENGER,<br /> +ONE OF THE ADVENTURERS.</h2> + +<h4>WITH AN INTRODUCTION,<br /> +BY REV. ALEXANDER CLARK.</h4> + +<h4>"The expedition, in the daring of its conception, had the wildness of<br /> +a romance; while in the gigantic and overwhelming results it sought<br /> +and was likely to accomplish, it was absolutely sublime."—<i>Official<br /> +Report of Hon. Judge Holt to the Secretary of War.</i></h4> + +<h4>"It was all the deepest laid scheme, and on the grandest scale, that<br /> +ever emanated from the brains of any number of Yankees<br /> +combined."—<i>Atlanta "Southern Confederacy" of April 15th, 1862.</i></h4> + +<h4>PHILADELPHIA:<br /> +J. W. DAUGHADAY, PUBLISHER,<br /> +1308 CHESTNUT STREET.<br /> +1863.</h4> + +<h4>Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1863, by<br /> +J. W. DAUGHADAY,<br /> +In the Office of the Clerk of the District Court for the Eastern<br /> +District of Pennsylvania.</h4> + +<h3>TO<br /> +R. T. TRALL, M. D.,<br /> +EDITOR OF THE "HERALD OF HEALTH,"<br /> +AND<br /> +Leader of the Hygienic Reform,<br /> +THIS VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED<br /> +AS A TRIBUTE OF<br /> +ESTEEM AND GRATITUDE,<br /> +BY<br /> +THE AUTHOR.<br /> +<span class="smcap">New Somerset</span>, Jefferson Co., O.,<br /> +October, 1863.</h3> + +<div><a name="image01" id="image01"></a></div> +<div class="center"><img src="images/image01.jpg" width="519" height="800" alt="William Pittenger" /></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<table border="0" style="margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; empty-cells:show;" summary=""> + <col style="width:40%;" /> + <col style="width:20%;" /> + <col style="width:40%;" /> + <tr><th colspan="3">NAMES OF THE ADVENTURERS.</th></tr> + <tr><td colspan="3"><hr style="width: 35%;" /></td></tr> + <tr><td colspan="3" style="text-align: center">EXECUTED.</td></tr> + <tr><td><span class="smcap">J. J. Andrews</span>, <i>Leader</i>,</td><td></td><td>Citizen of Kentucky.</td></tr> + <tr><td><span class="smcap">William Campbell</span>,</td><td></td><td>Citizen of Kentucky.</td></tr> + <tr><td><span class="smcap">George D. Wilson</span>,</td><td>Co. B,</td><td>Second Reg't Ohio Vols.</td></tr> + <tr><td><span class="smcap">Marion A. Ross</span>,</td><td>Co. A,</td><td>Second Reg't Ohio Vols.</td></tr> + <tr><td><span class="smcap">Perry G. Shadrack</span>,</td><td>Co. K,</td><td>Second Reg't Ohio Vols.</td></tr> + <tr><td><span class="smcap">Samuel Slavens</span>,</td><td></td><td>Thirty-third Reg't Ohio Vols.</td></tr> + <tr><td><span class="smcap">Samuel Robinson</span>,</td><td>Co. G,</td><td>Thirty-third Reg't Ohio Vols.</td></tr> + <tr><td><span class="smcap">John Scott</span>,</td><td>Co. K,</td><td>Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols.</td></tr> + <tr><td colspan="3"><hr style="margin-top:1.5em; margin-bottom:1em; width:15%;" /></td></tr> + <tr><td colspan="3" style="text-align: center">ESCAPED IN OCTOBER.</td></tr> + <tr><td><span class="smcap">W. W. Brown</span>,</td><td>Co. F,</td><td>Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols.</td></tr> + <tr><td><span class="smcap">William Knight</span>,</td><td>Co. E,</td><td>Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols.</td></tr> + <tr><td><span class="smcap">J. R. Porter</span>,</td><td>Co. C,</td><td>Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols.</td></tr> + <tr><td><span class="smcap">Mark Wood</span>,</td><td>Co. C,</td><td>Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols.</td></tr> + <tr><td><span class="smcap">J. A. Wilson</span>,</td><td>Co. C,</td><td>Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols.</td></tr> + <tr><td><span class="smcap">M. J. Hawkins</span>,</td><td>Co. A,</td><td>Thirty-third Reg't Ohio Vols.</td></tr> + <tr><td><span class="smcap">John Wollam</span>,</td><td>Co. C,</td><td>Thirty-third Reg't Ohio Vols.</td></tr> + <tr><td><span class="smcap">D. A. Dorsey</span>,</td><td>Co. H,</td><td>Thirty-third Reg't Ohio Vols.</td></tr> + <tr><td colspan="3"><hr style="margin-top:1.5em; margin-bottom:1em; width:15%;" /></td></tr> + <tr><td colspan="3" style="text-align: center">EXCHANGED IN MARCH.</td></tr> + <tr><td><span class="smcap">Jacob Parrott</span>,</td><td>Co. K,</td><td>Thirty-third Reg't Ohio Vols.</td></tr> + <tr><td><span class="smcap">Robert Buffum</span>,</td><td>Co. H,</td><td>Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols.</td></tr> + <tr><td><span class="smcap">William Bensinger</span>,</td><td>Co. G,</td><td>Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols.</td></tr> + <tr><td><span class="smcap">William Reddick</span>,</td><td>Co. B,</td><td>Thirty-third Reg't Ohio Vols.</td></tr> + <tr><td><span class="smcap">E. H. Mason</span>,</td><td>Co. K,</td><td>Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols.</td></tr> + <tr><td><span class="smcap">William Pittenger</span>,</td><td>Co. G,</td><td>Second Reg't Ohio Vols.</td></tr> +</table> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2>PREFACE.</h2> + +<p>The following work is a narration of facts. My only desire is to give +a clear and connected record of what will ever be regarded as a most +remarkable episode in the history of the Great Rebellion.</p> + +<p>The style of the book demands an apology. It was begun in sickness +induced by the privations of rebel prisons, and completed amidst the +fatigue and excitement of the most glorious campaign which has yet +crowned our arms. Under these circumstances, there must be many faults +of expression, which a generous reader will readily pardon.</p> + +<p>To the many kind friends who sympathized with me during the weary +interval when my fate was considered hopeless, as well as those who +rejoiced with me on my return, I can only tender my most sincere +thanks.</p> + +<p>Myself and comrades are greatly indebted to the <span class="smcap">President</span> and +Secretary <span class="smcap">Stanton</span> for their generous recognition of our services, and +the munificent rewards bestowed upon us. To them, and to Judge <span class="smcap">Holt</span>, +Major-General <span class="smcap">Hitchcock</span>, and <span class="smcap">James C. Wetmore</span>, Ohio State Military +Agent, we take this opportunity of expressing our heartfelt +obligations.</p> + +<p>Another to whom I am indebted is Dr. <span class="smcap">R. T. Trall</span> of New York. At his +beautiful "<i>Hygiean Home</i>," on the mountain side, near Wernersville, +Berks county, Pennsylvania, I regained my lost health. For his +kindness, and that of his skillful assistants, Drs. <span class="smcap">Glass</span> and +<span class="smcap">Fairchild</span>, I will ever be deeply grateful. It was with regret, woven +with many pleasant memories, that I left their hospitable home when +recovered health and duty called me again to the field.</p> + +<p>To my early friend, Rev. <span class="smcap">Alexander Clark</span>, Editor of the "<i>School +Visitor</i>," I am still more deeply indebted. His literary experience +was freely placed at my service, and when discouraged in the +preparation of my story, which was to me an arduous undertaking, his +words of hope and cheer stimulated me to renewed efforts. But for aid +derived from his sympathy and advice, I would have probably abandoned +my task. May he be fully rewarded!</p> + +<p>There are a host of others whose good offices will always be kindly +remembered. Among them are <span class="smcap">W. R. Allison</span> of the "<i>Steubenville +Herald</i>," Dr. <span class="smcap">John McCook</span>, also of Steubenville, Dr. <span class="smcap">George McCook</span> of +Pittsburgh, Rev. <span class="smcap">William B. Watkins</span>, A. M., Dr. <span class="smcap">John Mills</span>, and many others. +Thanks to them all!<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 30em;">WILLIAM PITTENGER.</span><br /> +<i>Army of the Cumberland, August, 1863.</i></p> + +<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> + +<p>Images<br /> +<a href="#image01">1-William Pittenger</a><br /> +<a href="#image02">2-"A pull—a jar—a clang—and we were flying away on our perilous journey."</a><br /> +<a href="#image03">3-"Down I went into the cimmerian gloom—clambering step by step to a depth of fully thirteen feet."</a><br /> +<a href="#image04">4-The Medal</a><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a href="#chapter01">CHAPTER I.</a><br /> +<br /> +Sad Retrospective—Object of the Book—Military Situation<br /> +in the Southwest—Disaster and Energy of the Rebels—Necessity<br /> +for a Secret Expedition—A Proposition to<br /> +Buell and Mitchel—An Attempt and Failure—Return of<br /> +Adventurers—Second Expedition—Writer Volunteers—Andrews,<br /> +the Leader—Parting from the Regiment—On<br /> +the Way—Perplexities—The Writer <i>Cur-tailed</i>! 23-35<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a href="#chapter02">CHAPTER II.</a><br /> +<br /> +Midnight Consultation—Plans Developed—Money Distributed—<i>Compagnons<br /> +du Voyage</i>—A Dismal Night—Sheltered<br /> +from the Storm—Southern Unionist—Arrested by<br /> +Federal Soldiers—Beyond the Lines—Panic Caused by<br /> +Negroes—Method of Avoiding Suspicion—Continuous<br /> +Rain—Behind Time—Hunting Human Beings with<br /> +Bloodhounds—The Cumberland Mountains—Rain again. 36-45<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a href="#chapter03">CHAPTER III.</a><br /> +<br /> +Crossing the Mountains—Playing Hypocrite—Legend of<br /> +Battle Creek Valley—Lodged with a Secessionist—Strategy—A<br /> +Welcome but Fatal Delay—Exaggerated<br /> +Accounts of Shiloh—Prevented from Crossing the Tennessee—In<br /> +the Mountains again—Amusing Rebel Story—To<br /> +the River again—Perilous Crossing—Success—Chattanooga—On<br /> +the Cars—Night—Arrive at Marietta. 46-56<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a href="#chapter04">CHAPTER IV.</a><br /> +<br /> +Take an Early Train—Prospecting—Capture of the Train—Panic<br /> +in Confederate Camp—Away at Lightning<br /> +Speed—Thrilling Experience—Cut the Telegraph—Tear<br /> +up the Track—Unexpected Obstacle—Running a Powder<br /> +Train to Beauregard—Red Flag—Dropping Cross-Ties—Battering<br /> +out Spikes—Immense Exertion of Strength—Pursuing<br /> +Backward—Terrible Chase—Attempt to Wreck<br /> +the Enemy's Train—Fearful Speed—Bold Plan. 57-67<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a href="#chapter05">CHAPTER V.</a><br /> +<br /> +Consternation along the Route—Wood and Water—Attempt<br /> +to Fire the Train—Partial Failure—Message sent<br /> +to Chattanooga—Terrific Preparations—Abandon the<br /> +Train—A Capital Error—In the Woods—A Thrilling<br /> +Account of the Chase from the Atlanta "<i>Southern Confederacy</i>." 68-90<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a href="#chapter06">CHAPTER VI.</a><br /> +<br /> +Stupendous "Man Hunt"—My Own Adventures—Playing<br /> +Acrobat—Perilous Crossing of a River—Hunger—The<br /> +Bloodhounds—Flying for Life—No Sun or Star to Guide<br /> +me—Traveling in a Circle—Nearing Chattanooga—Lost<br /> +in Deadened Timber—Glimpse of the Moon—Fatigue<br /> +produces Phantoms—Dreadful Storm—I Sleep and enter<br /> +Fairy Land—Glorious Visions—Reality—A Picket—Romance<br /> +Faded—Horrible Situation—Day Dawn—No Relief. 91-105<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a href="#chapter07">CHAPTER VII.</a><br /> +<br /> +Sabbath—Continuous Rain—Press Onward—Observed—Arrested—Curious<br /> +Examination—Equivocating for Life—Plans<br /> +Foiled by Unexpected News—Plundered—Jail—Terrible<br /> +Reflections—New and Hopeful Resolve—Unwelcome<br /> +Visitors—Vigilance Committee Disappointed—Ordered<br /> +to Chattanooga—A Mob—Chained to the<br /> +Carriage—Escort—The Journey—Musings—Arrival—Another<br /> +Mob—Benevolent Gentleman(?)—General<br /> +Leadbetter—Andrews. 106-126<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a href="#chapter08">CHAPTER VIII.</a><br /> +<br /> +Negro Prison—Swims, the Jailor—Horrible Dungeon—Black<br /> +Hole of Calcutta—Suffocation—Union Prisoners—Slave<br /> +Catching—Our Party Reunited—Breakfast Lowered<br /> +by Rope—Hunger—Counseling—Fiendish Barbarity—Chained<br /> +in the Dungeon—Andrews tried as a Spy<br /> +and Traitor—Sweet, but Stolen News—Removed from<br /> +Dungeon—Pure Air and Sunlight—Attacked by a Mob—"A<br /> +Friend"—Madison—Daring Adventure and Narrow<br /> +Escape. 127-147<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a href="#chapter09">CHAPTER IX.</a><br /> +<br /> +Return to Chattanooga—Caution of Rebels—Unchain Ourselves—Mock<br /> +Trials—The Judge—Singing—One Kindness—Projected<br /> +Escape—Loitering Comrades—A Gleam<br /> +of Hope—Sad Parting—Knoxville—Prison Inmates—Brownlow—Awful<br /> +Cruelty—Andrews Condemned to<br /> +Death—Escapes with Wollam—Fearful Perils—Swimming<br /> +the River—Hiding on an Island—Found by Children—Yields<br /> +to His Fate—Horrible Death—Wollam's<br /> +Stratagem—On the River—Passes a Gun Boat—Final<br /> +Capture. 148-170<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a href="#chapter10">CHAPTER X.</a><br /> +<br /> +Sorrow for Andrews—Prepare for Trial—Charges and<br /> +Specifications—Plan of Defence—Incidents of Trial—Encouragement—Not<br /> +Allowed to Hear Pleading—Lawyer's<br /> +Plea—Seven Tried—Mitchel Dissolves the Court—Tied<br /> +Again—A Saucy Reply—Advantage of Sickness—Fry<br /> +Deceived—Revolting Inhumanity—Fry's Capture—Starve<br /> +to Atlanta—Taunts of the Mob—Atlanta Prison—A<br /> +Kind Jailor. 171-183<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a href="#chapter11">CHAPTER XI.</a><br /> +<br /> +Cavalry Approach—Seven Removed from the Room—Suspense—Sentence<br /> +of Death—Heart-rending Separation—Death<br /> +and the Future—Not Prepared—Inhuman Haste—The<br /> +Tragedy—Speech on the Scaffold—Breaking Ropes—Enemies<br /> +Affected—Gloom of Survivors—Prayer. 184-192<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a href="#chapter12">CHAPTER XII.</a> +<br /> +Religious Experience—Contraband Assistance—Intelligence<br /> +of Negroes—Love of Freedom—Wollam's Recapture—A<br /> +Friendly Preacher—Obtain Books—Disgusting<br /> +Diet—Plays—Debates—Reading Hours—Envy the Birds—Dreams<br /> +of Home—Telegraphing—Friends from our<br /> +Army—Hope Deferred—Union Society—Difficulties of<br /> +Tobacco-chewers—Precious Books. 193-207<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a href="#chapter13">CHAPTER XIII.</a><br /> +<br /> +Contemplated Escape—Startling Intelligence—Our Doom<br /> +Pronounced from Richmond—Hesitate no Longer—Our<br /> +Plan—All Ready—Supper—Farewell—Life or Death—Seize<br /> +the Jailor—Guns Wrested from Guards—Alarm<br /> +Given—Scaling the Wall—Guards Fire—Terrible Chase—Six<br /> +Recaptured—Wood and Wilson Reach the Gulf—Dorsey's<br /> +Narrative—Porter's Account—Boasting of the<br /> +Guards—Barlow's Cruel Death. 208-223<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a href="#chapter14">CHAPTER XIV.</a><br /> +<br /> +Despair and Hope—Bitten Finger—Removed to Barracks—Greater<br /> +Comfort—Jack Wells—Cruel Punishment of<br /> +Tennesseeans—Story of a Spy—Help Him to Escape—Virtue<br /> +of a Coat—A Practical Joke—Unionism—Sweet<br /> +Potatoes—Enlisting in Rebel Army—Description of a<br /> +Day—Happy News—Start for Richmond—Not Tied—Night<br /> +Journey—Varied Incidents—Lynchburg—Rebel<br /> +Audacity Punished—Suffering from the Cold—Arrival<br /> +in Richmond. 224-246<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a href="#chapter15">CHAPTER XV.</a><br /> +<br /> +The City by Moonlight—Old Accusation Renewed—Libby<br /> +Prison—Discomfort—A Change—Citizens' Department—Richmond<br /> +Breakfast—Removed under Guard—Castle<br /> +Thunder—Miniature Bedlam—Conceal a Knife—Confined<br /> +in a Stall—Dreadful Gloom—Routine of a Day—Suffering<br /> +at Night—Friends Exchanged—Newspapers—Burnside—Pecuniary<br /> +Perplexities—Captain Webster—Escape<br /> +Prevented—Try Again on Christmas Night—Betrayed—Fearful<br /> +Danger Avoided. 247-266<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a href="#chapter16">CHAPTER XVI.</a> +<br /> +Letter sent Home—Alarming Pestilence—Our Quarters<br /> +Changed—Rowdyism—Fairy Stories—Judge Baxter—Satanic<br /> +Strategy—Miller's History—An Exchange with a<br /> +Dead Man—Effect of Democratic Victories—Attempt to<br /> +Make us Work—Digging out of a Cell—Worse than the<br /> +Inquisition—Unexpected Interference—List from "Yankee<br /> +Land"—Clothing Stolen—Paroled—A Night of Joy—Torch-light<br /> +March—On the Cars—The Boat—Reach<br /> +Washington—Receive Medals, Money, and Promotion—Home. 267-288<br /> +</p> + +<h2>INTRODUCTION.</h2> + +<p>While our absent brothers are battling on the field, it is becoming +that the friends at home should be eager for the minutest particulars +of the camp-life, courage and endurance of the dear boys far away; for +to the loyal lover of his country every soldier is a brother.</p> + +<p>The narrative related on the following pages is one of extraordinary +"daring and suffering," and will excite an interest in the public mind +such as has rarely, if ever, arisen from any personal adventures +recorded on the page of history.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">William Pittenger</span>, the oldest of a numerous family, was born in +Jefferson county, Ohio, January 31st, 1840. His father, <span class="smcap">Thomas +Pittenger</span>, is a farmer, and trains his children in the solid +experiences of manual labor. His mother is from a thinking familyhood +of people, many of whom are well known in Eastern Ohio as pioneers in +social and moral progress—the <span class="smcap">Mills's</span>. <span class="smcap">William</span> learned to love his +country about as early as he learned to love his own mother; for his +first lessons were loyalty and liberty, syllabled by a mother's lips. +Even before the boy could read, he knew in outline the history of our +nation's trials and triumphs, from the days of Bunker Hill, forward to +the passing events of the latest newspaper chronicling,—all of which +facts were nightly canvassed around the cabin-hearth.</p> + +<p>Although he was an adept in all branches of learning, yet, in school +days, as now, young <span class="smcap">Pittenger</span> had two favorite studies; and they +happened to be the very ones in the prosecution of which his teachers +could aid him scarcely at all—History and Astronomy. But, in the face +of discouragement, with the aid only of accidental helps, and by the +candle-light and the star-light after the sunny hours had been toiled +away, he pressed patiently and perseveringly forward in his own chosen +methods, until he became an accurate historian, and a practical +astronomer. At the age of seventeen, he manufactured, for the most +part with his own hands, a reflecting telescope, which his friends +came from near and far to see, and gaze through, at the wonderful +worlds unthought-of before.</p> + +<p>The ambitions of farm-life were not sufficient to occupy the head and +hands of this searcher for knowledge. To explore the fields of the +firmament with his telescope, gave him intenser pleasure than the most +faithful farmer ever realized from furrowing his fields in the dewiest +spring mornings. To follow the footsteps of heroes through the world's +annals, as they struggled up through conflicts to glorious liberty, +thrilled him with a livelier enthusiasm than ever sprang from the +music of marching harvesters. While other young men of his age and +neighborhood idled their rainy days and winter nights in trifling +diversions, there was one who preferred the higher joy of communion +with Humboldt in his "Cosmos," Macaulay in his "England," Irving in +his "Columbus," or Burritt in his "Geography of the Heavens."</p> + +<p>Owing to this decided preference for science and literature, the +father found it advisable to indulge his son in the desire to enter a +field more consonant with his wishes. He accordingly qualified +himself, by close study at home, and without a tutor, for the +profession of teaching. In this honorable avocation he labored with +industry and promise, until he felt constrained by love of country to +quit the desk and the children, for the tent and the hosts of armëd +men.</p> + +<p>During his career as teacher, he was, for awhile, associated with the +writer in the publication of the <i>School Visitor</i>, then issued at +Cleveland, Ohio. The enterprise was, at that time, (1857-8,) to the +great outer world, an unnoticed and insignificant one; yet to those +whose little all was enlisted in the mission of a Day School paper, it +was, indeed, something that lay close upon their hearts. That was a +cheerless, friendless time in the history of the little <i>Visitor</i>, to +at least two inexperienced adventurers in the literary world. But +these were hidden trials, and shall be unwritten still.</p> + +<p>The never-forgotten teachings of his mother, together with the +unconscious tuition resulting from observation and experience, made +<span class="smcap">Pittenger</span> an early and constant friend of freedom. Any mind imbued +with an admiration of God's marches in the Heavens as an Omnipotent +Creator, and inspired by a contemplation of God's finger in History as +a merciful Deliverer, will rise to the high level of universal love to +man, and will comprehend the broad equality of Gospel liberty and +republican brotherhood. Let a man be educated, head and heart, and he +will love freedom, and demand freedom, and "dare and suffer" for +freedom, not for himself only, but for all the oppressed of the whole +earth.</p> + +<p>Reader, you may draw lines. You may profess a conservative +Christianity that would theologize the very grace out of the command, +"<i>Love thy neighbor as thyself.</i>" You may ignore this Christ-like +precept, and adopt something more fashionable and aristocratic; but if +you do, you entertain in your heart treason, both to your Father in +heaven and to your brother on earth. This law of love is revealed to +lowly men. It cuts down through crowns and creeds and chains, and +rests as a blessed benediction on sufferers and slaves. This is the +inspiration that brings victory to our arms, and deals death to +destroyers. This was the spirit that prompted our young hero to stand +forth, one of the very first from his native county, a soldier for +right and righteousness, the moment the Sumter cry rang up the valley +of his Ohio home.</p> + +<p>When <span class="smcap">Pittinger</span> became a volunteer, it was for the suppression of the +Rebellion with all its belongings,—and if its overthrow should tumble +slavery, with its clanking fetters and howling hounds, to the +uttermost destruction, he would grasp his gun the firmer for the +hope, and thank God for the prospect, the test, and the toil! He +enlisted as a soldier for his country, ready to march anywhere, strike +with any weapon, endure any fatigue, or share any sorrow. He went out +not merely an armored warrior, to ward off attacks, not to strike off +obnoxious top-growths; but to "lay the ax at the root of the tree," +and to pierce the very heart of the monster iniquity.</p> + +<p>In three days after the receipt of the startling intelligence that the +Stars and Stripes had been fired upon by rebels in arms, <span class="smcap">Pittenger</span> was +on his way to the Capital as a private soldier in the Second Ohio +Regiment of volunteers. He fought bravely on the disastrous 21st of +July, in the battle of Bull Run, while many of his comrades fell +bleeding at his side. For his calm, heroic conduct throughout that +memorable day of peril and panic, he received the highest praise from +every officer of his regiment. Although thus a sharer of war's +sternest conflicts during the three months' campaign, he was ready to +re-enlist immediately, when his country called for a longer service; +and after a few days' rest beneath the old homestead roof, he was +again on his way with the same regiment to the seat of war in the +Southwest.</p> + +<p>During the fall and winter he saw severe service on the "dark and +bloody ground." No soldiers ever endured so many midnight marches more +patiently, or manifested more self-sacrificing devotion to country, +through rains and storms, and wintry desolations, than the noble Ohio +Second, under the command of Colonel <span class="smcap">Harris</span>, through the campaign in +the mountains of eastern Kentucky.</p> + +<p>In December, the regiment was transferred to the Division commanded by +the lamented General <span class="smcap">Mitchel</span>, then encamped at Louisville. From this +point, the army pressed forward victoriously through Elizabethtown, +Bowling Green, Nashville, and Murfreesboro', until the old banner +floated in the Tennessee breezes at Shelbyville. While here, the +daring expedition to penetrate the heart of the Confederacy was +organized, of which party <span class="smcap">Pittenger</span> was one of the most enthusiastic +and determined.</p> + +<p>From the day the brave fellows departed over the Southern hills on +their adventurous journey, a veil was dropped which hid them from +sight of friends for many weary months—and some of them for ever! No +tidings came in answer to all the beseeching thought-questionings +that followed their mysterious pathway "beyond the lines."</p> + +<p>Vague rumors were current around the camp-fires and home-circles that +the whole party had been executed. Friends began to despair. Strangers +began to inquire as if for missing friends. A universal sympathy +prevailed in their behalf, and whole communities were excited to the +wildest fervor on account of the lost adventurers. The widely-read +letters from the Steubenville <i>Herald's</i> army correspondent were +missed, for <span class="smcap">Pittenger</span> wrote no more. The family were in an agony of +suspense for the silent, absent son and brother. His ever faithful +friend, Chaplain <span class="smcap">Gaddis</span>, of the Ohio Second, made an effort to go, +under a flag of truce, in search of the party, but was dissuaded by +the commanding officers from so hopeless an undertaking. The summer +passed, and yet no tidings came. The autumn came with its +melancholy,—and uncertain rumors, like withered, fallen leaves, were +again afloat about the camps and the firesides. The dreary winter +came, and still the hearts of the most hopeful were chilled with +disappointment. The father began to think of William as dead,—the +mother to talk of her darling as one who had lived,—the children to +speak of their elder brother as one they should never see any more +until all the lost loved ones meet in the better land. The writer was +even solicited by a mutual friend to preach the funeral sermon of one +whose memory was still dear, but whom none of us ever hoped to see +again on earth.</p> + +<p>But our Father in heaven was kinder than we thought. Our prayers had +been heard! As our fervent petitions winged up from family altars to +the ear of the Infinite Lover, the guardian angels winged afar +downward through battle alarms, and ministered to him for whom we +besought protection. When the bright spring days came smiling over the +earth, a message came from the hand of the missing one, brighter and +sunnier to our hearts than the April sunlight on the hills! Soon the +story was told, and we all thanked God for the merciful deliverance of +him for whom we prayed, and who had found, even in a dismal +prison-cell, the Pearl of great price! The one we loved returned home +a witness of the Spirit that came to him as a Comforter in his +dreariest loneliness, and is already a minister of the precious Gospel +that gladdened him in the time of his tribulation.</p> + +<p>And now the reader shall know all about the tedious delay and the +long silence, from the pen of him who survives to tell the story.</p> + +<p>We commend to all who peruse this narrative an interesting volume, +entitled "<i>Beyond the Lines</i>," another sad rehearsal of terror in +rebel prisons and Southern swamps, in other portions of the +Confederacy—the experience of Rev. Capt. J. J. <span class="smcap">Geer</span>, now one of +Lieutenant <span class="smcap">Pittenger's</span> associate-advocates for liberty in the pulpit, +as he was recently a brother-bondman in the land of tyranny and death. A. C.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Philadelphia</span>, September 15, 1863.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h1>DARING AND SUFFERING.</h1> + +<h2><a name="chapter01" id="chapter01">CHAPTER I.</a></h2> + +<h5>Sad Retrospective—Object of the Book—Military Situation in the +Southwest—Disaster and Energy of the Rebels—Necessity for a Secret +Expedition—A Proposition to Buell and Mitchel—An Attempt and +Failure—Return of Adventurers—Second Expedition—Writer +Volunteers—Andrews, the Leader—Parting from the Regiment—On the +Way—Perplexities—The Writer <i>Cur-tailed</i>!</h5> + +<p>It is painful for me to write the adventures of the last year. As I +compose my mind to the task, there arises before me the memory of days +of suffering, and nights of sleepless apprehension—days and nights +that, in their black monotony, seemed well nigh eternal. And the +sorrow, too, which I felt on that terrible day, when my companions, +whom common dangers and common sufferings had made as brothers to me, +were dragged away to an ignominious death that I expected soon to +share—all comes before me in the vividness of present reality, and I +almost shrink back and lay down the pen. But I believe it to be a +duty to give to the public the details of the great railroad +adventure, which created such an excitement in the South, and which +Judge Holt pronounced to be the most romantic episode of the war, both +on account of the intrinsic interest involved, and still more because +of the light it throws on the manners and feelings of the Southern +people, and their conduct during the rebellion.</p> + +<p>With this view, I have decided to give a detailed history of the +expedition, its failure, and the subsequent imprisonment and fate of +all of the members of the party. In doing this, I will have the aid of +the survivors of the expedition—fourteen in all—and hope to give a +narrative that will combine the strictest truth with all the interest +of a romance.</p> + +<p>In order to understand why the destruction of the Georgia State +Railroad was of so much consequence, I will refer to the situation of +affairs in the Southwest, in the opening of the spring of 1862.</p> + +<p>The year commenced very auspiciously for our arms. Fort Donelson had +fallen, after a desperate contest, and nearly all its garrison were +taken prisoners. The scattered remains of the rebel army, under +Johnston, had retreated precipitately from Kentucky, which had indeed +been to them "the dark and bloody ground." Columbus and Nashville were +evacuated, and fell into our hands. Island No. 10 was invested, and +the Tennessee river groaned beneath a mighty army afloat, the same +that had conquered Donelson, under its popular leader, General Grant, +and which, it was fondly hoped, would strike far away into the center +of the rebel States. Throughout the North, men talked of the war as +done, and speculated as to the terms of a peace that was soon to come.</p> + +<p>But the end was not yet. The rebel leaders, who had embarked their all +in this cause, and had pictured to themselves a magnificent +slaveholding empire, stretching away from the Potomac to the Sierra +Madre, in Mexico, and swallowing up all tropical America in one mighty +nation, devoted to the interests of cotton and slavery alone, over +which they should reign, were not yet satisfied to relinquish their +cause as desperate, and abandon their glorious dreams. With a +wonderful energy that must command our admiration, though it be only +of the kind that is accorded to Satan as pictured in "Paradise Lost," +they passed the conscription law, abandoned the posts they still held +on the frontier, and concentrated their forces on a shorter line of +defence.</p> + +<p>The eastern part of this line extended from Richmond, through +Lynchburg, to East Tennessee. In the west, it was represented by the +Memphis and Charleston Railroad, extending from Memphis, through +Corinth, Huntsville, Chattanooga, and Atlanta, to Charleston. Here +they poured forward their new levies, and began to prepare for another +desperate contest.</p> + +<p>The unaccountable inertness of the Eastern army of the Union, under +McClellan, gave them time to strengthen their defences, and reinforce +their army, which had dwindled to a very low ebb during the winter. +But while the commander of the East was planning strategy that, by the +slowness of its development, if by nothing <i>worse</i>, was destined to +dim the lustre of the Union triumphs, and lose the results of a year +of war, the West was in motion. Down the Mississippi swept our +invincible fleet, with an army on shore to second its operations. Up +the Tennessee steamed Grant's victorious army, and Buell, with forty +thousand men, was marching across the State of Tennessee, to reach the +same point. My own division, under the lamented General O. M. Mitchel, +was also marching across the State, but in a different direction, +having Chattanooga as its ultimate aim, while Morgan, with another +strong force, many of whom were refugees from East Tennessee, lay +before Cumberland Gap, ready to strike through that fastness to +Knoxville, and thus reach the very heart of rebellion.</p> + +<p>To meet these powerful forces, whose destination he could not +altogether foresee, Beauregard, who commanded in the west, +concentrated his main army at Corinth, with smaller detachments +scattered along the railroad to Chattanooga. The railroads on which he +relied for supplies and reinforcements, as well as for communication +with the eastern portion of rebeldom, formed an irregular +parallelogram, of which the northern side extended from Memphis to +Chattanooga, the eastern from Chattanooga to Atlanta, the southern +from Atlanta to Jackson, Mississippi, and the western, by a network of +roads, from Jackson to Memphis. The great East Tennessee and Virginia +Railroad, which has not inaptly been called "the backbone of the +rebellion," intersected this parallelogram at Chattanooga. Thus it +will be seen that to destroy the northern and eastern sides of this +parallelogram isolated Beauregard, and left East Tennessee, which was +then almost stripped of troops, to fall easily before General Morgan.</p> + +<p>So important was this destruction of communication deemed by those in +power, that it was at first intended to reach both sides, and destroy +them by armies; but the distance was so great that the design of +destroying it in this manner was abandoned.</p> + +<p>However, just at this time, J. J. Andrews, who was a secret agent of +the United States, and had repeatedly visited every part of the South, +proposed another method of accomplishing the same object, by means of +a <i>secret</i> military expedition, to burn the bridges on the road, and +thus interrupt communication long enough for the accomplishment of the +schemes which were expected to give rebellion in the southwest its +death-blow. He first made the proposition to General Buell, who did +not, for some reason, approve of it. Afterwards he repeated it to +General Mitchel, who received it with more favor.</p> + +<p>Our division was at this time lying at Murfreesboro', repairing some +bridges that had been destroyed, preparatory to an onward march +further into the interior. All at once, eight men were detailed from +our regiment—four of them from my own company. No one knew anything +of their object or destination, and numberless were the conjectures +that were afloat concerning them. Some supposed they had gone home to +arrest deserters; others, that they were deserters themselves. But +this last idea was contradicted by the fact that they were seen in +close and apparently confidential communication with the officers just +before their departure, as well as by the character of the men +themselves, who were among the boldest and bravest of the regiment. +Many supposed that they were sent into the enemy's country as spies; +but the idea of sending such a number of spies from the privates in +the ranks was so obviously absurd, that I did not seriously consider +it. However, I was not long to remain in uncertainty, for an officer, +who was an intimate friend of mine, revealed the secret to me. The +enterprise was so grand and so audacious, that it instantly charmed my +imagination, and I at once went to Colonel L. A. Harris, of the Second +Ohio, and asked, as a favor from him, that if any detail was made for +another expedition of the same kind, I should be placed on it.</p> + +<p>Soon after, one of the party, from Company C, returned, and reported +that he had ventured as far as Chattanooga, and there had met a +Confederate soldier who recognized him as belonging to the Union army; +and while, for the sake of old friendship, he hesitated to denounce +him to the authorities, yet advised him to return, which he +immediately did, and arrived safely in camp in a few days. He would +give no details that might embarrass his companions, who were still +pressing their way onward into the Confederacy.</p> + +<p>A short time after this, all the party came back, and I received full +details of their trip to the center of rebeldom. They had proceeded in +citizens' dress, on foot and unsuspected, to Chattanooga; there had +taken the cars for Atlanta, where they arrived in safety. Here they +expected to meet a Georgia engineer, who had been running on the State +road for some time, and, with his assistance, intended to seize the +passenger train, at breakfast, and run through to our lines, burning +all the bridges in their rear. For several days they waited for him, +but he came not. They afterwards learned that he had been pressed to +run troops to Beauregard, who was then concentrating every available +man at Corinth, in anticipation of the great battle which afterwards +took place. Thus foiled, and having no man among them capable of +running an engine, they abandoned the enterprise for that time, and +quietly stole back to our lines. Had an engineer then been along, they +would, in all probability, have been successful, as the obstacles +which afterward defeated us did not then exist.</p> + +<p>Our camp had been moved onward from Murfreesboro' to Shelbyville, +which is a beautiful little city, situated on Duck river. We camped +above the town, in a delightful meadow.</p> + +<p>It was Sabbath, the 6th of April, and the earliness of the clime made +the birds sing, and the fields bloom with more than the brilliancy of +May in our own northern land. Deeply is the quiet of that Sabbath, +with the green beauty of the warm spring landscape, pictured on my +mind! An impression, I know not what, made me devote the day to +writing letters to my friends. It was well I did so, for long and +weary months passed ere I was permitted to write to them again.</p> + +<p>But while the day was passing in such sweet repose with us, it was far +different in another army; that was the day on which Grant was +surprised by Beauregard, and only saved from destruction by the +assistance of the gunboats. This, however, we did not learn for +several days after.</p> + +<p>On Monday, Andrews returned to our camp. He had spent some time along +the line of the Georgia State road, and on his return reported to +General Mitchel that the scheme was still feasible, and would be of +more advantage than ever. He, however, asked for a larger detail of +men, and twenty-four were given from the three Ohio regiments then in +Sill's Brigade. One man was detailed from a company, though all the +companies were not represented, and I believe in two<a href="#footnote01">[1]</a><a name="return01" id="return01"></a> instances, two +men were detailed from one company—they were probably intimate +friends, who wished to go together.</p> + +<p>During the day, I saw Andrews in the camp. I had seen him frequently +before, away up in the mountains of eastern Kentucky, but did not then +observe him particularly. Now I paid more attention. He was nearly six +feet in hight, of powerful frame, black hair, and long, black, silken +beard, Roman features, a high and expansive forehead, and a voice fine +and soft as a woman's. He gave me the impression of a man who combined +intellect and refinement with the most cool and dauntless courage. Yet +his manner and speech, which was slow and pensive, indicated what I +afterwards found to be almost his only fault—a slowness to decide on +the spur of the moment, and back his decision by prompt, vigorous +action. This did not detract from his value as a secret agent, when +alone, for then all his actions were premeditated, and carried out +with surpassing coolness and bravery; but it did unfit him for the +command of men, in startling emergencies, where instant action +afforded the only chance of safety. This trait of character will be +more fully developed in the course of my story. I conversed with him +on the object of the expedition, not, of course, expecting a full +detail, but receiving a general idea. I put particular stress on his +promise, that whatever happened, he would keep us all together, and, +if necessary, we would cut our way through in a body. This was +because, being near-sighted, and, therefore, a bad hand to travel in a +strange country, with no guide, I had a particular horror of being +left alone.</p> + +<p>I returned to my company, and procured a suit of citizen's clothes +from our boys who had been out before. All the members of the company, +seeing me so arrayed, came around to try to dissuade me from the +enterprise, which to them appeared full of unknown perils. It was +gratifying to be the object of so much solicitude, but having decided +to go, I could not yield.</p> + +<p>My captain, J. F. Sarratt, of Company G, Second Ohio, as brave and +true-hearted a soldier as ever lived, earnestly entreated me not to +go; but finding my determination was fixed, he bade me an affectionate +farewell. Seldom have I parted with more emotion from any one than +these war-worn veterans.</p> + +<p>It was about four o'clock in the afternoon when we left camp, and +started for the place of rendezvous at Shelbyville. The sun was +shining brightly, and the bracing evening air sent the blood coursing +cheerily through our veins, and inspired us with the brightest hopes +of the future. Soon we reached Shelbyville, and lingered there for an +hour or two, when Ross and I, acting under the previous direction of +Andrews, started out of town. Our orders were for us all to proceed +along the road in small squads, for two or three miles, and then halt +and wait for him.</p> + +<p>We walked quietly along, until about dark, when, seeing none of the +others, we began to grow uneasy, fearing we had gone on the wrong +road. We met several persons, but they could give no account of any +one before; then we saw a house just by the road, and crossing the +fence, went up to it to get a drink of water. Before we reached the +door, a dog came up behind my companion and bit him—then ran away +before punishment could be inflicted.</p> + +<p>The bite was not severe, and I good-humoredly laughed at his mishap; +but before we again reached the fence, the same dog came once more. +Ross saw him, and sprang over the fence; but I had only time to reach +the top of it, where I sat in fancied security. But the merciless +whelp, in his ire, sprang at me, seized my coat, and tore a large +piece out of it! That coat, thus <i>cur</i>-tailed, I wore all through +Dixie. I mention this incident, because it was what some would call a +bad omen.</p> + +<h2><a name="chapter02" id="chapter02">CHAPTER II.</a></h2> + +<h5>Midnight Consultation—Plans Developed—Money Distributed—<i>Compagnons +du Voyage</i>—A Dismal Night—Sheltered from the Storm—Southern +Unionist—Arrested by Federal Soldiers—Beyond the Lines—Panic Caused +by Negroes—Method of Avoiding Suspicion—Continuous Rain—Behind +Time—Hunting Human Beings with Bloodhounds—The Cumberland +Mountains—Rain again.</h5> + +<p>We now proceeded on our way—not rejoicing, for our situation grew +every moment more perplexing. Darkness was falling rapidly, and not +one of our comrades was visible. We were almost certain we had taken +the wrong road. Finally, we resolved to retrace our steps, and +endeavor to obtain some clue to our journey, or if we could not, to +return to camp; for, without instruction, we knew not how or where to +go. We therefore retraced our steps till in sight of Shelbyville, and +then, sure that none could pass without our knowledge, we waited +nearly an hour longer.</p> + +<p>Our patience was rewarded. A few, whom we recognized as belonging to +our party, came along the road; we fell in with them, and were soon +overtaken by others, among whom was Andrews. Now all was right. Soon +we were as far from Shelbyville as Ross and I had been when alone, and +a few hundred yards further on we found the remainder of our comrades.</p> + +<p>In a little thicket of dead and withered trees, sufficiently open to +assure us that no listening ear was near, we halted, and Andrews +revealed to us his plans. There were twenty-three gathered around him; +twenty-four had been detailed, but from some cause, one had failed to +report. In low tones, amid the darkness, he gave us the details of the +romantic expedition.</p> + +<p>We were to break up in small squads of three or four, and travel as +far south as Chattanooga. If questioned, we were to answer so as to +avoid exciting suspicion, and tell any plausible tale that might +answer our purpose.</p> + +<p>We were to travel rapidly, and, if possible, reach Chattanooga on +Thursday evening at five o'clock. This was Monday, and the distance +was one hundred and three miles, a heavy travel on foot; but then we +were allowed to hire conveyances, if we could.</p> + +<p>Andrews then gave us some Confederate money to bear our expenses, and +we parted. There were three others with me; P. G. Shadrack, of Company +K, Second Ohio, a merry, reckless fellow, but at heart noble and +generous; William Campbell, a citizen of Kentucky, who had received +permission to come with us, in a soldier's place. He was a man of two +hundred and twenty pounds weight, handsome as Apollo, and of immense +physical strength, which he was not slow to use when roused, though +good-natured and clever in the main.</p> + +<p>The third was the most remarkable man of the whole party. He was not +educated highly, though he had read a great deal; but in natural +shrewdness, I rarely, if ever, saw his equal. He had traveled +extensively over the United States, had observed everything, and +remembered all he observed. Had he lived, the composition of this book +would have been in abler hands than mine. In addition to this, he +excelled, perhaps, even Parson Brownlow, in the fiery and scorching +denunciation he could hurl on the head of an opponent. In action he +was brave and cool; no danger could frighten him, no emergency find +him unprepared. These were my companions.</p> + +<p>The rain had begun to fall slightly as we walked out the railroad, on +our route, and soon it increased to torrents. The night was pitchy +dark, and we stumbled along, falling into gutters here, and nearly +sticking in the mud there, until midnight, when we resolved to seek +shelter from the storm.</p> + +<p>For a long time we could find no indication of a house, until, at +last, the barking of a dog gave us a clue. After some dispute as to +which side of the road it was on, we struck off over a field. Our only +guide were the random flashes of lightning that gave us a momentary +view of the country around. The better to prosecute our search, we +formed a line within hearing distance of each other, and thus swept +around in all directions. At last we found a barn, but were so wet and +chilly that we resolved to hunt on, in the hope of finding a fire and +a bed.</p> + +<p>After a still more tedious search, we found the goal of our wishes. It +was a rude, double log-house. Here we roused up the inmates, and +demanded a shelter for the night. The man of the house was evidently +alarmed, but let us in, and then commenced questioning us as to who we +were.</p> + +<p>We told him we were Kentuckians who were disgusted with the tyranny of +the Lincoln Government, and were seeking an asylum in the free and +independent South.</p> + +<p>"Oh," said he, "you come on a bootless errand, and had better go back +home, for I have no doubt the whole of the South will soon be as much +under Lincoln as Kentucky is."</p> + +<p>"Never!" we answered, "we will fight till we die first!"</p> + +<p>At this the old man chuckled quietly, and only said, "Well, we'll see; +we'll see," which closed the discussion.</p> + +<p>We were truly glad to find a Union man under such circumstances, but +did not dare to reveal our true character to him, and he probably +believes to this day that he harbored some chivalric Southerners. +However, he provided us with a good supper and a comfortable bed, +promising, also, not to inform the Federal pickets on us. The next +morning, the sky for a time was clear, but it soon became overcast, +and we were again compelled to suffer the inevitable drenching that +befel us every day of this dreary journey.</p> + +<p>We reached Wartrace in the midst of a pelting storm. At first we +intended to go around the town, as it was the last station on our +picket line. It was raining so hard that we thought we would not be +interrupted in passing through it, but our guards were too vigilant +for us. They stopped us, and after being for some time detained, and +trying to play off the innocent Southern citizen, as hundreds do, we +were obliged to reveal our true character to the commanding officer +of the post, which, of course, secured our release.</p> + +<p>Then again, we traveled onward for a time, wading the swollen creeks, +and plodding through the mud as fast as we could. We were now outside +of our lines, with nothing to trust to but the tender mercies of the +rebels. Soon after, we found what a slender ground of trust that was, +but <i>now</i> we were safe in the completeness of our disguise.</p> + +<p>We met many others of our party, and trudged along—sometimes in +company with them, but oftener alone. Toward evening, we reached +Manchester, crossed Duck river, which was at flood hight, and entered +the town.</p> + +<p>Here we found the population in a wild ferment, and on inquiring the +cause, learned that some of the citizens had reported an approaching +band of Yankee cavalry, and that they were even now visible from the +public square. We repaired thither with all speed to witness the novel +spectacle of the entrance of National troops into a hostile town, from +a Southern point of view. Mingled were the emotions expressed; fear +was most prominent, but I thought I could detect on some countenances +a half-concealed smile of exultation. Soon the terrible band loomed +up over the hill which bounded the view, when lo! the dreaded enemies +were seen to be only a party of negroes, who had been working in the +coal mines in the mountains somewhere. Some of Mitchel's men had +destroyed the works, and the contrabands were brought here for safe +keeping. The feelings of the chivalry may be better imagined than +described, as they dispersed with curses on the whole African race!</p> + +<p>We here obtained from some of the citizens the names of the most +prominent secessionists along the route we were to travel, who would +be most likely to help us on to that blissful land where we might +enjoy our rights in peace (?) undisturbed by even dreams of +Abolitionists. These names were a great advantage to us, because +always having some one to inquire for, and being recommended from one +influential man to another, it was taken for granted that we were +trustworthy characters, and few questions asked. That night we were +within a few miles of Hillsboro', but so much were we delayed by the +rain, that we began to fear we could not reach our destination in +time. My feet, too, were sore from the gravel and dirt that filled my +shoes in crossing the creeks, and wading through the mud, and already +we were weary and stiff from traveling in the wet. But we resolved to +press on, and, if necessary, to travel in the night, too, rather than +miss our appointment.</p> + +<p>Where we stayed that night, I first heard from the lips of a +slave-owner himself of hunting negroes with bloodhounds. Our host said +he had seen some one dodging around the back of his plantation, by the +edge of the woods, just as it was getting dark, and in the morning he +would take his bloodhounds, and go to hunt him up, and if it proved to +be a negro, he would get the reward. He said he had caught great +numbers of them, and seemed to regard it as a highly profitable +business.</p> + +<p>We, of course, had to agree with him; but I well remember that the +idea of hunting human beings with bloodhounds, for money, sent a +thrill of horror and detestation through my veins. Not long after, we +found that bloodhounds were not for negroes alone.</p> + +<p>The next morning, we continued our journey, and after walking three +miles, found a man who agreed, for an exorbitant price, and for the +good of the Confederacy, to give us conveyance in a wagon for a few +miles. This was a great help to us, and as we trotted briskly along, +we soon came in sight of the Cumberland Mountains.</p> + +<p>Never did I behold more beautiful scenery. The rain had for a short +time ceased to fall, and the air was clear. The mountains shone in the +freshest green, and around their tops, just high enough to veil their +loftiest summits, clung a soft, shadowy mist, gradually descending +lower, shrouding one after another of the spurs and high mountain +valleys from view. But the beautiful scene did not long continue. Soon +the mist deepened into cloud, and again the interminable rain began to +fall. To add to our discomforts, our wagon would go no further, and +once more we trudged along afoot.</p> + +<p>At noon we stopped for dinner at a house belonging to one of the +"sand-hillers." This is the general name applied to the poor class of +whites at the South. They have no property of their own, and live in +small hovels, on the worst portions of the lands of the rich. Here +they lead an ignorant, lazy life, devoting most of their time to +hunting and fishing; only raising a little patch of corn to furnish +their bread. They are almost as completely owned by their landlords as +the slaves, and are compelled to vote as their masters choose. In the +social scale they are no higher than any slave, nor do they deserve to +be, for their intelligence is less. The term "sand-hiller," or +"clay-eater," is a terrible one of reproach, and is applied +unsparingly by the aristocrats. Of course, our entertainment here was +composed of rather rude fare, but we ate the half-ground and +half-baked corn bread, with the strong pork, and went on our way +rejoicing.</p> + +<h2><a name="chapter03" id="chapter03">CHAPTER III.</a></h2> + +<h5>Crossing the Mountains—Playing Hypocrite—Legend of Battle-Creek +Valley—Lodged with a Secessionist—Strategy—A Welcome but Fatal +Delay—Exaggerated Accounts of Shiloh—Prevented from Crossing the +Tennessee—In the Mountains Again—Amusing Rebel Story—To the River +Again—Perilous Crossing—Success—Chattanooga—On the +Cars—Night—Arrive at Marietta.</h5> + +<p>We were near the foot of the Cumberland Mountains, and addressed +ourselves to the task of crossing them. Just as we were mounting the +first spur, we fell in with a Confederate soldier, who was at home on +a furlough. He had been in a number of battles, and among others the +first Manassas, which he described very minutely to me. Little did he +think that I, too, had been there, as we laughed together at the wild +panic of the Yankees. He was greatly delighted to see so many +Kentuckians coming out on the right side, and contrasted our noble +conduct with that of some persons of his own neighborhood, who still +sympathized with the Abolitionists.</p> + +<p>When we parted, he grasped my hand with tears in his eyes, and said he +hoped "the time would soon come when we would be comrades, fighting +side by side in one glorious cause." My heart revolted from the +hypocrisy I was compelled to use; but having commenced, there was no +possibility of turning back.</p> + +<p>On we clambered up the mountain till the top was reached; then across +the summit, which was a tolerably level road for six miles; then down +again, over steep rocks, yawning chasms, and great gullies; a road +that none but East Tennesseeans or soldier Yankees could have traveled +at all. This rough jaunt led us down into Battle Creek, which is a +delightful, picturesque valley, hemmed in by projecting ridges of +lofty mountains.</p> + +<p>While here, they told me how this valley obtained its name, which is +certainly a very romantic legend, and no doubt true.</p> + +<p>In early times there was war among the Indians. One tribe made a +plundering expedition into the camp of another, and after securing +their booty retreated. Of course they were pursued, and in their +flight were traced to this valley. There the pursuers believed them to +be concealed, and to make their capture sure, divided their force into +two bands, each one taking an opposite side of the valley.</p> + +<p>It was early in the morning, and as they wended their way cautiously +onward, the mountain mist came down just as I had seen it descend +that morning, and enveloped each of the parties in its folds. +Determined not to be foiled, they marched on, and meeting at the head +of the valley, each supposed the other to be the enemy. They poured in +their fire, and a deadly conflict ensued. Not till nearly all their +number had fallen did the survivors discover their mistake, and they +slowly and sorrowfully returned to their wigwams. The plunderers, who +had listened to their conflict in safety, being further up the +mountains, were thus left to carry home their booty in triumph.</p> + +<p>But we had no leisure for legendary tales.</p> + +<p>The sun had set, and we stopped for the night with a rabid +Secessionist, whom our soldier-friend on the mountain had recommended +to us. He received us with open arms, shared with us the best his +house afforded—giving us his bedroom, and sleeping with his family in +the kitchen. We spent the evening in denouncing the Abolitionists, +which term was used indiscriminately to designate all Federals who did +not advocate the acknowledgment of the Confederacy. This did not go +quite so hard as it did at first, for practice had rendered it nearly +as easy for us to falsify our sentiments as to express them plainly.</p> + +<p>Among other things we instanced to show the tyranny of the Lincolnites +in Kentucky, was the expatriation law. This law provides that all +persons aiding or abetting the rebels, or leaving the State and going +South with their army, shall be <i>expatriated</i>, and lose all their +right of citizenship in the State. The old man thought this was an act +of unparalleled oppression; and in the morning, before I was out of +bed, came in the room, and desired that some one of us would write +that law down, that he might show his Union neighbors what the Yankees +would do when they had the sway. I wrote it, and we all afterward +signed our names to it. No doubt that document has been the theme of +many angry discussions.</p> + +<p>So thoroughly did we deceive the old man, that when, three days after, +the railroad adventure fell on the astonished Confederates like a clap +of thunder out of a clear sky, he would not believe that we were part +of the men engaged in it. One of his neighbors, who was a Union man, +and was arrested and confined in the same prison with us, told us that +to the last our host maintained that his guests, at least, were true +and loyal Southerners. Should I ever again be in that part of the +country, I would delight to call on him in my true character, and +talk over the national troubles from another point of view.</p> + +<p>We stayed with him Wednesday night, and were still a long way from +Chattanooga. We had designed, notwithstanding our weariness, to travel +all that night, but accidentally met some of our comrades who had seen +Andrews, who informed them that he had postponed the enterprise one +day longer. This was a great relief, as it saved us a most wearisome +and dreaded night tramp. But better to have taken it, for the delay of +that <i>one</i> day was fatal. On Friday there would have been no extra +trains to meet, and our success would have been sure. But this we did +not know at the time.</p> + +<p>The next day, which was Thursday, we came to Jasper, stopped in the +town and around the groceries awhile, talking of the state of the +country. We told them Kentucky was just ready to rise and shake off +her chains, and they were just foolish enough to believe it!</p> + +<p>Here we heard the first indistinct rumor of the battle of Shiloh—of +course, a wonderful victory to the rebels, killing thousands of +Yankees, and capturing innumerable cannon. It was the impression that +our army was totally destroyed. One countryman gravely assured me that +five hundred gunboats had been sunk. I told him I did not think the +Yankees had so many as that, but was unable to shake his faith.</p> + +<p>That night we stayed at Widow Hall's, and there met Andrews and some +of our other comrades. This was on the banks of the Tennessee river, +and Andrews advised us to cross there, and to take passage on the cars +at Shell Mound station, as there had been a stringent order issued to +let no one cross above, who could not present perfectly satisfactory +credentials. Andrews had these, but we had not; it was, therefore, +advisable for us to be challenged as few times as possible. We passed +a pleasant evening, during which the wit of my friend Shadrack kept us +in a continual roar of laughter.</p> + +<p>At last morning came, and we went down to the bank of the river to +cross. The ferryman had just swung the boat into the stream, and we +were getting into it, when a man arrived with positive orders from the +military authorities to let no one across for three days.</p> + +<p>Affairs now looked dark. We could not cross except at the upper +ferries, and not there unless our credentials were good. However, we +resolved to persevere, and thinking in this case, as in many others, +the boldest plan would be the safest, we again struck over the wild +spurs of the Cumberland, which here sweep directly down to the river, +on in the direction of Chattanooga, with the intention of trying to +cross there, at headquarters.</p> + +<p>Our journey was far from a pleasant one, and several times we lost our +road in the entanglements of the mountains; but at last we reached a +valley that ran directly down to the river, opposite Chattanooga. Here +the road was more frequented, and from the travelers we met we learned +further particulars of the battle of Shiloh. Still the accounts were +rose-tinted for the Confederates, though they now admitted a +considerable loss.</p> + +<p>One man gave me an interesting item of news from the East; it was, +that the Merrimac had steamed out, and after engaging the Monitor for +some time with no decisive results, had ran alongside, and throwing +grappling-hooks on her, towed her ashore, where, of course, she fell +an easy prey. He said that now they had the two best gunboats in the +world, and they would be able to raise the blockade without +difficulty, and even to burn the Northern cities. But I have not space +to tell of all the wild chimeras and absurd stories that we heard on +our entrance into a land where truth always has been contraband. From +that time forward, we heard of continuous Confederate victories, and +not one Union triumph, till in September, when they admitted that they +were repulsed by Rosecrans at Corinth.</p> + +<p>On reaching the river, we found a great number of persons on the bank +waiting to go over. The ferryman was there with a horse-boat, but the +wind was so high that he feared to attempt the crossing. We waited as +patiently as we could, though the time for the cars to start on the +other side had nearly arrived, and we could not well afford to miss +them. At length, the ferryman agreed to attempt the passage. He found +it very difficult. We were about an hour in crossing, though the river +was only a few hundred yards in width. Several times we were beaten +back to our own side, but at last perseverance conquered, and we +landed at Chattanooga.</p> + +<p>The passage was an anxious one, for we expected to find the guard +waiting for us on the other side; and then, if we failed to satisfy +them that we were loyal subjects of King Jefferson, we would at once +land in a Southern prison. Judge, then, of our delight when we saw no +guard there, and were permitted to pass unmolested and unquestioned on +our route.</p> + +<p>I do not yet know the reason of this sudden relaxation of vigilance. +Perhaps it was because all their attention was directed to Huntsville, +which was now occupied in force by General Mitchel. The panic produced +by this occupation was immense, as the only communication it left them +with Beauregard was by the circuitous route through Atlanta, and when, +the next day, this too was endangered, their excitement knew no +bounds.</p> + +<p>Chattanooga is a small town—not much more than a village. It is +pleasantly situated on the banks of the Tennessee, and is bowered in +amidst lofty mountain peaks. One of these hangs right over the town, +and is more than seven hundred feet in perpendicular hight. From its +summit parts of four States are visible—Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, +and North Carolina. It is capable of being very strongly fortified; +and though there were no works erected when I was there, many may have +been built since. It is one of the most important strategic points in +the whole South, and should have been in the possession of our forces +long ago.</p> + +<p>From the river we went directly to the depot. Some of our party had +arrived earlier, and gone down to Marietta on a former train. We found +the cars nearly ready to start, and after loitering around a few +minutes in the depot, which was crowded full of travelers—mostly +soldiers—we purchased our tickets and got aboard. The cars were +jammed full. There was scarcely room to stand. Many of the passengers +were soldiers who had been at home on furlough, and were returning to +join Beauregard. The conversation was mostly on the great battle which +had just been fought, and the accounts were by no means so glowing as +they had been at first; still they announced a great victory. We took +part in the conversation, and expressing as much interest as any one, +our true character was not suspected. There was at this time no system +of passports in use on that line, and travel was entirely +unrestricted.</p> + +<p>The sun was about an hour high as we glided out of the depot, and soon +sunk to rest behind the hills of Georgia. There were many bridges on +the road, and as we passed over them, we could not help picturing to +ourselves our proposed return on the morrow, and the probabilities of +the destruction we intended to wreck on them. Darkness gradually +closed in, and on we went amid the laughter and oaths of the +Confederates, many of whom were very much intoxicated. I procured a +seat on the coal-box, and for awhile gave myself up to the +reflections naturally suggested by the near culmination of the +enterprise in which I was engaged. Visions of former days and +friends—dear friends, both around the camp-fire and by the hearth of +home, whom I might never see again, floated before me. But gradually, +as the night wore on, these faded, and I slept.</p> + +<p>At midnight, we were wakened by the conductor calling "Marietta." The +goal was reached. We were in the center of the Confederacy, with our +deadly enemies all around. Before we left, we were to strike a blow +that would either make all rebeldom vibrate to the center, or be +ourselves at the mercy of the merciless. It was a time for solemn +thought; but we were too weary to indulge in speculations of the +future. We retired to bed in the Tremont House, and were soon folded +in sweet slumbers—the last time we slept on a bed for many weary +months.</p> + +<h2><a name="chapter04" id="chapter04">CHAPTER IV.</a></h2> + +<h5>Take an Early Train—Prospecting—Capture of the Train—Panic in +Confederate Camp—Away at Lightning Speed—Thrilling Experience—Cut +the Telegraph—Tear up the Track—Unexpected Obstacle—Running a +Powder Train to Beauregard—Red Flag—Dropping Cross-Ties—Battering +out Spikes—Immense Exertion of Strength—Pursuing Backward—Terrible +Chase—Attempt to Wreck the Enemy's Train—Fearful Speed—Bold Plan.</h5> + +<p>The waiter aroused us at four o'clock in the morning, as we told him +we wished to take the train at that hour back to Camp McDonald, which +is located at a place called Big Shanty, eight miles north of +Marietta, and is also a breakfast station. Andrews had gone to another +hotel, and warned the members of the party there to be in readiness to +take passage. Two of them, Hawkins and Porter, who had arrived +earlier, were not warned, and were, therefore, left behind. It was not +their fault, as they had no certain knowledge of the time we were to +start, but rather thought it would be the next day.</p> + +<p>There were just twenty of us on the train, Andrews and nineteen +others, of whom several were engineers. We went along very quietly +and inoffensively, just as any other passengers would do, until we +reached Big Shanty. I knew that we were to take possession of the +train at this place, but did not just know how it was to be done. I +thought we would probably have to fight, and compel the conductor, +train-hands, and passengers to get off. We might have done this, but +it would have required very quick work, for there were then some ten +thousand troops, mostly conscripts, camped there, and a guard was +placed watching the train. But a far better plan was adopted.</p> + +<p>As soon as we arrived, the engineer, conductor, and many of the +passengers went over to the eating-house. Now was our opportunity! +Andrews, and one or two others, went forward and examined the track, +to see if everything was in readiness for a rapid start.</p> + +<p>Oh! what a thrilling moment was that! Our hearts throbbed thick and +fast with emotions we dared not manifest to those who were loafing +indifferently around. In a minute, which seemed an hour, Andrews came +back, opened the door, and said, very quietly and carelessly, "Let us +go, now, boys." Just as quietly and carelessly we arose and followed +him. The passengers who were lazily waiting for the train to move +on and carry them to their destination, saw nothing in the transaction +to excite their suspicions. Leisurely we moved forward—reached the +head of the train—then Andrews, Brown our engineer, and Knight, who +also could run an engine, leaped on the locomotive; Alfred Wilson took +the top of the cars as brakesman, and the remainder of us clambered +into the foremost baggage car, which, with two others, had been +previously uncoupled from the hinder part of the train. For one moment +of most intense suspense all was still—then a pull—a jar—a +clang—and we were flying away on our perilous journey.</p> + +<div><a name="image02" id="image02"></a></div> +<div class="center"><img src="images/image02.jpg" width="800" height="565" alt=""A pull—a jar—a clang—and we were flying away on our perilous journey."" /></div> + +<p>There are times in the life of man when whole years of intensest +enjoyment seem condensed into a single moment. It was so with me then. +I could comprehend the emotion of Columbus, when he first beheld +through the dim dawn of morning, the new found, but long dreamed-of +shores of America, or the less innocent, but no less vivid joy of +Cortez, when he first planted the cross of Spain over the golden halls +of Montezuma. My breast throbbed full with emotions of delight and +gladness, that words labor in vain to express. A sense of ethereal +lightness ran through all my veins, and I seemed to be ascending +higher—higher—into realms of inexpressible bliss, with each +pulsation of the engine. It was a moment of triumphant joy that will +never return again. Not a dream of failure now shadowed my rapture. +All had told us that the greatest difficulty was to reach and take +possession of the engine, and after that, success was certain. <i>It +would have been</i>, but for unforeseen contingencies.</p> + +<p>Away we scoured, passing field, and village, and woodland. At each +leap of the engine our hearts rose higher, and we talked merrily of +the welcome that would greet us when we dashed into Huntsville a few +hours later—our enterprise done, and the brightest laurels of the +guerilla Morgan far eclipsed!</p> + +<p>But the telegraph ran by our side, and was able, by the flashing of a +single lightning message ahead, to arrest our progress and dissipate +all our fondest hopes. There was no telegraphic station where we took +the train, but we knew not how soon our enemies might reach one, or +whether they might not have a portable battery at command. To obviate +all danger on this point, we stopped, after running some four miles, +to cut the wire.</p> + +<p>John Scott, an active young man, climbed the pole, and with his hand +knocked off the insulated box at the top, and swung down on the wire. +Fortunately, there was a small saw on the engine, with which the wire +was soon severed. While this was being done, another party took up a +rail, and put it into the car to carry off with us. This did not long +check our pursuers, but we had the satisfaction of learning that it +threw them down an embankment, as will be narrated more fully in a +Confederate account inserted hereafter.</p> + +<p>When the engine first stopped, Andrews jumped off, clasped our hands +in ecstasy, congratulating us that our difficulties were now all over; +that we had the enemy at such a disadvantage that he could not harm +us, and exhibited every sign of joy. Said he, "Only one more train to +pass, and then we will put our engine to full speed, burn the bridges +after us, dash through Chattanooga, and on to Mitchel at Huntsville." +The programme would have been filled if we had met <i>only one</i> train.</p> + +<p>We were ahead of time, and in order to meet the down train just <i>on</i> +time, we were obliged to stop on the track awhile. These were tedious +moments while we waited, but soon we moved on very slowly again. At +the next station, Andrews borrowed a schedule from the tank-tender, +telling him that he was running an express powder-train through to +Beauregard. He gave the schedule, saying that he would send his shirt +to Beauregard if he wanted it. When asked afterwards if he did not +suspect anything, he said he would as soon have thought of suspecting +Jeff Davis, as one who talked with so much assurance as Andrews did!</p> + +<p>On we went till we reached the station where we were to pass what we +believed to be the last train. Here the switch was not properly +adjusted, and Andrews entered the station-house, without asking leave +of anybody, took down the keys, and adjusted the switch. This raised +some disturbance on the part of those around the station, but it was +quieted by telling them the same powder story. After waiting a short +time, the down train arrived, and we passed it without difficulty. But +we observed on it what we did not like—a <i>red flag</i>, indicating that +another train was behind.</p> + +<p>This was most discouraging, for we had now hoped to have the road +exclusively to ourselves; but still we did not despair. However, we +had yet to run on regular time, which was, unfortunately, very <i>slow</i> +time—not more than twelve or fifteen miles an hour. Thus unavoidably +consuming our precious moments, we glided on till we reached the +station where we expected to meet what we were now sure would be our +last hindrance. We stopped on a side-track to wait for it, and there +had to remain <i>twenty-five</i> minutes. Just as we had concluded to go +on, and risk the chances of a collision, the expected train hove in +sight.</p> + +<p>It was safely passed, as the other had been before; but judge of our +dismay when we beheld a <i>red flag</i> on this train also! Matters now +began to look dark. Much of our precious time, which we had reserved +as a margin for burning bridges, was now gone, and we were still tied +down to the slow regular rate of running. Yet we could not retreat, +and had no resource but to press firmly on. This we did, and +obstructed the track as well as we could, by laying on cross-ties at +different places. We also cut the telegraph wire between every +station.</p> + +<p>Finally, when we were nearly to the station where we expected to meet +the last train, we stopped to take up a rail. We had no instruments +for doing this, except a crowbar, and, instead of pulling out the +spikes, as we could have done with the pinch burrs used for that +purpose by railroad men, we had to <i>batter</i> them out. This was slow +work. We had loosened this rail at one end, and eight of us took hold +of it to try to pull the other end loose. Just as we were going to +relinquish the effort in despair, the <i>whistle of an engine in pursuit +sounded in our ears!</i> The effect was magical. With one convulsive +effort we broke the rail in two, and tumbled pell-mell over the +embankment. No one was hurt, and we took up our precious half rail, +which insured us time to pass the train ahead, before our pursuers +could be upon us.</p> + +<p>We were not a moment too soon, for we were scarcely out of sight of +where we had taken up the last rail, before the other train met us. +This was safely passed, and when our pursuers came to the place where +we had broken the rail, they abandoned their own train, and ran on +foot till they met the one we had just passed, and turned it back +after us, running with great speed.</p> + +<p>We were now aware of our danger, and adopted every expedient we could +think of to delay pursuit; but, as we were cutting the wire near +Calhoun, they came in sight of us. Then ensued the most terrible and +thrilling chase ever known on the American continent.</p> + +<p>We instantly put our engine to full speed, and in a moment its wheels +were striking fire from the rails in their rapid revolutions. The car +in which we were, rocked furiously, and threw us from one side to the +other like peas rattled in a gourd. Still on after us relentlessly +came the pursuers. The smoke of their engine could be distinguished in +every long reach, and the scream of their whistle sounded in our ears +around every curve. It was still necessary for us to cut the wire, +and, in order to gain time for that, we dropped a car on the track, +and, soon after, another. This left us with only the locomotive, +tender, and one baggage-car. Each time, when we stopped to cut the +wire, we would try to take up another rail; but before we could loosen +its fastenings with our imperfect tools, the approach of our enemies +would compel us to hasten on.</p> + +<p>The thought of a new expedient crossed my mind, which saved us for +some time longer. It was to knock out the end of our car, and drop the +rails on the track as we ran. Soon after, in one of our necessary +stoppages to take care of the telegraph, we loaded on some cross ties, +which we threw out in the same manner. One rail I reserved for a +particular purpose. When we stopped again, I took it, placed one end +under the track, and let the other project upward, jointing toward the +advancing train. It was very nearly effectual. The engineer of the +train in pursuit, who afterward visited us in prison, said that if it +had been only one inch higher, nothing could have saved their train +from wreck, because, being so dark and small, it was not noticed till +too late to stop. However, it was a little too low to hook in the bars +of the cow-catcher, as I intended.</p> + +<p>Our enemies pursued us with great determination. One man rode on the +cow-catcher, and, springing off, would throw the obstructions from the +track, and jump on again while they had merely checked the engine. So +great was our velocity, that most of the ties we threw out bounced off +the track; but the few that remained enabled us several times to get +out of sight of them. When this was the case, we would stop, and again +try to take up a rail, which would have given us leisure for the +greater operation of burning a bridge.</p> + +<p>By this time we had a few more instruments, which Andrews and Wilson +had simultaneously procured from a switch tender. We worked +faithfully, but each time, before we had loosened a rail, the +inexorable pursuers were again visible.</p> + +<p>I then proposed to Andrews a plan that afforded a hope of final +escape. It was to let our engineer take our engine on out of sight, +while we hid on a curve after putting a tie on the track, and waited +for the pursuing train to come up; then, when they checked to remove +the obstruction, we could rush on them, shoot every person on the +engine, reverse it, and let it drive at will back as it came. It would +have chased all the trains following, of which there were now two or +three, back before it, and thus have stopped the whole pursuit for a +time. This would have required quick work, and have been somewhat +dangerous, as the trains were now loaded with soldiers; but it +afforded a <i>chance</i> of success. Andrews said it was a good +plan—looked all around, and then hurried to the engine, and I had no +further opportunity of discussing the subject. After we were in +prison, he said he was very sorry that we had not made the effort.</p> + +<h2><a name="chapter05" id="chapter05">CHAPTER V.</a></h2> + +<h5>Consternation Along the Route—Wood and Water—Attempt to Fire the +Train—Partial Failure—Message Sent to Chattanooga—Terrific +Preparations—Abandon the Train—A Capital Error—In the Woods—A +Thrilling Account of the Chase from the Atlanta "<i>Southern +Confederacy</i>."</h5> + +<p>All this time we were rushing through towns and villages at terrific +speed. Some passengers came down when they heard our whistle, to go +aboard, but they all shrank back amazed when they saw us pass with the +noise of thunder, and the speed of lightning. Still more were they +astonished when they saw three other trains dashing by in close +pursuit, and loaded with excited soldiers. Thus the break-neck chase +continued through Dalton, Ringgold, and the other small towns on the +route.</p> + +<p>But it soon became evident that it could not continue much longer. We +had taken on wood and water before we were so closely pressed, but now +our supply was nearly exhausted, and our pursuers were too close +behind to permit us to replenish it. But before yielding, we resolved +to try one more expedient.</p> + +<p>For this purpose, we broke open the forward end of the only box-car we +had left, and with the fragments endeavored to kindle a fire in it. +Had we succeeded, we would have detached it, left it burning on a +bridge, and run on with the locomotive alone. But the fuel on the +latter was too nearly gone to afford us kindling wood, and the draught +through the car, caused by our rapid motion, blew our matches out. At +length we succeeded in kindling a small fire; but the drizzling rain, +which had been falling all morning, blew in on it, and prevented it +from burning rapidly enough to be of any service.</p> + +<p>Thus our last hope expired, and our magnificent scheme, on which we +had so long thought and toiled, was a failure. But one thing more now +remained—to save ourselves, if possible.</p> + +<p>We were within, perhaps, fifteen miles of Chattanooga, when we +resolved to abandon the engine. Having made this resolve, we did not +cut the telegraph wire, and then, for the first time, they succeeded +in sending a message ahead of us.</p> + +<p>This was no serious detriment to us, but it raised the wildest +excitement in Chattanooga. The women and children instantly fled from +the town, and sought safety in the woods and mountains. The whole +military force, which was encamped near the place, came out, and +selected an advantageous position to meet us. There they planted +cannon, felled trees across the track, tore up the rails for some +distance, and waited for our approach. Their orders were for them to +make a general massacre—not to spare a single man. But we came not, +and therefore they had no opportunity to display their latent cruelty.</p> + +<p>It was at this point, when he saw every scheme we attempted to execute +completely foiled, that Andrews' presence of mind, for a time, seemed +to desert him. It was only fifteen miles across the country to the +Tennessee river, and we could have reached it ahead of any opposition, +had we all stuck together. One man had a compass, and with that, and +Andrews' knowledge of the country, we could have gained, and crossed +the Tennessee, and struck into the mountains beyond, before the +country could have been aroused around us. Once there, in those +interminable forests, it would have been almost impossible for them to +capture us, well armed as we were, before we could have reached the +shelter of our army. But this was not done, and this last chance of +escape was lost.</p> + +<p>The locomotive was run on till the wood and water were completely +exhausted, and the pursuers plainly in view. Then Andrews gave the +order for us to leave the train, disperse, and for every man to save +himself, if he could. We obeyed, jumping off the train while still in +motion, and were soon making the best of our way through the tangled +pines of Georgia.</p> + +<p>Before giving an account of our adventures in the woods, I will insert +the following article from the "<i>Southern Confederacy</i>," of April 15, +1862, a paper published in Atlanta, Georgia, only three days after our +adventure. This I purloined from the officer in charge of us, and +carried concealed about my clothes all the time I remained in the +South. It contains a good many errors of statement, particularly where +it refers to our numbers and plans, but is valuable as showing the +estimate the rebels placed on our enterprise, and as giving their +ideas of the chase. It also represents us as tearing up the railroad +many more times than we did. In <i>no case</i> did they take up rails +behind, and lay them down before their train. This assertion was made +to give Messrs. Fuller and Murphy more credit at our expense. So +highly were the services of these gentlemen appreciated, that the +Georgia State Legislature, in the fall of 1862, gave them a vote of +thanks, and recommended the Governor to grant them the highest +offices in his gift. I do not know what they actually did receive.</p> + +<p>Below is the account:</p> + +<div class="account"> + <h3>THE GREAT RAILROAD CHASE!</h3> + + <h5><i>The Most Extraordinary and Astounding Adventure of the + War—The Most Daring Undertaking that Yankees ever Planned + or Attempted to Execute—Stealing an Engine—Tearing up the + Track—Pursued on Foot, on Hand-Cars, and + Engines—Overtaken—A Scattering—The Capture—The Wonderful + Energy of Messrs. Fuller, Murphy and Cain—Some Reflections, + &c., &c.</i></h5> + + <h4>FULL PARTICULARS!!</h4> + +<p> Since our last issue, we have obtained full particulars of + the most thrilling railroad adventure that ever occurred on + the American continent, as well as the mightiest and most + important in its results, if successful, that has been + conceived by the Lincoln Government since the commencement + of this war. Nothing on so grand a scale has been attempted, + and nothing within the range of possibility could be + conceived, that would fall with such a tremendous, crushing + force upon us, as the accomplishment of the plans which + were concocted and dependent on the execution of the one + whose history we now proceed to narrate.</p> + +<p> Its <i>reality</i>—<i>what was actually done</i>—excels all the + extravagant <i>conceptions</i> of the Arrow-Smith hoax, which + fiction created such a profound sensation in Europe.</p> + +<p> To make the matter more complete and intelligible, we will + take our readers over the same history of the case which we + related in our last, the main features of which are correct, + but are lacking in details, which have since come to hand.</p> + +<p> We will begin at the breakfast-table of the Big Shanty Hotel + at Camp McDonald, on the Western and Atlantic Railroad, + where several regiments of soldiers are now encamped. The + morning mail and passenger train had left here at four A. + M., on last Saturday morning, as usual, and had stopped + there for breakfast. The conductor, William A. Fuller; the + engineer, I. Cain, both of this city; and the passengers + were at the table, when some eight men, having uncoupled the + engine and three empty box-cars next to it, from the + passenger and baggage-cars, mounted the engine, pulled open + the valve, put on all steam, and left conductor, engineer, + passengers, spectators, and the soldiers in the camp hard + by, all lost in amazement, and dumbfounded at the strange, + startling, and daring act.</p> + +<p> This unheard-of act was, doubtless, undertaken at that place + and time upon the presumption that pursuit could not be made + by an engine short of Kingston, some thirty miles above, or + from this place; and that by cutting down the telegraph + wires as they proceeded, the adventurers could calculate on + at least three or four hours' start of any pursuit it was + reasonable to expect. This was a legitimate conclusion, and + but for the will, energy, and quick good judgment of Mr. + Fuller, and Mr. Cain, and Mr. Anthony Murphy, the + intelligent and practical foreman of the wood department of + the State Road shop, who accidentally went on the train from + this place that morning, their calculations would have + worked out as originally contemplated, and the results would + have been obtained long ere this reaches the eye of our + readers—the most terrible to us of any that we can conceive + as possible, and unequaled by any attempted or conceived + since this war commenced.</p> + +<p> Now for the chase!</p> + +<p> These three determined men, without a moment's delay, put + out after the flying train—<i>on foot</i>, amidst shouts of + laughter by the crowd, who, though lost in amazement at the + unexpected and daring act, could not repress their + risibility at seeing three men start after a train on foot, + which they had just witnessed depart at lightning speed. + They put on all their speed, and ran along the track for + three miles, when they came across some track-raisers, who + had a small truck-car, which is shoved along by men so + employed on railroads, on which to carry their tools. This + truck and men were at once "impressed." They took it by + turns of two at a time to run behind this truck, and push it + along all up grades and level portions of the road, and let + it drive at will on all the down grades. A little way + further up the fugitive adventurers had stopped, cut the + telegraph wires, and torn up the track. Here the pursuers + were thrown off pell mell, truck and men, upon the side of + the road. Fortunately "nobody was hurt on our side." The + truck was soon placed on the road again; enough hands were + left to repair the track, and with all the power of + determined will and muscle, they pushed on to Etowah + Station, some twenty miles above.</p> + +<p> Here, most fortunately, Major Cooper's old coal engine, the + "Yonah"—one of the first engines on the State road—was + standing out, fired up. This venerable locomotive was + immediately turned upon her own track, and like an old + racer, at the tap of the drum, pricked up her ears and made + fine time to Kingston.</p> + +<p> The fugitives, not expecting such early pursuit, quietly + took in wood and water at Cass Station, and borrowed a + schedule from the tank-tender, upon the plausible plea that + they were running a pressed train, loaded with powder, for + Beauregard. The attentive and patriotic tank-tender, Mr. + William Russell, said he gave them his schedule, and would + have sent the shirt off his back to Beauregard, if it had + been asked for. Here the adventurous fugitives inquired + which end of the switch they should go in on at Kingston. + When they arrived at Kingston, they stopped, went to the + agent there, told the powder story, readily got the + switch-key, went on the upper turn-out, and waited for the + down <i>way freight train to pass</i>. To all inquiries they + replied with the same powder story. When the freight train + had passed, they immediately proceeded on to the next + station—Adairsville—where they were to meet the <i>regular + down freight train</i>. At some point on the way they had taken + on some fifty cross-ties, and before reaching Adairsville, + they stopped on a curve, tore up the rails, and put seven + cross-ties on the track—no doubt intending to wreck this + down freight train, which would be along in a few minutes. + They had out upon the engine a red handkerchief, as a kind + of flag or signal, which, in railroading, means another + train is behind—thereby indicating to all that the regular + passenger train would be along presently. They stopped a + moment at Adairsville, and said Fuller, with the regular + passenger train, was behind, and would wait at Kingston for + the freight train, and told the conductor thereon to push + ahead and meet him at that point. They passed on to Calhoun, + where they met the down passenger train, due here at 4.20 P. + M., and without making any stop, they proceeded—on, on, and + on.</p> + +<p> But we must return to Fuller and his party, whom we have + unconsciously left on the old "Yonah," making their way to + Kingston.</p> + +<p> Arriving there, and learning the adventurers were but twenty + minutes ahead, they left the "Yonah" to blow off, while they + mounted the engine of the Rome Branch Road, which was ready + fired up, and waiting for the arrival of the passenger train + nearly due, when it would have proceeded to Rome. A large + party of gentlemen volunteered for the chase, some at + Acworth, Altoona, Kingston, and other points, taking such + arms as they could lay their hands on at the moment; and + with this fresh engine they set out with all speed, but with + great "care and caution," as they had scarcely time to make + Adairsville, before the down freight train would leave that + point. Sure enough, they discovered, this side of + Adairsville, three rails torn up and other impediments in + the way. They "took up" in time to prevent an accident, but + could proceed with the train no further. This was most + vexatious, and it may have been in some degree + disheartening; but it did not cause the slightest relaxation + of efforts, and, as the result proved, was but little in the + way of the <i>dead game</i>, pluck and resolutions of Fuller and + Murphy, who left the engine and again <i>put out on foot + alone</i>! After running two miles, they met the down freight + train, one mile out from Adairsville. They immediately + reversed the train, and ran backwards to Adairsville—put + the cars on the siding, and pressed forward, making fine + time to Calhoun, where they met the regular down passenger + train. Here they halted a moment, took on board a telegraph + operator, and a number of men who again volunteered, taking + their guns along—and continued the chase. Mr. Fuller also + took on here a company of track-hands to repair the track as + they went along. A short distance above Calhoun, they + <i>flushed their game</i> on a curve, where they doubtless + supposed themselves out of danger, and were quietly oiling + the engine, taking up the track, &c. Discovering that they + were pursued, they mounted and sped away, throwing out upon + the track as they went along, the heavy cross-ties they had + prepared themselves with. This was done by breaking out the + end of the hindmost box-car, and pitching them out. Thus, + "nip and tuck," they passed with fearful speed Resaca, + Tilton, and on through Dalton.</p> + +<p> The rails which they had taken up last they took off with + them—besides throwing out cross-ties upon the track + occasionally—hoping thereby the more surely to impede the + pursuit; but all this was like tow to the touch of fire to + the now thoroughly-aroused, excited, and eager pursuers. + These men, though so much excited, and influenced by so much + determination, still retained their well-known caution, were + looking out for this danger, and discovered it, and though + it was seemingly an insuperable obstacle to their making any + headway in pursuit, was quickly overcome by the genius of + Fuller and Murphy. Coming to where the rails were torn up, + they stopped, tore up rails behind them, and laid them down + before, till they had passed over that obstacle. When the + cross-ties were reached, they hauled to and threw them off, + and thus proceeded, and under these difficulties gained on + the frightened fugitives. At Dalton they halted a moment. + Fuller put off the telegraph operator, with instructions to + telegraph to Chattanooga to have them stopped, in case he + should fail to overhaul them.</p> + +<p> Fuller pressed on in hot chase—sometimes in sight—as much + to prevent their cutting the wires before the message could + be sent, as to catch them. The daring adventurers stopped + just opposite and very near to where Colonel Glenn's + regiment is encamped, and cut the wires; but the operator at + Dalton <i>had put the message through about two minutes + before</i>. They also again tore up the track, cut down a + telegraph pole, and placed the two ends of it under the + cross-ties, and the middle over the rail on the track. The + pursuers stopped again, and got over this impediment in the + same manner they did before—taking up the rails behind, and + laying them down before. Once over this, they shot on, and + passed through the great tunnel at Tunnel Hill, being there + only five minutes behind. The fugitives, thus finding + themselves closely pursued, uncoupled two of the box-cars + from the engine, to impede the progress of the pursuers. + Fuller hastily coupled them to the front of his engine, and + pushed them ahead of him, to the first turn-out or siding, + where they were left, thus preventing the collision the + adventurers intended.</p> + +<p> Thus the engine-thieves passed Ringgold, where they began to + fag. They were out of wood, water, and oil. Their rapid + running and inattention to the engine had melted all the + brass from the journals. They had no time to repair or + refit, for an iron-horse of more bottom was close behind. + Fuller and Murphy, and their men, soon came within four + hundred yards of them, when the fugitives jumped from the + engine, and left it, three on the north side, and five on + the south side; all fleeing precipitately, and scattering + through the thicket. Fuller and his party also took to the + woods after them.</p> + +<p> Some gentleman, also well armed, took the engine and some + cars of the down passenger train at Calhoun, and followed up + Fuller and Murphy and their party in the chase, but a short + distance behind, and reached the place of the stampede but a + very few moments after the first pursuers did. A large + number of men were soon mounted, armed, and scouring the + country in search of them. Fortunately, there was a militia + muster at Ringgold. A great many countrymen were in town. + Hearing of the chase, they put out on foot and on horseback + in every direction, in search of the daring, but now + thoroughly frightened and fugitive men.</p> + +<p> We learn that Fuller, soon after leaving his engine, in + passing a cabin in the country, found a mule, having on a + bridle but no saddle, and tied to a fence. "<i>Here's your + mule</i>," he shouted, as he leaped upon his back, and put out + as fast as a good switch, well applied, could impart vigor + to the muscles and accelerate the speed of the patient + donkey. The cry of "Here's your mule," and "Where's my + mule," have become national, and are generally heard when, + on the one hand, no mule is about, and on the other when no + one is hunting a mule. It seems not to be understood by any + one, though it is a peculiar Confederate phrase, and is as + popular as Dixie, from the Potomac to the Rio Grande. It + remained for Fuller, in the midst of this exciting chase, to + solve the mysterious meaning of this national by-word or + phrase, and give it a practical application.</p> + +<p> All of the eight men were captured, and are now safely + lodged in jail. The particulars of their capture we have not + received. This we hope to obtain in time for a postscript to + this, or for our second edition. They confessed that they + belonged to Lincoln's army, and had been sent down from + Shelbyville to burn the bridges between here and + Chattanooga; and that the whole party consisted of nineteen + men, eleven of whom were dropped at several points on the + road as they came down, to assist in the burning of the + bridges as they went back.</p> + +<p> When the morning freight train which left this city reached + Big Shanty, Lieutenant-Colonels R. F. Maddox and C. P. + Phillips took the engine and a few cars, with fifty picked + men, well armed, and followed on as rapidly as possible. + They passed over all difficulties, and got as far as + Calhoun, where they learned the fugitives had taken the + woods, and were pursued by plenty of men, with the means to + catch them if it were possible.</p> + +<p> One gentleman who went upon the train from Calhoun, who has + furnished us with many of these particulars, and who, by the + way, is one of the most experienced railroad men in Georgia, + says too much praise cannot be bestowed on Fuller and + Murphy, who showed a cool judgment and forethought in this + extraordinary affair, unsurpassed by anything he ever knew + in a railroad emergency. This gentleman, we learn from + another, offered, on his own account, one hundred dollars + reward on each man, for the apprehension of the villains.</p> + +<p> We do not know what Governor Brown will do in this case, or + what is his custom in such matters; but if such a thing is + admissible, we insist upon Fuller and Murphy being promoted + to the highest honors on the road; if not by actually giving + them the highest position, at least let them be promoted by + <i>brevet</i>. Certainly their indomitable energy, and quick, + correct judgment and decision in the many difficult + contingencies connected with this unheard-of emergency, has + saved all the railroad bridges above Ringgold from being + burned; the most daring scheme that this revolution has + developed has been thwarted, and the tremendous results + which, if successful, can scarcely be imagined, much less + described, have been averted. Had they succeeded in burning + the bridges, the enemy at Huntsville would have occupied + Chattanooga before Sunday night. Yesterday they would have + been in Knoxville, and thus had possession of all East + Tennessee. Our forces at Knoxville, Greenville, and + Cumberland Gap, would, ere this, have been in the hands of + the enemy. Lynchburg, Virginia, would have been moved upon + at once. This would have given them possession of the Valley + of Virginia, and Stonewall Jackson could have been attacked + in the rear. They would have possession of the railroad + leading to Charlottesville and Orange Court House, as well + as the South Side Railroad leading to Petersburg and + Richmond. They might have been able to unite with + McClellan's forces, and attack Jo. Johnston's army, front + and flank. It is not by any means improbable that our army + in Virginia would have been defeated, captured, or driven + out of the State this week.</p> + +<p> Then reinforcements from all the Eastern and Southeast + portion of the country would have been cut off from + Beauregard. The enemy have Huntsville now, and with all + these designs accomplished, his army would have been + effectually flanked. The mind and heart shrink appalled at + the awful consequences that would have followed the success + of this one act. When Fuller, Murphy, and Cain started from + Big Shanty <i>on foot, to capture that fugitive engine</i>, they + were involuntarily laughed at by the crowd, serious as the + matter was—and to most observers it was indeed most + ludicrous; but <i>that footrace saved us</i>, and prevented the + consummation of these tremendous consequences.</p> + +<p> One fact we must not omit to mention, is the valuable + assistance rendered by Peter Bracken, the engineer on the + down freight train which Fuller and Murphy turned back. He + ran his engine fifty and a half miles—two of them backing + the whole freight train up to Adairsville—made twelve + stops, coupled to the two cars which the fugitives had + dropped, and switched them off on sidings—all this, <i>in one + hour and five minutes</i>.</p> + +<p> We doubt if the victory of Manasses or Corinth were worth as + much to us as the frustration of this grand <i>coup d' etat</i>. + It is not by any means certain that the annihilation of + Beauregard's whole army at Corinth would be so fatal a blow + to us as would have been the burning of the bridges at that + time and by these men.</p> + +<p> When we learned by a private telegraph dispatch, a few days + ago, that the Yankees had taken Huntsville, we attached no + great importance to it. We regarded it merely as a dashing + foray of a small party to destroy property, tear up the + road, &c., <i>a la</i> Morgan. When an additional telegram + announced the Federal force there to be from 17,000 to + 20,000, we were inclined to doubt—though coming from a + perfectly honorable and upright gentleman, who would not be + apt to seize upon a wild report to send here to his friends. + The coming to that point with a large force, where they + would be flanked on either side by our army, we regarded as + a most stupid and unmilitary act. We now understand it all. + They were to move upon Chattanooga and Knoxville as soon as + the bridges were burnt, and press on into Virginia as far as + possible, and take all our forces in that State in the rear. + It was all the deepest laid scheme, and on the grandest + scale, that ever emanated from the brains of any number of + Yankees combined. It was one that was also entirely + practicable on almost any day for the last year. There were + but two miscalculations in the whole programme; they did not + expect men to start out afoot to pursue them, and they did + not expect these pursuers on foot to find Major Cooper's old + "Yonah" standing there all ready fired up. Their + calculations on every other point were dead certainties, and + would have succeeded perfectly.</p> + +<p> This would have eclipsed anything Captain Morgan ever + attempted. To think of a parcel of Federal soldiers, + officers and privates, coming down into the heart of the + Confederate States—for they were here in Atlanta and at + Marietta—(some of them got on the train at Marietta that + morning, and others were at Big Shanty;) of playing such a + serious game on the State Road, which is under the control + of our prompt, energetic and sagacious Governor, known as + such all over America; to seize the passenger train on his + road, right at Camp McDonald, where he has a number of + Georgia regiments encamped, and run off with it; to burn the + bridges on the same road, and to go safely through to the + Federal lines—all this would have been a feather in the cap + of the man or men who executed it.</p> + +<p> Let this be a warning to the railroad men and everybody else + in the Confederate States. Let an engine never be left alone + a moment. Let additional guards be placed at our bridges. + This is a matter we specially urged in the Confederacy long + ago. We hope it will now be heeded. Further, let a + sufficient guard be placed to watch the government stores in + this city; and let increased vigilance and watchfulness be + put forth by the watchmen. We know one solitary man who is + guarding a house in this city, which contains a lot of + bacon. Two or three men could throttle and gag him, and set + fire to the house at any time; and worse, he conceives that + there is no necessity for a guard, as he is sometimes seen + off duty for a few moments, fully long enough for an + incendiary to burn the house he watches. Let Mr. Shakelford, + whom we know to be watchful and attentive to his duties, + take the responsibility at once of placing a well-armed + guard of sufficient force around every house containing + government stores. Let this be done without waiting for + instructions from Richmond.</p> + +<p> One other thought. The press is requested by the Government + to keep silent about the movements of the army, and a great + many things of the greatest interest to our people. It has, + in the main, patriotically complied. We have complied in + most cases, but our judgment was against it all the while. + The plea is that the enemy will get the news if it is + published in our papers. Now, we again ask, what's the use? + The enemy get what information they want. They are with us + and pass among us almost daily. They find out from us what + they want to know, by passing through our country unimpeded. + It is nonsense—it is folly, to deprive our own people of + knowledge they are entitled to and ought to know, for fear + the enemy will find it out. We ought to have a regular + system of passports over all our roads, and refuse to let + any man pass who could not give a good account of himself, + come well vouched for, and make it fully appear that he is + not an enemy, and that he is on legitimate business. This + would keep information from the enemy far more effectually + than any reticence of the press, which ought to lay before + our people the full facts in everything of a public nature.</p> +</div> + +<h2><a name="chapter06" id="chapter06">CHAPTER VI.</a></h2> + +<h5>Stupendous "Man Hunt"—My Own Adventures—Playing Acrobat—Perilous +Crossing of a River—Hunger—The Bloodhounds—Flying for Life—No Sun +or Star to Guide me—Traveling in a Circle—Nearing Chattanooga—Lost +in Deadened Timber—Glimpse of the Moon—Fatigue Produces +Phantoms—Dreadful Storm—I Sleep and enter Fairy Land—Glorious +Visions—Reality—A Picket—Romance Faded—Horrible Situation—Day +Dawn—No Relief.</h5> + +<p>On leaving the train, I confess for a moment my heart sunk within me. +I was alone, for no one happened to strike off in the same direction I +did. I knew not where I was—whether fifteen or fifty miles from +Chattanooga<a href="#footnote02">[2]</a><a name="return02" id="return02"></a>—neither had I the most indefinite idea of the lay of +the country. I only knew that north or northwest would bring me to our +forces; but the sun did not shine, to give me even the points of the +compass.</p> + +<p>I supposed that the country would be aroused, and a vigorous pursuit +made, but my worst anticipations proved far short of the reality. It +was Saturday, the 12th of April, and was a general muster-day for the +conscripts over the whole country; but as soon as the news of our raid +was received, drill was suspended, and every one turned out in search +of us. Then was organized the most stupendous <i>man-hunt</i> that ever +took place in the South. Horsemen hurried at full speed along every +road, and proclaimed the news as they went. Each planter, with his +dependents, for at least fifty miles in every direction, took his +bloodhounds and scoured the woods. Every cross-road, every river, +ford, or ferry, was at once picketed by bodies of cavalry. Large +rewards were offered, and thousands of soldiers pursued us, in +addition to the universal uprising of the citizens. The only partially +known object of the expedition imparted a tone of romantic +exaggeration to it, and made the people doubly anxious to solve the +mystery. The feeling in northern Georgia may be best conceived by +imagining what would be the excitement in the immediate vicinity, if a +party of Confederates would seize a train near Philadelphia, and +attempt to run it through Baltimore, especially if the movements of +their armies should be such as would lead to the belief that this was +only <i>part</i> of a grand scheme!</p> + +<p>I will now give a personal sketch of my own adventures after leaving +the train. It was still moving when I jumped off,—fast enough to make +me perform several inconvenient gyrations on reaching the ground. Most +of the party were ahead of me. Three had taken the eastern side of the +road, and the remainder the opposite side. I followed the example of +the latter, and soon reached the cover of the stunted pines that grew +near the road. Feeling the necessity of getting away as far as +possible before the enemy could pursue us on foot, I struck off at a +rapid rate.</p> + +<p>Soon I passed the little brook that ran along the foot of the hill, +and pressed on up its steep side. There were three of my comrades not +far from me on the left, but I could not overtake them, and still +proceeded alone. I knew that pursuit would be rapid and instantaneous. +I seemed to hear the tread of cavalry in every breeze that sighed +through the branches of the naked forest!</p> + +<p>The country was rough and uneven. On the bottoms, and by the streams, +were a few pines; but on the mountain spurs, which here are a low +continuation of the Cumberland range, the timber is mostly oak and +other varieties, which were not then in foliage. This was a great +disadvantage, because it left no hiding place, and exposed us to the +view of the watchful eyes of our enemies.</p> + +<p>Soon I found myself in the bend of a little river that empties into +the Tennessee at Chattanooga. It was swollen by continuous rains, and +for some time I searched along its bank for a place to cross the +turbulent stream; but, seeing none, and believing that death was +behind, I committed myself to its angry current, and, after being +thoroughly soaked, and almost washed away, I succeeded in reaching the +opposite side. Here the bank rose in an almost perpendicular precipice +of more than a hundred feet in hight. I dared not recross the stream, +for I knew the enemy could not be far behind, and, therefore, I +clambered up the precipice. Several times when near the top did I feel +my grasp giving way; but as often did some bush or projecting rock +afford me the means of saving myself. At last, after the most imminent +danger, I reached the top utterly exhausted, pulled myself out of +sight, and breathed for a while.</p> + +<p>I had had no breakfast or dinner, and had spent not only that day, but +many preceding ones, in the most fatiguing exertion. I was very faint +and sick, and almost out of hope. I had no guide even in the direction +of home, for the sun still lingered behind an impenetrable veil.</p> + +<p>While I thus lay and mused on the unenviable situation in which I +found myself placed, a sound reached my ears that again sent the blood +leaping wildly through my veins. It was the distant baying of a +bloodhound! Never again will I read the story of human beings, of any +color, pursued by these revolting instruments of man's most savage +"inhumanity to man," with indifference!</p> + +<p>I started to my feet, and a few moments' listening confirmed my first +impression. It was true. They were after us with their bloodhounds! +not one pack alone, but all in the country, as the widening circle, +from which echoed their dismal baying, revealed but too plainly. There +was no longer safety in idleness, and I at once started up, and +hurried off, as nearly at right angles to the railroad as I could +ascertain by the whistling of the trains, which seemed to be moving in +great numbers, and much excited. The fearful barking of the dogs also +gave me a clue to avoid them. Faint and weak as I was, excitement +supplied the place of strength, and I rapidly placed a considerable +distance between myself and pursuers.</p> + +<p>Away across the hills and streams I sped, I knew not how far—I only +knew that the noise of the dogs grew fainter and fainter as the +evening wore on. I had distanced them, and began to breathe freer. I +even indulged the hope of being able ultimately to work my way to the +lines, and still think I might have done so, had the weather been +clear enough to permit my traveling by the sun or stars.</p> + +<p>As I descended the long slope of a wooded hill into a wild, solitary +valley, I saw a rude hut, and a man in the garden beside it. I +approached him to inquire the road to Chattanooga, though that was the +last place I wished to go. The answer was, that it was only eight +miles. This was nearer than I liked to be, as I rightly judged the +pursuit would be most vigorous in that vicinity. However, I continued +my journey in that direction, until out of sight, and then climbed up +the hill at right angles to my former course. I traveled this way for +some time, when an incident occurred that would have been amusing, had +it been less vexatious.</p> + +<p>I had often heard that persons who were lost would naturally travel in +a circle, but did not attach a great deal of credit to the assertion. +Now I had the proof. I had crossed a road, and left it for something +like an hour, during which time I walked very fast, when, to my +surprise, I came to the same place again.</p> + +<p>I was considerably annoyed to thus lose my labor, but struck over the +hill in what I supposed to be the right direction. Judge of my +astonishment when, after an hour or more of hard walking, I found +myself at precisely the same spot again! So much time had been lost, +that I now could hear the bloodhounds once more. I was perplexed +beyond measure. A few steps further brought me to the <i>same river</i> I +had crossed hours before. In sheer desperation I took the first road I +came to, and followed it a long time, almost regardless of where it +should lead, or whom I should meet.</p> + +<p>Thus I pressed forward till twilight was deepening into darkness, when +I met a negro driving a team. From him I learned that I was within +four miles of Chattanooga; words can not describe the tide of +vexation, disappointment, and anger that swept over my breast, when I +found that in spite of my most determined efforts I was steadily +approaching the lion's mouth. But it was no use to give way to +despair. Learning from the negro the direction of both Ringgold and +Chattanooga, I resolved to make an effort to reach the Tennessee +river some eight or ten miles below Chattanooga. For this purpose, I +struck across the fields in the proper course.</p> + +<p>For some time now I did well enough, but before long I came to a large +field of deadened timber. When I had crossed this, I was again +completely lost. Soon, however, I reached a road which seemed to lead +right, which I followed with renewed vigor for several miles. At last +I met three men on horseback; it was too dark to tell whether they +were negroes or white men, but I ventured to ask them:</p> + +<p>"How far is it to Chattanooga?"</p> + +<p>"<i>Three miles!</i>"</p> + +<p>"Is this the road?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sah! <i>right ahead</i>."</p> + +<p>I had afterwards reason to believe that these were men sent out to +arrest us, and that they did not stop me just because I was going +right to Chattanooga!</p> + +<p>But it was evident that I was again on the wrong road. Indeed, it +seemed as if I was so hopelessly bewildered that it was impossible for +me to travel any <i>but</i> the wrong road. As soon as the horsemen got out +of sight, I turned and followed them three or four miles, when I came +to a large road running at right angles with my own, which terminated +where it joined the other. I deliberated for some time as to which end +of this new road I should take. I had no guide to direct me, for my +old road was too crooked even to give me the direction of the dreaded +Chattanooga.</p> + +<p>Many a time have I wished for a sight of the moon and stars. Long +before the clash of arms was heard in our land, before the thunder and +the wailing of battle had filled a nation with weeping, have I waited +and wished for the parting away of the tedious clouds, that, with my +telescope, I might gaze on the wonders and beauties of the worlds +above. But never did I bend a more anxious eye to the darkened +firmament, than in my solitary wanderings over the Georgia hills that +memorable night. But all in vain; no North Star appeared to point with +beam of hope to the land of the free.</p> + +<p>At length I started off on the road that I thought most likely to lead +me in the right direction; but as usual I had the misfortune of being +wrong; for after I had gone a long distance, the moon broke through a +rift in the clouds, and for a moment poured her light down on the dark +forest through which I was passing. That one glance was enough to show +me that I was heading back toward the railroad I had left in the +morning. Wearily I turned and retraced my tedious steps.</p> + +<p>One of my feet had been injured by an accident three mouths before, +and now pained me excessively. Still I dragged myself along. My nerves +had become completely exhausted by the long-continued tension they had +sustained, and now played me many fantastic tricks, which became more +vivid as the night waned away. I passed the place where I had made the +wrong choice of roads, and still toiled on.</p> + +<p>The rain fell in torrents now. I was thinly clad, and as the wind, +which was blowing quite hard, drove the falling showers against me, my +teeth chattered, and I shivered to the bone. I passed many houses, and +feared the barking of the dogs might betray me to watchers within; but +my fears were groundless. The storm, which was then howling fearfully +through the trees, served to keep most of those who sought our lives, +within doors. Even the barking of the bloodhounds was heard but +seldom, and then far in the distance. I seemed to have the lonely, +fearful, stormy night to myself.</p> + +<p>At last all thoughts gave way to the imperative necessity of repose. I +reeled to a large log that lay by the side of the road, on the edge +of a small patch of woodland, and crawling close under the side of it, +not for shelter from the driving rain, but for concealment from my +worse-dreaded human foes, I slept in peace.</p> + +<p>Up to this time the image of that terrible night is graven on my +memory with a scorching pen of fire. After this it changes, and with +the exception of a few real incidents that aroused me from my trance, +it floats before me in more than the voluptuous splendor of an +opium-dream. The cause of this change is a curious chapter in mental +philosophy. It was no doubt purely physical, resulting from want of +sleep, fatigue, dampness, lack of food, and intense mental exertion. +But let me narrate facts.</p> + +<p>When I awoke, it was with a full realization of my position. But in +addition to this, I seemed to hear some one whisper, as plainly as +ever I heard human voice:</p> + +<p>"Shoot him! shoot him! Let us shoot him before he wakes!"</p> + +<p>My first impression was, that a party of rebels had discovered my +hiding-place, and were about to murder me in my sleep, to save +themselves further trouble. But the next thought brought a new +suspicion, and I cautiously opened my eyes to test it, and see if my +senses were really playing false.</p> + +<p>Directly before me stood a small tree. The first glance showed a tree +and nothing more. The next showed a score of angels, all clad in +softest outlines, their heads nodding with feathery plumes above all +beauty, and their wings slowly waving with borders of violet and +pearl. The whole forest was suddenly transformed into a paradise of +radiant glory, in which moved celestial beings of every order, all +instinct with life, blushing with love, and bending their kindest +regards on me. Ladies, too, were there, fairer than ever walked the +fields of earth, embowered in roses; little cherubs with laughing +faces, on cloudlets of amber and gold, floated around. Indeed, all +that the imagination could conceive of beauty was comprised in that +one gorgeous, glorious vision.</p> + +<p>The most singular fact of all was, that although the brain and eye +were thus impressed with that which had no real existence, I was +perfectly calm and self-possessed, knowing the whole thing to be but a +pleasing illusion. I did not in the least fear these figures of the +brain, but on the contrary found them pleasant company. Not always, +however, did they personate the same characters. Occasionally they +would change to the old feudal knights, sometimes on horseback, +sometimes on foot, but always clad in glittering armor.</p> + +<p>The finest landscapes would start up from the cold, dull hills around, +like mirages in the desert; panoramas of the most vivid action passed +before me; even language was not denied to my visitants, whose voices +were inexpressibly melodious; every thought that passed through my +mind seemed sounded audibly at my side.</p> + +<p>Thus through the visions of night and darkness I passed rapidly on, +for now I felt refreshed and endowed with new strength. Even the +merciless pelting of the cold rain seemed pleasant and luxurious as a +cool bath in the parching heats of harvest. But beyond these +illusions, another faculty seemed to penetrate and show me, though but +dimly, the true face of the country.</p> + +<p>Once the two became mingled, and very nearly involved me in a serious +difficulty. At a cross-road, a considerable distance ahead, I saw what +I at first supposed to be some more of my spectral friends, standing +around a fire, the ruddy blaze of which served to render them clearly +visible. They were not quite so beautiful as those I had seen before, +but still I advanced carelessly toward them, and would probably have +continued to do so, until too late for retreat, had not my progress +been arrested by a sound of all others the least romantic. It was the +squealing of a pig they had caught, and were killing, preparatory to +roasting in the fire.</p> + +<p>This at once drove away the seraphs and the angels, and left me in +full possession of my faculties. I listened, and soon became convinced +that they were a picket, sent out there to watch for just such persons +as myself. They had some dogs with them, which, fortunately, were too +much absorbed in the dying agonies of the poor pig to give attention +to me.</p> + +<p>I crawled cautiously away, and made a long circuit through the fields. +A dog made himself exceedingly annoying by following and barking after +me. I did not apprehend danger from him, for I yet had my trusty +revolver, and had managed to keep it dry all the time; but I feared he +would attract the attention of the picket, who might easily have +captured me, for I was too weary to elude them.</p> + +<p>At last he left me, and I again returned to the road. I had not gone +far till I came to three horses hobbled down, which, no doubt, +belonged to the picket behind, and had to make another circuit to +avoid driving them away before me. On again reaching the road, I +pressed on as fast as possible, hoping, before the morning light, to +be beyond the circle of guarded roads, and the line of planters who +were scouring the woods with their dogs. It was a vain hope, but I +knew not then the gigantic plan of search which had been organized.</p> + +<p>The visions which had made the lonely forest almost a paradise, now +grew dimmer and dimmer. The roses faded, and all the forms of beauty +vanished into thin air.</p> + +<p>The chill horror of my situation froze deeper into my veins. I would +find myself walking along, almost asleep, then would wander a short +distance from the road to a secluded spot,—throw myself down on the +flooded ground, and sleep a few minutes; then would awaken, almost +drowned by the pitiless rain, and so sore and benumbed that I could +scarcely stagger to my feet, and plod onward.</p> + +<p>Thus that dreary night wore on; it seemed an age of horror, and placed +a shuddering gulf between my present life and the past. But at last +the cold gray of a clouded morning broke through the weeping sky. Day +brought no relief. Every one I saw seemed to be a foe. Still I did not +avoid them. I carefully washed all traces of that terrible night from +my clothes. The wet did not matter, for the rain was still falling +fast enough to account for that.</p> + +<h2><a name="chapter07" id="chapter07">CHAPTER VII.</a></h2> + +<h5>Sabbath—Continuous Rain—Press Onward—Observed—Arrested—Curious +Examination—Equivocating for Life—Plans Foiled by Unexpected +News—Plundered—Jail—Terrible Reflections—New and Hopeful +Resolve—Unwelcome Visitors—Vigilance Committee Disappointed—Ordered +to Chattanooga—A Mob—Chained to the Carriage—Escort—The +Journey—Musings—Arrival—Another Mob—Benevolent Gentleman(?)—General +Leadbetter—Andrews. +</h5> + +<p>It was Sabbath morning, but it came not to me with the blessed +calmness and peace that accompany it in my own sweet Ohio. I saw the +people going to church, and longed to go with them, but dared not +encounter the prying eyes that would have greeted a stranger, even if +I had wished thus to loiter on my journey.</p> + +<p>But why should I dwell longer on this dreary morning? why linger over +its miseries, deepened by the faintness of the hope that they would +ever cease, and give me again to the comfort and love of home? I +wandered on till about noon, when I was observed by some one on the +watch for strangers. This was just beyond Lafayette, Georgia. A party +of pursuit was at once organized numbering twenty or more. I knew +nothing of my danger, till they were within about fifty yards of me, +when they ordered me to stop.</p> + +<p>I put my hand on my pistol, and looked round. The country was level +and open for some distance, and I was too weary to run, even if some +of the party had not been mounted; therefore I made a virtue of +necessity, and stopped, asking what they wanted. They replied that +they wanted to talk with me awhile. Soon they came up, and a little, +conceited man, who had the epaulets of a lieutenant, but whom they +called major, undertook to question me. He was very bland about it, +and apologized hugely for interrupting me, but said if I was a +patriotic man, as he had no doubt I was, I would willingly undergo a +slight inconvenience for the good of the Confederacy. I endeavored to +imitate his politeness, and begged him to proceed in the performance +of his duty, assuring him that he would find nothing wrong. He then +searched me very closely for papers, looking over my money and pistol, +but found nothing suspicious.</p> + +<p>He next asked me who I was, where I came from, and where I was going. +I told him that I was a citizen of Kentucky, who had been disgusted +with the tyranny of Lincoln, and was ready to fight against it; that I +came to Chattanooga, but would not enlist at that place, because most +of the troops there were conscripts, and the few volunteers were very +poorly armed. I told him all about where I had been in Chattanooga, +and the troops there, for I had heard a good deal said about them as I +went down on the cars to Marietta, on the previous Friday evening. I +had also heard them praising the First Georgia, which was with +Beauregard, and now told the Major that I wanted to join it. He then +asked why I did not proceed at once to Corinth, without going so far +around the country. I alleged that General Mitchel was in the way at +Huntsville, and that I was merely making a circuit far enough around +to be out of the danger of capture.</p> + +<p>This seemed to be perfectly satisfactory to the little man, and +turning to the crowd he said:</p> + +<p>"We may as well let this fellow go on, for he seems to be all right."</p> + +<p>These words rejoiced me, but my joy was premature. A dark-complexioned +man, who sat on his horse, with his hat drawn down over his brows, +raised his eyes slowly, and drawled out:</p> + +<p>"Well, y-e-s! Perhaps we'd as well take him back to town, and if all's +right, maybe we can help him on to Corinth."</p> + +<p>This was rather more help than I wanted, but it was useless to demur.</p> + +<p>They conducted me to the largest hotel in the place, where I was +received very kindly. Soon a number of lawyers came in, and commenced +asking me all kinds of hard questions. I answered as well as I could. +When I told them I was from Kentucky, they wished to know the county. +I told them Fleming. Then they asked the county seat. This also I was +able to give; but when they required me to give the counties which +bounded it, I was nonplussed. I mentioned a few at random, but suspect +most of them were wrong. They said it looked suspicious to find a man +who could not bound his own county, but proceeded in their +examination.</p> + +<p>They requested a narrative of my journey all the way through from +Kentucky. This I gave very easily, as long as it was on ground that +was not accessible to them; but it sorely puzzled me to account for +the time I had been on the railroad, and for the last night, which I +spent in the woods. I had to <i>invent</i> families with whom I +stayed—tell the number of children and servants at each, and all the +particulars. This was rather perilous, as many of my auditors knew all +the country around which I was thus fancifully populating; but I had +no alternative. I might have refused to answer at all, but this would +have been construed into positive proof of guilt—at least as good as +a <i>mob</i> would have required. Besides, I still had a faint hope that +they might be induced to release me, and allow me to continue my +journey. As it was, my assurance puzzled them somewhat, and they held +numerous private consultations.</p> + +<p>But while they were thus deliberating over my case, and could only +agree that it needed further investigation, a man, riding a horse +covered with foam, dashed up to the door. He came from Ringgold, and +brought the news that part of the bridge-burners had been captured, +and that they had at first pretended to be <i>citizens of Kentucky, from +Fleming county</i>,—but, on finding that this did not procure their +release, they confessed that they were Ohio soldiers, sent out to burn +the bridges on the Georgia State Road.</p> + +<p>The remarkable coincidence of their first story with the one I had +been trying so hard to make the rebels believe, produced a marked +change in their conduct toward me. They at once adjourned to another +room, and, after a brief consultation, agreed to commit me to jail to +await further developments.</p> + +<p>The little major was my escort. He first purloined my money, then took +me to the county jail and handed me over to the jailor. This personage +took my penknife and other little articles,—then led me up +stairs,—unfastened the door of a cage of crossing iron bars, in which +was one poor fellow—a Union man, as I afterward found—and bade me +enter. My reflections could not have been more gloomy if the +celebrated inscription, <i>Dante</i>, placed over the gates of hell, had +been written above the massive iron door.</p> + +<div class="quotation"> + <p>"All hope abandon, ye who enter here."</p> +</div> + +<p>My feelings were terrible when the jailor turned the key in the lock, +secured the heavy iron bar that crossed the door, and left me. Never +before had I been locked up as a prisoner, and now it was no trivial +matter—a few days or weeks. There was absolutely no hope ahead. I was +there as a criminal, and too well did I realize the character of the +Southern people, to believe that they would be fastidious about proof. +Life is held too cheap in that country to cause them a long delay in +its disposal.</p> + +<p>In that hour, my most distressing thought was of my friends at home, +and particularly of my mother—thinking what would be their sorrow +when they heard of my ignominious fate—if indeed they ever heard, for +I had given an assumed name. That all my young hopes and ambitions, my +fond dreams of being useful, should perish, as I then had no doubt +they would, on a Southern scaffold, seemed unbearable in the extreme. +But only one moment did these thoughts sweep over me; the next they +were rejected as not calculated to profit in the least. My first +action was to borrow from my Union companion his blankets, of which he +had a plentiful supply, and wrap myself in them. The warmth they +produced soon threw me into a deep sleep,—profound and +dreamless,—such as only extreme fatigue can afford.</p> + +<p>I awoke hours after, feeling much refreshed, but did not at first +realize where I was; yet a glance at the woven bars which everywhere +bounded me in, brought back the knowledge that I was a prisoner; but I +did not give way to useless despair. I was almost amused at the +quaint, yet truthful remark my fellow-prisoner made to me. Said he:</p> + +<p>"If you are innocent of the charge they have against you, there is no +hope for you. But if it is true, you may save yourself by telling +what regiment and company you belong to, and claiming protection as a +United States prisoner of war."</p> + +<p>I thought a good deal over this opinion, and became more and more +impressed with its wisdom. It contained a truth that I could not +gainsay. To hang a poor stranger in the South would be a common-place +affair—only what was often done by the Southerners before the war +began. In fact, they did kill a man at Dalton, under circumstances of +the greatest cruelty, because he cheered as we dashed through the +town. Afterward they found out that the man was as good a rebel as any +of them, and had merely cheered because he thought we, too, were +rebels; then they set the matter right by apologizing to his friends!</p> + +<p>It was quite different in the case of our soldiers. If they were +murdered, there was an unpleasant probability that some of the +chivalry themselves would have to suffer in retaliation. Besides, I +reflected with a glow of hope, the first I experienced since I fell +into their hands, that our government held a number of rebels, who had +been taken in Missouri on a similar expedition. All day and night I +mused on these things, and endeavored to come to such a decision as +would be for the best. When I heard of the capture of many of our +party, and the announcement of the regiments to which they belonged, +showing that they had been influenced by the same considerations I had +been revolving, I at once determined to rest my fate on my claim as a +United States soldier. I believe that this decision ultimately saved +my life.</p> + +<p>All this time I was not in loneliness. Throngs of Georgians came in to +see the caged Yankee—both ladies and gentlemen. Many were the odd +remarks they made, criticising every feature, and not a few adding +every possible word of insult. The whole day they crowded in, and I +was glad when the approach of night put an end to the annoyance.</p> + +<p>The coarse food the jailor brought was eaten with such a relish as +hunger only can impart. I was fortunate in respect to quantity, for my +companion was not well, and could not eat much; but I atoned for his +shortcoming by eating both of our allowances without difficulty.</p> + +<p>In the morning, they took me before a self-constituted committee of +vigilance. These committees were very common in the South, and still +more summary in their modes of administering justice, or rather +vengeance, than were the celebrated vigilance committees of San +Francisco, in the early history of the gold mines. They were prepared +with a board of the most eminent lawyers in the vicinity, and no doubt +hoped to entangle me still more deeply in the meshes of contradiction +than they did the day before. But I cut the whole matter short by +saying:</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen, the statements I gave you yesterday were intended to +deceive you. I will now tell you the truth."</p> + +<p>The clerk got his pen ready to take down the information.</p> + +<p>"Go on, sir; go on," said the president.</p> + +<p>"I am ready," said I, "to give you my true name and regiment, and to +tell you why I came into your country."</p> + +<p>"Just what we want, sir. Go on," said they.</p> + +<p>"But," I returned, "I will make no statement whatever, until taken +before the regular military authority of this department."</p> + +<p>This took them by surprise, and they used every threat and argument in +their power to induce me to change my purpose, but in vain. My reason +for this, was to avoid the violence of mob law. While in the hands of +the populace, there was danger of the summary infliction of punishment +that the military authorities could disavow, if our government +threatened retaliation. But if I was once under the regular military +jurisdiction, they would be responsible both to the United States and +to the civilized world.</p> + +<p>When they found that I would tell them nothing further, they made +arrangements to take me to Chattanooga, which was distant twenty +miles. It was the same to Ringgold, near which we abandoned the train. +Thus it will be seen that in that long and terrible night I had +traveled twenty miles in a straight line, and, with my meanderings, +must have walked fifty.</p> + +<p>I was remanded to the jail to wait for the preparation of a suitable +escort. Here I remained till after dinner, when I was guarded by about +a dozen men to the public square. A carriage was in waiting, in which +I was placed, and then commenced the process of tying and chaining.</p> + +<p>A great mob gathered around, completely filling the whole square, and +was exceedingly angry and excited. They questioned me in loud and +imperious tones, demanding why I came down there to fight them, and +adding every possible word of insult. I heard many significant hints +about getting ropes, and the folly of taking me down to Chattanooga, +when I could be hanged just as well there.</p> + +<p>However, as the mob grew more violent in their denunciations, I +selected some of the more intelligent ones and addressed them. They +answered with curses; but in the very act of cursing, they grew milder +and more willing to converse. I was not very much in the humor for +talking, but following the dictates of policy rather than inclination, +I answered their innuendoes merrily, and soon had some of the laughers +on my side. Before long, I heard some of them say, "Pity he is a +Yankee, for he seems to be a good fellow." This was gratifying, and we +were soon ready to start.</p> + +<p>I had been secured in such a manner as to make assurance doubly sure. +A heavy chain was put around my neck and fastened by a padlock; the +other end was hitched to one foot, and secured in the same manner; the +chain being extended to its full length, while I was in a sitting +position, making it impossible for me to rise.—My hands were tied +together; my elbows were pinioned to my side by ropes; and, to crown +all, I was firmly bound to the carriage seat!</p> + +<p>My evil genius, the little major, took the seat beside me as driver. +He was armed to the teeth. Two other officers on horseback, likewise +fully armed, constituted the rest of the guard that was thought +necessary to attend one chained and helpless Yankee. Oh! spirit of +chivalry! how art thou fallen! No longer one brave Southern knight a +match for eight or ten Northern mudsills; but three well-armed +officers to guard one chained Union soldier! The same exaggerated +caution I frequently noticed afterward. There seemed to be a perpetual +fear on the minds of the miscreants that we were about to do something +desperate.</p> + +<p>As we journeyed along, the sky, which for days had been overcast, and, +during that time, had hardly afforded us a glimpse of its celestial +blue, became suddenly clear. The sun shone out in beauty, and smiled +on the first faint dawnings of spring that lay in tender green on the +surrounding hills. I am ever very sensitive to the influences of +nature in all its phases, and now felt my spirit grow more light as I +breathed the fresh air, and listened to the singing of the birds.</p> + +<p>My companions were quite talkative, and though I hated them for the +indignity they had thus put upon me in chaining me as a criminal, yet +I knew it would be unavailing to indulge a surly and vindictive +disposition, and therefore talked as fast and as lively as they could.</p> + +<p>My guards, themselves, did not subject me to any insults, and even +endeavored to prove that the extraordinary manner in which I was bound +was a compliment to me. I could not see it in that light, and would +have willingly excused the tying and the compliment together! The +worst was that when they passed any house they would call out, "We've +got a live Yankee here;" then men, women, and children, would rush to +the door, and stare as though they saw some great monster, asking:</p> + +<p>"Whar did you ketch him? Goin' to hang him when you get him to +Chattanooga?" and similar expressions without end.</p> + +<p>This was only amusing at first, but its perpetual recurrence soon grew +terribly wearisome, and was not without its effect in making me +believe they really would hang me. In fact, my expectation of escaping +was never very bright; yet I considered it my duty to keep up my +spirits as well as I could, and not despair till it really was certain +that there remained no ground for hope. The afternoon wore slowly away +as we traveled along, passing some very grand and romantic scenery, +that in any other frame of mind would have been enthusiastically +enjoyed; but now my thoughts were otherwise engaged.</p> + +<p>It was not the thought of death I so much dreaded, as the manner of +death. Death amid the smoke, and excitement, and glory of battle, was +not half so terrible as in the awful calmness and chill horror of the +scaffold! And sadder yet, to think of my friends, who would count the +weary months that had gone by, and wish and long for my return, till +hope became torturing suspense, and suspense deepened into despair. +These thoughts were almost too much for stoicism; yet there was no +alternative but to patiently endure.</p> + +<p>The sun went down, and night came on—deep, calm, and clear. One by +one the stars twinkled into light. I gazed upon their beauty with new +feelings, as I wondered whether the short, revolving course of a few +more suns might not bring me a dweller above the stars! And as I +thought of the blessed rest for the weary beyond the shores of time, +my thoughts took a new direction. I was not then a professor of +Christianity, but had often and believingly thought of the great +interests of the future, and had resolved to make them my particular +study; but had never hitherto addressed myself in earnest to the task, +and latterly, the confusion and bustle of a camp-life had almost +driven the subject out of my mind. But now, whether it came from the +clustering stars above, or from the quiet and stillness so congenial +to exhausted nature, after the weariness and excitement of the last +few days, or from a still deeper source, I know not. I only know that +the memory of that night, when I was thus being carried chained to an +unknown fate, is one of the sweetest of my life. My babbling guards +had subsided into silence, and, as we wended along through the +gathering darkness, high and noble thoughts of the destiny of man +filled my breast, and death seemed only the shining gate to eternal +and blissful life. I was nerved for any fate.</p> + +<p>We arrived at Chattanooga while a feeble glow of the soft spring +twilight still lingered on the earth. We immediately drove to the +headquarters of General Leadbetter, then commanding that place, and +while our guards ascended to inform him of our arrival, I was left in +the carriage. As soon as we entered the town, the word was given:</p> + +<p>"We've got a live Yankee; one that took the train the other day."</p> + +<p>I was not the first one of the party captured, but was the first +brought to Chattanooga. The curiosity to see one of the men who had +frightened women and children into the woods, was, of course, most +extreme, and an immense crowd soon gathered around. They behaved just +as Southern mobs usually do—jeering and hooting—calling me by every +epithet of reproach the language afforded, and wanting to know why I +came down there to burn their property, and murder them and their +children. To these multitudinous questions and assertions I made no +answer. I was greatly amused (afterward!) by their criticisms on my +appearance. One would say that "it was a pity that so young and +clever-looking a man should be caught in such a scrape." Another, of +more penetrating cast, could tell that "he was a rogue by his +appearance—probably came out of prison in his own country." Another +was surprised that I could hold up my head and look around on honest +men—arguing that such brazen effrontery was a proof of enormous +depravity of heart. I did not give my opinion on the subject. Indeed, +it was not asked.</p> + +<p>There was one man I noticed in particular. He was tall and +venerable-looking; had gray hair, gray beard, a magnificent forehead, +and an altogether commanding and intellectual expression of +countenance. He was treated with great deference, and appeared to me +most like a doctor of divinity. As he parted his way through the +crowd toward me, I thought:</p> + +<p>"Surely I will receive some sympathy from that noble-looking man."</p> + +<p>His first question was calculated to confirm my impression. Said he:</p> + +<p>"How old are you?"</p> + +<p>I answered, "Twenty-two, sir."</p> + +<p>Gradually his lip wreathed itself into a curl of unutterable scorn, as +he slowly continued:</p> + +<p>"Poor young fool! and I suppose you was a school-teacher, or something +of that kind in your own land! and you thought you would come down +here and rob us, and burn our houses, and murder us, did you? Now let +me give you a little advice: if you ever get home again, (but you +never will,) do try, for God's sake, and have a little better sense, +and stay there!"</p> + +<p>Then he turned contemptuously on his heel, and strode away, while the +rabble around rewarded him with a cheer. I never could find out who he +was. After that I looked no more for sympathy in that crowd.</p> + +<p>My conductors now returned, and escorted me into the presence of +General Leadbetter. They said he was a Northern man; but if so, it is +very little credit to my section, for he was one of the most +contemptible individuals I ever knew. He was a perfect sot, and had +just two states of body, as a Confederate captain afterwards explained +to us—these were, dead drunk, and gentlemanly drunk. He oscillated +constantly between these two. He was a coward as well, and though only +a brigadier-general, managed to stay as far away from the field when +the fight was going on, as one of our own most conspicuous +major-generals did. He had been promoted to his present position for +his <i>gallantry</i> in hanging some defenceless East Tennessee citizens, +which he did without a trial.</p> + +<p>All these facts I learned afterward, except one, which was apparent +when I entered the room. He was "gentlemanly drunk." He commenced +questioning me, and I told him partly the truth, and partly not—going +on the principle that truth is a pearl, and pearls are not to be +thrown before swine. I told him that I was a United States soldier, +giving him my company and regiment; but saying that I was detailed +without my consent, that I was ignorant of where I was going, and what +I was to perform, which I only learned as fast as I was to execute it. +He wanted to know our intention in thus seizing the engine, but I +plead ignorance. He next inquired who was our engineer, but I refused +to tell. He then said:</p> + +<p>"Sir, I want you to tell me just how many men you had on that train, +and to describe them so I may know when I get them."</p> + +<p>I answered, "General, I have freely told you whatever concerns only +myself, because I thought it better that you should know that I am a +soldier under the protection of the United States, but I have not yet +become base enough to describe my comrades!"</p> + +<p>"O!" sneered he, "I don't know that I ought to have asked you that."</p> + +<p>"I think not, sir," I replied.</p> + +<p>"Well," said he, "I know all about it. Your leader's name is Andrews. +What kind of a man is he?"</p> + +<p>I was perfectly astonished that he should have Andrews' name, and know +him to be our leader; but I never imagined what I afterward found to +be the true cause—that Andrews had been captured, and had given his +name, with the fact that he was the leader of the expedition. I had +every confidence that <i>he</i> would get away, and try some measures for +our relief; so I answered boldly:</p> + +<p>"I can tell you only one thing about him, and that is, he is a man +whom you will never catch."</p> + +<p>I <i>thought</i> I noticed a peculiar smile on the General's face as I said +this, but he only replied:</p> + +<p>"That will do for you;" and turning to a captain who stood by, he +continued, "take him to the hole; you know where that is."</p> + +<p>With a nod in reply, the captain took me out of the room. As I passed +through the door, I saw an explanation of the General's smile. There +stood Andrews, ironed, waiting an audience, and Marion Ross and John +Williams with him. I did not choose to recognize them; for such +recognition might have compromised them, as I knew not what course +they would pursue.</p> + +<h2><a name="chapter08" id="chapter08">CHAPTER VIII.</a></h2> + +<h5>Negro Prison—Swims, the Jailor—Horrible Dungeon—Black Hole of +Calcutta—Suffocation—Union Prisoners—Slave Catching—Our Party +Reunited—Breakfast Lowered by Rope—Hunger—Counseling—Fiendish +Barbarity—Chained in the Dungeon—Andrews tried as a Spy and +Traitor—Sweet, but Stolen News—Removed from Dungeon—Pure Air and +Sunlight—Attacked by a Mob—"A Friend"—Madison—Daring Adventure and +Narrow Escape.</h5> + +<p>The captain now called a guard of eight men, and conducted me through +the streets for some time; at last we came to a little brick building, +surrounded by a high board fence. Those who have ever been in +Chattanooga, and visited the negro prison, will recognize my +description. A portion of the building was occupied by the jailor, but +the prison part consisted of two rooms, one under the other, and also +partly underground. This under room had no entrance from the outside, +but was accessible only through a trap-door from the room directly +overhead.</p> + +<p>Chattanooga is not a county-seat, and, therefore, this prison was +built only for the accommodation of negroes by their humane owners.</p> + +<p>The jailor, Swims, was a character, and merits a particular +description. He was an old man—perhaps sixty. His hair, which was +very abundant, was white as snow, and his face had a dry and withered +expression. His voice was always keyed on a whining tone, except when +some great cause, such as the demand of prisoners for an extra bucket +of water, excited him, and then it rose to a hoarse scream. Avarice +was his predominant, almost his only, characteristic. He seemed to +think his accommodations were vastly too good for negroes and Yankees, +and that when they were admitted within his precincts, they should be +thankful, and give as little trouble as possible. With such notions, +it was not wonderful that he managed to make the lot of the prisoner +an uncomfortable one. In addition to this, he was very fond of a dram, +and frequently became sufficiently intoxicated to reveal many +important matters that we would not otherwise have learned.</p> + +<p>He bustled to the gate, growling all the time about being troubled so +much, unlocked it, and admitting us, led us up the outside stairway, +and then into the upper room. I now saw why the General called the +place a "hole," and truly I thought the name was appropriate. It was +only thirteen feet square, destitute of every convenience, without +chairs, beds, or anything of the kind. There were in it five or six +old, miserable-looking men, who had not been washed for months. The +place looked hard to me, and I shuddered at the idea of taking up my +abode in such a den. But I soon found that I was not to enjoy that +luxury.</p> + +<p>Said the jailor to the captain, "Where shall I put him?"</p> + +<p>"Below, of course," was the reply.</p> + +<p>The jailor then advanced to the middle of the floor, and taking a +large key from his pocket, knelt down and unlocked two rusty locks; +then, with a great effort, raised a ponderous trap-door just at my +feet. The hot air and the stifling stench smote me back, but the +bayonets of the guards were just behind, and I was compelled to move +forward again. A long ladder was next thrust down through the +trap-door, and the inmates warned to stand from under. A mingled +volley of cries, oaths, and questions ascended, and the ladder was +secured. The captain then ordered me to descend into what seemed more +like Pandemonium than any place on earth. Down I went into the +cimmerian gloom—clambering step by step to a depth of fully thirteen +feet; for the place, as I afterwards learned, when I had more leisure +for observation, was a cube, just thirteen feet each way. I stepped +off the ladder, treading on human beings I could not discern, and +crowding in as best I might.</p> + +<div><a name="image03" id="image03"></a></div> +<div class="center"><img src="images/image03.jpg" width="800" height="565" alt=""Down I went into the cimmerian gloom—clambering step by step to a depth of fully thirteen feet."" /></div> + +<p>The heat was so great that the perspiration broke from me in streams. +The foeted air made me for a time deadly sick, and I wondered whether +it could be possible they would leave human beings in this horrible +place to perish. The thought of the black hole at Calcutta, where so +many Englishmen died, rushed over me. True, this was done by the cruel +and savage East Indians, while we were in the hands of "our Southern +brethern," the "chivalry;" but I could not perceive that this +difference of captors made any difference of treatment.</p> + +<p>My breath came thick and heavy, and I thought of suffocation. The +ladder was drawn up, and with a dull and heavy sound that seemed +crushing down on my heart, the trap-door fell. I wedged and jammed my +way through the living throng to the window. The one I reached was +just under the wooden stairs, and, of course, gave no light. The other +was below the surface of the ground. They were at opposite sides of +the room, and were only about a foot square, being filled with a +triple row of thick set iron bars, that almost excluded every current +of air. I pressed my face close to the bars, and breathed the purest +air I could get, until I became partly reconciled to the oppression, +and then turned to ascertain the condition of my companions. It was +wretched beyond description. They were ragged, dirty, and crawling +with vermin. Most of them were nearly naked; but this was no +inconvenience there, for it was so warm that those who had clothes +were obliged to take them off, and nearly all were in a state of +nudity. I soon found it necessary myself to disrobe, and even then the +perspiration poured off me most profusely. It was an atmosphere of +death.</p> + +<p>Yet among the prisoners were old men, just trembling on the verge of +the grave, who were arrested merely because they had ventured to +express a preference for the old, well-tried Government, over the new, +slave-built Confederacy. The cruelty practiced on the Tennessee Union +men will never half be told. It forms the darkest page in the history +of the war. In every prison of which I was an inmate in Georgia and +Virginia, as well as in Tennessee, I found these miserable but +patriotic men thus heartlessly immured. But I will speak more of them +hereafter; at that time the thought of my own danger banished every +other consideration.</p> + +<p>There were fourteen white men in the room beside myself, and one +negro. I wonder what those tender soldiers, who consider it derogatory +to their dignity to fight in the same army that blacks do, would think +if they were confined with them so closely that there was no +possibility of getting away. But we endured too many real evils to +fret at imaginary ones; and besides, Aleck was so kind and +accommodating, so anxious to do everything in his power for us, that +he soon became a general favorite; and when he was taken out to be +whipped, as he was several times, to ascertain whether he was telling +a true story or not, we could not help feeling the sincerest sympathy +for him.</p> + +<p>The Southern method of catching stray negroes is about this: When one +is found traveling without a pass, he is arrested, taken to the jail, +and severely flogged. This usually brings some kind of a confession +from him, and he is advertised in accordance with that confession. If +no answer is received in a limited time, it is taken for granted that +he lied, and he is whipped again, in order to bring a new confession. +Thus they continue alternately whipping and advertising, till the +close of the year. If a master is found before this, he can pay the +costs and take his property; if not, the negro is sold to pay the jail +and whipping fees. No trial is ever allowed at which the negro might +prove himself free. When once arrested his doom is sealed, and in this +way many free negroes are enslaved.</p> + +<p>Aleck had been in this prison seven months, and was to remain five +more, with no other prospect than that of being sold into perpetual +bondage!</p> + +<p>Every society has its aristocrats, and here I soon found that the +eminence was given to those who were charged with the most daring +deeds. The spy—there was but one so accused, and he was +blind,<a href="#footnote03">[3]</a><a name="return03" id="return03"></a>—was considered much above the ordinary Union men. I was +charged with the greatest adventure of any confined there, and, of +course, was treated with becoming deference.</p> + +<p>I was not long the only one of the <i>engine-thieves</i>, (by which name we +were known during our stay in the Confederacy,) who was confined in +this dungeon. Soon the trap-door again opened, causing a stream of +comparatively cool air from the room above to rush down. It was an +inconceivable relief—a <i>luxury</i> that none could appreciate who had +not, as we had, been deprived of that greatest blessing God has given +to man—pure air.</p> + +<p>We wondered who was coming next, as the feeble glimmering of a candle +above revealed several forms descending. The Tennesseeans cried out:</p> + +<p>"Don't put any more down here! We're full! We'll die if more are put +down!" which did not seem improbable.</p> + +<p>But these remonstrances produced no effect. Down they came, and I, +stationing myself at the foot of the ladder, spoke something +indifferently to them, and heard my name called in return.</p> + +<p>It was Andrews, Wollam, and Ross, who gave me their hands in silent +condolence of our common misery. Still others were brought, I do not +now remember whether that evening, or in the morning. Again the door +was closed, and the free air, which had seemed to flow to us in +sympathy, was once more shut out.</p> + +<p>We tried to arrange ourselves to secure the repose we so much needed, +but the room was too small. Think of this, ye who sleep on your downy +beds at home. Here were your brothers of Ohio, not only compelled to +sleep on the bare floor, but not even enough of that, in this vilest +of dens, on which to lie down at all! and yet some of you sympathize +with those who were the authors of this cruelty, and think it so hard +that their property should be confiscated for such trifles as these, +and, worst of all, that their negroes should be taken from them! What +shall we think of <i>you</i>?</p> + +<p>We did the best we could. Some found room to lie down. Others sat +against the wall, and still others leaned on the breasts of those who +were thus supported. It is no wonder if, while in such a situation we +should be afflicted with the nightmare, and have innumerable bad +dreams. If any one wanted to move his position, or go for a drink, +(and the stifling heat rendered us all very thirsty,) he was sure to +tread on his neighbors, and tempers being naturally very short here, +some warm altercations took place, which contributed still more to +disturb our slumbers.</p> + +<p>The next morning we slept late. Indeed, as long as we remained in this +prison we were inclined to sleep much. The great quantity of carbonic +acid gas our breathing produced, seemed to act as an opiate, and thus +served, in some measure, to deaden the sense of pain. We were aroused +the next morning—early, as we supposed—by the opening of the door +above, and the delicious shower of cool air that fell on us. As we +looked up, we saw the white head of our old jailor bending over, and +saying, in drawling tones, "Boys, here's your breakfast," and down he +lowered a bucket, by a rope, containing a very small piece of bread, +and the same of meat, for each of us. This was seized and devoured +almost instantly. I had received nothing to eat since breakfast the +day before, and the little morsel I got only served to whet my +appetite; but there was no more! We asked what time it was, and were +told nine o'clock. We were also informed that we would get our meals +only twice a day. This was rather discouraging information for persons +as hungry as ourselves, but we had no remedy.</p> + +<p>During the day a few more of our party came in, and among them was G. +D. Wilson. I found that they had all done as I had in acknowledging +themselves United States soldiers, influenced by the same reasons, and +most of them sooner than myself. We consulted about the matter, and +concluded that the only hope we had, was in adhering to the same +story, and trying to make them believe that we were actually detailed +without our consent, and without a knowledge of what we had to do. +This was true for part, but not for all, or even for the most of us. +We agreed to conceal the name of the engineer at all hazards—the fact +of a previous expedition being sent down into Georgia, and that +Campbell was not a soldier—also our previous acquaintance with +Andrews, thus leaving him free to make his own defense. With the +exception of these reserved facts, which were not even to be whispered +among ourselves, we were to talk freely; to answer all questions and +convey the impression that we had nothing to conceal. We carried out +this idea, and, as more of our men came in, they agreed to it, and +gave, without reserve, their true names, companies, and regiments. +This course gained us sympathy from those whose bosoms were not +steeled against every kindly feeling; and to this, more than anything +else, I attribute the fact of some of the party being alive to-day.</p> + +<p>We afterward communicated our plan to Andrews, who cordially approved +it—saying that if we adhered to it there would be some chance for our +lives. We did adhere to it, and no amount of persuasion, threatening, +or promises, could induce any of the party to betray one of our +reserved secrets. The rebels were particularly anxious to discover who +was the engineer, and would first ask the question in the most +careless manner; then afterward would sternly demand to know. They +even employed a man, who was a freemason, to visit the party, and try +to gain the confidence of one of our number, who belonged to that +order, and subsequently urge him to tell the desired name, under the +sanction of the masonic oath! But all in vain.</p> + +<p>As others of our party joined us, in bands of two or three, they told +the story of their capture. This was, in some cases, most thrilling, +and still further illustrates the fiendish barbarities of the rebels.</p> + +<p>Two of them, Parrott and Robinson, who were captured the same day they +left the train, were taken to Ringgold. Here they endeavored to compel +Parrott, who was the youngest looking of the party, to betray his +companions, and particularly the engineer; but he refused to do it; +then these villains in Confederate uniform, stripped him naked, and +stretched him down on a rock, four men holding him by each hand and +foot, while two others stood by with loaded revolvers, threatening him +with instant death if he offered the least resistance; then a rebel +lieutenant commenced whipping him with a raw hide; three different +times he ceased and raised Parrott up, asking him if he was ready to +confess; but the heroic boy refused, and at last the whipping was +discontinued, after more than a hundred lashes had been inflicted. His +back remained sore a long time, and he suffered very much from being +obliged to lie on the hard floor. They did not apply anything to his +wounds to heal them, and the scars still remain.</p> + +<p>All the party came in chained, but of course expected, when they were +put down into the dungeon—and <i>such</i> a dungeon!—that they would at +least have the use of their hands. But this was too great an +indulgence to be allowed. We were handcuffed, and then chained +together by the neck in twos and threes. My partner was William +Reddick, to whom I was <i>strongly attached</i> for some time!</p> + +<p>Thus chained together, packed into a little cramped dungeon, deprived +even of light, and almost of air, crawled over by all kinds of vermin, +for there were innumerable rats, mice, and bugs, as well as a smaller +and still more pestiferous insect, we presented a picture of nearly +perfect misery.</p> + +<p>In this state we remained almost three weeks. During this time Andrews +had received a trial. The evidence was strong against him. A Mr. +Whiteman, whom Andrews himself had directed to be summoned, and who +was a former business partner of his, testified that Andrews had been +repeatedly in the South, that he had professed allegiance to the +Southern Confederacy, and in all things represented himself to be a +citizen of the same. In fact he had passes in his possession when he +was captured that could hardly have been obtained without his taking +the oath of allegiance. This did much to sustain the charge of treason +against him, as he admitted being the leader of the expedition. The +other indictment, which was that of being a spy, was not supported by +any evidence, so far as I could learn; but this was of no importance, +as the punishment of the first charge was death. However, the sentence +was not then given, and Andrews' lawyers gave him some reason to hope +that there was an informality in the proceedings which would render +the whole trial void.</p> + +<p>All this time we were most intensely anxious to know how military +affairs were progressing in the world without. I had appropriated from +an officer in charge of us, a paper containing the Confederate account +of our chase, which has been given before, and also an admission that +the battle of Shiloh was not so much of a victory as they had at first +supposed. We managed, likewise, to get one or two other papers which +gave the welcome news that our armies were still pressing onward, and +earnestly did we wish and hope that Chattanooga would be reached in +time to effect our deliverance.</p> + +<p>But the best item of news we received, was from our old jailor, who, +on one occasion, became too drunk to remember the orders he had +received against telling us anything, and let out the very interesting +fact that General Mitchel had advanced to Bridgeport, only +twenty-eight miles below us, on the Tennessee river, and there had +sorely defeated the rebels, capturing some of the very same men who +had been guarding us a few days before.</p> + +<p>This was very cheering, and we began to hope that we, too, would soon +be captured. The officer of the guard was obviously uneasy. All the +time we were in the dungeon, we had been guarded by twenty-six men, +with a captain over them. This was certainly enough to keep +twenty-two, confined and chained as we were, in our place, but we +thought it would be a capital joke should they be captured with us!</p> + +<p>But it was not their intention to let us fall into Mitchel's hands. An +order was sent to the captain in charge to prepare us for moving. He +did so; and soon after, we were in the cars, carried down the same +road we came up so rapidly three weeks before.</p> + +<p>How beautiful all nature appeared! It was May, and the time we had +spent without one glance at the expansive sky or green earth, had not +been lost in the material world. The landscape had been robed in a +richer verdure, the budding trees had swelled into leafy screens, the +sky was of a softer blue, the birds warbled with new melody, and +everything seemed to wear its holiday dress.</p> + +<p>O, the joy! the gladness! of being once more under the canopy of +heaven, and of looking up to its unfathomable depths, with no envious +bars to obstruct our view. Many a time have I passed the month of May, +amidst the most romantic scenery, but never yet did I so deeply feel, +that this is indeed a pleasant world, full of beauty and goodness, as +on that balmy evening, when the rays of the setting sun, glowing from +the west, streamed over the grass and wheatfields on their path, and +poured in mellowed, yellow radiance, through our car-window. But even +then the glories of earth and sky could not make me forget that I was +still chained to my companion, and surrounded by guards with gleaming +bayonets.</p> + +<p>The wild excitement caused by our raid had not subsided in the least, +and as it became known that we were passing along the road, a mob +greeted us at every station. It is not necessary to again describe +these mobs, for all are alike, and one description answers for many. +They were, as usual, rude, loquacious, and insulting.</p> + +<p>When we arrived in Atlanta, which was in the morning, there was no +jail-room for us; but before going further, we were obliged to wait +for the evening train. When it became known in the city that we were +there, a mob instantly collected, and prepared to hang us. They were +prevented by our guard, probably on the principle that a mouse is +protected by a kitten—that it may have the pleasure of first playing +with it, and afterwards killing it itself. During the progress of the +strife between those who wanted to hang us and those who wanted the +law to take its course, several persons were severely injured. But +while the disturbance was in progress, one man succeeded in reaching +the car window unnoticed, and handed us a paper, using only the single +but magical word—"a friend"—and then was lost in the throng. We read +the paper by snatches as the attention of the guard was directed to +other objects, and found it to contain glorious news—nothing less +than <i>the capture of New Orleans by our fleet</i>! Need I say that, for +the time, all thought of private misfortune was lost in the +exhilaration of national triumph?</p> + +<p>The cause of secession then looked gloomy. I took particular pains to +talk with the officer in charge of us, and other intelligent rebels, +about their prospects, and found them discouraged. Our captain would +not let us have any newspapers, or <i>knowingly</i> give us any +information; yet he thought it no harm to talk with us on the great +subject of the war, after we had learned the facts from other sources. +Frequently, by pretending to know, we could get from him a full idea +of things concerning which we were ignorant before. Of this character +was McClellan's advance on Richmond. The captain admitted that he was +moving with an overwhelming force, and that they had then but a +comparatively small army to resist him. Indeed, everything looked +bright for the Union cause, and the only uneasiness that disturbed us +was the apprehension that we might not live to witness that happy +triumph which now seemed so near.</p> + +<p>In the evening we glided on again, and at length arrived at Madison. +This is a flourishing village, and looked well as we entered it. +There were then some six hundred of our prisoners confined there, and +we indulged the hope that we might be put with them. But we soon +learned that the brand of criminality for our daring adventure still +rested on us; for we were marched past the dilapidated cotton factory +where our friends were confined, to the old county jail, which was +then entirely unoccupied. It was a gloomy stone building, and had two +rooms, but both had doors, and were above ground. Of the upper story I +can not speak, as our party was divided, and I was one that was +assigned to the lower apartment. The room was very dark, and its heavy +stone walls rendered it quite damp. It would have seemed like a +wretched place, had it not been for our previous experience in +Chattanooga. Besides, we were now further from the influence of +General Leadbetter, and only under the control of our captain, who +showed us some kindness, though we were still in irons.</p> + +<p>The citizens of the place were freely admitted to see us, and ranged +themselves—always in the presence of the guard—along one side of the +cell, and talked about all the exciting topics of the day. They +pretended to admire us very much, and contrasted our daring expedition +with what they were pleased to call the cowardice of the Yankees +generally, and asked if there were any more like us in the army. +Wilson, of Cincinnati, assured them that we were the poorest men in +Mitchel's Division, and only sent away because he had no use for us. +This rather astonished them; but from the way in which Mitchel, with +his small and divided force, was controlling Northern Alabama, and +much of Eastern Tennessee, as well as defeating them at all points, +they were rather inclined to believe it.</p> + +<p>But among these visitors was one who came not for mere curiosity. He +was dressed in rebel uniform, but was instantly recognized by Andrews +as a <i>spy in the service of the United States</i>. They had no +opportunity for private communication, but our situation was revealed +in such a way as not to excite suspicion. His character was made known +to us by Andrews, after his departure; and while we were wondering at +his audacity, and rather inclined to disbelieve the story, the captain +of the guard, who had come to bring supper, told us that a most +remarkable occurrence had taken place that afternoon.</p> + +<p>He said that the Provost-Marshal had learned, from some source, that a +spy of Lincoln's had been among our visitors, and had at once sent a +guard to arrest him. The guard found him at the depot, just as the +cars were coming in. The stranger was very indignant at his arrest, +and told them scornfully that he had papers in his pocket that would +prove his character anywhere. They were somewhat abashed at this, and +released their hold on him, but asked him to produce the papers. He +put his hand in his pocket, as though searching for them, and fumbled +about, until he noticed that the train, which was starting, had +attained a good rate of speed, and then, just as the last car swung +by, he dashed from them, and jumped aboard! There was no telegraph +station at Madison, and he escaped.</p> + +<p>At this the Confederates were very much enraged, and would permit no +more visiting; but we felt ample consolation in the certainty that our +condition would be at once reported to our officers, and every effort +made for our release.</p> + +<h2><a name="chapter09" id="chapter09">CHAPTER IX.</a></h2> + +<h5>Return to Chattanooga—Caution of Rebels—Unchain Ourselves—Mock +Trials—The Judge—Singing—One Kindness—Projected Escape—Loitering +Comrades—A Gleam of Hope—Sad Parting—Knoxville—Prison +Inmates—Brownlow—Awful Cruelty—Andrews Condemned to Death—Escapes +with Wollam—Fearful Perils—Swimming the River—Hiding on an +Island—Found by Children—Yields to His Fate—Horrible +Death—Wollam's Stratagem—On the River—Passes a Gun Boat—Final +Capture.</h5> + +<p>We remained only three days in Madison, when the rebel general, +becoming convinced that Mitchel was not then going to advance on +Chattanooga, ordered us back to that place. Again we were compelled to +run the gauntlet of insulting and jeering mobs that had annoyed our +course down the road. We traveled in rude box-cars, that were wet and +filthy, and the journey was rendered still more uncomfortable by the +idea of going back to our old quarters in the wretched prison at +Chattanooga.</p> + +<p>However, by the time we arrived there, our captain, who had never been +a very warm secessionist, and, therefore, had no very hard feelings +towards us, had become quite friendly. He now proved this by +interceding in our behalf, and procuring us permission to remain in +the upper room. This was the same size as the lower one, but it had +three windows instead of two, and these were larger, and obscured by +only one row of bars. But the poor Tennessee Union men had to go +below.</p> + +<p>It was amusing to see the exaggerated caution with which they guarded +us. Even when we were below, where scarcely any man could have got out +without assistance, they never raised the trap-door unprotected by a +strong guard. Now, when we were in the upper room, their vigilance was +still further increased. They would bring a guard into the jailor's +room, through which ours was entered, and there array them with +leveled bayonets, into two lines across the door. At the same time, +the stairway was guarded, and another guard always surrounded the jail +outside of the wall. And even the old jailor would fret, and predict +that evil would result from showing the Yankees so much indulgence.</p> + +<p>All this time we were chained, and as the authorities were thus slow +in relieving us of what we believed to be an unnecessary incumbrance, +we set our wits to work to free ourselves. One of the party had +managed to secrete a small knife while they were searching him, and +with this made rude keys from the bones of the meat given us, and in a +short time opened every lock. We could not, of course, appear in +public in our new liberty, or more effectual means of fastening would +probably have been devised. To avoid detection, we kept some one +always on the watch. Then, when any person was heard approaching our +room, a signal was given, and a quick rattling of chains accompanied +the adjustment and re-locking of our bands. When the door opened, we +would be chained all right, and as soon as it closed we would be free +again. We continued this deception during our stay in this prison, and +were never detected.</p> + +<p>While here, we relieved the tedious time that hung heavily on our +hands by mock trials. We would charge one of the company with some +offence, generally a trifling breach of our prison rules, and proceed +to trial. Campbell, whose immense personal strength better enabled him +to inflict the punishment that would be awarded, usually officiated as +judge, until at last he got the name of Judge firmly fixed on him. +These trials produced much sport. We had ample time for it, and the +opposing counsel would make very long and learned speeches. So +interesting were these arguments, and so eloquent our appeals, that no +one of the auditors was ever known to leave the house while they were +in progress! The witnesses, too, were very slippery, and it was +sometimes quite difficult to reconcile their testimony. There were +always some nullifiers present who would attempt to resist the +enforcement of the laws, and the infliction of the penalties adjudged; +but in these cases the <i>personal weight</i> of the judge decided the +matter. This resistance would give rise to new arrests and trials, and +thus the work became interminable.</p> + +<p>Another and more refined enjoyment was singing. There were several +good singers in the party, and, by practicing together, they soon +acquired great proficiency. Most of the songs were of a tender and +melancholy cast; such as the "Carrier Dove," "Do They Miss Me at +Home," "Nettie More," "Twenty Years Ago," &c. Our time for singing was +when twilight began to fall. Then in the gathering darkness the voice +of song would ring out, as glad and free as if it was not strained +through prison bars. The guards liked very much to hear us sing, and +frequently citizens of the town would gather round outside to listen +to the caged Yankees.</p> + +<p>There is one man in the Confederacy whom I must praise. Amid the +worthless and boastful aristocrats who have monopolized for themselves +the name of "chivalry," I found <i>one</i> gentleman. This was Colonel +Claiborne, at that time Provost-Marshal of Chattanooga. When he first +visited us, he said boldly that it was a shame to keep men in such a +condition, and tried in vain to get permission from General +Leadbetter, to remove our irons; he then ordered us to be brought into +the yard to breathe the fresh air every afternoon. This was an +inexpressible relief, for it was now intensely hot in our room; and +simply to be in the open air a short time was a luxury above all +price. This he did on his own responsibility, and some weeks afterward +was dismissed from his post on account of his humanity to us!</p> + +<p>While here, the idea of escape frequently presented itself. It is true +that our guards outnumbered us, and always used the cautions I have +described above; but the very fear this argued would have been our +best help. We often discussed the subject among ourselves.</p> + +<p>All were anxious to go but Ross and Wilson, who thought the +proposition premature, as they, relying on what the officers in charge +of us said, believed that there was some hope of our exchange. But +others of us were impatient to make one bold effort for our own +deliverance. Two plans were proposed. The first, which I suggested, +was to have all our irons off when the guards came up to feed us, and +then, as the door opened, to make a simultaneous rush on the leveled +bayonets outside, wrest the arms from their owners, and pour down +stairs on the guard below. As soon as we had secured the arms of the +remainder, we could leave the prison-yard in a solid body, and pass on +double-quick to the ferry-boat, which lay on our side of the river, +not far distant. Once over the river, and thus armed, we would have +been comparatively safe.</p> + +<p>The other plan, which we finally agreed to adopt, was proposed by +Andrews. It was, that some one should secrete himself under the bed in +the jailor's room, when we were coming up from our breathing in the +yard, and remain there till all was quiet at night; then come out and +noiselessly unlock the door; after this, we could rush down, seize the +guard, and proceed, as in the first plan.</p> + +<p>There were two of our party who failed to reach the place of +rendezvous in time to be with us on the train. One was from the +Twenty-first, the other from the Second Ohio Regiment. They were +suspected, and to save themselves, were compelled to join a rebel +battery, which they did, representing themselves as brothers from +Kentucky. In the battle at Bridgeport, in which the secessionists were +so badly panic-stricken, the one from the Twenty-first found an +opportunity to escape to General Mitchel. This caused suspicion to +rest on his supposed brother, who was arrested, brought to +Chattanooga, and confined in the dungeon while we were there. We +recognized him, and talked, though very cautiously, about his +adventures. He asked us not to divulge the fact that he was one of +us—an unnecessary request. He remained there for some time, and was +finally released, and put into the battery again, from which, by a +wonderful series of adventures, he succeeded in making good his escape +to our lines.</p> + +<p>At this time there was a great talk of exchange. A son of General +Mitchel's had been captured; but he also held a considerable number of +prisoners, and it was believed that an exchange would be effected. A +lieutenant, whom Mitchel had released on parole, for the purpose of +seeing Kirby Smith, at that time commanding the department of East +Tennessee, and obtaining his consent to an exchange, visited us. His +story raised the most sanguine hopes. The Confederate officers, +however, said that it would be first necessary to have a trial, and +prove that we were really United States soldiers, and then we, too, +would be embraced in the exchange. Andrews, some time before, wanted +to send a flag of truce through the lines to get from our officers a +statement of our true character; but they refused permission, saying +that they could believe our own story on the subject without going to +so much trouble.</p> + +<p>The prospect of an exchange served to defer our attempted escape, but +at last we resolved to wait no longer. The very day we came to this +conclusion, an order was given to send twelve to Knoxville for +trial—a mere formal one as the commander of the guard and the marshal +told us—to clearly prove that we were an authorized military +expedition, and not mere citizen adventurers. George D. Wilson was in +the yard when the order came. He was permitted to be down there, +because he was very sick. The officer of the guard handed him the +order, asking him to select twelve to go, as no names were mentioned. +He did so, selecting all his own regiment (Second Ohio) first, and +afterward his special friends from the other regiments, because he +thought it would be a favor to them—that they would probably be +first exchanged. This unexpected order induced us to abandon our +cherished scheme of escape, which, in all probability, judging from +the result of a subsequent attempt, under far more unfavorable +circumstances, would have been completely successful.</p> + +<p>As we twelve, who were to go to Knoxville, prepared for our departure, +we felt a shade of gloom fall over our spirits. Our little band, who +had for nearly two months been companions in dangers and privations, +such as few men ever experienced, was now to be divided, and we knew +not where we should unite again; for in spite of their fair words, the +<i>fact</i> remained that we were in the power of that enemy who has +deluged our land in blood.</p> + +<p>With Andrews, the parting was peculiarly affecting; we had been +accustomed to look up to him in all emergencies. He was our leader, +and was the particular mark for the vengeance of the foe. Officers, in +bidding us hope, spoke no words of comfort to him. He bore this like a +hero, as he was, and continued to hope against hope. But <i>now</i>, after +we had sung our songs together for the last time, and come to bid him +farewell, we were moved even to tears. I will never forget his last +words, as he silently pressed our hands, and with a tear in his blue +eye, and a low, sweet voice, that thrilled through my inmost being, +said: "Boys, if I never see you here again, try to meet me on the +other side of Jordan." It <i>was</i> our last earthly meeting.</p> + +<p>Colonel Claiborne accompanied us to the cars, where we found we were +to be escorted by a detachment of Morgan's celebrated guerillas. +Claiborne gave orders for our humane treatment, saying: "They are men, +like other men, and gentlemen too, and I want them treated as such." +When he left, I felt we had parted from a friend, rebel as he was.</p> + +<p>Claiborne's parting charge procured us courtesy from our guard. +Indeed, they were a much better class of men than the great mass of +the Southern army. Several of them told us that they had enlisted with +Morgan only to make money, and were getting it fast. All were well +dressed in citizens' clothes, and had the language and manners of +gentlemen. They had another motive in treating us kindly. A large +number of their own band were now in the hands of the government, and +were equally liable with ourselves, under every rule of right, to be +treated as criminals; for they had not only dressed in citizens' +clothes, but had even assumed our uniform wherever it was their +interest to do so. They were indignant to see us in irons, and said +they would not be afraid to guard us with our limbs free, but did not, +of course, dare to remove our fastenings.</p> + +<p>We had been started as usual, without any rations, on the calculation +that we should fast till we reached our destination, which would be in +about twenty-four hours. But our guerilla friends would not permit +this. They bought pies, and literally feasted us, saying that their +money was plenty, and when it was gone they could easily get more from +our men. We hoped that we might have Morgan's men for our escort in +all future migrations.</p> + +<p>We arrived in Knoxville shortly after noon, and marched through the +hot, dusty streets, directly to the old jail. This is now a historical +edifice. It will forever remain associated with the extreme sufferings +of the loyal East Tennesseeans, during the progress of the great +rebellion.</p> + +<p>The building itself is a noble one, and resembles some old baronial +hall. It is of a peculiar style of architecture—solid, square and +massive, with lofty projecting towers and sharp angles—altogether +presenting an imposing appearance. It was used as a military prison, +and was filled from top to bottom with ragged, dirty-looking +prisoners. Some were Union men, and others were deserters from their +own rebel ranks. These constituted the <i>lower</i> class of prisoners, and +were permitted to range over most of the building, which was +completely encircled outside by a strong guard.</p> + +<p>The higher class, or those who were charged with more desperate +offences, were shut up in cages. There were five of these. Two of them +were at once cleared for our reception. The smaller one was about +seven feet by nine, and four of us were put into it. The larger, in +which the remainder of the party were placed, was perhaps ten by +twelve. The latter was the cage in which Parson Brownlow had been +confined, and we felt honored by being in the same cell that this +noble champion of the Union had once occupied.</p> + +<p>While in this cage, we read an article in a copy of the <i>Knoxville +Register</i>, stating that Brownlow was in the North, humbugging the +Yankees by telling them that he had been kept in an iron cage, and +fired at by his guards, when everybody in that vicinity knew that the +whole thing was a falsity. Even while we read this, we looked at the +shot-marks which were still visible on the cage, and which the guards +and prisoners assured us had been made in the way Brownlow stated. +This may serve as a specimen of the manner in which Southern papers +are accustomed to deal with facts.</p> + +<p>It was in the latter part of May when we arrived in Knoxville, and +<i>outside</i>, the weather was intensely warm, but <i>inside</i>, from the +enormous masses of stone and iron around, it was quite cool. Indeed +the nights, which are always cool, even in midsummer, in the warmest +parts of the South, were here very cold, and as we had no beds or +blankets, but had to lie on the partly iron floor, we suffered +greatly.</p> + +<p>Here we formed the acquaintance of a few Tennesseeans, who continued +with us during the remainder of our sojourn in Dixie. One of the most +remarkable of their number was named Pierce. He was some sixty years +old, and had received a stroke with a gun-barrel, right down his +forehead, which, even after healing, had left a gash more than an inch +deep. From this he was denominated, "Gun-barrel," "Forked head," &c. +He was at the same time very religious and very profane. His voice +would first be heard singing hymns, and next cursing the Confederacy +in no measured terms. He was, however, a very clever man, and almost +adored the name of a Union soldier.</p> + +<p>Here it was that we first became acquainted with Captain Fry. He was +confined in a cage in another room. We could not get to see him, but +could entrust little notes, written on the margin of newspapers, to +the more faithful of the outside prisoners, and were always sure of a +reply.</p> + +<p>There was one man in the same room with me, but in another cage, in +whom I became especially interested. He was between seventy and eighty +years old, and was awaiting sentence of death. Before his arrest he +had been a Union man, and, of course, a marked object of suspicion to +his secession neighbors. A band of these came one night for the +purpose of robbing him. He endeavored to prevent them, when they +attacked him, drawing revolvers and bowie-knives. They fired several +shots, and pursued him. He dodged around old barrels and other pieces +of furniture in the outhouse where the assault was made, for some +time, until finally he managed to seize a pitch-fork and plunge it +into the foremost of his foes; then breaking away, he escaped for the +time. The robber whom he wounded afterwards died, and the Confederate +government arrested the old man, and confined him in the cage on a +charge of murder! I never heard the result of it, but have no doubt +that he has long since been hung.</p> + +<p>We obtained quite a number of papers while here, and were much pleased +to learn of the continued progress of our arms, particularly in the +West. The taking of Fort Pillow, the evacuation of Memphis and +Corinth, with the destruction of the rebel flotilla on the +Mississippi, all came out in one paper; and the editor complained that +he had been restrained from publishing this by the government for more +than two weeks after the intelligence arrived.</p> + +<p>One day we received news that sent the blood coursing through our +veins in swifter flow. It was that Andrews and one other of our party +<i>had escaped from Chattanooga</i>!</p> + +<p>Here, to preserve the unity of the story, I will give a history of the +events that took place at Chattanooga subsequent to our departure.</p> + +<p>No unusual event occurred until a week after we had left. Then, one +day, an officer entered the yard, where our boys were enjoying the +shade of the prison, in the cool of the afternoon, and carelessly +handed to Andrews his <i>death-warrant</i>! It was a terrible shock, but +was borne bravely. He communicated the startling intelligence to our +comrades as soon as they again assembled in their room. At once they +resolved to carry into immediate execution the long-projected plan of +escape, on which now depended their leader's only chance of life.</p> + +<p>He was separated from them, and put down into the dungeon. But this +did not interfere with their plans, for with the same knife which was +so serviceable in making keys, a hole was cut above the bolts of the +trap-door, allowing it to be raised. This done, which was late at +night, they drew Andrews up by blankets, and then went to work cutting +another hole through the ceiling. While they were performing the most +noisy part of this operation, they deadened the sound by singing. The +jailor afterward remarked that he might have known there was something +the matter by their singing so mournfully.</p> + +<p>When all their preparations were completed, the gray tint of dawn was +just beginning to rise in the east. There was no time to lose. Andrews +quickly mounted aloft. A rope was formed of some twisted blankets, and +the next moment he was swinging outside of the wall. But in passing +through the hole he loosened some bricks which fell to the ground, and +thus gave the alarm. The accident caused him to drop his boots, which +he afterward sorely needed.</p> + +<p>The guard was instantly aroused, but Andrews dropped to the ground, +darted to the fence, and was over before he could be prevented. John +Wollam followed, and even while suspended in the air by the blankets, +was fired upon. Fortunately, the hands of the guards were too unsteady +to inflict any injury, and he, too, succeeded in getting out of the +yard in safety.</p> + +<p>Now the excitement became intense. All Chattanooga was roused, and the +whole force started in pursuit of the flying fugitives. The officers +hurried to the prison and roundly berated our boys because they did +not give the alarm when their comrades were escaping! Colonel +Claiborne, the Marshal, who had shown us some humanity, was summarily +dismissed from his office for that cause alone! And the press came out +in the most violent language, denouncing the officers in charge, and +particularly General Leadbetter, for their false philanthropy in not +having us chained to the floor in such a manner as to make escape +impossible.</p> + +<p>Our flying comrades had separated as soon as they left the prison. It +was now daylight, and they could not continue their flight without +the most imminent danger of discovery. Andrews went only a few hundred +yards from town, and there secreted himself in a tree, in plain view +of the railroad. He remained all day in this uncomfortable position, +and saw the trains running under his feet, and heard his pursuers +speculating as to what course he could have taken. The search was most +thorough; but, fortunately, his umbrageous shelter was secure.</p> + +<p>At night he came down and swam the river, but lost most of his +clothing in the passage; he then journeyed on nearly naked. In the +morning, just at the break of day, he crossed a small open field on +his way to a tree, in which he intended to take shelter, as he had +done the day before; but, unfortunately, he was observed. Immediately +pursuit was made, but he dashed through the woods, and regained the +river, much lower down than he had crossed the evening before. Here he +swam a narrow channel, and reached a small island, where, for a time, +he secreted himself among some driftwood at the upper end of the +island.</p> + +<p>A party with bloodhounds now came over from the mainland in search of +him. He was soon observed, but broke away from them, and ran around +the lower end of the island, wading in the shallow water, and in this +way threw the hounds off his track; then he plunged into a dense +thicket, with which the island was covered, and again ascended a tree. +There, for a long time, he remained securely concealed, while his +pursuers searched the whole island, being frequently under the very +tree whose high foliage effectually screened him from the sight of +dogs and men. At last they abandoned the search in despair, concluding +that he had, by some means, left the island, and slowly took their +departure to the shore to concert new plans of search. Two little +boys, who came along merely for curiosity, were all that still +lingered behind.</p> + +<p>At length, in their childish prattle, one of them said he saw a great +bunch on a tree. The other looked—shifted his position—looked again, +and exclaimed that it was <i>a man</i>! This alarmed them both, and they +called aloud, announcing the discovery to their friends on shore. The +latter instantly returned, and Andrews, seeing himself observed, +dropped from the tree, ran to the lower end of the island, took a +small log, with a limb for a paddle, and shoved into the stream, +hoping to reach the opposite shore before he could be overtaken. But +there was another party with a skiff, lower down the river, who saw +him, and rowed out to meet him. Thus enclosed, there was no hope, and +he surrendered.</p> + +<p>He was in a most wretched condition, having eaten nothing since he +left the jail. His feet were all cut and bleeding from running over +the sharp stones, and his back and shoulders were parched and +blistered from exposure, unprotected, to the rays of the sun. He said +he felt so miserable that the thought of the certain death, to which +he then resigned himself, had no further terror for him.</p> + +<p>He was brought back to Chattanooga, where a blacksmith welded a pair +of heavy clevises on his ankles, and connected them with a chain only +about eighteen inches in length. He had then but few more days to +live, and his confinement was most rigid. They prepared a scaffold for +him at Chattanooga, but the indications of an advance by Mitchel, +induced them to change the death scene to Atlanta. All the way down to +that place he was taunted with his approaching doom by the mobs who +surrounded every station. Our eight comrades accompanied him to +Atlanta, but parted as soon as they arrived—they going to prison, and +he to the place of execution. He was compelled to walk, all ironed as +he was, and the clanking of his chains no doubt made sweet music in +the ears of these human bloodhounds.</p> + +<p>He displayed great firmness when led to the place of execution, and +mounted the scaffold without a tremor. When swung off, the rope by +which he was suspended, stretched so that his feet came to the ground, +but, nothing disconcerted, these wretches dug the earth away from +under him and completed the murder! Thus died a good and brave man, at +the early age of thirty-three, by the hands of rebels, for the crime +of loving and trying to serve his country! He was engaged to be +married to a young lady of his own adopted State the same month in +which he suffered death on the scaffold!</p> + +<p>It is now time to return to Wollam, whom we left outside of the +jail-fence, trying to get away from Chattanooga.</p> + +<p>He ran down to the river side, and seeing no way of crossing himself, +hit on the brilliant ruse of making them believe that he was across. +To this end he threw off his coat and vest, dropping them on the bank +of the river, and then, after walking a few rods in the water to elude +the hounds, quietly slipped back, and hid in a dense thicket of canes +and rushes. He heard his pursuers on the bank above him, and all +around, talking of their various plans. At last they found the +clothes, and at once concluded that he had taken to the river. Then +they took the bloodhounds over to the other side, and searched for the +place of his exit from the water. The dogs could not find that, as +might be expected, and then, after a due time spent in consultation, +they concluded that he was drowned, and departing much comforted, +searched no more for him.</p> + +<p>After spending a day of most anxious suspense, the approach of night +gave him an opportunity of leaving his hiding-place. He now cautiously +made his way down the river on the Chattanooga side. At length he +found a canoe, in which he rowed at night, and when morning came, he +would sink it, and hide in the bushes; then in the evening raise it, +and again pursue his way. Twice he passed the extempore gun-boat +Mitchel had made, but feared it was some secession craft, and +therefore crept cautiously by in the shadow of the shore, without +being discovered. At last he thought he was beyond the danger of +probable capture, and went boldly forward in the day time.</p> + +<p>This was a fatal mistake. A band of cavalry, who were camped almost +within our lines, saw him, and procuring a boat, came out to meet him. +He was unable to escape, and thus the poor fellow was captured on the +very brink of safety. He at first tried to persuade them that he was a +Confederate, but, unfortunately, a Lieutenant Edwards, who had +assisted in capturing him the first time, happened to be present, and +at once recognized him. He was soon after taken to Atlanta, where the +rest of the party then were.</p> + +<h2><a name="chapter10" id="chapter10">CHAPTER X.</a></h2> + +<h5>Sorrow for Andrews—Prepare for Trial—Charges and Specifications—Plan +of Defence—Incidents of Trial—Encouragement—Not Allowed to Hear +Pleading—Lawyers' Plea—Seven Tried—Mitchel Dissolves the Court—Tied +Again—A Saucy Reply—Advantage of Sickness—Fry Deceived—Revolting +Inhumanity—Fry's Capture—Starve to Atlanta—Taunts of the Mob—Atlanta +Prison—A Kind Jailor.</h5> + +<p>We, who were at Knoxville, read of the recapture of Andrews with the +most poignant regret, though we knew not yet that he had received the +sentence of death. Of Wollam we heard nothing.</p> + +<p>We were well supplied with papers here, as there were plenty of Union +people who ministered to our wants. One day we received a paper +containing an account of the <i>execution of Andrews</i>. It was awful news +to us. We had been engaged, just before, in all kinds of games and +story-telling, for we were always merry, and never suffered ourselves +to indulge in gloomy forebodings. But when this news came, all noise +and merriment were hushed, and we passed a whole day in the most +heartfelt mourning. We all loved our leader, and would willingly have +engaged in the most desperate enterprise to save his life; but, alas! +he was gone, and there was no chance even for that vengeance for which +our souls thirsted.</p> + +<p>Before we had been long at Knoxville, we were notified to prepare for +trial. We requested that we should all be tried at once, as our cases +were precisely alike. When this was not granted, we next asked that +one might be tried, and his sentence be the sentence of the whole +party. But this too, was refused, with the reply that they knew their +own business best. We were forced to accept this decision, though we +could not imagine why it was that they should thus insist on trying +but one at a time. The only reason that I can yet conjecture for this +proceeding is, that it would have looked too absurd to arraign +twenty-one, or even twelve men, all in a body, and from one brigade, +as spies.</p> + +<p>They allowed us the privilege of counsel, and we employed two good +Union men, Colonels Baxter and Temple, who volunteered their services. +We were each to pay them one hundred and fifty dollars, and as fast as +we were tried, to give our notes for that amount.</p> + +<p>The charges and specifications of William Campbell were first handed +in. He was a citizen, but claimed to be a soldier, and we endorsed his +position. The charge against all who were brought to trial was for +"lurking in and around Confederate camps as spies, for the purpose of +obtaining information." Not a word was said of taking the cars, or of +anything we really did do.</p> + +<p>Our plan of defence has been partly indicated before. It was to tell +just who we were, and what we had done, with the exceptions of the +pranks we had played on the rebel citizens coming down, and to claim +that we were United States soldiers, detailed on a military expedition +without our consent, and therefore entitled to the protection accorded +to regular prisoners of war. This was put into words, and read on the +trial as the acknowledgement of the party while pleading "not guilty" +to the charge. The only evidence they had was of the men who pursued +us on the train, and also of those who afterward arrested us; but of +course none of these knew anything of our lurking around the camps.</p> + +<p>George D. Wilson related a ludicrous incident that occurred when he +was on trial, and which fitly illustrates the desire they had to +convict us. It was of a young lieutenant belonging to the +court-martial, who requested to be sworn, saying that he could tell of +at least one place we had passed the Confederate guards. On his +request being complied with, he testified that we crossed their +picket-line at the ferry, on the evening of our first arrival at +Chattanooga. Immediately the president of the court arose, and said +that he commanded the guard that day, and <i>no guard was placed at the +ferry</i>. The whole court was instantly in a roar of laughter, and the +confusion of our would-be convictor may be better imagined than +described.</p> + +<p>Our lawyers were delighted with the course we took, and said that it +had deranged all the plans of the prosecution, and that they had not a +particle of evidence against us; that if we were convicted now, it +would be through mere prejudice and perjury on the part of the court.</p> + +<p>As the trial of different ones proceeded, we had still greater +encouragement from the court itself. Members called on us, and told us +to keep in good heart, as there was no evidence before them to convict +any one. This cheered us somewhat, but there was still one thing which +I did not like, and which looked as if something was wrong. The court +would not let our boys be present to hear the pleading of counsel on +either side, though they urgently requested it. They could neither +hear what our lawyers had to say for them, nor what the Judge Advocate +urged against them. This seemed still stranger, because Andrews had +not been debarred this privilege. But they used our soldiers with even +less show of justice than had been accorded to him.</p> + +<p>After three or four had been tried, one of our lawyers visited the +prison, and read to us the plea which he said he had read to the +court. It was an able paper. I still remember its principal features. +He contended that our being dressed in citizens' clothes was nothing +more than what the Confederate government had expressly authorized, +and that it was done by all the guerillas in the service of the +Confederacy, whenever it was for their interest. And he cited the +instance of General Morgan having dressed his men in Federal uniform, +and passed them off as belonging to the Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry, +by which means he succeeded in reaching a railroad and damaging it. +Also that our government had captured some of these very men, and +treated them as prisoners of war. This instance was mentioned to show +that our being dressed in citizens' clothes did not take from us the +right to be treated as United States soldiers. The plea went on +further to state that we had told the object of our expedition; that +it was a purely military one, for the destruction of communications, +and as such, entirely lawful according to the rules of war. What reply +the Judge Advocate made to this, we never had the means of +ascertaining.</p> + +<p>The trials proceeded rapidly. One man was taken out each day, and in +about an hour returned. The table in the court room was covered with +bottles, newspapers, and novels, and the court passed its time during +trial in discussing these. This was very well if the trial was, as +they said, a mere matter of formality; but if it was a trial in +earnest, on which depended issues of life or death, it was most +heartless conduct.</p> + +<p>At last the number of seven was reached, and they would probably have +proceeded in trying others, had not General Mitchel, who was +continually troubling them, now advanced, and shelled Chattanooga from +the opposite side of the Tennessee river. This at once broke up the +court-martial, and sent the officers in hot haste to their regiments +to resist his progress. Soon after, General Morgan advanced through +Cumberland Gap, and threatened Knoxville, which also rendered it +necessary to remove us.</p> + +<p>They came in with ropes and began to tie us. We did not at first +understand this, and some supposed we were to be taken out for +execution; but we soon became convinced that it was only a change of +place. They arranged us for transportation by first binding our hands +together; then, fixing our arms securely in the loops of long ropes, +tied them firmly to our sides, after which we were coupled two and +two. Ropes were used in fastening us instead of irons as before, +because they had borrowed the latter for some Union prisoners, who had +just been sent to Richmond; therefore we had to be content with a most +liberal allowance of cotton rope. While they were thus arranging our +manacles, I had a most amusing passage-at-words with the adjutant who +was superintending the operation. I said to him as politely as I +could:</p> + +<p>"I suppose, sir, our destination is not known?"</p> + +<p>"It is not known to you at any rate, sir," was the gruff rejoinder.</p> + +<p>This was noticed by the whole party, and I felt rather beaten; but a +moment later came my chance for revenge. He turned again to me, and +said, in a dictatorial manner:</p> + +<p>"Who was it that run your engine through?"</p> + +<p>I bowed and returned in the blandest tone, "<i>That is not known to you +at any rate, Sir.</i>"</p> + +<p>All around roared with laughter, and the adjutant, reddening to the +eyes, turned away, muttering that he believed I was the engineer +myself!</p> + +<p>When everything was in readiness, we bade an adieu to the capital of +down-trodden East Tennessee. Oh! what bitter memories cluster around +that old gloomy building. It has been one of the principal instruments +in crushing the life and loyalty out of the hearts of a brave, but +unfortunate people. May the day soon come when the suffering of East +Tennessee will be richly repaid on the heads of its guilty authors!</p> + +<p>While we remained here, our fare was of the most scanty character. We +received it only twice a day, and then in homeopathic doses. We +continually suffered with hunger while we were well. I, myself, became +quite sick during our imprisonment here, and continued so for most of +the summer. Several others were in the same condition. This was rather +an advantage, for when sick we did not so much mind the scantiness of +our diet.</p> + +<p>A number of Tennesseeans were removed with us. Among them was Captain +Fry and Mr. Pierce. In conversation with the former, I learned the +full particulars of his history, some incidents of which I had heard +before leaving our camp. He had raised a company of his neighbors, and +running the gauntlet of guarded roads, succeeded in reaching our army +in Kentucky. Here he was elected captain, and remained for some time. +After a while, the general in command wished him to go into Tennessee, +and there destroy the bridges on the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad; +then to raise the loyal citizens of that vicinity, and hold the +country till our forces could arrive. He refused to go, until assured +of support from McClellan himself, who was at that time (the fall of +1861) in command of the whole United States army, and who promised +that a column should advance as soon as Fry succeeded. With this +assurance, he departed on his perilous mission. He aroused the Union +men in both Virginia and Tennessee, burned the bridges, and thus for a +time destroyed the most important rebel line of communication; and, +with a force of fifteen hundred men, held the entire country embraced +in his operations, and even seriously threatened Knoxville itself. Now +was the time for our forces to have struck the decisive blow, and not +only have redeemed East Tennessee from its chains, but also severed +the rebellion in halves! It was perfectly practicable. A large body +lay near Camp Dick Robinson, with only a trifling force in front to +impede its progress. But in the meantime, McClellan <i>had changed his +plans</i>, and without warning Fry, left him and his brave companions to +their fate. The struggle was a brief one; the secessionists, thus left +to themselves, concentrated an overwhelming force against him. Several +skirmishes were fought, and finally the Union force was compelled to +disperse. Some of them succeeded in reaching our lines in Kentucky. +Others were caught, and several of these were hung without a trial! +Such were some of the murders that first rendered General Leadbetter +notorious!</p> + +<p>One of these cases is almost too horrible for belief. I would hesitate +to record it, were I not assured of its truth by the testimony of +eyewitnesses separated by hundreds of miles. It was of a man named +named Whan, who, on being arrested, acknowledged that he helped to +burn the bridges, but refused to describe his companions. For this, he +was put into a barrel driven full of small, sharp-pointed nails, and +rolled down a steep hill—then taken out, all bleeding, and hung! This +was on Saturday and he, with his companions, was allowed to hang till +Monday night, when some of his friends, at the risk of their own +lives, came and took them down! Should we compromise with such fiends +in human shape, and purchase their fellowship again, or give them the +puishment that injured humanity demands?</p> + +<p>Fry passed the whole winter in the wild mountains with which Tennessee +abounds, and in the spring he again gathered his neighbors together, a +regiment strong, and tried to reach the Union lines. Near the border, +he was attacked by a superior rebel force, and after a severe contest, +his band was dispersed, himself wounded and taken prisoner. This was +on the 5th of March, and he remained in solitary confinement until he +joined us on the 13th of June. He was an uneducated man, but possessed +of great natural ability, and the most undaunted courage, with a heart +as tender and sympathetic as a child's.</p> + +<p>We took no rations along, and were obliged to <i>starve through</i>, as we +now had no guerillas along to buy us pies. On the way, the populace +taunted us with Andrews' death, and charitably hoped that we might +soon meet the same fate. But some of the officers talked with us in a +friendly spirit, assuring us that we would not be hurt. This produced +some impression, and taken in connection with what had been told us by +members of the court-martial, and others at Knoxville, made us quite +hopeful.</p> + +<p>When we neared the Atlanta city jail, which was to be our abode for +many weary months, a crowd gathered as usual, and a man who called +himself mayor of the city began to insult Captain Fry, telling him +that he knew him to be a rascal in his own country, and that he hoped +soon to have the pleasure of hanging him. Then turning to us, he +boasted that he had put the rope around Andrews' neck, and was waiting +and anxious to do the same for us!</p> + +<p>This prison was smaller than that at Knoxville, but was still a large +edifice. The lower story was occupied by the jailor and his family. +The upper contained four rooms, of which we, with Captain Fry, +occupied one. The Tennesseeans were put into another, just across the +entry from us. Our comrades, who had been left at Chattanooga, were in +another; and the last one, which was on the same side as ours, was +frequently occupied by negroes who had been in search of the North +Star.</p> + +<p>For some time here, our rations were comparatively good and abundant. +But after awhile, the task of feeding us was taken from the jailor, +who had at first assumed it, and then our fare became worse than it +ever had been before. The jailor himself was a kind man, and rather of +Union sentiments. He showed us all the favor in his power, and, +indeed, became so much suspected, that an odious old man named Thoer +was hired to watch him. The constant vigilance of this antiquated +scoundrel, with the superintendence of the officers of the guard, who +were always at hand, prevented the jailor from befriending us as much +as his heart dictated.</p> + +<p>Here we remained for a week in quietness and hope, thinking the worst +of our trials were past. Little did we foresee how fearful a storm was +soon to burst over us.</p> + +<h2><a name="chapter11" id="chapter11">CHAPTER XI.</a></h2> + +<h5>Cavalry Approach—Seven Removed from the Room—Suspense—Sentence of +Death—Heart-rending Separation—Death and the Future—Not +Prepared—Inhuman Haste—The Tragedy—Speech on the Scaffold—Breaking +Ropes—Enemies Affected—Gloom of Survivors—Prayer.</h5> + +<p>One day while we were very merry, amusing ourselves with games and +stories, we saw a squadron of cavalry approaching. This did not at +first excite any attention, for it was a common thing to see bodies of +horsemen in the streets; but soon we observed them halt at our gate, +and surround the prison. What could this mean?</p> + +<p>A moment after, the clink of the officers' swords was heard as they +ascended the stairway, and we knew that something unusual was about to +take place. They paused at our door, threw it open, called the names +of our seven companions, and took them out to the room opposite, +putting the Tennesseeans in with us. One of our boys, named Robinson, +was sick of a fever, and had to be raised to his feet, and supported +out of the room.</p> + +<p>With throbbing hearts we asked one another the meaning of these +strange proceedings. Some supposed they were to receive their +acquittal; others, still more sanguine, believed they were taken out +of the room to be paroled, preparatory to an exchange.</p> + +<p>I was sick, too, but rose to my feet, oppressed with a nameless fear. +A half crazy Kentuckian, who was with the Tennesseeans, came to me and +wanted to play a game of cards. I struck the greasy pack out of his +hands, and bade him leave me.</p> + +<p>A moment after, the door opened, and George D. Wilson entered, his +step firm and his form erect, but his countenance pale as death. Some +one asked a solution of the dreadful mystery, in a whisper, for his +face silenced every one.</p> + +<p>"<i>We are to be executed immediately</i>," was the awful reply, whispered +with thrilling distinctness. The others came in all tied, ready for +the scaffold. Then came the farewells—farewells with no hope of +meeting again in this world! It was a moment that seemed an age of +measureless sorrow.</p> + +<p>Our comrades were brave; they were soldiers, and had often looked +death in the face on the battle-field. They were ready, if need be, to +die for their country; but to die on the <i>scaffold</i>—to die as +murderers die—seemed almost too hard for human nature to bear.</p> + +<p>Then, too, the prospect of a future world, into which they were thus +to be hurled without a moment's preparation, was black and appalling. +Most of them had been careless, and had no hope beyond the grave. +Wilson was a professed infidel, and many a time had argued the truth +of the Christian religion with me for a half day at a time; but in +this awful hour he said to me:</p> + +<p>"Pittenger, I believe you are right, now! Oh! try to be better +prepared when you come to die than I am." Then, laying his hand on my +head with a muttered "God bless you," we parted.</p> + +<p>Shadrack was profane and reckless, but good-hearted and merry. Now, +turning to us with a voice, the forced calmness of which was more +affecting than a wail of agony, he said:</p> + +<p>"Boys, I am not prepared to meet Jesus."</p> + +<p>When asked by some of us in tears to think of heaven, he answered, +still in tones of thrilling calmness, "I'll try! I'll try! But I +<i>know</i> I am <i>not</i> prepared."</p> + +<p>Slavens, who was a man of immense strength and iron resolution, +turned to his friend Buffum, and could only articulate, +"Wife—children—tell"—when utterance failed.</p> + +<p>Scott was married only three days before he came to the army, and the +thought of his young and sorrowing wife nearly drove him to despair. +He could only clasp his hands in silent agony.</p> + +<p>Ross was the firmest of all. His eyes beamed with unnatural light, and +there was not a tremor in his voice as he said, "Tell them at home, if +any of you escape, that I died for my country, and did not regret it."</p> + +<p>All this transpired in a moment, and even then the Marshal and other +officers standing by him in the door, exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Hurry up there! come on! we can't wait!"</p> + +<p>In this manner my poor comrades were hurried off. Robinson, who was +too sick to walk, was dragged away with them. They asked leave to bid +farewell to our other boys, who were confined in the adjoining room, +but it was sternly refused!</p> + +<p>Thus we parted. We saw the death cart containing our comrades drive +off, surrounded by cavalry. In about an hour it came back <i>empty</i>. The +tragedy was complete!</p> + +<p>Later in the evening, the Provost-Marshal came to the prison, and, in +reply to our questions, informed us that our friends "Had met their +fate as brave men should die everywhere."</p> + +<p>The next day we obtained from the guards, who were always willing to +talk with us in the absence of the officers, full particulars of the +seven-fold murder.</p> + +<p>When our companions were mounted on the scaffold, Wilson asked +permission to say a few words, which was granted—probably in the hope +of hearing some confession which would justify them in the murder they +were about to commit. But this was not his intention. It was a strange +stand—a dying speech to a desperate audience, and under the most +terrible circumstances.</p> + +<p>But he was equal to the occasion. Unterrified by the near approach of +death, he spoke his mind freely. He told them that "they were all in +the wrong; that he had no hard feelings toward the Southern people for +what they were about to do, because they had been duped by their +leaders, and induced by them to engage in the work of rebellion. He +also said, that though he was condemned as a spy, yet he was none, and +they well knew it. He was only a soldier in the performance of the +duty he had been detailed to do; that he did not regret to die for his +country, but only regretted the manner of his death. He concluded by +saying that they would yet live to regret the part they had taken in +this rebellion, and would see the time when the old Union would be +restored, and the flag of our country wave over the very ground +occupied by his scaffold."</p> + +<p>This made a deep impression on the minds of those who listened, and I +often afterward heard it spoken of in terms of the highest admiration. +When he ceased, the signal was given, and the traps fell!<a href="#footnote04">[4]</a><a name="return04" id="return04"></a></p> + +<p>Five only remained dangling in the air; for two of the seven, Campbell +and Slavens, being very heavy men, broke the ropes, and fell to the +ground insensible. In a short time they recovered, and asked for a +drink of water, which was given them. Then they requested an hour to +pray before entering the future world which lay so near and dark +before them. This last petition was indignantly refused, and as soon +as the ropes could be adjusted, they were compelled to re-ascend the +scaffold, and were again turned off!</p> + +<p>The whole proceeding, from beginning to end, was marked by the most +revolting haste. They seemed to wish, by thus affording no time to +prepare for death, to murder soul and body both. Even the worst +criminals in our country are allowed some weeks to ask for God's +mercy, before they are thrust into his presence; but our poor boys, +whose only crime was loving and trying to serve their country, were +not allowed one moment! Could the barbarity of fiends go further?</p> + +<p>That afternoon was one of deepest gloom for those who remained. We +knew not how soon we might be compelled to follow in the same path, +and drink the same bitter cup our comrades drank. Once during the +trial we had offered to accept the award of the court in one of the +cases as the sentence of all, since we could not see the slightest +reason for leaving some and taking others. At that time, however, we +believed that all would be acquitted. Now every hope had vanished.</p> + +<p>But even without the addition of fear for ourselves, the parting from +our loved friends, whose voices were still ringing in our ears, while +they themselves had passed beyond the gates of death into the unknown +land of shadows, was enough to rend the stoutest heart. There were +tears then from eyes that shrank before no danger.</p> + +<p>But I could not shed a tear. A cloud of burning heat rushed to my head +that seemed to scorch through every vein. For hours I scarcely knew +where I was, or the loss I had sustained. Every glance around the +room, which revealed the vacant places of our friends, would bring our +sorrow freshly on us again. Thus the afternoon passed away in grief +too deep for words. Slowly and silently the moments wore on, and no +one ventured to whisper of hope.</p> + +<p>At last some voice suggested that we should seek relief in prayer. The +very idea seemed to convey consolation, and was eagerly accepted. Soon +we knelt around the bare walls of our strange sanctuary, and with +bleeding hearts drew near the throne of God. Captain Fry first led us, +and mingled sobs with strong supplications. Then each followed in his +turn, with but one or two exceptions, and even these were kneeling +with the rest. As the twilight deepened, our devotional exercises grew +more solemn. In the lonely shadow of coming night, with eternity thus +open tangibly before us, and standing on its very brink, we prayed +with a fervor that those who dwell in safety can scarcely conceive. We +besought our Father only that we might be prepared for the fate that +was inevitable, and that as he had led us through great trials, he +would be our Comforter, and sustain us still. Who will say that such +prayer was not effectual! It was heard in heaven. Even there, in that +prison, surrounded by an armed guard, amid the gloom of coming danger, +the peace of God, like a dove bearing the olive branch, descended into +every broken and believing heart. It was a holy hour, and if the +angels above ever bend from their bright mansions to comfort human +sorrow, I do believe that they were then hovering near. From that hour +I date the birth of an immortal hope, and I believe that many of my +companions also, on looking back, will realize that they passed from +death to life in that dreary prison-room!</p> + +<h2><a name="chapter12" id="chapter12">CHAPTER XII.</a></h2> + +<h5>Religious Experience—Contraband Assistance—Intelligence of Negroes—Love +of Freedom—Wollam's Recapture—A Friendly Preacher—Obtain +Books—Disgusting Diet—Plays—Debates—Reading Hours—Envy the +Birds—Dreams of Home—Telegraphing—Friends from our Army—Hope +Deferred—Union Society—Difficulties of Tobacco-chewers—Precious Books.</h5> + +<p>From this time forward, we had religious exercises each morning and +evening, and they were a blessed consolation to us—sustaining our +hearts when every earthly avenue of hope had closed. Frequently we +startled the guards who were around us, by the hymns we sang, for now +the character of our songs was changed, and our thoughts and +aspirations began to point upward. It is a delicate matter to speak of +one's own religious experience, but in the hope of doing good, I will +venture. At first my hopes were not bright. For days and weeks an +impenetrable cloud seemed to rest over me, and to vail heaven from my +view; sometimes for a moment it would give way, and show light and +peace beyond, then close up, thick, and dark, and lowering, as ever. +But at last the day gradually arose, and I was enabled to rejoice in +hopes the world can neither give nor take away.</p> + +<p>But these were long and weary days. Our room was of greater size than +that in Chattanooga, and had larger windows, yet the heat was +fearfully oppressive. Our other boys were put in the room with us, +which made fifteen in all. One of them, named Wood, was very sick. He +had been prostrated with the fever for nearly a month, and at this +time his life was despaired of. This was not thought to be any great +misfortune to him by the others, who administered consolation in a +style worthy of the best of Job's friends. They reasoned, "Now, if you +get well, you will only be hung. You had better try to die yourself, +and thus you will outwit them." Wood, however, did not relish the +counsel, and getting contrary, he recovered, "just for spite," as he +often declared. He yet lives to laugh over the advice that his +despairing associates gave him.</p> + +<p>We had friends in the waiters of the prison, though their faces were +black. They assisted us by every means in their power. It was not long +till they found that there was nothing we desired so much as to read +the news; and they taxed their ingenuity to gratify us. They would +wait till the jailor or some of the guard had finished reading a +paper, and laid it down, and then slyly purloin it. When meal time +came, it would be put into the bottom of the pan in which our food was +brought, and thus handed in to us. The paper had to be returned in the +same way, to avoid suspicion.<a href="#footnote05">[5]</a><a name="return05" id="return05"></a> The guards and officers would talk +with us, and always finding us possessed of a knowledge of the events +of the war, at least as far as the Southern papers gave it, came at +last to think we had an instinctive idea of news—something like what +the bee has of geometrical forms! They never suspected the negroes, +though for several months it was only through their instrumentality +that we could obtain any definite information of what was going on in +the world without.</p> + +<p>Having found the negroes thus intelligent and useful, far beyond what +I had supposed possible, I questioned them about other matters. They +were better informed than I had given them credit for, and knew enough +to disbelieve all the stories rebels told. When the whites were not +present, they laughed at the grand victories the papers were +publishing every day, but rather leaned to the opposite extreme, and +gave them less credit than was their due, for they would believe that +the Federal troops were always victorious. Even after McClellan's +repulse before Richmond, they continued, for weeks, to assure us that +he had the town, and had beaten the rebels in every engagement!</p> + +<p>They imagined that all the Northern troops were chivalrous soldiers, +fighting for the universal rights of man, and, of course, they +esteemed it a high privilege to contribute to the comfort of such +noble men. Some of them had imbibed the idea, which is common with the +poor whites of the South, that Lincoln is a negro or a mulatto; but +most of them placed so little credit in the assertions of their +masters, that they disbelieved this story also. But they never wavered +in their belief that the Union troops would conquer, and that the +result of the victory would be their freedom. I had extensive +opportunities for observing them, as the room next to us was +appropriated to the safe-keeping of negroes, and I never yet saw one +who did not cherish an ardent desire for freedom, and wish and long +for the time when the triumph of the national forces would place the +coveted boon within his grasp.</p> + +<p>One morning our jailor came to our room, and asked us if we knew John +Wollam. We hesitated to answer, as we could not fathom the motives of +the inquiry. But even while we deliberated among ourselves, John came +up, and ended our doubts by greeting us heartily. He had been parted +from us some three weeks, and in that time had suffered most +incredible hardships in the manner I have narrated before. He joined +us in our prayer-meeting with much good will. Now all the survivors of +our party were together again.</p> + +<p>There is one Georgia minister I will always remember with gratitude, +not that he was a Union man, for I have no evidence that he was, but +because of his generosity to us. He was a Methodist clergyman in +Atlanta, by the name of McDonnell. He came to visit us at the +suggestion of our old jailor, who, seeing us engaged in religious +exercises, naturally supposed we would like to talk with a preacher. +We received him kindly, and an interesting conversation took place. +Some of the boys were slightly offended by his first prayer, in which +he petitioned that our lives might be spared, if consistent with the +<i>interests of the Confederacy</i>. We did not very well like the +condition, but said nothing, and were afterward rewarded for our +complacency. At my request, he loaned us a few books, and when these +were read through, gave us still others, until we had read nearly his +entire library. Those only who know what a terrible weariness it is to +pass time without any definite employment, and with no means of +relieving the hours that hang so heavily on their hands, or of +diverting their thoughts from the one never-ending round, can form any +idea of the great boon that a few good books bestowed on us.</p> + +<p>Our provision here became worse and less, until it very nearly reached +the starvation point. For some months, the only food we received was a +very short allowance of corn-bread, baked with all the bran in it, and +without salt, with a little pork, mostly spoiled! Frequently the pork +would be completely covered with maggots, and disgusting as it was, +hunger compelled us to eat it! Even then, there was not enough of this +miserable fare to satisfy our appetites! What would those who spend +their time in denouncing our government as the only enemy, and +sympathize with "our mistaken Southern brethren," who have been +alienated by the misconduct of the loyal States, say, if these +"brethren" had subjected them to the same treatment. Their sympathies +would hardly have survived the trial.</p> + +<p>Dreary as the days were here, yet we did not surrender ourselves to +gloomy forebodings and vain lamentings over our misfortunes. Although +the fate of our companions seemed suspended over our heads by a single +hair, yet we shunned despondency, and labored to provide such +amusements as would relieve us of the heavy tedium of our prison-life.</p> + +<p>On that terrible day of execution, we threw away our cards, which +before had been played almost day and night, and resolved to engage no +more in that game. But the necessity of doing something prompted us to +search for new pastimes. We carved a checker-board on the floor, and +it was occupied from morning till evening by eager players. We all +became very expert in checkers. To provide a more intellectual +amusement, we also formed a debating society, and spent hour after +hour in discussing quaint questions of every kind. Many were the +long-winded speeches that were made, for time was no object; and if no +one was convinced of a new position, we still had the consolation of +knowing that there was no lost labor, where the labor itself was a +pleasure.</p> + +<p>In order to enjoy to the fullest extent the books we had so +fortunately procured, we appointed regular reading hours—two in the +forenoon, and the same in the afternoon. During this time, no one was +allowed even to whisper. Some of our boys were a little wild and +restless at times, and would break the rules; but generally our order +was excellent. We gained much useful knowledge during these hours of +intellectual employment in our novel school.</p> + +<p>But all our efforts to pleasantly while away those terribly long +summer days were in vain. The tediousness, and oppressiveness, and +vain longing for action, would press down on us closer and closer. +Brown, who was one of the most restless of mortals, would amuse +himself, as long as he could endure it, at the pastimes we had +devised, then suddenly cease playing, and commence pacing the floor +like a caged bear; when this, too, grew unendurable, he would stop at +the door, and say, in the most piteous tones (of course meant only for +us to hear) "O! kind sir, please let me out!" The feeling he expressed +was shared by all. Never before could I realize the full value of +liberty, and the horror of confinement. Even in the prisons where we +had hitherto been, the novelty of our situation, the frequency of our +removals, and the bustle and excitement of the trial, prevented the +blank monotony of imprisonment from settling down on us as it did +here, when the first few weeks had rolled by, and no intimations of +our fate reached us. It was like the stillness and the death that +brood over the Dead Sea.</p> + +<p>We would sit at the windows, in the sultry noon, and look out through +the bars, at the free birds as they flew past, seemingly so merry and +full of joyous life, and foolishly wish that we, too, were birds, that +we might fly away, and be at peace.</p> + +<p>At long intervals, two of us would be permitted to go down into the +yard, to do our washing. One day it came my turn; it was then three +months since I had stepped out of my room, and the unobscured vision +of open air and sky made it seem like another world. I remember +looking up at the snowy clouds, my eyes almost dazzled by the unusual +light, and wondering, as I gazed on their beautiful and changing +forms, whether beyond them lay a world of rest, in which were neither +wars nor prisons. And with the thought came the fear that if I was +once more permitted to mingle as a free man, away from the immediate +pressure of danger, with the busy throng of life, I would forget my +prison-made vows, and thus lose my claim to a world of never-fading +light. Such a sense of weakness and helplessness came over me, that it +was with a feeling almost of relief that I returned once more to my +dark and narrow room, where the contrast between freedom and bondage +was less palpably forced on my view.</p> + +<p>All this time we hardly permitted ourselves to indulge a hope of ever +getting home again. The friends we once knew in happier days, seemed +separated from us by an impassable gulf; and when our minds would call +up before us the scenes and loved ones of home, it was like treading +on forbidden ground. But when the miseries of the day were passed, and +we were wrapped in that sweet slumber that ever visits the weary alike +in prison and palace, there was no longer any restraint, and we were +once more at home—once more in the enjoyment of love and freedom.</p> + +<p>Often have I seen in dreams the streets and buildings of my own town +rise before me, and have felt a thrilling pleasure in contemplating +them, as I wended my way towards the sacred precincts for ever +hallowed by affection. But the waking from these incursions into the +realms of paradise was sad beyond measure, and the cold, bare walls +of prison never looked half so dreary, as when seen in contrast with +the visions which had just been dispersed by the morning light.</p> + +<p>An anecdote here will fitly illustrate the affection and exaggerated +reverence we felt for what we, to the great annoyance of the guards +and citizens, insisted on calling "God's country." I had been reading +one of Bascom's sermons, from a book which the minister had loaned us, +on "The Joys of Heaven." All listened to his magnificent description +with the greatest of interest, and when it was finished, some one +started the query as to whether they would rather be in heaven, safe +from all harm, or in Cincinnati. After a debate which was conducted +with great animation on both sides, the majority concluded, no doubt +honestly, that they would rather be in Cincinnati—for a while, at +least!</p> + +<p>In order to keep thoroughly posted, we opened communications to every +room in the prison. Those on the other side of the entry, we reached +by means of a small stick, attached to a string, and thrown under the +door. There was a chimney came up between our room and the other on +the same side of the entry; each of our stove-pipes led into this +chimney at points directly opposite, and by taking off the pipes, we +could talk through, but there was danger of being overheard. To +obviate this, we split a long lath off the side of our room, in such a +way as to be able to take it down and put it up at pleasure. This we +used for passing notes backward and forward through this concealed +passage, and it became very useful when we afterward contemplated an +escape.</p> + +<p>One morning the guard brought up some prisoners, and as soon as they +had retired, we resorted to our usual method of telegraphing, to +ascertain their character. To our great surprise and pleasure, we +found that two of them were from the Tenth Wisconsin, a regiment in +our own brigade. They told us that we had long since been given up for +dead,<a href="#footnote06">[6]</a><a name="return06" id="return06"></a> and that our comrades were vowing vengeance for our murder. +They were quite surprised to find so many of us still alive. The other +two were regulars, who had been captured on the coast of Florida. +These soldiers remained with us till we were taken to Richmond. From +them we gained a complete detail of the movements of our army since +we had left it.</p> + +<p>One of the hardest things we had to endure was the rejoicing that +accompanied McClellan's flight from Richmond. Before this occurrence, +the secessionists were down-spirited and despairing; but afterward +they were jubilant. About the last of May, a prominent officer said to +me: "Any other officer of yours but McClellan, would now take +Richmond, for we have not men enough at present to offer successful +resistance; but <i>he</i> will fortify each step of his way, and lay grand +plans, and thus delay until we can raise men enough by the conscript +law to defeat him." I did not then think that his prediction would be +verified, and hoped that McClellan would show that he was not delaying +for nothing; but when I heard of the precipitate retreat to Harrison's +Landing, I was ready to confess that the Confederate officer had been +more penetrating in his views than myself. From this moment, the tide +of victory seemed to set to the southward side, with a still deeper +and stronger flow, till the next spring, when it returned again.</p> + +<p>I can preserve no order of time in relating the events of these +tedious mouths, which slowly rolled away their ponderous length. It +was almost a perfect isolation from the world, with little hope of +ever again mingling in its busy throng. As each month closed, we were +startled by the thought we were still alive—that the bolt had not yet +descended—and we surmised and wondered how much longer it could be +delayed. At last a small ray of hope began to arise—very feeble at +first—based on the long and incomprehensible reprieve we were +enjoying. As week after week glided tediously away, marked only by the +monotony which is more wearying to heart and frame than the most +severe anguish, this hope grew stronger; yet still so little assured +that the most trifling circumstance, such as strengthening the guard, +or a visit from the officers, was sufficient to blast the hopes we +were beginning so fondly to cherish.</p> + +<p>I saw many instances of the iron rule with which the Southern Union +men are kept in subjection. The strictest espionage was maintained +through every order of society. The spies of the government would +pretend to be Union men, and thus worm themselves into loyal +societies; and when they had learned the names of the members, would +denounce them to the government. It was not necessary to be particular +about truth, as the suspicion of guilt, in their mode of procedure, +was just as good as its positive evidence. One day seventy men and +twelve women were arrested, and sent in irons to Richmond! Many other +instances of this remorseless tyranny will be given hereafter.</p> + +<p>Most of our boys were tobacco-chewers, and were driven to numberless +expedients to obtain that which some of them declared they valued more +than their daily food. There were several articles of which the rebels +had not seen fit to rob us, such as handkerchiefs and a few vests; +These were now sold to the surrounding guards. Andrews had given +Hawkins a very large, fine coat, and as there seemed to be no prospect +of taking it home, he sold it to the jailor, and invested the proceeds +in tobacco, apples, &c., which he generously divided among his +comrades.</p> + +<p>I wanted books more than anything else, and sold my vest and a +pocket-book the rebels had left when they took what was in it, and +bought three books—all gems—"Paradise Lost," "Pilgrim's Progress," +and "Pollock's Course of Time." These I nearly committed to memory. It +was a profitable employment, while I am sure it very much lightened +and shortened these interminable days.</p> + +<h2><a name="chapter13" id="chapter13">CHAPTER XIII.</a></h2> + +<h5>Contemplated Escape—Startling Intelligence—Our Doom Pronounced from +Richmond—Hesitate no Longer—Our Plan—All Ready—Supper—Farewell—Life +or Death—Seize the Jailor—Guns Wrested from Guards—Alarm Given—Scaling +the Wall—Guards Fire—Terrible Chase—Six Recaptured—Wood and Wilson +Reach the Gulf—Dorsey's Narrative—Porter's Account—Boasting of the +Guards—Barlow's Cruel Death.</h5> + +<p>We frequently talked and plotted about making our escape. All agreed, +that if they should proceed to try us, we should make one desperate +effort for life; for we had learned by sad experience, that they did +not take the trouble of going to the formality of a trial unless they +were fully resolved to hang the accused. But as time rolled on, and +the dreaded preparations for trial were not made, the imprisonment +became daily more unendurable. The food was of a poorer quality, and +more scanty at that. It was, therefore, proposed that we should make a +bold strike for freedom. The question was a serious one. On the one +hand was the bright prize of liberty—of which none ever knew the +value better than we,—shining ahead as the sure reward of success. +But on the other hand was the danger of failure. We were in the very +center of the Confederacy, and the nearest point where we could reach +our lines was two hundred miles distant. This journey had to be made +through the enemy's country, and by traveling at night, with no guide +but the stars, which the envious clouds might conceal from us for many +successive nights, as they had done before. Then there was the +probability that those who were retaken would be mercilessly dealt +with, if not instantly put to death.</p> + +<p>It was a grave question. And then the great heat of the days, added to +our enfeebled condition, caused by the close confinement, and the +meagre character of our diet, as well as the actual sickness of some +of our party, including myself, induced me to believe that the attempt +should at least be postponed. Still, day by day, we discussed the +subject. It afforded us an inexhaustible theme for conversation, and +had this further advantage that all the knowledge possessed by the +party collectively was communicated to each one. Besides, the plans +were laid by which to avoid pursuit, and all possible information +respecting the country obtained from the guards and negroes, and then +we felt quite prepared for the issue when it should come.</p> + +<p>At last we received a piece of intelligence which made us resolve to +hesitate no longer. Colonel Lee, Provost-Marshal, came to our room one +morning, and after talking some time, told us that he had just +received a letter from the Secretary of War, asking why <i>all</i> the +party had not been executed. He had answered that he did not know, but +referred him to the court-martial which had tried our comrades at +Knoxville. This court had dispersed long before, and I feel hopeful +that many of the perjured villains have fallen beneath the avenging +bullets of Union soldiers! So the Secretary could not have obtained +much information from them. A few days after, we received still +further and more alarming information.</p> + +<p>One of the regular soldiers in the adjoining room overheard the +officer of the guard telling the jailor that Colonel Lee had received +another letter from the Secretary, ordering our immediate execution. +This was duly telegraphed to us through the stove-pipe, and at once +put an end to all our deliberations. The time had come for us to save +ourselves or perish.</p> + +<p>Quietly we sat down and arranged our plans. We were in an upper story, +and several locked doors had to be opened before we could reach the +ground. There were seven guards keeping watch over us, and a large +force near by ready to rush to their assistance at the slightest +notice. It was evident that our only chance of success lay in moving +very quickly and silently. We could not leave at night, for then all +the doors were closed, and we had no means of opening them. The best +time was at supper, which was brought a little before sundown, and by +starting then, we would soon have the cover of darkness to conceal our +flight. The soldiers in the next room, and a deserter who was confined +with them, agreed to go with us, if we would open their door. Only one +of the Tennesseeans, named Barlow, would risk the trial, although they +were anxious for the movement before it was seriously contemplated.</p> + +<p>The plan on which we finally settled, was to seize the jailor when he +came to take out the buckets in which our supper was brought, holding +him so that he could make no noise, take the keys from him, and let +Buffum unlock the doors and release the remaining prisoners. While +this was being done, our other boys would divide into two squads, and, +cautiously descending the stairway, pounce upon the guards, and take +their guns from them; then, at a signal, we would all come down, and +march, thus armed, on our homeward journey. We very nearly succeeded +in our programme.</p> + +<p>The second day after receiving the news, all our plans were completed. +We had patched our clothes as best we could, and made cloth moccasins +to protect our feet, for many of our shoes were altogether worn out. +Now we only awaited the approach of the appointed hour. Slowly the sun +rolled down the west; slowly the shadows lengthened in the east, till +the gloomy shade of the jail had nearly reached the crest of the hill +which usually marked our supper time. The eventful hour drew nigh. We +bade one another a solemn farewell, for we knew not when we should +meet again on earth, or how many of us might be cold and lifeless +before the stars shone out. Captain Fry, who was tender-hearted as a +child, wept at the parting. He had two coats, and, as he could not +take both with him, he gave one to me. I needed it extremely, for I +was very nearly destitute of clothing.</p> + +<p>Everything was now in readiness. I had piled up the books of the +minister, some of which we still retained, in the corner, and had +written him a note thanking him for the use of them. We had on our +coats, and had a few canes, and bottles, and pieces of lath, taken out +of the wall, which were to be used in the fight down stairs, if +necessary. Then came the supper. It was brought in by negroes, the +jailor standing at the door. Our preparations for leaving were not +noticed. We ate in silence, stowing part of the bread in our pockets +for future emergencies. It so happened that the old watchman, whom +everybody hated, was away. It was well for him, as he would have +received little mercy.</p> + +<p>After the jailor had given their food to the inmates of the other +rooms, he came back to ours. We asked him to let Barlow come over and +stay with us that night. He consented, and soon Barlow was with us. +Now was the time for action.</p> + +<p>It was a thrilling moment! On the action of the next few minutes hung +the issues, probably, of life or death. I confess that for one moment +the blood flowed to my heart with a sharp throb of pain. The others +were pale, but determined. As for Captain Fry, who was to initiate the +movement, and whom I had seen weeping a few minutes before—he was +perfectly calm, and his face wore a pleasant smile. He stepped out of +the door as if it was the most natural action in the world, and said, +very quietly:</p> + +<p>"A pleasant evening, Mr. Turner."</p> + +<p>"Yes, rather pleasant," responded the latter, looking as if he could +not understand what Fry was out there for.</p> + +<p>"We feel like taking a little walk this evening," continued the +captain.</p> + +<p>The astonishment of the jailor now knew no bounds. "<i>What! How!</i> +<span class="smcap">Where!</span>" he exclaimed, in broken ejaculations.</p> + +<p>Fry's countenance grew darker as he clasped the old man in his arms, +and said:</p> + +<p>"We have stayed as long as we can stand it, and we now are going to +leave, and let out the other prisoners; so give up the keys, and make +no noise, or it will be the worse for you!"</p> + +<p>Turner tightened his grasp on the keys desperately, and exclaimed, +"You can't do that!" then commenced in a loud tone, "Guar"—when my +hand closed across his mouth and stifled the incipient call for help.</p> + +<p>It was not our intention to hurt the old man, for he had been kind to +us; but it was necessary to keep him quiet. He possessed great +strength, and struggled very hard, managing to bite my finger; but we +held him fast, and easily wrestled the keys from him. Buffum was soon +at work on the locks of the doors.</p> + +<p>Meantime, our companions had quietly descended the stairway, and burst +out on the guards. There were seven of them, but they were so much +taken by surprise as to be incapable of resistance. Our boys divided +into two parties, one for the front and the other for the back door. +The latter was completely successful, capturing the guard, and taking +their guns from them without the least alarm being given.</p> + +<p>The attack at the front door was made with equal skill and bravery, +and the guards who stood near were at once secured. Unfortunately +there were two in the yard gate, which happened to be open. As soon as +these saw the charge made, they, without waiting to attempt +resistance, ran through the gate, shrieking, "Help! murder!" in tones +that aroused the whole neighborhood. There were troops near at hand, +who instantly rushed to the rescue.</p> + +<p>Our boys saw their peril, and knew that the part of our scheme which +provided for a regular and quiet departure was defeated, and they +endeavored to save themselves. They threw away the guns, which now +would only hinder their flight, and scaled the wall, some ten feet in +hight, and made for the woods, nearly a mile distant. It was a close +chase. Several times they were fired on by the pursuing rebels, but +fortunately not hit.</p> + +<p>We, who were above, heard the noise, and were admonished by it to take +our leave as soon as possible. Buffum had just succeeded in unlocking +the door that kept in our other soldiers, who at once came out. The +deserter confined with them, who was the most powerful and active of +the whole party, also broke out, and passed by where Fry and myself +still held the jailor, like a tiger on the leap. When he reached the +yard, he found two soldiers before him, with their bayonets at a +charge. Without a moment's hesitation, he seized them, cutting his +hands severely, but dashing them aside with such violence as nearly to +throw the rebels from their feet, and bounded on his way. His almost +incredible swiftness soon placed him in advance of all the fugitives.</p> + +<p>Captain Fry and I started down stairs together. He was a little in +advance, and at once saw there was no chance in the front yard, which +was now filled with armed rebels, and darted to the back door. Here he +scaled the wall just in time to get away, after a most desperate +chase, being repeatedly fired upon by the guards, who were only a few +feet from him, but, fortunately, was unharmed.</p> + +<p>I did not so soon comprehend the state of affairs, (probably because I +am near-sighted,) and rushed to the front yard. Here I saw two rebels +who seemed perfectly distracted, and were throwing their guns wildly +about and exclaiming: "What shall we do? O! what shall we do?" Not +thinking them very dangerous, I darted past them, but was checked by a +stream of less frightened guards pouring through the gate. Seeing then +that there was no chance of escape in that direction, I turned and +regained the jail. One man snapped his gun at me, but, fortunately, it +did not go off. I instantly tried the back yard, and succeeded in +getting to the top of the wall; but here I found that the rebels had +again been too fast for me, and were around under the wall outside. +Under these circumstances, I could do no better than surrender.</p> + +<p>I was taken back to prison, and instead of going to my own room, went +to that occupied by the prisoners of war, who had all been recaptured +and put in again. Buffum, too, who had managed to get over the wall, +was retaken and brought back. Parrott and Reddick were captured +inside of the wall, and Mason and Bensinger the next day, making six +of our party who were retaken.</p> + +<p>From the window where I was, I had a good view of all the proceedings +below. In a very short time, the whole force of the place, including a +regiment of cavalry, was drawn up in front of the jail. I heard +Colonel Lee, (the Provost-Marshal,) give his orders. He said: "Don't +take one of the villains alive! Shoot them down, and let them lie in +the woods for the birds and hogs to eat!" He also ordered pickets to +be placed at the ferries of the Chattahoochie, along the railroad, and +at all cross-roads. This arrangement pleased me, for these were the +very places we had agreed to avoid, and I was sure none of the boys +would be caught there. Our intention had been to travel in the night +time, through the woods, and cross the rivers on logs, as far from the +ferries as possible.</p> + +<p>Eight escaped. Wood and Wilson traveled southward, and, after passing +through a series of the most startling adventures, that recall the old +Indian tales we have all listened to in the winter evenings, they +succeeded in reaching the Gulf, where they were taken on board a +United States ship, and brought around to Washington.</p> + +<p>Porter and Wollam started westward. Their journey was a most perilous +one. I will insert a short account which Porter has since furnished +me.</p> + +<p>"We started on the 16th of October, and reached the Federal lines on +the 18th of November. During this time, we endured all the hardships +imaginable. We traveled night and day, sleeping mostly in the woods, +and subsisting on wild grapes, chestnuts, hickory-nuts, walnuts, and +some few sweet potatoes. Occasionally, we got a little corn-bread from +the poor class of whites and the negroes. It was miserable stuff. +Several times we slipped into the fields where the negroes were at +work, and stole the provisions they had brought out for their dinner. +Once we were seven days without a bite of bread, and often went +without for two or three days.</p> + +<p>"We suffered much with cold, for our clothes were very poor. We slept +but twice in houses during the whole journey. One night we traveled +till we became chilled and weary; it was very late, and we were nearly +frozen, when we fortunately discovered <i>a nest of hogs</i>. Immediately +we routed them up, and, lying down in the warm retreat they had left, +slept till morning!</p> + +<p>"Many streams were in our way, which we were obliged to wade, or float +across on logs. After twenty-two days of such privations, we reached +the Tennessee river, twenty-seven miles below Bridgeport. Here we +pressed a canoe into the service, and started down the river. We would +run the canoe at night, and hide it and ourselves in the day time. +When we arrived at the head of the Muscle Shoals, we were compelled to +abandon our canoe on account of low water, and make a circuit of forty +miles around. When we reached the foot of the Shoals, we procured a +skiff, and continued our voyage until within twelve miles of Pittsburg +Landing. Here we left the river, and striking across the country to +Corinth, reached there in safety. Thus, after six months of suffering, +we were once more under the glorious flag of the free."</p> + +<p>These<a href="#footnote07">[7]</a><a name="return07" id="return07"></a> will serve as specimens of what the brave boys endured in +the truly herculean task of penetrating for hundreds of miles—in +fact, from the very center of the Confederacy to its circumference—in +different directions. It is an achievement I can not look upon without +wonder, and in dangers to be encountered, and difficulties to be +overcome, is at least equal to the proudest exploits of Park or +Livingstone!</p> + +<p>All night long the guards talked over their adventures. Generally they +praised their own bravery to the skies, but occasionally one who had +arrived since the affray, would suggest that it was not very much to +their credit to let unarmed men snatch their guns from them; but +these hinted slanders were always received with the contempt they +deserved, and the work of self-glorifying went on! One wondered at the +speed of the Yankees, who had been kept in prison so long; another +accounted for it by saying that they had received so much practice in +that line, in all the battles they had fought, that it was no wonder +if they were fleet of foot. This sally was received with prodigious +applause.</p> + +<p>I heard some confused sounds of distress from the room of the +Tennesseeans, and on inquiring what was the matter, learned that +Barlow had broken his ankle. He had gone down into the yard with our +party, but in jumping from the wall, had received this very serious +injury. Here he was found by a guard, who at first threatened to shoot +him; but on being persuaded not to do that, ordered him to get up and +lead the way into the jail. Barlow tried to do so, but fell down +again. Then this inhuman guard punched him with the bayonet, and made +him crawl, in all the agony that pain could produce, back to his cell, +and as he went, kept hurrying him along by the sharp admonition of the +bayonet! When here, his companions asked for surgical aid for him, but +the Confederate authorities refused it, saying that he had caused the +injury himself, and that they rather preferred that it should kill +him! Their wishes were gratified. For months he lingered on in the +greatest pain, until, finally, the leg mortified, and terminated his +life. He was quite a young man—only eighteen—and had just been +married when he was arrested. Thus died, in darkness and dungeon, one +other East Tennessee martyr!</p> + +<h2><a name="chapter14" id="chapter14">CHAPTER XIV.</a></h2> + +<h5>Despair and Hope—Bitten Finger—Removed to Barracks—Greater Comfort—Jack +Wells—Cruel Punishment of Tennesseeans—Story of a Spy—Help Him to +Escape—Virtue of a Coat—A Practical Joke—Unionism—Sweet +Potatoes—Enlisting in Rebel Army—Description of a Day—Happy News—Start +for Richmond—Not Tied—Night Journey—Varied Incidents—Lynchburg—Rebel +Audacity Punished—Suffering from the Cold—Arrival in Richmond.</h5> + +<p>All night long I lay in the hammock that one of the regulars had swung +by the window, and listened to the boasting below.</p> + +<div class="quotation"> + <p>"Sadly I thought of the morrow."</p> +</div> + +<p>I had little doubt now, that the full weight of their vengeance would +fall on every one who had been recaptured. And then, too, was the news +we had received, and which had induced us to make our desperate effort +to escape! We could scarcely hope that the death which had so long +stared us in the face would now be longer delayed. And <i>such</i> a death! +No vision of glory to dazzle the sight, and hide the grim monster from +view, or wreathe him in flowers. No eye of friends beholding the last +struggle, and sure, if you acted well your part, to tell it to those +whose love and praise were more than life. Nothing but ignominy and an +impenetrable darkness, beyond which no loving eye might ever pierce! +But even as the cold horror of the scaffold and the vision of the +heartless, jeering crowd, rose once more freshly before me, I looked +out in the clear night, and up to the shining stars, and felt that I +had one Friend—that He who dwelt above the stars, and to whom I had +plighted my faith, would not forsake me, even if I had to pass through +the very "valley of the shadow of death." With the thought came a +still and heavenly peace once more—a peace that visits only those who +feel, in the midst of sorrow and fear, that there is a blissful rest +beyond the night bounding life's fleeting day!</p> + +<p>The next morning, the jailor put me in the room I had formerly +occupied, with the remainder of my companions. He told us that a man +had put his hand over his mouth, and nearly smothered him, but added, +with great satisfaction: "I bit his finger terribly, and gave the +rascal a mark he will carry to the grave with him." However, his teeth +were not so sharp as he thought, and he only managed to inflict a +slight scratch. He had no suspicion that I was the person to whom he +referred, as his fright had prevented him from observing anything. For +a while, he was rather cross, and brought up the guards when he came +to feed us; but this soon wore off.</p> + +<p>About the middle of the day, some officers came, and, with many +threats, asked us which way our boys intended to travel. I answered, +"I heard them say that they were going to try to get to our lines, and +that traveling in <i>any</i> direction would bring them there, for our men +had you surrounded." They asked no more questions, but retired, +satisfied that there was no information to be gained.</p> + +<p>Our anticipations of worse treatment in consequence of our attempted +escape were not realized. Colonel Lee thought the jail was no longer a +safe place, and ordered us to be taken to the city barracks. Our +apartment here was far more pleasant than our quarters in the jail had +been. It was large, well lighted, and provided with a fire-place, +which the chilliness of the days (it was now in October) made a great +acquisition. It also commanded a view of one of the busiest public +squares of Atlanta, and we would sit in the windows, which had no bars +across them, and watch the tide of human life that flowed before us, +for hours at a time, with an interest that only our long seclusion +from the world could have given.</p> + +<p>Jack Wells, the commander of the barracks, had been an old United +States soldier. Being thus brought up under a more honorable system +than obtains in the South at present, he did not consider it +derogatory to his dignity to treat prisoners kindly. He would come +around to our room and talk with us by the hour—telling us great +stories of his adventures, and receiving as great in return. Most of +the time he was half drunk, and very frequently did not stop at the +half way point. In these cases, and when he was in a communicative +mood, he would tell us that he did not care a cent which side +whipped—that he only held his present position to avoid being +conscripted. But his masters knew him to be such a faithful, vigilant +officer, and he could so readily control the rude mass who occupied +the rebel portion of the barracks, that they readily forgave these +little slips of the tongue. We passed our time while here more +pleasantly than at any other place in the Confederacy; yet even here, +our path was not one of roses. The following incidents will prove +this:</p> + +<p>The Tennesseeans were confined with us, making twenty in all. Our +provisions, which were still very scanty, were handed around in a +tray. Mr. Pierce, who is mentioned before, one time conceived his +allowance to be too small, and threw it back into the tray again. Not +a word was spoken on either side; but in a few minutes the guards came +up, and, seizing Pierce, took him out of the room into the cold hall, +and tying his hands before his knees, with a stick inserted across +under his knees and over his arms, in the way that soldiers call +"bucking," they left him there all night. This indignity was +perpetrated on an old man over sixty!</p> + +<p>One of the guards was a malicious fellow, who delighted in teasing our +men by asking them how they liked being shut up in a prison, "playing +checkers with their noses on the windows," &c. One day, when he was +talking as usual, a Tennesseean, named Barker, replied that <i>he</i> need +not be so proud of it, for he would some time have to work like a +slave, in the cotton-fields, to help pay the expenses of the war. The +guard reported this <i>treasonable</i> remark to the commander. Poor Barker +was seized and taken to the punishment-room up stairs, and there +suspended by the heels till he fainted; then let down until he +revived, then hung up again. This was continued till they were +satisfied, when he was taken down, and put into a little, dark +dungeon, only about four feet square, and there kept twenty-four hours +with nothing to eat!</p> + +<p>While in this prison, I had the heartfelt pleasure of helping one man +to escape. The guards, and, indeed, all the poorer class of +Southerners, were very illiterate. Out of twenty-six who guarded us, +only two or three could write at all, and these not enough to be of +any service. Wells wrote a hand that nobody but himself could read, +and even he not always. Therefore he often came for the prisoners to +write short articles for him. On one of these occasions I was in the +office, which was just by our room, and equally guarded, writing a +requisition for provisions. While thus engaged, a man, dressed in the +uniform of a rebel officer, was brought in for confinement in the +barracks. He appeared to be very drunk, but remonstrated so hard +against being put into the room where the remainder of the prisoners +were kept, that Wells consented to let him stay for a while in his +office. His money was not taken from him, for Wells, not knowing the +charge against him, believed he was arrested only for being drunk—an +offence with which he had a good deal of sympathy. Wells had some +business to attend to, and went out. A sergeant was with us, but he, +too, soon took his departure, leaving us alone. I was busy writing, +but, looking up, I saw the stranger approaching me. There was no trace +of drunkenness about him. I watched his movements attentively. Soon he +was standing by me.</p> + +<p>"You are a prisoner?" he queried.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"One they call engine-thieves?" he continued.</p> + +<p>I again answered in the affirmative.</p> + +<p>"I know you," said he; "I know all about you. I was here when your +comrades were hung. Brave men they were, and the cruel deed will yet +be avenged. I am not afraid to trust you. They don't yet know who I +am, but they will learn to-morrow, and then, if I am still in their +hands, I will <i>die</i>, for I am <i>a spy from the Federal army</i>. Can't you +help me to escape?"</p> + +<p>I was astonished at this revelation, and for a moment doubted his +character, thinking that his aim might be to betray me for a selfish +advantage. I put a few hasty questions to him, to test his knowledge +of the Federal army. The answers were satisfactory, and seeing +nothing but truth in his clear eye, I hesitated no longer, but asked:</p> + +<p>"What can I do for you?"</p> + +<p>He answered: "Can't you write me a pass, and sign the commander's name +to it?"</p> + +<p>"That," I returned, "would probably be detected; but I think I can put +you on a better plan. Take that overcoat," pointing to one belonging +to Wells, and lying on the foot of a bed, "put it around you, and just +walk past the guards as independently as though you owned the entire +establishment. It is now nearly dark, and the chances are that you +will not be halted by the guard at all."</p> + +<p>"A good idea," said he, "I'll try it."</p> + +<p>At once folding himself in the coat, he bade me an affectionate adieu. +Eagerly I sat with beating heart in the deepening twilight, listening +for any sound that might betray the success or failure of the scheme; +but all was silence. I have since learned that the guard, seeing the +familiar coat, supposed that, of course, its owner was in it, and +allowed it to pass unchallenged! A moment after, the sergeant came in, +and I instantly engaged him in conversation, inducing him to tell some +good stories, to keep him from missing my companion, and to allow as +much time for a start as possible, before the inevitable alarm was +given. I succeeded perfectly for some five minutes, when Wells came +in, threw an uneasy glance around the room, and at once exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Sergeant, where is that officer?"</p> + +<p>The sergeant protested that he knew nothing about him; that he was not +in the room when he entered.</p> + +<p>Wells then turned to me, and demanded:</p> + +<p>"Pittenger, where's that officer?"</p> + +<p>"What officer?"</p> + +<p>"That officer I put in here."</p> + +<p>"Oh! that drunken fellow?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; where is he?"</p> + +<p>"The last I saw of him, he picked up his coat, and said he was going +to supper."<a href="#footnote08">[8]</a><a name="return08" id="return08"></a></p> + +<p>"Going to supper, was he! Ho! I see it! Sergeant, run to the guards, +and tell them if they let him out, I will have every one of them hung +up by the heels."</p> + +<p>This was rather a useless punishment, considering that the prisoner +was already far away.</p> + +<p>But the sergeant departed to muster the guards. Shortly after, Wells, +who had resumed his seat, said in a meditative tone:</p> + +<p>"Had he a coat?"</p> + +<p>"I suppose so, sir," I returned, "or he would not have taken it."</p> + +<p>"Where did he get it?"</p> + +<p>"Off the foot of that bed."</p> + +<p>Wells sprang to his feet as quickly as though he had been galvanized, +kicking over the chair on which he had been sitting, and exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"<i>My coat!</i> sure as——! worth eighty dollars! The villain!" then +pressing his head between his hands, sat down again, but, as if +thinking better of it, ejaculated, "Well, if that ain't a cool joke!" +and burst into a loud laugh, which ended the scene.</p> + +<p>There are some facts connected with the Union sentiment in the South, +which I would like to publish, if I dared; but I cannot do it in full, +for it might be the means of exposing persons who befriended us, to +the vengeance of the tyrant rebels. I will only say that there exists +in Atlanta a society of over four hundred members,<a href="#footnote09">[9]</a><a name="return09" id="return09"></a> who are still +devoted to the cause of union and liberty; who endure in patient faith +all the cruel persecutions heaped on them by the slavery-loving +aristocrats who now rule their beautiful land. From members of this +society many prisoners as well as myself, received money and other +needed articles, which were of the greatest value to us. These were +given at great risk to the donors, for <i>there</i> to give a Union soldier +money is a serious criminal offence. One man I know was confined for +four months on the mere suspicion of having aided the Shiloh prisoners +in this manner.</p> + +<p>Sweet potatoes were very abundant in Atlanta, and with the money Union +friends supplied us, we bought a great many, roasting them in the +ashes of the large fire-place that made our room so comfortable. They +added materially to our rations, and rendered our living here more +tolerable. In fact, had it not been for that universal Confederate +pest, with which all, from the least to the greatest, seemed +supplied—sometimes termed the "rebel body guard"—and from which, for +the want of clean clothes, no exertions of ours could free ourselves, +we might have passed our time not unpleasantly.</p> + +<p>We still continued our devotions in the morning and evening, and trust +that God blessed them to us. We met with occasional hindrances. Some +of our own party seemed to consider that our release from the dark +cells of a criminal prison did away with the necessity of continued +prayer. The Confederates also annoyed us very much by interruptions, +while thus engaged in seeking help from above. On these occasions, +Wells was our friend. He declared that he could not stand praying +himself, and so invariably stayed away; but that if it did us any +good, we were welcome to it, and ought not to be disturbed. The +opposition we met with was of short continuance. As soon as they found +us firmly resolved on our own course, they did as all cavilers do in +similar circumstances—let us alone. Thus even there we enjoyed many +pleasant moments, which will ever be remembered as a green oasis in +the parched desert of prison-life.</p> + +<p>While here, the Confederates wanted some of us to enlist in their +army. They tried particularly hard to get the regulars, Wells +declaring that he would rather have the two, than any half dozen of +his own men. They pretended not to be unfavorable to the scheme, but +delayed complying with it for a time, to see what the ultimate +prospects of an exchange might be.</p> + +<p>The cartel of exchange had been agreed upon long before; yet these +men, who had no charge against them, were still held. They believed +that it was because they were with us, and that the rebels feared to +let them go, as they would most certainly convey to our government +intelligence as to our whereabouts, condition, and treatment. This +view appeared still more probable, when I learned, since returning to +Washington, that the Confederate government had <i>officially</i> denied +hanging any of the party. They have never yet acknowledged it.</p> + +<p>The time wore wearily away here, as it had done before. The delay, +since the death of our friends, had now been so long extended, that we +began to believe that our lives might be spared. This conviction was +strengthened as the months rolled on.</p> + +<p>At last a court-martial was convened—the first since the +ever-memorable one at Knoxville, and we awaited its action with the +utmost anxiety. A week of sickening suspense passed by, and no summons +came for us. Then the court adjourned, and we breathed freer. It now +seemed probable that they did not intend to prosecute the feeble +remnant of our party any further; and, passing from the extreme of +despair to that of hope, we began to indulge once more the blissful +expectation of being permitted to revisit the scenes of our loved +North, and stand beneath the "old flag," which we honored and +reverenced as the embodiment of liberty with law—the emblem of the +highest national life. But our time for freedom had not yet come.</p> + +<p>The weeks rolled on. Few things occurred worthy of note. That same +monotony which makes prison-life so dreary, robs it of interest when +recorded. We would rise in the morning from our hard bed, and wash +ourselves, pouring the water upon each others' hands, and eat our +scanty breakfast; then loll listlessly around, seeking in vain for +anything which might relieve the almost unendurable tedium. When +dinner came, which was of the same quality as the breakfast, we would +eat it, and then try desperately to kill time until dark, when the gas +was lit—not from any favor to us, but that the guard could watch us +from the ever-open door, and see that we were working no plots to get +out.</p> + +<p>This was the most cheerful hour of the day, for under the soft +inspiration of the gaslight, conversation flowed more freely, and all +the incidents of our past lives were rehearsed to attentive listeners. +To vary the subject, an argument would be started on science, +politics, or religion, and warmly discussed. When the talk would flag, +which was frequently not till the midnight bells were striking in the +town, we would offer up our devotions, and lie down to sleep, and +often to indulge in the most delightful dreams of freedom, friends, +and home. In the morning we waked again, and the same round was +recommenced. Thus days glided into weeks, and weeks passed into +months. The light golden hues of autumn deepened into the dead and +sombre colors of early winter, and still we were in Atlanta. Our weak +faith, judging what would be from what had been, could scarcely +conceive that we would ever be anywhere else! A heavy, dead +indifference, like the lack of sensibility which the repeated +infliction of pain produces in our physical natures, took possession +of us. We almost ceased even to hope!</p> + +<p>But at last there came a day of rejoicing. A number of officers +visited the barracks, and inquired which was the room occupied by the +Federal prisoners. On being shown around to our apartment, they told +us to fall into line, and then said they had glad news for us.</p> + +<p>"You have all been exchanged, and all that now remains is for us to +send you out of our territory."</p> + +<p>They then came along the lines, and shook hands with us, offering +congratulations on the happy termination of our trials, and wishing us +much joy on our arrival at home.</p> + +<p>Our feelings may be better imagined than described. There was an +overwhelming rush of emotions which forbade utterance—happy +joy—exhilarating, and yet mingled with a deep touch of sorrow, that +our seven dead—murdered—comrades were not with us to share the joy +of this unexpected release. And the eight also who had managed to get +out of the clutches of the rebels by their own daring—we were uneasy +about them. Only a day or two before, we had seen in an Atlanta paper, +obtained, as usual, through a <i>contraband</i> source, an article clipped +from the "<i>Cincinnati Commercial</i>," giving notice of the arrival of +Porter and Wollam at Corinth, in a very wretched and famished +condition. This was most gratifying to us, but of the others we had, +as yet, received no reliable information. The Provost-marshal told us +that three of them had been shot and left in the woods, but judging by +the source, we considered the account very doubtful, and still +cherished the hope that the whole story was a fabrication.<a href="#footnote10">[10]</a><a name="return10" id="return10"></a> Thus we +were in suspense as to their fate. But still, beyond all this, the +prospect of speedily gaining our liberty, was enough to make our +hearts overflow with gratitude to that Being who had so wonderfully +preserved us through all our trials. I was so agitated that when Wells +asked me to write a requisition for provisions for our journey, I +could not do it, and had to transfer the task to more steady hands. It +was six in the morning when we received the news, and we were to start +for "home—<i>via</i> Richmond"—at seven in the evening. We spent the +intervening time in arranging what clothes we had, and preparing for +the journey. And as the time for departure drew near, we again lit the +gas, and built a fire, the ruddy blaze of which was itself an emblem +of cheerfulness, to take a farewell view of the room in which we had +spent so many not altogether unhappy hours. Often afterward did we +think of that bright hour of expectation, during the dreary lapse of +succeeding months, which we were still doomed to pass in the South.</p> + +<p>We had obtained quite a number of pieces of carpet, which served as +blankets, but were forbidden to take these with us, being told that we +would be run directly through, and would soon be where blankets were +plenty. We however managed to secrete two very small pieces, which +were afterwards of great advantage to us. They did not tie us now for +the first time in all our travels. This was truly remarkable, and +afforded strong confirmation to our hopes.</p> + +<p>All was now in readiness for our departure, and we took a long, and, I +trust, a last look at Atlanta—at least while it remains in rebel +possession. The guards fell in on each side of us, and we wended our +silent way along the dark streets. Wells, even drunker than usual, +accompanied us to the cars, where he hiccoughed an affectionate +farewell. White, the sergeant who was with me when our spy escaped, +commanded our escort. He was one of the best-natured rebels I ever +saw, and, like his superior, did not care which side came out best, so +long as he was not hurt. The guard was only ten in number, while we, +including the Tennesseeans, were twenty—a great falling off in +precaution from their former custom.</p> + +<p>We were crowded into rude box-cars, and soon began to suffer severely +with the cold, for the night air was most piercing. It was the 3d of +December, and we had only summer clothing, which was, in addition, +very ragged. At about three o'clock in the morning we arrived at +Dalton. We were not to go through Chattanooga.</p> + +<p>The stars were sparkling in light and frosty brilliancy when we +stopped. The other train, on which we were to continue our journey, +had not yet arrived, and the keen and icy wind cut almost through us. +We stood shivering here, and suffering extremely from the cold, for +something like an hour, when, to our great relief, the expected train +arrived. We were more comfortably fixed in it, and managed to doze +away the time till daybreak.</p> + +<p>In the morning, we found that our three days rations, which were to +last us to Richmond, were scarcely enough for a breakfast. However, we +ate what we had, and trusted to buying a few necessaries with the +remaining money which our Union friends had given us. When that +failed, we had still a sure resource that never failed—endurance of +hunger.</p> + +<p>During the day, we discussed the question whether it would not be +best, at nightfall, to try making our escape, as we were within forty +miles of our own lines. It would be an easy task. The guards were +perfectly careless, and at any time we could have had as many guns as +they had. They sat on the same seats with us, and slept. Frequently +those guarding the doors would fall asleep, and we would wake them as +the corporal came around, thus saving them from punishment. The most +complete security seemed to pervade them, utterly forbidding the idea +that <i>they</i> thought they were taking us onward for any other purpose +than that of exchange. Once the sergeant laughingly told us that we +could escape if we wished, for we had the matter in our own hands; but +that he thought it would be more pleasant to ride on around, than to +walk across on our own responsibility. This very security lulled our +suspicions, and, combined with what the Marshal and other officers had +told us in Atlanta, induced us to shrink from undertaking a journey, +almost naked and barefoot as some of us were, over the mountains and +in the snow, which now began to appear.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon, we passed the town of Knoxville, now a place of +loathing and hatred to us; then the town of Greenville, which we +noticed as being the residence of our heroic companion, Captain Fry; +then on into the lower part of Western Virginia. It was nightfall when +we entered this State, and a beautiful night it was. The moon shone +over the pale, cold hills with a mellow, silver radiance, which made +the whole landscape enchanting. On, on, we glided, over hill and +plain, at the dead of night, and saw, in the shifting scenery of the +unreal-looking panorama without, a representation of the fleeting +visions of life—like us, now lost in some dark, gloomy wood, or +walled in by the encroaching mountain side, and now catching a +magnificent view of undulating landscapes, far away in the shadowy +distance. Thus, through the silent night, we journeyed on, and morning +dawned on us, still steaming through the romantic valleys of Virginia.</p> + +<p>The next day was a wet, dreary one. Our car leaked, our fire went out, +and we were most thoroughly uncomfortable. The evening found us at the +mountain city of Lynchburg, which is literally "set on a hill." Here +we discovered that we had missed the connection, and would have to +wait for twenty-four hours. We were very sorry for this, as we were in +a great hurry to get to our own lines, and had been talking all the +way about what we should do when we arrived at Washington. But there +was no help for it, and we marched up to the barracks with as good +grace as possible.</p> + +<p>We here found a large, empty-looking room, with some of the refuse of +the Confederate army in it. There was an immense stove in the center +of the room, but, being without fire, it was of no particular +benefit. We resigned ourselves to another night of freezing, with the +consoling thought that we would not have many more of such to endure. +I paced the floor till nearly morning, and witnessed a good many +amusing incidents. Many of the Confederates were quite drunk, and +disposed to be mischievous. One of them diverted himself by walking +about on the forms of those who were trying to sleep. Soon he came +around to Bensinger. He endured the infliction patiently the first +time; but as the sot came again, Bensinger was on the look-out, and, +springing to his feet, gave him a blow that laid him out on the floor. +Some of his companions rushed forward to resent the infliction; but, +finding that nobody was frightened, they gave over.</p> + +<p>Here, in Virginia, I met the most spiteful and venomous secessionists +I had yet seen.</p> + +<p>One of them—a prisoner—said that he had advocated raising the black +flag, asserting that if it "had been done at first, the war would have +been over long since."</p> + +<p>"No doubt of it," I replied; "the whole Southern race would have been +exterminated long before this."</p> + +<p>This way of ending the war had not entered his mind, and he became +very indignant at the suggestion.</p> + +<p>All the next day was cold and gloomy. After noon, we succeeded in +obtaining some wood for the big stove, with permission to make a fire +in it, which was soon done, and a genial glow diffused over the whole +room, in time to warm us before taking our departure for Richmond.</p> + +<p>We started a while before dark, seated in good, comfortable cars—the +best we enjoyed on the route. But we only ran a short distance to a +junction, where we were again to change cars. The next train had not +yet arrived, and we built a large fire, as it still continued bitterly +cold. We could easily have escaped, for the passengers mingled with us +around the fire, and we even went to a considerable distance away to +procure fuel. But so confident were we of a speedy exchange, that we +did not make the effort, and the golden opportunity passed unimproved. +Oh! how greatly we afterward regretted that we had not at least made +the attempt. Soon the other train arrived, and a few hours placed us +in Richmond—the goal to which every Union soldier is turning his +eyes, though he would not wish to reach it in the manner we did.</p> + +<h2><a name="chapter15" id="chapter15">CHAPTER XV.</a></h2> + +<h5>The City by Moonlight—Old Accusation Renewed—Libby Prison—Discomfort—A +Change—Citizens' Department—Richmond Breakfast—Removed under +Guard—Castle Thunder—Miniature Bedlam—Conceal a Knife—Confined in a +Stall—Dreadful Gloom—Routine of a Day—Suffering at Night—Friends +Exchanged—Newspapers—Burnside—Pecuniary Perplexities—Captain +Webster—Escape Prevented—Try Again on Christmas Night—Betrayed—Fearful +Danger Avoided.</h5> + +<p>It was still the same sparkling moonlight, and the same intense and +piercing cold, that marked our journey the preceding night, when we +left the cars, and entered the rebel capital.</p> + +<p>Everything looked grim and silent through the frosty air, and our +teeth chattered fast and loud as we walked through a few squares of +this now historic city.</p> + +<p>But suddenly the sergeant recollected that he did not know what to do +with us, and we were obliged to remain where we were, till he could find +the Provost-Marshal's office, and get instructions. We endeavored to +shelter ourselves as best we could from the unbearable cold, which +really threatened to prove fatal. We had two blankets, or rather pieces +of carpet, and we spread them over the heads of us all as we huddled +together in a solid mass, in the angle of a brick wall. It was +astonishing how much more comfortable this made us—especially in the +inside of the <i>pack</i>, where I happened to be. Here we remained shivering +till the sergeant returned. He had found the Provost-Marshal's office, +and proceeded to conduct us thither.</p> + +<p>We marched through several of the principal streets, which, but for +the moonlight, would have been entirely dark. At last we arrived at +the office, which, to add to our discomfort, was destitute of fire. We +stood in the empty room looking at the grim portraits of the rebel +generals that stared at us from the walls, until the Marshal himself +entered. He did not deign to speak to us, but opened a sealed letter +which the sergeant handed him, and read that ten disloyal +Tennesseeans, four prisoners of war, and <i>six engine-thieves</i>, were +hereby forwarded to Richmond, by order of General Beauregard. We had +hoped that the title of thieves, of which we had become heartily +tired, would now be left behind; but it seemed still to cling to us, +and afforded an unpleasant premonition of the Confederacy's not yet +being done with us. The Marshal then gave his orders, and we were +again marched off.</p> + +<p>By this time it was daylight, December 7th, 1862. Richmond looked +still more cheerless by the cold beams of morning than it did before.</p> + +<p>We now threaded several tedious streets, and at last came to the James +river, where we halted in front of a most desolate-looking, but very +large brick building, situated on the bank, and surrounded by a +formidable circle of guards. This building we very naturally took to +be a prison, and soon learned that we were right. It was the famous +<span class="smcap">Libby</span>. We entered its precincts, and were conducted up a flight of +stairs, and then, on reaching the upper room, which was a vast, open +one, we saw, almost for the first time since our capture, the old +familiar United States uniform. We were soon in the midst of over a +hundred Union soldiers.</p> + +<p>At first our greeting was not very warm, as we still wore the rebel +rags that had served us all summer; but as soon as our true character +and history were made known, we were most cordially welcomed. There +was a small stove—only one—in the cold, empty room, and part of the +inmates were huddled around it. But with the characteristic courtesy +and charity of the American soldier, they soon cleared a place beside +it for us. Then I had leisure to look around.</p> + +<p>The room was very large and bare; the floor above was taken out, +leaving it open to the roof. Beside this, the window sashes were all +removed, and the cold wind whistled in from the river far more sharply +than was consistent with comfort. The inmates informed me that they +had only a limited amount of fuel allowed them per day, and when that +was exhausted, they had to endure the freezing as best they could. +Even when the fire was burning, only about a dozen could get around +it, and the room was too large and open to be warmed more than a few +feet from the stove. Yet, with all these discomforts, we rejoiced to +be here. It was the sure pledge that our foes had not been deceiving +us in their promises of an exchange, for these men, with whom we found +ourselves, were actually going northward in the next truce-boat, which +was daily expected. Our hearts beat high as we thought that, after +drinking the bitter draught of bondage and persecution for eight long +months, we were at last to taste the sweets of liberty. What wonder if +our joy was too deep for words, and we could only turn it over in our +minds, and tremble lest it should prove too delightful to be +realized! What cared we for the cold that made our teeth chatter, and +sent the icy chill to our very bones! It was only for the moment, and +beyond that we painted the bright vision of freedom, with such +vividness and warmth, that cold and privations were forgotten +together. But our dream was short.</p> + +<p>We talked with our companions, and learned from them many interesting +items of news. The worst we heard, and which, at first, we could +hardly credit, was the existence of a large party in the North who +were opposed to the war; because, as my informant said, "They were +afraid if the thing went on, they would be drafted, and would have to +fight themselves." Oh! how bitterly some of the prisoners, who were +profanely inclined, cursed those who could oppose their government in +such a time as this! Not many of the soldiers sympathized with these +traitors. They were still hopeful of success, and confident that the +time would soon come when they would crush rebellion.</p> + +<p>But in the midst of our conversation, an officer entered, and called +for the men who had just been admitted. Expecting to be paroled, as +all the other prisoners in the room were, we at once responded. They +conducted us down to the entrance hall, and called over our names. +The four prisoners of war, and one of the Tennesseeans, were put on +one side, and we on the other. The first party were then taken up +stairs again, while we were put into an immense, but dark and low +room, on the left of the stairway.</p> + +<p>This was an awful moment. We now felt that we had been deceived, and +our hopes at once fell from the highest heaven, to which they had +soared, down to perfect nothingness, and a cold sense of misery and +despair came over us. To be thus separated from our friends, also, +seemed like parting the sheep from the goats, and could only be for +the purpose of punishment! No wonder that we looked at each other with +pale, troubled countenances, and asked questions which none were +prepared to solve. But only one moment were we thus crushed beneath +this unexpected blow; the next, we again sought an avenue for hope.</p> + +<p>Perhaps they did not recognize us as soldiers, and only wanted to +exchange us as citizens—a matter of indifference to us, provided we +were exchanged at all. We looked around to see what foundation there +might be for this pleasing conjecture.</p> + +<p>Our present apartment contained even more prisoners than the one +up-stairs. They were men from all parts of the South. Some of them +had been in prison ever since the war broke out, and a few had been +arrested for supposed anti-slavery principles, even before that event, +and had lived in loathsome dungeons ever since. This would be called +barbarous tyranny if it occurred in Italy; but I have seen men, even +in my own Ohio, who could see no wrong in it when practiced in the +South, on supposed <i>abolitionists</i>. There were also some of our own +soldiers here, who had been put in for attempting to escape. This +survey was not calculated to increase our feeble hopes of a speedy +exchange, or even to weaken our fears of further punishment.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, breakfast was brought in. It consisted of a small +quantity of thin soup, and a very scanty allowance of bread. To our +delight, the latter was made of flour, instead of corn meal; and all +the time we remained in Richmond, we received good bread, though often +very deficient in quantity.</p> + +<p>While we were talking with our new room-mates, an officer again +entered, and inquired for the fifteen men who had last come in. We +answered quickly, for hope was again busy whispering in our hearts, +and suggesting that there had been some mistake, which would now be +rectified, and we taken up stairs again. But there was no such good +fortune in store for us. We were taken out of doors, and there found a +guard waiting to remove us to another prison. Again our hearts sank +within us.</p> + +<p>We crossed the street, and halted at a desolate-looking building, +which we afterward learned was "<span class="smcap">Castle Thunder</span>," the far-famed Bastile +of the South. We were conducted through a guarded door into the +reception-room, where we had to wait for some time. While here, a +fierce-looking, black-whiskered man, who, I afterwards learned, was +Chillis, the commissary of the prison, came in, and said:</p> + +<p>"Bridge burners, are they! They ought to be hung, every man of them; +and so ought every man that does anything against the Confederacy." +Had he said <i>for</i>, I would have agreed with him heartily.</p> + +<p>Soon the guide returned, and ordered us to be conducted up stairs. Up +we went, passing by a room filled with a howling and yelling +multitude, who made such an outrageous racket that I was compelled to +put my hands to my ears. As we came in view, a score of voices +screamed with all the energy their lungs could give:</p> + +<p>"Fresh fish! Fresh fish!" The same exclamation greeted every new +arrival.</p> + +<p>We were taken into the office and searched, to see if we possessed +anything contraband, or, in plainer terms, anything they could make +useful to themselves. They took some nice pocket knives from the +Tennesseeans, which they had contrived to keep secreted till now. When +it came my turn, I managed to slip a large knife, that I had obtained +at Atlanta, up my sleeve, and by carefully turning my arm when they +felt for concealed weapons, succeeded in keeping it out of the way.</p> + +<p>The examination over, I thought they were going to put us into the +miniature mad-house we had just passed; and they did not do much +better, for they put us into a stall beside it. I call it a stall, for +the word describes it most fully. It was one of a range, partitioned +off from the large room in which were the noisy miscreants, and from +each other by loose plank, with cracks wide enough to let the wind +circulate freely through them. Most of the windows of the large room +were out, which greatly increased the cold. Our stall was only eight +or nine feet wide, and perhaps sixteen in length. It was bare of any +furniture—not even having a chair, or any means of making a fire.</p> + +<p>In this cheerless place our party, six in number, and nine +Tennesseeans, were confined during the months of December and January!</p> + +<p>The first day of our imprisonment here, our spirits sank lower than +they had ever done before. All our bright hopes were dashed to the +ground, and there seemed every reason to believe that we were doomed +to this dreary abode for the remaining term of the war, even if we +escaped sharing with our murdered friends the horrors of a Southern +scaffold. It was too disheartening for philosophy, and that day was +one of the blackest gloom. We seldom spoke, and when we did, it was to +denounce our folly, in suffering ourselves to be deluded to Richmond +by the lies they had told, and not seizing some of the many +opportunities our journey afforded for making our escape. But it was +no use lamenting; and all we could do was to register a solemn vow +never to be deceived by them again. When night came, we knelt in +prayer to God, and if I ever prayed with fervor, it was in this hour +of disappointment and dread. I tried to roll all my cares upon the +Lord, and partly succeeded, rising from my knees comforted, and +assured that whatever might be the issue, we had one Friend who was +nigh to save, and had often made his children rejoice, in worse +situations than ours. The next morning I awoke again cheerful, and +felt nerved for any fate that might befall me.</p> + +<p>Here the routine of prison life did not differ materially from that at +Atlanta. We had to go down to the court (the building was square, and +built with an open court in the center) to wash in the morning, and +were immediately taken back to our stall, and locked up. But the +principal difference was our want of fire. This made it our greatest +difficulty to keep warm, and effectually destroyed all those pleasant +fireside chats that had done so much to make our condition endurable +in the Atlanta barracks.</p> + +<p>As the darkness and coldness of night drew on, we were compelled to +pace the floor, trying to keep warm; and when sleep became a +necessity, we would all pile down in a huddle, as pigs sometimes do, +and spread over us the thin protection of our two bits of carpet. Thus +we would lie until too cold to remain longer, and then arise and +resume our walk. We had always plenty of light, except when the +awkwardness of the gas managers left the whole city in darkness, which +was frequently the case.</p> + +<p>We never omitted our devotions. For awhile the deserters outside, who +were composed of the very scum of Southern society, many of them +being the rowdies, gamblers, and cutthroats of the large cities, tried +to interrupt us by every means in their power; but finding that their +efforts produced no effect, they finally gave over, and left us to +pursue our own way in peace. We found afterward, when, for a short +time, we were put among them, that they respected us the more for it. +Thus it will always be when perseverance is exercised in a good cause.</p> + +<p>A few days after our arrival, we noticed a great stir among the +prisoners at the Libby, which was plainly in view across the road, and +but a short distance from us. We learned that a truce-boat had +arrived. Soon a body of United States soldiers came up the street by +us, and our five friends with them. As they passed our window, they +waved their hands in farewell, and continued their journey. No doubt +they were soon with their friends at home.<a href="#footnote11">[11]</a><a name="return11" id="return11"></a> The parting was a hard +one for us. It seemed so much like fulfilling the passage of +Scripture—"One shall be taken and the other left," that we turned +away from the window feeling again the gloom which darkened the first +day of our arrival. We felt utterly deserted and alone; yet we were +glad that some had been able to escape from the power of this accursed +rebellion, "every throb of whose life is a crime against the very race +to which we belong."</p> + +<p>In the dead sameness which now settled down again over our +prison-life, we had a delightful daily oasis, in reading the +newspapers. In Richmond we were not, as elsewhere, debarred their +perusal, and there was always some one who had money enough to buy +them, and then charity enough to lend them all over the prison. In +this way, we were enabled to see most of the dailies published. As +soon as we received one, all the party would gather around, while I +read the news and editorials aloud.</p> + +<p>The time of our arrival was an exciting one. Burnside had just made +his celebrated advance, and as we read of his crossing the river, we +breathed a prayer that he would be successful, and continue onward to +Richmond. Had he done so, we would either have fallen into his hands +or been removed. In the latter case, we would have made a desperate +effort to escape, for we had firmly resolved never to be moved again +without making a strike for freedom.</p> + +<p>But soon came the sad news of his repulse—sad to us, but causing the +greatest rejoicings among the rebels, who felt that they had escaped a +great danger, and renewed the life of their tottering treason.</p> + +<p>We missed the books we were no longer able to borrow, and planned all +kinds of means to obtain them. Among other expedients, I managed to +sell my hat. It was a fine one, and had formerly belonged to Jack +Wells; but one day when he was drunk enough to be in a clever humor, +he took mine, which was a very poor one, from me, and put his own on +my head, saying that I looked better in that. No doubt he intended to +trade back, but forgot it when we started away, and so left me in +possession. I sold this hat for three dollars and a half, and bought +another extremely poor one for half a dollar, leaving me three dollars +of available funds; which, added to five more afterward obtained from +a Union man, made quite a fortune. With this I tried to procure a book +I wanted. I gave the money to the corporal who attended the prison, +but he kept it several days, and then returned it to me. I next tried +one of the officers of the prison, but met with no better success. +Determined not to be baffled, I dropped the money through a crack in +the floor to a lady prisoner below, who was allowed to go out in town, +but in a few days she, too, sent it back, saying that the book was not +in Richmond.</p> + +<p>Still persevering, I wrote the names of several books on a slip of +paper, and gave it to Chillis, the commissary, who wanted us hung when +we first came, but who was, nevertheless, the kindest official of the +prison; he likewise returned it, saying that <i>none</i> of the books named +were to be found. I then yielded, and reserved my money for the next +best purpose to which it could be applied—to buy bread, which I often +needed. We could at first get small cakes for ten cents apiece; but +they afterward rose to fifteen. We had to take postage stamps in +change, and, having no pocket-book to carry them in, they would often +become torn and cracked, which rendered them worthless. Thus we lost a +considerable portion of our precious money.</p> + +<p>We soon became very restless and discontented here, and revolved +desperate plans of escape. It seemed like a hopeless prospect, for we +were in the third story, and could only escape by passing at each door +through successive relays of guards, all of which had a reserve ready +to coöperate with them in case of alarm. Our room was next to the +jailor's office, and on the opposite side was a row of rooms +containing all kinds of prisoners. The one next to us was occupied by +a number of Federal soldiers—some charged with being spies, and +others with murder.</p> + +<p>One of the latter was Captain Webster. He was a young and most +handsome man, not over twenty-two years of age. He had, on one +occasion, been sent to take a notorious guerilla captain, named +Simpson, who was then hiding within our lines. When he was found, +Webster summoned him to surrender. Instead of doing so he fired his +pistol and started to run; but Webster also fired, and mortally +wounded him.</p> + +<p>When Webster was subsequently taken prisoner, he was held for the +<i>murder</i> of Simpson, and confined in the room next to us. The charge I +have repeatedly heard, not only from himself and fellow prisoners, but +from the officers of the prison. Judge of my surprise, then, on +reading, since my return home, of the hanging of Webster for +<i>violating his parole</i>. This being a charge that the law of war would +visit with death, the Confederates <i>officially lied</i> in substituting +the one charge for the other, in order to justify themselves, and +prevent retaliation.</p> + +<p>Webster, too, was tired of confinement, and ready to risk all in a +bold strike for freedom. The decision was soon made, and Christmas +evening was the time fixed for the attempt. There were a number of +citizens in the room below, who were in a more favorable situation for +initiating the movement than we were. We had opened telegraphic +communication, as we had done before at Atlanta, and after full +consultation, it was agreed to let these citizens give the signal. +This was to be the cry of fire, and when it was heard, we were all to +rush upon the guards, and overpower them. There were only about thirty +guards in the building, and we had over a hundred and fifty men +concerned in the plot. We were, therefore, sure of success if every +one performed his part—at least in getting out of the building, which +was a less difficult task than leaving the city.</p> + +<p>On Christmas eve everything was in readiness with us, and most +anxiously did we wait for the signal. The hours rolled slowly on, and +midnight passed, but no signal was given. We afterward learned that +the citizens below failed in courage when the decisive moment came, +and thus defeated a plan which would, in all probability, have been +successful, and would have startled rebeldom no little in thus +bursting open their strongest prison.</p> + +<p>The next night we resolved to try once more. And that no +faint-heartedness might now interfere, we appointed Webster our +leader, knowing that he would not falter. Again we prepared. The locks +of all the rooms were drawn except our own, which was so close to the +guard that it could not be taken off without great danger of +discovery.</p> + +<p>Some did not want to go, but were very kind to those of us who did, +supplying us with serviceable shoes, and taking our worn-out ones in +return. At last everything being in readiness, we again waited for the +signal. Those in our room were to remain quiet till it was given, and +then burst off the door, which was a light one, and rush on the guard. +We took a board that supported the water-bucket, and four of us, +holding it as a battering-ram, did not doubt our ability to dash the +door into the middle of the large room, and seize the guard before he +could make up his mind as to the nature of the assault.</p> + +<p>The other small rooms were soon vacated, the movement being concealed +from the observation of the guard, by the inmates of the large room, +into which all the others opened, standing up around the doors.</p> + +<p>For an instant all was silence. We lifted up our hearts in prayer to +God, that He would be with us, and preserve us through the coming +strife, and if consistent with His high will, permit us to regain our +liberty.</p> + +<p>What can cause the delay? Minute after minute passes, and the dead +silence is only broken by the throbbing of our own hearts. We stand +with the board ready, and our spirits eager for the coming contest, +which shall lead us to grapple, with naked arms, the shining bayonets +of the guards. We do not doubt the issue, for the hope of liberty +inspires us.</p> + +<p>But now we see our friends creeping <i>back to their rooms!</i> We grind +our teeth with rage and chagrin, but soon hear the explanation, which +makes us think that the Lord is indeed watching over us.</p> + +<p>Just as our leader was ready to give the signal, a friend pressed to +his side, and informed him that we were betrayed, and that an extra +guard of over eighty men was drawn up in line before the door, with +orders to shoot down every one that issued from it, while still +another detachment was ready to close in behind, and make an +indiscriminate massacre. Had we attempted to carry out our plan, the +guard would have yielded before us until we were drawn into the trap, +and then they hoped to make such a slaughter as would be a perpetual +warning to prison-breakers.</p> + +<p>When I first heard this story, I thought it the invention of some +weak-nerved individual who feared the trial and the danger of our +scheme. But it was true. The next day the Richmond papers contained a +full <i>expose</i> of the whole affair, and Captain Alexander, the tyrant +who commanded the prison, threatened to have every one engaged in it +tied up and whipped. But he finally concluded not to do so, and the +excitement passed away.</p> + +<h2><a name="chapter16" id="chapter16">CHAPTER XVI.</a></h2> + +<h5>Letter sent Home—Alarming Pestilence—Our Quarters +Changed—Rowdyism—Fairy Stories—Judge Baxter—Satanic +Strategy—Miller's History—An Exchange with a Dead Man—Effect of +Democratic Victories—Attempt to Make us Work—Digging out of a +Cell—Worse than the Inquisition—Unexpected Interference—List from +"Yankee Land"—Clothing Stolen—Paroled—A Night of Joy—Torch-light +March—On the Cars—The Boat—Reach Washington—Receive Medals, Money, +and Promotion—Home.</h5> + +<p>All of our party had repeatedly tried to send letters home to let our +friends know that we were still alive, but hitherto had failed. Now we +had a providential opportunity. Some of the prisoners who were +captured at the battle of Murfreesboro' were brought to Richmond, and +confined in the basement of our building. While they remained, I wrote +a note with a pencil, on the fly-leaf of a book, and when taken down +to wash in the morning, slipped around to the door of the Western +prisoners, and gave it to an Irishman. He concealed it until he was +exchanged, and then mailed it to my father. It produced a great +sensation among my friends, most of whom had long since given me up +for dead. It was the first that had been heard of our party since the +Atlanta escape, and was at once published in my county paper, and +copied in many others. The following is the note:</p> + +<div class="account"> + <p><span style="margin-left: 30em;"><span class="smcap">Richmond, Va.</span>, January 6th, 1863.</span><br /> + + <span class="smcap">Dear Father</span>—I take the opportunity of writing by a paroled + prisoner, to let you know that I am well, and doing as well + as could be expected under the circumstances. I have seen + some rather hard times, but the worst is past. Our lives are + now safe, but we will be kept during the war, unless + something lucky turns up for us. There are six of our + original railroad party here yet. Seven were executed in + June, and eight escaped in October.</p> + +<p> I stand the imprisonment pretty well. The worst of it is to + hear of our men getting whipped so often. I hear all the + news here; read three or four papers a day. I even know that + Bingham was beat in the last election, for which I am very + sorry.</p> + +<p> The price of everything here is awful. It costs thirty cents + to send a letter. This will account for my not writing to + all my friends. Give my sincere love to them, and tell them + to write to me.</p> + +<p> You may write by leaving the letter unsealed, putting in + nothing that will offend the Secesh, and directing to Castle + Thunder, Richmond, Virginia. I want to know the private + news—how many of my friends have fallen. Also tell who has + been drafted in our neighborhood, who married, and who like + to be. Also if you have a gold dollar at hand, slip it into + the letter—not more, as it might tempt the Secesh to <i>hook</i> + it. I have tried to send word through to you several times + before, but there is now a better chance of communicating + since we came from Atlanta to Richmond. Mother, (here + referring to religious experience.) * * * * * * *</p> + +<p> No doubt you all would like to see me again, but let us have + patience; many a better man than I am has suffered more, and + many parents are mourning for their children without the + hope of seeing them again. So keep your courage up, and do + not be uneasy about me. Write as soon as you can, and tell + all my friends to do the same.<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 30em;">Ever yours,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 33em;"><span class="smcap">William Pittenger.</span></span><br /> + To <span class="smcap">Thomas Pittenger</span>,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">New Somerset, Jefferson county, Ohio.</span></p> +</div> + +<p>We remained in this prison, reading of the victories of Southern +rebels, and the doings of Northern traitors, until the first of +February. At that time they wanted our range of rooms for a hospital. +This range was not adapted to the purpose, but was at least as good as +the garret above, where all who went were sure of death.</p> + +<p>Disease was now making fearful havoc. The small-pox prevailed to a +frightful extent, and the whole town was alarmed. Men were dying +around us every day; none of our party was infected, but many of the +Tennesseeans were. It was no wonder that they found it necessary to +extend their hospitals, for the treatment we received was well +calculated to make the hardiest men sink beneath their trials. But +these fearful ravages of pestilence did at least the good of securing +our removal from the pen in which we had been confined. At first we +were taken to the bedlam I have described before; and even this was +better than the loneliness and <i>ennui</i> of our strict confinement.</p> + +<p>It seemed like freedom by contrast. We now had a fire also—a luxury +which one who has been <i>freezing</i> for two months knows well how to +appreciate. It is true it did not warm half the people around it, and +these had not the courtesy of our brethern in the Libby; yet it was a +great thing to be occasionally warm.</p> + +<p>The amusements of our new friends were striking, if not elegant. When +a dense crowd would gather round the fire, some mischievous Irishman +would cry out, "Char-rge, me boys;" and, with his confederates, rush +against the mass, knocking men in all directions, upsetting pots, +skinning elbows, and spoiling tempers generally. Fights were of +frequent occurrence, and it only needed the addition of intoxicating +liquor to constitute a perfect pandemonium.</p> + +<p>The evenings were a compensation. After the turmoil of the day was +over, and most of those who had blankets had retired to rest, a party +of the worst rowdies, who had been annoying us all day, would gather +around the stove, and appear in a new character—that of +story-tellers. I have spent the greater part of the night in listening +to them, and have heard some of the finest fairy tales, and most +romantic legends. But the approach of day put an end to all the +romantic disposition of my companions, and left them ill ruffians as +before.</p> + +<p>We soon wearied of this perpetual ferment, and petitioned to be put +below in the room with the Union men. After some delay it was granted, +and then came a more pleasant part of my prison life. The room was +large, but dark, and the windows not only secured by crossing bars, +but woven over with wires. The refuse tobacco-stems of the manufactory +had been thrown in this room, till they covered the floor to a depth +of several inches.</p> + +<p>But to compensate for these disagreeable accompaniments of our new +apartment, it had a stove, and was warm; so that the terrible +suffering with the cold, which none can appreciate but those who have +endured, was now at an end. There was also good society here—nearly a +hundred Union men from different parts of the South—all intensely +patriotic, and many of them possessing great intelligence. In talking +with these men, and hearing their adventures and opinions, I passed +many a pleasant hour, and gained a great insight into the views of +Southern Unionists.</p> + +<p>One of these, who became an intimate friend, was a Scotchman, named +Miller. When the war commenced, he was residing in Texas, and +witnessed the manner in which that State was precipitated into +secession. The first part of the plan was to excite rumors of a +contemplated slave insurrection; then the conspirators would place +poison and weapons in certain localities, and find them, as if by +accident. This was continued till the public mind was in a perfect +ferment. The next step was to take some slaves, and whip them until +the torture made them confess their own guilt, and also implicate the +leading opponents of secession. This was enough. The slaves and +Unionists were hung together on the nearest tree, and all opposition +to the nefarious schemes brutally crushed. Thus has slavery furnished +the means of paving the way to treason!</p> + +<p>Miller himself was taken, and after narrowly escaping the fate of his +friends, was sent eastward to be tried as a traitor. He twice made his +escape, once traveling over two hundred miles, and each time, when +captured, telling a different story. Finally, he represented himself +as a citizen from New York. When brought before Judge Baxter, the +magistrate of Castle Thunder, for examination, he merely said:</p> + +<p>"I told you all about my case before."</p> + +<p>The judge, who was considerably intoxicated, thought that he had +actually been examined before, and dismissed him without further +questioning. He was brought up several times after that, but always +gave them the same answer, thus keeping them completely deceived, and +was at length exchanged.</p> + +<p>I here became acquainted with a young man of the Potomac army, whom I +shall call Charlie. He was employed to go near Richmond to fire a +bridge, and collect important information. While executing his +perilous mission, he was captured, with papers in his possession fully +proving his character as a spy, and was despatched with a sergeant as +escort, toward Richmond. While on the way, the sergeant, who was fond +of liquor, got a chance to indulge, and became very careless. Charlie, +watching his opportunity, slipped from the breast pocket of his guard +the packet of papers containing his charges, with the directions for +his disposal, and threw them into a pond by the wayside.</p> + +<p>When he arrived at Richmond, the authorities did not know his +character, and put him into the large room with the other prisoners, +instead of confining him separately. When the evidence against him +arrived, the commanding officer entered with a guard, and inquired for +him. Now was his last chance for life, and well was it improved! It so +happened that a man had died in the prison the night before, and +Charlie at once responded:</p> + +<p>"O! that fellow died last night," and pointed to the corpse.</p> + +<p>"Died, has he! the rascal! We'd 'a hung him this week, and saved him +the trouble if he'd only held on!" growled the officer, and departed.</p> + +<p>Charlie was shortly after exchanged under the <i>dead man's name</i>!</p> + +<p>Just when the discouragement of all lovers of their country was the +greatest, resulting from the news of the rise and progress of the +peace party in the North, a Tennessee Congressman visited our prison. +He gathered the Tennesseeans around him, and urged them to return to +their allegiance; stating that the Union cause was now hopeless, as it +was abandoned even by the Northern States, which were in the hands of +the Democrats, who would make peace on any terms; closing by asking +them now to <i>do right</i>, take the oath of allegiance to the +Confederacy, and go into its army, promising that all their previous +obstinacy should be forgiven. The effect was wonderful! Listen, ye who +cavil at the government, and while opposing its policy, still think +you do no harm! These were loyal men, and had proved it by abandoning +all for the cherished cause—many of them spending weary months in +loathsome dungeons. Yet on hearing of the triumph of this faction, +which promises to restore the Union by conciliating and wooing back +the rebels, over one-half of them yielded, and gave that consent which +neither danger nor suffering had been able to force from them! Thus +were over twenty recruits from one room of one prison, obtained for +the rebel army by the triumphs of Northern Democracy!</p> + +<p>A part remained faithful, and this excited the ire of the +secessionists. To punish them, Captain Alexander issued an order that +all the menial service of the prison should be performed by Union men. +Some obeyed the order, while others would not. But those who did the +work complained that unwilling ones were not made to help them. To +remedy this, a list was prepared, and the names taken in order. One of +the first called was a Tennesseean, named McCoy. He answered boldly:</p> + +<p>"I'm not going."</p> + +<p>"What's the matter, now?" demanded the sergeant.</p> + +<p>"I didn't come here to work; and if you can't board me without, you +may send me home," replied the fearless man.</p> + +<p>"Well! well! you'll be attended to," growled the sergeant, and +proceeded with the roll. Four others likewise refused, and were +reported to Captain Alexander, who at once ordered them to be put into +"the cell." This was a dark place beside the open court, and only +about four feet wide, by six or seven in length. It had no floor but +the damp earth, and was destitute of light. Here they were informed +that they should remain until they agreed to work.</p> + +<p>We found another alternative for them.—There was a piece of file and +a scrap of stove-pipe in our room, which we took, and buying a candle +from the commissary, watched our opportunity, when taken out to wash, +to slip them into the cell. As soon as these necessaries were +received, the boys begun faithfully to dig their way out under the +wall. All day and night they worked, but did not get through. The next +day, we supplied them with another candle, and they labored on. Toward +morning, they broke upward through the crust of the ground outside. +The foremost one wormed his way out, and glided off. He was never +heard from, and no doubt reached the Union lines. The next man was +just under the wall, when the barking of a dog, that happened to be +prowling around, drew the attention of the guard that way, and +prevented his escape. But though the stampede was thus arrested, it +was a lesson that prevented the confinement of any more in the cell.</p> + +<p>Yet they were not content to give up the idea of making us their +servants. I happened to be on the next list prepared. This time the +task was to dig in Captain Alexander's garden, which we would have +been obliged to perform with an armed guard standing over us.</p> + +<p>Of course, we refused to go. As a punishment, we were ordered into the +yard, which was only a vacant corner of the building, enclosed by high +brick walls, on the top of which guards walked. It was a cold day in +February, and was raining. We were nearly naked, having only the +remnant of the rags that had already served for more than their time. +The bottoms were out of my shoes, and the water stood in the yard +several inches deep. The cold, wet wind, swept down with biting +sharpness, and almost robbed us of sensation. We paced the narrow +bounds, through the mud and water, until too weary to walk any more, +and then resigned ourselves to our misery!</p> + +<p>Here we remained from early in the morning till in the evening. They +told us we would have to stay there till we agreed to work, or froze +to death! The first we resolved never to do. The latter was prevented +by relief from an unexpected source.</p> + +<p>The old commissary, who had been so harsh to us when we first arrived, +now went to Captain Alexander, and remonstrated with him for his +cruelty.</p> + +<p>Said he, "If you want to kill the men, and I know the rascals deserve +it, do it at once. Hanging is the best way. But don't keep them there +to die by inches, for it will disgrace us all over the world."</p> + +<p>This logic produced a good effect, and the order was given to send us +back to our room, which, with its warm fire, never seemed more +pleasant. It was well they did not keep us out during the night, for +we had determined to scale the wall, if we lost half of our number in +the attempt.</p> + +<p>The effects of that terrible day of freezing were soon visible. On +entering the room, the grateful warmth produced a stupor from which +most of us awoke, sick. Some died. I, myself, contracted a disease of +the lungs, which rendered me an invalid for months after regaining my +freedom.</p> + +<p>One day we were ordered into line, and the names of all our railroad +party, with a few of the others, called over. One, whose name was +omitted, asked the reason of the omission. The officer answered:</p> + +<p>"We can't tell, for this list came from Yankee land."</p> + +<p>The mention of "Yankee land" started conjectures afloat thick and +fast. Why should a list be sent from the North? Could it be for the +purpose of exchange? The whole prison was in a ferment.</p> + +<p>They soon discovered that a general exchange of political prisoners +was in contemplation. This added fuel to the flames. But as the +truce-boats went off one after another, and week after week passed by, +leaving us still in our dark and wearisome prison, hope again died +away. Every person who ventured to speak of exchange was laughed into +silence.</p> + +<p>One day an officer came into the room, and ordered a sergeant to take +the name of every man who claimed United States protection, in order +to obtain clothes for him. Soon the clothing came. It did not +comprise a complete suit, but was extremely welcome. Never did I see a +peacock strut with more ostentation than did some of the prisoners on +donning the uniform. And it was worthy of pride. It was a token that +we were not forsaken, but that a great nation was extending its +protection over us. The ragged guards around, clad in their miserable +butternut suits, growled many uncomplimentary allusions to the +penuriousness of their own government, in contrast with the +munificence of ours.</p> + +<p>There were only about one hundred <i>parts</i> of suits distributed, though +the papers, the next day, stated the number at <i>five</i> hundred! and +this I afterward found was actually the number sent from Washington. +The entire four hundred, and part of the last hundred, was kept by the +officers as a compensation for their trouble in distributing them! But +they certainly acted with more than their ordinary honesty in giving +us any at all!</p> + +<p>On the evening of the 17th of March, when we were sitting around the +fire, lazily, but not indifferently, discussing the siege of +Vicksburg, and laying many infallible plans by which it might be at +once reduced, an officer entered, and gave the strange order for all +"who wanted to go to the <i>United States</i> to come to the office!"</p> + +<p>When I obeyed, it was with very little hope that there was really a +chance once more to stand beneath the folds of our loved banner. Even +when part of our room-mates had gone in, and signed the oath of +parole, I feared that the good news was <i>only</i> for them. To test the +matter, I went forward, and as I gave my name, fully expected to +hear—"The engine-thieves can't go"—but no objection was made. For a +moment a delicious hope thrilled through my veins—a vision of +happiness and home, dazzling as a flash of summer lightning, shone +before my eyes—but it instantly faded before the remembrance of our +Atlanta deception.</p> + +<p>It was announced that we were to start at four o'clock the next +morning. The evening, as might be expected, was one of wild +excitement. Nearly all acted like men bereft of reason. Their +joyousness found vent in vociferous cheers—in dancing and bounding +over the floor—in embracing each other, and pledging kind +remembrances. But there were a few who were not permitted to go, and I +pitied them. I remembered when we had been left by our comrades on our +first arrival in Richmond, and my heart bled for these forsaken ones, +as they sat cheerless and alone, seeming to feel even more wretched +than ever, amid the general joy.</p> + +<p>It was near midnight before we became calm enough to offer up our +usual evening devotions. But when all were at length still, wearied +out by the very excess of joy, and when the quietness that ever +follows overwhelming emotions had settled down upon us, we knelt in +prayer—a prayer of deep, strong, fervent thankfulness; and we +implored that we might not be deceived in our bright and vivid hopes, +and dashed back from our anticipated paradise; yet if such should be +His high and mysterious will, and we should see these hopes fade, as +others faded before them, we asked for strength to bear the trial. +Thus composed, we laid down to sleep, and await the event.</p> + +<p>Few eyes closed during the entire night. Fancy was too busy peopling +her fairy landscapes—picturing the groups that awaited us beyond that +boundary which, for nearly a year, frowned before us, gloomy and +impassable as the silent river of death! But even as we muse, what +unbidden fears spring up to darken the prospect, and stain the +brightness of our joy! How many of those friends whose love was as our +life, may be no more! For a year, not a whisper had been heard, and we +trembled as we thought of the ravages of time and of battle. These +and other thoughts whirled through our throbbing brains during that +ever-memorable night, and were only broken by the summons of the +commanding officer, who, long ere morning light, gave the thrilling +order to—<i>prepare for our journey!</i></p> + +<p>Hurriedly we thronged to our feet. It was true! Freedom once more! Our +terrible captivity was passed! O joy! <span class="smcap">JOY</span>!—almost too wild and +delirious for earth!</p> + +<p>There was a hurrying around in the darkness illumined by the flashing +of torch-lights—a discordant calling of names—a careful inspection +to see that none went but those allowed; then, forming two lines in +the courtyard, and with bounding hearts, we passed <i>outward</i> through +the dreaded portals of Castle Thunder—the same portals we had passed +<i>inward</i> more than three months before! passed out into the cool, but +<i>free</i> night air!</p> + +<p>We next marched through the muddy, unlighted streets for many squares. +There were with us a number of sick, who were not willing to be left +behind; and as the rebels refused to provide conveyances, we helped +them—encircling them in our arms, and supporting their tottering +steps during the weary distance. Some had to be carried altogether, +but the burden was light, upborne, as we were, on the wings of hope +and exultation.</p> + +<p>After we were seated in the cars, we found in some Richmond papers the +intelligence that "a large number of engine-thieves, bridge-burners, +murderers, robbers, and traitors will leave this morning for the +United States," also congratulating themselves on the riddance. Our +congratulations were not less fervid!</p> + +<p>We glided slowly along, passing fortifications and rifle-pits, till we +arrived at Petersburg; then onward to City Point, the place of general +exchange. Here, for the first time in eleven months, we saw the "flag +of the free," floating in proud beauty from the truce-boat "State of +Maine." It was a glad sight! Her undulating stars were fairer to us +than the brightest constellations that ever sparkled in the azure +fields above.</p> + +<p>The grossest frauds are often practised by the unscrupulous +secessionists in these exchanges. I will give a case that occurred at +this time.</p> + +<p>A rebel soldier was wounded in the head at the first battle of +Manassas. It affected his brain, and disordered his intellect, so that +even after he had recovered physically, he was mentally unable to +perform the duties of a soldier. He was confined a short time in +Castle Thunder, and then sent to Camp Lee, to try him again. But he +was no better than before, and they gave up the attempt in despair. +Then they exchanged him to us, and got a <i>sound man</i> in his place!</p> + +<p>When the boat rounded out from the shore on its homeward way, our joy +knew no bounds. It seemed as if we had awakened from a hideous +nightmare dream to find that all its shapes of horror and grinning +fiends had passed away, and left us standing in the free sunlight once +more. Our hearts beat glad music to the thresh of the wheels on the +water, knowing that each ponderous stroke was placing a greater +distance between us and our hated enemies.</p> + +<p>Then, too, the happy welcome with which we were greeted; and the good +cheer, so different from our miserable prison fare, and the kind +faces, smiling all around, showed in living colors that we were +freemen again.</p> + +<p>Down the river we went, passing the historic ground of the James, as +in a delirious dream of rapture! We were scarcely conscious of passing +events. No emotion on earth has the same sweep and intensity as the +wild, throbbing sensations that rush thick and fast through the bosom +of the liberated captive!</p> + +<p>On we went—reached the gunboats that ply up and down the river, like +giant sentinels, guarding the avenue to rebellion—reached the river's +mouth, passed onward up the bay to Washington! As we came in sight, we +thronged tumultuously to the vessel's side, and bent eager, loving +eyes on the snowy marble front, and white towering steeple of our +nation's Capitol.</p> + +<p>On our arrival, we were requested by the Secretary of War to give our +depositions before Hon. Joseph Holt, Judge Advocate General, that the +world at large might know on the surest foundation the truth of our +narrative. We were received by the Judge himself, and Major-General +Hitchcock, who was present, with the most marked cordiality. This +interview was merely a friendly one, and was passed in familiar +conversation.</p> + +<p>On our second visit, we found a justice of the peace in waiting to +administer the necessary oath, and also a phonographer to write our +testimony. We were examined separately, and the result published +officially in the <i>Army and Naval Gazette</i>, and also in most of the +newspapers of the day.</p> + +<p>We then called on the Secretary of War, accompanied by our kind +friends, Major-General Hitchcock and J. C. Wetmore, Ohio State Agent. +Generals Sigel and Stahl, with many other distinguished personages, +were in waiting, but we were given the preference, and at once +admitted.</p> + +<p>The Secretary conversed with us most affably for some time. Then going +into another room, he brought out <i>six medals</i>, (see engraving—all +are similar,) and presented them to us, saying that they were the +first ever given to private soldiers. Jacob Parrott, the boy who +endured the terrible beating, received, as he well deserved, the first +one.</p> + +<div><a name="image04" id="image04"></a></div> +<div class="center"><img src="images/image04.jpg" width="255" height="800" alt="The Medal." /></div> + +<p>He next presented us with one hundred dollars each, and ordered all +arrearages to be paid, and the money and the value of the arms taken +from us to be refunded.</p> + +<p>This was not all. He requested Governor Todd to promote each of us to +first lieutenants in the Ohio troops; and, if he failed to do so, +promised to give us that grade in the regular army. We then received +furloughs to visit our homes, and left his presence profoundly +convinced that "republics are" not always "ungrateful."</p> + +<p>We were then escorted by our friends to the Executive mansion, and had +a most pleasing interview with our noble President. His kindness was +equal to that of the Secretary. After relating to him some incidents +of prison experience, and receiving his sympathizing comments, we took +our leave.<br /></p> + +<p>And now—safe in a land of freedom—with the consciousness of having +performed our duty—surrounded by fathers and mothers, brothers and +sisters, wives and children, who had long mourned us as dead—our +dangers past, and our sufferings rewarded—I drop the vail.</p> + +<h3><span class="smcap">The End.</span></h3> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h4>Footnotes</h4> + +<p><a name="footnote01" id="footnote01"></a><a href="#return01">[1]</a> One of these I noticed only very lately.</p> + +<p><a name="footnote02" id="footnote02"></a><a href="#return02">[2]</a> The description of places and distances given in the +preceding chapter, was mostly obtained from Confederates, who +afterward visited and talked with us.</p> + +<p><a name="footnote03" id="footnote03"></a><a href="#return03">[3]</a> The rebels thought he was counterfeiting blindness, but I +believe it was real.</p> + +<p><a name="footnote04" id="footnote04"></a><a href="#return04">[4]</a> A refugee from the State of Georgia, now in this city, +who witnessed the execution, but, from peculiar circumstances, does +not make his name public, corroborates this statement, and adds, that +these brave men were surrounded by three or four hundred guerillas and +partisan rangers, as they called themselves, who disputed for the +honor of being the executioners. The matter was settled by the party +taking a vote, when twelve were selected as the favored ones. The +rebel soldiers who perpetrated this outrageous murder, spent the rest +of the day in spreeing and jollification, many of them writing to +their friends at home an account of the pleasure they felt in +assisting in the hanging of "seven blue-bellies," as they termed the +Union soldiers.—<i>Note from a Pamphlet entitled "Ohio Boys in Dixie," +published in New York in April, 1863.</i></p> + +<p><a name="footnote05" id="footnote05"></a><a href="#return05">[5]</a> In one of these papers I noticed a description of two +Federal officers who had escaped from Macon, Georgia. It was Captain +Geer, with whom I have lectured in several places since my return, and +his comrade, Lieutenant Collins. Their adventures are recorded in a +book called "<i>Beyond the Lines</i>."</p> + +<p><a name="footnote06" id="footnote06"></a><a href="#return06">[6]</a> All our friends at home believed we were executed. My +obituary notice was published in our county paper, and the Rev. +Alexander Clark was invited to preach my funeral sermon, which +providential circumstances alone prevented.</p> + +<p><a name="footnote07" id="footnote07"></a><a href="#return07">[7]</a> Hawkins and myself associated, and made good our escape. +We think all our party escaped to the woods. Whether any were +afterward caught by the rebels, we know not. We traveled by starlight +for more than three weeks. After twenty-one days of fatigue and +hunger—living most of the time on corn or persimmons—occasionally a +few raw sweet potatoes or a head of cabbage—dodging the rebel pickets +and cavalry, climbing mountains, dragging through brush, and wading +streams, we finally were so fortunate as to meet some Union men in the +Cumberland Mountains. We met them, three in number, in the woods, and +asked them to give us some supper, stating that we had no money, but +we belonged to the rebel army, had been sick and left behind, and were +now on our way to rejoin our regiments. They refused to supply our +wants, and finally openly declared themselves to be Union men. When we +became satisfied that they were all right, we made known our true +character, and warmer friends were never met. They lodged and fed us, +then piloted us to another Union man who did the same, and he to +another; thus we were passed from one to another till we arrived at +Somerset, Kentucky, where we procured transportation to our +regiments.—<i>Extract from an Account published by D. A. Dorsey.</i></p> + +<p><a name="footnote08" id="footnote08"></a><a href="#return08">[8]</a> I do not pretend to justify the falsehoods recorded in +this book. But it is better to give a <i>true</i> narrative, and bear the +censure awarded by the reader, than to increase the guilt by omitting +or misrepresenting facts.</p> + +<p><a name="footnote09" id="footnote09"></a><a href="#return09">[9]</a> My impression of Southern feeling is very different from +Vallandigham's. But the Union men were my friends. Were they his?</p> + +<p><a name="footnote10" id="footnote10"></a><a href="#return10">[10]</a> It was a malicious falsehood. All were safe.</p> + +<p><a name="footnote11" id="footnote11"></a><a href="#return11">[11]</a> A letter was received from one of them by my father a +short time ago. He had not heard of our release, but described our +parting, and gave a rumor which he had heard of our subsequent +execution.</p> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Daring and Suffering:, by William Pittenger + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DARING AND SUFFERING: *** + +***** This file should be named 20509-h.htm or 20509-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/5/0/20509/ + +Produced by Wolfgang Menges, Suzanne Shell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Daring and Suffering: + A History of the Great Railroad Adventure + +Author: William Pittenger + +Release Date: February 2, 2007 [EBook #20509] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DARING AND SUFFERING: *** + + + + +Produced by Wolfgang Menges, Suzanne Shell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + +Transcriber's Note: All printer's errors retained. + + +[Illustration: _Engraved by Samuel Sartain, Phil.^a_ + +(Signed) Wm Pittenger] + + +DARING AND SUFFERING: + +A HISTORY OF + +THE GREAT RAILROAD ADVENTURE. + + +BY LIEUT. WILLIAM PITTENGER, +ONE OF THE ADVENTURERS. + + +WITH AN INTRODUCTION, +BY REV. ALEXANDER CLARK. + + +"The expedition, in the daring of its conception, had the wildness of +a romance; while in the gigantic and overwhelming results it sought +and was likely to accomplish, it was absolutely sublime."--_Official +Report of Hon. Judge Holt to the Secretary of War._ + +"It was all the deepest laid scheme, and on the grandest scale, that +ever emanated from the brains of any number of Yankees +combined."--_Atlanta "Southern Confederacy" of April 15th, 1862._ + + +PHILADELPHIA: +J. W. DAUGHADAY, PUBLISHER, +1308 CHESTNUT STREET. +1863. + + + +Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1863, by + +J. W. DAUGHADAY, + +In the Office of the Clerk of the District Court for the Eastern +District of Pennsylvania. + + + + +TO + +R. T. TRALL, M. D., + +EDITOR OF THE "HERALD OF HEALTH," + +AND + +Leader of the Hygienic Reform, + +THIS VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED + +AS A TRIBUTE OF + +ESTEEM AND GRATITUDE, + +BY + +THE AUTHOR. + +NEW SOMERSET, Jefferson Co., O., +October, 1863. + + + + +NAMES OF THE ADVENTURERS. + + +EXECUTED. + +J. J. ANDREWS, _Leader_, Citizen of Kentucky. +WILLIAM CAMPBELL, Citizen of Kentucky. +GEORGE D. WILSON, Co. B, Second Reg't Ohio Vols. +MARION A. ROSS, Co. A, Second Reg't Ohio Vols. +PERRY G. SHADRACK, Co. K, Second Reg't Ohio Vols. +SAMUEL SLAVENS, Thirty-third Reg't Ohio Vols. +SAMUEL ROBINSON, Co. G, Thirty-third Reg't Ohio Vols. +JOHN SCOTT, Co. K, Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols. + + +ESCAPED IN OCTOBER. + +W. W. BROWN, Co. F, Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols. +WILLIAM KNIGHT, Co. E, Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols. +J. R. PORTER, Co. C, Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols. +MARK WOOD, Co. C, Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols. +J. A. WILSON, Co. C, Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols. +M. J. HAWKINS, Co. A, Thirty-third Reg't Ohio Vols. +JOHN WOLLAM, Co. C, Thirty-third Reg't Ohio Vols. +D. A. DORSEY, Co. H, Thirty-third Reg't Ohio Vols. + + +EXCHANGED IN MARCH. + +JACOB PARROTT, Co. K, Thirty-third Reg't Ohio Vols. +ROBERT BUFFUM, Co. H, Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols. +WILLIAM BENSINGER, Co. G, Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols. +WILLIAM REDDICK, Co. B, Thirty-third Reg't Ohio Vols. +E. H. MASON, Co. K, Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols. +WILLIAM PITTENGER, Co. G, Second Reg't Ohio Vols. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +The following work is a narration of facts. My only desire is to give +a clear and connected record of what will ever be regarded as a most +remarkable episode in the history of the Great Rebellion. + +The style of the book demands an apology. It was begun in sickness +induced by the privations of rebel prisons, and completed amidst the +fatigue and excitement of the most glorious campaign which has yet +crowned our arms. Under these circumstances, there must be many faults +of expression, which a generous reader will readily pardon. + +To the many kind friends who sympathized with me during the weary +interval when my fate was considered hopeless, as well as those who +rejoiced with me on my return, I can only tender my most sincere +thanks. + +Myself and comrades are greatly indebted to the PRESIDENT and +Secretary STANTON for their generous recognition of our services, and +the munificent rewards bestowed upon us. To them, and to Judge HOLT, +Major-General HITCHCOCK, and JAMES C. WETMORE, Ohio State Military +Agent, we take this opportunity of expressing our heartfelt +obligations. + +Another to whom I am indebted is Dr. R. T. TRALL of New York. At his +beautiful "_Hygiean Home_," on the mountain side, near Wernersville, +Berks county, Pennsylvania, I regained my lost health. For his +kindness, and that of his skillful assistants, Drs. GLASS and +FAIRCHILD, I will ever be deeply grateful. It was with regret, woven +with many pleasant memories, that I left their hospitable home when +recovered health and duty called me again to the field. + +To my early friend, Rev. ALEXANDER CLARK, Editor of the "_School +Visitor_," I am still more deeply indebted. His literary experience +was freely placed at my service, and when discouraged in the +preparation of my story, which was to me an arduous undertaking, his +words of hope and cheer stimulated me to renewed efforts. But for aid +derived from his sympathy and advice, I would have probably abandoned +my task. May he be fully rewarded! + +There are a host of others whose good offices will always be kindly +remembered. Among them are W. R. ALLISON of the "_Steubenville +Herald_," Dr. JOHN McCOOK, also of Steubenville, Dr. GEORGE McCOOK of +Pittsburgh, Rev. WILLIAM B. WATKINS, A. M., Dr. JOHN MILLS, and many +others. Thanks to them all! + +WILLIAM PITTENGER. + +_Army of the Cumberland, August, 1863._ + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +CHAPTER I. + +Sad Retrospective--Object of the Book--Military Situation +in the Southwest--Disaster and Energy of the Rebels--Necessity +for a Secret Expedition--A Proposition to +Buell and Mitchel--An Attempt and Failure--Return of +Adventurers--Second Expedition--Writer Volunteers--Andrews, +the Leader--Parting from the Regiment--On +the Way--Perplexities--The Writer _Cur-tailed_! 23-35 + + +CHAPTER II. + +Midnight Consultation--Plans Developed--Money Distributed--_Compagnons +du Voyage_--A Dismal Night--Sheltered +from the Storm--Southern Unionist--Arrested by +Federal Soldiers--Beyond the Lines--Panic Caused by +Negroes--Method of Avoiding Suspicion--Continuous +Rain--Behind Time--Hunting Human Beings with +Bloodhounds--The Cumberland Mountains--Rain again. 36-45 + + +CHAPTER III. + +Crossing the Mountains--Playing Hypocrite--Legend of +Battle Creek Valley--Lodged with a Secessionist--Strategy--A +Welcome but Fatal Delay--Exaggerated +Accounts of Shiloh--Prevented from Crossing the Tennessee--In +the Mountains again--Amusing Rebel Story--To +the River again--Perilous Crossing--Success--Chattanooga--On +the Cars--Night--Arrive at Marietta. 46-56 + + +CHAPTER IV. + +Take an Early Train--Prospecting--Capture of the Train--Panic +in Confederate Camp--Away at Lightning +Speed--Thrilling Experience--Cut the Telegraph--Tear +up the Track--Unexpected Obstacle--Running a Powder +Train to Beauregard--Red Flag--Dropping Cross-Ties--Battering +out Spikes--Immense Exertion of Strength--Pursuing +Backward--Terrible Chase--Attempt to Wreck +the Enemy's Train--Fearful Speed--Bold Plan. 57-67 + + +CHAPTER V. + +Consternation along the Route--Wood and Water--Attempt +to Fire the Train--Partial Failure--Message sent +to Chattanooga--Terrific Preparations--Abandon the +Train--A Capital Error--In the Woods--A Thrilling +Account of the Chase from the Atlanta "_Southern Confederacy_." + 68-90 + +CHAPTER VI. + +Stupendous "Man Hunt"--My Own Adventures--Playing +Acrobat--Perilous Crossing of a River--Hunger--The +Bloodhounds--Flying for Life--No Sun or Star to Guide +me--Traveling in a Circle--Nearing Chattanooga--Lost +in Deadened Timber--Glimpse of the Moon--Fatigue +produces Phantoms--Dreadful Storm--I Sleep and enter +Fairy Land--Glorious Visions--Reality--A Picket--Romance +Faded--Horrible Situation--Day Dawn--No Relief. 91-105 + + +CHAPTER VII. + +Sabbath--Continuous Rain--Press Onward--Observed--Arrested--Curious +Examination--Equivocating for Life--Plans +Foiled by Unexpected News--Plundered--Jail--Terrible +Reflections--New and Hopeful Resolve--Unwelcome +Visitors--Vigilance Committee Disappointed--Ordered +to Chattanooga--A Mob--Chained to the +Carriage--Escort--The Journey--Musings--Arrival--Another +Mob--Benevolent Gentleman(?)--General +Leadbetter--Andrews. 106-126 + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +Negro Prison--Swims, the Jailor--Horrible Dungeon--Black +Hole of Calcutta--Suffocation--Union Prisoners--Slave +Catching--Our Party Reunited--Breakfast Lowered +by Rope--Hunger--Counseling--Fiendish Barbarity--Chained +in the Dungeon--Andrews tried as a Spy +and Traitor--Sweet, but Stolen News--Removed from +Dungeon--Pure Air and Sunlight--Attacked by a Mob--"A +Friend"--Madison--Daring Adventure and Narrow +Escape. 127-147 + + +CHAPTER IX. + +Return to Chattanooga--Caution of Rebels--Unchain Ourselves--Mock +Trials--The Judge--Singing--One Kindness--Projected +Escape--Loitering Comrades--A Gleam +of Hope--Sad Parting--Knoxville--Prison Inmates--Brownlow--Awful +Cruelty--Andrews Condemned to +Death--Escapes with Wollam--Fearful Perils--Swimming +the River--Hiding on an Island--Found by Children--Yields +to His Fate--Horrible Death--Wollam's +Stratagem--On the River--Passes a Gun Boat--Final +Capture. 148-170 + + +CHAPTER X. + +Sorrow for Andrews--Prepare for Trial--Charges and +Specifications--Plan of Defence--Incidents of Trial--Encouragement--Not +Allowed to Hear Pleading--Lawyer's +Plea--Seven Tried--Mitchel Dissolves the Court--Tied +Again--A Saucy Reply--Advantage of Sickness--Fry +Deceived--Revolting Inhumanity--Fry's Capture--Starve +to Atlanta--Taunts of the Mob--Atlanta Prison--A +Kind Jailor. 171-183 + + +CHAPTER XI. + +Cavalry Approach--Seven Removed from the Room--Suspense--Sentence +of Death--Heart-rending Separation--Death +and the Future--Not Prepared--Inhuman Haste--The +Tragedy--Speech on the Scaffold--Breaking Ropes--Enemies +Affected--Gloom of Survivors--Prayer. 184-192 + + +CHAPTER XII. + +Religious Experience--Contraband Assistance--Intelligence +of Negroes--Love of Freedom--Wollam's Recapture--A +Friendly Preacher--Obtain Books--Disgusting +Diet--Plays--Debates--Reading Hours--Envy the Birds--Dreams +of Home--Telegraphing--Friends from our +Army--Hope Deferred--Union Society--Difficulties of +Tobacco-chewers--Precious Books. 193-207 + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +Contemplated Escape--Startling Intelligence--Our Doom +Pronounced from Richmond--Hesitate no Longer--Our +Plan--All Ready--Supper--Farewell--Life or Death--Seize +the Jailor--Guns Wrested from Guards--Alarm +Given--Scaling the Wall--Guards Fire--Terrible Chase--Six +Recaptured--Wood and Wilson Reach the Gulf--Dorsey's +Narrative--Porter's Account--Boasting of the +Guards--Barlow's Cruel Death. 208-223 + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +Despair and Hope--Bitten Finger--Removed to Barracks--Greater +Comfort--Jack Wells--Cruel Punishment of +Tennesseeans--Story of a Spy--Help Him to Escape--Virtue +of a Coat--A Practical Joke--Unionism--Sweet +Potatoes--Enlisting in Rebel Army--Description of a +Day--Happy News--Start for Richmond--Not Tied--Night +Journey--Varied Incidents--Lynchburg--Rebel +Audacity Punished--Suffering from the Cold--Arrival +in Richmond. 224-246 + + +CHAPTER XV. + +The City by Moonlight--Old Accusation Renewed--Libby +Prison--Discomfort--A Change--Citizens' Department--Richmond +Breakfast--Removed under Guard--Castle +Thunder--Miniature Bedlam--Conceal a Knife--Confined +in a Stall--Dreadful Gloom--Routine of a Day--Suffering +at Night--Friends Exchanged--Newspapers--Burnside--Pecuniary +Perplexities--Captain Webster--Escape +Prevented--Try Again on Christmas Night--Betrayed--Fearful +Danger Avoided. 247-266 + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +Letter sent Home--Alarming Pestilence--Our Quarters +Changed--Rowdyism--Fairy Stories--Judge Baxter--Satanic +Strategy--Miller's History--An Exchange with a +Dead Man--Effect of Democratic Victories--Attempt to +Make us Work--Digging out of a Cell--Worse than the +Inquisition--Unexpected Interference--List from "Yankee +Land"--Clothing Stolen--Paroled--A Night of Joy--Torch-light +March--On the Cars--The Boat--Reach +Washington--Receive Medals, Money, and Promotion--Home. 267-288 + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +While our absent brothers are battling on the field, it is becoming +that the friends at home should be eager for the minutest particulars +of the camp-life, courage and endurance of the dear boys far away; for +to the loyal lover of his country every soldier is a brother. + +The narrative related on the following pages is one of extraordinary +"daring and suffering," and will excite an interest in the public mind +such as has rarely, if ever, arisen from any personal adventures +recorded on the page of history. + +WILLIAM PITTENGER, the oldest of a numerous family, was born in +Jefferson county, Ohio, January 31st, 1840. His father, THOMAS +PITTENGER, is a farmer, and trains his children in the solid +experiences of manual labor. His mother is from a thinking familyhood +of people, many of whom are well known in Eastern Ohio as pioneers in +social and moral progress--the MILLS'S. WILLIAM learned to love his +country about as early as he learned to love his own mother; for his +first lessons were loyalty and liberty, syllabled by a mother's lips. +Even before the boy could read, he knew in outline the history of our +nation's trials and triumphs, from the days of Bunker Hill, forward to +the passing events of the latest newspaper chronicling,--all of which +facts were nightly canvassed around the cabin-hearth. + +Although he was an adept in all branches of learning, yet, in school +days, as now, young PITTENGER had two favorite studies; and they +happened to be the very ones in the prosecution of which his teachers +could aid him scarcely at all--History and Astronomy. But, in the face +of discouragement, with the aid only of accidental helps, and by the +candle-light and the star-light after the sunny hours had been toiled +away, he pressed patiently and perseveringly forward in his own chosen +methods, until he became an accurate historian, and a practical +astronomer. At the age of seventeen, he manufactured, for the most +part with his own hands, a reflecting telescope, which his friends +came from near and far to see, and gaze through, at the wonderful +worlds unthought-of before. + +The ambitions of farm-life were not sufficient to occupy the head and +hands of this searcher for knowledge. To explore the fields of the +firmament with his telescope, gave him intenser pleasure than the most +faithful farmer ever realized from furrowing his fields in the dewiest +spring mornings. To follow the footsteps of heroes through the world's +annals, as they struggled up through conflicts to glorious liberty, +thrilled him with a livelier enthusiasm than ever sprang from the +music of marching harvesters. While other young men of his age and +neighborhood idled their rainy days and winter nights in trifling +diversions, there was one who preferred the higher joy of communion +with Humboldt in his "Cosmos," Macaulay in his "England," Irving in +his "Columbus," or Burritt in his "Geography of the Heavens." + +Owing to this decided preference for science and literature, the +father found it advisable to indulge his son in the desire to enter a +field more consonant with his wishes. He accordingly qualified +himself, by close study at home, and without a tutor, for the +profession of teaching. In this honorable avocation he labored with +industry and promise, until he felt constrained by love of country to +quit the desk and the children, for the tent and the hosts of armed +men. + +During his career as teacher, he was, for awhile, associated with the +writer in the publication of the _School Visitor_, then issued at +Cleveland, Ohio. The enterprise was, at that time, (1857-8,) to the +great outer world, an unnoticed and insignificant one; yet to those +whose little all was enlisted in the mission of a Day School paper, it +was, indeed, something that lay close upon their hearts. That was a +cheerless, friendless time in the history of the little _Visitor_, to +at least two inexperienced adventurers in the literary world. But +these were hidden trials, and shall be unwritten still. + +The never-forgotten teachings of his mother, together with the +unconscious tuition resulting from observation and experience, made +PITTENGER an early and constant friend of freedom. Any mind imbued +with an admiration of God's marches in the Heavens as an Omnipotent +Creator, and inspired by a contemplation of God's finger in History as +a merciful Deliverer, will rise to the high level of universal love to +man, and will comprehend the broad equality of Gospel liberty and +republican brotherhood. Let a man be educated, head and heart, and he +will love freedom, and demand freedom, and "dare and suffer" for +freedom, not for himself only, but for all the oppressed of the whole +earth. + +Reader, you may draw lines. You may profess a conservative +Christianity that would theologize the very grace out of the command, +"_Love thy neighbor as thyself._" You may ignore this Christ-like +precept, and adopt something more fashionable and aristocratic; but if +you do, you entertain in your heart treason, both to your Father in +heaven and to your brother on earth. This law of love is revealed to +lowly men. It cuts down through crowns and creeds and chains, and +rests as a blessed benediction on sufferers and slaves. This is the +inspiration that brings victory to our arms, and deals death to +destroyers. This was the spirit that prompted our young hero to stand +forth, one of the very first from his native county, a soldier for +right and righteousness, the moment the Sumter cry rang up the valley +of his Ohio home. + +When PITTINGER became a volunteer, it was for the suppression of the +Rebellion with all its belongings,--and if its overthrow should tumble +slavery, with its clanking fetters and howling hounds, to the +uttermost destruction, he would grasp his gun the firmer for the +hope, and thank God for the prospect, the test, and the toil! He +enlisted as a soldier for his country, ready to march anywhere, strike +with any weapon, endure any fatigue, or share any sorrow. He went out +not merely an armored warrior, to ward off attacks, not to strike off +obnoxious top-growths; but to "lay the ax at the root of the tree," +and to pierce the very heart of the monster iniquity. + +In three days after the receipt of the startling intelligence that the +Stars and Stripes had been fired upon by rebels in arms, PITTENGER was +on his way to the Capital as a private soldier in the Second Ohio +Regiment of volunteers. He fought bravely on the disastrous 21st of +July, in the battle of Bull Run, while many of his comrades fell +bleeding at his side. For his calm, heroic conduct throughout that +memorable day of peril and panic, he received the highest praise from +every officer of his regiment. Although thus a sharer of war's +sternest conflicts during the three months' campaign, he was ready to +re-enlist immediately, when his country called for a longer service; +and after a few days' rest beneath the old homestead roof, he was +again on his way with the same regiment to the seat of war in the +Southwest. + +During the fall and winter he saw severe service on the "dark and +bloody ground." No soldiers ever endured so many midnight marches more +patiently, or manifested more self-sacrificing devotion to country, +through rains and storms, and wintry desolations, than the noble Ohio +Second, under the command of Colonel HARRIS, through the campaign in +the mountains of eastern Kentucky. + +In December, the regiment was transferred to the Division commanded by +the lamented General MITCHEL, then encamped at Louisville. From this +point, the army pressed forward victoriously through Elizabethtown, +Bowling Green, Nashville, and Murfreesboro', until the old banner +floated in the Tennessee breezes at Shelbyville. While here, the +daring expedition to penetrate the heart of the Confederacy was +organized, of which party PITTENGER was one of the most enthusiastic +and determined. + +From the day the brave fellows departed over the Southern hills on +their adventurous journey, a veil was dropped which hid them from +sight of friends for many weary months--and some of them for ever! No +tidings came in answer to all the beseeching thought-questionings +that followed their mysterious pathway "beyond the lines." + +Vague rumors were current around the camp-fires and home-circles that +the whole party had been executed. Friends began to despair. Strangers +began to inquire as if for missing friends. A universal sympathy +prevailed in their behalf, and whole communities were excited to the +wildest fervor on account of the lost adventurers. The widely-read +letters from the Steubenville _Herald's_ army correspondent were +missed, for PITTENGER wrote no more. The family were in an agony of +suspense for the silent, absent son and brother. His ever faithful +friend, Chaplain GADDIS, of the Ohio Second, made an effort to go, +under a flag of truce, in search of the party, but was dissuaded by +the commanding officers from so hopeless an undertaking. The summer +passed, and yet no tidings came. The autumn came with its +melancholy,--and uncertain rumors, like withered, fallen leaves, were +again afloat about the camps and the firesides. The dreary winter +came, and still the hearts of the most hopeful were chilled with +disappointment. The father began to think of William as dead,--the +mother to talk of her darling as one who had lived,--the children to +speak of their elder brother as one they should never see any more +until all the lost loved ones meet in the better land. The writer was +even solicited by a mutual friend to preach the funeral sermon of one +whose memory was still dear, but whom none of us ever hoped to see +again on earth. + +But our Father in heaven was kinder than we thought. Our prayers had +been heard! As our fervent petitions winged up from family altars to +the ear of the Infinite Lover, the guardian angels winged afar +downward through battle alarms, and ministered to him for whom we +besought protection. When the bright spring days came smiling over the +earth, a message came from the hand of the missing one, brighter and +sunnier to our hearts than the April sunlight on the hills! Soon the +story was told, and we all thanked God for the merciful deliverance of +him for whom we prayed, and who had found, even in a dismal +prison-cell, the Pearl of great price! The one we loved returned home +a witness of the Spirit that came to him as a Comforter in his +dreariest loneliness, and is already a minister of the precious Gospel +that gladdened him in the time of his tribulation. + +And now the reader shall know all about the tedious delay and the +long silence, from the pen of him who survives to tell the story. + +We commend to all who peruse this narrative an interesting volume, +entitled "_Beyond the Lines_," another sad rehearsal of terror in +rebel prisons and Southern swamps, in other portions of the +Confederacy--the experience of Rev. Capt. J. J. GEER, now one of +Lieutenant PITTENGER'S associate-advocates for liberty in the pulpit, +as he was recently a brother-bondman in the land of tyranny and death. +A. C. + +PHILADELPHIA, September 15, 1863. + + + + +DARING AND SUFFERING. + + +CHAPTER I. + +Sad Retrospective--Object of the Book--Military Situation in the +Southwest--Disaster and Energy of the Rebels--Necessity for a Secret +Expedition--A Proposition to Buell and Mitchel--An Attempt and +Failure--Return of Adventurers--Second Expedition--Writer +Volunteers--Andrews, the Leader--Parting from the Regiment--On the +Way--Perplexities--The Writer _Cur-tailed_! + + +It is painful for me to write the adventures of the last year. As I +compose my mind to the task, there arises before me the memory of days +of suffering, and nights of sleepless apprehension--days and nights +that, in their black monotony, seemed well nigh eternal. And the +sorrow, too, which I felt on that terrible day, when my companions, +whom common dangers and common sufferings had made as brothers to me, +were dragged away to an ignominious death that I expected soon to +share--all comes before me in the vividness of present reality, and I +almost shrink back and lay down the pen. But I believe it to be a +duty to give to the public the details of the great railroad +adventure, which created such an excitement in the South, and which +Judge Holt pronounced to be the most romantic episode of the war, both +on account of the intrinsic interest involved, and still more because +of the light it throws on the manners and feelings of the Southern +people, and their conduct during the rebellion. + +With this view, I have decided to give a detailed history of the +expedition, its failure, and the subsequent imprisonment and fate of +all of the members of the party. In doing this, I will have the aid of +the survivors of the expedition--fourteen in all--and hope to give a +narrative that will combine the strictest truth with all the interest +of a romance. + +In order to understand why the destruction of the Georgia State +Railroad was of so much consequence, I will refer to the situation of +affairs in the Southwest, in the opening of the spring of 1862. + +The year commenced very auspiciously for our arms. Fort Donelson had +fallen, after a desperate contest, and nearly all its garrison were +taken prisoners. The scattered remains of the rebel army, under +Johnston, had retreated precipitately from Kentucky, which had indeed +been to them "the dark and bloody ground." Columbus and Nashville were +evacuated, and fell into our hands. Island No. 10 was invested, and +the Tennessee river groaned beneath a mighty army afloat, the same +that had conquered Donelson, under its popular leader, General Grant, +and which, it was fondly hoped, would strike far away into the center +of the rebel States. Throughout the North, men talked of the war as +done, and speculated as to the terms of a peace that was soon to come. + +But the end was not yet. The rebel leaders, who had embarked their all +in this cause, and had pictured to themselves a magnificent +slaveholding empire, stretching away from the Potomac to the Sierra +Madre, in Mexico, and swallowing up all tropical America in one mighty +nation, devoted to the interests of cotton and slavery alone, over +which they should reign, were not yet satisfied to relinquish their +cause as desperate, and abandon their glorious dreams. With a +wonderful energy that must command our admiration, though it be only +of the kind that is accorded to Satan as pictured in "Paradise Lost," +they passed the conscription law, abandoned the posts they still held +on the frontier, and concentrated their forces on a shorter line of +defence. + +The eastern part of this line extended from Richmond, through +Lynchburg, to East Tennessee. In the west, it was represented by the +Memphis and Charleston Railroad, extending from Memphis, through +Corinth, Huntsville, Chattanooga, and Atlanta, to Charleston. Here +they poured forward their new levies, and began to prepare for another +desperate contest. + +The unaccountable inertness of the Eastern army of the Union, under +McClellan, gave them time to strengthen their defences, and reinforce +their army, which had dwindled to a very low ebb during the winter. +But while the commander of the East was planning strategy that, by the +slowness of its development, if by nothing _worse_, was destined to +dim the lustre of the Union triumphs, and lose the results of a year +of war, the West was in motion. Down the Mississippi swept our +invincible fleet, with an army on shore to second its operations. Up +the Tennessee steamed Grant's victorious army, and Buell, with forty +thousand men, was marching across the State of Tennessee, to reach the +same point. My own division, under the lamented General O. M. Mitchel, +was also marching across the State, but in a different direction, +having Chattanooga as its ultimate aim, while Morgan, with another +strong force, many of whom were refugees from East Tennessee, lay +before Cumberland Gap, ready to strike through that fastness to +Knoxville, and thus reach the very heart of rebellion. + +To meet these powerful forces, whose destination he could not +altogether foresee, Beauregard, who commanded in the west, +concentrated his main army at Corinth, with smaller detachments +scattered along the railroad to Chattanooga. The railroads on which he +relied for supplies and reinforcements, as well as for communication +with the eastern portion of rebeldom, formed an irregular +parallelogram, of which the northern side extended from Memphis to +Chattanooga, the eastern from Chattanooga to Atlanta, the southern +from Atlanta to Jackson, Mississippi, and the western, by a network of +roads, from Jackson to Memphis. The great East Tennessee and Virginia +Railroad, which has not inaptly been called "the backbone of the +rebellion," intersected this parallelogram at Chattanooga. Thus it +will be seen that to destroy the northern and eastern sides of this +parallelogram isolated Beauregard, and left East Tennessee, which was +then almost stripped of troops, to fall easily before General Morgan. + +So important was this destruction of communication deemed by those in +power, that it was at first intended to reach both sides, and destroy +them by armies; but the distance was so great that the design of +destroying it in this manner was abandoned. + +However, just at this time, J. J. Andrews, who was a secret agent of +the United States, and had repeatedly visited every part of the South, +proposed another method of accomplishing the same object, by means of +a _secret_ military expedition, to burn the bridges on the road, and +thus interrupt communication long enough for the accomplishment of the +schemes which were expected to give rebellion in the southwest its +death-blow. He first made the proposition to General Buell, who did +not, for some reason, approve of it. Afterwards he repeated it to +General Mitchel, who received it with more favor. + +Our division was at this time lying at Murfreesboro', repairing some +bridges that had been destroyed, preparatory to an onward march +further into the interior. All at once, eight men were detailed from +our regiment--four of them from my own company. No one knew anything +of their object or destination, and numberless were the conjectures +that were afloat concerning them. Some supposed they had gone home to +arrest deserters; others, that they were deserters themselves. But +this last idea was contradicted by the fact that they were seen in +close and apparently confidential communication with the officers just +before their departure, as well as by the character of the men +themselves, who were among the boldest and bravest of the regiment. +Many supposed that they were sent into the enemy's country as spies; +but the idea of sending such a number of spies from the privates in +the ranks was so obviously absurd, that I did not seriously consider +it. However, I was not long to remain in uncertainty, for an officer, +who was an intimate friend of mine, revealed the secret to me. The +enterprise was so grand and so audacious, that it instantly charmed my +imagination, and I at once went to Colonel L. A. Harris, of the Second +Ohio, and asked, as a favor from him, that if any detail was made for +another expedition of the same kind, I should be placed on it. + +Soon after, one of the party, from Company C, returned, and reported +that he had ventured as far as Chattanooga, and there had met a +Confederate soldier who recognized him as belonging to the Union army; +and while, for the sake of old friendship, he hesitated to denounce +him to the authorities, yet advised him to return, which he +immediately did, and arrived safely in camp in a few days. He would +give no details that might embarrass his companions, who were still +pressing their way onward into the Confederacy. + +A short time after this, all the party came back, and I received full +details of their trip to the center of rebeldom. They had proceeded in +citizens' dress, on foot and unsuspected, to Chattanooga; there had +taken the cars for Atlanta, where they arrived in safety. Here they +expected to meet a Georgia engineer, who had been running on the State +road for some time, and, with his assistance, intended to seize the +passenger train, at breakfast, and run through to our lines, burning +all the bridges in their rear. For several days they waited for him, +but he came not. They afterwards learned that he had been pressed to +run troops to Beauregard, who was then concentrating every available +man at Corinth, in anticipation of the great battle which afterwards +took place. Thus foiled, and having no man among them capable of +running an engine, they abandoned the enterprise for that time, and +quietly stole back to our lines. Had an engineer then been along, they +would, in all probability, have been successful, as the obstacles +which afterward defeated us did not then exist. + +Our camp had been moved onward from Murfreesboro' to Shelbyville, +which is a beautiful little city, situated on Duck river. We camped +above the town, in a delightful meadow. + +It was Sabbath, the 6th of April, and the earliness of the clime made +the birds sing, and the fields bloom with more than the brilliancy of +May in our own northern land. Deeply is the quiet of that Sabbath, +with the green beauty of the warm spring landscape, pictured on my +mind! An impression, I know not what, made me devote the day to +writing letters to my friends. It was well I did so, for long and +weary months passed ere I was permitted to write to them again. + +But while the day was passing in such sweet repose with us, it was far +different in another army; that was the day on which Grant was +surprised by Beauregard, and only saved from destruction by the +assistance of the gunboats. This, however, we did not learn for +several days after. + +On Monday, Andrews returned to our camp. He had spent some time along +the line of the Georgia State road, and on his return reported to +General Mitchel that the scheme was still feasible, and would be of +more advantage than ever. He, however, asked for a larger detail of +men, and twenty-four were given from the three Ohio regiments then in +Sill's Brigade. One man was detailed from a company, though all the +companies were not represented, and I believe in two[1] instances, two +men were detailed from one company--they were probably intimate +friends, who wished to go together. + +[1] One of these I noticed only very lately. + +During the day, I saw Andrews in the camp. I had seen him frequently +before, away up in the mountains of eastern Kentucky, but did not then +observe him particularly. Now I paid more attention. He was nearly six +feet in hight, of powerful frame, black hair, and long, black, silken +beard, Roman features, a high and expansive forehead, and a voice fine +and soft as a woman's. He gave me the impression of a man who combined +intellect and refinement with the most cool and dauntless courage. Yet +his manner and speech, which was slow and pensive, indicated what I +afterwards found to be almost his only fault--a slowness to decide on +the spur of the moment, and back his decision by prompt, vigorous +action. This did not detract from his value as a secret agent, when +alone, for then all his actions were premeditated, and carried out +with surpassing coolness and bravery; but it did unfit him for the +command of men, in startling emergencies, where instant action +afforded the only chance of safety. This trait of character will be +more fully developed in the course of my story. I conversed with him +on the object of the expedition, not, of course, expecting a full +detail, but receiving a general idea. I put particular stress on his +promise, that whatever happened, he would keep us all together, and, +if necessary, we would cut our way through in a body. This was +because, being near-sighted, and, therefore, a bad hand to travel in a +strange country, with no guide, I had a particular horror of being +left alone. + +I returned to my company, and procured a suit of citizen's clothes +from our boys who had been out before. All the members of the company, +seeing me so arrayed, came around to try to dissuade me from the +enterprise, which to them appeared full of unknown perils. It was +gratifying to be the object of so much solicitude, but having decided +to go, I could not yield. + +My captain, J. F. Sarratt, of Company G, Second Ohio, as brave and +true-hearted a soldier as ever lived, earnestly entreated me not to +go; but finding my determination was fixed, he bade me an affectionate +farewell. Seldom have I parted with more emotion from any one than +these war-worn veterans. + +It was about four o'clock in the afternoon when we left camp, and +started for the place of rendezvous at Shelbyville. The sun was +shining brightly, and the bracing evening air sent the blood coursing +cheerily through our veins, and inspired us with the brightest hopes +of the future. Soon we reached Shelbyville, and lingered there for an +hour or two, when Ross and I, acting under the previous direction of +Andrews, started out of town. Our orders were for us all to proceed +along the road in small squads, for two or three miles, and then halt +and wait for him. + +We walked quietly along, until about dark, when, seeing none of the +others, we began to grow uneasy, fearing we had gone on the wrong +road. We met several persons, but they could give no account of any +one before; then we saw a house just by the road, and crossing the +fence, went up to it to get a drink of water. Before we reached the +door, a dog came up behind my companion and bit him--then ran away +before punishment could be inflicted. + +The bite was not severe, and I good-humoredly laughed at his mishap; +but before we again reached the fence, the same dog came once more. +Ross saw him, and sprang over the fence; but I had only time to reach +the top of it, where I sat in fancied security. But the merciless +whelp, in his ire, sprang at me, seized my coat, and tore a large +piece out of it! That coat, thus _cur_-tailed, I wore all through +Dixie. I mention this incident, because it was what some would call a +bad omen. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +Midnight Consultation--Plans Developed--Money Distributed--_Compagnons +du Voyage_--A Dismal Night--Sheltered from the Storm--Southern +Unionist--Arrested by Federal Soldiers--Beyond the Lines--Panic Caused +by Negroes--Method of Avoiding Suspicion--Continuous Rain--Behind +Time--Hunting Human Beings with Bloodhounds--The Cumberland +Mountains--Rain again. + + +We now proceeded on our way--not rejoicing, for our situation grew +every moment more perplexing. Darkness was falling rapidly, and not +one of our comrades was visible. We were almost certain we had taken +the wrong road. Finally, we resolved to retrace our steps, and +endeavor to obtain some clue to our journey, or if we could not, to +return to camp; for, without instruction, we knew not how or where to +go. We therefore retraced our steps till in sight of Shelbyville, and +then, sure that none could pass without our knowledge, we waited +nearly an hour longer. + +Our patience was rewarded. A few, whom we recognized as belonging to +our party, came along the road; we fell in with them, and were soon +overtaken by others, among whom was Andrews. Now all was right. Soon +we were as far from Shelbyville as Ross and I had been when alone, and +a few hundred yards further on we found the remainder of our comrades. + +In a little thicket of dead and withered trees, sufficiently open to +assure us that no listening ear was near, we halted, and Andrews +revealed to us his plans. There were twenty-three gathered around him; +twenty-four had been detailed, but from some cause, one had failed to +report. In low tones, amid the darkness, he gave us the details of the +romantic expedition. + +We were to break up in small squads of three or four, and travel as +far south as Chattanooga. If questioned, we were to answer so as to +avoid exciting suspicion, and tell any plausible tale that might +answer our purpose. + +We were to travel rapidly, and, if possible, reach Chattanooga on +Thursday evening at five o'clock. This was Monday, and the distance +was one hundred and three miles, a heavy travel on foot; but then we +were allowed to hire conveyances, if we could. + +Andrews then gave us some Confederate money to bear our expenses, and +we parted. There were three others with me; P. G. Shadrack, of Company +K, Second Ohio, a merry, reckless fellow, but at heart noble and +generous; William Campbell, a citizen of Kentucky, who had received +permission to come with us, in a soldier's place. He was a man of two +hundred and twenty pounds weight, handsome as Apollo, and of immense +physical strength, which he was not slow to use when roused, though +good-natured and clever in the main. + +The third was the most remarkable man of the whole party. He was not +educated highly, though he had read a great deal; but in natural +shrewdness, I rarely, if ever, saw his equal. He had traveled +extensively over the United States, had observed everything, and +remembered all he observed. Had he lived, the composition of this book +would have been in abler hands than mine. In addition to this, he +excelled, perhaps, even Parson Brownlow, in the fiery and scorching +denunciation he could hurl on the head of an opponent. In action he +was brave and cool; no danger could frighten him, no emergency find +him unprepared. These were my companions. + +The rain had begun to fall slightly as we walked out the railroad, on +our route, and soon it increased to torrents. The night was pitchy +dark, and we stumbled along, falling into gutters here, and nearly +sticking in the mud there, until midnight, when we resolved to seek +shelter from the storm. + +For a long time we could find no indication of a house, until, at +last, the barking of a dog gave us a clue. After some dispute as to +which side of the road it was on, we struck off over a field. Our only +guide were the random flashes of lightning that gave us a momentary +view of the country around. The better to prosecute our search, we +formed a line within hearing distance of each other, and thus swept +around in all directions. At last we found a barn, but were so wet and +chilly that we resolved to hunt on, in the hope of finding a fire and +a bed. + +After a still more tedious search, we found the goal of our wishes. It +was a rude, double log-house. Here we roused up the inmates, and +demanded a shelter for the night. The man of the house was evidently +alarmed, but let us in, and then commenced questioning us as to who we +were. + +We told him we were Kentuckians who were disgusted with the tyranny of +the Lincoln Government, and were seeking an asylum in the free and +independent South. + +"Oh," said he, "you come on a bootless errand, and had better go back +home, for I have no doubt the whole of the South will soon be as much +under Lincoln as Kentucky is." + +"Never!" we answered, "we will fight till we die first!" + +At this the old man chuckled quietly, and only said, "Well, we'll see; +we'll see," which closed the discussion. + +We were truly glad to find a Union man under such circumstances, but +did not dare to reveal our true character to him, and he probably +believes to this day that he harbored some chivalric Southerners. +However, he provided us with a good supper and a comfortable bed, +promising, also, not to inform the Federal pickets on us. The next +morning, the sky for a time was clear, but it soon became overcast, +and we were again compelled to suffer the inevitable drenching that +befel us every day of this dreary journey. + +We reached Wartrace in the midst of a pelting storm. At first we +intended to go around the town, as it was the last station on our +picket line. It was raining so hard that we thought we would not be +interrupted in passing through it, but our guards were too vigilant +for us. They stopped us, and after being for some time detained, and +trying to play off the innocent Southern citizen, as hundreds do, we +were obliged to reveal our true character to the commanding officer +of the post, which, of course, secured our release. + +Then again, we traveled onward for a time, wading the swollen creeks, +and plodding through the mud as fast as we could. We were now outside +of our lines, with nothing to trust to but the tender mercies of the +rebels. Soon after, we found what a slender ground of trust that was, +but _now_ we were safe in the completeness of our disguise. + +We met many others of our party, and trudged along--sometimes in +company with them, but oftener alone. Toward evening, we reached +Manchester, crossed Duck river, which was at flood hight, and entered +the town. + +Here we found the population in a wild ferment, and on inquiring the +cause, learned that some of the citizens had reported an approaching +band of Yankee cavalry, and that they were even now visible from the +public square. We repaired thither with all speed to witness the novel +spectacle of the entrance of National troops into a hostile town, from +a Southern point of view. Mingled were the emotions expressed; fear +was most prominent, but I thought I could detect on some countenances +a half-concealed smile of exultation. Soon the terrible band loomed +up over the hill which bounded the view, when lo! the dreaded enemies +were seen to be only a party of negroes, who had been working in the +coal mines in the mountains somewhere. Some of Mitchel's men had +destroyed the works, and the contrabands were brought here for safe +keeping. The feelings of the chivalry may be better imagined than +described, as they dispersed with curses on the whole African race! + +We here obtained from some of the citizens the names of the most +prominent secessionists along the route we were to travel, who would +be most likely to help us on to that blissful land where we might +enjoy our rights in peace (?) undisturbed by even dreams of +Abolitionists. These names were a great advantage to us, because +always having some one to inquire for, and being recommended from one +influential man to another, it was taken for granted that we were +trustworthy characters, and few questions asked. That night we were +within a few miles of Hillsboro', but so much were we delayed by the +rain, that we began to fear we could not reach our destination in +time. My feet, too, were sore from the gravel and dirt that filled my +shoes in crossing the creeks, and wading through the mud, and already +we were weary and stiff from traveling in the wet. But we resolved to +press on, and, if necessary, to travel in the night, too, rather than +miss our appointment. + +Where we stayed that night, I first heard from the lips of a +slave-owner himself of hunting negroes with bloodhounds. Our host said +he had seen some one dodging around the back of his plantation, by the +edge of the woods, just as it was getting dark, and in the morning he +would take his bloodhounds, and go to hunt him up, and if it proved to +be a negro, he would get the reward. He said he had caught great +numbers of them, and seemed to regard it as a highly profitable +business. + +We, of course, had to agree with him; but I well remember that the +idea of hunting human beings with bloodhounds, for money, sent a +thrill of horror and detestation through my veins. Not long after, we +found that bloodhounds were not for negroes alone. + +The next morning, we continued our journey, and after walking three +miles, found a man who agreed, for an exorbitant price, and for the +good of the Confederacy, to give us conveyance in a wagon for a few +miles. This was a great help to us, and as we trotted briskly along, +we soon came in sight of the Cumberland Mountains. + +Never did I behold more beautiful scenery. The rain had for a short +time ceased to fall, and the air was clear. The mountains shone in the +freshest green, and around their tops, just high enough to veil their +loftiest summits, clung a soft, shadowy mist, gradually descending +lower, shrouding one after another of the spurs and high mountain +valleys from view. But the beautiful scene did not long continue. Soon +the mist deepened into cloud, and again the interminable rain began to +fall. To add to our discomforts, our wagon would go no further, and +once more we trudged along afoot. + +At noon we stopped for dinner at a house belonging to one of the +"sand-hillers." This is the general name applied to the poor class of +whites at the South. They have no property of their own, and live in +small hovels, on the worst portions of the lands of the rich. Here +they lead an ignorant, lazy life, devoting most of their time to +hunting and fishing; only raising a little patch of corn to furnish +their bread. They are almost as completely owned by their landlords as +the slaves, and are compelled to vote as their masters choose. In the +social scale they are no higher than any slave, nor do they deserve to +be, for their intelligence is less. The term "sand-hiller," or +"clay-eater," is a terrible one of reproach, and is applied +unsparingly by the aristocrats. Of course, our entertainment here was +composed of rather rude fare, but we ate the half-ground and +half-baked corn bread, with the strong pork, and went on our way +rejoicing. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +Crossing the Mountains--Playing Hypocrite--Legend of Battle-Creek +Valley--Lodged with a Secessionist--Strategy--A Welcome but Fatal +Delay--Exaggerated Accounts of Shiloh--Prevented from Crossing the +Tennessee--In the Mountains Again--Amusing Rebel Story--To the River +Again--Perilous Crossing--Success--Chattanooga--On the Cars--Night--Arrive +at Marietta. + + +We were near the foot of the Cumberland Mountains, and addressed +ourselves to the task of crossing them. Just as we were mounting the +first spur, we fell in with a Confederate soldier, who was at home on +a furlough. He had been in a number of battles, and among others the +first Manassas, which he described very minutely to me. Little did he +think that I, too, had been there, as we laughed together at the wild +panic of the Yankees. He was greatly delighted to see so many +Kentuckians coming out on the right side, and contrasted our noble +conduct with that of some persons of his own neighborhood, who still +sympathized with the Abolitionists. + +When we parted, he grasped my hand with tears in his eyes, and said he +hoped "the time would soon come when we would be comrades, fighting +side by side in one glorious cause." My heart revolted from the +hypocrisy I was compelled to use; but having commenced, there was no +possibility of turning back. + +On we clambered up the mountain till the top was reached; then across +the summit, which was a tolerably level road for six miles; then down +again, over steep rocks, yawning chasms, and great gullies; a road +that none but East Tennesseeans or soldier Yankees could have traveled +at all. This rough jaunt led us down into Battle Creek, which is a +delightful, picturesque valley, hemmed in by projecting ridges of +lofty mountains. + +While here, they told me how this valley obtained its name, which is +certainly a very romantic legend, and no doubt true. + +In early times there was war among the Indians. One tribe made a +plundering expedition into the camp of another, and after securing +their booty retreated. Of course they were pursued, and in their +flight were traced to this valley. There the pursuers believed them to +be concealed, and to make their capture sure, divided their force into +two bands, each one taking an opposite side of the valley. + +It was early in the morning, and as they wended their way cautiously +onward, the mountain mist came down just as I had seen it descend +that morning, and enveloped each of the parties in its folds. +Determined not to be foiled, they marched on, and meeting at the head +of the valley, each supposed the other to be the enemy. They poured in +their fire, and a deadly conflict ensued. Not till nearly all their +number had fallen did the survivors discover their mistake, and they +slowly and sorrowfully returned to their wigwams. The plunderers, who +had listened to their conflict in safety, being further up the +mountains, were thus left to carry home their booty in triumph. + +But we had no leisure for legendary tales. + +The sun had set, and we stopped for the night with a rabid +Secessionist, whom our soldier-friend on the mountain had recommended +to us. He received us with open arms, shared with us the best his +house afforded--giving us his bedroom, and sleeping with his family in +the kitchen. We spent the evening in denouncing the Abolitionists, +which term was used indiscriminately to designate all Federals who did +not advocate the acknowledgment of the Confederacy. This did not go +quite so hard as it did at first, for practice had rendered it nearly +as easy for us to falsify our sentiments as to express them plainly. + +Among other things we instanced to show the tyranny of the Lincolnites +in Kentucky, was the expatriation law. This law provides that all +persons aiding or abetting the rebels, or leaving the State and going +South with their army, shall be _expatriated_, and lose all their +right of citizenship in the State. The old man thought this was an act +of unparalleled oppression; and in the morning, before I was out of +bed, came in the room, and desired that some one of us would write +that law down, that he might show his Union neighbors what the Yankees +would do when they had the sway. I wrote it, and we all afterward +signed our names to it. No doubt that document has been the theme of +many angry discussions. + +So thoroughly did we deceive the old man, that when, three days after, +the railroad adventure fell on the astonished Confederates like a clap +of thunder out of a clear sky, he would not believe that we were part +of the men engaged in it. One of his neighbors, who was a Union man, +and was arrested and confined in the same prison with us, told us that +to the last our host maintained that his guests, at least, were true +and loyal Southerners. Should I ever again be in that part of the +country, I would delight to call on him in my true character, and +talk over the national troubles from another point of view. + +We stayed with him Wednesday night, and were still a long way from +Chattanooga. We had designed, notwithstanding our weariness, to travel +all that night, but accidentally met some of our comrades who had seen +Andrews, who informed them that he had postponed the enterprise one +day longer. This was a great relief, as it saved us a most wearisome +and dreaded night tramp. But better to have taken it, for the delay of +that _one_ day was fatal. On Friday there would have been no extra +trains to meet, and our success would have been sure. But this we did +not know at the time. + +The next day, which was Thursday, we came to Jasper, stopped in the +town and around the groceries awhile, talking of the state of the +country. We told them Kentucky was just ready to rise and shake off +her chains, and they were just foolish enough to believe it! + +Here we heard the first indistinct rumor of the battle of Shiloh--of +course, a wonderful victory to the rebels, killing thousands of +Yankees, and capturing innumerable cannon. It was the impression that +our army was totally destroyed. One countryman gravely assured me that +five hundred gunboats had been sunk. I told him I did not think the +Yankees had so many as that, but was unable to shake his faith. + +That night we stayed at Widow Hall's, and there met Andrews and some +of our other comrades. This was on the banks of the Tennessee river, +and Andrews advised us to cross there, and to take passage on the cars +at Shell Mound station, as there had been a stringent order issued to +let no one cross above, who could not present perfectly satisfactory +credentials. Andrews had these, but we had not; it was, therefore, +advisable for us to be challenged as few times as possible. We passed +a pleasant evening, during which the wit of my friend Shadrack kept us +in a continual roar of laughter. + +At last morning came, and we went down to the bank of the river to +cross. The ferryman had just swung the boat into the stream, and we +were getting into it, when a man arrived with positive orders from the +military authorities to let no one across for three days. + +Affairs now looked dark. We could not cross except at the upper +ferries, and not there unless our credentials were good. However, we +resolved to persevere, and thinking in this case, as in many others, +the boldest plan would be the safest, we again struck over the wild +spurs of the Cumberland, which here sweep directly down to the river, +on in the direction of Chattanooga, with the intention of trying to +cross there, at headquarters. + +Our journey was far from a pleasant one, and several times we lost our +road in the entanglements of the mountains; but at last we reached a +valley that ran directly down to the river, opposite Chattanooga. Here +the road was more frequented, and from the travelers we met we learned +further particulars of the battle of Shiloh. Still the accounts were +rose-tinted for the Confederates, though they now admitted a +considerable loss. + +One man gave me an interesting item of news from the East; it was, +that the Merrimac had steamed out, and after engaging the Monitor for +some time with no decisive results, had ran alongside, and throwing +grappling-hooks on her, towed her ashore, where, of course, she fell +an easy prey. He said that now they had the two best gunboats in the +world, and they would be able to raise the blockade without +difficulty, and even to burn the Northern cities. But I have not space +to tell of all the wild chimeras and absurd stories that we heard on +our entrance into a land where truth always has been contraband. From +that time forward, we heard of continuous Confederate victories, and +not one Union triumph, till in September, when they admitted that they +were repulsed by Rosecrans at Corinth. + +On reaching the river, we found a great number of persons on the bank +waiting to go over. The ferryman was there with a horse-boat, but the +wind was so high that he feared to attempt the crossing. We waited as +patiently as we could, though the time for the cars to start on the +other side had nearly arrived, and we could not well afford to miss +them. At length, the ferryman agreed to attempt the passage. He found +it very difficult. We were about an hour in crossing, though the river +was only a few hundred yards in width. Several times we were beaten +back to our own side, but at last perseverance conquered, and we +landed at Chattanooga. + +The passage was an anxious one, for we expected to find the guard +waiting for us on the other side; and then, if we failed to satisfy +them that we were loyal subjects of King Jefferson, we would at once +land in a Southern prison. Judge, then, of our delight when we saw no +guard there, and were permitted to pass unmolested and unquestioned on +our route. + +I do not yet know the reason of this sudden relaxation of vigilance. +Perhaps it was because all their attention was directed to Huntsville, +which was now occupied in force by General Mitchel. The panic produced +by this occupation was immense, as the only communication it left them +with Beauregard was by the circuitous route through Atlanta, and when, +the next day, this too was endangered, their excitement knew no +bounds. + +Chattanooga is a small town--not much more than a village. It is +pleasantly situated on the banks of the Tennessee, and is bowered in +amidst lofty mountain peaks. One of these hangs right over the town, +and is more than seven hundred feet in perpendicular hight. From its +summit parts of four States are visible--Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, +and North Carolina. It is capable of being very strongly fortified; +and though there were no works erected when I was there, many may have +been built since. It is one of the most important strategic points in +the whole South, and should have been in the possession of our forces +long ago. + +From the river we went directly to the depot. Some of our party had +arrived earlier, and gone down to Marietta on a former train. We found +the cars nearly ready to start, and after loitering around a few +minutes in the depot, which was crowded full of travelers--mostly +soldiers--we purchased our tickets and got aboard. The cars were +jammed full. There was scarcely room to stand. Many of the passengers +were soldiers who had been at home on furlough, and were returning to +join Beauregard. The conversation was mostly on the great battle which +had just been fought, and the accounts were by no means so glowing as +they had been at first; still they announced a great victory. We took +part in the conversation, and expressing as much interest as any one, +our true character was not suspected. There was at this time no system +of passports in use on that line, and travel was entirely +unrestricted. + +The sun was about an hour high as we glided out of the depot, and soon +sunk to rest behind the hills of Georgia. There were many bridges on +the road, and as we passed over them, we could not help picturing to +ourselves our proposed return on the morrow, and the probabilities of +the destruction we intended to wreck on them. Darkness gradually +closed in, and on we went amid the laughter and oaths of the +Confederates, many of whom were very much intoxicated. I procured a +seat on the coal-box, and for awhile gave myself up to the +reflections naturally suggested by the near culmination of the +enterprise in which I was engaged. Visions of former days and +friends--dear friends, both around the camp-fire and by the hearth of +home, whom I might never see again, floated before me. But gradually, +as the night wore on, these faded, and I slept. + +At midnight, we were wakened by the conductor calling "Marietta." The +goal was reached. We were in the center of the Confederacy, with our +deadly enemies all around. Before we left, we were to strike a blow +that would either make all rebeldom vibrate to the center, or be +ourselves at the mercy of the merciless. It was a time for solemn +thought; but we were too weary to indulge in speculations of the +future. We retired to bed in the Tremont House, and were soon folded +in sweet slumbers--the last time we slept on a bed for many weary +months. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +Take an Early Train--Prospecting--Capture of the Train--Panic in +Confederate Camp--Away at Lightning Speed--Thrilling Experience--Cut +the Telegraph--Tear up the Track--Unexpected Obstacle--Running a +Powder Train to Beauregard--Red Flag--Dropping Cross-Ties--Battering +out Spikes--Immense Exertion of Strength--Pursuing Backward--Terrible +Chase--Attempt to Wreck the Enemy's Train--Fearful Speed--Bold Plan. + + +The waiter aroused us at four o'clock in the morning, as we told him +we wished to take the train at that hour back to Camp McDonald, which +is located at a place called Big Shanty, eight miles north of +Marietta, and is also a breakfast station. Andrews had gone to another +hotel, and warned the members of the party there to be in readiness to +take passage. Two of them, Hawkins and Porter, who had arrived +earlier, were not warned, and were, therefore, left behind. It was not +their fault, as they had no certain knowledge of the time we were to +start, but rather thought it would be the next day. + +There were just twenty of us on the train, Andrews and nineteen +others, of whom several were engineers. We went along very quietly +and inoffensively, just as any other passengers would do, until we +reached Big Shanty. I knew that we were to take possession of the +train at this place, but did not just know how it was to be done. I +thought we would probably have to fight, and compel the conductor, +train-hands, and passengers to get off. We might have done this, but +it would have required very quick work, for there were then some ten +thousand troops, mostly conscripts, camped there, and a guard was +placed watching the train. But a far better plan was adopted. + +As soon as we arrived, the engineer, conductor, and many of the +passengers went over to the eating-house. Now was our opportunity! +Andrews, and one or two others, went forward and examined the track, +to see if everything was in readiness for a rapid start. + +Oh! what a thrilling moment was that! Our hearts throbbed thick and +fast with emotions we dared not manifest to those who were loafing +indifferently around. In a minute, which seemed an hour, Andrews came +back, opened the door, and said, very quietly and carelessly, "Let us +go, now, boys." Just as quietly and carelessly we arose and followed +him. The passengers who were lazily waiting for the train to move +on and carry them to their destination, saw nothing in the transaction +to excite their suspicions. Leisurely we moved forward--reached the +head of the train--then Andrews, Brown our engineer, and Knight, who +also could run an engine, leaped on the locomotive; Alfred Wilson took +the top of the cars as brakesman, and the remainder of us clambered +into the foremost baggage car, which, with two others, had been +previously uncoupled from the hinder part of the train. For one moment +of most intense suspense all was still--then a pull--a jar--a +clang--and we were flying away on our perilous journey. + +[Illustration: "A pull--a jar--a clang--and we were flying away on our +perilous journey."--Page 59.] + +There are times in the life of man when whole years of intensest +enjoyment seem condensed into a single moment. It was so with me then. +I could comprehend the emotion of Columbus, when he first beheld +through the dim dawn of morning, the new found, but long dreamed-of +shores of America, or the less innocent, but no less vivid joy of +Cortez, when he first planted the cross of Spain over the golden halls +of Montezuma. My breast throbbed full with emotions of delight and +gladness, that words labor in vain to express. A sense of ethereal +lightness ran through all my veins, and I seemed to be ascending +higher--higher--into realms of inexpressible bliss, with each +pulsation of the engine. It was a moment of triumphant joy that will +never return again. Not a dream of failure now shadowed my rapture. +All had told us that the greatest difficulty was to reach and take +possession of the engine, and after that, success was certain. _It +would have been_, but for unforeseen contingencies. + +Away we scoured, passing field, and village, and woodland. At each +leap of the engine our hearts rose higher, and we talked merrily of +the welcome that would greet us when we dashed into Huntsville a few +hours later--our enterprise done, and the brightest laurels of the +guerilla Morgan far eclipsed! + +But the telegraph ran by our side, and was able, by the flashing of a +single lightning message ahead, to arrest our progress and dissipate +all our fondest hopes. There was no telegraphic station where we took +the train, but we knew not how soon our enemies might reach one, or +whether they might not have a portable battery at command. To obviate +all danger on this point, we stopped, after running some four miles, +to cut the wire. + +John Scott, an active young man, climbed the pole, and with his hand +knocked off the insulated box at the top, and swung down on the wire. +Fortunately, there was a small saw on the engine, with which the wire +was soon severed. While this was being done, another party took up a +rail, and put it into the car to carry off with us. This did not long +check our pursuers, but we had the satisfaction of learning that it +threw them down an embankment, as will be narrated more fully in a +Confederate account inserted hereafter. + +When the engine first stopped, Andrews jumped off, clasped our hands +in ecstasy, congratulating us that our difficulties were now all over; +that we had the enemy at such a disadvantage that he could not harm +us, and exhibited every sign of joy. Said he, "Only one more train to +pass, and then we will put our engine to full speed, burn the bridges +after us, dash through Chattanooga, and on to Mitchel at Huntsville." +The programme would have been filled if we had met _only one_ train. + +We were ahead of time, and in order to meet the down train just _on_ +time, we were obliged to stop on the track awhile. These were tedious +moments while we waited, but soon we moved on very slowly again. At +the next station, Andrews borrowed a schedule from the tank-tender, +telling him that he was running an express powder-train through to +Beauregard. He gave the schedule, saying that he would send his shirt +to Beauregard if he wanted it. When asked afterwards if he did not +suspect anything, he said he would as soon have thought of suspecting +Jeff Davis, as one who talked with so much assurance as Andrews did! + +On we went till we reached the station where we were to pass what we +believed to be the last train. Here the switch was not properly +adjusted, and Andrews entered the station-house, without asking leave +of anybody, took down the keys, and adjusted the switch. This raised +some disturbance on the part of those around the station, but it was +quieted by telling them the same powder story. After waiting a short +time, the down train arrived, and we passed it without difficulty. But +we observed on it what we did not like--a _red flag_, indicating that +another train was behind. + +This was most discouraging, for we had now hoped to have the road +exclusively to ourselves; but still we did not despair. However, we +had yet to run on regular time, which was, unfortunately, very _slow_ +time--not more than twelve or fifteen miles an hour. Thus unavoidably +consuming our precious moments, we glided on till we reached the +station where we expected to meet what we were now sure would be our +last hindrance. We stopped on a side-track to wait for it, and there +had to remain _twenty-five_ minutes. Just as we had concluded to go +on, and risk the chances of a collision, the expected train hove in +sight. + +It was safely passed, as the other had been before; but judge of our +dismay when we beheld a _red flag_ on this train also! Matters now +began to look dark. Much of our precious time, which we had reserved +as a margin for burning bridges, was now gone, and we were still tied +down to the slow regular rate of running. Yet we could not retreat, +and had no resource but to press firmly on. This we did, and +obstructed the track as well as we could, by laying on cross-ties at +different places. We also cut the telegraph wire between every +station. + +Finally, when we were nearly to the station where we expected to meet +the last train, we stopped to take up a rail. We had no instruments +for doing this, except a crowbar, and, instead of pulling out the +spikes, as we could have done with the pinch burrs used for that +purpose by railroad men, we had to _batter_ them out. This was slow +work. We had loosened this rail at one end, and eight of us took hold +of it to try to pull the other end loose. Just as we were going to +relinquish the effort in despair, the _whistle of an engine in pursuit +sounded in our ears_! The effect was magical. With one convulsive +effort we broke the rail in two, and tumbled pell-mell over the +embankment. No one was hurt, and we took up our precious half rail, +which insured us time to pass the train ahead, before our pursuers +could be upon us. + +We were not a moment too soon, for we were scarcely out of sight of +where we had taken up the last rail, before the other train met us. +This was safely passed, and when our pursuers came to the place where +we had broken the rail, they abandoned their own train, and ran on +foot till they met the one we had just passed, and turned it back +after us, running with great speed. + +We were now aware of our danger, and adopted every expedient we could +think of to delay pursuit; but, as we were cutting the wire near +Calhoun, they came in sight of us. Then ensued the most terrible and +thrilling chase ever known on the American continent. + +We instantly put our engine to full speed, and in a moment its wheels +were striking fire from the rails in their rapid revolutions. The car +in which we were, rocked furiously, and threw us from one side to the +other like peas rattled in a gourd. Still on after us relentlessly +came the pursuers. The smoke of their engine could be distinguished in +every long reach, and the scream of their whistle sounded in our ears +around every curve. It was still necessary for us to cut the wire, +and, in order to gain time for that, we dropped a car on the track, +and, soon after, another. This left us with only the locomotive, +tender, and one baggage-car. Each time, when we stopped to cut the +wire, we would try to take up another rail; but before we could loosen +its fastenings with our imperfect tools, the approach of our enemies +would compel us to hasten on. + +The thought of a new expedient crossed my mind, which saved us for +some time longer. It was to knock out the end of our car, and drop the +rails on the track as we ran. Soon after, in one of our necessary +stoppages to take care of the telegraph, we loaded on some cross ties, +which we threw out in the same manner. One rail I reserved for a +particular purpose. When we stopped again, I took it, placed one end +under the track, and let the other project upward, jointing toward the +advancing train. It was very nearly effectual. The engineer of the +train in pursuit, who afterward visited us in prison, said that if it +had been only one inch higher, nothing could have saved their train +from wreck, because, being so dark and small, it was not noticed till +too late to stop. However, it was a little too low to hook in the bars +of the cow-catcher, as I intended. + +Our enemies pursued us with great determination. One man rode on the +cow-catcher, and, springing off, would throw the obstructions from the +track, and jump on again while they had merely checked the engine. So +great was our velocity, that most of the ties we threw out bounced off +the track; but the few that remained enabled us several times to get +out of sight of them. When this was the case, we would stop, and again +try to take up a rail, which would have given us leisure for the +greater operation of burning a bridge. + +By this time we had a few more instruments, which Andrews and Wilson +had simultaneously procured from a switch tender. We worked +faithfully, but each time, before we had loosened a rail, the +inexorable pursuers were again visible. + +I then proposed to Andrews a plan that afforded a hope of final +escape. It was to let our engineer take our engine on out of sight, +while we hid on a curve after putting a tie on the track, and waited +for the pursuing train to come up; then, when they checked to remove +the obstruction, we could rush on them, shoot every person on the +engine, reverse it, and let it drive at will back as it came. It would +have chased all the trains following, of which there were now two or +three, back before it, and thus have stopped the whole pursuit for a +time. This would have required quick work, and have been somewhat +dangerous, as the trains were now loaded with soldiers; but it +afforded a _chance_ of success. Andrews said it was a good +plan--looked all around, and then hurried to the engine, and I had no +further opportunity of discussing the subject. After we were in +prison, he said he was very sorry that we had not made the effort. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +Consternation Along the Route--Wood and Water--Attempt to Fire the +Train--Partial Failure--Message Sent to Chattanooga--Terrific +Preparations--Abandon the Train--A Capital Error--In the Woods--A +Thrilling Account of the Chase from the Atlanta "_Southern +Confederacy_." + + +All this time we were rushing through towns and villages at terrific +speed. Some passengers came down when they heard our whistle, to go +aboard, but they all shrank back amazed when they saw us pass with the +noise of thunder, and the speed of lightning. Still more were they +astonished when they saw three other trains dashing by in close +pursuit, and loaded with excited soldiers. Thus the break-neck chase +continued through Dalton, Ringgold, and the other small towns on the +route. + +But it soon became evident that it could not continue much longer. We +had taken on wood and water before we were so closely pressed, but now +our supply was nearly exhausted, and our pursuers were too close +behind to permit us to replenish it. But before yielding, we resolved +to try one more expedient. + +For this purpose, we broke open the forward end of the only box-car we +had left, and with the fragments endeavored to kindle a fire in it. +Had we succeeded, we would have detached it, left it burning on a +bridge, and run on with the locomotive alone. But the fuel on the +latter was too nearly gone to afford us kindling wood, and the draught +through the car, caused by our rapid motion, blew our matches out. At +length we succeeded in kindling a small fire; but the drizzling rain, +which had been falling all morning, blew in on it, and prevented it +from burning rapidly enough to be of any service. + +Thus our last hope expired, and our magnificent scheme, on which we +had so long thought and toiled, was a failure. But one thing more now +remained--to save ourselves, if possible. + +We were within, perhaps, fifteen miles of Chattanooga, when we +resolved to abandon the engine. Having made this resolve, we did not +cut the telegraph wire, and then, for the first time, they succeeded +in sending a message ahead of us. + +This was no serious detriment to us, but it raised the wildest +excitement in Chattanooga. The women and children instantly fled from +the town, and sought safety in the woods and mountains. The whole +military force, which was encamped near the place, came out, and +selected an advantageous position to meet us. There they planted +cannon, felled trees across the track, tore up the rails for some +distance, and waited for our approach. Their orders were for them to +make a general massacre--not to spare a single man. But we came not, +and therefore they had no opportunity to display their latent cruelty. + +It was at this point, when he saw every scheme we attempted to execute +completely foiled, that Andrews' presence of mind, for a time, seemed +to desert him. It was only fifteen miles across the country to the +Tennessee river, and we could have reached it ahead of any opposition, +had we all stuck together. One man had a compass, and with that, and +Andrews' knowledge of the country, we could have gained, and crossed +the Tennessee, and struck into the mountains beyond, before the +country could have been aroused around us. Once there, in those +interminable forests, it would have been almost impossible for them to +capture us, well armed as we were, before we could have reached the +shelter of our army. But this was not done, and this last chance of +escape was lost. + +The locomotive was run on till the wood and water were completely +exhausted, and the pursuers plainly in view. Then Andrews gave the +order for us to leave the train, disperse, and for every man to save +himself, if he could. We obeyed, jumping off the train while still in +motion, and were soon making the best of our way through the tangled +pines of Georgia. + +Before giving an account of our adventures in the woods, I will insert +the following article from the "_Southern Confederacy_," of April 15, +1862, a paper published in Atlanta, Georgia, only three days after our +adventure. This I purloined from the officer in charge of us, and +carried concealed about my clothes all the time I remained in the +South. It contains a good many errors of statement, particularly where +it refers to our numbers and plans, but is valuable as showing the +estimate the rebels placed on our enterprise, and as giving their +ideas of the chase. It also represents us as tearing up the railroad +many more times than we did. In _no case_ did they take up rails +behind, and lay them down before their train. This assertion was made +to give Messrs. Fuller and Murphy more credit at our expense. So +highly were the services of these gentlemen appreciated, that the +Georgia State Legislature, in the fall of 1862, gave them a vote of +thanks, and recommended the Governor to grant them the highest +offices in his gift. I do not know what they actually did receive. + +Below is the account: + + + THE GREAT RAILROAD CHASE! + + _The Most Extraordinary and Astounding Adventure of the + War--The Most Daring Undertaking that Yankees ever Planned + or Attempted to Execute--Stealing an Engine--Tearing up the + Track--Pursued on Foot, on Hand-Cars, and + Engines--Overtaken--A Scattering--The Capture--The Wonderful + Energy of Messrs. Fuller, Murphy and Cain--Some Reflections, + &c., &c._ + + FULL PARTICULARS!! + + Since our last issue, we have obtained full particulars of + the most thrilling railroad adventure that ever occurred on + the American continent, as well as the mightiest and most + important in its results, if successful, that has been + conceived by the Lincoln Government since the commencement + of this war. Nothing on so grand a scale has been attempted, + and nothing within the range of possibility could be + conceived, that would fall with such a tremendous, crushing + force upon us, as the accomplishment of the plans which + were concocted and dependent on the execution of the one + whose history we now proceed to narrate. + + Its _reality_--_what was actually done_--excels all the + extravagant _conceptions_ of the Arrow-Smith hoax, which + fiction created such a profound sensation in Europe. + + To make the matter more complete and intelligible, we will + take our readers over the same history of the case which we + related in our last, the main features of which are correct, + but are lacking in details, which have since come to hand. + + We will begin at the breakfast-table of the Big Shanty Hotel + at Camp McDonald, on the Western and Atlantic Railroad, + where several regiments of soldiers are now encamped. The + morning mail and passenger train had left here at four A. + M., on last Saturday morning, as usual, and had stopped + there for breakfast. The conductor, William A. Fuller; the + engineer, I. Cain, both of this city; and the passengers + were at the table, when some eight men, having uncoupled the + engine and three empty box-cars next to it, from the + passenger and baggage-cars, mounted the engine, pulled open + the valve, put on all steam, and left conductor, engineer, + passengers, spectators, and the soldiers in the camp hard + by, all lost in amazement, and dumbfounded at the strange, + startling, and daring act. + + This unheard-of act was, doubtless, undertaken at that place + and time upon the presumption that pursuit could not be made + by an engine short of Kingston, some thirty miles above, or + from this place; and that by cutting down the telegraph + wires as they proceeded, the adventurers could calculate on + at least three or four hours' start of any pursuit it was + reasonable to expect. This was a legitimate conclusion, and + but for the will, energy, and quick good judgment of Mr. + Fuller, and Mr. Cain, and Mr. Anthony Murphy, the + intelligent and practical foreman of the wood department of + the State Road shop, who accidentally went on the train from + this place that morning, their calculations would have + worked out as originally contemplated, and the results would + have been obtained long ere this reaches the eye of our + readers--the most terrible to us of any that we can conceive + as possible, and unequaled by any attempted or conceived + since this war commenced. + + Now for the chase! + + These three determined men, without a moment's delay, put + out after the flying train--_on foot_, amidst shouts of + laughter by the crowd, who, though lost in amazement at the + unexpected and daring act, could not repress their + risibility at seeing three men start after a train on foot, + which they had just witnessed depart at lightning speed. + They put on all their speed, and ran along the track for + three miles, when they came across some track-raisers, who + had a small truck-car, which is shoved along by men so + employed on railroads, on which to carry their tools. This + truck and men were at once "impressed." They took it by + turns of two at a time to run behind this truck, and push it + along all up grades and level portions of the road, and let + it drive at will on all the down grades. A little way + further up the fugitive adventurers had stopped, cut the + telegraph wires, and torn up the track. Here the pursuers + were thrown off pell mell, truck and men, upon the side of + the road. Fortunately "nobody was hurt on our side." The + truck was soon placed on the road again; enough hands were + left to repair the track, and with all the power of + determined will and muscle, they pushed on to Etowah + Station, some twenty miles above. + + Here, most fortunately, Major Cooper's old coal engine, the + "Yonah"--one of the first engines on the State road--was + standing out, fired up. This venerable locomotive was + immediately turned upon her own track, and like an old + racer, at the tap of the drum, pricked up her ears and made + fine time to Kingston. + + The fugitives, not expecting such early pursuit, quietly + took in wood and water at Cass Station, and borrowed a + schedule from the tank-tender, upon the plausible plea that + they were running a pressed train, loaded with powder, for + Beauregard. The attentive and patriotic tank-tender, Mr. + William Russell, said he gave them his schedule, and would + have sent the shirt off his back to Beauregard, if it had + been asked for. Here the adventurous fugitives inquired + which end of the switch they should go in on at Kingston. + When they arrived at Kingston, they stopped, went to the + agent there, told the powder story, readily got the + switch-key, went on the upper turn-out, and waited for the + down _way freight train to pass_. To all inquiries they + replied with the same powder story. When the freight train + had passed, they immediately proceeded on to the next + station--Adairsville--where they were to meet the _regular + down freight train_. At some point on the way they had taken + on some fifty cross-ties, and before reaching Adairsville, + they stopped on a curve, tore up the rails, and put seven + cross-ties on the track--no doubt intending to wreck this + down freight train, which would be along in a few minutes. + They had out upon the engine a red handkerchief, as a kind + of flag or signal, which, in railroading, means another + train is behind--thereby indicating to all that the regular + passenger train would be along presently. They stopped a + moment at Adairsville, and said Fuller, with the regular + passenger train, was behind, and would wait at Kingston for + the freight train, and told the conductor thereon to push + ahead and meet him at that point. They passed on to Calhoun, + where they met the down passenger train, due here at 4.20 P. + M., and without making any stop, they proceeded--on, on, and + on. + + But we must return to Fuller and his party, whom we have + unconsciously left on the old "Yonah," making their way to + Kingston. + + Arriving there, and learning the adventurers were but twenty + minutes ahead, they left the "Yonah" to blow off, while they + mounted the engine of the Rome Branch Road, which was ready + fired up, and waiting for the arrival of the passenger train + nearly due, when it would have proceeded to Rome. A large + party of gentlemen volunteered for the chase, some at + Acworth, Altoona, Kingston, and other points, taking such + arms as they could lay their hands on at the moment; and + with this fresh engine they set out with all speed, but with + great "care and caution," as they had scarcely time to make + Adairsville, before the down freight train would leave that + point. Sure enough, they discovered, this side of + Adairsville, three rails torn up and other impediments in + the way. They "took up" in time to prevent an accident, but + could proceed with the train no further. This was most + vexatious, and it may have been in some degree + disheartening; but it did not cause the slightest relaxation + of efforts, and, as the result proved, was but little in the + way of the _dead game_, pluck and resolutions of Fuller and + Murphy, who left the engine and again _put out on foot + alone_! After running two miles, they met the down freight + train, one mile out from Adairsville. They immediately + reversed the train, and ran backwards to Adairsville--put + the cars on the siding, and pressed forward, making fine + time to Calhoun, where they met the regular down passenger + train. Here they halted a moment, took on board a telegraph + operator, and a number of men who again volunteered, taking + their guns along--and continued the chase. Mr. Fuller also + took on here a company of track-hands to repair the track as + they went along. A short distance above Calhoun, they + _flushed their game_ on a curve, where they doubtless + supposed themselves out of danger, and were quietly oiling + the engine, taking up the track, &c. Discovering that they + were pursued, they mounted and sped away, throwing out upon + the track as they went along, the heavy cross-ties they had + prepared themselves with. This was done by breaking out the + end of the hindmost box-car, and pitching them out. Thus, + "nip and tuck," they passed with fearful speed Resaca, + Tilton, and on through Dalton. + + The rails which they had taken up last they took off with + them--besides throwing out cross-ties upon the track + occasionally--hoping thereby the more surely to impede the + pursuit; but all this was like tow to the touch of fire to + the now thoroughly-aroused, excited, and eager pursuers. + These men, though so much excited, and influenced by so much + determination, still retained their well-known caution, were + looking out for this danger, and discovered it, and though + it was seemingly an insuperable obstacle to their making any + headway in pursuit, was quickly overcome by the genius of + Fuller and Murphy. Coming to where the rails were torn up, + they stopped, tore up rails behind them, and laid them down + before, till they had passed over that obstacle. When the + cross-ties were reached, they hauled to and threw them off, + and thus proceeded, and under these difficulties gained on + the frightened fugitives. At Dalton they halted a moment. + Fuller put off the telegraph operator, with instructions to + telegraph to Chattanooga to have them stopped, in case he + should fail to overhaul them. + + Fuller pressed on in hot chase--sometimes in sight--as much + to prevent their cutting the wires before the message could + be sent, as to catch them. The daring adventurers stopped + just opposite and very near to where Colonel Glenn's + regiment is encamped, and cut the wires; but the operator at + Dalton _had put the message through about two minutes + before_. They also again tore up the track, cut down a + telegraph pole, and placed the two ends of it under the + cross-ties, and the middle over the rail on the track. The + pursuers stopped again, and got over this impediment in the + same manner they did before--taking up the rails behind, and + laying them down before. Once over this, they shot on, and + passed through the great tunnel at Tunnel Hill, being there + only five minutes behind. The fugitives, thus finding + themselves closely pursued, uncoupled two of the box-cars + from the engine, to impede the progress of the pursuers. + Fuller hastily coupled them to the front of his engine, and + pushed them ahead of him, to the first turn-out or siding, + where they were left, thus preventing the collision the + adventurers intended. + + Thus the engine-thieves passed Ringgold, where they began to + fag. They were out of wood, water, and oil. Their rapid + running and inattention to the engine had melted all the + brass from the journals. They had no time to repair or + refit, for an iron-horse of more bottom was close behind. + Fuller and Murphy, and their men, soon came within four + hundred yards of them, when the fugitives jumped from the + engine, and left it, three on the north side, and five on + the south side; all fleeing precipitately, and scattering + through the thicket. Fuller and his party also took to the + woods after them. + + Some gentleman, also well armed, took the engine and some + cars of the down passenger train at Calhoun, and followed up + Fuller and Murphy and their party in the chase, but a short + distance behind, and reached the place of the stampede but a + very few moments after the first pursuers did. A large + number of men were soon mounted, armed, and scouring the + country in search of them. Fortunately, there was a militia + muster at Ringgold. A great many countrymen were in town. + Hearing of the chase, they put out on foot and on horseback + in every direction, in search of the daring, but now + thoroughly frightened and fugitive men. + + We learn that Fuller, soon after leaving his engine, in + passing a cabin in the country, found a mule, having on a + bridle but no saddle, and tied to a fence. "_Here's your + mule_," he shouted, as he leaped upon his back, and put out + as fast as a good switch, well applied, could impart vigor + to the muscles and accelerate the speed of the patient + donkey. The cry of "Here's your mule," and "Where's my + mule," have become national, and are generally heard when, + on the one hand, no mule is about, and on the other when no + one is hunting a mule. It seems not to be understood by any + one, though it is a peculiar Confederate phrase, and is as + popular as Dixie, from the Potomac to the Rio Grande. It + remained for Fuller, in the midst of this exciting chase, to + solve the mysterious meaning of this national by-word or + phrase, and give it a practical application. + + All of the eight men were captured, and are now safely + lodged in jail. The particulars of their capture we have not + received. This we hope to obtain in time for a postscript to + this, or for our second edition. They confessed that they + belonged to Lincoln's army, and had been sent down from + Shelbyville to burn the bridges between here and + Chattanooga; and that the whole party consisted of nineteen + men, eleven of whom were dropped at several points on the + road as they came down, to assist in the burning of the + bridges as they went back. + + When the morning freight train which left this city reached + Big Shanty, Lieutenant-Colonels R. F. Maddox and C. P. + Phillips took the engine and a few cars, with fifty picked + men, well armed, and followed on as rapidly as possible. + They passed over all difficulties, and got as far as + Calhoun, where they learned the fugitives had taken the + woods, and were pursued by plenty of men, with the means to + catch them if it were possible. + + One gentleman who went upon the train from Calhoun, who has + furnished us with many of these particulars, and who, by the + way, is one of the most experienced railroad men in Georgia, + says too much praise cannot be bestowed on Fuller and + Murphy, who showed a cool judgment and forethought in this + extraordinary affair, unsurpassed by anything he ever knew + in a railroad emergency. This gentleman, we learn from + another, offered, on his own account, one hundred dollars + reward on each man, for the apprehension of the villains. + + We do not know what Governor Brown will do in this case, or + what is his custom in such matters; but if such a thing is + admissible, we insist upon Fuller and Murphy being promoted + to the highest honors on the road; if not by actually giving + them the highest position, at least let them be promoted by + _brevet_. Certainly their indomitable energy, and quick, + correct judgment and decision in the many difficult + contingencies connected with this unheard-of emergency, has + saved all the railroad bridges above Ringgold from being + burned; the most daring scheme that this revolution has + developed has been thwarted, and the tremendous results + which, if successful, can scarcely be imagined, much less + described, have been averted. Had they succeeded in burning + the bridges, the enemy at Huntsville would have occupied + Chattanooga before Sunday night. Yesterday they would have + been in Knoxville, and thus had possession of all East + Tennessee. Our forces at Knoxville, Greenville, and + Cumberland Gap, would, ere this, have been in the hands of + the enemy. Lynchburg, Virginia, would have been moved upon + at once. This would have given them possession of the Valley + of Virginia, and Stonewall Jackson could have been attacked + in the rear. They would have possession of the railroad + leading to Charlottesville and Orange Court House, as well + as the South Side Railroad leading to Petersburg and + Richmond. They might have been able to unite with + McClellan's forces, and attack Jo. Johnston's army, front + and flank. It is not by any means improbable that our army + in Virginia would have been defeated, captured, or driven + out of the State this week. + + Then reinforcements from all the Eastern and Southeast + portion of the country would have been cut off from + Beauregard. The enemy have Huntsville now, and with all + these designs accomplished, his army would have been + effectually flanked. The mind and heart shrink appalled at + the awful consequences that would have followed the success + of this one act. When Fuller, Murphy, and Cain started from + Big Shanty _on foot, to capture that fugitive engine_, they + were involuntarily laughed at by the crowd, serious as the + matter was--and to most observers it was indeed most + ludicrous; but _that footrace saved us_, and prevented the + consummation of these tremendous consequences. + + One fact we must not omit to mention, is the valuable + assistance rendered by Peter Bracken, the engineer on the + down freight train which Fuller and Murphy turned back. He + ran his engine fifty and a half miles--two of them backing + the whole freight train up to Adairsville--made twelve + stops, coupled to the two cars which the fugitives had + dropped, and switched them off on sidings--all this, _in one + hour and five minutes_. + + We doubt if the victory of Manasses or Corinth were worth as + much to us as the frustration of this grand _coup d' etat_. + It is not by any means certain that the annihilation of + Beauregard's whole army at Corinth would be so fatal a blow + to us as would have been the burning of the bridges at that + time and by these men. + + When we learned by a private telegraph dispatch, a few days + ago, that the Yankees had taken Huntsville, we attached no + great importance to it. We regarded it merely as a dashing + foray of a small party to destroy property, tear up the + road, &c., _a la_ Morgan. When an additional telegram + announced the Federal force there to be from 17,000 to + 20,000, we were inclined to doubt--though coming from a + perfectly honorable and upright gentleman, who would not be + apt to seize upon a wild report to send here to his friends. + The coming to that point with a large force, where they + would be flanked on either side by our army, we regarded as + a most stupid and unmilitary act. We now understand it all. + They were to move upon Chattanooga and Knoxville as soon as + the bridges were burnt, and press on into Virginia as far as + possible, and take all our forces in that State in the rear. + It was all the deepest laid scheme, and on the grandest + scale, that ever emanated from the brains of any number of + Yankees combined. It was one that was also entirely + practicable on almost any day for the last year. There were + but two miscalculations in the whole programme; they did not + expect men to start out afoot to pursue them, and they did + not expect these pursuers on foot to find Major Cooper's old + "Yonah" standing there all ready fired up. Their + calculations on every other point were dead certainties, and + would have succeeded perfectly. + + This would have eclipsed anything Captain Morgan ever + attempted. To think of a parcel of Federal soldiers, + officers and privates, coming down into the heart of the + Confederate States--for they were here in Atlanta and at + Marietta--(some of them got on the train at Marietta that + morning, and others were at Big Shanty;) of playing such a + serious game on the State Road, which is under the control + of our prompt, energetic and sagacious Governor, known as + such all over America; to seize the passenger train on his + road, right at Camp McDonald, where he has a number of + Georgia regiments encamped, and run off with it; to burn the + bridges on the same road, and to go safely through to the + Federal lines--all this would have been a feather in the cap + of the man or men who executed it. + + Let this be a warning to the railroad men and everybody else + in the Confederate States. Let an engine never be left alone + a moment. Let additional guards be placed at our bridges. + This is a matter we specially urged in the Confederacy long + ago. We hope it will now be heeded. Further, let a + sufficient guard be placed to watch the government stores in + this city; and let increased vigilance and watchfulness be + put forth by the watchmen. We know one solitary man who is + guarding a house in this city, which contains a lot of + bacon. Two or three men could throttle and gag him, and set + fire to the house at any time; and worse, he conceives that + there is no necessity for a guard, as he is sometimes seen + off duty for a few moments, fully long enough for an + incendiary to burn the house he watches. Let Mr. Shakelford, + whom we know to be watchful and attentive to his duties, + take the responsibility at once of placing a well-armed + guard of sufficient force around every house containing + government stores. Let this be done without waiting for + instructions from Richmond. + + One other thought. The press is requested by the Government + to keep silent about the movements of the army, and a great + many things of the greatest interest to our people. It has, + in the main, patriotically complied. We have complied in + most cases, but our judgment was against it all the while. + The plea is that the enemy will get the news if it is + published in our papers. Now, we again ask, what's the use? + The enemy get what information they want. They are with us + and pass among us almost daily. They find out from us what + they want to know, by passing through our country unimpeded. + It is nonsense--it is folly, to deprive our own people of + knowledge they are entitled to and ought to know, for fear + the enemy will find it out. We ought to have a regular + system of passports over all our roads, and refuse to let + any man pass who could not give a good account of himself, + come well vouched for, and make it fully appear that he is + not an enemy, and that he is on legitimate business. This + would keep information from the enemy far more effectually + than any reticence of the press, which ought to lay before + our people the full facts in everything of a public nature. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +Stupendous "Man Hunt"--My Own Adventures--Playing Acrobat--Perilous +Crossing of a River--Hunger--The Bloodhounds--Flying for Life--No Sun +or Star to Guide me--Traveling in a Circle--Nearing Chattanooga--Lost +in Deadened Timber--Glimpse of the Moon--Fatigue Produces +Phantoms--Dreadful Storm--I Sleep and enter Fairy Land--Glorious +Visions--Reality--A Picket--Romance Faded--Horrible Situation--Day +Dawn--No Relief. + + +On leaving the train, I confess for a moment my heart sunk within me. +I was alone, for no one happened to strike off in the same direction I +did. I knew not where I was--whether fifteen or fifty miles from +Chattanooga[2]--neither had I the most indefinite idea of the lay of +the country. I only knew that north or northwest would bring me to our +forces; but the sun did not shine, to give me even the points of the +compass. + +[2] The description of places and distances given in the preceding +chapter, was mostly obtained from Confederates, who afterward visited +and talked with us. + + +I supposed that the country would be aroused, and a vigorous pursuit +made, but my worst anticipations proved far short of the reality. It +was Saturday, the 12th of April, and was a general muster-day for the +conscripts over the whole country; but as soon as the news of our raid +was received, drill was suspended, and every one turned out in search +of us. Then was organized the most stupendous _man-hunt_ that ever +took place in the South. Horsemen hurried at full speed along every +road, and proclaimed the news as they went. Each planter, with his +dependents, for at least fifty miles in every direction, took his +bloodhounds and scoured the woods. Every cross-road, every river, +ford, or ferry, was at once picketed by bodies of cavalry. Large +rewards were offered, and thousands of soldiers pursued us, in +addition to the universal uprising of the citizens. The only partially +known object of the expedition imparted a tone of romantic +exaggeration to it, and made the people doubly anxious to solve the +mystery. The feeling in northern Georgia may be best conceived by +imagining what would be the excitement in the immediate vicinity, if a +party of Confederates would seize a train near Philadelphia, and +attempt to run it through Baltimore, especially if the movements of +their armies should be such as would lead to the belief that this was +only _part_ of a grand scheme! + +I will now give a personal sketch of my own adventures after leaving +the train. It was still moving when I jumped off,--fast enough to make +me perform several inconvenient gyrations on reaching the ground. Most +of the party were ahead of me. Three had taken the eastern side of the +road, and the remainder the opposite side. I followed the example of +the latter, and soon reached the cover of the stunted pines that grew +near the road. Feeling the necessity of getting away as far as +possible before the enemy could pursue us on foot, I struck off at a +rapid rate. + +Soon I passed the little brook that ran along the foot of the hill, +and pressed on up its steep side. There were three of my comrades not +far from me on the left, but I could not overtake them, and still +proceeded alone. I knew that pursuit would be rapid and instantaneous. +I seemed to hear the tread of cavalry in every breeze that sighed +through the branches of the naked forest! + +The country was rough and uneven. On the bottoms, and by the streams, +were a few pines; but on the mountain spurs, which here are a low +continuation of the Cumberland range, the timber is mostly oak and +other varieties, which were not then in foliage. This was a great +disadvantage, because it left no hiding place, and exposed us to the +view of the watchful eyes of our enemies. + +Soon I found myself in the bend of a little river that empties into +the Tennessee at Chattanooga. It was swollen by continuous rains, and +for some time I searched along its bank for a place to cross the +turbulent stream; but, seeing none, and believing that death was +behind, I committed myself to its angry current, and, after being +thoroughly soaked, and almost washed away, I succeeded in reaching the +opposite side. Here the bank rose in an almost perpendicular precipice +of more than a hundred feet in hight. I dared not recross the stream, +for I knew the enemy could not be far behind, and, therefore, I +clambered up the precipice. Several times when near the top did I feel +my grasp giving way; but as often did some bush or projecting rock +afford me the means of saving myself. At last, after the most imminent +danger, I reached the top utterly exhausted, pulled myself out of +sight, and breathed for a while. + +I had had no breakfast or dinner, and had spent not only that day, but +many preceding ones, in the most fatiguing exertion. I was very faint +and sick, and almost out of hope. I had no guide even in the direction +of home, for the sun still lingered behind an impenetrable veil. + +While I thus lay and mused on the unenviable situation in which I +found myself placed, a sound reached my ears that again sent the blood +leaping wildly through my veins. It was the distant baying of a +bloodhound! Never again will I read the story of human beings, of any +color, pursued by these revolting instruments of man's most savage +"inhumanity to man," with indifference! + +I started to my feet, and a few moments' listening confirmed my first +impression. It was true. They were after us with their bloodhounds! +not one pack alone, but all in the country, as the widening circle, +from which echoed their dismal baying, revealed but too plainly. There +was no longer safety in idleness, and I at once started up, and +hurried off, as nearly at right angles to the railroad as I could +ascertain by the whistling of the trains, which seemed to be moving in +great numbers, and much excited. The fearful barking of the dogs also +gave me a clue to avoid them. Faint and weak as I was, excitement +supplied the place of strength, and I rapidly placed a considerable +distance between myself and pursuers. + +Away across the hills and streams I sped, I knew not how far--I only +knew that the noise of the dogs grew fainter and fainter as the +evening wore on. I had distanced them, and began to breathe freer. I +even indulged the hope of being able ultimately to work my way to the +lines, and still think I might have done so, had the weather been +clear enough to permit my traveling by the sun or stars. + +As I descended the long slope of a wooded hill into a wild, solitary +valley, I saw a rude hut, and a man in the garden beside it. I +approached him to inquire the road to Chattanooga, though that was the +last place I wished to go. The answer was, that it was only eight +miles. This was nearer than I liked to be, as I rightly judged the +pursuit would be most vigorous in that vicinity. However, I continued +my journey in that direction, until out of sight, and then climbed up +the hill at right angles to my former course. I traveled this way for +some time, when an incident occurred that would have been amusing, had +it been less vexatious. + +I had often heard that persons who were lost would naturally travel in +a circle, but did not attach a great deal of credit to the assertion. +Now I had the proof. I had crossed a road, and left it for something +like an hour, during which time I walked very fast, when, to my +surprise, I came to the same place again. + +I was considerably annoyed to thus lose my labor, but struck over the +hill in what I supposed to be the right direction. Judge of my +astonishment when, after an hour or more of hard walking, I found +myself at precisely the same spot again! So much time had been lost, +that I now could hear the bloodhounds once more. I was perplexed +beyond measure. A few steps further brought me to the _same river_ I +had crossed hours before. In sheer desperation I took the first road I +came to, and followed it a long time, almost regardless of where it +should lead, or whom I should meet. + +Thus I pressed forward till twilight was deepening into darkness, when +I met a negro driving a team. From him I learned that I was within +four miles of Chattanooga; words can not describe the tide of +vexation, disappointment, and anger that swept over my breast, when I +found that in spite of my most determined efforts I was steadily +approaching the lion's mouth. But it was no use to give way to +despair. Learning from the negro the direction of both Ringgold and +Chattanooga, I resolved to make an effort to reach the Tennessee +river some eight or ten miles below Chattanooga. For this purpose, I +struck across the fields in the proper course. + +For some time now I did well enough, but before long I came to a large +field of deadened timber. When I had crossed this, I was again +completely lost. Soon, however, I reached a road which seemed to lead +right, which I followed with renewed vigor for several miles. At last +I met three men on horseback; it was too dark to tell whether they +were negroes or white men, but I ventured to ask them: + +"How far is it to Chattanooga?" + +"_Three miles!_" + +"Is this the road?" + +"Yes, sah! _right ahead_." + +I had afterwards reason to believe that these were men sent out to +arrest us, and that they did not stop me just because I was going +right to Chattanooga! + +But it was evident that I was again on the wrong road. Indeed, it +seemed as if I was so hopelessly bewildered that it was impossible for +me to travel any _but_ the wrong road. As soon as the horsemen got out +of sight, I turned and followed them three or four miles, when I came +to a large road running at right angles with my own, which terminated +where it joined the other. I deliberated for some time as to which end +of this new road I should take. I had no guide to direct me, for my +old road was too crooked even to give me the direction of the dreaded +Chattanooga. + +Many a time have I wished for a sight of the moon and stars. Long +before the clash of arms was heard in our land, before the thunder and +the wailing of battle had filled a nation with weeping, have I waited +and wished for the parting away of the tedious clouds, that, with my +telescope, I might gaze on the wonders and beauties of the worlds +above. But never did I bend a more anxious eye to the darkened +firmament, than in my solitary wanderings over the Georgia hills that +memorable night. But all in vain; no North Star appeared to point with +beam of hope to the land of the free. + +At length I started off on the road that I thought most likely to lead +me in the right direction; but as usual I had the misfortune of being +wrong; for after I had gone a long distance, the moon broke through a +rift in the clouds, and for a moment poured her light down on the dark +forest through which I was passing. That one glance was enough to show +me that I was heading back toward the railroad I had left in the +morning. Wearily I turned and retraced my tedious steps. + +One of my feet had been injured by an accident three mouths before, +and now pained me excessively. Still I dragged myself along. My nerves +had become completely exhausted by the long-continued tension they had +sustained, and now played me many fantastic tricks, which became more +vivid as the night waned away. I passed the place where I had made the +wrong choice of roads, and still toiled on. + +The rain fell in torrents now. I was thinly clad, and as the wind, +which was blowing quite hard, drove the falling showers against me, my +teeth chattered, and I shivered to the bone. I passed many houses, and +feared the barking of the dogs might betray me to watchers within; but +my fears were groundless. The storm, which was then howling fearfully +through the trees, served to keep most of those who sought our lives, +within doors. Even the barking of the bloodhounds was heard but +seldom, and then far in the distance. I seemed to have the lonely, +fearful, stormy night to myself. + +At last all thoughts gave way to the imperative necessity of repose. I +reeled to a large log that lay by the side of the road, on the edge +of a small patch of woodland, and crawling close under the side of it, +not for shelter from the driving rain, but for concealment from my +worse-dreaded human foes, I slept in peace. + +Up to this time the image of that terrible night is graven on my +memory with a scorching pen of fire. After this it changes, and with +the exception of a few real incidents that aroused me from my trance, +it floats before me in more than the voluptuous splendor of an +opium-dream. The cause of this change is a curious chapter in mental +philosophy. It was no doubt purely physical, resulting from want of +sleep, fatigue, dampness, lack of food, and intense mental exertion. +But let me narrate facts. + +When I awoke, it was with a full realization of my position. But in +addition to this, I seemed to hear some one whisper, as plainly as +ever I heard human voice: + +"Shoot him! shoot him! Let us shoot him before he wakes!" + +My first impression was, that a party of rebels had discovered my +hiding-place, and were about to murder me in my sleep, to save +themselves further trouble. But the next thought brought a new +suspicion, and I cautiously opened my eyes to test it, and see if my +senses were really playing false. + +Directly before me stood a small tree. The first glance showed a tree +and nothing more. The next showed a score of angels, all clad in +softest outlines, their heads nodding with feathery plumes above all +beauty, and their wings slowly waving with borders of violet and +pearl. The whole forest was suddenly transformed into a paradise of +radiant glory, in which moved celestial beings of every order, all +instinct with life, blushing with love, and bending their kindest +regards on me. Ladies, too, were there, fairer than ever walked the +fields of earth, embowered in roses; little cherubs with laughing +faces, on cloudlets of amber and gold, floated around. Indeed, all +that the imagination could conceive of beauty was comprised in that +one gorgeous, glorious vision. + +The most singular fact of all was, that although the brain and eye +were thus impressed with that which had no real existence, I was +perfectly calm and self-possessed, knowing the whole thing to be but a +pleasing illusion. I did not in the least fear these figures of the +brain, but on the contrary found them pleasant company. Not always, +however, did they personate the same characters. Occasionally they +would change to the old feudal knights, sometimes on horseback, +sometimes on foot, but always clad in glittering armor. + +The finest landscapes would start up from the cold, dull hills around, +like mirages in the desert; panoramas of the most vivid action passed +before me; even language was not denied to my visitants, whose voices +were inexpressibly melodious; every thought that passed through my +mind seemed sounded audibly at my side. + +Thus through the visions of night and darkness I passed rapidly on, +for now I felt refreshed and endowed with new strength. Even the +merciless pelting of the cold rain seemed pleasant and luxurious as a +cool bath in the parching heats of harvest. But beyond these +illusions, another faculty seemed to penetrate and show me, though but +dimly, the true face of the country. + +Once the two became mingled, and very nearly involved me in a serious +difficulty. At a cross-road, a considerable distance ahead, I saw what +I at first supposed to be some more of my spectral friends, standing +around a fire, the ruddy blaze of which served to render them clearly +visible. They were not quite so beautiful as those I had seen before, +but still I advanced carelessly toward them, and would probably have +continued to do so, until too late for retreat, had not my progress +been arrested by a sound of all others the least romantic. It was the +squealing of a pig they had caught, and were killing, preparatory to +roasting in the fire. + +This at once drove away the seraphs and the angels, and left me in +full possession of my faculties. I listened, and soon became convinced +that they were a picket, sent out there to watch for just such persons +as myself. They had some dogs with them, which, fortunately, were too +much absorbed in the dying agonies of the poor pig to give attention +to me. + +I crawled cautiously away, and made a long circuit through the fields. +A dog made himself exceedingly annoying by following and barking after +me. I did not apprehend danger from him, for I yet had my trusty +revolver, and had managed to keep it dry all the time; but I feared he +would attract the attention of the picket, who might easily have +captured me, for I was too weary to elude them. + +At last he left me, and I again returned to the road. I had not gone +far till I came to three horses hobbled down, which, no doubt, +belonged to the picket behind, and had to make another circuit to +avoid driving them away before me. On again reaching the road, I +pressed on as fast as possible, hoping, before the morning light, to +be beyond the circle of guarded roads, and the line of planters who +were scouring the woods with their dogs. It was a vain hope, but I +knew not then the gigantic plan of search which had been organized. + +The visions which had made the lonely forest almost a paradise, now +grew dimmer and dimmer. The roses faded, and all the forms of beauty +vanished into thin air. + +The chill horror of my situation froze deeper into my veins. I would +find myself walking along, almost asleep, then would wander a short +distance from the road to a secluded spot,--throw myself down on the +flooded ground, and sleep a few minutes; then would awaken, almost +drowned by the pitiless rain, and so sore and benumbed that I could +scarcely stagger to my feet, and plod onward. + +Thus that dreary night wore on; it seemed an age of horror, and placed +a shuddering gulf between my present life and the past. But at last +the cold gray of a clouded morning broke through the weeping sky. Day +brought no relief. Every one I saw seemed to be a foe. Still I did not +avoid them. I carefully washed all traces of that terrible night from +my clothes. The wet did not matter, for the rain was still falling +fast enough to account for that. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +Sabbath--Continuous Rain--Press Onward--Observed--Arrested--Curious +Examination--Equivocating for Life--Plans Foiled by Unexpected +News--Plundered--Jail--Terrible Reflections--New and Hopeful +Resolve--Unwelcome Visitors--Vigilance Committee Disappointed--Ordered +to Chattanooga--A Mob--Chained to the Carriage--Escort--The +Journey--Musings--Arrival--Another Mob--Benevolent Gentleman(?)--General +Leadbetter--Andrews. + + +It was Sabbath morning, but it came not to me with the blessed +calmness and peace that accompany it in my own sweet Ohio. I saw the +people going to church, and longed to go with them, but dared not +encounter the prying eyes that would have greeted a stranger, even if +I had wished thus to loiter on my journey. + +But why should I dwell longer on this dreary morning? why linger over +its miseries, deepened by the faintness of the hope that they would +ever cease, and give me again to the comfort and love of home? I +wandered on till about noon, when I was observed by some one on the +watch for strangers. This was just beyond Lafayette, Georgia. A party +of pursuit was at once organized numbering twenty or more. I knew +nothing of my danger, till they were within about fifty yards of me, +when they ordered me to stop. + +I put my hand on my pistol, and looked round. The country was level +and open for some distance, and I was too weary to run, even if some +of the party had not been mounted; therefore I made a virtue of +necessity, and stopped, asking what they wanted. They replied that +they wanted to talk with me awhile. Soon they came up, and a little, +conceited man, who had the epaulets of a lieutenant, but whom they +called major, undertook to question me. He was very bland about it, +and apologized hugely for interrupting me, but said if I was a +patriotic man, as he had no doubt I was, I would willingly undergo a +slight inconvenience for the good of the Confederacy. I endeavored to +imitate his politeness, and begged him to proceed in the performance +of his duty, assuring him that he would find nothing wrong. He then +searched me very closely for papers, looking over my money and pistol, +but found nothing suspicious. + +He next asked me who I was, where I came from, and where I was going. +I told him that I was a citizen of Kentucky, who had been disgusted +with the tyranny of Lincoln, and was ready to fight against it; that I +came to Chattanooga, but would not enlist at that place, because most +of the troops there were conscripts, and the few volunteers were very +poorly armed. I told him all about where I had been in Chattanooga, +and the troops there, for I had heard a good deal said about them as I +went down on the cars to Marietta, on the previous Friday evening. I +had also heard them praising the First Georgia, which was with +Beauregard, and now told the Major that I wanted to join it. He then +asked why I did not proceed at once to Corinth, without going so far +around the country. I alleged that General Mitchel was in the way at +Huntsville, and that I was merely making a circuit far enough around +to be out of the danger of capture. + +This seemed to be perfectly satisfactory to the little man, and +turning to the crowd he said: + +"We may as well let this fellow go on, for he seems to be all right." + +These words rejoiced me, but my joy was premature. A dark-complexioned +man, who sat on his horse, with his hat drawn down over his brows, +raised his eyes slowly, and drawled out: + +"Well, y-e-s! Perhaps we'd as well take him back to town, and if all's +right, maybe we can help him on to Corinth." + +This was rather more help than I wanted, but it was useless to demur. + +They conducted me to the largest hotel in the place, where I was +received very kindly. Soon a number of lawyers came in, and commenced +asking me all kinds of hard questions. I answered as well as I could. +When I told them I was from Kentucky, they wished to know the county. +I told them Fleming. Then they asked the county seat. This also I was +able to give; but when they required me to give the counties which +bounded it, I was nonplussed. I mentioned a few at random, but suspect +most of them were wrong. They said it looked suspicious to find a man +who could not bound his own county, but proceeded in their +examination. + +They requested a narrative of my journey all the way through from +Kentucky. This I gave very easily, as long as it was on ground that +was not accessible to them; but it sorely puzzled me to account for +the time I had been on the railroad, and for the last night, which I +spent in the woods. I had to _invent_ families with whom I +stayed--tell the number of children and servants at each, and all the +particulars. This was rather perilous, as many of my auditors knew all +the country around which I was thus fancifully populating; but I had +no alternative. I might have refused to answer at all, but this would +have been construed into positive proof of guilt--at least as good as +a _mob_ would have required. Besides, I still had a faint hope that +they might be induced to release me, and allow me to continue my +journey. As it was, my assurance puzzled them somewhat, and they held +numerous private consultations. + +But while they were thus deliberating over my case, and could only +agree that it needed further investigation, a man, riding a horse +covered with foam, dashed up to the door. He came from Ringgold, and +brought the news that part of the bridge-burners had been captured, +and that they had at first pretended to be _citizens of Kentucky, from +Fleming county_,--but, on finding that this did not procure their +release, they confessed that they were Ohio soldiers, sent out to burn +the bridges on the Georgia State Road. + +The remarkable coincidence of their first story with the one I had +been trying so hard to make the rebels believe, produced a marked +change in their conduct toward me. They at once adjourned to another +room, and, after a brief consultation, agreed to commit me to jail to +await further developments. + +The little major was my escort. He first purloined my money, then took +me to the county jail and handed me over to the jailor. This personage +took my penknife and other little articles,--then led me up +stairs,--unfastened the door of a cage of crossing iron bars, in which +was one poor fellow--a Union man, as I afterward found--and bade me +enter. My reflections could not have been more gloomy if the +celebrated inscription, _Dante_, placed over the gates of hell, had +been written above the massive iron door. + + "All hope abandon, ye who enter here." + +My feelings were terrible when the jailor turned the key in the lock, +secured the heavy iron bar that crossed the door, and left me. Never +before had I been locked up as a prisoner, and now it was no trivial +matter--a few days or weeks. There was absolutely no hope ahead. I was +there as a criminal, and too well did I realize the character of the +Southern people, to believe that they would be fastidious about proof. +Life is held too cheap in that country to cause them a long delay in +its disposal. + +In that hour, my most distressing thought was of my friends at home, +and particularly of my mother--thinking what would be their sorrow +when they heard of my ignominious fate--if indeed they ever heard, for +I had given an assumed name. That all my young hopes and ambitions, my +fond dreams of being useful, should perish, as I then had no doubt +they would, on a Southern scaffold, seemed unbearable in the extreme. +But only one moment did these thoughts sweep over me; the next they +were rejected as not calculated to profit in the least. My first +action was to borrow from my Union companion his blankets, of which he +had a plentiful supply, and wrap myself in them. The warmth they +produced soon threw me into a deep sleep,--profound and +dreamless,--such as only extreme fatigue can afford. + +I awoke hours after, feeling much refreshed, but did not at first +realize where I was; yet a glance at the woven bars which everywhere +bounded me in, brought back the knowledge that I was a prisoner; but I +did not give way to useless despair. I was almost amused at the +quaint, yet truthful remark my fellow-prisoner made to me. Said he: + +"If you are innocent of the charge they have against you, there is no +hope for you. But if it is true, you may save yourself by telling +what regiment and company you belong to, and claiming protection as a +United States prisoner of war." + +I thought a good deal over this opinion, and became more and more +impressed with its wisdom. It contained a truth that I could not +gainsay. To hang a poor stranger in the South would be a common-place +affair--only what was often done by the Southerners before the war +began. In fact, they did kill a man at Dalton, under circumstances of +the greatest cruelty, because he cheered as we dashed through the +town. Afterward they found out that the man was as good a rebel as any +of them, and had merely cheered because he thought we, too, were +rebels; then they set the matter right by apologizing to his friends! + +It was quite different in the case of our soldiers. If they were +murdered, there was an unpleasant probability that some of the +chivalry themselves would have to suffer in retaliation. Besides, I +reflected with a glow of hope, the first I experienced since I fell +into their hands, that our government held a number of rebels, who had +been taken in Missouri on a similar expedition. All day and night I +mused on these things, and endeavored to come to such a decision as +would be for the best. When I heard of the capture of many of our +party, and the announcement of the regiments to which they belonged, +showing that they had been influenced by the same considerations I had +been revolving, I at once determined to rest my fate on my claim as a +United States soldier. I believe that this decision ultimately saved +my life. + +All this time I was not in loneliness. Throngs of Georgians came in to +see the caged Yankee--both ladies and gentlemen. Many were the odd +remarks they made, criticising every feature, and not a few adding +every possible word of insult. The whole day they crowded in, and I +was glad when the approach of night put an end to the annoyance. + +The coarse food the jailor brought was eaten with such a relish as +hunger only can impart. I was fortunate in respect to quantity, for my +companion was not well, and could not eat much; but I atoned for his +shortcoming by eating both of our allowances without difficulty. + +In the morning, they took me before a self-constituted committee of +vigilance. These committees were very common in the South, and still +more summary in their modes of administering justice, or rather +vengeance, than were the celebrated vigilance committees of San +Francisco, in the early history of the gold mines. They were prepared +with a board of the most eminent lawyers in the vicinity, and no doubt +hoped to entangle me still more deeply in the meshes of contradiction +than they did the day before. But I cut the whole matter short by +saying: + +"Gentlemen, the statements I gave you yesterday were intended to +deceive you. I will now tell you the truth." + +The clerk got his pen ready to take down the information. + +"Go on, sir; go on," said the president. + +"I am ready," said I, "to give you my true name and regiment, and to +tell you why I came into your country." + +"Just what we want, sir. Go on," said they. + +"But," I returned, "I will make no statement whatever, until taken +before the regular military authority of this department." + +This took them by surprise, and they used every threat and argument in +their power to induce me to change my purpose, but in vain. My reason +for this, was to avoid the violence of mob law. While in the hands of +the populace, there was danger of the summary infliction of punishment +that the military authorities could disavow, if our government +threatened retaliation. But if I was once under the regular military +jurisdiction, they would be responsible both to the United States and +to the civilized world. + +When they found that I would tell them nothing further, they made +arrangements to take me to Chattanooga, which was distant twenty +miles. It was the same to Ringgold, near which we abandoned the train. +Thus it will be seen that in that long and terrible night I had +traveled twenty miles in a straight line, and, with my meanderings, +must have walked fifty. + +I was remanded to the jail to wait for the preparation of a suitable +escort. Here I remained till after dinner, when I was guarded by about +a dozen men to the public square. A carriage was in waiting, in which +I was placed, and then commenced the process of tying and chaining. + +A great mob gathered around, completely filling the whole square, and +was exceedingly angry and excited. They questioned me in loud and +imperious tones, demanding why I came down there to fight them, and +adding every possible word of insult. I heard many significant hints +about getting ropes, and the folly of taking me down to Chattanooga, +when I could be hanged just as well there. + +However, as the mob grew more violent in their denunciations, I +selected some of the more intelligent ones and addressed them. They +answered with curses; but in the very act of cursing, they grew milder +and more willing to converse. I was not very much in the humor for +talking, but following the dictates of policy rather than inclination, +I answered their innuendoes merrily, and soon had some of the laughers +on my side. Before long, I heard some of them say, "Pity he is a +Yankee, for he seems to be a good fellow." This was gratifying, and we +were soon ready to start. + +I had been secured in such a manner as to make assurance doubly sure. +A heavy chain was put around my neck and fastened by a padlock; the +other end was hitched to one foot, and secured in the same manner; the +chain being extended to its full length, while I was in a sitting +position, making it impossible for me to rise.--My hands were tied +together; my elbows were pinioned to my side by ropes; and, to crown +all, I was firmly bound to the carriage seat! + +My evil genius, the little major, took the seat beside me as driver. +He was armed to the teeth. Two other officers on horseback, likewise +fully armed, constituted the rest of the guard that was thought +necessary to attend one chained and helpless Yankee. Oh! spirit of +chivalry! how art thou fallen! No longer one brave Southern knight a +match for eight or ten Northern mudsills; but three well-armed +officers to guard one chained Union soldier! The same exaggerated +caution I frequently noticed afterward. There seemed to be a perpetual +fear on the minds of the miscreants that we were about to do something +desperate. + +As we journeyed along, the sky, which for days had been overcast, and, +during that time, had hardly afforded us a glimpse of its celestial +blue, became suddenly clear. The sun shone out in beauty, and smiled +on the first faint dawnings of spring that lay in tender green on the +surrounding hills. I am ever very sensitive to the influences of +nature in all its phases, and now felt my spirit grow more light as I +breathed the fresh air, and listened to the singing of the birds. + +My companions were quite talkative, and though I hated them for the +indignity they had thus put upon me in chaining me as a criminal, yet +I knew it would be unavailing to indulge a surly and vindictive +disposition, and therefore talked as fast and as lively as they could. + +My guards, themselves, did not subject me to any insults, and even +endeavored to prove that the extraordinary manner in which I was bound +was a compliment to me. I could not see it in that light, and would +have willingly excused the tying and the compliment together! The +worst was that when they passed any house they would call out, "We've +got a live Yankee here;" then men, women, and children, would rush to +the door, and stare as though they saw some great monster, asking: + +"Whar did you ketch him? Goin' to hang him when you get him to +Chattanooga?" and similar expressions without end. + +This was only amusing at first, but its perpetual recurrence soon grew +terribly wearisome, and was not without its effect in making me +believe they really would hang me. In fact, my expectation of escaping +was never very bright; yet I considered it my duty to keep up my +spirits as well as I could, and not despair till it really was certain +that there remained no ground for hope. The afternoon wore slowly away +as we traveled along, passing some very grand and romantic scenery, +that in any other frame of mind would have been enthusiastically +enjoyed; but now my thoughts were otherwise engaged. + +It was not the thought of death I so much dreaded, as the manner of +death. Death amid the smoke, and excitement, and glory of battle, was +not half so terrible as in the awful calmness and chill horror of the +scaffold! And sadder yet, to think of my friends, who would count the +weary months that had gone by, and wish and long for my return, till +hope became torturing suspense, and suspense deepened into despair. +These thoughts were almost too much for stoicism; yet there was no +alternative but to patiently endure. + +The sun went down, and night came on--deep, calm, and clear. One by +one the stars twinkled into light. I gazed upon their beauty with new +feelings, as I wondered whether the short, revolving course of a few +more suns might not bring me a dweller above the stars! And as I +thought of the blessed rest for the weary beyond the shores of time, +my thoughts took a new direction. I was not then a professor of +Christianity, but had often and believingly thought of the great +interests of the future, and had resolved to make them my particular +study; but had never hitherto addressed myself in earnest to the task, +and latterly, the confusion and bustle of a camp-life had almost +driven the subject out of my mind. But now, whether it came from the +clustering stars above, or from the quiet and stillness so congenial +to exhausted nature, after the weariness and excitement of the last +few days, or from a still deeper source, I know not. I only know that +the memory of that night, when I was thus being carried chained to an +unknown fate, is one of the sweetest of my life. My babbling guards +had subsided into silence, and, as we wended along through the +gathering darkness, high and noble thoughts of the destiny of man +filled my breast, and death seemed only the shining gate to eternal +and blissful life. I was nerved for any fate. + +We arrived at Chattanooga while a feeble glow of the soft spring +twilight still lingered on the earth. We immediately drove to the +headquarters of General Leadbetter, then commanding that place, and +while our guards ascended to inform him of our arrival, I was left in +the carriage. As soon as we entered the town, the word was given: + +"We've got a live Yankee; one that took the train the other day." + +I was not the first one of the party captured, but was the first +brought to Chattanooga. The curiosity to see one of the men who had +frightened women and children into the woods, was, of course, most +extreme, and an immense crowd soon gathered around. They behaved just +as Southern mobs usually do--jeering and hooting--calling me by every +epithet of reproach the language afforded, and wanting to know why I +came down there to burn their property, and murder them and their +children. To these multitudinous questions and assertions I made no +answer. I was greatly amused (afterward!) by their criticisms on my +appearance. One would say that "it was a pity that so young and +clever-looking a man should be caught in such a scrape." Another, of +more penetrating cast, could tell that "he was a rogue by his +appearance--probably came out of prison in his own country." Another +was surprised that I could hold up my head and look around on honest +men--arguing that such brazen effrontery was a proof of enormous +depravity of heart. I did not give my opinion on the subject. Indeed, +it was not asked. + +There was one man I noticed in particular. He was tall and +venerable-looking; had gray hair, gray beard, a magnificent forehead, +and an altogether commanding and intellectual expression of +countenance. He was treated with great deference, and appeared to me +most like a doctor of divinity. As he parted his way through the +crowd toward me, I thought: + +"Surely I will receive some sympathy from that noble-looking man." + +His first question was calculated to confirm my impression. Said he: + +"How old are you?" + +I answered, "Twenty-two, sir." + +Gradually his lip wreathed itself into a curl of unutterable scorn, as +he slowly continued: + +"Poor young fool! and I suppose you was a school-teacher, or something +of that kind in your own land! and you thought you would come down +here and rob us, and burn our houses, and murder us, did you? Now let +me give you a little advice: if you ever get home again, (but you +never will,) do try, for God's sake, and have a little better sense, +and stay there!" + +Then he turned contemptuously on his heel, and strode away, while the +rabble around rewarded him with a cheer. I never could find out who he +was. After that I looked no more for sympathy in that crowd. + +My conductors now returned, and escorted me into the presence of +General Leadbetter. They said he was a Northern man; but if so, it is +very little credit to my section, for he was one of the most +contemptible individuals I ever knew. He was a perfect sot, and had +just two states of body, as a Confederate captain afterwards explained +to us--these were, dead drunk, and gentlemanly drunk. He oscillated +constantly between these two. He was a coward as well, and though only +a brigadier-general, managed to stay as far away from the field when +the fight was going on, as one of our own most conspicuous +major-generals did. He had been promoted to his present position for +his _gallantry_ in hanging some defenceless East Tennessee citizens, +which he did without a trial. + +All these facts I learned afterward, except one, which was apparent +when I entered the room. He was "gentlemanly drunk." He commenced +questioning me, and I told him partly the truth, and partly not--going +on the principle that truth is a pearl, and pearls are not to be +thrown before swine. I told him that I was a United States soldier, +giving him my company and regiment; but saying that I was detailed +without my consent, that I was ignorant of where I was going, and what +I was to perform, which I only learned as fast as I was to execute it. +He wanted to know our intention in thus seizing the engine, but I +plead ignorance. He next inquired who was our engineer, but I refused +to tell. He then said: + +"Sir, I want you to tell me just how many men you had on that train, +and to describe them so I may know when I get them." + +I answered, "General, I have freely told you whatever concerns only +myself, because I thought it better that you should know that I am a +soldier under the protection of the United States, but I have not yet +become base enough to describe my comrades!" + +"O!" sneered he, "I don't know that I ought to have asked you that." + +"I think not, sir," I replied. + +"Well," said he, "I know all about it. Your leader's name is Andrews. +What kind of a man is he?" + +I was perfectly astonished that he should have Andrews' name, and know +him to be our leader; but I never imagined what I afterward found to +be the true cause--that Andrews had been captured, and had given his +name, with the fact that he was the leader of the expedition. I had +every confidence that _he_ would get away, and try some measures for +our relief; so I answered boldly: + +"I can tell you only one thing about him, and that is, he is a man +whom you will never catch." + +I _thought_ I noticed a peculiar smile on the General's face as I said +this, but he only replied: + +"That will do for you;" and turning to a captain who stood by, he +continued, "take him to the hole; you know where that is." + +With a nod in reply, the captain took me out of the room. As I passed +through the door, I saw an explanation of the General's smile. There +stood Andrews, ironed, waiting an audience, and Marion Ross and John +Williams with him. I did not choose to recognize them; for such +recognition might have compromised them, as I knew not what course +they would pursue. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +Negro Prison--Swims, the Jailor--Horrible Dungeon--Black Hole of +Calcutta--Suffocation--Union Prisoners--Slave Catching--Our Party +Reunited--Breakfast Lowered by Rope--Hunger--Counseling--Fiendish +Barbarity--Chained in the Dungeon--Andrews tried as a Spy and +Traitor--Sweet, but Stolen News--Removed from Dungeon--Pure Air and +Sunlight--Attacked by a Mob--"A Friend"--Madison--Daring Adventure and +Narrow Escape. + + +The captain now called a guard of eight men, and conducted me through +the streets for some time; at last we came to a little brick building, +surrounded by a high board fence. Those who have ever been in +Chattanooga, and visited the negro prison, will recognize my +description. A portion of the building was occupied by the jailor, but +the prison part consisted of two rooms, one under the other, and also +partly underground. This under room had no entrance from the outside, +but was accessible only through a trap-door from the room directly +overhead. + +Chattanooga is not a county-seat, and, therefore, this prison was +built only for the accommodation of negroes by their humane owners. + +The jailor, Swims, was a character, and merits a particular +description. He was an old man--perhaps sixty. His hair, which was +very abundant, was white as snow, and his face had a dry and withered +expression. His voice was always keyed on a whining tone, except when +some great cause, such as the demand of prisoners for an extra bucket +of water, excited him, and then it rose to a hoarse scream. Avarice +was his predominant, almost his only, characteristic. He seemed to +think his accommodations were vastly too good for negroes and Yankees, +and that when they were admitted within his precincts, they should be +thankful, and give as little trouble as possible. With such notions, +it was not wonderful that he managed to make the lot of the prisoner +an uncomfortable one. In addition to this, he was very fond of a dram, +and frequently became sufficiently intoxicated to reveal many +important matters that we would not otherwise have learned. + +He bustled to the gate, growling all the time about being troubled so +much, unlocked it, and admitting us, led us up the outside stairway, +and then into the upper room. I now saw why the General called the +place a "hole," and truly I thought the name was appropriate. It was +only thirteen feet square, destitute of every convenience, without +chairs, beds, or anything of the kind. There were in it five or six +old, miserable-looking men, who had not been washed for months. The +place looked hard to me, and I shuddered at the idea of taking up my +abode in such a den. But I soon found that I was not to enjoy that +luxury. + +Said the jailor to the captain, "Where shall I put him?" + +"Below, of course," was the reply. + +The jailor then advanced to the middle of the floor, and taking a +large key from his pocket, knelt down and unlocked two rusty locks; +then, with a great effort, raised a ponderous trap-door just at my +feet. The hot air and the stifling stench smote me back, but the +bayonets of the guards were just behind, and I was compelled to move +forward again. A long ladder was next thrust down through the +trap-door, and the inmates warned to stand from under. A mingled +volley of cries, oaths, and questions ascended, and the ladder was +secured. The captain then ordered me to descend into what seemed more +like Pandemonium than any place on earth. Down I went into the +cimmerian gloom--clambering step by step to a depth of fully thirteen +feet; for the place, as I afterwards learned, when I had more leisure +for observation, was a cube, just thirteen feet each way. I stepped +off the ladder, treading on human beings I could not discern, and +crowding in as best I might. + +[Illustration: "Down I went into the cimmerian gloom--clambering step +by step to a depth of fully thirteen feet."--Page 129.] + +The heat was so great that the perspiration broke from me in streams. +The foeted air made me for a time deadly sick, and I wondered whether +it could be possible they would leave human beings in this horrible +place to perish. The thought of the black hole at Calcutta, where so +many Englishmen died, rushed over me. True, this was done by the cruel +and savage East Indians, while we were in the hands of "our Southern +brethern," the "chivalry;" but I could not perceive that this +difference of captors made any difference of treatment. + +My breath came thick and heavy, and I thought of suffocation. The +ladder was drawn up, and with a dull and heavy sound that seemed +crushing down on my heart, the trap-door fell. I wedged and jammed my +way through the living throng to the window. The one I reached was +just under the wooden stairs, and, of course, gave no light. The other +was below the surface of the ground. They were at opposite sides of +the room, and were only about a foot square, being filled with a +triple row of thick set iron bars, that almost excluded every current +of air. I pressed my face close to the bars, and breathed the purest +air I could get, until I became partly reconciled to the oppression, +and then turned to ascertain the condition of my companions. It was +wretched beyond description. They were ragged, dirty, and crawling +with vermin. Most of them were nearly naked; but this was no +inconvenience there, for it was so warm that those who had clothes +were obliged to take them off, and nearly all were in a state of +nudity. I soon found it necessary myself to disrobe, and even then the +perspiration poured off me most profusely. It was an atmosphere of +death. + +Yet among the prisoners were old men, just trembling on the verge of +the grave, who were arrested merely because they had ventured to +express a preference for the old, well-tried Government, over the new, +slave-built Confederacy. The cruelty practiced on the Tennessee Union +men will never half be told. It forms the darkest page in the history +of the war. In every prison of which I was an inmate in Georgia and +Virginia, as well as in Tennessee, I found these miserable but +patriotic men thus heartlessly immured. But I will speak more of them +hereafter; at that time the thought of my own danger banished every +other consideration. + +There were fourteen white men in the room beside myself, and one +negro. I wonder what those tender soldiers, who consider it derogatory +to their dignity to fight in the same army that blacks do, would think +if they were confined with them so closely that there was no +possibility of getting away. But we endured too many real evils to +fret at imaginary ones; and besides, Aleck was so kind and +accommodating, so anxious to do everything in his power for us, that +he soon became a general favorite; and when he was taken out to be +whipped, as he was several times, to ascertain whether he was telling +a true story or not, we could not help feeling the sincerest sympathy +for him. + +The Southern method of catching stray negroes is about this: When one +is found traveling without a pass, he is arrested, taken to the jail, +and severely flogged. This usually brings some kind of a confession +from him, and he is advertised in accordance with that confession. If +no answer is received in a limited time, it is taken for granted that +he lied, and he is whipped again, in order to bring a new confession. +Thus they continue alternately whipping and advertising, till the +close of the year. If a master is found before this, he can pay the +costs and take his property; if not, the negro is sold to pay the jail +and whipping fees. No trial is ever allowed at which the negro might +prove himself free. When once arrested his doom is sealed, and in this +way many free negroes are enslaved. + +Aleck had been in this prison seven months, and was to remain five +more, with no other prospect than that of being sold into perpetual +bondage! + +Every society has its aristocrats, and here I soon found that the +eminence was given to those who were charged with the most daring +deeds. The spy--there was but one so accused, and he was +blind,[3]--was considered much above the ordinary Union men. I was +charged with the greatest adventure of any confined there, and, of +course, was treated with becoming deference. + +[3] The rebels thought he was counterfeiting blindness, but I believe +it was real. + +I was not long the only one of the _engine-thieves_, (by which name we +were known during our stay in the Confederacy,) who was confined in +this dungeon. Soon the trap-door again opened, causing a stream of +comparatively cool air from the room above to rush down. It was an +inconceivable relief--a _luxury_ that none could appreciate who had +not, as we had, been deprived of that greatest blessing God has given +to man--pure air. + +We wondered who was coming next, as the feeble glimmering of a candle +above revealed several forms descending. The Tennesseeans cried out: + +"Don't put any more down here! We're full! We'll die if more are put +down!" which did not seem improbable. + +But these remonstrances produced no effect. Down they came, and I, +stationing myself at the foot of the ladder, spoke something +indifferently to them, and heard my name called in return. + +It was Andrews, Wollam, and Ross, who gave me their hands in silent +condolence of our common misery. Still others were brought, I do not +now remember whether that evening, or in the morning. Again the door +was closed, and the free air, which had seemed to flow to us in +sympathy, was once more shut out. + +We tried to arrange ourselves to secure the repose we so much needed, +but the room was too small. Think of this, ye who sleep on your downy +beds at home. Here were your brothers of Ohio, not only compelled to +sleep on the bare floor, but not even enough of that, in this vilest +of dens, on which to lie down at all! and yet some of you sympathize +with those who were the authors of this cruelty, and think it so hard +that their property should be confiscated for such trifles as these, +and, worst of all, that their negroes should be taken from them! What +shall we think of _you_? + +We did the best we could. Some found room to lie down. Others sat +against the wall, and still others leaned on the breasts of those who +were thus supported. It is no wonder if, while in such a situation we +should be afflicted with the nightmare, and have innumerable bad +dreams. If any one wanted to move his position, or go for a drink, +(and the stifling heat rendered us all very thirsty,) he was sure to +tread on his neighbors, and tempers being naturally very short here, +some warm altercations took place, which contributed still more to +disturb our slumbers. + +The next morning we slept late. Indeed, as long as we remained in this +prison we were inclined to sleep much. The great quantity of carbonic +acid gas our breathing produced, seemed to act as an opiate, and thus +served, in some measure, to deaden the sense of pain. We were aroused +the next morning--early, as we supposed--by the opening of the door +above, and the delicious shower of cool air that fell on us. As we +looked up, we saw the white head of our old jailor bending over, and +saying, in drawling tones, "Boys, here's your breakfast," and down he +lowered a bucket, by a rope, containing a very small piece of bread, +and the same of meat, for each of us. This was seized and devoured +almost instantly. I had received nothing to eat since breakfast the +day before, and the little morsel I got only served to whet my +appetite; but there was no more! We asked what time it was, and were +told nine o'clock. We were also informed that we would get our meals +only twice a day. This was rather discouraging information for persons +as hungry as ourselves, but we had no remedy. + +During the day a few more of our party came in, and among them was G. +D. Wilson. I found that they had all done as I had in acknowledging +themselves United States soldiers, influenced by the same reasons, and +most of them sooner than myself. We consulted about the matter, and +concluded that the only hope we had, was in adhering to the same +story, and trying to make them believe that we were actually detailed +without our consent, and without a knowledge of what we had to do. +This was true for part, but not for all, or even for the most of us. +We agreed to conceal the name of the engineer at all hazards--the fact +of a previous expedition being sent down into Georgia, and that +Campbell was not a soldier--also our previous acquaintance with +Andrews, thus leaving him free to make his own defense. With the +exception of these reserved facts, which were not even to be whispered +among ourselves, we were to talk freely; to answer all questions and +convey the impression that we had nothing to conceal. We carried out +this idea, and, as more of our men came in, they agreed to it, and +gave, without reserve, their true names, companies, and regiments. +This course gained us sympathy from those whose bosoms were not +steeled against every kindly feeling; and to this, more than anything +else, I attribute the fact of some of the party being alive to-day. + +We afterward communicated our plan to Andrews, who cordially approved +it--saying that if we adhered to it there would be some chance for our +lives. We did adhere to it, and no amount of persuasion, threatening, +or promises, could induce any of the party to betray one of our +reserved secrets. The rebels were particularly anxious to discover who +was the engineer, and would first ask the question in the most +careless manner; then afterward would sternly demand to know. They +even employed a man, who was a freemason, to visit the party, and try +to gain the confidence of one of our number, who belonged to that +order, and subsequently urge him to tell the desired name, under the +sanction of the masonic oath! But all in vain. + +As others of our party joined us, in bands of two or three, they told +the story of their capture. This was, in some cases, most thrilling, +and still further illustrates the fiendish barbarities of the rebels. + +Two of them, Parrott and Robinson, who were captured the same day they +left the train, were taken to Ringgold. Here they endeavored to compel +Parrott, who was the youngest looking of the party, to betray his +companions, and particularly the engineer; but he refused to do it; +then these villains in Confederate uniform, stripped him naked, and +stretched him down on a rock, four men holding him by each hand and +foot, while two others stood by with loaded revolvers, threatening him +with instant death if he offered the least resistance; then a rebel +lieutenant commenced whipping him with a raw hide; three different +times he ceased and raised Parrott up, asking him if he was ready to +confess; but the heroic boy refused, and at last the whipping was +discontinued, after more than a hundred lashes had been inflicted. His +back remained sore a long time, and he suffered very much from being +obliged to lie on the hard floor. They did not apply anything to his +wounds to heal them, and the scars still remain. + +All the party came in chained, but of course expected, when they were +put down into the dungeon--and _such_ a dungeon!--that they would at +least have the use of their hands. But this was too great an +indulgence to be allowed. We were handcuffed, and then chained +together by the neck in twos and threes. My partner was William +Reddick, to whom I was _strongly attached_ for some time! + +Thus chained together, packed into a little cramped dungeon, deprived +even of light, and almost of air, crawled over by all kinds of vermin, +for there were innumerable rats, mice, and bugs, as well as a smaller +and still more pestiferous insect, we presented a picture of nearly +perfect misery. + +In this state we remained almost three weeks. During this time Andrews +had received a trial. The evidence was strong against him. A Mr. +Whiteman, whom Andrews himself had directed to be summoned, and who +was a former business partner of his, testified that Andrews had been +repeatedly in the South, that he had professed allegiance to the +Southern Confederacy, and in all things represented himself to be a +citizen of the same. In fact he had passes in his possession when he +was captured that could hardly have been obtained without his taking +the oath of allegiance. This did much to sustain the charge of treason +against him, as he admitted being the leader of the expedition. The +other indictment, which was that of being a spy, was not supported by +any evidence, so far as I could learn; but this was of no importance, +as the punishment of the first charge was death. However, the sentence +was not then given, and Andrews' lawyers gave him some reason to hope +that there was an informality in the proceedings which would render +the whole trial void. + +All this time we were most intensely anxious to know how military +affairs were progressing in the world without. I had appropriated from +an officer in charge of us, a paper containing the Confederate account +of our chase, which has been given before, and also an admission that +the battle of Shiloh was not so much of a victory as they had at first +supposed. We managed, likewise, to get one or two other papers which +gave the welcome news that our armies were still pressing onward, and +earnestly did we wish and hope that Chattanooga would be reached in +time to effect our deliverance. + +But the best item of news we received, was from our old jailor, who, +on one occasion, became too drunk to remember the orders he had +received against telling us anything, and let out the very interesting +fact that General Mitchel had advanced to Bridgeport, only +twenty-eight miles below us, on the Tennessee river, and there had +sorely defeated the rebels, capturing some of the very same men who +had been guarding us a few days before. + +This was very cheering, and we began to hope that we, too, would soon +be captured. The officer of the guard was obviously uneasy. All the +time we were in the dungeon, we had been guarded by twenty-six men, +with a captain over them. This was certainly enough to keep +twenty-two, confined and chained as we were, in our place, but we +thought it would be a capital joke should they be captured with us! + +But it was not their intention to let us fall into Mitchel's hands. An +order was sent to the captain in charge to prepare us for moving. He +did so; and soon after, we were in the cars, carried down the same +road we came up so rapidly three weeks before. + +How beautiful all nature appeared! It was May, and the time we had +spent without one glance at the expansive sky or green earth, had not +been lost in the material world. The landscape had been robed in a +richer verdure, the budding trees had swelled into leafy screens, the +sky was of a softer blue, the birds warbled with new melody, and +everything seemed to wear its holiday dress. + +O, the joy! the gladness! of being once more under the canopy of +heaven, and of looking up to its unfathomable depths, with no envious +bars to obstruct our view. Many a time have I passed the month of May, +amidst the most romantic scenery, but never yet did I so deeply feel, +that this is indeed a pleasant world, full of beauty and goodness, as +on that balmy evening, when the rays of the setting sun, glowing from +the west, streamed over the grass and wheatfields on their path, and +poured in mellowed, yellow radiance, through our car-window. But even +then the glories of earth and sky could not make me forget that I was +still chained to my companion, and surrounded by guards with gleaming +bayonets. + +The wild excitement caused by our raid had not subsided in the least, +and as it became known that we were passing along the road, a mob +greeted us at every station. It is not necessary to again describe +these mobs, for all are alike, and one description answers for many. +They were, as usual, rude, loquacious, and insulting. + +When we arrived in Atlanta, which was in the morning, there was no +jail-room for us; but before going further, we were obliged to wait +for the evening train. When it became known in the city that we were +there, a mob instantly collected, and prepared to hang us. They were +prevented by our guard, probably on the principle that a mouse is +protected by a kitten--that it may have the pleasure of first playing +with it, and afterwards killing it itself. During the progress of the +strife between those who wanted to hang us and those who wanted the +law to take its course, several persons were severely injured. But +while the disturbance was in progress, one man succeeded in reaching +the car window unnoticed, and handed us a paper, using only the single +but magical word--"a friend"--and then was lost in the throng. We read +the paper by snatches as the attention of the guard was directed to +other objects, and found it to contain glorious news--nothing less +than _the capture of New Orleans by our fleet_! Need I say that, for +the time, all thought of private misfortune was lost in the +exhilaration of national triumph? + +The cause of secession then looked gloomy. I took particular pains to +talk with the officer in charge of us, and other intelligent rebels, +about their prospects, and found them discouraged. Our captain would +not let us have any newspapers, or _knowingly_ give us any +information; yet he thought it no harm to talk with us on the great +subject of the war, after we had learned the facts from other sources. +Frequently, by pretending to know, we could get from him a full idea +of things concerning which we were ignorant before. Of this character +was McClellan's advance on Richmond. The captain admitted that he was +moving with an overwhelming force, and that they had then but a +comparatively small army to resist him. Indeed, everything looked +bright for the Union cause, and the only uneasiness that disturbed us +was the apprehension that we might not live to witness that happy +triumph which now seemed so near. + +In the evening we glided on again, and at length arrived at Madison. +This is a flourishing village, and looked well as we entered it. +There were then some six hundred of our prisoners confined there, and +we indulged the hope that we might be put with them. But we soon +learned that the brand of criminality for our daring adventure still +rested on us; for we were marched past the dilapidated cotton factory +where our friends were confined, to the old county jail, which was +then entirely unoccupied. It was a gloomy stone building, and had two +rooms, but both had doors, and were above ground. Of the upper story I +can not speak, as our party was divided, and I was one that was +assigned to the lower apartment. The room was very dark, and its heavy +stone walls rendered it quite damp. It would have seemed like a +wretched place, had it not been for our previous experience in +Chattanooga. Besides, we were now further from the influence of +General Leadbetter, and only under the control of our captain, who +showed us some kindness, though we were still in irons. + +The citizens of the place were freely admitted to see us, and ranged +themselves--always in the presence of the guard--along one side of the +cell, and talked about all the exciting topics of the day. They +pretended to admire us very much, and contrasted our daring expedition +with what they were pleased to call the cowardice of the Yankees +generally, and asked if there were any more like us in the army. +Wilson, of Cincinnati, assured them that we were the poorest men in +Mitchel's Division, and only sent away because he had no use for us. +This rather astonished them; but from the way in which Mitchel, with +his small and divided force, was controlling Northern Alabama, and +much of Eastern Tennessee, as well as defeating them at all points, +they were rather inclined to believe it. + +But among these visitors was one who came not for mere curiosity. He +was dressed in rebel uniform, but was instantly recognized by Andrews +as a _spy in the service of the United States_. They had no +opportunity for private communication, but our situation was revealed +in such a way as not to excite suspicion. His character was made known +to us by Andrews, after his departure; and while we were wondering at +his audacity, and rather inclined to disbelieve the story, the captain +of the guard, who had come to bring supper, told us that a most +remarkable occurrence had taken place that afternoon. + +He said that the Provost-Marshal had learned, from some source, that a +spy of Lincoln's had been among our visitors, and had at once sent a +guard to arrest him. The guard found him at the depot, just as the +cars were coming in. The stranger was very indignant at his arrest, +and told them scornfully that he had papers in his pocket that would +prove his character anywhere. They were somewhat abashed at this, and +released their hold on him, but asked him to produce the papers. He +put his hand in his pocket, as though searching for them, and fumbled +about, until he noticed that the train, which was starting, had +attained a good rate of speed, and then, just as the last car swung +by, he dashed from them, and jumped aboard! There was no telegraph +station at Madison, and he escaped. + +At this the Confederates were very much enraged, and would permit no +more visiting; but we felt ample consolation in the certainty that our +condition would be at once reported to our officers, and every effort +made for our release. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +Return to Chattanooga--Caution of Rebels--Unchain Ourselves--Mock +Trials--The Judge--Singing--One Kindness--Projected Escape--Loitering +Comrades--A Gleam of Hope--Sad Parting--Knoxville--Prison +Inmates--Brownlow--Awful Cruelty--Andrews Condemned to Death--Escapes +with Wollam--Fearful Perils--Swimming the River--Hiding on an +Island--Found by Children--Yields to His Fate--Horrible +Death--Wollam's Stratagem--On the River--Passes a Gun Boat--Final +Capture. + + +We remained only three days in Madison, when the rebel general, +becoming convinced that Mitchel was not then going to advance on +Chattanooga, ordered us back to that place. Again we were compelled to +run the gauntlet of insulting and jeering mobs that had annoyed our +course down the road. We traveled in rude box-cars, that were wet and +filthy, and the journey was rendered still more uncomfortable by the +idea of going back to our old quarters in the wretched prison at +Chattanooga. + +However, by the time we arrived there, our captain, who had never been +a very warm secessionist, and, therefore, had no very hard feelings +towards us, had become quite friendly. He now proved this by +interceding in our behalf, and procuring us permission to remain in +the upper room. This was the same size as the lower one, but it had +three windows instead of two, and these were larger, and obscured by +only one row of bars. But the poor Tennessee Union men had to go +below. + +It was amusing to see the exaggerated caution with which they guarded +us. Even when we were below, where scarcely any man could have got out +without assistance, they never raised the trap-door unprotected by a +strong guard. Now, when we were in the upper room, their vigilance was +still further increased. They would bring a guard into the jailor's +room, through which ours was entered, and there array them with +leveled bayonets, into two lines across the door. At the same time, +the stairway was guarded, and another guard always surrounded the jail +outside of the wall. And even the old jailor would fret, and predict +that evil would result from showing the Yankees so much indulgence. + +All this time we were chained, and as the authorities were thus slow +in relieving us of what we believed to be an unnecessary incumbrance, +we set our wits to work to free ourselves. One of the party had +managed to secrete a small knife while they were searching him, and +with this made rude keys from the bones of the meat given us, and in a +short time opened every lock. We could not, of course, appear in +public in our new liberty, or more effectual means of fastening would +probably have been devised. To avoid detection, we kept some one +always on the watch. Then, when any person was heard approaching our +room, a signal was given, and a quick rattling of chains accompanied +the adjustment and re-locking of our bands. When the door opened, we +would be chained all right, and as soon as it closed we would be free +again. We continued this deception during our stay in this prison, and +were never detected. + +While here, we relieved the tedious time that hung heavily on our +hands by mock trials. We would charge one of the company with some +offence, generally a trifling breach of our prison rules, and proceed +to trial. Campbell, whose immense personal strength better enabled him +to inflict the punishment that would be awarded, usually officiated as +judge, until at last he got the name of Judge firmly fixed on him. +These trials produced much sport. We had ample time for it, and the +opposing counsel would make very long and learned speeches. So +interesting were these arguments, and so eloquent our appeals, that no +one of the auditors was ever known to leave the house while they were +in progress! The witnesses, too, were very slippery, and it was +sometimes quite difficult to reconcile their testimony. There were +always some nullifiers present who would attempt to resist the +enforcement of the laws, and the infliction of the penalties adjudged; +but in these cases the _personal weight_ of the judge decided the +matter. This resistance would give rise to new arrests and trials, and +thus the work became interminable. + +Another and more refined enjoyment was singing. There were several +good singers in the party, and, by practicing together, they soon +acquired great proficiency. Most of the songs were of a tender and +melancholy cast; such as the "Carrier Dove," "Do They Miss Me at +Home," "Nettie More," "Twenty Years Ago," &c. Our time for singing was +when twilight began to fall. Then in the gathering darkness the voice +of song would ring out, as glad and free as if it was not strained +through prison bars. The guards liked very much to hear us sing, and +frequently citizens of the town would gather round outside to listen +to the caged Yankees. + +There is one man in the Confederacy whom I must praise. Amid the +worthless and boastful aristocrats who have monopolized for themselves +the name of "chivalry," I found _one_ gentleman. This was Colonel +Claiborne, at that time Provost-Marshal of Chattanooga. When he first +visited us, he said boldly that it was a shame to keep men in such a +condition, and tried in vain to get permission from General +Leadbetter, to remove our irons; he then ordered us to be brought into +the yard to breathe the fresh air every afternoon. This was an +inexpressible relief, for it was now intensely hot in our room; and +simply to be in the open air a short time was a luxury above all +price. This he did on his own responsibility, and some weeks afterward +was dismissed from his post on account of his humanity to us! + +While here, the idea of escape frequently presented itself. It is true +that our guards outnumbered us, and always used the cautions I have +described above; but the very fear this argued would have been our +best help. We often discussed the subject among ourselves. + +All were anxious to go but Ross and Wilson, who thought the +proposition premature, as they, relying on what the officers in charge +of us said, believed that there was some hope of our exchange. But +others of us were impatient to make one bold effort for our own +deliverance. Two plans were proposed. The first, which I suggested, +was to have all our irons off when the guards came up to feed us, and +then, as the door opened, to make a simultaneous rush on the leveled +bayonets outside, wrest the arms from their owners, and pour down +stairs on the guard below. As soon as we had secured the arms of the +remainder, we could leave the prison-yard in a solid body, and pass on +double-quick to the ferry-boat, which lay on our side of the river, +not far distant. Once over the river, and thus armed, we would have +been comparatively safe. + +The other plan, which we finally agreed to adopt, was proposed by +Andrews. It was, that some one should secrete himself under the bed in +the jailor's room, when we were coming up from our breathing in the +yard, and remain there till all was quiet at night; then come out and +noiselessly unlock the door; after this, we could rush down, seize the +guard, and proceed, as in the first plan. + +There were two of our party who failed to reach the place of +rendezvous in time to be with us on the train. One was from the +Twenty-first, the other from the Second Ohio Regiment. They were +suspected, and to save themselves, were compelled to join a rebel +battery, which they did, representing themselves as brothers from +Kentucky. In the battle at Bridgeport, in which the secessionists were +so badly panic-stricken, the one from the Twenty-first found an +opportunity to escape to General Mitchel. This caused suspicion to +rest on his supposed brother, who was arrested, brought to +Chattanooga, and confined in the dungeon while we were there. We +recognized him, and talked, though very cautiously, about his +adventures. He asked us not to divulge the fact that he was one of +us--an unnecessary request. He remained there for some time, and was +finally released, and put into the battery again, from which, by a +wonderful series of adventures, he succeeded in making good his escape +to our lines. + +At this time there was a great talk of exchange. A son of General +Mitchel's had been captured; but he also held a considerable number of +prisoners, and it was believed that an exchange would be effected. A +lieutenant, whom Mitchel had released on parole, for the purpose of +seeing Kirby Smith, at that time commanding the department of East +Tennessee, and obtaining his consent to an exchange, visited us. His +story raised the most sanguine hopes. The Confederate officers, +however, said that it would be first necessary to have a trial, and +prove that we were really United States soldiers, and then we, too, +would be embraced in the exchange. Andrews, some time before, wanted +to send a flag of truce through the lines to get from our officers a +statement of our true character; but they refused permission, saying +that they could believe our own story on the subject without going to +so much trouble. + +The prospect of an exchange served to defer our attempted escape, but +at last we resolved to wait no longer. The very day we came to this +conclusion, an order was given to send twelve to Knoxville for +trial--a mere formal one as the commander of the guard and the marshal +told us--to clearly prove that we were an authorized military +expedition, and not mere citizen adventurers. George D. Wilson was in +the yard when the order came. He was permitted to be down there, +because he was very sick. The officer of the guard handed him the +order, asking him to select twelve to go, as no names were mentioned. +He did so, selecting all his own regiment (Second Ohio) first, and +afterward his special friends from the other regiments, because he +thought it would be a favor to them--that they would probably be +first exchanged. This unexpected order induced us to abandon our +cherished scheme of escape, which, in all probability, judging from +the result of a subsequent attempt, under far more unfavorable +circumstances, would have been completely successful. + +As we twelve, who were to go to Knoxville, prepared for our departure, +we felt a shade of gloom fall over our spirits. Our little band, who +had for nearly two months been companions in dangers and privations, +such as few men ever experienced, was now to be divided, and we knew +not where we should unite again; for in spite of their fair words, the +_fact_ remained that we were in the power of that enemy who has +deluged our land in blood. + +With Andrews, the parting was peculiarly affecting; we had been +accustomed to look up to him in all emergencies. He was our leader, +and was the particular mark for the vengeance of the foe. Officers, in +bidding us hope, spoke no words of comfort to him. He bore this like a +hero, as he was, and continued to hope against hope. But _now_, after +we had sung our songs together for the last time, and come to bid him +farewell, we were moved even to tears. I will never forget his last +words, as he silently pressed our hands, and with a tear in his blue +eye, and a low, sweet voice, that thrilled through my inmost being, +said: "Boys, if I never see you here again, try to meet me on the +other side of Jordan." It _was_ our last earthly meeting. + +Colonel Claiborne accompanied us to the cars, where we found we were +to be escorted by a detachment of Morgan's celebrated guerillas. +Claiborne gave orders for our humane treatment, saying: "They are men, +like other men, and gentlemen too, and I want them treated as such." +When he left, I felt we had parted from a friend, rebel as he was. + +Claiborne's parting charge procured us courtesy from our guard. +Indeed, they were a much better class of men than the great mass of +the Southern army. Several of them told us that they had enlisted with +Morgan only to make money, and were getting it fast. All were well +dressed in citizens' clothes, and had the language and manners of +gentlemen. They had another motive in treating us kindly. A large +number of their own band were now in the hands of the government, and +were equally liable with ourselves, under every rule of right, to be +treated as criminals; for they had not only dressed in citizens' +clothes, but had even assumed our uniform wherever it was their +interest to do so. They were indignant to see us in irons, and said +they would not be afraid to guard us with our limbs free, but did not, +of course, dare to remove our fastenings. + +We had been started as usual, without any rations, on the calculation +that we should fast till we reached our destination, which would be in +about twenty-four hours. But our guerilla friends would not permit +this. They bought pies, and literally feasted us, saying that their +money was plenty, and when it was gone they could easily get more from +our men. We hoped that we might have Morgan's men for our escort in +all future migrations. + +We arrived in Knoxville shortly after noon, and marched through the +hot, dusty streets, directly to the old jail. This is now a historical +edifice. It will forever remain associated with the extreme sufferings +of the loyal East Tennesseeans, during the progress of the great +rebellion. + +The building itself is a noble one, and resembles some old baronial +hall. It is of a peculiar style of architecture--solid, square and +massive, with lofty projecting towers and sharp angles--altogether +presenting an imposing appearance. It was used as a military prison, +and was filled from top to bottom with ragged, dirty-looking +prisoners. Some were Union men, and others were deserters from their +own rebel ranks. These constituted the _lower_ class of prisoners, and +were permitted to range over most of the building, which was +completely encircled outside by a strong guard. + +The higher class, or those who were charged with more desperate +offences, were shut up in cages. There were five of these. Two of them +were at once cleared for our reception. The smaller one was about +seven feet by nine, and four of us were put into it. The larger, in +which the remainder of the party were placed, was perhaps ten by +twelve. The latter was the cage in which Parson Brownlow had been +confined, and we felt honored by being in the same cell that this +noble champion of the Union had once occupied. + +While in this cage, we read an article in a copy of the _Knoxville +Register_, stating that Brownlow was in the North, humbugging the +Yankees by telling them that he had been kept in an iron cage, and +fired at by his guards, when everybody in that vicinity knew that the +whole thing was a falsity. Even while we read this, we looked at the +shot-marks which were still visible on the cage, and which the guards +and prisoners assured us had been made in the way Brownlow stated. +This may serve as a specimen of the manner in which Southern papers +are accustomed to deal with facts. + +It was in the latter part of May when we arrived in Knoxville, and +_outside_, the weather was intensely warm, but _inside_, from the +enormous masses of stone and iron around, it was quite cool. Indeed +the nights, which are always cool, even in midsummer, in the warmest +parts of the South, were here very cold, and as we had no beds or +blankets, but had to lie on the partly iron floor, we suffered +greatly. + +Here we formed the acquaintance of a few Tennesseeans, who continued +with us during the remainder of our sojourn in Dixie. One of the most +remarkable of their number was named Pierce. He was some sixty years +old, and had received a stroke with a gun-barrel, right down his +forehead, which, even after healing, had left a gash more than an inch +deep. From this he was denominated, "Gun-barrel," "Forked head," &c. +He was at the same time very religious and very profane. His voice +would first be heard singing hymns, and next cursing the Confederacy +in no measured terms. He was, however, a very clever man, and almost +adored the name of a Union soldier. + +Here it was that we first became acquainted with Captain Fry. He was +confined in a cage in another room. We could not get to see him, but +could entrust little notes, written on the margin of newspapers, to +the more faithful of the outside prisoners, and were always sure of a +reply. + +There was one man in the same room with me, but in another cage, in +whom I became especially interested. He was between seventy and eighty +years old, and was awaiting sentence of death. Before his arrest he +had been a Union man, and, of course, a marked object of suspicion to +his secession neighbors. A band of these came one night for the +purpose of robbing him. He endeavored to prevent them, when they +attacked him, drawing revolvers and bowie-knives. They fired several +shots, and pursued him. He dodged around old barrels and other pieces +of furniture in the outhouse where the assault was made, for some +time, until finally he managed to seize a pitch-fork and plunge it +into the foremost of his foes; then breaking away, he escaped for the +time. The robber whom he wounded afterwards died, and the Confederate +government arrested the old man, and confined him in the cage on a +charge of murder! I never heard the result of it, but have no doubt +that he has long since been hung. + +We obtained quite a number of papers while here, and were much pleased +to learn of the continued progress of our arms, particularly in the +West. The taking of Fort Pillow, the evacuation of Memphis and +Corinth, with the destruction of the rebel flotilla on the +Mississippi, all came out in one paper; and the editor complained that +he had been restrained from publishing this by the government for more +than two weeks after the intelligence arrived. + +One day we received news that sent the blood coursing through our +veins in swifter flow. It was that Andrews and one other of our party +_had escaped from Chattanooga_! + +Here, to preserve the unity of the story, I will give a history of the +events that took place at Chattanooga subsequent to our departure. + +No unusual event occurred until a week after we had left. Then, one +day, an officer entered the yard, where our boys were enjoying the +shade of the prison, in the cool of the afternoon, and carelessly +handed to Andrews his _death-warrant_! It was a terrible shock, but +was borne bravely. He communicated the startling intelligence to our +comrades as soon as they again assembled in their room. At once they +resolved to carry into immediate execution the long-projected plan of +escape, on which now depended their leader's only chance of life. + +He was separated from them, and put down into the dungeon. But this +did not interfere with their plans, for with the same knife which was +so serviceable in making keys, a hole was cut above the bolts of the +trap-door, allowing it to be raised. This done, which was late at +night, they drew Andrews up by blankets, and then went to work cutting +another hole through the ceiling. While they were performing the most +noisy part of this operation, they deadened the sound by singing. The +jailor afterward remarked that he might have known there was something +the matter by their singing so mournfully. + +When all their preparations were completed, the gray tint of dawn was +just beginning to rise in the east. There was no time to lose. Andrews +quickly mounted aloft. A rope was formed of some twisted blankets, and +the next moment he was swinging outside of the wall. But in passing +through the hole he loosened some bricks which fell to the ground, and +thus gave the alarm. The accident caused him to drop his boots, which +he afterward sorely needed. + +The guard was instantly aroused, but Andrews dropped to the ground, +darted to the fence, and was over before he could be prevented. John +Wollam followed, and even while suspended in the air by the blankets, +was fired upon. Fortunately, the hands of the guards were too unsteady +to inflict any injury, and he, too, succeeded in getting out of the +yard in safety. + +Now the excitement became intense. All Chattanooga was roused, and the +whole force started in pursuit of the flying fugitives. The officers +hurried to the prison and roundly berated our boys because they did +not give the alarm when their comrades were escaping! Colonel +Claiborne, the Marshal, who had shown us some humanity, was summarily +dismissed from his office for that cause alone! And the press came out +in the most violent language, denouncing the officers in charge, and +particularly General Leadbetter, for their false philanthropy in not +having us chained to the floor in such a manner as to make escape +impossible. + +Our flying comrades had separated as soon as they left the prison. It +was now daylight, and they could not continue their flight without +the most imminent danger of discovery. Andrews went only a few hundred +yards from town, and there secreted himself in a tree, in plain view +of the railroad. He remained all day in this uncomfortable position, +and saw the trains running under his feet, and heard his pursuers +speculating as to what course he could have taken. The search was most +thorough; but, fortunately, his umbrageous shelter was secure. + +At night he came down and swam the river, but lost most of his +clothing in the passage; he then journeyed on nearly naked. In the +morning, just at the break of day, he crossed a small open field on +his way to a tree, in which he intended to take shelter, as he had +done the day before; but, unfortunately, he was observed. Immediately +pursuit was made, but he dashed through the woods, and regained the +river, much lower down than he had crossed the evening before. Here he +swam a narrow channel, and reached a small island, where, for a time, +he secreted himself among some driftwood at the upper end of the +island. + +A party with bloodhounds now came over from the mainland in search of +him. He was soon observed, but broke away from them, and ran around +the lower end of the island, wading in the shallow water, and in this +way threw the hounds off his track; then he plunged into a dense +thicket, with which the island was covered, and again ascended a tree. +There, for a long time, he remained securely concealed, while his +pursuers searched the whole island, being frequently under the very +tree whose high foliage effectually screened him from the sight of +dogs and men. At last they abandoned the search in despair, concluding +that he had, by some means, left the island, and slowly took their +departure to the shore to concert new plans of search. Two little +boys, who came along merely for curiosity, were all that still +lingered behind. + +At length, in their childish prattle, one of them said he saw a great +bunch on a tree. The other looked--shifted his position--looked again, +and exclaimed that it was _a man_! This alarmed them both, and they +called aloud, announcing the discovery to their friends on shore. The +latter instantly returned, and Andrews, seeing himself observed, +dropped from the tree, ran to the lower end of the island, took a +small log, with a limb for a paddle, and shoved into the stream, +hoping to reach the opposite shore before he could be overtaken. But +there was another party with a skiff, lower down the river, who saw +him, and rowed out to meet him. Thus enclosed, there was no hope, and +he surrendered. + +He was in a most wretched condition, having eaten nothing since he +left the jail. His feet were all cut and bleeding from running over +the sharp stones, and his back and shoulders were parched and +blistered from exposure, unprotected, to the rays of the sun. He said +he felt so miserable that the thought of the certain death, to which +he then resigned himself, had no further terror for him. + +He was brought back to Chattanooga, where a blacksmith welded a pair +of heavy clevises on his ankles, and connected them with a chain only +about eighteen inches in length. He had then but few more days to +live, and his confinement was most rigid. They prepared a scaffold for +him at Chattanooga, but the indications of an advance by Mitchel, +induced them to change the death scene to Atlanta. All the way down to +that place he was taunted with his approaching doom by the mobs who +surrounded every station. Our eight comrades accompanied him to +Atlanta, but parted as soon as they arrived--they going to prison, and +he to the place of execution. He was compelled to walk, all ironed as +he was, and the clanking of his chains no doubt made sweet music in +the ears of these human bloodhounds. + +He displayed great firmness when led to the place of execution, and +mounted the scaffold without a tremor. When swung off, the rope by +which he was suspended, stretched so that his feet came to the ground, +but, nothing disconcerted, these wretches dug the earth away from +under him and completed the murder! Thus died a good and brave man, at +the early age of thirty-three, by the hands of rebels, for the crime +of loving and trying to serve his country! He was engaged to be +married to a young lady of his own adopted State the same month in +which he suffered death on the scaffold! + +It is now time to return to Wollam, whom we left outside of the +jail-fence, trying to get away from Chattanooga. + +He ran down to the river side, and seeing no way of crossing himself, +hit on the brilliant ruse of making them believe that he was across. +To this end he threw off his coat and vest, dropping them on the bank +of the river, and then, after walking a few rods in the water to elude +the hounds, quietly slipped back, and hid in a dense thicket of canes +and rushes. He heard his pursuers on the bank above him, and all +around, talking of their various plans. At last they found the +clothes, and at once concluded that he had taken to the river. Then +they took the bloodhounds over to the other side, and searched for the +place of his exit from the water. The dogs could not find that, as +might be expected, and then, after a due time spent in consultation, +they concluded that he was drowned, and departing much comforted, +searched no more for him. + +After spending a day of most anxious suspense, the approach of night +gave him an opportunity of leaving his hiding-place. He now cautiously +made his way down the river on the Chattanooga side. At length he +found a canoe, in which he rowed at night, and when morning came, he +would sink it, and hide in the bushes; then in the evening raise it, +and again pursue his way. Twice he passed the extempore gun-boat +Mitchel had made, but feared it was some secession craft, and +therefore crept cautiously by in the shadow of the shore, without +being discovered. At last he thought he was beyond the danger of +probable capture, and went boldly forward in the day time. + +This was a fatal mistake. A band of cavalry, who were camped almost +within our lines, saw him, and procuring a boat, came out to meet him. +He was unable to escape, and thus the poor fellow was captured on the +very brink of safety. He at first tried to persuade them that he was a +Confederate, but, unfortunately, a Lieutenant Edwards, who had +assisted in capturing him the first time, happened to be present, and +at once recognized him. He was soon after taken to Atlanta, where the +rest of the party then were. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +Sorrow for Andrews--Prepare for Trial--Charges and Specifications--Plan +of Defence--Incidents of Trial--Encouragement--Not Allowed to Hear +Pleading--Lawyers' Plea--Seven Tried--Mitchel Dissolves the Court--Tied +Again--A Saucy Reply--Advantage of Sickness--Fry Deceived--Revolting +Inhumanity--Fry's Capture--Starve to Atlanta--Taunts of the Mob--Atlanta +Prison--A Kind Jailor. + + +We, who were at Knoxville, read of the recapture of Andrews with the +most poignant regret, though we knew not yet that he had received the +sentence of death. Of Wollam we heard nothing. + +We were well supplied with papers here, as there were plenty of Union +people who ministered to our wants. One day we received a paper +containing an account of the _execution of Andrews_. It was awful news +to us. We had been engaged, just before, in all kinds of games and +story-telling, for we were always merry, and never suffered ourselves +to indulge in gloomy forebodings. But when this news came, all noise +and merriment were hushed, and we passed a whole day in the most +heartfelt mourning. We all loved our leader, and would willingly have +engaged in the most desperate enterprise to save his life; but, alas! +he was gone, and there was no chance even for that vengeance for which +our souls thirsted. + +Before we had been long at Knoxville, we were notified to prepare for +trial. We requested that we should all be tried at once, as our cases +were precisely alike. When this was not granted, we next asked that +one might be tried, and his sentence be the sentence of the whole +party. But this too, was refused, with the reply that they knew their +own business best. We were forced to accept this decision, though we +could not imagine why it was that they should thus insist on trying +but one at a time. The only reason that I can yet conjecture for this +proceeding is, that it would have looked too absurd to arraign +twenty-one, or even twelve men, all in a body, and from one brigade, +as spies. + +They allowed us the privilege of counsel, and we employed two good +Union men, Colonels Baxter and Temple, who volunteered their services. +We were each to pay them one hundred and fifty dollars, and as fast as +we were tried, to give our notes for that amount. + +The charges and specifications of William Campbell were first handed +in. He was a citizen, but claimed to be a soldier, and we endorsed his +position. The charge against all who were brought to trial was for +"lurking in and around Confederate camps as spies, for the purpose of +obtaining information." Not a word was said of taking the cars, or of +anything we really did do. + +Our plan of defence has been partly indicated before. It was to tell +just who we were, and what we had done, with the exceptions of the +pranks we had played on the rebel citizens coming down, and to claim +that we were United States soldiers, detailed on a military expedition +without our consent, and therefore entitled to the protection accorded +to regular prisoners of war. This was put into words, and read on the +trial as the acknowledgement of the party while pleading "not guilty" +to the charge. The only evidence they had was of the men who pursued +us on the train, and also of those who afterward arrested us; but of +course none of these knew anything of our lurking around the camps. + +George D. Wilson related a ludicrous incident that occurred when he +was on trial, and which fitly illustrates the desire they had to +convict us. It was of a young lieutenant belonging to the +court-martial, who requested to be sworn, saying that he could tell of +at least one place we had passed the Confederate guards. On his +request being complied with, he testified that we crossed their +picket-line at the ferry, on the evening of our first arrival at +Chattanooga. Immediately the president of the court arose, and said +that he commanded the guard that day, and _no guard was placed at the +ferry_. The whole court was instantly in a roar of laughter, and the +confusion of our would-be convictor may be better imagined than +described. + +Our lawyers were delighted with the course we took, and said that it +had deranged all the plans of the prosecution, and that they had not a +particle of evidence against us; that if we were convicted now, it +would be through mere prejudice and perjury on the part of the court. + +As the trial of different ones proceeded, we had still greater +encouragement from the court itself. Members called on us, and told us +to keep in good heart, as there was no evidence before them to convict +any one. This cheered us somewhat, but there was still one thing which +I did not like, and which looked as if something was wrong. The court +would not let our boys be present to hear the pleading of counsel on +either side, though they urgently requested it. They could neither +hear what our lawyers had to say for them, nor what the Judge Advocate +urged against them. This seemed still stranger, because Andrews had +not been debarred this privilege. But they used our soldiers with even +less show of justice than had been accorded to him. + +After three or four had been tried, one of our lawyers visited the +prison, and read to us the plea which he said he had read to the +court. It was an able paper. I still remember its principal features. +He contended that our being dressed in citizens' clothes was nothing +more than what the Confederate government had expressly authorized, +and that it was done by all the guerillas in the service of the +Confederacy, whenever it was for their interest. And he cited the +instance of General Morgan having dressed his men in Federal uniform, +and passed them off as belonging to the Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry, +by which means he succeeded in reaching a railroad and damaging it. +Also that our government had captured some of these very men, and +treated them as prisoners of war. This instance was mentioned to show +that our being dressed in citizens' clothes did not take from us the +right to be treated as United States soldiers. The plea went on +further to state that we had told the object of our expedition; that +it was a purely military one, for the destruction of communications, +and as such, entirely lawful according to the rules of war. What reply +the Judge Advocate made to this, we never had the means of +ascertaining. + +The trials proceeded rapidly. One man was taken out each day, and in +about an hour returned. The table in the court room was covered with +bottles, newspapers, and novels, and the court passed its time during +trial in discussing these. This was very well if the trial was, as +they said, a mere matter of formality; but if it was a trial in +earnest, on which depended issues of life or death, it was most +heartless conduct. + +At last the number of seven was reached, and they would probably have +proceeded in trying others, had not General Mitchel, who was +continually troubling them, now advanced, and shelled Chattanooga from +the opposite side of the Tennessee river. This at once broke up the +court-martial, and sent the officers in hot haste to their regiments +to resist his progress. Soon after, General Morgan advanced through +Cumberland Gap, and threatened Knoxville, which also rendered it +necessary to remove us. + +They came in with ropes and began to tie us. We did not at first +understand this, and some supposed we were to be taken out for +execution; but we soon became convinced that it was only a change of +place. They arranged us for transportation by first binding our hands +together; then, fixing our arms securely in the loops of long ropes, +tied them firmly to our sides, after which we were coupled two and +two. Ropes were used in fastening us instead of irons as before, +because they had borrowed the latter for some Union prisoners, who had +just been sent to Richmond; therefore we had to be content with a most +liberal allowance of cotton rope. While they were thus arranging our +manacles, I had a most amusing passage-at-words with the adjutant who +was superintending the operation. I said to him as politely as I +could: + +"I suppose, sir, our destination is not known?" + +"It is not known to you at any rate, sir," was the gruff rejoinder. + +This was noticed by the whole party, and I felt rather beaten; but a +moment later came my chance for revenge. He turned again to me, and +said, in a dictatorial manner: + +"Who was it that run your engine through?" + +I bowed and returned in the blandest tone, "_That is not known to you +at any rate, Sir._" + +All around roared with laughter, and the adjutant, reddening to the +eyes, turned away, muttering that he believed I was the engineer +myself! + +When everything was in readiness, we bade an adieu to the capital of +down-trodden East Tennessee. Oh! what bitter memories cluster around +that old gloomy building. It has been one of the principal instruments +in crushing the life and loyalty out of the hearts of a brave, but +unfortunate people. May the day soon come when the suffering of East +Tennessee will be richly repaid on the heads of its guilty authors! + +While we remained here, our fare was of the most scanty character. We +received it only twice a day, and then in homeopathic doses. We +continually suffered with hunger while we were well. I, myself, became +quite sick during our imprisonment here, and continued so for most of +the summer. Several others were in the same condition. This was rather +an advantage, for when sick we did not so much mind the scantiness of +our diet. + +A number of Tennesseeans were removed with us. Among them was Captain +Fry and Mr. Pierce. In conversation with the former, I learned the +full particulars of his history, some incidents of which I had heard +before leaving our camp. He had raised a company of his neighbors, and +running the gauntlet of guarded roads, succeeded in reaching our army +in Kentucky. Here he was elected captain, and remained for some time. +After a while, the general in command wished him to go into Tennessee, +and there destroy the bridges on the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad; +then to raise the loyal citizens of that vicinity, and hold the +country till our forces could arrive. He refused to go, until assured +of support from McClellan himself, who was at that time (the fall of +1861) in command of the whole United States army, and who promised +that a column should advance as soon as Fry succeeded. With this +assurance, he departed on his perilous mission. He aroused the Union +men in both Virginia and Tennessee, burned the bridges, and thus for a +time destroyed the most important rebel line of communication; and, +with a force of fifteen hundred men, held the entire country embraced +in his operations, and even seriously threatened Knoxville itself. Now +was the time for our forces to have struck the decisive blow, and not +only have redeemed East Tennessee from its chains, but also severed +the rebellion in halves! It was perfectly practicable. A large body +lay near Camp Dick Robinson, with only a trifling force in front to +impede its progress. But in the meantime, McClellan _had changed his +plans_, and without warning Fry, left him and his brave companions to +their fate. The struggle was a brief one; the secessionists, thus left +to themselves, concentrated an overwhelming force against him. Several +skirmishes were fought, and finally the Union force was compelled to +disperse. Some of them succeeded in reaching our lines in Kentucky. +Others were caught, and several of these were hung without a trial! +Such were some of the murders that first rendered General Leadbetter +notorious! + +One of these cases is almost too horrible for belief. I would hesitate +to record it, were I not assured of its truth by the testimony of +eyewitnesses separated by hundreds of miles. It was of a man named +named Whan, who, on being arrested, acknowledged that he helped to +burn the bridges, but refused to describe his companions. For this, he +was put into a barrel driven full of small, sharp-pointed nails, and +rolled down a steep hill--then taken out, all bleeding, and hung! This +was on Saturday and he, with his companions, was allowed to hang till +Monday night, when some of his friends, at the risk of their own +lives, came and took them down! Should we compromise with such fiends +in human shape, and purchase their fellowship again, or give them the +puishment that injured humanity demands? + +Fry passed the whole winter in the wild mountains with which Tennessee +abounds, and in the spring he again gathered his neighbors together, a +regiment strong, and tried to reach the Union lines. Near the border, +he was attacked by a superior rebel force, and after a severe contest, +his band was dispersed, himself wounded and taken prisoner. This was +on the 5th of March, and he remained in solitary confinement until he +joined us on the 13th of June. He was an uneducated man, but possessed +of great natural ability, and the most undaunted courage, with a heart +as tender and sympathetic as a child's. + +We took no rations along, and were obliged to _starve through_, as we +now had no guerillas along to buy us pies. On the way, the populace +taunted us with Andrews' death, and charitably hoped that we might +soon meet the same fate. But some of the officers talked with us in a +friendly spirit, assuring us that we would not be hurt. This produced +some impression, and taken in connection with what had been told us by +members of the court-martial, and others at Knoxville, made us quite +hopeful. + +When we neared the Atlanta city jail, which was to be our abode for +many weary months, a crowd gathered as usual, and a man who called +himself mayor of the city began to insult Captain Fry, telling him +that he knew him to be a rascal in his own country, and that he hoped +soon to have the pleasure of hanging him. Then turning to us, he +boasted that he had put the rope around Andrews' neck, and was waiting +and anxious to do the same for us! + +This prison was smaller than that at Knoxville, but was still a large +edifice. The lower story was occupied by the jailor and his family. +The upper contained four rooms, of which we, with Captain Fry, +occupied one. The Tennesseeans were put into another, just across the +entry from us. Our comrades, who had been left at Chattanooga, were in +another; and the last one, which was on the same side as ours, was +frequently occupied by negroes who had been in search of the North +Star. + +For some time here, our rations were comparatively good and abundant. +But after awhile, the task of feeding us was taken from the jailor, +who had at first assumed it, and then our fare became worse than it +ever had been before. The jailor himself was a kind man, and rather of +Union sentiments. He showed us all the favor in his power, and, +indeed, became so much suspected, that an odious old man named Thoer +was hired to watch him. The constant vigilance of this antiquated +scoundrel, with the superintendence of the officers of the guard, who +were always at hand, prevented the jailor from befriending us as much +as his heart dictated. + +Here we remained for a week in quietness and hope, thinking the worst +of our trials were past. Little did we foresee how fearful a storm was +soon to burst over us. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +Cavalry Approach--Seven Removed from the Room--Suspense--Sentence of +Death--Heart-rending Separation--Death and the Future--Not +Prepared--Inhuman Haste--The Tragedy--Speech on the Scaffold--Breaking +Ropes--Enemies Affected--Gloom of Survivors--Prayer. + + +One day while we were very merry, amusing ourselves with games and +stories, we saw a squadron of cavalry approaching. This did not at +first excite any attention, for it was a common thing to see bodies of +horsemen in the streets; but soon we observed them halt at our gate, +and surround the prison. What could this mean? + +A moment after, the clink of the officers' swords was heard as they +ascended the stairway, and we knew that something unusual was about to +take place. They paused at our door, threw it open, called the names +of our seven companions, and took them out to the room opposite, +putting the Tennesseeans in with us. One of our boys, named Robinson, +was sick of a fever, and had to be raised to his feet, and supported +out of the room. + +With throbbing hearts we asked one another the meaning of these +strange proceedings. Some supposed they were to receive their +acquittal; others, still more sanguine, believed they were taken out +of the room to be paroled, preparatory to an exchange. + +I was sick, too, but rose to my feet, oppressed with a nameless fear. +A half crazy Kentuckian, who was with the Tennesseeans, came to me and +wanted to play a game of cards. I struck the greasy pack out of his +hands, and bade him leave me. + +A moment after, the door opened, and George D. Wilson entered, his +step firm and his form erect, but his countenance pale as death. Some +one asked a solution of the dreadful mystery, in a whisper, for his +face silenced every one. + +"_We are to be executed immediately_," was the awful reply, whispered +with thrilling distinctness. The others came in all tied, ready for +the scaffold. Then came the farewells--farewells with no hope of +meeting again in this world! It was a moment that seemed an age of +measureless sorrow. + +Our comrades were brave; they were soldiers, and had often looked +death in the face on the battle-field. They were ready, if need be, to +die for their country; but to die on the _scaffold_--to die as +murderers die--seemed almost too hard for human nature to bear. + +Then, too, the prospect of a future world, into which they were thus +to be hurled without a moment's preparation, was black and appalling. +Most of them had been careless, and had no hope beyond the grave. +Wilson was a professed infidel, and many a time had argued the truth +of the Christian religion with me for a half day at a time; but in +this awful hour he said to me: + +"Pittenger, I believe you are right, now! Oh! try to be better +prepared when you come to die than I am." Then, laying his hand on my +head with a muttered "God bless you," we parted. + +Shadrack was profane and reckless, but good-hearted and merry. Now, +turning to us with a voice, the forced calmness of which was more +affecting than a wail of agony, he said: + +"Boys, I am not prepared to meet Jesus." + +When asked by some of us in tears to think of heaven, he answered, +still in tones of thrilling calmness, "I'll try! I'll try! But I +_know_ I am _not_ prepared." + +Slavens, who was a man of immense strength and iron resolution, +turned to his friend Buffum, and could only articulate, +"Wife--children--tell"--when utterance failed. + +Scott was married only three days before he came to the army, and the +thought of his young and sorrowing wife nearly drove him to despair. +He could only clasp his hands in silent agony. + +Ross was the firmest of all. His eyes beamed with unnatural light, and +there was not a tremor in his voice as he said, "Tell them at home, if +any of you escape, that I died for my country, and did not regret it." + +All this transpired in a moment, and even then the Marshal and other +officers standing by him in the door, exclaimed: + +"Hurry up there! come on! we can't wait!" + +In this manner my poor comrades were hurried off. Robinson, who was +too sick to walk, was dragged away with them. They asked leave to bid +farewell to our other boys, who were confined in the adjoining room, +but it was sternly refused! + +Thus we parted. We saw the death cart containing our comrades drive +off, surrounded by cavalry. In about an hour it came back _empty_. The +tragedy was complete! + +Later in the evening, the Provost-Marshal came to the prison, and, in +reply to our questions, informed us that our friends "Had met their +fate as brave men should die everywhere." + +The next day we obtained from the guards, who were always willing to +talk with us in the absence of the officers, full particulars of the +seven-fold murder. + +When our companions were mounted on the scaffold, Wilson asked +permission to say a few words, which was granted--probably in the hope +of hearing some confession which would justify them in the murder they +were about to commit. But this was not his intention. It was a strange +stand--a dying speech to a desperate audience, and under the most +terrible circumstances. + +But he was equal to the occasion. Unterrified by the near approach of +death, he spoke his mind freely. He told them that "they were all in +the wrong; that he had no hard feelings toward the Southern people for +what they were about to do, because they had been duped by their +leaders, and induced by them to engage in the work of rebellion. He +also said, that though he was condemned as a spy, yet he was none, and +they well knew it. He was only a soldier in the performance of the +duty he had been detailed to do; that he did not regret to die for his +country, but only regretted the manner of his death. He concluded by +saying that they would yet live to regret the part they had taken in +this rebellion, and would see the time when the old Union would be +restored, and the flag of our country wave over the very ground +occupied by his scaffold." + +This made a deep impression on the minds of those who listened, and I +often afterward heard it spoken of in terms of the highest admiration. +When he ceased, the signal was given, and the traps fell![4] + +[4] A refugee from the State of Georgia, now in this city, who +witnessed the execution, but, from peculiar circumstances, does not +make his name public, corroborates this statement, and adds, that +these brave men were surrounded by three or four hundred guerillas and +partisan rangers, as they called themselves, who disputed for the +honor of being the executioners. The matter was settled by the party +taking a vote, when twelve were selected as the favored ones. The +rebel soldiers who perpetrated this outrageous murder, spent the rest +of the day in spreeing and jollification, many of them writing to +their friends at home an account of the pleasure they felt in +assisting in the hanging of "seven blue-bellies," as they termed the +Union soldiers.--_Note from a Pamphlet entitled "Ohio Boys in Dixie," +published in New York in April, 1863._ + +Five only remained dangling in the air; for two of the seven, Campbell +and Slavens, being very heavy men, broke the ropes, and fell to the +ground insensible. In a short time they recovered, and asked for a +drink of water, which was given them. Then they requested an hour to +pray before entering the future world which lay so near and dark +before them. This last petition was indignantly refused, and as soon +as the ropes could be adjusted, they were compelled to re-ascend the +scaffold, and were again turned off! + +The whole proceeding, from beginning to end, was marked by the most +revolting haste. They seemed to wish, by thus affording no time to +prepare for death, to murder soul and body both. Even the worst +criminals in our country are allowed some weeks to ask for God's +mercy, before they are thrust into his presence; but our poor boys, +whose only crime was loving and trying to serve their country, were +not allowed one moment! Could the barbarity of fiends go further? + +That afternoon was one of deepest gloom for those who remained. We +knew not how soon we might be compelled to follow in the same path, +and drink the same bitter cup our comrades drank. Once during the +trial we had offered to accept the award of the court in one of the +cases as the sentence of all, since we could not see the slightest +reason for leaving some and taking others. At that time, however, we +believed that all would be acquitted. Now every hope had vanished. + +But even without the addition of fear for ourselves, the parting from +our loved friends, whose voices were still ringing in our ears, while +they themselves had passed beyond the gates of death into the unknown +land of shadows, was enough to rend the stoutest heart. There were +tears then from eyes that shrank before no danger. + +But I could not shed a tear. A cloud of burning heat rushed to my head +that seemed to scorch through every vein. For hours I scarcely knew +where I was, or the loss I had sustained. Every glance around the +room, which revealed the vacant places of our friends, would bring our +sorrow freshly on us again. Thus the afternoon passed away in grief +too deep for words. Slowly and silently the moments wore on, and no +one ventured to whisper of hope. + +At last some voice suggested that we should seek relief in prayer. The +very idea seemed to convey consolation, and was eagerly accepted. Soon +we knelt around the bare walls of our strange sanctuary, and with +bleeding hearts drew near the throne of God. Captain Fry first led us, +and mingled sobs with strong supplications. Then each followed in his +turn, with but one or two exceptions, and even these were kneeling +with the rest. As the twilight deepened, our devotional exercises grew +more solemn. In the lonely shadow of coming night, with eternity thus +open tangibly before us, and standing on its very brink, we prayed +with a fervor that those who dwell in safety can scarcely conceive. We +besought our Father only that we might be prepared for the fate that +was inevitable, and that as he had led us through great trials, he +would be our Comforter, and sustain us still. Who will say that such +prayer was not effectual! It was heard in heaven. Even there, in that +prison, surrounded by an armed guard, amid the gloom of coming danger, +the peace of God, like a dove bearing the olive branch, descended into +every broken and believing heart. It was a holy hour, and if the +angels above ever bend from their bright mansions to comfort human +sorrow, I do believe that they were then hovering near. From that hour +I date the birth of an immortal hope, and I believe that many of my +companions also, on looking back, will realize that they passed from +death to life in that dreary prison-room! + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +Religious Experience--Contraband Assistance--Intelligence of Negroes--Love +of Freedom--Wollam's Recapture--A Friendly Preacher--Obtain +Books--Disgusting Diet--Plays--Debates--Reading Hours--Envy the +Birds--Dreams of Home--Telegraphing--Friends from our Army--Hope +Deferred--Union Society--Difficulties of Tobacco-chewers--Precious Books. + + +From this time forward, we had religious exercises each morning and +evening, and they were a blessed consolation to us--sustaining our +hearts when every earthly avenue of hope had closed. Frequently we +startled the guards who were around us, by the hymns we sang, for now +the character of our songs was changed, and our thoughts and +aspirations began to point upward. It is a delicate matter to speak of +one's own religious experience, but in the hope of doing good, I will +venture. At first my hopes were not bright. For days and weeks an +impenetrable cloud seemed to rest over me, and to vail heaven from my +view; sometimes for a moment it would give way, and show light and +peace beyond, then close up, thick, and dark, and lowering, as ever. +But at last the day gradually arose, and I was enabled to rejoice in +hopes the world can neither give nor take away. + +But these were long and weary days. Our room was of greater size than +that in Chattanooga, and had larger windows, yet the heat was +fearfully oppressive. Our other boys were put in the room with us, +which made fifteen in all. One of them, named Wood, was very sick. He +had been prostrated with the fever for nearly a month, and at this +time his life was despaired of. This was not thought to be any great +misfortune to him by the others, who administered consolation in a +style worthy of the best of Job's friends. They reasoned, "Now, if you +get well, you will only be hung. You had better try to die yourself, +and thus you will outwit them." Wood, however, did not relish the +counsel, and getting contrary, he recovered, "just for spite," as he +often declared. He yet lives to laugh over the advice that his +despairing associates gave him. + +We had friends in the waiters of the prison, though their faces were +black. They assisted us by every means in their power. It was not long +till they found that there was nothing we desired so much as to read +the news; and they taxed their ingenuity to gratify us. They would +wait till the jailor or some of the guard had finished reading a +paper, and laid it down, and then slyly purloin it. When meal time +came, it would be put into the bottom of the pan in which our food was +brought, and thus handed in to us. The paper had to be returned in the +same way, to avoid suspicion.[5] The guards and officers would talk +with us, and always finding us possessed of a knowledge of the events +of the war, at least as far as the Southern papers gave it, came at +last to think we had an instinctive idea of news--something like what +the bee has of geometrical forms! They never suspected the negroes, +though for several months it was only through their instrumentality +that we could obtain any definite information of what was going on in +the world without. + +[5] In one of these papers I noticed a description of two Federal +officers who had escaped from Macon, Georgia. It was Captain Geer, +with whom I have lectured in several places since my return, and his +comrade, Lieutenant Collins. Their adventures are recorded in a book +called "_Beyond the Lines_." + +Having found the negroes thus intelligent and useful, far beyond what +I had supposed possible, I questioned them about other matters. They +were better informed than I had given them credit for, and knew enough +to disbelieve all the stories rebels told. When the whites were not +present, they laughed at the grand victories the papers were +publishing every day, but rather leaned to the opposite extreme, and +gave them less credit than was their due, for they would believe that +the Federal troops were always victorious. Even after McClellan's +repulse before Richmond, they continued, for weeks, to assure us that +he had the town, and had beaten the rebels in every engagement! + +They imagined that all the Northern troops were chivalrous soldiers, +fighting for the universal rights of man, and, of course, they +esteemed it a high privilege to contribute to the comfort of such +noble men. Some of them had imbibed the idea, which is common with the +poor whites of the South, that Lincoln is a negro or a mulatto; but +most of them placed so little credit in the assertions of their +masters, that they disbelieved this story also. But they never wavered +in their belief that the Union troops would conquer, and that the +result of the victory would be their freedom. I had extensive +opportunities for observing them, as the room next to us was +appropriated to the safe-keeping of negroes, and I never yet saw one +who did not cherish an ardent desire for freedom, and wish and long +for the time when the triumph of the national forces would place the +coveted boon within his grasp. + +One morning our jailor came to our room, and asked us if we knew John +Wollam. We hesitated to answer, as we could not fathom the motives of +the inquiry. But even while we deliberated among ourselves, John came +up, and ended our doubts by greeting us heartily. He had been parted +from us some three weeks, and in that time had suffered most +incredible hardships in the manner I have narrated before. He joined +us in our prayer-meeting with much good will. Now all the survivors of +our party were together again. + +There is one Georgia minister I will always remember with gratitude, +not that he was a Union man, for I have no evidence that he was, but +because of his generosity to us. He was a Methodist clergyman in +Atlanta, by the name of McDonnell. He came to visit us at the +suggestion of our old jailor, who, seeing us engaged in religious +exercises, naturally supposed we would like to talk with a preacher. +We received him kindly, and an interesting conversation took place. +Some of the boys were slightly offended by his first prayer, in which +he petitioned that our lives might be spared, if consistent with the +_interests of the Confederacy_. We did not very well like the +condition, but said nothing, and were afterward rewarded for our +complacency. At my request, he loaned us a few books, and when these +were read through, gave us still others, until we had read nearly his +entire library. Those only who know what a terrible weariness it is to +pass time without any definite employment, and with no means of +relieving the hours that hang so heavily on their hands, or of +diverting their thoughts from the one never-ending round, can form any +idea of the great boon that a few good books bestowed on us. + +Our provision here became worse and less, until it very nearly reached +the starvation point. For some months, the only food we received was a +very short allowance of corn-bread, baked with all the bran in it, and +without salt, with a little pork, mostly spoiled! Frequently the pork +would be completely covered with maggots, and disgusting as it was, +hunger compelled us to eat it! Even then, there was not enough of this +miserable fare to satisfy our appetites! What would those who spend +their time in denouncing our government as the only enemy, and +sympathize with "our mistaken Southern brethren," who have been +alienated by the misconduct of the loyal States, say, if these +"brethren" had subjected them to the same treatment. Their sympathies +would hardly have survived the trial. + +Dreary as the days were here, yet we did not surrender ourselves to +gloomy forebodings and vain lamentings over our misfortunes. Although +the fate of our companions seemed suspended over our heads by a single +hair, yet we shunned despondency, and labored to provide such +amusements as would relieve us of the heavy tedium of our prison-life. + +On that terrible day of execution, we threw away our cards, which +before had been played almost day and night, and resolved to engage no +more in that game. But the necessity of doing something prompted us to +search for new pastimes. We carved a checker-board on the floor, and +it was occupied from morning till evening by eager players. We all +became very expert in checkers. To provide a more intellectual +amusement, we also formed a debating society, and spent hour after +hour in discussing quaint questions of every kind. Many were the +long-winded speeches that were made, for time was no object; and if no +one was convinced of a new position, we still had the consolation of +knowing that there was no lost labor, where the labor itself was a +pleasure. + +In order to enjoy to the fullest extent the books we had so +fortunately procured, we appointed regular reading hours--two in the +forenoon, and the same in the afternoon. During this time, no one was +allowed even to whisper. Some of our boys were a little wild and +restless at times, and would break the rules; but generally our order +was excellent. We gained much useful knowledge during these hours of +intellectual employment in our novel school. + +But all our efforts to pleasantly while away those terribly long +summer days were in vain. The tediousness, and oppressiveness, and +vain longing for action, would press down on us closer and closer. +Brown, who was one of the most restless of mortals, would amuse +himself, as long as he could endure it, at the pastimes we had +devised, then suddenly cease playing, and commence pacing the floor +like a caged bear; when this, too, grew unendurable, he would stop at +the door, and say, in the most piteous tones (of course meant only for +us to hear) "O! kind sir, please let me out!" The feeling he expressed +was shared by all. Never before could I realize the full value of +liberty, and the horror of confinement. Even in the prisons where we +had hitherto been, the novelty of our situation, the frequency of our +removals, and the bustle and excitement of the trial, prevented the +blank monotony of imprisonment from settling down on us as it did +here, when the first few weeks had rolled by, and no intimations of +our fate reached us. It was like the stillness and the death that +brood over the Dead Sea. + +We would sit at the windows, in the sultry noon, and look out through +the bars, at the free birds as they flew past, seemingly so merry and +full of joyous life, and foolishly wish that we, too, were birds, that +we might fly away, and be at peace. + +At long intervals, two of us would be permitted to go down into the +yard, to do our washing. One day it came my turn; it was then three +months since I had stepped out of my room, and the unobscured vision +of open air and sky made it seem like another world. I remember +looking up at the snowy clouds, my eyes almost dazzled by the unusual +light, and wondering, as I gazed on their beautiful and changing +forms, whether beyond them lay a world of rest, in which were neither +wars nor prisons. And with the thought came the fear that if I was +once more permitted to mingle as a free man, away from the immediate +pressure of danger, with the busy throng of life, I would forget my +prison-made vows, and thus lose my claim to a world of never-fading +light. Such a sense of weakness and helplessness came over me, that it +was with a feeling almost of relief that I returned once more to my +dark and narrow room, where the contrast between freedom and bondage +was less palpably forced on my view. + +All this time we hardly permitted ourselves to indulge a hope of ever +getting home again. The friends we once knew in happier days, seemed +separated from us by an impassable gulf; and when our minds would call +up before us the scenes and loved ones of home, it was like treading +on forbidden ground. But when the miseries of the day were passed, and +we were wrapped in that sweet slumber that ever visits the weary alike +in prison and palace, there was no longer any restraint, and we were +once more at home--once more in the enjoyment of love and freedom. + +Often have I seen in dreams the streets and buildings of my own town +rise before me, and have felt a thrilling pleasure in contemplating +them, as I wended my way towards the sacred precincts for ever +hallowed by affection. But the waking from these incursions into the +realms of paradise was sad beyond measure, and the cold, bare walls +of prison never looked half so dreary, as when seen in contrast with +the visions which had just been dispersed by the morning light. + +An anecdote here will fitly illustrate the affection and exaggerated +reverence we felt for what we, to the great annoyance of the guards +and citizens, insisted on calling "God's country." I had been reading +one of Bascom's sermons, from a book which the minister had loaned us, +on "The Joys of Heaven." All listened to his magnificent description +with the greatest of interest, and when it was finished, some one +started the query as to whether they would rather be in heaven, safe +from all harm, or in Cincinnati. After a debate which was conducted +with great animation on both sides, the majority concluded, no doubt +honestly, that they would rather be in Cincinnati--for a while, at +least! + +In order to keep thoroughly posted, we opened communications to every +room in the prison. Those on the other side of the entry, we reached +by means of a small stick, attached to a string, and thrown under the +door. There was a chimney came up between our room and the other on +the same side of the entry; each of our stove-pipes led into this +chimney at points directly opposite, and by taking off the pipes, we +could talk through, but there was danger of being overheard. To +obviate this, we split a long lath off the side of our room, in such a +way as to be able to take it down and put it up at pleasure. This we +used for passing notes backward and forward through this concealed +passage, and it became very useful when we afterward contemplated an +escape. + +One morning the guard brought up some prisoners, and as soon as they +had retired, we resorted to our usual method of telegraphing, to +ascertain their character. To our great surprise and pleasure, we +found that two of them were from the Tenth Wisconsin, a regiment in +our own brigade. They told us that we had long since been given up for +dead,[6] and that our comrades were vowing vengeance for our murder. +They were quite surprised to find so many of us still alive. The other +two were regulars, who had been captured on the coast of Florida. +These soldiers remained with us till we were taken to Richmond. From +them we gained a complete detail of the movements of our army since +we had left it. + +[6] All our friends at home believed we were executed. My obituary +notice was published in our county paper, and the Rev. Alexander Clark +was invited to preach my funeral sermon, which providential +circumstances alone prevented. + +One of the hardest things we had to endure was the rejoicing that +accompanied McClellan's flight from Richmond. Before this occurrence, +the secessionists were down-spirited and despairing; but afterward +they were jubilant. About the last of May, a prominent officer said to +me: "Any other officer of yours but McClellan, would now take +Richmond, for we have not men enough at present to offer successful +resistance; but _he_ will fortify each step of his way, and lay grand +plans, and thus delay until we can raise men enough by the conscript +law to defeat him." I did not then think that his prediction would be +verified, and hoped that McClellan would show that he was not delaying +for nothing; but when I heard of the precipitate retreat to Harrison's +Landing, I was ready to confess that the Confederate officer had been +more penetrating in his views than myself. From this moment, the tide +of victory seemed to set to the southward side, with a still deeper +and stronger flow, till the next spring, when it returned again. + +I can preserve no order of time in relating the events of these +tedious mouths, which slowly rolled away their ponderous length. It +was almost a perfect isolation from the world, with little hope of +ever again mingling in its busy throng. As each month closed, we were +startled by the thought we were still alive--that the bolt had not yet +descended--and we surmised and wondered how much longer it could be +delayed. At last a small ray of hope began to arise--very feeble at +first--based on the long and incomprehensible reprieve we were +enjoying. As week after week glided tediously away, marked only by the +monotony which is more wearying to heart and frame than the most +severe anguish, this hope grew stronger; yet still so little assured +that the most trifling circumstance, such as strengthening the guard, +or a visit from the officers, was sufficient to blast the hopes we +were beginning so fondly to cherish. + +I saw many instances of the iron rule with which the Southern Union +men are kept in subjection. The strictest espionage was maintained +through every order of society. The spies of the government would +pretend to be Union men, and thus worm themselves into loyal +societies; and when they had learned the names of the members, would +denounce them to the government. It was not necessary to be particular +about truth, as the suspicion of guilt, in their mode of procedure, +was just as good as its positive evidence. One day seventy men and +twelve women were arrested, and sent in irons to Richmond! Many other +instances of this remorseless tyranny will be given hereafter. + +Most of our boys were tobacco-chewers, and were driven to numberless +expedients to obtain that which some of them declared they valued more +than their daily food. There were several articles of which the rebels +had not seen fit to rob us, such as handkerchiefs and a few vests; +These were now sold to the surrounding guards. Andrews had given +Hawkins a very large, fine coat, and as there seemed to be no prospect +of taking it home, he sold it to the jailor, and invested the proceeds +in tobacco, apples, &c., which he generously divided among his +comrades. + +I wanted books more than anything else, and sold my vest and a +pocket-book the rebels had left when they took what was in it, and +bought three books--all gems--"Paradise Lost," "Pilgrim's Progress," +and "Pollock's Course of Time." These I nearly committed to memory. It +was a profitable employment, while I am sure it very much lightened +and shortened these interminable days. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +Contemplated Escape--Startling Intelligence--Our Doom Pronounced from +Richmond--Hesitate no Longer--Our Plan--All Ready--Supper--Farewell--Life +or Death--Seize the Jailor--Guns Wrested from Guards--Alarm Given--Scaling +the Wall--Guards Fire--Terrible Chase--Six Recaptured--Wood and Wilson +Reach the Gulf--Dorsey's Narrative--Porter's Account--Boasting of the +Guards--Barlow's Cruel Death. + + +We frequently talked and plotted about making our escape. All agreed, +that if they should proceed to try us, we should make one desperate +effort for life; for we had learned by sad experience, that they did +not take the trouble of going to the formality of a trial unless they +were fully resolved to hang the accused. But as time rolled on, and +the dreaded preparations for trial were not made, the imprisonment +became daily more unendurable. The food was of a poorer quality, and +more scanty at that. It was, therefore, proposed that we should make a +bold strike for freedom. The question was a serious one. On the one +hand was the bright prize of liberty--of which none ever knew the +value better than we,--shining ahead as the sure reward of success. +But on the other hand was the danger of failure. We were in the very +center of the Confederacy, and the nearest point where we could reach +our lines was two hundred miles distant. This journey had to be made +through the enemy's country, and by traveling at night, with no guide +but the stars, which the envious clouds might conceal from us for many +successive nights, as they had done before. Then there was the +probability that those who were retaken would be mercilessly dealt +with, if not instantly put to death. + +It was a grave question. And then the great heat of the days, added to +our enfeebled condition, caused by the close confinement, and the +meagre character of our diet, as well as the actual sickness of some +of our party, including myself, induced me to believe that the attempt +should at least be postponed. Still, day by day, we discussed the +subject. It afforded us an inexhaustible theme for conversation, and +had this further advantage that all the knowledge possessed by the +party collectively was communicated to each one. Besides, the plans +were laid by which to avoid pursuit, and all possible information +respecting the country obtained from the guards and negroes, and then +we felt quite prepared for the issue when it should come. + +At last we received a piece of intelligence which made us resolve to +hesitate no longer. Colonel Lee, Provost-Marshal, came to our room one +morning, and after talking some time, told us that he had just +received a letter from the Secretary of War, asking why _all_ the +party had not been executed. He had answered that he did not know, but +referred him to the court-martial which had tried our comrades at +Knoxville. This court had dispersed long before, and I feel hopeful +that many of the perjured villains have fallen beneath the avenging +bullets of Union soldiers! So the Secretary could not have obtained +much information from them. A few days after, we received still +further and more alarming information. + +One of the regular soldiers in the adjoining room overheard the +officer of the guard telling the jailor that Colonel Lee had received +another letter from the Secretary, ordering our immediate execution. +This was duly telegraphed to us through the stove-pipe, and at once +put an end to all our deliberations. The time had come for us to save +ourselves or perish. + +Quietly we sat down and arranged our plans. We were in an upper story, +and several locked doors had to be opened before we could reach the +ground. There were seven guards keeping watch over us, and a large +force near by ready to rush to their assistance at the slightest +notice. It was evident that our only chance of success lay in moving +very quickly and silently. We could not leave at night, for then all +the doors were closed, and we had no means of opening them. The best +time was at supper, which was brought a little before sundown, and by +starting then, we would soon have the cover of darkness to conceal our +flight. The soldiers in the next room, and a deserter who was confined +with them, agreed to go with us, if we would open their door. Only one +of the Tennesseeans, named Barlow, would risk the trial, although they +were anxious for the movement before it was seriously contemplated. + +The plan on which we finally settled, was to seize the jailor when he +came to take out the buckets in which our supper was brought, holding +him so that he could make no noise, take the keys from him, and let +Buffum unlock the doors and release the remaining prisoners. While +this was being done, our other boys would divide into two squads, and, +cautiously descending the stairway, pounce upon the guards, and take +their guns from them; then, at a signal, we would all come down, and +march, thus armed, on our homeward journey. We very nearly succeeded +in our programme. + +The second day after receiving the news, all our plans were completed. +We had patched our clothes as best we could, and made cloth moccasins +to protect our feet, for many of our shoes were altogether worn out. +Now we only awaited the approach of the appointed hour. Slowly the sun +rolled down the west; slowly the shadows lengthened in the east, till +the gloomy shade of the jail had nearly reached the crest of the hill +which usually marked our supper time. The eventful hour drew nigh. We +bade one another a solemn farewell, for we knew not when we should +meet again on earth, or how many of us might be cold and lifeless +before the stars shone out. Captain Fry, who was tender-hearted as a +child, wept at the parting. He had two coats, and, as he could not +take both with him, he gave one to me. I needed it extremely, for I +was very nearly destitute of clothing. + +Everything was now in readiness. I had piled up the books of the +minister, some of which we still retained, in the corner, and had +written him a note thanking him for the use of them. We had on our +coats, and had a few canes, and bottles, and pieces of lath, taken out +of the wall, which were to be used in the fight down stairs, if +necessary. Then came the supper. It was brought in by negroes, the +jailor standing at the door. Our preparations for leaving were not +noticed. We ate in silence, stowing part of the bread in our pockets +for future emergencies. It so happened that the old watchman, whom +everybody hated, was away. It was well for him, as he would have +received little mercy. + +After the jailor had given their food to the inmates of the other +rooms, he came back to ours. We asked him to let Barlow come over and +stay with us that night. He consented, and soon Barlow was with us. +Now was the time for action. + +It was a thrilling moment! On the action of the next few minutes hung +the issues, probably, of life or death. I confess that for one moment +the blood flowed to my heart with a sharp throb of pain. The others +were pale, but determined. As for Captain Fry, who was to initiate the +movement, and whom I had seen weeping a few minutes before--he was +perfectly calm, and his face wore a pleasant smile. He stepped out of +the door as if it was the most natural action in the world, and said, +very quietly: + +"A pleasant evening, Mr. Turner." + +"Yes, rather pleasant," responded the latter, looking as if he could +not understand what Fry was out there for. + +"We feel like taking a little walk this evening," continued the +captain. + +The astonishment of the jailor now knew no bounds. "_What! How!_ +WHERE!" he exclaimed, in broken ejaculations. + +Fry's countenance grew darker as he clasped the old man in his arms, +and said: + +"We have stayed as long as we can stand it, and we now are going to +leave, and let out the other prisoners; so give up the keys, and make +no noise, or it will be the worse for you!" + +Turner tightened his grasp on the keys desperately, and exclaimed, +"You can't do that!" then commenced in a loud tone, "Guar"--when my +hand closed across his mouth and stifled the incipient call for help. + +It was not our intention to hurt the old man, for he had been kind to +us; but it was necessary to keep him quiet. He possessed great +strength, and struggled very hard, managing to bite my finger; but we +held him fast, and easily wrestled the keys from him. Buffum was soon +at work on the locks of the doors. + +Meantime, our companions had quietly descended the stairway, and burst +out on the guards. There were seven of them, but they were so much +taken by surprise as to be incapable of resistance. Our boys divided +into two parties, one for the front and the other for the back door. +The latter was completely successful, capturing the guard, and taking +their guns from them without the least alarm being given. + +The attack at the front door was made with equal skill and bravery, +and the guards who stood near were at once secured. Unfortunately +there were two in the yard gate, which happened to be open. As soon as +these saw the charge made, they, without waiting to attempt +resistance, ran through the gate, shrieking, "Help! murder!" in tones +that aroused the whole neighborhood. There were troops near at hand, +who instantly rushed to the rescue. + +Our boys saw their peril, and knew that the part of our scheme which +provided for a regular and quiet departure was defeated, and they +endeavored to save themselves. They threw away the guns, which now +would only hinder their flight, and scaled the wall, some ten feet in +hight, and made for the woods, nearly a mile distant. It was a close +chase. Several times they were fired on by the pursuing rebels, but +fortunately not hit. + +We, who were above, heard the noise, and were admonished by it to take +our leave as soon as possible. Buffum had just succeeded in unlocking +the door that kept in our other soldiers, who at once came out. The +deserter confined with them, who was the most powerful and active of +the whole party, also broke out, and passed by where Fry and myself +still held the jailor, like a tiger on the leap. When he reached the +yard, he found two soldiers before him, with their bayonets at a +charge. Without a moment's hesitation, he seized them, cutting his +hands severely, but dashing them aside with such violence as nearly to +throw the rebels from their feet, and bounded on his way. His almost +incredible swiftness soon placed him in advance of all the fugitives. + +Captain Fry and I started down stairs together. He was a little in +advance, and at once saw there was no chance in the front yard, which +was now filled with armed rebels, and darted to the back door. Here he +scaled the wall just in time to get away, after a most desperate +chase, being repeatedly fired upon by the guards, who were only a few +feet from him, but, fortunately, was unharmed. + +I did not so soon comprehend the state of affairs, (probably because I +am near-sighted,) and rushed to the front yard. Here I saw two rebels +who seemed perfectly distracted, and were throwing their guns wildly +about and exclaiming: "What shall we do? O! what shall we do?" Not +thinking them very dangerous, I darted past them, but was checked by a +stream of less frightened guards pouring through the gate. Seeing then +that there was no chance of escape in that direction, I turned and +regained the jail. One man snapped his gun at me, but, fortunately, it +did not go off. I instantly tried the back yard, and succeeded in +getting to the top of the wall; but here I found that the rebels had +again been too fast for me, and were around under the wall outside. +Under these circumstances, I could do no better than surrender. + +I was taken back to prison, and instead of going to my own room, went +to that occupied by the prisoners of war, who had all been recaptured +and put in again. Buffum, too, who had managed to get over the wall, +was retaken and brought back. Parrott and Reddick were captured +inside of the wall, and Mason and Bensinger the next day, making six +of our party who were retaken. + +From the window where I was, I had a good view of all the proceedings +below. In a very short time, the whole force of the place, including a +regiment of cavalry, was drawn up in front of the jail. I heard +Colonel Lee, (the Provost-Marshal,) give his orders. He said: "Don't +take one of the villains alive! Shoot them down, and let them lie in +the woods for the birds and hogs to eat!" He also ordered pickets to +be placed at the ferries of the Chattahoochie, along the railroad, and +at all cross-roads. This arrangement pleased me, for these were the +very places we had agreed to avoid, and I was sure none of the boys +would be caught there. Our intention had been to travel in the night +time, through the woods, and cross the rivers on logs, as far from the +ferries as possible. + +Eight escaped. Wood and Wilson traveled southward, and, after passing +through a series of the most startling adventures, that recall the old +Indian tales we have all listened to in the winter evenings, they +succeeded in reaching the Gulf, where they were taken on board a +United States ship, and brought around to Washington. + +Porter and Wollam started westward. Their journey was a most perilous +one. I will insert a short account which Porter has since furnished +me. + +"We started on the 16th of October, and reached the Federal lines on +the 18th of November. During this time, we endured all the hardships +imaginable. We traveled night and day, sleeping mostly in the woods, +and subsisting on wild grapes, chestnuts, hickory-nuts, walnuts, and +some few sweet potatoes. Occasionally, we got a little corn-bread from +the poor class of whites and the negroes. It was miserable stuff. +Several times we slipped into the fields where the negroes were at +work, and stole the provisions they had brought out for their dinner. +Once we were seven days without a bite of bread, and often went +without for two or three days. + +"We suffered much with cold, for our clothes were very poor. We slept +but twice in houses during the whole journey. One night we traveled +till we became chilled and weary; it was very late, and we were nearly +frozen, when we fortunately discovered _a nest of hogs_. Immediately +we routed them up, and, lying down in the warm retreat they had left, +slept till morning! + +"Many streams were in our way, which we were obliged to wade, or float +across on logs. After twenty-two days of such privations, we reached +the Tennessee river, twenty-seven miles below Bridgeport. Here we +pressed a canoe into the service, and started down the river. We would +run the canoe at night, and hide it and ourselves in the day time. +When we arrived at the head of the Muscle Shoals, we were compelled to +abandon our canoe on account of low water, and make a circuit of forty +miles around. When we reached the foot of the Shoals, we procured a +skiff, and continued our voyage until within twelve miles of Pittsburg +Landing. Here we left the river, and striking across the country to +Corinth, reached there in safety. Thus, after six months of suffering, +we were once more under the glorious flag of the free." + +These[7] will serve as specimens of what the brave boys endured in +the truly herculean task of penetrating for hundreds of miles--in +fact, from the very center of the Confederacy to its circumference--in +different directions. It is an achievement I can not look upon without +wonder, and in dangers to be encountered, and difficulties to be +overcome, is at least equal to the proudest exploits of Park or +Livingstone! + +[7] Hawkins and myself associated, and made good our escape. We think +all our party escaped to the woods. Whether any were afterward caught +by the rebels, we know not. We traveled by starlight for more than +three weeks. After twenty-one days of fatigue and hunger--living most +of the time on corn or persimmons--occasionally a few raw sweet +potatoes or a head of cabbage--dodging the rebel pickets and cavalry, +climbing mountains, dragging through brush, and wading streams, we +finally were so fortunate as to meet some Union men in the Cumberland +Mountains. We met them, three in number, in the woods, and asked them +to give us some supper, stating that we had no money, but we belonged +to the rebel army, had been sick and left behind, and were now on our +way to rejoin our regiments. They refused to supply our wants, and +finally openly declared themselves to be Union men. When we became +satisfied that they were all right, we made known our true character, +and warmer friends were never met. They lodged and fed us, then +piloted us to another Union man who did the same, and he to another; +thus we were passed from one to another till we arrived at Somerset, +Kentucky, where we procured transportation to our regiments.--_Extract +from an Account published by D. A. Dorsey._ + +All night long the guards talked over their adventures. Generally they +praised their own bravery to the skies, but occasionally one who had +arrived since the affray, would suggest that it was not very much to +their credit to let unarmed men snatch their guns from them; but +these hinted slanders were always received with the contempt they +deserved, and the work of self-glorifying went on! One wondered at the +speed of the Yankees, who had been kept in prison so long; another +accounted for it by saying that they had received so much practice in +that line, in all the battles they had fought, that it was no wonder +if they were fleet of foot. This sally was received with prodigious +applause. + +I heard some confused sounds of distress from the room of the +Tennesseeans, and on inquiring what was the matter, learned that +Barlow had broken his ankle. He had gone down into the yard with our +party, but in jumping from the wall, had received this very serious +injury. Here he was found by a guard, who at first threatened to shoot +him; but on being persuaded not to do that, ordered him to get up and +lead the way into the jail. Barlow tried to do so, but fell down +again. Then this inhuman guard punched him with the bayonet, and made +him crawl, in all the agony that pain could produce, back to his cell, +and as he went, kept hurrying him along by the sharp admonition of the +bayonet! When here, his companions asked for surgical aid for him, but +the Confederate authorities refused it, saying that he had caused the +injury himself, and that they rather preferred that it should kill +him! Their wishes were gratified. For months he lingered on in the +greatest pain, until, finally, the leg mortified, and terminated his +life. He was quite a young man--only eighteen--and had just been +married when he was arrested. Thus died, in darkness and dungeon, one +other East Tennessee martyr! + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +Despair and Hope--Bitten Finger--Removed to Barracks--Greater Comfort--Jack +Wells--Cruel Punishment of Tennesseeans--Story of a Spy--Help Him to +Escape--Virtue of a Coat--A Practical Joke--Unionism--Sweet +Potatoes--Enlisting in Rebel Army--Description of a Day--Happy News--Start +for Richmond--Not Tied--Night Journey--Varied Incidents--Lynchburg--Rebel +Audacity Punished--Suffering from the Cold--Arrival in Richmond. + + +All night long I lay in the hammock that one of the regulars had swung +by the window, and listened to the boasting below. + + "Sadly I thought of the morrow." + +I had little doubt now, that the full weight of their vengeance would +fall on every one who had been recaptured. And then, too, was the news +we had received, and which had induced us to make our desperate effort +to escape! We could scarcely hope that the death which had so long +stared us in the face would now be longer delayed. And _such_ a death! +No vision of glory to dazzle the sight, and hide the grim monster from +view, or wreathe him in flowers. No eye of friends beholding the last +struggle, and sure, if you acted well your part, to tell it to those +whose love and praise were more than life. Nothing but ignominy and an +impenetrable darkness, beyond which no loving eye might ever pierce! +But even as the cold horror of the scaffold and the vision of the +heartless, jeering crowd, rose once more freshly before me, I looked +out in the clear night, and up to the shining stars, and felt that I +had one Friend--that He who dwelt above the stars, and to whom I had +plighted my faith, would not forsake me, even if I had to pass through +the very "valley of the shadow of death." With the thought came a +still and heavenly peace once more--a peace that visits only those who +feel, in the midst of sorrow and fear, that there is a blissful rest +beyond the night bounding life's fleeting day! + +The next morning, the jailor put me in the room I had formerly +occupied, with the remainder of my companions. He told us that a man +had put his hand over his mouth, and nearly smothered him, but added, +with great satisfaction: "I bit his finger terribly, and gave the +rascal a mark he will carry to the grave with him." However, his teeth +were not so sharp as he thought, and he only managed to inflict a +slight scratch. He had no suspicion that I was the person to whom he +referred, as his fright had prevented him from observing anything. For +a while, he was rather cross, and brought up the guards when he came +to feed us; but this soon wore off. + +About the middle of the day, some officers came, and, with many +threats, asked us which way our boys intended to travel. I answered, +"I heard them say that they were going to try to get to our lines, and +that traveling in _any_ direction would bring them there, for our men +had you surrounded." They asked no more questions, but retired, +satisfied that there was no information to be gained. + +Our anticipations of worse treatment in consequence of our attempted +escape were not realized. Colonel Lee thought the jail was no longer a +safe place, and ordered us to be taken to the city barracks. Our +apartment here was far more pleasant than our quarters in the jail had +been. It was large, well lighted, and provided with a fire-place, +which the chilliness of the days (it was now in October) made a great +acquisition. It also commanded a view of one of the busiest public +squares of Atlanta, and we would sit in the windows, which had no bars +across them, and watch the tide of human life that flowed before us, +for hours at a time, with an interest that only our long seclusion +from the world could have given. + +Jack Wells, the commander of the barracks, had been an old United +States soldier. Being thus brought up under a more honorable system +than obtains in the South at present, he did not consider it +derogatory to his dignity to treat prisoners kindly. He would come +around to our room and talk with us by the hour--telling us great +stories of his adventures, and receiving as great in return. Most of +the time he was half drunk, and very frequently did not stop at the +half way point. In these cases, and when he was in a communicative +mood, he would tell us that he did not care a cent which side +whipped--that he only held his present position to avoid being +conscripted. But his masters knew him to be such a faithful, vigilant +officer, and he could so readily control the rude mass who occupied +the rebel portion of the barracks, that they readily forgave these +little slips of the tongue. We passed our time while here more +pleasantly than at any other place in the Confederacy; yet even here, +our path was not one of roses. The following incidents will prove +this: + +The Tennesseeans were confined with us, making twenty in all. Our +provisions, which were still very scanty, were handed around in a +tray. Mr. Pierce, who is mentioned before, one time conceived his +allowance to be too small, and threw it back into the tray again. Not +a word was spoken on either side; but in a few minutes the guards came +up, and, seizing Pierce, took him out of the room into the cold hall, +and tying his hands before his knees, with a stick inserted across +under his knees and over his arms, in the way that soldiers call +"bucking," they left him there all night. This indignity was +perpetrated on an old man over sixty! + +One of the guards was a malicious fellow, who delighted in teasing our +men by asking them how they liked being shut up in a prison, "playing +checkers with their noses on the windows," &c. One day, when he was +talking as usual, a Tennesseean, named Barker, replied that _he_ need +not be so proud of it, for he would some time have to work like a +slave, in the cotton-fields, to help pay the expenses of the war. The +guard reported this _treasonable_ remark to the commander. Poor Barker +was seized and taken to the punishment-room up stairs, and there +suspended by the heels till he fainted; then let down until he +revived, then hung up again. This was continued till they were +satisfied, when he was taken down, and put into a little, dark +dungeon, only about four feet square, and there kept twenty-four hours +with nothing to eat! + +While in this prison, I had the heartfelt pleasure of helping one man +to escape. The guards, and, indeed, all the poorer class of +Southerners, were very illiterate. Out of twenty-six who guarded us, +only two or three could write at all, and these not enough to be of +any service. Wells wrote a hand that nobody but himself could read, +and even he not always. Therefore he often came for the prisoners to +write short articles for him. On one of these occasions I was in the +office, which was just by our room, and equally guarded, writing a +requisition for provisions. While thus engaged, a man, dressed in the +uniform of a rebel officer, was brought in for confinement in the +barracks. He appeared to be very drunk, but remonstrated so hard +against being put into the room where the remainder of the prisoners +were kept, that Wells consented to let him stay for a while in his +office. His money was not taken from him, for Wells, not knowing the +charge against him, believed he was arrested only for being drunk--an +offence with which he had a good deal of sympathy. Wells had some +business to attend to, and went out. A sergeant was with us, but he, +too, soon took his departure, leaving us alone. I was busy writing, +but, looking up, I saw the stranger approaching me. There was no trace +of drunkenness about him. I watched his movements attentively. Soon he +was standing by me. + +"You are a prisoner?" he queried. + +"Yes, sir." + +"One they call engine-thieves?" he continued. + +I again answered in the affirmative. + +"I know you," said he; "I know all about you. I was here when your +comrades were hung. Brave men they were, and the cruel deed will yet +be avenged. I am not afraid to trust you. They don't yet know who I +am, but they will learn to-morrow, and then, if I am still in their +hands, I will _die_, for I am _a spy from the Federal army_. Can't you +help me to escape?" + +I was astonished at this revelation, and for a moment doubted his +character, thinking that his aim might be to betray me for a selfish +advantage. I put a few hasty questions to him, to test his knowledge +of the Federal army. The answers were satisfactory, and seeing +nothing but truth in his clear eye, I hesitated no longer, but asked: + +"What can I do for you?" + +He answered: "Can't you write me a pass, and sign the commander's name +to it?" + +"That," I returned, "would probably be detected; but I think I can put +you on a better plan. Take that overcoat," pointing to one belonging +to Wells, and lying on the foot of a bed, "put it around you, and just +walk past the guards as independently as though you owned the entire +establishment. It is now nearly dark, and the chances are that you +will not be halted by the guard at all." + +"A good idea," said he, "I'll try it." + +At once folding himself in the coat, he bade me an affectionate adieu. +Eagerly I sat with beating heart in the deepening twilight, listening +for any sound that might betray the success or failure of the scheme; +but all was silence. I have since learned that the guard, seeing the +familiar coat, supposed that, of course, its owner was in it, and +allowed it to pass unchallenged! A moment after, the sergeant came in, +and I instantly engaged him in conversation, inducing him to tell some +good stories, to keep him from missing my companion, and to allow as +much time for a start as possible, before the inevitable alarm was +given. I succeeded perfectly for some five minutes, when Wells came +in, threw an uneasy glance around the room, and at once exclaimed: + +"Sergeant, where is that officer?" + +The sergeant protested that he knew nothing about him; that he was not +in the room when he entered. + +Wells then turned to me, and demanded: + +"Pittenger, where's that officer?" + +"What officer?" + +"That officer I put in here." + +"Oh! that drunken fellow?" + +"Yes; where is he?" + +"The last I saw of him, he picked up his coat, and said he was going +to supper."[8] + +[8] I do not pretend to justify the falsehoods recorded in this book. +But it is better to give a _true_ narrative, and bear the censure +awarded by the reader, than to increase the guilt by omitting or +misrepresenting facts. + +"Going to supper, was he! Ho! I see it! Sergeant, run to the guards, +and tell them if they let him out, I will have every one of them hung +up by the heels." + +This was rather a useless punishment, considering that the prisoner +was already far away. + +But the sergeant departed to muster the guards. Shortly after, Wells, +who had resumed his seat, said in a meditative tone: + +"Had he a coat?" + +"I suppose so, sir," I returned, "or he would not have taken it." + +"Where did he get it?" + +"Off the foot of that bed." + +Wells sprang to his feet as quickly as though he had been galvanized, +kicking over the chair on which he had been sitting, and exclaimed: + +"_My coat!_ sure as----! worth eighty dollars! The villain!" then +pressing his head between his hands, sat down again, but, as if +thinking better of it, ejaculated, "Well, if that ain't a cool joke!" +and burst into a loud laugh, which ended the scene. + +There are some facts connected with the Union sentiment in the South, +which I would like to publish, if I dared; but I cannot do it in full, +for it might be the means of exposing persons who befriended us, to +the vengeance of the tyrant rebels. I will only say that there exists +in Atlanta a society of over four hundred members,[9] who are still +devoted to the cause of union and liberty; who endure in patient faith +all the cruel persecutions heaped on them by the slavery-loving +aristocrats who now rule their beautiful land. From members of this +society many prisoners as well as myself, received money and other +needed articles, which were of the greatest value to us. These were +given at great risk to the donors, for _there_ to give a Union soldier +money is a serious criminal offence. One man I know was confined for +four months on the mere suspicion of having aided the Shiloh prisoners +in this manner. + +[9] My impression of Southern feeling is very different from +Vallandigham's. But the Union men were my friends. Were they his? + +Sweet potatoes were very abundant in Atlanta, and with the money Union +friends supplied us, we bought a great many, roasting them in the +ashes of the large fire-place that made our room so comfortable. They +added materially to our rations, and rendered our living here more +tolerable. In fact, had it not been for that universal Confederate +pest, with which all, from the least to the greatest, seemed +supplied--sometimes termed the "rebel body guard"--and from which, for +the want of clean clothes, no exertions of ours could free ourselves, +we might have passed our time not unpleasantly. + +We still continued our devotions in the morning and evening, and trust +that God blessed them to us. We met with occasional hindrances. Some +of our own party seemed to consider that our release from the dark +cells of a criminal prison did away with the necessity of continued +prayer. The Confederates also annoyed us very much by interruptions, +while thus engaged in seeking help from above. On these occasions, +Wells was our friend. He declared that he could not stand praying +himself, and so invariably stayed away; but that if it did us any +good, we were welcome to it, and ought not to be disturbed. The +opposition we met with was of short continuance. As soon as they found +us firmly resolved on our own course, they did as all cavilers do in +similar circumstances--let us alone. Thus even there we enjoyed many +pleasant moments, which will ever be remembered as a green oasis in +the parched desert of prison-life. + +While here, the Confederates wanted some of us to enlist in their +army. They tried particularly hard to get the regulars, Wells +declaring that he would rather have the two, than any half dozen of +his own men. They pretended not to be unfavorable to the scheme, but +delayed complying with it for a time, to see what the ultimate +prospects of an exchange might be. + +The cartel of exchange had been agreed upon long before; yet these +men, who had no charge against them, were still held. They believed +that it was because they were with us, and that the rebels feared to +let them go, as they would most certainly convey to our government +intelligence as to our whereabouts, condition, and treatment. This +view appeared still more probable, when I learned, since returning to +Washington, that the Confederate government had _officially_ denied +hanging any of the party. They have never yet acknowledged it. + +The time wore wearily away here, as it had done before. The delay, +since the death of our friends, had now been so long extended, that we +began to believe that our lives might be spared. This conviction was +strengthened as the months rolled on. + +At last a court-martial was convened--the first since the +ever-memorable one at Knoxville, and we awaited its action with the +utmost anxiety. A week of sickening suspense passed by, and no summons +came for us. Then the court adjourned, and we breathed freer. It now +seemed probable that they did not intend to prosecute the feeble +remnant of our party any further; and, passing from the extreme of +despair to that of hope, we began to indulge once more the blissful +expectation of being permitted to revisit the scenes of our loved +North, and stand beneath the "old flag," which we honored and +reverenced as the embodiment of liberty with law--the emblem of the +highest national life. But our time for freedom had not yet come. + +The weeks rolled on. Few things occurred worthy of note. That same +monotony which makes prison-life so dreary, robs it of interest when +recorded. We would rise in the morning from our hard bed, and wash +ourselves, pouring the water upon each others' hands, and eat our +scanty breakfast; then loll listlessly around, seeking in vain for +anything which might relieve the almost unendurable tedium. When +dinner came, which was of the same quality as the breakfast, we would +eat it, and then try desperately to kill time until dark, when the gas +was lit--not from any favor to us, but that the guard could watch us +from the ever-open door, and see that we were working no plots to get +out. + +This was the most cheerful hour of the day, for under the soft +inspiration of the gaslight, conversation flowed more freely, and all +the incidents of our past lives were rehearsed to attentive listeners. +To vary the subject, an argument would be started on science, +politics, or religion, and warmly discussed. When the talk would flag, +which was frequently not till the midnight bells were striking in the +town, we would offer up our devotions, and lie down to sleep, and +often to indulge in the most delightful dreams of freedom, friends, +and home. In the morning we waked again, and the same round was +recommenced. Thus days glided into weeks, and weeks passed into +months. The light golden hues of autumn deepened into the dead and +sombre colors of early winter, and still we were in Atlanta. Our weak +faith, judging what would be from what had been, could scarcely +conceive that we would ever be anywhere else! A heavy, dead +indifference, like the lack of sensibility which the repeated +infliction of pain produces in our physical natures, took possession +of us. We almost ceased even to hope! + +But at last there came a day of rejoicing. A number of officers +visited the barracks, and inquired which was the room occupied by the +Federal prisoners. On being shown around to our apartment, they told +us to fall into line, and then said they had glad news for us. + +"You have all been exchanged, and all that now remains is for us to +send you out of our territory." + +They then came along the lines, and shook hands with us, offering +congratulations on the happy termination of our trials, and wishing us +much joy on our arrival at home. + +Our feelings may be better imagined than described. There was an +overwhelming rush of emotions which forbade utterance--happy +joy--exhilarating, and yet mingled with a deep touch of sorrow, that +our seven dead--murdered--comrades were not with us to share the joy +of this unexpected release. And the eight also who had managed to get +out of the clutches of the rebels by their own daring--we were uneasy +about them. Only a day or two before, we had seen in an Atlanta paper, +obtained, as usual, through a _contraband_ source, an article clipped +from the "_Cincinnati Commercial_," giving notice of the arrival of +Porter and Wollam at Corinth, in a very wretched and famished +condition. This was most gratifying to us, but of the others we had, +as yet, received no reliable information. The Provost-marshal told us +that three of them had been shot and left in the woods, but judging by +the source, we considered the account very doubtful, and still +cherished the hope that the whole story was a fabrication.[10] Thus we +were in suspense as to their fate. But still, beyond all this, the +prospect of speedily gaining our liberty, was enough to make our +hearts overflow with gratitude to that Being who had so wonderfully +preserved us through all our trials. I was so agitated that when Wells +asked me to write a requisition for provisions for our journey, I +could not do it, and had to transfer the task to more steady hands. It +was six in the morning when we received the news, and we were to start +for "home--_via_ Richmond"--at seven in the evening. We spent the +intervening time in arranging what clothes we had, and preparing for +the journey. And as the time for departure drew near, we again lit the +gas, and built a fire, the ruddy blaze of which was itself an emblem +of cheerfulness, to take a farewell view of the room in which we had +spent so many not altogether unhappy hours. Often afterward did we +think of that bright hour of expectation, during the dreary lapse of +succeeding months, which we were still doomed to pass in the South. + +[10] It was a malicious falsehood. All were safe. + +We had obtained quite a number of pieces of carpet, which served as +blankets, but were forbidden to take these with us, being told that we +would be run directly through, and would soon be where blankets were +plenty. We however managed to secrete two very small pieces, which +were afterwards of great advantage to us. They did not tie us now for +the first time in all our travels. This was truly remarkable, and +afforded strong confirmation to our hopes. + +All was now in readiness for our departure, and we took a long, and, I +trust, a last look at Atlanta--at least while it remains in rebel +possession. The guards fell in on each side of us, and we wended our +silent way along the dark streets. Wells, even drunker than usual, +accompanied us to the cars, where he hiccoughed an affectionate +farewell. White, the sergeant who was with me when our spy escaped, +commanded our escort. He was one of the best-natured rebels I ever +saw, and, like his superior, did not care which side came out best, so +long as he was not hurt. The guard was only ten in number, while we, +including the Tennesseeans, were twenty--a great falling off in +precaution from their former custom. + +We were crowded into rude box-cars, and soon began to suffer severely +with the cold, for the night air was most piercing. It was the 3d of +December, and we had only summer clothing, which was, in addition, +very ragged. At about three o'clock in the morning we arrived at +Dalton. We were not to go through Chattanooga. + +The stars were sparkling in light and frosty brilliancy when we +stopped. The other train, on which we were to continue our journey, +had not yet arrived, and the keen and icy wind cut almost through us. +We stood shivering here, and suffering extremely from the cold, for +something like an hour, when, to our great relief, the expected train +arrived. We were more comfortably fixed in it, and managed to doze +away the time till daybreak. + +In the morning, we found that our three days rations, which were to +last us to Richmond, were scarcely enough for a breakfast. However, we +ate what we had, and trusted to buying a few necessaries with the +remaining money which our Union friends had given us. When that +failed, we had still a sure resource that never failed--endurance of +hunger. + +During the day, we discussed the question whether it would not be +best, at nightfall, to try making our escape, as we were within forty +miles of our own lines. It would be an easy task. The guards were +perfectly careless, and at any time we could have had as many guns as +they had. They sat on the same seats with us, and slept. Frequently +those guarding the doors would fall asleep, and we would wake them as +the corporal came around, thus saving them from punishment. The most +complete security seemed to pervade them, utterly forbidding the idea +that _they_ thought they were taking us onward for any other purpose +than that of exchange. Once the sergeant laughingly told us that we +could escape if we wished, for we had the matter in our own hands; but +that he thought it would be more pleasant to ride on around, than to +walk across on our own responsibility. This very security lulled our +suspicions, and, combined with what the Marshal and other officers had +told us in Atlanta, induced us to shrink from undertaking a journey, +almost naked and barefoot as some of us were, over the mountains and +in the snow, which now began to appear. + +In the afternoon, we passed the town of Knoxville, now a place of +loathing and hatred to us; then the town of Greenville, which we +noticed as being the residence of our heroic companion, Captain Fry; +then on into the lower part of Western Virginia. It was nightfall when +we entered this State, and a beautiful night it was. The moon shone +over the pale, cold hills with a mellow, silver radiance, which made +the whole landscape enchanting. On, on, we glided, over hill and +plain, at the dead of night, and saw, in the shifting scenery of the +unreal-looking panorama without, a representation of the fleeting +visions of life--like us, now lost in some dark, gloomy wood, or +walled in by the encroaching mountain side, and now catching a +magnificent view of undulating landscapes, far away in the shadowy +distance. Thus, through the silent night, we journeyed on, and morning +dawned on us, still steaming through the romantic valleys of Virginia. + +The next day was a wet, dreary one. Our car leaked, our fire went out, +and we were most thoroughly uncomfortable. The evening found us at the +mountain city of Lynchburg, which is literally "set on a hill." Here +we discovered that we had missed the connection, and would have to +wait for twenty-four hours. We were very sorry for this, as we were in +a great hurry to get to our own lines, and had been talking all the +way about what we should do when we arrived at Washington. But there +was no help for it, and we marched up to the barracks with as good +grace as possible. + +We here found a large, empty-looking room, with some of the refuse of +the Confederate army in it. There was an immense stove in the center +of the room, but, being without fire, it was of no particular +benefit. We resigned ourselves to another night of freezing, with the +consoling thought that we would not have many more of such to endure. +I paced the floor till nearly morning, and witnessed a good many +amusing incidents. Many of the Confederates were quite drunk, and +disposed to be mischievous. One of them diverted himself by walking +about on the forms of those who were trying to sleep. Soon he came +around to Bensinger. He endured the infliction patiently the first +time; but as the sot came again, Bensinger was on the look-out, and, +springing to his feet, gave him a blow that laid him out on the floor. +Some of his companions rushed forward to resent the infliction; but, +finding that nobody was frightened, they gave over. + +Here, in Virginia, I met the most spiteful and venomous secessionists +I had yet seen. + +One of them--a prisoner--said that he had advocated raising the black +flag, asserting that if it "had been done at first, the war would have +been over long since." + +"No doubt of it," I replied; "the whole Southern race would have been +exterminated long before this." + +This way of ending the war had not entered his mind, and he became +very indignant at the suggestion. + +All the next day was cold and gloomy. After noon, we succeeded in +obtaining some wood for the big stove, with permission to make a fire +in it, which was soon done, and a genial glow diffused over the whole +room, in time to warm us before taking our departure for Richmond. + +We started a while before dark, seated in good, comfortable cars--the +best we enjoyed on the route. But we only ran a short distance to a +junction, where we were again to change cars. The next train had not +yet arrived, and we built a large fire, as it still continued bitterly +cold. We could easily have escaped, for the passengers mingled with us +around the fire, and we even went to a considerable distance away to +procure fuel. But so confident were we of a speedy exchange, that we +did not make the effort, and the golden opportunity passed unimproved. +Oh! how greatly we afterward regretted that we had not at least made +the attempt. Soon the other train arrived, and a few hours placed us +in Richmond--the goal to which every Union soldier is turning his +eyes, though he would not wish to reach it in the manner we did. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +The City by Moonlight--Old Accusation Renewed--Libby Prison--Discomfort--A +Change--Citizens' Department--Richmond Breakfast--Removed under +Guard--Castle Thunder--Miniature Bedlam--Conceal a Knife--Confined in a +Stall--Dreadful Gloom--Routine of a Day--Suffering at Night--Friends +Exchanged--Newspapers--Burnside--Pecuniary Perplexities--Captain +Webster--Escape Prevented--Try Again on Christmas Night--Betrayed--Fearful +Danger Avoided. + + +It was still the same sparkling moonlight, and the same intense and +piercing cold, that marked our journey the preceding night, when we +left the cars, and entered the rebel capital. + +Everything looked grim and silent through the frosty air, and our +teeth chattered fast and loud as we walked through a few squares of +this now historic city. + +But suddenly the sergeant recollected that he did not know what to do +with us, and we were obliged to remain where we were, till he could find +the Provost-Marshal's office, and get instructions. We endeavored to +shelter ourselves as best we could from the unbearable cold, which +really threatened to prove fatal. We had two blankets, or rather pieces +of carpet, and we spread them over the heads of us all as we huddled +together in a solid mass, in the angle of a brick wall. It was +astonishing how much more comfortable this made us--especially in the +inside of the _pack_, where I happened to be. Here we remained shivering +till the sergeant returned. He had found the Provost-Marshal's office, +and proceeded to conduct us thither. + +We marched through several of the principal streets, which, but for +the moonlight, would have been entirely dark. At last we arrived at +the office, which, to add to our discomfort, was destitute of fire. We +stood in the empty room looking at the grim portraits of the rebel +generals that stared at us from the walls, until the Marshal himself +entered. He did not deign to speak to us, but opened a sealed letter +which the sergeant handed him, and read that ten disloyal +Tennesseeans, four prisoners of war, and _six engine-thieves_, were +hereby forwarded to Richmond, by order of General Beauregard. We had +hoped that the title of thieves, of which we had become heartily +tired, would now be left behind; but it seemed still to cling to us, +and afforded an unpleasant premonition of the Confederacy's not yet +being done with us. The Marshal then gave his orders, and we were +again marched off. + +By this time it was daylight, December 7th, 1862. Richmond looked +still more cheerless by the cold beams of morning than it did before. + +We now threaded several tedious streets, and at last came to the James +river, where we halted in front of a most desolate-looking, but very +large brick building, situated on the bank, and surrounded by a +formidable circle of guards. This building we very naturally took to +be a prison, and soon learned that we were right. It was the famous +LIBBY. We entered its precincts, and were conducted up a flight of +stairs, and then, on reaching the upper room, which was a vast, open +one, we saw, almost for the first time since our capture, the old +familiar United States uniform. We were soon in the midst of over a +hundred Union soldiers. + +At first our greeting was not very warm, as we still wore the rebel +rags that had served us all summer; but as soon as our true character +and history were made known, we were most cordially welcomed. There +was a small stove--only one--in the cold, empty room, and part of the +inmates were huddled around it. But with the characteristic courtesy +and charity of the American soldier, they soon cleared a place beside +it for us. Then I had leisure to look around. + +The room was very large and bare; the floor above was taken out, +leaving it open to the roof. Beside this, the window sashes were all +removed, and the cold wind whistled in from the river far more sharply +than was consistent with comfort. The inmates informed me that they +had only a limited amount of fuel allowed them per day, and when that +was exhausted, they had to endure the freezing as best they could. +Even when the fire was burning, only about a dozen could get around +it, and the room was too large and open to be warmed more than a few +feet from the stove. Yet, with all these discomforts, we rejoiced to +be here. It was the sure pledge that our foes had not been deceiving +us in their promises of an exchange, for these men, with whom we found +ourselves, were actually going northward in the next truce-boat, which +was daily expected. Our hearts beat high as we thought that, after +drinking the bitter draught of bondage and persecution for eight long +months, we were at last to taste the sweets of liberty. What wonder if +our joy was too deep for words, and we could only turn it over in our +minds, and tremble lest it should prove too delightful to be +realized! What cared we for the cold that made our teeth chatter, and +sent the icy chill to our very bones! It was only for the moment, and +beyond that we painted the bright vision of freedom, with such +vividness and warmth, that cold and privations were forgotten +together. But our dream was short. + +We talked with our companions, and learned from them many interesting +items of news. The worst we heard, and which, at first, we could +hardly credit, was the existence of a large party in the North who +were opposed to the war; because, as my informant said, "They were +afraid if the thing went on, they would be drafted, and would have to +fight themselves." Oh! how bitterly some of the prisoners, who were +profanely inclined, cursed those who could oppose their government in +such a time as this! Not many of the soldiers sympathized with these +traitors. They were still hopeful of success, and confident that the +time would soon come when they would crush rebellion. + +But in the midst of our conversation, an officer entered, and called +for the men who had just been admitted. Expecting to be paroled, as +all the other prisoners in the room were, we at once responded. They +conducted us down to the entrance hall, and called over our names. +The four prisoners of war, and one of the Tennesseeans, were put on +one side, and we on the other. The first party were then taken up +stairs again, while we were put into an immense, but dark and low +room, on the left of the stairway. + +This was an awful moment. We now felt that we had been deceived, and +our hopes at once fell from the highest heaven, to which they had +soared, down to perfect nothingness, and a cold sense of misery and +despair came over us. To be thus separated from our friends, also, +seemed like parting the sheep from the goats, and could only be for +the purpose of punishment! No wonder that we looked at each other with +pale, troubled countenances, and asked questions which none were +prepared to solve. But only one moment were we thus crushed beneath +this unexpected blow; the next, we again sought an avenue for hope. + +Perhaps they did not recognize us as soldiers, and only wanted to +exchange us as citizens--a matter of indifference to us, provided we +were exchanged at all. We looked around to see what foundation there +might be for this pleasing conjecture. + +Our present apartment contained even more prisoners than the one +up-stairs. They were men from all parts of the South. Some of them +had been in prison ever since the war broke out, and a few had been +arrested for supposed anti-slavery principles, even before that event, +and had lived in loathsome dungeons ever since. This would be called +barbarous tyranny if it occurred in Italy; but I have seen men, even +in my own Ohio, who could see no wrong in it when practiced in the +South, on supposed _abolitionists_. There were also some of our own +soldiers here, who had been put in for attempting to escape. This +survey was not calculated to increase our feeble hopes of a speedy +exchange, or even to weaken our fears of further punishment. + +In the meantime, breakfast was brought in. It consisted of a small +quantity of thin soup, and a very scanty allowance of bread. To our +delight, the latter was made of flour, instead of corn meal; and all +the time we remained in Richmond, we received good bread, though often +very deficient in quantity. + +While we were talking with our new room-mates, an officer again +entered, and inquired for the fifteen men who had last come in. We +answered quickly, for hope was again busy whispering in our hearts, +and suggesting that there had been some mistake, which would now be +rectified, and we taken up stairs again. But there was no such good +fortune in store for us. We were taken out of doors, and there found a +guard waiting to remove us to another prison. Again our hearts sank +within us. + +We crossed the street, and halted at a desolate-looking building, +which we afterward learned was "CASTLE THUNDER," the far-famed Bastile +of the South. We were conducted through a guarded door into the +reception-room, where we had to wait for some time. While here, a +fierce-looking, black-whiskered man, who, I afterwards learned, was +Chillis, the commissary of the prison, came in, and said: + +"Bridge burners, are they! They ought to be hung, every man of them; +and so ought every man that does anything against the Confederacy." +Had he said _for_, I would have agreed with him heartily. + +Soon the guide returned, and ordered us to be conducted up stairs. Up +we went, passing by a room filled with a howling and yelling +multitude, who made such an outrageous racket that I was compelled to +put my hands to my ears. As we came in view, a score of voices +screamed with all the energy their lungs could give: + +"Fresh fish! Fresh fish!" The same exclamation greeted every new +arrival. + +We were taken into the office and searched, to see if we possessed +anything contraband, or, in plainer terms, anything they could make +useful to themselves. They took some nice pocket knives from the +Tennesseeans, which they had contrived to keep secreted till now. When +it came my turn, I managed to slip a large knife, that I had obtained +at Atlanta, up my sleeve, and by carefully turning my arm when they +felt for concealed weapons, succeeded in keeping it out of the way. + +The examination over, I thought they were going to put us into the +miniature mad-house we had just passed; and they did not do much +better, for they put us into a stall beside it. I call it a stall, for +the word describes it most fully. It was one of a range, partitioned +off from the large room in which were the noisy miscreants, and from +each other by loose plank, with cracks wide enough to let the wind +circulate freely through them. Most of the windows of the large room +were out, which greatly increased the cold. Our stall was only eight +or nine feet wide, and perhaps sixteen in length. It was bare of any +furniture--not even having a chair, or any means of making a fire. + +In this cheerless place our party, six in number, and nine +Tennesseeans, were confined during the months of December and January! + +The first day of our imprisonment here, our spirits sank lower than +they had ever done before. All our bright hopes were dashed to the +ground, and there seemed every reason to believe that we were doomed +to this dreary abode for the remaining term of the war, even if we +escaped sharing with our murdered friends the horrors of a Southern +scaffold. It was too disheartening for philosophy, and that day was +one of the blackest gloom. We seldom spoke, and when we did, it was to +denounce our folly, in suffering ourselves to be deluded to Richmond +by the lies they had told, and not seizing some of the many +opportunities our journey afforded for making our escape. But it was +no use lamenting; and all we could do was to register a solemn vow +never to be deceived by them again. When night came, we knelt in +prayer to God, and if I ever prayed with fervor, it was in this hour +of disappointment and dread. I tried to roll all my cares upon the +Lord, and partly succeeded, rising from my knees comforted, and +assured that whatever might be the issue, we had one Friend who was +nigh to save, and had often made his children rejoice, in worse +situations than ours. The next morning I awoke again cheerful, and +felt nerved for any fate that might befall me. + +Here the routine of prison life did not differ materially from that at +Atlanta. We had to go down to the court (the building was square, and +built with an open court in the center) to wash in the morning, and +were immediately taken back to our stall, and locked up. But the +principal difference was our want of fire. This made it our greatest +difficulty to keep warm, and effectually destroyed all those pleasant +fireside chats that had done so much to make our condition endurable +in the Atlanta barracks. + +As the darkness and coldness of night drew on, we were compelled to +pace the floor, trying to keep warm; and when sleep became a +necessity, we would all pile down in a huddle, as pigs sometimes do, +and spread over us the thin protection of our two bits of carpet. Thus +we would lie until too cold to remain longer, and then arise and +resume our walk. We had always plenty of light, except when the +awkwardness of the gas managers left the whole city in darkness, which +was frequently the case. + +We never omitted our devotions. For awhile the deserters outside, who +were composed of the very scum of Southern society, many of them +being the rowdies, gamblers, and cutthroats of the large cities, tried +to interrupt us by every means in their power; but finding that their +efforts produced no effect, they finally gave over, and left us to +pursue our own way in peace. We found afterward, when, for a short +time, we were put among them, that they respected us the more for it. +Thus it will always be when perseverance is exercised in a good cause. + +A few days after our arrival, we noticed a great stir among the +prisoners at the Libby, which was plainly in view across the road, and +but a short distance from us. We learned that a truce-boat had +arrived. Soon a body of United States soldiers came up the street by +us, and our five friends with them. As they passed our window, they +waved their hands in farewell, and continued their journey. No doubt +they were soon with their friends at home.[11] The parting was a hard +one for us. It seemed so much like fulfilling the passage of +Scripture--"One shall be taken and the other left," that we turned +away from the window feeling again the gloom which darkened the first +day of our arrival. We felt utterly deserted and alone; yet we were +glad that some had been able to escape from the power of this accursed +rebellion, "every throb of whose life is a crime against the very race +to which we belong." + +[11] A letter was received from one of them by my father a short time +ago. He had not heard of our release, but described our parting, and +gave a rumor which he had heard of our subsequent execution. + +In the dead sameness which now settled down again over our +prison-life, we had a delightful daily oasis, in reading the +newspapers. In Richmond we were not, as elsewhere, debarred their +perusal, and there was always some one who had money enough to buy +them, and then charity enough to lend them all over the prison. In +this way, we were enabled to see most of the dailies published. As +soon as we received one, all the party would gather around, while I +read the news and editorials aloud. + +The time of our arrival was an exciting one. Burnside had just made +his celebrated advance, and as we read of his crossing the river, we +breathed a prayer that he would be successful, and continue onward to +Richmond. Had he done so, we would either have fallen into his hands +or been removed. In the latter case, we would have made a desperate +effort to escape, for we had firmly resolved never to be moved again +without making a strike for freedom. + +But soon came the sad news of his repulse--sad to us, but causing the +greatest rejoicings among the rebels, who felt that they had escaped a +great danger, and renewed the life of their tottering treason. + +We missed the books we were no longer able to borrow, and planned all +kinds of means to obtain them. Among other expedients, I managed to +sell my hat. It was a fine one, and had formerly belonged to Jack +Wells; but one day when he was drunk enough to be in a clever humor, +he took mine, which was a very poor one, from me, and put his own on +my head, saying that I looked better in that. No doubt he intended to +trade back, but forgot it when we started away, and so left me in +possession. I sold this hat for three dollars and a half, and bought +another extremely poor one for half a dollar, leaving me three dollars +of available funds; which, added to five more afterward obtained from +a Union man, made quite a fortune. With this I tried to procure a book +I wanted. I gave the money to the corporal who attended the prison, +but he kept it several days, and then returned it to me. I next tried +one of the officers of the prison, but met with no better success. +Determined not to be baffled, I dropped the money through a crack in +the floor to a lady prisoner below, who was allowed to go out in town, +but in a few days she, too, sent it back, saying that the book was not +in Richmond. + +Still persevering, I wrote the names of several books on a slip of +paper, and gave it to Chillis, the commissary, who wanted us hung when +we first came, but who was, nevertheless, the kindest official of the +prison; he likewise returned it, saying that _none_ of the books named +were to be found. I then yielded, and reserved my money for the next +best purpose to which it could be applied--to buy bread, which I often +needed. We could at first get small cakes for ten cents apiece; but +they afterward rose to fifteen. We had to take postage stamps in +change, and, having no pocket-book to carry them in, they would often +become torn and cracked, which rendered them worthless. Thus we lost a +considerable portion of our precious money. + +We soon became very restless and discontented here, and revolved +desperate plans of escape. It seemed like a hopeless prospect, for we +were in the third story, and could only escape by passing at each door +through successive relays of guards, all of which had a reserve ready +to cooeperate with them in case of alarm. Our room was next to the +jailor's office, and on the opposite side was a row of rooms +containing all kinds of prisoners. The one next to us was occupied by +a number of Federal soldiers--some charged with being spies, and +others with murder. + +One of the latter was Captain Webster. He was a young and most +handsome man, not over twenty-two years of age. He had, on one +occasion, been sent to take a notorious guerilla captain, named +Simpson, who was then hiding within our lines. When he was found, +Webster summoned him to surrender. Instead of doing so he fired his +pistol and started to run; but Webster also fired, and mortally +wounded him. + +When Webster was subsequently taken prisoner, he was held for the +_murder_ of Simpson, and confined in the room next to us. The charge I +have repeatedly heard, not only from himself and fellow prisoners, but +from the officers of the prison. Judge of my surprise, then, on +reading, since my return home, of the hanging of Webster for +_violating his parole_. This being a charge that the law of war would +visit with death, the Confederates _officially lied_ in substituting +the one charge for the other, in order to justify themselves, and +prevent retaliation. + +Webster, too, was tired of confinement, and ready to risk all in a +bold strike for freedom. The decision was soon made, and Christmas +evening was the time fixed for the attempt. There were a number of +citizens in the room below, who were in a more favorable situation for +initiating the movement than we were. We had opened telegraphic +communication, as we had done before at Atlanta, and after full +consultation, it was agreed to let these citizens give the signal. +This was to be the cry of fire, and when it was heard, we were all to +rush upon the guards, and overpower them. There were only about thirty +guards in the building, and we had over a hundred and fifty men +concerned in the plot. We were, therefore, sure of success if every +one performed his part--at least in getting out of the building, which +was a less difficult task than leaving the city. + +On Christmas eve everything was in readiness with us, and most +anxiously did we wait for the signal. The hours rolled slowly on, and +midnight passed, but no signal was given. We afterward learned that +the citizens below failed in courage when the decisive moment came, +and thus defeated a plan which would, in all probability, have been +successful, and would have startled rebeldom no little in thus +bursting open their strongest prison. + +The next night we resolved to try once more. And that no +faint-heartedness might now interfere, we appointed Webster our +leader, knowing that he would not falter. Again we prepared. The locks +of all the rooms were drawn except our own, which was so close to the +guard that it could not be taken off without great danger of +discovery. + +Some did not want to go, but were very kind to those of us who did, +supplying us with serviceable shoes, and taking our worn-out ones in +return. At last everything being in readiness, we again waited for the +signal. Those in our room were to remain quiet till it was given, and +then burst off the door, which was a light one, and rush on the guard. +We took a board that supported the water-bucket, and four of us, +holding it as a battering-ram, did not doubt our ability to dash the +door into the middle of the large room, and seize the guard before he +could make up his mind as to the nature of the assault. + +The other small rooms were soon vacated, the movement being concealed +from the observation of the guard, by the inmates of the large room, +into which all the others opened, standing up around the doors. + +For an instant all was silence. We lifted up our hearts in prayer to +God, that He would be with us, and preserve us through the coming +strife, and if consistent with His high will, permit us to regain our +liberty. + +What can cause the delay? Minute after minute passes, and the dead +silence is only broken by the throbbing of our own hearts. We stand +with the board ready, and our spirits eager for the coming contest, +which shall lead us to grapple, with naked arms, the shining bayonets +of the guards. We do not doubt the issue, for the hope of liberty +inspires us. + +But now we see our friends creeping _back to their rooms_! We grind +our teeth with rage and chagrin, but soon hear the explanation, which +makes us think that the Lord is indeed watching over us. + +Just as our leader was ready to give the signal, a friend pressed to +his side, and informed him that we were betrayed, and that an extra +guard of over eighty men was drawn up in line before the door, with +orders to shoot down every one that issued from it, while still +another detachment was ready to close in behind, and make an +indiscriminate massacre. Had we attempted to carry out our plan, the +guard would have yielded before us until we were drawn into the trap, +and then they hoped to make such a slaughter as would be a perpetual +warning to prison-breakers. + +When I first heard this story, I thought it the invention of some +weak-nerved individual who feared the trial and the danger of our +scheme. But it was true. The next day the Richmond papers contained a +full _expose_ of the whole affair, and Captain Alexander, the tyrant +who commanded the prison, threatened to have every one engaged in it +tied up and whipped. But he finally concluded not to do so, and the +excitement passed away. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +Letter sent Home--Alarming Pestilence--Our Quarters +Changed--Rowdyism--Fairy Stories--Judge Baxter--Satanic +Strategy--Miller's History--An Exchange with a Dead Man--Effect of +Democratic Victories--Attempt to Make us Work--Digging out of a +Cell--Worse than the Inquisition--Unexpected Interference--List from +"Yankee Land"--Clothing Stolen--Paroled--A Night of Joy--Torch-light +March--On the Cars--The Boat--Reach Washington--Receive Medals, Money, +and Promotion--Home. + + +All of our party had repeatedly tried to send letters home to let our +friends know that we were still alive, but hitherto had failed. Now we +had a providential opportunity. Some of the prisoners who were +captured at the battle of Murfreesboro' were brought to Richmond, and +confined in the basement of our building. While they remained, I wrote +a note with a pencil, on the fly-leaf of a book, and when taken down +to wash in the morning, slipped around to the door of the Western +prisoners, and gave it to an Irishman. He concealed it until he was +exchanged, and then mailed it to my father. It produced a great +sensation among my friends, most of whom had long since given me up +for dead. It was the first that had been heard of our party since the +Atlanta escape, and was at once published in my county paper, and +copied in many others. The following is the note: + + + RICHMOND, VA., January 6th, 1863. + + DEAR FATHER--I take the opportunity of writing by a paroled + prisoner, to let you know that I am well, and doing as well + as could be expected under the circumstances. I have seen + some rather hard times, but the worst is past. Our lives are + now safe, but we will be kept during the war, unless + something lucky turns up for us. There are six of our + original railroad party here yet. Seven were executed in + June, and eight escaped in October. + + I stand the imprisonment pretty well. The worst of it is to + hear of our men getting whipped so often. I hear all the + news here; read three or four papers a day. I even know that + Bingham was beat in the last election, for which I am very + sorry. + + The price of everything here is awful. It costs thirty cents + to send a letter. This will account for my not writing to + all my friends. Give my sincere love to them, and tell them + to write to me. + + You may write by leaving the letter unsealed, putting in + nothing that will offend the Secesh, and directing to Castle + Thunder, Richmond, Virginia. I want to know the private + news--how many of my friends have fallen. Also tell who has + been drafted in our neighborhood, who married, and who like + to be. Also if you have a gold dollar at hand, slip it into + the letter--not more, as it might tempt the Secesh to _hook_ + it. I have tried to send word through to you several times + before, but there is now a better chance of communicating + since we came from Atlanta to Richmond. Mother, (here + referring to religious experience.) * * * * * * * + + No doubt you all would like to see me again, but let us have + patience; many a better man than I am has suffered more, and + many parents are mourning for their children without the + hope of seeing them again. So keep your courage up, and do + not be uneasy about me. Write as soon as you can, and tell + all my friends to do the same. + Ever yours, + WILLIAM PITTENGER. + To THOMAS PITTENGER, + New Somerset, Jefferson county, Ohio. + + +We remained in this prison, reading of the victories of Southern +rebels, and the doings of Northern traitors, until the first of +February. At that time they wanted our range of rooms for a hospital. +This range was not adapted to the purpose, but was at least as good as +the garret above, where all who went were sure of death. + +Disease was now making fearful havoc. The small-pox prevailed to a +frightful extent, and the whole town was alarmed. Men were dying +around us every day; none of our party was infected, but many of the +Tennesseeans were. It was no wonder that they found it necessary to +extend their hospitals, for the treatment we received was well +calculated to make the hardiest men sink beneath their trials. But +these fearful ravages of pestilence did at least the good of securing +our removal from the pen in which we had been confined. At first we +were taken to the bedlam I have described before; and even this was +better than the loneliness and _ennui_ of our strict confinement. + +It seemed like freedom by contrast. We now had a fire also--a luxury +which one who has been _freezing_ for two months knows well how to +appreciate. It is true it did not warm half the people around it, and +these had not the courtesy of our brethern in the Libby; yet it was a +great thing to be occasionally warm. + +The amusements of our new friends were striking, if not elegant. When +a dense crowd would gather round the fire, some mischievous Irishman +would cry out, "Char-rge, me boys;" and, with his confederates, rush +against the mass, knocking men in all directions, upsetting pots, +skinning elbows, and spoiling tempers generally. Fights were of +frequent occurrence, and it only needed the addition of intoxicating +liquor to constitute a perfect pandemonium. + +The evenings were a compensation. After the turmoil of the day was +over, and most of those who had blankets had retired to rest, a party +of the worst rowdies, who had been annoying us all day, would gather +around the stove, and appear in a new character--that of +story-tellers. I have spent the greater part of the night in listening +to them, and have heard some of the finest fairy tales, and most +romantic legends. But the approach of day put an end to all the +romantic disposition of my companions, and left them ill ruffians as +before. + +We soon wearied of this perpetual ferment, and petitioned to be put +below in the room with the Union men. After some delay it was granted, +and then came a more pleasant part of my prison life. The room was +large, but dark, and the windows not only secured by crossing bars, +but woven over with wires. The refuse tobacco-stems of the manufactory +had been thrown in this room, till they covered the floor to a depth +of several inches. + +But to compensate for these disagreeable accompaniments of our new +apartment, it had a stove, and was warm; so that the terrible +suffering with the cold, which none can appreciate but those who have +endured, was now at an end. There was also good society here--nearly a +hundred Union men from different parts of the South--all intensely +patriotic, and many of them possessing great intelligence. In talking +with these men, and hearing their adventures and opinions, I passed +many a pleasant hour, and gained a great insight into the views of +Southern Unionists. + +One of these, who became an intimate friend, was a Scotchman, named +Miller. When the war commenced, he was residing in Texas, and +witnessed the manner in which that State was precipitated into +secession. The first part of the plan was to excite rumors of a +contemplated slave insurrection; then the conspirators would place +poison and weapons in certain localities, and find them, as if by +accident. This was continued till the public mind was in a perfect +ferment. The next step was to take some slaves, and whip them until +the torture made them confess their own guilt, and also implicate the +leading opponents of secession. This was enough. The slaves and +Unionists were hung together on the nearest tree, and all opposition +to the nefarious schemes brutally crushed. Thus has slavery furnished +the means of paving the way to treason! + +Miller himself was taken, and after narrowly escaping the fate of his +friends, was sent eastward to be tried as a traitor. He twice made his +escape, once traveling over two hundred miles, and each time, when +captured, telling a different story. Finally, he represented himself +as a citizen from New York. When brought before Judge Baxter, the +magistrate of Castle Thunder, for examination, he merely said: + +"I told you all about my case before." + +The judge, who was considerably intoxicated, thought that he had +actually been examined before, and dismissed him without further +questioning. He was brought up several times after that, but always +gave them the same answer, thus keeping them completely deceived, and +was at length exchanged. + +I here became acquainted with a young man of the Potomac army, whom I +shall call Charlie. He was employed to go near Richmond to fire a +bridge, and collect important information. While executing his +perilous mission, he was captured, with papers in his possession fully +proving his character as a spy, and was despatched with a sergeant as +escort, toward Richmond. While on the way, the sergeant, who was fond +of liquor, got a chance to indulge, and became very careless. Charlie, +watching his opportunity, slipped from the breast pocket of his guard +the packet of papers containing his charges, with the directions for +his disposal, and threw them into a pond by the wayside. + +When he arrived at Richmond, the authorities did not know his +character, and put him into the large room with the other prisoners, +instead of confining him separately. When the evidence against him +arrived, the commanding officer entered with a guard, and inquired for +him. Now was his last chance for life, and well was it improved! It so +happened that a man had died in the prison the night before, and +Charlie at once responded: + +"O! that fellow died last night," and pointed to the corpse. + +"Died, has he! the rascal! We'd 'a hung him this week, and saved him +the trouble if he'd only held on!" growled the officer, and departed. + +Charlie was shortly after exchanged under the _dead man's name_! + +Just when the discouragement of all lovers of their country was the +greatest, resulting from the news of the rise and progress of the +peace party in the North, a Tennessee Congressman visited our prison. +He gathered the Tennesseeans around him, and urged them to return to +their allegiance; stating that the Union cause was now hopeless, as it +was abandoned even by the Northern States, which were in the hands of +the Democrats, who would make peace on any terms; closing by asking +them now to _do right_, take the oath of allegiance to the +Confederacy, and go into its army, promising that all their previous +obstinacy should be forgiven. The effect was wonderful! Listen, ye who +cavil at the government, and while opposing its policy, still think +you do no harm! These were loyal men, and had proved it by abandoning +all for the cherished cause--many of them spending weary months in +loathsome dungeons. Yet on hearing of the triumph of this faction, +which promises to restore the Union by conciliating and wooing back +the rebels, over one-half of them yielded, and gave that consent which +neither danger nor suffering had been able to force from them! Thus +were over twenty recruits from one room of one prison, obtained for +the rebel army by the triumphs of Northern Democracy! + +A part remained faithful, and this excited the ire of the +secessionists. To punish them, Captain Alexander issued an order that +all the menial service of the prison should be performed by Union men. +Some obeyed the order, while others would not. But those who did the +work complained that unwilling ones were not made to help them. To +remedy this, a list was prepared, and the names taken in order. One of +the first called was a Tennesseean, named McCoy. He answered boldly: + +"I'm not going." + +"What's the matter, now?" demanded the sergeant. + +"I didn't come here to work; and if you can't board me without, you +may send me home," replied the fearless man. + +"Well! well! you'll be attended to," growled the sergeant, and +proceeded with the roll. Four others likewise refused, and were +reported to Captain Alexander, who at once ordered them to be put into +"the cell." This was a dark place beside the open court, and only +about four feet wide, by six or seven in length. It had no floor but +the damp earth, and was destitute of light. Here they were informed +that they should remain until they agreed to work. + +We found another alternative for them.--There was a piece of file and +a scrap of stove-pipe in our room, which we took, and buying a candle +from the commissary, watched our opportunity, when taken out to wash, +to slip them into the cell. As soon as these necessaries were +received, the boys begun faithfully to dig their way out under the +wall. All day and night they worked, but did not get through. The next +day, we supplied them with another candle, and they labored on. Toward +morning, they broke upward through the crust of the ground outside. +The foremost one wormed his way out, and glided off. He was never +heard from, and no doubt reached the Union lines. The next man was +just under the wall, when the barking of a dog, that happened to be +prowling around, drew the attention of the guard that way, and +prevented his escape. But though the stampede was thus arrested, it +was a lesson that prevented the confinement of any more in the cell. + +Yet they were not content to give up the idea of making us their +servants. I happened to be on the next list prepared. This time the +task was to dig in Captain Alexander's garden, which we would have +been obliged to perform with an armed guard standing over us. + +Of course, we refused to go. As a punishment, we were ordered into the +yard, which was only a vacant corner of the building, enclosed by high +brick walls, on the top of which guards walked. It was a cold day in +February, and was raining. We were nearly naked, having only the +remnant of the rags that had already served for more than their time. +The bottoms were out of my shoes, and the water stood in the yard +several inches deep. The cold, wet wind, swept down with biting +sharpness, and almost robbed us of sensation. We paced the narrow +bounds, through the mud and water, until too weary to walk any more, +and then resigned ourselves to our misery! + +Here we remained from early in the morning till in the evening. They +told us we would have to stay there till we agreed to work, or froze +to death! The first we resolved never to do. The latter was prevented +by relief from an unexpected source. + +The old commissary, who had been so harsh to us when we first arrived, +now went to Captain Alexander, and remonstrated with him for his +cruelty. + +Said he, "If you want to kill the men, and I know the rascals deserve +it, do it at once. Hanging is the best way. But don't keep them there +to die by inches, for it will disgrace us all over the world." + +This logic produced a good effect, and the order was given to send us +back to our room, which, with its warm fire, never seemed more +pleasant. It was well they did not keep us out during the night, for +we had determined to scale the wall, if we lost half of our number in +the attempt. + +The effects of that terrible day of freezing were soon visible. On +entering the room, the grateful warmth produced a stupor from which +most of us awoke, sick. Some died. I, myself, contracted a disease of +the lungs, which rendered me an invalid for months after regaining my +freedom. + +One day we were ordered into line, and the names of all our railroad +party, with a few of the others, called over. One, whose name was +omitted, asked the reason of the omission. The officer answered: + +"We can't tell, for this list came from Yankee land." + +The mention of "Yankee land" started conjectures afloat thick and +fast. Why should a list be sent from the North? Could it be for the +purpose of exchange? The whole prison was in a ferment. + +They soon discovered that a general exchange of political prisoners +was in contemplation. This added fuel to the flames. But as the +truce-boats went off one after another, and week after week passed by, +leaving us still in our dark and wearisome prison, hope again died +away. Every person who ventured to speak of exchange was laughed into +silence. + +One day an officer came into the room, and ordered a sergeant to take +the name of every man who claimed United States protection, in order +to obtain clothes for him. Soon the clothing came. It did not +comprise a complete suit, but was extremely welcome. Never did I see a +peacock strut with more ostentation than did some of the prisoners on +donning the uniform. And it was worthy of pride. It was a token that +we were not forsaken, but that a great nation was extending its +protection over us. The ragged guards around, clad in their miserable +butternut suits, growled many uncomplimentary allusions to the +penuriousness of their own government, in contrast with the +munificence of ours. + +There were only about one hundred _parts_ of suits distributed, though +the papers, the next day, stated the number at _five_ hundred! and +this I afterward found was actually the number sent from Washington. +The entire four hundred, and part of the last hundred, was kept by the +officers as a compensation for their trouble in distributing them! But +they certainly acted with more than their ordinary honesty in giving +us any at all! + +On the evening of the 17th of March, when we were sitting around the +fire, lazily, but not indifferently, discussing the siege of +Vicksburg, and laying many infallible plans by which it might be at +once reduced, an officer entered, and gave the strange order for all +"who wanted to go to the _United States_ to come to the office!" + +When I obeyed, it was with very little hope that there was really a +chance once more to stand beneath the folds of our loved banner. Even +when part of our room-mates had gone in, and signed the oath of +parole, I feared that the good news was _only_ for them. To test the +matter, I went forward, and as I gave my name, fully expected to +hear--"The engine-thieves can't go"--but no objection was made. For a +moment a delicious hope thrilled through my veins--a vision of +happiness and home, dazzling as a flash of summer lightning, shone +before my eyes--but it instantly faded before the remembrance of our +Atlanta deception. + +It was announced that we were to start at four o'clock the next +morning. The evening, as might be expected, was one of wild +excitement. Nearly all acted like men bereft of reason. Their +joyousness found vent in vociferous cheers--in dancing and bounding +over the floor--in embracing each other, and pledging kind +remembrances. But there were a few who were not permitted to go, and I +pitied them. I remembered when we had been left by our comrades on our +first arrival in Richmond, and my heart bled for these forsaken ones, +as they sat cheerless and alone, seeming to feel even more wretched +than ever, amid the general joy. + +It was near midnight before we became calm enough to offer up our +usual evening devotions. But when all were at length still, wearied +out by the very excess of joy, and when the quietness that ever +follows overwhelming emotions had settled down upon us, we knelt in +prayer--a prayer of deep, strong, fervent thankfulness; and we +implored that we might not be deceived in our bright and vivid hopes, +and dashed back from our anticipated paradise; yet if such should be +His high and mysterious will, and we should see these hopes fade, as +others faded before them, we asked for strength to bear the trial. +Thus composed, we laid down to sleep, and await the event. + +Few eyes closed during the entire night. Fancy was too busy peopling +her fairy landscapes--picturing the groups that awaited us beyond that +boundary which, for nearly a year, frowned before us, gloomy and +impassable as the silent river of death! But even as we muse, what +unbidden fears spring up to darken the prospect, and stain the +brightness of our joy! How many of those friends whose love was as our +life, may be no more! For a year, not a whisper had been heard, and we +trembled as we thought of the ravages of time and of battle. These +and other thoughts whirled through our throbbing brains during that +ever-memorable night, and were only broken by the summons of the +commanding officer, who, long ere morning light, gave the thrilling +order to--_prepare for our journey_! + +Hurriedly we thronged to our feet. It was true! Freedom once more! Our +terrible captivity was passed! O joy! JOY!--almost too wild and +delirious for earth! + +There was a hurrying around in the darkness illumined by the flashing +of torch-lights--a discordant calling of names--a careful inspection +to see that none went but those allowed; then, forming two lines in +the courtyard, and with bounding hearts, we passed _outward_ through +the dreaded portals of Castle Thunder--the same portals we had passed +_inward_ more than three months before! passed out into the cool, but +_free_ night air! + +We next marched through the muddy, unlighted streets for many squares. +There were with us a number of sick, who were not willing to be left +behind; and as the rebels refused to provide conveyances, we helped +them--encircling them in our arms, and supporting their tottering +steps during the weary distance. Some had to be carried altogether, +but the burden was light, upborne, as we were, on the wings of hope +and exultation. + +After we were seated in the cars, we found in some Richmond papers the +intelligence that "a large number of engine-thieves, bridge-burners, +murderers, robbers, and traitors will leave this morning for the +United States," also congratulating themselves on the riddance. Our +congratulations were not less fervid! + +We glided slowly along, passing fortifications and rifle-pits, till we +arrived at Petersburg; then onward to City Point, the place of general +exchange. Here, for the first time in eleven months, we saw the "flag +of the free," floating in proud beauty from the truce-boat "State of +Maine." It was a glad sight! Her undulating stars were fairer to us +than the brightest constellations that ever sparkled in the azure +fields above. + +The grossest frauds are often practised by the unscrupulous +secessionists in these exchanges. I will give a case that occurred at +this time. + +A rebel soldier was wounded in the head at the first battle of +Manassas. It affected his brain, and disordered his intellect, so that +even after he had recovered physically, he was mentally unable to +perform the duties of a soldier. He was confined a short time in +Castle Thunder, and then sent to Camp Lee, to try him again. But he +was no better than before, and they gave up the attempt in despair. +Then they exchanged him to us, and got a _sound man_ in his place! + +When the boat rounded out from the shore on its homeward way, our joy +knew no bounds. It seemed as if we had awakened from a hideous +nightmare dream to find that all its shapes of horror and grinning +fiends had passed away, and left us standing in the free sunlight once +more. Our hearts beat glad music to the thresh of the wheels on the +water, knowing that each ponderous stroke was placing a greater +distance between us and our hated enemies. + +Then, too, the happy welcome with which we were greeted; and the good +cheer, so different from our miserable prison fare, and the kind +faces, smiling all around, showed in living colors that we were +freemen again. + +Down the river we went, passing the historic ground of the James, as +in a delirious dream of rapture! We were scarcely conscious of passing +events. No emotion on earth has the same sweep and intensity as the +wild, throbbing sensations that rush thick and fast through the bosom +of the liberated captive! + +On we went--reached the gunboats that ply up and down the river, like +giant sentinels, guarding the avenue to rebellion--reached the river's +mouth, passed onward up the bay to Washington! As we came in sight, we +thronged tumultuously to the vessel's side, and bent eager, loving +eyes on the snowy marble front, and white towering steeple of our +nation's Capitol. + +On our arrival, we were requested by the Secretary of War to give our +depositions before Hon. Joseph Holt, Judge Advocate General, that the +world at large might know on the surest foundation the truth of our +narrative. We were received by the Judge himself, and Major-General +Hitchcock, who was present, with the most marked cordiality. This +interview was merely a friendly one, and was passed in familiar +conversation. + +On our second visit, we found a justice of the peace in waiting to +administer the necessary oath, and also a phonographer to write our +testimony. We were examined separately, and the result published +officially in the _Army and Naval Gazette_, and also in most of the +newspapers of the day. + +We then called on the Secretary of War, accompanied by our kind +friends, Major-General Hitchcock and J. C. Wetmore, Ohio State Agent. +Generals Sigel and Stahl, with many other distinguished personages, +were in waiting, but we were given the preference, and at once +admitted. + +The Secretary conversed with us most affably for some time. Then going +into another room, he brought out _six medals_, (see engraving--all +are similar,) and presented them to us, saying that they were the +first ever given to private soldiers. Jacob Parrott, the boy who +endured the terrible beating, received, as he well deserved, the first +one. + +[Illustration: THE MEDAL--(_reduced size._)] + +[Illustration: REVERSE OF MEDAL.] + +He next presented us with one hundred dollars each, and ordered all +arrearages to be paid, and the money and the value of the arms taken +from us to be refunded. + +This was not all. He requested Governor Todd to promote each of us to +first lieutenants in the Ohio troops; and, if he failed to do so, +promised to give us that grade in the regular army. We then received +furloughs to visit our homes, and left his presence profoundly +convinced that "republics are" not always "ungrateful." + +We were then escorted by our friends to the Executive mansion, and had +a most pleasing interview with our noble President. His kindness was +equal to that of the Secretary. After relating to him some incidents +of prison experience, and receiving his sympathizing comments, we took +our leave. + + +And now--safe in a land of freedom--with the consciousness of having +performed our duty--surrounded by fathers and mothers, brothers and +sisters, wives and children, who had long mourned us as dead--our +dangers past, and our sufferings rewarded--I drop the vail. + + +THE END. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Daring and Suffering:, by William Pittenger + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DARING AND SUFFERING: *** + +***** This file should be named 20509.txt or 20509.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/5/0/20509/ + +Produced by Wolfgang Menges, Suzanne Shell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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