A RACE FOR LIBERTY OB, Mj^ Of Compaay A, 32i Reg't, O. V. I. M'lTH AN INTEODUCTION BY W. B. DERRICK. ^•Treason and inurder over kept' tcgsthcr, As tR-o yoliQ-dovils STrora to cither's purpose." TrELLgYILLE,.0. w. a; FOSTER, ?Ri:^TTri^. 1887. ~ ^u? ^^ Entered according' to Act of Congress, in the year 1<5G7, by AVILLIAM BUPiSON, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Northern District of Ohio. m. WALTER R. smiwm. JAM, 2a 1948 IMTRODUCTION. Whatever tends to toacli u lessori of usefulness, and keep alive a spirit of patriotism and laudable ambition, has its missioD, and should be encouraged. The dark: days of the Great Rebellion have passed away ; and light is spreading throughout our favored land. Now that peace has been restored to our lately dis- traeted country, we should calmly survey the past, with unprejudiced minds, and profit by its teachings. The late war filled the land with blood and tears un- precedented In the annals of history. Households were broken up,' and thousands of dear ones were swept into tlie whirlpool of destruction, leaving thousands more to mourn their untimely loss. Great God ! what sufferings the people'^ endured ! May the terrible scourge of civil ^var never again devastate our beloved country. The following pages have not l)cen written through any spirit of revenge or acrimony, for wrongs endured by the author while a prisoner in the hands of' the rebels, nor from any political stand-point, save that of a broad Na- tional basis— an unswerving devotion to the Union, and the flag of his country. It is simply the narrative of one unknown to literary fame, and who has not, through for- tune or favoritism, been prompted to some high-sounding lY IXTEODUCTIOX titlr; in milltarj rank ; lut, as a Prlyate, lie teKs the Btory of his trials and triumplis in a manner at once pkasiDg and profitable. That the reader may know somethmg of the author, TTc tak3 pleasure in introducing him, by giving the follow- ing brief sketch of his life : William Burson was born, Kovember24tb, 1S3S, near Sslinvillc, in Columbiana Count}-, Ohio, \7here he has re- Bided the greater part of his life. His father, John Bun- 60^^, emigrated from Loudon County, Virginia, to this place, in the year 1806. He vras the father of ssYcntecu chililren — ten boys and ssven girls — ^^^-as twice married — had ten children to his first wife, and seven by his last. — He was a farmer by occupation, but a zealous worker, in the cause of Christ, and labored as a minister, for near fifty years, Kc died, October, 186J, aged eighty-six years. — William was raised a farmer, and his advantages for ac- qu'ring a good education, were limited ; yet he improved such oporUmities as fell in his way, and thus gained much useful knowledge. The means of acquiring knowledge are not confined wholly to schools and colleges, but may hd found in the lo\Yly hut, on the broad fields, or wherev- er there is found an enquiring inind. Lessons of greatest value are written by the hand of Nature on every leaf and flower, and arc whigpercd in every zephyr. To these teachings our young friend owes much of his success and happiness in life. Being of an ingenious turn of mind, he learned the carpenter trade, in Avhich business he took gi-eat delight. He vras married to Miss Rebecca A. Bill- man, in November, 1857, and was living in Wellsvill?, Ohio, at the time of the breaking out of the rebellion. — Fcgllng that his country needed his services, he sacrificed his home cndearmants and i)ersonal interest, and enlisted, October 3d, 1861, in Co. H, 19th Regiment, Ohio Vojun- i^"rKODrcTio:>r. t ccr Iiifantry, which regiment "was recruited at Arhance, Ohio, and commanded by Colonel — now Brig. Gen. SAir- rzL Beatty. The regiment moved, in November, from Alliance to Camp Dennison, where it was armed, and ;;Gon after reported to Ges. Buell, at Louisville, Ky., and took part in the campaign in Kentucky and Tenncc- B:e. Tui^ BuESON was taken sick at Columbia, Tenn., April 1st, 1862, and was sent back tp the hospital at l\asa- viUe, thence to Camp Dennison, Ohio, where he was dis- charged for physical disability, August 22d, 1862. He then returned heme much broken down in health. I'n- dcr the salutary influences of rest and home comforts, his^ health soon revived, and he assisted in raising a company of National Guards, and was commissioned First Lieuten- ant of the company by Gov. Tod. Seeiug no prospect of the National Guards being called into service, he resigned his commission of Lieutenant, and enlisted as private, in Co, A, 32d Reg., O. V. L, on February 9th, 1804. Yre leave him now to tell the story of his adventures in the South himself, and feel assured that the reader will b3 pleasantly entertained. Since, his return to the free, en- lightened North, where Yankee ingenuity is found at woHK, in almost every department of labor, easing the toils of men. Me. BuESo:^r has invented the telegeaph ciiUEN — a novelty in the butter-making line, that seems destined to supercede all other Churns, for its practicabil- ity, Blmplicity, durabiUty and cheapness. It was patented accut the time the Great Atlantic Cable was successfully laid, and bearing the name of the Telegraph Chuen, will doubtless win for its- ingenious inventor the reputation of Public Be:sefactoe. W. B. D. HammondsviUe, 0., April, ISGT. CONTENTS. (CHAPTER I. The Situation ; Sherman's Army ; Johnston'3 Army ; ^Var riouds ; Military Movements ; Destruction of Rebel Proper- ty ; Unfortunate Delay ; Smith's Retreat j Heavy Skirmish- ing; Fort rillow Ma??acre ; The Author Enlists; Leaving Home, 5—15 CHAPTER IT. ■ outhward -bound ; Ordered to report for Duty; Grandeur of Sherman's Army; Onward to Atlanta; Topography of the <^ountry ; Timely arrival of the Seventeenth Corp? ; Skirmish- ing; Rebel "Works on Brush Mountain Stormed and Captur- ed ; Johnston again Entrenched ; Kenesaw Mountain ; Sher- man R,epulsed ; Rebels Retreat ; Johnston Succeeded by Hood ; Vigorous Operations ; In sight of Atlanta ; Heavy Battle: My Capture. 16—24 yni CONTENTS. CKAPTSPvIIL A Gloomy Prospect ; Colloquy with a Rebel Officer ; Atlanta ; Rebel Provost Marshal; Prisoners coming in; Ordered to East Port ; Our Rations ; March to Grimn ; The Missing Ma- jor; The "Chattanooga Rebel"; Uailroad Accident ; Arrival at Andei-3onviliC ; Observations by tho way. 25— SI CHAPTER IV. Esamination of Prisoners; Private Property " ConSccated ; Capt. Wirz and Gen. Winder ; Georgia Militia; Entrance into Andcrsonvillo ; Pitching our tent ; DIrferoat Styles of Quarters ; EarroAving in the Ground ; Defences of the Prison ; Vvator; Hospital; Anxious Eaeplry ; Old Aoquaintaaco3 ; Sutlering ; Police Organization. 32—39 CHAPTER V. Su5"ering3 of the Prisoners; Demoralization; Religious Exercis- es ; Tho Priest ; Employment of the Prisoners ; Rebel Nowa- l)aper3 ; Attempt to Escape ; Reports of an Exchange ; Lcsr- ing Andersonville ; Tho Secret Out ; Unexpected Syaqmthy ; Arrival at Florence; New Prison ; No Rations ; Planning an Eicipe : The Stampede ; Oar Race Begun. 40—49 CONTENTS. IZ CHAPTER YI. Exciting scone; Lisperoing in Sinall Sriuai-s; Guide Choson ; , Eating Grapes; DiScuIti^s and Dangor; Crossiag tbo Great Fccdeo ; Interposition of ProvidQnco ; Our Visilanca ;' Dis- ^ -rod by a Priend'j African; Characteristic Conversation ; ; nelj Aid. 50—57 -CHAPTER Yir. Ta2 ^Yet Season ; Cliased hj Eloodbouuds ; Sai Accident ; Corn-blado Shelter; Substitulo foraCompass; Kegro Hos- jitallty; In North Carolina; An Old Log School H-ouso ; Uawolcomo Visitors ; Dreadful Storm ; Tho Turpentine Rs- gion ; Secret Union Organization ; Mooting Rebel Soldiers ; Quaker Settlement ; A Puzzling Question. 53-^7 CHAPTEE YIII. A Union Lady ; Prices of Produce and Goods ; More Union Pooplo; A Barbarous Transaction ; A Ileroino ; Successful FemalG Disguiss; The II. 0. A.; Southern Prescription; Crossing Deep Eiver ; Marching Along ; Old Battle Ground ; Tlio Yadkin Paver ; A Priendly Colored Ferryman ; " Carry- inz Vv'atsr on Both. Shoulder."!." X CONTESTS. CHAPTER IX. A Dangerous Crossing; Climbing tho I^Ioantains ; Beautiful Landscape; On tho Wrong Road; Deserters and Conscripts ; Negro Assiataace J Slaves Desire' for Freedom; Contemplate Freeing Thorn j A Siigbt Altercation; Baptist Electing; Home Guards; Plans Frustrated; Jlountamecrs ; Oa tho Top of tho Blue Kidgo ; E-o -captured. 68—70 CHAPTER X. Unhappy Feelings ; Our Captors ; A Ptelative of Mrs, Lincoln and Gov. Tod ; Aa old Flint-lock RLflo ; Conversation on the IFar ; Closely Watched ; On the Back Track ; " Playing off;" A "Good Samaritan ;" Locked Out ; Pt,o-escape ; On ray Ptaco Again. 86—93 CHAPTER XL Sour Apples; Seeking Information; Union Aid; New Rivor ; Attempt to Take a Horse; Mlsfortunos ; Captured Again j Confab with Guards; Exciting Rumors ; An Old Rebel ; Ex- torting Information ; My Opinion of Rt-bols and Their Cauio. y-1— 101 co^'TEyTS. XI CHAPTER XII. Rebel Cacap ; Jeff. Davis' Goslings ; Unionists iu Disguis* ; My Destination; Guards; Planning an Escape; Boone; More Yankee Prisoners; Gaarding Us at Night; Convar- sation with Guard ; Breakfast Ready ; Prepared for an Emergency ; Eccapicg Again. 102—109 CHAPTER XIII. . Fast Racing; Resting; Nick's Story; Ilard Traveling; Sub- sisting on Chestnuts; Diiiagreeable Situation; In Luck; Corn, Pumpkins and Apples; Our Pass; Playin^'Home Guard;* Strategy ; Our Suspicions ; la the "lYoods Again. no— 117 CHAPTER XIY. € araping in a Cove ; An Incredulous Vv^ido^r ; A •' Fussy" Old Man; A Supper ''As is a Supper;" Frightful Drean^.s; Falling in with Deserters and Conscripts ; Wayside Incidents ; LimestonoCove ; Sensation Rumors : Comfortable Quarters! ; Raiding Espedition. 118—123 SII O0XTEXT3. CHAPTEB Xy. Raiding; Two of Oar Men Capturod ; A Skirmlsli ; Tho IJon Heleased ; Helping Ourselves ; Ketura to Limostono Ccro ; A Cleror raraily ; Our lITumbcv Increased ; Greasy Covo j A Tiireatening Arpoct ; A '' Galvanized Unionist;" Tho Fed- ci-n,! Lines Readied; Our Appoaranco ; At tlio End of My Raoo ; Closing Ecmarlis. 124—181 A RACE FOR LIBERTY. CHAPTER r. The Situation ; Sherman's Army ; Johnston's Army ; War Clouds ; Military Movements ; Destruction of Rebel Proper- ty ; Unfortunate Delay ; Smith's Retreat; Heavy Skirmish- ing ; Fort Pillow Massacre ; The Author Enlists ; Leaving Home. Beforb entering upon a personal account of my Cap- ture, Imprisonment and Escape, we will take a cursory view of the military ^tuation at or about the time of my enlistment. During the fall and winter of 1803-4, but few military movements of importance occurred. Each army, hoM'cv- er, though apparently inactive, kept vigilantly watching the other, with feelings embittered by the protracted strug- gle ; and ample preparations were being made on both sides for an early, active, and decisive spring campaign. About the middle of March, 1864, Grant, wiio had re- cently been appointed Lieut. General and Commander-in- Chief, turned over to Sherman the command of the Mili- tary Division of the Mississippi, comprising the Depart- ments of the Cumberland, Tennessee and Ohio. The grand concerted plan of the spring campaign was thus raa- 6 A KAOE FOE LIBEKTT. tured — the part assigned to Sherman bemg to push the enemy steadily back upon Atlanta, and if possible destroy his communications between the Atlantic and Gulf States, while the available force in the East was to be brought to bear against the main rebel army in Virginia under Lee. — All movements of the Union forces were to be held sub- sidiary to these. Sherman immediately commenced with energy the perfecting and enlargement of his communica- tions between Nashville and Chattanooga — his primary and secondary bases — and to accumulate at the latter place such amount of subsistence and military stores as would render him independent of Nashville, should the railroad communications between those two points be severed by rebel raiding parties. By the end of April this work was^ fiuccessfully accomplished, and the great Army of the West was prepared to move from Chattanooga at the pre- cise hour, if necessary, that the array of the Potomac should cross the Rapidan on its march towards Richmond. On April 27th, Grant notified Sherman to be ready to move by about May 6tb. The force under General Sherman's command, for offen- sive purposes, was as follows : Akmy of the Cumberland, Major General Thomas, Commanding — comprised the Fourth Corps, General Howard, the Fourteenth Corps, General Palmer, and the Twentieth Corps, General Hooker. Infantry 54,568, Artillery, 2,377, Cavalry, 8,828. Total 60,773 men, and 130 guns. Army of the Tenn^essee — Major General MoPher- SON, Commanding — comprised the Fifteenth Corps, Gen- eral Logan, the Sixteenth Cor})s, General Dodge, and la- ter in the campaign, the Seventeenth Corps, General Blair. Infantry, 22,437, Artillery, 1,404, Cavnlvy 024.— Total, 24,465 men, and V)6 gum,' militakt movements. 7 Army of the Ohio — Major General Sohofield, Com- MASfDiNG, — comprised the Twenty-Third Corps, General Schofield. Infantry, 11,183, Artillery, 679, Caralry, 1,^ m9. Total, 13,541 men, and 28 guns. These several armies making a grand aggregate of eighty -eight thousand one hundred and eighty-eight In- fantry, four thousand four hundred and sixty Artillery, and six thousand one hundred and forty-nine Cavalry ; or ninety-eight thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven men, and two hundred and fifty-four guns. These lay a few miles south of Chattan^foga, in the beginning of May, in supporting distance of each other. The rebel army, under command of Lieutenant Gener- al J. E. Johnston, whose reputation as a Confederate com- mander was second only to that of Gen. R. E. Lee, com- prised the Corps of Hardee, Polk, and Hood, and the cav- «iilry division of Wheeler, and numbered about fifty thous- •■and infantry and artillery, and ten thousand cavalry, mostly veteran troops, and lay in and about Daiton, on the railroad connecting Chattanooga with AtlantOr— the ad- vance being at Tunnell Hill, a station thirty miles south of Chattanooga. Such were the strength and positions of the contending armies. The Federals outnumbered the Confederates greatly, and were better equipped, but labored under the disadvantage of being in a hostile, inhospitable country, and being the attacking party, of having to assault strong- ly fortified positions. A short time prior to this grand organization and con- centration of forces, a few ominous war clouds were ob- servable in the 8outhwest as portentious of the coming storm. During January, 1864, the rebels sent several ex- peditions into Tennessee. Johnston's Brigade, of Rhoddy's command, crossed the Tennessee Rjyer at Bainbridge, 8 A EACE FOE LIBEKTT. threi miki bekw Florence, and at Newport Ferrv, six mile» from the name point, intending to make a junction with a brigade of Infantry "which was expected to cross the river at Lamb and Brown's Ferry, and thence proceed to Alton's, to capture the Union force there. An engage- ment ensued, in which fifteen rebels were killed and quite a number wounded and taken prisoners; our loss was ten wounded. At the close of January, Gen. Rosecrans was assigned to the Department of Missouri, and Gen. Schofield as- sumed command of the Tw^jJ^v-Third Corps, constitut- ing the Army of the Ohio. On February 3d, a strong col- umn, composed of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Corps, under command of Sherman, took up an easterly line of march from Vicksburg, following the line of the South- western Mississippi Railroad. The object was to strike Meridan, Selma and Montgomery; and open double rail- road and double river communications with the Gulf. — The Pearl, Tombigby and Alabama rivers — leading into the heart cf Mississippi and Alabama — would thus be thrown open to our Gunboats, and the great centre of pro- ductive forces would be seized. At the same time that Sherman's force was pursuing the line indicated, a pow- erful Cavalry column twelve thousand strong, under Gen- erals Smith and Grierson, was to set out from Corinth and Holly Springs, to follow the Mobile and Ohio Railroad southward. On February 5th, the two corps, under Gen- erals McPherson and Hurlbut were across the Big Black River, and advanced, driving the rebel General Polk be- fore them, and inflicting immense damage upon the ene- my. At Meridan, the great railway centre of the South- west, which Sherman reached about the middle of the month, he destroyed the arsenal filled with valuable stores and ammunition, and rendered useless a number of mills. Bijity miles of track besides depots, bridges, and rolling stock, were thoroughly destroyed, and several towns burned or desolated. Having waited at Meridau a week without news of Smith, Sherman returned to the Missis- sippi, carrying v;ith him over eight thousand liberated slaves, and an immense amount of spoils. The resistance offered by the rebels was so trifling that the tot&l Union loss was less than two hundred. It being essential to the complete achievement of Gen- eral Sherman's plan of campaign that the Cavalry column should move forward promptly, every precaution wag taken to make it irresistible; and to render assurance doubly sure General Smith, Grant'sChief of Cavalry^ was detailed to supervise operations. All these precautions, however, failed to accomplish the desired end. The col- umn, which was to have left Colliersville on February 3d — the day that Sherman left Vicksburg — was detained until February 11th, in order to enable General Tearing to bring up his brigade. This delay, it seems waa suflQ- cient to enable Forrest, '^Rhoddy and Chambers to concen- trate their forces against him ; and it gave Sherman a Avhole week the start, making a conjunction more diffi- cult. After the expedition did finally start, various cir- cumstances conspired to delay and oppose its progress. — It was seven days in reaching Okalona, one hundred and thirty miles southeast of Memphis — an average of but lit- tle more than fifteen miles per day from Colliersville, the point of departure. On the 19th it marched to Egypt, a station about seven miles south of Okalona, and here des- troyed a large quantity of rebel stores. The expedition was then divided — one column, under Grierson, going through Aberdeen on the east side of the railroad, tho oth- er on the w^est side, and the two concentrating nt Prairie Station, about seventeen miles south of Okalona, wlitre 10 A EACH FOR LIBEKTT. large quantities of rebel stores were destroyed. Grierson met with considerable opposition near Aberdeen. On the 20th, Forrest was reported in force at West Point, and on the 21st, our forces encountered him at that place. — Smith found Forrest, Lee, Rhoddj and Chambers com- bined against him, and after a heavy tight he was com- pelled t6 fall back, leaving three field-pieces— four pound- er steel guns — on the field. These were spiked, and all the ammunition was saved. In his retreat, Smith burnt every trestle on the Memphis and Ohio Railroad, and des- troyed mil.es of track and large quanties of corn. There was heavy fighting in the rear throughout the 22d. The rebels moved on each fiank with the evident design of reaching the Tallahatchie in advance of our force, and then uniting, to prevent our crossing, and to capture the whole command ; but by forced marching- Smith passed both flankmg columns, and, marching all night, crossed safely to New Albany. Skirmishing was kept up through the 23d and 24th. On the 25th the expedition reached ColUersville, about twenty-five miles cast of Memphis. — The rebels now became more active. Forrest, having succeeded in defeating the expedition of Grierson and Smith, recruited his forces in Mississippi, and on March 22d, appeared suddenly at Bolivar, Tennessee, with a force of six or seven thousand strong. He advanced rap- idly against Union City, which was garrisoned by about four hundred men under command of Colonel Harkins, and made eeveral ineffectual charges against the slight earthworks which surrounded the town ; but finding it impossible to carry them by assault, Forrest demanded the surrender of the garrison, thi-eatening to bombard the town unless the demand was complied with. Harkins, it is said, against the wishes of the garrison, surrendered pn the 24th, juat before the arrival of a large Union force FOirr PILLOW ilASSAC^RE, H^ from Cairo, under command of General Brayman, who was marching to his relief. From Union City, Forrest marched northward across Kentucky, and on the after- noon of March 26th, made an attack on Paducah, havuig tlrst demanded the surrender of the fort, which was re- fused by Colonel Hicks, Avho was in command. The bat- tle lasted the whole afternoon, during which time the re- bels made four assaults but were foiled each time. Early in the evening they retired from the town but reappeared the next morning when Forrest sent in a request for an exchange of prisoners. This Hicks declined, and the re- bels, without further demonstrations, retired in the direc- tion of Columbus. Their loss was about three hundred killed and one thousand wounded. The rebel Brigadier General A. P. Thompson, was among the slain. ^Maddened by the ill. success of a cause whose "chief corner stone " was slavery, an act of cruelty and diabol- ism, unparalleled in the history of the war, was perpe- trated by the rebels about this time, which caused an al- most universal outburst of horror and indignation through- out the loyal States, Rebel commanders had frequently threatened to raise the *' black flag," carry on a war of extermination, and give no quarter in case of refusal to surrender, but it was reserved for the notorious rebel General Forrest, treacherous and unprincipled, and of re- lentless cruelty, to carry this threat into execution. On April 12th, Forrest appeared before Fort Pillow on the Mississippi River, a work of moderate size, mounting six guns, and garrisoned by about five hundred and fifty men, of whom two hundred and sixty were colored troops, the whole being commandec^ by Major Bradford, of the Thir- teenth Tennessee Cavalry. At sunrise, the Union pickets were driven in, and from that time until two or three o'clock in the afternoon the rebels vainly endeavored to. i^ A RACE FOR LIBERTY. dislodge the garrison, who made a gallant defence, in which they were aided by the gunboat New Era, which from her position in the river, shelled the enemy vigor- ously. The rebels, failing in their attack, now resorted to their customary flags of truce. The first one conveyed a demand from Forrest for the unconditional surrender of the Fort. To this Major Bradford replied, asking to be allowed one hour with his officers and the officers of the gunboat. In a short time Forrest sent another flag of truce with a communication that he would allow Major Bradford twenty minutes in which to move his troops out of the fort, and if it was not done in that time an assault would be ordered. Major Bradford replied that he would not surrender. While this conference was being held, and during the time the flv^g of truce was flying, the re- bels, contrary to the usages of honorable warfare, but char acteristic of their conduct on several previous occasions, treacherously crept to a position from which they could overwhelm the garrison by a sudden assault. Captain Marshall of the gunboat, saw them advancing, into the ravine above the fort, and could have checked their pro- gress but refrained from firing, so as not to afford an ex- cuse for subsequent atrocities, should the fort be captured by the enemy. But like incarnate fiends, these blood thirsty beings knew no mercy. The Committee on the Conduct of the War, two members of which visited Fort Pillow and took testimony regarding the circumstances of its capture, gave the following account in their report : " Immediately after the second flag of truce retired, the rebels made a rush from the positions they had so treach- erously gained, and obtained possession of the fort, rais- ing the cry of ' No Quarter.' But little opportunity was allowed for resistance. Our troops, ))lack and white, threw down their arms and sought to escape by running JIIE AITHOK ENLISTS, IS tlown the steep bluft' near llie fort, and secreting them- selves behind trees and logs in the bushes, and under the brush: some even jumping into the river, leaving only their heads above the water as they crouched down under the bank. Then followed a scene of cruelty and murder without parallel in civilized warfare, which needed but the tomahawk and scalping-knife to exceed the worst atroci- ties ever committed by savages. The rebels commenced an indiscriminate slaughter, sparing neither age nor sex, white nor black, soldier nor civilian. The officers and men seemed to vie with each other in the devilish work. — Men, women, and even children, Avherever found, were deliberately shot down, beaten, and hacked witu sabres. — Some of the children, not more than ten years old, were forced to stand up and face their murderers while being shot. The sick and wounded were butchered without mercy, the rebels even enterhig the hospital buildings and dragging them out to be shot, or killing them as they lay there unable to offer the least resistance. All over the hillside the work of murder was going on. Numbers of our men were collected together in lines or groups and deliberately shot. Some were shot while in the river, while others on the bank were shot and their bodies lack- ed into the water ; many of them still living, but unable ta make exertions to save themselves from drowning. — Some of the rebels stood on the top of the hill or a short distance down its side and called out to our soldiers to come up to them, and as they approached, shot them down in cold blood, and if their guns or pistols missed fire, forcing them to stand there until they were again prepared to fire." Further particulars of this horrid massacre are given in this report, but we turn from the sickening details and have only cited the forgoing to show the demoniac ehar- 14 A RA(^E FOi: T.ir.ERTY. acter of the rebels, into whose hands it was my lot subse- quently to foil. The rebels admitted the atrocious slaugh- ter, and while some gloated over it, others, ashamed to openly justify it, tried to excuse it in various,»w"a3's, and sought precedents in history where whole garrisons have been put to the sword, forgetting that such massacres have very rarely been committed among civilized nations, and only under the most aggravating circumstances, and that no such circumstances attended the present case. It was during these exciting, troublous times, when the Government was calling for help to crush out tlie rebellion that was trying to destroy the very life of the Nation, that I again eniisted, feeling it to be a duty I owed my (lod and my Country. I had enlisted, October ;3d, 186 J, in Company U, lUtli Kegiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantrj', and was in the cam- paign in Kentucky and Tennessee, under General Buell, but my health failing, I was discharged for physical disa- ability and returned home. Having regained mj^ health, I now enlisted, February 9th, 1864, in Company A, 32d Regiment, O. V. I. My Captain was William pic Allis- ter ; my Colonel, B. F. Potts. The regiment, after enjoy- ing veteran furlough, was ordered to report to General Sherman for duty. The time came for our departure. — To part with wife and little ones, home, and all their en- joyments and dear associations, for the uncertainties and hardships of a soldier's life, i^s a trying scene that none, save those who have experienced it, can fully realize. — How sadly we felt as we bade an affectionate farewell with our dearest friends and tried to choke down the sobs and keep back the tears that would intrude. But duty called and we felt that we must go. We knew that we had worK to do— the sanguinary work of a soldier — and we knew not that we would ever meet again around the fam- JOINS HIS COMPANY. 15 ily circle. Breathing a silent prayer for the protection of my family and for strength to endure tlie privations and burdens it might be mine to bear, I joined my company and regiment and was numbered among the ''boysiu blue." CHAPTER II. Southward-bound ; Ordered to report for Duty ; Grandeur of Sherman's Army ; Onward to Atlanta ; Topography of the Country ; Timely arrival of the Seventeenth Corp? ; Skirmish- ing ; Rebel AVorks on Brush Mountain Stormed and Captur- ed ; Johnston again Entrenched ; Kenesaw Mountain ; Sher- man Repulsed ; Rebels Retreat ; Johnston Succeeded by Hood; Vigorous Operations; In sight of Atlanta; Heavy Battle ; My Capture. The mind, when time is given for reflection, becomes calm and resolute, and like the gnarled oak that grows more firmly rooted with each succeeding storm, gathers strength from ordinary trials to withstand the chilling blasts of adversity. After the pain of parting from home, nothing of special interest occurred for a few days. Our southward-bound journey was via Cincinnati. From Cincinnati we went to Cairo, Illinois. Left Cairo, April 28th, with the Fourth Division, Seventeenth Army Corps on transports for Clif- ton on the Tennessee River, which place we reached in three daj's after leaving Cairo. The expedition was com- manded by Brigadier General Gresham. From Clifton we marched to Pulaski, Tennessee, and thence to Huntsville, Alabama, wiiere we met the Third Division of the Seven- teenth Corps, commanded by Brigadier General Leggett, of Zanesville, Ohio. We staid but a few^ days at Hunts- ville when we started, via Decatur, Alabama, for Rome, SOrTHWAED BOrND. ir Georgia. The tAvo Divisions were under the command of Maj. Gen. F. P. Blair, of Mo. In due time wc reached Rome, without any serious interruption on our way. The Coi-ps passed forward the next day, and on the 8th t)f June reached General Sherman's Army, and was ordered to report for duty to General McPherson commanding the Army of the Tennessee. The next daj^ June 9th, wc marched to Big Shanty and took our position on the line, being on the extreme left of Gen. Sherman's Army. Of this grand army we have already spoken, but words seem meaningless and figures fail to convey to the reader's mind an adequate idea of its immensity and grandeur.— The vast multitude, martial music, tramp, tramp, tramp of soldiers, colors flying, horses neighing, cattle lowing, — and in time of battle— the rattling and tiring of musketry, booming of cannon, shouts of the victors, screams and moans of the wounded and dying can all be better imagin- ed than described, but must be witnessed to be realized. Sherman had been steadily pressing the rebels back from Tunnell Hill, through Rocky Faced Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Dalton, Snake Creek Gap, Resacca, Kingston, Rome, Allatoona Pass, Pumpkin Vine Creek, Dallas and Lost Mountain. The rebels had signal stations at Lost Mountain, which is on the direct road from Dallas to Mar- ietta, seven miles from the latter place, and at Kenesaw Mountain, ten miles from Lost Mountain, a little east of north from it, on the railroad. These two points are de- tached peaks, overlooking the plain beyond, and connect- ed by a ridge, or series of low hills, and were the right and left of the rebels' position— their army stretching along the hills between the two points. Between Kenesaw and Lost Mountain and half a mile to the north, is Pine Moun- tain, a lesser elevation, constituting the apex of a triangle of which tlio other tw^o iiiny be said, to form Ww base.-- 18 A EACE FOR LIBEKTT. These three hills and their connecting ridges were fortified and ajfforded an admirable defensive position against arr at- tacking army. The timely arrival, on the 8th of June, of the Seven- teenth Corps, in which it was my lot to be placed, com- pensated for Union losses in battle and by disease, and for garrisons left at Rome, Kingston and elsewhere, and en- abled Sherman to renew the attack upon his wary adver- sary with as strong a force as at the commencement of the campaign. On the next day, 9th, the army Avas put in motion once more for Atlanta. The order of advance was somewhat different from that previously observed, Mc- Pherson being shiited to the left wing and Schofield to the right while Thomas held the centre. McPherson was or- dered to move toward Marietta, his right on the railroad, Thomas on Kenesaw and Pine Mountains, and Schofield off" toward Lost Mountain ; Gerrard's Cavalry being on the left, Stoneman's on the right, while McCook looked to our rear and communications. We did not advance far until skirmishing commenced. — On the 11th our lines were close, and dispositions were made to break the line between Kenesaw and Pine Moun- tains. On the 14th, the rebel General Polk was killed, during a sharp cannonading, and on the morning th i loth Pine Mountain was found to be abandoned by the re- bels. Schofield and Thomas advanced and found them again stronglyMntrenched along the line of rugged hills con- nectmg Kenesaw and Lost Mountains. McPherson also- advanced his line, gaining substantial advantages on the left. On the centre, as vigorous operations were made as the nature of the ground would allow and an assault was ordered. The rebels abandoned Lost Moimtain and their long line of formidable breastworks connecting it with Kenesaw, on the 17t]i, to prevent being flanked by Scho-. KENKSAW MOUNTAIN. 19 field who had wheeled around Pine Knob, and was prees- ing along the Dallas and Marietta road. While our forces had been so successfully at work upon the rebels' centre and left, McPhersou, on our left, had put them in a dangerous position on their right, prcssin:; them on that flank beyond Big Shanty and Brush Moun- tain. On the 20th, the Seventeenth Corps stormed the re- bel works on Brush Mountain and captured them with a few prisoners but without serious loss on our side. Skirm- ishing continued at all points, in dense forests of timber and across most difficult ravines, until the enemy was found again strongly posted and entrenched, on Kencsaw, hh right wing thrown back to cover Marietta and his left be- hind Nose's Creek, covering his railroad back to the Chat- tahoochee, which tmabled him to contract and strengthen his lines. Kenesaw Mountain is made up of two elevations, joined almost at their summits — one being about eight hundred and the other about nine hundred feet high. Viewed from the north side they have the appearance of two immense mounds surrounded at the base by gentle iiTcgularities of surface. The mountain rises gradually on the east side, describing almost a half circle, thence falling upon the west, about two hundred feet. This is joined by the other and rises to a still greater height and is somewhat more ir- regular. On the west side it loses itself rather abruptly in the small valley beyond, by which the country is deprived of its mountainous character. The base of the mountain is about four miles from east to west, and about one mile in breadth. Thick forests, brush, rock and boulders of various dimensions, cover its sides, rendering it almost im- possible to take it in front. Its defenses consisted of a line of works on the summit, upon which were erected several batteries. Along the sides, sinirle guns m^'C iQCated ut 20 A EACE FOE LIBEETT. commanding points. The flanks of the mountain were held by heavy bodies of infantry and artillery, and its rear was protected in a similar manner. Our right forced its way across and two miles beyond Nose's Creek on the Dalton and Marietta road, and our centre worked up to the base of Kenesaw Mountain and had carried some points west of the mountain, thus secur- ing a position for an annoying enfilading fire upon the en- emy; but it was impossible for our wings to make a furth- er advance without cutting themselves loose from the cen- tre, whose further progress was stayed by the strong de- fence of Kenesaw Mountain. McPherson now worked his left forward, while Thomas wheeled his left on Kenesaw, connecting with McPherson, and Schofield pressed to the south and east along the old Sandtown road. On the 22d, as Hooker advanced his line, with Schofield on his right, the rebels. Hood's Corps, with detachments from others, suddenly sallied and made an attack, but the enemy was badly repulsed. Sherman now determined to risk an attack, and accordingly, on June 24th, issued or- ders for an attack to take place on the 27th. At the ap- pointed time the Seventeenth Corps circled the eastern point of the mountain and threatened the enemy's right. — The Sixteenth Corps, next on the right, assaulted the heights on the northern slope of the mountain ; the Fif- teenth Corps the western slope of the mountain, Davis' Division of the Fourteenth Corps and Newton's of the Fourth constituted the assaulting column, on the centre, supported on the right by Geary and Butterfield of Hook- er's Corps. Schofield was stationed on the extreme right of our line, and moved forward his whole force, driving the rebels from a line of light works. The object attempt- ed offered but a desperate chance of success. On the sum- mit of the rugged mountain peak, covered with a dense ACTIVE 0PERATI0X3. 21 growth of uuderbrush, the rebels had stationed a battery of twelve guns, from which they maintained a withering cross-fire on om* troops engaged in forcing a passage up the steep sides of the mountain, and over the abatis and rifle-pits behind which the enemy lay sheltered. Our men could not possibly avoid a repulse. . The Union loss, as re- ported by General Logan, was three thousand five hund- red and twenty-one. Among the slain were Generals Barker and McCook. Undjiunted by this repulse, General Sherman resolved to try other means to accomplish the desired end. He ac- cordingly ordered Schofield to press on the left while i\Ic- Pherson, being relieved 1)y Garrard's Cavalry in front of Kenesaw, moved his whole army to the right, threatening Nickajack Creek and Turner's Ferry on the Chattahoochee, and Stoneman was sent to the river below Turner's. This caused the rebels to retreat on July 2d, and we were or- dered to advance. On the morning of July od. General Sherman entered Marietta. McPherson and Schofield were instructed to cross Nickajack and attack the enemy in flank and rear. The Seventeenth Corps noAV moved from extreme left to extreme right of Sherman's Army, touching the Chattahoochee River. The design was to catch Johnston, if possible, in the confusion of crossing the Chattahoochee, but this wary rebel General had foreseen and provided against this. His I'ront was covered Isy a good parapet and his tlank behind the Nickajack and liot- tenwood Creeks. On the -1th of July, Sherman pushed a strong skirmish line down the main road, capturing the entire line of the enemy's pits and made strong demonstra- tions along Nickajack Creek and about Turner's Ferry. — This had the desired effect, and tlie next morning the ene- my was gone. He took a new position behind a line of Uiiusual strength beyond tlu' Cbattahoochee n.nd covering 22 A RACE FOE LIBEETY. the railroad and pontoon bridges. After con9iderabl6 skirmishing and picketing across the river, the Corps mov- ed and crossing the river some distance above the railroad bridge, took position again on the left, near Decatur. A change being made in the Corps, our regiment now formed a part of the First Brigade, under command of Colonel B. F. Potts, and of the Fourth Division, commanded by Gen- eral Gresham. The long retreat of Johnston which brought him to the south side of the Chattahoochee, and within eight miles of Atlanta, caused vehement demands to be made at the south that he should be relieved of his command ; and, on July 17th, he was succeeded by General Hood. More vigorous operations were demanded by the Southern people, who, in their impatience overlooked the fact that Johnston had strongly opposed Sherman from Tunnell Hill to the Chat- tahoochee, without himself sustaining any serious disaster, and that Sherman's superior forces had enabled the Union army to press steadily on, under tlie flanking process, until Atlanta was in danger. Hood was to adopt a new offen- sive policy, but no additional means were provided to car- ry it out. At the same time, July 17th, Slierman, having rested and recruited his army, resumed his forward movement. — On the 20th, all the armies had closed in converging to- ward Atlanta, and we crossed the railroad near Decatur and moved forward, but did not advance far until we were greeted by a few shells from the rebel artillery. After as- certaining their position, our column was formed into line and charged forward until the rebel skirmishers were driv- en back, when we toolv position and commenced throwing up fortillcations. On the morjiing of the 21st, as we were busy working in tlie ditches, an order came to charge the rebel works. >Spades and picks were dropped, tlie muskQtti FIGHTING AT ATLANTA. 23 seized and the charge was made ; but being unable to ac- complish our object, we were obliged to fall back to our works, not however without leaving a great many dead and wounded on the field. In the evening we moved farther to the left, being then in sight of Atlanta. During the night strong fortifications were built. The morning of the 22d was serene, and all nature looked beautiful, but it was soon apparent that something unusual was going on ; for every few minutes a General and his Staff would ride along the line inspect- ing the works with an air of uneasiness. About ten o'clock, A, M., the pickets on our left commenced firing. Closer and louder came the reports of their guns, and it was evi- dent that they Avere falling back. Soon the bullets of the enemy began to reacli us, but were not coming in the an- ticipated direction, for instead of coming directly in front of us, they were coming on our flank, completely raking our lines. Nearer and nearer came tlic sound of musketrj-, and yell upon yell broke forth from the infuriated, would- be-victorious rebels. The combined rattling of musketry, booming of aililleiy, and the yelling and charging of the rebels gave an appearance of Pandemonium, or as though all the hosts of darkness had been let loose upon us. A part of our forces had changed front, and stood ready ^^'ith strong determination to check the charge of the rebels. — As soon as they WT're well in sight, our men opened upon them with such a withering fire that their lines were quick- ly broken and somewhat demoralized. Some, liowcvcr. rushed matUy on, only to be halted and taken prisoners l»y the Union soldiers. The rebels soon rallied again and came charging upon us with such superior numbers that our lines were considerably broken and wera com- pelled to give way. They having got to our rear, so completely flanked us, that we were ol)liged lo cross our 24 A RACE FOE LIBEETT. works, making our rear where our front liad been when the battle commenced. A line of battle had been held in reserve by the rebels between us and Atlanta. The rebels kept up a furious cannonading and the musketry made it anything but agreeable. Brave comrades were falling fast around us. Some wounded but slightly, others more se- verely, and some, alas ! falling in the cold embrace of death, the roar of artillery and rattle of musketry dying upon their ears forever. About ten o'clok in the forenoon, one of my comrades was severely wounded in the forehead and I was sent to help him off" the field and to procure some water for him. — When I had succeeded in getting him a short distance from the tumult of the battle, I left him under a large tree, there to remain until I could procure some water for him. Go- ing across a field, in the direction of Atlanta, I came to some of our pickets who were getting some water at a lit- tle brook. I immediately commenced filling my canteen, and as soon as I had done so, some videtts came running toward us, saying that the rebels were close after them. — The picket ofticer who was present said that escape was impossible. There was a deep ditch through which the brook ran. The oflacer told us to jump into this ditch ami give them the best we had. Obeying his command I jumped into the ditch and raised my gun to my shoulder. — I was about to dispatch a rebel captain who just that mo- ment came in full view, when half a dozen or more voices a litth; to my left exclaimed, " Throw down that gun, you (\~d rascal, you I'' Seeing half a dozen against one, I had not long to decide what to do. It was cither throw down ray gun, or run the risk of being killed outright ; so (iowa went my gun and I Avas ordered to the reui"; CHAPTER III. A Gloomy Prospect; Colloquy vrith a Rebel Officer; Atlanta; Rebel Provost Marshal ; Prisoners coming in ; Ordered to East Port ; Our Rations ; March to Griffin ; The Missing Ma- jor; The "Chattanooga Rebel " ; Railroad Accident ; Arrival at Andersonville ; Observations by the way. I WAS now a prisoner and in the hands of rebels wlio had no respect for the flag of their country — and 1)nt little re- gard for its defenders. Tlicir merciless treatment of Un ion prisoners on former occasions, and the well known fact that thousands of our brave boys were then famishing in rebel prison-pens, caused me to shudder, and sigh for lil)- erty. But I had little time for reflection. Being ordered to the rear, I had not gone far before I fell in with several others who had been taken i^risonei's, among whom was the picket offlcer. We were being hurried away toward Atlanta, when ascending a little hill, we came to a line of battle awaiting orders to move forward. It now struck me as to what the real object of the rel)els was in making the flank movement. It was to capture the Fo^ruth Di- vision entire of the Seventeenth Corps. But in tliis I saw they would be disappointed, for before the line of battle we had just passed would reach the scene of action, our lines would be restored, reinforcements sent forward from some other part of the line, and the rebels repulsed. A little further on we met two sections of artillery commanded 26 A Race fofi liberty. by a Lieutenant who came rushing along as though the fate of the Confederacy depended entirely upon his exertions. — He would order his men to drive otf in one direction a lit- tle way, then countermarch them and go off in some other direction, seeming to be at a loss to know where to go, yet thinking that his services were needed somewhere, — Once he came galloping along behind me and yelled out, "Get out of the way, 'blue coat,' d — n you, I w^ould as soon ride over you as not." This remark gave me to know that he had not much respect for Union prisoners. As I step- ped to one side to let him pass he said : " Bay, Yank, how many men has old Sherman got out there ?" "I am not General Sherman's' Adjutant-General," I answered. " Is Sherman gwine to surrender to General Hood ?" he asked. " Not much," I replied. " How do you like General Hood's fighting?" said he. " I think he is getting into a bad scrape," said I. '' Rather impertinent," he replied, as he rode on. The city of Atlanta was soon reached when, I, with the other prisoners, some twenty in all, were ushered into tlie presence of the Provost Marshal, Col. Hill, who kept a register of all the prisoners — their name, rank, company, regiment, brigade, division, and corps. The Provost Mar- shal was a very fine looking man. He began to interro- gate the prisoners as to General Sherman's movements, number of his batteries and of his force generally ; but all the information he received did not amount to much, for the prisoners were loth to acquaint him with anything they knew. He appeared to be very sanguine of the success of Hood over Sherman, and exclaimed, " I will stake one hundred negroes that Sherman is driven back across the Chattahoochee, or has his army captured before to-morrow night." But his remarks had not much effect on the minds of the prisoners, for they had too much faith in their leader to believe that he could be so easily whipped. The prisoners kept coming in pretty fast — sometimes a squad of a dozen, and at otlier times fifty or a hundred. — But the most affecting sight to me was to see our flag car- ried, or rather trailed by rebel hands. Several stands of colors were brought in during the afternoon. To add to our sorrow, the sad intelligence reached us that General McPherson had been killed. From the roar of artillery and incessant rattle of musketry we knew the battle was raging terribl5\ Just about sundown we were ordered in- to line and started for East Port, a station on tlie railroad, six miles from Atlanta. There were, altogether, about three hundred of us. I happened to fall in with a former comrade named Lewis, — we had been comrades in camp, comrades in battle, and were now comrades in prison. — We reached East Point about ten o'clock at night and were turned into a half finished fort which served as a pris- on for us. The next morning our number was much in- creased by the arrival of more prisoners. A great many officers were among them — some Colonels, some Lieuten- ant Colonels, and a great many Majors, Captains and Lieu- tenants. Forty of my own regiment were there as pris- oners. Four of my own company, viz : Sergeant James Hill, and Privates Oliver Shook, Ja mes Lewis and my- self. The number of prisoners here was eighteen hundred. We were kept at East Port for three or four days. — Our rations were not very plenty nor of a very great vari- ety — they consisted of a little corn meal and bacon. Our stay at this place was very unpleasant, for we had no shel- ter of any kind and the hot sun almost scorched us in blis- ters. A rebel band would come near us about twice a day 28 A HAOE FOK LIBERTY. and play "Tlie Bonny Bine Fla;^," '^Sonthern Marseilles," "Dixie," and other Sontliern airs. Whether they did this to taunt or amnse ns, I know not, but must say there were gome good musicians among them, and their playing anms- ed us very much. On the morning of the 2Gth, we were ordered to prepare to march. As the cars w^ere all in use, moving the wounded from, and supplies to, Atlanta, we would be compelled to march the whole, or part of the way, to An- dersonville — that place of which we had heard so often, and of which we knew so little, but of which we were in a fair way to find out something about it. Accordingly, the order was given to fall into ranks, four abreast ; and as we filed out of prison they were very careful in counting us. The guards who were to take charge of us were tlie Fifty-Fourth Va., and Third Tenn., troops. As we marched along I had several opportunities of conversing with the guards, and I found a pretty strong Union feeling existing among them. They had lost so many of their men by desertions that neither regiment numbered more than three or four hundred ; and for fear they would all desert, they were sent to the rear to do provost duty. During the day we passed through several small towns and villages. Every time we entered a town our boys would strike up "Hail Columbia," "Rally Round the Flag," and such other patriotic airs as best suited them. — The first day we marched about fifteen miles and camped on a little brook. The officers of tlie guard would count us as we passed into camp, but when we left this place they for some cause or other, did not count us. When we had gone four or five miles we were counted, and one of the l)rIsoncrs, a Major, like the old man's sheep, "came up missing." Some guards were sent back immediately to hunt up the missing Major. In due time they returned MARCHING TO pfilSON'. 29 but without the jNIajor. They only found where he had been. He had found a small gutter which had been wash- ed in the bank of the stream where we Encamped, and had laid down in this rut, and some of his comrades covered him with brush and weeds. As soon as the coast was clear, he had sallied out and made tracks for some more secure abode. Whether he ever succeeded in reaching- the Federal lines or not, I am unable to say ; but this I know, when it became known among the prisoners, that he had escaped the best wishes of all went after him. The conduct of the citizens toward us as we mardieil along was in almost every instance becoming. They seemed to look upon us more with pity than anything like disrespect. They perhaps knew more of our fate than we did ourselves, and of the loathsome prison in which we were soon to be incarcerated. Nothing of particular inter- est transpired while on our march to Griffin, at which place some of the prisoners were put on the cars and the remainder went into camp for the night. Soon after we went into camp a severe rain storm came on, wetting us completely ; and just about the middle of the rain a wag- on load of corn bread came for us and was issued out to us during the storm, so, by the time we got it into our pos- session, it had more the appearance of pudding than bread. The next morning, seeing one of the guards reading a newspaper, I went to him and asked him if he would lend it to me when he would get through it. He said that he had read it and I could have it if I would watch the offi- cers and come to him when none of them were looking. — An opportunity soon occurred and I went to him, when he handed me a copy of the Chattanooga Rebel, the of- tice of which paper had been chased from its original home, and now found a transitory abiding place in the ^0 A SACK fOn liBfeEfT. village of Griffiu, Ga. The paper coiltained an ai'ticle concerning the prisoners, stating that'they were a hale, hearty, well dressed, good looking set of fellows, and seemed to be pretty well supplied with "Greenbacks" and "Confederate Scrip," which last article was mostly counterfeit. I thought it did not make much difference whether it was counterfeit or genuine, as it woukVnot buy much at any rate. With it we could buy small green' ap- ples at two dollars a dozen, and beans or peas at from five to ten dollars for a hat full. We were now ordered to " fall in " and were marched to the railroad where we were crowded into stock'cars so closely that we had scarcely room to sit down. Soon the order, "all right,-' was given, the bell rang, the whistle screamed, the cars jerked, and away we sped. After go- ing ten or fifteen miles an axle of one of the cars broke, which had the effect to start the prisoners and guards to jumping off the train. By the time the train had stopped quite a number had jumped from the cars, and strange as it may appear, seven of the rebels were severely hurt, but not one Union prisoner received a scratch. Providence seemed to be on our side that time. This accident caus- ed a delay of several hours, until the engine could run to Macon and get another train. Some time after dark the train arrived, and getting aboard we were on our way again. During the night w^e reached Macon where the officers were separated from, and left us — they to remain in Macon, and we to go on to Andersonville. .The train lay at jNIacon until daylight when we were again]^put un- der way and reached Andersonville about noon, on July 29th. The country through which we passed from Atlanta to Andersonville presents a most unfavorable appearance. — Scrubby red brush or pine timber generally covers the AT* ANDfiRSOJJViLtlii %V ground. The crops were very light — iii fact, blackber- ries were the best crop I noticed. The evil effects of slav- ery were apparent on every plantation. Orchards were unpruned and fence-corners grown up full of briars. But of all the places in this God-forsaii;en country, Anderson- ville seemed to be situated in the worst, wiiich uninviting spot, as if fit for nothing else, was chosen for the incar- ceration and destrtiction, by neglect and ill-usage, of Un- ion prisoners. And here was to Ik3 our destination, for how long a time God only knew. Whether we should ever he permitted to again behold the glorious banner of Liberty, and meet with loving friends in our cherished home in the far-away Free North, were questions that time alone could solve, yet fraught with the deepest inter- est to us. CHAPTER IV. Examination of Prisoners; Private Property ''Confiscated; Capt. Wirz and Gen. Winder ; Georgia. Militia ; Entrance into Andersonville ; Pitching our tent ; Different Styles of Quarters ; Burrowing in the Ground ; Defences of the Prison ; Water; Hospital; Anxious Enquiry ; Old Acquaintances ; Sutlering ; Police Organization. As soon as the cars stopped at Andersonville we were ordered to disembark, and were marched a short distance below the station where we were formed into two ranks to be examined. Several rebel sergeants came forward and commenced searching us. It soon became apparent that arms alone were not the only object of their search ; for whenever a watch or pm'se was found, it was immediate- ly transferred to the pockets of the rebels. Some of the boys seeing this unfairness on the part of the rebels, com- menced hiding their watches and money in their shoes, in order that they might escape this unwarranted " confisca- tion. " Some of the prisoners who had not been robbed of their lilankets before coming to this place were now com- pelled to give them up to the rebels as government prop- erty. Fortune favored me, as I had succeeded in getting two blankets thus far with me — one woolen and one rub- ber blanket — and the man who searched the squad that 1 was in did not seem to have any use for such articles, — at least he allowed the prisoners to retain them. While this examination was "oinG; on, an old Dutchman dressed EXAMIXATIOX OF PEISONEES. 38 in white pants, and with au old rusty sabre hung to his side, kept moving about cursing and swearing all the while about " te tampt Yankees. " This man I soon as- certained to be the commander of the prison, and was called Captain Wirz. Another individual, dressed in an officer's suit of grey, was present, whom they called Gen. Winder. He was a ra'ther portly man, with gray hair, whiskers and mustache, and had that self-important, scornful look, so peculiar to the Southern chivalry. As soon as the examination was ended we were count- ed into detachments of two hundred and seventy. Each detachment was then divided into- three messes of ninety men each. A Sergeant was then chosen from among the prisoners for each mess, to take charge of the mess, at- tend to roll call, sick call, and draw rations. The time spent in the examination and organization occupied two or three hours, all of which time we were kept at atten- tion ; and some of the prisoners became so exhausted that they fell to the ground and only saved themselves from a thrust of Capt. Wirz's sword by being helped to their feet by some of their comrades. The organization being completed, we were turned over to the prison guards, which were composed of Georgia Militia. The militia were formed into ranks at oi^n order, —the lines reach- ing from where we stood to the prison gate. We were then marched through the open ranks of the rebels. As we passed through, I had a very good opportunity of see- ing them ; and a meaner, more uncouth looking set of ••scalawags," styling themselves soldiers, it had never been my privilege to look upon. Hardly any two were dress- ed alike, unless it was in color — a sheep grey or butternut brown. All classes and conditions of men, from the strip- ling boy of fifteen to the old man of fifty-fiYne then to assist him. It was astonishing how selfish and childish the prisoners became under their privations. Fighting and quarreling were as common among them as though they were children of eight or ten years of age. Two men of thirty or forty years of age would stand up and fight about a spoonful of beans or a teaspoonful of salt. It really seemed as though the rebels knew just how to demoralize the Union prisoners and make them useless to the Federal Government, and adopted this means to accomplish their hellish purpose. Very little comfort could be derived from anything or anybody except from religious exercise and meditation. — One evening, about dark, as I was taking a stroll through the prison, I heard some persons singing, and stopping to \ktm, could distinguish the hymn beginning, "From all that dwell belotv the skies, Let the Creator's name arise ; Let the Redeemer's name be sung, Through every land by every tongue/' This was sung to the well known tune of "Old Hun- dred," with an earnest pathos and tenderness befitting the occasioii, and seemed to carry me back to other and hap- pier days in my far-away pleasant home in Ohio. Wend- ing my way among the tents toward the place from which, the sound proceeded, I soon found myself near a crowd of persons who had assembled for Divme Worship. After the hymn was finished, a young man led in prayer, after which he delivered a discourse from the 31st verse of the 16th chapter of John. Preaching was held in several places in the prison every evening that the weather would permit; and it was really a consolation to know that 42 A RAOB FOB LIBEBTY. though we were shut in from the world, and from the so- ciety of friends and relatives, we could have access to a throne of grace. The spiritual advisor of the prison was an old Roman Catholic priest ; but the prisoners had feo little confidence in him that his hearers were few. He could not com- mand order while preaching, as the prisoners would some- times exclaim, " Don't hit him with that club !" " Don't strike him behind his back!" and other exclamations of like nature, which always had the desired effect with the boys of shortening his sermon somewhat. He finally be- came so disgusted with these disturbances, that he discon- tinued his visits almost entirely. The prisioners had but little confidence in any person connected with the reb- el government ; and they knew the old priest must ne- cessarily be a rebel, or otherwise he oould not hold the position he did, consequently his influence was very limited. Thus time wore languidly away. Each day seemed al- most a week in duration. Many and various were the plans adopted to pass the time away. Some were en- gaged in making bone jewelry and various kinds of toys ; some in playing cards, chess, dominoes, etc. And some — yes, a great many — spent the most of their time in reading the Bible. Persons who had never read the Word of God before, would bring out the precious volume that had been bestowed on them by a kind father or mother with a part- ing blessing, and there find instruction and consolation. Almost every day, while active operations were going on between the two armies, fresh prisoners would be com- ing in. These were always closely questioned in regard to a parole or exchange of prisoners, army movements, news from home, and hundreds of similar questions ; but seldom could we learn anything definite about which we StMOftS 6V AJJ EXCHANOB. 48 ioiost wisiied to know. Occasionally we could get some of the rebel newspapers, and could form some vague idea of what was going on in the outside world ; but we could not place much confidence in these papers, for it was well known they were filled with lies whenever it was deemed necessary to so prostitute the Southern press for the good of the rebel cause. Some of the prisoners despairing of an exchange, and determined to get out of * ' durance vile " in some man- ner, resorted to the plan of digging tunnels under the stockade. But the number that effected their escape by this means was very few, for as soon as any were missed from the prison the " Old Dutch Captain" would start his bloodhounds on their track, and they would often be brought back torn and bleeding from the bites of these fe- rocious animals. At last we began to have many and various rumors of an exchange. The Macon Telegeaph published various pieces on the subject — that the officers had been exchang- ed, and that the exchange of privates would commence eoon. One day, a paper which found its way into the prison, stated that the exchange of prisoners was actually going on, and that they would commence shipping from Andersonville on September 7th. Expectation and anxi- ety were now at the highest pitch, until the evening of the 7th. Many were the speculations about the anticipated meetings with fathers and mothers, wives and little ones, and of good times generally. About dark, orders came for several detachments to get ready to move. Some had faith in the report of an exchange, but many of the older prisoners, who had been deceived before, could not be made believe that any exchange was really going on. Prison- ers were, hov/ever, being sent away, for what purpose we knew not, unless it was to be exchanged. Every one waa 44 A EACE FOR LIBERTY. desirous of knowing what was doing, and anxiously await- ing his turn to go. But the removal was not progressing fast enough to suit some of us ; so I, and some others, concluded to go out the first opportunity. If happily, for exchange, we would get the earlier benefit of it ; and if for another prison, we felt that it could not be worse than the one we were in. Accordingly, when the thirty-sec- ond detachment was called, I, having some acquaintances in it, concluded to go with it. It was late in the evening of the 12tli of September, when we marched from the prison to the depot, passing by the General's Headquarters, where we were counted by the light of a pine torch. When we reached the depot we were crowded into stock cars; and so full were the cars that we had scarcely room to sit down on the floor — there being no seats of any kind in the cars. Our rations for the trip consisted of corn bread and bacon — about three- fourths of a pound in all to each man. These rations were all we got for four days. In a few minutes after getting into the cars we started. Sometime in the night we reach- ed Macon where we stopped until daylight. While at this place, a little boy came along by the train, looking at us, and as he came opposite the car I was in, he stopped and said : " Old Sherman was gwine ter let you'ns loose down ter Anderson ville, wasn't he?" "Oh, no," said I, wishing to get all the information I could. " Y-a-a-s, but he was, and they're sendin' you'ns all ter' Charleston, to another prison." Just as this last sentence was spoken, the guard from the top of the car exclaimed, " begone you little devil, or I will put a bullet through you," which put an end to our colloquy ; but enough was said to settle the idea of ex- UNEXPECTED SYMPATHY. 46 change with me, for I knew the little hoy did not make the report he was circulating. The cars were soon in motion again, bearing us away we knew not whither. A little while before night the city of Augusta, Ga., was reached. When the cars stopped, the train was immediately surrounded by a guard. Sev- eral women came to look at us, and expressed cdnsider- able sympathy for us. The prisoners asked them for some- thing to eat, which request was readily granted by several of them, who brought out loaves of bread and divided it among us. One woman spoke of going to the bakery and getting more for us, but was prevented from so doing by the guards. Before starting, I noticed a man walking past us who turned and smiled upon us — not a scornful smile, but a friendly smile of sympathy. He did not stop until he got some distance past us, when he paused and stood musing a few minutes, then turned and came walk- ing back toward us. As he came near the car, in the door of which I was standing, I caught his eye and immediately recognized in him a member of the Union League. Vari- ous signs of recognition passed between us. Here was a man iii the garb of a rebel soldier, but who really had his sympathies with the Union army. I tried to drop him a line that I hastily wrote with a pencil, but could not suc- ceed, for when the guards were not looking, he was not either. Having here found a friend, I resolved, if possi- ble, to jump from the train that night, and tiy to find him. Soon the curtains of darkness drew around us. The bell rang, the whistle sounded, and the cars were again in mo- tion. Having been crowded back from the door, I made an effort to gain it for the purpose of jumping out ; but just as I reached the door the train was on the bridge cross- ing the Savannah River. To jump out in the bridge 46 A RACE FOR LIBEETY. would be alaiost certain death, and by the time we were across the river, 1 was again crowded back from the door ; so I abandoned the project till a more convenient oppor- tunity. The train did not stop again, except to take on wood and water, until we reached Branchville, South Car- olina, sometime the next day. There we had to change ears for some other place, we knew not where. On the night of the I4th, the cars bemg very much crowded, I requested the guard to let me ride on the top of the car, which favor he granted, and I then had a chance to lie down and get some sleep. On tlie morning of the 15th, we reached Florence, South Carolina, a place of little im- portance, except for its railroad crossings. The Branch- ville and Wilmington, and Charleston and Cheraw Rail- roads cross here. We found seven or eight trains here, standing loaded with prisoners. As soon as the train stopped, ordei-s were given to not allow the prisoners on one train to hold conversation with those on the other trains. This order confirmed my sus- picions that another prison was somewhere near by. But notwithstanding their orders, we soon found out that all had come from Andersonville. Some by way of Cliarleston, and some by Savannah ; but there was no room at either oi those places for them. The next question to be solved was, Where is the prison ? This mystery, however, was soon explained by seeing squads of negroes passing along with axes, shovels, etc. There was no prison for us, and these sons of toil had been sent in by their masters to build a stockade. This I ascertained from one of the guards. Soon the trains commenced moving away on the south road. The train I was on followed the others. After go- ing about a mile south, the cars stopped and we were or- dered to get off. We were then marched out into an old field that had been abandoned some years and which had PLANNING AN ESCAPE. 47 grown up with young pines. But no stockade or piiaou was to be seen — nothing to keep U3 there but a single guard line, composed of the South CaroUna Reserves, which were made up of old men from forty-five to sixty, and boys from fifteen to eighteen years of age. It was soon ascertained that this ' ' new issue, " as the prisoners termed them, had never seen service ; and they seemed discouraged and discontented. The most of us having had but one day's rations for the last three days, were considerably pinched with hunger, and enquiries were made for something to eat. But no ra- tions were there for us. The officers informed us that they had to depend on the citizens to bring in provisions for us ; but what could a thinly settled part of the coun- try do, without any previous notice, for eight thousand prisoners ? In the mean time it was evident that the ne- groes were working at the stockade, as their songs could be beard as they proceeded with their work. We now attempted to organize the prisoners for the pur- pose of disarming the guards and making our escape ; but no concert of action could be had, so the project had to be abandoned. But I could not rest, I was like a caged bear, always on the move, and made up my mind to effect an escape, if possible, or hazard my life in the attempt. — I thought I had better die trying to escape than to lie there and starve to death ; for I could see no other alternative, as I was then so reduced by starvation that it was with difficulty, I could walk without reeling like a drunken man. My first plan was to find out w^hat part of South Carolina we were in. This much desired information I was not long in obtaining from one of the guards, who in- formed me that it was about 110 miles to Charleston, 107 miles to Wilmington, North Carolina, and about 75 miles to North Carolina. Having learned thus much, I set about 48 A RACE FOR LIBERTY, ' devising some plan of escape, and also to find some out ^Yg^lom I could rely upon to accompany me. A comradt was soon found in a man by the name of John Henson, ol the 31st Illinois Regiment, who agreed to go with me.— , Our plan was soon laid. We were to pretend to want tc go out after wood, get a guard to go with us, and, when we would get into the woods, disarm the guard, and leave for other parts. This plan we immediately attempted to put into execution. Going up to the guards' quarters, which were on the south side of the camp, we made our desires known to the officer of the guards. He repliedi that having sent a guard out with some others, on the sam& errand, he could not accede to our wishes just then, buti that he would he pleased to accommodate us in about ai couple of hours. While waiting here, I chanced to look across to thai north side of the camp where I noticed some of the pris- oners carrying rails from a fence near b3\ Henson and I immediately started for th« north side of the camp. The guards having let some out to get rails for wood, others wanted to go also. Pretty soon signs of a sUmpede be- came apparent. Several prisoners cried out, , " Let's alf time, w^as offll general rushf a most thrilling and interesting character. A general was made, and guards were knocked down in all direc- tions. The cry, "halt! halt!" was heard all along the line on the north side of the camp, but no halt was made. — A boy of about seventeen came directly in my way and commanded me to halt. Suiting the action to the word, I made a pause and struck at him, but he dodged the stroke, and I missed him. Following him up, I gave him a push with my left hand which sent him sprawling back- ward over a stump. I then ran on as fast as I could. — The guard, raising up, fired at me, but missed me and hit OUE EACE BEGUN. 49 .ther man, who was ahead of me, in the hip. And thus jcgan my Race for Libeety. lUO CHAPTER VI. Exciting scene j dispersing in Small Squada ; Guide Chosen ; Eating Grapes ; Difficulties and Danger ; Crossing the Great Peedee ; Interposition of Providence ; Our Vigilance ; Dis- covered by a Friendly African ; Characteristic Conversation ; Timely Aid. Haying got outside the guard line, I determined to make a desperate effort to avoid being recaptured. Steer- ing my course toward the northeast corner of the field, I ran as fast as I could, followed by Henson. Being so much reduced by starvation, I could not walk without staggering, but excitement now lent strength to my weak- ened frame. The woods were soon reached and I imme- diately jumped the fence, but Henson stopped. " What are you stopping for ?" I inquired. '' Why," says he, " there are pickets in the woods." " I don't care for pickets," said I, " I will run on until I find one. Come on," I entreated, and he jumped the fence. The scene was like that of a lot of sheep released from a pen. The woods were full of " blue coats " running in various directions. Some starting west, some north, and •ome east. Very few seemed to know which way to go. — The shooting by the guards was still going on at a lively rate. Some of the boys becoming alarmed turned and started back to the prison, saying that we would all be killed. " Comrades !" T cried, " men who have no more »riDE CHOSEX. 51 courage that that, ought to go back and lie there and rot." After getting fairly into the woods. I started directly east. About a raile north of us was the railroad running east and west. I supposed that guards would be imme- diately placed on the railroad to prevent our crossing to- ward the north, and I hoped by fast traveling to get far enough east to be able to cross before the guards could be stationed. I also thought the blood hounds would be started after us, as there were some at Florence. We soon came to a swamp which suited our purpose exactly. By directing our course through the swamp, the hounds would not be able to keep our trail. I soon saw that my plans were apprehended by the others, and that a large crowd had started after me. I stopped and told them that if they expected to eflPect an escape they would have to scatter off in squads of three or four, but if we kept together we would be caught before we traveled ten miles. *' Well," says some, " we don't know where to go." '' You know as much about the country as I do," I replied. One man came and begged to accompany' us. I told him he might. — His name I soon learned was B. F. Porter, and that he was a member of the Tenth Ohio Cavalry. Our number now being increased to three we set for- ward, not without, however, determining who should be the guide. It was soon agreed upon that I should act as guide. Neither Heusou nor Porter knew where we were, and consequently knew not which way to go. I had, be- fore leaving the prison, ascertained what part of South Carolina we were in, and consequently knew better which direction to take, so I told them I would guide them, but they must submit to my decisiofis altogether. After going about a mile through the swamp we came to a grape vine which was quite full of grapes, and being very Uungiy wo 52 A KAOE FOE LIBKETY. concluded to diue on grapes. Hiding ourselves from view we sat down and ate some of the grapes, but we were afraid to eat many of them, for our stomachs were not in a fit condition to bear many. We made our stay here very short, and set forward again, going eastward. We soon emerged from the swamp into thick woods, and then soon came in sight of a farm. Going up to it very cautiously to see if any one was in sight, I found the way was clear. — No house was visible and the place where we came to the farm was at the edge of a corn field. As we crossed the field we gathered some of the softest of the corn that we could find, and when we got into the woods again we stop- ped to rest and eat some corn, which seemed to me, raw as it was, the sweetest food I had ever tasted. After traveling eastward about three miles, I changed the direction to the northeast until we came in sight of the railroad. Here we halted to ascertain whether there were any guards posted on the road or not. Bidding Henson and Porter stop, I moved forward to reconnoitre, by creep- ing on my hands and knees until I reached the road, then rising cautiously I looked first toward Florence, then in the opposite direction. Seeing no one, I motioned to my comrades to follow, and we crossed the railroad. As there was a railroad and telegraph running north from Florence to Cheraw, I thought it prudent to get out of the neghbor- hood of that road and telegraph ; for I felt assured that the news of the stampede would be immediately sent to the various points, and the rebels would soon be on the alert for us. By directing our course northeast we could soon be out of the neighborhood of both roads and telegraphs. In this direction our march was kept up until nearly night. — Woods, s^^amps and plantations w^ere crossed ere the shades of night were drawn around us. About dark I CEOSSIXG THE GEEAT PEEDEE. 53 changed our course due north, taking the north star for a guide. As it was about full moon and a clear sky, it was pretty light and we were enabled to travel with consider- able rapidity. We had the good fortune, soon after dark, to get into a good road leading directly north, and we could now travel with more ease than through the woods. About midnight our path led us to a river which I alter- wai'd learned was the Great Peedee. Here was an ob- struction in our way. The point at which we struck the river was evidently a place of crossing, but no boat could be found. We went up the river a short distance in search of some kind of a craft in which to cross the river, but we were afraid to go far in that direction, as it would lead us toward the Cheraw Railroad. Not finding the object of our search in that direction we retraced our steps and went down the river in quest of a boat or bridge, but all to no purpose, so we concluded to stop until morning when we could see better to find some way of crossing. — Finding a cornfield near and refreshing ourselves by eat- ing several ears of corn apiece, we laid down under a large tree to rest and sleep. Rising at early dawn we found ourselves so sore and stiff that for some time it was with difficulty we could walk. We, however, resumed our search for something in which we could cross the river, and finally found some hewed logs near an old house on the river bank. We immediately set to work to construct a raft out of these logs. By putting two of them into the water, and tying them together with grapevines and sticks, we soon had a raft on which we started for the opposite shore, using a piece of board for a paddle. The opposite shore was thus reached with safety, but not without our getting wet, as we had to keep on our knees while crossing, — one on either end of the raft and the other in the middle; — to 54 A EACE FOK LIBERTY. ' keep it steady, the logs sinking several inches m the water. After crossing the river we again took to the woods, but liad not gone far till we came to a large cypress swamp. To flank this Avas impossible, so we had to go through it. There was no water of any conserjiience in il, Ijut plenty of mud. Before leaving the prison I committed myself to the care and guidance of Divine Providence in effecting an escape, and it now seemed apparent that we were guided by a higher power ; for various things that we could eat, such as grapes, persimmons, muscadines, etc., came directly in our way. Through the day we came to a path leadmg directly in the way we wished to go. Following this path we came to a creek, on the opposite side of which was a canoe, — The creek was too deep to wade, and Ave felt too much worn out and tired to swim it ; but Porter said he Avould try to swim it and bring over the canoe for us, which he did, and we Avere soon safe across. We noAV concluded to take a rest ; and as avc Avauted to travel at night, it Avas necessary to sleep in daytime. I began to think of applying to the negroes for some tiling to eat, and for directions as to roads, but my com- panions Avere afraid of being Ijetrayed by them. I Avas not afraid, but desisted for a fcAV days until Ave got nearer North Carolina. We Avould generally sleep part of the day and travel tlie balance of the time, ahvays keeping in the Avoods and swamps, and on a strict lookout for " rebs,'' for Ave had begun our race for liberty, and in order to Avin the prize it Avas necessaiy that Ave sliould be as vigilant as possible. One day Ave came to a i)]aiitation Avhieh Avas too large to "flank " as Ave had trlanked others, and desi- ring to find a road that Ave could travel by at night, Ave concluded to cross tbe plantati(}ii, Just as Ave got acrosy DIfjCOVEEED BY A NEGRO. 55 we came to a large mill-pond. This was another obstruc- tion in our way, and we could not get around it without being discovered. If we would go to the left we had to pass by the mill ; if to the right, we had to pass near the house, and some one was liuntiHg ducks near the pond, which we knew by the firing of a gun and the flying of ducks overhead. To stay where we were until dark was a rather hazardous undertaking, for the road was close by; so we concluded to go back across the farm into the woods and there remain until night, and then slip past the mill. As we w^ere recrossing the farm through a cornfield, we noticed somebody in a lane adjoining the field. The corn had been topped and bladed and did not afford a very good hiding place ; but as soon as we saw persons in the lane we laid down in the furrows between the rows of corn and tried to hide ourselves. Presently a negro man got over into the field and came toward ns. As he came near us lie took a circuit around the place where we lay, and kept whistling or singing as though he did not see us. After he had gone entirely around us, he stopped suddenly and looked directly at us. Seeing that we were discovered, I beckoned for him to come to us. As he approached he took off his hat and made a low bow to us. I asked him if he had ever heard of Yankee soldiers. " Oh, yes, massa," said he. " Did you ever see one ?■' "No, sah." " Would you like to see some of them V said I. '• Oh, yes, massa, ])erry much," he replied. " Well," said I, " here are three of them." " De Lord brcss ray soul, you ain't Yankees, am you ?" said he, slapping his hands on his knees, and manifesting great surprise and pleasure. T to]d Jiin) Vi<' Wf'^'e. and liovv we came there, ail',1 aj*ls<^d 56 A EACE FOR LIBEETY. him if he was a friend to us. He assured us that he was our friend, and said that he had seen us in the cornfield, and thought it was some persons in distress, so [he came over to us, and seeing that we were wliite men, did not like to come up to us mitil asked to do so. " But," said he, ' 'dis am too pubhc a place for you, and you had better go back to de woods. I am oberseer, and as soon as I set de boys to work I will come 'round and talk wid you." — I told him we would do so, but did not want him to tell anybody about us, and to not betray us. Said he, ' ' My name is Will, and mind you, massa, whatever Will says you may 'pend on." So saying, he started off to put the hands to work — it being just past noon. We wended our way back to the woods, but took the precaution to not stop at the place our colored friend had directed us ; but took another position, so as to be able to observe his movements. Pretty soon he came whistling along by himself. When he came near the place where he had directed us to stop he gave a sharp whistle. Not getting any answer he repeated it, and I then answered him. He then came to us. I told him that we were very hungry, having had but little to eat for four days, except raw corn and grapes. He said he had not much himself, but would divide with us what he had. He then went to his cabin, a short distance off, and soon returned with some corn bread and meat, which we eagerly devoured, and with a relish known only to famishing men. He seemed to sympathize with us very much, and said his master had told him that the South was whipping the North ; " but," said he, ' ' how in de name o' de Lord is it dat when de Souf am whippin' you, dat you am comin' DI3 WAY all de time ? — yah ! yah ! — ilat's what I'd hke to know. Dey may talk to de darkies as much as dey please 'bout whippin' you, but dc darkies don't b'Ueve iim— SUBSTANTIAL 8YMPATHY. 67 b'lieve de Lord am on your side, and dat you will whip, and us darkies will all be free. " We continued for some time conversing with him on the subject of the war, and found him quite w^ell informed, especially on President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclama- tion. He told us to stay in the woods till night, when he would come back and bring something more for us to cat, and put us on the road that would carry us straight to North Carolina ; and said we need not be afraid of the darkies, as they were all friends to us. And so we found them to be. The afternoon was spent in sleeping. Night came, and with it our faithful colored friend, bearing a basket of pro- visions, and a little bag of salt that we requested him to l)ring, as we had been eating so much raw corn and fruit we were badly aftlictcd with diarrhoja. After eating heart- ily we started on our Avay, the negro piloting us some distance. CHAPTER VIL The Wet Season ; Chased by Bloodhounds ; Sad Accident ; Corn-blade Shelter; Substitute for a Compass; Negro Hos- pitality ; In North Carolina ; An Old Log School House ; Unwelcome Visitors ; Dreadful Storm ; The Turpentine Re- gion ; Secret Union Organization; Meeting Rebel Soldiers; Quaker Settlement ; A Puzzling Question. The time of year liacl come for the ^vet season to set iu. Accordingly, about the twenty-third day of September, the rains began to come, making our race for liberty more dreary and difficult. One evening we heard the baying of dogs in the distance, and soon discovered that they were coming nearer. We could distinguish by their howling that they were not the common fox-hound, nor the bull-dog. It soon occurred to my mind that they were bloodhounds, and that we had been discovered, as we had crossed several farms that eve- ning. Our situation became morfj critical every moment, as we could notice they were gaining on us and were evi- dently on our trail. The first thing now to be done was to throw the dogs ofl" our trail, if possible, for if Ave did not we would surely be captured. Fortunately we came to a swamp on our route into which we went with great haste. After going about fifty rods the swamp was crossed, and we came to a very deep ditch, which was too wide for us to jump across. A place was soon found -where some poles were thrown across the ditch. We attempted to rOKX-BtADE SUET. TEH. 5« fi'oss ou these poles, and as I readied the middle of the ditch one of the poles broke and I fell with much force to the bottom, hurting me very much. I managed to get out of the ditch pretty soon,\but was too much hurt to proceed. On examination I found that I had fractured a ri)) in my left side. Henson and Porter proposed to climb trees as a means of safety. To this I objected ; for if we were to climl) trees and the dogs were to find us, we would be easily captured ])y the citizens. But I told the boys that I could go no farther, and we had better prepare our- selves for a fight. We each cut a club and stationed our- selves on the bank of the ditch ready to knock the dogs back if they should attempt to cross after us ; but when the dogs came to the swamp it was too wet for them to follow us and they lost the trail. We moved on a short distance further, when it became so dark that we could not keep the direction, and as I wag suffering much from my side, we were compelled to stop for the night. We had no blankets or shelter of any kind, and a hea^y rain was coming on. On looking about we discovered a cornfield in which was a stack of corn-blades. Carrying some rails into the woods, we tied one to a cou- ple of saplings about four feet from the ground, then leaned other rails on this one. We then covered this with i-orn-blades for a shelter, and made a bed inside with the same materials. But only exhaustion and fatigue caused me to sleep, for I was too l)adly hurt to have slept under any other circumstances. The state of the weather was such that we could no longer travel at night. Only in daytime could we proceed, and then we were afraid to travel on any x^iblic roads, but we kept our course unmindful of streams or swamps. To t.iavel in daytime, in cloudy weather, we needed a compass, but nature furnished a very good substitute. 1 60 A KAOE FOR LIBEETY. had remembered hearing some old hunters remark that the moss on the tree was all on the north side ; and by taking partiular notice to this we could keep the course tolerably well. Whenever we came to a farm we would generally make a flank movement and go around it, keep- ing in the woods to avoid being seen. To facihtate our escape we had succeeded in trading our blue coats to the negroes for citizen's coats, and would at every opportu- nity make inquiries of the negroes about the rebel soldiers and home guards. They told us that up further North there were a good many home guards hunting " exerters " (deserters). At every place where we made application to the ne- groes for food and directions we were accommodated and found them trustworthy. One day while traveling thro' the woods we heard some persons chopping. Moving up very cautiously, I saw several negroes at work in a clear- ing ; so I went up pretty close to them and beckoned to one to come to me. He came immediately and I made our wants known to him, which were for something to eat, and information respecting the home guards. He said we would have to stay till night, for it was but a mile to the creek called Shoeheel, the bridge across which was guarded, and we could not cross ; but if we would stop till after dark he would bring us out something to eat and take us where we could get across the creek. Taking his advice we laid down in the woods and slept till dark. At the appointed time the darkey came along with a basket full of cooked sweet potatoes and some corn bread and meat, which we soon ate, then following the negro he took us up the creek two or three miles to a mill-dam, on which we were able to cross. When we had got across the creek he bade us wait till he would get us some ra- tions. He started off, and in about an hour returned, car- IN NOBTH CAKOLINA. 61 rying a side of bacou. On enquiring wliere he got it, be said, " Captain Johnson hab some bery fine bacon, so I goes and gets his man Joe to take de dogs and start on a 'possum hunt, and as soon as he was gone dis chile slips to de smoke house and grabs um." He cut the meat in two with his knife and gave us half of it, and said he would sell the rest for " three dollars a pound." He said that if his master knew what he had done he would "burn him alive," but he seemed willing to risk the "burning," both here and hereafter. We had to take all the advantage we could of the wea- ther for traveling. Sometimes w^e would travel at night, at other times in daylight. We had to subsist off the country as we passed along, and while traveling at night would get sweet potatoes, apples, chickens, geese, etc. — We were so fortunate as to get some matches from a ne- gro, and as we traveled at night would gather a supply of provisions for the next day, then stop in some secluded spot and cook our rations. We w^ould then leave the place where we had built a fire, lest the smoke might })e- tray us. We were now in the pine forests and among the sand hills of North Carolina, but had not, as yet, spoken to a white man since our escape from the prison at Flor- ence. While traveling through the pine forests of North Caro- lina, I discovered, one evening, that a dense cloud was rising in the west and to all appearances we would have a wet night. We were on what seemed to be a by-road, but was in reality a public highway. Residences were miles apart and gave evidence of being inhabited by the poorest class of persons. While contemplating how to pass the night, we came to a cabin situated in the forest near the road. On going close to it we found that it had been built for a school house. It had a chimne}' and fire- ')- A llAOH FOK LIBERTt. }>lacc, li door which hung on the outside, a log had been f the Universe, and felt greatly relieved and comforted. At last the rain ceased and I again attempted to kindle a tire, but judge of my perplexity at finding my matches wet and would not strike fire. By holding them to my ]>reast awhile they became dry enough to light, and having plenty of pine-knots near by, we soon had a large fire. — AVe were soon warm and dry, and after roasting our sweet potatoes, we ate heartily and then lay down to sleep. — Those who have always slept upon downy beds in palaces or comfortable cottages, know but little of the value of "Tired nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep." None but persons placed in our situation could fully realize and ap- preciate a good night's rest. Daylight came, and w^c started on our way again. I now found that my system was fast giving way under the extreme exposure through which I was passing. While in prison at Andersonville and Florence, I was subject to attacks of bronchites, and it was now apparent that the 64 A RACE FOR LIBERTY, disease was growing on me, as my speech was almost wholly leaving me. This was about the 28th of Septem- l)er, and by the first of October I was unable to speak above a whisper. Our route that we had chosen, passed directly through the turpentine forests of South and North Carolinas. — Every mile or so w^e would come to the camps that had been occupied by the negroes, when attending the pine trees and gathering turpentine. But the war, brought on by the South, had put a stop to the manufacture of turpen- tine and rosin, by the Carolinians. Great quantities of ros- in were scattered over the ground in places w^here barrels had bursted. It was evident to my mind that we wert' near the settlements inhabited by Union men, and as our course w^as still northward, we w^erc anxious to Icnrn which would be the best way to turn, — whether cast to- ward Newbern, or west toward Tennessee. We did not wish to change our course until we could be advised as to the most practicable route. This desired inforaiation we finally obtained from an old man, a member of the Home Guards of N. C, who had been recommended to us by the negroes, as being a Union man, and as such we found him to be. He told us that to go to Newbern would be attend- ed with diflBlculty, as there was a considerable force of re))- el soldiers between us and Newberu. He also gave us our suppers and directed us where to find the Union men, of whom there were quite a number, in that part of the coun- try. He gave me to understand that there was a secret organization in the South, whereby Union men were en- abled to recognize each other, and said if we could get initi- ated into the order, that we would then have no trouble in getting through to Tennessee, — that if we belonged to the order, and were recaptured by the Home Guards, we would find many friends among them, who would assist us in A NARROW ESOAPK. fio making our escape. I asked him how I could get initiat- ed into the order, as I was anxious to know more about it. He replied, that a man could not join it without a member of the order vouching for him, and as we were strangers to him, he would not like to become voucher for us. This man, though dressed in rebel garb, was Union at heart, and I found that the Jeff. Davis government was losing more by such soldiers than it was gaining. Bidding the old man a hearty good by, we resumed our journey, keeping a northward course, as we had learned there was a large settlement of the Quakers in Randolph County, and thitherward we directed our steps. One day as we were traveling through the woods, we thought we would find out where the road was, in order to travel on it by night. We had not long to search till we came to a plank road, which looked so inviting to travel on, com- pared with the rough way, through thick brush and woods, that we concluded to travel awhile on it. We had not gone far, when just as we approached to the top of a little hill, we came directly in contact with two rebel soldiers. — They had the appearance of soldiers going home on fur- lough, having their knapsacks and haversacks with them. We were so close to them before they were observed, that it was useless to try to hide from them. Seeing that they had no arms with them, we went boldly up, facing them as we passed and bidding them good day. They returned the salute, and as they got a little way past, one said to the other, "Them fellows looked d'm much Hke Yan- kees. " We thought it prudent now to leave the road, that had the appearance of being such a public one. A few miles further on, and we were in the Quaker settlement. — Wc could now travel with more safety, as almost every man we talked with gave evidence of being connected with the secret organization before mentioned ; \m% the signs of 66 A EA.CE FOE LIBERTY. recognition I was unable to learn. I had, by close obser- vation, detected a certain movement of the hand, made by almost every one I spoke to, but to this sign or question I could make no reply. Ail the Quakers with whom I con- versed, claimed to be neutral, in reference to the war, but on a lengthy conversation with them, it was easy to dis- cern that their sympathies were with the Federal Govern- ment, which guarantees to them, all tlie privileges they could desire. I made enquiry as to who the leading man among the Quakers was, and was informed his name was Joseph N , and that he lived about eight miles further north on the plank road. My reason for making this en- (juiry, was to find a person that could give me directions to East Tennessee. It was now late in the afternoon, but I determined, if possible, to get to tlie old gentleman's that night, before he would retire. Our eagerness to see him that night made us a little too venturesome, as we con- cluded to travel on the road that evening ; and as we were traveling along, we came suddenly to a party of soldier?, Avho were getting a drink, inside of a gate by the way- side. They had stacked their guns against a tree that stood in the yard, and as we came up bade us good eve- ning, which salutation we returned, though with fear and anxiety. They evidently did not mistrust who we Vere, but doubtless supposed us to be some citizens or home guards going home, as there had been a camp broken up in the neighborhood tliat day. After getting out of sight we congratidatcd each other on our narrow escape. A little while after dark we arrived at the house; of Joseph N . It stood by a tollgate on the plank road. — On calling at the gate the old man appeared, and as I was quite ill, I asked him for some i)lace to sleep tli at night. — He enquired who we were. I told him, and the circum- stances connected with our presence there, lie replied, A pfzzlixct question. 67 •• Thee knows lliat \vc take neutral grouuds, and we are not in lavor of war in any case. Wo Iced the hungry, clothe the naked, and try to live acceptable in the sight of God." Thus saying, he asked us to come in and get some supper, and he woukl furnish some place for us to sleep. — But my illness prevented me from partaking of the houn- ties offered us by our hospitable friend. While my com- rades were partaking of a hearty supper, I had a great many questions to answer, for the old gentleman was very inquisitive. He had long been without any reliable army news, and could not understand how it was, that accord- ing to the best Southern authority, the Federal troops were being repulsed in every action, and yet the Confederates were losing all their territory ! This was indeed a puzz- ling question that only Southern rebels or their Kortheru sympathizers seemed to understand. After supper, w^e were generously offered good beds to sleep in but this offer w^c respectfully declined, as our host had informed us that the soldiers w^e had seen, had been to Raleigh with some conscripts, and that, in all ])robabiiity, there w^ould be more along that night ; so we declined staying in the house, but told him that Ave would be glad to sleep in his barn or fodder-house. He directed onehof his sons to conduct us to his barn, w^here we found very comfortable quarters, compared to what w^e had been enjoying, and as the night was wet, the pattering of the rain u])ou the roof, sqou lulled us into a sound sleep. ClIAPTEK VIII. A Union Lady ; Prices of Produce and Goods ; More Union People ; A Barbarous Transaction ; A Heroine ; Successful Female Disguise; The H. 0. A.; Southern Proscription; Crossing Deep River ; Marching Along ; Old Battle Ground ; The Yadkin River ; A Friendly Colored Ferryman ; '^ Carry- ing Water on Both Shoulders." EapwLY the next morning we resumed our journey, tak- ing a northeasterly course, so as to avoid too close prox- imity to some of the towns. As we wended our way through the woods after leaving the old Quaker's, we came in sight of a small but neat cottage at the edge of the woods. Not seeing any man about, we walked to the house and found it occupied by a woman and two small children. — She received us kindly, but hesitated to give us something to eat, as she thought we had misrepresented ourselves, in order to find out whether she had been harboring 't;on- scripts and deserters. Assuring her that we were what we represented ourselves to be, and asking her some questions about the home guards, and if her husband belonged to them, she became satisfied that we were not imposters, and got us some breakfast. She said that her husband had been conscripted into the rebel service, but had suc- ceeded in getting detailed to work at the Salt Works at ^Vilmington, as he was a Union man and would not fight against his country. She said the Federals had made a dash on the Salt Works, and had captured about fifty of A WAR -WIDOW, 09 the hands, her husband among the rest, and the last she had heard from him he was at Fort Delaware, in prison. She was rather in advance of the ordinary class of South- ern women in point of intelligence ; and was carrying on a pretty large farm in the absence of her husband, and it really appeared as though everything she undertook pros- pered with her. She gave me a list of the prices of pro- duce and store goods in that part of the country : Salt $1,25 per lb., flour $1,00 per lb., muslin $8,00 to $5,00 per yard, calico $6,00 to $10,00 per yard, and to support their families the soldiers were getting $11,00 per month. No wonder they had to keep a standing army at home to hunt deserters. During the day, as wc were going through the woods, we heard some one singing, and on coming to a field we discovered a white woman and two little boys at work gathering corn-fodder. Seeing no one else about we got ov«r the fence and went up to them, and I accosted the lady thus : " Is it possible that in this country, where negroes are so plenty, v/hitc women have to go into the field to work?" " I prefer doing my own work rather than be troubled with slaves, for a trouble they were," she replied. "Are you a widow ?" I enquired. "Yes, sir — a war widow." "Your husband is in the army, then," I said. "No, sir, but in the navy. He is on a gunboat at Wilmington." "Then," said I, "you don't want to see us if yout husband is in the Confederate service." *"' I cannot say about that, not knowing who you are ; but I have a*pretty good idea who you arc," she iuiid. " Whom do yon take us to be ?" I asked. F 70 A EACE FOR LIBEETT. "You are hunters, trying to find out where the con- scripts are," she replied. I then told her that we ^vere not "hunters," and as she did not seem very dangerous, I told her who we were and how we came there! She seemed to put but little confidence in us at first ; but on maldng our case clear, she said her husband hud been conscripted into the Con- federate service, but was a Union man, and that two of her brothers had gone to Tennessee to join the Union army. She invited us to go home with her for dinner, and said she would send for her remaining brother, who would be glad to see us. As we walked toward her house, which was about a mile distant, she related one of the most barbarous tran- sactions that I had ever known to take place in a civilized^ country. An order had been issued from the Confederate War Department conscripting all able bodied men, from seventeen to fifty years of age, to go to the field immedi- ately ; and where men refused to go, and could not be found, the guards were to take their wives, mothers or sisters, and throw them into prison and keep them there until released by the men coming in and giving themselves up. She said that wlien this order was received her two brothers and a great many others started for Tennessee, and to fill the order her three sisters, the only support of an old lady ninety years of age, were put mto prison. — Old women from sixty to eighty years of age, and younger women with three or four little children, and young ladies y<^t single, Aveut to make up the number thus throvfu into prison. After dinner Ave left tlic house and went to the stable to rest until night. During the afteriux)n the news came* that the women were released from prison, airtl this intel- ligence was confirmed by the arrival of the lady's thrcb A KEEOINE. 71 sisters, they having been set at liberty. On learning that three Yankee prisoners were secreted in the stable, the oldest sister — a shrewd, intelligent young lady — came out to see us. She gave full particulars of their iucarceratioD, and said they would have starved had they not taken pro- visions with them. She related instances of women who had small children with them, who, having been robbed by the rebels, and having nothing to take to prison with them, almost starved to death. The cries of the children for bread were scarcely ever hushed. The news having gone abroad that the women and children were starving caused some of the men to come from their hiding places and give themselves up, in order that their families might be released from the prison in which they were famishing. This 'young lady seemed to be the heroine of the neigh- borhood, and while in prison she bore the title of " Gen- eral." She related to us one incident that almost entitled her to the rank of " Brigadier." A few evenings before the young men left for Tennessee to join the Union army, the girls made a party for the benefit of those young men. During the evening, while the party was going on smooth- ly, the news was heralded through the house that they were surrounded by home guards. Retaining her pres- ence of mind, this ' ' Lady General " set about to release the boys. Each lady in the house was required to doff part of her clothing, and she then proceeded to dress the young men in women's apparel, in which disguise they walked out under the guns of the guards, who supposed they were the ladies leaving the house as ordered to do. Judge of the disappointment of the rebel soldiers as they walked into the house to find their game gone. She said that her last words to her brothers were to not come back until secession and the Southern Confederacy were wiped out; and declared that she would rather (IJo \i^ prisou 72 A EAOE FOP. LIBEETY. than see her brothers go into the nrmy to fight for Jeff- Davis and against the Union. Evening came, and after eating supper with the good lady, we, accompanied by her sisters, went to their broth- er's. We found him to be a very" strong-minded Union man. He escaped being conscripted only by being em- ployed in a cotton factory at Franklinsville, Randolph Co., N. C. He received for his labor three yards of sheeting per day, which, before the war, was worth but seven cents per yard. This gentleman spoke of the secret Union organization, which I have already mentioned, and said there was a large society in that neighborhood ; and that the rebels had tried, in every possible way, to find it out, but without success. The officers of the Freemason lodge had also tried, l)y swearing all the members Of the lodge and by questioning them, but their efforts were in vain. While in this neighborhood I found it necessary to stop a few days to recruit my health. I told Henson and Por- ter that they need not wait on me, if they did not wish to do so ; but they said they would wait, as I was their guide. It being too much of a tax on the hospitality of oue individual for us all to stay at one place, we procured different places of lodging. The man with whom I stopped was a strong friend of the Union, and, of course, a bitter enemy of the so-called Confederacy. I staid with him four or five days, and he, becoming satisfied that I was v/hat I represented myself to be, proposed to have me ' initiated into their Secret Order. Accordingly, one eve- ning I was ushered into the lodge, and being vouched for as a "true blue " l)y my friend, I was duly initiated into the mysterious order, H. O. A., which organization was doing almost as much injury to the rebel cause as an in- vading army. The President told me that there were SCY*» riKBEL PEOSCRIPTIOy, YS tiiity-iive tliousaud of. this Order iu North Carhiia alone. He had lieen in the re])el army as a conscript, guarding prisoners at Sahsbury, N. C, and -while there had actu^ ally released flky prisoners within the space of two months. He was tlien sent to Richmond on some duty, and there he made the acquaintance of some of the Mas- ter Machinists, four of. whom he piloted to Tennessee ; and on seeing his " recruits " in Uncle Sam's employ, lie turned his steps homeward, and at once opened a station on the Underground Railroad. From this place we were sent to one R. S , where I expected to get a chart, or directions of the way we wished to go ; but on arriving at his house we were great- ly disappomted, as he was not at home. His wife, how- ever, showed me a map, from which I was enabled to get a tolerably direct route to the mountains. We were now in the neighborhood of the Stogdons, a family widely known as being very hostile to the cause of Jeff. Davis and his thieving coadjutors. The Stogdons WTre so closely watched by the rebels that they, with a great many others, did not dare to sleep in their houses a^ nights. I found among them men who had not slept in their houses for two years, and some w±o had not eaten in their houses for six months. They were compelled to camp out in the woods, in order to hide from the rebel soldiers who would frequently make raids on the Union men, and if caught in their houses, or elsewhere, they would, in almost every case, murder them outright. We crossed Deep river, a branch of Cape Fear river. — At the point where we crossed there was a high bridge, and coal mines on the north side of the river. The cross- ing was effected about twelve o'clock at night. When we got within about a mile of tlie mines w^e beard the engine, which we took to be a ferry boat or some other craft ou 74 A EAOE FOE LIBEETT. the river, and so approached very cautiously, stopping every few rods to try to determine what was keeping up such a noise at that hour of the night. We finally reached the bridge, and finding no obstruction fk the way, passed noiselessly and speedily across. Various incidents came in our way as we continued our march. We were often compelled by the cloudy weather to travel in daylight, and as we were in the part of the country where the home guards were on the alert, it was necessary for us to travel very cautiously. Whenever a farm was to be crossed we would procure a stick apiece, place them on our shoulders, and walk rapidly across, giving ourselves the appearance of soldiers in tits distance. At times we suffered very much with hunger and would frequently gather and eat the mushrooms wc found grow- ing in the woods. To hungry men, anything that can be eaten tastes good. Paw-paws, persimmons, grapes, ap- ples, etc., that_^fell in our way served to stay the craving of the appetite, and we would sometimes have to resort to the lobbing of milk-houses to satisfy our hunger. As we passed through Guilford county, I had a strong desire to visit the old battle-ground near Martinsville, where Gen. Greene was whipped by the British during the time of the Revolutionary war, but prudence forbid, and we passed along as unobservedly as possible. Anoth- er day, and we were nearing the YacUvin river. We found that there were several places of crossing the river. One was at Shallow Ford, but the stream was too much swollen by recent rains to be fordable. Further up the river was a ferry known as G— ' Ferry, which was kept by a negro. The owner of the ferry, I was told, was a Union isan by the name of G . Being put on the road that led to .^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ advanced very cautiously, keeping in the woods Ij *^° ^^^^ ^^ ^^'^ -^^^^ ^^ ^^"^^ »^ CROSSINGS THE YADKIN. 75 possible, to avoid being seen. As we descended the bill the river came in view. We had a wide bottom to cross before the ferry was reached, but fortune again favored us, as tliere were large fields of corn and sugar cane on either side of the road, and by getting into these we were enabled to get to the ferry without being discovered. Keeping ourselves concealed in the cane, we watched the boats, which lay on the opposite side of the river from us. Presently two negroes came to the river to cross. — We waited patiently until the crossing was made. As the negroes landed*! stepped tow^ard the bank and motioned to the ferryman who presently came to me. He was a very large man and quite intelligent, being a pretty good scholar, — i. e., a pretty good scholar for a North Caroli- nian. I told him who we were and what we wanted. — He said he was willing to assist us, but that he would have to wait till after dark, for fear of being detected, — that if detected he would be hung, as he had been so threatened by the miliary authorities for putting men across without a pass. He told us to go back and wait till night, and when he would l.)e ready for us he would whistle. It was then about noon ; and we regaled ourselves during tlie afternoon wfth a good, sound sleep. Night came, and the glad sound of the ferryman's whis- tle greeted our ears. Leaving our hichng place we ap- proached the river, and jumping into the canoe we were soon over the obstruction. The ferryman told us to not tarry long with him, as we had been seen that day by a Lieutenant of the home guards, who, supposing us to be rebel deserters, or conscripts, had followed us and had ac- cused the negro of putting us across the river, which he promptly denied, saying that lie had seen no such persons. He told us that he had put hundreds of refugees, and many escaped prisoners, across the river, and he gave us a great 76 A EACK FOE LIBEETY. deal of information about the road to East Tennessee, as he had traveled it often, and was raised near Knoxville. I asked him. where his master, Mr. G , lived, as I had understood that he was a Union man and I wished to see him. He replied that he lived on the road, about two miles ahead of us, but said we had better not see him, as he knew his master better than the neighbors did. He then related a circumstance of an escaped prisoner stop- ping with this G and being betrayed into the hands of a rebel Captain. This Mr. G also kept a mill, and in order to retain custom, he tried to Idg Union and rebel both at the same time, and thus "carry water on both shoulders." It was necessary for us to pass by in sight of the mill, so following the advice of the negro we stole quietly by. We also passed G- — ' house in the same manner. As it was night, the house was lit up, and we could see that it was one of the finest residences we had come across in North Carolina. The night w^as a dreary, tedious one, and we were so much worn down by marching snd sickness that we could travel only two or three miles at a time, when we would have to stop and rest, and would drop asleep, but soon awaken by reason of the cold, and then start on our race agahi. CHAPTER IX. A Dangerous Crossing; Climbing the Mountains; Beautiful Landscape ; On the "Wrong Road ; Deserters and Conscripts ; Negro Assistance; Slaves Desire' for Freedom; Contemplate Freeing Them; A Slight Altercation; Baptist Meeting; Home Guards; Plans Frustrated; Mountaineers; On the Top of the Blue Ridge ; Re-captured. Feom the direction we were traveling it was evident the Yadliin would he to cross again. We enquired of Union men the best place to cross, and learned that we would likely have some difficult}^ in crossing, as there was no ferry, and the ford, which was pretty deep, was in front of Capt. M 's house ; and we would be liable to ])e shot from the house by the Captain, who was a vile se- cesh, and always on the watch for refugees. Happily we found a Union man, whom I recognized as a member of the H. O. A. Taking his gun with him, he piloted us to the river by a secret road, which led to the river some distance below the ford. He then directed us to take a path that led along the river's bank, through brush and briars, until the ford was reached ; and sta- tioning himself in the woods, said he would watch the Captain's movements, and if we were fired upon while crossing he would, he said, "despatch the Captain to H— 1 or some other seaport." AVe were soon at the ford and, seeing no one about, plunged in and made for the opposite shore. The water was very swift and above 7» A RACE tOR I.IBEBTT. waist deep, which, made the crossing quite difficult, but we got over without any molestation. We then has- tened into the woods to hide ourselves, and finding a place where the sun shone quite warmly upon us, we lay down to dry our clothes and sleep. Resuming our race, we struck for the mountains which we reached in two or three days. At the foot of the Blue Ridge we came to a little village called Traphill. It was about twelve o'clock at night when we arrived at this place, and finding a number of roads leading up the moun- tain, we concluded to stop till daylight, lest we should, take the wrong road. Finding a barn a short dislau/ie from the village we turned in for a nap, but a cold wind was blowing off the mountain, which made our stopping place very uncomfortable. WitlT^ the first break of day wt were up, and selecting what we thought to be the right road, began to climb the mountain. Never shall I forget the scenery that presented itself to my view. On looking back, after we had ascend- ed a mile or so, "we could distinguish in the distance the pine forests through which we had passed weeks before. Here, spread out before us like a map, was a vast extent of country, intended by the Almighty Ruler to be almost a garden of Eden ; but the blighting curse of slavery was manifested everywhere. Numerous were the farms Ave could see that had been worn out by avaricious slaveholders in trying to get the last cent's worth out of both land and slaves. In some few cases the fences had been taken away to fence new farms. How different, thought I, is the North from the South in point of improvement. The Southern people were using farming utensils that had been laid away by the North for fifty years. Here in the Soutli could be seen a team of mules with husk collars, rawhide traces, and hitched to a plow with a wooden mole-board. ON THE WEONG EOAD, 1\) Keeping on up the mountaiii in the winding road for two or three miles, we canie to a small house by the way- side. We found this house inhabited by an old lady and two children— a boy and a girl. These children, she said, were her grandchildren. Their mother had been dead some years, and their father, having been conscript- ed into the reb^l army, was killed in battle in front of Richmond, She said he was a Unionist, and had been " bushing it " for six months, but was finally captured and dragged off to the army. Before reaching the mountain, we had been directed to take the Mulberry Gap road, but, on making mquiry of this lady, we learned that we had taken the wi'ong road, and was on the Salt Lick road, lead- ing to Saltville, Va. But she said she could soon put us right, and sending the Uttle boy with us, we were put on a by-road that led to a Mr. B 's. Here we stopped and got breakfast— or dinner, rather, as it was about the middle of the day. While we were eating, there came in a negro to whom we were made known by Mr. B . As the negro (who was a slave) had received permission to visit his wife, and was going our road, he volunteered to pilot us some distance. And a valuable pilot he proved to be. There were a great many conscripts and deserters lying in the mountains, and this slave knew just where to find them. He said that if any one would pilot him he would leave for Tennessee, as his master was a rebel. I found this negro to be a smart man for one of his privileges, but he had a poor chance to make his escape to the Union lines, as he was not acquainted with the country well enough to venture alone, and the white refu- gees would not permit him to go along with them . I asked him if any more slaves in that vicinity wished to go to Tennessee. ''Oh, yes, massa," he replied, " dar am five other darkies what wants to go.'' I told him we would 80 A 11 ACE POH LIBERTY. then stop iu the neig-liboiiiootl a lew days, and perliape would take liim and them along. Being elated at the pros- pect of freedom, he promised that we should not want for anything while we remained. He told me his master's name was S , and that his (tlie slave's) wile belonged to a man by the same name, but who was a Union man, and that lie Vvould take us there, Thi^was on Saturday, and the Baptist yearly association was in session in Ihe neighborhood ; and as this Mr. S was one of the lead- ing men of the church, it was likely that lie would havt; company, and we might be exposed by going there ; so we concluded to stop in the woods until the negro would go to the house and see if all was right. Soon he returned, bearing a basket filled with corn bread, SAveet potatoes and apples. He told us that we had better not go to the house, but remain where we were until night, when lie would return and take us to a good place to stay that night. Porter and I spentjhe afternoon in hunting chestnuts and grapes, which were quite plenty, and Henson spent the time in sleeping, Wlien night came the negro made his appearance, ac- companied by four other slaves and two white men. The white men I immediately recognized as members of the H. O. A., and felt that I was among friends. They had been in the rebel army and had deserted. They declared that they could not fight against their principles, — though forced into several hard battles in the vicinity of Rich- mond, said they alwa3'^s shot so high that no one was ever hurt by their bullets, as they expected to be killed them- selves, and wanted to die with a clear conscience. I spoke to them concerning the negroes who wanted to go with us to Tennessee, and asked their advice. They said the boys were all good fellows and belongedjto rebel masters, whom they would be glad to see robbed of their slaves, but I A SLIGHT ALTERCATION. 31 ivoiiUl incur a great risk by taking tliem ; for if we slioukl DC captured in company with these slaves, we woukl most assuredly bo hung. On hearing this, Hensou, who always liad a great antipathy to negroes, strongly objected to tak- ing them. But I was not afraid of being hung by rebels, IS tlicy knew better than to hang Union soldiers ; and to inyl)ody who had treated mc as Avell as the negroes had I would do all in my power to assist them out of bondage. We spent that night very pleasantly in an old tan-house in which there was a comfortable fire. The next morning at break of day we left the old house and went into the woods. Soon one of those deserters made his appearance, accompanied by several ladies who said they had often heard of Yankee soldiers but had nev- er seen any. They w^cre nice, intelligent ladies, and brought with them a large basket of provisions for us, — as good a breakfast as I ever ate. Their husbands were con- scripted and taken off to the rebel army, but they were expectiug them home. After eating our breakfast, we set about making the necessary arrangements for taking the negroes through the lines with us — Henson all the while protesting agamst it. Getting impatient with him, I told him that if he did not want to travel with negroes he might go before by himself or follow on behind ; and other an- gry words passed between us which came very near part- ing us. Being near the road, and as the people were going to meeting, we thought we had better move to some more secure retreat. Guided by one of the men, we came to a place where we could secrete ourselves, yet see the peo- ple passing, and could hear the singing and preaching.— We saw several men passing along with guns on their Nhoulders. I took these to be home guards, but was told that they were Unionists, and carried tlieir guns to defend 82 A ]^ACK FOE LIBERTY. themselves witli. My informant also told me that uearl}'- all the home guards in that county (Wilkes) had been dis- armed by the conscripts and deserters. T)ie negroes now made their appearance and we soon concluded our arrangements for our departure. The ne- groes were nearly all without shoes, — Hensou and Porter were also barefooted, and I was nearly so. Something must be done toward getting shoes. One of the negroes said that he was a tanner and Lis naster had a tan-yard and plenty of leather ; so I concluded that this was our chance, and that we would make a raid on the tannery for some leather to make ourselves shoes. But while we were discussing this matter, one of the deserters, with sev- eral other men, came to us. One of these men told me privately that he w^as a member of the home guards, and that his Captain, hearing of us, had called the company together to have us arrested. Being thus apprised, I thought best to immediately start on our race again, and I informed the darkies of our danger. " Well, well," they said, ''ncbber mind us, massa, we'll come arter while." That Sunday evening, after leaving the place near the meeting ground, we met a man who said he belonged to the home guards, and that he had been notified to turn out and help hunt some Yankee prisoners that were in the mountains ; but he said he would not do it, as lie was a Union man, and was then going to a neighbor's to keep out of the way of the officers. I asked him wiiy he be- longed to the home guards when it was against his prin- ciples, and he said it was merely to keep out of the army. We conversed freely for some time, and I enquired of him where Ave bad best stay over night, as the paths in the mountains were liard enough to lind in daylight ^vithout tiying to find them at night. He directed me to a Mr. A STRONG-MIXDED FNIONIST. 83 C , as the most suitable, place to stop for tlie night. — We did not reach Mr. C 's until about twelve o'clock at night, and when we arrived we found quite a number of deserters there. This place seemed to be a sort of ren- dezvous for them. One of the deserters told me that he had been captured by the home guards nine times, but they Jiever succeeded in getting him to the front. Mrs. C made us a bed on the floor, and we were not long in making our way to dream land. The next morning was quite frosty. After partaking of a breakfast of corn bread and cabbage, we bade adieu to Mr. C and family, and started on our race again. On going about three or four miles we came to the resi- dence of Mr. Wm. S , who was a strong-minded Unionist. He seemed quite iutelligent, and in speaking of the cause in which we were engaged, said he believed our cause was just and must triumph. Said he, " I am a sinner, but I believe in God, and believe he has guided you on your journey, or you never could have reached the distance you have come." 1 told him that I had never lacked for a guide, as I had committed myself to the care of Him who ruleth over all, and believed He had directed us. This man had sacrificed much for his Union princi- ples, and said that, if necessary, he was ready to lay down his life for his country. The men living in the mountains, if they are land-holders afc all, generally own a large es- tate. This Mr. S said that he had twelve hundred acres of land, that he had bought it for live cents per acre, had always paid his taxes until the South seceded, since which time he had never paid one cent of tax, nor would not until the proper authorilies were ready t() collect tlie taxes. xVbout tv/clve o'clock we reached the residence of IMi'. John W , whither we had been piloted ]iyMr. S . #iP* A BAOE FOR LIBERTY. Mr. W received us very cordially and liad dinner prepared for \}s. After partaking of his hospitalities, we started on our way again, with many kind wishes for our success and the success of the Federal arms. Mr. W directed us to his brother Frank's, but we had not gone far until we lost the road altogether, and had to travel through the woods ; but this did not discourage us. — About sundown we came to a house which, upon enquiry, we found to be the place we had started for. But Frank W did not prove of any use to us whatever, as he was so drunk that all reason had left him, and he could not even tell who his next neighbor was. His wife directed us to a Union man's where we might stop for the night, and we started again. Just at dark we came to a turn- pike road leading up the mountain. A httle further on we came to a house which we took to be that of the Union- ist to whom we had been directad. On entering we found our mistake. We had missed the road somehow, and were in the house of a rank secessionist named P . We asked for something to cat, but was told we could get no supper there. Not wishing to press the acquaint- ance we left ; but first received some directions from him about the road. We continued our wearisome march, tired and hun- gry, and after going about two miles, arrived at the top of the Blue Ridge. We crossed the Ridge, and going about a mile came in sight of a house which was some distance from the road. Henson and Porter insisted on going to the house to get something to eat. "We could hear persons talldng at the house, and I said I thought we had no business there, as things had rather a suspicious appearance to me, and something seemed to tell me that all was not right. But I reluctantly yielded to their wishes. Ai3 we came near the house, a large dog attacked us, OAPTUEED AGAIN. 85 making a fierce noise and tiying to bite us. The owner of the clog soon came out and drove him away. I asked if we could get some supper. He said that it was doubtful, as he had considerable company. I enquired who his company were. He said they were cattle drovers. On hearing this, I made a move to go ; but just then three men stepped out of the house. As we were in rather close quarters, I did not think it prudent to attempt to get away. One of the men began to question us as follows : " Where are you from ?" "South Carolina," I replied. **From the army ?" "Yes, sir." "Got any papers?'' "No, sir." " Consider yourselves our prisoners," said iic. " Guess not," I answered ; but the sudden appearance of two or three revolvers gave us to understand that we had better surrender at once. One of them pushed open the door and ordered us to walk in. CHAPTER X. Unhappy Feelings ; Our Captors ; A Relative of Mrs. Lincoln and Gov. Tod ; An old Flint-lock Rifle ; Conversation on the War; Closely Watched : On the Back Track ; " Playing off;" A '* Good Samaritan ;" Locked Out ; Re-escape ; On my Race Again. On entering the house we found six more rebel soldiers, making nine in all. Judge of our feelings, after three weeks of hard traveling and anxiety, to be thus unceremo- niously gobbled up. All the bright visions of home and of happy meetings with dear friends suddenly vanished. The remembrance of the past and the prospect of the fu- ture almost sickened me. To think of going back to a loathsome prison, and there dragging out a miserable ex- istence, was most disheartening, and I resolved to effect an escape, if I had to do it at the risk of life, for it was almost certain death to me to be taken back to prison. — Having formed this determination to escape, I silently in- voked the assistance of Divine Providence to aid me in my endeavors. As we took seats by the fire, one of the men, who seemed to be the leader of the gang, commenced asking ut^ questions, such as what regiments we belonged to, etc.- — I told him that I belonged to the 82d Ohio ; Porter said that lie belonged to the lOth Ohio Cavalry ; and Hensoii, that he belonged to the "Ist 111. ^' Oh, I see how it is," said our questioner, '' you are all Yankees,— you all have OUR CAPTORS. 87 the blue pants on, — how did you come here ?" Thinking it best to tell him the truth, I told him who and what we were. He said he thought, when he first saw us, that we were some of the prisoners wiio had escaped from Flor- ence, S. C, as he had heard that four hundred had made their escape. This was the first news I had received of the number that got away when we did. This man said that his name was Tod— that he was a relative of Mrs. Abraham Lincoln, and also of Gov. Tod, of Ohio. He said that he was a Government Contractor and Press Agent, and had been buying cattle through the mountains. But I had heard of him before — he was buying cattle from the rebel farmers, and stealing from the Unionists. He ordered supper for us, but I did not feel in a very pleas- ant mood for eating. The man who lived at this house was named Coldiron, and he was a member of the Ash county home guards. — Tod asked him if he had a gun. He replied that he had, and produced an old tlint-lock squirrel rifle. Had there been no more dangerous weapons about than that, I should have risked taking my departure immediately ; but the presence of several revolvers made things look a little more warlike. Tod told Mr. C. that as they w^ould have the cattle to attend to the next day, to go that night and hunt some of the home guards to assist in guarding us. — ' C. said that he thought he could find two or three, and forthwith started on his mission. I earnestly hoped that he might not find any one to help guard us. While Coldiron was gone, we entered into conversation with Tod on the subject of the war. He asked what we were fighting for. I replied, "to preserve the Union, and for the restoration of law and order ;" and then asked him what he was fightmg for. He said, "I am fighting for thirty niggers that the Yankees stole from nic.'' I told 8S A RACE FOB LIBKKTT. him he was taking a poor plan to get them ; but he said if he did not get the, " niggers " he would try and kill as many Yankees in place of them. We disputed warmlj'-, but neither could convince the other. "We needed the phi- losophy of the "Immortal J. N." to show ub that we were " both right, and both wrong." While this conversation was going on, I noticed that two of the rebels who were guarding us were desirous of calling our attention to the old flint-lock that they were guarding us with. One of them said, " I'll bet this is a first rate gun." "I'll bet so, too," said the other, " I wish I had it, how 1 would pick off the squirrels and turkeys with it." Then addressing me, said, "Say, Yank, what kind of guns do you have in your country?" " Pretty much all flint-locks I" said I, wishing to make him believe that I thought it a good gun. " Do you'ns have any flint-locks in your army?''' he asked. " Oh, yes," said I, " a gkeat many ; but as we could not get enough of them to supply the army, we were OPLiGED to take the cap-locks !" I Tfas now meditating an escape, and made a great many excuses to get outside of the house, hoping that when a guard went with me it would be the one with the old gun, and I would risk the good qualities of the old flint-lock. But instead of this I was always guarded out with revolvers. The night wore away without any chance of escaping. Sometime in the after part of the night Mr. Coldiron re- turned, and announced that his efforts to obtain any homo guards? to assist in taking charge gf ii« l]ac^ boon in ji},\% Going back to peison. 89 '^Well," said Tod, "I shall myself have to hc4i), while tlie other boys take care of the cattle."' Mornmg came, and the rebels were all astir. Break- iast, which consisted of corn bread, potatoes and cabbage-, Avas soon served. As soon as breakfast was finished we were told that all was read}^ for a start. Tod and Coldi- ron w^ent before the cattle and guarded us, while the others drove the cattle, and in this way we started back on the road we had come the night before. On we went down the mountain. The cattle eveiy lit- tle while showed signs of a stampede w hich I tried to help along. We were doing our best in the way of "playing off." Porter had taken a severe pain in his back, accom- panied with headache, which gave reason for thinking that perhaps he was attacked with pneumonia or a fever. Hen- son was almost barefooted — nothing on his feet but rag moccasins, and he was very lame with sore feet. My com- plaints were sore feet and diarrhoea, causing me to stop often l)y the wayside, but w^e were closely watched by either Coldiron or Tod. Thus we kept on for about seven miles when we came to a house at the foot of the mount- ain. Here Tod ordered a halt to rest the cattle and pris- oners. 3Ir. Coldiron inquired if tlie5^ had any brandy at the house, saying he thought if the prisoners had some they could travel better. Thought I, ''old fellow, if you don't look sharp, I will show you before night that I can travel fast enough." But the man had no brandy, as he had not yet got his apples distilled, (it being the custom, in that part of the country, for the farmers to get their ap- ples distilled into brandy.) so we had to do without. By the time they were ready to start, Porter had grown so much worse, (apparently,) that it was almost impossible for him to travel at all. He complained very much of headache, and the woman of the house, ' ' Good Samai'i- 90 A EAOE FOK LIBERTY. tan '* like, brought out some red peppers, ground and wet ■with vinegar, and bound them on his head, saying she thought he would soon be better. Nothing taut the situ- ation in which we were placed prevented me from laugh- ing outright at the pains the woman was taking to ease Porter's pain. We had not gone far when, as I was walk- ing by the side of Porter, he slyly slipped the bandage of peppers from his head and di'opped it by the side of the road, saying, in an undertone, "D — n the peppers and the Southern Confederacy together." When we reached the distance of some nine or ten miles from where we started in the morning we came to a man named Calloway, on the head- waters of the Yadkin river. He was a member of the home guards, so Tod left us there in charge of Coldiron and Calloway. It so hap- pened that Calloway had no guu, so they concluded to take us across the hill, about half a mile, to a Lieutenant of the home guards, and give us into his care. By this time we had played the confidence game on our captors so effectually as to make them believe we would not run away if we had a chance. A walk of a few minutes brought us to tiie Lieutenant's. He had been away — but just re- turned, and while he was away his wife had locked the door and gone to some of her neighbor's. Fortunately fo^" us, the Lieutenant's gun w^as in the house, and he could not get it until he would go to the neighbor's and get the key of the door. Bidding the two old men guard us until iiis return, he started off. The day was pretty warm and w^c sat down on the grass, under an apple tree, in front of the Lieutenant's door. I thought to myself that now was my chance to make an effort for freedom, for there were but two old men guarding us with an old flint-lock rifle, and when the Lieut, would return there would be three men and two guns to guard us. I rose up, left my hat 5SEE AGAIN. 91 aud caue lying under the tree, where Porter was moaning piteously, and speaking to one of the guards, said I had occasion to step to one side. " All right," said he, tliink- ing, no doubt, tliat I was too lame and weak to attempt to get away. Stepping behind the stable, and taking ad- vantage of the cover of the house and stable, I started off as hard as I could run ; and it appeared to me as though the wind assisted me along. I bad run but a short dis- tance w^hen I heard Coldiron callmg out, "Halt, you d — d rascal, or I'll blow your brains out !" Turning my head and looking over my shoulders, I saW' Coldiron, with his gun to his face, trying to shoot me. But he did not shoot, and I think there was no load in the gun, or else he could not get it to go off; or perhaps he thought if he shot at me the other two would make their escape. As I ran I came to an orchard fence, Avhich was about as high as my chin, and up-hill, — placing my hands on the fence, I went over it at a single bound, a feat I could not have performed under any other circumstances. I soon crossed the orchard, entered the woods, and made my w^ay up the mountain's side. After I got some dis- tance up the hill I stopped and looked back to see what had become of Hen son and Porter in the muss, and saw them still lying under the apple tree where I had left them. But I had not long to rest. The Lieut, would soon be back, the neighbors aroused, and I would be hunted. The direction I had started was contrary to the one I wished to go. I, however, pushed on up the side of the mount- ain eastw^ard, until the top of the peak was reached. Here I stopped to rest a moment and pick my direction. In- voking Divine assistance and guidance in making my es- cape, I again set forward on my race. It was about three o'clock in the afternoon, and having nothing to eat since morning, I felt quite hungry. Taking a circuit of six or 92 A. RACE FOE LIBERTY. seven miles, I came to a path on a ridge whieh led mo to the turnpike road we had come down that morning. An the turnpila; was considerably traveled I deemed it pru- dent to lay by until night before 1 would resume my jour- ney, and selected a spot where 1 could see the road and yet bo hid from view. Aa I had left my liat when I es- caped, I was now bareheaded. I, however, had a towel in my poelcet which I had carried through the whole of tlie Hummer's campaign luitil I was capture'orking for Jeff. Davis, he should not be in any hurry. We often stopped to gather chestnuts, which were quite plenty in the moun- tains. About eight miles from Camp Mast, we came to the town of Boone, the county seat of Watagua county. This town was almost entirely deserted — ]iot more than half a dozen houses were occupied in the whole town. — Some of the buildings had the appearance of having once been used for stores. The Court House showed that the effects of the war had reached that mountain village. A whole light of glass could scarcely be found in the win- dows. I was told that the village had once been inhabit- ed by Union-loving people, who, not liking the Jeff. Da- vis rule, had stampeded for Tennessee. After we had left the town about a mile, we met two home guards, having Avith them two prisoners. One was dressed in the Federal uniform ; the other in rebel garb. When we met them we were opposite a house by the side of the road, and, as tTie guards stopped to exchange salu- tations, a Lieutenant of the guards came out of tlie house S; ;j A E ACE FOK LIBERTY. ^ lid begau to question us. He asked mo ^Yl^o I was. I replied that I was a full-blooded Yankee, a member of the 32d Ohio regiment, — was captured" at Atlanta, and scaped at Florence, S. C. Being satisfied with my an- swer, he turned to the others. Tlie one in blue clothea gaid that he and his companion belonged to the Fourteenth Battalion, North Carolina State Guards, that his name was Kicholas Jestes, his companion's name Gregg Jestes, and that they were brothers. The battalion, he said, had ' oen disbanded for two weeks, when they were to report : ir duty again at Ashville. " Where did you get that suit of Yankee clothes?" queried the Lieutenant. ' ' Got them by hard fighting, like many another one gets them," he replied. The guards who had the two Jestes in charge said they could go no further ; but the Lieut, told them to go with us until we came to a certain cross roads, where he would meet them with some other guards to talce their place. — The whole party — three prisoners and four guards — now darted off together. We reached the cross roads pretty Sv)on and found the Lieutenant waiting for us. He said lie could not get the guards that he had been after, as they i; ad gone to camp that morning; and that H and — -- would have to take charge of all three prisoners. — ; hen he took H to one side and I overheard him say .iiat it w^ould be necessary t6 be careful or the prisoners would get awa}\ The day was wearing away and our march was kept up, though quite leisurely. The only words I could get liom the Jestes that day, were, as we stopped a moment lu wait on one of tlie guards, that they were betrayed tlie 1 1 iglit previous. ' ' How long have you been on the tramp? " , :"k'"i. '^ Two month« '" said the oldest. Tliis was all A FE.MALI5 GUAKD. 107 1 bad au opportunity of learning from llicm that da}'. — Sometime after dark we stopped at tlie house of a man by the name of Robins, who said he was a member of thi- home guards. The guards told him they wished to obtcin hedging for the night. Supper was prepared for us, after which we retired. One of my fellow-prisoners carried a coverlet with him, which served to cover all three of us. We were soon all sound asleep, or pretended to be. I Avas snoring, but had an ear open to what was being said. — H said that he had been up all night the night before, and that Mr. Robins would have to help C guard us. C said he did not think it necessary for more than one to eta}^ up at a time, and thought he could guard us himself. Robins had three girls that were women grown. One of them said, "I'll help guard tlie prisoners." — "Very vrell," said the old man, and all went to bed, ex- cept C i and the young lady. The}' chatted, laughed, and sang love songs until midnight, when the girl getting sleepy, went to bed, not without, however, telling C to "not let them fellers git away." Everything was working to suit me. After waiting until I thought the girl was asleep, I got up, put on my shoes, and told C I Vsished to go out ; so picking up his gun, M'hich stood by the chimney, he went out with me. When we got fairly out of thc^iouse, I said, " You go that vray," pointing to the right, " and I will go this way, and when I get started," fire olfyour gun." " No," he said, "it will not do, for I am strongly suspected al- ready. H saw me talking' privately with the other prisoners to-day, and if I let you go, I shall be punished. Those fellows are all right, and you just wait till to-mor- row, and I will give you all a chance to get away." We then made our arrangements for our escape the next da}-. I was to walk alongside of H , C was to walk 109 'a race foe libeety. l)etween the other two prisoners, and ^ivhen \Te would come to some place in the mountains, where the bank was very steep below the road, I was to throw H over tlie l)ank, while the other two were to disarm C , and we would then all strike out for ourselves. "Now." said C , "if you make the attempt to throw H oveJ", you must give him a h — l of a hoove." Having mutu- ally agreed upon this plan, we returned into the house, and I laid down by the side of Nicholas Jestes. Wishing him to have an understanding of the matter, I wdiispered to him that C wanted to talk Vvitl^ him. He then got up, and taking a seat by the fire, commenced a con- versation with C . As my plans were all laid, I soon dropped asleep, and did not vrake until after daylight. Quite early fn the morning we were told to get up and prepare for breakfast. We all went out to a brook close by the house and washed ourselves, then went back into the house. I was prepared for any emergency. The eve- ning before I had stuffed my old hat into my coat pocket, and I now thought I would mend my old shoes, which had nearly given out. Taking one off, I commenced working with it. H laid his gun on the bed and stepped out of the house. Robins was out in the wood-pile, chopping wood. C had been guarding us all night and w^as, of course, very sleepy. He sat moodily by the fire, with his gun leaning loosely against his shoulder. Seeing the op- portunity, I gave Nick a pluck, and pointed to the gun on the bed. As he made a move for it, I snatched the gun from C . Nick picked up the one on the bed and we ran out of the house, forgetting all about the breakfast that was smoking on the table. As we ran out of the house, C ran out through the kitchen, exclaiming, "Look! look Tvhat these fellows are about!" Robins, Avho was chopping wood, commenced to ycdl out ' ' Halt, EE-ESCAPED. 109 there! halt!'' 1 did hah, and, bnnging my gun to my face, was ahoiit to fire at him, when he and H sprang behind the corner of tiie honso. CHAPTEU XIII. Fast Kacing ; llesting; Kick's Story; llanl Traveling; Sul>- sisting on Chestnuts; Disagreeable Situation; In Luck; Corn, Pumpkins and Apples; Our Pass; Playing 'Home Guard:' Strategy; Our Suspicions ; In the "Woods Again. We now jumped over the I'cnce into tlie laurel brusli and were soon out of sight. 1, with my hat in my pock- et, a shoe in one hand, and the gun in the other, Avas not in a very good condition for running through the woods ; t)Ut I made good speed, and Nick and Gregg kept close at my heels. In our hurry, we had forgotten the cartridge boxes, and therefore had no ammunition, except what was in the guns. After running about a mile, we stopped to rest and listen if we were followed. I then put on my shoe and hat. My foot was bleeding very profusely, from a cut I received while running ^through the woods, but which I had not noticed until now. It was a beautiful morning, about the 18th of October, and the leaves in the woods being dry, and air still, we could hear any noise in the woods a considerable distance. As Ave sat renting on a log we could distinctly hear foot- steps of some one in the Avoods approaching us ; so Ave started in an easterly direction, and wishiug to go west- Avard, we changed our course from east to north, and fin- ally to the west, and were not molested further by the noise we had heard. We soon crossed the road Avhich we had traveled the nick'b story. Ill night before ; and for fear of au alarm being given, and that search might be made for ns, we traveled as fast and eoutiously as we could, avoiding everything that looked like a habitation ; nor would we allow ourselves to follow the paths and trails that came in our way, but took a di- rect course westward, over peaks and rocks, and across hollows and streams. After we had traveled several miles we concluded we had better stop awhile and rest our- selves. . Gathering a quantity of chestnuts, of which there were a great many, we sat down to eat them, and Nick gave me the following story, relative to himself. He had been conscripted into the rebel army, and put in the Fourteenth Battalion, North Carolina State Guards ; but he would not fight against his principles, and there- fore deserted and went home to Madison County, N. C. — After remainmg at home for some time, hiding and scout- ing in the mountains, he concluded to go through the lines to Knoxville, East Tennessee. Accordingly, he went, and enlisted i^ the Federal service, in the Third North Carolina Regiment. After uniting himself with this regi- ment, he was put on detached duty and sent back to N. C, to recruit men for the regiment. lie succeeded very Mcll, enlisting eighteen men hi a few days, and was about istarting back for the Union lines, with his recruits, wlicn tiiey were surprised one day and all taken prisoners, iii- eluding his brother, who was one of the recruits. They were taken to Ashville and lodged in jail. This was in May, 18G4. After keeping them in jail for a few days, ihey were taken to Camp Vance, at Morgantown. Here they were kept for about a month, and were then taken to Richmond, Va., at which place Nick was tried by a military commission for desertion, and also for recruiting inside of the Confederate lines for the Federal army. The commission found him guilty of the charges, and he was 112 A r.ACE FOR I;iB£ETY. ssntenced to be shot ; but before tUe sentence was carried into execution, Nick and fourteen of his recruits made their escape. After getting out of prison, they divided into three squads. The squad tliat Nicl^ v/as in, number- ed five persons. They had been travehng for two months, and living as best they coukT, wlien, on the night previous to my meeting with tlicm, tliey were being piloted liy a pretended friend, until they came to a certain road, when their guide turned back, saying they could easily find the road now. On going about one liundred yards further, they were suddenly surrounded by Home Guards, and Nick and his brother taken prisoners, by being knocked down with guns, after the loads had been fired at them. — The other three made their escape. On finishing his story, he asked me what I thought of a North Carolina Federal. "Very well," I answered. "I think you will make a Union soldier yet." Y/e now resumed our race, keeping a little southwest. — Often we were so hemmed in by mountain cliiFs that it seemed impossible to proceed, and we were almost ready to give up in despair. ^Ye had frequently to assist each otlier in getting down the rocks.and mountain sides, and would climb the peaks by the aid of the laurel and ivy bushes, that grew on their sides. Thus the day passed away, without our having anything to eat, except chest- nuts; but we concluded, that what would fatten rebel hogs, would keep Yankee soldiers alive. We gathered a considerable quantity of chestnuts, and selecting a seclud- ed spot where we vv^ould not likely be observed, we made preparations for ])uilding a fire. \ic had but two match- es with us, and those I had carried from South Carolina. If they should fail to strike fire, we stood a good chance of spending a cold night, for the air v/as quite frosty, and Gregg, in taking his hasty leave, had forgotten his cover- ITNPLEA8ANT TRAVELING. 113 It. How careful were we then, with our matches, and ' > our joy, they proved true ! We soon had a good fire, roasted and ate our chestnuts, and getting some dry leaves for a bed, laid down before the fire, and were, ere lon^fr, : joying a sound sleep and pleasant dreams. When daylight came, v/c again started on our journey, stopping occasionally to gather chestnuts. We sometimes had to pass through laurel bushes-so thick, that we could not walk erect, but had to frequently get do'.vn on our hands and knees, and crawl through the bushes, for thirty or forty rods, when it would grow thinner, and we could straighten np and get over the ground somewhat faster.— At other times, Vv'e would encounter what is termed, ' ' lire-scalds," where the timber is ail burnt off, and grown up with osage thorils, briars, locusts, etc. To go through such places, was very trying on one's p'atience. When we would come out, it would be with bleeding hands and faces, and the clothes almost torn off us. But onward wc pushed, for if wc stopped in the mountains, death was our jdmost certain doom. Without the means of making a fire, and bears and other wild beasts roaming through the mountains, made our situation very disagreeable to con- template. If wc left the woods, and took to the roads, we were almost sure of being recaptured. We suppos3d that, at the rate wc were traveling, we were going about seven or eight miles a day. We came to a small hut in the mountains, Vvdlh a clear _ ing of about two acres around it, and sat down to watch if any prt'soiis were to be seen about it. Kot seeing any one, we went in and found it uninhabited. I found on a siiolf a piece of punk, or touch-wood. This was of great value to us, as we could now strike; fire in the old fashion ed way, with flint and steel. One of ray companions ha^^ •> i-^v>-> lack-knife, ^'vl v;^ '-'Mil ] fiun |*lf'niicre the Federal forces were stationed. He readily accei:)ted our proposal, and we were conducted to a house on the north end of his farm, into which, as he said, he had " toted a lot of corn." We husked the corn, and used the husks for a bed. ^Vt. liad a lire built in the house, and, with the addition of uome blankets which Mr. B I'ui'nislied us, made our quarters very comfortable. We remained at this place 'several days, helping Mr. B — — husk his corn, and doing various little turns, when one day we were visited by three Union soldiers, who had RAIDING EXPEDITION. 123 c^ome from Creasy Cove, and said it was impossible for us to get tliroug'li for some time. Their names were Cham- pion and Case, of tlic 5th Ind. Cavalry, and had been to North Carolina on special service — their comrade's name w^as Michaels, and he belonged to the 3d N. C. (Federal) regiment. They were making up a crowed to go back to North Carolina on a raid. This suited us very well. There was a Lieutenant named 11 , (a brother of the rebel I had helped to disarm,) who was in the neighborhood with a lot of recruits, several of whom were pretty well armed. Case proposed raising a party and, uniting, place the ex- pedition under Lieut. II 's command. The arrange- ments were accordingly made, and the expedition, num- bering forty, were soon on their way to North Carolina. Although our number was quite large yet, only fifteen of us had guns — live were Spencer rifles, the rest Ken- tucky, Austin, and Enlield, and squirrel rifles and shot- guns. The most of our number were recruits w^ho pre- ferred going to staying ; and a number of citizens, with- out arms, went along, as they said, "for the fun of it.'' • CHA.PTEII XY. Kfviding ; Two of Our Men Ca2:)turefl : A Skirmish ; The Men Released ; Helping Ourselves ; Return to Limestone Cove ; A Clever Family ; Our Number Increased; Greasy Cove; A Threatening Aspect ; A ''Galvanized Unionist;" The Eed- eral Lines Reached ; Our Appearance ; At the End of My Race ; Closing Remarks. OCR expedition started. Two daj-s of uninterrupted marching found us in North Carolina. ^Ve made our way toward John's river — there being some pretty good stock there that would be of value to us. One day while W(i were traveling in the vicinity of John's river, some of our men who were without arms straggled away from the main body, and two of them were captured by home guards. As soon as the others returnti?d with the news of their comrades' capture, we resolved to release them, if it lay in our power to do so. The armed portion of us set out immediately, and about midnight we came in sight of the rebels' camp fires. Creeping as close to them as we could without being discovered, we lay down in the laurel bushes until morning. When daylight came we ascer- tained their number to be about sixty. Just as the sun was rising, Lieut. H gave the order to fire on them. The whole fifteen of us fired at ou(.'e, and kept it up for five hours, — the rebels all the while doing their best. Be- tween eleven and twelve o'clock the rebels gave way, ieavins three of their dead on the field. We afterward ilELPINCr OURSELVES. 125 learned tlunt they liad taken three other dead away with them. Of our number, not one was hurt. After the skir- mish was over, the two prisoners who had been captured the previous day came to us, — they having escaped during the fight. From the citizens we learned that the home guards were commanded by Major Bingham, of whom I have before spoken. He said that the Yankees outnum- bered him, and that he had to light all of Col. Kirk's reg- iment ! In reality, he had been fighting but fifteen men. We now went to an old farmer and took from him three good mules ; then to another, and killed some of his best hogs, with which we supplied ourselves with rations; then to a third, and took what clothing we could find that would be of use to us. Some got pantaloons, some coats, and others took bed-quilts. Having accomplished the ob- ject of our raid, we turned our steps once more to Ten- nessee. A march of two days brought us again to Limestone Cove, near the Unaka mountain ; but on arriving at the Cove, we learned that the way was not yet clear to get to the Union lines ; so we scattered among the citizens. 1 took up my abode for the time being with Mr. M n, who had emigrated from Canada to East Tennessee about eight years previous. This family was looked upon as one of the first class, which was perhaps owing to their refined manners and education, for they were highly edu- cated, in comparison with their mountain neighbors, who were rather rude and ignorant. The family consisted of six persons: — The old gentleman and lady, Lizzie, David, and William and his wife. Neither William nor David had enjoyed the comfort of a night's sleep in the house for two years. They had to lay out in the mountains, in caves made for the purpose, and be ever on the watch for rebel cavalry ; for they knew not what hour the rebels 126 A RACE FOK LIBEETY. might dash iu upon thorn aud capture and kill them, as was their custom with the leading Union men. While one worked, another had to stand picket for him. I spent m)- time more pleasantly at this place than at any other while in the South ; but my stay here was of short duration. — T!ie news came that the Yankees had come up the railroad as far as Jonesboro', and the rebels having fallen back to- ward Virginia, the way was clear for us to get through. Giving my gun to David M . to bushwhack rebels with, and Ijidding the family a hearty farewell, I made an- otlicr start for the Union lines. Tills place where I was at was on Indian creek, in Car- ter county, E. T. I had not gone far until I fell in willi others who were going through the lines, so that ]jy niglit the number was forty-two, — five of whom were escaped prisoners. Three of us had escaped from Florence, S. C. ; the other two, from Salisbury, N. C. I would like to give the names of these escaped prisoners, but have forgotten all, except Albert Davidson, of the 8th Ind. Cavalry, and Holmes, of the 1st U. S. Sharpshooters, of New York. When night came we found ourselves in the neighbor- hood called Greasy Cove, ou Chucky river. The crowd, who were North Carolinians, began making preparations for camping for the night ; but as I had very poor healtli, and no blankets, I thought I would find lodging iu some' house. Accordingly, Holmes and I started off' in search of something more inviting than laurel brush. We had not long to hunt, as we soon found the house of Mr. B , a firm Union man,— one who had suffered much Un- the sake of his country, and was ready to suffer more. On arriving at this house, we found that some of our com- pany had preceded us. Champion, Case and Davidson were there' with the three captured mules, and were mak- hig themselves quite at home. Mr. B thought it A THEEATENING ASPECT. 127 hardly safe to stay in the liousc, but woukl let us be our own judges in that matter. As we had tln-ee Spencer's and two revolvers we told him that we would risk it. So saying, we made ourselves as comfortable as possibl;^ About eight o'clock we were aroused by some persons calling at the gate. On going to the door, I discovered a . party of men — about a dozen — with guns. They told us to come out, as they wanted to see us. I stepped back into the house and said, ''Here's work for us, boys, get" your guns." With our guns and revolvers in our hands, we stepped outside the door and demanded of them what they wanted with us. " Come out, come out," they an- swered, " if you are Yankees, you are all right, but if you are rebs we have a settlement to make with you." From their style of talking, we thought they were persons try- ing to capture us. We then asked them what command they belonged to ; but they only answered by asking to what command we belonged. I then went up to the fence where- they were standing, and commenced examining llicir clothing and accoutrements. I found they were fully equipped with the U. S. outfit, and asked them if they vrere Yankee soldiers. They replied that they were, and Ixilongcd to the 3d N. C. regiment. We then made our- selves known, and right glad were we to meet with this squad of Uncle Sam's boys. Holmes and I had been seen going there in the evening, and as we had on gray clothes we were taken for rebel soldiers ; and this squad of Federal soldiers being in the neighborhood, and being apprised of our whereabouts, had started in pursuit of us. They were North Carolini- ans on their way back to their homes to see their families, and were going prepared to clean out some of the rebels in their neighborhood. The next morning we started quite early; but as the 1^8 A iiACS F(JR LIBERTY; crowd ot Campbell and Joliusou had gone ahead of lis, We wisely concluded that our party'of live was large enough. With three mules, we could ride by turns, and so get ^■aloug very well. We traveled all day, down the Cbucky river, and stopped at night with a man who said he was a rebel at the beginning of the war, but seeing the error of his way, had turned in favor of the Union ; but I think his Unionism was only a sham pretense, to save his prop- erty. He was what was termed a "galvanized Union- ist." But with all his secession principles, he used us \try well, and seemed to sympathize with us. He liad once been a man of considerable wealth, but the fortunes of the war was against him, and he had become very poor. We were now within ten miles of Henderson, which was occupied by a brigade of Union troops, under com- mand of General Gillem ; and it being the eighth of No- vember, the day of the Presidential election, we were very anxious to push forward. Holmes and I crossed the river by means of a canoe, and took a by-road for Henderson, while Case, Champion and Davidson, with their mules, pushed on to Bull's Gap. We reached the Union pickets about two o'clock in the afternoon. A corporal was immediately called, who took charge of us, supposing us to be rebel desertexs ; but we had a different tale to tell. We had much the appearance of rebel deserters, it is true. Holmes was arrayed in a full suit of rebel uniform, with which he had escaped from prison at Salisbury, by passing out as one of the guards. My own shabby suit was a mixture. I wore tlie blue pantaloons, but it was hard to tell of what ma- terial they originally consisted, as they were so ragged and so terribly patched. IMy coat was a regular "nig- ger cut," and my hat of the true Southern style, made under the Jeff'. Davis administration. IX^^tHE rXIOX LIXES. 12^ As we were goiDg to Headquarters, escorted^lby the corporal, we met a battalion of cavalry just starting on a scout. And, ob, what emotions of joy did I experience, on once more beholding the flag of my country, as it was carried along by the color-bearer ! In spite of my exer- tions to control my feelings, tears filled my _ eyes, and coursed down my checks. I was'ovcrwhelmed with grati- tude to God for His providential care over me through' all my wearisome race, and thankful that I still had a coun- try to live in and fight for, over which the starry emblem of liberty so proudly waves. The soldiers, taking us for rebels, commenced whoop- ing and greeting us with, " Well, Johnnies, you have got tired of fighting for JefF. Davis ?'' " Concluded to come in at last, have you ?" " Think Uncle Sam the best mas- ter yet, eh?" and asking us various other questions so fast that it was impossible to answer them. IloJmes grew very angry and began cursing his rebel uniform ; but I told him that he should not curse anything that had done him so much service. We were ushered into the presence of Gen. Gillem, Avho received us with great respect and attention, ' and asked us many questions. Pie then said, ",Well, I sup- pose you would like to vote for ' Old Abe ?' " . We re- plied that we would ; and after receiving the tickets, went to the polls and deposited our ballots. The General then ordered some rarions for us, and an ambulance to con- vey us to Greenville, saying that he thought we had walked far enough. Upon estimating the distance I had traveled, I found it to be near four hundred miles. We reached Greenville about dark, and were shown the place where the rebel Gen. Morgan was killed, and also the man that did the deed ; viz., Andrew J. Campbell, of the 13th Tennessee Cavalry. We spent the night with 130 A RACE FOR LIBERTY. the 13th Tenn. Cavalry. The next morning we Avere furnished "with transportation on a wagon train lo IJus- sellvillc, where W€ took the cars for Knoxville. ^Ve ar- rived there on tlic 11th of November,- and reported to Brig. Gen. S. P. Carter, Provost Marshal of East Tennes- see, who received us very kindly, and famished us with ciotliing and transportation to Chattanooga. On arriving at this pUice, I made application for leave of absence to go home on furlough, but not being able to get one for a few days, liastencd to the Telegraph Office aud sent the following signiticant dispatch : "D. C. BURSON, Salincville, Ohio : " Have escaped prison. — Am in reasonable health. Will be home soon. (Signed,) Wm. Burson, Company A, 32d O. V. I."' Having come now to the end of my " Race for Liber- ty," I have but little more to add. On December 8tli,-I received a furlough for forty days, and was soon at hoin(\ sweet HOME. Of my happy meeting, with wife and lillle ones, and social re-union with other dear friends, I leave to the reader's imagination, as the pen is inadequate to ex- press the feelings of a heart overflowing with joyful emo- tion. In the foregoing pages, I have given a plain, straiglit- forward account of my Capture, Imprisonment, and Es- °-v. -A^M^' .^•^°- . .^^m^'. \^/ ,^^, u^^^^ : V s OOBBSBROS. aVv>v p. ^ LIBRARY BINOINO , V "^Tj^ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 007 638 197 5