The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-05-29
From the MaSsiltOn (OhiO) Gazette:
RETURN OF THE CAPTIVE.

From the MaSsilton (OAio) Gazctc
RETURN OF THE CAPTIVE.
Our citizens, yesterday morning, were intro
duced to the acquaintance of John Wood, man
whose tale of sorrow could not fail of interest
ing the heart, however calous, or however proud
to incredibly. a meagre sketch can only he
given now. The ample history OF his misior-
tunes may hereafter be presented TO the world
and, if given by muster hand, will command
the interest, and enlist the sympathy of the p' b,
Hc, when the mawkish productions OF nc
ton, which now cumher our bookstores and i'll
suit our taste, shall have become despised and
forgotten.
In the war of 1912 John Wood, now so years
old, was ii young and industrious farmer in
Bracken county, Kentucky. He was the hus-
band of a young and interesting woman, and
the father Of two infant children. lie was living
iulhappiness on a farm which he had earned ny
his industry, when the gallant Captain Butler
(who afterwards fell at the capture OF the British
batteries at Fort Megs) raised his flag, & solicited
the hardy ken,uckians of Bracken county to en-
roll themselves among the defenders of their
country. John Wood one of the num-
Der. He suffered all the prlvations to which The
army of the norh-w west was exposed, during the
disastrous campaign which resulted in the de-
feat of Winchester at the River Raisen by
good fortune he escaped the tomahawk of the
savage allies of Great Britain, and was sent IA
prisoner of war 10 Quebec.
He was next with other American prisoners,
despatched in n transport to Plymouth, IN Eng :
land From Plymouth, accompanied 10y crowd
of fellow prisoners, he was about to be transfer
red to Dartmoor, when he found an opportunity
to eude his guards and make his escape. lie
wandered through the country stealing through
the byways, until he found himself al Brs-
tol. Hunger compelled him to enter u gro
Gerry, the head quarters OF press gang
Here he was pressed and despite his pro-
iesatons that he was citizen OF the United
State, and fugative prisoner OF war, facts which
might have been easily proved by reference to the
military authorites,at Plymouth, he was hurried
on board His Majesty's frigate Sea Horse, then
the flag ship ofthe celebrated Sir Peter Parker,
aud compelled to bear arms against his own coun-
trymen.
On board the Sea Horse were several other
Americans, who like Wood, had fallen victims
to the British system ofimpressment. They de-
on deserton and when lying in the
Port of St. John, they succeeded in securing
boat in an extremely dark night, and attempted
to reach the eastern coast of the State of Maine.
They were instantly pursued, and were oblig
ed TO desert their boat on the shore of New
and seek safety in the woods. AT
ter wandering about for two days, exhausted
with cold and hunger and fatigue they were APP |
pretended by party of British soldiers and Il
nent that followed this act of deser,lon was in
dIcted with all that ingenious refinement OF
cruelty for which the British navy is so celebra
ted
The Sea Horse, attached to the squadron TN
der Admiral Cockburn, was shortly after ordered
INTO the Chesapeake, and took AN active part IN
The robbing, burning and numbering OF the de-
fenccless inhabitants of the coast. Mr. Wood
aud the impressed Americans were never per-
niIted to leave their vessel. He was on board
Oil the night when Sir Peter Parker met his fate
on shore. A few days subsequent to this event,
he. in company with seven other impressed a
nericans, attempted an escape in broad daylight,
by boldly jumping into boat alongside and put
ing rapidly for the shore. One of the number
was shot by the sentinel on duty. The others
cached the beach, but were apprehended lmme-
lately on landing, by ii party of marauders be-
ongiug to the Sea Horse.
by order of Admiral Cockburn they were sent
n irons to Nova Scotia, where after under
going trial they We're sentenced to be shot.
The sentence, however, was committed to ser
'ice for life, in his Britnnic Mageyss army in
he East Indies. They were accordingly ship
red to England and thence with regiment OF
lewly levied recruits despatched to Calcutta.
Cor II years Mr.. Wood served as private sol
iler IN the East India service ; and IL months
lnce, when broken down in spirit and in con-
tItuion, he was permitted to sail for England,
destitute and heart broken, he reached London,
tnted his case to the United States Cousnl, and
" him was furnished the means OF reaching New
FORK. He LEFT New York in january, and wen
led his weary pilgrimage toward the home of his
1t is now twenty-six years since he left his
wife and childred in kentucky and not one syl- :
able has he heard of them since the moment of
heir separation. The citizens here forced a few {
ollars upon him, for poor and decrepd MS ne is, :
MI, ,.r.,I Ia X |
nd sent him on his way in the stage to Wells :
lille, from which town he intends to embark in
steamboat for Augusta in Kentucky, i
Fancy cannot help asking-what is now that $
ONE TO which the war-broken wanderer is re- /