Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-06-07
STATEMENT OF A DEsERTER FROM THE
REBEL ARMY.

Mr. John Shanly, who has been for some time
a resident in New Orleans, has just arrived In
New York, and communicates to the Tribune,
the following otatement:
left New Orleans on the 9th Of May, by the
steamboat Maria Denning, and on the 18th Of
May l arrived at Cairo left New Orleans
under the following circumstances
have resided In the City Of New Orleans since
March Of the year 1860. | was employed in
Mr.. Leeds foundry. On the 10th OF April last
was arrested BY a party of men, unknown to
me, who were aided by ihe police, and conveyed
to the calaboose in Lafayette square. As soon
as they got me there was required to enlist as
a soldier but offered as an excuse my age (5O),
and defect in sight, one Of my eyes being con-
siderably weakened, but II was Of no avail.
They told me here that must be punished for
my obstinaoy. Next day 1.-THE l6th) was taken
before Recorder Emerson, and before anything
else was done recruiting sergeant came up to
me, aud asked me to enlist. l made him the
same reply that had given the previous day, to
which he respond; "rhen, you Northern son of
a., you will have to take your punishment"
l was then called upon for trial, when two police
officers swore that had resisted them when ar
resting me. The Recorder thereupon sentenced
me to 90 days Imprisonment in default of pay
ment Of SIS fine. l went to prison, where |
remained till the 22d Of April, on which day
enlisted. 1t was the custom Of n recruiting
sergeant to visit the prison every day, and ask
the prisoners if they were willing to enlist
Having lost all hope Of release before the expira
ton Of the 60 days, and Of peace to live even at
the end Of that time, resolved to enlist, think
ing that might thereby be furnished with
better opportunity of escaping from the clutches
Of the rebels.
Having enlisted was at once transferred from
the prison to the barracks in the Marine Hospital,
whence was attached to the Second Division of
Artillery, Thus l remained until the morning
on which effected my escape.
The means by which made my escape were
these; The subject OF desertion had been seri-
ously contemplated by about twenty six of my
messmates. 1t was at length agreed upon tina,
the first man who could get IN opportunity
should embrace il, and the others were to afford
him every facility. Part of the arrangement
was that they who escaped first were to publish
to the world, If they could get chance, the in
tentiOn Of the soldiers, made so by compulsion,
who were left behind-that intention being to
desert ct the risk Of life, and to seek protection
under the banner Of the Union.
In order to get off | applied to the surgeon for
some liniment TO rub a sore which pretended
was annoying me very much. He gave me q
prescription to take to druggist, on the strength
Of which | procured pass from the Sergeant.
Having used the pass, Immediately went to the
house Of a friend and changed my clothing.
also blackebed my arms and face with foundery-
dust look q manner IN my hhnui ana went on
board Of tho steamboat which was about to sail
for st. Louis. l was acquainted with the en-
gineer, who upon knowing my sorape, put me
down below, where | remained till we reached
Red Church, distance OF some sixty miles from
New Orleans. | was then called up to get some
supper, and oil being right, then became an
employee of the boat till we reached Cairo.
At Cairo l took the steamboat Denmark to
Louisville; from the latter place l crossed over
to Jacksonville, Indiana, from which travelled
on foot to Madison, distance Of about 62 miles.
From Madison l was taken by the clerk OF the
mail boat to Cincinnati. From there l was
passed to Columbus, then tc Cleveland, then to
Buffalo, then to Albany, and thence to this city.
AT Cleveland was overtaken by the other tW o
Of my messmRtes, who had escaped several days
after me. They were on their way for Hamilton,
Canada.
BY this time l am 10 hopes oil my comrades
have escaped If they have not, they have doubt
less been shot 10 the effort, for we were all de-
termned to run every risk.
Our food consisted Of eight ounces OF bread
daily, one quart Of coffee at morning, three
fourths of pound of bacon three days in the
week, and one pound Of beef for the other four
days q Quart Of tea every night The whisky,
being such as can be got hold Of anywhere, is
served out to the soldiers at the rate of one-haf
pint every day. There were no beds In the bar
racks and the floors and walls were swarming
with vermin. Some had blankets, and some had
not
At Baton Rouge | saw battery. At Ellis
Cliffs saw an encampment Of, | should think,
about 1000 soldiers Ellis Cliffs is very
rugged and wild locality, but is a natural de-
fence. | saw another battery at Memphis.
saw a new ditch six miles above Memphis. At
Randolph l saw works thrown up as if for a
battery, aud the rebels were encamped behind
them.
am a poor man, and desire employment 10
euable me 10 support my family, but it will never
be aI the expense Of my allegiance 10 the country
which has protected me for the last thirteen
years.
now reside at No. 10 Van Bruntstreet,
Brooklyn.