New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-06-04
STATEMENT OF A DESERTER FROM THE
REBEL ARMY.

Mr.. John Shanly, who has been for some time resi-
dent in New Orleans, has just arrived in the city, and
has kindly communicated the following statement:
left Orleans on tie 9th of May, by the steam,
boat Maria DenDing and on the 18th Of May arrived
at Cairo left New-Orleaus under the following eH
Cumstances:
have resided in the City of New;,0rlean1 since .,
March of the year 1860. was employedin Mr.. Leeds
foundry. On the 18th of April last was arrested 0y
party Of men, unknown to me, who were aided ny
the police and conveyed to the calaboose in Lafayette
square. AS soon rs they got me there / was required
to enlist as soldier, but offered excuse nay age
(50, and defect in sight one of my eyes beng con-
siderably weakened, but it was of no avail -.
They told me here that must be punished Tor my
obstinacy. Next day the 16ih) was taken before
Recorder Emerson and before any thing else vas done
arecruiting-fergeant up to ne ana asked le 70
enlist | made him the same reply tllat ned gwen
the previous day, to which be responded: 1Ln' you
Northern son OF a 49,, you will have to take our pun
ishment" was then called upon for tIlal, when TWO
police officers swore that had resisted them when
arrestng me. The Recorder theleupon sentenced me
TO 60 days imprisonment in default OF payment OF $i2
fine I went TO prison. where remained til the ia
of April on which day enlisted. Ut was TIE custom
Of recruitngsergean to visit the prison every day
and ask the prisoners II they willing to enlist,
Having lost all hope of release before the expiration OF
the 60 days. and Of peace to live at the era OF
that time resolved 10 enlist thinking that might
thereby be furnished with a better opportunity OF
escaping from the clutches of the rebels.
Having enlist ed was at once transferred rom the
n,son 10 the barracks in the Marine Hospital, whence
was attached TO the Second Division Of Artillery.
Thus remained until the morning On which ELECTED
my escape.
! The means by which made my escape were these:
The subject of deserton had been seriously contem-
plated BY about twenty six Of my messnates. 1t was
at ene agreed upon that the first who could get
an opportunity should embrace it, and the others
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 intention OF the
solders made so by conpulion, who were left behind
THAT intention being to desert at the rsk OF lie,
and to seek protection under the banner Of the Union
In order to get off applied TO the surgeon for some
Iinment TO rub sore which pretended was annoying
me very much lie gave me prescription 10 TAKE 10
druggist the 9Th OF which procured pass
from tue Sergeant. Having used the pass, lnlinedi
ately went TO the house of friend and changed my
clothing. | also blackened my arms aud face with
foundefy dust, took hammer in my hand, and went
On board of the steamboat which about 10 sail for
St. Louis. acquainted with the engineer, who
upon knowing my slaPe put ne down oel9W, MneIe
Some sixty miles from New-0reans was then called
up TO get some supper and all being right, then be-
came an employee OF the boat Till we reached Caro-
AT Cairo l took the steamboat Denmark to Louis
VILE. from the latter place crossed TO Jefferson
vile, Indiana, from which | Travelled on foot to
Madison a distance Of about 6} miles. From Madison
was taken by the clerk of the mail boat TO Cincinnati
From there passed to Columbus, then TO Cleve'
land then to Buffalo, then TO Albany, and thence to
this city.
At Cleveland l was overaLen by the other two Of
mcssmate3, who had eeca Ell several Gays iIef me-
They were on their way Tor Hamilton, Canada.
aBy this time 1 am in hopes all nay comrades have
Escaped Ii they have not, they have doubtless been
shot in the effort for were all determined to run
every risk.
Our food consisted Of eight ounces Of bread daily,
one quart Of coffee at morning, threefourths OF pound
M bacon three days in the week and pound Of beef
for the other four days; quart of tea every night
The whisky, being such as can be got hold ofany-
where i served out to the soldiers al tho rate OF one
half pnt every day. There were no beds in the bar
racks, and the floors and walls were swarming with
vermn. Some had blankets and come had not
Al Baton Rouge / saw a battery. AZ Elllss ellis l
Jaw an encampment Of should think, about 1000
soldiers Elss Cliffs is very rugged and Wild local
ity but is a natural defense. saw another battery at
Memphis. I saw new ditch about six miles above
Memphis. AT Randolph saw works thrown up az II
for battery, and the rebels were eneainped Dehnd
! am a poor man, and desire employment to enable
me to support my family, but it Will never be at the
expence Of my allegiance 10 the country which has pro-
tected me for the last thirteen years.
now reside at No. 10 Van Brunt-street, Brooklyn.