The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-12-03
REMARKABLE ESCAPE

From the donainlons Of the Norhefn tyTd"ts.
William Fl. Parvin and William B. Willis,
of the Washington "Greys," Captain Thomas
Sparrow, from Washington, N. c., passed through
Petersburg last week on their return home, after
long imprisonment at the North. Their escape
from further confinement, and their subsequent
avoidance of detection and arrest, are remarkable
almost miraculous. They were taken prisoners
in company with many other gallant North Caro-
linians ut Fort Hatteras. We all acquainted
with the circumstances of the surrender From
Hattcras they were taken to Fort Lafayette-the
Baste of New York Here they were kept in
close confinement until the latter part of October,
when they all put aboard a steamer and
taken to Fort Warren-near Boston.
On their way to Fort Warren, Parvin and Will
lis formed some plan of escape, and announced
their intention to attempt it to Captain Sparrow,
who told them they must do it at their risk. If
they failed, heavy irons and close confinement for
the balance of the war would be their lot But
they possessed brave hearts and were confident of
success. They supplied themselves with bread
and water, candle, matches, &C. On their ar
rival at Boston the men were marched ashore in
companies, their names were called. 1mmeda-
tely before the name Of the "Washington Greys'
was called, Paryn and Willis left their company,
descended from the deck and found their way into
the extra coal room of the steamer Here they
concealed themselves, and in a little while had
built up wall Of coal around them SO that any
person entering the room would not discover them
Their late companions in gone, and
they were now alone in the dark, unwholesome
coal bunk Of an enemy's ste amer, not knowing
what day hour mi ht bring forth. In
this condition they remained for day, or proba
bly, day and night, when a large number of
sailors were brought aboard the steamer to be
shipped to New York On the 1st of November
the vessel left Boston, and landed her load at the
Brooklyn Navy Yard In the hustle and onfus
ion consequent upon their embarkation, they
thought they mi ght leave their place of conceal
ment and make their escape. They gained the
deck and went uEobserved on shore, with the
crowd of sailors. But they soon saw that their
time for escape had not yet come-Al around
the Navy Yard were stationed .entincls, whom it
would be impossible to pass. They therefore re-
solved to return the steamer and await yet long
err. They now concealed themselves in the pri-
vate apartment of the boat, and remained thus for
two days, when finally, and if provdentially,
in Of her tri ps the steamer ran atoul of
schooner in the river, and was reported so much
damaged to cause her to make for Jersey City
W it'll all possible speed. Great excitement was
PRODUCED among her passengers, and everything
and everybody in the utmost confusion. A
most favorable opportunity now offered for them
to escape and they took advantage Of it. They
lSIC THEIR hlulHS pIdce again, ana as soon as the
Jersey City landing was reached, they rushed
ashore They then took passage ferry boat
for New York In this great city they found
friend, who took them in and kindly cared
for them. He advised what they should do
and furnished them with money to complete their
rlans
They took passage to Baltimore as Union sail
ors-anti- Southern seceshers of the deepest dye
In the Monumental City they had not far to 80
before meeting with fricuds of the South and her
defenders. Clothes are g ven to them and they
are aided in getting employed on wood schooner,
bound for point the lower Maryland shore.
For sixteen days they worked like beavers, and by
their unusual industrious habits and good bchav-
Tor they gained the unbounded confidence of the
Captain. His every wish law, and every act
done with pleasure. But the proud captain
to be deprived of his prizes. 1t was the
night for Parvin to keep watch, and the Captain
had retired. and Willis had pretended to do so.
But hands were busy eyes Sails for the small
ed. The proper hour had come; the sign was CIV
en-, and the two men set forth upon the dark wa
tcrs 1t was all a venture to them, for th ey knew
not whether they might land among friends or en-
emies. After long hours of suspense nnd weary
travel they landed on the Virginia side of the
Potomac, below Acquia Creek. Here they were
taken in custody and sent to General Holmes
headquarters, where they were joyfuy recognized
by old acquaintances from North Carolina. They
were furnished with free passes the railroads
home.-PetersJurg Express.