The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-09-02
MISCELLANY.
The Escape of Col DE villiers.

Inc ESCAPE Oh COi Lie tlneTSs
COLONEL CHARLES A. DE VILLrERs. of
the 18th Ohio regiment, was taken prisoner on
the Kanawha River, by General Wise, on the
18th of-July, 1861, with other officers of Gen.
Cox's brigade. On his arrival at Richmond
the Colonel was evidently much distressed,
keeny feeling the modification arising from
his Imprisonment; and being of an exceeding
ly nervous temperament, he was subject at
times to great depression of spirits. This,
however, soon wore away, and we found our
selves under great obligations to him for exhi-
billions of the most difficult feats of the SOL
dier's drill of which he was a complete master.
He was, indeed, a bundle of nerves, almost
without flesh, weighing not more than one
hundred and ten pounds; and his exercises
with the musket and the broad-swoad. as dis
played in the prison, entitled him to the full
credit of being the master under whose teach
ing the lamented Ellsworth acquired his pro-
ficiency in Zouave drill and military discipline
Being somewhat acquainted with the practice
of surgery, he was detailed by the Confeder-
ate surgeons of the post to assist in taking
charge of the sick and wounded prisoners at
the hospitals. Like other Federal surgeons
acting in the same capacity he enjoyed the
freedom of the city, upon his parole of honor.
until about the Sd day of September. when.
for some reason not fully understood by our
officers at the time, he was deprived of his pa
role, and returned to close confinement in The
officers quarters.
On Sunday morning after his return to the
prison for the purpose, as we supposed. of
raising money, he sold at auction. TO the Off
GERS in the prison. several articles of his mill
tary clothing. On the same evening he escap-
ed from the prison; but in what manner. or
through what device, never learned. con-
clude, however, that his departure could not
a.nff la Off
from the fact that his name was responded to
by some one of the officers, at rol-call. for
three successive mornings; and for this reason
MS escape was not suspected by the Confeder-
ate officers, until the Colonel had been four
days on his way.
1t was conjectured, from circumstances
known to some of the officers that the Colonel
had fled in disguise of Confederate officer
that he was assisted by two rebel officers in his
escape, who supplied him with fleet horse,
which they stationed on the outside of the town,
where 1t was understood they were to meet the
Colonel, and who were to provide him with
pistols, carbine, food, ETC., necessary to pursue
his journey, which had, of course, to be made
in the night.
When his escape became known great efforts
were made by the rebel officers TO recapture
him, If possible; and officers and scouts we're
sent in all directions in pursuit; but weeks
gallant Colonel.
At this time the vigilance exercised through
out Virginia, among civilians as well as the
military, made it almost impossible TO get
across the country in the direction of the Poto-
mac, and little doubt was entertained by his
fellow officers that the Colonel would be recap
tured, and brought back to prison, in case he
attempted to escape in that direction. His
fate. however, was not known at Richmond I'M
I'll his arrival at Washington was announced in
the papers, and his appointment as a Brigadier
General nearly two months afterwards.
The General, as it turned out, when he left
the prison, bent his steps towards Norfolk,
which city, though but about one hundred
miles distant from Richmond, he only reached
after six weeks travel, performed in short
stages by night, through the swamps and
marshes which intervene between the two cit
les, subsisting in the meantime on berries and
shrubs, and exposed to hardships such as only
an experienced soldier,could ever survive.
Having arrived at Norfolk, he managed to
disguise himself as a mendicant Frenchman,
aged, very infir:n aud nearly blind, and thus
he gained admittance to hospital in that city.
In some way he procured pair of green Cog
giles, with which, and pack on his back, and
STOPPING, and resting on a rough cane, the
poor old Frenchman became I'm object of COM
mseratlon. In this condition he freely went
where he chose about the city, speaking only
the French language; and finally made an an
plicaton to the rebel General in command. for
permission to go TO Fortress Monroe under the
flag of truce, that he might embark for his dear
old home in France.
The piteous story of the venerable French
man, aud his urgency to return to his home
which he had left before the rebellion broke
out, and the accommodating spirits of the Con-
federates manifested TO the French. as well as
TO the English, at that time, induced the rebel
General, from charitable motives after two
weeks delay, and persistent application on the
part of De Villers, TO allow him to 20 on board
of the truce-boat.
When the boat met the Federal steamer. the
infrm old Frenchman lat the venerable age of
thirty-fve) was assisted on board by the COM
passionate officers from Norfolk, who bid him
an afiectionate adieu. But no sooner had he
reached the deck of the Union boat than he
coolly cast off his pack, green goggles, and all ;
and, after thanking the officers for their po-
likeness, shouted, with an air Of youthful ami
nation, a loud huzza for the Stars and Stripes,
and gave the Confederates the pleasing inform
alton that they had just parted with Colonel
de pittiers, Of the llth Ohio Regiment
Nor QUITE Too SMALL.-An English agri-
culturist, last summer, required number of
reapers. Several presented themselves and all
were engaged, with one exception. The poor
man thus omitted said:
Master won't you hire me?"
"No," said the farmer.
"Why not?'
because you are too little.'
TOO litter exclaimed the astonished Irish
sd0hS /. H.,