The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-12-30
NO.. 40.

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have destroyed all the bridges, run into
Chattanooga, wait until the evening train
passed, and then gone on to Bridgeport,
destroyed the bridge over the Tennessee
river, and then away for Huntsville and
join Gen. Mitchell.
"Our troubles now commenced, and
the greatest of all our disasters was the
division of party twas now every man
for himself. We started for the Tenn.
essee river, but, being entirely unac.
quainted with the country, mistook our
way, and after being hunted through the
woods and twice fired at made our es-
cape. Our travels from this time were
a succession ofhardships and difficulties.
We crossed the mountains, made the
Tennessee river, where we found small
boat, with which we made our way down
the river to Stephenson, Ala. Here we
found the entire rebel force in a complete
state Of confusion, occasioned, as we
learned, by visit from our cavalry,
which had made dash into the town,
captured few prisoners, and left that
morning.
1--WE had succeeded in passing through
the town safely, when we suddenly came
upon force of rebel cavalry, command
ed by Col Stephenson, who took us prs-
oners just fourteen days after leaving the
balance OF our party. We were imme-
diaiely recognized as belonging to An.
drews' party, and after being confined
one night in Stephenson, we were taken
on the cars to Chattanooga and confined
in Jail, where we found the whole party.
Il was endeayored to make us give the
name of the engineer, as they had ter.
ribe fate in wait for him, but not one of
the party would dvulge his name.
n court martial was ordered for The
trial Of Andrews, and Pittenger Of the Cd
Ohio was taken out as witness, and by
alternate offers OF pardon and Tersecution
they endearored to make him testify
against Andrews, but he was true to his
word and companions, and the court
could gain nothing from him. Andrews
and Pirtiuger were then sent back to US
in Jail, and we expected nothing less
than the whole party would be hung.
At this time, about May 10, Chattanooga
was threatened by our forces, and for
safe keeping we were run off TO Madison,
Ga.
At Marietta the cars were stopped
by mob who threatened to drag us
from the cars and hang us to tree, but
the officer in charge OF the train prevent
ed them from carrying il into execution,
by placing a strong guard around tie
ear, and The mob, after great effort, was
dispersed.
I'VE arrived in safety at Madi.on
where after being kept in confinement
three days, we were informed we were 10
be taken 10 Chattanooga again, rs the
Yankees did not intend TO try TO take
that place. Accordingly we were again
taken back to that place, where the whole
party, twenty-five in number, were
chained with heavy irous and confined
in a dark dungeon thirteen feet square,
and for six weeks were fed on half fare of
the most miserable quality. We were
stripped of all in our pockets and left
without cent. Again the Court Mar
tial was ordered, but this time at Knox
VILE and twelve of our party were taken
there and confined in large iron cages.
The Court found seven of them guilty of
being spies and lurkers around the
camps.
"Our forces at Ihat time advanced up
on Cumberland Gap, and Knoxville was
threatened, and in order that we might
be safely kept the whole party, includ.
ing the ten at Chattanooga,
were sent TO Atlanta, Ga. Previous 10
leaving Chattanooga Andrews
sentence was read to him, which was
that he was to be hung in six days. II
was then determined to at empt an es.
cape by cutting through the Jail, which
was accomplished in one night, and just
at day break Andrews twisted his blanket
into the form of rope and succeeded
/ in reaching the fence, John Whollam
next followed, but was discovered. An
drews, in attempting 10 climb the Jail
guard fence. was also seen and fired up
on by the guard, but succeeded in get
ting over. Whollam also made a dash
and cleared the fence both then took
the river, and for The time escaped,
Three days afterwards Andrews was
captured and brought back. aud seven
DAYS elapsed before poor Whollam was
a.