Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-07-17

80 z n Egsapsa RIl.ansr

E.rratsvs a. an Eesaped Prisoner.
wn d Bfamlet Of the Eighth Virginia Cayalry,
Colonel Jenkins gives lis the following accoune q BIS
- SUBSEQUENT escape and suffering IA bus Efforts to
0et back to the-Southt 80,
seTI ~ sas rantnre IN November, 1861 and taken to
- fLss fam soiles West of Columbus, and was
s i close confinement until March, period oI I'VE
rn6nfba on the 18th Of March some laborers beng
sent into the prison to ditch the prison grounds Mr
oist entered into conversation with them and ind
i them southern men In principle informed them that
he meditafed an escape, hey at oHce expressed their
vmnatbies with his condition. and offered TO assist him
as far as lay il their power lie suggesttd as the most
feasible plan change of clothing in his barracks sub
fitutpq aborers suit for the uniform he then wore
The abores suit procured, the change made, and
being furnished with spade, be Joined the la0orers
about half an boar before sunset leaving the grounds
with them at the hour Of closing Following bis new
companions to the tool house. he with the rest Gtpos
ed his spade passed through the Yankee camp and
outside Of their pickets 10 the turnpike. The party
there seated themselves lumber wagon used Tor
bringing up the plank iT Tic repair Oh the prison Walls
and were taken to Columbus.
Upon the arrival at Columbus one OF the aborers to
avoid any suspicion motiOned Dir. Bramlet to iolow
him. and commenced talking very violently in The Celtic
tongue our friend apparently answering and nodding as
sent They passed through The principal
turned into an alley and from thence to the cottage OF
the laborer. Here Mr., Bramet remained until ABOUT
ten o'clock when is friend told him that as every thpg
the cv it would be wei! for him to continue on bis
road His friend guided him through back street to
the turnpike and accompanied him on bis way to &
plank road about mile distant, where be gave the
cessary directions as to how he should proceed
Mr.. Bramlet Travelled all that day, but having just
recovered from severe attack of typhoid fever he was
unable to make any fast PROGRESS and found that be
only walked that day fourteen miles Arriving about
half an hour before sunset at station called Louis
Centre, and seeing express train come up he stepped
into the car and took a scat. Upon the conductors
asking him for ticket he replied he had but that
be wished go andusky, that be bad but dollar
with him and would ride as far as that would pay.
The conductor took bis dollar and told him to get of
at Crystalline Station. " aking on about mile from
this station be stopped all night with German, and
next day walked seven miles and half leaning upon
an elder stick being otherwise completely broken down
He stayed that night with young man, who shared
his supper with him. ard the next morning again start
ed. Coming across some abOrers working on the rail
road from Columbus to Cleveland he asked to his
lameHess. de told them that be was Canadian by
BIRTH bad emigraed to the Southern part Of Ohio just
before the breaking out Of tie war, had taken the Fly
phOid Fever which had fallen into his limbs and made
him cripple and that be endeavoring to get home
to bis friends 10 Canada One Of the laborers gave him
quarter OF a dollar. With only this 10 bis pocket he
got aboard the next train and told the conductor he
wished to get to Sandusky but had only five
cents, with which be desired to go as far possible.
The conductor informed him where he would get of
but On arrival at the place and he about to leave
the car the conductor seeing bis condition kindly told
him to keep bis seat and that he would take him to San
dusky.
He arrived in Sandusky in the evening, without mon
ey, and in state of starvation lis only clothes we're
the abOreTs suit, ragged and dirty. a group Of boys
observing him. of them cried out, believe that
fellow is an escaped prisoner" Another responded
Yes, believe it is old JEFF. Davis himself. Hearing
this he became excited, but seemingly paying no atten
ton, forgot his lamsness, and walked off rapidly
possible. Keeping for about two miles and finding
no pursuit. the excitement subSided and q reaction took
place. and he again as lame as before 1t Was now
raining with hail and snow falling and blowing gale
from the Northeast. With his thin, ragged clothing
for which he bad exchanged his Southern uniform
it seemed as though every blast penetrated through him
and he was in danger of freezing to death Upon ask
ing several to be allowed the privilege OF staying al
night, telling them his pennllesS condition. be was re
fused Continuing his Journey, he lost his way on
road that led of into clearing instead of farmhouse
as he had supposed. Night came on, the rain still fall
ing, with cold bitter wind piercing him through an,
through almost deprving him Of all sensiby of feel
ing. AT times he would sink knee deep IN the swami
and mud, extricating himself only by creeping on hi
hands and knees.
At another time he became lost in the forest got en-
tangled among thorn thckets and several times CAV
up in despair submitting himself to fate Fndipga DO
Of matches in eff his pockets, he determined
more effort, and getting few dry chips, pulled of th
bark OF Old hollow tree and succeeded ~ starting
fire. By means of fence rails he was enabled to keep
this fire. and standing it, managed to keep fror
freezing until daylight. Although parayZad in limb
and benumbed as he was be succeeded in crossing ar
other strip OF woods came up to fence, and the we
come sight Of farm house greeted his eyes Upon cal
ing at the gate be invited in and sat down to
himself, bat compelled shortly after, from scker
ing sensation to go out the porch for ventilation
Upon bis return, the farmer gave him second nVitt
ton to take breakfast with him, which be accepted wit
grateful thanks The storm continued, and the arme
insisted upon bis staying till 1t over. TO his nqu
ries, Mr. Bramet repeated the story of his Canada
BIRTH and said he would like to get work in order
get the to continue his journey The farmer in
mediately recommended him to a neighbor who ha
been inquirng for laborers. Mr.. Bramet, after agai
thanking the farmer, started for the place to which
had been directed, but nstakng the house, stopped
another farm house, the proprietor of which a
Irishman, who invited him in. Here he disclosed b
true character. The freshman had been day or tw
before to Sandusky, to collect some dues of merchar
who it seems was an aboti0nist, and who he dscove
ed, upon bis arrival home, had defrauGed him.
While MIR. Bramlet was there this man commences
cursing the Yankees. He called them bloody auk
dogs, &C., men who had robbed him ever since be can
from the old country, and be wished the Conedarat
would cut them to pieces.
Mr. BramIet bearing this took The farmer aside q!
asked him to give his word of honor that be would q
reveal what he wished to disclose. He replied he wOu
If it was anything honorable if not be had better ket
it. Mr. Bramlet then told him he was Southern
and military prisoner, endeavoring TO make bis W;
into Canada. The farmer grasped his hand, said b
heart was with him, but that he poor man 7
able to do much in the way of assisting him. He
ierred him, however, to a gentleman, the one who h
inquired Tor aborers saying that be friend to {
South, good Democrat who expressed himself openl
was wealthy and would, he felt assured be glad to a
him.
MF. Bramlet started, AID upon arriving at the pla
saw the proprietor 10 the yard, He told him that
had been recommended to him to get work. The rep