Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-01-17
Escape OF u New Hampshire Boy
IL ON the Rebels.

IL Om the 1Scbets.
Mr.. Rufus NJ. Merrill of lIolderness,
n. H. has just escaped from the rebels, and
his story which we condense from The Leb-
an IN Free Press, is one of mnch interest.
He went to the South in the fall Of 1860,
where he obtained a situation as 5reakman
on a railroad in Florida, but in July last,
was compelled to enlist in the rebel army.
He was stationed with two companies at
Augustine, Florida Here he and Phil
adelphia boy couiiscated sail boat, used
by the Major in command at that place,
and after procuring few days rations at
the suffers, they turned their backs on the
rebels and put to sea. They well knew the
dangers TO which they were exposed, but
their love Of home and their country against
which they had been forced TO bear arms,
oyercame their fears. This was on Satur-
day. They saw vessel on Monday. but
it remained IN sight but short time. On
Thursday, about noon, having been out five
days, vessel came in sight some four or
five miles dstanf. Merrill took off one of
his shirts, (he had on five,) tied it to an oar.
and showed up signal of distress. They
which run up the British colors. They
made fast to the stern of the vessel, the
character Of which they did no, know, bu,
which proved to be the U. S. war steamer
Nohegan. The captain supposed them to
be rebel pilots, out there for the purpose of
plotting in some British vessels they were
expecting, loaded with arms, shot and shell,
and which the Mohegaa was watching for.
The British fag was accordingly run up TO
entrap them. The following eolloquy here
ensued:
Merrill-Where are you hound2
Captain--We wish TO get into some Of
these ports--would like TO 20 into Bruins
wick, Ga. Can you pilot us in there !?
We have a cargo Of shell and shot, and
wish to get in there some way.
M.--We are no plois--we wish 10 get
board an American vessel Can't you
cake Us aboard, and store US away some
wher. until you uaload, and then. take Us
to England, so We can bit an America, YES
sci?
C.-No-that is against the laws-can'i
do that.
NJ Can't you give US some walter?
Gloomy men are on en- allowance.
M.-Cant you give US drink Of water
C.--No.
M.-C'urning to his companion Well,
ciium, We might as well be off
I Finally the Captain said they might gel
aboard, ordered the messenger to take down
those colors and run up ours. The feelings
of the young men on seeing the OLD Stars
and Stripes run up, the first time for many
months, and Knowing they were safe OF
board an American man-of-war, can be bet
ter imagined than described. They were
closely questioned, but Merrill had docu
ments in his pocket dated at Boston, anC
one Of the crew was a New Hampshire boz
from Meredith, so they easily satisfied The
Captain that all was right.
The Mohegan was out cruising, and re.
manned on, three or four weeks. when she
put into Port Boyal. They were taken
aboard the Wabash, before Com Dupont,
and gave him some valuable information
concerning some Of those places. Com.
Dupont gave them a pass 10 New York,
with papers TO give 10 the Mayor, who
passed them home, one to Philadelphia ant
the other to Holderness. We will not fol
low them beyond the thresholds where they
were received AS if risen from the dead.