New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-02-25
THE REBELS IN FLo'"t,DA,
DESCRIPTION OF r.es Foa1lF,cA1IoNs.
Escape Of t. f. Spear from Femaadna'

many years uast a resident OF Fernshu'ns WY
Florida a. rived in town day or two ago hdV,ne
made bis escape from that place al the Imminent fifh
of bs ffe. We give the following interesting SKETCH
e. Mr. Sy,ears escape, together WIN man! in
items concerning the condition oil Tue f'eoeis' VIC
psny er in which tley treat Northern men, 'he'
for, ifica,ions ON the Florida coast, &c. MI Sfe"
~ vs. that At the time JEFF Davis issued his proosma
ion giving forty days 70 Northern persons or alien
enemies either to leave the State to take the oa'h
Of allegiance, he was engaged in the hIm o.
Sresr & Amett, architects aud builders, and
had under contract the building of Market and City
Hall for the CITY of Fernanjina. His business, III
Guiding the contract referred to, involved INN 10 such
en- extent that he could not possibly comply with the
manifesto Of the Rebel Presidtnt unless he lett Tue
place in ponniess condition, and moreover, he o'u
not consider polite to hastily fee owing to the IN
tense luminosity entertained by tie people against all
persons Of Northern birth Though an cid resident
Of the place. he wss well Tnown az a Northern man,
aud while treated with seeming cordially, he IA"
through il all and felt that the inhabitants had as
little care for him as II be lad come among them
Yesterday. Finding it impossible to leave within the
prescribed time set forth by JEFF. Davis without
suffering hesyy pecuDiary losses aud without show
inc his fear Of the Rebels, he made himself as com
Portable Of the circumstances would permit, ano
confined himself exclusively to hs business,
avoiding oil conversation on political matters
until TIE people generally engaged In the
formation Of military organizations. Having
quite On extensive military knowledge, which
some Of the citizens knew, Mr.. Spear was waited on
in his office one fine morning bya Committee and
rendered the First Lieuenancy OF ii company par
tally organized, and called tue Fernandins Artillery
In order 20 keep down any feeling of animosty
which would straigbtwsy have been raised against
him, and which would speedily result in his being
inobbsd and banged TO the nearest tree, he reIuc-
family accepted the position. He objected in quiet
way TO the Offer stating that the Office was an i'm
portant one, snd that should the company suffer de
feat at any tine, the people would lay the blame al
his door, and charge him with neglect on account OF
his being Northern man. No excuse would, how
ever be received and the position, 40 to speak, was
forced upon him. The company parsded and drilled
occasionally. having tie beIeft Of Lieut.. Spears
cxrer..nce when not actually prevented from al
tendance by business. Thus matters passed along
quietly enough until the burning Of the 'Alyarado,"
oil ST. Mary's Bar, when the Fernandina
Artillery were ordered out and marched 10
the beach III order TO prevent the marines on the
aloop-of-war Jsinestown from reoapturing the yes-
eel. Two G-lounders were drawn to the beach and,
While the men were placing them 10 battery, friend
Of Lieut.. Spears drew him ore eide in l. manner not
10 excite observation, and told him th.t the people
had been talking considerably about bin; that they
were going to watch him. and had threatened TO
take care OF him if he did FIRE rs well Capt
McRGry Ia noted Sec,esionist). la this dilemma he
hardly knew what to do, and the thoughts Of firing
on the American flag well nigh sckened him. He
knew the trustwothiness OIL friend and knew fur
Their that bis choice lsy between at Rebel gun
or Of being mobbed and hanged like dog. The fir
ing COMMENCED aud was eagerly watched by humid
reds of people WHO had assembled on the numerous
sand lills the beach, Capt. McRory, who set
great store on his own military capacities, became
; much excited and got out of temper with Lis qua,
which lie fired almost at random Tie boats contain
ing the marines could lie distinctly seen, and they
continued tteir course apparently without fear from
the shots first fired. Lieut.. Spear bad hoped thai the
Captain would take all the glory to himself but in
! this lie was Mistaken for he presently received an
order to open his battery upon the boats. Keeping
perfectly calm and collected lie fred TO suit himself,
directing his shots in such manner ss to splash the
water into the small boats but taking care not TO bin
them. At this firing the people delighted and
Lieut.. Spear was covered with glory, while his com.
rnander was laughed at. Having in this manner par
tally gained the confidence Of the inhabitants Lieut.
Spear begged of from military duiier, and was per-
itted TO continue bis business without serious inter
ruption.
About the LIST Of September lsst, in company with
two other Northern men, Lieut.. Spear purchased
small boat Of ten tuns for the ostensibe purpose Of
| going down to Indian River the Florida coast on
fishing excursion, but in reality TO escape from the
land of Secession. Everything prepared for the
| trip, but Col. Fingan, in command Of the State
forces refused 10 allow her to pass the batteries
The excursion was, Of couree, given up for T. time
but day OF two afteIward the other ownefs Of the
boat DESTROYS Of trying her sailing abilities went ont
into the river, for which they were arrested and
locked up. Lieut.. Spear interceded for them, and
offered security for their good behavior, which mai
Ter tie Colonel promised TO consider. a day or two
after this interview, Lieut.. Spear wes arrested and
ocked IN in a negro jill, email building reekirg
with filth and totally unfit for the confinement therein
of even teast. With his two friends, he was kept
in this vile place for nine doys, not even being
granted permission TO leave the apartment. The
three were then turned over TO the Confederate
Judge Baker,, but were not allowed counsel. After
protracted trial RS alien enemies" Lieutenant
Spear was acquitted. His companions were
placed under g., 900 bonds each, with three ad- |
dtonal securities, not TO quit Amelia Island. |
Lieut.. Spear was much exasperated at the treat
ment he had received in being imprisoned and con-
aucted through the public streets like common felon,
BE- tween two files Of men, that he declared in open