New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-03-12
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
A REFUGEES STORY.

Rev JouS ii. AcGaky izno. PIP go. William s L
Alfred Martlen
Mr.. Auqhey is an esteemed minister in the Old
School Branch of the Presbyterian Church. He
was engaged in missionary service in the State OF
Mississippi at the breaking out of the present re-
bellion. With large congregations and absorbing
duties, he had neither time nor inclination to med
die with politics. At the election Of delegates,
however, to decide the question of secession be
voted tho Union ticket. Soon after, he was sum-
moned to appear before Vigilance Committee OIL
the charge of being all aboltionist. Deeming it the
safest plan 1" to face the music" he made HIS ap'
pearance in person. The chairman OF the CON-
mittee was one Parson Locke, Methodist
preacher, whose saintship had fallen into disFe'
pute, though he was still ca mighty hunter De-
fore the Lord" boasting that in five mon'hs no
had killed forty.eight raccoons, TWO huhdfea
squirrels, ten deer, and had assisted In the cap
ture of twelve runaway negroes with blood
boupds. The committee, for the most part, was
a motley crew, few Of them knowing ietter Oh
the alphabet. The examination OF the accuseo
before It's tribunal was not satisfactory. lne!
brought in no formal verdict, but denounced hiii
a. dangerous man. He had too many friends
however TO make it safe to take his life. Some
of the secessionsts wished to dispatch nm ID Ills
own house. when they found that he had not been
hanged by the committee He determined to de-
fond himself to the last and slept with double
bsneled gun at his head. AT length, he made up
H. x-hara re Tn
constant jeopardy. But he found it impossible 10
vroceed far towards the North. 1t was difficult
for the Union men to evade the conscrlpt law.
They held secret meetings to devise means for Sc
curing their freedom from military service
which in their hearts they detested. They often
took their wives, sisters and daughters with
them. They met in some secluded glen, or wild
rayine, armed to the teeth, women as well as men,
Mr.. Aughey soon found himself in fresh trouble
He had received three citations to attend muster,
but failing to toe the mark, was summoned before
a court-martal. The summons was rather choice
In its language. Ma the 22d. 1o62-Parson
Auhay, You haven't tended nun of our mustters
as konskrip. Now you is her bi sumenzd TO at
Mock" This was the signal for a hasty "ske-
daddle." He made the best of his way to the
Union lines, aud on the first of June, the day the
court-martial was to convene, he had the pleasure
Of seeing the star-spangled banner proudly waving
in front of Gen. Changers command, which led the
van Of the advancing army.
At this time June, lS62) all kinds of mercban
disc were commanding fabulous prices. FlOu
was $50 barrel coffee 81 pound, salt 500
sack of 100 pounds and none to be had even :
that price, Cotton cards, an article used in ever
house at the South, the ordinary price OF who
IL fifty cents per pair were selling at s25 pal
Planters beyond the lines of the retreating arm
had cotton, but were generally afraid to sell it,
it was considered treason to trade with the in
yaders. But there was no penalty for the sellin
of cotton by one citizen of Mississippi to another
and the author was induced to engage in tn
business himself. His plan was to take the cot
ton of his Union friends, and act their agent il
the purchase of commodities. He hired a larg
number OF wagons to transport cotton into East
port and Iuka, in order to ship it to the loya
States. BY the I'd of June, he had sufiicen
force to carry one hundred bales trip and h,
hoped to keep running for some time. But b
reckoned without his host. In pursuing the trade
he was met by some of the rebel cavalry, VIII
took him with them to their camp. The mex
step was to prison at Tupelo.
We entered the prison July 3, 1862, ct 9 O'Clock
2. IN. Our prison grocery -bouse, lts dimension
about Is by 10 feet When we were incarcerated
there about 20 prisoners in the building, whites
mulstoes and negroes. The prison wab filthy in TIE
extreme, and filled with yeruln; even our FOOD wa
infested with them. No brooms were furnished us
and we could not sweep the floor. No beds wer,
furnished, and we were compelled to lie upon tn,
floor, with no covering, and nothing but the harC
planks Der cath us.
Several tiats day officers would come In and or
der IL specified number. of men to 90 aud work, IN
der a strong guard. We were made 10 clean tbt
streets, roll barrel, and clean the hospitals bnt oui
own prison we were not permitted to clean. Every
KIDD Of drudgery, and tne most mental services
were imposed npou
The crimes cha. ed upon the prisoners were deser
ton, trading with the Yankees, adhesion TO the
United States Government or UniOn-n. acting a,
spies refusing Confederate bonds, and plotting the
Yankees. The crime OF tue negroes ana mulattoes
was endeavOriDg TO escape on the underground rail
road from Dixie land and the Iron Furnace These
remained I'll their masters informed OF their
arrest, and came for and released them. On the
evening preceding our imprisonment, two prisoners
had been led ont ard shot, aud soon learned that
this WAS no unusual occurrence. Nearly every day
witnessed tie execution OF one more Of Those
who We're doomed to Gle were heavily ironed In
come cares, however those who were not IN letters
were taken out and shot or banged, often with no
tTev'ous warnings though sometIn.es a Few hour
warnirg wa gwen.
oar pr1vatoDs were 30 great from want Of
proper 1000 ana water-for the scanty amount Of
10 ,s,t'sneu Us Was tcpid aud tou-and from a
u oSos' cots, couehes, something better than
un In. IL. 4 - IL