The New York herald., 1863-08-21
Interesting Statement OF an Esca ped
UnfOm llHxrer.

Interesting Statement OF Esca ped
Union Ofncer.
Major William r. parnell. Of the Fourth New York
cavalry. who taken prisoner at Upperville,
Ashby Gap, The 2ls Of June last where he shot
in the LETT nip, besides receiving sabre the head
gives us the following statement Of his experience and
suffering among the rebels--
During his stay in Winchester hospital their principal
diet bread and twice a day The surgeons were
deprived OF all their nsrum and medical supplies, aud
detained prisoners Of contrary 10 the cartel estao
shed North South Tho Major remained here
about month and then removed Staunton about
ninety two miles south Of Winchester along with nine
officers and eight surgeons OF the Union army On the
day their arrival Staunton the Provost Marshal
Captain Avis--sent his son. lieutenant IN the Home
Guard deprive all the Union meDoicers and prvates
Of military their money and valuAbles
Major Parnel requested receipt for his money aid the
name OF tho officer whose hands his ELECTS had
been delivered, both OF which were refused. He
then the privilege or all prisoners Of war In
gard 70 private property, and which Is considered
sacred among all nations by destroying the money in
his possession. tearing all the bills pieces Adjuant
McGuire Of the Thirteenth Pennsylvania cavalry and
Lieut. Lee Of General Rirney's staff, followed his
pile, and for this act they all placed close conno
ment with number OF condemned prisoners. murderers
and all kinds Of offenders against social and public law
when they demonstrated United States officers against
the stringency Of thoir confinement and the cruoes
shown TO them they threatened to be bucked and
gagged They also promised that II tho Union officers did
not stop their nsolence Of them should be shot
The United States officers then protest 70 tho
OF the post Colonel Davidson aud after some
delay they sent back TO their former camp, in com
pany with number OF other prisoners. That night (the
Ist Of Augus) they effected their escape There were
ccssfu attempt They had difficulty in passing tho
rebel pckets for be known that IL taken every
one would have run the peril or death; but crawling
their hands and feet, and guided by tho love Of
liberty these brave travelled for mics, and
tuay succeeded In escaping the watchfuness OF their
crafty enemy. They then made for the
tains OF Western Virginia. whcrc they wandered about
for twelve consecutive nights hiding the mountains
during tho day Their food during all this consisted
chiefly Of berries, corn and unripe apples all OF
which acceptable every After a good deal
e exposure and saerng In these dreary mountains this
small party OF Union officers succeeded In reaching
Petersburg, where tho friendly Unioniss, with their
outlying pickes, recognized them, and welcomed
them to the but hospitality OF their camps
We learn from these odcors that tho enlisted Of
the rebel army every day becoming
and demoraIizsd and dissatisfied. Large num-
bers Of them anxious TO escape tnor present
oppression get within the Union lines nesertons
numerous less than three hundred o. Imbodens
cavalry having taken French leave within the past fort
night Tho take the mountains whcre It is
next TO impossible to Two conscrps from
Imboens cavalry in to the Union limos in company
with tho officers above named, and they mado similar
complaints TO those commonly received from the rebel
Of the scarcity Of provisions and and
the total absence OF comlort fron their ranks.
1t tho intention Of Major PArncll he Is we'll
enough again to enter the Union and 70 draw his
sword more for America. No better ADLER oficcr
could DO found Is to be hoped that his gallant friends
will join his laudable idea, In this way shall
secure valuable soldiers for the Union cause.
The two other officers who escaped at the time
with MAJOR Parncl, Dr.. Coles, Of the Twelfth Penn
syivaaa cavalry and DR.. Spedmn OF tho Eighty seventh
Pennsylvania volunteers.
Major Parnell has been for upwards Of ten years
pected with military life. He entered the British army
about year 1851 and served during the Crmean
pagn with honor and distinction. In tho celebrated
Light Cavalry chargc as Baakava no In the Elsveah
Hussars accompanied that gallant regiment thar
deadly rush the Cossacks Bepg In America whom the
rebellion broke out, he immediately took active ervce
In tho Cnton army and served faithfully under Generals
lope. Fremont Rocker. Plcssanton &C. He N
necte With the last named General and viii doubtless
make good record IN tho future he hAs achieved Ia
the past