Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1863-12-04

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tanned, and the case vas sent to Botetourt
County for trial. In the Botetourt Court
he put in the plea of previous acquital.
This plea was also sustained; but immedi.
ately after the decision of the Court Attor-
ney General Upper gave notice that he
would file bib of replication, to the effect
that defendant had procured fraudulent
acquttal. The bill was filed, and defend
ants counsel moved for immediate trial on
the replication. This was refused, and on
potion of counsel for the Commonwealth
the case was continued.
On all the other charges, DR.. Rucker
pleaded alien enemy, but being citizen of
West Virginia he was held to be a citizen
of Virginia, and hence the plea was disal-
lowed. The trial was several times contin.
ned and often deferred, though the prisoner
vigorously urged trial, knowing that the
sooner his case was brought to a crisis the
better it would be for him.
The prisoner was forced to employ four
different counsel at $4,000 each, and these
were thr eatened with mob violence in case
they appeared in the defense. When near
ly year had passed in fruitless effort to
procure trial,j during which time DIR.
Rocker was held in close confinement, the
United States Government determined TO
hold one Dr. Green, an Assistant Surgeon
in the rebel army, of Danvlle. Va, as a
hostage for the return of Rucker.
In June, 1868, he was removed TO the
prison at Pittsylyan a, which is the strong
est and most secnre place of confinement in
the State. The cell in which Rucker was
confined is lined 10 every part with heavy
iron grating inside of a massive wall, the
windows and door we're double barred both
inside and out, and the doors were securely
bolted and locked.
It was evident to the friends OF DIR.
Rucker that escape was now impossible, and
he was given over as lost; friends were not
allowed TO visit his cell, but bitter enemies
had fun privilege to taunt and insult him
through the bars of bis prison. The Union
people were allowed 10 send him provisions
but not to see him. The rebels told him
that the confederate government would
starve the Union pri oners until the Yankee
government would consent TO their terms Of
exchange, and leave such men as himself
Col, Straight, and officers of negro reei
ments in their hands TO be properly pun
ished.
"a NV careful observation DIR. Rucker as
certained that the ialer's son, not twenty
months old at times had The key TO tht
debtors room. which was directly opposite
his cell, to play with he at once deter
mined to secure this key and thus effect HI
escape. AT a favorable moment he brioe'
the child with chestnuts and fruits, and thu
gained possession of the much-deslred key
On the night of the 18th of October, 500
after dark, he softly turned the key, su
back the bolts, and almost in moment h
was free. He passed out of the village
Pittsylvauia, on the Raleigh road, havln
determined to reach the Union troops
the North Carolina coast. When shoi
r. distance on the road he discovered that b
had eft behind papers that would betra
his route through North Carolina, and IN
therefore changed his course.
He retraced his steps through the yillag
meeting persons returning from church, an
travelled all night as rapidly as possibl
and having secured a horse short distant
- from the village, al daylight lie was IN
town lar 10 the northward, where be ~
received by trusty friend and coucealt
: until the 9th. During this time he W
visited by many old acqnaintances, vi
gave him proper assistance and the mea
a of escape. Among other things they pr
sented him with blooded charger, valu
IN at s! 900, provided especially for the occ
a. sion. On the night of the 9th with Il
10 animal he travelled 65 miles. During 4
as next day he slept sonndly in the house Of
/ l. lad
a. corn-shock pen. Early at night he I
nd sumed bis journey, and at 2 o'clock ne
st- morning, passed through Covington, Al
rst gany County. In this village he called
mr. a friends house to make some inquiry. e
III Immediately proceeded on his way. VIII
err few miles from Covington he found
-eu strength SO rapidly failing that he det'
,ed mined to stop in thicket near the road
in rest Soon after daylight. Judging from
ted noise and confusion along the road, ne
vas leyed himself betrayed by his friend
in Cov;noton. and he afterward learned
yer susnicion had been well founded, and Il
oh the wifi. of the gentleman of whom he b
/ a, ;nouired had published the fact OF his pa
the age through the village. lie determir
TO abandon his horse and equipments
bel flee TO the mou ltains. lie made sure
oto- escape and remained two days and mig
inst in the Alltghanies without food, and o
he one obtained water.
tate On the evening of the 3lst of Octot
,ble pressed with hunger and Perishins viii c.
fsd. ba descended to the foot of the mounta
,ver when night set in heavy rain commen
rod f,lling and the night was dark and stor'
late II was a question of life and death;
ken scouts thirsting for his blood were on ev
Ille- side and on etery roao '"
wait passed close TO MS relrea' M '',e a