New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-04-07
REPORT OF THE Observation-Disclosures.
STATEMENTS Blythe SOlDIERScApIuRED.
The Nsndishnew of Thugs Surpassed
A RACE BUT ONE REMOVE FROM cANNlealS.
SuDss.ADvocArE-GzyssaL's 0yyon'

\ OdCoD fdrrOtL, 70. N, oou hcRinicus OoA~,
Vols; Private Robert Buffnm, Co. II, 2lst Reg1
ment Ohio Vols Corporal William Reddick, Co. ~
go Ohio Vols; Private William Bensnger, Co. G.,
2lst Ohio Volstaksn at this Office on the 18th met,
in compliance with your written Instructions; from
which the following facts will appear:
These non-commissioned officers and privates be-
longed to en- expedition set foot in April 1862 ss
lhe suggestion Of Mr.. j. j. Andrews, citizen Of
Kentucky, who led it, ana under The authority and
direction of Gen. 0. NJ Mitchell, the object Of which
was to destroy the communications on the Georgia
State Railroad, between Atlanta and Chattanooga.
Tho mode of operation proposed was 10 reach
point on the road where they could seize locomo-
iys and tram of cars and then dash back in the d.
recton Of Chattanooga, cutting she telegraph wires
and burning the bridges behind them a. they adj
yanced, until they reached their own lines. The ex-
pedition consisted of "a men, who with the excep-
tiop of its leader, Mr. Andrews, aud another cI'iIen
of Kentucky-who acted on the occasion ss tne saos
s,itute of solder-bsd been selected from tne oil.
ferept companies for their known eoaraee ana as
erection. They were informed that the movement
was to be secret they doubtless eomprenend'
ed something of it's perls but AIR. Andrews and mr..
Rcddick alone seem TO have known, anything Oh ts
precise direction object. They, however, voiih-
tarily engaged In IT, and made their way, in parties
Of two and three, in citizens dress, and carrying
only their side-arms, to Chattanooga, the point az
rendezvous agreed upon. where ~ out OF the y
arrived safely. Here they took passage, wiIbout
attracting observation, for Marietta, wnicn tney
reached at II o'clock on the night OF the ilth OK
April The following morning they took the cars
back again toward Chattanooga, and at place
called Big Shanty, while the engineer and passen-
gers were breakfssting, they detached the locomo-
tive and three boxcars from the train, and started ~
full speed for Chattanooga. They were now upon
the field of the periIous operations proposed by the
expedition, but suddenly encountered unforeseen
obstacles According TO the schedule OF the road,
of which Mr.. Andrews had possessed himself, they
should have met but Q single train on that day.
- a. xzlf k$na AAg IN an a.
on extraordinary service. About an hour was loss
in waiting to allow these trains 70 pass, which ena-
bled their pursuers to press closely upon them.
They removed rails, threw out distractions on tee
road, and cut the wires from time to time, and
attained, when ia motion speed Of sixty miles On
hour but the time lost could no, be regained. Aft
having run about one hundred miles, they founS
their supply of wood, water, and oil, exhausted,
while the Rebel locomotive which had been chasing
them was in sight. Under these circumstances they
had no alternative but to abandon their cars and ny
10 the woods, which they did, under the orders Of
Mr., Andrews, each one endeavoring to save hsmsen
ne best he might.
The expedition thus failed from causes which 10,
Elected neither upon the genius by which II was
planned nor upon the intrepidty and discretion OF
those engaged 10 conducting it. Bot for the acct.
dent of meeting the extra trains-which could NOS
have been anticipsted-the movement would have
been complete success. and the whole aspect OK
the war in the South and Southwest wouid hsve
daring of its conception had the wildness OF 70.
nance; while in the gigantic and overwhelming
results, which it sought aud was likely to accom-
psh il was absolutely sublime. The estimate OF ~
character entertained in the South Will be found
fully expressed in an editorial from the Souhern
Confsderacy," prominent Rebel journal, under
date Of the 18th of April and which Is appended 70
and adopted as part of Mr. Pitenger's deposition.
The editor says: =" The mind and heart shrink back
appalled ut the bare contemplation Of the awful
VII ich bHya nc
cess OF this one act. We doubt II the victory OF
MANASSAS Corinth were worth as much 10 MS -
the Illustration of this grand coup detat. Is is noe
by any certain that the annihilation Of Beau
regards whole army ut Corinth would be 90 fatal q
bio to would have been the burning of tho
bridges at that time by these men,"
So soon those composing the expedition bad Left
the cars and dispersed themselves in the woods the
population of the country round turned out in their
pursuit. employing for this purpose the dogs which
are trained hunt down the fugitive slaves of the
South The whole 20 were captured. Among them
was private Jacob Parrot Of Co. K, SD regiment
any form Of trial, taken possession Of by military
officer and four soldiers, who stripped him. bent him
over stone, and, while two pistols were held over
his head, lieutenant in Rebel uniform inflicted,
with a raw hide, upward of hundred lashes on his
bare back. This was done in the presence Of an
Infatuated crowd, who clamored for his blood, and
actually brought O rope with which to hang him.
The object OF this prolonged scourgng was TO force
this young man to confess 10 them the obJecs OF inc
expedition and the names Of his comrades, especially
that Of the engineer who had run the train. Their
purpose was, no doubt not only to take the life Of
the latter if identified. but to do with every cif-
Of humiliation and torture which they
could devise. Three times, in the progress Of
this horrible logging, It was suspended.
confess Blu. steadily and firmly to the last, he re-
fused ell disclosures, and it wss not till his torment-
ors were weary Of their brutal work that the task
Of subduing their victim abandoned a. hopeless.
his youth 10 orphan, without father or mother,
and without any OF the advantages OF edacsuon.
Soon after the rebellion broke out, though ous
eighteen years of age he left bis trade, and threw
himself into the ranks of our armies ass volunteer;
and now, though still suffering from the outrages
committed on has person in the south, be Is on hw
way to reoin bis regiment seeming to love MS conn-
trv only the more for all that he has endured IN ito
defense. His subdued and modest manner, while
narrating the part be had borne in this expedition
showed him to DO wholly unconscious Of having
done anything more than perform Dis simple duty -
a soldier Such Spartan fortituds, and such fidelity
10 the trusts of friendship and TO the inspirations Of
patriotism deservean enduring record IN the archivee
II the Government, and will find one, am sure, in
the hearts Of loyal people,
The TWENTY-FIVE csptiyes, when secured, were
thrust into the negro Jail Of Chattanooga. They
thirteen feet square, 90 that there was not space
enough for them al to Lie down together. and part
If them were, in consequence, obliged 10 sleep
lifting and leaning against the walls. The only en-.
rance was through trap door IN the ceiling thaa
was raised twice day TO Let down their scanty
meals, which were lowered in bucket. They had
10 other light or ventilation Than that which came
through two small, triple grated windows. They
we're covered with swarming vermin, and tho hess
vas 50 oppressive that they were often obliged TO
trip themselves entirely Of their clothes 10 bear II.
Add TO this, they were all handcufed, and, with
race chains secured by padocks around their necks,
we're fastened to each other in companies OF twcs
md threes. Their food, which was doled out 70
4 IL 81 Il