Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-04-25
From the Boston Traveller. April 20.
A Remarkable incident.
Escape Of Sims, the Fagitiye, from the Rebels,
at FcbSbug-His a1rigal IN Boston.

Thomas Sims. well known as the first of
the persons sent south from this city, under
the provisions Of the fugitive slave law, ar
rived here last night, with his family. He
came direct from the vicinity of Vicksburg,
having escaped from that city only three
weeks ago. 1t will be remembered that the
master OF Sims resided in Savannah, Geor-
gia, and that under the order of the United
| States commissioner, Sims, at early dawn,
was escorted by the police under city mar
sinai Turkey, protected by military, the whole
under direction Of United States marshal
Freeman, to Central wharf where he was
placed on board a vessel which conveyed him
to Savannah. Ever since that time he has
been held as slave. His fortunate escape
from the rebels at this important period is GER
tainly remarkable and pleasing event. From
Mr.. Sims we have gathered the following par
ticulars OF his experience since his enforced
departure from this city =
Sims says that after being taken back to
Savannah he was kept in Jail for a short time,
and would have been severely punished but
tor the sympathy manifested for him at the
north. Soon after he was taken to Vicksburg
where he remained for ten or eleven years
working for the benefit of his master, at
his trade as brick-layer. He is married
and has one child about eight years of age.
He escaped from Vicksburg in a '.dug-
OUT boat, accompanied by his wife and child
and three other men. He started directly for
Boston, and would have been here before had
he not been detained in Cincinnati by the i'll
ness of his wife and child. His report is that
the rebels at Vicksburg are in desperate
condition. They have meat occasionally, but
the larger portion of their living is bread and
molasses He thinks that within year the
,.ol,f, 1c 1,r.,, -,
not make any farther move against them
Sims remained in Yicksburg up to the
time of his escape, but his wife had been re-
moved to plantation some miles out OF the
city, He and his friends having obtained the
boat, which they concealed, determined to es-
cape. He was allowed to go IN and out of
the city without restraint, and having bred IA
horse he went out at night and got his wife
and child. They were fortunate in being able
to pass the pickets, and with the men of the
party they embarked in the boat and put out
into the stream. The men were all armed
and had determined, if discovered. to fight
for their lives. 1t was moonlight night, and
at one point they passed near rebel battery,
but providentially just at that time the moon
was obscured by clond, and they were not
seen. The tugtives report that the slaves are
now allowed greater privileges than before the
wa SOtiiiiiSHCSu. anu Iii consequence OF there
BENG little cotton planted their work is light.
Sims and his wife are now stopping at the
residence of his sister, Mrs. Skies, living in
Garden street. He proposes to remain in
this city. They came away comfortably
clothed, but were able to bring nothing with
them. Sims wore new pair of shoes, for
which he paid $40. They were clumsily
made, and would sell here tor about 81.
In regard to matters at Vicksburg, the tes-
timony of Sims is quite conclusive. He saws
the rebel army is upon short ratons, and is in
terrible condition. Many and possibly even
a majority Of the force present would gladly
give up the contest, but reign of terror pre-
walls. lie fully confirms the statement of one
OF the correspondents from Vicksburg. that
two whole regiments had recently made full
arrangements to revolt and allow the federals
to enter the place, but that their plans were
discovered, the ringleaders shot, and the SOL
aiers set to work with the negroes upon the
Notifications.
lie also states that the poor soldiers of the
rebel army have been shot for the expression
OF the wish that the war might come to an end,
even II it resulted in the triumph of the North.
Upon suspicion of the entertainment of peace