Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1864-04-23
From the Detroit Tribune
A Disabled HerO..InterreStlng Narrative
Of an Invalid Spy.-lIis Capture and
EScapc--A iIangman Brought 10 Grief.


EScapc--A iIangman Brought 10 Grief
Quite accidentally, yesterday, q lady friend
called our attention TO an invalid occupying
a room at the Soldiers Home. We called
upon him this morning and found him phi
losophizing hopefully upon military move
ments and changes. A portion of his mar
rative was so interesting that we will en-.
deavor to reproduce it for the entertainment
of our readers.
My name is Joshua r. Wood | am
twcnty-iour years Of age, and a native o
Philadelphia, Icnlistcd in the 18th Illinois
infantry Colonel John b, Wyman. in April
1861. After participating with my rcgi.
ment, in the action at Camp Jackson, Mis-
souri,, and the battle Of Pea Ridge, entered
the secret service
"ln order to ascertain the political st2tus
of the Indian tribes, was dispatched to the
Indian rendezvous, about one hundred miles
from our outposts, successfully played the
rebel and returned in one month with the
desired information My second trip was
up the St Francis river, and was devoid OF
sensations. The details of my third trip
are yet fresh in my memory. In my state
ment Of facts, you will discover the reason,
Il had proceeded without difficulty to
Fayetteville Ark, when | was recognized
by rebel who knew me, and was aware OF
my vocation. He appriscd Gen. lliudman
of my presence, who Immediately posted Il
chain picket to capture me, Carefully Sc
Letting my line Of retreat, negro was dis
patched from plantation residence to in
form me that | was upon the wrong road,
and ! was requested to dismount and tarry.
| knew this advice could only Y emanate from
n friend, and therefore complied. The plan
ter shook my hand heartily, and observed
that there was but one route for me to cs-
cape the piclletS-a gap four miles distant
being the key thereto, lie accompanied me
thus far, and wished me success rode
twenty miles as soon as possible. Here, in
the name Of the Southern Contederacy,
demanded from fine planter n fine bay
horse, which he possessed. This was will
llngIy exchanged for my exhausted gray,
and ] gave my rich black whiskcrs hasty
burial in mud, Another ride of twenty
miles brought me to a hospitablc mansion
where | stopped for the night
Il was thoroughly conscious Of the fact
that detachment of rebel cavalry was in
pursuit, and an hour had scarcely elapsed
ere they arrived at my resting place Slim
ulated by excitement and maddcncd by my
escape, they hastily asked information reIn-
tive toa Yankee spy with heavy black whis-
kers and a gray horse Ny host was so
deeply exercised by their incohercnt ques-
tions that he entirely forgot his guest They
informed him Of my escape, and stated that
the negroes owned by my benetactor near
the gap had confessed, under pain of sum.
mary execution. that their master had aided
me to cvade their hospitality, whcrcupon he
was shot at once Receiving the answer
that horseman had passed in great haste
that afternoon, they spurred iorward--iirst
stating what roads had been guarded against
my ultimate escape.
This reliable Information relative to my
pursuers was quite refreshing to me. !
started onward after breakfast, but missed
my intended route, and came upon an am
bush. where about thirty rebels were in
waiting. ! dashed past them at lightning
speed receiving no injury either from their
bullets or curses. They pursued me, with
no success ! reached Helena. st Francis.
and, at last Little Rock, in safety
Here was inauguratcd distinct era in
my history | was Immediately captured
by the 18th Texas, having been rcco,, ,nized
by one of the members OF that regiment
was handcuilcd, placed in dungeon in
the iail where | could not stand erect. and
fed upon bread and water After an i'm
prisonmcnt of three months, | was court
martialcd as a Yankee spv Not anprccin-
ting my devotion to the Yankee cause. the
court sentenced me to be hung. General
llindman approved the sentence, and gave
me five days to prepare for execution
"On October -. 1852. the scaiiold was in
readiness in the State House yard Nearly
fifteen thousand citizens were collected to
witness my dying agohes, and the military
were formed in followed square around my
apparent death bed | was so weak that
could not walk to the scafiold, and was ac
cordingly conveyed thither upon Il dray.
fancy sat upon my coffin with the usual
grace, for preferred death to a dungeon.
| was helped upon the scaflold, and the
black cap adjusted over my eyes. Further
would have been indefinitely
postponed by my acceptance of the oath of
allegiance; but was always national, and
preferred to die thus. !
''At this interesting period Gen. Hind /.
man appeared at the place of execution. He
was accompanied by Gen. Joe Johnston
who had Just arrived to take command of
the department
"The latter was IN old acquaintance of