Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-12-01
Interesting Experiences Of the Escaped
Prisoners.

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Interesting Experiences Of the Escaped
Prisoners.
Captains J. +. Shelton and g. W. Deal, OF
the 18th Iowa regiment, who were captured In
October last, at Tilton, Georgia, by Gen.
Stewards corps, OF Hoods army, have escaped
from Georgia prisons, and after a series Of
almost unparalleled hardships, have made
their way out of rebeldom, and are now in thi s
city.
On being captured, the prisoners were
marched under guard to Blue Mountain, Ala,
thence TO Talladega, and there TOOK tIain ior
Selma, Ala. From Selma tney were sent oywn
the Alabama river to Cahaba Al TINS Place
the men were imprisoned in Castle morgan,
place very much after the Andersonvtlle per.
suasion,) and the officers were put on parole OF
honor, with prescribed limits, in the city. Aitsr
a soJourn of four days in Cahaba- detacn-
msnt OF 5Uo prisoners, including the on1cers
and men OF the 18th Iowa, were put on board
the q. S. transport "Coquette," and started mp
on the evening Of the 29th of October
They arrived at Montgomery, Ala, on the
30th, and were bivouacked for the night In the
eastern suburbs of the city. On the morning
of the 31st they were pat aboard train for
Columbus, Ga, which place was reached at J
p. m. of the same day. Capt. Skelton ana
Capt. Deal, having some idea OF prison iile,
resolved to make an effort 10 escape. Upon
arriving at Columbus, the prisoners were
parked in a common near the Macon Railroad
the guard to have a fire kindled, and received
permission TO step aside few PAGES to pro-
cure fuel, unaccompanied by guard. Being
outside of the guard line, they took dvantage
of the opportunity, and, by circuitous route,
first to the northward, to give the impression
that they were going towards Atlanta,) tney
reached the Chattahocchie river, three miles
below Columbus; thence they proceeded down
the river through canebrakes, bars, and many
other almost nsurmountable obstacles, In
search of skiff, in which they hoped to make
tha,, - -txr aIQp tNnl
Bay.
Having but very limited supp ly of food,
they Immediately put themselves on one-fourth
ratIons. AT the end of the third day they pro-
cured small batteau from a negro, giving
him a silver watch as remuneration. In this
they embarked, but had not proceeded half g.
mile until they ran into drift, and Captain
Skelton was thrown overheard. With some
difficulty he swan ashore, and again en-
trusted himself to the feeble bark. They had
not gone far until the batteau sprang leak,
and was well nigh sinking before they could
reach the shore. However, they managed to
stop the leak and on they went They soon
found better batteau than the one they had,
and they took occasion to exchange. They
proceeded down the river by night, lying up
in the day time, until they passed the mouth
OF the Flint river. They then travelled day and
night the rest of their journey. At Swamp
they found the Apalachacola river blockaded
for q long distance by drift. With much diff
fculty they worked their way around through
the swamp to the right actually cutting apas-
sage for their batteau through the brush with
butcher knife, the only weapon which they
had.
at length they succeeded in getting into
Chipola cutoff then into the Chipola river,
and from there down into the lApalachicola
again. They passed Fort Gadsden by day
light not knowing there was rebel garrison
at that place At Bloody Bluff, five miles
below, they landed and inquired Of woman
if there was any rebel soldiers in the vicinity.
She informed them that there was garrison at
Fort Gadsden, five miles above. She also in
formed them that they were then within twenty
five miles of Apalachicola. They fioated on
down the river until night, and stopped for the
night at the head Of Lake Winspeco. The fol-
lowing morning, which was November 8, they
proceeded down along the left hand shore, the
river at this point being very wide. When
within six miles Of Apalachi cola, the sea ran
so high that they were driven into marsh, and
could Dot proceed further without swsmping
their canoe. Seeing no prospect OF the wind
abating, they determined to hail a man whom
they discovered on the opposite shore. They
accordingly raised a white flag, which was
discovered by the man, and he, in company
with two other men, got into small boat and
came to their relief. After some interrogatories
on the part eff the officers, they ascertained that
their rescuers were Union men.
Here they received their dinner, and when
night came they were taken into the boat and
conveyed to Apalachicola, where they received
the kindest treatment by several Union citi-
zens. At a. m, on the morning of the 9th,
they were conveyed in q boat TO the steamer
Somerset, which vessel was anchored out in
the bav, three miles distant.
The officers wish to express their gratitude
toward Acting Volunteer Lieu enant W. p.
Rogers and others, officers of the U. S. steamer
Somerset, for many kind favors received at
their hands.
On the evening OF the 9th the fugitives went
on board the u. S. steamer Stars and Stripes to
West Pass. On this vessel they were kindly
treated by Acting Volunteer Lieutenant John
SherrlIl commanding, and other oficersiof his
crew. On the morning Of the 10th they went
on board the u. S. steamer 1sonomia, Lleuten-
ant Commander Simpson commanding, for
Key West.
The fug1tives speak in the highest terms of
praise of the courtesy and hospitality shown
them by the officers OF the 1sonomia. They
arrived at Key West on the 14th and left for
New York on the steamship Union on the 17th.
AS matter of interest Just now in regard TO
provision supply in going through Georgia,
they state that the margin Of the Chattahoochee
was one vast cornfield on both sides from Co.
lumbus to the mouth of Flint River. From
that point to ApalachicoIa was a dense swamp