Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1864-03-11

Narrative of the Escape of Colonel StreIght.
The following is an account of the thrilling
escape of Colonel Streight, whom the rebels de-
tanned with so much vigor:
But the day of liberation from prison ap-
preached for Colonel Streight. He knew DOth-
ing of the digging of the tunnel until few days
before it was finished. He was the fifth TO go
out and it was tight squeeze-the colonel is
somewhat aldermanic in fgure-but he manag-
ed TO get out. Dressed in citizens clothes, and
his baversack well stuffed with dried beef,
tongue, and crackers, he essayed an adieu to re-
beldOm. Pursuant to previous agreement that
they should keep separated as much as possible,
he started in company with Captain Chamber
lain. twas about9 P. N. when he left the pris-
on. Passing up Canal street two squares, they
turned to the left and went into Second street,
thence going to the right and keeping the
east side of the town. At this early hour in
the evening it was impossible not to meet and
pass good many; but they did so without ex-
citing suspicion. Going by the Notifications,
they saw no one. Taking a nOrtheasterly course,
they continued their journey. proceeding slow
ly and cautiously, of course, until A. NJ when
they halted in dense wood close by the Chick
ahominy swamps, and remained the next day.
Several times during the day squads of rebels
out in search of the missing prisoners passed
close by them, but happily without discovering
their place of fcOncealment. At dark they star
ted again on their Journey crossing the Chlcka-
hOminy on a fallen tree and, as good luck would
have it, encountering no pickets. They got in
to terrible thiclzet, and this night accomplish
ed only five miles. They lay in this thicket
all the second day, and the frequent firing o
guns about them materially d!ssipated whatev-
er poetical enjoyment they might otherwise
have derived from their wilderness lodge
Thus far they had slept but little in the day; bu
nevertheless on the third night they made an.
other start, now striking for the Pamun<ey riv-
er. The detOurs they had to make TO keel
themselves under cover of the woods, anC
swamps to traverse, made the journey slow, anC
daylight only found them midway between the
Chickahominy and Pamunky. The next day
they passed in a swamp. Rebel scouts wer'
still prowlng about, but they lay low and quiet
and were not discovered. They suffered great
ly from cold. Next night they reached the Pa
munky, near Piper's ferry, and some ten mile
above the White House. How to get across tht
riyer-which here, although not very wide, il
deep and dangerous, and the weather meantime
had reached degree of coldness making swim
ming an impossibility-was now the question
and it was difficult one to solve. Thus ia
they had abstained from coming in contact will
any one, white or black. They were compelled
| TO call in contraband assistance, and In accom-
plishing this were four days. At length they
got negro, and tbenegro got boat, and il
this way they got across the river. And nov
good fortune smiled on them. The negro turn
ed them over to another negro who piloted then
fifteen miles down the opposite bank of the riv
er. As good many of the rebel soldiers, ant
particularly the cavalry living in this vicinit,
and Gloucester county, were home on furloughi
| they still had to move with exceeding caution
But the kindness of the negroes saved them froI
capture. They were brought down to YOr
river and set across by skiff at Biglows Land
ing. From here they went down the river, pass
| ing West Point in daylight Here, seeing n
one save negro soldiers on picket, was the frs
positive assurance of reaching our lines. Afte
the trying ordeal they had gone through it wa
deeply gratifying to see the stars and stripe
again at Williamsburg, which they reached
~ days and one hour from the time of leavin
| Richmond.
The stories of the remaining prisoners al
likewise full of thrilling interest, although
substance similar to that of Col. Streight
The North star and negroes were their guide
and love of liberty was their support and su
tenance.