Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1864-11-19

raj onerman captured Atlanta, when the
Union sufferers in that "dead pen" were
distributed in Augusta, Charleston, Savan-
nah, and Columbia. Before Mr.. Stuck reach
ed Charleston, his place of destination, he
again attempted to make his escape, but
was SO weak that he stopped at Graham's
Station, Ga, and, on going to a family by
that name, he told them his story, when
they gave him something to eat, place to
sleep, and sent him to Charleston under
guard. He became very sick from eating
fruit, and when he arrived in Charleston he
was placed in the hospital with the sick and
wounded prisoners but, believing that he
would certainly die if he remained there, he
again made his escape. He secured fishing
line with which ne caught subsistence; and
growing more bold, and the dirty Confede-
rate clothes tavoring that purpose, he ven
tured out into the city and disposed of his
fish, with the proceeds of which he pur-
chased such things as he wanted to eat. lie
made his quarters in the deserted buildings
which were exposed to the shelling from
our batteries, in which he was safe from OBJ
scrvation. On the night of the fourth day
in this situation it was quite dark and rain
ing hard which suggested to him that 1t
was favorable opportunity to escape to
to our fleet. Going to the waterside, he
coniscated boat, which had the msfor
tune to have but one oar He took pick
Z! from IL fence near by, showed off his boat
struck for a light which he supposed 10 be
one of oui gunboats, but which proved to
be on Fort Sumptcr. As the tide was set
ting out he easily passed Castle Pickney
anG Sumpter, but having started too late, the
tide turned before he reached our fleet,
though 1t vas visible through the occasion
al flashes of tightening the batteries which
were shelling Charleston were only mile
distant when his picket oar broke. and he
was seen by the light If their firing. The
misfortune of the tide and the breaking of
his oar sealed his fate, and being entirely
unacquainted with managing boat in u
heavy sea, he gave up in dispair, which was
the more painful, MS hope had but few
moments previous given place to an exult-
ing confidence. His boat floated ashore on
James Island, and having had nothing to
eat since the morning before, he imprudcntly
ate too many oysters, which sickcncd him.
About ten o'clock y. NJ. he WAS picked up
by patrol, and having on every other oc-
casion told the truth when he was recap
turcd, he thought he would try what virtue
there would be in varying lis story Il little,
as he was confident that if obliged to sub
/
Union captives in Southern prisons, he
would be unable to survive it any longer.
lie told the provost marshal on James Is
land that he was from Virginia; that his
name was John French that he was an eX-
empt, as he was subject to fits; that he went
out fishing the day before, broke his Our
and was washed on the Island. He account
/ cd for the absence of his surgeons certificate
by saying that it, with some other papers
/ got so wet the night previous that they had
gone To pieces. The provost did not credit
/ the story, and told Mr.. Stucke that he be
! licved that he was Yankee prisoner endea
vOring tn make his escape; but, however
! lie forwarded him to Captain Gear, proves,
marsha! OF Charleston, who sympathZud
with him, and believed lis account of him
self and kindly remarked that he woult
send him to the surgeon To be examined
who would furnish him with another certiti
cate, when lie wouG give him pass that
would save him from all future trouble, anc
enable him to go wherever ne pleased. Ih,
surgeon, who seemed to understand his case
perfectly, said he sgv no evidence that Ii,
! had ever been attacked with fits, but wha
seemed to be the matter with him was the
irregulari:y of his diet, eating too much a
one time and not again for day or two.
The surgeon then exhorted him to do his
duty like man. shoulder his musket, ant
like true son of Virginia, fight valiantl,
for the cause of the Confederate States, a
there was metal enough in the supposed Mr.
French to make good soldier. He was
soon marched of under the escort of guard
as conscript, to the cars, and landed IL
Columbia, South Carolina. This took place
on Tuesday, and he was without anything
tc eat until Friday night, which gives al
untavorable opinion of the enemy's commis
sariat. He then was furnished with ty,
hard crackers and piece of bacon, whicl
sickened him in his weak condition. Ill,
was confined in prison with rebel conscript
and deserters, on one side of a large hall
and on the other were Union officers, pri
soners of war In the room directly oppo
site to the supposed Mr.. French were. .severa
officers, who were members of Gen. Terry
staff whose dress had materially changeC
since they had been in rebeldom. The.
were dressed partly in citizen, Union, anC
Confederate clothing No communicated
was allowed to pass across the hall bctwcel
the rebel conscripts and deserters and tn
Union officers, and to enforce this rule tw,
guards were stationed there to SEQ TO it,
However, this did not permit the suppose,
French to make known his wants and eXac
condition to the officers, some of whom b
had seen before, though he waHnot acquain
ted with them and they, having satisfied
themselves that he was genuine Cniol
man, and that his true story was worthy q
belief, aided him with some money TO max
purchases for something to eat, and adviset
him 10 join, as j. is the privilege of the rebe
conscript to elect with what organization
he wishes to be connected the 26th Sout
Carolina Infantry, which proved to be a
satisfactory as MAS possible under the Gil
cumstances.
lie was soon sent 20 that regiment, whic
was stationed in front of Petersburg, wher
he arrived or Thursday, was excused fror
duty on account of i'll health on Friday, wa
put on wood duty on Saturday, and on sun
: day an old gun was given to him TO clea
, lup, with orders that he was to 90 on pickc
, duty that night with two other members q
his company. He whitfield two small plug,
removed the caps from the muskets of h
J comrades, inserted the plugs in the tube.
blocked the ends, and replaced the cap
without its being discovered, so that if h
was seen in the escape which he resolve
/ upon while on the picket line, their gun
) would do him no harm. After being sta
| toned there, he ayailed himself of the fir'
favorable opportunity, and went over I'll
: picket bfeakw works, aud reached our line, !
/, front of General Hancock's corps, in safet.
I expecting every moment to be shot hy IL