Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1864-01-28

suspicion and cause them TO exercise an in
creased vigilance. The situation, however.
was desperate. Their fate could not be
much worse, and they resolved to go.--
Nothing now remained to be done but for
the General and Colonel Dick Morgan to
change cells. The hour approached for
them to be locked up. They changed
coats, and each stood at the others cell
door with his back exposed, and pretended
to be engaged in making mp their beds, As
the turnkey entered they turned in" and
pulled their doors shut.
Six, eight, ten clock came. How each
pulse throbbed as they quietly awaited the
approach of twelve! II came-the senti-
mel passed his round-all we'll After wait
ing few moments TO see if he intended to
slip back, the signal was given--all quietly
slipped down into the air chamber, first
stufhng their flannel shirts and placing them
as they were accustomed to lie. As they
moved quietly along through the dark re-
cess TO the terminus where they were to
emerge from the earth, the General pre-
pared to light match. As the lurid glare
Tell upon their countenances scene was
presented which can never be forgotten.--
There were crouched seven brave men who
with bowie-knives made ont of se-knives.
Life, in their condition was scarcely to be
desired, and the moment for the desperate
chance had arrived. Suppose, as they
EMERGED from the gronnd, that the dog
should give the alarm-they could but die.
But few moments were spent in this
kind Of apprehension. The hour had ar
rived, and yet they came, Fortunately
yes. providentially-the night had sudden
| ly grown dark and rainy; the dogs had re-
tired to their kennels and the sentinels had
taken refuge under shelter. The inner wall
| BY the aid Of the rope ladder, was soon seal
/ ed, and now the outer one had to be at.
tempted. Capt. Taylor lwho, by the way,
Is nephew Of old Zack, being a very ac-
tive man, by the Assistance of his comrades
reached the top of the gate, and was ena-
! bled to get the rope over the wall. When
the top was gained, they found a rope ex-
! tending all around, which the General i'm
mediately cut, as he suspected that it might
/ lead to the Warden's room. This turned
out to be correct They then entered the
sentry box on the wall and changed their
clothes and let themselves down the wall
In sliding down, the General skinned his
hand very badly, and all were more or less
bruised. Once down, they separated, Tay-
! lcr and Shelton going one way Hokersmith,
| Bennett and McCiee another, and General
Morgan and Captain Hines proceeding ini-
mediately toward the depot
The General had by paying fifteen dol
lars in gold, succeeded in obtaining paper
which informed him Of the schedule Of time
iof the different roads. The clock struck
one, and he knew by hurrying he could
reach the down train for Cincinnati. He
got there just as the train was moving off.
He at once looked on to see if there were
any soldiers on board, and, espying Union
l,4 hn hgl11,- v-o1l-aI ap1 tncr n caat
beside him. He remarked to him that ''as
the night was damp and chilly, perhaps he
would join him in drink. He did so,
and the parties soon became very agreeable
10 each other.
The cars in crossing the Scioto have to
pass within short distance Of the Peniten-
tiary. As they passed, the officer remark
ed:
There is the hotel at which Morgan and
his officers are spending their leisure mo-
ments.
YES, and sincerely hope he will make
up his mind to board there during the bal
| ance Of the war, for he is a great nuisance,
) replied the General.
: When the train reached Xenia, it was de-
tained by some accident more than an hour.
: Imagine his anxiety, as soldier after soldier
. would pass through the train, for fear that
: when the sentinel passed his round at two
clock, their absence might be discovered.
1 The train was due in Cincinnati at = o.
| clock This was the hour at which they
: were turned out of their cells, and of course
p their sscape would be then discovered. In
/ few moments after it would be known all
h over the country. The train having been
detained at Xenia, was running very rapidly
e to make up time. 1t was already past .
II o clock. The General said to Capt. Hines,
e 1T is after six: if we 60 to the depot We
t. are dead men. Now or never They went
g to the rear and put on the brakes. Jump
:. Hinesl' of lie went, and fell heels over
:, head in the mud. Another severe turn OF
. the brake, and the General jumped He
d was more successful and lighted on his feet.
" There were some soldiers near who remark
a ed, what in the HI do you mean by jump
!? ing off the cars here?" The General re-
? piled, what in the ID is the use OF my
If going into town when live here; and, be-
,e side. what business is it of yours?'
h They went Immediately to the river, and
e. found ski8 but no oars. Soon little boy
10 came over, and appeared to be waiting
b. What are you waiting tor?' said the Gen
eral Il am waiting for my load. " What
" is the price Of a load 2" ''Two dollars.
: "WeH as we are tired and hungry, We will
It give you the two dollars. and you can put u
h ever. So over he took them. Where
= does Miss live?" ''Just a short dis
# tance from here will you show me her
k house, Yes, sir. The house%as reach,
ed. fine breakfast was soon obtained, mon
d ey and horse furnished, good woman:
II prayer bestowed, and off he went. From
y there, forward through Kentucky, every
1t body We'd with each other as to who should
IT show him the most attention-even to thu
it negroes; and young ladies Of refinement beg
n ccd the honor to cook his meals.
- lie remmned in Kentucky some days
=, feeling perfectly safe, and sending into Lou
2 isvile for many little things he wanted. =
y Went to Bardstown and found Federal re
D giment had just arrived there looking 70
l. him. Remained here and about for thre
le OF four days, and then struck out for Dixie
n. sometimes Disgusting himself as a Govern
1t ment cattle contractor, and buying a larg
Id lot of cattle; at other times quartermaster
Is until he got to the Tennessee River Her
or he found all means of transportation des
g troyed, and the bank strongly guarded, bu
pc with the assistance of about thirty Others
who had recognized him and joined hun i
o spite of his remonstrance, he succeeded II
t making raft, and he and Capt. Hines cross
I'd ed over. His escort with heroic self -sacri
IL fee refused to cross until he was safely over
of He then hired negro to get his horse over
ig paving him $50 for it. The river was 81
high that the horse came near drowning