Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-03-12

roads and dwellings. Late at night they
crossed the railroad running from Richmond
to White House. As they crossed, COL West
saw a sentinel near by, fast asleep on his gun.
They then made their way eastward, just be-
fore daybreak passing into the deep pine
woods, a distance of four or five miles, where
they remained during the day. Rebel cav
airy were in force all through that vicinity,
especially toward the river, and scouts were
flying in every direction. Their bugle notes
fell quite too frequently on the ears of the
travellers to permit them much of sleep or
quietude.
That night (Friday,) weary, hungry and
footsOre, as soon as friendly darkness came
they started southeast, making their way
from wood TO wood, and otherwise avoiding
the farm-houses as best they might. About
twenty miles were passed over, when daylight
coming, again they retired to cover in the
deep shade of the forest. A woman passed
near them during the day, but happily they
were not discovered. Col. Hobart states that
during all this toilsome march, but few words
passed between the fugitives, and these few
in low whispers. So apparently untiring
was the search, and so thoroughly alarmed
and watchful were the population, that they
felt their safety depended upon bare chance.
Saturday night the journey was resumed as
usual 1t was Col Hobart's turn to play the
part of picket and pilot. During the night,
incautiously emerging from the thick pine
forest, he suddenly found himself almost in
the immediate presence of party of rebel
cavalry. His surprise and alarm for the
moment welded him to his tracks. Not
doubling that he was seen, he felt his case
hopeless. Recovering his selfpOssession,
however, he perceived that his presence was
aIu had haa
stationed. He was but three or four rods
from his enemies, and the slightest noise on
his ps TT might seal his fate. Cautiously put
ting one foot behind the other, he retreated
from the place. The party of fugitives feel
ing considerably confused as to the "situa-
ton" scarcely knew now whether to retreat
or attempt TO turn the enemy's flank. They
finally returned distance of about three
miles, and halted for further consultation
They had lost their way, and being satisfied
that there was danger ahead, and that it
would be LABOR lost to return farther toward
Richmond, they concluded to make an effort
at considerable risk, to obtain information as
to their locality. The others concealing
themselves, Col Hobart marched up to the
door of negro dwelling and knocked. The
voice of black woman responded, inquiring
who he was Col. Hobart answered that he
was traveller who had lost his way. After
considerable parley, during which Col. III. re-
fused to comply with the request to 60 to
another house for his information, the d or
was opened, when is appeared that large,
good looking negro was inside and had heard
the conversation.
The negro said, az know who you is.
You'se one of dem 'scaped officers from Rich
moni" Col. III. laid his hand on the negroes
IL aid / md inst bn
person wanted to see. l want you to help
me through" The negro askek if there were any
others with him. Col. IL. told him. He said
they must not stay there, that the road was
picketed with rebel cavalry, who passed up
and down every hour looking for the fugitives.
The negro woman offered Col. III. some milk
to drink which he said did him more good
than anything he ever took before in his life.
The negro proved a sharp and shrewd fell
low, and he invited Col III. to private spot
at distance in the field where the party all as
sembled and held conference. The result
was that the negro engaged to pilot them
round the cavalry pickets. He then conduct
ed them through long cane brake path, then
through low swamp, then through several
fields, and then directly over the road, cross
ing between the cavalry and their videttes-
the cavalry sitting on their horses not over
thirty or forty rods distant-and accompanied
them mile further on. They asked him to
go with them, but he said he would not go
unless lie could get his family away also. He
was slave. As they were about leaving
him, he said to Col. ii. "Now, Mighty God,
massa, how soon is you all coming down here?
We all want to 90 wild you ?" Col. III. told
him he,thought we should be along very soon.
daughter and cheers.) He said he had the
name of that negro, and he should remember
him, and his kindness to his dying day and
should repay it if ever opportunity was given.
The line of the Williamsburg pike was
then followed rapidly, as far as the " Diascum
river" which was reached just at light on
Sunday morning To cross this river without
assistance from some quarter was found i'm
possible. They endeavored to wade through
it, but failed. After while they succeeded
in reaching an island in the river, but could
get no further. At this juncture rebel cit
izen was seen coming up the river in row
boat, with gun. Col. ii. concealed himself
in the bushes by the river to get look at the
man. Finding his countenance to indicate
youth and benevolence, Col. III. accosted him
as he approached. al have been waiting for
you," said the Colonel. "They told me here
at these houses that you would take me across
the river" The end of the boat was toward
the shore. "There are three more of us"
said Col. H., having by this time got his foot
on the boat and his eye on the gun. The
other three approached. The determination
was to pass the river in that boat-peaceably
if possible, forcibly if they must "Where
do you all come from?" said the boatman,
seeming to hesitate and consider. The party
represented themselves as farmers from vari-
Gus localities on the Chickahominy. "The
officers don't like to have me carry men over
the river" said the man who held the oars
"That's right" said Col. H., "yOu shouldn't
carry soldiers or suspected characters. Besides
there are Yankees about here sometimes.
But zoe farmers should be taken over without
trouble" Suffice it to say that the boat went
and the escaping prisoners went in it, but in
a short time thereafter a hue and cry was
raised, and the entire population seemed
to be out on the paths of the fugitives.
Fortunately, the officers, instead of going far
Their that day, misled the rebels by concealing
themselves near the river until night-a fact
to which their escape at this time was due.
At dark, the flight was again commenced with
renewed hope, but perceiving evidences OF
continued pursuit, they returned to their
hiding places where they remained until to-
ward midnight They then took fresh start,
going to the Williamsburg pike, where they
Law in ambush by the roadside for an hour
before venturing to progress.
1t was now early in the morning of Monday.
For five days and six nights, this little band
of hunted and almost exhausted fugitives,
with the stars for their guide, had slowly
picked their way among surrounding perils
toward the camp fires of their friends. They
know they must be near the outposts of the