Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-03-04
Escape of Col. strsight.

Col Streight aud several of the escaped Off
GERS from Richmond, have arrived at Washing
ton. When Colonel Streight emerged from the
tunnel he found he was so weak that he could
not stand the fatigue and exposure consequent
upon an attempt to reach our lines at that time.
He accordingly requested those men who first
got through 70 have General Butler announce his
safe arrival that they Eight be thrown off their
guard, and he have time to escape. He then
proceeded to house on the outskirts Of the city,
whence he learned he would find a temporary
haven for twelve days. He had faVors and acts
Of kindness thrust upon him. His wasted frame
grew stronger, and one hne moonlight night he
left for our lines, armed with two Colts r0Volv-
ers and bowie knife. lie marched boldly up
to Main street, dressed in aragged dirty, butter
nut suit, and was stopped by sentinel near the
Tredegar-iron Works.
He boldly inquired for the Rebel barracks,
and changing his course took the line Of the
Fredericksburg Railroad out of town. Hating
upon the Notifications be walked some distance
along them, and not finding any one he made for
the bridge at Mechancsville, where he crossed
the Chiokahominy and met his comrades. They
then made line nearly north stopping in the
daytime in the woods and bushes aud marohin &
all night through fields and woods, avoiding all
houses and roads.
The only persons they trusted to get food OF
seemed to comprehend instinctively who they
were. al knose yer, you's some Of dem Yam
KEGS got out Richmond, better keep quiet, dey q
advertised and is looking for you" Several
times on the road they came near being taken
Near Tappahannock, on the Rappahannock Riv-
er, they bad quite lively time Of il. They
reached that plaoe on the morning of the 2ls',
and were discovered near fodder.house. Il
appears that company Of Rebel cavalry in the
s..sa k.Ak I'll
and the owner set slave to guard 1t. COlone
Streigh, not knowing this fact, went to the stack
to get fodder to make bed and was discovered
by the slave, who gave the alarm, and as soon al
day broke the whole country vas aroused apC
the party were hunted by cavalry militia anG
slaves with dogs, but fortunately they were in d
country abounding in swamps and hills, ovel
and through which they were chased unsuccess
fully. The dogs could not track them through
the water of the swamps and briors. They wer,
so thick that Colonel Streight says even il dos
had followed them bis hide would have beer
scratched OF. After being hunted nearly tht
entire day, their pursuers gave up the chase, oil
got on the wrong trail, and four went back il
the country, where they found boat in a creel
about FIVE miles from the river, which they took
and, making their way down, CROSSED the river
They resumed their travels, and reached thl
Potomac Wednesday night; but there we're som,
Rebel soldiers in the vicinity who nearly cap
tured them as they were attempting to cross th
river, on the following night The next nigh
these soldiers guarded the river, and no altemp
was made but on Saturday the prisoners mad
their way up the country and crossed the rive
to Blackstone Island, from whence they, OIL
Sunday morning, hailed the steamer Ella, hav
ing on board Com. Parker, under command @
Acting Master Mcdonnell, by whom they wer
taken on board and h ,ndsomely entertained, an
landed at the Navy Yard at Washington, at moo
on Monday, having been ten days on the roa
from Richmond. Just before Colonel Streisi
left be saw Pickeit's Division pass through Rict
mond en rOuts to General Lee These trooE
have been on duty near Petersburg, and som
were from Newbern. Information brought b
these men confirms the previous statement
Gen. Lees weakness.
Our prisoners, Colonel streight, says are sui
= fering from hunger aud exposure more the
1 tongue can tell.