The new South. [volume] (Port Royal, S.C.) 1862-1867, 1864-03-26


in our midst some Floridians who are true and
faithfui to our cause, and they should in every
way receive our encouragement and support.
CAPTURE, ESCAPE AND RE-cAPTuRE OF THREE
PRIsoSERs.-Af few days since, Priyates Gustave
Hoofan, Co. B, Henry Stark, Co. E, and Henry
Schumacher, Co. c, all Of the 9Th Conn Regt., At
tempted to desert in boat which they took from
the Ordnance yard, and rowed down the coast
to ossibaw sound. There they were discovered
by one Of our gunboats doing duty of that point,
picked up and sent back to Hilton Head They
were placed in the guard-house by Provost Mar
shall Peck, and each one was treated to the bon
eft of heavy ball and chain. On the night OF
the 18th, however, they succeeded in making
their escape under the following circumstances:
Previous to the time mentioned one Of tho party
procured by some means q file, with which he
formed the back Of q common cass-knifs into q
saw. On the night Of their escape the prisoners
severed their chains, and having been thus re-
leased Of the iron weights which fettered them,
were free to accomplish their design. With .
small gimlet they perforated . sufficient space OF
the floor Of their cell to enable them, when the
board was taken up, to pass through. In remov-
ing the floor they also brought into requisition
the knifs-saw. AL this work was done IN the
night and when the prisoners had left their cell
they crept along to the barracks, sad when the
guard had reached remote portion Of his beat,
ma N cad N NJ into En-,
yard, where they secured boat, which they
launched and rowed of. The sentinels heard
the filing in the night but supposed the sound
was occas;oned by rats gnawing, and gave no
further attention to it. At an early hour on the
following morning, Provost. Mrashal Peck was
informed that the three prisoners were missing,
whereupon he instantly despatched telegraphis
messages to different points in the district; also
to several of the gunboats lying in the creeks
and rivers. He had ascertained that boat had
been taken from the Engineer depot by unauthor.
lied persons, and this led him to suspect that
the prisoners had taken it as the means Of escape
On the afternoon of the 18th Capt. Peck received
telegram from Brsddock's Point, informing
him that three men i'll boat had been hailed by
the pickets and forced to land. On landing the
men Immediately ran into the woods. By order
Of Capt Peck patrol Of men were mounted,
with instructions to search the woods and to en-
Quirs OF the contrabands whom they might meet
il they had furnished food or water to white
soldiers. By this means tho prisoners were
speedily tracked to their hiding place, captured
and brought into camp. They are now in the
guard-houss once more, with good heavy ball
and chain attached to their feet, and under the
surveillance of sentinels appointed expressly to
watch their movements. The indications in the
case form the impression that the deserters were
attempting to 60 over to the enemy. They arc
substitutes for drafted men. and have been in
the Department but q comparatively short time
The circumstances attending their desertion viii
be thoroughly investigated, and they will doubt.
less be dealt with TO the fullest extent of the law
These renegades, and other soldiers like them
who sttsmpt to follow in their footsteps will be
made to comprehend the wise saying that 1.-the
way Of the transgressor is hard
The MODEL OF FORT WAGNEk.-The model
of Fort Wagner. designed and executed by Off.
GERS Of the Engineer department. was sent North
by the Ara0o on her last trip. It will bc on ex-