The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-01-09
Escaped from Dixie

LYONS TOWNSHIP, MILLS Co., Iowa.
EDITOR NoNPAREIL :-Having lately ar
rived from the South under circumstances
that may be of interest to your many
readers, will proceed i'll as concise man
ner as possible to give you a short history
of my trials in the South, hoping at the
same time that it may encourage many
good mothers whose husbands are in the
army to endure their hardships with great
er fortitude, after reading the short his
tory of one who has suffered from the ty-
ranny Of the "Divine institution" for no
other cause than boldly standing up for the
flag Of her country. Ny residence was
Yazoo Co. Mississippi. ! had son l9
years old, killed at home by citizen
rebel, because he was a Union man, and
would not be forced to fight against his
country. Those who have never expe-
rienced the loss Of their most beloved can
not imagine the distress of a mother on
such an occasion. was taken as a tory
tried and abused in every conceivable man
ner. / was placed in YazoO City jail,
and remained in it two months and one
day. l was put down in what is called the
bounds. / discovered an aperture in the
wall, of which I was not slow in taking
advantage. /, Immediately upon dis
covering the aperture, emerged rom my
desOlate abode. ! concluded that had
escaped from Southern tyranny-Inaue my
way down to Little Sunfiower River.
was recaptured and taken back II miles
toward Yazoo City; feigned sickness, and
the man that had me in custody concluded
to take me 10 his house for few days
where could be cared for until would
partially recover. ] took possession of his |
ssdug-out" or boat, and again made my es-
cape. l rowed the the boat l20 miles up
Sunflower River-lS days going up during
which time never saw the face OF man.
can not describe the sufferings which |
opv -. bod for nirhf
the boat rowed by day, had, however
taken supply OF rations with me sutii-
Gent to last me through my journey in the
wilderness. On arriving at Deer Creek,
was taken again by the enemy as a spy,
and sent to Snider's Bluffs, and from there
to Vicksburg-remainedt three weeks-was
sent to Jackson Mississippi, and was there
8 weeks. Gen. Grant in the meantime, cap
tured it, and for the first time fell into the
hands Of friends. acted as nurse in the
Union hospital six weeks. was thinking
| was perfectly safe, but my imagination had
led me estray; was recaptured with all the
Union garrison and sent from there in COM
pany with the Union prisoners, to Rich
m0nd, Va. / was placed in the Castle
Prison, and from there was sent
70 City Point to be released-suffice to saw
was released. I arrived ut my brother
Josiah Howdescheldts, living in Lyons
Mills county, Iowa, about the
asst of September, 1868.
Before the rebellion broke out was in
good circumstances. I have lost every
hing that had in this world, as far as
property is concerned, for the sake Of my
country.
Mr.. Editor, my story is finished-my
roubles are passed. only regret one
hing, and that is that these Northern
raitOrs don't have to go through, the same
,r worse troubles, for their bad faith to
heir country, that / have had to 90 thro'
or my country. CATHARINE STAR.
: Council Bluffs Nonparetl.