The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-03-09
WHOLE NO. 1856.

ments were taken of1 and pushed forward. The
. constructors Of the tunnel never supposed il
= possible that more than twenty or thirty could
pass it in a single night.
This was Tuesday, Feb. 9th. Col. Hobart
| and Col. West emerged from the tunnel abou,
10 o'clock in the evening. They passed into
the street together. in plain sight of the senti-
ncls, Col. II. with overcoat on, clinging to the
arm of Col. w. and playing the part Of a de.
crept old man, VINO seemed to be in exceeding
i'll health and badly affected with comsumptive
cough. In this manner the two passed beneath
> the glaring gas lights and through the crowded
streets without suspicion as to their real char.
acter. Col. H., indeed, confcsses to Il con- idcr-
able degree Of gratitude for the sympathy in
dcated for him by those who in pure regard for
: his apparent intirmities stepped aside and gave
him ample opportunity to proceed on his way
The city police and military guards were among
those who seemed to show him special consd
Grafton in this particular Reaching tn, sub.
u,bs, the two prisoners passed rapidly from the
city through a n"ighboring ravne, and walked
ut least five miles before halting to take breath
In the meantime they passed the city fortifica.
tons. which Col. II. describes as the most form
liable he has seen during the war. As seen by
him by Starlight, they consist of single line
of invuncrabc carthworks, protected from
within by forts located about half mile distant
from each other. Fortunately, no one was on
guard where the two prisoners passed over
Stopping to rest about midnight, they found
themselves on the low ground where Gen. Nc
Clcllan so Callantly led the army in its trials
before Richmond. The suukrn graves for the
time being, furnished a secure place for concsal-
mcnt. With the north star for their guide.
they proceeded in north castcrly direction for
the purpose Of striking the Chckahominy near
New Bridge, thinking thus the better 10 avoid
the enemy,S troops.
At daylight Wednesday morning, they found
themselves within two miles of the river, and
about twelve miles from Richmond. They had
probably travelled fifteen or twenty. Reirin..
! to the woods, they remained concealed during
the day. That n ght was wasted in vain al
tempts to cross the river. DcSrnirins Of sue
cess they repaired to haysttck to wait for
light.
At the first dawn OF Thursday another attempt
was n ide to cross the Chickahominy, with sue
cess, though rot without some difficulty. The
feat n9s accomplished by means of Il fallen tree
and stray stick of timber which chance threw
in their way. They then directed their course
toward II thick swamp for cover. As they ap-
preached the centre of the thcket, Col. Ho-
barts eye suddenly caught glimpse Of a man
watching him from behind the root OF large
tree. His momentary apprehension was joyfuIIy
relieved by the discovery that his new made
Acquaintance was Col. McCleary. OF Mich, who
together with Capt. Clark, of H., had escaped
from the tunnel with the first party that welt
out, and were now passing te day in the swamp.
like hunted negroes. Col. Hobart says that
Col. McCleary when he recognized him, jumped
to his feet aid threw his arms around him in
an ecstacy of delight at the meeting. But
there was no opportunity for par!ey. BY this
time, the whole population had been informed
of the escape and the country was alive with
pursuers. The four agreed to travel in compa-
ny and hastily concealed themselves for the day
between logs in tangled grove of holly. Du-
ring the day, two contedeIatcs approached so
nearly that their conversation was distinctly
understood, and the reyeiIlc of the rebel troops
and the hum Of their camps were heard on both
sides of them. AT dark the party left their
hiding places and cautiously proceeded south
eastcrly. When they left Richmond. Coils
Hobart and West had placed quantity of dried
beef in their pockcts-sent the prisoners from
the north-and on this they subsi.ted through
their journey. Fortunately Capt. Clark had in
his possession pocket map of the country
which was material aid in guiding the party
on its way. ltwas arranged that thereaftcro one
of the four should preccdc. searching out the
way in the darkness and giving due notice Of
danger In this manner they travelled over
twenty miles, avoiding all roads and dwellings,
Late ut nj ght they crossed the railroad running
from Richmond to the White House. AS they
crossed, Col. West saw a sentinel near by, fast
asleep on his gun. They then made their way
eastward, just before day break passing into the
deep, pine woods, a distance Of four or five
miles. where they remained during the day
Rebel cavalry were in force all through that
vicinity, especially toward the river, and scous
were flying i'll every direction. Their buglc
notes fell quite too frequently on the ears Of
the travellers to permit them much Of sleep OR
Guietude.
That night, (Frday) wea>y, hungry and foot.
sore, as soon as friendly darkness came, they
started south east, making their way from wood
to wood, and otherwise avoiding the farmhouscs
as best ;hey might. About twenty miles were
passed over, when daylight coming, again thev
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 toilsomc march but
few words passed between the iugit:vcS, and
these few in low whispers. SO apparently un.
tring was the search, and 50 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. Ilobarts turn to play the part
of picket and pilot. During the night, in c,u-
nously emerging from the thick pine forest, he
suddenly found himself almost in the immcdi
ate presence of 4 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 Iii, self:
posse ssion. however, he perceived that his pres
ence was unohscrved. Fortunately no guard
had been stationed. He was but llrce or four
rods from his enemies, and the slightest noise
on his part might seal his fate. Cautiously put
| nphin1 ptI bn pntr tod
from the place. The party of fugitivcs. feel
ing considerably confused as to ''the situation, >
scarcely knew non whether to retreat or at
tempt to turn the encmy's flank. They finally
; returned a 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 conclu-
dcd to make an effort at considerable risk, to
obtain information as to their locality. The
others conceang themselves. Col. Ii. marched
up t. the door of anegro-dwelling and knocked.
The voice of black woman responded, inqu:r-
,, ing who he was Col Hobart answered that he
was Il traveller who had lost his way. After
considerable par.ey, during which, Col. II. re-
fused to comply with the request to go to an
other house for his information, the door was
opened, when it appeared that large, good
, looking "American citizen of African descent
had b. en- quietly listening to the conversation
The negro, in characteristic di,lcct forthwith
proceeded to inform Col H. that he was an es-
caped officer from Richmond. EYES," said the
Col. putting bold face on the matter, 81 am,
, and I'm glad to meet you. | want you to help
me through" The negro thea inquired how
many there were in the party, saying that they
must leave Immediately rs every road WAS
picketvd, one of the escaped federal officers
| h,, r,I