Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-02-17

the treatment due to loyal citizens. Al
that is q dead issue now. Had it ever
proved fatal to us, the lives of two mer
are Of very little consequence in SC
weighty conflict. IF we knew our own
hearts we were willing to suffer whenever
the Cause required it; but it was hard to
feel that we were suffering needlessly. ]
would not obtrudc matter SO purely
personal upon the reader but for this
reason There are thirty thousand good
men and true (who, unlike US, have a
special claim upon the Government, be-
cause they are its soldiers,) still in South
ern prisons, enduring saferings compar-
ed with which our physical Inconvenience
were felicity itself. [ solemnly believe
that they are being nccdlessly sacrifice
cd.
TIE ESCAPE FROM PRISON
For sixteen months we had been CONSTANT
lp trying TO escape. a gain and again we
almost compassed it; but at the vital
moment some unexpected obstacle always
interposed. We were only once detected
in the very act: then few days confne-
ment i'll cell was the penalty paid for it.
1t seemed as ii Fortune would never tire
Of prosecuting Us but We always deter
mined to continue our eudeayors until we
either gained our liberty or lost our lives.
On Sunday afternoon, October Is, when
| put on extra under-clothing for the
possible mountain journey, it was with
out the least expectation, almost without
the faintcst hope Of success. had made
the same preparation at least fifty times
before.
Both "Junius" and our esteemed
collaboration, Mr.. William Il. Davis of
The Cincinnati Gazette, had been furnish
ed with passes to visit, during the day, a
rebel hospital, outside the fence aud the
inner line Of guards, to order in medical
supplies for the prisoners. The inhexible
rule was, to exact paroles whenever passes
were granted but in the confusion at
tendant upon the great influx Of prisoners,
the authorities had neglected to require
them. None Of US would have given
paroles, in any event; hut my friends
had the good fortune not to be asked for
them.
On that Sunday evening, half an hour
before dark, (the latest hour they could
pass the gaard) they both went outside as
usual to the rebel hospital. \ few
minutes after, taking in my hand a great
box fall of the bottles in which medicines
were brought in, |, too, walked rapidly
up to the gate, while dozen friends, in
the secret, were looking on to see the re-
suit. attempted to pass the sentinel,
but he halted me and asked:
"llave You pass, sir ?"
"Ccrtaiuly have pass" 1 answered.
Haven't you seen it often enough 10 re.
member by this time -
Very likely he answered, a little
nonpllssel =; bat | was not quite sure,
and our orders are very strict
Thereu?on | exhibited to him TIE
genuine pass belonging to my colleague,
who'c face was 50 well known to the
sentia9l-taoagh not his name, as the
event provr,,-that he bad been able to
20 out without showing it. The soldier
examined it. reading slowly and with dit-
licuIty, "Guards VIII permit Juuius II.
Browne, citizon-p -prisoncr, 10 pass the i.l-
ner gate, to bring in iaedic4i supplies;"
and then retained it saying; "At right,
sir; taat pass is correct, tor know Capt
Fuqm's handwriting.
Once outside, [ hid the mclical box be-
hind ieuuc, aid found refuge in u little
outbuiId;ng ua!il dark. Ny two friends
there joine,l mo; ahl we walked through
the outer gate into the streets in full
view Of tie guard, who, seeing us come
from the rebel hospital supposed US to be
surgeons or their assistants.
TIRE JOURNEY TO Our LINES.
For the s,st thirty hours after cur
escape we had not morsel Of food or q
draught Of water; for the first hity-six
hours We only ate three or four ounces of
tainted cornel beef. and about three
ounces Of cogn.6.ead, to the man. We
were u gool dea, weakened, but the hope
OF freedom was SO strong within us tha;
we suffered little Inconvenience from it.
For :he first hily miles we found only
two or three white Union people ; bat re-
lied exclusively upoa the negroes. When
ever we met one. male or female, of ma.
tura years, we told them, with perfect
frankuess We are Union prisoners, es-
capel irom'Salisbury, trying to reach our
homes, and we want you to help US. -
They invariably responded promptly !;
sheltered US whenever they could with
anything ike safety, and always fed and
piiotcd Us. So f,ras their fidelity was
concerned, we FIT just as safe among
them as if we had been in The Tribune
editorial rooms
Four-if,hs of the prisoners who es-
capped were usually caught and brought
back 50 we exercised the utmost eau
ton. We Travelled only by night, start
ing at 9 or 10 o'clock, and seeking
shelter two or three hours before day.
light. Silently AMI like specters We
marched along, with one man thrown oul
ahead as picket. Whenever he ianciel
he saw danger he raised warning hand
and we all stopped and steppe.i aside, OF
waited till the coast WIS clear. The
weather was very severe. We wer,
sometimes compelled to lie all day shiyer
ing upon the frozen gyouad, not daring .e
build fires. ,phls loss Of sleep, coupled
vita scant food and hard walking, was .
great trial to the physical system. Agaii
ana again we seemed to have reached tht
very last pointAf human endurance bu