Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-05-31
RICHARDSON'S ESCAPE.

hlOaAhOOON y iSOAI Il.
ALBERT G. RIcHRDsoN is about to issue
"a new work called THE Field, the Dungeon,
and the Escape" It will be reccollected
that Mr. Richardson was a correspondent of
the Ne,e York; Tribune, and was aseaptured in
an attempt to run past the rebel batteries at
Vicksburg, at the time Gen. Grant was be-
sieging that then rebel stronghold, The ex-
tracts given below, relate to the manner of
making his escape from the rebl prison at
Salisbury, North Corolina, and viii be read
with interest
''On that Sunday evening, half an hour
before dark ltEe latest moment atwhich the
guards could be passed. eyea by authorized
persons, without the counterslgnl, my
friends, Mcssrs. Browne and Davis, went
out to the Rebel hospital, beyond the
inner line Of sentinels, rs if to order their
Usual medical supplies for the sick prison
ers. As they passed In and out dozen
times day, and their faces were quite ia
miliar to the sentinels, they were not COM
PEELED to show their passes and Mr. Browne
left his behind, with me.
\ few minutes later, taking with me
long box filled with the bottles which med
icll supplies were usually brought, and Civ
ing it to little lad who assisted me in my
hospital duties | started to follow them.
As if in great haste, we walked rapidly
toward the gate, while, leaning against trees
or standing in the hospital doors, half "A doz-
en- of our friends looked on to see how
the plan worked When we reached the
gate, | took the box from the boy, and said
to aim, OF course for the bcueit Of the SEN
incl:
Il am going outside, to get these bottles
filed shall be back in about fifteen min
utes, and want you to remain right here, to
take them and distribute them among the
hospitals. Do not go away now.
he lad understanding the matter per-
fectiy, replied 'Yes, sir; ;; and attempt
ed 20 pass the sentinel by mere assurance.
had learned long before how far a man
may 90 even incaptivity, by ST eer native i'm
pu1ence-by moving right along, without
hesitation. with confident look, just as if
he had right to go and no one had any
right to question him. On several occa-
sions, [ absolutely saw prisoners, who had
procured citizens clothes thus walk past
the guards in broad daylight, out Of Rebel
prisons.
think could have done it on this occa-
sion, but for the fact that it had been tried
successfully two or three times, and the
guards severely punished. The sentinelstop
ped me with his musket, demanding
Have you pass, sir
Certainly have a pass" replied,
with all the Indignation L could assume.
Have not you seen 1t often enough to know
by this time?
Apparently little contounded, he replied
modestiy:
Probably have, but theyare very strict
Il 4 I urlrf4 -
gave to him this genuine pass belong
ing to my associate
Head-quarters. S. Military Prison,
Salisbury, n g., Dec, 5, 1864. J
Junius IL. Browne, Citizen, has permIs-
sion TO pass the inner gate OF the PrIsoa, to
assist in CARRYING medicines to the Military
Prison HOSPITALS, until further orders.
j. A FAoUA,
Can't and Assistant Conmandant of Post.
We had speculated for long time about
M using spurious pass, and my two COM
raies prepared several, with skill and ex-
actness which demonstrated that, If their
talents had been turned In that. direction,
they III ght have made hrst-ciass forgers.
But we finally concluded that the verltaole
pass was better, because, if the guard had
any dou IT about it | could tell him to send 1t
into head quarters for examination. The an
SWer OF course NOuIu DS llidt IL was SOh,
But it was not submitted to any such IN
spection. The guard spelled it out slowly,
then folded and returned it to me, saying:
THAT pass is all right. | know Captain
Faoua's handwriting. Go on, sir; excuse
me. sir, for OBTAINING you.
| thought him very excusable under the
circumstances, and walked out. hy great
fear was that. during the half hour which
must elapse before could go outside the
garrison, / might encounter some Rebel Of
ficer or attacIte who knew me.
Before | had walked ten steps saw,
sauntering to and fro on the piazza OF the
new head quarters building, deserter from
our service named Davidson, who recognlz-
ed and bowed to me. rather thought ne
would not betray me, but was still fearful OF
il. went on, and a few yards further,
coming toward me in that narrow row lane, aa,,
where it was impossible to avoid him. l saw
the one rebel officer who knew me better
than any other-iwho came into my quarters
freouently-Lieu.tenant Stockton, the post