The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1865-04-28
Prison Life in the.south-cspt. Aiban's

tive oil Capt. III. III. AlDan. Capt
A. was taken at Chclxamauga on tn
night Of the Goth Of September, 1868
From the field he was taken to Co
Fhmbia, s. G, at which point the mar
rative commences.
4A We arrived at Columbia on the
morning of the 7th of October, be
tween four and five o'clock; remain
ed on the cars till after daylight, ant
near the place of getting Off the car:
until about two o'clock, p. NJ. We
were then marched to our prison
camp. This camp is situated on tho
opposite side of Broad River from
Columbia, and about two miles dis.
2 tant from the city. We were formed
in four ranks, with the old guard that
came with us from harleston, on ei
ther side and in front, and a company
Of young fops, taken, as they thought,
from the first families of S. G. an
educated at the military school in Co.
lumbia, Ia our rear. This company
was formed across the road reaching
from one side Of the street to the 9th.
er and crowded us up so closely that
we were soon massed across the road
If any one happened to fall little
behind his comrades he was prompt
ly reminded OF the fact by aquick
prod from the bayonet of one of the
cadets which they seemed to enjoy
very much. We reached camp be-
fore three, o'clock. We found il
pleasantly situated on a rolling piece
of ground that had once been culti-
vated. but now overgrown with scat
tering shrub pines which gave it, at
n distance, very much the appear.
ance Of an orchard. Its proximity to
water made it very well suited for an
ordinary military camp, hut not for q
prison, as there was scarcely dark
night that some of the prisoners did
not escape, either By bribing the
guard, or running or crawling thro'
the lines. Oar only shelter in this
camp was such as we could construct
of the boughs of the pine trees which
did very well in dry weather but was
of no account in wet
About the third day after our arri.
val at Columbia, the rebels COM
menced to bring in recapturcl pris-
oners who had escaped from the train
on our way from Charleston. One
officer was brought in badly torn by
the dogs. lie had jumpel off the
train Und was taken sick shortly after.
ward and compelled to lie down =
The dogs soon came up with him,
and, rs he was unable to defend him.
self or even stand. they tore him bad
ly before the rebels who were follow
ing the edogs could come up He died
few days afterwards | will Just
state that these packs of hounds are
not owned by slave holders generally
but are kept by men who make it their
business to catch slaves They usu.
ally consist of about fifteen track
hounds ani two blood hounds
We had remained in clmp ten days
without anything Of Importance ta.I
King place / had been watching for
an opportunity to escape for some
time, and on the evening OF the Eth
OF October, | thought 1 discovered
this opportunity. My plan was to
watch the guards, and when they.
walked from each other, which fire.
quently happened, 10 crawl across
the dead line, which WAS twenty pace $
wide, and rise to my feet near the
hospital tents (Which were occupied
exclusively by sick officers aud parol.
ed nurses rs soon rs ! had crossed
the sentinels beat. The standing or .
ders to the sentinels were to lire,
without hailing, upon any person
seen on the dead line after night. l /
rolled up my blanket got down Hat
upon the ground and placing my
blanket in front. l crawled about
halt across the dead line without
stopping; here was interrupted in
my progress by the officer OF the day
who was making his usual visit round
the lines. | remained quiet for
minute or two until the officer had
gone and then crawled to within
about ten feet Of the sentinel's line,
when was again interrupted by the
approach OF sentinel. He came up
to the end Of his beat, which was but
little more than ten feet from me, and
stopped. He then peered through
the darkness towards me rs though
he thought he discovered IA mgger
IN the wood pile;' then, bringing nis
piece TO a ready, lie continued 10 look,
apparently puzzled TO know what 10
make of that which he saw. rAls
was indeed critical moment. Ii |
jumped up and ran it was almost Gel.
tam death, rs he was SO near that ne
could hardly miss me. My only
chance then was To lie still aud try To
deceive hun. This required more
nerve than ever needed ON the bat !
tie field, but believing it to be my on
ly chance for life, | remained quiet
until he seemed to be satisfied and
swinging his piece upon his shoulder
walked leisurely away.
This was my opportunity, and ris-
ing 10 my hands ana feet, L went out
on double quick. l steered my course
north west to the Saluda river, TAX
ing the north star as my guide, in.
tending to follow up the river as far
as Chappel Bridge and then to follow
up theIailtosd. But on'reachilIg the
river fOund the difficulties of trnvei