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

rebel skiff was within twenty feet of me-,
and there was no hope OF escape, threw
all my papers into the water, determined
that the enemy should not have the salts
faction Of reading and printing two long,
confidential letters from the managing
editor Of the Tribune. which l had re-
ceived in Memphis two days before. But
we were not searched | even retained
my revolver in my pocket while in the
river, and kept it fosr or five days, final
y giving it to friend in jackson, as it
was certain to be discovered soon, and |
was not anxious to contribute to rebel
arsenal.
| In ROUTE FOR RICHMOND.
We were told that there was more dan
ger in going by rail from the Mississippi
to Richmond than ia RAINING the Vicks.
burg batteries. We made the journey
very leisurcly at the rate Of eight or ten
miles an hour; but without accident
The officer in charge Of us was instruct
ed "Consder these gentlemen not un-
der guard. but unaer escort" Accord
ingly we went about as we pleased slept
in hotels, while the lieutenant remained
in camp with his men; and enjoyed a
great deab of freedom. Once, we had
capital opportunity to capture the train.
1t was perfectly feasible and Grants
lines were only 25 miles away. But
there were our paroles, in which we had
agreed not to take up arms against the
Confederacy until exchanged; and the
rebels, in consideration thereof, had Ger
titled that we We're "at full liberty to re-
turn to our own country" We kept
faith, and Of course they broke it.
At Atlanta, We sent a card to one of
the newspapers asking for bundle Of e,-
changes. The messenger carried it to the
wrong Office, delivering it to the Confcd-
eraey--a red hot eebe sheet. The next
morning that journal devoted a leader to
us, which was curiosity in journalism,
and contained more tasehoods than |
ever saw crowded into half column be.
fore. 1t characterized our request as the
NEST stupendous example OF Yankee i'm.
pulence on record denounced us as IL
thousand times worse than the Union
soldiers declared that VIC deserved hang
ing, and that the editors would be glad
to assist in the operation. We learned
afterwards that they were two renegade
Yankees from Vermont, and Of course u
good deal worse than any rcbe.s native
and to the manner born.
FOUR MONTHS ~ LIBBY PRISON.
As we woat through the broad gate o.
Libby Pris II, with u sentinel guarding
1t upon each side, it seemed to me that
the line ought to be Inscribed over it,
"Abanloa all hope, who eater here -
i,es realized very little how appropri-
atcly it woall apply to oar own cases.
The Libby had some good ponts it was
we'll cleanSel, well fumigatel, and COR
tained large wooden troash, in which
we could enjoy tho iueaiima1ie l.:sar; OF
bathing.
Capt. Browne, Of the gan5oat Inliano-
Ia, and his officers, were pointed out to
US us men who had actually bccn prison.
ers for three months. With how much
curiosity we viewel them, wondering that
they had ever survived such an ordeal
We afterwards learned to lool, with great
indifference upon prisoners who had not
been in duress more than sixteen months
will give but one OF the many incl
dents in our Libby experience. Il Was ii
hot summer day, and we were all de-
pressed, when the news came that Grant
had been terribly whipped and drieeu
back i'll confusion from Ficksburg; aud
that 4 great battle had occurred at some
obscure place in Pennsylvania, called
Gettysburg, where Meade had received Il
Waterloo defeat, and Lee hal captured
10000 prisoners. The rebel papers III
daIgel in good many spceulatlons as to
where their authorities could guard these
prisoners, and how they could feed them
without starving the people of Richmond.
That was a sad, silent night in Libby !;
and even the usual evening prayer-meet-
iug was clouled with desponIency and
dJult.
Theie was one negro among the score
or two III the prison. who had excited my
curiosity, because, in conversation with
me, he declared that he felt 10 interest
in the national conflict; that it was i
spectators war OIL both sides, from which
no good could over result. lie was the
first African | had ever seen who pro.
fesscd to be Indifferent on the subject
But the next day after we received this
gloomy Intelligence he came rushing up
INTO our room and Immediately began to
dance a hornpipe. performing the most
remarkable gymnastics. We all cluster
ed around him, asking What's tie mat
tcr?'
de Yankees has taken Vicksburg with
10000 prisoners" he shouted as soon as
he could gain his breath. "Hero is de
news." And he pulled from his pocket
a newspaper extra, just issued from the
press, which he had puroined from one
OF the rebel officers.
Then swiftly followed the glad tidings
taat we had also conquered at Gettys-
burg that Lee, and not Meade, was in
full retreat. How suddenly the ve:y at.
mospherc seemed to change There was
cheering, and dancing and somebody
shouted "Glory, hallclujah ~ Upon this
hint Rev. DR.. McCabe Of Ohio, in his
clear, ringing tones, started Ms. Howc's
impressive hymn:
" For mine eyes have seen the glory of the COM
iny of the Lord;