Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-06-26

HAVANA, June II.
General J. c. Breckinridge, accompanied by his
| aid.de-camp, Captain j. Wilson, his faithful war
| servant Thomas, Colonel Taylor Wood, and two
confederate soldiers, arrived at Cardenas on the
llth inst, In an open boat Of about one ton bur.
then, from the coast of Florida. This party, after
the capture OF the president of the late republic
m'te their way to the st. johns river, where they
procured boat in which they proceeded up that
ryer until they reached point due west Of Indian
river, near the head of navigation. At st. Johns,
Colonel Taylor Wood Joined the party, having
been captured by the command Of General Wilson
which captured the President OF the confederacy
by accident, but he made good his escape the
same night.
The small boat was hauled across the country
from the st. Johns to Indian river. distance Of
twenty-six miles, and launched for the ocean
On reaching point called Gilbert's bar, near the
mouth Of the river, the boat was beached, and
dragged across sand spit sixty yards and
launched in an inlet communicating with the
ocean. On this part of the route Indian parties
supplied them with scant provisions OF "cumty,"
OF which they made bread For the balance of
the voyage they were compelled TO live on she'll
fish, caught along the shore, and turtles eggs of
which they also laid In stores for their voyage
across the Gulf stream.
From the inlet near the mouth of Indian river
they coasted South some fifty or sixty miles,
when they beached their boat to hunt provisions.
At this time a United States gunboat or steam
transport running down south between the shore
and the Florida reef observed the party and the
commander dispatched boat from the vessel TO
ascertain who they were and what they were do.
ing there. As the boat began TO show herself
there was some excitement in camp, and Thomas
began to get his weapons ready for use. They
were temporarily located on shell ridge, be.
tween an impenetrable swamp and the waters of
the ocean so that if they lost their boat they would
perish in the swamp. Taylor Wood, with the cool
determination Of Rough and Ready" his
grandfather, ordered his two men 10 launch the
boat, which was instantly accomplished and the
Others having retired under cover OF the brush the
two soldiers took to the oars with q WILL" and
pulled for the advancing boat which they met at
about one-eighth of q mile from the Lhore. An
officer in the stern seat OF the gig, with revolver
in hand, hailed the boat with the usual marine
questions Taylor Wood became Immediately the
toughest 'longshore woodsman, wrecker and fish.
ermsn that ever lived in Florida. " His men were
paroled soldiers they had TO live somehow; they
were hunting wrecks; and until they could find
something better, they were subslsting on the
ral her Washy charity OF the sea-shell.fsh driven
on shore, and turtles eggs they meant TO get as
far as Indian Key, or possibly Key West they
had a boat.lold OF papers, if he wanted to see
them.n And the ready boys pulled forth their
parole documents, which were examined and
found correct. The folks on shore were of the
same class; had plenty of papers-the same
and were trying TO cook dinner, If they could
find any eggs or shells; wouldn't the captain
like TO go along ashore-he would be per
iec'ly welcome to the best they had, and their
papers toom Their hospitality was declined
the dictum all right" was uttered, and, give
too, my boys"-when away shot the gig on
her return voyage to the steamet-name not
known. The wearied and half-starved party
breaihed more freely after the interview which
had been rather tedious while waiting for the re.
suit. That evening they left the shore having on
board few dozen Of eggs, cakes Of cumty bread.
and few clans so small that they might pass
for muscles. They reached the Banks in about
thirty.six hours having spoken one vessel and
obtained supply of fresh water the day follow.
Ing their departure from the Florida coast, and
met with no other incident, though terribly per.
picked for want of food, until they reached Cr.
denss on the morning Of the llth-elght days
where they were received by the people and the
authorities with great kindness, well fed, we'll re.
freshed, and serenaded in the evening. The Ia.
dies wished to entertain them in their hospital
homes, which was, OF necessity, declined for the
want of suitable raiment. The Governor of Car.
denas furnished the party with transportation to
Havana, where they arrived on the morning of
the 18th, accompanied by an adju.ant of the Span.
ish army and took up their quarters at the Hotel
Cubano. The adjutsnt reported his arrival with
his guests to Captain General Dulce who instruct
ed him to say TO General Breckenridge that he had
the freedom of the city and Cuba, for himself
and his friends as long as they might wish to re.
main; and when he was rested from his fatigue,
and at his own convenience, he would be happy
to see him"
Those who know the country through the
woods from Georgia to st. Johns, Uhe public
road not available for their services except at
night,) and thence by the route they took TO the
coast, will appreciate the troubles and dangers
encountered TO get through safely, besides the
difficulty Of obtaining food and supplies for the
six persons. The boat In which the voyage was
performed did not admit of more than one sleeper
at time and the only navigator, Taylor Wood,
had to be always on the alert. In a squall at
night, he was thrown over by a sea, but having
the halyards in his hands, he managed to get on
board again without any one being aware OF his
brief absence. Before leaving the coast they
had religious services, and on reaching Cardenas,
before leaving their ifail boat, they returned
thanks, with prayer and praise to the Divine Pro-
yldence whereby they had been saved.