Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-07-07
ESCAPE OF BRECKINRIDGE AND
HIS PARTY TO CUBA.

! ESCAPE OF BRECKINRIDGE AND
HIS PARTY TO CUBA.
The escape Of the rebel General John c.
Breckinridge and his followers to Hsvana
has been announced briefly by telegraph. A
correspondent Of the New York World gives
the following interesting story OF his escape,
bow he crossed from Florida In a small open
boat and was eight days on the voyage, the
accompanying pangs, perils and narrow es-
capes, and his final arrival and warm recep-
tion by the Cuban authorities:
Gen J. G. Breckinridge, accompanied by
an aid-de-camp. Captain J. Wilson, his faith
full war servant Thomas, Colonel Taylor
Wood, and two Confederate soldiers, arrived
at Cardeans on the l1th inst, In an open
boat Of about one ton burthen, from the coast
Of Florida. This party after the capture OF
the President Of the late republic, made their
way to the st. Johns river, where they pro-
cured a boat in which they proceeded up that
river until they reached point due west Of
Indian river, near the head of vigation. At
st. Johns Colonel Taylor Wood joined the
party, having been captured by the command
of General Wilson which captured the Presi-
dent Of he Confederscy BY accident, but he
made good his escape the same night. The
small boat was hauled across the country
u
Of twenty-six miles, and launched for the
ocean. On reachingia point called Gilbert's
bar, near the mouth Of the river, the boat
was beached, and dragged across a sand-spit
sixty yards. and launched in an inlet COM
muuicatine with the ocean. On this part of
the route Indian parties supplied them with
scsnt provisions of 'cumty,' Of which they
made bread. For the balance Of the voyage
they were compelled to live on shell-fsh,
caught along the shore, and turtles
eggs, Of which they also laid in store 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 United States gunboat or steam
transport running down south between the
shore aud tue Florida reef observed the party,
and the commander dispatched boat from
the vessel to ascertain who they were and
what they were doing there. As the boat
began to show itself, there was some excite
meut in camp, and Thomas began to get his
weapons ready for us. Taylor Wood, with
the cool determination of Rough and Ready
bis grandfather, ordered his two men to launch
the boat, which was insanity accomplished,
and the others having retired under cover of
the brush, the two soldiers took to the oars
with a will and pulled for the advancing
boat, which they met at about one-eight of
mile from the shore. An officer in the stern
seat Of the gig, with a revolver in hand hailed
the boat with the usual maraine questions,
Taylor Wood became Immediately the rough-
est longshore woodsman, wrecker and FISH,
erman that ever lived in Florida. His men
we're paroled soldiers they had TO live some
how they we're hunting wrecks and until
they could find something better, they we're
subsisting on the rather wsshy chari Of the
sea-shell-fsh driven on shore and turtles
eggs; they mean to get az far Indian Key,
or possibly Key West they had boat load
of papers, if he wanted to see them. And
the ready boys pulled forth their parole doc
uments, which were examined and found cor
rect. 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 60 along ashore--he would be perfectly
tcelcome to the best they had, and their papers
too = Their hospitality was declined-the
bctum all right was uttered. and, give too.
my boys'-when away shot the gig on her re-
turn voyage to the stesmer-nsms not known.
The weary and half-starved party breathed
more freely after the interview, which had
been rather tedious while waiting for the re-
suit. That evening they left the shore, hav-
ing on board a few dozen of eggs, cakes of
cumty bread, and a few clans, so small that
they might pass for muscles. They searched
the Banks in about thirty-six hours, having
spoken one vessel and obtained supply Of
fresh water the day following their departure
from the Florida coast, and met with no 9TH
or incident, though terribly perplexed for
want Of food, until they reached Cardeans on
the morning Of the llth---eight days--where
they were received by the people and the au-
thorities with great kindness, well fed, we'll
refreshed, and serenaded in the evening
The ladies wished to entertain them in their
hospitsble homes, which was, Of necessity,
declined for the want of suitable raiment.--
The Governor of Cardeans furnished the par
ty with ansportation to Havana, where they
arrived ON the morning of the IL. accompan-
led by an adjutant Of the Spanish army, an
took up their quarters in the Hotel Cubsno.
The ad utant reported his arrival with his
gnest to CaptAin-G General Dulce, who in
structed him to say TO General Breckinridge
that he had the freedom of the city and Gu
ba, for himself and his friends, as long as
they might wish to remain; and when he
was rested from bis fatigue and at his own
convenience he would be happy to see him."
The farewell order of Gen. Meade is pub
lished. 1t is as follows:
HEADQUARTERS Army Of the Potomac,
June 28. 1865.
SOLDIERS: This day. two years ago, as
sumed command under the orders Of the Pres
ident Of the United States. To-day, by vir-
tue Of the same authority. the army ceasing
to exist, have to announce my transfer to
other duties and my separation from you.
1t is unnecessary to enumerate all that has
occurred in these two eyentful years from the
great and decisive battle OF Gettysburg. the
turning point OF the war TO the surrender of
the army of Northern Virginia at Appomat-
tox Court House.
Suffice it to say that history will do you
justice a grateful country will honor the
living, cherish and support tho disabled and
sincerely mourn the dead.
In parting from you, your Commanding
General will ever bear in memory your noble
devotion to your country, your patience and