Vermont daily transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1868-1870, 1868-07-27

rcacncu NOME DclOlc tnelr exchange |
was announced, that it would be in |
clandestine manner. Some of the boys |
did not wish to be absent without leave. |
others only sought the opportunity.
The writer CHANGED to be in charge of
the Vermont Cavalry prisoners at Alex |
andria and Weber, (who had been my
comrade during the round trip came to
me one morningand reported that Atch-
inson, Blinn, and himself had dccidod to
be absent for n few weeks and if any in
quiries were made for them, or if they
were wanted, to look for them at the
regiment. He said they were in the
way to raise the Wiad, that they had
been penniless long enough. None of
us had received pay for our services for
about eight months and he had finally
discovered an opening. Col. Sawyer
had given Capt. 1Irhardt orders to fur
nish them with their descriptive lists,
and as it subsequently appeared they
did not remain with the regiment long
| afterwards.
1t was not an easy task for the unin-
itiated to cross Long Bridge, but us usll-
al their papers We're all that was to be
required. Without dime, the trio
took lodgings at one of the first class ho-
tells in Washington, where paper
blanks, red and black ink were brought
into rcquisition. In the first place, they
called on the Commissary of Subsist-
encc for communication of rations, while
they were prisoners over The lines. Up
on examination their papers were
found to be correct, and the money was
paid over. Next they presented their
descriptive lists at the office of the Pay
mastcr-Gcneral, for eight months back
pay. Here was difficulty; their des-
criptive lists showed that they were yet
prisoners of war and they could not re-
ceiVe their wages until their exchange
should be effected. Thereupon they re-
tired to their rooms, and during the
night they found a General Order of ex-
change of all prisoners paroled two
days previous to our release, and
changed dates to correspond These pa
pers together with the published order
were again presented the next day, to IL
subordinate Paymaster; everything was
found to be correct and they received
their wages. This was decided sue
cess.
1t Will be remembered that the 9th
Maine regiment was nearly annihilated
a short time previous, at the battle of
Antietam, and it had gone home to re-
cruit at Portland. The three assumed
to be soldiers belonging to that regi-
ment who were prisoners in Reheldom
when the regiment was ordered home
They wore Infantry clothing which
, they, and the rest of us had received
from sLieut. Jed. p. Clark, NOV of
Highgate) when we arrived at Annapo-
lis, from Belle Island. Lieut. Clark was
acting Quartermaster at the time at
Parole Camp. Atkinson was the sergt.
in command, who had in his possess
, ion orders from Gen. Banks Command
, ing the Deiences of Washington trans
| mitted through the office of Asst. Act
r ing Adjt Gen. Drake De Kay to proceed
eC-NN' - w liitN SNItCl, INV L vi N,
: where transportation would be furnish
ed to Portland.
, Sergt. Atkinson with Corp. Blinn
l and private Weber, appeared at the
e gate of the b. x o. Railroad Depot, and
5 were abruptly stopped by the guard
+ while passing. Weber Immediately
: addressed AtchinsOn in his characteris-
! tic cool manner: 81 say, Sergeant
: how long are these things going to con-
: tinuc, are we to be stopped at every
street corner by these fancy home
t guards? We have orders from Gen
e Banks to proceed to Maine to Join oui
4 regiment, what is the use of fooline
= with these fellows?" "All right" re,
? piled the guard, who excused himsel1
; by saying that he was only acting in
t the discharge ofhis duty. The guards
e at the depot passed them, and no fur,
: ther difficulty was experienced until
, they reached Baltimore. Here other
), guards and detectives boarded the train
!, when every man was required to give {
4 satisfactory account of himself, and if 1
:, soldier, he must exhibit his papers
d Everything was satisfactory and the
n trio passed on.
G When they arrived at New York
+ they changed their minds and did moi
e report at No. 70 White street for trans
e portaton to Maine, bnt with blanks il
Y their possession produced three regular
e furloughs. These furloughs were duly
transmitted back and forth, signed
n sealed, and countersigned with red inl
D in true army style. Drake De Kay''
! name especially appeared upon each O