Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-08-06
THE LAST PRISONER.


tory.
From the JacksOnpOrt (Ark) Herald. July g
The old saying that "truth
stranger than fiction" was fully
verified last Tuesday On the arriva
of the steamboat Natoma, TO
among her passengers was Mr.. III
III. Lee, formerly citizen of Madi
son, St. Francis county in thi!
State, but who has been a prisoner
in close confinement, for the past
six years and q half, So close was
his confinement that he never was
allowed the privilege of communi-
eating with the outside world, not
even his own family, who were in
the greatest distress at his sudden
and mysterious disappearance, and
that, too, at a time when their
worst fears were being daily real
lied. From a short conversation
had with Mr.. Lee, we learned the
following leading points connected
with his abduction and detention in
loathsome prison in the State of
Wisconsin, and in free America: In
November, 1862, Mr.. Lee went to
Memphis, then occupied by federal
troops, for the purpose OF Procur-
ing supplies; he was arrested
and thrown into the Irving block,
then occupied rs prison he re-
mained there one night, and that
evening, with other prisoners, was
shipped on board the st. Cloud en-
route for Camp Douglas, in Illinois.
Arriving there, the officer in charge
of the camp inquired what were the
charges against Lee, and was told
that he was arrested for speculating
in Confederate money. The camp
officer declined to receive him, as
there was no law forbidding speeu-
lation in money of any kind. The
lieutenant having Lee in custody
said they would take him to Rock
Island then, as they would take any
one there. lie was accompanied
by seven men as guards, and they
concluded to have q grand spree
before returning to Memphis for
active duty. So they went to Nils
waukee, Wis, and were going to
put Lee in Jail for safe keeping,
until they had visited their friends
and finish the spree laid out for
themselves. In the meantime Ice
had resolved on escaping, in which
determination he was heartily
Joined and assisted by one Of the
guards having him in charge. They
made their escape but were pursued
and captured after few shots had
been exchanged. Mr.. Lee was then
imprisoned in the Milwaukee jail
and there kept in close confinement
for two years and q half without
being brought TO trial. At the end
Of that time he was taken out and
sentenced (without a trial) to four
years Imprisonment in a branch OF
the State prison located at Madison,
in the State of Wisconsin.
During the four long years of his
confinement at Madison he was not
allowed to write to his friends,
never saw q newspaper or book OF
any kind, but was as effectually ex-
eluded from the world as any living
mon ever Tras before. He heAtth
was good all the time, but he came
near freezing with the cold the
first three winters. The fourth he
Jared better. The time came at last
for his release, and with heart full
of thanks to God for the preserva-
tion of his life, his first thought
and purpose was to seek his wife
and child. He went to Cincinnati
and there met with an old school
mate who told him of the death oi
his wife his child he knew
nothing of Could it be possible
He left there Immediately for
Memphis, arriving there he
was received as one risen from
the dead by his many friends, and
from one Of them he received the
joyful tidings that his wife and
daughter, now a grown young lady.
were not only living, but well and
doing well. Tears of joy were
shed, and renewed thanks to AL,
mighty God for His protecting care
filled the heart of the released cap
tive. The swiftness of the tele-
graph was commanded to flash the
glad tidings to the dear wife OF his
heart, informing her that him for
whom she had mOurned as dead
still lived, and would meet her In
Jackson on the 18th inst. They
met, and such a meeting as it was
never occurred within our knowl-
edge. The Joy of the wife at the
sight of her restored husband was
too great, and swoon after swoon
followed in rapid succession.
The news spread rapidly, and
very many of our citizens called
upon the happy, reunited family, to
express their Joy at seeing its mem
bers once more joined together in
the bonds of love. We have sci.
dom ever witnessed q more affect
ing scene. Mr.. and Mrs. Lee left
Tuesday evening, for Batesville
their future home.