The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1880-07-15
THE PLOT.

made at even date. r. As.
II PLOT.
.CoNrINUATIoN.)-I was planned that
she $50 picked men in squads of half a
dozen should c~ontrive to loiter around each
oDe of the guards on the decks, and at the
batchways of the vessel. All were ~instruc-
red to make friends with the Yankees, laugh,
Joke, and profess to be delighted at the
transfer, on the ground that at Fort Della
ware we should be near a big city, and
could get a great many things not to be had
At Point Lookout. All were to listen for
the crack of Mai. Branch's pistol; where
upon each squad should pounce upon one or
more of the guards, wrench way muskets,
and suppress any attempted resistance. Our
Chief, with a couple of officers who under
stood navigation, took upon himself the
capture of the pilot, and the engineer, to
prevent any sudden alarm by the whistle in
case of passing vessels. In short, our plan
provided for every probable emergency; and
by its very audacity seemed assured of sue
cess since the Federals might be expected
to lay aside suspicion after seeing US fairly
entered the capes of the Delaware. Upon
e~ffecting the capture, We could exchange
uniforms with our guards, send them down
in the hold together with all of our own
men except those in Blue garments, and
quietly sail down to some point on the York,
or the Potomac there to disembark, and
after taking a supply of provisions, burn
the ship and march to the nearest cOnfed-
crate lines, with flags and prisoners
glorious triumph.
Alas we were destined ere many hours
to be reminded that even the
-"Best laid schemes of mice and men
Gang aft aglee.'-
From the days of Judas there have been
- tuolva without q traitor and the N'thJrtv
pieces of silver appear to have lost none of
their villalnous potency even unto this day.
In brief, despite every precautlon, we were
betrayed and our plans foiled with the result
Of increasing the horrors we sought to es-
cape. 1t was we'll we could get nc idea of
the betrayer; though his discovery would
have dispelled doubts and suspicious that
naturally added to the bitterness of our dis
appointment. Possibly the yankees had
spies among us, as they did afterwards at Fort
Delaware; pretended "Rebels" who cursed
the "Yanks'' from morning to night, yet
by secret notes kept the prison authorities
informed Of every project discussed by the
prisoners.
MORE TORTURE.
The knowledge of our betrayal dawned
on every mind at the moment We began to
file out Of the Prison Pen In the direction Of
the landing. Instead of the usual small
guard, the entire garrison were found drawn
up with fixed bayonets on both sides of the
roadway. Through the aisle thus formed,
prisoners, to the number of 600, all officers,
we're marched upon the wharf until all were
cOngregated as closely as possible at the side
of the vessel awaiting us. Presently an ugly
looking gunboat, with black muzzles g%rinning
from her ports, steamed In alongside of the
Transport, and the commander roared to the
captain of the latter-(intending of course
for us all to hear(,-"Now. Captain-as
soon as you start I'll follow in your wake,
and if you have any trouble just give me
the signal, and I'll rake you, fore and aft,
with grape shot. Take to your boats, and
I'll sink the ID Rebels in two minutes
This, OF course, was a piece OF puerlie
bravado, because the transport could not be
sunk without carrying down 200 guards, be-
sides the officers and crew. Nevertheless,
certed our plans, as it were useless to over
power the guards when there could be no
nope OF escaping her.
But our keepers bad arranged to thwart
us as every point. Instead OF allowing the
liberty of the spacious deck, as might have
been done under the circumstances all were
packed into the filthy hold, without light or
ar from any opening save the single hatch
way, whereat a large circle of guards served
TO shut out much ofboth elements. 1t was
cur experience ia coming from the Paumun-
Key to the Point repeated and intensified.
The weather was warmer, the crowd larger.
the distance greater! And sea sickness
ssulper-added! Oh, the horrors ofthat night!
The hold was so sticky with the dripping OF
previous cargoes of bacon, and molasses,
nIsh, etc, that one could not sit down, nor
lean against the sides, while the stencil OF
rotten Rilge water, and six hundred sweat
ing soldiers, was simply nauseating! This,
Jolned with the tossing of the vessel, IN a
sun gale, soon caused dozens to drop down
1.-THE darkness and filth, too dizzy and sea
sick to care if trodden under foot by the
s~aaying mass. Groans of distress and suf-
lerng arose from all parts of the black hold !,
and many poor fellows, half poisoned by the
curative mineral water, of which | have