The National tribune., 1885-03-12
'ENGINE THIEVES
The Great Story of Capturing a
Locomotive"
BY REV. wM. PITTENGEE>
IooPYRIGHTED, lSSl.I
CHAPTER XIII.
EY REV. wM. PITTENGEE>
IocPYRIGHTED, lSSl.I
CHAPTER XIII.
A CONFEDERATE coUET-MARTIAL.


vet more fearfu tragedy was iii preparation.
On parting from our comrades we were
escorted to the ears by Col. Cleburne, where
We found, much to our qualification, that we
were TO lie guarded by Il party OF Morgan $
guerrillas whose exploits were then greatly
celebrated. ClGburnc recommended us TO the
humane care of these partisans. saying, " These
prisoners are men, like other mer, and gentle
men too, and | want them treated rs such.
TINS charge from the generous lriSnUan, Tor
such he was did much TO secure courteous
treatment from our guard. Indeed, the posi-
tion of the irregular soldiers who served under
the guerrilla chief WAS such as to make them
admire rather than blame the bold enterprise
that led 10 our capture. They were themselves
in citizens dress, anu were not always careful
TO provide uniforms before penetrating INTO
the Federal lines. \ considerable number of
their comrades had been captured under such
circumstances. and were, by every rule OF right,
equally liable with ourselves TO be treated as
criminals. Indeed, the position o! some of their
captured comrades was still more questionable.
for they had assumed the United States uni
form Whenever they found it to their advan-
taec. The Inconsistency of the rebel govern
mCnt in treating our party so harshly Is con-
clusiyeiy shown by the fact that they had
passed laws for thc encouragement of just such
ire gul.,r warfare.
Bul We haze 40 complaint TO make Of these
dashing gUerTilIs. They were very indignant
to see us III irons, and offered to be responsible
for our safe keeping if these were removed but
this W.is not allowed.
As WAS common in our removals from prison
to prison, we had been started without any
ration5.-not 50 much / presume. from wanton
cruelty as because it was no ones especial bus
mess TO furnish provisions. As the journey
occupied - hours land we were hungry to be-
gin with, our pTivatiOn would have been con-
siderable hut for the generosity of Morgan S
men. They bought pies and whatever else
they could find at the station eating houses,
and literally Toasted us. From the time OF our
capture we had not experienced such treat
ment, and only hoped that these generous enc
mics might have charge of us as long we
remained in Confederate territory,-a hope
which was not realized. We never met them
again.
We arrived in Knoxville shortly after noon,
having spent the night on the cars, and were
marched through the hot dusty streets TO the
city jail,-an old building of peculiar archi-
tecture,-solid, square, and massive, presenting
quite an impoS ng appearance. 1t was used as
q military prison, and was filled from top to
bottom with ragged, dirty-lOoking prisoners.
Some Union men, and several rebel soldiers
who had been captured while attempting 10
desert. were with them. These constituted
the less valued class of prisoners, and were
permitted 10 range over most Of the building,
which, however, was completely encircled out
side. and watched in every passage-way, by 4
strong guard.
The class of prisoners whose offenses were
considered Of a more aggravated character were
shut up IL cages. There were five OF these
cages. two of which were at once cleared for
cur reception. The smaller was seven by nine
feet, and four Of Us were put in it. The larger
was perhaps 10 by Il, and held the remaining
eight.
We arrived at Knoxville the latter part Of
May. and remained until June 10. Outside
the weather was intensely warm, but the enor-
nous mass OF iron and stone in the walls OF the
prison made it comparatively cool within.
The days here spent were not altogether I'M
pleasant. Our food was scanty and of inditler-
ent quality, but as long as we were allowed
hope did not feel much disposed TO complain
of this. Besides, many of the Union men of
Knoxville who visited US were liberal in the
gift Of money, and by employing the services
of those prisoners who were less strictly
guarded we were able TO get many an extra
loaf of bread.
We here became acquainted with some Ten
DeSsccans who were long our companions. One
of the most remarkable was an old man named
Pierce. He presented a most peculiar appear
ance, having at some period of his history re-
ceived a terrible blow with gun barrel which
left permanent cash more than an inch deep
across the forehead from the nose 10 his hair.
From this circumstance he was variously
known in the prison as - Eorked Head F" Old
Gun barrel" etc. He presented the singular
combination of great piety and great profanity,
singing hymns and curslng the ConfedeTacy
with equal zeal. But his friendship for Union
soldiers knew no bounds, and, being very bold,
he was able TO render many valuable
services.
Another East Tennesseean, more widely
known. was Capt. Fry, of Greenville a town
near the Virginia boundary He was confined
in b., Il alp
equally criminal with ourselves. Early in the
war he had gathered a number of his neigh
bors, and running the gantlet of guarded
roads, succeeded in reaching our army in Ken
lucky. Here he was appointed Captain of his
recruits, and remained for some time. When an
advance into East Tennessee through Cumber-
land Gap was contemplated, the Union General
asked him 10 return 10 his home, organize the
loyal citizens of that vicinity, burn the bridges
on the Richmond q Knoxville Railroad, and
then to keep possession of the mountainous
region till our forces could arrive. With the
most explicit assurances of speedy aid he de-
parted on his perilous mission. Success on his
part was rapid and complete He raised 1,5O0
men, INSTRUCTED all communications, burned
the bridges, and seriously threatened Knox
vile itself. very small Union REINFORCE
ment could then have rendered invaluable
services, and all the men needed for the work
were assembled not far from Cumberland Gap.
BuL the attention OF Inc military authorities
was then turned in another direction. and the
plan Of advancing into East Tennessee was
accordingly abandoned No word of the change
reached Fry, who struggled Oh alone. But the
odds were too great. An overwhelming force
of the enemy was thrown upon him, and after
several contests he and his brave men were
forced TO disperse. a few succeeded in reach
ing the loyal lines, and these mostly enlisted
in our army. Others were captured, and many
of them hanged as rebels Gen. Leadbetter was
very conspicuous in this savage work. Fry
himself passed the whole Winter in hiding
among the wild mountains of that section, and
in the Spring mustered several hundred of
those who were fugitives like himself and
tried TO reach the Onion lines Near the Dor
der he was overtaken by superior rebel force,
and after a severe contest he was defeated
wounded and taken prisoner. This was on the
9Th OF March, 1862, and he was kept in solitary
confinement until placed with us on the 18th
of june following. Capt. Fry's subsequent
fortunes were closely united with those of our
party-iudeed with my own-and will be
related in due time.
When / bring back in memory the minute
impressions Of those eyentul days, feel sur
prise that so many hours Of comparative
pleasure were found We had here many per-
sons to converse with We had light and air,
which We had not at Chattanooga. We pro-
cured newspapers with frequency, no attempt
being made TO prevent this as in other prisons,
and were able 10 form some idea of the gigantic
contest IN which we were so deeply interested,
aud which at that time progressed hopefully.
We had become most intimate with each other
and would not allow 8eSn0ndpncy or brood In o