The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-26


Chattanooga for many weeks longer. Several
of our number could scarcely walk. and all
were greatly injured in health by the three
horrible weeks we had spent there. Now We
were further from the pernicious influence of
Gen. Leadbettcr, and although we were still
kept in irons by his explicit orders, yet the
captain of the guard, in whose direct charge
we were, showed us all the kindness in his
power easing the irons which pressed too heay-
ily upon swollen limbs, and procuring US album
dance of good water as well as better supply
of coarse food, which we ate in common with
our guard.
The citizens of the town were freely admit
ted TO see us, and ranged always
in the presence of the guard-along one side of
the room, and talked of all the exciting events
of the day. We were ROW in our true charac-
ter, and were not likely TO be benefited by
concealiug our real sentiments. l used to
greatly enjoy their surprise and horror when
i avowed myself an Abolitionist. and told them
that l had always been one. They had been
talking about Abolitionists for years, but had
never before seen man who would admit the
justice of the charge. The citizens expressed
much admiration for Us and for the daring of
our expedition, contrasting the latter with
what they were pleased TO call the cowardice
of the Northern armies in general. George ID.
Wilson one day earnestly assured them that
we were the poorest men in Mitchers Division,
cause he had no use for us!
Here occurred one of the romantic incidents
of prison-life. We had been intensely anxious
for some direct communication with our own
army, but from our side there was no means of
effecting it. One day, however, a man dressed
in rebel uniform came with the throng OF
visitors and managed to talk quite awhile and,
as | thought, in very disconnected manner,
with Andrews / also thought / noticed an
exchange OF signs between them. As soon as
he and the visitors had gone, and we were once
more alone, Andrews told us that the man was
a spy in the service Of the United States, and
that they had managed, even in the presence
of the guard, and without exciting the least
suspicion, to say all that was necessary, and
that we might be assured that our friends on
the other side of the lines would soon know all
about us. | was a little incredulous, thinking
that the great anxiety of our leader to commu-
nicate with some one who was a Federal spy,
as he himself had been had caused him to
misunderstood this man, and supposed his signs
recognized when they were not.
But when the Captain of our guard brought
us supper, he fingered little in conversation,
and remarked that a most singular thing had
taken place that afternoon, and that after this
we would receive no more visitors. Being
pressed for explanations, he finally gave them.
He said that the Provost Marshal of Madison
had received information that one of Lincoln's
spies was in town, and had even been among
our visitors, though, the Captain said, he was
glad that the spy had found no opportunity to
reveal himself to us! The Marshal at once
dispatched squad to arrest him. They found
the suspected stranger at the depot, just as the
cars were coming in. He was boisterously in
dignant at his arrest, and told them that he
had papers in his pocket which would prove
his character anywhere. They let go their
hold on him, so that he might produce his pa
u \, .,,.gl, .,r-l,, 10
tending to search in his pockets, until he no.
ticed that the train, which was starting, had
attained good degree of headway, and then,
Just as the last car swung by, he suddenly
flung the soldiers from him and jumped aboard.
There was no telegraph station at Madison and
no other train that evening, SO that ar effect
i've pursuit was out Of the question.
The ConfederateS were very much enraged,
and our confinement was rendered much more
strict But we felt ample compensation in the
hope that our officers would now know just
where we were, and be able to make all posi-
BILE efforts for cur safety. Whether the spy
surmountea all other perils and got safely to
our lines, we never heard.
Three days only did we remain At Madison
days of comparative quiet and hope, during
which we recovered some degree of our
wasted strength. which was sadly needed for
future trials. The rebel authorities, having
become convinced that Chattanooga was not in
present danger from Gen. Mitchell, ordered Us
back to that place Our destination was not
known to us, and the usual rumors circulated
as to being now on our way for exchange. To
move from one prison to another--an expert
ence we had quite irequently-was always a
welcome relief, and served, in some measure,
to mitigate the excessive rigor Of our eonfne-
ment We went back over the same road we
came, and had again to run the gantlet of in
sulting and jeering mobs. We Travelled in rude
box-cars wet and filthy, and were harassed by
the fear of going back to our miserable prison
at Chattanooga. One circumstance rendered
the journey more endurabe. Captain Laws,
who commanded the guard. and his soldiers
also, had been in close association with US for
several days, and had become really interested
in our welfare. While he did not relax any Of
his Vigilance, he strOye to make the hardship
OF our position more endurabie, and showed
friendly spirit on every occasion. His good
viii was especially valuable when We reached
Chattanooga.
The remorseless orderhad been given for our
return 10 the negro prison. Capt. Laws could
not change this, but by using his influence with
Col. Patrick Cleburne--a man OF humanity,
who occupied the position of Provost-Mars
of Chattanooga for short time-he got per-
mission for Us to remain in the upper room
instead of being forced into the dungeon below.
This was great relief; for, although we were
equally crowded, yet the upper room was
above ground, had three windows instead of
two, and these were of larger size. We had,
therefore, a much better supply of air and
light. We were very sorry for the IA poor
Tennesseeans who were put below.
Our enemies displayed wonderful degree of
caution in the manner of guarding us. Even
when we were below, where man, il left alone
could scarcely have gotten out without assist
ance they never raised the trap-door unpro-
tected by a strong guard. Old Swms renon-
strated against our being in the upper ROOM
and seemed in perpetual terror. He fretted
and predicted that evil would como from show
ing the Yankees SO much indulgence Yet the
precautions observed ought to have reassurcd
him. Before our door was opened strong
guard was always brought up stairs into tho
jailer's room, from which ours was entered,
and arrayed in two lines, with lcvelled bayO-
nets. At the same time the stairway was
guarded, and the whole Jail surrounded by a
strong force outside of the wall. We had not
yet been relieved of fetters, at least, not by
Confederate authority.
Col. Cleburne had asked permission 10 re-
move our irons, and this being refused, be gave
us, on his own responsibility, an incxpTessibiy
great indulgence. For an hour or two every
fine afternoon he ordered the guards TO bring
us out into the jail-yard This was something
to look forward TO all the day, and made our
some and prostrating than the first. To simply
sit in the sunlight and watch the clouds drift
ing in the blue above, or to walk back and
forth watching the lengtheuing shadows of the
mountains was intense enjoyment. We will