The National tribune., 1886-06-17

PRISONER of war for seven months. He was
first taken to Libby Prison, but that strong
hold being full to repletion he, with other
prisoners, was taken to DanvilIe, Va. After
being confined there for considerable period
they were removed to Columbia, s. G., and
placed in the old Richland Prison, then under
charge of Capt. Semmes, brother of Capt.
Raphael Semmes Of the pirate Alabama.
The Union officers were taken out about the
middle Of December-it was one of the most
severe Winters known in the South for years
and removed to Asylum Camp, within the open
inclosare of the Insane Asylum grounds, at
Columbia, where they found that about 1000
other Union officers from Camp Sorghum had
Just preceded them. The senior arrivals had
pre-empted all tie soft places" SO that this
latest arrival of fresh fish =" were in large
pars obliged to run up and down during the
night on little stretch of open ground to keep
from freezing TO death. Lieut.. Holmes and
Capt. Dicey, Of the 1st Mich. Sharpshooters,
shared between them the half of ragged
blanket which they negotiated from a rebel.
Ii IS hardly necessary TO add that the strongest
constitutions went down under this exposure.
At length Sherman's army approached. the
city Of Columbia. 1t was determed that the
prisoners must be removed. Lieut.. Holmes and
three other officers determined, if possible, to
escape To that end the night before the re-
mOval they proceeded 10 exeavate hole Just
large enough 10 hold the four, carrying the dirt
away in their hats, so as not TO attract the at
tention Of the guard A few barTack sheds had
been torn down, and the lumber was so piled
over them as not 10 prevent their working.
yet affoTding apparently good concealment.
The rebel searching parties, after repeated ex-
plorations 70 fill the missing count, late in the
day discovered their hiding place. The other
prisoners, as well as every one else who expect
ed 70 leave Columbia, were we'll on their way.
Sherman's guns could be distinctly heard
knocking for admission. consultation was
held, in which the question of shooting the
squad Of prisoners was discussed, but il was
at length decided in the negative, owing
chiefly to the efforts in their behalf of officer
of the Military Institute at Columbia They
bad barely time TO get out of the city on train,
which was one Of the last to leave, joining their
comrades again at Charlotte, N. &. After sew
eral changes Of base they were in March ex-
changed near Wilmington, n. G.
Lieut.. Holiness health during this time had
become so wrecked that for some time it was
doubtful whether he would recover, but a nat
urally strong constitution enabled him TO over
come it. Shortly after reaching Annapolis he
was given 30 days leave of absence, but returned
to his command before half of the time had ex-
piTed. On his exchange he was promoted to
First Lieutenant and assigned to the Provost
Marshals Office, Georgetown, d.. G. After Lees
surrender. and late in the Summer of 1865, he
was mustered out of the service with his regi-
ment.
Mr.. Holmes had left his studies at Milton
College, Wis, to enter the army. After he
came out he studied law, and was admitted TO
the bar in Janesville, Wis. He afterWard
graduated at the University Of Michigan. lie
commenced the practice Of law at Boone, Iowa,
in 1S6S. He was elected member of the Iowa
Legislature in the Fall of 1881 for the two fol-
lowing years; was elected to the 4Sth Congress,
and reelected to the 18th His pODularity Is
shown by the fact that he received more than
5000 majority. During all his service in Con-
gress he has been member of the Committee
on Invalid Pensions, and has been untiring in
his efforts to secure justice to the soldiers. By
word and vote in the committee and in the
House he has shown himself true and stead
fast friend to his suffering comrades.