The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-11-25
A REMARKABLE ESCAPE.

Among the many gallant officers whom
che State of New York gave to the Union
army was Captain John +. Porter, of the
Fourteenth Regiment New York Volunteer
Cavalry. 1t was not my good fortune to
meet him until April, 1864, although we
were both serving in the Department of the
Gulf, and on the same day, June IA, 1868,
each of us had an experience before the
Confederate citadel of Port Hudson, the
memory of which will be lifelong. Mine
related 10 the sanguinary and unsuccessful
assault, when the columns of Grover and
Weitzel were hurled against those impreo-
nable fortifcations; his TO II captivity there
begun, which, with his subsequent expert
ence in Richmond, and his daring and
wonderful escape, will make narrative
which the whole unpublished records of
individual heroism in the great struggle
NAV be we'll challenged To excel. He bears
the remarkable distinction of having been
the first Union officer who escaped from
Libby Prison. Captain Porter is as modest
as daring; and, well knowing that the mar
rative would always remain unpublished if
he were depended upon to write it, his old
friend and comrade prays him to take no
offense if he essays the task, putting the
narrative In the first person, as lis intense
Interest seems to demand
Early on the morning of June II / was
sent ont with my company up the Jackson
road, 60 watch for the appearance of the
enemy's cavalry, ii being expected that
they would take advantage of our assault
on the works to make Il dash at our lines.
About two miles up the road we were sud
denly surrounded and taken prisoners by
battalion of gray coats who dashed out of
the woods on both sides of the road. |
regret that the limits which are prescribed
for this account Will not permit me TO relate
che hundred interesting incidents of that
day, when | was held a captive with my
company, almost in sight of the Union
attacking columns. and listened TO the
ciamor of the assault; nor the incidents of
the following two weeks, as we were slowly
transported to Richmond in close and filthy
cattle cars. L find ii necessary to save
space by beginning, at once, with my con-
,finement in the Libby; first mentioning
that before we were searched there in the
woods. near Port Hudson, | was fortunate
enough to be able to secrete beneath the
buttons of my coat three double eagles
Chat were in my pocket. To these three
gold pieces, and the forethought that sug-
gested their concealment, | was finally
indebted, in a great measure, for my es-
cape.
At the time when the doors of the old
tobacco ware house closed upon me almost
OF every grade, from Brigadier down.
They had been captured in every part of
the military situation, represented every
loyal State, and all arms of the service,
and had collectively fought in the greatest
battles of the war, up to that time. Those
of the number who are best known
TO fame were General Neal Dow,
Colonel Sreight, and Lieutenant Colonel
Irvine. We were confined in large
rooms upstairs, with guards in the halls,
guards outside, and regular visit and
roll-call twice day by the commandant.
What l saw and heard in that place would
ill book. That | suffered, l need not
say; bad food, and little of it; bad air,
6lth vermin, and the dreary, irksome con-
6nement, need hardly be named in proof
of that. Yet our captivity was somewhat
frightened by the friendships that grew up
within those dreary walls. Those of us who
were confined in the same room could talk
together, although subject to constant
watch. Some of us worked very cautiously
for long time to remove several bricks
from the Partition wall between us and the
next room, when we could stealthily con-
verse with its occupants. In this way /
discovered some old friends, and cheered
myself and them by giving and receiving
information from home.
During the first few months OF my i'm
prisonment, there was very little whisper
ing among us on the subject of escape.
The season progressed and when General
Meade withdrew from Mine Run, We un-
derstood hat there was to be an invest
ment of Richmond that winter. Then our
hopes and ouT talk turned to that will-o'-
wisp, exchange" All, how many poor
hearts grew sick and weary, how many
brave men have died, waiting for that hope
daf
change; we realized that we must not put
great faith in the ability of our Govern
ment to liberate us. After this, over our
miserable rations, or in the darkness of
SVinter nights, as we lay shiyer'ng on the
cold floor, sustaining our dropping spirits
with what fortitude we could command, we
began TO consult together about the chances
of escape, and to watch narrowly by day
for some way to accomplish it. Our wits
were sharpened by hunger and suffering,
and still more by that yearning for liberty
that is all in all to the poor prisoner; and
every plan that offered the faintest CLEAN
,oc hope was examined and discussed, be-
Efore one was finally adopted.
One of the incidents of our imprison-
,ment, which occurred before our plan of
escape was matured, i can never recall
without a quickened pulse. All the Cap
,tains among the prisoners were one day
~or1ered into room together-some fifty of
us. There we were met by Major Turner,
the commandant. who produced a cigar
box containing paper slips, each bearing
the name of one of us. He Informed us
that two of us were to be selected by lot for
immediate execution. in retaliation for the
hanging of two Confederate Captains as al
legged spies, by General Burnside. What our
emotions were upon this announcement, |
shall not attempt to describe; who could
describe thems The first name drawn was
that of Captain John w. Sawyer. The brave
fellow stepped aside, folde1 his arms, and
looked at Turner with a defiant smile. The
.commandant looked at the next slip drawn,
and hesitated.
what the deuce is this name, anyway
he said.
We stood waiting in sickening suspense
Lets see,' he continued. Captain
B is that B2- No, j.; j. F.
and now what next-PI-
My exact initialsl Had the halter beer
that instant put round my neck, and the
trap sprung beneath my feet, my mental
fortunes could not have been greater
There was no other among the fifty will
those initials; knew it, for l had listened