Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1886-12-04
:. REMARKABLE ESCAPE.

Among the many gallant officers whom
the State of New York gave to the Union
army was Captain John T. Porter, of the
fourteenth Regiment New York Volunteer
Cavalry. 1t was not my good f.rt,t.te IL
meet him until Aplil, tstil, although We
were both serving in The Department of the
Gulf, and IN the same day. June IA, 1863,
each of MS had an experience before the
Confederate citadel Of Port Hudson, the
memory of which will be life long. Mine
related to the sanguinary and unsuccessful
assault, when the columns @; Gtorer and
Weltzel were hurled against those impreg-
nable fortstcations; his to a captivity there
Begin, which, with his subsequent expert
ehce i'll Richmond, and his daring and
wonderful escape, will make e narrative
which the whole unpublished records of
lndivldual herossni Ia the great struggle
may be well challenged to excel. He heays
;he remarkable distinction of having been
the first L Mon officer Nno ESCAPED from
Libby Prison. Captain Porter is as modest
as daring; ard, well knowing thet the mar
lative would always remain unpublished if
he were depended upon to write it, his old
friend aryi conrade prays him to take ne
cfense if he essays the task, putting the
narrative ill the first person, as its intense
interest seems to demand
Larry OH the morning Of juno IA was
sent out with my company UP the jackson
road, to watch Tor the appearance of the
enemys cavalry, it being expected that
they wonld take advantage Of cur assault
on the works to make d dash at our lines.
About two niles up the road We were sud
denly surrounded and taken prisoners by o
battalion of gray colts who dashed ont Of
the woods on both sides of the road, I
regret thst tie limits which are prescribed
for this account will not permit me to relate
the hundred interesting incidents Of thai
day. when | was held captive. with my
company, almost in sight of the Union
attacking columns, and listened to the
clainor of the assault; nor The incidents of
the following two weeks. as we were slowly
transported to Richmond in close and filthy
ca.tlR-cars. | find it necessary b. save
space by beginning, nj once, with nv con-
tinement irs the Libby; first mentioning
that before we We're 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
that We're in my pocket. 70 these three
gold pieces. and the forethought that sug-
gested their concealment | was finally
Indebted, III c great measure, for my es-
cape.
At tho time when the doors Of the old
tobacco warehouse closed upon me almost
two hundred Union officers were inside il.
of every grade, fsci:. 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 N'sr, up to that time. Those
OF the number who are best known
to fame were General Neal Dow,
COLONEL ifbt I
irvine. We were confined in large
rooms upstairs, with guards in the halls,
guards outside, and regular visit and
ro!l-caii twice n day by tbs commandment.
What saw ard heard in that place would
till book. That | suffered, ] need not
say bad food, and little of it; bad air,
filth, vermin, and the dreary, irksome con-
finement, need hardly be named in proof
of that Yet our captivity was somewhat
lightened by the friendships that grew up
within those dreary walls. Thosr CT us who
were confined in the senie room could talk
together. although subject to constant
watch. Some of us worked very cautiously
Tor long time to remove several bricks
from the PARTITION wall between us and the
next room. when We could stealthilS con-
verse with its occupants, IN this way l
discovered some cid friends, and cheered
information from home.
During the first few months of nv i'm
p1sonment, there was very little whisper.
ing among us on the subject of escane.
The season progressed; and when General
Meade Withdrew from Mine Run, we un-
derstood that there was to be an invest
ment of Richmond that winter. Then orr
hopes and our talk turned to that will o.
the-wisp, exchange" All, how many poor
hearts grew sick and weary, how many
brave men have died, waiting for that hope
deferred Time passed; there was no ex-
change; we realized that We must not put
great faith in the ability Of om Govern
ment to liberate rs. After this, over our
miserable rations, or in the darkness of
winter nights, as We lay shiveling on the
cold Hoor, sustaining our dropping spirits
with what fort tnde we could command. we
began to consult together about the chances
OF escape, and to watch narrowly by day
Tor some way to accomplish it. Our wits
were sharpered by hunger and suffering,
ana still more by that yearning for liberty
that is all in NIL to the poor prisoner, and
every plan that offered the faintest CLEAN
OF hope vas examined and discussed, be-
fore one was finally adopted.
One of the incidents of our imprison-
ment, which occurred before our plan of
escape was matured, can never recall
without Quickened pulse. All the Cap
tains among the prisoners were one day
ordered into room together-some fifty Of
ns. There We were met by Major Turner,
the commandart, who produced cigar
box containing paper slips, each bearing
the name of one of US. He informed Ms
that two of us We're 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 We're upon this announcement, |
Shall not attempt to describe; who could
describe them: The first name drawn was
that of Captain John w. Sawyer The brave
fellow stepped aside, folded his arms, and
looked at Turner with a defiant smile. The
| commandant looked at the next slip drawn,
and hestatea.
What the deuce is this name. anyway
he said.
We stood waiting III sickening suspense.
Lets see, ne continued. Captain
Il l. that B?- No. j.; j. F.,
| and now what next-P?-"
My exact initials. Had the halter been
thai 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 with
| those initials; | knew il, for l had listened
| attentively to the roll-call that preceded
! the drawing. But l forbear to say more of
my feelings in that moment; the agony of
a lifetime was crowded into them.
Major Turner went on with his efforts to
read the name.