Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1886-09-09
freed BY Bloodhounds.


Detroit Free Press.
was among the first batch Of 2ris-
oners sent from the oyercrowded pris-
ons OF Richmond to Andersonville. At
that time there was nothing dismal in
the place, and the prisoners received
fair rations and were humanely treat.
ed. 1t was the custom to permit
gangs OF us to go out every second
morning after wood, each gang of from
SIX to ten prisoners being in charge OF
from one to three guards. It was
hardly to be supposed that any OF us,
ragged, penniless and in the middle OF
the Confederacy, would make dash
Tor liberty, and we were given consid.
cradle latitude whileoutside the stock.
ade. On several occasions wandered
quite out OF sight OF the guards and
took my own time to return and this
seeming carelessness on their part f.
naliy gave me the idea of seeking to
make my escape.
fellow prisoner was well acquaint-
ed with that portion OF Georgia, and,
while he would not join me in an at
tempt to escape, he advised me in case
was determined to try it, to make
Tor Alabama across the pine barrens
and then head for Tennessee. 1t was
a long and perilous journey, but
there was q chance that / might get
through. had $40 greenback con-
cealed in one of the buttons of my
blouse, and for five days l laid aside
aportion of my rations. Then, one
morning when my gang was to go out,
lplaced the surplus food In my peck
ct, bade my friends goodbye, and
marched out determined to brave all
risks OF an escape. We proceeded to
o point about a quarter of a mile
from the, stockade, and while the
guards sat down on logs or strImps,
We began gathering fagots. at once
edged away for the woods, and was
no sooner concealed by the pines than
would be granted:half an hour at
least, and 1 ought to be two miles
away, and probably was, before Twas
missed. | made this distance at 81 fast
walk, and then covered two or three
miles more at "dog trot." expect
ed 20 hear the report OF a cannon to
signify my escape, but none came, and
| hurried along hoping that the gang
had been marched back without my
absence being discovered. This, as |
aiterward ascertained, proved to be
the case. | headed slightly to the
northwest, calculating to pass near
Columbus, on the state line. Itravel-
ed five miles before | came to O creek,
and in this l waded for about hall
mile before taking to the barrens again.
was in pretty good condition, and
my purpose was to push ahead as fast
as possible until had put fifteen or
twenty miles between me and the pris-
on pen. / did not rest moment for
fully four hours, and knew that
Travelled at least seventeen miles in
that time. Five miles from the first
creek l came to another, and waded
down this for about a mile, although
there were several spots where the
bed was almost dry OF water. At noon
! sat down under tree to rest. Ihad
just crossed highway, and from
where sat could see log house
about a mile away. / was not
only very hungry, but very tired, and
| presume sat there for an hour. !
was about to get up and resume my
journey, when heard the distant
bark of bloodhounds. IL had hardly
reached my ears before a second bark
answered it. had never heard that
bloodhounds were used to run down
prisoners, and therefore had no idea
the dogs were after me. The last mile
Travelled before resting was across the
edge of a swamp. There was not
much water, but the ground was
damp. The dogs had just struck this
piece of ground when / heard their
cries. Presently they give tongue
again, and thereafter at intervals for
the next quarter of an hour They
were bothered to pick up the scent,
but were slowly approaching me. ]
had risen to my feet to start of when
a colored man came running up from
the highway and called out:
Am you one o. dem Yankees from
An'ersonville?"
"Yes," answered without hesita-
ton.
''Den climb tree quick, fur de
bloodhounds am on your track"
He ran away at this, and started
off at my best speed. had made
about eighty rods when the hounds
called out in voice that meant they
had sighted me. There were trees
all about me, and turned aside and
Skinned" up one about the size OF
my body, having to go fifteen feet be-
fore / found place to rest. was
hardly up before the dogs were at the
foot of the tree and making the most
determined efforts to reach me. was
safe from them, however, and after
about fifteen minutes waiting four
cavalrymen rode up, and was order
ed to come down. | was made to
take dog trot" all the way back to
the pen, and upon arriving there
was sentenced to wear chain and
clog for thirty days, and was not al
lowed outside the stoekade again un.
til exchanged.