The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-07-08
A STORY OF NEAL DOW.
How the Noted Temperance Advocate
Escaped from Death at the Hands
of Southern Mob.

Capt L. L. Mitchell, OF Rome, was, says
| the Atlanta Constitution, in a reminis-
cent mood. A reporter was present and
made notes as Capt Mitchell talked, oc-
casionally asking question.
| Il am not vet over the effect of Ar.
| Jefferson Davis visit to Atlanta" Capt
| Mitchell said That memorable event
caused me to turn back the pages of
memory and | have reveled among
them ever since. | entered the service
| of the confederate states as a private in
| the Sth Georgia regiment was pro-
NOTED captain by Gen. Joseph E. John
ston after the battle of Manassas and
transferred to the 40th Georgia. In
| 1868 | was at Vicksburg. The city was
besieged by the federal troops and life
there was not pleasant. One day re-
ceived an order to make my way to
Jackson and report to Gen. Johnston,
who was then trying to succor Vicks-
burg. / had a rough time reaching
jackson, but l arrived there finally and
at once sought Gen. Johnston. After
inquiring the condition OF affairs at
Vicksburg he said:
| to Richmond. | have prisoner want
ldheu W IudI Guy 1Ou Clu
guard with you, if you wish, and pro-
ceed as rapidly as possible
General, who is the prisonerP |
asked, thinking that he must be of un-
usual importance.
Gen. Johnston laughed.
why he replied, the prisoner is
brigadier general, the commander of
brigade of negro troops-the great
and only Neal Dow, of Maine. want
! him taken to Richmond without delay
"Well, general | said, if the pris-
oner is Gen. Neal Dow, of Maine, be-
lieve that can take him to Richmond
without assistance. | will not need
| guard.
..All right, then,' Gen. Johnston re-
piled, take him without a guard" "
As Gen. Johnston said. Dow had
been in command of brigade of negro
| troops. He was attached to Gen. B. f.
Buffers division. While on the way
| with his brigade from New Orleans to
Vicksburg he had been captured-he
and every man of his brigade.
Did you reach Richmond with YOUR
prisoner without trouble?"
'No, | did not. Butler and Dow were
thoroughly detested by the people of
New Orleans because they had allowed
their troops to commit many outrageous
| depredatiOns. | had to take Dow
through Selma, Ala. In that city were
a large number of refugees from New
Orleans do not know how it leaked
| out. but somebody telegraphed to Sell
ma that | was on the way there with
| Dow in custody. When | arrived | got
off the train with my prisoner, and be-
| fore / realized it we were in the midst
| of large and angry mob. On all sides
| | heard such cries as xii the old scoun-
drelr That's old Dow, the man that
helped Beast Butler steal our spoonsr
| Hang the old rascal When l think
| of it now l am astonished that | ever
| got Dow safely away from the mob.
! But | did, and conducted him to hotel
! and locked him in a room. The mob
| followed and gathered in front of the
| hotel. 1t was then night Convinced
that nothing but determined stand
would prevent the mob from hang
| ing Dow, | walked out upon the
| front steps Of the hotel and drew my
| pistol. Men, | said, Gen Dow is my
| prisoner. l have been ordered by Cen
Johnston to conduct him to Richmond,
and | mean to take him there. You
can't reach him except over my dead
| body.
"IVhat effect did your defiance
| have?"
Not much, but cool-headed man
used his powers of persuasion on the
| mob, and while he was at work | got
| Dow out of a window, took him to the
| depot, and put him on the train which
was about TO leave. We got away safe
| ly, but Dow was in collapsed state on
account of fear"
Did you have any more troubleP"
Eyes, at Weldon, n. G.. AT that place
| another mob wanted to hang Dow, but
| saved him from that fate and finally
| reached Richmond with him."
What did you do with him there?n
He wanted me TO take him to a ho-
| tel, but | declined. ! told him that |
| must deliver him into the custody of the
provost marshal general as soon as
! possible. He protested that he was not in
| fit condition to be imprisoned. In fact
| he was not. His clothes were in rags.
| He wore for coat nothing but very
old and very dirty linen duster. |
| told him that | could not take him to
| hotel but that | would give him money
| to buy clothes. gave him 800 in con-
| federate money. When | delivered him
| to-the provost marshal, Dow said: Cap
| tain, you saved my life twice, and you
| have placed me under renewed obliga-
| tionS by your kindness since we reached
| Richmond. | wish to assure you of my
| gratitude If after | am exchanged
| you should be captured, let me know.
| ] am big man in my country, and will
see that you do not suffer: If you and
| | live through the war, write to me and
| will repay the money you have so
| kindly loaned me- That was the last
| l ever saw of Gen. Neal Dow
Have you ever heard from him?"
Some time ago, while in Elliiay, !
told Hon. Thomas Greer about my ex-
perience with Dow. He suggested to me
| to write TO him. just to test Dow's
memory | did write him.
Did he reply??"
Yes, he replied promptly. l have
his letter at my rooms"
At the reporters request Capt. Mitch
ell went TO his rooms and got the letter.
1t is as follows:
PORTLAND, ME.-Capt MTTCHELL-Dear
Sir: 1t was with real pleasure that L re-
ceiyed your note Of the 23d. and l thank
| you for II ana your kind remembrance very
much. l remember you well and your
kindness and consideration under embarass-
| ing circumstances.
In my many wanderings about the coun-
| try, have met many of the boys who
| greet me warmly, and we shake hands
heartily-as L now do Gin imaginatiOn) with
you most cordially. | am very truly yours,
NEAL Dow.
The reporter asked Capt Mitchell if
Gen. Dow had repaid the hundred dol
lars.
IF be has" replied Capt. Mitchell,
Il am not aware of it. Perhaps he
thinks he doesn't owe me anything, as
confederate money has ceased to be of
value
Madison County. Ky, has within its
l. L A 4