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

-
always in my suit OF gray, and
under the guidance of some one
who knew where could take my exercise
without danger.
One morning, the gratifying intelligence
was brought M of the escape of Colonel
Streight and more than hundred of my
late companions. through the tunnel. They
were holly chased, by the rebel cavalry,
over the peninsula; about half of them
were recaptured, and the others succeeded.
after dreadful fatigue and exposure, in
reaching the relief parties that were sent
out from Fortress Monroe at the first tid-
ings of the escape. The near approach of
Colonel Dahlgren and his little command
caused the widest CONSERVATION in the city
among the Confederates, as well as great ex-
ultation among my good friends. After
these occurrences the excitement ran SO
high, and the scrutiny became so rigid. that
the latter declared that l must defer all
thoughts of getting away until the depart
ure of another train; and this | reluctantly,
and still wisely, consented to do.
At last the ng-eXpected day came. /
was furnished with passport bearing the
name of Moses Parish, real person, who
was on the lit of drivers, but who was
unable to go with the train, on account of
sickness. l was TO personate him, and all
that the forethought of myself or my
friends could provide for as TO questions
that might be asked me on the expedition
/ did not lack. L was TO 90 with the
train as far as it went toward the Poto-
mac, and then take my chances 10 desert
and make my way across the river.
1t was full of risk-yet what escape from
captivity is not?-and / may say that it was
with a light heart that l babe farewell that
morning TO that noble woman and few
others of our loyal friends, and walked
over to the rendezvous The officer in COM
mand of the train looked at my passport
and then at my face / was anticipating
close scrutiny. and / certainly got il
Everybody was suspected
Moses Parish, is it, Soldier or civil
ian?"
Civilian, sir"
"How about that uniform them"
"Picked it up, sir. 1t was either that or
go naked"
alum! Who are you, asyway?'
"A Marylander; enlisted in the Yankee
army, and deserted and came here through
the lines, after Charlottesville"
Where did YOU enlist?"
AT Baltimore"
Ever lived there?"
"All my life, sir.
was so well acquainted with that city
that could safely make this answer.
"Ho-you have, have YOU? Well Gee
about that. Now, my fine fellow, hap
pen to be a Baltimorean myself, and if
you've been lying to me, | shall find 1t out.
l saw that | was suspected; but, knowing
that | was perfectly equal TO the catechism
he proposed, | faced him boldly. From
Druid Hill Park 10 Patterson Park and
from Fort Fedora. Hill TO the Battle Monu-
ment he led me all over Baltimore, and
was not very long in discovering that |
knew quite as much about that city as he
did.
"Well, ! can't fool with you any longer"
he said, testify. Get up on that wagon;
you can drive it, and take care of the
mules; but, by -. if We catch you in any
tricks, you'll get ball through you! Dye
hear?"
Eyes, sir-all right" I cheerfully re-
sponded, and climbed up to my seat.
The train left the city, the empty wagons
stringing out over a mile of the road, until
they were closed up, with three companies
of cavalry for escort, and wendell slowly
along toward the Lower Potomac. There
were incident and excitement enough hap
pening every day on this tour TO make
story Of Itself but l mast omit everything
save what related to my own fortunes. We
crossed several rivers; the water was high,
and the crossing was usually made on
boats. AS we were thus passing the Pa
munkey, while l was standing by myself
and looking into the water. resoundiug
slap fell on my shoulder, and familiar
voice exclaimed
"Halloo, Porter! why, who'd have
thought TO see you here"
My forethought had carefully provided
for just such an incident as this. For a
week before L left Richmond my friends
had called me nothing but Mr. Parish, in
order TO familiarize me with the name; aud
had schooled myself not to betray the
slightest sign of recognition upon hearing
my own name. / turned now, slowly and
deliberately. There stood my friend. the
wagon master, with n simulated smile on
his face, holding out his hand.
That's not my name, sir, / said; but
I'm on hand for duty"
The deuce it isn't! and the deuce yoa
are!" he exclaimed, snappishly. you
needn't deny the truth, sir; you are Cap
tain Porter, of the Yankee army, who
escaped from the Libby few weeks ago"
mo, sir, l am not"
"Well, you're Yankee out of the Libby,
whatever your name Is.
NO, sir; and | beg you won't accuse"
90, boshl don't put on airs with me-. Who
are you? the truth, mind"
Just what | told you at Richmond, sir.
My name is Moses Parish l am from"
There, there enough of that stuff! If
you're not a knave, then I'm fool we'll
try to find out which"
He turned abruptly away. Ny position
was now critical indeed, after what had
happened. | IA ght be put under guard at
any moment. We crossed the Mattapony,
and. after proceeding some distance toward
the RappahannOck, the train turned down
the peninsula 1t was now or never with
me; every hour now removed me further
from the Union lines. / resolved that l
would desert the train that night.
Everything seemed to favor me. The
guards were sleepy; there was no danger
to be apprehended by them from
our troops, in this locality. l found it
easy to Slip out with one of my mules. |
led the animal to a safe distance, and then,
mounting, rode him with all the speed |
could get out of him toward the Rappahan-
mock. l reached the river before daylight.
and with the help of a symPathizirg negro
and his boat | had soon put that stream
betwe cen myself and the train. TEen away
l sped to the broad Potomac. My flight
was without an incident worth narrating,
and with the friendly help of another
negro and his skiff / was ferried across TO
So. - u