The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-22


the absence OF the dclicaces formerly en-
loyed in the Federal army, had become a
disgusting monotony, aud they had, some
OF them, determined TO make a break Tor
liberty.
The mess 20. which the major belonged
had arranged plan bywhich one OF them
at least could make the effort, and they
played q game OF freeze-ont. or whisky
poker to determine whose lot It should be
TO try their stratagem. The plan they had
adopted would only admit ofhcing tried by
one at time without creating a Suspicious
mortality among the captives.
They had studied the geography of Texas
and Arkansas, and concluded that IL was
practicable for an escaped prisoner 10 make
his way through the lilly regions OF the
Sulphur fork Of Red river, and, hy avoid.
ing all military posts, pass so iar west up
the main stream rs to cross over into the
spurs OF the Wichita mountains, IN which
they would find settlement oi Union
men who had dciied in their businesses,
liCndman's consumption in 1862. From
thence 1t would be easy, properly guided,
to make one sway To the Arkansas valley,
held at The time by the Federal armies,
from the mouth 10 Fort Smith The lucky
man in the game was the major, and on
the night OF the fourth day ont on the
march TO Tyler, they proceeded 20 put their
scheme 70 the test ut Marshall, Tex, forty
miles from Shreveport
Tho weather was so exceedingly hot
that the escort with the prisoners, some.
thing near 1000 OF them, generally broke
camp about 3 o clock in the morAing, so us
10 make an easy march before noon, en-
camp for the heated part OF the day and
resume their march before dawn the morn
ing following soon after dark one OF his
brother officers reported TO the commander
OF the escort that the major had suddenly
died, and asked permission 10 bury him
by n detail from the prisoners. This
reasonable request was readily granted,
there being no occasion for u coroner in.
quest, The major was accordingly buried
IN shallow grave, delcalcly covered over
with boughs and q nice mound OF fresh
earth tenderiy pattcd over him. A con-
vcnient arrangement was made that the
earth should not lie heavily ON him and
that breathing holes should he left 70 ac-
commodate his respiration. lie did not
settle into his tomb until the wearied
soldiers were all asleep, except
the guards, and lay quietly but
impaticntly till rcyeillc should call
the troops and prisoners to march out Ito
had accumulated out Of the scanty mtions
OF his mcssmatcs and his own some grub
10 suhsist on when he should escape, and
til he could ct beyond the reach OF the
escort, who, lac concluded, would not miss
him, Us he was already accounted for as
dead. Ills constrained position in his
grave did not prevent him from enjoying Il
sound nap till the buglc sounded the rev.
ellie, and he was gaddcncd by the hustle
Of preparations for The march, some two
hours before daybrcak. IL was with feel
ings OF unmiXcd pleasure he at last heard
the order 10 form aud as the las, footsteps
Of the measured tread OF shdicrs and pris.
oncrs died ont OF cirshot lac came forth out
OF his grave like Lazarus.
lie had carefully taken his bearings the
day before, and needed no urging io com.
uncnco his days march in a direction
other than tina. taken by he troops. lie
struck for thc wilderness OF the Sulphur
fork, taking his breakfast in the manner
that a Tramp cats q hlnd.out lunch.
Keeping the main direction, aud princi-
pgily by bypa,hs, avoiding all houses ho
went mcrnly along. rejoicing In the hope
and prospect VI freedom.
In the meantime the sun hal arisen on
the town OF Marshall. and the escort with
the prisoners were we'll on their way in
the direction Of Tyler. The inhabitants of
the town, some from curiosity some from
n desire 90 find whatever might be useful
10 them in the deserted camp, began to
pour out. The country wis at the time so
well exhausted by the war tina, whatever
might have been forgotten, lost or left for
want Of transportation, whether blankets.
garments, quarter Of poor beef, sack Of
Hour or provisions, would De useful TO the
needy inhabitants. In searching for what
might have been left party had the inn
pertinent curiosity To examine The majors
ncw.midc grave and behold tlic evidences
81 his resurrection.
There were some 81 them who had heard
OF his death IN the camp the night before;
/ and Il az once was understood 10 have
been only u rusc to enable him 10 effect an
/ escape.
The facts were duly reporter tothe com.
mandant Of the post, who Immediately
/ sent for and obtained, after little delay,
| apacS 0f blpOdhonnds, which had formerly
been kept aud trained Tor hunting down
| runaway slaves and terminals. The blood
! hounds were taken 20 the deserted grave
and, taking sent, followed II through the
cainp, notwithstanding that over 1900 per-
| sons had wandered over the same ground
| before the major left. and nearly half the
| town aiterWlnl. They followed the trail
| In the direction Of the sulphur fork, we'll
out oi the camp, when all ihe dogs were
/ called off hut one, which WAS hidden TO
! 60 on. A ilo vi soldiers under command
oi sergeant followed leisurely after the
d0H
Tho major had, perhaps, twelve hour'
! tht start or more. His many mcandcrings
| 10 avoid passing houses unnecessarily or
| meeting Travellers bcsidCs the cruving Of
brooks and larger streams, put the dog
sometimes at iault and caused delay. The
chase was not n hot one, but The flcuth-
hound followed IL up patiently and sure.
Crossing the Sulphur fork in the best way
he could, though not NJ any ferry, the
escaped prisoner kept steadily his difcc.
ton, willie he snlsisicd ON his frugal
rali1ns, supplemented by such fruits Of
the forest OF orchards us he could gather
without exposing himself 10 detection and
| Wcaplure E0uiaurc and weary he trudgcd
along till the afternoon of the third day.
Long imprisonment had not seasoned him
10 fatigue. aud, although growing weary,
the hOpc Oi freedom gave him ncryo o.
press forward. lie appchcndod little
danger II ho could avoid military post,
whore there were soldiers, OF could escape
small dciachmonis or scouts who would
suspect him on account Of his uniform.
Even In the latter case there WIS less dan
gcr ~ many Conicdeaiea, from sheer
necessity, wore clothing captured from th,