The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1888-01-27
DARING AND SUFFERING.
A History of the Andrews Railroad
Raid Into Georgia in 1862.
XuIAPTER XIX
LAST DAYS.

Andrews had now but four days more
Of dungeon life between himself and eter-
nifty. Escape was impossible mnless there
should be a rapid advance sof tho Federal
forces-a possibility which did come very
near being made a fact. He applied him
self to the great business of preparing to
die. Most unexpectedly a letter written
at this time and In some way carried
through the1ines has come to hand, and
throws great light upon his character and
thoughts at this period. He managed In
some unknown mannerto get writing ma
terial and wrote two or three letters.
One, no doubt, was written to'hisfhetrothed
in Flemingsburg, but never received.
Another was written to his mother in
Missouri. The contents of the latter can
only be given as they are remembered
after an interval OF many years by one
who read the letter. He told his mother
that he was TO die, and that all he re-
GREETED was that he had been able to dc
SO little for his country; that many other
sons had left their bones bleaching on
southern battle fields; that he had tried
to do his duty, and was now seeking the
pardon and favor of God. There were
many other half remembered expressions
similar to those which are given in the
letter below.
The following Communications addressed
to trusted friend in Flemingsburg, KY,
and which from some references to
property in contains has been called 'the
will of Andrews" needs % word of ex.
PLANTATION. The gift bestowed upon Miss
Layton was of tritiing value, though most
pathetic--a nero empty trunk. But the
full significance of this was no doubt
given, with probably more substar-.l u
requests in one or other of the missing
letters. This letter, which reached Flem-
ingsburg, Ky, in August, two months
after it was written, being mailed at
Louisvillc, is recorded in the Flemings.
burg book of Wills, while the original is
most carefully preserved. Andrews had
directed his friend to draw out his money
in the Flemingsburg handsome $4,000,
with gold premium and interest--in case
he never returned, giving him check for
that purpose, and to lend it ON good Sc
curity, paying the interest as perpetual
bequest TO the town poor. The friend
was faithful to his trust, and though the
money was afterwards squandered in q
pitiful way and gave rise to yexatious
law suits yet this secured the careful
preservation of the letter.
In all probability Andrews wrote first
to his betrothed, giving those sad re.
membranes and requests which wonld
not be repeated in letter to another, and
followed with this more general and
business like communication. Tho orig
inal is terribly misspelled, far beyond the
ordinary misspelling of ignorant persons.
This is probably intentional, as few lines
at the first haveno errors.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. June 6. 1862
ID. S. McGavic Esq, Flemingsburg, KY:
DEAR SR-You will be doubtless surprised to
hear from me from this place, and still more sur.
prised to hear that am to be executed on the
9TH inst. for attempting to capture and run
train of cars from tho Western and Atlantic rail.
road 20 Huntsville for the use Of Gen. Mitchell.
had party of twenty-one detailed men from the
Second, Twenty-frst and Thirty-thlrd Ohio regi
nents with me. We succeeded in getting posses
sion Of the train and travelled with 1t some eighty
or eighty five miles. when, on account of an
extra train being on the road, we were compelled
to abandon tho train the party scattering and
trying to mako our way back on foot. The whole
party, however, were captured. / was taken on
the 18th of April. am satisfied could very
easily have got away had they not put pack OF
dogs on my trail. 1t was impossible to elude
them. was tried by court martial and received
my sentence on the last day of May, Just one
week from the time set for my execution On
Monday morning, juno ., 1 made an escape.
in getting out of the prison and run by
the guard, they shooting at me but not hitting
me- The whole country was Immediately
swarmed with soldiers. / succeeded In
eluding them till on Tuesday, about
s'clock. when I was recaptured and will
be executed on Saturday. The sentence seems
q hard one for the crime proven, but suppose
the court that tried mo thought otherwise.
have now calmly submitted to my fate, and have
been earnestly engaged in preparing to meet my
md m Aud hava found that of
mind and tranquility Of soul that even surprises
myself. never supposed it possible that man
could feel so complete change under similar
How L would like to have one
hours chat with you; but this shall never have
in this world but hope and pray that we may
meet In heaven, where the troubles and trials Of
this life never enter. What the fate of the bal
ance OF the party will be am unable to say, but
hope they will not share tho fate Of their leader
II they return, some two or three Of them will
call you ard the rest OF the friends and hope
you will receive then, kindly. They are poble
fellows, and will give you whole history OF the
affair. Please acquaint my friends with my fate |
will try TO write TO some two or three more |
before my execution. Tell j. y. Jackson, should |
here be any little claims that NEGLECTED to set.
lie, TO pay them, and keep tho horse. don't |
hink there are any. but there may be. In re-
ard to other matters, do exactly as instructed
'cfore left wrote several letters, but Eever |
eceived any. Please read this letter to Mrs. |
cckles, and tell her that have thought Of her J
.indness many times, and that hope may |
meet In heaven, where shall enjoy the pres |
nee OF tho Lord forever. Give my kindest re- /
ards TO Mr.. Eckles also According to the course |
& nature II will not be long till we shall meet in
has happy country. Blessed thought Remem- |
er me also to the young ladies Of Flemingsburg, |
specially to Miss Kate wallingford and Miss 1
'annie Baxter. Hoping we may meet in that /
etter country, bid you long and last farewell |
j. j. ANDREWS
The following was. added on the same
heet: On
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. Juno 5, 1862
}. s. McGavic Esq, ). b. Jackson, Mrs. Sarah /
Bckles, Flemingsburg, Fleming county, KY:
You will find one trunk and one black valise;
he valise has my name in red letters on the end,
he other had my name on paper pasted on the
nd; these are at the City hotel at Nashville, in
are of the old porter on the third floor. These,
nth contents, present TO you. Mr.. Hawkins,
on will find at the Louisville hotel large lady's
runk, mark ON It and is entirely empty. |
lease take 10 To Mr.. Lindsey's, near Mil Creek /
hurch. on the Maysville and Flemngsburg turn
IKE, and request him TO present it to Miss
xizabeth Layton for me, and oblige,
j. j. ANDREWS.
(This was proved and recorded as will
t Flemingsburg on the 3D. and 10Th Of |
January 1882, The money referred tn in