Wichita eagle., 1888-08-05
ESCAPE FROM PRISON.

L3G-ll Ia AVN L 1l1DUAs
Of the thousand or more Andersonville
prisoners who at one time or another made a
break for liberty, uine-tenths were recap
tured within an hour. OF the other tenth
the majority were returned inside of day.
So far as l can learn only three prisoners
ever made their way from Andersonvilie to
the Union lines, and l was one Of them
was captured soon after Lee returned to Vir-
gina from Gettysburg, and was sent with
about $50 others direct to AndersonviIle
had al the moment of capture about $3.50 in
Confederate money with me, hidden in the
Lining OF my vest, and 80 IL greenbacks IN
the heel OF one of my shoes. | YVES searched
four different times before passed through
the gates of Andersonv1lle, but my money
was not discovered. They would have taken
my clothes from me- but would no6 have it
that way. On two occasions when l was or
dered TO ''shuck" stood boldly up and said:
This is my uniform. Ipaid for it. Town
it I'm going 70 keepit. Ii tine Confederacy
is so hard up that it must needs rob prisoners
England and France ought to be informed"
l entered the stockede with my full suit of
clothes and all my money, much TO the sur
prise OF ny fellow prisoners, al Of whom had
been despoiled. The place was then approach
ing its worst. / had made up my mind
directly after capture that if taken to AndeT'-
sonyille | would run any risk TO make my
escape. l had not been inside an hour before
! was canvasslng the chances. According to
Ill accounts they were slim indeed The
stockade was heavily guarded, the guards
were aware of every Yankee trick, and the
people in the country around eagerly took up
the hunt after any prisoner who made dash
for liberty. There was no longer any hope
Of tuuneling under the fence, and the idea of
a sudden uprising OF all the prisoners had TO
be abandoned III the face OF the artillery
planted to prevent such a movement. In
two days | had figured the matter down 10
this; First, if | got away, it must be while l
had strength, pluck anu money. Secondly,
the first move toward escape must be to get a
detail outside the stockade. On the third day
OF my stay l sent out word that ! was willing
to serve on the medical staff Of the post if de-
sired, and my offer was accepted.
Just at that time there was Il good deal Of
sickness among the ConfeGerates as well and
there was no one at the post worthy of the
tile Of surgeon. | had served for SIX months
IS hospital steward at Washington and,
though nothing OF a doctor, | WIS better
qualified to administer medicine than any
one st the post. The dispenSary was room
about twelve feet square, and the stock on
hand was almost worthless. There were
about a hundred boxes Of cathaTtlc pills,
some blue mass, not over Two ounces of
auiuine an ounce of calomel, and q gallon
Jug OF extract of blackberry root There
we're a few surgical instruments, but the
whole outfit would have been held in con-
tempt By baci,woods beginner The day
went out Of the stockade there were twenty
three Coufederates on the sick list and at
least /. 600 prisoners should have been under
medical care.
was informed that 1 would be put on my
honor not TO attempt TO escape, but was not
sworn or asked to sign any paper l there
fore felt at liberty to carry out any plan
which might come 70 me- l knew the loca-
ton Of Andersonvilie 70 dot, and the long
distance one would have to travel TO reach
the Union lines. Such prisoners as had got
away had 10 other idea than to put distance
between themselves and the stoekaie, and
had soon worn themselves out Ny first at
tention was given to the country around Us.
Ia two weeks, by observation and inquiry,
knew every highway and plantation for ten
miles around US In another fortnight
eouid have made my way across the state OF
Alabama without asking question 4
great many coIored people came TO the post
rs sighsseers, and, as | employed some Of
them to bring me bark and roots, had every
chance 20 pursue my inquiries L got the
highways TO the west truthfully mapped out
in my mind, and L was posted Us to every
negro caoiu between Audsrsonville and the
Alabama state line. a week before | made
my break l had every detail planned and
every emergency provided for, and there was
no fear that anything would m.scarry.
After corning out Of the Suockade | had
gradually exchanged my uniform for civil
iau's clothes, and by the time | was ready To
go had nothing blue left. Up 70 three days
before left my secret was my own. But for
one thing should have kept it locked in my
OWE breast. / wanted 20 get hold or horse,
ani | could not do It unaided. The horse
wanted belonged TO a captain, and was cared
FOR by . colored man named Joe. l had
spoken with him on several occasions and,
from words he had let fall. | realized that he
was anxious TO escape TO the Union lines.
To reach Joe after nightfall l must have an
excuse to pass the guard TINS alone he
could furnish. was TO 90, horse or no horse,
but TO GET the horse If l could Autumn had
now come, ana the rainy season might soon
be expected On the morning Of the day
had set for my last at Andersonville Joe
came TO see me about sore throat His de-
rneanor was such shat determined - fully
trust him, and finally queried:
Joe would you advise me 20 try and es-
cape from tbisE'
.sDo footr' he asked
"No, on horseback
''IW har' ye gwine TO git hossT
an take the captains"
(which way re gwlneP
"West, into Alabama"
How furi1
About twenty-five niles: thsD I'm going
TO stop with an cd colored nan for q month,
or until the matter blows oveT."
"Eow We gwine TO sit dac hossT
"Wby, tonight, soon after dark, ycuu be
taken with cramps and send tor NE. I'll
co2e. Then III ride CT"
''Bu5 6ey'l tr&ck yer"
''Ir's gong 10 rain. It viii BE- rainy
night
OAR uought be two HOSES in de stable
lie said. after looking at the weather from
TIE window.
Howe
"De eapting bought anoder yesterday,
which he's gwlne 70 send or to somebody
swell, You can go, TOO"
After dinner hsd opportunity 70 speak
with him again, and it was settled that be
should go with me. He realized the danger
IS fully as did II recaptured, would be
returned 20 the pen, but ne would suffer