The National tribune., 1888-08-23

unnoticed. We again started after every
thing became quiet, and this time crawled
out 10 where the ditch ended, which proved to
be in a thiniy-wooded piece OF ground with an
underground OF scrub-oak. Assuming a stand
ing position aud looking around, we found
ourselves directly between two rebel camps,
the fires Of which were burning brightly, and
plainly to be seen aud heard the rebel guards
moving about and talking. We boldly started
al q moderate walk st first, which We increased
as we moved through the woods towarda creek
some hundred yards or so distant from the
prison, and which we reached IN safety, the
waters of which offered US an opportunity to
wash and cleanse ourselves of the filth and
dirt with which we were covered. While thus
engaged in washing, and also waiting to see if
there were not others who we understood were
to make the attempt TO escape, the report OF
gun from toward the prison startled and
alarmed rs, and thinking that the guards had
discovered and perhaps shot some Of the pris-
oners and also fearing that immediate pursuit
would commence, we EurTiedly crossed the
creek and a. q rapid pace struck out through
the Wilderness heading. rs we thought TO the
westward our intention being, if possible, to
reach East Tennessee, it being the nearest
point from our location that our troops were
stationed.
FEAST UPON TURNIPs.
All that night, as we thought, in a direct
line did we travel through forests, cleared
tracts of land swamps and over hills, stopping
only once is We came TO cleared patch, to
cross which VIC had to climb rail fence, which
we did, and in the moonlight discovered that
we were IN q turnip patch. We eagerly avail
ed ourselves OF this unlocked for opportunity
TO 8PFeasc our hunger, and as we pulled the
Young JuTHips from the soil Yc ate as only the
starved and furnished can. hardly brushing the
dirt from the Iurnips ia our immoderate haste
Ir lac b9t
We took. Ana this excuslble want Of judg-
ment caused rs to lose all OF an hour if not
more, because we had SO g0rged ourselves with
half-masticated turnips that ne were attacked
with the most violent pains in the stomach,
which caused me to lie down and roll on the
ground In the greatest agony, and | thought
my last day bad surely come. However, after
an hours rolling we were able to again resume
our Journey, which we kept up until daybreak,
which found Us IN heavy woods with no ap-
parent end, tired, hungry and weary.
THE SOLDIERS FRIEND.
We were seeking a place to lie down and
/ sleep, which we needed badly, and while
thus hunting we were oyeTj0ved TO hear the
voice of man singing. Wondering if II could
be a white or black man, we directed our steps
toward whence the sounds came, and IN a short
time came ia view OF q coi0red man who was
busiiy working Ia q field, and who was singing
+ 4 song in the Ticb meiodi0us voice for which
+ the negro race is noted. Not knowing eX-
actly how TO make our presence known, we
gradually approached him, keeping hid as
much as pos bic from his view until we came
within hearing distance, and then We hallooed
ont in LOUD voice 30 attract his attention; ;
but at the same time KEEP. securely hid behind
/ the trunk Of q tree and watched to see the
/ effect Although il was o serious matter 10 u.s.
+ it was uCvcTtAtlczz ludIErgus to see how quick
I the singing was stopped, and IN what an appa-
I TeItly frightened manner the slave looked
. aUaud him, unable to tell where the sound
/ came from. While he WAS thus trying to ac-
/ c0uat for the mysterious voice, and as he
/ turned his face toward us ! again hallooed,
when he replied: Who are you, and
what DO you waut2' 1t was then that
/ Virgins aud I stepped from behind the
! tree that bid rs from his view, and stood out
SO that hC could see US, while at the same time
/ we beckoaeI with our hands for him TO come to
( US which bc at first Restitatcd TO 90, iuquiring
4 again il more moderate tone Of voice, " Who
I are yOu?' We answered the one word,
+ Yankees" which seemed to have a magical
f. effect, as he Immediately started toward Us,
/ and kept On until be reached Us. When he
F. joined as be increaulOusly asked, :" Is you
real laukeCsg" " ana being assured that We were
/ real, genuine Abe Lincoln Yankee soldiers,
and that wC were escaped prisoners from Sails
/ bury, and that We were hungry and wanted
side himself with JOY, assuring us in the most
I eXtravaEaut and humorous gesticuiations, both
( with hands and feet. that be would get Us
/ something to eat. while We could get q good
/ rest through tie day by
SLEEPING ~ THE WOODS,
/ which he advised Us 10 keep III while he went
I and procured something for Us 10 eat; and as
be was about TO leave US for that purpose, we
asked him how far we were from Salisbury,
flt frrie5 .flI
preston correct, that l can always see the face
Of The loyal black when l think Of it. With
his arm extended and his hand pointing di-
rcc.ly toward tAe east, he said: " You is jes
Zine miles west Of sunrise from Salisbury"
After giving this Information he left u, prom
1 isug 10 return Immediately. At the pace we
kept up ell that night we surely travelled 2C
miles and from the knowledge gained from
the c0lored man We had, without taking any
bearings been travelling aim.essly, / suppose
Iu d circle, thinking se were putting distance
between us and Salisbury Prison.
While we were sitting IN the Woodsand specu
latiug on cur chances, and also wondering i
the coiorcd man really meant 70 bring Us some
thing 10 eat or 70 inform his master aud perhaps
assist in our capture, h.cb thought caused US tC
shift OEr position and watch for his coming
from a different locality from that in which hC
. had left rs. NciouEd that our suspicious were
guiu5t 10 his honesty and loyalty, as he wa
1 seen coming toward the place where he EIC
left Us, with q ggDi-sized piece OF bacon an,
corn p0ue. We attracted his attention by hal
i0Jiug aud be soon stood before Us with hi
provisions. ~ the same time e&cusing himsel
: for not being able to bring more saying tha
: he Had 10 steal dat out wild out letting
folks know it, II does seem 80 me, aithougl
, / have before aud since paTtakcn OF the mos
} tempting aud pal4taJle repasts, that the havo
and sWgetuCs5 81 that lat
BACOS AND COIN PoSE
have never been equaied, the deljcic-sness @
which viii ever be remembered IS somethin
par excellence ia the culinary line. The poo
I. black evidently enjoyed seeing us eat aud kcp
I / asking the most cXtraYaCant Questions aUou
tbe Yankees and Niassa Lincoln being ez
trcmely anxious TO know when the Lincol
soldiers would come and set bis race fre,
which we informed hm would not be lon.
: the fact Of which hc seemed 70 be frml
1 convinced Of although he said his maste
Z told him that Tie Southern soldiers woul
kin every Yankee in the land But i
: quickly added, he can't make us black f0ll
7 believe it, after satisfying our hunger an
tae blacks curiosity by answering his quc
: tons, we sought secluded place IN the wood
{. and rakIng the fallen leaves together mad
= guile a com .cr,-blc bed, aud then, with I'll
promise Of the black 70 bring Us some mo.
: bread and meat in the evening, we lay dow
and slept soundly When ! awokc it was {,
: ward night, ana remembering the promise
our reliable aud grusty friend. the loyal c0lOrc