Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1889-10-25
THE CAPTURE AND ESCAPE.
History Of the Experiences of 'Doc." Jones Dur
ing the War of the Rebellion as Told by Himself

departure the old man put up some
provisions for us in an old sack, ant
carried us out to the barn, one at {
time. From here he had us "coon" {
fence for some distance until we came
to the river. He then found boa'
and took us across. The plantation
extended along both sides OF the
stream, and the boat was one used fol
the purpose of carrying those who had
occasion to go from one part of the
plantation to the other.
After we were safely ferried over
and had sat down to cat something,
asked why the planter did not let the
blood hounds take our track from the
shantyP The old darky gave three
reasons In that section of the country
were very many deserters from the
rebel army, and some very desperate
union men, and to attempt to dog them
meant death to the hounds, and If @
could capture us without having TO
sacrifice the dogs, it would add glory
to his renown.
The precautions taken by the old
darky in getting us to the river was in
anticipation of the failure of the
planter to intercept us at Maysville,
and returning to the shanty and put
ting the dogs upon our trail.
The result of the planters procedure
we never knew, but of one thing / am
well assured, and that is, when we
parted from that old colored patriot
that night, we did it without any
prejudice on account of color; and
when We took his hand in farewell,
and listened to the God bless yous,'
| felt as though l had never fully re-
allied the justice of the union cause.
After leaving the river we hurried
along as fast as possible, constantly in
fear of pursuit. But it never came
from that plantation. We continued
to eat of the food given us by the
old colored man, until it had entirely
disappeared, and continued our march
the remainder of the night without
further incident.
Instead of continuing our journey
south, we gradually circled to
the west and north, and when the
time came that we dared take course
that we could say each morning that
we were one days journey nearer home,
we were consoled beyond compare.
On the morning of the third night
after leaving the plantation, we were
in dense wood and had very little
trouble in finding suitable place for
resting ourselves during the day.
We selected spot where two large
logs lay close together, approaching
each other near the tops, forming a V
shape, and had no trouble in procuring
plenty of leaves with which to cover.
MS many had been blown into the fork
formed by the logs. The weather was
also quite comfortable for that season
OF the year. When evening came we
were greatly refreshed with our rest,
but hungry and thirsty. Nevertheless.
at about the usual hour Is o'clock we
began our march.
We had not proceeded to exceed
five miles, perhaps less, when we came
to road that led to a bridge across
the creek we had been following, and
we concluded to take the road and
leave the creek, we saw some buildings
just ahead of us, near the road, which
fact drove us back to the creek, only
on the opposite side from where we
were, and followed down stream far
enough to go around the buildings.
when we again left the creek.
We had now got into country that
was quite broken. AS usual when we
came in sight of n building, we were
down creek as fast as possible,
when suddenly Wood caught me by
the arm and called my attention to the
fact that we were in the midst of
number of white objects, and asked me
wha6 | thought they were. l had been
plunging along recklessly, needless of
anything but the fact that we were
hurrying out of the sight of the build
lngs. My first impression was that
the objects were large stones; but
Wood thought they were tents,
and said that if could keep quiet he
would crawl up and find out. Before
he could put his intention in execution,
ioMeNeri We nedTu voices. w g instantly
started TO crawl to the creek arriving
there, we again took our course along
It's banks, and soon after came in sight
Of fire, and seated around it were
several rebel soldiers, and by the light
Of the fire could plainly see that the
white objects that startled us, were
covered wagons. II ever two fellows
hurried carefully over the ground with
their ears and eyes open, we were
the chaps, and kept it up for two miles,
expecting every minute to come in con-
tact with n rebel picket. In this we
were happily disappointed,
We certainly expected to have bet
ter and safer journey the balance of the
night; but had hardly recovered from
our first scare, when we were equally
astonished by the words, "who are you,
and where do you belong" There was
one thing that gave me consolation,
and that was the manner of the inquiry
and command. Wood whispered, "let
MS make n break" But the interroga-
tor, not waiting to get reply from us,
continued to some one else, ''if |
thought they were spying around after
us, would shoot them on the spot"
FRO BE Continued