Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1889-10-04
THE CAPTURE AND ESCAPE.
History of the Experiences of "Doo." Jones Dur
ing the War of the Rebellion Told by Himself

miles distant from the narrows OF tho
New River. Also, that thero was n
company Of tho S6th Virginia guarding
tho narrows, and that was our destina-
tion. While stopping for dinner, our
captors indulgod so much in the pro-
ducts Of the distillery, that by two
o'clock, two of them were unable TO 20
amy further. The third one took in
the situation, and gave me orders not
| TO get closer than ten feet nor more
than fifteen from him, as he was not
going to wait for the drunken guards,
and If failed to heed this order he
would shoot without warming.
Imagine yourself in like situation,
and you can to some extent appreciate
the position. 1 shall not attempt to
rehearse the abuse heaped upon us by
those drunken scouts it chills my
blood to think of it even at this late
date.
For some reason the guard, Payne
by name, who took us from the distil-
lery to the narrows had no fear of COM
rade Sarnes' attempting to get away.
While he kept me ahead and guarded
me SO carefully, he allowed Levi to
walk along in the rear. But anyone
could see that the poor captive was
deiirious with dependency.
When we had arrived within four
miles of the narrows, / concluded to try
one more chance for liberty. I asked
to be excused by the guard for few
moments, and obtained his consent. |
thought by so doing l might gain an
advantage of his highness. l was about
fifteen feet from the guard near log,
while he was sitting on the log, Levi
just back of him. Although the reb
was facing me made all the signs |
could to have Levi grab him, or hit him
with stone, as they were lying about
in quantities; but all to no purpose, as
my comrade seemed oblivious to all
surroundings, and could not appreciate
any advantage. The ruso was fail
ure.
We arrived at the narrows of East
River that evening about sundown,
and bitter cold night it was. The
company, or rather only portion OF
the company seemed to be there, with
an insignificant puppy in the uniform
of third lieutenant in command. He
had more cussedness in his carcass than
was combined in any one regiment in
the Southern Confederacy. l alway.
regretted that could not meet hin
and exchange compliments with him
us think it would have been beneficial
to both of us. If he ever had any re
deeming traits in his character, he left
them Mt home when he enlisted He
certainly had none with him, as his
own comrades failed to distinguish
them. The rebels were quartered il
u log house with n fire place in it, an6
the soldiers lay in n circle around the
fire. The Lieutenant ordered us t.
one end of that large room and put {
guard over us, without one bite to eat
the suffering we endured that night /.
indescribable. In the morning the
guards had their breakfast but gave IL.
none. Shortly after breakfast the
lieutenant came up to me and said
"Yank, will you answer some question,
| desire to ask you ?"
I said, ''if can, l will" He ther
asked me what the North was fighting
for, and l answered him by saying
"our purpose was the re-establishment
of the Union"
"Do you think you can do it ?"
"Of course we can"
"How do you think you can do it ?"
I'VE will either subjugate or ex
terminate you; that is, We will whiI
you by force of arms, or will starve you
out"
l had no more than finished the last
sentence when this imp OF his majesty
drew a revolver, and pointing it at my
breast, said: "You Yankee s.
1 will shoot your heart out"
ITO BE CONTINUED