Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1889-10-11
THE CAPTURE AND ESCAPE.
History of the Experiences Of "Doc." Jones Dur
ing the Wer of the Rebellion as Told by Himself

frightened at the prospect before us,
After we had been there four days or
in the afternoon of tho fourth day, u
captain came in, in company with two
rebel soldiers, and wanted TO know
which were the two spies shipped from
Lynchburg on u certain date. / told
him that we were the two shipped on
the date mentioned, but that we were
not spies. l also related to him the
story of our escape, giving date and
other particulars, and by whom recap
tured, and that Capt. Brown command
ing a company of the seth Va. at Mar
rows, East River, would so testify. He
merely said that he would not take us
at present, but would investigate my
statements.
After remaining some eight days
longer, pestered by lice, rats and other
vermin in that loathsome cellar, and
suffering from all the horrors for
which it was noted, we were taken out
upon giving promise that we would
not attempt to get away again. 1t
was certainly relief to get out of that
den. We were next sent to Danville,
the place of our former escape. Com
rade Sarnes and | never met again
after entering Danville; but in my
memory / have erected monument
higher, broader and more grand than
can be erected by human hands, and
that from material that is everlasting
Because of true comradship and heroic
sacrifices, his memory will ever be
sacred to me. He was true and faith
full companion from the beginning Of
our acquaintance TO the end. He never
rcgained his chcerfulness, but con-
tinued in his despondcncy until death.
By the time l had become rested, &,
and the wounds of my feet healed,
there was anther plot organized in
prison No. to escape or rather few
had been made to believe that by Civ
ing brass buttons, an article always in
demand, and what little money there
was on hand, that u certain guard had
been bribed into allowing then to es-
cape. Those concerned in this plot
were comrades S. T. Wood, of Co. A,
14th o. V, l., and Conroy and Conrad
of the 18th, o. V. l., three in all.
Some time in the afternoon of the day
set for the escape, or the effort to es-
cape, they camo TO me with an earnest
request that | make one of their num-
Der.
l was as anxious as any living man
could be to get away; in fact 1 had re,
solved to escape or die in the attempt
at the earliest possible moment; but
had many misgivings as to the feast
bility of the plan suggested; had NJ
confidence in the word of rebel, ant
expostulated with them for some time
when they begged of me to become one
of them. After entreating me in every
way they could think of, they finally
said that if they should die in Il rebe
prison, they would blame me to theii
dying breath, because 1 knew just tn,
, proper route to take, and escape woulc
be almost certain.
Finally concluded to go with them
providing 1 could have talk with tn,
guard first, and was convinced that ht
was honest in his intentions. Afte
talking with him the only encourage
: ment could get was that we could ge
) out if We followed his directions w
3 were to go under the out house, through
. vault six feet wide, eight feet lon!
, and six feet deep, filed to within
= foot of the floor above no one woul
} ever think of escaping in that way
7 Such plan, to a certain extent, led m
} to the conclusion that he might
honest in serving us, but l could nc
. accept him without some compunctior
, AS evening approached we began t
get ready for exit, and as l was dele
gated to go first, crawled under an
: went through, and waited on the othc
S side for my comrades. They joine
!, me very soon and we started for tn
river. Only u few steps were talier
A when we were halted by number {
4 rebel guards. Conroy, our old Irisl
!, man, turned back in the direction {
l the prison, when he was told that if h
c took another step he would be shot.
t Conroy said, 81 want to spalle wi
the sintinel." He could not believ
o that the guard could be so unreliable
n he gave II soldier, though rebel, NOR
Q credit.
h The guards took us in charge an
c marched us in front of prison No.
+ and proceeded to give us all bucking
|, and it was one of the least desirabl
S tasks they could have INDUCED il
d We were no samples to set up in Il pc
fumatory and neither were they, /;
l. far rs that is concerned, by the tin
d they got through with us.
G [To BE CONTINUED.