The National tribune., 1891-01-01
COL. WIN. c. RAULSTON.
An Account OF His Death By an EyerItues..

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In your issue
Of Dec. 4, 1890, read again las think have
seen u, or something on the same subject pub
lished IN your paper perhaps year or so agO)
about Col. Wm. G. Raulst0n's death i'm a rebel
prison. As know all the particulars, think
it my duty 10 explain it for the benefit Of his
relatives aud friends.
ON or about Christmas, 1854, the pfeeiso date
i cannot give, about 400 officers were prisoners
ia big brick building at Danville. Va. About
One-half of us took a notion, under some in
ducements that DO not here care 10 relate, To
break out and free ourselves, and other prison.
era lenlisted mem confined in two other brick
buildings similar aud close 10 ours did like
wise. The lower hoor Of our building we were
not allowed 10 occupy, only TO pass through 10
60 % the yard, and there were four men on
guard, with their guns continually walking to
aud fro. not allowing any more than a dozen
of Us At time on that floor. To begin with,
it was thought necessary 10 disarm these four
men and have the use Of their guns ourselves.
For that purpose IL men were detailed, three
10 each guard-to Jump on him at a signal
given and take his gun from him. Col. Raul
ston was one, with Capt Ash, Of the New York
cavalry, and another man, don't remember
his name were trying 10 disarm one who was
very stubborn. and in the scuilie the guard was
knocked down, but his gun could not be taken
armed. At the same time the rest Of the men
were rushing downstairs, armed with sticks
Of hrewOOd or pieces OF broken boxes. Some
went through the guard-Toom and outside,
but were confronted by the whole garrison Of
the town, under the command Of Col Smith,
charging on them with bayOnets. They then
rushed back and upstairs
The whole performance did not last half as
long rs IL takes me to describe IL. ! was one
Of the IL, and after getting done with one Of
the guards was attending 90 their Sergeant,
who took notion TO interfere with our work,
and ! quieted him down little. When Col.
RaulstGn passed me nc said: lt is all mp; let
us 60" Leaving the still armed man on the
floor, he started for the stairs, aud / followed.
lie had just put his foot on the step ahead Of
me, when the man on the floor, about I5 feet
from ns, fired. the shot grazing my side, stFik-
ing Col. Raulston about the middle OF the back,
close 10 the spine. lie placed his hands where
be was wounded, aud exclaimed: "Oh, ! am
shot!" almost falling back. ! put my hands
under his arms and helped him upstairs,
where be lay until medical aid came 20 his
assistance.
Col Smith, the rebel officer In command OF
the garrison Of the town. came i'm with some
Of his officers hunting for the ringlesders OF
the movement. but finally said that since
none OF his men had been hurt, and that one
OF % was wounded, he wOnld be lenient with
u.s. Nevertheless, he ordered his guard 20 take
one Of Us 10 make an example Of, rs he said
but released him afterwaTd. Col Raulston was
then taken 10 the hospital, where he died about
q week afterward. A few days later the rebel
officer who came TO inspect us wore the big
cavalry boots and coat Of Col. Raulston.-JNo
GAYETTI, First Lieutenant, Co. b, % Pa II.
A, Liyermore Cal.