Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1891-11-25
Stirginia FREE greas,
W. ". B. GALLAHER, Editsr,
OharIestown, ,Jegrrson county, Wesi Y
The ConJederate's Ruse,

! was the last OF the fortunate few that
escaped from Point Lookout prison, he
said, in the fall of '64
The enclosure-known as Bull Pen
in which the prisoners were kept consist
ed of paling about IA feet high, with
al outside platform, not far from the top,
where the sentinels day and night walk
ed their beat in sight of the prisoners.
On the eastern side of the camp was
the Chesapeake; and here, if we kept
within musket range, we could battle or
fish at any hour of the day-a privilege
greatly appreciated by those who could
stand the exertiOn.
For some it became daily practice,
whenever the weather permitted the sport
to fish in the forenoon and this we did
either standing in the water, up to our
elbows or armpits, Or sitting on long-leg
ged, crane-like tripods, which the more
ingenious contriyed for themselves out
of pieces of cracker box. Day after day
VIC would venture out in the broiling sun
shine; and | have since wondered, in
thinking oft, that no case of sunstroke
ever occurred.
Every morning large tubs of garbage
from the cook-house and slops from the
hospital tents were brought to the beach
to be emptied and those who happened
to be bathing at the time had as much as
they could do, in returning to the shore,
to keep clear of the filth. To one Of
these "vessels of ignominy' it was that l
owed my escape. 1t CHANGED in this way /;
| had waded out with my fishing
clothes on somewhat further than usual,
when | saw a tub floating up side down
and drifting toward ne. As soon as it
was uear enough, watched my chance,
and no one observing me, dived and got
under it.
There | was, like Falstaf in the buck
basket, with "the rankest compound Of
villainous smell that ever offended pos-
tril." For a moment ! thought | should
sufIocate and doubtless such might have
been my fate but for bung-hole in the
side of the tub, which l fortunately dis
covered, and through which got enough
light and fresh air to supply my necessi-
ties. As my head was entirely out Of
water, | had but to turn my face to this
aperture and follow the tide,
The weather being cool, the bathers
that morning were comparatively few; ;
but the beach was lined with groups Of
prisoners, and why neither they nor the
sentinels saw me | have never yet
known.
Once out of musket range, was safe
so long as managed to keep my footing.
My fear was of stepping beyond my
depth and so losing the tub, or else arous-
ing suspicion by going too fast for the
tide. 1t was necessary, therefore, to move
with precaution, and so slow was my
progress for the first two miles that it
took me fully an hour to lose sight Of the
prison. Even then it was only intervals
that l dared to peep out. and not until
noon did l finally venture to doa Ihe tub
and make for the beach.
So weak and cramped and dizzy was |
when l got ashore, that all my remaining
strength was exhausted in dragging on
slowly across the sand to the pine woods
beyond. Once under the whispering
trees. however, and stretched on the sweet
smelling, piue-tag carpet, | tell fast asleep.
Wnen | woke knew not where | was
nor whether the sun, which was then
quite low, was Just rising or setting.
Tho greatly refreshed by my five
hours rest, was desperately hungry
and the question now uppermcst in my
mind was of someting to eat knew that
the people in that part Of e. Mary
county were, most of them kindly dispos-
ed to the South, and that very night
brought a proof of it in the warm hospi-
talitv extended to me at a neighboring
farmhouse.
On the following morning | left this