Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1891-11-19
A PRISONER OF WAR
The Escape Of Two Union OFF,
GERS from MiIlen, Ga.
By ALFRED r. CALHOUN Gats Major
U. s. Volunteers).
copyright. 1891, by American Press Associa-
ton.
CHAPTER VI
WE ARE CAPTURED BY THE HOME GUARD
WHO BELIEVE Us TO BE HORSE THIEVES.

~ s@TT
AhsEH;5gi 4
WE LAUNcHEE 1T AND PUSHED OUT
The fact that the horsemen searched
the cabin convinced Bell and myself that
we were not the men they were looking
for, but this assurance did not make the
prospect look brighter. Our situation
and appearance were not in our favor
and that our captors were not prepos
sessed was evident from their oaths and
scowling faces. Before our escape from
Millen we decided on the story we
should tell once we got away and stitch
to it without any variation. This we
had done except il the case Of the ne
groes who had befriended US, so that
now we were ready to confront any oi
the white men with whom we had spoken
to prove that we had been persistently
consistent in our statements 1t was moi
our policy to volunteer information, but
we were not slow to resent in spirited
way any attempt to treat US with in
dignity
From force of habit rather than the
result of any agreement, Bell always told
his story first. and after he had worked
himself into high pitch Of indignation
and become reckless in his profanity and
eager to fight any number of men in any
way they chose, "but not morn two
at time" assumed a lofty man
ner and used my finest language-the
latter found was always potent with
even southern men of education. The
leader of the gang of horsemen was q
loud voiced bully, and that his military
record was confined to the home guard
was evident at glance. With loud
oath and a threatening gesture in the
direction of his pistol he addressed Bell
perhaps because he was the older and
the stronger looking.
well. you id horse thief You in,
fernal cowardly deserter, we got you and
this boy; now if you don't tell us whal
,sths restsHof the gang iss wei
take our halters and swing you two fel-
lows up right herer'
To prove that he meant business, the
man-his name was Holland-fung him
self from the saddle, and the others fol
lowed his example. Bell did not quail
indeed, there was that in his manner thai
alarmed the horsemen. He strobe to
ward Holland and, looking him full
in the eyes, prefaced his Introductory
speech by informing the fellow that if he
dared to intimate that either Of us was a
horse thief he lied like sneak and the
truth was not in him. and, further, that
if he Holland) was not the biggest coward
that ever wore beard he would either
apologize or else give the man he had SO
grossly insulted an equal chance to prove
his honor and his courage. This bold
course had an excellent effect, and Bel
was quick to see it. Turning to the other
men. with a manner that indicated ht
was sorry to see lot of fine fellows in
such company as Hollands, he said:
"We uns is sojers on furlough a-tryir
to make our way to the mountains VIZ
uns hez been whar the man that darei
to insult we uns never was and never
will be. and that's whar Yankee bullet:
hez been fyin around. Just look at thatr
With dramatic intensity and force OF
action such as have never seen surpassed
on the stage, Bell tore open his shirt and
pointed to the still unhealed bullet hole
in his right breast. 1t had been made by
a rebel, but who could tell thats
Holland calmed down somewhat
though he was not inclined to yield
gracefully He and his men were out
hunting deserters and horse thieves. They
had been tracked into these woods, and
while Bells story might be true. it wa:
the part of prudence to make us prison
ers until we could prove that we were
honest men and away from the army or
furlough
And now ! seemed to side with Hol
land ! assured him that his precautior
was right and reasonable. but urged al
the same time that it was hard for mer
who were good soldiers. and who hat
been wounded and lost their health in
the service, to be treated like deserter,
and thieves Every days delay short
ened our furlough. and to prove it
showed him the papers had prepared
at billiards. They were in proper form
they were watersoaked and had all tht
evidence Of having been issued by Major
Huger at Pocotaligo three weeks before
We belonged to the Thirty seventh Nortf
Carolina, but had been detailed, while
at Wilmington. for battery service fur
ther down the coast.
Holland and Others looked over thl
papers, and if they doubted my story il
was not indicated at that time. But on,
middle aged man. with a long beard ant
a campmeeting east Of countenance
asked very soleInnly;
"ls it not the rule to furnish transpor
tation to men who are furloughed?"
As this was one of the questions haC
prepared for in advance. replied with
bow:
Il see, sir, you are well acquainted
with the service We did have trans
portation to Raleigh. and the quarter
master there would have seen us through
as far as he could. but we lost our papers
everything but the actual furloughs anc
q little money, at Branchville Then W,
knew that we must either go back and
lose time or be arrested as deserters and
lose more time. SO we made up our minds
to take to the woods and get home in tha
way. That is why we are here Now
gentlemen. we do not fear arrest; indeed
we have done nothing to merit it You
can search us If you will"-
Here Holland interrupted "Searcl
h-ll Can't we see you amt got NJ
horses about your clothesy At which
! speech the others broke into roar o
laughter, while breathed easier. for hat
they searched Inc they would have fount
In my trousers pocket the memorandum
book given me by Turner's adjutant
Latouche, in Richmond. and this wal
now pretty full Of notes, indicating my
| prison experience and giving brief daily
record Of our doings since our escape
nearly three weeks before.
| After talking apart with his compan
ions for some time Holland came bacl