The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-01-26
STAR SPANGLED BANNER.
How II Was Sung Oh 4 Mountain
Top, New Years Day,
1854.
Irrepressible Exuberance Of an
Escaping Prisoner Who Was
Travelling North.

The Tennessee Valley Almost Awakened
BY the Fervor OF His Rendition-His
Music Remembered.
In the early part Of 1868 three federal sol
disra found themselves in captivity IN Co
lumbia, s.. G., in the ~stockaded prison best
known as Camp Sorghum Along course
OF raw cornmeal and sorghum molasses,
without salt, or any means Of cooking, had
made the men desperate, and they resolved
at all risks to break away and start for the
north. James Dean and John Brady were
from the Third Indiana infantry, while
Francis Charcot was Lieutenant in the First
Tennessee. at this time there was . we'll nm.
derstood route to freedom known to the pris-
oners, crossing the Saluda and Broad rivers
into western North Carolina, and once IN
the AHeehenies it was not difficult to ind
guides and friends. So on the night OF
Nov. 3 tho attempt was made. Charcot and
Brady succeeded in crossing the dead line
safely. but poor Dean was shot dead. The
Survivors at once started on q run through
tho omen pine woods. They did their best.
for the cry of tina dogs kept to pursue run
awayr from the stockade was plainly heard,
but they finally bafiea them by walking
about two hundred yards down small
stream, and in the early morning they saw
the men and dogs hunting their lost trail.
Another start was made, and = long,
weary walk through the rain when tney
saw q small cabin ahead. Cautiously re-
connoitering, an old negro came TO the
door, and at once asked them in. Use
heard Of We; de boss told me to keep my
eyes open and give an alarm" and the old
fellow gave q hearty chuckle.
"A baked coon and corn bread made the
party a hearty supper, and q long and re-
freshing sleep followed.
And now for thirty-two weary days they
kept on to the north, the face Of the coun-
try becoming more and more mountainous.
for they had reached the foothills OF tho
Allsghenies.
'.Shooting John Rogers" to whom they
va Q directed. Carefully looking through
the chinks they. saw one man sitting in
front Of the fire, while q tall woman was
moving about the loom that took up half
the room. A low whistle and the man
sprung to his feet:
one and it's all right" and they entered.
The man said at once:
prisoners, where from? Why, Pm from
Florence myself and I've been forty days
on the road"
Mrs. Rogers was reserved but friendly
and the new companion was found to be q
Vsrmonter named Denny, who was taken
at Chattanooga, out of an Ohio regiment.
He was certainly q character, as will appear
further on. shooting Jim" was away but
expected home. After = hearty supper OF
chicken and corn. all hands lay on tho
f1oor and slept until midnight. when
they were rudely awaksne and
found the room full OF men 1, IN
leader was a tall captain Of the home
guard and inclined to be jolly. He asked
for our adventures and placed them under
arrest. at which he laughed heartily.
Guards were set, and all went to sleep
again. and in the morning the fugitives
found all the eonfederates gone, but three
mon who were supposed to guard the pris-
oners which they did in a very easy going
manner, leaving their guns in the chimney
while they went outside to divide a pint of
apple jack. With a rush the guns were
taken and bidding the %astonishea "Rebs"
good-by the .Yanks'' marched up the road.
The guards were only raw country boys
dAA WclC ~ LAW Da0AJ 5SRIOAs
The fugitives soon learned the Rebel au-
thorities wanted shooting John" badly,
and he was now in hidingin the mountains,
SO that it was not until Christmas day that
they met him, boing fed in the meantime
at a still house kept by a man named Bean.
From Rogers they learned that a party OF
thirteen prisoners and refugees was to start
north, ench of the soldiers to pay $50 on
reaching the federal outposts. Early in the
day, guided by Cissy Headly, a stout noun
tain lass, the three wanderers started for
the rendezvous to meet Rogers. After maxi
ing their way to the lands by a cattle
track thsy turned a high rock. Tbs effect
miles of the valley of east Tennessee, the
air was clear and the blue mountains were
seen until lost on the horizon, the sun
elistening on the snowy ridges. Leanin 2
against the face of the rock Was a log shanty,
No ono was there save an old negro, who
said that the others would come before
morning.
The girl started for home and the rest of
tho party made themselves comfortable.
They had plenty of food. and Ben had
given Denny d half-gallon jug Of very good
applejack, SO New Years eve was spent
hilariously. Ths night was lovely, this
moon near the full, pouring i flood of sill
the night wore away Denny grew demon
a~tratiye and intensely patriotic, and rose
with the remark that he was "going to tn.
top of the mountain TO sing the Star
Spangled Banner.'" The others remon-
strated. The negro was white with terror
"Whoop!' There was no stopping him
and in a moment he had gained the SUNNI
of the rock above the cabin. He was a larg,
man, but his outlined form against the sky
seemed gigantic. 1t was neal morning, ane
striking an attitude no began in 4 powerful
tone: "'Oh, say, can you sos by the dawn
early light We were all startled BY
what followed. The position he had taksl
was evidently a place of echoes, as from
thunderous reverbsrations. "By the dawn
carly light" rolled westward until lost il
faint N Melody in the recesses of tho hills
And go it ven on. 1t WAS very grand, bu
it might bring the enemy. Yet Denny wa,
beside himself with excitement. and it wa
only after a repetition of the chorus tina
he came down, 1.-THE land of the FREQ nnt
the honne of the brave" dying way in sof
buglo notes.
Wien Rogers came in the morning h
was told, and said Darn the mad yanke e
let's get away" and SO we started Nov
Year's, 1864, and after seventy miles o.
tramp through a primitive wilderness
reached the union lines at Loudon. OF al
the adventures that befell tho wanderarl
in their escape nothing will be, while lif,
music on that eventful New Years day
r. D. Haywood in Philadelphia Times.
A Leader.
Since it's first Introduction. Electric Bit
tsrs has gained rapidly i'll popular favor
until now it is clearly in the lead among