The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-12-14

my own company (A), and of these but
few are alive to-day, the rest having died at
Libby or Andersonville.
We arrived in Richmond on the 18th, and
were confined in Libby Prison. The bill
of fare consisted of half pound of corn
bread day to each man, and very seldom
any meat Obliged to carry our own rations
(such as we received) every day to the prison,
we got breath of fresh air. A detail of 40
or so were made from among the prisoners
each day, who, with pieces of old blankets,
proceeded under a rebel escort to the bake
house; the ratiOns were thrown into these
and carried to the prison.
The dead-house was adjacent to the COM
missary department; thus we passed the
CHASTITY charnel-house of the dead comrades
every day, and glanced at it with heavy
hearts. We felt that our own emaciated
bodies would soon be numbered among its
corpses.
Having decided to make my own escape.
and not caring TO have more than one COM
panion in the perilous undertaking, / pro-
posed my plan to all the members of my own
company separately, but none thought it
would succeed. i at last found my man in
COrpl Alex. Welton, of Co. K. He was eager
to make the attempt with me, and knowing
him TO be brave and prudent, l at once took
him into my confidence and we matured a
plan.
"We each succeeded in securing rebel cap.
and as we already had old tattered gray
jackets, We now felt ready to make the
attempt. Taking our positions about the
center of the column as it moved out of
prison in files Of two we each had piece of
blanket around our shoulders and our rebel
caps under our arms The column was pro-
tected by one rebel guard in front, one in
the rear, and one corporal little forward
of the center.
We requested the comrades to immedi-
ately I'LL up the gaps il we stepped out at
any point, and also take our blankets. Just
as the center turned on Nineteenth street,
so the rear-guard could not see us, we left
the ranks, donned our rebel caps, started
down Main street again and passed the rebel
guard IN the rear whistling The Bonnie
Blue Flag and tried TO assume rebel airs.
We quickened our pace in order 10 turn
the next corner soon as possbl and in a
short Time were al the river in the vicinity
OF the Maynard.
Remaining In this partially secure place
for a short time our nerves became more
steady, which gave us renewed courage.
Again we started for the suburbs of the
cry we walked boldly on until we found
ourselves IN a ravine about five miles from
the city limits. Here we seated ourselves
behind a pile Of cord-wood, and then for the
first time yentured to open cur hearts to
each other aud TO congratulate ourselves
upon cur success so far. After a short rest
we proceeded, not knowing whittier we were
going.
We soon met an old negro with horse
and cartlcad OF coal. After some hesitation
we began II question him as TO the roads
and found we were On the direct route e
Harrisons Landing, where the enemy's out
posts were stationed. We told him we wen,
escaping prisoners y hen he at once took al
interest IN Our behalf and gave us all thu
information he could.
lie advised us TO sccrete ourselves unit
nigbtiall and TO keep clear Of all white men
as the whole neighboihood were in league il
order 10 capture escaping prisoners. But
said he, you need not fear the cOlored PEG
pie: they are your friends And such the,
proved 10 be.
After parting with our colOred lrien,
W. concealed ourselves in the underbrusl
pear the roadside until it became quit
dark. 4 short time alter heavy rain an,
wind Storm set in, the rain coming down il
torrents Onward we sped Welton graspiD
my wrist, and thus We hurried along wit