The National tribune., 1893-04-06
BILLY BARLOW.
One of the First Confederate Prisoners Cap
tured in the War.


r7HE Staten Island Aims House contains
most unique character in the person
of Billy Barlow" who was one OF the
| first. if not the first, Confederate pris-
oner captured during the Southern rebellion.
The story of Bily's" life is queer one, and
may be of interest to the readers OF THE Ma
TIoNAL TRIBUNE.
From what the writer could ascertain,
BILLY" hailed from Kentucky. One evening
in the early part of May. 1861. small detach-
ment Of Kentucky infantry. clad in clean gray
uniforms, appeared on the western bank OF the
Potomac River. They were closely watched
by detachment of New York men, on the
opposite side. The officer in command OF the
Confederates, a Lieutenant. was not yet "ont
of his teens" and was inexperienced in the
management of men, especially when the strict
est discipline was absolutely necessary.
The result was that the young officer and
his men entered into an animated quarrel and
gave no attention to military necessities.
While the quarrel was progressing tho New
Workers crossed the river in boat. By the
time they reached the shore the Lieutenant and
all but three of his men had departed, and
those left behind were captured without the
slightest difficulty.
The prisoners were a genuine curiosity.
Our boys scrutinized them from head to foot
and wondered what 10 do with them. They
were taken to brigade headquarters. and the
news of the capture at once. for warded to Presi-
dent Lincoln. Then they were conveyed to
Washington and placed in the old city lock up
and subsequently transferred TO the Old Capitol
Prison.
Shortly after the commencement of hostili-
ties. Fort Wadsworth, on Staten Island Tor Fort
Tompkins, as it was called). was purchased by
the Federal Government from the State OF New
York, and at once became a military and
political prison. A few days after the first
battle of Bull Run the first instalment of Con-
federate prisoners arrived. Among them were
the three Kentuckians who were captured
OH the bank of the Potomac in May, and Billy
Barlow" was one of the number. He was then
about Is years of age, aud possessed fine quail
ties us an athlete. There were indications
that he was Of good family.
"Billy's" captivity worried him, and the in
active life the military prison afforded added
to his discomfort. Finally his mind became
affected, and the combination of ill-temper and
great strength made him dangerous and dis
agreeable companion. Eumberless the
assaults he committed, and one day he sue
ceeGed in escaping from the post.
The law has frequently been "winked at
on Staten Island in matters pertaining to the
poor and this may be considered notable in-
stance After being on the warpath one night,
Billy was taken out of the fort and carried over
to the aims house. He was kept in a cell for
a short time aud then the Superintendent of
the Poor allowed him to go to work Oh the
farm.
The military authorities seemed to lose
sight of him from the day he left the fort. and
attempt was ever made to take him away
from the alnIshOu He never showed any
disposition to leave on his own accord, and he
is one of the most faithful laborers ON tho
premises to-day. No one at the aims house
has ever been able to learn his name gain
any information relative to his family his
early home. He calls himself BILLY Barlow"
aud is carried by that name On the records of
the institution.
Mentally he is far from being " balanced"
and has to be humored in his eeeentrcities TO
avoid the bitter jars that might accompany his
displeasnre.
Once. while in the harvestield on the County
farm, Billy" made violent attack upon tho
keeper with moving scythe, and to this day
that gentleman is unable to tell how he ever
managed TO escape death. The polished blade
whir-r-red above his head and be expected in
stanty to feel his scalp being lifted off by it.
1t was only through the united efforts of all
the men in the harvestfeld that the eccentric
fellow conquered.
On another occasion the keeper, who was one
of the finest athletes in the County, had " run
in" with the boy in gray" and he told the
writer that it was the toughest job lie ever un-
dertoOk in his life.
Billy is a picture 10 pehoId. Inc pecu-
liar expression on his face would indicate that
he is waiting to 90 back to the bank of the Po-
tomac and finish the quarrel with the Lieutsn-
ant. which he commenced nearly 80 years ago.
He wears the regulation" aims house snit,
which, so far as style goes will never become
popular in dress circles. He has a mania for
wearing old silk hats, and is seldom without
two or three. He is good worker. provided
he can have his own way his chief delight be-
ing to convey water TO the horses and cows.
1t is believed al The aims house that Billy"
will tell story some day that will lead to his
identity. 1t may DO that he entered the SER
vice typical, ambitiouso Sutherner. and that
his crushed hopes led TO the wrocking Of his
mental powers. Possibly, he was long since
"mourned as dead."-I. K. NJ, West New
RFighton n Y