The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-09-19
Neal Dow's Narrow Escape.

Hcdi OOW NdIIOW ESCAPE.
Capt l.. T. Mitchell, who was Dow's
escort, thus describes his journey with
his prisoner to Richmond: alt was in
1868 that Gen. Dow, who commanded
the colored regiment at New Orleans,
was captured by the confederates- so
strong was the feeling against those
who had anything to do with negro
troops along about that time, that grave
fears were entertained for his safety
but he was forwarded To Gen. John
sons headquarters, at Vicksburg, un-
der strong military escort. Arrived
there, the problem was how to convey
the captured leader through to Rich
mond without exciting mob violence
to such an extent a. to prove fatal to
Gen. Dow, against whom public feel
ing was 80 high all along the route,
which lay through the strongest of
slavery States.
~ remember as well as if il were
yesterday the appearance of Dow when
/ first saw him at Nicksburg.
Instead of regular uniform, he
wore an old greasy-looking linen duster
and for headgear "a queer kind of "A
nondescript hat, the like of which this
younger generation never dreamed Of
in its widest imaginings. His trousers
were much the worse for wear, and his
general appearance was that of man
who had been through some very rough
experiences.
"For some reason, | have never
known just why, was selected to e.
cort the prisoner to Richmond.
DO you think you can carry him
through safely?" asked the command
ing officer
"'Well,' l answered, you know it
will be very risky business, but if
you consign him To my care I'll carry
him at every hazard
"'How many men will YOU IT.
quire?'
".I think, sir, that the fewer the
men the better, as "a large escort will
attract attention, and | would prefer to
go alone, as think the risk will be
less
That is dangerous risk TO run for
you know the feeling is very strong
against him all over the south, and the
news of his capture has already spread
like wildfire.'
'''I am fully aware of that, but in
my humble judgment that is the best
plan
"'Very well, Capt ain. The papers
will be ready ina short time, and
shall depend upon you to conduct Gen.
Dow to Richmond as expeditiously as
possible and see that no harm comes to
him.
"When everything was ready set
out with my prisoner, with, / must
confess, many misgivings a. to the re-
result Of my journey.
''We sat side by side on the train and
eonversed very pleasantly. / found
him a man of superior intelligence and
possessed of large and varied fund of
information. As we lid not seem To
attract special attention, l began to
congratulate myself that We would lie
able To run the gauntlet unobserved.
1--WE reached Selma, Ala, late in the
afternoon, and as We had To lie over
and wait for train, took my prison.
er Immediately 10 hotel and secured
a room.
at WAS bedtime and we had retired,
being very weary, when | heard an
ominous gathering and loud talking
outside, and in few minutes the land
lord came To the door, and in Il few hur-
ried words told me that the news had
been forwarded by wire that Neal Dow
would arrive AT Salem on the way Ia
Richmond under II single escort that
evening, and that We had been spotted
and mob was gathering To deal out
vengeance on the prisoner.
"Hurriedly we dressed, and by the
aid ofthe landlord left the hotel quiet
ly by rear door, and hurrying away
We concealed while the mob searched
the premises
''The landlord ~ managed the crowd
a To throw them off the scent, and
early in the morning, when the train
started north, We slipped into a ear
and were soon speeding toward Rich
mond.
1--WE went along well enough until
We arrived AT town in North Carolina
do not recall the name just now,
where another mob was gathering, the
news of our coming having proceeded
Us, but by putting on bold front and
acting as though we were ordinary
travellers, we threw them off of the
scent, and Were soon on the wing again.
"Finally we reached Richmond. L
turned my charge over tO the proper
authorities, and for the first time in
many hours, breathed sigh of relief. |
"After the war we began a CORE
spondence, and many are the letters |
expressing the deepest gratitude have | |
received from him, the last being one |
in reply to eongratulatory letter of
mine To him on his last birth day
iudbtd Ca, Journal