Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-04-08
THRILLING STORY
Of a Togus Veteran Of Life in Rebel
Prisons and His Escape.
Hardships and Sufterings That Too MANY Brave
Men Also Experienced.

Togus, April 7.-(SpeciaD. There is
a man here named Styles H. Boughton,
who had quite an interesting experience
during tie war, and the only wonder is
that he is alive to,tell the story.
M. Boughton was born in New Haven
county. Connecticut, in 1926, and lived
there with his parents until he was about
12 years old, when they moved to Phila
delphia. He enlisted in Co. d. list Penn
sylvania Regiment May 10, 1861. as 4th
sergeant. After the battle of Antietam
he was made LIST sergeant of Co. I, and
ant of that company.
He was in all the battles his regiment
participated in, from Balls Bluff to
Gettysburg, were he was taken prisoner
on the second day of the battle. From
then until the fourth, the prisoners were
given no food and then only about a pint
of flour to each man, which they made ir
to dough and cooked it by the campfire.
They had started early In the day, on
the march to Richmond, nearly 200 Off
GERS being in the same squad. They
were on the road two weeks until they
reached Staunton, when they were for
warded by rail to Richmond, and duly in
generated in Hotel Libby" about July
Is.
His experience there was much the
same as that of the other prisoners and
he was member of the gang who tun-
nelled out during the winter One hun
dred and nine got away, but "a were re-
captured.
The first Of May following he, with a
large number of other prisoners, was sent
to Camp Oglethorpe, just outside OF Ma
con, Ga. Here the guards took especial
delight in shooting a "Yank" on the
slightest provocation, and many were
thus killed for no reason at all. After
were moved to Charleston, S. c., and
from there to Camp Sourgum, Columbia.
While on the cars en- route from Charles
ton to Columbia, he, with two other Off
GERS, jumped from the train while going
about 10 miles per hour. He and one of
his comrades landed all right, but the
third one landed on his head, receiving
severe bruises.
Taking their bearings as well as posi-
BILE, they set their faces nOrthward and
commenced their weary march. After
two weeks of terrible suffering, being
barefoot and often almost perishing with
hunger, they were recaptured and finally
sent back to Columbia.
Three weeks after, Lieut.. Boughton
with others again succeeded in making
their escape. Again they commenced
their perilous journey toward the North,
marching by night and resting by day.
The escape was made on Nov. 2S, and
from then until Jan. 4, they were con-
stantly on the march, and the suffering of
those men from hunger and cold being
constantly in danger of recapture, seems
almost incredible.
They were in a terrible plight upon
their arrival at Knoxville, and were at
once sent to the hospital. Their clothing
was in shrcds, and they had for over six
weeks been under a mental as well as
from.
Lieut.. Boughton has written up a full
account of this terrible journey, which
he Is anxious to dispose of to some pub
Usher. 1t is graphic and thrilling story
There are many stories of men here which
reveal much of suffering and heroism that
seems almost incredible.
Whole number present, today, on morn
ing report, 1893. Number of patients in
hospital, about 295.
Died, April 4, John Ward, Co. ID, 18th
New York, and John Cheler, Co. c, 56th
Massachusetts.
The following beautiful programme
was given in the Opera house, this even
ing:
Gipsey's Grand March, Machts
Overture-"Ihe Vale of Love-" Blancheteau
Scene and Arie, (lst time, Hasselmap
Concert Solo, Mr.. RitzdOrf).
Selections from Boccaccio. Suppc
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Langley
ID. Bratam