The National tribune., 1895-02-14
HOW THEY GOT OUT.
The Keepers of Hotel Andersonville Not
Above Bribery.

enlisted IN the service oil my adopted cOuD-
try, and WAS mustered into the United States
service in the Massachusetts Heavy Artll-
lery in June, 1861, and from that time until
June, 1864, a term of three years, / WAS en-
ployed in the various du les Of The priv ate
seldier in the vicinity of Washington and IN
Virginia, and was one OF the unfortunate
1900 who were "taken in" by the enemy
through the superior tactics and dash OF
their able Gen A. Z. Hill and the rather
unskillfully managed operations of the Sixth
and Second Corps on the left of the Union
armies around Petersburg, while operating
against the Weldon Railroad, on June %,
1864.
We in Que time found ourselves estab-
ished as free boarders in that magnificent
establishment for the entertainment OF
Union soldiers, Andersonyille, the guests of
The boosted Southern cbivalry, where for six
months ] enjoyed the hospitality OF our
humane and generous host, Henry WlTz,
along with the many thousands who in those
days of our Nations history thronged his
spacious hotel, and which eventful period
will never be effaced from our mot ordi-
narily retentive) memory.
have read many accounts Of the horrors
Of Andersonville Prison, and some of them
from graphic writers, but no mortal tongue
or graphic pen can begin to portray the hor-
rors of that hell" provided by most con-
summate ingenuity for the disposal of brave
Union soldiers.
happened to be so lucky as to he put on
the police force of the camp. ard daily as
sisted in carrying out the naked and lOeth-
sone skeletons of thousands of victims, ard
took part in the execution of those six des-
peradoes who were tried, found guilty, and
sentenced 10 death by our Supreme Court
of Andersonyille for their crimes of robbery
and murder OF their helpless comrades; one
OF whom to the last persisted in declaring his
innocence of the crimes Of which be was con-
victed, and whose rope broke when the trap
was sprung which launched his five compan-
ions in crime into eternity, and believing
him far less guilty than the Others, it sorely
grieyed me when other members of The
police force, who were nearer him than my
self when he fell in the faithful discharge
of their official duty, snatched him up, re-
adjusted the rope, and launched him TO bis
final doom.
Where we were lucky in our official Ca
pacity as police was in the fact of being al
lowed double rations, to enable us to per
form the duties required Of us, which cir
cumstaDce had much to do with saving Us
from the terrible fate Of the thousands who
now so peacefully rest in the AndersonVille
Cemetery.
Sometimes the Surgeon made up list of
the most completely broken-down inmates
Of Andersonville who reported at sick cali,
many of whom had TO be carried to the line
for inspection for parole of those who were
evidently past the possibility of recovery for
further service as soldiers in the Union
army. ] had repeatedly placed myself in the
lire 10 be examined, but was invariably told
that ] would stand il for two or three
months yet, and finally despaired Of ever
getting out alive In that way.
Still, with my brain ever active aud alert
for expedients. took into consideration
other circumsi aDces IN connection with This
memorable epoch, and how they might be
turned to account for the accomplishment
Of the one great desire Of escaping alive
knew that the policy OF France and
England were in harmony with tie great
American rebellion, aud the Gripping OF
their only great rival In civilization aud ad-
vancement, and secretly aiding and in SYM
patty with the South, and that the rebels
had the open and undisguised support of
large portion Of the peope Of my own
native land Canada. And another coin
cideDt circumstance was that our host, Capt.
Wirz. like myself spoke the French lam
guage auently, and / soon decided TO try
the experiment of appearing to him az for
eigner and a Fiench-CaDadian, and test the
result in scheme for liberty"
So approaching him on the first opportu-
nifty, ] accosted him with: Captain, is there
no way that 1 can get out Of this internal
hole 2"
Why" said he, what business have you,
Frenchman, in the army Of the United
States"
] told him that was drafted, and could
not help myself
Well, you can get out any time You
choose by taking the oath of allegiance to
the Confederate Government"
j told him j had conscientious scruples
about violating the oath ] had taken when
became citizen of the United States, and
would like TO know if there was no other
way 70 get out Of the scrape. He pointed
10 q little tent about half mile dis
taDt, within The stockade, saying that what
they said over there would be all right, and
turned away.
You may guess tina: got over the ground
IN The direction Of that little tent just about
as fast as my weak legs could be persuaded
10 carry me.
Finding q petty officer in, inquired of
him what / could do TO get out, at the same
time handling gold watch which ] had
succeeded in smuggling past the searchers
when ] came into the pen, as if looking at
the time Of day.
" Is that gold watch ?" he inquired. I
answered in the affirmative.
Have you got any money!" he asked.
No. i said; "this watch is all have
beside the rags hanging on me-"
Wal" said he, guess you viii have to
stay"
informed him that there were two Others
with me who might have money, and asked
him what would be the lowest price at which
we could get our freedom. He informed
nae that there would he the usual squad Of
invalids paroled that night, which would be
the last chance, and after some sharp dick
ering he consented TO take our names for
parole if / would bring him $3.50 in add
ton TO the watch.
20 returning to my two comrades who
had messed with me from orr first entrance
into the pen, one OF whom knew had sue
ceeded in smuggling IN large bounty which
he had received on enlisting, told them Of
my plan and The chance for all three Of us TO
get out If they could furnish $50 in money
for themselves, ~ my watch would take me
utwith them. The one who had the money
said we knew what he had, and that lie
would give anything TO get out Ny other
rlessmae said he would faithfully pay back
The loan If he only could get out OF here alive.
80 the matter was arranged, and went
hack To that litfis tent vh oh, shalyavsd the