The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1895-07-24
GRAND ARMY EXCHANGE.
PR0VIDENTlAL SPRING.
Here's a Comrads who Claims to Have
Found II.

I was captured with 81 others OF my regi.
mont, July 20, 1864. at Peach Tree Creek,
Ga We were taken to Andersonvile. After
being their few days, found some OF my
old neighhor boys from other regiments.
Some had been there several months. They
wished me to loln them In digcin, u well
about 40 feet from the north dead-iine. or 60
feet from the stockate. We got Permission
from the Confederate officers, AID secured
two wooden pails TO haul up tIe dirt. Alter
getting down about thirty feet we ran out OF
boot-iegs tc make straps Of, so we took into
our squad two young cavalry boys recently
captured.
We soon made them slippers out OF their
boots, and then commenced tunnel about
~ feet IRON the surface, and would dig tun-
mel at night and well In the daytime. perhaps
getting out only what dirt We had filled into
the well from the tunnel
We would carry some of the dirt, or proper
ly sand, as IL was all sand, down to the
branch and scatter 1t around TO avoid sus-
picion as we were getting too much sand for
the depth of our well, and 1t was not the
right color.
We we're divided into two sounds. We had
reached the stockade, and were making
preparations to try our luck the next night
but that morning, while we were about to
commence the we'll digging Lieut.. Barrett
came in with dozen negroes to dig down
and fill up our tunnel OF course no one
present knew who dug the well or tunnel.
As luck was In our favor, no one was work
ing at that hour
We found that the two cavalry boys were
missing: they were outside on parole, and as
all informers were paroled outside, we under
Stood
The tunnel was filled up. leaving quite a
ditch on top Of the ground, while several
shanties had to be moved to I'LL up the tun.
mel.
The tunnel was found by running long
iron rod down, after pounding on the ground
with a maui made out Of wood TO find where
filled up. Barrett could not find enough sand
TO nll the well, so he sent for a few short
boards to cover II over. l asked him to let
me finish the we'll as the water In the branch
was very filthy. After assuring him that ]
was not interested In the conspiracy, and
| would not attempt to dig q tunnel L was per.
mi,ted TO finish the well.
At depth OF about GA feet we found q
| small bed OF gravel and In 1t a small supply
| OF good, pure water. We found ready sale
for all the water we could spare at a good
price.
sold out my interest In the well. and went
| down near the branch, got up a squad OF IL
| and an iron-clad oath.
We then got permission from Barrett to
dig the well deeper; also two pals necessaiy y
to haul up the dirt After getting down about
| "a feet we commenced another tunnel. We
| all went by fictitious names. The tunnel was
started at depth OF about IA feet, so we had
TO slope up considerably, but on getting near
| the dead-iine we discovered we were too
near the surface, as we could hear the tramp
| OF the boys going 10 the branch after water.
SO we commenced a sharp downward grade,
and had not gone far until We discovered the
| sand was very moist.
It being my turn to go In, l found II as re.
ported. quite wet In the tunnel. I gave few
| ci cles with the e-knife, aud was surprised
when the water came rushing In Upon fhe.
could not tell how large the vein was. We
filled one Of our sacks. laid It In the mouth oil
the tunnel and pastered II up,so the presence
Of the tunnel could not be discovered.
This occurred near midnight. We lay
around the we'll, thinking the water would fill
| up our tunnel aud come out into the we'll
| At daylight we took walk toward the dead.
| line thinking the water must surely soak
through some place by this time. We were
| delighted to see II coming out directly on the
| dead-line; we dare not devulge the secret SO
| that would lead US to a severe punishment by
old wlrz for trying to make our escape We
| gave up the well-dgging, as We had plenty ol
| good, pure water, and our plan to escape had
been frustrated by striking ths vein OF water
that caused the wonderful spring in Ander-
| sonville Prison.
Four or Ave OF our squad died in Anderson.
vile. and three OF them In Florence Prison.
| II any Of the gang are alive to-day they will
vouch for the correctness Of this item, and
| hope they will not inAict tho awful punish
| ment which was to be meted out to the first
| man that squealed.-EDwIN CLARK, Center
view, o., In Natl Tribune.