The National tribune., 1897-07-15

/ have no doubt that some of our lives would
have paid the penalty of our attempt t,
escape, and not one of US might have sue
ceeded in gaining our liberty; yet, If all OF III
could have forsseen the final outcome w
could scarcely have made the matter worse
by bold attempt to get out, even if it die
cost life.
PLANS MUST BIZ CHANGED.
Finally, after weary days of vain hope to
hear something favorable, we set night for
determined strike for liberty. But it so
happened that on the very day of our pro-
posed night escape an order came for 10 OF
our number to be sent 10 Knoxville. The
order did not designate by name those who
were to 60. 1t merely said IL Of u.s. The
officer handed the order to George d. Wilson,
who happened to be down in the yard, where
he was allowed, on account of his being
sick that day with chOlera-morbus or some
ailment of the kind, and asked him to fill
in the names.
Wilson selected all of his own regimental
friends (the I'd Ohio) first, and afterwards
some of his favorite comrades from other
regiments, as he still chung to the exchange
delusion, and supposed he was doing his
friends thus selected q favor.
l was not of the number sent away. but
this order, taking away IL of our party
upset our arrangements for an escape for the
time being. After shaking hands with our
departing comrades; we were compelled to
change our calculations, although we did
not abandon the fixed purpose of getting
our liberty in some way.
One day some time after this, as we were
sitting quietly In our prison discussing
means OF escape, an event occurred which
hurried matters to'a final decision An Off
Ger came In, stranger to us. After looking
at US for short time he took from his
pocket paper and handed it to Andrews,
then turned and went out without saying
word. Andrews unfolded the paper, glanced
at it moment, and turned away, as if to
retire TO himself Poor, ill-fated man! I
shall never forget the expression of his
countenance as we all fixed our earnest. in
quiring gaze on him. Not word was
spoken-nOt man moved. It was still as
death at the hour of midnight.
ANDREws's DEATH-WARRANT.
As we exchanged hasty glances with each
other every man seemed to know intui-
lively the dreadful import of that paper
III.
warrant No one ventured to break the
dreadful silence, but Andrews passed the
paper to us. He was perfectly calm, with
no trembling or perceptible emotion but "a
We looked upon the paper and read the
words, and then and there be hanged until
he is dead dead! dead!" there was not a
man of us who did not tremble and show
signs of keenest anguish There was not a
man Of us who would not have fought to the
death for our brave, generous, manly leader.
He had, by his noble manhood, bravery and
kindness, endeared himself to all. His un.
selfish regard for every one of the party, his
cheerful, quiet, encouraging manner under
the most trying ordeals. had caused us to re-
gard him with the greatest confidence and
love.
The time fixed in the sentence fox his
execution gave him just one week longer to
live and in which to prepare for death.
But we had no idea of using all this preci-
Gus time in preparing Andrews for death.
1t was solemn occasion with us, and all
fully realized the awful reality that stared
US in the face. This did not mean simply the
execution of our noble leader. It was
forerunner of the fate that awaited every
man Of US.
We now set TO work with all the quick
ened energies of desperate men bent on es-
Gaping or dying in the attempt Our plan
was soon formed. Our old case-knife was
called into requisition. The building was
OF brick, liued with heavy plank. Three
men stood on tho floor together, and the
fourth, with the case-knife made into q saw.
stood on their shoulders, and was thus
enabled to reach the plank ceiling over
head, into which by patience aud perse.er-
ance we succeeded in saving square hole
large enough to admit mans body.
10 b continued