The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-04-21

corn meal which we had for rations. |
After getting in the woods we hid our
selves until dark, then pulled out for
Sherman's army. at that time near At
lanta. Ga, some 300 miles distant. The
woods must have been full Of Yankees
that night as the rebels were short
about 900 Yankees the next morning.
On the fourth night Of our march, after
travelling about seventy-iivc miles, we
were rccaptured by citizens, with shot
guns and blood hounds. and taken back
to Camp Sorghum. The paroles Of
honor were no good after our first cs-
cape.
SECOND ESCAPE.
My next attempt was to brihe the
guard, Of which made II success,
by giving him my watch, worth 300 at
that time. TO pass six Of us through the
dead line that night. The guard !
bribed was young, green Irishman,
having been in this country only three
months. Six Of us passed through the
dead lire that night and on getting in
the woods we concluded to separate,
three Of the IOlst =. V. striking out for
Shcrman's army. They were recap
turcd and had to wait for exchange in
1865. My two comrades and myself
pulled out for the Santce river. When
we reached there we found small boat
chained tn a tree; We broke the chain
with rail, got in and pulled down the
eleven days and nights we reached the
Santcc Island, at the coast. remaining
there two days and nights when we
were taken of by some soldiers from
Union gun boat doing blockade duty
near Georgetown, S. &. Our wearing
apparel, Of nine months constant wear
had grown very thin and rather dirty,
so the captain gave us Il marine outfit
which gave MS different appearance.
A few days later IA supply boat came
along and we went to Hilton Head, SC,
and reported TO General Foster com
manding that department. His orders
were for us to go home by first boat and
report to the War Department by let
ter, stating our escape. After arriving
at home ! received II letter from the
Adjt. General at Washington. d. c.,
stating that Geo. w. Stoke, Co B, 1O3d
regiment. =. ", escaped prisoner OF
war. would return to headquarters Of
his regiment at Roanoke Island, n. c.,
with permission to delay en- route 30
days. My time having expired joined
my regiment. There being no adjutant
in the regiment was selected for that
position by the colonel and remained as
such to the close Of the war Being
mustered out | arrived at home the lat
ter part Of July, 1865, making my term
Of service for L. $. about four years, and
prisoner of war nine months. | par
ticipated in every battle with my regi-
ment and company during the war.
Following are the engagements and
skirmishes in which | assisted:
ENGAGEMENTS.
Siege of Yorktown, Va. May /. '62;
battle Of Williamsburg. Va, May ), '62:
Fair Oaks, Va, May 81. '62: Chickahom-
iny Swamps, Va, June 20. 62: White
Oaks Swamps, Va, June 20, 62: Rail-
road Bridge, Va. June 20: Long Bridge,
Va, June 30. '62: Jones Point. Va,
June 30, 62: Charles City X-Roads. Va,
July /, '62: Hanson Point, July 2, '62;
Kingston, n. c., Dec. II, '62: White
Hall, N. c., Dec. 16, '62: Goldsboro. N.
c., Dec. II, '62; three days siege and
our capture at Plymouth, N. c.. April
20. "a.
SKIRMISHES.
Blackwater, Va, Oct. 3, Oct. 81 and
Dec. 2, 81: Southwest Creek. N. c.,
Dec. 13, '62 Blount Creek, N. c., April
o, 63: Williamson, n. c., July :, '63:
Foster Mills, N. c.. July y. '63.
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