The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-02-20
SAND SET THEM FREE.
How Union Prisoners Escaped
From a Rebel Prison.


when we were stationed at Port
Conway, below Fredericksburg, scout
ing party of our people had what might
he called a very narrow escape from an
involuntary trip to Richmond as prls-
oners," remarked a Sergeant OF the
Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry, who, with
other enlisted men, was relating his eX-
periences. You see said he, we had
been sent out by General Bayard to see
what the enemy We're doing. We num-
bered all told thirtysix men under the
command of a Lieutenant, and our IN
structions were to go as far as the OLD
warehouse on the river below us, and
then return the way We had gone. EV-
eIything went right until about
o'clock; we hadn't seen any of the enc
my, and We're marching to camp again,
when the Lieutenant thought he'd see
what was in a house over on our right.
When we arrived at the house We found
no one at home but an old woman, two
young girls and half a dozen female
slaves. We dismounted and asked for
something to eat. There wasn't
mouthful of anything in the house; the
women We're fed by a son-in-law over
by Port Conway. There wasn't a horse
or other animal to be seen about the
whole place.
Are there no men about?' asked the
Lieutenant
g Not one replied the lady, with dig
nifty. They are all in the Confederate
army. II you are after them you'll have
to go where they are to find them
Thanks laughingly replied the
Lieutenant. We have no particular
wish to go on the other side of the river
at present
Perhaps you may go, said the lady,
without any desire.
We mounted and We're soon on our
way to Port Conway, distant about six
miles. AS we rode along / thought over
what the lady had said. Did she mean
a threat. or was it only womans talk?
/ rode up to the Lieutenant and was just
about to mention the thing to him when
from clump of bushes there sounded
such shout as l had never heard be-
fore. Our men We're scattered over
about half mile of road and there was
no chance to get them together; as it
was / don't believe any effort was made,
for each man seemed to be taking care
of himself. AS pulled up I saw about
a dozen Johnnies making toward me.
Surrender you Yankee -, or Wen
fill you full of holes.' / could do moth
ing, so thought discretion the better
part of valor, and pulled up where
stood. Dismount.' cried a big fellow
aiming his gun at me. / dismounted
and was led into the woods, where
found a number of our men who had
been previously captured. There was
another Sergeant beside myself, and l
asked him how many there were of u.s.
He told me that nine had been captured
with him. We did not halt long in the
woods, but were soon taken over by the
river. there to wait until the others
came in Only three men were left to
guard US, btu as we were without arms
that was quite enough. While we were
sitting on the river bank bemoaning our
fate. L noticed a little piece of newspa-
Per floating on the surface of the water.
played with it while. then drew it
forth. Glad to do anything to pass the
time, I sat down and looked it over.
Down in one corner I read the story OF
woman throwing vitriol into another's
eyes.
When you have given up in despair.
when nothing but rebel prison stands
before you. your thoughts are somewhat
lively. Mine We're at any rate, and /
prayed for an ounce Of vitriol at that