The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-10-04

boys, to so with me. oackeou Hao
been with me on similar expedition
and had not been found wanting. and
Sam Barron, knew, was thoroughly
reliable and game to the core.
eve all started of in the wagon,
singing Red, White and Blue After
going mile OF so we saw fellow IN
the distance riding up the road toward
us at full speed. he was bare-headed.
I halted BIN and asked what vas the
matter. He said that he saw some
fellows down there across the field
that he did not fancy much, as he
was alone and did not like to risk
them.
L took in the situation at once, got
cut Of the wagon ana ordered Whit
aud Joiner to turn their wagon around
and drive back, as they had no other
chance to get away if there should
happen to be any danger ahead. |
told them that Jackson, Barron and
myself would try to bluff the Yankees
by deployiog as skirmishers across the
road to give thema chance to escape,
! hand that if they proved too many for
us re would make back over the cross
way, get in the woods and take care
of ourselves the best we could. That
was the scheme. But, alas as for It's
consummation.
Gall of sudden two hundred and
fifty Yankee cavalrymen made their
appearance and charged on US, firing
volley after volley.
"Our trio Of 'skirmishers' fred,
wheeled and retreated. Whit, the
teamster, became terror r-stricken. never
before having been placed in SO un-
comfortable a position, turned his
team so short as to completely upset
the wagon, the bottom being on top.
Barron, Whit, Joiner and myself were
captured. Jackson escaped. Just as
the firing commenced Sergt. Ben Pelot,
who had started out from the camp
after we left, to follow us and look
after the baggage, came, in sight. He
at once wheeled his mule and rode at
full speed back toward fhe battery.
ssThe four prisoners, including my
self, were carried back to Pocataligo,
and thence across Port Royal River on
a pontoon bridge to Beaufort Island,
and from there to Hilton Head, and
from Eilton Head to Point Lookout,
Maryland.
"After arriving at that famous
prison I did nothing except to-try to
concoct a scheme by which might
make my escape. observed every
thing connected with the management
of the prisoners very closely.
Gone evening about sundown, after
I had been there about six weeks, they
were taking out some prisoners to ex-
change. The ground was covered with
snow and it was as coldaas blue blazes.
The guards inside the prison, between
the prison walls and the gate, were
negroes. and they were carelessly
facing each other and engaged in an
apparently absorbing conversation.
All at occc the idea flashed into my
mind that MY opportunity was at hand
to make my escape. I IF l could
pass in the rear Of the guard and reach
some old barrels and boxes and get
behind them I was safe. l got on my
hands and knees and unobserved by
the guards reached the desired goal.
The next thing was to get with the
crowd Of prisoners that was going out,
and that was standing between me and
the gate, without being detected by
some Of the officers. The negro guards
were still talking to each other, un-
conscious of my movements. real
ICED that I had them exactly where [
could use them as I chose, so I was
ready for the final break for liberty.
I raised up from behind the rubbish
and started.
II had not made more than four or
Eve steps before I was halted by a
lieutenant, who, pointing a big pistol
at me, said: Where are you going??'
CHOW came the tug. | knew the
guard was in close place for allowing
me to pass, and would endorse any
thing I said in order to protect them
selves. | spoke out distinctly, in
order that they might hear, and said
to the officer. 4 am going over to the
crowd Of prisoners there.
.'Hc said to me as nc advanced and
grabbed me in the collar You
scoundrcl. YOU. YOU have fankcd the
nu,rG