New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-10


with terrible loss of officers and Colonel
Zabrskie and three captains. Edwin Stevens. Har-
ris Edward s. Carroll and ]. B. Lawrence, were
killed
General Charles A. Hickman, commanding the
Red Star Brigade. and formerly colonel of the sth
taken prisoner while vanly attempting to save
Drake and his command from capture. They
entered Libby Prison, and thence. early in June
sent to the pen at Danville. Va. and subse-
Quently to Augusta and Macon Ga Drake was
transferred TO Savannah and a few weeks later
to the fetid peuitentary yard in Charleston While
at Macon and Savannah Drake and others made
repeated attempts to escape. but they ended in
failure.
LEAPED FROM CAR
On the morning of October 6 six hundred officers
from the jailyard and marine hospital were put
board train of boxcars to be transported TO the
open pen at Columbia. Drake the night before had
induced three fellow prisoners-Captains Harry H
Todd. 8th New-Jersey; J. E. Lewis. 1th Connect
cut and Alfred Grant, 18th Wisconsin-to join him.
and while the train crawling slowly toward
Columbia the bold protector Of the scheme to escape
| managed to remove the gun caps from the nipples
OF the muskets in the hands of seven guards in
the car, and dark the party. given
signal. made their daring leap for liberty The
four officers landed safely, despite volley Of shots
from the Confederates on top Of the cars. The
long night and all the next day were passed in
cypress swamp, which surrounded by deep
bayng dogs
Their guide a school map Of South Caro-
lima, secured by chance in Charleston They trav-
elled in the woods and by swamps in the day and
on the roads and in fields by night At the end Of
week their ratons had given out and their cook
Ing utensils had been lost. Wild grapes and other
fruits and raw corn soon led to dangerous stomach
disorders. The said they yearned for the Gov
eminent bareback and the contractors beef
heartily they had been accustomed to anathe-
Matte them while in their camp lone
colored man with large pone saved them at
one time from utter starvation.
CHASED INTO GRAVE VAULT BY DOGS.
Later they chased into large town by
dogs and took refuge in grave vault. Afterward
they escaped from Confederate cavalry by going
into dense wood. Being joined by some desert
ers from the Confederate Army and fugitive con-
scripts, the little bands chances for getting out of
the hostile country frightened materially. The
men were in pitiful condition physically. Drake
had been five months in prison before starting His
trousers nothing but f!ayed knee pants His boots
had all worn away. He was both barefooted and
It is Impossible here to tell the thousand and one
marEabe journey through the heart Of the Con-
f .Ei c, journey requiring forty-nine days
remaining there there one month he returned to his
wrecked on his way down. Ee received a ioyous
welcome from officers and men alike, and
entered Goldsboro and planted its tattered flag on
In 1873 a special act. was passed by the New
Jersey Legislature confeIring the rank of brevet
March Of that year he was summoned to Wash
tngton by President Grant A medal of honor
presented to him by his old chieftain for gallant
services in the field from 1861 to 1865
GENERAL EsTEs's THRILLING CAREER
General Lewenyn G. Estes, of Washington. D. c.
adjutant Of the Medal of Honor Legion had q
military record in the Civil War which was filled
with thrilling incidents. He LED many a charge
and a soldier eager for the fray He
wac q Maine boy. Enlisting a private in Com
pany A, list Maine Cavalry, September 81 1861
he rose to the rank Of brigadler-general by the
force OF his bravery and ability. Nine days after
the young recruit enrolled he was appointed
orderly sergeant Of his company, and only six
months later was promoted TO first Lieutenant Of
MS company e served with the regiment In
Virginia and afterward became captain of the
company. General Judson Fitzpatrick OF the Har-
rs Light Cavalry Cd New Yorl6), had watched the
career OF young Estes with interest and when he
came into the command OF the First Brigade
Third Cavalry Division. he had Estes appoIntod
adlutant-general on his staff, dating from July l. !
General Estes followed from that time on the
fortunes or his intrepid commander He partic- |
patec N the campaigns of the Army OF the Poto- |
mae Mounted on a big, powerful horse he was a |
well known figure to the Confederate forces He |
which bore the name Old Spot The horse was a
o. superior meitle and long stride and carried tho
rider into the maelStrom OF battle
Estes was a reimbursement at twenty-one |
years or age, his commission such bearing the |
cate September 90 1865 General O. o. Howard |
IN letter 90 the War Department recommended |
Inat n mccall OF honor be presented 10 General |
Estes. The letter describes the brave service |
crossing the Flint River, Georgia Aueust 90 1854
The enemy harrassed the vanguard of the Army |
nrd DESTROYS OF clearing the enamv aU",,
from the banks OF the Flint River order to camp
on The banks OF the flowing stream P
In the words OF General Howard the incident is
thus related: ~ -
The enemy's troops were harrassine me in front
II he could drive them off. He 6Generai Tsst a,ii
then eaptain) replied that he could do So and |