The National tribune., 1902-07-17

boots. Their method of exchange was to
measure their feet with ours, rebel
standing by a Union soldier, measuring
feet, heel and toe, and if he believed the
boots would fit ordered us to take them
off. The shoes they gave US in exchange
for our good, comfortable boots were worn
out and tied together with strings. But
there was one OF our boys, Johnny Hyatt,
whose feet were SO small that when meas
ured they did not order him to take them
off, seeing that for any of the party to
wear his boots was out of the question.
This was lucky for us, as the sequel will
show.
The rebel Lieutenant seemed very much
disappointed that Hyatt's boots were too
small for him, and he asked: How is il
you Yanks have such small feet!"
1--WE Yanks prefer to have small feet,
and larger heads"
reckon when you git to Andersonvilie your
feet will have good chance to grow
larger and your heads right smart smaller"
To me the very mention of Anderson
vile was like a dagger through my heart
l had read much of the horrors Of this
grewsome prison and l had talked with
some of our comrades who had escaped
and their recital of experiences while at
Andersonville confirmed all of the ac-
papers. And l made up my mind then
and there that l would not so to Ander-
sonville, even if had to commit
suicide. 1 asked the Orderly IL they
really intended to send us to Anderson
vile. "Yes," he replied. "You will be
marched to High Point day after to-
morrow, where you will be put on cars
and sent to Andersonyille."
l could see that to my comrades the
t6nrr DP nd .nn
full as it was to me. A glance at their
faces inspired me with hope, for in their
eyes l could read determination to escape
or die in the attempt.
But will not go to Andersonville,"
replied stoutly.
The Orderly stared at me. "Oh, yes
you will 60 to Andersonville safe and
sound"
"Of what benefit would it be to take d
dead man to AndersOnville," 1 asked
looking keenly at him, for l was deter.
mined to die rather than be taken to that
frightful place of torture.
The Lieutenant cried, "Oh, let the -
Yank alone. He's crazy, can't you seeT'
and l believe they actually thought / was
for they could not know the working OF
my mind and my grim determination.
Just before dark we saw a horseman
gallop up the lane. He halted before the
door Of the LieuteDant's tent and handed
him a paper, which seemed to produce
quite an excitement among the infantry
soldiers. The greater portion of them fell
into line and marched off in the direction
| Of the firing, leaving about % men to
guard us.
This strengthened our hope. When we
first entered the prison room the rebels
had IL Of their own men there. These
men were deserters, / think, for they had
irons on their wrists and ankles. Wher
we came in these men were taken out anC
marched off towards the town. This we
regarded as in our favor also / examined
! the prison closely, particularly the door
1t was very strong, heavy door, made
Of hard pitch-pine planks, two inches
thick, and cross-barred on both sides with
the same kind of plank. The door swung
between two heavy timbers that were Sc
cured to the walls of the building with
| heavy bolts. The door was fastened t.
the posts with heavy strap-iron hinges. II
opened on the outside. These hinges were
fastened on with heavy screws.
As the sun went down heavy fog ros,
slowly from Bogue Sound, and settled
down on the land, so that in an hour at
terward the whole country was robed il
mantle of utter darkness. The fog wa,
30 heavy that great drops of water be
| gan to fall off tho caves of the prison
house.
| l held a consultation with the comrade,
to ascertain how many would be willin,
to join me In an effort to escape. Tb,
idea was taken up quite willingly by all
Then Johnny Hyatt stepped to my side
Here's my bowie knife. l had 1t In m,
boot before they captured US, and my fee
were 30 small, you know, that l didn'
have to take off my boots" and hs hell
up before our enraptured eyes tina
precious knife; a good, strong, thick
backed knife it was, and very sharp.
| In that knife lay the possibility Of ou
escape. We knew that 1t would be o.
no use to attempt to escape through eithel
OF the windows, for theJ were secured b,