The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-11-11
WAR STORIES.
Private Tanner Again Escapes.
George G. Tanner in Augusta Chronicle

me to the degree that Bill Lennon
did. Strange to say, Lennon him
self was citl r utterly unconscious Of
his powers or Indifferent 70 them.
When he spoke to you he seemed to
know what you would answer before
1t wa, uttered, and no one could lie
to him. He rarely moved out Of
the tent and outside Of our mess he
was not known to three fellow prison
| crs.
Sergeant Finnigin, who was in
charge of the prisoners, regarded him
as wonder in mind power, and made
our tent his home to great extent.
Finnlgin himself was bright, well
educated Irish gentleman, something
we rarely see outside Of ireland.
He bitterly denounced the govern
ment for placing negroes over US as
guards.
All the avenues Of escape were, as
we supposed, closed the re-capture of
those who had vcntured.
When it was fully known that we
would have negro guards l made up
my mind more than ever to escape at
all hazards, and l impaired my in
tcntions to my messmates by saying
to them at dinner one day: well,
boys, II m going to get away from this
place tomorrow, or die in the attempt.
Life is too unattractive, at least in
this loathsome place, and it seems that
every day it is made worse
Bill Lennon turned his large lumi-
nous eyes upon me, and Worthington
looked searohingly at me.
What are your plans?' asked
Worthington.
L have no plans beyond fixed de-
termination to try anything I can hit
upon that offers the remotest chance
Of SUCCESS.
Come now, my son, said Bill Lem
mon, we all love you and we will not
allow you to engage in any suicidal
hazard
Worthington chimed in and endor-
sed this, and it was soon settled by
my messmates that would be looked
after and not allowed to throw my life
away. L had heard of squad of pris-
oners who were sent out in the woods
beyond the outer post to chop:wood.
Another squad was sent out to bring
in tho wood.
This would place me beyond the
prison and leave me merely with a
guard. Here was great consumation
to build upon.
had fully decided that the next
day would determine my fate to be
free man or to be dead one. All the
Intermediate details must be worked
out. Worthington tried in every way
to dissuade me from doing anything
rash and foolhardy.'
Dan Savage had quiet talk with
me, which was merely to find out my
plans. This I only, found out after
wards and found, TOO. though he did
not hint it to me, that he was as good
and true friend as any man could
have and one with cool courage.
| waited patiently for the return OF
the weed ea=ohopping detail which did
not appear until it was quite dark.
AZ it fled into the gate I scrutinized
eagerly faces OF the men to see whom
I could aocost. Iventured up to one
and asked him If I could take his
place On the detail the next morning.
You would not be allowed to do it.
The roll is called aud they will not
take any one but the regular aquad,'
he said.
I can take your name,' suggested,
'and answer to it at roll call and the
difference will never be found out
4 am afraid to do that he said.
I'll give you twenty-five cents if
you will, urged, feeling that no
prisoner could resist this. Without
any attempt at humor, any prisoner
knows that 25 cents to US was for
tune.
All right, I'll do it, came out as
soon as it could be uttered.
Here's my axe and when my name
.is called tomorrow att o'clock you
must answer to it, but it is only for
this one day, mind you
All right. What's your name?'
james Thompson
The next thing to be done was to
secure complete Yankee uniform.
I fastened away, full Of new hope
and energy.