The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-01-22

soldier, of course, regarded that assur-
ance, even to an enemy in war time, bind
ing on him without qualification. Then
the mem0rX had to be substituted for writ
ing.
As it was understood that I would soon
pass through the lines, ] was piled with
| verbal messages to those at home. One
| man, whose family lived near Borden's
condensed-milk factory. wanted me to ask
his wife to have a 500 gold-piece sealed
up in a can of milk at that factory, and
| then to send the can to HIM in box of
home comforts by flag of truce. He knew
| that at the Libby they would simply punch
| hole in the can to see that 4 contained
| milk. and then hand it over. A man who
lived near the Willimantic Thread Com
pany wanted his wife to go to the factory
| and have $50 greenback wound round
| spool before the thread was machine
wound over it. The factories were al
ways ready then to help soldier in such
ways. l planned to send n letter. in one
instance, between the layers of the paste
| board bottom of little box that had an
unsuspicious look, with its harmless con-
tents of sewing and writing materials.
Again, i sent maps and n pocket-cOmpass,
with other helps for n fugitive, in the
double bottom of a wooden packing box.
| In order to avert suspicion of the fact
| that the box had double bottom, the bot
tom was two double bottoms side by side,
with space between them: so that when
the contents were turned ont, the author
tiles would see the light shining through
the bottom of the box, and be convinced
that there was no double bottom there.
| Thus, in one way and another, help was
| to come to those in prison from those out
side, although / bore no written message
from any one inside the Libby to any per-
| son outside.
|
that rang through the Libby rooms one
day, when the news came that a flag-of-
truce boat had Just come from City Point,
bringing mai! for prisoners, and posi-
bly, bringing orders for the release of some
of us. Then followed the thrilling recep-
| ton and distribution of the home mail
Another night on the cold floor, with the
restless, anxious hoping that it might be
my last there, although all was still I'M
| certainty. There was Il rrimor that sew
eral of US were to 90 back in this boat,
but no one knew how the rumOr started.
About noon of the following day, "Dick
Turner" made his appearance at the en-
trance-way of our room. His voice rang
out. as his first-call:
chaplain Fl. Clay Trumbull, of the
10th COnnecticutv'
| I had never in my life been so glad to
hear my own name as then. l sprang
|
"1f you want to go back in this boat,
hurry up"
as there time for me to run upstairs
and get my things?"
mo: go Just as you are. or not at all"
| I had left upstairs, on the floor above.
n little basket of my belongings, which l
had brought from Columbia. but it was
nothing in comparison with liberty. left
all. and followed him who gave me hope
of freedom.
AS I passed out from the Libby and
down Carey Street, under guard. looked
mp and saw the glad. sad faces of my
prisoners crowding the windows of
that gloomy building. Their kindly fare
wells made my heart sick, because must
leave them there.
"Good-by, Chaplain; I'm glad you're go
ing home" .---
"God bless you, Chaplain! wish I
was going with you.'
"Good-by! Goodbye
These sounds are in my ears today, as
fresh as 35 years ago.
IN SIGHT OF THE OLD FLAG.
I went on the little steamer, "a. II.
Shultz," down the James River. A white
flag was above her bow, the Confederate
steamer had passed the defenses of Rich
mond I was kept below. AS we neared
City Point l was permitted to come on
deck. When I came in sight of the
United States flag floating over our flag
of-truce steamer New York. could hard
ly contain myself for joy, but l had to be
restrained until formally released. 1 was
compelled to pass one more night under
the Confederate flag. I was, however,
Confederate Agent of Exchange, and I
made myself as contented as possible I'M
til the hour for my transfer. On the fol-
lowing morning l was given over by Capt.
Hatch to Maj milford, our Agent of Elk
change, and my prison experiences were
at an end.
From Maj. milford I learned more
about my Imprisonment and my return.
My Government had steadily pressed for
federate Commissioner of Exchange. ask
ed Maj. milford if he could give his per-
sonal assurance that was what claimed
to be. simple Chaplain, and not spy.
Tie Major said he had relatives in Hart
ford, where 1 lived. and could easily as
certain the truth. The Judge said if he
was satisfied on this point l should be re-
leased. He also promised not to use to
my disadvantage the Majors silence on
the subject, if he found he could not vouch
for me. Maj. milford, afterwards Gen
milford, had cousin living near me, con-
nected with the church of which I was a
member. In response to his inquiry, she
spoke of me in such terms that he was no
longer in doubt. He told Judge Ould. and
an order was sent to Gen. Beauregard fol-
my release.
When Richmond was taken, friend of
mine, in command at the Libby, found
among the official files an important paper
in my case, and gave it over to me. 1t
contained the order of Judge Ould for nv
transfer to Richmond, in response to the
demand of Gen. Meredith. our Agent OF
Exchange. with the protest of Gen. Jor-
dan, Gen. Beauregard's Chief-of- Staff, in
dorsed on it:
Chaplain II. Clay Trumbull has been
directed to be sent to Richmond at once
He is a tricky fellow, and has little the
air of Chaplain. The great desire man
ifested to get him back. coupled with the
circumstances of his capture, make it
\ doubtful whether he is really a Chaplain
or spy"
Some years after the war, man, who
then met me for the first time, said
"NIr. Trumbull, you don't look bit like
a minister"
81 know that" replied 81 once came
near being hanged for it. Because of my
lack of the conventional 'choker,' they pro-
posed to give me one of hemp"
(TO be continued)
Marched at the Head of Sherman's Army.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Did the
4th MINI. lead Gen. Sherman's Army in
! A. Cr,,l Dn,,;,r9 NJ. oo,to;,y,- ,.ot