The National tribune., 1904-04-07

exhibited $40 bill. and while n group
was examining it. l casually read aloud the
name of the Register of the Treasury, y.
E. Chittenden," engraved on the face OF
the bill.
u. r. Chittenden. you near" said he.
NO. said /. ''the middle initial is On
z, not an r."
He persisted in his contention, and to
settle the matter, / staked $40 against his:
| arbiter to be an old Chaplain. who knew
nothing of our controversy. When the let
| ter was pointed out to him he promptly
declared that it was an r. His decision
made me q winner. but the good man did
not know that he had decided wager. At
first my conscience forbade my taking the
bill, but. rejecting that he had more money
and that the SO might ''come handy in
an emergency" / quoted my conscience
and accepted the bill. If he had won /
could not have paid him until some time
in the uncertain future.
Contrary to the regulations, the guards
| would occasionally permit people to ap-
| the prisoners who had money. In order
| to provide myself with convenient change,
/ exchanged my $40 bill for 500 in small
denominations OF Confederate money. My
500, however, soon vanished. When l
bought provisions, / divided with the
hungry fellows around me, and when, in
November. ] was transferred TO Danyille
had only So left.
Suffering from the effects of recent vac
cination, was sent to the hospital, soon
| after the removal to Danville. The Govern
ment sent us some clothing, my allotment
being pair of shoes, blanket, and a pair
of pants. i exchanged the shoes and pants
for food, and gave the blanket to the guard
on condition that he would not seriously
interfere if should make an attempt to
escape. / was to disregard his challenge.
and he was to fire in the air. ] did make
break for liberty. but think he ignored
his promise. as his bullet whistled danger
| ously close to my head.
ESCAPED FROM DANvILLE.
ran faster than l had thought my
feeble condition would permit. / was bare
headed, without. shoes, and my only cloth
| ing, shirt and pants. was not unlike the
ragged regimentals'' that distinguished
the "Continentals."
That night / travelled about six miles,
reaching the Dan River at daybreak. There
l found an old colOred man constructing n
raft. For 50, all the money 1 had, he
brought me breakfast. consisting solely
OF cornbread and beef. l fell in with a
soldier named Frymyer, who had also es-
capped from Danyille, and We Travelled to-
gether, going in a northwest direction.
One morning when We had stopped to
rest and sleep. saw some colored men APP
proach stack of oats. l went to them
for the purpose OF procuring something to
eat. While | was talking with them, one
watchful fellow excitedly called to me:
| run here. quick! i see de boss
a-comin.' Jes' You jump in dis straw an
Ill kiver you up"
| I obeyed with slacrity, and heard the
boss ride up and give some commands.
To my great relief he soon rode away.
When l returned to the rendezvous in the
capture. he had fed. However. the rebels
got him, as l subsequently learned.
After three weeks of suffering and priva-
ton, always travelling under cover Of night,
hiding during the day, I reached Salem
Va, where l learned from an old negro
had retreated from the town just two hours
before my arrival.
RECAPTCRED.
Notwithstanding my debilitated condi
ton, having Travelled 100 miles, | immedi
ately attempted a forced march to over
take Avcrells retreating column. When, al
length, weary and worn, ! saw detach
ment of cavalry, some distance ahead OF
me, which / supposed to be Averell's rear
guard, rejOiced that the end of my lonely
pilgrimage was in sight So intent was
in my endeavor to 0vertake the cavalry
men, moving along a narrow defile, that
neglected to take critical view of Their
uniform. When It was too late for me tt
escape, realized that I was in the pres
ence OF Confederates instead Of Federals
had oyertaken Gen. FitZhugh Lees cav
airy, pursuing Averell. do not thinl
any reader can imagine my feelings.
know can not describe them. was sick
: tired, helpless and hopeless.
recaptured prisoner, / was sent bacl
to RichmOnd--to the familiar Libb,
! Prison, where l remained until late ii
= February. In addition to what / hay,