The National tribune., 1906-08-30

there were Confederate pickets close by.
and | succeeded in getting a promise
from him that he would not betray us
to them. | think he kept his word. for
We hid ourselves in a brush pile about
500 yards from his house. and while
there we saw Confederate cavalryman
come out of the woods and go into the
house, and as we remained there long
enough for the alarm to have been Civ
en-. saw no demonstration whatever.
Nearing Liberty.
For six days and nights. hunted,
weary and destitute of food. with the
stars for our guides. we had picked our
way toward the campfires of our friends.
We now knew that we were L ar the
outposts of the Union troops. and began
to feel that our trials would soon be
over If we could hold out for a few
hours longer. With this hope to brace
us up. we staggered along until about
o'clock in the afternoon of the sixth
day we came to the mounted videt of
the outpost of the Union army. stationed
about one and half miles from Will
liamsburg. on the Richmond road.
Safe at Inst.
As soon as we were satisfied that we
had at last arrived at a place of safety
and both sank upon the ground, our
limbs refusing longer to obey our wills
and carry us farther. Capt. Boyd broke
down completely, and. giving away to
his emotions. wept like child, his pros
tration being so great that he was un-
able to utter an Ineligible word for
many minutes. Poor fellow, he had
plodded wearily but bravely on for days.
when his strength was scarcely sufficient
70 ha, I'M
for giving way to his feelings when his
safety was finally assured and he saw
certain release from his protracted suf-
ferings?
During all this time we had nothing
with us to eat except a little dried salt
beef and a small piece of Libby corn
bread. These we could not eat except
in the very smallest quantities.. l be-
lieve that neither of us ate three ounces
of food during our flight. A real crav-
ing for food l did not experience once.
The exhaustion and weakness from the
lack of it felt constantly.
Clothing In Tatters.
Our garments were suffering quite as
much as our persons. Pantaloons and
coats were torn to shreds and tatters by
the brambles and thorn bushes. Our
boots had become of that hydraulic kind
was one likewise to let it out Our hats,
none the best when we started, had be-
come more demoraliZed by being tram
pied on. laid on and sat on, until they
no longer resembled in the least respect
able head coverings; but we cared but
little then as to our personal appear
ance.
At times we could travel only a few
hundred yards without rest, being so
toh axyI1D ,-tn tnI ha ia
asleep almost as soon as we sat down.
1t had required about nine hours to
make the last four and a half miles of
our journey.
What 1 consider the most extraordi-
nary portion of our adventure was that
we had been able to travel over a dis
tance of about 80 miles without being
seen or challenged by anyone, though
in that time we had ourselves seen al
most 100 persons.
At the Pickets.
When the videt, who was kind
hearted young German. saw our condi-
ton, he rode up to us, and after brief
explanation as to who we were went
back to the reserves. stationed about a
quarter of a mile to the rear, and in a
few minutes the Lieutenant in command
of the pickets came up with two horses,
at Williamsburg.
shall never forget the luxury Of that
ride. No downy couch or easy chair
ever afforded me the rest and comfort
which 1 experienced in that old army
saddle during that mile and a half, as
We crossed the lines which had for 10
long months separated us from freedom
and loyalty and brought us face 20 face
with those whom, though strangers.
greeted us as friends and brothers, unit
ed in cause that made us all akin"
After reporting at the Provost Mar
shal's office we were conducted to the
headquarters of the Colonel command
ing the post, where we met quite a num-
ber of companions from Libby, who had
already reached our lines. Amongst
others was Maj. Collins. who had parted
with us when Capt. Boyd was taken
sick.
OF this squad of five who together got
through the tunnel, Collins. Boyd and
myself reached the Union lines in safety.
and since that time Collins, Moore and
Boyd have answered the last roll call.
This remarkab BILE exodus consisted of
109 United States officers passing out
through the tunnel, of whom 55 sue
ceeded In reaching the Union lines. OIL
the latter number there are not more
than six or seven now living.