The National tribune., 1909-03-04

member his 0tner name. IneSe were an
Ohio comrades | cannot remember the
names of the others in this room. In the
north room were Serg't William Durken.
Serg't Kline and Brewster,-I don't re-
member his first name. This is as far as
my memory serves me as to names. Com
rade Mccall surely was there, and perhaps
helped to make the breah for liberty.
Tie plan TO make the escape from the
prison was made by the men in these
small rooms and l think that Serg't Durken
was the leader. The building was on
slope from north to south. hole was
made through the floor of the sonth room.
The small room on the ground floor was
enclosed and a hole was. made thru the
floor Of that room and between this floor
and the ground there was a considerable
space-plenty to store away and hide the
soil carried back in digging the tunnel.
We supposed the tunnel was about 1SO
feet long and at the place it passed under
the ground line which line was between
the prison building and negro cabin, the
tunnel was made to come to the surface
under the negro cabin. The cabin was un-
derpinned on the side next to the prison,
but on the other side il was open. The
cabin being between those escaping and
the guard made escape less difficult. We
were about four weeks in digging the tun-
mel. 1t was a terrible trial on us, with
such scaBt fools and hardly any tools at
all. In a starved condition, starving our
sleeves yet more TO give to those who were
digging on scant rations 20 give them
strength TO work.
When the tunnel was finished the night
was set to make the escape. l have heard
that over 60 escaped thru the tunnel, but
i lave~neyer learned how many of them
, reached cur lines. Ii seems 10 me that
was long and dismal crawl thru the tun-
mel, but / was somewhat encouraged TO
81. slzn &C hn
night and that all was well. Paul and !
came out of the tunnel together, and trav-
eled together for a month, trying to reach
our lines az Norfolk. We suffered terribly
Rnd had many narrow escapes from rebel
cavalry and the bIoodhounds, and when
we were nearing our lines the rebel cav
airy ran US down. In the chase we were
separated. / was taken to the Pemberton
building in Richmond. There were 500
prisoners in this building at this time. In
a few days Serg't Kline was brought IN
lie told me that he was neaping our lines
when he was recaptured. We were part.
ners in adversely. In a week or so we
saw thru the window the flag Of truce boat
landing 800 exchanged rebels who march
ed out On the street. all healthy and stout
men. They said they had been in ouI
prisons for a long time. We were ordered
TO the street in line. to be counted and
taken by the truce boat to City Point
There were only a few of US who were
able to look on the terrible scene and wit
ness the true condition of our men. a
considerable per cent of our number were
relics OF the cruel treatment of our mer
on Belle Island, wasted away 10 skeletons
with their feet and knees. elbows and the
sides of their heads and faces frost bitten
and frozen. Others who had been trying
70 make their escape and who had beer
recaptured and punished were IN the sam'
,eplorable condition. 1t took some tim'
TO get our feeble men in line on tn
street When they got into line they sup
ported themselves holding on TO each othe
and they were also encouraged TO exer
themselves to reach the boat by the tho
that they were TO reach our lines and I'M
relief from their sufferings. Many of theI
: died on the way from Richmond TO Bait
more. When We arrived there hosplta
forces and omnibuses of the Sanitary Con
mission came on board the boat Order
were that those who were able to wal
wonld remain on the boat till all who wer
not able to walk were taken of to the hos
pitaI. Stretchers were brot and used in cal
rying on shore the disabled, the sick an
the dead. 1t was found when the wor
of separation was completed that but 1
: of us were able to walk. We witneSse
this tedious and painful separation. Whe
it was over we were taken on our boat {
Annapolis. We received new clothing an
after regaining our strength returned t
our regiments, on the Atlanta campaign
I have talked with ex-prisoners since th
war, and gave my experience-what
suffered and witnessed of the suffering o
others-and have been told that what | en-
dured and witnessed was nothing, and no
10 be- compared with what they saw an
suffered at Andersonville and other prisons
Tine loyal people all over the countr.