New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-03-12
STORY OF FIRST CAPTURE.

Il was ca Jtured the first time at Per-
rysvine. KY, thirty-nine miles from
Frankfort" he said, stamping up and
down with energy THAT was in Oc-
tober 1867. Buell. commanded the Fed
erals and Bragg the Confederates. My
regiment. the DIST Wisconsin, was
brought from the rear at double quick.
"Our men were falling back when We
reached the battlefield. Before we got
into line they came down upon US like
drove Of runaway cattle. Several Of
them actually crawled between my legs,
on their hands and knees. We checked
the enemy, but gave ground later, only
10 learn that We were surrounded. SO
We were made prisoners. l was then a
lieutenant. After my capture I saw the
old LIST Wisconsin charge the Confed-
crates. When heard the shouts of my
former comrades I wished 1 were a pri-
vate with them instead Of a second lieu
tenant in the custody Of the enemy
II was paroled and sent North. In a
short time I was exchanged, and by the
laws of war was free to fight again.
Joined my regiment at Murfreesboro.
Tenn, Immediately after the battle Of
Stone River. Thomas was my corps
commander. His corps contained the
cream Of the fighting men then on earth.
No finer body of soldiers has ever lived
In ancient or modern history.
II was present at the battle Of Chicka-
manga, fought out between Rosecrans
and Bragg One hundred thousand men
were engaged, q third Of whom were lost
killed, wounded or taken prisoners.
Rosecrans was defeated. However, he
left his bayonet sticking in the enemy.
1t seems TO me- General Daniel II. Hill.
a Confederate corps commander, said.
that the elan of the Southern soldier
was never seen after Chickamauga.
That barren victory sealed the fate Of
the Southern Confederacy.'
1T was my bloody battle" Colonel
Morgan went on to say. "On the second
day we were ordered back, and marched
right into the enemy. We were getting
fire from both directions-in front and TO
the rear-and my regiment surrendered.
a l..
taken with the rest. We reached Libby
prison in October, 1863. Formerly IT
had been a tobacco warehouse. was
sent 70 the top floor. All OF nay fellow
prisoners. Ike myself, were officers.
They were young. resourceful and daring
men. Some were lawyers. some were
civil engineers and sope were mechanics
Of great ability.
Instantly we began 10 think OF es-
cape. There were guards in the building
and on the outside. We organized de-
batting clubs and literary societies to kill
time. Several dramatic entertainments
were given, including a minstrel show
with original Jokes. We also played
whist and had sword exercises TO keep
in physical condition for the day when
we should escape and get safely away by
using our legs.
1.-the Commentaries OF Blackstone in |
two volumes, came 10 Colonel Hobart |
from the North. He was a lawyer. /
studied Blackstone, as did others. Ho- !
bart was our preceptor Books were also !
received and we never lacked literature !
of one kind or another. Boxes from !
home reached US occasionally If they /
contained food it was only a mouthful I.
for each Of ones friends when equally |
distributed. Shoes were sent TO me, but |
] did not get them. once a week we had |
a piece Of meat about half the size Of |
mans hand. We were hungry all the /
time and were dressed in rags.
"A whisper went around in January |
1864. that tunnel was being dug. Those |
OF us who were upstairs could not learn |
anything definite. Early in February !