Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1913-01-28
How Capt. Jake Escaped From Fort
Delaware.

Editor Of Spirit.-Your article in re-
cent issue of your paper about Capt.
Jake Roderick holding on to ID forty
six years vividly calls to my mind that
he and four or FIRE companions made
their escape from Fort Delaware prison.
| have forgotten the names of his COM
panious. The nearest point to land is
II miles with tide either coming in OF
going out and Delaware City being the
nearest point. which they would have to
avoid on account of capture compelled
them to swim at least two miles. They
first secured two alright canteens eacl
aud case knife; they converted the
knife into saw and waited for a dark
night Two chains-of guards surrounded
the prison. Que on the ground and the
other on a parapet, with refectors al
suitable distance apart. There was only
one place where prisoners could approach
the bay and that was at the sink at the
edge of the water. 3x4 scantlings had to
be sawed out in the most filthy place
imaginable aud guard above them.
1t would have been impossible under
ordinary conditions. at b st it was ex-
tremely hazardous, only good swim.
mer with brave heart could undertake
It. The kind on night finally came; at
sunsut dark clouds rolled up in the west
with thunder. lightning and ram, the
sentinel was trying to take care of him
self. the noise and confusion drowned
the sound of the saw and they got through
to the bay but had to throw away their
clothes. They became separated in the
water and when Jake pulled himself up
the west bank on the Delaware shore ex-
hausted he thought all drowned but him
self. After resting he began to hunt and
call and TO their JOY all were safe.
small fishing smack had run in near the
shore in the storm and anchored. lake
swan to it and climbed up a rope and
yelled down the hatch hole for Gods
sake not to give him away as he thought
ne had earned his liberty. Come on
down said the man below. Well here |
come as naked as when came into the
world. The captain was son of Erin
and sympathizer with the South. lake
went to shore, got his mates and went
bacd to the smack. The captain fed and
gave them what clothes BE could snare
one coat. another pants. ne KIT a vest and
one pair of shoes. and directed them to
hay rick in field near a house. the
owner being southern man. This man
completed the clothing, fed them and thu
ext night led them about ten niles and
directed the IN TO a ht use further on
This process was kept up until they
reached Baltimore; the last directions
they received were to go to a certain
street and number, not to ring or knock
but to go to certain room and sit down
which they did. A lady came in and gave
them food and all new suits; they STAYED
n Baltimore few days, the lady fur
nisueu tnem money ana at favorable
opportunity bought tickets to Cumber-
and to throw the authorities off the
track. They got off near the Potomac
hut We're spotted and followed to the
river and came near being captured. htv
plunged in. swan, waded ard stumbled
over rocks. but got over ard ran
into some of Mosbys cuts end came
near eng shot AS they continue d to
press forward from their enemies and
the scouts thinking they were being
charged the sure ndtr. to the scouts
who took them TO Mosby and they were
recognized bv friet d.. Canteens WIRE
never allowed IN the prison after thi
A CoMRADE.