Newspapers / Gastonia Daily Gazette (Gastonia, … / Feb. 5, 1904, edition 1 / Page 1
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Sfe THE GASTONIA Twice • week, one dollar a 8 “*■ A ^ ^ -*■ iiiiw>iihobimi(himI Published T^vlcc s Week—Tuesdsys W. F. MA1SHALL, Mte in* Pr—rttor. _ DEVOTED TO THE PtOTECTlOH OF HOME AHD THE VOL. XXV. GASTONIA, N. C., FRIDAY. FEBRUARY a. 1004. CONFEDERATE SOLDIER’S ESCAPE 9 9 FROM CAMP MORTON, IND. 9 9 -— - ■!■■■ m i — ■—■ ' _->» »- j i ■ ■■—nanxsszas— Aa Belated by the Soldier tttmeelf. (wfae wee Mr. J. B C. Bell, el Teaaeaeae) Is a letter written many yean i|* te hie fricad, J. E. Stanley. El Paso, White Ceaaty, Arkansas. A A A A You re mem bet that I was at your bunk on the last night of Janaary (’64.) After leaving you I got iny ladder, expecting to get out on the west aide, but was discovered and ordered back by a sentinel. I did not go into the barracks as ordered, but walked past tbe barracks and to a large tree near the Potomac (as we called the ravine which ran through the prison), and there awaited a storui which I saw gathering in tbe north. I I had 4 tiresome wait and a cold one, for it was about 11 o'clock when I took inyseat by the tree, and between 12 and 1 when I commenced crawling toward tbe wall on the sooth side. But the storm did come and a very favor able one for me, too, for it grew so dark that, turning iny face to tbe north, as the sentinels would have to do to see me, I could not see my hand six inches away from my nose, while about midway in tbe southern half of the horiton tbe moon waa ahining brightly. I had the sentinel* be tween me and the light atreak in the south and could see every movement they made. But for tbe burning lamps 1 could have walked up to tbe wall undiscov ered; but on account o( these lights 1 thought it prudent lo crawl with my ladder banging upon my heels, my arms folded under me, pulling myself along by my elbows—1 imagined I might have looked like a badly proportioned serpeut—to within about fifteen feet of tbe fence or wall. Just as I was in the act of rising, two sentinels met di rectly in front of me (1 thought 1 was in for it then) and one of them gave the other a chew of tobacco and each one walked to the opposite end of bis beat. Just at this moment came a ter rible dash of rain, accompanied by a blast of wind that made ev ery loose plank and board in tbe barracks rattle; the sentinels threw the capes of their over coats over their heads and put their guns under their arms. I quickly set my ladder against the wall, climbing hastily to the toj> round, caught the top of*tbc planks in my hands, set foot on the top railing and vaulted over the sentinel's platform; then grabbed the other edge of the platform and swung on. My feet struck a slick bank and flew np like they had struck ice. Tbe next portion of my body that ■ struck waa tbe place usually as signed to chairs (in these days) which made my teeth pop together with such a clatter that 1 thought for a moment the sentinel would surely hear it and at once raise the alarm. But hesitation was short. I soon picked myself up and found my pedal appendages were able to carry me away at no very mean pace. After running about two hundred yards, 1 suppose, tumbling into a conpie of gullies on the way, I found myself on the road leading down to town. When I stopped to rest s moment and thank God for my success, 1 heard the sentinels each call out the number of their post and "half patft one o’clock, all right!” I felt considerably elated at my success and walked leisurely down to town, laying my plans for future operations. My mind was soon made up. Going di rectly to the depot where trains were coning and going quite rapidly, 1 applied to several con ductor* for a situation as brake nun on some train, but failed to get a "polish." Fearing that daylight would find me in the city, I Tran about starting ont on foot, for some " more secluded spot,” when I beard the whistle of a train coming in from the north. I tcsolved to tarry and see that conductor; but to my astonishment, before the train bed fairly stopped, a stream of Confederate officers began to pour oat of a coach, and, sulk ing into a saloon close by, began to help themselves to such re freshments at their appetites craved, and their purses com manded. Seeing that no omcvrli accompanied them, aa was the custom of prisoners, I sulked iato the saloon, apparently quite carelessly, and watching iny op portunity, gave out of them a sly pinch and walked oat Into the dark, where be fallowed me. and I asked him why they did not have the aaoal guard* with them. He explained that they were be ing seat from 8t. Loot*. Mo., to CampChaaa. Ohio; that they had signed an obligation upon leaving St. Louis not to attempt an escape or leave the cars with out permission of the officers in charge, two of whom were in the coach from which I had aeeu them come out. I soou explained niy situation to him and inqnircd if there was any chance for me to travel with them uutil day light. He said that the chance was good, that he would get one of the smaller of his crowd to hide pnder a seat, while the offi cer was counting on their return and while I remained on the coach. So when the whistle blew I filed into the crowd of prisoners and into the coach with them. Daylight found me about fifty miles from Indianap olis, and while the train stopped at a station for wood and water, 1 stepped off and struck out through the country ou foot, feeling pretty wild and hungry, too, for 1 had eaten nothing since the previous morniug abont 10 o’clock, except a crack er given me bv one of the officers with whom I had traveled from the city. I was too shy to stop or speak to any of tbe residents of tbe little village through which 1 passed after leaving tbe train. They were jast getting np, throwing open windows or door, apparently to observe whether or not it was daylight. I jogged along, itnugining that I looked very suspicious and so soon as I got put of sight of the little vil lage 1 jumped over into s field, took across it, and into the woods on the opposite side, trying to keep on a line parallel with the road I had left. I traveled in this way through wpods and fields until about the middle of the day when 1 began to think 1 was acting very foolishly, and that by pursuing such ■ course, 1 was likely to excite more sus picion, if seen, than by traveling on the public road. So 1 took myself upon a hill from which I observed a village a little to the right of the direction I was trav eling. I made my wav to the little village, which I afterwards learned was Cambridge. I found tbe streets full of people among whom were a good many fur loughed soldiers. 1 hung around the saloons and largest crowds of people, tryiug to spot a copper head or Sdnthem sympathizer, but not succeeding in detecting anything which was likely to torn to any advantage! again took up iny line of march on the pike leading east. After a consider able walk for a sorefooted man, I came to another little village, where I pretended to make some inquiries about the road, but ev every one I accosted answered me, "Nix fursta Inglisb.” I re plied, "Nix fursta German,” and passed on. Knowing that there was C German town Tn Indians, I concluded that must be the place, and afterwards learned that I was correct. Prom that place I left the pike and took the railroad, which had a good footpath up in the centre. When I had walked about three or four handred yards, I heard some one calling me from behind to halt. I looked around and beheld, as I thought, a soldier, with a gun upon bia shoulder. I had neg lected to pull my pants out of my boot legs before commencing to crawl tnrough the mad in Camp Morton and the consequence was mat me rain, which tell in tor rents after I started, bad washed the mod from my clothes Into ray boots, and my feet were get ting very sore on account of it. And I knew that It woo Id be of no use for me to try to escape as the stag did the mastiff. So I sat down upon the iron railing with my back to my pursuer, picked up a couple of limestone rocks of about two pounds each, intendiug when „he got close enough, to knock him down with a stone, take his gun and dis patch him, and take through the I woods the nearest route l could 1 trues* for the Ohio River. , Out there waa no tiae for tufa resolu tion to he executed. When he came within a lew pecea of me, I turned my head and found my self confronted hy a plain intel ligent looking ci'iscn with an ax upon liia shoulder, who began immediately to apologise for nia manner of accosting me, aeyfng he waa mistaken in the man. I told him he waa excusable and that what I had loot in time area likely to be peid by the pleasure of bis company for a abort distance. Upon this re • mark about company, he, very naturally asked how far I was going down the road? I tokl him I dia Dot know. "Well wbst point are you aiming for?" "1 don’t know." "Well what is your business?” "I haven’t any business, air.” "Well, air, you are a singular genius 1 You dou't know bow far you are going, where yon are going, and have no business,” I replied: "I am in seasch of employment or business, don’t know where I will find it, nor how far I will have to go before 1 hnd it. tie then proposed for me to cat cord wood and be gan a general conversation about the condition o* the coun try. He leaned strongly towards the South; was bitterly opposed to the war against Southern in stitutions waged by the adminis tration party of nigger heads, as he called them. I was afraid to be too rash, so I pretended to be iu for the administration party, told him I was a native of Ten nessee, that times had been ao bard down there, that tbe Rebs would not let a man stay at home, and attend to bis own business; that he either had to go into tbe Rebel army, lie in tbe woods, or leave the country, (making him believe that I was there seeking Yankee protec tion) that I liad been bruising around in government employ ment for some time, (did not sayConfed.gov.) and saved no money, that I wanted employ ment in the country where tbe temptation to spend money was not so great, and probably I could save money enough to take me home, to see my lather and mother, now that we (the Yanka) bad possession of the country, and the rebels were all south of tbe Tennessee river. •wen. young won," Mid lie. "your father and mother may be very clever people, and it would be a pity to turn them out of doors, but I would be glad to know that such people u you bad nothing but ashes tu turn to.” I pretended to be consider ably offended at this remark, (and squarring) myself in front of him, asked if he was not afraid to talk to me in that way. "Afraid," said be, "who the d—1 do you suppose is afraid to talk to a man who will njn away from his country to keep from fighting for it, when everything he has is at stake—his houor if nothing more," I was satisfied he was the man I was hunting and offered him iny hand on his last remark, but he refused to take it, and asked an explanation. , He Mid I turn ed too suddenly from black to white. I told him that 1 had on ly talked as 1 had to draw him out, that I was a rebel soldier and had been trying to fight ior my country ever since the war broke out: that I had been cap tured at the battle of Chicks mauga, bad escaped from Camn Morton that rooming, that I was sorefooted, tired, hungry and penniless, and that I wanted aim to prove his sympathy for me and my cause by doing sotnetninp for me. He said he was willing to assist me 111 could prove to bis satisfaction that I was what I professed to be. I then showed him some letters which I had received while in Camp Morton. After looking over thorn and examining the envelopes carefully'he was satis fied—said he was a single man and boarded with a family of "blackies” as be called the ad ministration party, and would not feel safe in taking me home with him lest I should betray myself or he betray me in an unguarded moment, but he would take me to stay with an old Dutchman, who was all right —he and all his family. So off we started. When we got in sight of the house he said to me, "You stop here and 1 will go up and see if the coast it clear; if there is any one at nis house who is not all right, I will go o« home, and they will send some one to have you cared for. If the coast is clear I will hallo and you will come to the bouse.*’ I saw him. enter the house. In two fir three minutes be came out and called me. I went and was inet by a warm reception— was greeted with so much kind ness and consideration that I soon felt Quite ut esse. Alter trying to do iustice to ■ magnificent supper, aud relating many adventures and incidents of the war, giving them aa good an idea as 1 could oi Confeder ate camp life, aud detailing some of the filthy horror* or Catnp Morton, t was furnished at my own request with a large tnb of clean water, which waa brought to about blood beat, and with the omittance of the old gent and liia son (a youth of bnge proportional and some good soap, 1 waa enabled to make a very greatly improved appearance after my ablations, and waa supplied with a snit of clotbca which belonged to the •on, and retired for the night upon a huge feather bed, "big •ack of bar," we used to call it, and waa soon wrapped in tbe embrace of Morpheus. After hoars of sweet repose, I awoke to ace that tbe morning sun bad risen, and that my prison appar el bad gone through a thorough process of cleausing and was ly ing upon a chair by the side of a well heated stove, in my bed room. I was loth to rise from so comfortable a position, but the ringing of the breakfast bell soon saluted my ears: and with its last welcome peals came tbe motherly voice ol the old lady telling cousin Jimmie to prepare for breakfast, (she would claim kin with me because I waa a na tive of South Carolina, in which she was born and raised.) I was not long in tasking my prepara tions. but was soon helping my self from a most bountifully sup plied table. Alter breakfast, by directions from tbe old gentleman. I made my way to Brownsville to tbe residence of a gentleman there, Dr. R., distant about twelve miles, who sent me to another friend, about two miles in the country, where I remained that night; when, as we. the pro prietor, bis wife and daughter and myself were aicting around tbe parlor stove talking about the condition of the country, and my chance for a safe trip to Confed .-racy, tbe probabilities of a reespture, etc., we were sud denly interrupted by some one rapping at the door. I began to look wild and waa about grab bing for a shot gun close by. Mine host admonished me not to be excited, that it was the rap of onr friend, aod proceeded to open the door. Sure enough it was "our friend," aod stepping up to me quite familiarly called me "Mr. Craig," (J. H. Craig was my tiuincd name) as though he bad kuoam me for years, saying that tbe Dr. had sent for me to come down and sec him. It was a bitter cola night and 1 felt like complaining about having to leave such comfort able quarters, at that time of night, But I bade farewell to the friends who had treated me so kindly, and started for the Doctor’s, walking and riding alternately, to keep from freez ing. We soon made onr way to Brownsville, where I found quite a crowd of ladies and gentleman awaiting my arrival, upon which I was very cordially greeted, .and soon introduced to a nice oyster supper, with cakes and champagne at a dessert, and was told to consider myself the lion of the occasion, and wade in. I accepted the proposition •* instauter" and asked the as sembled guests -to consider themselves welcome, and lend me a helping hand, lest the waters should prove too deep for me who had profited but little, by ^experience, in that kind of wading tor several month*. The invitation wa* promptly accepted. A merry supper we bad indeed. After supper we bad some tripping of the "light fanJstic toe" to the music of s violin, and I bade my friends farewell, except one who accompanied me, and with many words of cheer, and good wishes for my welfare, and safe arrival is the Confederacy, and the suc cess of our cause, following me, I resumed my march in the "wee sroa hours o’ the morning,” in the same style I came to tha village bnt in a different direc tion, for a neighborhood in which 1 would be more secure . i from danger of arrest, where I j could determine upon a future plauof operations, and receive such assistance aa I needed. We arrived at DunlapsviHe, Union county, before day. and by meant of lbe peculiar raps of my companion and the exchange of a few interrogatories and replies, we gained admission to quite a respectable residence; when we dispatched a hasty breakfast, by candle light. Here we made the acquaint ance of a good looking and In teresting young lsdy with whoa I corresponded for some time after the surrender. After breakfast we went two or three miles into tbe country, where I was introduced to another group oi friends, and remained tome eight or nine days and nigbta, being treated with the utmoat kindness and consideration. Tbe family with whom I stopped made me m new suit of clothes and the clnb (copperhead) of that beat donated money to pay my traveling expenses home. Many of my friends wanted me to go to Canada, and stay until the war was over, and many times, when I had to lie down ia tbe cold mud, wet and rain, aftw 1 got back to the 8outk, I wished that I bad gone to Cana* da with some of them who were going from that neighborhood. Hut I was so anxious to get a inue revenge for the treatment I bad received while in prison that I coaid not entertain any idea bat that of returning to the •ray. So according to my wishes, a friend took me in bis two-bor»e boggy one evening and rode me down to Browns ville. It was an hour or ao alter dark when we arrived at oar destination, where we found another party awaiting our arrival. Bat I did not mix with the party for I could not help being uneasy about making so many acquaintances for fear some one might happen to be tray me in some wav or another, so I went to the lady’s room, took a little bread ana tea and soon retired. , Next morning I procured a ticket for Cincinnati, and bade farewell to my friends in Browns *pd rolled swiftly away, filled with both hope and fear, itf contemplation of my trip South. Nothing of note oc curred on the train except see ing a big "nigger” kiss an ugly old white woman. We' arrived at Cincinnati. Upon arriving in Cincinnati I hired a cab, the boat was just pulling 08 from the shore. I called to them to hold on and jumped on the boat, the guard stepping to ooe side to let me in. I pretended not to see them, and went falling in to the crowd on the boat, and was soon out of sight of them. The boat waa but a few minutes in crossing, and as the boat landed 1 fell into line with some cattle driven and helped them drive some cattle out of the boat, end thus avoided showing a pass or pay ing the ferriage. I went Into Covington, end if I remember correctly, took a stage for Florence, distant about ten miles. Arrived in Florence. Kentucky, I soon made myself acquainted with the proprietor of the hotel at that place with whom some of my Indian friends were acquainted and knew him to be all-right, and to whom I had a recommendation in the form of a photograph of one o( my Indian friends. Here I waa treated with much kindness and consideration. The pro* prietor of the hotel took me through the hotel showed a* a well furnished room, and told aw to consider myself at borne and call for anything I wanted A Matter of Health There is a quality in Royal Baking Powder which makes the food more digestible and wholesome. This peculiarity of Royal has been noted by physicians, and they accord ingly endorse and recom • mend it. motm. (mun* *o*M« ea. atw vom. EMBROIDERIES! ■ . EMBROIDERIES! : mum [■■r--: v'i _mn Thli It our second shipment of embroideriea. They comm in Swit,, Cambric, aod Nainsook. Price* Sc. 10c, 15c, 20c, 25c, S5c, and 50c par yard. - "-w We are making no apodal tales-day a for ankoidariaa; we da not need to. They an oa display every day. SB* tVSry da* is a •alasday. Our every day prices on the goods we show are equal toor better than the prices given at special sales. Besides yoe have here the appocttudly to select at yoar ova 1 if ibis aad after ample inspecboa. the embroideries which suit yoortaatc aad yaar need,-advantages which an not offered to those who bay at ■Pedal sales, where a few always get the rhninrst pieces. These goods run la widths from fear inches to seventeen laches wide, aad an of the latest aad newest designs. YEAGER. MONEY TIED UR u not always safe. It aught to be in a place established lor the purpose of keeping money. The Gootonio Springs Bank wes started lor that purpose. We are keeping the sayings of s . greet many people and are pay* ing them interest. Money tied np cen earn you nothing. Why not bring it to ns for safe keep* ing, end atthcsamctleK. secure interest to increase the amount? Von can withdraw ft any day. without notice. Try it. GASTONIA SAVINGS BANK* L. L. JENKINS. Prm. C.U HAKDiH. QmuJ. and come to hi* table and bar room for anything I wanted to cat or drink. Here I remained for two or three days. 1 began to feel quite at cue, for I found that every family in the place were Rebels, bat one, sod the Yankee bad moved H»m family into a boom of a citiaen wbo war in the Rebel army. Here I made the acquaintance of a young man wbo was on his way to Nashville. 1 had ia acancay oy private convey ance, from one family to another a day’s travel apart, but waa in formed that the Yankee* were scouting the conntry arresting a great many persona upon suspicion of their belonging to Morgan's squad, wbo had re cently escaped from Ohio, and that it would be more pendent for me to travel by public con veyance. I could sot obtain • ticket to go Sooth by railroad, but the young man whom ac quaintance I made said ha thought wa could go by steam boat without pa meat an I agreed witn atm mat we would try it that way, and aeGorfia^y we left Florence early one —»-t-g and went to Cincinnati; found a boat there bound for Nashville sinsrs&2r& csrJLtArsrJsjs ssnusictrrsa jna. 1 paaaed myself for a Roosier, fresh from the rural districts of Indiana, and I aaw a C9SS?£;iSRB| fan explaining things to mi and hearing my droll remarks. Tbna things panned on the boat for eirht or ten days, for mu made had mine all to myaeif, pretend* ing to U ugh very heartily at b*«» 'ooM. fo, treat to anything I wanted jest to hear my fool talk aboat tom 25 done things up in "Injfami." The fare mss excellent sad the keeping accommodations good, no 1 enjoyed the trip finely. Upon our arrival in Nashville 1 called on sons of toy acquala taocea, bat they were ao closaly watched by the Yankee* that they were afraid to try eey plea to get ok oat of the city for tear of brine date cud. I stayed la Nashville three day* aad nights without atshiae any profuse that I could dheaeni toward* catting say further south; but 1 finally awl with aoan mea from this country tZglgmun^mn
Gastonia Daily Gazette (Gastonia, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Feb. 5, 1904, edition 1
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