Contemplated Escape--Startling Intelligence--Our Doom Pronounced from
Richmond--Hesitate no Longer--Our Plan--All Ready--Supper--Farewell--Life
or Death--Seize the Jailor--Guns Wrested from Guards--Alarm Given--Scaling
the Wall--Guards Fire--Terrible Chase--Six Recaptured--Wood and Wilson
Reach the Gulf--Dorsey's Narrative--Porter's Account--Boasting of the
Guards--Barlow's Cruel Death.
We frequently talked and plotted about making our escape. All agreed,
that if they should proceed to try us, we should make one desperate
effort for life; for we had learned by sad experience, that they did
not take the trouble of going to the formality of a trial unless they
were fully resolved to hang the accused. But as time rolled on, and
the dreaded preparations for trial were not made, the imprisonment
became daily more unendurable. The food was of a poorer quality, and
more scanty at that. It was, therefore, proposed that we should make a
bold strike for freedom. The question was a serious one. On the one
hand was the bright prize of liberty--of which none ever knew the
value better than we,--shining ahead as the sure reward of success.
But on the other hand was the danger of failure. We were in the very
center of the Confederacy, and the nearest point where we could reach
our lines was two hundred miles distant. This journey had to be made
through the enemy's country, and by traveling at night, with no guide
but the stars, which the envious clouds might conceal from us for many
successive nights, as they had done before. Then there was the
probability that those who were retaken would be mercilessly dealt
with, if not instantly put to death.
It was a grave question. And then the great heat of the days, added to
our enfeebled condition, caused by the close confinement, and the
meagre character of our diet, as well as the actual sickness of some
of our party, including myself, induced me to believe that the attempt
should at least be postponed. Still, day by day, we discussed the
subject. It afforded us an inexhaustible theme for conversation, and
had this further advantage that all the knowledge possessed by the
party collectively was communicated to each one. Besides, the plans
were laid by which to avoid pursuit, and all possible information
respecting the country obtained from the guards and negroes, and then
we felt quite prepared for the issue when it should come.
At last we received a piece of intelligence which made us resolve to
hesitate no longer. Colonel Lee, Provost-Marshal, came to our room one
morning, and after talking some time, told us that he had just
received a letter from the Secretary of War, asking why _all_ the
party had not been executed. He had answered that he did not know, but
referred him to the court-martial which had tried our comrades at
Knoxville. This court had dispersed long before, and I feel hopeful
that many of the perjured villains have fallen beneath the avenging
bullets of Union soldiers! So the Secretary could not have obtained
much information from them. A few days after, we received still
further and more alarming information.
One of the regular soldiers in the adjoining room overheard the
officer of the guard telling the jailor that Colonel Lee had received
another letter from the Secretary, ordering our immediate execution.
This was duly telegraphed to us through the stove-pipe, and at once
put an end to all our deliberations. The time had come for us to save
ourselves or perish.
Quietly we sat down and arranged our plans. We were in an upper story,
and several locked doors had to be opened before we could reach the
ground. There were seven guards keeping watch over us, and a large
force near by ready to rush to their assistance at the slightest
notice. It was evident that our only chance of success lay in moving
very quickly and silently. We could not leave at night, for then all
the doors were closed, and we had no means of opening them. The best
time was at supper, which was brought a little before sundown, and by
starting then, we would soon have the cover of darkness to conceal our
flight. The soldiers in the next room, and a deserter who was confined
with them, agreed to go with us, if we would open their door. Only one
of the Tennesseeans, named Barlow, would risk the trial, although they
were anxious for the movement before it was seriously contemplated.
The plan on which we finally settled, was to seize the jailor when he
came to take out the buckets in which our supper was brought, holding
him so that he could make no noise, take the keys from him, and let
Buffum unlock the doors and release the remaining prisoners. While
this was being done, our other boys would divide into two squads, and,
cautiously descending the stairway, pounce upon the guards, and take
their guns from them; then, at a signal, we would all come down, and
march, thus armed, on our homeward journey. We very nearly succeeded
in our programme.
The second day after receiving the news, all our plans were completed.
We had patched our clothes as best we could, and made cloth moccasins
to protect our feet, for many of our shoes were altogether worn out.
Now we only awaited the approach of the appointed hour. Slowly the sun
rolled down the west; slowly the shadows lengthened in the east, till
the gloomy shade of the jail had nearly reached the crest of the hill
which usually marked our supper time. The eventful hour drew nigh. We
bade one another a solemn farewell, for we knew not when we should
meet again on earth, or how many of us might be cold and lifeless
before the stars shone out. Captain Fry, who was tender-hearted as a
child, wept at the parting. He had two coats, and, as he could not
take both with him, he gave one to me. I needed it extremely, for I
was very nearly destitute of clothing.
Everything was now in readiness. I had piled up the books of the
minister, some of which we still retained, in the corner, and had
written him a note thanking him for the use of them. We had on our
coats, and had a few canes, and bottles, and pieces of lath, taken out
of the wall, which were to be used in the fight down stairs, if
necessary. Then came the supper. It was brought in by negroes, the
jailor standing at the door. Our preparations for leaving were not
noticed. We ate in silence, stowing part of the bread in our pockets
for future emergencies. It so happened that the old watchman, whom
everybody hated, was away. It was well for him, as he would have
received little mercy.
After the jailor had given their food to the inmates of the other
rooms, he came back to ours. We asked him to let Barlow come over and
stay with us that night. He consented, and soon Barlow was with us.
Now was the time for action.
It was a thrilling moment! On the action of the next few minutes hung
the issues, probably, of life or death. I confess that for one moment
the blood flowed to my heart with a sharp throb of pain. The others
were pale, but determined. As for Captain Fry, who was to initiate the
movement, and whom I had seen weeping a few minutes before--he was
perfectly calm, and his face wore a pleasant smile. He stepped out of
the door as if it was the most natural action in the world, and said,
very quietly:
"A pleasant evening, Mr. Turner."
"Yes, rather pleasant," responded the latter, looking as if he could
not understand what Fry was out there for.
"We feel like taking a little walk this evening," continued the
captain.
The astonishment of the jailor now knew no bounds. "_What! How!_
WHERE!" he exclaimed, in broken ejaculations.
Fry's countenance grew darker as he clasped the old man in his arms,
and said:
"We have stayed as long as we can stand it, and we now are going to
leave, and let out the other prisoners; so give up the keys, and make
no noise, or it will be the worse for you!"
Turner tightened his grasp on the keys desperately, and exclaimed,
"You can't do that!" then commenced in a loud tone, "Guar"--when my
hand closed across his mouth and stifled the incipient call for help.
It was not our intention to hurt the old man, for he had been kind to
us; but it was necessary to keep him quiet. He possessed great
strength, and struggled very hard, managing to bite my finger; but we
held him fast, and easily wrestled the keys from him. Buffum was soon
at work on the locks of the doors.
Meantime, our companions had quietly descended the stairway, and burst
out on the guards. There were seven of them, but they were so much
taken by surprise as to be incapable of resistance. Our boys divided
into two parties, one for the front and the other for the back door.
The latter was completely successful, capturing the guard, and taking
their guns from them without the least alarm being given.
The attack at the front door was made with equal skill and bravery,
and the guards who stood near were at once secured. Unfortunately
there were two in the yard gate, which happened to be open. As soon as
these saw the charge made, they, without waiting to attempt
resistance, ran through the gate, shrieking, "Help! murder!" in tones
that aroused the whole neighborhood. There were troops near at hand,
who instantly rushed to the rescue.
Our boys saw their peril, and knew that the part of our scheme which
provided for a regular and quiet departure was defeated, and they
endeavored to save themselves. They threw away the guns, which now
would only hinder their flight, and scaled the wall, some ten feet in
hight, and made for the woods, nearly a mile distant. It was a close
chase. Several times they were fired on by the pursuing rebels, but
fortunately not hit.
We, who were above, heard the noise, and were admonished by it to take
our leave as soon as possible. Buffum had just succeeded in unlocking
the door that kept in our other soldiers, who at once came out. The
deserter confined with them, who was the most powerful and active of
the whole party, also broke out, and passed by where Fry and myself
still held the jailor, like a tiger on the leap. When he reached the
yard, he found two soldiers before him, with their bayonets at a
charge. Without a moment's hesitation, he seized them, cutting his
hands severely, but dashing them aside with such violence as nearly to
throw the rebels from their feet, and bounded on his way. His almost
incredible swiftness soon placed him in advance of all the fugitives.
Captain Fry and I started down stairs together. He was a little in
advance, and at once saw there was no chance in the front yard, which
was now filled with armed rebels, and darted to the back door. Here he
scaled the wall just in time to get away, after a most desperate
chase, being repeatedly fired upon by the guards, who were only a few
feet from him, but, fortunately, was unharmed.
I did not so soon comprehend the state of affairs, (probably because I
am near-sighted,) and rushed to the front yard. Here I saw two rebels
who seemed perfectly distracted, and were throwing their guns wildly
about and exclaiming: "What shall we do? O! what shall we do?" Not
thinking them very dangerous, I darted past them, but was checked by a
stream of less frightened guards pouring through the gate. Seeing then
that there was no chance of escape in that direction, I turned and
regained the jail. One man snapped his gun at me, but, fortunately, it
did not go off. I instantly tried the back yard, and succeeded in
getting to the top of the wall; but here I found that the rebels had
again been too fast for me, and were around under the wall outside.
Under these circumstances, I could do no better than surrender.
I was taken back to prison, and instead of going to my own room, went
to that occupied by the prisoners of war, who had all been recaptured
and put in again. Buffum, too, who had managed to get over the wall,
was retaken and brought back. Parrott and Reddick were captured
inside of the wall, and Mason and Bensinger the next day, making six
of our party who were retaken.
From the window where I was, I had a good view of all the proceedings
below. In a very short time, the whole force of the place, including a
regiment of cavalry, was drawn up in front of the jail. I heard
Colonel Lee, (the Provost-Marshal,) give his orders. He said: "Don't
take one of the villains alive! Shoot them down, and let them lie in
the woods for the birds and hogs to eat!" He also ordered pickets to
be placed at the ferries of the Chattahoochie, along the railroad, and
at all cross-roads. This arrangement pleased me, for these were the
very places we had agreed to avoid, and I was sure none of the boys
would be caught there. Our intention had been to travel in the night
time, through the woods, and cross the rivers on logs, as far from the
ferries as possible.
Eight escaped. Wood and Wilson traveled southward, and, after passing
through a series of the most startling adventures, that recall the old
Indian tales we have all listened to in the winter evenings, they
succeeded in reaching the Gulf, where they were taken on board a
United States ship, and brought around to Washington.
Porter and Wollam started westward. Their journey was a most perilous
one. I will insert a short account which Porter has since furnished
me.
"We started on the 16th of October, and reached the Federal lines on
the 18th of November. During this time, we endured all the hardships
imaginable. We traveled night and day, sleeping mostly in the woods,
and subsisting on wild grapes, chestnuts, hickory-nuts, walnuts, and
some few sweet potatoes. Occasionally, we got a little corn-bread from
the poor class of whites and the negroes. It was miserable stuff.
Several times we slipped into the fields where the negroes were at
work, and stole the provisions they had brought out for their dinner.
Once we were seven days without a bite of bread, and often went
without for two or three days.
"We suffered much with cold, for our clothes were very poor. We slept
but twice in houses during the whole journey. One night we traveled
till we became chilled and weary; it was very late, and we were nearly
frozen, when we fortunately discovered _a nest of hogs_. Immediately
we routed them up, and, lying down in the warm retreat they had left,
slept till morning!
"Many streams were in our way, which we were obliged to wade, or float
across on logs. After twenty-two days of such privations, we reached
the Tennessee river, twenty-seven miles below Bridgeport. Here we
pressed a canoe into the service, and started down the river. We would
run the canoe at night, and hide it and ourselves in the day time.
When we arrived at the head of the Muscle Shoals, we were compelled to
abandon our canoe on account of low water, and make a circuit of forty
miles around. When we reached the foot of the Shoals, we procured a
skiff, and continued our voyage until within twelve miles of Pittsburg
Landing. Here we left the river, and striking across the country to
Corinth, reached there in safety. Thus, after six months of suffering,
we were once more under the glorious flag of the free."
These[7] will serve as specimens of what the brave boys endured in
the truly herculean task of penetrating for hundreds of miles--in
fact, from the very center of the Confederacy to its circumference--in
different directions. It is an achievement I can not look upon without
wonder, and in dangers to be encountered, and difficulties to be
overcome, is at least equal to the proudest exploits of Park or
Livingstone!
[7] Hawkins and myself associated, and made good our escape. We think
all our party escaped to the woods. Whether any were afterward caught
by the rebels, we know not. We traveled by starlight for more than
three weeks. After twenty-one days of fatigue and hunger--living most
of the time on corn or persimmons--occasionally a few raw sweet
potatoes or a head of cabbage--dodging the rebel pickets and cavalry,
climbing mountains, dragging through brush, and wading streams, we
finally were so fortunate as to meet some Union men in the Cumberland
Mountains. We met them, three in number, in the woods, and asked them
to give us some supper, stating that we had no money, but we belonged
to the rebel army, had been sick and left behind, and were now on our
way to rejoin our regiments. They refused to supply our wants, and
finally openly declared themselves to be Union men. When we became
satisfied that they were all right, we made known our true character,
and warmer friends were never met. They lodged and fed us, then
piloted us to another Union man who did the same, and he to another;
thus we were passed from one to another till we arrived at Somerset,
Kentucky, where we procured transportation to our regiments.--_Extract
from an Account published by D. A. Dorsey._
All night long the guards talked over their adventures. Generally they
praised their own bravery to the skies, but occasionally one who had
arrived since the affray, would suggest that it was not very much to
their credit to let unarmed men snatch their guns from them; but
these hinted slanders were always received with the contempt they
deserved, and the work of self-glorifying went on! One wondered at the
speed of the Yankees, who had been kept in prison so long; another
accounted for it by saying that they had received so much practice in
that line, in all the battles they had fought, that it was no wonder
if they were fleet of foot. This sally was received with prodigious
applause.
I heard some confused sounds of distress from the room of the
Tennesseeans, and on inquiring what was the matter, learned that
Barlow had broken his ankle. He had gone down into the yard with our
party, but in jumping from the wall, had received this very serious
injury. Here he was found by a guard, who at first threatened to shoot
him; but on being persuaded not to do that, ordered him to get up and
lead the way into the jail. Barlow tried to do so, but fell down
again. Then this inhuman guard punched him with the bayonet, and made
him crawl, in all the agony that pain could produce, back to his cell,
and as he went, kept hurrying him along by the sharp admonition of the
bayonet! When here, his companions asked for surgical aid for him, but
the Confederate authorities refused it, saying that he had caused the
injury himself, and that they rather preferred that it should kill
him! Their wishes were gratified. For months he lingered on in the
greatest pain, until, finally, the leg mortified, and terminated his
life. He was quite a young man--only eighteen--and had just been
married when he was arrested. Thus died, in darkness and dungeon, one
other East Tennessee martyr!