USA > Iowa > Story County > History of Story County, Iowa; a record of organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 34
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IN THE SWAMPS.
On consultation we thought Newbern, North Carolina, would be our point for escape and soon we were joined by two New York soldiers who wished to go along ; yet we would rather be by ourselves ; for the smaller the crowd the less liability of detection. But as they were so anxious to be with us, we conchided to travel together. All the weapons we had were an old case knife : and we had no masks, combs, matches or any guide what- ever. Our arrangement was that if we were captured by one or two per- sons, we would quietly submit and on a signal seize the guards, disarm them and tie them to trees or if necessary shoot them with their own guns, rather than go back to die in prison. Our course as laid out was to strike the rail-
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road running to Wilmington, North Carolina, and at night to follow the line of railroad, crossing the various rivers which lay in our way. The rivers were large, and we were poor swimmers and poor in flesh. Jim could nevertheless make the swimming all right, but where one couldn't go the other didn't, was our feeling to one another-at least so far as Trotter and myself were concerned.
If on searching the east side of Cape Fear river we could get across the bridge, we would strike north ; yet we were rather afraid that as there were so many Yankee prisoners escaped, all the bridges would be well guarded. Traveling all day in the swamp we reached at night, the road, and going on several miles we ran onto the trestle work leading across the Great Pedee river swamp. Not knowing what time a train would come along, we con- cluded to try it anyhow. When we had gone half way across the swamp we thought we heard the cars, and on looking down to the bottom of the trestle we saw we would have to jump some fifty feet or so or else let ourselves hang onto the braces of the bridge. Some of us boys thought we could lie between the ties, hang on with one leg over and the other down. But luckily no train came and we had our anxiety for naught.
RECAPTURED ON GREAT PEDEE BRIDGE.
Looking at the river, it seemed to be a large one, large enough for boats. We were thinking the bridge was guarded, and Trotter was the only one who could swim the river. Even at that we were afraid the river was full of alligators, and the night was cold and chilly. Proceeding cautiously along on the bridge one of the boys remarked that he thought he saw some one pass on the road on the opposite side of the bridge. So taking off our shoes -three of us had shoes-we went on making no noise. I took the lead, for I wanted to because the boys wanted to go back on some other road, swim or make a raft. They seemed to think it was certain capture to go on the bridge, which soon proved to be too true, so I requested the boys to keep back some distance, and if I was shot or taken their chances were better to get away. I had gone nearly across when three soldiers sprang out in front of us demanding a surrender. There was no other show: and as the other boys had followed close up to me, they also were prisoners. I felt rather bad about it, as it was my fault, our going on to the bridge. And then to think we were going to be prisoners perhaps all winter, starving to death- once I thought I would run and let them shoot me.
Being led off, we found ourselves in presence of a lieutenant who was in charge of the bridge. I took notice that we were on the east side of the Great Pedee river and that looked favorable and Jim and I began to think of escape. Our first salutation from the lieutenant was "Who in h-1 are you any how ?" answering his own query with, "O d-m Yankees." I could see that he was no old soldier and took a dislike to him. He abused us by his tongue that we were d-m prisoners that had escaped and we would
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have a good time getting away from him. Our orders were to lie down, with the orders that for any attempt to escape or get on our feet we would be shot. So he left us in charge of a guard, remarking that he would have more fresh fish before long. Being taken to a chip fire we discovered ten "Yanks" some of whom had been captured like us in crossing the bridge and others while swimming the river. Some potatoes were handed us, for the guards were pretty good fellows. By morning our numbers were aug- mented to twenty prisoners, and we were taken half a mile off to a station house and locked in. By nine a. m. a piece of corn bread and meat was handed each of us, the guards still being good fellows. Lots of curious visitors came to take a look at us and most likely they thought we looked like other people.
COMPANIONS IN DISAPPOINTMENT.
One of the doors being leit open, we discovered that we were on the bank of the river and near a ship yard, where a small gunboat was being built. We found that our guards were all militia who were hastily collected to guard us. During the day our numbers were increased to twenty nine and our guards were very kind to us wishing they had some extra clothing they could give us, and all being very desirous of the termination of the war and quite talkative. By four p. m. we had more corn bread and bacon, and were informed we would receive two meals a day. Our rations were short but so much better than at Andersonville. During the night we found an old piece of a saw in the building which had been overlooked, sawed a hole in the floor, and two very small boys got away ; but I never knew how they made it. After they got out of the building, some larger ones tried to get out, but the sills were too close to the ground and among roots while we had nothing to dig with. Near morning we were nearly chilled to death : for the night was cold and raining, and we had no blankets and were half clad.
A BUMPTIOUS LIEUTENANT.
Morning appeared and Jim and 1 talked escape at the earliest moment. The guards had built a good fire outside and were all clustered around it except those on duty, who patroled around the building. This was a long one and was near a town or village named Marion, it having been the home of General Marion of Revolutionary fame. The lieutenant coming up re- marked we would be lucky if we should ground enough to cover us in a few days. Then we would not trouble him any more. Keeping up such talk all along he would add that he was a South Carolinian and he would capture old Billy Sherman himself. At that I laughed at him and told him a score of such men could not even look at him let alone taking him prisoner. How he did foam and swear running at me with his sword! I dodged under his arm and could have easily tripped him if I had dared. I walked off to the far end of the building, and he got calmed down and informed me I must
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not insult him any more or lie would punish all of us. He passed out tell- ing his boys that he would hold them responsible for us.
ESCAPED AGAIN.
When the lieutenant had gone, the guards came and had a long talk with us boys. At the west end of the building which, as I said, was a long one and a depot for the railroad, was a door secured by an iron bolt. We took in the situation, so ate our rations and got ready to go out if we could spring the bolt. Some tried the bolt and when the guards would go around that way one of the boys would signal for to keep still, as he was by the door that was open then some would sing to drown the noise of the breaking of the bolt; and one Massachusetts soldier, being a fine singer. favored the Rebs with their "Bonnie Blue Flag" and "Dixie" and our own songs. They seemed to be well taken in with the music and all were huddled around the fire as it was raining and cold. A few of the boys got up a dance in front. Trotter had sat down on the floor leaning against the wall in a deep study and seemingly asleep, when the bolt broke, the boys began passing out for liberty and I made a spring for Jim Trotter. Ten "Yanks" had gone out by the time we came to the door and soon we were out into the woods brushing by the Yanks who had gone out but who were lame.
IN THE SWAMPS.
After halting a short time to see which way we were going, two more soldiers came, increasing our company to four. The day being cloudy we were at a loss to know which way to go, Trotter took the lead as he was the most expert of any of us in guiding and we soon ran into a lot of wood choppers. Hastily taking a right oblique and they not seeing us, we soon got out of that part of the Confederacy, but finding it impossible to travel on account of the cloudiness, we lay by in a swamp till late in the afternoon, when the sky clearing off, we struck out through the swamp. But we had gone only a short distance when it became cloudy again, and we just re- mained there all night. We climbed a small brushy tree and sat on a limb all night and a fearful one it was. Each of us got a club for protection, but nothing troubled us except millions of mosquitoes and the fact that we could hear all kinds of noises all night.
Morning at last dawned upon us and we could hardly recognize each other as our faces were all swelled up. I seemed to be the worst one as my teeth were all loose and some had gone out with the gums. We took the backward move as we couldn't tell if we were going the length or breadth of the swamp. We were in water from knee to waist deep, and there was no dry land. We were badly cut up with briars and vines which went from tree to tree. Reaching the woods again we thought we were indeed lucky
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to get out of that God-forsaken place; and if it had continued raining and cloudy we never should have made the woods except by accident.
TRAVELING IN A CIRCLE.
Flanking the swamp and it raining again, we made slow time for New- burn, N. C., the sun being our only guide. Remaining till night which was a dark one and several roads being before us, we took as we supposed the right one. We walked on very cautiously till late at night when we became alarmed lest we were on the wrong road. So moving up to a negro hut Trotter inquired where we were, telling the negroes we were Yankees and not to tell any one, which they agreed to. They seemed alarmed and hardly knew what a Yankee was, only as they had been told ; but on being assured that we would not harm them they told us we were close to Marion and half a mile from our late prison, the R. R. warehouse. We had taken the wrong road and had been going right back to where we had escaped from a few days before. On learning the right road we started in a great hurry, although we were very hungry and although the negro said he would cook us something to eat ; but we were rather too anxious to get away from that place. So we parted from the darkey with a fervent "God bless de Yankees."
Traveling till near morning we espied a light in a hut ; and as we had gone some ten miles and were very hungry. we concluded to run some risk for something to eat, as we hadn't eaten anything for several days. I crawled up to the door and looking through an aperture discovered an old woman by a fire. On my knocking at the door the woman inquired who we were. I informed her we were Confederate soldiers going home on fur- lough and would be thankful for a bite to eat. She told us she hadn't any- thing cooked, but if we would wait till daylight she would bake us some bread, and just as I was going to tell her we would, I discovered there were two men getting out of bed. So I took the hint and remarked we would lie out in the barn till morning and call in for our bread. Crawling back to my comrades and informing them what I had seen, it was soon concluded to move out of that part of the Confederacy; for no doubt the men would be after us. Before I left I picked off the line a very large towel which I made do for a shawl.
HIDING AND STARVING.
Our plan now was that we must get something to eat before morning and we must get as far away as possible. So making extra efforts and coming to a cornfield we took several ears apiece and went into a swamp for safety. We remained there all day, ate our corn, slept on a log that was out of the water, and several times we were startled by the baying of the hounds perhaps on our track. We thought, however, we were safe from the blood- hounds as long as we remained in the swamp. Night coming on and also
Memorial Evangelical Lutheran C'entral Presbyterian St. Patrick's Catholic
Church of Christ Methodist Episcopal
GROUP OF NEVADA CHURCHES
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very heavy rain, we started. Nothing happened to bother us till near morn- ing, when we met a man on horseback with a sack of meal. Having no time to step aside, we were of course discovered. Trotter remarked we would have to keep our eyes open, for the Rebs would soon be after us with the dogs and we had found out from a negro that there was a pack in the county near by. So going into the woods and each one picking out a tree in case the dogs did appear or give notice by their baying or barking we passed the day in dreary suspense with nothing to eat but ears of raw corn.
Night coming on found us on the road; but on holding council we con- cluded to take to the woods; for the night was clear and the stars shone so brightly that we had some guide which we had been in great need of, when the nights were dark and rainy. Meeting a negro he informed us that all the Reb soldiers around were on the hunt for the escaped Yankees. This made traveling much more difficult on account of so many escapes, and they all seemed to be making for Newbern, N. C., besides many negroes doing the same thing. Also some of the Rebel army were deserting and we were liable to be picked up at any moment. We hadn't gone far ere we discovered squads of cavalry ; but as we were on the lookout, we were ready to drop out of sight. Remaining till morning, we were just so weak and hungry that we were unable to speak plainly to one another. During the day it rained some very heavy showers, drenching us well and we became so numb from cold that we began to think we should perish. Night coming on and still raining we walked out to the road expecting no one out such a night as that excepting some unfortunate Yankee prisoner like ourselves. We would take to the road and if we came upon a negro hut or some poor white man's house would call for something to eat or for proper way to go, as we were many times lost on account of cloudy weather and the north star not being our guide.
FINDING FRIENDS.
We had gone but a few miles when we discovered a light and approach- ing cautiously found a poor looking house. We aimed to avoid all the large fine houses. My comrades remaining in the road concealed I walked up to the door. The occupants were an old lady and a younger one. On my stepping into the house they were much alarmed and were going to scream ; but on being assured that I meant no harm they inquired who I was, I told them I was a Confederate and my folks lived at Marion, N. C., and I was going back to my regiment in North Carolina; also there were three others outside who were as hungry as myself, having eaten nothing for several days but a few ears of raw corn. They informed us that they had noth- ing in the house but if we would step down the lane to their father's he would help us. Being suspicious I hesitated and in stepped my comrades. I told the woman perhaps we would go, informing them that we were Yan- Vol. 1-20
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kees instead of Confederates and excusing myself for telling them an untruth. The old lady told us she had had her suspicions that we were Union soldiers and seemed pleased instead of being frightened. They said we had been abused in the Rebel prisons and they didn't blame us for hunt- ing for the Union lines. They were heartily sick of the Confederacy; for when they were in the Union they had all the comforts of life, enough to eat, drink and to wear. She assured us that the old man wouldn't give us away.
So they led the way to the other house and walking into the house the old man came to us and extending his hand remarked "Boys, I am so glad to see you, but this country is swarming with rebel cavalry who are out hunting you boys." He informed us he had no meal, but a bushel of corn, and said, "I will grind some in a coffee mill and by waiting an hour you will have some bread, and if any one comes to the door get under the bed. I will do all I can for you for we did not have such times when Carolina was in the Union." He said he had a son-in-law killed at Kenesaw moun- tain, his daughter's husband, pointing over to the younger looking woman ; and further said he, "I have a son who was severely wounded at Charles- ton and just returned there to hospital yesterday; but, boys, I don't blame the Yankees for it but the rich planters. They all hold high office and don't go to the army themselves but having the power come along and take all my sons off with handcuffs on and compel them to go." And he told us of many of his neighbors who had been served the same way. The women asked many questions in regard to what was going on up North, and we told them that all was prosperous and the men all volunteered and it didn't seem like the country was involved in war, for all the loss was the absence of the citizens. We told them so much that they just wished and prayed that the Yankees would come on soon and they would go along.
Well the bread was baked and he gave to us the last piece of bacon that was in the house, in fact we had all we wished to eat, and before we started the old lady had another loaf baked.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN.
We received directions from our hospitable friends, which directions were to keep the road running north to Bentonsport, North Carolina, some twenty five miles, then we would avoid the various rivers that we would have to cross in going cast. We were to flank the rivers or get to the head waters of them. Our plans being arranged, which were to travel nights on the road, they bade us good speed and wanted us to recollect them when we came that way with the rest of the Union soldiers. The old man came out with us to the road and soon we were striking out. It was very dark and raining,-we never felt a more drenching rain, and we supposed it was a good thing for us as no one would be out that night, and we wanted to
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get over twenty miles before morning, for a good meal had done us so much good, also the kind words we received from our friends.
A FRIENDLY PICKET.
But we had hardly gone a mile ere the demand "Halt ! surrender" grated on our ears and a gun was pointing at our heads. Well, again prisoner ! Yet it was no use. We were fast, but all hope didn't die. Our having so good a supper made us stout at heart, and it was my intention as well as the intention of the other boys to dash into the woods. Being ordered about face and not knowing how many were our captors and whispering to one another, we made up our minds, if only one, we would settle him and then into the woods. Advancing toward him we had about faced, and he be- came alarmed, for sure enough he was alone; but on a short distance we heard others tramping around. He told us not to tell any one, and he would let us go. He told us to go on a little ways farther so we could talk without being heard, so taking a right hand path we halted keeping an eye on our captor. "Boys," says he, "I am as good a Union man as can be : but I have to take my gun and hunt Yankees. This afternoon I was forced to capture nine Yankees, and I am sorry for you. But boys you can't get out of this country. If you are captured don't inform on me, for I should be a gonner sure." So taking our direction in a north east course we gave up our old laid road and bade him good by.
We struck out into the woods and had gone a mile, when we could hear cavalry dashing around, and also it being very dark we began to think we might run into danger, so we lay down in the woods. It was still raining in very heavy showers, but day dawned at last, and the sun shone before we made a start. We had not gone far, when we thought we heard tramping not far off. So again lying down and recalling the events of the previous night and our prospects for safe arrival in our lines, which indeed seemed slim, we were yet determined not to give up, but with the help of Providence we thought we must get through. In an hour or so we were again off, traveling very cautiously. It was our intention to reach the Little Pedee river by dark, and at night to cross. Our usual course was directed by the majority with Trotter as guide and in the lead.
A TROUBLESOME COMPANION.
We had gone a few miles when we came to a large plantation and our course lay directly across it about half a mile, while through the woods it appeared at a guess three miles. Three of us agreed to crawl on our hands and feet across the field before we should go around the three miles, as we might run into some danger. The Frenchman soldier declared he would go around and stated with an oath that we might go on our way. Well to tell the truth, we didn't fancy him very much, and wished to be rid of him
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many times ; as he was always contrary and a coward, and had made threats to cut some of our throats some night; and as he had a knife we were always on guard for him. So he went his way and we ours. He had gone a mile or so into the woods, when we heard him call several times, and we made tracks as far and fast as possible as his calling would soon bring the rangers after us. We never heard of him afterward. We changed our course for a few days to throw any one off track who might be after us.
ABOUT JIM TROTTER.
So with old Jim in the lead again we felt much better, as we three were all in harmony. I never could forget "Old Jim." He was always willing, brave and kind. At times we would get so blue over our luck, but he was on the bright side always and of good reasoning and a perfect guide. Many a skirmish and hard-fought battle Jim and myself had been in, seeing our old comrades fall by the foe; and now we were making our escape from a fate worse than instant death ; for we were, you might say, with hardly any clothes on us, and poisoned by ivy briers and bleeding from sores, and scorches. But to be taken back to rebel prison to starve and die-the more we talked it over the stronger grew our determination to press on toward the "North star," and if we ever reached our lines and saw our old boys in blue, we could die contented that our friends would know what had become of us. Our Connecticut sokhier comrade too was a first rate fellow so far.
PROSPECTS FOR HELP.
Moving along that day was slow, as we were in a thickly settled coun- try and came to a halt many times. Skulking through corn fields and woods we became aware we must stop, and as we lay in a brush pile, children would pass by playing and coming close to us unawares ; and several times cavalry passed by. About dark a very heavy rain came on, chilling us very much. But we always thought when it was raining there was less chance of meeting any one. Then a big hail storm came on, pounding our, you might say, nakedness. As soon as this storm was over, it being quite dark, we lit out and had gone a half mile, when we beheld a person standing in the road ; and coming right into him, we had no time to hide. Says he, "Boys, you are Yankees," and we discovered in his voice a degree of sympathy. Answering that we were and inquiring for some rations, we made the gen- eral inquiry who he was and where and what way would be best for us to travel. He told us all the points where guards were stationed, also that they were aware that we were in the country, also that we were Yankees and he said, spies. "Boys my father would be afraid to take you into the house ; it might be death to him." He made the request that we shouldn't tell anyone that he had given us directions or had even been talking to us; and thanking him for his information, we again struck out. But we had gone
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but a few hundred yards when we were hailed by the same young man, who told us that his father wanted to see us. We were in a quandary to know what was best, as the Little Pedee swamp and river were ahead of us; but on the young man's assurance that it was all right, we told him to lead on and we would follow.
FRIENDS INDEED.
Soon reaching the planter's house, which was a neat looking one, we were passed into the kitchen and the doors locked and blinds turned down. Instantly the old man came out of another room, and walking up to us he extended his hand giving us a hearty welcome, extending to us great sympathy and making many inquiries. He was equally ready to answer all questions, and his kind wife soon announced supper ready. As we took our places at the table words, pen and ink can not depict what were our heart- felt thanks and emotions on viewing such a repast. Cornbread, flour cakes, potatoes, beans, meat, syrup and plenty of cider-we ate a sumptuous sup- per, and took our chairs to the blazing fire, and as we looked around the house and viewed the kind and anxious attention of the household toward us and listened to the good man's story I truly felt sorry for him.
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