USA > Indiana > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, Indiana : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 26
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Having been on duty near Nashville during the winter . of 1862, tlie regiment moved temporarily into Kentucky, and re- turned again to Tennessee. In an engagement at Triune, Tenn., on the 11th of June, 1863, it suffered considerable loss. After ward, during the fall of that year, it was on duty along the line of the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad, then in East Tennes- see. On the 29th of November, while on duty forrying, several men of the regiment were drowned. 'December 29, it engaged in a sharp conflict at Talbott's Station, but without material loss. On the 10th of January, 1864, when at Mossy Creek, Tennessee, the regiment re-enlisted, and was afterward, during the winter and spring, engaged in numerous scouts and skirmishes, suffering some loss.
In May, 1864, it went out with Sherman's army in its cam- paign against Atlanta, during which the regiment was engaged in numerous skirmishes and battles, among which were the follow- ing: "May 9, at Varnell's Station, near Resaca; July 1, near Ackworth; July 28 and 30, near Newnan; August 30, near Atlanta. After the occupation of Atlanta, the non-veterans were ordered to be mustered out, and, on the 14th of September, 1864, the re- maining veterans and recruits were consolidated into a battalion of four companies, and placed in command of Maj. Roswell S. Hill. In November and December, 1864, the battalion was on duty in Kentucky, and in January, 1865, was transferred to the vicinity of Eastport, Ala. Joining the army of Gen. Wilson, it participated in the raid through Alabama, engaging the enemy near' Scottsville on the 2d of April, and at West Point, Ga., on the 16th. In the latter battle, the regiment suffered severely, Maj. Hill having one of his legs shot off while leading a charge. Returning from this raid, it proceeded to Nashville, and was there. mustered out on the 22d of July, 1865. Shortly after, it moved. to Indianapolis, where it was finally discharged."
· COMPANY A.
Captains-Jebu C. Haunum, promoted Major; John G. Kessler, hon- orably discharged December 19, 1864, wounded; paroled a prisoner.'
RESIDUARY BATTALION-CO. A.
Captain-Samuel T. Ferrier, mustered out with battalion.
First Lieutenants-Hiram Sampson, resigned March 4, 1862; Edward M. Barnes, mustered out October. 4, 1864 ..
RESIDUARY BATTALION-CO. A.
First Lieutenant-John Lathrop; mustered as Second Lieutenant with battalion.
Second Lieutenants-John G. Kessler, promoted Captain ;. Samuel T. Ferrier, mustered out October 4, 1864, and promoted Captain.
RESIDUARY BATTALION-CO. A.
Second Lieutenant-John Lathrop, promoted First Lieutenant.
First Sergeant-Edward M. Barnes, promoted First Lieutenant, mus- tered out October 4, 1864.
Quartermaster Sergeant-Robert K. Martin, promoted Adjutant Eleventh Cavalry.
Sergeants-Samuel T. Ferrier, promoted Second . Lieutenant; Charles C. Davis, mustered out October 4, 1864, as private; Richard H. Pratt, pro- moted First Lieutenant of Eleventh Cavalry; Frederick Gurick, trans- ferred to Second Cavalry, re-organized.
Corporals-Jacob A. Stoner, mustered out October 4, 1864, as Sergeant; Samuel M. Graham, mustered out October 4, 1864, as Sergeant; Henry C. Williams, mustered out October 4, 1864, as Sergeant; George W. Baum, promoted Commissary Sergeant: William B. Martin, mustered out October 4, 1864; John C. Peck, promoted Quartermaster; William S. Elliott, pro- moted Quartermaster Eleventh Cavalry; Irwin Barr, mustered ont October 4, 1864. Bnglers-Nathan S. Lockwood, mustered out October 4, 1864; Burgan . I'. Wescott, discharged October 3, 1862.
Farrier and Blaeksmiths-George W. Peck, discharged July 19, 1862; Reuben Sische, discharged August 31, 1862.
Saddler-landwell G. Huston, imistered out October 4, 1864.
Wagoner-David A. Stoner, discharged June 2, 1862.
PRIVATES.
Joli Abel, mustered out October 4, 1864.
James Barnes, died at Madison, Ind., March 6, 1864.
Thomas M. Black; mustered out October 4, 1864.
Calvin Robs, mustered ont October 4, 1864.
John Bragunier, discharged February 5, 1863, wounded.
Patrick Bean, discharged September 15, 1862.
Benjamin F. Braugh, mustered out October 4, 1864. John Bush, died at Vinegar Hill, Ky., September 28, 1864. :
William Buckley, discharged August, 1862 ....
Jolin M: Buckley, mustered out October 4, 1864, as Corporal.
George W. Byers, mustered out October 4, 1864.
Ephraim 1. Baum, mustered out October 4, 1864. Augustus F. Byram.
Albert H. Chaney, promoted Lieutenant Twelfth Tennessee Cavalry. Charles M. Crooks, discharged November 15, 1863, disability, Com- missary Sergeant.
Owen C. Davis, mistered out October 4, 1864.
John Dick, mustered out October 4, 1864 ..
Henry Duker, discharged January 7, 1863.
Frederick Durfield, mustered out October 4, 1864.
Lewis Earhart, mustered out October 4, 1864.
Aaron Elsroth, mustered out October 4. 1864.
Franklin G. Etter, mustered out October 4, 1864.
Philip Fost, died at Knoxville March 12, 1864, wounded.
Samiel Foughty, discharged June 21, 1862.
William Goodwin, transferred to Second Cavalry; re-organized.
Morris Gros, mustered out October 4, 1864.
Martin Gros, ninstered out October 4, 1864 ..
Mervin S. Heskin, mustered ont October 4, 1864.
Benjamin K. Hought, discharged July, 1862. Jacob C: Hoover, mustered out October 4, 1864, as Corporal.
Aaron Hornaday, discharged November 14, 1862.
John Horn, discharged July 15, 1862.
Solomon Huffinan, discharged June 6, 1862.
Win. F. Inglee, wounded ; mustered out.October 4, 1864, as Sergeant. George Judd, died June 21, 1864.
William Judd, transferred to Second Cavalry, re-organized.
Thomas J. Kendall, mustered out October 4, 1864, as Corporal.
William Lafferty, discharged February 19, 1864.
Francis Lampy, missing in action at Motley's Ford March 13, 1864.
Christian Lasselle, discharged March 14, 1864; disability.
Linus Loveland, mustered out October 4, 1864, as Corporal.
Hugh Martin, mustered ont October 4, 1864.
Robertson Mc Dowell, transferred to Second Cavalry; re-organized.
William McMinimy, died at Nashville, Tenn., November 4, 1863.
George W. Mitchell, died at Bardstown, Ky., February 3, 1862. James Montgomery, mustered out October 4, 1864, as Sergeant.
Elihn Y. Morrow, mustered out October 4, 1864, as Sergeant ..
Henry Mohr, captured at Newnan, Ga., July 30, 1864; mustered out May 24, 1865.
William Mullendore, mustered out October 4, 1864. Peter Plant, mustered out October 4, 1864.
John Point, died at Lonisville, Ky., April 15, 1862.
Allen Redding, discharged October 30, 1862.
James I. Sanderson; discharged October 30, 1864: "
Alfred Schoonover, discharged August 31, 1863. Llewellen Shaw, mustered out October 4, 1864. " David Shaffer, mustered ont October 4, 1864. Henry Sidenbender, discharged Jannary 7, 1863. :
Newton Smith, discharged October 16, 1862:'
William Smith, transferred to Second Cavalry; re-organized.
Alexander Smith, mustered out October 4, 1864, as blacksmith.
Willinin L. Skifey, deserted January 15, 1863.
Henry Stephen's. captured at Newnan, Ga .; mistered out. May 24,
1865. Matthew Sterling, mastered out October 4, 1864, as Sergeant. '
William Straight; (lischarged October 30, 1862. William W. Trobaugh.
Francis Veron, died Mareli 13; 1864, of wounds.
Ferdinand Wellman, mustered out October 4, 1864, as Farrier. Francis Webb, mustered out October 4; 1864 .:
Perry Wilson, transferred to Second Cavalry; re-organized.
Albert L. Woods, mustered out October 4, 1864.
Isam A. Young, captured at Newnan, Ga .; mustered out April 4, 1965. Jacob Zaring, tranferred to Second Cavalry; re-organized.
RECRUITS. Hiram W. Allen, transferred to Sceond Cavalry; re-organized. Hugh L. Altrip, transferred to Second Cavalry; re-organized. .
17
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
Francis M. Bowen, transferred to Second l'avalry; re organized: Samuel Beaver, transferred to Second Cavalry: re-organized. Charles Booth, transferred to Second Cavalry. re-organized. Ahram Booth, transferred to Second Cavalry: re-organized. James Buckingham, transferred to Second Cavalry: re organized. James Caldwell. transferred to Second Cavalry: rr-organized. Robert Carr, transferred to Second Cavalry: re-organized. William Clifford, transferred to Second Cavalry: re-organized. Henry Cox, transferred to Second Cavalry. re organized. Joseph Day. transferred to Second Cavalry: re organized. Francis M. Davis, transferred to Second Cavalry: re-organized. Angustus Dites, discharged February 9, 1863.
Franklin Etler, transferred to Second Cavalry: re-organized. John B. Encking, transferred to Second Cavalry: re-organized. George 1. Fleetwood, died at Madisonville, Ten.
Stephen C. Gardner, transferred to Serond Cavalry; re-organized. Solomon Gee, transferred to Second Cavalry; re-organized. Othias Gros, transferred to Second Cavalry: re-organized. Abraham Hattery, transferred to Second Cavalry; re-organized Andrew Henley, transferred to Second Cavalry ; re-organized. James Johnson, captured at Newnan, Georgia, July 30. 1861. Samuel Koontz, transferred to Second Cavalry: re organized. John Lathrop, transferred lo Second Cavalry: re-organized. Harvey Large, transferred to Second Cavalry; re organized. George Loomer, transferred to Second Cavalry; re-organized. John Mayhood, transferred to Second Cavalry: re-organizedi. James MeLane, died at Madisonville. Toun.
Enoch Metzker, transferred to Second Cavalry; re-organized. Matthew Mongruver, captured at Newnan, Ga., July 30, 1864 James MeCoshon, transferred to Second Cavalry; re-organized. Daniel Mitchell, transferred to Second Cavalry; re-organized. Jolm Miller, transferred to Second Cavalry; re-organized. John Moore, transferred to Second Cavalry; re-organized. David F. Moore, transferred to Second Cavalry; re-organized. Jacob Mosier, transferred to Second Cavalry; re- organized. Patrick Murphy, transferred to Second Cavalry; re-organized. James I. Patterson, transferred to Second Cavalry: re-organized. Jeremiah Pratt, transferred to Second Cavalry; re-organized. Jacoh M. Schwartz, transferred to Second Cavalry, re-organized. Silas Short, transferred to Second Cavalry: re-organized. Isaac Stiles, transferred to Second Cavalry ; re-organized. Daniel Smalley, transferred to Second Cavalry: re organized. Jack Smith, deserted May 9. 1864.
Philip Stoner, captured at Newnan, Ga.
George Stoner, captured at Newnan, Ga.
George R. Thompson, transferred to Second Cavalry; re organized. Isam Tomlin, captured at, Centerville. Ga., September, 1864.
Jonathan HI. Trinnel, captured at Newnan. Ga .: Dustered out July 31, 1865. Orrion Ingraham, deserted September 5. 1864. Dietrich Wassaman, transferred to Second Cavalry; re-organized.
COMPANY K.
Second Lieutenants -- Andrew H. Evans, resigned June 18. 1862; Sam- nel Montgomery, mustered out with regiment.
PRIVATES.
John Buckingham, mustered out. Octoher 4, 1864.
John Cupp, mustered our October 4, 1864, as Sergeant.
William G. Caldwell, discharged February 7, 1863.
Lemmel Crawford, died at Nashville April 5, 1862.
Vine Clawson, died at Nashville May 16, 1862.
William E. Davis, died at Camp Wickliffe, Ky .. May 5, 1869 Ansel M. Edson, mnstered out October 4, 1864. Daniel T. Ferrier, captured at Varnell's Station, Gn., May 9, 1864.
Joseph Grandstuff, died at Manfordsville, Ky., April 17, 1862.
Henry S. Gruber, veteran, transferred to Second Cavalry ; re-organized. Tobias Hull, innstered ont October 4, 1864, as Corporal; absent -sick. George Hall, mnstered out October 4, 1861, as Corporal; absent -- sick. Eli IToll.
Jacob Moore, mustered out October 4, 1864.
Jacob Mullendore, discharged February 7, 1863. for disability.
William H. Monroe, discharged September 10, 1862. for disability.
Jasper Merriman, died at Louisville, Ky., December 13, 1963.
Lemuel B. Plant, discharged December 22. 1862; disability. Daniel G. Swalls, mustered ont October 4; 1864. Joseph M. Smith, mustered out. October 4, 1864. Benjamin Shoup, discharged November 13, 1863; disability. Matthew Sansbury, discharged Angust 5, 1862; disabiliy. Greenbry Thrasher, discharged January 3. 1861; disabiliy. John Whetstone, died at Camp Wickliffe, Ky., February 26. 1862.
INCIDENTS IN THE CAVALRY SERVICE. NY F. M. MARSES [ FIRST LIEUTENANT. ]
subsist my detachment npon the conntry. This was a difficult order to obey, owing to the scarcity of subsistence occasioned b; previous raids, first by one army and then by another.
I started on the 13th of March, 1864, with four men -- Charles C. Davis, Francis Lampe, Francis Voron and a mulatto boy called " Marion "-on a foraging expedition. We went up the river ahont six miles, crossed over and got what forage we could carry. I loaded the " pack-mulo," and directed Lampe and the negro to move ahead to the ford, while I should receipt for the foraga, Anticipating some difficulty in crossing, as the river was high, I followed soon after, but did not find Lampe and Marion on the banks of the river, as expected. We rode over the river (Charlie, Frank and I), and across an open lot to the foot of the mountains, which extend in places to the river bank, and, enter. ing a defile. or kind of gateway, between two spurs of the mount- ain, covered with a heavy growth of timber and small underbrush, riding by file, myself in front, and not thinking of danger. wo were brought suddenly to a stand by " Halt! Halt! Halt! " from the bushes on the side of the narrow roadway. At the same in. tant, four Insty rebels sprang into the road in front of me and by my side, with long guns, shouting at us to surrender or they would shoot us down. This order was emphasized by the most fearful oaths. I at once realized our situation, and, thinking to parley with them until roy own men could fire upon them, I said; " I have halted; what do you want? " They bawled out, "Sur- render, or we'll shoot yon down! " and, rnuning up, one of then: ahnost touched my breast with his long gun. My horse was frightened beyond my control, and kept rearing and trying to get away from him; so I said, " Don't scare my horse!" At this time, Charlie and Veron appeared on the scene. Veron, who had said he would never submit to be taken captive, drew his revol- ver, when a big fellow, whom we afterward found to be John Carr, standing by my side, drew up and instantly fired, shooting Veron through the heart. At the report, my horse made a fear- ful spring, which gave me an opportunity to look back, when I saw poor Frank's lifeless body roll out of the saddle and fall to tho ground. At first, the scene had some comical features-for men, innred to danger and to the hardships of the field, look upon its shifting changes with a kind of reckless indifference. But suddenly we realized that we were the unwilling actors in a dread- ful tragedy. Frank Veron was a model soldier, quiet, obedient and industrious, keeping his arms, his horse and accoutermonts in the most excellent condition -- a man of few words, who at- tended to his own business. He had few confidants and no eno. mies. The musenlar young fellow who had at first singled me ont still followed, urging his demands with threats and oaths, until, seeing that we were at the mercy of our enemies already, and looking into the muzzlo of his long gun all the while, I gave up my arms. At the same time, Charlie was disarmed and dismount- ed. They then hurried us around the smur of the mountain, where we found Lampe and Marion under guard, the eyes of the former -- who will be remembered as possessing a frank, open connte- nance-looked now like two young moons, such was his astonish- ment and chagrin at our situation. The rebels had so surprised the two boys that they were taken in without the firing of a shot, or junking any noise by which we, coming after them, might have taken nlarm.
I was in command of a detachment of fifteen inen, guarding the fords of the Little Tennessee River. We were stationed at a point about eight miles above Motley's Ford, where the first bat- Our enptors stripped us of our spurs, watches and what money they conld get. changing their old hats for the better ones of our - men. Then they mounted our horses and started us on the run talion of our regiment (Second Cavalry) was quartered. This was the only support we had nearer than London, a distance of thirty miles. I had received orders from my commanding officer to ; across Smoky Mountain, toward "Dixio." We traveled sixteen
180
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY ..
miles that afternoon, passing over some of the highest peaks and along some of the most dangerous precipices, the yawning chasms and the roaring, angry waters, rushing down the mountain gorges far beneath us, surpassing anything I had ever read of or seen of mountain scenery. I had often been on the mountains before, and had felt, to some extent, their indescribable power to charm; but, of all panoramic exhibitions, this magnificent scenery, viewed by me as a prisoner of war, like an enchanted vision, remains with me still. When we had reached the summit of the mount- ain, we were standing on the North Carolina line, looking wist- fully northward: away down the sloping pine-tops we could see the Tennessee River winding its serpentine course through the valley below, presenting one of the most lovely and romantic landscapes ever looked upon by the eye of mortal man. Far down the receding hills, in full view, lay the " Parker farm," where the balance of our battalion was encamped. Help and deliverance were within sight, but fifteen miles distant. How our hearts. seemed to sink within us as we took a last fond look, and bade adieu forever to the entrancing vision, and forever, for aught we knew, to our comrades in arms, and our loved ones far away in the beautiful, loyal North, ere we slowly began the descent of. the mountain's shadowy side toward the " Sunny South." Late at night, we arrived at a house situated in the midst of a rough, craggy region, approached only by bridle-paths. No wagon nor vehicle of any kind had ever been seon near that wild abode. We were taken inside, given a place in front of a large fire-place, with the family, which consisted of the frightened father, the woe-begone-looking mother, and three or four squalid, unwashed and unkempt, shoeless and shirtless children. In front of the fire was an old-fashioned oven, watched over by the woman, and from which, after long watching. she produced a "corn-pone," that was placed on a rude table, and after another, as we thought, infamous delay, for our run over the mountains had whetted up almost ravenous appetite, the " lone, lorn " looking woman brought up some "rye coffee." These two articles of food comprised the sup. per with which to appease the gnawing hunger of near a dozen famished soldiers. The bread all disappeared, and the rye coffee, too, long before any one had half enough.
This plainest of food was keenly relished, and, after the meal, we lay down on the floor to sleep, the men guarding us all night. We began to put ourselves on ou" good behavior, and the rude severity of the rebels began to relax in the same ratio. Early the next morning, after a repast similar to the supper, we took up the line of march, our captors growing more familiar and less exacting as the distance between them and danger from the Yankees increased; allowed us to ride (alternating with them) a small portion of the time. On the 16th of March, we reached the camp of the Cherokee Indians, at the confluence of one of its tributaries with the Tennessee River. These Indians had taken up arms against the Government, and were under the command of one Col. Thomas, with headquarters at his residence. Our arrival being reported to him, he sent for me, and, after a long interview, in which I prevailed upon him to compel the soldier who had taken my watch to return it to me, he kept Marion, the mulatto boy, for a teamster, and sent his Adjutant, a very clever little fellow, with us to report at Asheville, the county seat of Buncombe County, N. C. This young officer was very kind, and did all in his power to make our condition comfortable. We made casy marches by day, and lodged with the farmers by night, who entertained us with the best they had, giving us a good bed and plenty of substantial food. I, being the only commissioned
officer: captured, was generally made the central figure to every gaping crowd we met, and all of them had the greatest curiosity to hear what I had to say. I had the President's "Amnesty Proc- lamation ". with me, and, the fullest liberty of speech being al- lowed, I stopped at any or every honse, as I liked, to expatiate on the merits of that great instrument. The blockade having cut off the supply of imported goods, coffee, as a beverage, had long since disappeared; therefore, the cry of the mothers and grand- mothers of the land was, "Oh, if you Yanks would only let us have some coffee!" I would tell them that the streets of Delphi literally flowed with good coffee. At such as this, and many sim- ilar recitals, they would express the greatest astonishment, and seem profoundly grateful, gazing all the while upon me as though they had seen a vision. Many amusing incidents occurred dur- iug the march, which it would be too tedious to mention here. On the 25th of March, we arrived at Salisbury, and, for want of transportation to Libby Prison, to which we had been consigned, we were transferred to the military prison at the former place. Here we found contined seven officers of our army, and about two hundred and fifty enlisted men, with about the same number of convicts from the rebel army-deserters-many of them Union men who had been forced into the rebel army, and having refused to serve, giving "leg bail"-had been arrested. Many were rogues-some of the worst men in existence. The building used for a prison had been a cotton factory, and belonged to a Union man. At the beginning of the war, the factory was confiscated to the rebel government, and all the machinery shipped South. The prison was three stories high. The deserters' and the rogues' gallery were in the basement; on the second floor, the enlisted men captured from the Union army were quartered; while the third story was occupied by the eight commissioned Union officers. Among the Union prisoners were some prominent citizens of the North, of whom were Albert D. Richardson, correspondent of the New York Tribune, and Junius H. Browne, of the Cincinnati Gazette-two men of rare intelligence, social and magnanimous to a fault. The Union officers with whom I was quartered were Maj. Harry White. of the Sixty-seventh Pennsylvania Infantry; Maj. W. R. Sterling, A. D. C., Army of the Potomac; Capt. C. S. Kendall, First Massachusetts Infantry; Capt. Kalph O. Ives, of the Tenth Massachusetts: Capt. Litchfield, of the Fourth Maine; Capt. Reed, of the Third Ohio; and Lieutenant W. C. Holman, of the Ninth Vermont Volunteers. I was introduced and duly installed into the officers' mness, and found them clever, genteel soldiers. We found many friends among the citizens of Salis- bury. men of influence and means, who were allowed to, visit us daily, and to bring us vegetables of different kinds, and books from their extensive libraries, for our use, free of charge. . We drew the same rations that the soldiers on guard over us received. which, added to what was brought in, and the little we could buy, ought, it would seem, with the other advantages mentioned, to have brought us a reasonable degree of contentment. But the question uppermost in our minds was how to escape. Tun- nels from the basement were begun, discovered and filled up time and again, and the poor Yankees punished for their perseverance and desire for liberty.
· A large number of other prisoners were brought to the inclos- ure on the evening of our arrival in the city, and, in the confus- ion incident thereto, at about twilight, Capts. Reed and Litch- field walked out unnoticed by tlie guards at the gate, and, with- out delay, struck for the North country. They traveled at night, and concealed themselves in barns or other outbuildings during
181
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
the day. After suffering untold hardships from cold and hungor' and from exposure, for the space of two weeks, they were unable longer to conceal themselves from their pursuers, were re-captured and returned to Salisbury Prison, arriving on the 12th of May. A more weary, exhausted pair of sokliers was seldom seen.
Ou the 27th day of May, at 5 o'clock P. M., we shipped, with all the Federal prisoners, for Georgia, reaching Charlotte, forty miles distant, at dark. Here, Charley Davis and sixteen other soldiers, by cutting a hole in the car, managed to make good their escape. We were kept separate from the private soldiers, and more closely guarded; but, notwithstanding this fact, we got " es- cape on the brain " also, and should have succeeded had not the guards built a fire so near our car that it was unsafe to venture. In consequence of a broken engine, our train was delayed hero until the following evening (Sunday, May 29), when we got nuder way again. We were put into a stock car, next to the tender, and next to us was an open-slat stock car, full of our boys. Ours was lighted only by a window, two by three feet, extending to the floor at each end of the coach. These openings were secured by iron rods about four inches apart, running perpendicularly, each end made fast into the frame. As soon as night came on, we monopolized the rear end, gradually crowding the guards into the front and center. We made down our bed, and proposed, in the presence of the guards' to hang a blanket over the window to keep out the cold air, which would be unpleasant before morning. They saw nothing wrong in this. The blanket, indeed, was a blind in more than one sense. A short time afterward, it being understood by all who were to participate, some of us lay down, ostensibly to sleep, but really, " tired nature's sweet restorer " did not fold one of us in her restful arms that night. At this time. we had the rebel Lieutenant, a Sergeant, and seventeen men under them, all in the front part of the car. One side door being closed, they put two guards in the other, and the rest of them lay down to sleep. We had with us a common table or case knife, the back of which, with the aid of a three-cornered file, had been converted into a saw. This had been shaped and set long before for just such an emergency. It was owned and made by Maj. Sterling. Each one had his part assigned him, and I might, mention that mine was to sit toward the center of the car and sing, to divert the attention of the guards from the operations in progress at the window. J. sang all the songs I knew, and think, on that occasion, I was a success, as they pronouncod me "a splen- did singer." By this time, Maj. Sterling and those who had pro- viously " retired " had succeeded in opening a passage through the window by sawing down into the outer side of the sill on either side of the two bars or rods, which enabled them, by the use of a small lever that was found in the car, to split out the wood be- tween, thus releasing the two bars at the bottom, which, with a slight pressure, were drawn from the frame above, thus making an opening of twelve inches by three feet. JJust as we got fairly under way with our little scheme, we ran into Chesterville. S. C., where there was a crowd of people on the platform, with torches, making quite an illumination. They had baskets of provisions with which they were to feed a train of wounded rebel soldiers, com- ing down in our rear. On seeing this, the rods were replaced in the windows, aud all was quiet until we had passed.
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