Chapter I: Preface

In presenting the following narrative of suffering endured while a prisoner in the so-called Southern Confederacy, the principal object had in view by the author, is to place before those into whose hands this volume may come, a plain, straightforward, unvarnished account of _facts_.

In regard to the workings and results of that system of human bondage to which our country owes its present difficulties, there have been so many mistaken ideas, statements, and theories, that it has become the duty of every true and loyal man to expose the truth; or, speaking with more correctness, to strip from the hideous skeleton of Slavery all its gaily painted and deceptive cloaks and masks, and to exhibit it in all its ghastly repulsiveness.

It is my purpose in the succeeding pages to narrate simply how, after being captured at the battle of Shiloh, or Pittsburg Landing, I was, on the most frivolous charges, tried for my life before several prominent Rebel Generals, among whom were Bragg and Beauregard; how I was subsequently chained with negro chains and cast into military prisons and common jails; how, escaping from these, and in company with Lieutenant A. P. COLLINS, I made my way to the swamps; how we lived in these malarious marshes for three weeks; how we were hunted with bloodhounds; how we were assisted by the slaves in our flight, and lastly, how, being recaptured, we spent weary months in confinement, and were finally released on exchange from our dreadful captivity.

To all those friends who have cheered him since his return home with kind words and deeds, the author begs leave to extend his warmest thanks,—but more especially to Rev. ALEXANDER CLARK, Editor of _Clark’s School Visitor_, who revised and arranged the Manuscripts for the press, and to whose scholarly abilities this volume owes so much. He desires also to testify to like kindness on the part of Rev. W. B. WATKINS, A.M., and MILO A. TOWNSEND, Esq., of New Brighton, Pennsylvania, whose friendship has laid him under a debt of grateful remembrance.

J. J. GEER.

SPRINGFIELD, OHIO, _June, 8, 1863_.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Leave Camp Dennison—Up the Tennessee—Under the Enemy’s Fire—Attacked
in Force—A Struggle for Liberty—Captured. 21–29

CHAPTER II.

First Sight of a Rebel Camp—Arraigned before Generals Jackson,
Bragg, Hardee, Beauregard, and Johnston—A Storm in Camp—Bayoneting
a Sleeping Man (?)—Interior of a Rebel Prison—“Calico Bill”—An
Escape—Rebel Exaggerations. 30–44

CHAPTER III.

Taken to Columbus, Mississippi—Visit from the Clergy—An Enthusiastic
Mute—American Aristocracy—Secession Lies—Political and
Ecclesiastical Prisoners—Reflections. 45–54

CHAPTER IV.

The Wounded from Shiloh—Inquisitive Negroes—An Abomination—A
Striking Contrast—Tom—Attempted Escape—An Ingenious Darkey—Rebel
Fare—The Irish Sergeant—Narrow Escape—Mending Clothes and Getting
News—Horrible Scenes in Prison—A Discussion. 55–69

CHAPTER V.

Southern Inhumanity—A Prison Telegraph—Mobile—Conversation with a
Fire-Eater—Negro Sale Stables—A Bad Sign—Mule-Beef—Montgomery—In
the Penitentiary—Felon Soldiers—Hanging for Theft—Visit to a
Condemned Prisoner—Who Shall Answer? 70–80

CHAPTER VI.

A New Prison—Murder of Lieutenant Bliss—In Irons—Yankee
Ingenuity—Rebel Ignorance—Parson Rogers—Faithful Servants—Bold and
Successful Escape of Prisoners—Captain Troy—A Blindfold Journey—A
Traitor. 81–90

CHAPTER VII.

Macon—A Southern Unionist in the Rebel Army—Beneath a Georgia
Sun—Secession Speech—Thoughts of Home—Political Prisoners—Horrible
Place—Offer of the Gospel—Lieutenant A. P. Collins—Contemplated
Escape—Robes of Blood!—Pinning a Federal Soldier to the Ground.
91–102

CHAPTER VIII.

Preparing the Way—Dave—Pepper, Matches, and Fish-hooks—Exchange of
Clothing—Passing the Guard-lines—Frightened Horse—Halted—Passed—In
the Woods—Hidden in the Swamp—Pursued—A Night Journey in the
Cane-brake—Manna. 103–113

CHAPTER IX.

Seeking the Hills—Retreating to the Swamps—Pursued by
Bloodhounds—Suffering from Hunger—A Dreary Night—An Answered
Prayer—Singular Noise—Lost in the Cane-brake—A Dismal Journey—A
Dream—A Surprise—Wanderings and Wearyings in the Wilderness—A
Comforter Present—Hope and Cheer—A Cotton-field—A Friend in
Need—Negro Music—A Feast in the Night—An Intelligent Slave—Advice
to Fugitives. 114–130

CHAPTER X.

Pursued by Horses, Hounds, and Men—Another Night in the Cane-brake—
An Alligator—A Pleasant Discovery—The Pass-word—Slaves at Work—A
Negro Supper—Important Information—A Panther—A Chase to avoid a
Chase—Bloodhounds Again—Fourth-of-July Dinner—Dismal Night in the
Ruins of a Meeting-house. 131–142

CHAPTER XI.

Nearing the Coast—Dangerous Predicament—Suspicious Company—A
Fugitive Conscript—Clay-eating Officials—The Squire—Arrested—
Mess No. 44, _alias_ Mr. Meeser—Acquitted—Placed under Guard—In
Chains Again—A Forced March—Before the Court—A Union Speech in
Dixie—Better Fare—Southern Superstition—A Slave at Prayer. 143–157

CHAPTER XII.

Christian Fellowship—Candid Conversation with a Slaveholder—
Clay-eaters—A True Unionist—Secret Organizations in the South—
Washington and Randolph on Slavery—Aunt Katy—Religion and
Republicanism—Pro-slavery Inexcusable in the North—A Distinguished
Abolitionist. 158–169

CHAPTER XIII.

Classes in the Confederacy—Terror of a Name—Insurrection—Suppressing
a Religious Meeting—The Safe Ground—A Sad Parting—Why Prisoners’
Stories Differ—Effect of Church Division—The Darien Road—A Wealthy
Planter. 170–181

CHAPTER XIV.

On the Cars—An Old Acquaintance—His Reasons for being in
the Army—Meeting the Slave we Chased—Rebel Account of our
Pursuit—Interesting Advertisement—In Jail Again—Captain Clay
Crawford—Prison Fare—Rebel Barbarities—Taking Comfort. 182–193

CHAPTER XV.

An Earnest Prayer—What came of it—A Skeptic—Fiend’s
Stratagem—Reflections and Opinions on the “Peculiar Institution.”
194–198

CHAPTER XVI.

The Rebel Reveille—A Horrid Dinner—A Reinforcement of Little
Rebels—The Darkie’s Explanation—An Exciting Trial—Hope of
Release—Retribution—My Old Chains doing good Service. 199–209

CHAPTER XVII.

Sufferings of Captives—Shooting a Deaf Man—A Terrible
Punishment—Arguments on Slavery—Opinions of Celebrated
Men—A Sabbath-School in Prison—A Loyal Lady—Pennsylvania a
Pioneer—Emancipation—Our Prayer-Meetings—Rays of Sunshine. 210–237

CHAPTER XVIII.

The Slave’s Ruse—The Richmond Enquirer—President’s Proclamation—A
Negro Prayer—A “Big Bug”—A Casibianca—Death of Mr. Eckels—Thoughts
and Plans of Escape—Lieutenant Pittenger. 238–251

CHAPTER XIX.

Just Judgment—General Prentiss in Close Confinement—Northern Peace
Men—Bear Story—In the Hospital—Old Aunt Susie—Sold Children—Without
Bread, and Satisfied—What our Fathers thought—An Untrammeled
Pulpit—Clay-eaters—Commissioners to Washington—Homeward Bound—An
Irate Southron—My Yellow Angel—Our Journey—An Accident—Jeff.
Davis’ Coffin—Don’t Know Myself—Safe at Home—Conclusion. 252–285

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

John J. Geer Frontispiece

“I attempted to roll quietly away from the wretch, ...”
facing page 39

“We beheld the glistening eyes of the hounds, ...” facing page 139

“One end of the chain was twined round my neck, ...” facing page 150

“In an instant there was an uproar, ...” facing page 154

“The prisoner is thrown to the ground ...” facing page 211