Chapter II: Preface

The following work is a narration of facts. My only desire is to give a clear and connected record of what will ever be regarded as a most remarkable episode in the history of the Great Rebellion.

The style of the book demands an apology. It was begun in sickness induced by the privations of rebel prisons, and completed amidst the fatigue and excitement of the most glorious campaign which has yet crowned our arms. Under these circumstances, there must be many faults of expression, which a generous reader will readily pardon.

To the many kind friends who sympathized with me during the weary interval when my fate was considered hopeless, as well as those who rejoiced with me on my return, I can only tender my most sincere thanks.

Myself and comrades are greatly indebted to the PRESIDENT and Secretary STANTON for their generous recognition of our services, and the munificent rewards bestowed upon us. To them, and to Judge HOLT, Major-General HITCHCOCK, and JAMES C. WETMORE, Ohio State Military Agent, we take this opportunity of expressing our heartfelt obligations.

Another to whom I am indebted is Dr. R. T. TRALL of New York. At his beautiful "_Hygiean Home_," on the mountain side, near Wernersville, Berks county, Pennsylvania, I regained my lost health. For his kindness, and that of his skillful assistants, Drs. GLASS and FAIRCHILD, I will ever be deeply grateful. It was with regret, woven with many pleasant memories, that I left their hospitable home when recovered health and duty called me again to the field.

To my early friend, Rev. ALEXANDER CLARK, Editor of the "_School Visitor_," I am still more deeply indebted. His literary experience was freely placed at my service, and when discouraged in the preparation of my story, which was to me an arduous undertaking, his words of hope and cheer stimulated me to renewed efforts. But for aid derived from his sympathy and advice, I would have probably abandoned my task. May he be fully rewarded!

There are a host of others whose good offices will always be kindly remembered. Among them are W. R. ALLISON of the "_Steubenville Herald_," Dr. JOHN McCOOK, also of Steubenville, Dr. GEORGE McCOOK of Pittsburgh, Rev. WILLIAM B. WATKINS, A. M., Dr. JOHN MILLS, and many others. Thanks to them all!

WILLIAM PITTENGER.

_Army of the Cumberland, August, 1863._

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Sad Retrospective--Object of the Book--Military Situation in the Southwest--Disaster and Energy of the Rebels--Necessity for a Secret Expedition--A Proposition to Buell and Mitchel--An Attempt and Failure--Return of Adventurers--Second Expedition--Writer Volunteers--Andrews, the Leader--Parting from the Regiment--On the Way--Perplexities--The Writer _Cur-tailed_! 23-35

CHAPTER II.

Midnight Consultation--Plans Developed--Money Distributed--_Compagnons du Voyage_--A Dismal Night--Sheltered from the Storm--Southern Unionist--Arrested by Federal Soldiers--Beyond the Lines--Panic Caused by Negroes--Method of Avoiding Suspicion--Continuous Rain--Behind Time--Hunting Human Beings with Bloodhounds--The Cumberland Mountains--Rain again. 36-45

CHAPTER III.

Crossing the Mountains--Playing Hypocrite--Legend of Battle Creek Valley--Lodged with a Secessionist--Strategy--A Welcome but Fatal Delay--Exaggerated Accounts of Shiloh--Prevented from Crossing the Tennessee--In the Mountains again--Amusing Rebel Story--To the River again--Perilous Crossing--Success--Chattanooga--On the Cars--Night--Arrive at Marietta. 46-56

CHAPTER IV.

Take an Early Train--Prospecting--Capture of the Train--Panic in Confederate Camp--Away at Lightning Speed--Thrilling Experience--Cut the Telegraph--Tear up the Track--Unexpected Obstacle--Running a Powder Train to Beauregard--Red Flag--Dropping Cross-Ties--Battering out Spikes--Immense Exertion of Strength--Pursuing Backward--Terrible Chase--Attempt to Wreck the Enemy's Train--Fearful Speed--Bold Plan. 57-67

CHAPTER V.

Consternation along the Route--Wood and Water--Attempt to Fire the Train--Partial Failure--Message sent to Chattanooga--Terrific Preparations--Abandon the Train--A Capital Error--In the Woods--A Thrilling Account of the Chase from the Atlanta "_Southern Confederacy_." 68-90

CHAPTER VI.

Stupendous "Man Hunt"--My Own Adventures--Playing Acrobat--Perilous Crossing of a River--Hunger--The Bloodhounds--Flying for Life--No Sun or Star to Guide me--Traveling in a Circle--Nearing Chattanooga--Lost in Deadened Timber--Glimpse of the Moon--Fatigue produces Phantoms--Dreadful Storm--I Sleep and enter Fairy Land--Glorious Visions--Reality--A Picket--Romance Faded--Horrible Situation--Day Dawn--No Relief. 91-105

CHAPTER VII.

Sabbath--Continuous Rain--Press Onward--Observed--Arrested--Curious Examination--Equivocating for Life--Plans Foiled by Unexpected News--Plundered--Jail--Terrible Reflections--New and Hopeful Resolve--Unwelcome Visitors--Vigilance Committee Disappointed--Ordered to Chattanooga--A Mob--Chained to the Carriage--Escort--The Journey--Musings--Arrival--Another Mob--Benevolent Gentleman(?)--General Leadbetter--Andrews. 106-126

CHAPTER VIII.

Negro Prison--Swims, the Jailor--Horrible Dungeon--Black Hole of Calcutta--Suffocation--Union Prisoners--Slave Catching--Our Party Reunited--Breakfast Lowered by Rope--Hunger--Counseling--Fiendish Barbarity--Chained in the Dungeon--Andrews tried as a Spy and Traitor--Sweet, but Stolen News--Removed from Dungeon--Pure Air and Sunlight--Attacked by a Mob--"A Friend"--Madison--Daring Adventure and Narrow Escape. 127-147

CHAPTER IX.

Return to Chattanooga--Caution of Rebels--Unchain Ourselves--Mock Trials--The Judge--Singing--One Kindness--Projected Escape--Loitering Comrades--A Gleam of Hope--Sad Parting--Knoxville--Prison Inmates--Brownlow--Awful Cruelty--Andrews Condemned to Death--Escapes with Wollam--Fearful Perils--Swimming the River--Hiding on an Island--Found by Children--Yields to His Fate--Horrible Death--Wollam's Stratagem--On the River--Passes a Gun Boat--Final Capture. 148-170

CHAPTER X.

Sorrow for Andrews--Prepare for Trial--Charges and Specifications--Plan of Defence--Incidents of Trial--Encouragement--Not Allowed to Hear Pleading--Lawyer's Plea--Seven Tried--Mitchel Dissolves the Court--Tied Again--A Saucy Reply--Advantage of Sickness--Fry Deceived--Revolting Inhumanity--Fry's Capture--Starve to Atlanta--Taunts of the Mob--Atlanta Prison--A Kind Jailor. 171-183

CHAPTER XI.

Cavalry Approach--Seven Removed from the Room--Suspense--Sentence of Death--Heart-rending Separation--Death and the Future--Not Prepared--Inhuman Haste--The Tragedy--Speech on the Scaffold--Breaking Ropes--Enemies Affected--Gloom of Survivors--Prayer. 184-192

CHAPTER XII.

Religious Experience--Contraband Assistance--Intelligence of Negroes--Love of Freedom--Wollam's Recapture--A Friendly Preacher--Obtain Books--Disgusting Diet--Plays--Debates--Reading Hours--Envy the Birds--Dreams of Home--Telegraphing--Friends from our Army--Hope Deferred--Union Society--Difficulties of Tobacco-chewers--Precious Books. 193-207

CHAPTER XIII.

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. 208-223

CHAPTER XIV.

Despair and Hope--Bitten Finger--Removed to Barracks--Greater Comfort--Jack Wells--Cruel Punishment of Tennesseeans--Story of a Spy--Help Him to Escape--Virtue of a Coat--A Practical Joke--Unionism--Sweet Potatoes--Enlisting in Rebel Army--Description of a Day--Happy News--Start for Richmond--Not Tied--Night Journey--Varied Incidents--Lynchburg--Rebel Audacity Punished--Suffering from the Cold--Arrival in Richmond. 224-246

CHAPTER XV.

The City by Moonlight--Old Accusation Renewed--Libby Prison--Discomfort--A Change--Citizens' Department--Richmond Breakfast--Removed under Guard--Castle Thunder--Miniature Bedlam--Conceal a Knife--Confined in a Stall--Dreadful Gloom--Routine of a Day--Suffering at Night--Friends Exchanged--Newspapers--Burnside--Pecuniary Perplexities--Captain Webster--Escape Prevented--Try Again on Christmas Night--Betrayed--Fearful Danger Avoided. 247-266

CHAPTER XVI.

Letter sent Home--Alarming Pestilence--Our Quarters Changed--Rowdyism--Fairy Stories--Judge Baxter--Satanic Strategy--Miller's History--An Exchange with a Dead Man--Effect of Democratic Victories--Attempt to Make us Work--Digging out of a Cell--Worse than the Inquisition--Unexpected Interference--List from "Yankee Land"--Clothing Stolen--Paroled--A Night of Joy--Torch-light March--On the Cars--The Boat--Reach Washington--Receive Medals, Money, and Promotion--Home. 267-288