Chapter I: Preface

I might plead, with truth, "the solicitations of friends" as my apology for appearing in print; but as mine is an unpracticed pen, the public, perhaps, may demand a better reason. Without any crime I have been an inmate of the foulest of Southern prisons, and a companion of the brave men whose condition and treatment has called forth the sympathy of the nation, and which will yet call forth the condemnation of the civilized world. I was one of the party that planned and executed one of the most remarkable escapes known to history--the record of which will be enduring as that of the war itself. The labors and perils of which I was a partaker will, I am well assured, give an interest to these pages which the charm of style can never impart to a tale wanting in stirring incident. I write, then, simply because I have a story to tell, which many will take pleasure in hearing, and which, I doubt not, in after years will employ a more skillful pen than mine.

Those with whom I have sat around the camp-fire, shared the weariness of the march, and the dangers of the battle, will like my story none the less for being plainly told; and my companions in Libby, and the partners of my flight, will think of other matters than brilliant sentences and round periods, as they read these pages. I claim no leadership in the enterprise of which I write--the time has not yet come to give honor to whom honor is due; the reason of my silence in this respect will appear in the course of my narrative.

When I began these pages I had no intention of carrying the reader beyond my escape from Libby. I have, however, been induced to add an account of Sherman's great campaign against Atlanta; and while this will, perhaps, have less interest for the general reader, it will possess more for those who were with me in that memorable march. My friends, I am sure, will be indulgent; may I express the hope that all others will have their sympathies too much aroused for our brave boys, still in prison, to be critical?

I. N. JOHNSTON.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

ENTERING THE SERVICE.

Character of the age--My own experiences--Object of my
book--Entering the service--Elected Captain--The 6th
Kentucky--Its deeds PAGE 9

CHAPTER II.

SHILOH AND STONE RIVER.

My first battle, and how I felt--Wounded and left on the
field--Disasters of first day and final triumph 21

CHAPTER III.

CHICKAMAUGA.

The battle--Am taken prisoner--Trip to Richmond--Incidents
on the way--Star-Spangled Banner sung in Dixie--Kind
treatment--Arrival at Richmond 33

CHAPTER IV.

FAILURES.

Richmond--The prison--Treatment of Prisoners--Plans of
escape--Sad Failures--Prospect of success 46

CHAPTER V.

THE TUNNEL.

A new plan adopted--Nature of the task--In the tunnel--Maj.
M'Donald's adventure--My own disappearance--Given
up as escaped--Fislar's story 65

CHAPTER VI.

CELLAR LIFE.

My home and company--Great alarm--Still safe--The work
renewed--Success--Last night in Libby--Words on leaving 81

CHAPTER VII.

THE ESCAPE.

The last night--Farewell to Libby--Sufferings and dangers
--The North Star our guide--The faithful negro--A false
friend--Almost retaken--The contrast 95

CHAPTER VIII.

UNDER THE FLAG AGAIN.

In the swamp--Meeting our pickets--Warm welcome--Kind
treatment--Interview with General Butler--Arrival at
Washington 113

CHAPTER IX.

RETURN TO THE FRONT.

Return home--How I spent my furlough--Join my regiment
--Changes--Forward movement--Tunnel Hill--Rocky
Face--Resaca 127

CHAPTER X.

ON TO ATLANTA.

Confidence in our leader--Tunnel Hill and Rocky Face
Mountain--Pursuit of the enemy--Johnston's strategy--In
command of my regiment--Battle near Dallas--Night on the
battle-field--Reflections 142

CHAPTER XI.

MARCHING AND FIGHTING.

Reminder to the reader--Sherman, Howard, and Thomas in
council--The attack and repulse--The Sixth Kentucky in
front again--In the trenches--Guarding train--Forward
march 155

CHAPTER XII.

SHERMAN STILL FLANKING.

Pine Mountain and death of Gen. Polk--Georgia scenery
--Before Kenesaw--The unreturning brave--Marietta ours
--Across the Chattahoochee 167

CHAPTER XIII.

BEFORE ATLANTA.

Intrenching all night--Gallant exploit of the First and
Third Brigades--Atlanta in view--In the trenches before
the city--The Sixth Kentucky ordered to Tennessee--Turning
over my command--A parting word 180

FOUR MONTHS IN LIBBY.