Chapter I: Preface

The author's name and reputation may sell this book--miracles have happened; but he does not intend to permit the possible deception of a confiding public into the belief that they cannot exist without reading it. The possible purchaser is hereby warned that it is different from any other book he ever read. It is without plot, moral, historical value, mystery, romance, horrors and murderous scenes. The best excuse to be offered for its existence is the fact that the author's numerous friends have repeatedly urged him to print what they call an interesting and unusual series of incidents. The responsibility for any injury to the public must rest upon the heads of these friends, the author not holding himself accountable for anything except the truth of the narration. My friends being pleased with this publication, it may be safe for others to try it, but they must not blame me for any lack of appreciation. Trusting that this warning will prevent the unsuspecting from buying the book solely on account of the author's literary reputation, the result is awaited with fear and trembling.

S. A. SWIGGETT.

_March_, 1895.

CONTENTS.

Page

CHAPTER I. Preliminaries 9

CHAPTER II. The Capture 18

CHAPTER III. On the March 27

CHAPTER IV. Bright Spots 39

CHAPTER V. The Stockade 44

CHAPTER VI. Incidents 53

CHAPTER VII. Events 61

CHAPTER VIII. An Escape 69

CHAPTER IX. On the Tramp 77

CHAPTER X. Recaptured 85

CHAPTER XI. The Back Track 93

CHAPTER XII. The Return to the Stockade 103

CHAPTER XIII. Incidents, and Another Escape 109

CHAPTER XIV. Tramps Once More 120

CHAPTER XV. Diplomacy 129

CHAPTER XVI. Making Progress 139

CHAPTER XVII. A Puzzle, and Incidents 148

CHAPTER XVIII. Experiences 158

CHAPTER XIX. Good Luck and Bad 169

CHAPTER XX. In the Toils 177

CHAPTER XXI. Another Return Trip 186

CHAPTER XXII. Foraging, and a New Prison 196

CHAPTER XXIII. To Camp Ford and Joy 207

CHAPTER XXIV. Liberty at Last 219

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Captain S. A. Swiggett, Frontispiece.

General F. M. Drake, 18

Lieutenant Walter S. Johnson, 39

Adjutant S. K. Mahon, 69

Captain J. B. Gedney, 79

Captain Thomas M. Fee, 89

Captain Charles Burnbaum, 94

Captain J. P. Rummel, 115

Captain B. F. Miller, 167

Sergeant E. B. Rocket, 189

The Bright Side of Prison Life.