THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES .- 1 i TALES OF WAR TIMES Being the Adventures of Thomas Hinds During the American Civil War. : : : : Herald Water-town, N. Y. 1904. COPYRIGHTED. CIOVI INTRODUCTION. The adventures of Thomas Hinds were in part published in the Watertown (N. Y.) Herald and at- tracted so much attention that it was decided to place them in permanent form. Coming to this country from Ireland a small boy tin dresses, and within ten years donning the uni- form of Uncle Sam as a soldier, his several unsuc- cessful attempts to get mustered in, his capture, Cflj \1 prison life and attempts to escape, finally success- >. ful, furnish the material for one of the richest romances of adventures in America history. 3 Herein is given tihe story just as Mr. Hinds told it himself, sitting at his desk in the office of his ^ foundry and machine shop at Malone, N .Y. No in ^1 attempt has been made to spoil the story by making o of it a literary effort. It is a plain, unvarnished tale of a time which has passed into history, being o the adventures of a young Irish lad who had the & fighting blood of his ancestors, the ready wit and 2 resourcefulness of his race. g Fine, halftone pictures of sixteen of the most J famous battles of the Civil War, with brief descrip- tions of each, are added for the purpose of instruct- ing the children and bringing vividly to the mind of their elders the days when their country's life was at stake. 448789 THOMAS HINDS. Tales of War Times. Being the Adventures of Tom Hinds in the American Civil War. CHAPTER ONE. Tom Hinds Tells of His First Attempt to Join the Army of the North His Martial Spirit Stronger Than Love of Home. My parents removed to Philadelphia, Pa., from Worcester, Mass., in 1860 and we were living there when the war of the Rebellion commenced in April, 1861. Philadelphia was one of the first cities to prepare for the conflict and there were companies and regi- ments raised for three months' service on the first call of President Lincoln. I took a special interest in seeing them drill in Franklin Square and other places. I also followed the soldiers when on march through the Streets. I little dreamed then that later I would have the opportunity to enlist as a soldier. Tales of War Times. One night, about the last of May, I was at Thir- teenth and Race streets on my way home when I was attracted by a fife and drum and going into the place I saw both men and boys enlisting. I put my name in and instead of going home I staid there that night, sleeping on the floor with the other re- cruits. This was my first night away from home without my parents' knowledge; but being full of the mar- tial spirit I gave very little thought to home or pa- rents. I thought I had become a man all at once on being accepted as a recruit. The next day we were sent from the place we were in to the Girard House, which had been one of the leading hotels of the city, on Chestnut street opposite the Continental Hotel near Ninth street. The building was unoccupied at the time and was a fine place to camp owing to the large number of rooms and baths in the house. Next day I was standing guard duty on the front door of the hotel, armed with an old sword, when my mother and father came down the street look- ing for me. After a talk with the major command- ing I went home with my parents, feeling more de- termined than ever to join the army, but I had be- come very particular about the branch of service I would join. My first enlistment was in the infant- [2] Adventures of Tom Minds. ry and I decided I would be a cavalry man if they would take me. About a week after going home with my parents I found a recruiting station at Second and Dock streets at a beer garden where they wanted men for cavalry and were going to camp that same day. I was accepted as a recruit and went that even- ing to Haddenfield, N. J., a very pretty little vil- lage about ten miles from Camden on the Cape Miay railroad. On entering the camp I met a shopmate of my father who belonged to a campany that was going back to Philadelphia that same evening. I told him -not to tell my parents where I was, and he promised me faithfully he would not tell, but I think the first thing he did was to inform my pa- rents where I was, for I was there but a few days when my mother and father arrived one morning. After a long talk with Capt. Davis of my com- pany and trying to persuade me to go home, I was so determined to be a soldier that they went home without me and I felt very happy to think I could stay. A few days afterwards my mother and sister called and after entreating me to go home, the captain, being touched by their appeals, advised me to go with them, which I did very reluctantly. After going home I went to work in the foundry [3] Tales of af Times. and had been there a couple of days when the war fever struck me again and one Saturday night I started for the Callowhill street ferry on the Dela- ware river to cross to Camden and go to the cainp again. So determined was I to get there that I watched my chance and ran by the man that took the tickets on the boat, for I had no money to pay my fare. After reaching Camden I started for the camp on the railroad. Arriving there about 12 or 1 o'clock at night, I found all asleep and being tired from the long walk I lay on the floor until morning. The boys were all surprised to see ine back again. As the captain said nothing against my staying I felt quite secure. After a few days we were sent to Philadelphia, where we were quartered in some vacant houses on Callowhill street near Fifth. We had our meals at some of the cheap restaurants in the vicinity. While here the first battle of Bull Run took place. I well remember reading of the reverse the Union troops 'had met and how badly I felt over it. The war was beginning to look serious to me. I felt as if the Union was almost defeated already; but I still wanted to be a soldier. [4] CHAPTER TWO. Tom Gets Mustered In His Father Musters Him Out Again and Offers to Go to the War in Tom's Place Fails Several Times. We had not yet been mustered into the United States service and after a week or ten days we were brought to a large building at Sixteenth and Fil- bert streets to be mustered in. This was what would decide my military career and I was very nervous about it. When the officer was ready to muster he said all under twenty-one years of age would have to get a written consent from their parents or guardians. I gave niy age as 18 although but sixteen at the time. The officer wrote a form of consent for my pa- rents to sign and some one of them gave me money for car fare and told me to hurry back. I started for home as they supposed, but knowing that I could not get the consent of my parents I went around a square and coming to a grocery storei on the corner of Race street, I bought a couple -of peaches and ate them. I staid around the place long enough to get home and back. I asked the grocery man for 'his pen and ink and signed the written consent of my father and mother for them. When I thought it about time to go back I ran up the stairs to the mustering in room, and appeared to be out of breath in order to get back in good time. I gave the paper to the officer and he mus- [5] Tale of Wat Time. tered nue in alone for all the others had been mus- tered already. I presume the officer thought the consent was genuine. Anyhow it cleared him of breaking the law. I was at last one of Uncle Sam's soldiers and felt that I was as much of a man as any of them. We joined the regiment which was known then as the Cameron Dragoons named in honor of Simeon Cameron who was then Secretary of War. We were camped in a long field north of Girard College on the Ridge road known as Ridge avenue. While here we commenced drilling and other du- ties; some of the company mutinied but the others subdued them and arrested the ring leaders. Some of these were court martial ed; had half their hair shaved and were drummed out of camp. To me it was a most degrading sight. However, it was an army law and must be enforced. After being at this camp about a month and as the regiment was about to leave for Washington some one told my people where I was. My father procured a writ of habeas corpus from the city court to take me from the regiment; and com- ing to the camp with the policeman or court officer he served the papers on the Colonel. I was ordered by my captain to take off the uniform and put on the citizen's clothes brought by my father and or- [6] Adventures of Tom Mincts. tiered to go home with him. I cried about having to go, but it was no use. I was no longer a soldier and it nearly broke my heart to leave the camp for Capt. Davis treated me very kindly and I expected to be a non comissioned officer at his hands for he gave me the greatest privileges, often sending me on his business to the city. I felt I was solid with the captain. When he iirst heard of my father coming to take me home he asked if I wanted to go. I told him I did not want to go home whereupon he sent me to his tent and said to consider myself under arres't. I felt quite safe, but after the colonel had sent for the captain he learned that the court officer would ar- rest the colonel unless I was turned over to my father and therefore had to release me. I went home and of course was glad to be with my folks again. My father, although a man of fifty at the time offered to go to the war providing I would agree to stay at home ; but I would not promise to do so. I went back to my work in the foundry and had been home for four or five days when one Saturday evening while walking toward home on Market street I was attracted to a recruiting office by the drums and bugles. I went in and found they were recruiting for the cavalry and learning they were [7] Tales of War Times. going to Washington that night I gave my name as a recruit, although I had no intentions of going when I first went in. The fact of going to Washing- ton that night was the reason I enrolled. We arrived in Washington the next day and camped on Seventh street north of the city. After being here about a week, Major Gen. Wood, quite an old man, came to the camp to muster the men into the service. With him was a young commissioned officer to do the mustering in, as I understood it under the general's instructions. T took my position in the rear rank for muster, being afraid I might not be accepted. The officer called on all under 21 years of age to step out of the ranks. Some did step out, while others with myself stood where we were, as if we were over 21. This was no use, for the mustering officer picked us out, asked our ages and not having the cheek to tell a big lie I told him I was 19 going on 20. I was in- formed that I would have to get a written consent of my parents. I told him I had no parents. It was no use. I was rejected and turned away from the camp very much discouraged. As there were a number of cavalry regiments nearby I concluded to try again. I found that the Cameron Dragoons which I be- longed to in Philadelphia had come to Washington and were camped near by. I felt quite sure that [8] Adventures of Tom Hinds. Capt. Davis of my former company would take me back again if he knew I was there, so I called on the company and made a long visit. Being well receiv- ed by Capt. Davis I explained my position to him and asked to be taken into the company again. He told me he would be pleased to take me back but if the colonel knew of it he would be very angry and would not allow him. The fact that the court officer threatened to arrest him was the main reason that the colonel would not let me back. If I got into the old company I would not have to take the chances of mustering in again. I was told that the first Jersey Cavalry was not far away and wanted more recruits. I went there and applied for admission in one of the companies. They told me they wanted picked men and I was handed over to a surgeon for examination. He said that I filled the bill physically, but was afraid that I would have trouble in getting mustered in, owing to my age, which I told him was past 18 years. The next day I was sent to the war department to be mustered in. At the department I was asked the usual questions. I told the officer I was 20 going on 21 and he said I must get a written consent from my parents. I told him I had no parents. He said I would have to get my guardian's consent. I said I had no guardian, which made him laugh and he said : "I have seen you before, my boy, and I cannot muster you in." [9] CHAPTER THREE. Tom Makes Another Attempt to Become a Soldier and Lands in Prison His Trials Increase. I was balked again and a more crestfallen boy would be hard to find for it seemed as if everything was against me. After leaving the war department I stopped where the state army and navy buildings now stand. There was then a high iron fence around the lot. I told my tale of woe to some soldiers of Cole's cav- alrv who were camped inside the enclosure. They wanted me to join their company. They were sure they would get me mustered in. I came to the conclusion there was no use trying to cret into the army . On my way to the capitol I met a number of com- panies who said I would pass all right, but I made up my mind I would walk back to my home and stay there. As I had had nothing to eat since morning I was very hungry, and as I left the steps of the capitol I started toward home a very hungry, discouraged boy. After getting a mile or so from Washington I met a man who worked on the section of railroad. I told him my story and after mustering courage [10] Adventures of Tom Minds. enough spoke of my hunger. He went to his house and brought me what they called a short cake. I was very thankful to him and relished the cake. This was the first time I ever had to ask for any- thing to eat and I will never forget it. I had no money to buy anything. After going" on the railroad to the edge of Blad- ensburg I was arrested by a guard and sent to the colonel's headquarters. After being questioned by Col. Clark of a Massachusetts regiment, and learn- ing from me that my home was in Philadelphia, he sent me with a guard to Col. John Murphy's regi- ment, the 29th Pennsylvania, known afterward as Paddy Murphy Regulars. I was put in the guard house and kept over night. The other prisoners hearing I was from Philadel- phia, used me very well. The next morning the officer of the day, after talking with me a while, came to the conclusion that I was not a rebel spy and released me. He di- rected me which road to take for Baltimore and being so pleased to get away I started without a bite to eat, although they had just brought some bread and hot coffee for the prisoners. After walking a number of miles I thought I would try the railroad and get a ride on a freight train. I was fortunate enough to get one going in my direction. We had gone but a few miles when [ii] Talcs of Wat Times. one of the trainmen came along and told me to get off at the next station which I did ; but got on again on the last car. This car had a hand brake wheel at the end of it. As we neared Ananapolis Junction, knowing there would be troops there, I took off my coat and took hold of the brake wheel as if I was one of the trainmen. The train was a long one, mostly empty cars. They were under good speed by the time the last end reached the junction and of course the troops would not look for any one there. As we passed the junction I worked the brake wheel back and forth to show I was working. Some of the soldiers pointed their guns at me but I pre- tended not to notice them for I did not think they would fire. After a ride of perhaps 15 miles or so I was dis- covered again by the train men and ordered to get off at once. As the train was going quite fast I was a little afraid to jump but it was a case of jumping or be- ing thrown off so I jumped into a clay bank and was more scared than hurt. I then took to the pike and being quite hungry, I ate plenty of peaches which I found along the road at nearly all the plantations. I could see hundreds of slaves working on the plantations along the route. There were cantalopes, musk mel- ons and tomatoes, but not having ever eaten those [12] Adventures of Tom Minds. before I did not care for them. The peaches were all right, but failed to satisfy my hunger. When within a few miles of Baltimore I met a young man who was out hunting. He asked me where I was going and I told him niy troubles. He said he was from Philadelphia and knew where I claimed to live. He gave me 10 cents, all the money he had, although I did not ask him for anything. When near the old covered bridge just outside the city limits I invested my ten cents in bread and butter for I was very hungry and tired. I enjoyed my lunch. I went into the city of Baltimore, reaching there about dark. Going up to a policeman I told him I would like a night's lodging. I told him my tale of woe and said I was going back home, because they would not take me in the army. He wanted to know if I cared to enlist. I said I did, but it was of no use for I could not get mustered in. He said he would bring me to a recruiting place where he was sure I would go through all right. I went with him into a saloon near by w r here there was a recruiting officer who was recruiting for the First Maryland Cavalry. They took my name and I went with the policeman to the station which I after- wards learned was on Ann street. [13] CHAPTER FOUR. Tom Describes His Experiences in Prison Dis- arms a Guard With a Stick in Open Fight He Becomes a Soldier. I was placed in a large room alone, after being in for a half 'hour they brought me a lunch from the saloon, after eating which I felt quite content- ed and from the assurance of the police officer I thought I might succeed in getting into the army after all. Feeling somewhat elated over my prospects I laid down on one of the settees that lined around the room. I expected the police would provide a bed for strangers, but I was mistaken. I can never forget the night I spent at that sta- tion house. About nine o'clock they brought in a drunken man and woman. The women had cells on the opposite side of the hallway while the men were put in the same room with me. From this time until toward morning they were bringing them, in. Some were like mad men and had to be chained to the floor to keep 'them from killing the other pris- oners. I was in terror of these people, for I never heard such swearing and yelling in my life. This was a new experience to me, I crouched up [14] \ Adventures of Tom Minds. into a little corner on one of the settees and expect- ed every minute some of the drunken men would kick me or hit me. There was no light, but through the grating of the door. They could not see who they were kicking or hitting. I presume the lowest of the city were among the prisoners. Not only did the men swear and rave but the women could be heard using as bad lan- guage as the men. Toward morning I went to sleep and when I awoke I never saw such a sight. There were men with black eyes, faces covered with blood, some with their clothes badly torn. There were both young and old men among them. Some of them that were the most boisterous on entering were as meek as lambs. The room and the people were disgusting to look at. About nine o'clock we were all brought before the magistrate in the same building. Not only the men but the women were all in court. Each one was presented to the justice who fined most all of them or sent them to some other lockup. They were a sorry looking crowd, as each went to the desk and the charges were made against them. I waited for the last. No one was there to tell what crime I had committed so the judge asked me how I came to be in the place. I told him, expect- ing I would be let go, but when he learned I had [15] Tales of Wat Times. enlisted he ordered the officer to take me back again. This I found out after was to hold me until they would come around with the recruits and pick me up on the way to camp. I was placed in a cell that had been cleaned and mopped in which was one other prisoner, a young man well dressed and very stylish looking. He seemed very sociable and told me that his people were wealthy and had him locked up to get him out of a drunken spree. Shortly after* this a very nice looking young lady was admitted. She had a basket with a lunch for the young man which she divided with me. I ate nearly all of it for he preferred what the lady brought in a bottle. There were no provisions made by the recruiting officer or policeman to fur- nish me food, and but for the lunch and fruit brought by the young woman I would have been very hungry. His lady brought in the basket sev- eral times during the day and from the way the young man felt I judged she brought a bottle of liquor each time. About 4 p. m. they called for me to go to camp. I found they had a dozen or more recruits that had ben picked up throughout the city. After about a two mile walk, we arrived at Camp Carroll. The camp was on historic ground for it was on the old Charles Carroll estate just west of [16] Battle of Willipmsburg. See Appendix. Battle of Kenesaw Mountain. See Appendix. Adventures of Tom Minds. Baltimore. The old mansion was still there but parts of it were in ruins. I was sometime after- ward confined for a couple of days in part of the same mansion which was used as a guard house. It had no roof and only the stone walls for protec- tion. The cause of my being confined was because I went by a man on guard at the back end of our company's horse stable and when I attempted to come back the guard, a German, tried to stop me. My orderly sargent told the guard to hit me with his sabre. This made me angry and I picked up a hay bale stick and succeeded in closing in on the guard and taking his sabre away from him. My victory was short lived for the orderly called for assistance and marched me off to the old Carroll mansion guard house for this breach of military discipline. I was very angry at this treatment and felt as if I would like to be at home. After a few days stay in the guard house I was released without further punishment and soon got all over my feelings toward the officer. [17] CHAPTER FIVE. Tom Tells of His New Companions and How Passes Were Manufactured Escapes Some Punishment This regiment, like most of the regiments recruit- ed in the city, was made up of all kinds of men and of all nationalities. The company to which I was assigned to was Co. A., Captain Merritt command- ing. He was one of the best drilled officers in the service, having been before the war Drill Master in the U. S. Cavalry School at Carlisle, Pa. Our 1st Lieut. Dorsey had been with Gen. Walker, the Fillibuster in Nicarauga before the war. We drilled on foot daily, both sabre and foot drill, and many the time my wrist was lame trying to learn the sabre drill; but I learned the drills about as fast as any of the recruits. We were not mustered into the U. S. Army until Sept. 28th, 1861. I felt very uneasy about the out- come of this. I was the youngest boy in the com- pany, being about three months over 16 years, and if I did not pass muster I would have to go home. When the officer came to muster in the men we were all drawn up in two lines. I took my posi- tion in the rear rank, not wanting to be where the [18] Actvefttutes of Tom Hinds. officer could see me. We were ordered to open ranks. Then the officer ordered all under 21 years of age to step to the rear. Some of the boys who had got homesick did as ordered, but some of us staid in the ranks. Then the Captain ordered all back in the ranks again and he said to the muster- ing officer (who was a young man and new at the business) that he brought him there to muster the men into the United States Army and he wanted' him to do so. After a little more talk the officer mustered most of us in. Once more I felt secure in the service of Uncle Sam. We remained at Camp Carroll all the fall and winter. Having drawn our horses we were kept quite busy drilling. I got into more trouble though, by being so ac- commodating as to help write some passes for any of the boys who wished to go to the city in the evening. My bunk mate was a good penman and used to fill out passes, sometimes ten or a dozen in a day and I assisted him by writing the captain's name. The guards had orders to take up all the passes one night, and the result was there were a number of my company gave up passes that were not genu- ine. About a dozen of us were called to Colonel Miller's headquarters. Among them was the chief [19] Tales of Waf Times. bugler, our company bugler, ray bunk mate, De- Ware, myself and others. I was shown passes and asked if I had anything to do with them. I denied ever seeing them. I told the truth. I had added the name of John Sullivan to a pass I got for myself the day before and we both went to the city. As I was ready to come home first I gave the pass to Sullivan and ran by the guard at a part of the camp they did not look for any one. I ex- pected to be confronted with this pass but was not. One of the buglers who was only a boy gave us all away by telling the colonel who he had seen writing passes. The result was our chief bugler, DeWare and myself were committed to the guard house until tried by court marshal for writing pass- es and forging officers names. After being in the guard house for about six weeks we were tried. I was convicted on a pass I had never seen ; but it was no use. DeWare and the bugler were each sentenced to carry the saddle and all the horses accoutrements for 8 hours one day. My sentence was to carry my horse's saddle, blanket and other fittings for 4 hours a day for six days. We all carried out our sentence the first day. After four hours I was relieved but the other two were very tired when their eight hours were up. [20] Adventures of Tom Minds. I never finished out my sentence for which it was time for me to get out the saddle, etc. in the morn- ing I always hid until the company went on drill and then there was no one to put the outfit on me. My orderly sergeant knew about me not showing up for punishment, but they were not strict about such things. CHAPTER SIX. Tells of the Men in the Guard House, Winter Camping and Stonewall Jackson's Raid. While in the guard house I met some of the worst character in the regiment There were some who had fought in the Mexican war, some who had been in the British army and some who had been in our regulars and fought the Indians on the plains in the far west. I must say I was well used ; I think because I was a boy ; but most of the prisoners were handled very roughly by the regular stead ^ prisoners. One of those prisoners, whose name was Mar- shal, had a ball and chain on him, fitted handcuffs, which were not very close fitting. He thought if he had soap and rubbed his hands good with it he might be able to pull them off ; and then he would try and make his escape. I had some soap, and after a hard pull, slipped the handcuffs off. As it was after dark he made an excuse to get out with a guard. I also had some business out too. He had on his overcoat and carried the ball and chain. The guard did not know but what he was handcuffed and when he got to a sink hole, be- ing out of the guard's sight, he threw the ball and [22] Adventures of Tom Minds. all in the sink. Then when he came out he ran to- ward the horse stable and the guard fired, which alarmed the reserve guards, and after a search he was caught near one of the stables. They found him lying on the snow and brought him back to the guard house. They then had the shackles fastened around his ankles so that he could not get them off. I remember the officer saying he thought he could not get them off his ankles. When everything quieted down, and most of the prisoners got to sleep, we found two common case knives; one was made of steel. I hacked them together, making the sharp edge like saws. Then we threw a blanket over our heads and lit a piece of candle, which Marshal held. I commenced sawing the links of the chain. I worked two or three hours and finally succeeded in sawing off the chains so that he was free of the ball and chain. Working under the blanket made us sweat pro- fusely. After finishing the job Marshal got up in his bunk and I went to mine; both very tired and sleepy. Early in the morning, the officer of the guard came in, lifted the blanket off Marshal's feet to see how he was. He was surprised to see there were several pieces of the chain and the ball, all loose, and not waking up the prisoner, he took a few [23] Tales of Wat Times. pieces of the chain and brought it to the Colonel, who was so pleased that he ordered Marshal re-leas- ed, saying he was too smart a man for the guard house. He not only released him but appointed him his orderly that day. At his headquarters I felt as if I should have had more credit than Mar- shal, for I did the work ; yet I dare not let any one know of it, so I did not show up as a hero in the Colonel's eyes. This same Marshal was a very smart man. He was detached from the regiment after we went to the front and was made a scout. The last time I saw him he was dressed in gray to pass as a con- federate soldier. Company A, the one I belonged to, had a number of characters I shall never forget. Edward O'Brien an Irishman who was quite old to be in service, was a whole show in himself. He claimed to have been educated in Oxford College in England. He was one of the greatest talkers I ever heard. He used to recite Shakespear by the hour, and as he had a powerful voice he could be heard a great dis- tance. He was also a singer and sang the old time negro songs, such as "Blue Tail Fly," "Sinty Sue," etc. He sang with such vim that he was nicknamed "Blue Tail Fly." There were few who would care to takle him in an argument; and those that did came out second [24] Adventures of Tom Minds. best. All dreaded his tongue, for after he would give a person a dressing down they would feel cheap. He was a great favorite for all that. We had three Jacksons in the company ; they were dis- tinguished by being called "Fancy Jackson," "Pie Jackson" and "Gassey Jackson." We also had a Jew whose name was Reiner. He did considerable cooking while in the camp ; he was a great favorite with most of the company ; but was quick tempered. Often when handing out our rations of meat, the ration would look small and some would protest and tell the cook they would take their rations raw. The cook one day said to one of the kickers: "You can have your meat raw, you d hog." The other fellow said : "You can go to hell, you d Christ Killer." It was fun for those around to hear the compli- ments of this kind passed between them. There seemed to be men from all parts of the country. We had one man who had been a courier for Stonewall Jackson. He joined us after being captured from the rebels and he was known as Rebel Johnson and was one of the bravest men in the company. We received our horses in the early fall of 1861 and had quite a time learning to ride. We often rode through the streets of Baltimore and felt proud of our horse and general appearances. We [25] Tales of Wat Times. kept our horses cleaned up and slick looking. We were called one of the best drilled regiments there was among the volunteer cavalry. United States Senator Henry Winter Davis of Maryland brought friends from Washington to see us drill. We staid at Camp Carroll all winter and the last of April, 1862, we were sent to Winchester, Va, We camped west of the city on a flat, back of a large hill towards Cedar Creek. After being here for about ten days or so Stonewall Jaskson drove us under General Banks out of the Shenadoah Valley, through Martinsburg to Williamsport, Md. We had to leave our camp at midnight, and not having any wagons left all our tents and clothes behind, not knowing but what we would be back again ; but we never saw our tents and other things again; although we saw the camp grounds after a few weeks when Banks command returned. I had my first sleep on horse back during the re- treat. This was a very common thing later, for it was often the only chance for sleep we had for days at a time. When returning to the valley and after riding most of the night, we arrived at the outskirts north of Martinsburg, Va., before morning; through the night it rained very hard and all being tired, we went to sleep sitting on our horses for we were to [26] Adventures of Tom Minds. charge the town as soon as it was light enough to see. After a sleep I awoke and noticing a cap to my right and directly in from of my horse, I looked to see who was next to me. It was EdAvard O'Brien who was bare headed, and thinking it would be a nice trick to play on him, so as to hear him scold, when he should awaken. I made my horse paw the cap in the mud and water until it did not look like a cap. I was so pleased with the trick I had played on O'Brien that I awoke my tent mate Sul- livan and told him there would be fun when O'Brien woke up and found his cap in the mud. Sullivan asked me where my cap was. This was the first I knew I was bareheaded, I got the cap and washed it and found it was my own cap. This was the first and last trick I tried to play on O'Brien. I asked Sullivari to keep it a secret ; but I think it was only the charge we made a few minutes af- ter on the town that kept him from telling all the company, for the joke was too good 'to keep. We camped on Faulkner place in the outskirts of Martinsburg. Shortly after this we went to Winchester. We lived on the country for awhile and often went to the farms and slaughtered cattle, sheep and hogs. One day as one of our men by the name of Schroder was chasing sheep, our form- er cook, Keimer, the Jew, directed him and the [27] Tales of Wat Times. other boys to catch one with the bell on, and in his excitement he called to Schroder to catch "the one mit the clock on." Of course this made the boys laugh and they kept it up on him for some time. CHAPTER SEVEN. He is Picked Out for a Hazardous Trip and Suc- ceeds in Making It. While camped west of Winchester, one evening about nine o'clock, Capt. Merritt came to me and told me he wanted me to carry a dispatch for Gen. Segil to go to Harpers Ferry. The Capt. said to take any man in the company I wanted to go with ma I was surprised and pleased to know my captain had so much confidence in me as to pick me, a boy of 17, for so important and hazardous a trip. I was about to ask for John Sullivan. When he overheard what the Captain said he volunteered to go with me. He was a man that was not afraid of any danger. We rode to the headquarters of Gen. Segil which was on the Main Street in Winchester and I re- ceived the dispatch with instructions to proceed to Smithfield by way of Bunkerhill, which was not far from Martinsburg. We took the Martinsburg turnpike and felt some- what uneasy after getting out of our lines. I hid the dispatch the best I could, so in casp of capture it might not be found. [29] Tales of Wat Times. We were very careful and kept a sharp lookout for rebel scouts or guerrillas and also were quiet in our talking. After a ride of about ten miles or so we turned of the main road toward Smithfleld and felt very much relieved to get so far without being held up. We arrived at Smithfield without any mishap. Here we found a small squad of cavalry to whom I turned over my papers, and they started at once for Harper's Ferry. Our instructions were to remain here until the other men returned from Harper's Ferry and get a return paper to bring back to Gen. Segil at Win- chester. Smithfleld was 17 miles from Winchester, the way we came, and Harper's Ferry was 15 miles more. Towards evening the dispatch carriers returned. Getting the papers from them we started for Win- chester, by another road as per orders received. We had not gone a fourth of mile when my comrade Sullivan became so sick that he turnej his horse into a yard and I had to return alone. On my way I reported at a camp of Union soldiers who were camped on the railroad. The officer in command told me which road to take to reach Win- chester pike. It proved to be a very rough road. In the dark I thought I should never reach the [30] Adventures of Tom Minds. main road. I felt very much the importance of my mission and when I reached the main road I gave full speed to my horse the last three or four miles and arrived at Segil's headquarters all safe. I felt very proud of my trip and often thought why should the captain pick out a boy in preference to a man for such an important mission. I after- ward learned the reason for doing so. While waiting at Smithfield my comrade Sullivan in going around found a distillery and drank free- ly of the liquor. This was the cause of his sick- ness on our return trip. A man would be likely to drink where a boy would not. This is the conclusion I came to and after all I made up my mind the captain knew what he was doing when he picked me out for the trip. Adventures of Tom Minds. We lived on the country considerably, not being near any supplies. On one occasion one of our men caught an old goose and after boiling it for a day found it so tough we could not eat it. We biled it a part of the next day, with no better suc- cess. Wliile at Little Washington cross roads it rain- ed so it was impossible for any one to lay on the ground. My comrade who had been a sailor and I laid on a square timber that was about a foot or so from the ground. Sometime during the night he awoke me, saying in his sailor way: "Get up or we will soon be adrift." Very often at night when he heard the horses around he would awake me up and say somebody's horse was adrift. We camped at Little Washington for sometime and often made trips through the gap to F<_ v ont Royal and back without any trouble. I made the trip once all alone, although I came near being shot by my own carbine. The ball just grazed the toe of my boot. One one of those trips through the gap, there were about 20 men of my company sent to Front Royal and on their return the seven men in advance were captured by the rebels who brought them up a path over the mountains. The next trip of this kind we were not caught [33] Tales of Wai- Times. napping. Sergeant Wilson had charge of the ad- vance and after we passed the place where we thought the others had been captured, Wilson and 1 turned our horses to the left into the woods on high ground where we could see a house in the ravines. We suspected it was the headquarters of the guerrillas. After our wagons and escort went by we could see nine or ten men come oat of the house, cross the road and go up a mountain path. They were afraid to tackle our squad, which was pood policy under the circumstances, for we were fully prepared for any emergency that might hap- pen. We camped for several weeks near Little. Washington. Our company was assigned to Gen. Anger's head- quarters. In the evening Ed. O'Brien would en- tertain us by quoting Shakespeare and singing Paul Pry and negro songs. He would keep it up two hours or more at a time, and having such a power- ful voice it attracted hundreds from other com- mands. Often I have seen Gen. Auger's staff offi- cers come down to hear him. Sergeant Saunders Morrison and I were sent to Gen. Geary's headquarters as orderlies to carry dis- patches. We left camp and marched to Culppeper court house. The next day the battle of Cedar or Slaughter Mountain was fought. Gen. Banks was our commanding general. Just as the battle com- [34] Adventures of Tom Minds. menced I was ordered by the adjutant general to go and order Gen. Patrick to move his brigade over near the Stone house where I left Gen. Geary. I did as I was ordered and as Patrick's command got up to move I noticed some of the men did not stir, which showed the shells that fell among them kill- ed and disabled a number of them while lying on the ground. I spurred my horse back to report to Gen. Geary that I did as ordered for I felt it my duty to re- port. All was confusion and bustle and I failed to find the general. I met two of the orderlies who said the general told them to go to the rear for he did not wish to be distinguished by having so many mounted men with him. They advised me to come with them and find our company, but I felt I was in duty bound to report to the general ; and where- ever I saw any mounted men I followed in hopes of seeing him or the adjutant general, but failed to find them. I followed one squad I thought there was a general with and as they rushed in between the Union and Rebel lines I saw it was a very criti- cal position, for both armies were charging toward one another. I wheeled my horse about and rode as fast as I could to get from between bdth lines and hardly was out when they met in a charge. The result [35] Tales of War Times. was that Gen. Gordon and his staff were captured by the rebels. Gen. Gordon was a Massachusetts man. I saw I was no use alone and as this was the first large engagement I had been in I concluded I would go to the rear and find my company if I could reach them alive. It seemed a perfect rain of shot and shell for the enemy had their guns in a good position on Cedar Mountain. After I reached the run near the rear I saw Gen. Banks and staff and I never can forget how cool the general was. He showed no excitement. About the time I came a shell killed a man a few feet from the general and he fell from his horse. I noticed the general sitting on his horse writing a dispatch, apparently as cool as if in camp. What I saw of this battle made a great impres- sion on my mind of what a terrible thing war really was. There were men laying around killed and dis- abled ; men skulking to the rear as fast as they could get away ; others rushing toward the front. It was a sight to see so many horses running around with- out riders. I remember it was so warm that men were sun struck, even on the march toward the bat- tle field. I found my company some ways back and learned that Gen. Geary had been wounded in the first part [36J Adventures of Tom Hinds. of the battle. This was the reason I could not find him to report. That night we fell back some and after dark the enemy's guns opened fire on our lines. The result was the teamsters and others mounted horses and mules and rode over the tired and exhausted men for the rear. It was a regular panic but fortunate- ly Gen. Segil was coming from Culpepper Court House with his command and meeting the soldiers and others moving back, halted them and inquired why there was such a rush back. Lieut. Dorsey of our company called out to the general that the colored teamsters caused the panic by trying to get to the rear. The general did some swearing and ordered one of his officers to stop the panic by placing a regi- ment or two across the road and on each side of it. All lay down there until morning. There were great losses of men on both sides. My company went with a flag of truce to the bat- tlefield and helped to bury the dead. I tried to find Gen. Geary. Meeting the adjutant general he informed me that the general had gone to his home in Philadelphia, Pa. and had I been there at the time I could have gone with his as or- derly for he knew my home was there. [87] CHAPTER NINE. Tom Disobeys Orders and is Called a Hero ~by His Comrades Thought He Was Captured. Shortly after this we commenced to fall back to- wards Washington. This was known as Pope's re- treat. We fared very poorly for food on this campaign, for green corn was our food most of the time. We fought up and down the Eappahannock river for a week or more and it was a continual fight, terminat- ing with the second battle of Bull Run. I was very much disabled by an injury received some months before. It was a fracture of my left shin bone and the pain was severe. Often my comrades had to help me on and off my horse. Still I kept with the boys and was one of the first to reach Mannasas Junction, after the rebels destroy- ed all the engines, cars and stores. They were still burning when we reached there, the advance skirmishes of our army. In the afternoon of this day my horse became lame and my leg ached so badly that I would have had it amputated if I could have found a surgeon. I gave up trying to keep up with the boys and [38] Adventures of Tom Minds. towards evening I went into a field a short dis- tance from the road and lay down. In a short time our cavalry were driven in and chased by the rebel cavalry. I felt so badly that I lav where I was, expecting to be shot. They had hardly gone by, when the Union cavalry seemed to get reinforcements and drove the rebels back again. This gave me some courage and I limped over to a hay stack nearby and got all the hay I could carry in a surcingle. I placed it in the cover of a zig-zag fence and laid on it for the night. I slept well and awoke next morning feeling much better. My horse had gotten over his lame- ness and had eaten about all the hay from under me. I started to find my regiment, which I found during the battle of Bull Kun. We were sent to try and stop men from going back from the battlefield. I remember the last day of the battle we stretched across the rear of the in- fantry who were fighting and were ordered to let none but wounded men go to the rear, or men help- ing the wounded off the field. We were in a patch of woods and stopped all we thought not entitled to go. Some of the men were completely discouraged. I remember one man I stopped. He looked like a man that realized his time had come. Not being wounded I told him to Tales of War Times. stop. He sat down at the foot of a tree and owing to our side getting the worst of the battle we were ordered to let all through later. I called the men. I stopped, but he did not move. I rode up closer and saw that he had been shot dead and was still sitting up with his back against the tree. Our army fell back to within a few miles of Wash- ington. The rebel army was up at the Potomac river and making for Maryland, after defeating Gen. Pope at Bull Run. Our company was sent out on a scout with two professional scouts dressed as rebels. We went in the night up tow r ard Leesburg to locate Lee's army. About day break the scouts came back to let our officer know the rebel army was just over the hill. Again I was selected as a lookout to go to the top of the hill and watch the rebel army, while the scouts and company returned to report to the com- manding general what they found. My officer told me to keep a close watch on the rebels and not let them see me and after the com- pany got back some ways they would signal me to follow. I kept watch of the rebels in the valley and my own company, but no signal was given and soon they were out of sight. I began to realize that I was of but little account, and that my officer was willing to sacrifice me in order that they would get Adventures of Tom Hinds. back. I staid watching the rebels for about an hour and as the day was getting bright and I thought my company must be several miles away towards our lines I decided to vacate my post and follow before being captured by the enemy. I was very cautious for a half mile or so, but af- ter that I felt I was quite safe and seeing some peach trees I helped myself to the peaches and re- turned to camp twenty or twenty-five miles at my leisure. All thought I was captured and were sur- prised to see me get back all right. I felt like a hero for I saw the rebel army cook- ing their breakfast and none of the others except the scouts saw the rebels in camp. I was often selected for such jobs for I was quite lucky about them. CHAPTER TEN. Several Adventures and Some Pretty Tough Times A Thirsty Mule Goes After a Drink. We were in the vicinity of Washington on the Virginia side of the Potomac river for sometime and went to Fairfax Court House, Centerville and Fairfax Station. While at Centerville we often went over to the Bull Eun Battlefield with people from Washington as escorts; both men and women visited the field. We enjoyed those trips; but of- ten looked for rebel cavalry to attack us. We camped most of the fall and winter of 1862 and '63 on Hall's farm, about three miles from Washing- ton, in Virginia. In February we broke camp and went to Bell Plains near Fredericksburg, Va, ; ar- rived there February 21st and camped in a small grove. Next morning (Washington's birthday) we woke up to find about two feet of snow covering us. This was unusual for this country; the next winter I have no recollection of seeing any snow, although the weather was very cold. We camped at Bell Plains the rest of the winter. We made an occasional raid down the lower Poto- mac. On one occasion we destroyed a salt works. We [[42] Adventures of Tom Hinds. also patroled on the banks of the Rappahannock river, below the Fredricksburg. The rebels were on one side and our forces on the other. We could talk across, but by a mutual understanding, the pickets were not firing on one another. Our position was such, riding up and down the river, that we were very much exposed, should they shoot ; and I must admit I felt very uneasy the first time I rode my beat, expecting to be shot every minute. I was glad when I was relieved shortly after daybreak. There were hundreds of young wild ducks in the river between the lines, but we dare not fire for fear of starting a general firing along the lines. In the early spring when the roads were muddy and hard to travel, we started on what is known as the Stonemen Cavalry Raid around Richmond. Before starting on this we were around Bealinton Station for a few days. While here a heavy rain with snow fell and the ground was so slushy the mud was about a foot or more deep and it was terribly cold. We learned that Mosby had captured some of our wagon train and were ordered in the night to go and protect our wagons. After a short ride we came to a body of water that looked like a large river or lake. After forty or fifty undertook to cross, we were ordered to go [43] Tales of Wat Times. back to camp, for the officers thought a lot of men would get drowned in the attempt to cross. The men would ride into the water, and when near the other side, horse and rider would get into a deep hole; the result was a number of men were carried down stream, calling for help to save them ; but in the dark no one could see them. I never found how many men were drowned, but learned there were a dozen or more horses lost. Just before leaving camp there was a man shot accidently. He was a little Englishman by the name of Abe Lincoln. After getting back to the woods we had been in we found the mud much deeper than when we left. We built such fires as we could and tried our best to roost on the fallen trees; but many men, being so tired and sleepy, would tumble off their roost and drop into the mud. Some were so overcome that they did not appear to wake up. I was very sleepy and I proposed to my comrade Sullivan that we put a gum poucher on the mud and lay on it and cover up with another. We tried it. It was like laying in the mud with snow mix- ed in it ; it was so cold. I went to sleep but my comrade could not stand the cold, and had to get up. After a short sleep I also was compelled to get up, being chilled through. [44J Actventufes of Tom Minds. The mud was so soft that half the body would sink in it. This was a good foundation for the rheumatism which troubled me in after years. We all spent a miserable night. The next morning we started to find the rebels that captured our wagons and I had a narrow es- cape from being shot and captured. Some of us was on the left flank of our company and seeing some horsemen to the left, gave them chase. After a mile or so we found we chased the rebels too far. They drew us into a trap. Sargeant Hays, who was ahead of me, first dis- covered our fix and stopped. I also stopped at the same time. Just then Sergeant Copes came up and shouted to me. I looked to the left and behind a clump of bushes and saw a man aiming at me. I threw my head and body forward and thrust my spurs into my horse, .which gave a jump forward just as the man fired, and I have no doubt but my move may have saved me from being shot. We noticed a squad of cavalry galloping to cut us off; and there were also a number of men on foot behind bushes. We three put spurs to our horses and made the best time possible to regain our company. Had we been compelled to stay in the road the rebel cavalry would have headed us off; but we went through a corn field to our left [45] Talcs of War Times. and then discovered some of our own company com- ing to our aid. The remainder of the company and officers were on a high piece of ground, looking at our race. The presence of our men coming through the field saved us. Going through the field the horse ahead threw great plasters of mud at the hind rider ; some of us were covered with soft red clay. We were pleased to get out of that scrap. That evening I was put on one of the out posts and we were ordered back to camp to take part in Stonemen's Raid. One of our men had a sick horse and Rebel John- son and I were ordered to stay with him until he should find a horse. The result was, we did not find a horse until the next afternoon and when we went back to camp found all had gone. We follow- ed in the trail and overtook the wagon and mule train near the Rapidan river. We were advised not to undertake to follow the command, for they were at least two days ahead of us ; so we staid with the wagon and mule train, for they had our rations and that is important to a soldier. When we reached the Rapidan river all mounted men were ordered to ford the river. The wagons and mules were to cross on a floating bridge. Our own company's pack mules were among them and we arranged with the cook, who had charge of [46] Adventures of Tom Minds. them, that we would stop on a hill across the river and have a fire ready to cook our supper when he arrived. In order that there would be no trouble with the mules, all were brought down to the river to water before crossing the floating bridge. The cook told us after, all the mules but the largest one drank water and when in the middle of the bridge, this mule would have a drink. She was in the center of the string of mules and in trying to drink broke the halters and fell into the river and went under the bridge against an abutment. This mule had all the coffee, pork, hardtack and other eatables packed on her back and we were a badly disappointed lot when the other mules and cook arrived, for we were very hungry. The three of us went to a plantation house where we had a fine supper, a good bed and breakfast. The owner was quite an old man but used us well. I suppose it was policy on his part to do so. After leaving here we came through the wilder- ness and passed Gen. Hooker's headquarters at Chancellorsville, where the battle of the next two days was fought and lost. Not having our company to go to, we staid with the wagon train, crossed the Kappahannock at United States ford. We camped on an elevated plateau and could hear the battle each day and see the smoke, for we were [47] Tales of Wat Times. quite near the river. The last day of the battle, before daybreak, a rebel battery opened fire on our camp, while all were asleep. The first shot fired hit the next tent to where I was, and knocked the top off the head of a German of my regiment, and also injured his comrade so badly that he became insane and could not see. We all hustled for a place of safety and some of us ran toward the river, so as to escape the shells, but they seemed to be dropping everywhere. After fifteen or twenty minutes the battery ceased to fire, and we ventured back to camp where our clothes, shoes, etc., were. I found I had a big toe broken in the scrape, which made me lame for sometime. The whole camp started to move away; and as the comrades of the dead man went away, leaving him where he was killed, Joe Brown and I dug a shallow grave near- by, put him in his blanket, and picked up the parts of his head that were scattered. We buried him there, although we expected more shells before we got through. We learned latter that the battery was captured by our soldiers, who had surrounded them the night before. Had they not been captured as soon as they were they might have destroyed half the wagon train; as it was there was a great panic among the men, horses, and mules. There were surgeons, quartermasters, teamsters, cooks and [48] Capture of Fort Fisher. See Appendix. Battle of Lookout Mountain. See Appendix. Adventures of Tom Minds. others not supposed to do much if any fighting, all got out of their tents as they were, without clothes or arms, the attack was so sudden. I can never forget the Union army returning back to camp. The reghnents seemed reduced to companies in looks, there were so many men killed, wounded and missing. It was a sad sight and all seemed to feel sad. CHAPTER ELEVEN. Tom Encounters Mosby and His Men and Gets Awfully Scared at Virginia Snakes. After this we were from place to place doing a lot of travelling and having plenty of duty to do. We took part in the cavalry fight near Culppeper Court House and followed the rebels as far as the old battle field of Cedar Mountain. Being tired and sleepy that night I lay in a hole in the field, where my head had a good elevation. It was warm, and through the night it rained so hard that most of my body was covered with water when I woke up in the morning. I never slept bet- ter and did not know it had rained. We followed the rebels to near the Rapidan river, and had some skirmishing there. About twenty of my company were sent out on foot as a skirmish line and advanced across an open field, perhaps eight or nine hundred yards from our reserve in the woods. We had hardly reached a fence in front of us when we noticed a lot of rebel cavalry charg- ing toward us. We had no time to get back to our reserve, being on foot, and we could see no way but get killed or captured for our reserve made no pro- vision to support us. [50] Adventures of Tom Minds. I being to the extreme left of our men, made to- ward the sunken road to the left and got away as far as I could, by the time the cavalry reached us. They came with such force that they galloped by our men and captured most of them and but for some Union cavalry to our right that saw the fix we were in all would have been taken. They charged at the rebel cavalry which caused them to fall back, bringing nine or ten of our men as prisoners. I was followed by a man on a gray horse and was sure of being shot or captured. When within fifty feet or so of me he noticed the situation, looking back, saw that his men had fallen back. I fired my revolver at him. Just as I thought I was to be shot or captured, I saw him stop and, turning around, started for his lines, when he was cut off and captured by our cavalry, who made the charge from the right flank. I heard next day he was the Major of the 6th Virginia cavalry and was the only man captured from the rebels in this action. He followed me too far or he might have escaped. We reached our company in the woods and I was hardly there when I was sent as the outpost near the sunken road. I was told to go as far as I could. They were tree stumps and long grass, and after a careful survey of the place, I managed to get behind a stump in the grass about twenty or [51] Tales of War Times. twenty-five feet from a rebel picket, behind another stump. Darkness soon came on and I looked for a relief guard but none was sent to relieve me. I presume they did not know where to find me. Being over- come with sleep I slept on my post until daybreak and on looking around found the rebels had with- drawn during the night. I came back to camp but did not tell them that I slept on my post. I of course scolded some for not being relieved through the night, as is the custom in such cases ; but there is little use in a soldier kicking, for he never gets any redress. As I had a good sleep I had but little grounds to kick; only my sleeping place was not a very safe one. This was a very bothersome kind of a job, for after chasing a squad of them we would often see some of them behind us or all around us. They always had fine horses and we hardly ever caught them, except to catch them at a house. On one of those trips three of our company and I had the pleasure of meeting Mosby face to face not more than 20 or 30 feet away. We had made a trip from Plum Run, about ten miles toward the mountains. Rebel Johnson was put to the right and I to the left side of the road on this, so our company would not be surprised. I came near being lost from my company, for the [52] Adventures of Tom Minds. road turned sharply to the right and not knowing it, I kept straight on ; and looking where I thought the road was, failed to see iny company. I noticed fresh tracks through the woods and fields and I was sure of meeting some rebel cavalry, but did not. Eeaching a road I decided to try and find my company ; after a ride of arnile or so I found them. They thought I had been captured. On our return no men were put on the flanks ; but Sergeants Wilson, Copes, Dewyer and I were sent as an advance guard. We came to the conclusion there were no rebels to meet; and went about two miles from our camp; we met four rebel cavalry men, just at the turn of the road. Both parties were surprised and we looked at each other for some seconds. We were armed with new carbines and were first to recover. We fired our carbines and strange to say, not one of them went off. This was our first experience with them. Then we pulled out our Colt revolvers and before we could fire they had turned and fled. Two shots from revolvers were fired by Copes and Dewyer. I was on the right of our men and when my car- bine missed fire the man opposite me drew his re- volver, which I remember was bright, and I thought 1 would be shot, so dropped my head behind my horse's neck for protection; but he did not take [53] Tales of War Times. time to fire, for the other three men had already turned and got away, so he turned and fled, too. We dashed after them, but in a few minutes they vrere out of sight, as they must have gone through the woods. The man we took for Mosby rode a gray horse, had no beard. I described the man the next day to a young lady at Gainesville and she was sure it was him, for she saw him that day and he rode a gray horse. We had a number of such meetings and chasing of Mosby's while in that section and only captured a few at a time. Shrotly before Meade fell back from Culppeper we made a number of trips, some of which we had narrow escapes. A few days before I was taken a prisoner of war we were camped outside of Washington, Va, We came by Manasses or Washington Junction and 1 noticed the railroad was torn up. It could not be used. A day or two after this, I was put on guard duty in front of the colonel's headquarters. After being relieved by a new guard, the night being very warm and sultry, as well as dark, I spread my oil cloth blanket (or poucher as we called it), a few yards back of the headquarters' tent. After being asleep for some time I was awakened by a noise like a train of cars on a railroad. I remembered the railroad was torn up and no cars could run on it. This made me curious to know what the noise was and on opening my eyes I discovered the tail [54] Adventures of Tom Minds. " end of a snake crawling a few inches from my face 2 another snake following a few inches behind th I *S "Ta* tot as I could, drew my saber out and 'cut the ground all around near by tat did not succeed in killing or cutting any of the snakes. The side of the poucher I lay on was white an foot, or so of it was not used by me. I lay on my left side and the snakes, being dark and so near my face, I could see them plainly. There may have been a number crossed the corner of the blanket be- fore I discovered them, for I heard the noise quit a while before opening my eyes. Crawling over the blanket made the noise I took for the cars was frightened at my discovery and did not at- tempt to go to sleep in that vicinity but went up into the woods where my company was. CHAPTER TWELVE. Tom is Taken Prisoner and Tells Pathetic and Humorous Incidents on Reaching IMby Prison. I was taken prisoner of war near Sulphur Springs, Va., Oct. 13, 1863. About 400 others were captured the evening be- fore. I might have been but for an accident which hap- pened to me while on the skirmish line. We were sent out in front to the left of the road facing Sulphur Springs and the rebels were driving our cavalry back. It was about dusk, and as we fell back we found that our own men or the rebels were firing from our rear and in order to get out of the range of fire from both sides, a comrade, John Ashley from Balti- more, and I went to the left to get under cover of the woods. While there we saw the enemies' skirm- ishers coming up the ravine, along the edge of the woods, and thought we would give them a shot or two. I. fired one shot but Ashley did not wart I had hardly fired when my horse gave a quick jump around which made me think she had been hit. [56] Adventures of Tom Minds. The firing from our rear by this time was much worse than in our front and I called to Ashley to take to the woods. 1 guided my horse towards the woods, which was not more than twenty or thirty feet away. Just at the edge was a ditch, into which I and my horse tumbled. I was under the horse and thought I was badly injured but fortunately was not. My horse was up first and ran to the woods. I crawled in as fast as I could, which, under the cir- cumstances, was rather slow. It was about dark when I reached the woods and, from the shouting and whooping, I was quite sure the woods were surrounded. ; I could hear the rebels coming and I crawled in- to the thick bushes and decided to crouch there until morning. Imagine my feelings when through the day I learned that the rebels were drunk and not taking any prisoners ; that there was no quarter shown. I acknowledge I was terribly frightened at the position I was in and I crouched down as low as possible so as not to attract attention. A large part of the rebel army camped in the woods; in looking for wood for their fires they came within a few feet of me. I could see them around their camp fires close by. They cooked their food and after a while settled down. [57] Talcs of War Times. I lay in the bushes awake, shivering with the cold and fear of being captured, until two or three o'clock in the morning, when I fell asleep. When I awoke about six there was not a soldier near me. I could hear the rumble of the artillery wagons on the road towards Warrington. After looking carefully around and seeing no one near I started out. I remembered hearing the day before that the regiment expected to be at Rappahanock. I thought by being careful I could join them there. Being well acquainted with the country, I started for the opposite side of the woods, but on reaching the edge I could see stragglers in all directions through the fields, between the woods. I watched for a good chance and started across the fields for a patch of woods opposite. I went toward an old log cabin, which I knew was not used, and had just reached the edge of the woods, feeling sure I would soon be safe, for there were woods nearly all the way from there to Bealton and Rap- pahanock Station, five miles away. As I went toward the log cabin a rebel soldier with a gun in his hand stepped out of the door. He was followed by another soldier. I said : "Good morning." As the soldier did not point his- gun at me I [58] Adventures of Tom Minds. thought he took me for a rebel wearing a Yankee overcoat. I asked them if I was on the road to Foxes Ford and kept walking toward them. One of them smiled and said I would soon be on the road to Kichmond. He said : "We know you; give up jour arms." I said there was no need of trouble and handed them my saber and Colt's revolver. The sharp carbine I covered up in the woods with dirt and leaves before I met these men. They had stayed in the old place all night and were just ready to join their command when they captured what they called a Yank. They brought me to a house near Sulphur Springs where we all had a good breakfast. While there I got acquainted with a young man, not more than 20 years old, who was a member of Gen. Pickett's staff. I think he was a nephew of the general's. All at the house were friendly people and used me well. While there I saw a remnant of the famous Black Horse Cavalry and a sorry sight some of them were, without shoes and poorly clad. They did not belong to the regular rebel soldiers, but were an independ- ant command or what we called "guerillas." The men I was with belonged to Jackson's old [59] Tales of Wat Times. command and as their regiments were far back in the rear, we waited for a time on 'the roadside. While there quite a number of remarks were made about the well fed Yankee, such as "where did you get him, etc." I admit I had been well fed and had as good clothes on as Uncle Sam furnished and felt natter- ed because I was dressed better than they were. When Jackson's old command came along, we dropped in and marched about four or five miles toward Warrington, where I was turned over to the guard who had charge of the prisoners, and strange to say T was surprised to find so many of my com- pany and regiment. I saw Generals Hill and $uell. One of them rode in a buggy and had a leg off. All the prisoners were started for Sulphur Springs that night and we had a chance to see the largest part of the rebel army. We staid at Sulphur Springs that night and next morning started for Culpepper Court House. We waded the Hazel river and as the morning was quite frosty, I took a frightful cough which lasted five or six weeks after reaching Richmond. We staid in Culpepper Court House one night and one night at Charlottville. When we arrived at Richmond we were assigned to Libby, which, by the way, was the best and clean- est place we had been in. It w r as used more as a [60] Adventures of Tom Minds. receiving depot than a prison. There we were 'told to give up what money we had and they would re- turn it on release from prison. If we did not do this we would be searched and they would confiscate what they found. After this we were assigned to what is known as the old Steam Laundry in the eastern part of the city. We staid there about a month and while there I saw some Yankee tricks played. Some of the boys had thin blotting paper with their writing paper, which was nearly the color and thickness of the confederate money. This was cut up in pieces the size of their one and two dollar bills and after dark there was quite a trade with the rebel soldiers who were on the make. About all the blotting paper was exchanged for bread, rough and ready, syc^t potato pie and corn whiskey. The smartness was not all on our side, for some of the boys who had rebel money passed out f 10 or $20 confederate bills, after bargaining for a couple of dollars' worth of goods, and have not yet re- ceived their change. There was quite a trade for our money, one dollar of it was worth ten in the confederate. Ten dollars in the confederate or one dollar in greenbacks would purchase ten very small biscuit; two dollars in greenbacks or twenty dollars in confederate would pay for a canteen full of corn whiskey. [61] Tales of War Times. While in this building the boys did not suffer for tobacco, for in one room it was four or rive in- ches deep on the floor and they claimed it was very good. While here some days we were cut short of rations, which showed mismanagement on the part of somebody. I remember one day of having to divide two and one-fourth loaves of bread between twelve men in my squad. We were divided into squads of twelve each and each squad would pick one of their number to draw the food and divide it in equal parts. This was a thankless job. A hungry man would see a comrade get a few crumbs more than himself and many a skirmish there was over the division of the food. We struck on a plan that did away with some of the fault finding by giving each man a number from one to twelve. We would give a list of twelve num- bers to a man who would turn his back and the sergeant would point out a ration and ask to whom it belonged. The man would call out any number he chose until all were distributed. Even then there was grumbling. There was a small man who seemed to have charg e of the prisoners. They called him Capt. Todd and we were told he was a brother of Mrs. A. Lincoln. We were surprised to hear of it, and being in the rebel army it seemed strange to us that this little man seemed to be a red hot rebel by his talk. [62] Adventures of Tom Minds. There was quite a squad of our men who were continually singing church hymns and one of the leading singers, who wore a cavalry coat, looked ex- actly like the pictures I have seen of the Hon. Warn- er Miller. , Of course he was a young man then and looked a good deal smaller than Mr. Miller does now. We staid at the Laundry one month and were then removed to a building almost opposite Libby, known as 'the Pemberton building. The building consisted of four stories. The prisoners were as- signed to the upper three and the guards to the ground floor. I was up in the top story where the roof slanted on both sides. While in this building I saw a prize fight. Our crowd was made up of all kinds of people, ministers, lecturers, bounty jumpers, clog dancers, muscians, gamblers, etc. A Prof. Train gave us lectures on philosophy and other subjects. An Episcopal minister, who claimed to have been ordained by the Archbishop of Canterbury, preach- ed and prayed and swore for us very often. The poor man became insane and imagined himself Lord Lyons, the British minister at Washington. He finally got so bad that he was removed to Libby. On the same floor was a tall, raw boned English- man, whose name was Collins. He was such a fighter and raider on small speculators that we [63] Tales of War Times. called him Mosby the raider. He and his gang stole all the blankets, overcoats, etc., in our room. As the gang was along side of my partner he seemed very good to us, for my partner was something of a card player and always had money and generally divided the corn whiskey with Mosby and his gang. We felt secure because we lost nothing and the others seemed to loose everything. We flattered ourselves that we would be all right with the gang. My partner went to the hospital and a very few nights afterwards I woke up to find my overcoat and boots were gone. I had my boots under my head and my overcoat over me. This same Mosby was hung in Anderson- ville prison in July or August, 1864, along with five or six other toughs, by our own men for raiding and killing people. I was barefooted for six weeks in this place, when I got a pair of shoes, I think from our Sanitary Commission, whom the confederates allowed to send us shirts, stockings, j)ork and beans, which were issued to us three or four times a week, with corn bread and a pound of sweet potatoes, which they gave us in addition to the regular ration. [64] Fight of Monitor and Merrimac. See Appendix. Battle of Atlanta. See Appendix. CHAPTER THIRTEEN. Starts for Andersonville Prison and Makes a Thril- ling Escape. The last of January we were removed 'to Belle Island, I considered this the worst place I had yet seen. We were crowded in little tents and had hard- ly room to lie down. We suffered very badly with the cold for the winter was severe. Although there was no snow there was plenty of ice. I heard it said that there were twenty-eight frozen cases one morning. While here my eyes became affected with the smoke from the green pine which we tried to warm ourselves by. I could not tell any of my comrades except when they spoke. About February 25th. I crowded myself in with a lot of prisoners who were to be sent to Andersonville, Ga. After being out a few days my eyes were all right again. We were loaded in box cars and shipped south and made our first stop at Ealeigh, N. C., where we camped for a night, I think. Our next stop was at Charlotte, N. C. We were put in open cars here and had a fine view of parts of North and South [65] Tales of Wat Times. I went into a ploughed field and lay down there for the balance of the night, taking care not to lie down near any old stumps, for I thought they might be full of snakes. I went to sleep toward morning and when I awoke I was badly mixed up, but started out to- ward the east. I went through some very fine woods and met a darkey who brought me some baked sweet pota- toes and a piece of hoe cake. I then started out and went toward the. railroad, but was lucky enough to get into one of the swamps ; from the sound of the cars I could not have been o\er a quarter of a mile away. It took me from 9 o'clock in the morning until six or after in the evening to reach the railroad. The swamp was full of winding creeks and when you crossed to one side and went twenty or thirty yards you would have to go back again. I would have been afraid of being in there in warm weather; in places that looked to be up to your knees you would sink over your head, unless you were careful. I kept clear of swamps after that It was the last day of February or the first of March that I made my escape from the cars. I had the greatest hardships on this trip I endur- ed during the war. I had the fever and ague right along and was badly crippled with rheumatism. [68] Adventures of Tom Hinds. While travelling on the railroad one cold, wet day that soaked me through, in crossing a long trestle over aswamp, I met a freight train and could not get to either end of the trestle. I was compelled to either jump into the swamp below or get under the tracks; there was no room but for the train. I finally had just time to climb down one of the posts under the track and cling on with my arms and legs. The trestle shook so that I came near falling off. It was near dusk and, being tired, hungry and cold, I left the track and lay down on the wet ground and went to sleep. About midnight I awoke to find I was unable to move and thought I was dying. I realized that my soldiering had come to an end. No one but a person placed in this condition can know the thoughts that pass through the mind. My whole life from childhood passed before me a panorama; my enlisting three times at Philadel- phia and being taken out of the army by my par- ents; then running away and enlisting again. I thought of all the trouble and anxious days I caus- ed my parents and now, after all, I was dying in the Georgia swamp and they would never know what became of me. These thoughts made me about wild and I de- temined to make a desperate struggle to get up. [69] Tales of Wat Times. I found my hands and arms were not as bad as the rest of my body ; after a long struggle I got over on my hands and face. I managed to crawl to some small trees a few feet away and succeeded af- ter awhile in getting on my feet with the aid of the trees. I found I could not walk, but could move my feet a couple or three inches at a time; by great effort I determined to keep on the move for it was the only thing that could save ma I thought I was frozen at first but the weather was not cold enough for that ; and I realized I was chilled through and that, with the rheumatism, was the real trouble. I made for the railroad track, thirty or forty feet away and when near the road I stumbled and fell into a shallow ditch. The fall hurt me so badly that I was sure it would end me. On the contrary, I found the fall helped me, for it set the blood in circulation and after recovering and getting up I found I could move much better. It had stopped raining and the cold wind seemed to blow through me. I kept on the move until morning and was so badly used up that I felt that if I came across any one I would give myself up, for I did not feel able to go any farther. As the sun came I warmed up and found I could walk some better. I did not stop over ten minutes or so at a time; [70] Adventures of Tom Minds. kept on the move all day, until five o'clock in the afternoon, when I canie across a darky who brought me some food and started a fire in the swamp:, gathered up some leaves for me to sleep on; also gave me matches, which came handy aftewards. He told me I was about fifty miles from Savan- nah and about seventy miles from Charleston on a B line and that they could hear the heavy guns .at Charleston. I heard the boom of the Swamp Angel, I presume at Morris Island, front of Charleston, that night. The sound of our guns gave me courage to push along toward our lines. I kept along the railroad toward Savannah ; suf- fered very much from the effects of the ague and fever, which still clung to me. My feet became very sore and when bathing them I noticed that the bottom of them looked as though a carving knife had been drawn across them in all directions; in washing them ! the flesh would roll off. I suppose the sand in my shoes was the cause of cutting my feet up so badly. While travelling along the railroad I was tempt- ed several times to set the trestle work on fire, There were stretches of trestle work, perhaps a quarter of a mile long, in the swampy places. I could have destroyed miles of it if I had chosen and would have done so but for the chances of being captured and perhaps shot or hung. [71] Tales of War Times. I could not see what benefit it could be to our side; it was away in the interior, far from our troops. The Georgia Central railroad was not protected in this section, as I could see. While on this trip I saw many of the slaves and found them very friendly. One man I staid with over night was very friendly. He gave me a pair of his pants in exchange for my blue ones. Mine were woolen and his were checkered, coarse cotton, but I valued the exchange for it assisted me to look like anything but a Yank. I had on an old brown citizen's overcoat, which I cannot remember how I got, except from some of the negroes ; and with the exception of my cap, which was one of Uncle Sam's, I would pass for a rough looking boy, for I was less than 19 years of age at the time, al- though nearly three years in the cavalry. This darky stocked my haversack with sweet potatoes and other things. He told me if I should come through there with our army that he would show me where they kept their sweet potatoes and also the chest where Massa kept his money. CHAPTER FOURTEEN. Chased By Bloodhounds and Captured While Fight- ing the Dogs With a Club. After leaving this place I became more bold and I felt better. I used to go right into corn fields and other places among the slaves and felt quite at home with them. Just before nearing a station, I went into a field along the side of the railroad and spent perhaps half an hour with the darkies; and 'then left and went back, as if going in the opposite direction from the way I was going. I started east towards Whiteville, which was near by. After I got into the woods but a short distance, I had to cross a sand road which ran toward the railroad. After going a mile or so I lay down and had a sleep in the woods ; when about two o'clock P. M. I was awakened by hearing dogs barking, which sounded to me on the south side of thte railroad; knowing there was a very large swamp over there, I thought perhaps it was a party out hunting deer or some other game. [73] Tales of Wat Times. I heard the dogs coming nearer and nearer, in the direction where I was, and it then struck me that I was the game they were after. I put on my haversack and started toward the railroad as fast as possible. I could hear the dogs gaining on me as I ran and I made the best time I could. After a half mile or so I struck the railroad track and crossed over to the south side. The dogs came up and circled around me and increased their bark- ing. At first I thought perhaps they were not after me and as they came up I tried to make friends with them: and started to go under the railroad where a stream of water ran through a culvert and hide there; but I found the dogs became more bold and jumped and snapped at me. I then did the best I could with the stout stick I carried; my cavalry saber drill came in play then. I fought the dogs, ten or so, when a very large man on a horse came up. He had a pistol in his hand. He saw me hitting some of the dogs and said if I did not stop it he would shoot me. I had my Irish up now, from the usage of 'the dogs, and told him to call them off if he wanted me to stop hitting them ; that I could not stand still and let them eat :ie up. After a hard tussel and threatening, he called [74] Adventures of Tom Minds. them off; but I had to keep my eye on them for they gave me some severe nips after. He then asked me who I was, where I was going and so many other questions that I finally told him I was an escaped Union prisoner. The train for Savannah was at a station near by and was about to start. The man said to me : "Trot along here, you Yank. I want to put you on that train ; and if you try to escape I will make them eat you." Putting spurs to his horse he dashed off towards the station to hold the train; and left me to the tender mercies of the dogs. I ran after him as ordered, and then my trouble with the dogs began; the faster I tried to run the more they jumped on me. I had perhaps five or six hundred yards to run before reaching the train and I thought I would never reach it without being torn to pieces. I stopped a couple of times to give them fight; but as soon as I started again they seemed more savage than ever; after a hard race I reached the train. The nearer the cars I got the bolder the dogs were; they even jumped up the steps of the car after me. I was about exhausted. The cars were full of people going to Savannah and it was a great sig*- for them to see me and the dogs making a run for the train. My coat was torn to ribbons about the [75] Tales of Waf Times. skirt, pockets, sleeves and shoulders. The cotton pants, the darkey exchanged with me, were also badly torn ; but strange to say, 'there was no blood drawn with all the bites I received from the dogs. I think that the good cracks I gave them before the man came made them rather cautious ; but had my race for the cars continued a few minutes long- er, I should have been badly damaged by them. I was handed over to a soldier and a policeman and was to be given to the military authorities at Savannah. On getting into the cars I saw another pack of dogs at the first crossing above and a man on the cars 'told me they had a regular hunt for me. He said they did not know I was a Union soldier, but saw strange footprints in the sand road in the morning and knew it was a stranger's track and started the dogs out. I was out seven days this 'time before being caught by the blood hounds. I tried to make my escape in Savannah depot and I think I would have succeeded, but the crowd was so thick there was no chance to dodge through them. I was handed over to the officer at the brick bar- racks, which was used before the war by the U. S. troops. I was put in a cell next to the guard room ; and had I kept awake that night I might have made my escape, for I heard a number of prisoners dug through the brick wall from the guard room 'to the street and made their escape. [76] Adventures of Tom Minds. They made quite a racket through the night while digging out so the guards could not 'hear them working. I had the first coffee here since I was captured in October. It was rye coffee, without milk or sugar; but I thought it was a treat. This was Sunday and as my cell had a window which faced the street, I saw the crowd that came to see the hole in the wall and some of the guards said they had a Yankee prisoner there; and I was the next attraction, for they told me I was the first Yankee prisoner they ever had in Savannah bar- racks. I showed myself at the grating several times through the day and some of the people wanted to send me some things but were not allowed. I staid here two nights and Monday was put on the cars for Macon, about 200 miles away. Before being brought to the cars they brought me to an office where I gave my name, regiment, etc. A young man from Philadelphia, who was in the rebel service, advised me to join the confederate army and be released, which of course I refused to do. We arrived at Macon some time before night I was brought before 'the Provo Marshal, a one arm- ed man, who asked me iny name, etc. He sent me to the Macon jail fo the night. [77] CHAPTER FIFTEEN. First Days in Andersonville Prison Gave Promise of What icas to Come. Next morning I was put on a train for Anderson- ville prison pen. I arrived there and was turned ever to the officer in charge, who was known by the name of Adjutant and who was a very fair kind of a man. A ball and chain was always put on any one try- ing to make their escape and these orders w^ere to be carried out in my case, when Mr. Duncan, the quartermaster, spoke to the adjutant and said he should not put one on me as he did not think I would try to escape. "Will you, Yank?" said the adjutant to me, I said I would not and he, being partly intoxicat- ed, said : "I will let you off this time, but if you try to es- cape again I will shoot you." So I was in luck this time. This man was in charge only a short time, when Capt. Writz took charge. In Andersonville I found my old com- rades and also the five men who had made their escape from the cars just before I did, were all re- captured the next day, after leaving the cars. [78] Adventures of Tom Minds. I reached Andersonville March 10th, 1864, about ten days later than the other boys. I was assigned to the 3rd squad, 8th department. There was plenty of room inside the stockade at this 'time, there not being more than five thousand prisoners. I suffered badly with rheumatism for a long time after arriving at Andersonville. I was so bad that I could not get around the camp. There were a number of stumps and parts of trees through the camp and we had fires by which to cook and keep warm. They were all pitch pine and when burned made a bla,ck smoke, which, after a while, gave most of the men a dark color; in some cases as dark as negroes. They gave what they called soap once. It looked just like blue clay and was so soft that we got it on a chip from them. We could smell it on our hands the day after using it. In the same squad I was in was a one-legged crip- ple, Herbert, whom Capt Wirtz ordered the guard to shoot sometime afterwards; and which was one of the principle, causes on which Wirtz was execut- ed after the war by the government at Washing- ton, D. C. This Herbert seemed to be a well educated man; could speak a number of languages; but from my acquaintance with him, I found him to be a very nen^ous, fidgity and suspicious man. Our own men disliked him for they thought he let the rebels [79] Tales of Wat Times. know when there were any tunnels underway. He seemed to be a little off in the upper story; if he informed the rebels, I don't think it was for love of them; but perhaps he thought it would avoid trouble, for a great many thought the rebels would rake the camp with guns on the rise of ground in front of the gates. It was surprising to see how cowardly a great tii any of our men were. After all, there were some good reasons for our men feeling so; they were so discouraged by the hardship they received that there w r as no pluck left in .them. A large number became idiots and were peevish and childish. I don't think that one man in a thousand thought it possible for a person to escape to the Union lines, even if he was outside the stockade. My tent mates often chaffed me for thinking I could get away and they nicknamed me Dick Turpin. T always insisted that the Union lines could be reached; and I would try again or die in the at- tempt. While in Andersonville I was nearly naked for pants. I had a band around my waist, some cloth below the knee and a little to cover the thighs. My shoes were played out, shirt and blouse were short of sleeves and my arms were bare up to the should- ers. The old coat I had on, the dogs put the finish- ing touch to and was fit for nothing but a pillow. I was barefooted for four or five weeks, when a [80] 3attle of Five Forks. See Appendix. Battle of Gettysburg. See Appendix. Adventures of Tom Minds. friend of mine, Henry Glunt, who was in the hospi- tal nursing, took a good pair of pants off a dead man and gave his old ones to me. A short time after a man named Fagan gave me a pair of shoes, which I think he hooked somewhere. I felt as if I was dressed well enough for a tramp, if I got the chance. Inside the stockade was nothing but misery and despair, while outside the stockade everything look- ed so green and nice that I could think of nothing but my escape. The night of May 3rd there was a tunnel com- pleted and a number of us got ready to go out; but there was only one or two got through, when they were discovered by the guard. The last man that went through was a little man named Connolley who could not have been more than twenty years old; but looked more like seventeen, on account of his size. Connolly was an old offender and wore two balls and chains on his ankles, up to the time of his es- cape ; the balls and chains he left in the prison. When the guard fired on Connolly all the drums, bugles and other things that could make a noise, were brought in play and we were all expecting the battery would rake us with grape and canister in the dark; and we felt as if we had reached the end of our rope; but things quieted down. They got outi hounds after the escape, but Connolly was [81] Tales of Waf Times. not caught and he told me afterward that he went direct east from the stockade until he reached Flint River, about four miles away and found a skiff which he got into. The blood hounds reached the river soon after 'he did and sprang into the water after him, but Connolly killed all that came near the boat by cracking them on the head with a stick. I understood that there were but two or three dogs left at the prison, out of the pack that was kept there for that purpose. It was a lucky thing for Connolly that he wa not caught for the chances were that they would have shot him. Con- nolly had the best grit of any man or boy I ever knew. He was not afraid of anything. I have seen Capt Wirtz shake his pistol in Con- nolly's face and threaten to shoot him, if he did not tell him something he wanted to find out. Connol- ly simply folded his arms and told Wirtz to shoot away if he wished; but if he shot him he would lose three or four rebel generals who were prisoners in the north. This made Wirtz so angry that I believe he would have sliot had they been outside of the prison. He never would have got out alive, for there were very few T men but who would have given a hand to- ward killing him, for he was very brutal. One day Wirtz had us in line, about six in the morning, for the purpose of counting us. He was [82] Adventures of Tom Hinds. bound to count the whole camp to know the exact number, and kept us there until noon in the hot sun. Men dropped in their places, overcome with weakness and heat, hunger and diseases. They always counted one side of the camp at a time, and then 'they went to the other side. Some of the men would be counted in a new squad and be counted again so as to draw a ration in each squad. CHAPTER SIXTEEN. Tells of the Terrible Times Union Soldiers Had in Andersonville Prison. Before leaving Kichmond the rebels allowed the relatives and friends of the prisoners to send goods of any kind in boxes to us ; after we were in Ander- sonville about six weeks or so, we were informed that there were boxes for some of us. There were five of us in our shanty, Lew Winters, Jos. Wilson, John Erwin, Joe Moreland and my- self. Those men were mostly all from Pittsburg, Pa., and with the exception of Wilson were be- tween thirty and forty years of age. Joe Moreland and I each received a box filled with good coffee, dried beef, ham, cheese, crackers, etc. Some of these things were spoiled, the crack- ers and cheese mostly. I will never forget the breakfast we had next morning. Some of the boys bought some corn meal and soda; then borrowed an old iron skillet, with a cover on, and baked a raised corn cake about thirteen or fourteen inches in diameter and two in- ches thick. We borrowed what cups we could, so each man would have a good cup of coffee; we also [84] Adventufes of Tom Hinds. had some dried beef and ham and when everything was ready, John Erwin was the first to taste the coffee and he shouted out. "Oli ! boys, just taste the coffee. It is the best I ever tasted." John was rig-lit, for we all thought the same about the coffee and the other things. We were all perfectly happy to die after having one good square meal. I can never forget how good that coffee tasted. If we did have good things, we were not selfish with them ; we gave some to the boys in the hospital as long as they lasted. When we first came to Andersonville we did our own cooking. We were given a quart of corn meal each day and a small piece of pork, ham or half corned beef. While! we received this amount we lived quite fairly. I generally cooked a cake in a half can- teen. We had no salt, soda or anything like that. When the cake was hard enough to be placed on the edge, it was put before the fire to bake and then I put the meat into the half canteen to fry or boil as it might be. When it was done I partly filled the canteen with water and then dipped my cake into it; and my appetite was such that I never when a boy tasted sponge cake that tasted as good as that corn cake, dipped in the gravy. When my canteen played out, I mixed up the [85] Tales of Wat Times. meal and placed it on a piece of pitch pine slab and placed it before the fire until it was hard enough to prop on an edge and bake each side al- ternately. This cake did not taste as good as formerly, for while baking the pitch from the slab worked into the cake and no* one but a hungry person could eat it. After the prison began to fill up they began to cook for us, and then our rations were cut until our corn cake was about four and one-half inches long by two and one-half inches wide for a day. This was issued about four o'clock in the afternoon. We had mush given to us once in a while with a small bit of meat. About the last of May my mate Winters became so bad with dysentery and scurvy that he was sent to the hospital. I never expected to see him again, for it was a rare thing for any man to get in the condition he was in and recover. There was no medicine to give the sick, in fact, one of the doctors told me so when I was examined for some internal trouble. They had a pen outside the south gate where some mornings they allowed anyone that was not well to be examined by the doctors. While out here and awaiting my turn, I got into conversation with a guard and noticing a hole in [86] Adventures of Tom Minds. the ground just outside the stockade I enquired what it was. He told me it was a tunnel that was nearly com- pleted when it was discovered. They had no suspicion there was one there and when the guard was walking his beat, he broke through the ground onto a man's back and was so frightened that he ran away from his post. The other guards had quite a laugh at him. While out in the doctor's pen I saw a number of prisoners who were bucked and gagged. I was told they tried to get away or did something that dis- pleased Wirtz. I understood they were kept in that position from one to three days at a time. After being punished in this way they were turn- ed into the stockade, with a ball and chain or two as the case called for. Most of the men that had these on managed to take them off about every day; but when the ser- geant came in to count, as they did quite often, they would have the ball and chain on all right. Wirtz and his assistants knew that some of them took them off; but could not understand how it vvas done, for the shackles were rivited around the ankle. The sergeant said to Connolly and another man that he knew they took theirs off ; but he could not tell how the Yanks did it. It was very simple. They filed the head of the [87] Tales of Waf Times. rivet off so that it would slip through and when they put the shackles on again, they would get a musket ball, hammer it down to the right size and rivet one end, fit it in and then riyefc the other head. The reason the rebels did not discover this is that they put a dark paint on the chain and band and the boys would blacken the head of the rivet with ink. CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. Tom Plans to Escape From Further Horrors or Die in the Attempt. Through May and the early part of June they brought new prisoners, nearly every day, and there were so many that they could not cook for all. so they furnished some rations for the new men to cook for themselves. Every day they would call for new squads to furnish some men to go into the woods for fuel to cook with ; also to get some brush to build a shelter. June 6th I rang myself in as one of the new men, for they were not always there to go; and when the number of the detachment and squad was called, it was nothing new for some of us old residenters to present ourselves. Any of the guards half sharp could see that we were not the new men and we had often been re- fused, but tried again. This day I made up my mind to make my escape, if it was possible. We went out of the south gate around the north end of the stockade for our fuel. I kept away as far as I could from the rest of the squad and was often cautioned to keep close by. [89] Tales of Wat Times. Twice I would have attempted to run, but for one guard, a boy of seventeen or eighteen years of age. Once I got out of sight of my guards, when the boy says. "Look out for the Yank there." On our return, I was about to jump into one of the large pitch pine stumps with the heart burned out. My guard had his back turned to me and as the saying is, look before you leap, I did and found the hollow was filled with hornets or wasps. We returned to the stockade, but I was crazy to make my escape. I told my tent mates I would get away or be shot trying to. The 8th of June came. We drew our rations and as this was about the time of day to let some new men from the squads go for wood, I handed my rations to Irwin, Moreland and Wilson saying: "Eat them for I will get away today." They looked at me as though they thought me crazy. I bid them good bye and started for the south gate. They were calling for the new squads to send three men and a sergeant for each squad. I asked a man who wanted to go out and get some brush for us, to pick up some others and re- present ourselves as one of the squads. We answered the call and when our squad got just through the gate, ours being about the last, we were about to start when one of the officers said [90] Adventures of Tom Hinds. to the party having charge, that they were not all new men and to send a double guard with us, which they did. Going across the bridge, near the cook house, there was a mule team with a lot of our dead men just ahead of us ; and I gave but one look for I fear- ed I might see my old friend and tent mate, Wint- ers among them. They were piled up on that wagon like a load of longs. We went quite far into- the woods this time and one man and I pushed farther toward the east than the rest. I knew just the best place to get some poles to build a shelter with and we went as far as the guards would go with us. The other prisoner did not know of my inten- tions. He had an axe. One of the guards, a tall young man said to the other: "I will go out ahead and if any of those fellows try to get away I will head them off." I did not like this, but had to put up with it. I watched him as far as I could see to know where he went, for it was escape now or never with me. I talked to the other guard who was a man of perhaps 40 or 50. He was rather short and fleshy and I felt sure I could beat him in a foot race, if I had the chance. I found out all about him in a short time. He [91] Talcs of Wat Times. was a conscript from Mobile, Ala,, and seemed very good natured. The prisoner with the axe had cut down some stuff and was just the other side of a large pine; about three feet through, that lay on the ground. I crawled over the tree, still talking to the guard, and the man with the axe was just dropping a small sapling with a bushy top, which was falling toward me. I went toward it as it was falling and ran as if to get out of the way of it. I darted by the man with the axe and in less than half a minute I was out of sight of either guard or man. The falling tree shut me out of sight of the guard for a few seconds; and he being on the other side of the log, did not realize that I had gone until I was quite a distance away. I kept to the right as much as possible to dodge the other guard and ran to the edge of the woods where there was a whole rebel brigade camped. I did not stop for I knew I was farther out than the guard. I hugged the woods enough to keep out of sight. I had not gone more than an eighth of a mile when I found the woods were quite open and full of people, white men and negroes. They seemed to be getting out timber for a stock- ade, which they were to enlarge; there were quite a number of shanties through the woods. [92] Adventures of Tom Hinds. I ran like a wild Indian for it was life or death with me now, and I almost ran into some of them, I heard, them say : "What is the matter with him ; he must be crazy, etc.," but they all seemed to be working people and did no shooting. I ran as traight north as I could and soon left the wood choppers far behind. I think I had made about two miles or more with- out a stop and then I did not go so fast, but kept up a good gait. I was not more than two and one-half or three miles from the prison when I heard the dogs. I knew then that I had a hard tussel ahead of me. I pushed along as fast as I could and made for the railroad which I crossed about four miles above Andersonville. I could hear the barking of the dogs very plainly now and knew there was no time to lose. I looked for a stream to wade in and break the scent of the dogs. To the west of the railroad there was a creek which ran through a swamp. I went for that and rushed along, for the dogs were not far off. I found the bushes overhanging the creek and they tore nearly all the clothes off of me. It was about half a mile through this place; but before I was half through a heavy thunder storm with heavy rain came on and then I knew it would kill the scent of the dogs and I felt safe. [93] Tales of Waf Times. It was nearly dark when I got through and I must have been a frightful looking sight My face, arms and legs were bleeding from the scratches of the briars and bushes. My clothing was not fit for a rag picker. After going a short distance up a hill from the bushes, it being dark now and being exhausted and hungry, I laid down under a tree until morn- ing. I was perhaps about five miles from the prison. Wirtz was so angry that we did not get any rations at all that day. The ration we drew about four o'clock each day and was about enough to give an appetite for a square meal, if we could get one. CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. Exciting Events Follow Tom's Clever Escape From Andersonville. After leaving where I staid all night I started west, but was very cautious. I was very hungry, not having eaten anything the day before. About 8 or 9 o'clock I saw a little colored girl carrying a basket across the field and I followed her and found she brought it to an old man that was working in the field alone. He gave me part of his lunch and after leaving him I found it very difficult to make any headway. After travelling for a couple of days I was sur- prised to find I was about ten miles west of the prison. I thought I was at least thirty or forty miles away from the prison. It rained some every day and I had my fever and ague regular; after an hour or so of the chill, the fever would come on, then thirst. I would drink the first water I could reach ; sometimes it was from the pools in the woods where leaves were in them. I hardly know now how I spent those three days, but I travelled both day and night. The afternoon of the third day after my escape [95] Tales of Wat Times. I was passing a house when a man hailed me and asked me a number of questions. I told him I belonged to the 26th Alabama. He wan'ted to know if I knew his two nephews in that regiment. I asked him their names and to what company they belonged. He gave me their names, but didn't know 'their company. I told him there was none of that name in my company but that I had heard the names called in some other company. I ex- plained to him that I belonged to the Mobile cadets and had been in the regiment but a short time when I was wounded at Mine Bun, Va,, and had been in the hospital most of the time since. I told him I was shot through the thigh and was still lame. I made some excuse about where I was going. He wanted me to come into the house and stay awhile, but I bade him goodbye and left. I was very uneasy for I thought he suspected me of being an escaped Union prisoner; but did not have the pluck to attempt to take me. After leaving I thought the best thing to do was to climb a tree. Going into the woods out of sight I did so and staid there about an hour ; then I came down and started on. About three fourths of a mile from there I saw some slaves at work in a large field. I kept near the edge of the wood and saw a woman [96] Battle of Antietam. See Appendix. Battle of Shiloh. See Appendix. Adventures of Tom Minds. working quite a distance from the rest. I succeed- ed in attracting her attention and told her I would like to talk to her. She came over near where I was and I told her I was very hungry and wanted something to eat. I told her who I was, but cautioned her not to say anything to the rest of the slaves. She said she would send one of the men to siee me. It being near quitting time a man came and di- rected me to go to the gin house which we could see. As soon as it became dusky I went to the cotton gin house, and about an hour after the darky came and was very much excited, for he learned the man I had talked to had gone to one of his neighbors who had a pack of hounds and they were going to put them on my track. He said the only way to break the scent of the dogs was for him to carry me on his back to a place of safety. I got on his back and he almost ran with me about an eighth of a mile. He carried me within a couple of hundred feet of his cabin and he told me I must not get on the ground, but to climb a tree which he carried me to. I think it must have been a holly for there was a lot of thorns on it. I staid in the tree for an hour or so and as the dogs did not make their appearance the darky told [97] Tales of Wat Times. me to come down and he brought me to his cabin where there were a number of both men and women. I had a good supper and they gave me a good pair of pants, drawers, a coat and shirt. The one that "had carried me gave me an old pistol, single shot ; the old style horse pistol as they called it He got it from the servant of a Texas ranger. He also gave me eight musket bullets. The pistol and our army musket took the same size ball. The clothes they gave me were of a very coarse cotton cloth; the cut of the coat was like the old style continental uniform, a cutaway swallow tail, but not very long tails; it was a very durable suit and had they given me a cap I would have passed as a POP"* looking rebel boy. They gave me a haversack with a rrood stock of cornbread and bacon ; so I was in good shape when I left them. When I started it was so dark that it was impos- sible to see anybody on the road. I met but one person and we did no talking as I remember; it was so dark you could not tell whether it was a white or black man. I travelled all morning and covered all the dis- tance I could. About the fourth and fifth day out I came across a young darky, about eighteen years of age. He [98] Adventures of Tom Hinds. could not speak any English, I knew he was lately brought from Africa, I pointed at the houses in the valley below and he said McClellan. I presume he meant he lived in one of those. That was all I could get from him. My feet began to swell so that it seemed impos- sible for me to go much farther, and on the fifth night out I found a cabin and went in at midnight and the negro told me he would get a pair of shoes big enough for me, which he did. They were the largest pair on the plantation. I would say they were Xo. 12 at least. He also gave me some mixture which he said would be good to change the scent, if the dogs were on my track. I left early and started westward. I put in a miserable day with the rain and my feet troubled me very much. I concluded that I could not stand it to walk to our lines and began thinking of stealing horses and riding as far as I could, until cornered; and take to the woods if discovered. I thought I could make forty to fifty miles in the night with a good horse. CHAPTER NINETEEN. Tom is Betrayed and Captured When Suffering From Fever and Ague. I was so completely used up that it seemed im- possible for me to go further, on foot or horse, so I decided to find a place to stay for a few days to get in condition to proceed. It seemed : to me that I had tlhe dumb ague, rheumatism and all other ailments combined; the wood tick and mosquitos added to my misery. It rained so hard it was difficult to walk, owing to the soft red mud. Toward evening I saw some negroes working in a field that was at least a quarter of a mile from the plantation house, I saw one of them and had quite a talk with him and made arrangements to stay in his cabin for a few days. He said his wife worked at the planta- tion house as a servant and his house was not used during the day. I enquired about the horses they had and he said there was one that was first class as a saddle horse ; there were others, but not as good. I told him I intended to steal the best one when I was ready to go. [100] Actvcntutes of Tom Hinds. I felt happy to be so lucky as to run across this negro. He told me after it was dark enough to go to the cotton gin house at tlhe crossroads, which I did. He came to see me shortly afterwards and said he would bring me to his cabin as soon as it was dark and the rest were all in bed. He told me not to be alarmed if I heard them bringing the horses and mules out of the lower part of the building, which seemed to be a stable. He said they were bringing them to water. I heard them going out but not in the same di- rection. I was so sick with fever and chills at the time I did not suspect anything. The darkey came three or four times to see me and told me he would have a Avarm fire and good supper for me when I went over. About half past nine or ten he came again and said they were all in bed and we would go. He wanted me to take off my shoes as we had to go by tihe white folks house to get to his cabin. I had a chill on and told him I would make no noise with the shoes on. We started across the road and went on the east side of the house without attracting attention. We went into the cabin and found three other darkeys there. I noticed the fire in the fire place was very low and asked them why tihere was not a better fire. [101] Tales of Wat Times. I was shaking badly with the chills. I was in a terrible shape; my clothes were soaked from the rain during the day. They placed a chair in front of the fire place and before sitting down I took my horse pistol out of my pocket and laid it on the ground floor of the cabin. The man 'that I came in with took it up and said: "What you call this." I told him what it was; then he asked: "What does you want with it?" I told him. He pretended he did not know what a pistol was or what it was used for. They stirred up ; the fire and I got as near to it as I could. A knock came to the door and just then a darkey took hold of each arm and another stood at my back. I thought they were going to chafe my hands to help me out of the chill at first; but I noticed from the way they caught my arms they were trembling and then thought it strange but being so miserable, I gave no attention to it The darkey who had my pistol said : "Come in." I heard footsteps, but did not look around. The darkey behind took hold of my shoulders and the one on the right said : [102] Adventures of Tom Hinds. "Don't shoot, for God's sake, master ; he has sur- rendered, he surrendered." I looked over my shoulder and there was a car- bine pointed at me ; ndiJ over five or six feet away. I cannot say that I was very much star'tled, owing to the condition I was in. He ordered the darkies to hold me fast until the negro who brought me there would search me. After finding the bullets, powder and the bottle of mixture, the negro handed him my pistol and he seemed very much disappoint- ed, because I had no better arms; but I told him I was lucky to have that much. With this man 'tihere were eight or nine old men, middle aged me and young men, who were armed with every kind of weapon from a large sword to a shot gun. They even had a neighbor with his blood hounds. The capture seemed to help my chill I kept up considerable grit under the circum- stances. I was not impudent nor saucy; but in questioning or cross-questioning, I iheld my own. Shortly after searching me, a member of ladies, young and old, called at the cabin to see the live Yankee, -the first seen in the section. The man who pointed the carbine at me, gave quite a humerous speech to the ladies, saying : "Ladies, walk right in and see the live Yankee. He is perfectly tame and don't bite." He also got off considerable more in that line; [103] Tales of Waf Times. but I did not feel offended, for my condition was such that I felt quite sure that none of them would fall in love with me, so I gave them very little at- tention. After I was stared at as though I was a wild ani- mal, the man called his colored servant and said to him: "Jake, what do you think of the Yankees now?" The darkey who was about my own size, looked me over and said : "If dey all look like dat fellow, it don't seem as if dey could do as much as dey say dey can." This I considered an insult, and under any otiher conditions I would have been in his wool. As bad as I was, I was full of fight and felt hurt by the darkey's remarks, for all the darkies I came across seemed to be in full sympathy with me, with a few exceptions. CHAPTER TWENTY. Tom Narroivly Escapes Hanging Taken to Macon Jail again. After things were settled down some and I was subjected to all manner of questions by the old planters who assisted in my capture, came the ques- tion as to what they would do with me. One said to "shoot Tiim," another, "to hang him" and so on. I thought 'this was got off for my benefit and did not consider it amounted to anything but to scare me. Finally, they left a few armed boys with me and went outside the cabin ; and they seemed to have a great argument, which I did not learn of until the next day. Before going out of the cabin, the man Who had charge of the affair, talked with me about where we were ; and I found that he was in Jackson's com- mand in the Shannandoah Valley, when I was with Banks. We talked quite a lot about our movements in the early part of the war. He was friendly to me and seemed to take to me very much. [105] Tales of Wat Times. I never was without two or three guards all night. In the morning I was brought over to the large piazza, of the plantation house and it was as hand- some a place as I ever saw. I cannot remember the name of the parities who lived there. It was twelve miles west from a railway station called Butler, on the Macon and Columbus K. K. south of Fort Valley Junction. After going over to the large house, the old men and boys who guarded me, took turn at breakfast. I was such a dangerous character that they brought my breakfast to me on the piazza. A servant was bringing my breakfast on a large server, when a young girl who had been standing in the doorway, and staring at me for at least a half hour, took the server from the servant and brought it to me herself. I felt quite flattered for I thought she must be interested in the Yank. When she handed it to me she stood as far away as possible and ready to run if I attempted to bite her. She continued her staring until the man brought the horse for his master to escort me to Butler, twelve miles away. The man mounted his horse and ordered me to go ahead of him. He had a Burnside carbine, captured from our [106] Adventures of Tom Minds. men. This was a seven shooter. He also had a couple of revolvers. On the way to Butler, it being a very warm day, I wanted to. walk in the shade of the woods; but he would not allow me. I had to keep in the middle of 'the road. We talked nearly all the way and I learned that he had been with his command in Virginia, and he was wounded at Yellow Tavern, where the rebel Gen. Stewarti, the great cavalry general, was killed. He w r as home on a furlough when I came there and he told me some things which were hard to be- lieve; but I believed him at the time. He said 'that if it had not been, his father's plan- tation I was captured on that I would have been shot or hung. He said that when they went outside of the cabin the nigfot before to decide on what to do, that most of the old men were all for hanging or shooting me; and if it had been anywhere else he could not have saved me. He said he told them that I was a soldier and he was one also and under the circumstances he thought it was his duty to take charge of me and return me to the military authorities. He insisted on taking charge of me and most of the people with- drew quite angry, because they could not have their own way. I did not realize my condition until then. He told me the colored man I talked to about the [107] Tales of Wat Times. horses was their overseer and he 1 told them about my intentions of stealing the horse he: rode, which, by the way, was a splendid one. He also advised me not ttio trust the negroes, af- ter he gave me this information. I told him I would like to walk in the shade of the woods, he said : "Yank, I cannot trust you." I told him I would not under the circumstances try to escape from him ; but it was of no use, for fhe said if I should escape he would never hear the last of it. So I had to content myself in the middle of the road, under the scorching sun. We finally reached Butler and I was turned over to a soldier that was going to Macon. After a long wait the train came and we started for Macon and arrived there about two o'clock in the morning. We staid in the sitting room of the hotel until daylight. The soldier thought we would go to a soldier rest on the outskirts of the city and have breakfast. We wenlt, but they would not give us anything to eat; so we came back and staid around the hotel until the Provo Martial's office opened, which must have been about 9 o'clock. At the office I gave my name, regiment and com- pany, the martial asked me: [108] Adventures of Tom Hinds. "Have you been here before? I think you have." I told him I had and he said : "Why do you give us so much trouble getting away? I felt quite proud of mv escape from Anderson- ville and in a braggadocia way, said : . "If you want to keep us there you want to feed us better." "Damn you, we will keep you this time," says he. I said, still in a bragging style : "Maybe you will and maybe you won't; it all depends on how you use us." I was ordered to the Macon jail, where I had been three months! ago, after being captured by the blood hounds. This was June 16th. I left Ander- sonville June 8th and was captured on the 14th. CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE. Makes a Clever Escape From the Macon Jail in Broad Day. In the jail I was put in the northwest room fac- ed the Main Street where the railroad depot was Our room was in the second story. The jail was a two story brick building on the east side of the street. I found I was in the same room I had been in be- fore but there was what I would call seven or eight tramps in the same cell. I think some of 'them were confederates and some of them probably from the union lines. They were very friendly to ma I told them my little stories, and they thought I was quite a fellow. In the afternoon we had a new arrival. He was a union prisoner. He carried out a dead man and laid him down among the dead in the dead house at Andersonville and after dark made his escape. The boys told him I was also an escaped prisoner. He told me he belonged to the second Wisconsin cavalry and he seemed about crazy to make his es- cape again. 'The tramps, as I called them were all ready to make a break; so they said they were all readier [110] Adventufes of Tom Mincts. than the Wisconsin boy or I was and they talked of breaking jail. I kept my own council on this matter; from my two former escapes I made up my mind that a per- son could do much better alone than with otihers. The Wisconsin boy was red hot for escape, but seemed to have no faith in the tramps trying to ge't away. He worked on me for all he could to make the attempt if 'there was any show. I was simple enough to think the tramps would make a break for freedom if they had a chance. The morning of June 17th came and it was rain- ing hard. This was the day for me and the Wis- consin boy to go to Andersonville but through a mistake two other prisoners were sent that morn- ing. We were with the tramps and the Wisconsin boy asked me if I would try to get away that day. I told him I would and he seemed happy. The other man in our cell said they would all back us and I believed tlhem; and when the question came up as to who would make the first break, I volunteered the first thing, for I had thought) the matter over fully and decided that the firslt man to make the break would get away, for the jailer would not run after him and let the others escape. The rain continued all day. This is one reason why I consented to make my escape. A person running through the streetis while it rained would [in] Tales of War Times. not be noticed, and people would think it was on account of the rain. We decided in the morning that we would make our attempt to escape; and through the day I pick- ed my route from a map someone had. I studied all I could for I was fully determined to go, if tfnere was any show. We drew rations twice a day at this jail; at 9 a. m. and at 4 p. m. In the afternoon I was sitting in the north window, listening to some kind of a machine that was used by the jailer, which was used to whip the negroes who were brought there to be punishecj. One man had brought a negro girl to be punished and I could hear the machine slapping like loose belts. The girl was sobbing as they came under the window I was sitting in. The master said : "You will sauce me again, will you?" I was thinking of slavery and ithe way -the people of the South have of punishing those who are not easily managed. When I looked around and saw that the colored man had brought up the rations and also the slop buckets. It seemed they had all forgotten the es- cape we were to try. I jumped down from the window sill and told the boys to keep the colored man in talk for a while. At the door of the cell was Mr. Anderson, the [112] Battle of Cedar Creek. See Appendix. Fall of Petersburg. See Appendix. Adventures of Tom Minds. jailer ; and I crowded through the others, who were at the door talking to. him. I spoke to him and said it was a very nice day and talked to him about anything I could ; but did not give much attention to his answers for I decided to attempt to escape. He had a little black and tan dog with him and I remarked what a nice dog it was. I asked what kind of dog he was. He told me and I said : "He is a handsome little dog." TMs seemed to please him and he looked down at the dog; as he did so I pushed him back from the door and ran to the top of the stairs which turned to the right and ran down, taking a number of steps at each jump. I expected to tumble down, I went at such a speed. When part w r ay down, I heard a scuffle where I had left and I partly stopped and looked around long enough to see the Wisconsin boy and the jailer in a scuffle. As I looked, he hit the jailer with his fist and said, as he made a dive for the stairs : "You old cuss, you have not got me yet." I did not wait to catch ary more; but heard the scuffling toward the cell and I thought that the Wisconsin boy did not get away. On reaching the bottom of the stairs there was a room to the right, known as the jailer's office; and [113] Tales of Wat Times. sometimes there was someone there, but luckily for me there was no one. The front door of (the jail was open and I went for the door in the high closed fence in front of the jail and found it locked. I then ran to the north side and back of the jail and went through a gate that led into (the rear of the jailer's yard, for his house was along side of the jail ; and I knew the gate from the jail yard. His was usually open as we could see from our cell. I was of course greatly excited and went 'as fast as I could. I had hardly gone through the gate when I ran against a large colored woman who was carrying some things from her quarters to the other house. After running nearly across the yard I looked around and saw that I had knocked her down ; and I came within an inch of knocking myself down by the clothes line, which hit me on the neck when I looked around as I keplt going. If I had not seen the line as quickly as I did I would probably have been recaptured. I reached the other side of the jailer's yard and had some trouble with the little gate that led out to the lane, which seemed to be used for driving cows and horses up to get to the barns and stables. As the fence was low I jumped it, being too excited to get the latch to work on the galte. [114] Adventures of Torn Hinds. I ran through the back lanes until I reached one of 'the large street, which was used mostly for resi- dences; and as it rained all the time, I ran as fast as I could. As it was not far from four or half past four, I hardly knew what to do. I came on the street the depot and jail were on and saw a great many people going to the depot. I thought I would go there, which I did. There was perhaps 1500 or 2000 people in and around 'the depot. I mingled among them and look- ed as much like a rebel as any one of them. While there I saw the rebel, Gen. Winder who was on Ihis way to Andersonville to take charge of the prisoners. I ventured to the front of the depot and looked up toward the jail to see if tlhere was any stir, but everything looked quite. The jail was not over 500 or 600 yards from the depot at the fartheist, As the train went out and the people scattered, I knew it would not be a safe place for me to stay; so I went southwest from the jail ; in the outskirts I saw a grove of small trees. I noticed paths through the grove in a number of directions. After entering the grove I climbed a tree and de- cided to stay there until dusk. While there I saw a number of people passing through, but none of them could see me. The railroad shops were on the other side of the [115] Tales of War Times. grove and it was but a short ways. As soon as it was dark I came down and started down the track toward Atlanta. I had not gone more than two miles when I wt& halted by a guard. I told him I had been to Macon on a pass and was just g^ing back to camp. He asked me for the pass and I s'aid I had lost it, and he said : "All right." I passed on and after going a lititle toward camp to the left, I came back on the railroad and continu- ed my tramp. I never found worse walking, for between the ties was a soft mud, in which you would slip back instead of forward. It rained all day and night until near morning. I was 'taken with a very bad chill and lay down until it was over. Not having had any food since the day before, at nine in the morning, I was pretty well used up and thought I would look for something to eat. I started toward some darkies' hute and crawled along within a stone's throw 7 of some of them; but could not see any one. I could not call without attracting the attention of a number, so I started back to the woods, as the fields were a lake of mud. There was none of the darkies at work outside. I wandered through the woods and heard some one chopping ; and going towards them, I met two [116] Adventures of Tom Minds. darkies and (they told me they were going home to dinner. I told them who I was, and in what bad shape I was in and that I would like a place to stop at until night and would like a little sleep. They brought me half a mile to where there was an old couple, a man and his wife, who had grown too old ; to work and they were given a place by tfhem- selves and furnished food. They had a comfortable house; and after I was there for about an hour, a number of colored women came and brought me as good a dinner as any one could wish for. They gave me dry clothes to put on and washed and dried my own. My feet were badly swollen. They would not let me bathe them, but did it for me. I then went to bed and told tihem to awake me up as soon as it was dark and I would start towards our lines. I slept very soundly and was not awakened until about 8 o'clock. I found that I could hardly walk ; all my clothes were washed and dried. I put them on and went into the front room. I was surprised to find at least twenty people. The table was set with everything that could be wished for. Owing, to my condition they asked me not to at- tempt to go but to stay over until I felt better. [117] Tales of Waf Times. They thought t!he safes* place for me was over near the white people's house, where some of the women w r ere servants at the big house and did not occupy their cabins much only at night. I went with them and sltaid most of the time witTn Mrs. Turner. I found I was on Dr. Winn's plantation, near Crawford station, about fifteen miles from Macon, towards Atlanta. They gave me a white shirt, linen pants and slip- pers that belonged to the master, to wear while I was there; and I had just as good food as they had at the big house, for the same cook and servants that furnished them gave it to me. Dr. Winn was not living, but there were two sons, one about 30 and the other 18 and a daughter 23 years of age. From what the slaves told me they had a good master who used them well. I found among them a number who could read and write, which was not the case on most of the otiher plantations. The next day was Sunday ; and there was a color- ed woman who came from Macon that told me about the jail breaking ; she said that there were two Yankees in the jail and one of them threw the jailer (Mr. Anderson) over the rail down the stairs and broke his neck. This was news tlhat made me feel very uneasy, until they brought me a paper from [118] Adventures of Tom Hinds. the big house. They published the "Telegram & Confederate" at Macon on Tuesday, June 21st. I saw the paper which gave 'an account of the matter. It was headed "Homicide." It described the escape of two Yankees ; one: had made good Ms escape and nothing had been heard of him since. The other one Mr. Anderson secur- ed and he was sent to Millidgville (the capital then) in chains. It stated that Mr. Anderson after securing the prisoner, complained of not feeling well, took some medicine and went 1 to bed and died in a few hours. I think it was about four hours after going to bed. The article spoke very highly of him and of his faithfulness, etc. My own opinion was tihat Mr. Anderson, being a stout man and perhaps fifty years of age or more, may have had heart trouble and the excitement might have been the cause of his death. This news made me cautious and I staid on the plantation for a whole week. I lived like a gentleman and had to scold them for wanting to stand and keep the flies off of me while I was eating. While here I was invited to watch the white Mis- sus as she passed near by. One of the colored women said, "Isnt she pretty?" [119] Tales of Wat Times. While in the back room one day the young master came into the front part of the house. The door was open between the rooms and I was sure that I would be discovered. One of the women who was visiting me at the time 'told me to sit still ; that he never came into tJh'at part of 'the house. I was sitting near the bed, so I just got in and rolled back to the wall. He could see into the room but could not see ma This was a narrow escape from discovery. While on 'the plantation, there was a negro black- smith, who took me out nearly every evening to see the darkies dance and sing. Before bringing me to where they were, he took the precaution to see if there were any strange darkies from other plantations. This man gave me a spring knife, about five in- ches long, and as sharp as a razor. He also gave me whalt is called an overseer's cane or stick. It was made of oak and had a, lump of lead in one end. I considered that I was well equipped for almost anything. There was one old man, perhaps 80 or 90 years, who used to visit me quite often. He told me all about his running away and being caught with the dogs; at one time when he was running away and the dogs were after him, he took off his shoes and cut a big inion (as he called it), put it in his shoes [120] Adventures of Tom Hinds. to change the scent so the dogs would miss him, and he said : "It made dem a damn si'te worse ." This old man had lived in nearly every part of Georgia. I found him very interesting with his stories and his escapes. They called him Uncle Jake. While here I had a number of colored visitors every day; also some books to read and sometimes some Macon papers. Among the books I found a large geography, con- taining a map of the state, which I cut out and had sewn in an inside pocket in my drawers. I folded the map in four thicknesses and when in the pocket would never have been found. I also had a pocket made in the leg of my pants in which 'to put the knife, so in case of standing up to be searched it would not be discovered. CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO. Tom Tries to Disguise Himself as a Negro Girl but Gives Up the Attempt. We talked of a number of ways for making my es- cape; such as disguising myself as a darkey; also as a colored girl. The latter we decided the best plan. I tried on a young woman's dress, a course cotton dress. I changed my mind about the kind of disguise. The young woman was just about my size, but the dress would not go around me within several inches. The woman wanted to make me a dress to fit, but I thought a dress would hinder me in running if I was obliged to. They also offered to make me a new suit, way through, but I thought the one I got near Andersonville was as good as any I needed for it was strong and fitted quite well. All the darkies used me as well and took as much interest in me as though I belonged to them. I certainly enjoyed myself at this place for I had the best* the plantation afforded ; and with a white linen shirt, linen pants and slippers on, I felt quite content. I likely would have staid there longer, for a week [ 122 ] Adventures of Tom Minds. or so, but for the fact of Hood's army falling back from in front of Sherman. I learned that there were a number of them camp- ed about four miles from the plantation, at which I was and on two occasions some of them came to the plantation, after straw and other things they needed. I knew how soldiers were and they would look in all the cabins and elsewhere to get plunder, so I thoug'hti I would leave as soon as possible. I left on Saturday night, June 25th. The negroes offered me money or anything else I wished. There were from thirty to forty of them, men, women and children, and they all came to the railroad track with me, so I had a good send off and lots of good wishes for my successful escape to our lines. I also had a haversack loaded with turkey and other good things to eat. I took the railroad track toward ForsytJh, a sta- tion toward Atlanta, about ten miles away. The night was very dark ; so dark that you could not see any one. When a few miles on the track, I had a narrow escape from capture, I heard some one walking toward me and just had time to step a little to the right, when I met four soldiers patrol- ing the track. We almost walked into each other and as they passed they were near enough) to rub against me. [ 123 ] Tales of Waf Times. They were in between the rails and I had just stepped to the right, enough to clear them. I stood still as they passed ; did not have time to stoop down even. I suppose they did not expect there was any one within miles of them. I followed the railroad track to Forsyth. After reaching there, it being about midnight, I went di- rectly north, my object being to go far enough north to flank the extreme right of the rebel army; and also to continue past Sherman's left wing, for I knew the difficulties of going through the rebel lines, especially when both armies were in active operation. I did not suffer as badly on this trip as on the others, except for food during tlhe last part of my journey. I had recruited up in good shape at Winn's plan- 'tation and was in the best of shape for a trip. I had enough food to last me a week, but I think it lasted me about three days. I found this trip much pleasanter than the others, for the weather was fine, witih the exception of a few days. I did considerable travelling at night and slept through the day. I had one experience during this trip I can never forget It was after a rain and hearing dogs bark- ing the other side of a bridge which I was about to cross, I turned to the left to see if I could find a place to cross the stream. As 'the walking was rough along tihe side of the stream, I went up quite [124] Adventures of Tom Hinds. a rise of ground, clear of trees and rocks. I had not gone far when I stepped into a ditch which had been made by the rain and it being red clay I went down 40 or 50 feet into the stream, among the rocks, so quickly that I did not know what had happened. Luckily I was not hurt much and had got out half way up the bank when. I stepped into another gulley and had another slide, but not so far as the first one. I realized the danger of trying to travel under such conditions and going up on the hill I laid down under a tree until morning. CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE. Commanded to Halt He Disobeys the Order and Escapes Through a Briar Patch. The map of the state of Georgia helped me very much, with what information I gathered from the colored people; but there were a number of places on the map which the names had been changed years before and I had some trouble in keeping in the right course. Some of the older people would remember the old names. I could see Stone Mountain for tlhree days. Stone Mountain is on the Augusta and Atlanta railroad, about 20 miles north of Atlanta. I passed through Covington, which is quite a fac- tory place, on the Augusta and Atlanta railroad. I passed through about three o'clock in the morning ; the mills were running day and night, I presume on cloth for the rebel army. I lost no time in getting as far away as possible and did not meet anyone tihat I was afraid of being captured by. I was very conceited about being able to make my escape from any ordinary building they might con- fine me in. [126] Adventures of Tom Hinds. I thought if the knife was not found on me, it would leave me in shape to cut my way out of any ordinary building. The 3rd of July, as I remember, was on Sunday and I think I never remember a warmer day. I could see Stone Mountain very plainly and felt as if I would like to get on top of it to see if I could see the Union lines. I laid in the shade of the woods all day and watched the little lizards playing around where I laid. I became so used to them that I liked to see tihem ; at first I was afraid of them. One morning while along the river bottom look- ing for a boat, I heard a rattle snake, but could not see it. I was in a patch of cane brake that was ten or twelve feet high, I heard the same noise again and in front of me about five feet was a rattler all coiled up on a dead log, ready to strike. I got out of there as quickly as possible and made good time for quite a distance. I had always been timid of snakes and always gave Itihem a wide berth. Towards evening, I pushed along, and before dark I passed to tine left, or south of Lawrenceville, where I saw from the elevation I was on a large number of horses and learned they were horses sent out here to recruit up; there were also some rebel cavalry in the place. Tales of Wat Times. As I had nothing to eat this day I thought I would try and get near the negro cabins. I saw in a grove nearby a large white house; near the house was a cavalry horse, saddled and tied and I presume some officer was visiting the white people. Near dusk I got into the grove near the cabins and could see liie darkies visiting back and forth and having a good time apparently; but I waited a long time before seeing one alone. I saw one com- ing out of the nearest cabin to me and whistled to call his attention. He looked toward me and I beckoned him to come, at the same time standing behind a tree. He came toward me and stooped, picking up some stones and throwing them at me he said: "You can't fool this child, I knows who you is." I had to keep behind the tree and dare not show myself, so he kept throwing, thinking I was one of the darkies trying to play a trick on him. He kept coming closer as he threw the stones and when near enough to talk to him, I stepped from behind the tree and told him I wanted to speak to him. As soon as he saw me he hardly knew what to do and said, as he dropped the stones. "Good Laws, a white man." He began trembling. I presume he never undertook to throw stones at a white man before. I told who was and that I was hungry. He went away and brought me some corn bread and bacon. [ 128 ] Battle of Chancellorsville. See Appendix. See Appendix. Battle of Bull Run. Adventures of Tom Minds. This was all tihe food I had until the following Tuesday afternoon, July 6th. After I crossed the Chatahooche river I started toward Warsaw, by my map, and travelled nearly the whole night. About daybreak I came across a number of horses in the road and in front of a large house on my righ't, there were some men watering the horses; as tfhe men I suppose had just woke up a little before, they did not pay much attention to me. I bade "Good morning" to some that did notice me and kept right on, not forgetting to limp every step. I went on pretending to give no attention to them and after passing the watering trough, per- haps five or six hundred yards, I heard some one in the field to the right and quite a ways from the road call, "Halt!" I looked around and noticed two cavalry men back of me, but kept right on, for a little below was a bridge and the other side a wood, and I knew that unless they reached me with a ball I could reach the woods ahead of them ; so I limped along giving no notice to the halt ! After crossing the bridge, I turned sharp to the left from the road for the road bore to the right, and going quite a distance I cross- ed a fence and w r ent to a little brook to have a wash. I took off my coat and washed my hands and face and had hardly finished when I thought I heard Tales of Wat Times. voices. I put on my coat Just then I heard a may say : "There is the damn spy; go for Mm." There was no time to think and I started as fast as I could run up into a lot that was rather hilly and scrub pines and, bushes. I kept as much in the shade of those trees as I could, so they could only see me part of the time. I made the best time I could, but realized that some of the rebels were gaining on me fast, and I felt sure 'that they would eventually overtake me or get a shot at ma I was just thinking that I had better give up the race when I noticed to the right of me a field that looked like a black berry patch. I expected to be shot while crossing the fence; but they did not take time to fire and I was hardly in the busies good, when some of the leaders were not twenty yards behind. I plunged into the bushes regardless of thorns. I felt that those fellows would not be willing to tear themselves as bad as I would and had not got half way through when I found I was away ahead of them. On the other side of tihe black berry patch was a woods of large trees and 'the berry bushes were so high and thick that they lost sight of me as soon as I reached the woods. There being no grass on ttie ground to tra.ck me, Adventures of Tom Hinds. I went sharp to the left. I ran toward the road where they could notice my track in the grass by the dew. I laid down in the woods and could hear them shouting away ahead of me through the woods. This race in some respects was the roughest one I had yet, for the briars scratched me badly. It was lucky for me there were no blood hounds. I heard the booming of the cannon to 'the south, which put new life in me, for I knew it was our army pushing on toward Atlanta. I afterward learned that the fighting I heard was at Indian Springs by Gen. Stoneman of our cavalry. I never was so happy as that 4th of July morning after getting away and hearing our guns: again. I felt that I would soon be in Union lines. After a good rest I started again and kept in the woods all the time. While travelling along where there was a fork in tihe road in the woods, I met a young white girl who was barefoot, she had a hoe in her hand and seemed terribly frightened and on asking her which road led to the river she pointed to the left hand. I went on bu't took the other road so> if she met anyone she would put them on the wrong track, but I afterward took the road that led to the river and soon found a clearing. CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR.. Asks for Aid and Is Shot at Swims the River With Snake Companions. I was very hungry, not having had any food since the evening before. I kept close along the fences to get near a house, hoping to see some one that might bring me food ; but failed to see any one. I then followed a straight road through the woods; nearing dusk, I looked back and saw what appeared to be a giant, right back of me. I started down a path tlhat led to the Chatahooche river and as I neared I heard voices. I followed down to the bank, but it being so dark I could not see any one, or even the opposite bank. I called, asking who was there, saying I wanted to cross the river. The only answer I got was a shot from the other side. I left at once, for I thought it was not very safe to hold a conversation with the one who did the shooting. I knew that there was a ferry below, but I did not dare go there, for the people were all going to the interior, to get away from Sherman's army ; and the ferry I afterwards learned was busy day a,nd night. [132] Adventures of Torn Hinds. I turned back, and after going quite a distance from the river, I came across some square limbers, on horses, near an old ruin. I laid on them all night and early in the morn- ing I went along the edge of the river, looking for an opening to get to the bank, for I thought of swim- ming across. I never saw as wild a looking place in aJl my travels, as along that part of the river. The vines were so thick that I do not 'think you could see four feet through them, and with the use of a large knife I managed to get through to the water. Before this I had gone back a distance, in search of a fence rail, to use in swimming, but failed to find one. I noticed the bank I was on was very low, while the opposite was high. The current was swift and the bank and river bottom, as far as I could see, was of dark soft mud and one could not wade out over a couple of feet, when it was very deep. I found an old water soaked root, with two prongs on it. I undressed and tied a stick across the crutch of the old root and tore the drawers I had in strips and tied my clothes on. If I lost my clothes I would be in a bad fix. I secured everything the best I could. I tied my shoes together. I pushed from shore. With one hand I held the clothes and used the other to swim with. I found the old root so wet that it would sink if I did not hold it up. It was very like swimming with a per- son you were trying to save. [133] Tales of Wat Times. I found that I was in trouble right off, and had to swim floating down the stream, to get to the other side; but I had more trouble ahead that I had not looked for. I had hardly reached half the way across! when I saw a number of water snakes sailing along the other shore. I hardly knew what to do, but concluded I would have to lose my clothes if they came for me; and as my progress was slow, I nerved myself the best I could to go ahead. None of the snakes came toward me, but went down the stream ; so I made a great effort to reach the opposite shore without floating down any fur- ther. I kept watch of the snakes and saw that they kept away from me. Beaching the opposite side I found the water too deep KK> stand in and I could not land, except by let- ting the root and clothes go. I tried a number of places. Finding no shallow water, I finally caught some bushes and hung onto them with one hand and the clothed with the other until I got a little rest. After a great struggle I got hold of a bush a little higher up the bank and succeeded in getting a foot- hold in the mud. I pulled the clothes and old stump out. [134] CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE. Tom Meets Some Friends in the South Who Help Him Back to the Union Lines. I was completely tired out and would have to let my clothes go to the bottom of the river in a very short time. If I thought of it I might have tied my clothes on my back and would not have had any such trouble. On looking over my clothes I found I had lost my cap. After dressing I went up the bank and discovered a number of darkies harvesting wheat. I was now almost starved and I called a colored man nearby and told him my wants. It was after dinner now. .The colored man told me the overseer was quite a Union man and he would tell him to come and see me. He knew it would be all right, so he sent for him. The overseer I found was a Union man and had not yet had his dinner and said he would call for me in a little while and I could have dinner with him. While hiding on the river bank, a man rode in the field, who wore a high hat. The overseer told me it was Mr. Graham of Kentucky, who was an old schoolmate of Abraham Lincoln. [135] Tales of Wat 1 Times. I went with the overseer to dinner and they had corn bread, green beans and bacon. The man seem- ed to have a great appetite and kept my plate well loaded. I never ate so much before at once and he encouraged me to eat all I wanted. The green beans w T ere something I had not tasted for years. The big dinner did not hurt me a bit and I was so fatigued that he asked me to stay over night, which I did. That evening the. darkies found out who I was and they sent a deputation to see if I would go with, them to Union lines which was about fifteen miles away. I told them I was not able to go. I understood there were about forty started and if I had been caught with them I would have been strung up. The overseer told me the same thing. After a good night's sleep I got an early start for Roswell. Before starting, the overseer gave me such a cap as he had. It was a heavy winter cap, with a raised ridge around the top. It was the only thing he had and I was very thankful for it. He was so kind to me and feeling that I ought to give him something I made him a present of the big knife, the colored blacksmith gave me on Dr. Wynn's plantation. He was pleased with it. I started for the Union lines, which I felt con- fident of reaching, as I had an early start ; and feel- ing in good spirits I made good time; and did not [136] Adventures of Tom Hinds. see any one that I was afraid of for about twelve miles. When near a double log house back from the road, three or four hundred feet, a tall old man called me, as I went by, and asked me if I knew there were Union soldiers ahead of me. I told him that I was going to Huntsville, Ala., and did not think they would trouble me for I was a Union soldier myself. Then I told him who I was and about making my escape from prison; and he insisted on me having something to eat. Although not hungry, I went in- to the house. I never saw such a family. There were six grown up daughters, from perhaps 16 to 25 years of age, all quite tall and having white hair. They were all fine looking young ladies. I think they worked in cotton or woolen mills at Eoswell. They gave me some bread, doughnuts and milk. I had hardly commenced eating when one of the married daughters came up the road from her house and said the Union soldiers were coming. I went out to the corner of the house to watch through the logs. I told them they might be mistaken and want- ed to make sure before letting them see me. In a short time they came in sight and seemed to be in a great 'hurry. As they got near I saw they were not Union soldiers. The old gentleman and some of his daughters got a pail of water and went out to the road to give them a drink, so they did not come near the house. I counted twenty-nine all mounted. [137] Tales of Wat Times. They did not delay but hurried off after getting the water. I learned that they were not the regular confeder- ate cavalry, but a company got up for home service; and the captain was a lawyer whose name was Courts. I did not wait to finish the lunch, but bidding all the family good bye. I started on my last two or three miles. I ran part of the time and went as fast as pos- sible; but would stop at times and lay on the ground, Indian fashion, and listen for the sounds of tramping horses. I was informed by the old gentleman that I might have some trouble at a mill, where there were sever- al roads, as there were usually a number of men around the grist mill. I was now so anxious to get to our lines quickly, that I did not try tio avoid the mill, although it seemed the proper place to place pickets by either of the armies. I crossed the bridge and had passed the mill, when a man came out and hailed me, saying the Yankees were in Koswell and I would surely be taken by them. I did not stop but kept on almost at a run and told him I did not care for the Yankees. He still called for me to come back. I was quite worked up and decided for safety to leave the road and, if pos- [138] Adventures of Tom Hinds. sible, avoid our own pickets, which I did, although I did not see them when I passed them. On nearing Koswell I took the road and had not gone far when I came to roads going into the vil- lage and on one running southwest I saw a cavalry horse in front of a house ; the saddle had U. S. on ; so I was sure I was right. A small boy was holding the horse and I asked him where the owner of the horse was. He said: "He is in the house with ma." Just then a soldier appeared in the doorway with his carbine pointed at the rebel as he supposed. I told him to put up his gun ; I would not make any trouble. After telling who I was, he brought me to the main command which was in the main s'treet of the town. From there I was sent to General Girard's head- quarters, some three or four miles away, toward Marietta. I started at once with a guard, but was not given a horse to ride, as I should have had ; but I presume the officer in charge thought I had travelled so far I could do a few miles farther. When I realized I was safe in our lines I seemed to tire all out at once, when but a short time before I felt as if I could endure considerable hardships yet. [139] Tales of Wat Times. My guard let me ride his horse until we came near the general's headquarters. I buttoned up my half swallow tailed coat and tried to look as well as I could. The rig I had on, with the double deck winter cap, gave me the appearance of anything but a soldier. My face was bloated and covered witih a fuzz and I was about as tough a looking tramp as could be found. The general's quarters were in a grove to the left of the road, on a rise of ground, and the day being very warm, the staff officers were* all in the grove, in front of their tents. I could hear a number of remarks, such as "Look at what is coming;" and "There is a hard looking Johnny." There was considerable laughing and comment- ing on my general appearance. But when the guard called for the Adj. General and told him I was an escaped Union prisoner, I was welcomed by all the staff officers ; and all kinds of inquiries of how I made my escape ; also the way I came, etc. I got out my map of Georgia and traced the route I took. The map was nearly worn out and as one of the officers asked me for it, I let him have it. I did not see the general, as I remember. I told the Adjutant General I was anxious to get ba,ck as [140] Adventures of Tom Hinds. soon as possible from the front, for I did not want to be a prisoner again. He said he expected a wagon train to go that evening and I could go with them. If tShe train did not go he would send an escort -with me ''to Marietta. He told me to make myself at home until evening. I staid with the General's body guard and' to- wards evening, I did not hear anything of the train or escort, so when it was quiet! dark I went to the Adjutant General's tent, but did not find him. When going through the camp and woods I no- ticed I was followed by, a soldier. On returning from 'the Adjutant's tent he came up to me and said that he knew I was all right but he was instructed to watch me; so we went back, as I saw there was no show of getting to Marietta that night; and being very tired I laid down on tihe ground, with the other men, and slept so soundly that one of the men woke me to tell me that there was a wagon train about to start for Marietta, I had scarcely time to crowd into one of the wagons without a bite to eat. I found the wagons were full of rebel prisoners and I know they thought I was one, too. After a rough ride we arrived at Marietta and were brought before an officer i(h a building, where we all gave our names, company, and the regiment to which we belonged. I hung back for the last and gave my name and [141] Tales of Wat Times. regiment, 1st Maryland, Union. The officer was very much surprised and called the sergeant who had charge of the prisoners. He said he did not know I was a Union soldier; still there was one more man than he had. The result was I was sent to a building with the others and kept with them five days and nights; al- though as every officer of the day came on, I asked for my liberty; but they had nothing but my word for it. At last one officer sent me with a guard to the commander of the post, a colonel whose name I can- not remember, and the next day I received my liber- ty ; but my trouble was not ended for I had no place to stay or draw rations and when I went where a lot of soldiers were getting their rations on the main street, I went for mine and was told they had no rations for rebels; but some of the boys inter- posed for me and when they found who I was they gave me anything they had. The next day they decided to ship the rebel pri- soners to Chatanooga; and the officer told me I could go with them ; and he gave me a paper to go to the Quartermaster at Chatanooga and get trans- portation to Washington, D. C. I took ttie pecaution of having the guards know I was not a rebel prisoner, so as to avoid being jug- ged with the prisoners. I felt somewhat afraid the train would be attack- [142] Adventures of Tom Hinds. ed by the rebel raider, Gen. Forest, which was the case a few days before. While our 'train stopped at Chickamauga, the rebels in the car I was in made a break and jumped out of the car doors. I was sure Forest had arrived and felt very much worked up over it; but on going to the car door, saw the cause of the trouble. An engine with a train came towards ours and only stopped three or four feeti from us. We arrived in Chatanooga about four or five p. m. and I went to the Quartermaster and received my transportation ticket to Washington. I then went to the Sanitary Commission who gave me everything but shoes. I went to the Tenessee river and had a good bath, put on the new clothes, left my old rig on the river bank. I have often since been sorry that I did not go to a picture gallery and have my picture taken in the condition and rig I was in. I went to the place where they furnished food and lodging for the soldiers and had a good supper. I realized that I was free at last and felt very much like a new man (or boy I should say.) CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX. Among the Northern People Again Visits the Homes of His Fellow Prisoners. I boarded a freight train that niglht for Nash- ville, Tenn. We went through part of Alabama to get there; also through some very large tunnels. It was a slow train but we arrived in Nashville in the morn- ing. I spent a day around Nashville and from what I saw I concluded it was a tough soldier elememt there. I took 'the passenger train to Louisville, Ky., ar- riving there in the morning and going to the Quart- ermaster's department I got a pair of ^hoes, which completed my outfit. At Louisville I found a good soldier's rest and I think I staid there one night. The place looked like Philadelphia to me and I was beginning to take considerable pleasure out of my trip, although I did not have a cent to spend. I could go without eating a day and not be alarm- ed about starving. This lesson I learned while in the rebel prison; so if I had no money, I was all right. [144] Adventures of Tom Minds. My railroad ticket was all I needed for every city had a soldier's rest, where one could get meals. I left Louisville in tihe afternoon and arrived at Columbus, Ohio, in the morning. This was a hand- some place, but after a couple of hours I left for Cincinnati and finding the food and accommoda- tions so good I staid there two nights. I saw con- siderable of the city. I went from there to Pittsburg, Pa., arriving there in the night. Near the depot I found the best soldier's rest I had been to yet. I had a fine supper and a nice bed; this place was conducted by the citizens. As there was a number of the relatives and friends of some of the men I left in Andersonvillc prison here, I intended to see all I could ; especially the mother and brother of my 'tent mate, Lewis Winters, who was born and raised in Pittsburg and had hosts of friends there. I first called on his half brother, a Mr. Smith, who ran a butcher market opposite the depot> Mr. Smith was more than pleased to see me ; and in less than ten minutes I had a large audience of butchers who all knew Winters. I had to answer hundreds of questions. They all wanted to treat me and feed me but as I had a good breakfast I was not in need. Mr. Smith, however, gave me some money to get my hair cut and the fuzz shaved off my face. The colored barber, seeing how bloated I was, and I [145] Tales of Waf Times. sweat so while he was doing the job, said : "You is de fattest man I ever shaved." After this I presented a fairly passable appear- ance, although my feet and the joints of my limbs were badly swollen ; but for all that I was on a high horse, being in God's country, with friends nrd plenty to eat. Mr. Smith brought me that evening to see a num- ber of families whose sons were in Anderson ville and any of the boys that I knew were well and liv- ing I told them about; others that were not well or in the hospital I could not do more 'than make the best of it. We called on Mrs. Winters, who was a very largo old lady of Pennsylvania Dutch, and used the ac- cent very much. Mr. Smith said, "Mother, here is a man who was with Lewis in prison." The old lady could not wait for more and said, "Ish my Lewis living? I know he is dead." I explained to her that he was living, but went to the hospital outside of the prison and that I had not seen him for a week or so before making my es- cape, I was very much in doubt of her seeing him again, but did not say so. Winters was one of the best athletes in Pittsburg. They all told me he was one of the finest built men in the regiment, standing six fee or over, as [146] Adventures of Tom Minds. straight as an arrow, and weighed about 225 pounds when captured. When he went to the hospital at Andersonville I don't think he weighed over 140 pounds. Winters lived toj come home and went into busir ness in Pittsburg after the war; his mo'ther being wealthy, gave him a start. He called on me in Philadelphia in 1875 and staid a week with me. He told me he did not think it possible for any man to make good his escape from Andersonville and would not believe I made my escape to our lines, but for my calling on "his folks at Pittsburg. He was not like his former self, being broken down from a number of troubles. I afterward learned that he died at the hospital in Pittsburg, Nov. 4th, 1884, from consumption. Winters was a man who took great interest in all kinds of sporting matters and I heard that he did not attend as closely to his business as he should on that account. He was one of the original parties that droye over the plains to Pikes Peak, the time of the gold excitement before the war. He was always my best friend while in Andersonville; and on the route there from Richmond, when I was crippled with rheumatism, after the dogs caught me, he looked after my interests as if I were a brother or a son. [147] Talcs of Wat Times. Mr. Smith had me stay with him at his house and brought me to see the great boat race be'tween Ward and Hammill on the Monongahela Kiver, about where Holmstead now stands. CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN. Finds a Felloto Prisoner and Gets an Order to Re- port Again to His Regiment. As Gen. Early, the rebel, was in Maryland and in t!he vicinity of Washington, I had to go by way of Harrisburg, Pa, and Baltimore to get to Wash- ington. After getting to Washington I put up at the soldier's rest at the B. & O. depot. The hotel ac- commodations here were not up to the standard; but away ahead of my prison fare. One feature most of the soldiers will remember about this place is the coffee for supper very often having a quantity of fat on the top of it. This was caused I presume by the cooks not wash- ing the kettles after cooking pork or beef in them. The next day after getting to Washington, Con- nolly (who made his escape through a tunnel at An- dersonville over a month before I made my escape) came to the soldier's rest. We of course were chums and Connely not being well pleased with the fare, proposed that we should go to the Adjacent General's office at the War De- partment and see what they would do for us. We called on Gen. Thomas, who was assistant [149] Tales of War Times. Adjacent General, and found him very busy, but he took time to hear our complaint. Connolly was the talker and told the General about the salt horse coffee and such. He talked so plain about it and made such a bitter complaint that I expected the General would call the guard and put us out; but he did not. He said 'he could not give us any relief, but advised us to go to the Quartermaster's department and they might re- lieve us, which we did; but received no money or satisfaction. I often thought since our mistake was in not go- ing to the President, Mr. Lincoln. I don't think Connolly used policy enough in pre- senting our case* He talked to them as indepen- dent as he would or did to Wirtz at Andersonville ; and was not afraid of the biggest amongst them. Some one directed us to a place kept by the citizens or sanitary commission which was a first class place, too. They would not take in every one here and refused us at first; but after stating our case they accepted us as boarders without pay. In the meantime I met Geo. Simpson (a New York state boy) of my company and we went to Georgetown, to call on our former Capt. Merritit, who had resigned his commission after Bull Bun battle and married a widow in Georgetown. They conducted a hotel and restaurant. [150] Adventures of Tom Hinds. The captain was glad to see us and we had a flue dinner with him. After dinner I told "the captain we were strapped and wanted to borrow money to get home. He said all he co-uld spare was six dollars which' foe gave to me. I gave half to Simpson and thought by good cheek I could get to Philadelphia on that amount. After a stay of 'ten days I received an order from the War Department which read as follows : War Department, Washington, July 30, 1864, Adj. Gen. Office, Special Order, No. 254. Corporal Thomas Hinds, company A. 1st Mary- land Cavalry A., recently escaped prisoner of war, now at the Soldier's Rest, Washington, D. C., will report to 'the commanding officer of 'his regiment with permission to delay en route twenty days. The Quartermaster will furnish the necessary transpor- tation. By order of the Secretary of War, E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adj. Gen. Tales of Wat Times. Both Connolly and I asked for a furlough, but at that time I understood they were giving none, so we had to be content. This gave nie a chance to go home for nearly three weeks. I went to my home in Philadelphia, Pa., and staid the limit of my time. I was foolish to go back to the regiment for my condition was such that a physician's certificate would have left me at home, until my time expired, in about six weeks. I will always remember the kindness of the slaves to me during my five weeks travelling through Georgia, They were always true and help- ed many a Union soldier in distress. I will always have a kindly feeling for those people; but for them I should never have succeeded in making my final escape to Serman's army. Appendix. 200 APPENDIX. BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG. A victory of the Federals under General Meade over the Confederates under Lee, at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 1-3, 1863. General Lee while invading Pennsylvania, was compelled to retreat by the Army of the Potomac under General Meade, which was threatening his rear. He decided to venture a battle, expecting in case of victory to march' on Washington, and in case of defeat to se- cure a direct line of retreat to Virginia ; and gave orders for his army to concentrate at Gettysburg. On July 1 thie Federal advance under Major-Gener- al Reynolds met the Confederate advance at Gettys- burg. An engagement ensued, in which bo'tlh sides were reinforced. Reynolds was killed, and was suc- ceeded by General Howard, who maintained his position on Cemetery Hill, south of the town. Gen- eral Meade arrived during the afternoon. On the 2d the Federal army occupied a strong position in the form of a semicircle with its convex center to- ward Gettysburg, and including elevations of Ceme- tery Hill and Round Top. About noon Lee began a general attack on the Federal center and left, which was followed by an attack on the right. He lost the day in every quarter. The battle on the 2 demonstrated that the key to General Meade's position was Cemetery Hill, which was defended by APPENDIX. 201 a, battery of about 80 guns. Accordingly on the 3d, General Lee massed upward of 100 guns on Semin- ary Ridge, with which he opened on Cemetery Hill about 1 p. m. The bombardment* whidi lasted an hour and a half, was followed by two grand as- sault,'?, which were repulsed. General Lee retired on the 4th. The forces engaged during this three days' battle numbered between 70,000 and 80,000 on each side. The Federal loss was 2,834 killed, 13,709 wounded, and 6,643 missing, making a total of 23,186. The total Confederate loss was 31,621. BATTLE OF 8HILOH. A locality in Hardin County, Tennessee, near Pitfrsburg Landing, on the Tennessee River, 88 miles east of Memphis. It was the scene of the battle of Shiloh, or Pittsburg Landing, April 6 and 7, 1862. The Federals under Grant were surprised by the Confederates under A. S. Johnston and forc- ed back to the river. Johnston was killed, and Beauregard succeeded him. On the 7th Grant was reinforced by Buell's army, and drove the Confeder- ates from the battle-field. Loss of Federals, 13,573, including 1,735 killed; loss of Confederates, 10,699. BATTLE OF FIVE FORKS. A place in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, 11 miles southwest of Petersburg. Here, April 1, 1865, the 202 APPENDIX. Federals under Sheridan defeated part of Lee's army. The loss of the Federals was 884 ; of the Con- federates 8,500. BATTLE OF THE VSILDERNESS. A battle between the Federals and Confederates, May 5-7, 1864, in the Wilderness region in Virginia, south of the Bapidan. The Federals (over 100,000) were commanded by Grant (immediately by Meade), and the Confederates (64,000-68,000) by Lee. The Confederate position was partly intrench- ed. The Federal loss was about 18,000; the Con- federate, about 11,000. The battle was followed by that of Spottsylvania. BATTLE OF ANTIETAM. A small river in Southern Pennsylvania and west- ern Maryland, which joins the Potomac 6 miles north of Harper's Ferry. On its banks near S'harps- burg, Sept. 17, 1862, a battle (called by the Con- federates the battle of Sharpsburg) was fought be- tween the Federals (87,164, of whom about 60,000 bore 'the brunt of the battle) under McClellan, and the Confederates (40,000 according to Lee, 45,000 to 70,000 according to Pollard, 97,000 according to McClellan) under Lee. The total loss of the Union army was 12,469 (2,010 killed) ; of the Confeder- ates, 25,899. Other estimates of the Confederate APPENDIX. 203 loss are 9,000 to 12,000. Lee retreated across the Potomac on the 18th. The battle isi variously des- cribed as a Federal victory and as indescisive. BATTLE OF ATLANTA. A victory gained east of Atlanta, July 22, 1864, by the Federals under Sherman over 1 the Confeder- ates under Hood (who had made a sortie from the city). Federal loss, about 3,600 (including Gener- al McPherson). BATTLE OF LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN. A part of the battle of Chattanooga, a Federal victory won by General Grant over the Confederates under Bragg. In the storming of Lookout Moun- tain, Nov. 24, 1863, the Federals were under the immediate command of Hooker, and advanced up ithe northern face. Owing to the 'heavy mist on the mountain-side, the battle is often called "the bat- tle above the clouds." MONITOR AND MERRIMAC. Monitor. An iron-clad steam battery, consisting of an iron hull covered by a projecting deck,an d surmounted by a revolving turret protecting the guns, designed by John Ericsson. Her commander was Lieutenant J. L. Worden, and her executive of- 204 APPENDIX. iicer Lieutenant S. D. Greene. She was launched at Greenpoint, New York, Jan. 30. 1862, and arriv- ed at Fort Monroe in the evening of March 8, 1862. On March 9 occurred the battle between the Moni- tor and the Merrimac, which resulted in a draw that was equivalent to a victory for the Monitor. She afterward joined the successful expedition com- manded by Captain John Kodgers against Fort Darling, near Kichmond, and was sunk off Cape Hatteras on her way to Beaufort, South Carolina, Dec. 29, 1862. Sixty vessels were built or projected on her plan during the war. The modern improved battleship is a combination of the Monitor and Merrimac types. Her dimension were: length of hull, 124 feet; beam of hull, 34 feet; length of deck, 172 feet; width of deck, 41 feet; draught, 11 feet; linside diameter of turret, 20 feet; height of turret, 9 feet; thickness of turret armor, 8 inches; thick- ness of side armor, 5 inches ; thickness of deck arm- or, 1 inch ; thickness of pilot-house armor, 9 inches. Armament, 2 11-inch Dahlgren guns, throwing 180- pound shot. Merrimac. A 40-gun screw frigate built for the United States government in 1855. On April 19, 1861, the Norfolk navy yard was abandoned by the Federal government, and the ships there, including (the Merrimac, were sunk. The hull was raised by the Confederates and cut down to the berth-deck. On the midsMp section a casemate of timber 170 APPENDIX. 205 feet long was built, protected by a double iron plat- ing 4 inches thick. The prow was of castiron. She was named 'the Virginia, and was commanded by Commodore Franklin Buchanan. On March 8, 1862, she destroyed the Congress (a sailing ship of 50 guns) and the Cumberland (a sailing ship of 30 guns) at Newport News. On March 9 she attacked the Minnesota, and was met by the Monitor, which had arrived the night before. The battle lasted from 8 a. m. until noon, and resulted in favor of the Monitor. BULL RUN. A small river in eastern Virginia, which joins the Occoquan (a tributary of the Potomac ) 25 miles southwest of Washinton. Near it occurred two battles in the American Civil War. (a) The Confederates under the immediate command of Beauregard (about 31,000) defeated tlhe Federals under McDowell (about 28,000), July 21, 1861. Loss of Federals, 2,952 ; of Confederates, 1,752. Called by Confederates the first battle of Manassas. (b). The Confederates under Lee (about 46,000) defeated the Federals under Pope (about 35,000), Aug. 29-30, 1862. Loss of Federals, about 15,000 (?) ; of Confederates, 8,400. Called by the Con- federates the second battle of Manassas. The bat- !tle of Aug. 29 is sometimes styled the battle of Groveton. 206 APPENDIX. CHANCELLORSVILLE. A past office in Spottsylviana County, Va., 55 miles northwest of Richmond. Here, May 2-4, 1863, the Confederates (about 65,000) under Lee defeated the Federals (132,000) under Hooker. Loss of the Federals, 16,030 ; of the Confederates, 12,281 (in- eluding "Stonewall" Jackson). FORT FISHER. A fortification between Cape Fear River and the Atlantic, situate 18 miles south of Wilmington, North Carolina, It was attacked by 'the Federals under Terry Jan. 13, and was carried by storm Jan. 15, 1865. The Federal loss (Jan. 13-15) was 955; the Confederate, 2,483. CEDAR CREEK. A stream in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, which joins the Shenandoah 4 miles from Stras- burg. Here, Oct. 19, 1864, the Confederates under Early surprised the Federals under Wright. Later jin the day the Confederates were defeated by Sheri- dan. Loss of the Federals, 5,995 ; of the Confeder- ates, 4,200. KEN E SAW MOUNTAIN. A mountain in Cobb County, Georgia, 25 miles APPENDIX. 207 northwest of Atlanta. It was the scene of fighting between the Federals under Sherman and the Con- federates under Johnston, June 1864. The capital of James City County, Virginia, sit- uated between James and York rivers,. 46 miles east- southeast of Richmond. It is the seat of William and Mary College; and succeeded Jamestown as the capital of Virginia, remaining such down to Revolutionary times. A victory was gained there, May 5, 1862, by a part of McClellan's army ( Hook- er, Kearny, Smith) over the Confederates under Johnston. Population (1890) 1,831. FALL OF PETERSBURG. A city in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, situated on the Appomattox, at the head of stream naviga- tion, 23 miles south of Richmond. It is the third city in the state; has important trade in tobacco, cotton, flour, grain, etc.; has manufactures of to- bacco, cotton, etc. It was incorporated in 1748. It was beseiged by the Federals under Grant 1864-65. After some unsuccessful attempts to seize it, the siege commenced June 19, 1864. Final operations began March 25, 1865 ; and after the battle of Five Forks (March 31 and April 1) it was evacuated by 208 APPENDIX. the Confederates April 2-3, and surrendered April 3. Population (1890), 22,680. BATTLE OF WINCHESTER. A victory gained by the Federals under Sheridan over the Confederates under Early, Sept. 19, 1864. The Federal loss was 4,990; the Confederate loss, 5,500. Also called battle of Opequan. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. Form L9 15m-10,'48(B1039)444 UNIVERSITY ol CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES LIBRARY EG01 Hinds- H58t Tales of war times. E601