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LOG^ANSPO »T, ■ A.WA., JFrom the 46th RegimentjI1Escape of Anthony Eskew* George i Nield, Wm. Bacome, Alexander Reid and laniel Garbison*Louisvili.e, ICy., June 19,1805.Eds. Journal: Quite a pleasant excitement has been prevail* ing in the Regiment lor some days past by the appearance of certain of our comrades who* wore captured on Red River, in April 1864, among whom are Anthony Eskew, and Geo, Nield of Co. D, William Bacome of Co. C, Alexander Reid, Co. E, and Daniel Garbison of H. Men who escaped from prisons, and whose experience and singular adventure will, without doubt, bo exceedingly interesting to the readers of these articles:On the 16tli of Nov. Anthony Eskew, Wm. Bacome and Alex Reid escaped from prison at Camp Grace, Texas, by digging out one of the upright timbers of the stockade. This party took a south-east course from the camp until they struck the railroad leading from Houston to Oran^Wn the Sabine River, at or near West Liberty on the San Jacinto River. From here they followed the lino of tho railroad east, travelling by night aud secreting themselves by day in the woods or tall grass of the prairies. Along this part of the route but little difficulty was encountered, as the greater portion of the inhabitants were Union men and did all that they could to minister to the wants and comforts of tho fugitives who approached these friendly dwellings in the darkness, and secrete themselves iu a neighboring thicket during the day. These men first found out from the negroes that (friendly stations existed at a distance of from fitteen to twenty miles apart, being the same route that other men of the Regiment had before found. These stations were regularly found tUl the crossing of the Sabine River, the eastern boundary of the State.After crossing the Neches river, whilst cooking some food in the woods, a smaJI party of hunters discovered them, but one of the men being friendly, the others not caring much, the hunters concluded not to inturrupt the men. One of thethunters told the men to come to lit* house at night and he would supply their wants. At night they accepted the invitation and procured a good supper and resumed their journey refreshed. Upon nearing t)^ Sabine they were directed, b*a fHendly Union man, to the ferrj^wbere a crossing could be effected Hthe same place at which Col. Flory and his party had crossed but a short time previous. After crossing the Sabine they passed to the west going near the rebel forti ft cations and then again taklnga south-east course, passing to the west of Lake Charles, crossing Caicasien lVuts south of the Lake. Here again they found a strong Union settlement—for over a distance of one hundred miles having passed through a low, marshy prairie country, wadin {water almost constantly an swimming numerous bayous.-Ifcre again they received directions for travel, and being supplied by friends with food, and haying been secreted !ti a secure place for a few days rest, they again resumed their journey. Owing to their ig-These men wero then taken through VermiUionvill, La., from there to Carion Crow Rayou, where the Regiment had a light with the enemy in November 1863, and turned over to a Louisiana regiment stationed at that point, where they were kept fora short time and then taken to Alexandria. After being kept at this point for a short time they were transferred to Shreveport, where they found tbeir comrade Bacome who had taken sick on the route and had given himself up. This being the second recapture of both Bacome and EBkew.r-* They were kept in prison here till in April when they were again taken to Camp Ford, Texas, which tho Regiment had left in August previous. It is unnecessary to.say anything about the usages these men had to undergo during all this time, for it is tho oft repeated story of villainous wrong, which, if our home rebel sompathizers had only been fortuuate enough to experience, they would not have had *ueh tender one sided consciences.Eskew remained at Camp For until the 1st of May, when he agai determined to try his fortunes for the third time. Selecting a dark night, he, in company with a number of others approached the stockade and as the guard was turned, he sprang over tho wall, drawing after him the fire of the guards. His comrades became frightened and abandoned the attempt; but he went alone.^ He traveled in the woods at night and secreted himself by day; again as before getting food from the negroes, and occasionally meoting a Union man. He met with no adventure till after crossing the Sabine river, when he was halted by a home guard who demanded his pass. Fortunately he had an old piece of naper in his pocket which he handea to the rebel, who placed his gun across his saddle and begun to unfold the paper. Quick as thought, Eskew suatched the gun and was in a condition to enforce the validity of his pass, which ho did not hesitate to do. He then again took to the woods and slopea his course for AI-cxandria. Being now armed he had no fears in appropching houses for food.He struck Red river about thirty miles above Alexandria, and whilst secreted in the woods on the bank of the river he saw the boats pass with the last of tho Camp Ford prisoners for exchange.He passed around Alexandria and then got an old boat aud float* ed down the river till he reached the back water of the Mississippi river. Here he could not propel his boat and he abandoned it and took to the shore. Fortunately he come to the house of a Union inan who agreed to take him to the mouth of the ldvei* to a gunboat, for the gun which he had captured from the rebel soldier. In due timefood from his friends, he started down a stream, floating quietly past the pickets at night. After much difficulty he finally succeeded in reaching the Mississippi river, and here for* the first time life was visably in danger, and that from his own friends. Seeing some transports laden with troops passing down the river, he showed him self and was fired upon by a whole broadside. Fortunately he was not hurt. After some trouble he floated out into the stream and succeeded in getting aboard a boat, and finally, after much delay, succeeded in reaching his Regiment.Wo neglected in the proper place to say, that Jackson took sick and gave himself up, and wad taken back to prison.Daniel Garbison was exchanged in May. Bacome, whose adventures have been detailed, was exchanged at the same time. John Shaffer was left at New Orleans sick. With this exception, all the men who were captured at Sabine Cross Roads are now safe with the Regiment• Too much praise cannot be given to these brave and daring men. A great many interesting items might yet be detailed, but enough is here given to show their mettle.Owing to the length of this communication other interesting items will bo reserved for next week. This much we will say, that there is not much prospect of being mustered out for some time to come.46th.Government Wagon Train.There is now en route from Wash ington city to Louisville, Ky., several immense Government wagon trains. They travel the whole dis-tauce over land, and their great extent excites the wonder and curiosity of the people along the route,who have never seen so largo a number of teams in one train. On Wednesday the first of the series arrived in this city, and passed over the suspension bridge to the Isltiiid, where they will remain until this morning, when they will resume their westward march. This train numbered 250 wagons and 2,016 mules, each wagon being drawn by six mules, with two leading behind The drivers ate all darkies, duly impressed with the dignity of their position; and having traveled over so large portion of Uncle Sam’s domain, they have adopted very largeviews as to the extent of his possessions and the amount of his wealth. There is yet*1000 wagons to arrived and they will have th# opportunity of enjoying similar fh-vors, for all of which they should he truly thankful. Each train is fVom four to five miles long. Ithas been; generally supposed that this is Sherman’s wagon train, buttPhiBtIthewliIdcTypeida;geithea \ the ou de wl tai an tin ou n u wlt; nv to he thlt; to: Wi th toPigigclaufudtoiJear gi ai 01 VI glt; ai nrwe are informed thaf such is not the fact. The train is made up at Washington city from various they safely reached the fleet in the hsotfrcos. Some of the mules are a Mississippi river, being amply re- part of those brought through by warded for his courageous perti- Sherman, but how many we are nu-,1_ ' 1 14 * * able to say. Therois also different— A 1nacitv, after marching in all, during his different escapes, over 1,200 miles!About the 1st of September Geo. Nield aud Jackson of Co. I, escaped from prison at Camp Gnro, in about the same manner as the others, and struck a north-east direction. Meeting with about the same adventures and experience in the main. The same story of hun-er, thirst, privat ions of every kind, air-breauth escapes from foes and flood, night marching aud daylight hiding subsisting off the country by tho aid of the friendly negro. Thesurmises and reports as to the purpose of sending them west, but wo suspect that pretty much all the army transportation has been drawn to tho east, and the Government is desirous of distributing it more generally throughout the country, and wishes to have a fair supply in the west to meet emergencies.—Wheel in (j Intelliyencer, 151.General Grant Kissed by the La-dies at the Chicaga Fair*[From the Voico of the Fair.]A *
Newspaper Details
Logansport Journal
Logansport, Indiana, US
Sat, Jul 01, 1865
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Mary J.
USA 17 Apr 2020
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