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load of men were removed； as many of us thought； for the purpose of
exchange； but； as we afterwards discovered； to be taken to another
prison。 Among the crowd so removed was my squad； or； at least； a portion
of them； being my intimate mess…mates while in the Stockade。 As soon as
I found this to be the case I waited on Wirz at his office； and asked
permission to go with them； which he refused； stating that he was
compelled to have men at the cookhouse to cook for those in the Stockade
until they were all gone or exchanged。 I reminded him of the condition
in my parole； but this only had the effect of making him mad； and he
threatened me with the stocks if I did not go back and resume work。
I then and there made up my mind to attempt my escape； considering that
the parole had first been broken by the man that granted it。
On inquiry after my return to the cook…house； I found four other boys who
were also planning an escape； and who were only too glad to get me to
join them and take charge of the affair。 Our plans were well laid and
well executed； as the sequel will prove； and in this particular my own
experience in the endeavor to escape from Andersonville is not entirely
dissimilar from yours； though it had different results。 I very much
regret that in the attempt I lost my penciled memorandum； in which it was
my habit to chronicle what went on around me daily； and where I had the
names of my brave comrades who made the effort to escape with me。
Unfortunately； I cannot now recall to memory the name of one of them or
remember to what commands they belonged。
I knew that our greatest risk was run in eluding the guards； and that in
the morning we should be compelled to cheat the blood…hounds。 The first
we managed to do very well； not without many hairbreadth escapes；
however； but we did succeed in getting through both lines of guards；
and found ourselves in the densest pine forest I ever saw。 We traveled；
as nearly as we could judge； due north all night until daylight。 From
our fatigue and bruises； and the long hours that had elapsed since 8
o'clock； the time of our starting； we thought we had come not less than
twelve or fifteen miles。 Imagine our surprise and mortification； then；
when we could plainly hear the reveille； and almost the Sergeant's voice
calling the roll； while the answers of 〃Here！〃 were perfectly distinct。
We could not possibly have been more than a mile； or a mile…and…a…half at
the farthest； from the Stockade。
Our anxiety and mortification were doubled when at the usual houras we
supposedwe heard the well…known and long…familiar sound of the hunter's
horn； calling his hounds to their accustomed task of making the circuit
of the Stockade； for the purpose of ascertaining whether or not any ？
〃Yankee〃 had had the audacity to attempt an escape。 The hounds；
anticipating； no doubt； this usual daily work； gave forth glad barks of
joy at being thus called forth to duty。 We heard them start； as was
usual； from about the railroad depot （as we imagined）； but the sounds
growing fainter and fainter gave us a little hope that our trail had been
missed。 Only a short time； however； were we allowed this pleasant
reflection； for ere longit could not have been more than an hourwe
could plainly see that they were drawing nearer and nearer。 They finally
appeared so close that I advised the boys to climb a tree or sapling in
order to keep the dogs from biting them； and to be ready to surrender
when the hunters came up； hoping thus to experience as little misery as
possible； and not dreaming but that we were caught。 On； on came the
hounds； nearer and nearer still； till we imagined that we could see the
undergrowth in the forest shaking by coming in contact with their bodies。
Plainer and plainer came the sound of the hunter's voice urging them
forward。 Our hearts were in our throats； and in the terrible excitement
we wondered if it could be possible for Providence to so arrange it that
the dogs would pass us。 This last thought； by some strange fancy； had
taken possession of me； and I here frankly acknowledge that I believed it
would happen。 Why I believed it； God only knows。 My excitement was so
great； indeed； that I almost lost sight of our danger； and felt like
shouting to the dogs myself； while I came near losing my hold on the tree
in which I was hidden。 By chance I happened to look around at my nearest
neighbor in distress。 His expression was sufficient to quell any
enthusiasm I might have had； and I； too； became despondent。 In a very
few minutes our suspense was over。 The dogs came within not less than
three hundred yards of us； and we could even see one of them； God in
Heaven can only imagine what great joy was then； brought to our aching
hearts； for almost instantly upon coming into sight； the hounds struck
off on a different trail； and passed us。 Their voices became fainter and
fainter； until finally we could hear them no longer。 About noon；
however； they were called back and taken to camp； but until that time not
one of us left our position in the trees。
When we were satisfied that we were safe for the present； we descended to
the ground to get what rest we could； in order to be prepared for the
night's march； having previously agreed to travel at night and sleep in
the day time。 〃Our Father； who art in Heaven；〃 etc。； were the first
words that escaped my lips； and the first thoughts that came to my mind
as I landed on terra firma。 Never before； or since； had I experienced
such a profound reverence for Almighty God； for I firmly believe that
only through some mighty invisible power were we at that time delivered
from untold tortures。 Had we been found； we might have been torn and
mutilated by the dogs； or； taken back to Andersonville； have suffered for
days or perhaps weeks in the stocks or chain gang； as the humor of Wirz
might have dictated at the timeeither of which would have been almost
certain death。
It was very fortunate for us that before our escape from Andersonville we
were detailed at the cook…house； for by this means we were enabled to
bring away enough food to live for several days without the necessity of
theft。 Each one of us had our haversacks full of such small delicacies
as it was possible for us to get when we started； these consisting of
corn bread and fat baconnothing less； nothing more。 Yet we managed to
subsist comfortably until our fourth day out； when we happened to come
upon a sweet potato patch； the potatos in which had not been dug。 In a
very short space of time we were all well supplied with this article； and
lived on them raw during that day and the next night。
Just at evening； in going through a field； we suddenly came across three
negro men； who at first sight of us showed signs of running； thinking； as
they told us afterward； that we were the 〃patrols。〃 After explaining to
them who we were and our condition； they took us to a very quiet retreat
in the woods； and two of them went off； stating that they would soon be
back。 In a very short time they returned laden with well cooked
provisions； which not only gave us a good supper； but supplied us for the
next d