Reminiscences of a Prisoner of War and His Escape

by Daniel Avery Langworthy

We arrived on time and went to the hotel, where we registered and were told they were very sorry but there had not been a vacant room in the house since eight o'clock the night before; the best they could do would be to give us cots in the parlor where several others were assigned. We took the cots and were soon asleep. In the morning, after breakfast, I went to the office and inquired if Major Diven was around yet and was told the major and his family had left about a week before and had taken a house. "Where is his office?" I inquired. They told me and I asked at what time in the morning he would be in his office. They thought at nine o'clock. I went to look for my comrades and found them in the waiting room. "Our boat does not leave until four o'clock this afternoon," I said. "We have the day to put in here. Come and take a little walk with me." "Where are you going?" they inquired. "To draw my pay," I told them. "To draw your pay!" they laughed. "There is a United States paymaster here," I said. "Why should we not draw our pay?" But, while they had nothing to do, I could not persuade one to go with me. So I went away alone and found a colored man sweeping out the office. I inquired if Major Diven was in and was told that he was not, but would be soon and would I come in. I picked up the morning paper from the steps and went in. Soon the Major came. I said, "Major, I am an officer in the United States service, an escaped prisoner of war; I came to draw some pay." "What is your name, rank, regiment and where and when were you captured?" he asked. I told him. He said, "I suppose you know there is an order forbidding us to pay officers or men if they are away from their command?" "Yes," I said, "but how about prisoners of war and especially those who have made their escape? What provision is there for them?" "There certainly should be some," he replied, "but I must first talk it over with Colonel ——, my superior. Did you tell me your name was D. A. Langworthy, Captain of Company 'E', 85th New York?" he asked. "Yes," I replied. "Did you marry Belle Cooke last year?" he continued. "Yes," I said. "Why, I was at your wedding!" he exclaimed. "I will certainly pay you if I have to furnish the money myself, but let me go first and talk with the Colonel." "One minute first, Major," I said. "There are nine others with me, we are all alike, two of them are in the 85th and three others in our brigade." He left and soon returned saying he was told he could give us all one month's pay. I told him that would do nicely and I would go for the others. "Wait a minute," he said, "so that I can have your papers ready for you to sign. When were you paid last?" he inquired. "You will please say nothing about it, for I will take the liberty of paying you for six months." So my check was for something over $900.00.

As They Appeared After Reaching the Union Lines

(From left to right)

Lieut. J. E. Terwilliger, 85th N. Y.
Capt. C. S. Aldrich, 85th N. Y.
Capt. D. A. Langworthy, 85th N. Y.
Lieut. G. S. Hastings, 24th N. Y. Batt.
Capt. George H. Starr, 104th N. Y.

I went for the others, they all got some pay and of course all felt better. We arrived at Cincinnati at about five o'clock in the morning. I was somewhat at home there, for in previous years I had been there for some time each year looking after my father's lumber interests. My chums were inquiring for the Quarter Master to get their transportation. I told them I should not trouble about the Quarter Master. "Why not?" they asked. "His office probably will not be open before nine o'clock," I said. "If I can get the six o'clock express at the little Miami station it will make about one day's difference in my getting home and I am getting in a hurry." "How about your railroad fare?" they inquired. "I will pay it and take the chance of getting it back," I said.

I got the train and went the rest of the way alone. When, in the latter part of March, 1864, I was returned to the front from detail duty in the North, I left my wife at my home in New York City. While in prison I learned that she had returned to her father in Elmira, New York. So of course I made for Elmira. Arrived there in the latter part of the night. I started to walk to father Cooke's. While I was in prison my wife had an illness which troubled her head and started her hair coming out. Hoping to save it, she had it cut short and the night before had put it up in curl papers. It chanced that she and one of her sisters were sleeping in a front chamber with the front window open and she was awake and heard someone coming. She recognized my step and shook her sister, saying, "Nell, Nell, get out of here quick, the Doctor is coming!" "There is no Doctor coming for you," said Nell. "I tell you he is. I know his step. Can't you hear it. There—he has opened the gate!" and she pushed her sister out of bed and told her to go.

I rapped on the door, was admitted and embraced by Father Cooke, who opened the stair door and said, "Belle." "Yes, father, I know who it is," she replied. "Send him up." When I entered the room she was sitting up in bed taking the curl papers out of her hair. That was the 20th of November. I had been six weeks on the trip.