To my early friend, Rev. Alexander Clark, Editor of the "School Visitor," I am still more deeply indebted. His literary experience was freely placed at my service, and when discouraged in the preparation of my story, which was to me an arduous undertaking, his words of hope and cheer stimulated me to renewed efforts. But for aid derived from his sympathy and advice, I would have probably abandoned my task. May he be fully rewarded!
There are a host of others whose good offices will always be kindly remembered. Among them are W. R. Allison of the "Steubenville Herald," Dr. John McCook, also of Steubenville, Dr. George McCook of Pittsburgh, Rev. William B. Watkins, A. M., Dr. John Mills, and many others. Thanks to them all!
WILLIAM PITTENGER.
Army of the Cumberland, August, 1863.
CONTENTS.
Images
[1-William Pittenger]
[2-"A pull—a jar—a clang—and we were flying away on our perilous journey."]
[3-"Down I went into the cimmerian gloom—clambering step by step to a depth of fully thirteen feet."]
[4-The Medal]
[CHAPTER I.]
Sad Retrospective—Object of the Book—Military Situation
in the Southwest—Disaster and Energy of the Rebels—Necessity
for a Secret Expedition—A Proposition to
Buell and Mitchel—An Attempt and Failure—Return of
Adventurers—Second Expedition—Writer Volunteers—Andrews,
the Leader—Parting from the Regiment—On
the Way—Perplexities—The Writer Cur-tailed! 23-35
[CHAPTER II.]
Midnight Consultation—Plans Developed—Money Distributed—Compagnons
du Voyage—A Dismal Night—Sheltered
from the Storm—Southern Unionist—Arrested by
Federal Soldiers—Beyond the Lines—Panic Caused by
Negroes—Method of Avoiding Suspicion—Continuous
Rain—Behind Time—Hunting Human Beings with
Bloodhounds—The Cumberland Mountains—Rain again. 36-45
[CHAPTER III.]
Crossing the Mountains—Playing Hypocrite—Legend of
Battle Creek Valley—Lodged with a Secessionist—Strategy—A
Welcome but Fatal Delay—Exaggerated
Accounts of Shiloh—Prevented from Crossing the Tennessee—In
the Mountains again—Amusing Rebel Story—To
the River again—Perilous Crossing—Success—Chattanooga—On
the Cars—Night—Arrive at Marietta. 46-56
[CHAPTER IV.]
Take an Early Train—Prospecting—Capture of the Train—Panic
in Confederate Camp—Away at Lightning
Speed—Thrilling Experience—Cut the Telegraph—Tear
up the Track—Unexpected Obstacle—Running a Powder
Train to Beauregard—Red Flag—Dropping Cross-Ties—Battering
out Spikes—Immense Exertion of Strength—Pursuing
Backward—Terrible Chase—Attempt to Wreck
the Enemy's Train—Fearful Speed—Bold Plan. 57-67
[CHAPTER V.]
Consternation along the Route—Wood and Water—Attempt
to Fire the Train—Partial Failure—Message sent
to Chattanooga—Terrific Preparations—Abandon the
Train—A Capital Error—In the Woods—A Thrilling
Account of the Chase from the Atlanta "Southern Confederacy." 68-90
[CHAPTER VI.]
Stupendous "Man Hunt"—My Own Adventures—Playing
Acrobat—Perilous Crossing of a River—Hunger—The
Bloodhounds—Flying for Life—No Sun or Star to Guide
me—Traveling in a Circle—Nearing Chattanooga—Lost
in Deadened Timber—Glimpse of the Moon—Fatigue
produces Phantoms—Dreadful Storm—I Sleep and enter
Fairy Land—Glorious Visions—Reality—A Picket—Romance
Faded—Horrible Situation—Day Dawn—No Relief. 91-105
[CHAPTER VII.]
Sabbath—Continuous Rain—Press Onward—Observed—Arrested—Curious
Examination—Equivocating for Life—Plans
Foiled by Unexpected News—Plundered—Jail—Terrible
Reflections—New and Hopeful Resolve—Unwelcome
Visitors—Vigilance Committee Disappointed—Ordered
to Chattanooga—A Mob—Chained to the
Carriage—Escort—The Journey—Musings—Arrival—Another
Mob—Benevolent Gentleman(?)—General
Leadbetter—Andrews. 106-126
[CHAPTER VIII.]
Negro Prison—Swims, the Jailor—Horrible Dungeon—Black
Hole of Calcutta—Suffocation—Union Prisoners—Slave
Catching—Our Party Reunited—Breakfast Lowered
by Rope—Hunger—Counseling—Fiendish Barbarity—Chained
in the Dungeon—Andrews tried as a Spy
and Traitor—Sweet, but Stolen News—Removed from
Dungeon—Pure Air and Sunlight—Attacked by a Mob—"A
Friend"—Madison—Daring Adventure and Narrow
Escape. 127-147
[CHAPTER IX.]
Return to Chattanooga—Caution of Rebels—Unchain Ourselves—Mock
Trials—The Judge—Singing—One Kindness—Projected
Escape—Loitering Comrades—A Gleam
of Hope—Sad Parting—Knoxville—Prison Inmates—Brownlow—Awful
Cruelty—Andrews Condemned to
Death—Escapes with Wollam—Fearful Perils—Swimming
the River—Hiding on an Island—Found by Children—Yields
to His Fate—Horrible Death—Wollam's
Stratagem—On the River—Passes a Gun Boat—Final
Capture. 148-170
[CHAPTER X.]
Sorrow for Andrews—Prepare for Trial—Charges and
Specifications—Plan of Defence—Incidents of Trial—Encouragement—Not
Allowed to Hear Pleading—Lawyer's
Plea—Seven Tried—Mitchel Dissolves the Court—Tied
Again—A Saucy Reply—Advantage of Sickness—Fry
Deceived—Revolting Inhumanity—Fry's Capture—Starve
to Atlanta—Taunts of the Mob—Atlanta Prison—A
Kind Jailor. 171-183
[CHAPTER XI.]
Cavalry Approach—Seven Removed from the Room—Suspense—Sentence
of Death—Heart-rending Separation—Death
and the Future—Not Prepared—Inhuman Haste—The
Tragedy—Speech on the Scaffold—Breaking Ropes—Enemies
Affected—Gloom of Survivors—Prayer. 184-192
[CHAPTER XII.]
Religious Experience—Contraband Assistance—Intelligence
of Negroes—Love of Freedom—Wollam's Recapture—A
Friendly Preacher—Obtain Books—Disgusting
Diet—Plays—Debates—Reading Hours—Envy the Birds—Dreams
of Home—Telegraphing—Friends from our
Army—Hope Deferred—Union Society—Difficulties of
Tobacco-chewers—Precious Books. 193-207
[CHAPTER XIII.]
Contemplated Escape—Startling Intelligence—Our Doom
Pronounced from Richmond—Hesitate no Longer—Our
Plan—All Ready—Supper—Farewell—Life or Death—Seize
the Jailor—Guns Wrested from Guards—Alarm
Given—Scaling the Wall—Guards Fire—Terrible Chase—Six
Recaptured—Wood and Wilson Reach the Gulf—Dorsey's
Narrative—Porter's Account—Boasting of the
Guards—Barlow's Cruel Death. 208-223
[CHAPTER XIV.]
Despair and Hope—Bitten Finger—Removed to Barracks—Greater
Comfort—Jack Wells—Cruel Punishment of
Tennesseeans—Story of a Spy—Help Him to Escape—Virtue
of a Coat—A Practical Joke—Unionism—Sweet
Potatoes—Enlisting in Rebel Army—Description of a
Day—Happy News—Start for Richmond—Not Tied—Night
Journey—Varied Incidents—Lynchburg—Rebel
Audacity Punished—Suffering from the Cold—Arrival
in Richmond. 224-246
[CHAPTER XV.]
The City by Moonlight—Old Accusation Renewed—Libby
Prison—Discomfort—A Change—Citizens' Department—Richmond
Breakfast—Removed under Guard—Castle
Thunder—Miniature Bedlam—Conceal a Knife—Confined
in a Stall—Dreadful Gloom—Routine of a Day—Suffering
at Night—Friends Exchanged—Newspapers—Burnside—Pecuniary
Perplexities—Captain Webster—Escape
Prevented—Try Again on Christmas Night—Betrayed—Fearful
Danger Avoided. 247-266
[CHAPTER XVI.]
Letter sent Home—Alarming Pestilence—Our Quarters
Changed—Rowdyism—Fairy Stories—Judge Baxter—Satanic
Strategy—Miller's History—An Exchange with a
Dead Man—Effect of Democratic Victories—Attempt to
Make us Work—Digging out of a Cell—Worse than the
Inquisition—Unexpected Interference—List from "Yankee
Land"—Clothing Stolen—Paroled—A Night of Joy—Torch-light
March—On the Cars—The Boat—Reach
Washington—Receive Medals, Money, and Promotion—Home. 267-288
INTRODUCTION.
While our absent brothers are battling on the field, it is becoming that the friends at home should be eager for the minutest particulars of the camp-life, courage and endurance of the dear boys far away; for to the loyal lover of his country every soldier is a brother.
The narrative related on the following pages is one of extraordinary "daring and suffering," and will excite an interest in the public mind such as has rarely, if ever, arisen from any personal adventures recorded on the page of history.
William Pittenger, the oldest of a numerous family, was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, January 31st, 1840. His father, Thomas Pittenger, is a farmer, and trains his children in the solid experiences of manual labor. His mother is from a thinking familyhood of people, many of whom are well known in Eastern Ohio as pioneers in social and moral progress—the Mills's. William learned to love his country about as early as he learned to love his own mother; for his first lessons were loyalty and liberty, syllabled by a mother's lips. Even before the boy could read, he knew in outline the history of our nation's trials and triumphs, from the days of Bunker Hill, forward to the passing events of the latest newspaper chronicling,—all of which facts were nightly canvassed around the cabin-hearth.
Although he was an adept in all branches of learning, yet, in school days, as now, young Pittenger had two favorite studies; and they happened to be the very ones in the prosecution of which his teachers could aid him scarcely at all—History and Astronomy. But, in the face of discouragement, with the aid only of accidental helps, and by the candle-light and the star-light after the sunny hours had been toiled away, he pressed patiently and perseveringly forward in his own chosen methods, until he became an accurate historian, and a practical astronomer. At the age of seventeen, he manufactured, for the most part with his own hands, a reflecting telescope, which his friends came from near and far to see, and gaze through, at the wonderful worlds unthought-of before.