Six days of freedom and what a sight of hardship, sweetened
by kind treatment and the satisfaction of being out from under guard. We
traveled last night some four miles and now are in a very precarious position.
When almost daylight we came to the canal, and found cavalry pickets all along
the tow-path; walked along until we came to a lock. A cavalryman was riding his
horse up and down by the lock. At the lock there was a smouldering fire. It was
absolutely necessary that we get across before daylight. As the mounted picket
turned his horse's head to go from us, Dave slid across the tow-path and went
across the timbers which formed the lock, and by the time the picket turned
around to come back Dave was hid on the opposite shore. At the next trip of the
rebel Eli went the same as Dave. The third one to go was myself, and I expected
to get caught, sure. Could not go as as quiet as the rest, and was slower.
Thought the picket saw me when half way across but kept right on going, and for
a wonder made it all right. Was thoroughly scared for the first time since
jumping off the train. Am very nervous. All shook hands when the picket turned
about to go back the fourth time. Getting light in the east and we must move
on, as the country is very open. Dare not travel over half a mile, and here we
are hid almost in a woman's door yard, not over thirty rods from her very door.
Are in some evergreen bushes and shrubs, It's now most noon, and have seen a
rather elderly lady go out and in the house a number of times. The intrepid
Dave is going up to the house to interview the lady soon. later.
— Dave crawled along from our hiding place until he came to the open ground,
and then straightened boldly up and walked to the house. In fifteen minutes he
came back with some bread and dried beef, and said the woman was a Union woman
and would help us. Her daughter slept at her uncle's a mile off last night, and
expected her back soon, and perhaps the uncle, who is a violent Secesh, with
her. Said for us to lay low. Later.
— The daughter came home on horseback and alone. Could see the old lady telling
the daughter about us and pointing our way. About the middle of the afternoon
the old lady started out toward us. Behind her came a young darky, and behind
the darky came another darky; then a dog, then a white boy, then a darky, and
then the daughter. Old lady peeked in, and so did the rest except the grown up
girl, who was too afraid. Finally came closer, and as she got a good view of us
she says: “Why, mother, they look just like anybody else.” She had never seen a
Yankee before. Brought us some more food, and after dark will set a table for
us to come to the house and eat. Her name is Mrs. Dickinson. They went back to
the house and we proceeded to shake hands with one another. During the
afternoon five rebel soldiers came to the house, one at a time. It is now most
dark and we are about ready to go to the house and eat. Mr. Kimball lives only
four miles away.
SOURCE: John L. Ransom, Andersonville Diary, p.
145-6
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