Far From Home

1863
July 3rd,, (culmination of the Pickett-Pettigrew-Trimble Charge)
 
Four brave men had already fallen under the colors of our Reg't, + now the fifth bore them aloft, + rushed boldly forward, to embrace, if need be, the fate of the other four. The flag staff was now cut in - two midway the flag, but without one moment's pause, the never-flinching little Irishman (Geo. Kidd), his flag now dangling in graceless confusion, from one corner, still pushed fearlessly upon the stone fence. Thirteen of our Reg't had concentrated upon the colors, as if to constitute ourselves its guard. We were some yards in advance of the line, + now found ourselves within about thirty yards of the stone fence.

Immediately before us was a small framed house – about twenty feet square – the farther end of which joined the fence springing forward, I've secured its shelter, gaining at the same time, a position within seventy-five feet of the Yankees behind the fence. The boys betook themselves to the work before them in good earnest.

A number of shots were fired, which must have proven very fatal, as the distance was so small. Thinking the line rather a long time coming up, I looked to the read. The state of my feelings may be imagined, but not described, upon seeing the line broken, + flying in full disorder, at the distance of about one hundred + fifty yards from us.

What was to be done. A momentary consultation decided. Lt. R. A. McDowell + I were the only officers with the party. I being the senior, the responsibility, if indeed there were any, devolved upon me. There were but two alternatives: to surrender, or become the "flying target" of a thousand muskets. We preferred the former, + in a moment more a white flag floated from behind the corner, around which the moment before our accurately aimed muskets had belched their deadly contents into the ranks of the enemy. An old serg't came out + took charge of us, + ordered us through the gate that was open on the left of the house. As passed through, all unarmed, of course, a Yankee soldier brought down his musket + with its muzzle right at the breast of one of our party was on the point of firing. I scringed for the safety of my brave comrades; + shuddered at the thought of seeing him thus butchered, but just at this critical juncture, our serg't spring forward, knocked up the musket + with a word of reproach, asked the soldier if he did not see that these men had surrendered. On passing the line, we were surrounded by a crowd of soldiers, all of whom were anxious to take charge of us. (It is a mighty good thing to get to take prisoners to the rear, especially when the front is as well heated up as that at Gettysburg was.)

1865
January 16th,, – Lieu't. Charles Pierce, of New Orleans, who was one of the party that attempted to break out about a month ago, has made several attempts, since, to get out by strategy. The Yanks came in, the other night + caught him, at the head of a party, in a tunnel.

The Federal Officer told him it was useless to attempt to get out by that meanes, as they knew of his designs within half an hour after he began his work. He satisfied Pierce of the truth of his statement, too, by telling the time he had commenced to dig.

They are kept perfected posted on all these points + it seems impossible for us to catch their spies. Pierce's master stroke was reserved for last-night. Late in the evening, he went up + told a sentinel on the parapet that a "rush" from Block 8 (his own Block) was contemplated at 8 O'clock. Of course A Officer, with a squad of men, came in a short time before that hour to take out their ladders, +c. Finding no particular demonstration they concluded the alarm was false, + started out of the yard. Just before reaching the gate, the Officer noticed that one of his men had no cartridge box. Asking where it was, he was answered that it had been forgotten in the hurry of preparation. The Officer asked him if it was not a flagrant violation of orders, to come into the yard without one. The man answered it was, but declared he had entirely forgotten it. These remarks naturally directed the attention of the party to the offender. "That's a hell of grin you've got anyhow," said the man next to him.

Upon taking hold of it the Officer found the gun a spurious one indeed. Pierce's genius had been at work. He had contrived to get, by some means, a Yankee uniform + had manufactured himself a musket. The stock was of wood + the barrel, of tin. Thus armed + equipped, he had fallen in with the squad, +, if he had had a cartridge box would, in all probablity have made his escape.

Pierce was taken to Col. Hill, who laughed very heartily when the case was laid before him. He complimented Pierce on his ingenuity + shrewdness, + declared he would send the musket to Mr. Barnum, for exhibition in his Museum.