Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 08.djvu/77

Rh when he was halted by some farmers, with shot-guns in close proximity to his body. Those fellows, when aroused by the alarm guns, were ever on the alert to capture an escaping prisoner, and claim the reward. They had no ordinary one in Charlie Pierce, and hungry, chilled and foot-sore, he was speedily marched back to his old quarters. The gallant fellow often said that he felt more chagrined and discouraged at being brought back by civilians than if captured by regular soldiers. But his fortitude soon returned, and his mind constantly dwelt upon the one darling object of escape.

It is not to be wondered at that Charlie now became an object of the strictest surveillance on the part of every agent of the enemy. His every movement was watched, so that his sole reliance was upon strategy for his fourth attempt.

Procuring a Federal uniform (it was supposed from some one connected with the hospital), he carefully concealed it in his bunk. With a piece of wood, of which there was plenty, he manufactured a gun-stocky with a lot of fruit cans, which he procured from the hospital, he manufactured a barrel, and a piece of the handle of a camp-kettle was wrought into a lock. After five months' incessant labor, he completed his task, and during that time he was exceedingly reticent, confining himself to his bunk as much as possible, keeping his own counsel, like a good general, but working like a beaver. As a piece of workmanship, it was pronounced by all who saw it a marvel of mechanical ingenuity and skill. He was fortunate enough to find an old, rusty bayonet, which he soon made look like polished steel, and how he stained the gun to make it look real no one but himself knew; but that it did look so the sequel will show. Having everything in readiness, how put them to use? The guard must be brought into the block at night, so that he could fall in with the men and march out with them. Confiding his intention to only a trusted few of his mess-mates, he requested Lieutenant Michael Long (now living in New Orleans) to inform the guard that an attempt would be made to break out that night from Block 8. The Lieutenant was thanked for the information; the sentinel called, "Corporal of the guard"; the Corporal carried the information to the Officer of the Guard; the guard was doubled for the emergency, and an inspecting party was soon going the round of the prison. While passing through Block 8, Charlie, with his Federal uniform and improvised gun, quietly fell in with them. Not finding any thing suspicious in that block, they