Plymouth Pilgrim Officers who Escaped

 

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In no particular order: 1st Lieut Isaiah Conley - 101st PA, Capt Thomas B. Dawson - 101st PA, 1st Lieut William C. Davidson - 101st PA, Capt A. Lester Cady - 24th NY Battery, and 1st Lieut DeForest Marsters, 2nd NC Union Volunteers (formerly of the 85th NY).

Note: Conley is believed to be second from the left.

 

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Alphabetical Listing

This is a new listing and will take some time to research.

ADAMS, Samuel Bradford - Captain, Co. C, 85th NY. POW at Camp Oglethorpe in Macon, GA. Escaped Nov 64. Discharged 1 May 65 at New Bern, NC.

ALEXANDER, Alvin Hays - Captain, Co. A, 103rd PA. POW in the church at Andersonville, GA and then transferred to Macon, GA and on to Charleston, SC; Camp Asylum, Columbia, SC; Danville & Libby Prison, VA. On 5 Oct 64 while traveling in a railroad boxcar from Charleston to Columbia, he and two others jumped from the train that was going about 12 mph. He was carrying a white haversack and was seen by a guard who fired and missed. He was assisted by Negroes. Captured 16 Oct 64 by CSA pickets at Rutherford, NC. He was jailed in the Masonic hall and was well treated. Sent to Morgantown, NC, Salisbury, Danville. Arrived 18 Feb 65 at Libby Prison, Richmond, VA. Paroled 21 or 22 Feb 65 on the James River. Photo, Obit & Headstone. Further research needed on the exact timeline and location of his escape and recapture.

BEEGLE, Daniel Frederick - 1st Lieutenant, Co. D, 101st PA. Prisoner at Libby Prison, Richmond, VA on 26 April 64. Transferred 7 May 64 to Macon, GA, then to Camp Asylum, Columbia, SC. Escaped from prison, but was recaptured. Paroled 1 March 65 at N. E. Ferry, Wilmington, NC.

BENNER, Henry Snyder - Captain, Co. K, 101st PA. On transfer from Andersonville to Camp Oglethorpe in Macon, GA, Benner and several others escaped, but some, including Benner, were recaptured. Held captive at Macon from 1 May to 27 July 64. Transferred to Savannah, GA from 27 July to 17 Sept 64. Transferred to Charleston, SC from 17 Sept to 1 Oct 64. Transferred next to Columbia, SC from 1 Oct 64 to 14 Feb 65. Finally transferred to Charlotte, NC where Benner escaped. Recaptured and taken to Salisbury, NC. Paroled at Salisbury and passed through the Union lines at West River, NC on 1 March 65.

BOWERS, George Washington, Jr. - Captain, Co. I, 101st PA. Prisoner at Macon & Savannah, GA; Charleston City Jail yard, the Old Marine Hospital at Charleston, & Camp Sorghum, Columbia, SC. Escaped 3 Nov 64 from Columbia. Reached Union lines on 15 Dec 64 at Knoxville, TN. Mustered out 2 Jan 65. Discharged 9 Jan 65 at Washington, DC due to expiration of term.

BROWN, George L. - 1st Lieutenant, Co. I, 101st PA. Wounded in the left breast & arm by minnie ball and captured 20 April 64 at Fort Compher, Plymouth, NC. Sent to field hospital of the 8th NC. The following day was sent to the hospital at Plymouth. Due to wounds, was kept at Plymouth until able to travel. Sent 6 May 64 to Weldon, NC. On 17 May he was sent to the hospital at Macon, GA. Then held captive at Charleston City Jail yard and the Old Marine Hospital at Charleston, SC; Columbia, SC; Charlotte, Raleigh and Goldsboro, NC. Escaped 4 times & recaptured twice by bloodhounds. One of his escapes was on 3 Nov 64 from Camp Sorghum at Columbia, SC. He was out 17 days before being recaptured in east TN. Paroled for exchange 1 March 65. Mustered out 15 Mar 65 at Washington, DC.

CLARK, Melvin Lewis - Captain, Co. B, 101st PA. Prisoner at Macon, GA for three months, Savannah, GA for three weeks and Columbia, SC for four or five months. Escaped from Columbia in Nov 64 but was recaptured near Belton, Anderson Co., SC. Returned to Columbia then transferred to Charlotte, Raleigh and Goldsboro, NC before being paroled.

CONLEY, Isaiah - 1st Lieutenant, Co. G, 101st PA. Escaped 5 Oct 64 at Columbia, SC. Reached Union lines on 13 Nov 64 and reported to Gen. Carter at Knoxville, TN. Returned to the 101st PA. Commissioned 18 May 65 as Captain of Co. G.

DAVIDSON, William C. - 1st Lieutenant, Co. C, 101st PA. Escaped 5 Oct 64 from the RR cars near Columbia, SC. Reported 13 Nov 64 to Brig. Gen. Carter at Knoxville, TN. Discharged 8 Dec 64; expiration of term.

DAWSON, Thomas B. - Captain, Co. F, 101st PA. Escaped 5 Oct 64 from RR cars near Columbia, SC. Reported 13 Nov 64 at Knoxville, TN. Transferred 15 Nov 64 back to the 101st PA. Discharged 7 Jan 65.

DICKERSON, Alfred A. - 1st Lieutenant, Co. H, 16th CT. Escaped 3 Nov 64 at Columbia, SC. Reached the Union gunboats at the mouth of the Santee River in SC. Discharged 25 May 65. Photo

FREEMAN, David W. D. - Captain, Co. C, 101st PA. Prisoner 11 months. Escaped 29 Nov 64 from Camp Asylum, Columbia, SC with Major Pasco, 16th CT Infantry & Capt. Freeman, 7th US Infantry. Traveled through swamps by night and slept during the day in wet clothes with no fire or shelter during cold weather. Captured on the west bank of a branch of the Edisto River near Midway, SC. Paroled 1 March 65 at N.E. Ferry, Wilmington, NC. Discharged 14 March 65.

HELM, John Bowser - 2nd Lieutenant, Co. G, 101st PA. Prisoner at Andersonville (1 day) & Macon, GA; Charleston and Columbia, SC. Escaped from Columbia during Nov 64. Captured by Cherokee Indians in the Smoky Mountains. Taken to Salisbury, NC and then to Danville, VA. Housed during the winter of 64-65 at Danville Prison with a large squad of prisoners that had escaped from various prisons. Escaped again 5 Feb 65, with two others, and reached Union lines on the Roanoke River, above Plymouth, NC. Picked up during March 65 by the USN Gunboat LOCKWOOD. Commissioned 18 May 65 as 1st Lieut. but not mustered. Absent at muster out.

HEPPARD, Thomas H. - 1st Lieutenant, Co. K, 101st PA. Escaped from prison, but was recaptured. Paroled 1 March 65 at N.E. Ferry, Wilmington, NC. Commissioned as Captain on 1 June 65. Mustered out 25 June 65 at New Bern, NC.

JOHNSON, George - 2nd Lieutenant, Co. B, 16th CT. Enlisted 16 July 62 from Hartford, CT. Mustered 24 Aug 62. Wounded 24 April 63 at Suffolk, VA. Captured 20 April 64 at Plymouth, NC. Escaped 20 Feb 1865, and then killed by guerillas.

LAFLER, John A. - 1st Lieutenant, Co. G, 85th NY. Born 25 Dec 1840 in Potter, Yates Co., NY, son of Sidney & Dorcas (Annable) Lafler. Enrolled 29 Oct 61 at Penn Yan, NY, a 21 year old Farmer. Mustered in 15 Nov 61 as Sergeant. Commissioned 2nd Lieut. 17 Oct 62 with rank from 31 Aug 62 due to resignation of Charles H. Hayes. Commissioned 1st Lieut. 5 Sept 63 with rank from 16 Aug 63 due to J. O. Goodrich's appointment to Adjutant. Captured 20 April 64 at Plymouth, NC. Escaped 15 Feb 65. Arrived 7 Mar 65 to the Union lines at New Bern, NC. Mustered out 21 March 65. Married Alice A. Stearn. Died 12 Nov 1906. Buried in Nettle Valley Cemetery. Headstone

LANDON, Herbert - Adjutant, Field & Staff. Born 1844 at Guilford, New Haven Co., CT, son of William & Clarissa (Hill) Landon. Enlisted 15 July 62 from Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. Mustered 24 Aug 62 as Sergeant, Co. B. Promoted 13 Jan 63 to Sergeant Major. Promoted 6 Dec 63 to 2nd Lieut., Co. D. Captured 20 April 64 at Plymouth, NC. Escaped 15 Feb 1865 with other 16th CT officers at Columbia, SC. Promoted 15 June 65 to 1st Lieut. Mustered out 24 June 65. Died 5 March 1928 at San Jose, Santa Clara Co., CA.

LAUGHLIN, John Marshal - 1st Lieutenant, Co. A, 103rd PA. Escaped 1 Nov 64 from Camp Asylum, Columbia, SC. On 5 Nov 64 while on the Congaree River, his raft broke and he was re-captured. He had no insignia, so he was sent to Florence, SC under the assumption he was an Enlisted man. Paroled 1 March 65. Photo & Headstone

LONGENECKER, Jacob H. - Adjutant, Co. D, 101st PA. Prisoner at Macon & Savannah, GA and Charleston & Columbia, SC, Charlotte and Salisbury, NC. Escaped from prison in Charlotte, but was recaptured. Paroled 2 March 65 at N.E. Ferry, Wilmington, NC. Discharged 14 March 65.

MORSE, Charles "Charley" W. - Captain, Co. E, 16th CT. POW at Macon, probably Charleston & Columbia, SC. Escaped 15 Feb 65 with other 16th CT officers at Columbia, SC. Mustered out 24 June 65. Died 25 Jan 1883 at New Hartford, CT. Buried in North Village Cemetery. Headstone.

PASCO, Henry L. - Major, 16th CT. Signed Petition Complaining of Camp Sorghum Conditions, Columbia, SC. Escaped 15 Feb 65 with other 16th CT officers at Columbia, SC. Mustered out 24 June 65. Died 3 June 1882. Buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery. Headstone.

PITT, George Washington - 2nd Lieutenant, Co. E, 85th NY. POW at Charleston, SC and others. Escaped 17 March 65. Discharged 24 March 65. Headstone

ROBINSON, Timothy Boardman - Captain, Co. K, 16th CT. Born 18 July 1834 at Cromwell, Middlesex Co., CT, son of Azel Tennant & Harriet (Stratton) Robinson. Enlisted 7 Aug 62, a Mechanic from Bristol, CT. Mustered 24 Aug 62. Captured 20 April 64 at Plymouth, NC. POW at Macon, GA, Charleston & Columbia, SC. Escaped 3 Nov 64. Discharged 7 July 65. Married to Sophia E. Waters. Died 6 Feb 1918 at Bristol, CT. Buried at West Cemetery, Bristol, CT. Photo & Headstone.

SPENCE, David M. - "Captain" Co. K, 103rd PA. Commissioned 7 March 64 as Captain, but never mustered. However, he was treated and addressed as Captain. Captured 20 April 64 at Plymouth, NC. He was in command of Co. K when they were captured. POW overnight in the church at Andersonville, then Millen, GA and Charleston  & Columbia, SC. Escaped 20 Oct 64 with Capt. Donaghy at Columbia. Captured 25 Oct 64 at Newberry, SC. Also POW at Raleigh, NC & Richmond, VA. Escaped a total of four times but was recaptured each time. Paroled 26 March 65 Coxes Wharf. Discharged 30 March 65. Headstone

TURNER, Mark C. - Captain, Co. D, 16th CT. Born about 1840 in ME. Enlisted 8 Aug 62 from Hartford, CT. Mustered 24 Aug 62. Captured 20 April 64 at Plymouth, NC. Escaped 15 Feb 65 along with other officers of the 16th CT at Columbia, SC. Resigned 22 May 65. Married about 1870 to Emeline. Died 2 March 1902. Buried in Old North Cemetery, Hartford, CT.

WELCH, John Collins - 2nd Lieutenant, Co. C, 85th NY. Born 12 May 1840 in Angelica, NY, son of Joseph Bloomfield & Mary (Collins) Welch. Syracuse University, Class of 1861. Enrolled 1 Sept 61 at Elmira, NY at age 22 from Angelica, NY. Mustered in 11 Sept 61 as a Private, Co. F. Transferred 20 Sept 61 to Co. E. Promoted 25 Sept 61 to Sergeant, Co. D. Promoted 28 Sept 61 to Regimental Commissary Sergeant. After Nathan Piatt was discharged, John was commissioned 26 Dec 62 as 2nd Lieutenant, Co. A. Transferred 28 Sept 63 to Co. C. Captured 20 April 64 at Plymouth, NC. POW at Libby, VA, Macon, GA, Charleston & Columbia, SC. Escaped Sept 64. Travelled through SC, NC, GA & TN arriving at Chattanooga. Arrived home in Angelica 24 Dec 1864. Mustered out 17 Jan 65 at Washington, DC. In 1868, he published his escape account in An Escape from Prison during the Civil War - 1864.