THE IMMORTAL SIX HUNDRED
same plan again, we would tell him all about it. To our surprise, he brought in the whisky. We told him all about the scheme and plan, but he did not give us the dry clothing nor put us back in the regular prison. The irons that had been put on Prewitt and myself were taken off our hands and legs.
Early on the morning of March 4, 1865, Captain Sexton, with a guard, came to our cell, opened the door, and ordered us to fall into line. We marched down to the fort wharf, where we found the small steamer "Ashland" with the other prisoners (our comrades) on board. We were placed in the forward part of the ship's deck, and I heard Sexton tell the captain of the guard, "I hardly think it necessary to iron these fellows. They won't jump overboard, but they need close watching." Late in the afternoon, on March 4th, we steamed away from Fort Pulaski for Hilton Head, S. C. After some delay and protest by the officers of the guard (157th New York Volun-
186
