Frederick Juliand Captured by Rebels - 1864

Senator Juliand Captured by the Rebels -- Account of his Adventures and Escape

Chenango American, September 22, 1864

Hon. Frederick Juliand, of this village [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], our present State Senator, has recently met with an adventure in Rebeldon, which came near lodging him in Libby Prison, and in which he has undergone some severe hardships.  The affair having created considerable excitement in this vicinity, we have taken pains to procure from Mr. Juliand, the facts in detail, the interest taken here in the affair being our apology for occupying so much space with the account. 

Mr. Juliand left his home on the 4th inst., for the purpose of carrying a quantity of money to Newbern, North Carolina, to be used by Capt. Wm. Jones, who was then at that place endeavoring to fill the quota of this town by recruiting.  Mr. Juliand had previously been at Newbern, assisting Capt. Jones in this business, and had left a portion of the money necessary for that purpose, and upon representations from Mr. Jones that more was likely to be needed, he started on this occasion with the greenbacks supposed to be required. 

He left Norfolk on the 9th inst., in the small steamer Fawn, which carried the mail between Norfolk and Newbern by the way of the Dismal Swamp Canal, Pasquatank river, Albemarle Sound and Pamlico Sound.  There were on board the steamer twenty-seven persons in all, among whom were:  Lieut. Col. Burnham, 16th Conn., Vol., recently relieved from Libby Prison, and on his way to return to duty, Maj. C.C. Groves, 1st North Carolina Vol., Lieut. Wilson, 103 Penn., Capt. Hitchcock, Battery G. 3d N.Y. Vol., Maj. E.S. Jenny, 3d N.Y. Artillery, and Provost Judge of Newbern (and recently appointed Colonel of the 185th Regiment, a new Regiment raised at Syracuse, under the late Call) and Mr. Juliand.  There were also on board 15 soldiers, of the 23d Mass. Vol., two colored soldiers, two deserters from the rebel army, and the crew.

When about half-way down the canal, which is about 22 miles long, at a point where a cavalry company is stationed (under command of Capt. Sage, of Norwich, in this county) the captain of the steamer left her to go on in charge of the clerk. At about 5 P.M. of the 9th, when within about one mile of the outlet of the canal, at a point called Currituck Bridge, as the Fawn neared a drawbridge the bridge was suddenly closed and a party of 20 rebel guerrillas rushed upon the bridge, and immediately fired a volley down upon the deck, among the defenseless party on board, and continued firing until about 100 shots were fired, when Maj. Jenny swung his handkerchief as a signal for a surrender, which, inasmuch as they had no arms, or other means of defense on board, was necessary to preserve their lives.  One person was killed and eight wounded, being one in three of those on board.

The wretches then jumped upon the steamer, which had swung against the bridge, and commenced a wholesale plunder of the baggage of the passengers, smashing in trunks &c. and appropriating the contents to their own use.  One heathen pulled off the boots of the man killed, while he was yet dying, afterwards boasting to Mr. Juliand of his exploit. They took such of the baggage as they could conveniently carry in a cart they had there for the purpose, and two small mail bags (Not getting the large and more valuable mails which were below deck). They then set fire to the Fawn and she probably was entirely destroyed, though by the time she was fairly burning the captives were on the march. The wounded, except two who were supposed to be mortally wounded and were left, were placed in the cart and remorselessly jolted over the horrible roads, groaning in their anguish but without avail.  Among them were the blacks, who seemed to excite the particular spite and venom of the "chivalry" during that long night's march.

They were marched rapidly along the rough, sandy road, through swamps and across lots, until near midnight, when they halted at a house and obtained some refreshment, though in their exhausted and excited condition it was not partaken of very freely.

During the march, Mr juliand managed, unobserved, to throw his letters, passes, and other documents which would betray who he was, and what his business was, into the bushes by the side of the road. At one time, an ugly looking villain, who walked by his side, presented a pistol to his breast and demanded his money.  He remonstrated with this gallant specimen of the "heroic defenders of the sunny South," but to no avail.  After some parleying he contented him with $20, the robber being quite elated with the idea of getting hold of some "greenbacks."  If, any of the party grew weary they were greeted with jeers and warnings to "hurry up."  During the night one of the rebel deserters alluded to escaped in the bushes. The rebs fired volley after volley at him, but whether he escaped unhurt or not was not ascertained.  Occasionally they were allowed a few minutes rest, but were compelled to lie down in the dirt of the road.

After midnight they were marched quite rapidly, and at about daybreak they came near to Elizabeth City, N.C., having marched a distance of thirty miles from the point where they were taken, in less than 12 hours. Scouts were sent ahead to see if all was right there, and upon a favorable report, they marched into the city.  Here they halted at a grocery, got up the proprietor, and magnanimously treated the crowed to a drink of whiskey each. The officers and Mr. Juliand were escorted to the dwelling of a gentleman near by, for breakfast, while the others were fed at the grocery.  Mr. Juliand says his condition did not permit him to taste the food, although it appeared quite wholesome.

After breakfast, Mr. Juliand, in conversation with their host, endeavored to get him to intercede with the Captain to let him go, he being a private citizen, and not able to undergo much more fatigue. This the gentleman promised to do and after they had all been marched to the grocery, Maj. Jenny and Mr. Juliand were ordered back to the house.  Here the Captain, a desperate looking cut-throat, told them he must search them, and asked Mr. Juliand how much money he had, at the same time saying, "I have made up my mind to parole you, but I shall take your money from you," and ordered him to hand over.  Mr. Juliand stepped aside and getting at his belt which contained the money, took therefrom all its contents but $1000, and handed it to the owner of the house who was present.  He counted it and handed it to the captain, who without searching him further, gave him a written parole.  he then interceded for Maj. Jenny, and was met with a decided refusal, but after much persuasion, the captain, feeling pretty good over his booty of "greenbacks," consented, and also paroled him.  They were required to remain in the house until the rest of the party were out of sight, and to say nothing about the money. When the poor fellows had left (on their way to Richmond as the captain said) Mr. Juliand and the Major, by the agency of their host, got some boatmen for $50 to take them to Roanoke Island. They were from 9 A.M., until midnight before  they had a mouthful to eat, they arriving at that hour at the light house, 12 miles from Roanoke, where they procured some refreshments. At about 4 A.M., of Sunday, they reached Roanoke, weak and exhausted but devoutly grateful for their deliverance. They remained there until Monday night, when the officer commanding the post kindly sent a steamer to carry them to Newbern.  Upon their arrival there they were treated with the kindest consideration, and after one day's stay took a steamer for home, Mr. Juliand arriving here on Tuesday night last.

The reason for the steamer going unarmed is because there is an understanding that in consideration of our forces refraining from molesting the people along the line, our steamers were not to be interfered with.  This act however was done under instructions, the men having marched four nights, lying by in the daytime, to reach that point.

Capt. Jones had recruited only seven men, and his commission having expired, Mr. Juliand took the money remaining in his hands, about $9000, and brought it with him.  Mr. Jones remained behind, being detained as a witness in some controversy there.

When the news first reached us of the capture of Mr. Juliand, the excitement here was intense, which was however soon relieved by a telegram that he was safe. We congratulate our distinguished fellow citizen upon his escape. The rebels seldom get better men in their clutches, but as we could not very well spare him here, the public rejoice that he enjoys his liberty.