Jesse Mills proposed that we should escape, and most of us agreed to make the attempt; but one prisoner was weakhearted, and said he would inform against us if we persevered. We had as many men (including the sailors) as the guard num- -bered, and the sailors were anxious to second us. Next day, however, the sailors were taken to another prison at Fairfield. I went up to Stanwich on this occasion with two others to scout &c. as most others did (that is to plun- -der). We were betrayed, and all three taken
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Jesse Mills was taken on another occasion, after us, and brought, afterwards, in where we were about ten days after our capture. I knew him well, and the first words he said to me were: "Hobby, we'll break out and escape!" The plan was for me to rise and call out: "Surrender instantly!" &c, when we were to seize the soldiers arms and rush out. We were confined in the school house at Coscob in the same room with the guard. We were four and the guards about twelve. All of us were handcuffed but Mills. My two companions got their hand-cuffs off, and I got one hand out. The officer in command came in to look at us on the same night, and said to the officer of the guard: "If anyone of the prisoners attempts to escape, dispatch and run him instantly through!" About midnight, or a little after, I rose, according to our plan, and cried out: "Surrender!" &c, and then ran for the door and knocked down the sentry posted immediately at the outside of the door. My three companions by pre-concert