Colonel John R. Winson, of the 45th North Carolina Regiment, was captured at the battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863 and was sent to Fort Johnson, where 2,000 officers and 300 privates were confined. This prison was enclosed by a wall fifteen feet high and contained thirteen frame buildings, of which some were ceiled, but most were only weather-boarded. Many ineffectual attempts were made to escape from this cold, gloomy prison, which was repulsive to the sons of the fair Southland. The one successful effort was made January 1, 1864 by Colonel Winson of North Carolina and Captains Davis and Robison of Virginia.

This was accomplished by digging a tunnel with pocketknives from the prison cell through a "dead line" to the outer wall which was scaled by means of a ladder made of bench legs joined with clothes lines. Here they were successful in evading both the upper and lower line of sentinels.

With the thermometer at thirty degrees below zero and the lake covered with ice, they crossed Ottawa County, Ohio, a distance of one mile. With little more than $2.00 to defray the expenses of three men, they set forth on the perilous journey of 3,000 miles, of which the most hazardous event was the crossing of the Detroit River. This necessitated a crawl of two miles over ice which was broken into large blocks, and which had air holes that could not be discerned because of the darkness and newly fallen snow.

After travelling 105 miles in four days and nights, having eaten only two meals and three very light lunches, and having slept but twelve of the ninety-six hours, they reached the Canadian border, where they were extended a hearty welcome. On their departure, the Canadians presented them with a purse containing $1,350 in gold. After a voyage down the St. Lawrence River and on the Atlantic Ocean, they finally ran the blockade into Wilmington, North Carolina.

When these brave officers arrived at their homes, through loyalty to their cause, they again offered their services at the battle front, where they received a warm welcome and congratulations from their comrades in arms.

(This was an article in the January 1924 edition of The Confederate Veteran, based on the book written by Colonel John R. Winson.)

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