Statement of an escaped prisoner — tribute from a lady of St Louis.
To the Editors Dispatch: I was taken prisoner by the Federal army and confined in McDowell's College, in St. Louis, from the 19th of December, 1861, until the night of the 6th of February last, when I escaped by assuming the ‘"dear rigger garb;"’ blacking my face with burnt chalk, and with a keg of ashes on my shoulder marched cut of (as the prisoners styled it) the ‘"Modern Bastille,"’ and after six hundred miles of travel, by night and day, through the woods and their lines, reached home — that is, the army of General Price--just in time to be a participant in the Elk Horn battle. One of the many brave, true, and patriotic ladies of St. Louis sends me the subjoined lines, which express the feelings and sentiments of all the respectable ladies in the city. For their devoted attention, heartfelt sympathy, and never-to-be-forgotten kindness to the seven hundred prisoners there confined, they have my lasting regards and best wishes. May the one who composed and sent these lines, despite the leagued artillery of power, live to see the blessed consummation of the sentiments they express. ‘"Nil despo "’ for our motto, and we will yet redeem our beloved Queen City of the West from the polluted possession of our enemies. Until then, ‘"Hope on, hope ever. "’
Song.
Predicated to the prisoners of McD Collage.
by Faith.
Stand up for the right, boldly, brave sons of the West?
Though tyrants watch thee, still be not depressed!
Chains shall! not enslave thee, nor dungeons confine
The letter less spirits round Liberty's abrine!
Strike manfully, brothers — sons of here sired--
Strike, ike, for you, hearthstones, your altars, and fires!
Drive back the invader and with your last breath about ‘"Freedom forever"’ -- ‘"Freedom or Death !"’
Stand up nobly brothers! our new ship of State
Bears millions of royal as her rich fresh!
With Davis to guide her, and Bean brave, A would shall acknowledge Queen of the Wave."
Thee out our banner of unsullied stars!
hand carries the proud crimson bars!
Let it wave in glad triumph — we scorn the de
Of vandal and despoil, and dare to be free!
Then, ‘"Victory or Death,"’ boys, and Price for our
With prayers for his brave men — our pride and our boast;
Three cheers for our colors that never have run.
And three for the battles those colors have won!
Then laugh at the boast of your insolent --
every favor his hands would bestow.
Let each patriot heart swell with the proud battle cry.
"With God to sustain us, we'll conquer or
Province of Missouri Jan., 1862.
