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This incredible true story follows two men from vastly different backgrounds who fought for survival and freedom during the Civil War. Follow Billy and Dick's harrowing journey from imprisonment at Andersonville to a daring escape and their eventual rise to political power. A gripping tale of courage and perseverance. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

"The Most Chaste and Entertaining Story before the American People. Endorsed by Universities, Colleges, Schools, the Press, Pulpit and the People Everywhere.""Billy" Bates could laugh later. But his true story of the harrowing journey as prisoners of war from the hell of Andersonville Confederate prison camp to the tender mercies of Abraham Lincoln himself was one he barely survived.After befriending "Dick" in prison camp, the two managed to escape. Repeatedly helped by African Americans (at risk of their own lives) Billy and Dick eventually found themselves back in the embrace of their Union comrades and brought before General William Tecumseh Sherman.Sherman was horrified and enraged by the starved and diseased condition of the two men and what they described of Andersonville. When he asked what he could do for the boys, Billy said, "I should like to live long enough to see President Lincoln and then go home and die."Sherman assured him he would indeed see Lincoln. He ordered they be taken immediately by train to Washington and the White House to meet Lincoln and tell him their story. Lincoln's tender treatment of the two boys brought them to tears. Like Sherman, he told them both to hold on and they would once again see their home.For the first time, this long-out-of-print book is available as an affordable, well-formatted book for e-readers and smartphones. Be sure to LOOK INSIDE or download a sample.

"The name Andersonville has come to be synonymous with "American death camp." Its horrors have been portrayed in histories, art, television, and movies. The trial of its most famous figure, Captain Henry Wirz, still raises questions about American justice. This work unlocks the secret history of America's deadliest prison camp in ways that will spur debate for many years to come."--BOOK JACKET.