Galveston Weekly News
April 5, 1865, p. 4, c. 4

We are pleased to learn that J. W. S. Emerson, for several years preceding the war a resident of this city, who became a member of Terry's Texas Rangers at the organization of the regiment and was with them constantly until his capture by the enemy on 29th of October, 1863, and from the 26th of December, 1863, until the 3d of December, 1864, was confined at Rock Island prison, made his escape from there, on the night of the last named date, and is now safe outside the limits of the United States, and will return home by the first favorable opportunity. Five others, who attempted to escape the succeeding night, were recaptured and placed in irons.

The following names are all he can recollect of those still detained in prison. He thinks there were altogether in prison of the 8th Texas cavalry about 24 of the 11th Texas about 30 and several from the 4th and 5th Texas:

From Terry's Texas Rangers-Jo. Walker, Co. G; P. S. Molton, Co. F; J. H. Wallace, J. F. Steward, Co. A; Joseph W. Yerby, Chas. S. Bennett, ____ Cannon, Wm. R. Webb, Co. B; Daniel L. Russell, Co. C; R. T. Hill, _____ Smith, Co. D; R. M. Wallace, Co. E; Polk, Childress, McAndrews, Co. G; Arthur Huschfield, Albertson; W. W. Cox, Co. H; J. F. Hall, Bunting, Co. I.
From 14th Texas Cavalry.-Bynum, Raulin, Evans, Sanford, Smith, Lattimon, Burke, Beckam.
From 4th Texas.-M. H. Allis, of Gonzales.
From 5th Texas.-Campbell and Tweed.
From 24th Texas.-Ben. F. King.