My ancestor, Oliver Perry Niley, was born and raised in Yazoo, MS. He was born in 1842 and when MS suceeded he enlisted in the 10th Inf. He was sent to Pensacola, FL for most of the following year. When his enlistment ran out with the 10th he joined the 1st Lt. Artillery. He served with this unit until the fall of Vicksburg. I don't know much about what happened to him between July and November of 1863. November he was sent to Alton, IL. If I remember correctly, I don't have my paperwork with me, about Feb. of 1864 he was put on a train heading towards Fort Delaware. The train when across the Appalachian Mts. in western PA and when the train stopped for water around Gallitzen, PA he jumped and headed south through the mountains. He changed his name to his maternal grandfathers' name, William Hinson. He settled down in Bedford County, PA. Married, kids(lots), and even became justice of peace in Helixville, PA. My family is still all around this area. I don't know if there were any other soldiers that may have escaped with him but from what I understand is that in the cemetery that he's buried in(he does have an Iron Cross) there is believed to be another soldier, I have yet to do research on this subject. Thank you all for your help.

Ben Hinson
SCV Camp 2123 Nelson Grays, Nelson County, VA