Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-12-20

called to arms, and tho excitement was intense be-
yond any hing that has yet occurred during onr
cver-memorable era of military occupation In q
few minutes the streets and avenues OF the town
wero in possession of armed men, and 1t was with
some difficulty that tho cause of this turmoil could
DO nscertainod Rumors Of every description were
ailoat, and il was Mt timo thought that the
prisoners had oyerpowercd thor guards and mado
their escape, and then that an attack had been
made on the Jail by parties attempting to rescue
tho prisoners. II WINS dangerous for citizens 10 90
out to ascertain the true cause OF tho excitement
aud rumors of tho most extensive character hoatod
into the bar room, only to be contradioted by mo
mentary new arrivals OF citizens driven in from lho
streets.
Tho sentinel stationed near tho Jail wall report
cd that ut quarter past o'clock he observed man
ON tho jail wall whom no challenged. and. roceiv-
ing no answer, fred at him. Another head was
also seen above tho wall but he rctreated as soon
NJ tho first one had been frcd at.--The man on
top of tho wall seemed at first determined to per-
sis and was about making an attempt to jump
down when tho sentinel declared his intention of
impnling him on his bnyonot. IIo then rctreated
into tho Jail yard with Coppc, and both gave them-
scycs up without further resistance. Cook after
wards remarked that if no could have got over and
trottlcd tho guard he could have made his escape
The Shenandoah mountains are within ten minu-
tes run of tho Jail wall; and had he reached them
with his thorough knowledge of tho mountains his
arrest would havo been difficult especially - but
few Of the military could have followed him during
the light
They Ind succeeded nftor two weeks labor.
whenever alone, aud Mt night. when tho bed cloth
ing mutfled tho sound of the which they had
made out of an old Barlow knife, in cutting
through their iron shackes, 80 TINT they could pry
them of at any moment thcy should have their
other work completed. Thoy had also made sort
of chsel out of an old bed screw, with which
they succeeded, as opportunity would offer. in re-
moving n plaster from the wall 4 then brick after
brick until o space of sufficient width fer them to
pass through opened. all to the removal OF the
outer bricks. Tho part fthe wall which they
operated wns in the rear Of tho bed on which they
slept, md the bed being pushed against the wall
completely hid their work from view. Tho bricks
they took out wero concealed in the drum Of q
stove and tho dirt and plaster removed in the
course of their work was placed between the bed
clothing They acknowledge that they had boon
Mt work whole week in making tho aperture in
tho wall
Their cell being on the ID floor, tho aperture
was not m ,ro thnn thrco feet above tho pavement
Of the yard and when freed Of their shackles their
access to the yard WINS quito onsy. Here, howev.
or was a smooth brick WALL about fifteen feet
high, to scale. This difficulty was, however, soon
overcome, with tho MD OF tho tmbers of the scaf.
fold on which Captain Brown was hung, and
which were intended for their execution on the
succeeding day. They placed these against the
wall, and succeeded in reaching the top
from which thcy could have ensily dropped to
the other side, had not the vigilance of tho son
tine on duty quickly checked their move
ments.
They wore arrested in the Jail yard by Gen. Tai
nterro and the officer of the day, who rushed TO
the all tho moment the alarm was given.
Gcn. Taaferro Immediately telegrnphcd to Gov.
Wiso, informing him OF tho frustrated attompt of
the prisoners. His answer directed that the mill
tary should Immediately take possession of the in
terror Of the Jail and guard tho prisoners until
they were executed.
Sheriff Campbell and Capt. Avis are. Of course,
much chagrined at the narrow escape Of the pris-
oncrs, especially they had resisted oil Interior
cnco Of tho military with the interior discipline of
the Jail. The prisoners were shrewd and cunning
fellows and they were undoubtedly without any
necomplces in their undertaking. Their friends,
who woro still here. were also fearful that
they might be suspected Of knowledge OF their
attempt.
The general impress, ion is that if they had
waited until midnight later that they might
have reached tho mountains. But it is presumed
TINT they were fearful Of tcng watched during
the night, or desired to have much Of darkness
was possible, to gain good distance before
daylight would allow general pursuit
Various surmsos are indulged to-day in regard
to the attempted escape. 1t is said that Cook
refused to tell how he cnme by the knife, and
also that he hnd the countersign, whereby he
would have been able to pass the sentinels.-
This. however, needs confirmation, and is hardly
reliable.
Much indignation was expressed by some of tho
head strong with regard to the officials Of the jail,
but large majority of our citizens express conf
dence in them, and spurn tho idea that they were
bribed by the friends of Cook.
The hole made in the wall was n large ono, and
the room was in the second story.
Cook, after his capture said to q gentleman
Al. tlnt lad dana In Lnak thav tkat
life was sweet to them as tonny one else,
and that they had planned il for ten days They
had set Tuesday night for the attempt, but had
deferred it account of not wishing to compro-
misc Governor Willard, who was in town on that
night.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE EXECUTION.
At daybreak this morning, tho reveile was
sounded from the various barracks, announcing
tho dawn of the day Of execution, and soon the
whole community was astir. The anxiety TO
certain n true version of the exciting events of
last night caused the streets to DO thropged with
people at an carly hour. The military most
of whom had been on duty all night Sleep
ing on their arms looked less fit for the active
duties Of the day than was anticipated at the
time of the parade yesterday afternoon. The
weather, however, was bright and beautiful, and
much mider than for several preceding days,
though the thaw Of the snow rendered walking
very unpleasant
At 9 o'clock the entire military force in atten-
,nce were formed the main street, and the
officers reported ready for duty at head quarters
The companies detailed for field duty around the
gall3ws Immediately took up the line of march,
and at haltpast o'clock were in the position as
signed them on the field. The companies detailed
for escort duty took up their position in front Of
the Jail, and remained in full possession, awaiting
orders.
The general orders of the day were read at the
parade yesterday afternoon, for the station Of the
military at and during the execution.
The Wythe Guards Capt Kennedy, were sta
,;oned nm the left of the gallows and Can't Deems'