Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1861-09-20
Escape of Bull Run Prisoners.

The special correspondent OF the III
bune at Washington gives the following
interesting account of the escape of three
prisoners from Richmond :-"Lieut W.
H. Raynor of the LIST Ohio regiment, Capt.
J. R. Hurd of the I'd regiment, and Lieut..
Murphy, quartermaster of the 36th New
York, arrived here this afternoon. having
escaped last Thursday from Richmond.
They had been confined since the battle
of Bull Run. Raynor was confined in
tobacco factory with large number of
other prisoners. The treatment was not
good, the captors taking little heed Of
their comfort. Rebel officers at first
thronged in upon them with insolent de-
iance, until complaints were made, which
gave them some protection. At first tol-
cradle privileges were allowed. but of late,
especially since the Hatteras affair, these
were withdrawn. until the place became
gradually insufferable, and Raynor resolved
to leave with his two companions. Con-
gresham Ely was invited to accompany
them, but was unwilling to risk it. al
though ready to give $4,000 for chance
of getting home. The plan by which
they escaped was ingenious. Our sur
geons are allowed to pass unmolested and
are distinguished by red badges upon
their coats. The fugitives procured q
red shirt, tore it in strips, and decorated
themselves. Raynor left the prison at 4
O'Clock in the afternoon, and the two
others at 8 o'clock. Raynor, having Dor
rowed 81. bought compass, a map OF
Virginia, BEDFORD for RATS, and matches.
Murphy, in his capacity of quartermaster,
supplied three sandwiches. They passed
stealthily outside of Richmond, through
very heavy earthworks, on which, how
ever, no guns were mounted Travelled all
night, sleeping but one hour. \The next
morning they took to the woods, and
marched all day around plantation,
escaping observation with great difficulty.
Great caution was necessary, as % men
who had previously tried to escape were
brought back by citizens. three Of them
having been taken within sight of the
Union flag at Newport News. On Fri
day night they crossed Chickahominy
river, and, passing farm, took raw corn
and raw potatoes FOR food. On Saturday
they swan Pamunkey river, carrying their
clothes on raft. On Sunday they cross
cd Mattapony river on a bridge, and hid
in swamp till night. Here again they
were nearly detected by negroes. On
Monday they Travelled little on account of
fatigue On Monday night they passed
through town where Raynor tore down
handbills from shop to ascertain the
locality. Thus they found themselves in
Caroline county. the bills being an ad-
vertisement of sale of Garnett's estate in
that county. Their course was then clear
On Tuesday, fatigucd again, they were
compelled to travel slowly. their feet
being swollen and badly cut. This day
they crawled some distance on their hands
and knees to avoid detection from dwell
ling house. On Tuesday night they cross
ed the Rappahannock in boat fortunately
found. Being nearly surprised, Murphy
left his shoes on shore, and completed the
journey barefooted. All this time they
lived on apples corn and wheat, gathered
from the fields. On Wednesday they
walked over the hills and through a
swamp, and struck Pope's creek, where
they found boat in which they proceed
ed to the Potomac. which they crossed,
reaching fishing smack on the Maryland
side at 2 o'clock p. IN. They we're re-
ccived generously, and directed how to
proceed to find the United States blocka-
dip0 arun1vcn