Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-09-17

Joseph c. G. Kennedy, Superintendent Cen
sus.
Escape from the Richmond Prison.
The n. Y. Herald gives the following
account cf the escape of three federal pris-
oners from Richmond to Washington one
of them being Lieut.. RaynOr Of the First
Ohio regiment the others being Capt. John
R. Hurd of the Kentucky volunteers, and
Quarter Master Murphy of the New York
thirty eighth;
On their way to Richmond the prisoners
were treated with kindness by the officers in
charge though they were the subject of great
curiosity to the multitude on the way. They
suffered no insult, except from the women
who eagerly questioned as to their intentions,
making insulting allusion to the Yankees
Arrived at Richmond, the prisoners were
taken to Liggon's tobacco factory, where
they are still confined They wereall treated
! as well as the soldiers were being furnished
,, with an abundance OF food Mr.. Murphy,
until fortnight being an attendant upon
the sick, was permitted to 60 about the city,
but this permission was subsequently, with
drawn, and he remained a close prisoner
until he made his escape Lesraing that his
wife was in deep distress at his imprisonment,
he determined to effect mis- escape, and in
concert with Lieutenant Raynor and Captain
Hurd, devised plan.
They observed that the surgeons were per-
mitted to nass in and out without obstruction,
they being distinguished by bit of red
rib5en, and as the sentinels were changed
every two hours they thought they could pass
by thesguard as surgeons. provided they
could get the necessary badge. Tearing q
bit of red flannel from one of their shirts,
and putting it on his coat, Lieutenant
| RaynOr passed out without difficulty, and by
a previous arrangement he made purchase
of pocket compass and map Of Virginia.
Mr. Murphy and Captain Hurd passed out on
| the next relief by the same means, and met
| Lieutenant Raynor on the corner Of q neigh
boring street. This was abeut eight o'clock
on the 9TH instant.
Their purpose in the escape was to leave
Richmond, following n portherly dire ;tion,
crossing the Rappahannock, to reach the Po'
tomae, where they expected to reach our
feet. This they successfully accomplished,
after great pFivation and suffering, extending
through several days, of which the following
is brief narrative;
After going half mile beyond the city
limits, they struck the Union turnpike, which
they followed out. Owing to the darkness
they successively ran upon tOll-gate guard
ed with soldiers, and breastwork with can
non, from which they retreated, and succeed
ed in turning unperceived rough neighbor-
ing fields. They met country wagons, all Of
which they avoided. After travelling fifteen
miles they went to sleep as daylight dawned
in the woods. At nine o'clock in the morn
ing they resumed their march, keeping in
the woods, however, as long as daylight last
ed. They eat during the day their cnly
food, a sandwich each, which they had
brought with them The second night they
crossed the Chickahominy river on a mil
dam, and continued tatir march until day
light, and nearly encountered a number of
negroes going to their work They succeed
ed in avoiding them, and continued their
Journey during the day, crossing the Pamon-
key river by means OF raft, which they
constructed. They then built Ere in the
woods, and made a good meal of roasted
corn and potatoes both CT which they had
secured in fields on their route. During
their whole route tue roads not unfrequently
took them out of their course, in which case
they Wonld abandon them, and guided by
their compass would 60 across the country
until they struck another road which suited
their destination. Generally they slept dur
ing the day, doing most of their travelling by
night, and Of course at times suffering terri
blr eror. brroa- fh;rst ~
On Saturday they succeeded in crossing
the bridge over the Matapony river without
observation. -
Tue msp, of course, was of little value tc
them as regards the detail of the country
through which they we're travelling, and they
were at loss TO determine where they wero
On one of the roads they came to country |
store, on which they discovered by the moon |
light notice posted, which they tore off and |
took with them to the woods. On lighting |
a piece of candle, they discovered it to be a |
notice to the creditors Of the late General |
Garnett, who was killed in Western Virgin
ia, to present their claims at Bowling Green, |
in Carolina county. This saved them the
risk of making personal inquiries as to where
they were, which they had determined to do
the next morning. @
On that night they met a negro in the
woods, but thev passed by each other with
Dut salutation. They were assisted, too by
an inspection of guideboard, aud at this
point q negro suddenly came upon them mn
awares, bat in a seeming fright he ran away.
Fearing that he might give the alarm, they
ran for long distance, that they might be
beyond the danger of pursuit.
On Wednesday morning, about 2 O'Clock,
hey reached the Rappahsnnock, where they
we're fortunate in finding small boat Mr..
Murphy took off his shoes in passing through
! small village near the river, that be might
avoid making any noise, and in getting into
he boat be accidentally left his shoes on the
oank. This was the occasion Of much suf-
ering subsequently, as he bad to perform the
'emainder OF his journey in bare feet, which
we're terribly blistered and swollen. Hay-
ng crossed the Rappahannock they started
or the Potomac. They had travelled but a
hort distance when they found themselves
lpOn the margin of deep swamp, through
which they were compelled to wade with
mud knee deep for half mile. They con-
inued on their course until they came with.
q sight Of the Potomac. They encountered I
party Of negroes unexpectedly, and were (
ompelled to speak OF be the subject Of sus-
iciop F6ey inquired for a boat 10 carr7 /
hem across the river, annoIRcing themselves i
D be Ooafederale officers. az !
n & IN 81 q q ~ 4