Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-01-23

AN ACCOUNT OF LIEUT.. W. H. RAY
NOR'S CAPTURE, IMPRISONMENT
AND EsOAPE-FRoM BULL RUN TC
RICHMOND. AND PRISON LIFE.
CONCLUDED.
Lieutenant Raynor, with few 9th.
ers, carefully observed every circum.
stance that might, in any way, assist
them in their escape. The guards
were changed every few days, and
were taken from different regiments ol
different States, which was probably tc
prevent any opportunity Of bribing
them. Those from Louisiana were al.
ways gentlemanly in their department
while many from South Carolina and
other States treated them like dogs
One fact, which gave them some assur.
ance of escape, was, there being 300 or
400 wounded and sick in the hospital,
their surgeons were unable to attend to
them all, and the services of the Fed
eral surgeons were required. These
were permitted to go anywhere in the
city to procure medicines, giving their
parole Of honor that they would not
leave Richmond. At first, only the Of
fcers of the guard permitted them to
pass; but, in order to save himself
trouble, be furnished them with ro-
settes, and gave orders to the guard to
permit all wearing them to pass. Lieut..
Raynor took note of this, and deter
mined to effect his escape from the
prison, by counterfeiting these badges.
For many days he awaited an oppor-
tunity. Probably twenty FIVE privates
and officers had succeeded in getting
out of the prison, through the cook
yard-all but two of whom, however,
were brought back, put in irons and
thrown into a dungeon, where they
were generally kept two weeks-when,
upon promising not to attempt to escape
again, they were placed with the rest.
Owing TO an order to VirginIans, d.
recting them to bring to Richmond
every person found travelling without a
. signed and sealed pass from Governor
Letcher, it was exceedingly hazardous
to travel through the country. To
show the zeal of the people in this mat
ter, and the strict surveillance main
tanned, the Major of the 33d Virginia
Regiment-who had obtained leave to
visit Petersburg-having neglected TO
procure pass, was arrested when sew
en- miles out from Richmond, and, al
though be had his commission, his legs
were bound under his horse, his arms
tied behind his back, and he was thus
returnsd= to the Capitol.
Or the night Of the 4th Of Septem-
Der, after having laid down to rest,
Captain Hurd said that Lieut.. Caleff
and Tompkins had gone that night, and
declared that be would await no longer
than the next night. Raynor attempt
ed to persuade him to delay until Mon
day night, when the guard would prob
ably be changed. As the guard had
been on nearly week, and knew the
doctors by sight, it was advisable to
await until the relief came on. He said
he was bound to 60 on the next night,
and if Raynor would not go he might
take care of his baggage. He said he
had another plan by which to escape.
He and Lieut.. Murphy had cut two of
the iron bars of one of the front win
dows, and intended, when it was dark
and the sentry's back was turned, to
Jump out of the window. Raynor told
him he thought his plan more safe, as
there was every probability they would
be shot if they jumped out, as a lamp
post near by made it as light as day
Hurd said life in the prison was intoler-
able-their rations had been restricted
since the Hatteras affair-vermin were
becoming numerous, and he would
rather be shot than stay there. They
at last agreed to make the attempt on
the next night-Raynor after his plan,
and Hurd and Murphy after theirs
On Thursday, September 9Th. they
made their arrangements, and sold of
their articles of comfort they had pur:
chased and made. A Mr.. Taylor oil
Cincinnati, Ohio, gave Raynor two dol
lars for his "household furniture" the
latter having run short of funds. Be-
ing without a cap or coat, he obtained g
cap from Lieut.. Gordon, of the regular
army, and finding genteel looking coal
on one of the tobacco presses, he bor'
ro,Ued it, and placed on it counterfeit
rosette, made of red flannel from one O
the officers shirts, which was hanging
up to dry.
He was now ready for the enterprise
They made arrangements to have theil
names answered to at roll call, so as tt
postpone notice of their escape as loRe
as possible. Fortunately a new guarC
was put on that day. At four O'Clock
Just after the guard had been relieved
Raynort shook hands with few of hi,
prison friends, and boldly advancing t.
the guard, who was holding his gur
across the door, he gently raised tht
gun. The guard turned quickly, no
ficed the badge. bowed. and let hin
pass. The other guard observed it
and suffered him to pass without in
terruption. Prisoners were anxiously
watching him from the windows-ant
Colonel Corcoran, to assist in carrying
out the deception, called after him
doctor, bring me another box Of thos'
pills." The would-be doctor told hin
he would do so, and hurried on, intend
ing to buy some articles necessary foI