The New York herald., 1863-11-08


PLANS ESCAPE
'0ere hached by Major Houstan from his first entrance
IN Libby prison, but frustrated by his becoming
being taken to the hospital, where.he remained
'tnroeweeks This sickness was surerpducod by want
of nourisiment, which brought tho scurvy.l
BRUTALITY PRISON.
on MS partial recovery he was sent back to prison. Ia
very feeble condition, tho accommodations being made
quate for the large number Of officers consregated horo
70 which were added more daily The most of them
were wounded and emaciated by battles aud hard
marches. request being made to Adjutant Latouse
Tor blanketto lie the reply that he had none
neither did he expect TO get any The Major asked him
how he expected officer Just from tho hospital 20 lie
without blankets. The brute answered, "You damned
Yankees stole seventy thousand pairs from rs and must
now go without them" That same morning sixteen or
ncers came from the hospital and neither had blanket
gtven him.
HOSPITAL.
From want OF covering, Major II. contracted severe
oold on bis lungs, and again carried TO the hospital
where no remained conncd for three weeks. Dur
ing this period tho raons consisted OF precisely the
fare quantity and quality In Libby prison. with tho
only Improvement in accommodation Of a straw tick 10
lie on The sights in this hospita--more properly
called charnc houseare the mostheart rending ap
palng to human nature, and language fails to express
ehe horrors Of this institution. The enlisted dy.
ing daily at the of from eight to ten only from
~lDtual starvation
TIE NUMBER PRISONERS RICHMOND
N tho tme. Major Houstan and Lieutenant Won Wtzien
escaped thero wero three thousand hundred enlist.
I'd mon, who on Belle Isle, onethird Of whom had
shelter and exposed to the damp air and cold
ground. The majority Gas witnessed by the Major) had
6eher pants, shoes stockings and many more even
without drawers and only covered their nakedness
merely with tattered blanket Major II. and Lieutenant
". cd of theae mon
70 their prison. they being weak TO walk unaded One
half tho prisoners Belle Isle taken there to
die On tho day General Graham left the prison sixteen
men brought from Belle Isle TO the hospital OF whom
twelve died within forty eight hours after admission
ANOTHER Plan TO ESCAPE
was concocted by Major Houstnn, and this time success
Gully accomplished Being out OF funds he pretended to
DO tailor and informed IIaet, the jaor that he would
like to procure work. to earn some money where
With 10 purchase delcaccs. day or 30 after DR..
wilkins tho surgeon sent his coat to be mended
and the aor brought three pairs pvates pants
end jackets. These appropriated by Major Housain,
6ho dressed himself in the surgeons coat and Lieut.
Von weltzen privaie's uniform. Giving the latter
two largo bottles 10 carry, be left the hospital,
end. passing tho guard, who presented arms
20 him, thinking he was the doctor. the two
fuetlves gained tho street, and, having supplied
themselves with three pounds Of crackers and one pound
or bacon started on their journey. Three hours after
lhcr departure the rebel cavalry were on their track and
nov came the struggle for liberty and life.
THEIR rRAvEIs--ISsrpE THE UNION LINES
At this moment Of my writing 1t is too late 10 80 INTO
the full Of their harbreadth ney
travelled at night; how they passed nine hours In
gvsmp IN Ave feet OF water, wero fred at by cavalry
u.ven tmos and finally reached our lines on Tuesday
.snorpIpg at three o'clock, and were well received
by Colonel r. " West, commanding post at Williamsburg
who sent them General Foster to whom tne fugtives
brought valuable information. In my letter Tomorrow
Shall give you the full details Of this daring and wonder
tul achievement
The Esc ape OF william p. Rucker from