Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-07
INDIANAPOLIS, IND, MONDAY, DEC Z, 1863.
The Escape OF John Morgan from the

V4I0
The Columbus correspondent of the Cincinnati
Enquirer furnishes the following particulars ia
reference TO the Escape of JoHs MoRsAs and bis
six comrades from the Ohio penitentisry:
General John H. Morgan and six of his off
GERS escaped from the Ohio peniteatiary last
night.
The names of the prisoners who escaped with
Morgan are as follows:
Captain j. G. Bennett, Captain S. B. Taylsr
Captain Ralph Sheldon. Captain L. H. Hines
Captain l.. d. Hockersmith aud Captain g. s.
Mayer. fis
Col. Dick Morgan and the six Captains, who
were confined in the lower range of cells, had
by means of two small knives, dug through the
floor of their cells, which is composed of cement
and nine inches of brickwork Underneath the
cells is an air chamber extending the whole length
of the building. OF this fact the prisoners seem
to have been aware. Once in the air chamber
one of them could crawl to its terminus and dig
down into the soft earth with the knives until the
bottom Of the foundation of the wall was reached
then digging out, and the thing was completed
Meanwhile ropes had been manufactured of the
bed ticking. and all arrangements were compIet-
ed for their fnal escape. Everything being in
readiness oy last evening", only little strategy
was necessary for the escape of General Morgan.
He occupied a cell on the second range. Just
over the one occupied by his brothrr Dick
Last evening as the prisoners were being lock
ed sp for the night the Morgans were allowed TO
exchange cells with each other. After Dick had
seen everything prepared. he permitted his broth
er John to take his place
Some time during the night The prisoners
crawled through the hole they had dug under the
wall, but had skilIfully concealed, taking their
ropes with them. They escaped from the prison
Immediately between the main building and the
female department
Once in the yard, their escape was compare
lively easy. They went to the southwest corner
of the outer wall, near the big gate, and threw
their rope the top. where it secured itself on
one of the spikes. On the rope aud by the aid OF
some timbers near at hand, they clambered to the
top and easily descended on the outside. There
guards upon the outer walls, after a certain
hour
The prisoners were dressed in citizen clothes,
and not in prison habiments.
Capt Hines, who is mason and bricklayer;
seems to have had charge Of the work which re-
suited in the escape of the prisoners. note
was left for the warden of the prison, of which
the following is a copy:
"Castle Merton Cell No. 20. November 81,
1853. Commencement, November A, 1863 Con-
clusion, November 90. 1863 Number of hours
for labor per day, 3; tools. g. and small knives.
La patience est amor, mais son fruit est dour.
By order of my six honorable Confederates.
T. HENhY HINES, Captain G. s. A.
/ understand that measures have been taken to
recapture the prisoners which it is said they viii
6nd difficult to elude l have not been able to
learn what they are. One thousand dollars is of
fered for Morgan, dead or alive.
Which way he has gone no one knows. Sew
eral persons think he has gone northward, while
Others have an idea that he had made for the
lakes and will efriva to crosa IN Ganada
All the dwellings and cellars of this city are
being thoroughly searched for the prisoners.
There is much excitement here, owing to Nor
gan's escape