Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1863-12-31
From the Indiana Journal.
The Escaped Prisoners.

Captain NJ. L. Anderson OF our '5lsI
Regiment. Colonel Streight's.) whose es.
cape from Libby Prison in company with
Lieutenant Shelton Of Iowa has been SC
widely noticed within q week, arrived in
our city on Thursday, on his way to Ko.
komo where he resides. We had the
pleasure Of long interview with him, and
as much that we learned from him, not
only in regard to his escape. but what be
saw of the condition and feelings of the
rebels and the treatment Of our prisoners.
will. we think, prove interesting to our
readers, we will try and tell it. He escap.
ed on the night OF the 11'h of this month,
about 10 O'Clock. The manner Of it, so
far as may be told without compromising
those who may not like to be known in
the matter, was thus. By means of q
cleaver which they had somehow obtained
they broke loose the cleats nailcI over a
door in the south east corner of the prison,
and got the door open, That would have
been but little less than an impregnable
wall. If a lot of greenbacks had not been
judiciously used previously. The latter
enabled Capt. Anderson and his compan-
ion-their friend outside had notified them
that but two could get out at a time. and
no more must make the attempt-to get
into the street without being observed by
the sentries. Then fairly ont the way oil
safety. though not easy. was plain. They
walked right down Main street the whole
length of the city. and passed through the
lines Of the rebels guards by timeing ileir
movements so as to avoid the hard places.
They got out that night into the woods be-
tween Richmond and the Chickahominy
and fearing danger laid quietly during the
day Of Saturday and resumed their journey
at night The next day they reached the
river. and very luckily happened upon a
large tree which had there been recently
blown down. by which they were enabled
to cross without any delay, or any strip
ping or other movements which might
have subjected them to suspicion. But
their troubles were by no means ended with
the safe passage Of the Chickahominy.-
All the roads entering Richmond from oil
directions are heavily picketed. and it was
almost impossible to pass without encoun-
tering a sentry Captain Anderson and
his associate did the only thing that could
be done. They kept off the roads and
went through the woods. swamps and thick
cts. He says that one day they Travelled
ten miles without seeing a house OF
any cultivated or inhabited spot anywhere
By Monday they had sct pretty well dowr
the river toward Williamsburg. but the
rebels having pickets and scouting parties
out every hour, and over every road. there
was ms much need of vigilance and care
there as nearer Richmond. But. as has
happened to many q Union soldier before
o slave encountered our friends on Tuesday
morning WHEN they were pretty we'll tired
and starved ont. and they accossed him tc
learn where they were. and where they
could get help Said we to Captain A..
Had you no fear the slave might betray
you?" mo, sir" said he. with empha-
sis; ga slave never, betrays Union man
You may trust your life with them safely
IS did. / would trust slave as soon q.
any man alive AS the Captain had
proved his faith BY his works. we could de-
no less, even if we had been as eager to
believe the worst Of the slaves as the best
than accept his judgment. A question
asked ut this point. and directed to the gen
eral idea Of the character Of the slave pop
ulation. brought OK: substantially this an
swe,: II have never seen or heard of {
slave who proved false to Union soldier
They are. so far as my experience goes. al
true as life or death. never falter. fail OF
deceive. You are always safe with 4
slave" We thought that worse eulogy
might be pronounced bya worse informed
man on almost any class of men alive
This slave was driving . cart up the road
when orr friends hailed him. He told
them where they were. and where the dan
geroEs places were. and advised them Il
go back into the woods and stay through
the day, "for." said he, "the scouts arr
passing here all the time. and you cam
be safe q moment on the road. INTENDED
to come back here by IL o'clock, but COS
manage to loaf about till dark. About
dark I'll come psst here on my way home
and help you." He did as he said. MOI
even . white Fernando Wood could have