The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1864-03-17


regiment, who recently escaped from
Libby prison, arrived in this city, We'd
nesday morning, having been brought
from Blackstone's Island by the steam
or Ella, of the fiotilla. Among those
who escaped with the Colonel, and who
arrived in company with him, were
Major Mcdonald, l0lst Ohio, Capt.
Scarce, 5lst Indiana, and Lieutenant.
Sterling, Soth Indiana regiments.
The journey of these four officers
from Richmond to the point where they
were safely landed on the decks of the
Ella was characterized with the most
startling adventures and hair breadth
escapes. Their liberation from Libby
was effected on the 9th instant, but
they did not leave Richmond until the
10th, having all this time remained
within a score of miles of the city.
Their route lay by the way of Dunkirk
Bridge on the Mattapony, and by Tap
pahanock, on the Rappahanock river.
Here the party struck Towards Cliffs,
opposite Blackstone Island, and yester-
day morning they reached the Ella at
this point.
When these officers started fromRich-
mond, six days rations were furnished
them, and they were all well armed,
but by whom they ::were thus kindly
cared for we are not at liberty to state.
From the moment of their escape rebel
cavalry was sent in pursuit of them, so
that when their journy was commenced
they discovered that the rout of their
travel was infested with rebel soldiers.
Through woods, and thickets, and
swamps, and hunted by dogs day and
night, they travelled, and, as the
sequel shows, still with safety to their
1t was at late hour last night when
we obtained conversation with this
famous, officer. He is in good health,
having lost but some 80 pounds since
his confinement. Hisfeet and ankles
are very much swollen, and it will be
some, days before he will be placed in
possession of full and free use of his
limbs. The Colonel is in possession of
vast amount of information, which
will prove Of immense benefit TO the
Government, but which it would be in
terferiDg With the authorities to divulge
atpresent. Some interesting details,
however, not "contraband." we append
below, as CLEANED from Col. Streight:
The country lying between Rich
mond and the Potomac is filed with
class of persons who are either trying
to escape rebel conscription, or en-
deavoring to come within our lines. At
the same time these persons are daily
hunted down by rebel cavalry, who are
sent from Richmond with instructions
to'capture them, and bring.them to the
seat of et,rebel Government. The
Colonel passed all the Notifications of
Richmond, and states that they are al
most entirely unnamed But too thous
and, soldiers are located IN and around
Richmond, and the majority of these
are employed in guard duty over Union
prisoners. The home guard OF Rich
mond numbers betweed 1000 and g.
900 soldiers, bnt these cannot be de-
pended upon, as more than one half of
them are uncompromising Union men.
The treatment of our prisoners at Rich
mond beggars all descriptions. This
assertion Col. Streight makes without
any qualification. Some Is, 900 prison.
ers are now confined in and around
Richmond, Belle Isle, etc.
The entire army of the rebels consist
of but Csc, 900 men on either side of the
Mississippi. The hopes of the rebels in
the success Of their cause is placed
either atpo,s a change in our political
ADMINISTRATION or an our failure to
place $780, 900 men IN the field in obedi-
ence to the Presidents last call. The
latter act rebels of hig rank who have
had frequent conversations with COL
Streight doubt our ability to perform.
The material of the South is exhaust
ed.2 The CONSUMPTION has proved a
failure, and assertions among conscripts
occur by the hundred. Three weeks
before Col. Streight left Richmond, 600
conscripted men were brought into
camp near Richmond. The following
morning but 40 men answered to the
roll. Three of the men came on with
the Coloners party. although they have
not yet reached our lines. ssi.s
Throughout the entire route the