The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1864-03-05

of cavalry, which proved to be detach-
ment of Col. Speer' Pennsylvania regiment,
sent out for the purpose of picking up es-
capped prisoners Col. Kendrick says his
feelings at seeing the old flag were indiscri
bable.
The party rode into Williamsburg with
the cavalry, where they were quartered for
the night. aud where they found eleven 9th
ers who had escaped safely. Col. Spear
and his command furnished the officers with
clothing and other nscessaries.
At all points along the route the fugitives
describe their reception by the negroes as
most enthusiastic, and there was no lack of
white people who sympathized with them
and helped them on their way.
| From these officers we learn that there is
a wide spread Union feeling in Richmond.
jeff Davis is held in detestation, but all
| who do not heartily endorse the Rebel Gov
eminent are spotted and watched. There
are at this time eighteen persons confined
in Castle Thunder on charge of attempts to
, assinate the Rebel President. These pris.
/ oners also confirm the report that an at
tempt WIS made to burn JEFF mansion, and
that one morning his servants found coffin
upon his porch.
In their escape the officers were aided by
citizens of Richmond not foreigners or the
poor classes only, but by natives and per.
sons of wealth. They know their friends
there, but very properly withhold any men
ton of their names. OF those who got out
of Libby there were number of sick ones,
who were cared for by Union people, and
will eventually the Union lines through
their aid.
The officers also report the fact that some
time ago, through the aid of citizens, they
obtained communication with the soldiers
on Belle Island, and there was to be Co,
cered movement for their escape. The
soldiers had been furnished with arms, which
they had secreted. The officers at Libby
were to secure the guards there and act in
concert with the Belle Island men but Just
AS the affair was ready to be carried into
execution the project was exposed. Suspi-
cion at once rested upon certain Union
Lieut.. Colonel, who was in favor with the
Rebel authorities, had the freedom of the
| city, and moved about at will in the hospit.
ais and elsewhere. He had been suspected
for some time, and one day was accused
Of exposing the affair.
The indignation Of the officers whose
plans had thus been thwarted through the
pertdy of Gas they believed) one of their
number, cannot be described. Some cried
out Hang him. one ran to his blanket,
and tearing it in stripes, said he had rope
ready and others were in favor of pitching
the fellow out of the window and letting
his brains bespatter the pavement below
Wiser counsels, however, prevailed, and i,
was concluded to let the traitor live, and
report him to his Government, if opportu-
nifty ever offered. The Lieutenant Colonel,
we understand, will be reported to the War
Office. His excuse is that he informed
Union officer in hospital of the attempted
escape, and that Rebel officer overheard
| the conversation.
These prisoners confirm in every partlcu,
| lar the statements heI totore made of the
| treatment of Federal prisoners there. The
| ratlons of the officers were about the same
as those of the Rebel privates, but our pri.
Yates on Belle Island did not fare so WE'LL
| As long as the box sent from friends at
the North were delivered, they lived as we'll
as could be expected under the circumstan,
ces Those who had money were allowed
| to send out and get what they wanted by
paying three times more than Richmond
prices, the profits going into the pockets of
the officers Of the prison. In other respects
the treatment was quite harsh.
When prisoner entered the prison, any
articles found upon him that were fancied
by the Rebel officers or guards were taken
possession of; they pretended the money
and articles were deposited with the quarter
master.
| The sleeping accommodating we're very
Toor, and the only place they had to exer,
else their limbs in was the dining room -
! For while the officers were not furnished
with meat at all, and at one time they re.
ceived flesh which was pronounced by those
among the officers who know something of
butchering as beng mule meat, as they
knew of no cattle used for food which had
bones like those found in the meat.
The privates on Belle Island, it is unques,
toned, have eaten dogs; in fact, were
obliged to do it in order to sustain life.
On the boat, coming up from Fortress
Monroe yesterday, the officers had meet.
ing which was presided over by Col. W. p.
kendrck Of the Sd West Tennessee Caval,
ry, and al which Col. West Of the 4th Wis.
consin acted as Secretary, and the following
card was unanimously adopted:
1.-The undersigned, officers of the United
States Army, and recently prisoners of war;
desire to express their deep gratitude to
| Major General Butler, Brig. Gen. Wistar,
| Col. West of the LIST Reg. Pa. ARTILLERY, and
the gallant officers and men of the lth Pa.
Cavalry and the first New York Mounted
Rifles, for their effective assistance in com.
pleting our escape from the Rebel Libby
Prison at Richmond and the lines of pickets
aud .bloodhounds of the Rebel army and
also for the many acts of kindness so grace
fully rendered US in our present time of
need.
! We dosire also, in common with every