The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-01-20

an increased vigilance? The situation, how
ever, was desperate. Their fate could not
be much worse, and they resolved to 60
Nothing now remained to, be done but for
the General and Col. Dick Morgan to
change cells. The hour approached for
them to be lockedup. They changed coats,
and each stood at the others cell door,
with his back exposed, and pretended to
be making up their beds. As the turnkey
entered thew 'turned in" and pulled their
doors shut.
Six, eight, ten o'clock came. How each
pulse throbbed as they quietly awaited the
APPROACH of.twelye! 1t came--the sentinel
passed his round all we'll. After waiting
q few moments to see if he intended to slip
back, the signal was given, all quietly slip
ned down into the air chamber, first stut-
ling their flannel shirts and placing them in
bed as they were accustomed to lie. As
they moved quietly along through the dark
racess to the terminus where they were to
emerge from the earth, and the General pre-
pared to light match. As the lurid glare
EEL upon their countenances q scene was
presented which can never be forgotten-
There were crouched seven brave men who
had resolved to be Free They were armed
with bowie knives made out of case knives.
Life, in their condition, was scarcely to be
desired, and the desperate chance had ar
rived Suppose, as they emerged from the
ground, that the dog should give the alarm
they could but die. ..,
But few moments were spent i'll this kind
Of apprehension. The hour had arrived, and
vet they came. Fortunately-yes, proyiT7t
dentially-the night had suddenly grown
dark and rainy; the dogs had retired to their
Kennels, and the sentinels had taken refuge
under shelter. The inner wall, and the aid
of the rope ladder, was soon scaled, and now
the outer one had to be attempted. Capt
Taylor, (who, by the way, is a nephew Of
old lack being very active man, by the
assistance of his comrades, reached the top
Of the gate, and was enabled to get the rope
over the wall. When the top <was gained,
they found rope, extending all around,
which the General immediately cut, IS he
suspected it might lead into the Warden's
room. This turned out to be correct. They
then entered the sentry box on the wal, ,snd
changed their clothes, and let themselves
down the wall. In sliding down, the Gen
eral skinned his hand very badly, and all
were more or less bruised. Once down,
they separated, Taylor and Shelton going
one way, Hockersmith, Bennett and McGee
another, and General Morgan aud Captain
Hines proceeding Immediately toward the
depot. ,YuA43 = -..
- The General had, by paying SIS ia Gold,
succeeded in obtaining paper which in-
formed him of the schedule time of the
different roads. The clock struck one, and
he knew by hurrying he could reach the
down train for Cincinnati. He, got thers
Just as the train was moving OF. He at
once looked on to see if there was any SOL
diers on board, and, espying Union officer.
he boldly walked up aud took seat beside
him. He remarked to him that "as the
night is damp and chilly, perhaps he would
Join him IN drink" He did 50, and the
party soon became very agreeable to each
other. The cars, in crossing the Scloto,
have to pass within short distance of the
Pententiary. As they passed, the officer
remarked, There's the hotel at which
Morgan aud his officers are spending their
leisure" YES" replied the General, land
| hope he will make up his mind to board
there during the balance of the war, for he
is great nuisance" When the train
reached Xenia, it was detained by some ac-
cident moro thau an hour. lmag inc his
anxiety, rs soldier after soldier would pass
through the train, for fear that when the
sentinel passed his round at 2 o'clock, their
absence might be discovered.
The train was due in Cincinnati at Six
o'clock. This was the hour at which they
were turned out of their cells, and cl course
their escape would be then discovered. In
a few moments after it would be known all
over the country The train, having been
detained at Xenia was running very rapid
iy to make up the time. 1t was already
past six O'clock. The General said to Capt
Hines, sIt is after six: if we go to the depot
we are dead men, Now or never" They
went to the rear and put on tho brakes
Jump, Hines!' Off he went, and fell heels
over head in the mud. Another severe
turn of the brake, and the General jumped,
He was more successful, and lighted oli his
feet There were some soldiers near, who
remarked, what in the HI do you mean
-by jumping off the cars here2" The Gen
replied, "what in the d-li is the use OF my
going into town when | live here; and, be-
side what business is it of yours.
They went Immediately to the river
They found skiff but no oars. Soon 1T
tie boy came over, and appeared to be wait
ing. What are you waiting for?' said the
General. IL am waiting for my load =
sWhat is the price of a load?" Two dol
lars "Well, as we are tired dand hungry,
we will give you tue two dollars, and you
can put us over" So over he took them.
ssWhere does Miss live?' "Just
short distance from here" "Will you show
me her house?' eyes sir The house
was soon reached, a fiue breakfast was soon
obtained, money and horse furnished,
good woman's prayer bestowed, and off he
went. From there, forward through Ken
tacky, every boay Wed with each other as
to who should shew him the most atten.
tion-even to the esfoes; and young ladies
OF refnenent begged the honor to cook his
meals.