Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-01-18
rFrnm the Plobmond EnauIrer.l

From the Richmond knqulrer-
full Details ofths Escape Of John Morgan.
The article opens with sn account Of the
experiences CT Morgan in the Penitentiary,
snd Of the wsy in which they got out.
The narrative proceeds as follows:
Six, eight, ten o'clock came. How esUh
pulse throbbed IS they quietly awaited the
approach Of twelve It csme-the sen-
inel passed his round-all well. After
waiting few moments TO see if he intend
cd to slip back, the signal was given-sll
quietly slipped down into the air chamber,
frst stufi1g their flannel shirts and pisc-
ing them in bed as they were accustomed
to lie. As they moved quietly along
through the dark recess to the terminus
whers they were to emerge from The earth,
the General prepared to light match. As
the lurid glare fellupon their countensnce
a scene was presented which can never be
| forgotten. There were crsuohed seven
brave men, who had resolved to be free.
They were arnaad with bowi5-knfves made
out of case-kniYes. Life, in their eondi-
ton, was scarcely to be desired, and the
moment for the desperate chance had
arrived. Suppose, as they emerged from
the ground, that the dog should give the
slarm-they could but die.
But few moments were spent in this
kind Of apprehension. The hour had ST.
rived, and yet they came. Fortunately
yes, proviGeHtislly-the night had sud
denly grown dark and rainy; the dogs had
retired to their kennels, and the sentinels
had taken refuge under shelter. Theinner
wall by the aid Of the rope ladder, was
soon scaled, and now the outer one hsd to
be attempted. Captain Taylor (Who, By
the way, is a nephew Of old Zsck, being
a 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 a
rope extending all around, which the Gen
ersl Immediately cut, rs he suspected that
/ Il might lead into the Warden's room.
| This turned out to be correct. They then
entered The sentry box on the wall and
changed their clothes, and let themselves
| down the wall. In sliding down the Gem
| ersl skinnad his hSad ~5Ty badly, and sll
/ we're moro CT less bruised. Once down,
they separated. Taylor and Shelton going
one way. Hoksrsmith, Bennett and Nc
/ Gee another, and General Morgan and
| Captain Hines proceeding Immediately to
ward the depot.
The General had, by paying SIS In gold,
| sueceeded il obtaining q 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 there
| lust as the train was moving of. He at
orcs looked On to see If there we're any
soldiers on bosrd, and, espying Union
officer, he boldly walked up and took seat
beside him. He remarked to him that "ss
the night was damp and chilly, perhaps he
would join him in . drink" He did go,
/ and the party soon became very agreeable
/ to eaoh other. The cars in crossing the
| Soioto have to pass within q short distance
| of the Penitentiary. As they passed, the
officer remarked; There's the hotel at
which Morgan and his officers are spend
| ing their leisure" ayes" replied the
General, "and 1 sincerely hope he will
make up his mind to board there during
the balance Of the war, for he is g great
nuisance" When the train reached Zsnis,
it was detsined by some accident more
/ than sn hour. Imagine his anxiety, SO
soldier after soldier would pass through
the train, for fear that when the sentinel
passed his round at o clock their absence
might be discovered.
The train was due in Cincinnati at 9
o'clock. This was the hour at which they
we're turned out Of their cells, and of
course their escape would be then discov-
| cred. In few moments after ii would bs
known all over the country. The train,
having been detsined at Henis, was run
ming very rar;dly to make up the time.
1t was already past 4 o'clock. The Gen.
eral said to Captain Hines: "It is after 6;
if we 20 to the depot we are dead men.
Now OF never" They went to the real
and put on the brakes. "Jump, Hines y
Of he went and fell heels over head in
the mud. Another severe turn Of the
brake, and the General jumped He wsi
more successful, and lighted on his feet
Tbero we're some soldiers near, who re.
marked: "whst in theh-ldo you mean By
ljupping OF the cars here?' The Genera
T, piiad: "what in the dis the use Of my
aoing into town when Hive here; and, be.
SIDE, what business is it Of yours /"
They went Immediately to the river
They found skif, but no oars. Soon 1
little boy came over, snd appeared to Be
l
said the General. "I am waiting for ny
load" "Whst is the price Of . load 2
Two dollars" "Well as We are tiret
and hungry, we will give the two dollars
and you can put US over" So over hi
took them. = Where does Miss -, liver
n Just short distance from here" "Wil
you show me her house 2" "Yes, SIR
The house was reached, fine breskfss
was SOON obtained, money and 3 horse
furnished, good womsn's prayer bestow
ed, and off he went. From there, forwsrt
through Kentucky, every body We'd witt
each other as to who should show him thi
most attention-even to the negroes; sn'
young ladies Of refinement begged the homo
to cook his meals.
He remained in Kentucky some days
feeling perfectly safe, and sending int
Louisville for many little things he want
ed. Went TO Bardstown and found Fed
eral regiment had just arrived there look
, ing for him Remained here and abou
for three CT four days, and then struel
, ou. for Dixie, sometimes Disgusting him
self as Government cattle contractor
and bying large lot Of cattle; at other
: times a quartermaster, until be got to th
Tennessee river. Here he found all mean
Of transportation destroyed, and the banl
: strongly guarded, but with the assistance
Of about thirty others, who hGd recogniEet
him and Joined him in spite Of his remon