The Portland daily press., 1864-02-18
BALTIMORE, Feb. II.

BALTIMORE, Feb. H.
The escaped Union officers reached here
this morning, and go to Washington this af-
ternoon. The account of their escape is full
of interest, but for prudential reasons many
particulars are withheld at present. They
were flfty-one days making tunnel. HAY
ing managed to find access TO the cellar, they
commenced work, relieving one another as
opportunity offered. Their instruments were
case knives, pocket knives, chisels and files -
Twice they had to abandon their works and
commence anew on account of the obstruc-
tions which could not be passed They had
hoped to avail themselves of a culyert. but
found 1t impracticable. After getting through
the wall they disposed of the excavated soil
by drawing it out in spittoon, which they
attached to a cord. The dirt was then dis
posed of by spreading it in thin layers over
the floor, concealing 1t beneath the straw
The work was necessarily very slow So close
was the atmosphere in the tunnel they could
remain in it but few minutes at a time. and
their candles would 90 out. At one time they
went so near a bend in the street that small
hole about the size of stove pipe broke
through but fortunately this was not discoy-
cred by the guard, AM was great service in
admitting air, enabling them to prosecute their
work more rapidly. The tunnel, when COM
pleted, was about sixty feet long, and opened
into an old tobacco shed beyond the line of
guards. As soon as they found the way clear
they emerged slowly in small squads OF two
or three, and sauntered off until they got
clear OF the guards, making their way towards
the Williamsburg road by the shortest route.
The darkness favored them, and the fact that
all the rebel soldiers whom they met were pa
trols in the army coats of Uncle Sam, which
they had stolen from the supplies sent to our
prisoners by our government, was great
help to them. Although they were attired In
our army overcoats, and many of them had
their haversacks, they found the national uni
form better disguise than if they had been
provided with rebel uniforms. In order to
eude the pursuers who they knew would soon
be on their track, they scattered as much as
possible. Many were their hardships and suf-
terings, and frequent their narrow escapes
from the rebel cavalry who the next morning
were bushwhacking in every direction for
them. The joy which they experienced when
they first caught sight of our troops sent out
to help them, cannot be expressed. To the
18th Pennsylvania regiment, whom they first
met, theysexpress the most profound gratitude
for their unbounded kindness, and also bare
testimony to their gallantry in pursuing the
rebel cavalry, and rescuing many of the way
worn fugitives who otherwise would have
been recaptured. There is good reason to
hope that many more will come in safe
The following card is published by the es-
capped prisoners from Richmond
CARD.-We, the undersigned, officers OF the
United States Army, and recently prisoners
OF war, desire to express our deep gratitude
to Maj. Gen. Butler, Brig. Gen. Wistar, Col.
West of the Pennsylvania artillery, and the
gallant officers and men of the 18th Pennsyl-
vauia cavalry, and 1st New York mounted
rifles, for their effective assistance In conplet-
ing our escape from the rebel Libby prison at
Richmond. and the lines of pickets and blood
hounds of the rebels, and also for many acts
OF kindness so gracefully rendered us in our
present time OF need. We desire also. in
common with every loyal heart in the Union
to tender to Maj. Gen. Butler our high appre-
citation Of his prompt and extensive efforts to
aid our comrades who are yet In the rebel lines
attempting to elude their vigilance and make
good their escape from that prison of refined
cruelty and slow DEATH
Signed by eight officers.