The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-02-11

MAJOR b Macdonald, 1UOth Ohio.
Maj ,r A Won Mitze1, 74th Pa.
Major J N Walker, I'D Ind
Major J A Henry, 9th Ohio.
Immediately on discovering the absence of
these prisoners some excitement was created
among the Confederate officers in charge Of
the prison, and in short time every means
was adopted to ascertain the manner of their
esca.as AT first Major Turner was inclined
to the opinion that the sentinels on duty
had been bribed to pass them out, and this
impression was strengthened by the assertion
of the Yankees remaining behind that the
work had been accomplished through means
OF heavy fees, which had been paid Confed.
crate officer In the building, and his influence
over the guard in their behalf. On learning
this the order was given to place the guard
under arrest and commit them to Castle
Thunder. Not feeling satisfied about the
matter, the Major and 1t. Latouche deter
mioed to leave no stone unturned to ferret
out the mystery, and thereupon proceeded to
institute a search iH every direction for
further information. After fruitless exam
ination of every part of the building where it
was thought possible for man to escape.
they were about abandoning further investi-
CATION, when the idea struck them that some
clue might be obtained by going into the lot
on the opposite side OF the street, when a
large hole was soon discovered in the corner
| Of one Of the stalls Of shed which had been
used as stable, and on 1u2 with the street
running between 1t and the Libby prison.
This discovery fully satisfied them that they
had found out the means by which the es-
cape had been made, and their next step was
to trace out the spot where the tuunelling
was commenced. Some few yards from the
eastern end of the building, in the basement
| twas found that large piece ofgrauite, about
three feet by two, had been removed from the
foundation and tunnel extending City nine
| feet across .the street, eastward, into a va
cant lot formerly known as Carr's ware
house, cut through. This tunnel was about
seven feet from the surface of the street, and
| fromtwo and o half to three feet square. The
| lot In which he,.excavatiQn emptied is several
feet below the street, and the fleeing prison.
ers when they emerged from the tunnel
found themselves on level ground. Running
on Cary street is brick building, through
the centre of which is large arch, with o
wooden gate to permit egress aud ingress to
| and from the lot. BY this route they got in.
to Canal street, and keeping close to the
caves OF the building they succeeded in
| eluaing the vigilance of the sentinels Oh
duty. The prisoners ale confined in the Sc
cond story OF the Libby prison, and the first
and basement stories had to be attained be.
| fore the mouth OF tGe tunnel could be
reached. From the first floorleadiuo to the
basement there was formerly stairway, but
since the building has been in use as prIs>
on the aperture at the head Of the steps has
been closed with very heavy pIanks.
By some means the prisoners would cut
through both these floors when they wished
to gai., the cellar, and after they hadpassed
down would close up the holes with tue
planlls which had been taken oat so neatly
that 1t could not be discovered. The cellar
covers the whole area of the building and is
only used as place for storing away meal,
&C., for the use of the prison. II being very
large only the front part was required, and
therefore the back part OF it, which is con-
siderably below Cary street, is scarcely ever
visited. The dirt which accumulated IS the
work progressed was spread about this part
of the basement and then covered over with
large quantity Of straw which has been de-
posted therein. II is not known how long
the operatives In this stupendous undertak-
ing have been engaged; but, when the limited
facilities which they possessed is taken into
consideration, there can be no doubt that
months have elapsed since the work was
first begun. The whole thing was skillfully
managed and bears the impress of master
minds and indomitable perseverance,.
Sometime since 8 Yankee Captain was
found in tie cellar, and On being taken be-
fore Major Turner, all smeared up with
| meal, he gave Us Lis excuse for being there
| that he did not get enough to eat and was
This was doubtless q falsehood, and his only
| business was to assist in the work which
| they had in hand.
There seems to be no doubt that further
| escape through this avenue was coutem-
| plated, and the earnestness with which the
| prisoners who remained behind tried to
| throw the blame upon the guard was only
done to prevent further inquiry into the
matter, and thereby leave the tnnnel open
| Tor others to pass through. Probably one
more night might have emptfed the prison
of the whole number confined therein.
| Yesterday workmen were engaged in stop
| ping up the passage which had been made
from the prison, and it may now safely be
relied on that no ether prisoners Will ever
take their departure from the Libby against
the knowledge aad consent of the officers in
charge.
As soon as the facts Of the escape became
fully known, orders were received by Col.
| Brown, commanding the cavalry bat
talon for local defence, that detachment
of his force should Immediately scour the
surrounding country in pursuit Of them,
and accordingly twenty-five men from each
| company soon started off for that purpose.
Four Of the prisoners who succeeded In get
ting out were, late in the afternoon, recap
tured and brought back. They had gotten
about - miles from the city before they
were oveFtaken. 1t Is hardly probable, fron
the steps which have been taken tn prevent
ii, that many Of them will succeed In reach
Ing the Yankee lines.
|
Slsfues for the F5rtL Lacations. would cal
the attention of the citizens of HenricG
county to the advertisement Of the Clerk
requiring them to briag the number OF slaves
opposite their names to the Court-Houss
this day, to work ON the public defences.-
Aside from motives Of patriotism, pecuniary
considerations should induce prompt re
sponse, as the law calling them out says thai
when they are delivered at the reqnisitiof
OF the Court they shall only be held fol
sixty days; but should the sheriff have Il
impress them, {as will he his duty In cas-,
they are not promptly dsl;verea.) they vii
De held for ninety days, at which time th,