Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-02-18

vss commenced. SONG few wards from the eastern
end Of the building in the basement 1t was found that
large piece OF granite about three feet by ewJ, had
seen removed from The foundation and tunnel extend
ing tv nine lee; the street. IastWard into va
cant lot formerly known Cars warehouse, cat
through This turne about seven feet from the
su face of the street and from two and half TO three
feet square The lot in which the excavation emptled
fet below The street. and the fleeing oners
when thew emerged from the tunnel found themselves On
levi grou,d Running Cary street is brick build
il Ii cugh the centre of which is large ARCH with
wooden gate to permit e9rcs ana gtess 10 ano rotI
the lot By this route they got into Canal street, and
keeppg close 10 the caves of the building they sacceed
ed in euding the vigilance of the sentlpes op doy-
rhe prisoners are confined ia the second story OF the
LIBBY prison. and the first and basement stories mao 10
be attained before the mouth OF the tunnel cos'u o
reached From the first floor leading to the basement
there was formerly stairway, but since the buiidng
has been in use as Il prison, the aperture at toe
head of The steps hos been closed with very heavy
planhs.
By some neads the prisoners would cut throu n
both these floors when they wished TO gain Lie cellar
ard after they I'D passed down would close up the
holes with me ~ nks which had been taken out SO neat
~ that it coali not be discovered The cellar covers
the whole Of the building and is only used as
place for storing away meal &c, Tor the use or tue
prison. 1t being very large only the front part was
required and therefore the back part OF it, which ls
considerably below Gary street. is scarcely ever visited
The dirt which accumulated as the work progressed
spread about this part OF the basement ana tnen
covered with large quantity OF straw which has
been depe ted therein 1t Is not known how long the
operatives in this stupendous undertaking have been en-
gagged but when the limited facilities which taey poss's-
sed taken into consideration, there be doubt
that months have elapsed since tie work was
first begun The whole thing was skiliiuly managed
and hears the impress of master minds and indomable
perseverance.
Sometime since q Yankee Captain was found Ii the
cellar and Oh being taken before Major Turner, all
smeared up with meal he gave bis excuse for being
there that he did not get enough to eat and was look
ing for something to make bread with. This was
doubtless faIseheOd, and his only business was to as
sist in the work which thsy had in hand.
There seems to be no ubt that further escspe
through this avenue contemplated and the earnest
ness with which the prisoners who remained behind
tried to throw the blame upon the guard only done
to prevent further inquiry into the matter end thereby
leave the tunnel open for others to pass thu ough.-
Probably one night might have emptied the pris
On OF the whole number confined therein.
Yesterday sorkmeu were engaged in stopping up
the passage which had been made from the prison, apa
will ever take their departure from the Libby against
the knowledge and consent of the officers in charge
As soon the facts of the escape became fully known
orders were received by Col. Brown, commanding the
cavalry battalion for local defence that detachment
of bis force should Immediately the surrounding
country IN pursuit OF them and accordingly twenty i've
men from each company started Oh fer that par
pose -Four of the prisoners who succt ded in getting
out wee late in the afternoon, recaptred and broug
back They had gotten about ~ miles from ehe city
before they were overtaken 1t is hardly probab from
the steps which have been taken to prevent it, thai
many OF them will succeed tn reaching the Yankee lines