The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1864-03-11
1s12.s.-s0@s.
ceIoneI streashIfsslAayeptures.

Colonel strcighfssoA dyepturcs.
Colonel Streght, ofthe 5lst Indiana Regi-
mont, who recently escaped from Libby pris-
on, arrived. IN. this city yesterday morning, I,
having been brought here from Blackstones
Island by the steamer Ella, OF the hotilla.--
Among those who escaped with the Colonel,
and who arrived in company with him, were
Major Mcdonald, le1ss ehios' Capt. -scearce,
5lst Ipdiana, and Lieutenant Sterling, Both
Indiana regiments.
The journey Of these four officers from Rich
mond to the point where they were safely
landed on the decks of the Ella, was charac-
terized with the most startling adventures |
and hair-breadth escapes. Their liberation
from Libby was effected % the 9th inst,
bat they did not leave Richmond until the |
10th, having all this time remained within
not score of miles of the city. Their route
lay by tho way of Dunkirk bridge, on the
Mattapony, and by Tappahannock, on the
Rappahannock river. Here the party struck
Towards Cliffs, opposite Blackstenes Island,
and yesterday morning they reached the Ella
at this point.
When these officers started from Richmond
six days rations were furnished them, and
they were all well armed, but by whom they
were thus kindly cared for we are not at lib
erty to state. From the moment of their es-
cape rebel cavalry was sent in pursuit Of
them, SO that-when their journey was COM
meneed they discovered that the route Of
their travel was infested with rebel soldiers.
Through woods, and thickets, and swamps,
and hunted by dogs day and night, they trav-
oled, and, as the sequel shows, still with
safety to their lives. FTgE GfA8
It was at late hour last night when we
obtained a conversation with this famous off.
GER He is in good health, having lost but
some thirty pounds since his confinement
His feet and ankles are very much swollen
and it will be some days before he will b.
placed in possession of.full and free use of hi
limbs. The Colonel is in possession of vas
amount of information, which will prove o
immense benefit to the Government, blu
which it would be interfering with the au
thorities to diyulge OF present. Some inter
esting details, however not "contraband," W
append below, as CLEANED from Col. Streigh
The country lying between Richmond an
the Potomac Is filed with q class of person
who are either trying to escape rebel col
serlpuon, or endeavoring to come within OF
lines. AT the same time these persons Oh
daily hunted down by rebel cavalry, who al
sent from Richmond with instructions to ca
ture, and bring them to the seat Of the reb
government, The Colonel passed all the fo
thcations Of Riesmond, and states that thu
are almost entirely unnamed But ~
thousand soldiers are located in and aroui
Richmond, and the majority Of these are e
pllye4 N guard duty over Union men,
The treatment of our prisoners at Richmo
boggara al. description. This assertion G
S'Teisht makes without any qualification
Sime 1900 prisoners are now confined
and around Richmond, Be.le Island, &c.
< The entire army the rebels consists
but 250, 900 men on either SIDE of the Miss
sippi
The hope of the rebels on the success
their cause is based either upon change
our political Administration, or in our failr
to place 100000 men in the field in obedier
to the Presidents last call. The latter
rebels OF high rank who have had frequ,
conversations with Colonel Streight do,
our ability to perform. The material of
south is exhausted. The CONSUMPTION
proved a failure, and desertions among c
scripts occur by the hundred. Three we
before Colonel Streight left Richmond,
hundred conscripted men were brought i
camp near Richmond, The following me
ing but one hundred and forty men answe
to the roll call. Three of the men came
with the Colonel's party. although they h
not yet reached our lines.
Throughout the entire route the, esca
prisoners received material aid, in the i;
OfprOyisiOns and means of escape, from
negroes of Virginia