Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-03-10
Narrative q .fsL str.lsrhtr.. 9 rsdrAt - E.; !

Col. Streieht OF the 5ist Indians, accom-
panied by Msjor Mcdonald Of the lolst
Ohio, Capt. Scarce of the 57th Indians, and |
Lieut.. Sterling Of the 30th Indiana, arrived
here this morning, From their statements
Of theiir escape from Libby Prison, the. fol-
lowing il condensed. These four have been |
together ever since they escaped, but they |
did not leave Richmond Immediately not |
being 10 q condition to travel. After recu-
perating, they started from that city, and
took aNortheast direction, travelling to-
eether at night, and laying by, in ,syamps
and thiekets Of woods during the day, thu.
he r;vers thew found boats in which they
crassea. and AZ othefs theyrma RATS, on
which thew poled themselves over. Astbey
nassed along they always kept. out Of sight
Of roads and houses. They were aided by
slaves, some whom seemed to comprehend
instmctiveIy who they were. Several times
onythe road they came nsar being. taken,
and when near Rappahanneck, on the Rap
pahanpock river, they had quite a lively
time oft. 1t appears that q company OF
rebel cavalry In the vicinity had beep steat
mo fodder from a stack, the owner ofwhich
,se slaves to guard it. Cox S. and party
NOT knowing this fact, went to the stack e
get fodder to make bed, and were dIscov,
erea nv the negro, Who gave the alarm and
asisoo1 as day broke; the whole country was
aroused, and the party we're hunted by cav
: ,alry, militia and slaves with dogs, but for
tunately tbey were in country aboundine
IN swatrirjs and hills, over and through winch
, they we're chased unsuccsssfuhy. The dog
: could not track them through the water o.
= the swamps, and the briers were 80 thlck, a,
(,oIonel 8. SAYS, that even II the dogs hat
2 essayed to follow them their hides wouit
5 have been scratchad off, After being hunt
ed nearly the entire DAY, their pursuers CAV
v up the chase er got on.the wrong track, An'
: Iithe four went back into the country, wher
e they found a boat in creek about hye mile
h from the river, which they took, and max
d ing their way down, crossed the river. Her
}. they resumed their travels and reached tn
o Potomac on Wednesday night; and sther
were some fifteen or eighteen rebel soioiai
RS in the vicinity, who very nearly captutee
Ih them as they were attempting 70 cross ~
y" ao river. sOnthe following night these soidie
ls, guarded the river and the attempt was :
s'ss neved, but on Saturday the prisoners n1A. ,
Is. their way up the county, and crossed
: RIackstopes Island, whence on Sunds
liz roo,n;rp tbeyhailed the steamer Ella, ha
sc ing ON board COL Parker, and under Il
command of Acting Master Mcdonnell,
er whom they we're tax on board and han
se soniely entertained. They reached he
NE about 10 O'Clock this morning. tn I.
of For prudential reasons they do not g
he the details of their escape, fearing tnat
M publication may injure some oftheir frIen'
is They relate enough, however, to satisfy
,gsI one. that sveuin Richmond there are ma
.he good Union people, 80; 6.
elf They were u entire days in getting II z
lily Richmond to the Potomac. -lW ASH =
llso1 Gin. Gax. ji'i ..'' y