Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-01-19

What if it should excite their suspicious
and cause them to exercise an increased
vigilance? The situation, however, was
desperate. Their fate could not be much
worse, and they resolved to go. Nothing
now remained to be done but for the Gen.
eral and Col. Dick Morgan to change
cells. The hour approached for them to
be locked up. They changed coats, and
each stood at the others cell door with
his back exposed, and pretended to be en-
gagged in making up their beds. AS the
| turnkey entered they "turned in" and pull
ed their doors shut
Six, eight, teu o'clock came How each
pulse throbbed as they quietly awaited
the approach of twelveI 1t came-the
sentinel passed his round-all well. After
waiting few moments to see if he in
tended to slip back, the signal was given
all quietly slipped down into the air
chamber first stufing their flannel shirts
aud placing them in bed as they were ac-
customed to lie. AS they moved quietly
along through the dark recess TO the ter
minus where they were to emerge from the
earth, the General prepared to light a
match. AS the lurid glare fell upon then
countenances scene was presented which
can never be forgotten. There were
crouched seven brave men, who had re-
solved to be free. They were armed with
0oWie-knives made out of case. knives
Lille, IN their condition, was scarcely to
be desired, aud the moment for the desper-
ate chance had arrived. Suppose, as
they emerged from the ground, that the
dog should give the alarm-they could but
die.
But few moments were spent in this kind
of apprehension. The hour had arrived,
and yet they came Fortuu8tely-yes,
providentially-the night had suddenly
grown dark and rainy the dogs had re-
tired to their kennels, and the sentluels had
taken refuge under shelter. The inner
wall, by the aid of the rope ladder, was
soon scaled, and now the outer one had to
be, attempted. Captain Taylor (who, by
the way, is nephew of old Zack) being a
very active man, by the assis tance of his
comrades reached the top of the gate, aud
was enabled to get the rope over the wall.
When the top was gained they found rope
extending all around, which the General
| Immediately cut, as he suspected that it
might lead into the Wnrden's room. This
turned out to be correct. They then en-
tered the sentry box on the wall and
changed their clothes, aud let themselves
down the wall. In sliding down tue Gen,
eral skinned his hand very badly, and all
we've more or less bruised. OnCe down
they separated, Taylor and Shelton going
one way, Hokersmith, Bennett and MCGEE,
another, and General Nj. and Captain Hines
proceeding Immediately towards the depot.
The General had, by paying $l5 in gold,
succeeded in obtaining u paper which in
formed him of the schedule time of the
different roads. The clock struck one, and
be knew by hurrying he could reach the
down train for Cincinnati. He got there
Nnk Nk,,
once looked on to see if there were auy
soldiers on board, aud, espying a Union
officer, he boldly walked up aud took a
seat beside him. He remarked to him that
"as the night was damp aud chilly, per
haps he would join him a drink" He
did so, and the party soon became very
agreeable to each other. The cars in cross
ing the Scioto have To pass within "a short
distance of tho Penitentiary As they
passed, the officer remarked, "There's the
hotel at which Morgan and his officers are
spending their LEISURE" "Yes," replied
the General, land sincerely, hope he will
make up his mind to board there during the
balance of the war, for he is q great uui
sauce." When the train reached Xeuia, it
was detained by some accident more than
an hour. Imagine his anxiety, as soldier
after soldier would pass through the ira in l.,
round at O'Clock their absence might be
discovered.
The train was due in Cincinnati at G
o'clock. This was the hour ut which they
were turned out of their cells, and of course
their escape would be then discovered In
a few moments after it would be known all
over the coautry. The train, having been
detained at Neuia, was running very rapid
ly to make up the time. II was already
past 6 o'clock. The General said to Capt.
Hines, sit is after six; ii we go to the de.
pot we are dead men. Now or never."-
They went to the rear and put on the
brakes. "Jump, Hiues!" OFF he went,
aud fell heels over head in the mud. An
other severe turn of the brake, and the
General jumped. He was more successful,
and lighted on his feet. There were some
soldiers near, who remarked, "what in the
h-l do you mean by jumping off the cars
here" The General replied, "what in the
ID is the use of my going into town when
l live here; and, beside, what business is
it of yours 2"
They went Immediately to the river
They found a skiff, but no oars. Soon a
little boy came over, and appeared to be
waiting. "What are you waiting for 2''
said the General. IL am waiting tor nv
load" "What is the price of a load ?i
"Two dollars" "WelI, as we are tired
and hungry, we will give you the two dol
lars, and you can put US over" So over
he took them. "Where does Miss -
hVe2' "Just short distance from here.''
"Will you show me her house Z" ayes
sir" The house was reached, a fue
breakfast was obtained, money and horse
furnished, good woman's prayer bestow-
ed, and off he went From there, forward
through Kentucky, everybody wed with
each other as to who should show him the
most attention-even to the negroes and
young ladies of refinement begged the
honor to cook his meals.
He remained in Kentucky some days
feeling perfectly safe, and sending into
; Louisville for many little things he want.