The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-01-12

vor. Hitherto they had been obliged to conceal
their rubbish in their ed-ticks each day burning
a proportionate quantity of straw now they had
room enough for all they could dig. They at once
commenced to tunnel at right angles with this air
chamber, to get through the foundation; aud day
after day the blocks Of granite were removed, and
still the work before them seemed interminable.
After hirty-three days of uuremitting labor
and getting through a granite wall of six feet in
thickness, they reached the soil. They tunneled
up for some distance, and light began to shine.
fufment of their labors, and, if Providence would
only continue its favor, they would soon be free.
This was the morning. Of the Goth day of Novem-
ber 1868. The next night, at twelve o'clock, was
determined On the hour at which they would
attempt their liberty. Each moment that inter-
vened was filed with dreadful anxiety and sus-
pense, and each time the guard entered increased
their apprehensions. The General says he had
prayed for rain, but the morning of the 9th
dawned bright aud beautiful. The evening came,
and clouds began TO gather. How. they prayed
fer them to increase. If rain should only begin
their chances of detection would be greatly lessen
ed While these thoughts were passing through
their minds the keeper entered with letter for
Gen. Morgan. He opened it, and what was his
surprise, and [ may say wondey, to find it to be
from poor Irish woman-of his acquaintance, liz
Kentucky, commencing, "My dear Ginral, feel
certain you are going to try to git out of prison,
but for your sake don't you try it, my dear Gnral
You will only be taken prisoner agin, and made to
went on to speak of his kindness to the poor when
he lived at Lexington, aud concluded by again
exhorting him to trust in God, and wait bis time.
What could this mean No human being on the
outside had been informed of his intention to es
cape, and yet, just all things were ready for
him to make the attempt, here cones letter from
Winchester Kentucky, advising him not to
"try it." This letter had passed through the ex-
aiming Office of General Mason, and then through
the hands of the lower officials What If 1t should
excite their suspicion and cause them to exercise
an increased vigilance Their situation, however,
was desperate. Their fate could not be much
worse, and they resolved to go. Nothing re-
manned to be. done but for the General and Colonel
Dick Morgan to change cells The hour approach
ed for them to be oeked-up. They changed coats
and each stood at the others cell door with his
back exposed, and pretended to be engaged in
making up their beds. AS the turnkey entered
they "turned IN" and pulled their doors shut
Six, eight, ten o'clock How each pulse
twelve! 1t came; the sentinel passed his round
all well. After waiting a. few moments to see if
he intended to slip back, the signal was given--all
quietly slipped down into the air chamber, first
stufing their flannel shirts and placing them in
bed asrthey were accustomed to lie- AS they
moved quietly along through the dark recess to
the terminus where they were to emerge from the
earth, the Genera prepared TO light match. As
the lurid glare fell upon their countenances,
scene presented which can never be forgotten.
There were crouched seven brave men. who had
resolved to be free. They were armed with bowie
knives made out Of case knives Life, in their
condition. Was scarcely to he desired, and the mo-
ment for the desperate chance had arrived. Sup
pose, they emerged from the ground, that the
dog should give the aarm-they could but die.
But few moments were spent in this kind of ap-
prehension The hour had arrived and out they
came. Fortunately, yes, providentially, the night
had suddenly grown dark and rainy; the dogs had
retired to their kennel, aud the sentinels had ia
ken refuge under shelter. The inner WALL by the
aid Of the rope ladder, was soon sealed and now
the outer one had to be attempted. Captain Tay
Tor, (who by the way is nephew of old Zach y
being very actives man, by the assistance of his
comrades, reached the top Of the gate, and was
abled to get the rope over the wall. When the
top vas gained they found arope extending all
around, which the General immediately cut, he
suspected that it might lead into the warden's
room. This turned out to be correct. They then
entered the Gentry box on the wall and changed
their clothes, and let themselves down the wall.
In sliding down the General skinned his hand
ry badly, and all were more o. less bruised. Once
down, they eparated-Tay Tor and Shelton going
one way, Hokersmith Bennett and McGee anoth-
er, 'and Gen. NJ. and Captain Hines proceeding
towards the depot. The General had,
by paying fifteen dollars in gold, succeeded in OBJ
taiuing paper which informed him Of the SEIZED
ule time of the different roads, The clock struck
one, and he knew by hurrying he could reach the
down train for Cincinnati. He got there just as
the train was moving off. He at once looked out
to see if there were any soldiers board, and,
plying Federal officer, he boldly walked up snd
took seat beside him. He remarked to him that,
las the night was damp and chilly, perhaps he
would jim him in drink" He did so, aud the
party soon became very agreeable to each other
The ours in crossing the Scioto have to pass with
in short distance Of the Pententiary. As they
passed, the officer remarked 81 here's tie hotel at
" hitch Morgan and his officers are spending their
leisure" ''Yes," replied the General, sand siu-
cerely hope he will make up his mind to board
there during the balance Of tile war, for he is
great nuisance" When the train reached Zena
it was detained by some accident more than all
hour Imagine his anxiety soldier after soldier
would pass through the train, for fear that when
the sentinel had passed his round at two o'clock,
theft absence might be discovered. The train
was due in Cincinnati ut six o'clock. This was
the hour at which they were turned out Of their
cells, aud of course their escape would be then
discovered. In few moments after it would be
known all over the county. The train, having
been detained at Zenia, was running very rapidly
to make up the time. 1t was already past six u
CLOCK. The General said to Captain Hines: 1T is
after six: if We 60 to the depot We are dead men.