Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-04-01
ne nIIne Under the Libby Prison,

The Mime Under the Libby Prison.
A committee from the Rebel Congress
have recently made report for the pur.
pose of whitewsshing this outrages on our
prisoners. That report contains an ad-
mission of the charge made months ago,
and then Indignantly denied by the rebels,
that there was 3 mine under the Libby
Prison. We-copy the portion of their re-
port which refers to this subject;
Your committee proceed next to notice
the allegation that the Confederate author
tiles had prepared mine unCer the Libby
Prison, and placed in it a quantity of gun
powder, for the purpose OF blowing up the
buildings, with their inmates, in case of an
attempt 70 rescue them. Alter ascertain
ing all the facts bearing on this subject,
your committee believe that what was done
under the circumstances will meet verdict
Of approval from all whose prejudices do
not blind them 10 the truth. The state Of
Shings wss Unprecedented in history, and
must be judged of according to the motives
st work and the result accomplished. A
large body of Northern raiders, under Col
Dahlgren, Wss approaching Richmond. II
was sscertsined, by the reports of prison
ers captured from them, and other evil
dence, that their design was to enter
the city, TO set fire to the buildings,
public and private, for which pur-
pose turpentine balls, in great num-
bers had been prepared to murder
1e President of the Confederate States
and other p ointment men; to release the
prisoners of war, then numbering five or
six thousand 10 put arms into their hands,
and to turn over to the city to indiscrimi-
nate pillsge. rape and slaughter. At the
ame time, plot was discovered among
the prisoners to cooperate in this scheme,
and large number Of knives and slung-
shots (msde by putting stones into woolen
stockingsj were detected in places of con-
cealment about their quarters. To defeat
plan so diabolicsl, slsuredly the sternest
means were justified. II would have been
right to put 10 death any one prisoner at
tempting 70 escape under such circumstsn-
ces, it seems logically certain that it would
have been equally right to put to death any
number making such attempt. But in
truth, the means sd0pted were those of hu-
manity and prevention, rather than oi
execution. The Confederate authorities
felt able to meet and repulse Dshlgren and
his raiders If they could prevent heeseape
of the prisoners.
The real object was TO gave their lives
as we'll as those of our cinzsns. The guard
force at the prisons was small, and all the
local troops in and around Richmond were
needed TO meet the threatened attack
Had the prisoners escaped, the women
and children of the city, as well as theiI
homes, would have been st the mercy oi
five thousand outlaws. Humanity requir.
ed that the most summary measures should
be used to deter them from any attempt al
escape.
A mine vas prepared under the Libby
prison Sufficient quantity of gunpowdeI
wss put into it, and pains taken to inform
the prisoners that any attempt at escape
made by them would be efiectually defeat.
ed. The plan succeeded perfectly. The
prisoners we're swed, and kept quiet
Dahlgren and his party were defeated and
eeattered. The danger passed away, and
in few weeks the gunpowder was re-
moved. Such are the facts. Your COM
mittee do not hesitate to make them known,
feeling assured thst the conscience Of the
enlightened world, and the great law OF
self-preservstion, will justify sll thst was
done by our country and her officers.