Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1868-11-21
DRAKE AGAIN DIGS UNDER GROUND.

vannah, was devoted to respects Of es
cape. The thought that he was within
fifteen miles of the flag he so we'll, and
for which he had cheerfuliy suffered 50
much, and yet miserable, half naked
captive, almost caused him to despair.
With characteristic energy, he again
commenced tunneling. Itwould be im-
! possible, save to those who have worked
on tunnel, to realize the immense
amount of labor necessary to be per-
| formed, or the difficulties and dangers,
oftentimes, that surrounds a prisoner
| in the hazardous undertaking. The
digger while in tunnel, labors in
credibly hard. The darkness adds
greatly to the difficulty which attends
tnnneling operations. Hardly breath
OF air reaches him, while the sweat
flows from his body, and his lacerated
fingers are clothed with his own blood.
The digging is necessarily done at
night, the dirt, in small quantities,
being carried and disposed of unde
cover of darkness. Drake, in order to
work successfully, and with more alac-
rity, cut his old blanket in prices,
which he managed to sew together in
the shape of bags. Walking slowly
sometimes crawling-to the entrance of
the tunnel, he would quickly seize one
of the filed bags (handed him by COM
rade, who lay at the mouth, and pla
cling it under his sack-coat, continue his
walk-only in different direction.
Reaching suitable spot, Drake would
commence scattering the dirt, as finely
as possible, in order that he might not
have his labor for his pains" Not
withstanding his precautions, the tents
were inspected one bright morning,
and two tunnels discovered and des-
troyed Although threatened with ter
rible punishment should another tun-
mel be found, digging was Immediately
resumed, but owing to the unexpected
removal of the prisoners to Charles
| ton, it could not be completed.
CONFINED IN THE CHARLESTON JAIL YARD.
About the first of September, Drake
and his wretched companions were re-
moved by rail to Charleston, were
quarters were assigned them in the jail
yard, which, for filthiness, exceeded
any locality in the corn-thieveracy.
The fierce rays of the sun caused pois-
onous exhalations to arise from this
noisome spot, while at night the heavy
dews chilled their blood more than the
shrieking of huge shells which we're
hurled over the lofty walls, or fell in
fragments at their feet. At this period,
the yellow fever was raging fearfully
around them, and while the terrible
disease seized upon their jailors, yet
were the prisoners miraculously pre-
served from its attacks. This called
expressions of establishment from those
who had before failed to recognize the
interposition of Il gracious Providence.
Felons of both sexes, and every grade,
were confined here with the half, starved
officers of the United State army
Although our braves were compelled for
for weeks, to suffer from the fetid air
of this horrific pen, yet not Union
officer was injured by shot or shell from
Fosters batteries, although buildings
in the immediate vicinity were riddled,
and oftentimes pieces of shells fell his
sing among them. Fires took place al
most daily from the explosion OF shells,
but inasmuch as attending a fire was
accompanied with difficulties and
dangers, few turned out"-the she'll
ing at such times, being more rapid
than usual.
At one time, while here, Drake was
without food for three days, the rebels
either refusing or neglecting to issue
rations to their guests from the North,
who were enjoying the hospitalties of
the Charleston officials. One officer gave
as an excuse, that Fosters shells had
destroyed the commissariat. The treat
ment of the captives at Charleston was
q systematic course of starvation the
following being the quantity of rations
issued each man for five days One
pint of corn-meal, one quart of flour,
one quart of miserable, finty black
beans, one spoonful of lard, one spoon
ful of sorghum molasses, and one spoon
full of salt. The water was poor, and
of a brackish taste, being supplied from