Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1874-08-13
missed his footing and all fell to the

S ASOeihS stuu e1AA I'LL " w
ground
This mode ofscaling perpendicu-
lar wall is successfully practieed by
French zouaves and acrobats. But it
requires strength and dexterity, a
dexterity that comes of long practice,
and this practice had been denied
Morgan's men. General Morgan
then shifted from the dividing wall,
after listening a minute to find
whether the noise of the unhappy
tumble had been heard, to the corner
furtherest from the prison.
In former years, on this corner had
been a platform and box for sentry.
But as the guard was over women
not given to attempted escapes, and
as the sentry was subject to contin-
uous volley of abuse from the female
wards below, the guard had been re-
moved. Aided by the corner, that
served as support, the human lad
der succeeded in reaching the top of
the wall, and the man clambered upon
it with their improvised rope, made
it fast. One by one all of the four
teen came up, hand over hand, and
then the rope was dropped on the
outside, and in 4 few minutes the en-
tire party found themselves free.
Here of course they were met by
their sympathizing friends. My in
formant, on this part of the business,
was silent. Who guided the escaped
prisoners to place of refuge and
gave each change of clothing
warm overcOats, cloth travelling caps
and carpet -bags-will probably never
be known.
John Morgan selected one of his
officers, now an eminent judge in
Kentucky, Il man noted for his cool
self-possession and courage, as his
companion, and separating from the
other twelve, the two walked into the
depot at Columbus ut the moment the
eastern express train was about to
start for Cincinnati. They had no
time to procure tickets, and boarding
the cars, General Morgan purpOsely
selected seat by a Federal officer.
In few seconds the cars were dash
ing into the night, towards Cincinna-
ii. Shortly after General Morgan's
companion pointed with his finger
through the window next which he
sat and said:
"That, sir, is our penitentiary, and
just now, you know, it is the resi-
denee of the famous John Morgan"
Indeed, it's there is it?' responded
Morgan. "Well, let us drink to the
strength of its walls" and pulling
from his breast pocket flask of old
whisky, the officer joined in the
toast.
The conductor collected his fare,
and the passenger nodded and slept,
and among the rest General Morgan's
Federal officer, who, having taken
several draughts from Morgan's flask,
and doubtless being fatigued by his
many labors of the day, snored in
the deepest sort of slumber.
Daylight, and the twain were ap-
preaching Cincinnati together, when
Morgan, leaning over, whispered his
companion that it was about time to
get off. Putting his valisc under his
coat, he went quietly to the rear plat
form. In a few minutes after his
companion followed. Fortunately the
brakeman was at the other end of the
car. Morgan directed his friend to
throw his might and strength upon the
brakes, when he, Morgan, should pull
the bell rope, that signals stop.
This was done. The shrill scream of
the locomotive was heard, followed
by the rasping noise of brakes along
the train. Before it came to a full
stop, but after it had ceased to run
so as to be dangerous to jump of,
the two fugitives dropped from the
platform and Immediately hid in the
brush that lined both sides of the
road. They heard the train come to
q full stop; they heard the voices OF
conductor and brakesmen crying to
each other with much profanity; then
the bell rang, the locomotive screamed
and the train moved on. They wait
ed until the last faint roar died in the
distance, and then emerged from their
hiding-places to fall almost into the
arms of five Government soldiers
travelling along the track.
"What the devil are you about
hereg" cried one, facing Morgan and
his companion.
'Rather," replied Morgan, quietly,
yet firmly, "what are you doing from
camp at this hOur?''
The question was embarrassing,
for the men were laden with dead
poultry, and conspicuous among the
lot an infant pig lately sacrificed.
"We're out buyin' provisions for
our colonel" was the prompt reply,
with some stress on the word that in
dicated the purchase.
"DOes your colonel send you out to
purchase poultry after highland
who is hep
'Yes he does, cause, you see, we're
fightin' all day; and his names
Squibob. Colonel Squihob of the One
Hundred and Ninety-sixth Ohio Vol
unteers," was the response, as the
chicken thieves moved on.
The two arrived in Cincinnati as
the day began to break. At that
early hour the police waken' cats
steal home and at intervals milk-carts
and meat-wagons can be heard rat
Ting over the rough streets. Inc
few they met regarded them as early
travellers seeking the depot, and un-
obstructed, they found themselves
upon the banks of the Ohio.
The ferry-boats were preparing their
daily rounds, but the two hesitated
trusting themselves to this sort of
conveyance for they saw squad of
infantry under command of ser
geant hurrying to one of the landings.