Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1874-08-13

Suil1OilS tHc pIISOucI, WHO StepS OUT
side his door, and at a given signal
falls in with the others in close col
umn, those in front pressing back
and those in the rear pushing for
ward; and so with quick, measured
tramp the body moves on without a
word being spoken. This march is
made whenever the criminals move,
and any violation is punished with
inhuman severity.
Morgan command was subjected
to the same brutal treatment the
only difference existing in their be-
ing kept in a body, together, and so
separated from the conyicts. This
alone made difficult a general con-
spiracy, that was to include the fel
Ons.
When this Confederate force was
first consigned to this strange punish
ment the rules of the prison were
strictly enforced. After time, how
ever, the guards, either ashamed of
their disagreeable duty, or relaxing
their discipline on finding that they
had to deal with gentlemen instead of
ruffians, began of themselves to ex-
tend favors. The first was to allow
them the freedom of the halls in the
absence of the convicts. This ena-
bled them to better their health and
enjoy free intercourse among them
selves. The next was the use of con-
victs who, as their term of service
was about expiring, and whose good
conduct had inspired confidence,
were sent into Columbus on errands.
These were permitted to carry mes
sages for the Confederates. This en-
abled Morgan to open communica
tiOns with sympathizing friends on
the outside, and from these favored
convicts Morgan learned that there
existed throughout the prison kind
ly feeling for the Cenfederates among
the prisoners. And about this time
he discovered that small opening
in the ceiling, near the corner, of each
cell, meant for ventilation, COM
municated with the cell above, and by
means of a string and a stick they
were enabled to open correspond
ence with the conyicts upon their
sides of the prison. From one Of
these Morgan learned fact that
changed entirely his plan of opera
ton. 1t was to the effect that this
convict, with number of others, had
been employed to open an obstructed
drain. that run the length Of the
prison, directly under the cells, to the
river. This drain Morgan determin-
ed to reach, and through it his free
dom.
The cell appropriated to the Gen
eral was in the second tier above,
reached by a stairway and a gallery;
so he selected the one occupied by his
brother; in which to make the attempt.
Theif first object was to obtain tools
with which to work. This they ac--
cemplished by taking from the con
vict's dinner table as they passed
and not from their own, for this
would have excited suspicion-the
short, strong, dull knives, ground
square off at the end, so as to rob
them of danger as weapons. Every
day added knife to the Confederates,
until fourteen were secured. Their
first effort was to remove the stone
pavement beneath the cot of the cell
selected. The pieces were broken
into small fragments and deposited in
the ashes of the huge stoves used to
warm the halls. This had to be done
slowly and cautiously, for the appear
ance of any large quantity or large
fragment would at once arouse in
quiry. After the stone pavement
was removed a layer of cement was
found. This too was broken up and
divided between the stoves and the
mattress, from which the stuffing was
removed and burned as the material
increased. The bed of the cell con-
sisted of cot, reared during the
day against the wall, and, when down,
covered the hole at which the men
were digging. They took turns at
this slow, tedious process, and at the
end of three weeks reached the sewer,
arched with brick. Through this
hole was opened large enough to adj
NIT the body of man.
Had the brick-work, cement and
pavement been honestly executed the
prisoners would not have so readily
opened the way. But, like all gov
ernment work, it was found to be rot
ten and easily removed. To lower
one of their number into this foul re-
ceptacle. and explore the same, came
next. Owing to its size, and the fact
that water was flowing through con-
tinuously, the air was not so poison
Gus as they feared; but they found at
the lower end where the sewer leaves
the prison for the river, heavy iron
grating that defied all efforts made to
break through. Driven from this
end, the prisoners tried the other. 1t
terminated at wall They attacked
this wall. Their first impression
was that, getting through this obsta
Gle, they would find themselves in
the open country. Close, but eau
tious questioning of guards and CON
victs-such convicts, as l have said
before, being near the close of their
terms, were therefore used as mes
sengers-with such observations as
their indomitable leader could make,
:. convinced them that this wall was be-
tween them and, not liberty, but a
court surrounded partly by prison
and partly by wall some thirty feet
in height. There was nothing left
them, however, but to dig through: :.
1t seemed an endless work. Ger
tainly no light one, for the wall was
found, when pierced, to be fourteen
i feet from outside to outside. This
work again was facilitated by the dis
honesty of the government contract
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