New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-04-23
STORIES OF THE WAR.
The First Rscape from the Libby.

The New York Times of Sunday, Janu
airy %, 1876, contained brief account @
q thrilling incident narrated to our CORE
spondent by Captain 3. F. Porter, of tn
New Jersey Volunteer Cavalry-the draw
ing for two captains of the Union army
prisoners in the Libby, to be held as hos
tages for two rebel spies, condemned t,
death by General Burnside in Ohio. Cap
tain Porter has always claimed to hav,
been the first Union captive who ESCAPED
from the Libby, but whether this claim
can be sustained by facts or not, his ex
perience is of the most interesting de
ecription, and we cheerfully give it 6
place. It is curious, but by no means
remarkable fact, that the reading public
appreciate and relish truthful narratives
Of war experience and adventure as keen
war, and it is to supply this demand that
these ''Stories of the War" Aside from
the inherent evidence Of truth and expe-
rience which they bear, we can certify
that their author was soldier of almost
four years service in the war of the rebel
lion, and therefore ''knows whereof he
speaks"
Captain Porter's narrative is put in his
own words, as nearly as possible.
From the first moment it became GER
tain that the subject of exchange was to
be indefinitely postponed, resolved with
the Others that would escape; but l
soon discovered that their plan could not
be mine Long before saw the Libby
the famous underground tunnel had been
commenced; in fact worked at it fire.
quently by night, willing to give my COM
panions in captivity the benefit of my
hands whileI stayed, though the tunnel
could not help me. At the time of my
capture-outside Port Hudson, June IA,
1861 received wound in the leg from
q carbine ball, which gave me no trouble
until my confinement. But after I had
been lodged in the Libby it became
sore and infamed, either from bad air
or water, or perhaps the confinement
ITSELF 1t grew better after time; but as
the tunnel approached completion and
Colonel Streight and the Others were
making their final preparations for escape,
realized that was not vigorous enough
to take my chances with them in the wild
flight which they meditated, and that if
attempted it I should certainly lag be-
hind and be picked up by the rebel cav
airy that would scour the country. My
only hope, thought, was to get outside
long enough before the alarm was given
to obtain good start, and reach our lines
near Yorktown. And if this was to be
done at all, it must be done at once. The
tunnel had been constructed in the daily |
dread Of discovery, and every day in |
crossed the chance that it would be dis
covered. I consulted with some of my |
and resolved to try my luck |
alone, several days before they would be |
ready for their great attempt.
was favored by the promise of assist
ance from an unexpected source, which
came to me in a very strange way. was
by the grated window one dav.
looking out into the yard, when a lady
passed on the other side of the way, fol-
lowed by negro. She saw me at the
window, and, with quick motion of her
hand, she put aside her shawl, showing
me small Union flag in the bosom of her
iress, and instantly covered it again.
regarded it as pleasant and unusual in
;ident, but never dreamed of hearing of
t again. In less than week, however, I
Jaw the same negro who followed the
ady. He was allowed to come in among
is to sell fruit; and, passing near me, he
ossed me large sweet potato, with
showing look, which / did not fail to
comprehend. After the guard left the
DOM 1 examined the potato, and took
rom the centre of it q small folded paper.
The paper bore the name of the lady
vhom had seen from the window; and ,
0ntained minute directions for finding
er nome, Addressing me as the ''un- {
III could get out Of prison and come to / !
/. Colsnsl 0trsight, With lo7 other Union ofao.rs
Dcaped hum -lfbby'B Prison. February g. 1884 bv |
oai1a1f Q tunnol exoevAaeA under the valla AZ ]
lis sunber, sixty, including Colonel streight,
.aehod the Union lines.