New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-12
A 1nKILLlyG ACCIDENT AT LIBBY.
from me Albany Eening Journal.

from The Albany Etcnfn1 Journal
OF the SIX officers o the regular Army who
found Themselves IN Libby Prison In 1864 one was
nne-l0oking Colonel from lndana-a biz bodied. big
Drained. big hearted fellow. choke-full OF energy lie
once he found his tunnel too small Tor his bury iomi
three Confederate soldiers. who had been quietly
waiting for hn again clever ruse was detected Just
he TO the middle OF the gate. and so II went nnil
he had made half dozen attempts But he never gave
up and finally got out. aud Is now prospeng citizen
OF Indianapolis. trine srouter than when 10 In
Libby and good deal richer; but Otherwise UNCHANGED
As Uncle Rcnins says, tho Cooncl's min WuE ailus
gukking." After two three attempts 10 get out OF
tiy had failed lie began 10 suspect that his failures
Eere tue OF treaohery In the prisoners camp. TX
change like kissing went hy favor The COLONEL after
thinking each failure over. came to the conclusion that
poor devil selling his manhood or mess OF
poitage-cntrylng the favor "hch wuuld eAchhhso
him his home 10y hetraying tie plans OF his compan-
ious the enemy. He lpoked about HIM for the
formation prompted him TO say TO each OF the other
five REGULAR Army ohcers' Meet me ~ such Spot NJ
midnight have found the traitor. We Will court
martial him tO-uieht"
Al midnight the six men met in dark and In
whispering voices organized drlm-hcad oourt-maftia
The Colonel presented tho name OF the suspect aud
he% Sas s P'oS Guilty. '' o9 sa the con Sl. @ is
not farce We must vote sentence. and then We must
said the Colonel. vote for death The wretch de-
serves sit" So do l." said the next and 20 on down 10
a Pennsyvanan ike himself better than the rest. Iio
knew that lie was quite cnpa1c OF the crime charged
against him. He lad doubt OF hs guilt. lie wanted
linn punished. Ho tAd all this TO the other mem
OF tho court, and then he added: But you know
we not legal court martial. We have no authority
act-certanly no authority TO KILL We may LIT the
evidence presented agIn.t man Tor our saiisiac
ton, Tut cannot rentcnce much l"ss XIII him. ne
most can DO Is To prefer charges against hn to -
War Department We cant Kill him suddenly AZ
ternptiig himself no sad Colonel what's that In your
hand (" The rope" said the Colonel grimly; ryo
eeu Mating II AZ we talged' and he passed ii around
lie had taken old shirt. torn II into narrow sriI and
Moor Inc said when ii was handed back to nm what
you have aad Ia all very well IL does credit to Your
heart well to your head. But you're outvoted;
majority against yon. The sentence OF tue co1rt
that rcOundcl shall die and do lie VIII this min
ute Tor IN XII him self Come, Captain" he SAID 10
the brswny Irshman next him, you and Will settle
the rascal" why, you wouldn't strango him IN his
the others started tOwsrd the sleeping form OF the
traitor. Certainly" whispered the Colonel; why
mott He can't pray, and we can't have any noise.
Will" said the Major firmly. getting In front
OF the Colonel; won't let You; youll have TO xii ms
first | won't stand by aud you stain your honest
hands with his dishonest blood IN such way rs that
derer. won't permit II. Gliding softly before the rest
he reached the sleeping man aud sat down beside his
head There lie sat TIL the morning stealing
la through the chilly atmosphere
Long before that time tho Colonel and his companions
baied and dsgused had stolen away to their sleeping
places carrying the plated rope with them "A soon Ms
the Major could the traitors face In the dim light OF
the dawn. he waged him and told hin oil that had 0c-
CURED. Now. STR he said sernly saved your life
won't DO II again. saved your life Tor my sake. not
for yours My advice Is that the guard
In for roll call you get out OF Libby, and you
get to Washington got out OF the Army. you're In tho
Army when get out III prefer charges against and
II You III Kill you" Trembling with excitement
the wretch without word OF denial or pallatiOn got
stalwart forwarded charges against him from Libby.
When they got out OF the prison they found him OF
the Army, they dropped the matter The traitor Is In
the Army now, rensated by act OF Congress- beleve
biz the Major who promised 10 Kill him sight Ia under
green sod OF the prairie Still, the Colonel would
make things lively for the traitor they met face to