The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-03-27

1
Who Escaped From the Libby Prison In
The name OF " 4. d. Streight, Indianapo-
lis" appeared upon the register Of Ford's
Hotel Saturday night, and denoted the
presence here OF a gentleman who created
great stir In Richmond during the war,
/ for he was the leader OF the band OF officers
who In February, 1864. tunnelled out OF the
Libby, but less than half OF whom, after
overcoming great difficulties. reached the
Federal lines.
LOOKING AROUND.
Colonel Streight--now General Streight-
stayed here till yesterday morning, when he
left for Washington. On Sunday he was
busy renewing his acquaintance with Rich
mond localities. Ee visited Miss Van
Lewis residence, and the old Libby and
other places Of interest to him, and was
full Of talk Of his recollections Of Richmond
In other and, 10 him, less favored days.
THE TUNNEL.
The Streight movement from the Libby
was executed by the prisoners getting into
the basement OF the building and tunnel
! ling under or through the eastern wall.
After that they had only to get out OF the
old warehouse adjoining.
The matter OF greatest difficulty was to
escape out O the Confederate lines, and
many were recaptured and returned to the
prison.
PERSONAL.
Colonel Streight is about fifty years Of
age, and has grown quite stout. His face
| is round, and his appearance that OF man
H. t.oo Avtaf nj
| of blufrness. This visit TO Richmond was
the second OF his life. His first was when
he was brought here from Rome, Ga,
where he was captured, and incarcerated
in the Libby.
He was fortunate enough not to fall into
the hands OF the newspaper-men. but he
was chatty enough with others.
THE ESCAPE
II seems that he and others had been
told by some one who was allowed access
to them that il ever they got out OF the
prison to inquire at the house OF certain
named colored woman in the neighborhood
and she would guide them to friends. After
getting out OF the Libby, Colonel StreIght
and three brother officers sought for this
colored woman, but having misunderstood
their directions they lost their way, and
| had to come back nearly to the place from
which they started, and started over again.
When they at last found the woman she
promptly went of, and brought TO them
a lady (now and for long time employed
i'm department at Washington, who
undertook to pilot them TO place OF
safety. This was about 100 O'Clock at
night. Going up town-the fugitiyes
walking two and Two they passed by a
|
Confederate soldiers drinking and frolick-
ing.
| A MISTAKE.
They walked past the door at pretty
pace, but not quite quick enough, for
one OF the men, bareheaded, ran out and
caught the Colonel by the arm. The Colo
mel admits that his heart went down TO the
region Of the boots. But, to his great re-
lief. the soldier said, "Mister, can't you 90
in there and make them give me my hat ~
With as much unconcern as he could mus
ter, but with trembling lips, he replied
that he was in great hurry, and that he
would rather give him half dozen hats
than to be stopped, and so he walked of,
The soldier had probably taken him for-a
policeman.
SEVEN DAYS sECRETED IN RICHMOND.
Having reached the place Of safety
which the lady had provided, they went
into retirement. and so remained for seven
days and nights.
They had long been in prison. were SICK
and weak, and this rest was rs welcome on
that account rs to allow the excitement il
the city over their escape TO subside.
These friends provided them with food
and reyolyers, and they left Richmond late
one night, and with full information as tC
the route they should follow. departed by
way OF the Brook turnpike, and subse
Uuently followed the Fredericksburg rail
road as closely as they dared. Their pur
pose was to reach the Potomac, secure
boat, and cross the river into their OWL
lines.
THIRTEEN DAYS on THE ROAD.
This object they accomplished after thir
teen days OF prvation and suffering.
The man who owned the boat did no
wish TO take them across, but they threat
ered him so that he was compelled to fur
pjsh them with the aid they required.
At that time there was good deal o
blockade-running across the Potomac, ant
the Confederate cavalry We're securing th
country to break it up, and on one occa
tives.
NEW STORY.
This story OF their escape from Rich
mond is somewhat different from the on
} that has long prevailed here. The Colo
| mel gave as the party who sheltered hir
g one whose name has never heretofore bee
e mentioned, generally among Richmon
people. in this connection.
4 Colonel Streight Is now largely engage
d I'm the lumber trade in the West, and hay
l ing business in Washington he conclude
: to come over the Chesapeake and ON
t railroad ria Richmond, intending to r.
&; visit the scenes OF his imprisonment;
5 his escape from the hatless soldier; OF h
A; seyep-days' confinement in the house
& friends. and Of his setting forth on h
Journey on the Brook road.all OF whic
n he was no doubt able to do satisfactorily o
l. Sunday.