The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-03-29

on duty around the prison-six on the outsids
and two in the back yard. The prison stood on
the northern outskirts of the city and noticed
that the reserve post appeared to be some dis-
tance of, and toward the heart of theeity. The
day passed, but not norsel Of food was issued
TO Us. We felt that the situation was growing
more desperate every day. It appeared as II
the weather even was in sympathy with our
feelings; for it too was dark, dull and cloudy.
felt now that we had reached such point Of
suffering, that if we ever intended TO do any
thing to better our condition, the sooner ths
blow was struck the better
PLANS OF ESCAPE
The talk of escape soon became the aII-as-
sorbing topic of the day. About dozen of us
met upon the third floor, and in whispers dis
euSsed the question freely. Knowing that the
guard was not very strong, and the reserve
some distance of, we were confident the irons
doOr-the door leading cut upon the street was
large folding one-by the united strength Of
nifty men could be forced open, and that We
could overpower the guard by general rush.
A talk was then had with our comrades in thu
prison, but they nearly all seemed down-hearted
and unwilling TO undertake the project Many
ofthem said, indeed, that they would not go Qua
II the doors were thrown open wide unless
they could be furnished with means to get 70
the Union lines. They declared that they vera
so reduced by starvation that they had net the
strength to travel and would undoubtedly Be
recaptured, and then would probably fare worSs
than ever. Poor felloTsI they wers dying
then, and they actually realized the fact.
Nearly every one OF them to-day fills an un-
known grave. Finally, about sixty out of the
seven hundred agreed TO join in our Desperate
effort for freedom. A new meeting was now
called and survey of the premises was ordered.
Two men were sent TO make the necessary in
spection and report forthwith. An old mas
OF the United States was found in. the hands OF
one Of the soldiers, and this was consulted as
to the direction we ouZht to take IN case we
were successful in making our escape. Our
present hereabouts-Danville-w found was
On the south side OF Dan River, one Of the tFibu-
tarieS Of the Roanoke River, and nearly on tha
line of Virginia and North Carolina. The best
route-the one along which there would be the
least danger of coming IN contact with rebel
trOopS-wOald take US in q northwest direction,
across the mountains of both Old and West Vir-
ginia, and bring US to the Union lines s0me-
where ON the kanawha or Ohio River Is waa
agreed that if we got away we would travel in
small squads of not more than three or four
together, so as to create less suspicion and re-
duce the dangers of reespture. While this con-
veTsatiOn was going on the inspecting party re-
turned, and reported that they had hit upon q
new idea Their plan was as follows: That as
our outhOuse was built against the back fence
of the yard in fact the fence was the back wall
Of the house itself and the boards reached
down two feet into the sink, a person could go
down into the sink and, with an old stub
OF q case knife, cut of two of the boards
just above the top OF the ground, and then
dig out dirt enough to make hole un-
der the fence through which q mans body
could easily pass We found there were no
guards outside of the fence, and we had only
the two IN the yard TO contend with. As we
had at all hsurs free access to the yard, and
there was constantly some one either coming
or going, the guards did not appear to pay very
much attention TO any one, and very little CEN
versation was indnlged between them and the
prisoners. One of the guards stood near the
door entering the prison and the other near the
door entering the clubhouse This we con-
sidered the most favorable opportunity We
might ever have, and it was resolved to act
upon it as soon as darkness fell.
THE ESCAPE.
We waited until o'clock A drizziing rain
was falling, and favored our plans. Two men
repaired to the clubhouse; in few minutes
others followed It was managed SO that there
was some one IN the doorway all the time. We
laughed and talked nonsense, and made al the
noise We could so as TO distract the guards at
tention. Meanwhile a small Michigan boy had
got down into the sink and was cutting away
with all his might on 3 couple Of pine boards
with the corner of . broken case-knife. The
work went on steadily, and ] am confident that
went In and out myself nat less than half
dozen times. At last our pioneer succeeded in
cutting of the boards, and then we set about
removing the dirt. 1t proved TO be more than
we had at first expected In about two hours,
however, the job was pronounced finished, but
as we knew there would be change of tha
guard at o'clock, we thought it best not to
make any move until after that hour. By this
time the drizZling rain had increased To quite
a shower, and it was very dark. The relief
guard soon came to the wicket gate, two new
guards came in. and the two old guards went
out The whole thing was done without any
ceremony; for / saw it ALL as I stood in ths
doorway One Of the new guards came down
to within about twenty feet of the door, backed
himself up against the corner OF the house and
fence, and with blanket around him and bis
muSket at support arms" tried 20 shelter him
self from the storm as well as he could The
way was open now for freedom, and it was no
matter of choice as to who should 90 first. In
q few minutes couple OF men came down and
passed out. / stood and watched them safe
out, ald then returned to my room to make
my own preparations for leaving. / bad >
special friend and old messmate, and, dearer
still, an old schoOlmate-David Plyly, OF Frank
tort Ohio-whOm L had been trying to per-
Suade 10 escape with me, but he was SO much
reduced IN strength that he was afraid 20 make
the eaEort.
There were three Of u.s. however, members Of
the same company and regiment, namely, SER
-eluG solomon SJOokeyy COrpOF21 henry
Thompson and myself who had formed an
alliance and agreed 70 travel together, and, les
the consequences be what they might, never %
separate unless death should divide Us The
time for my departure was at hand. Several
squads of three and four together Rad gone out
bad no baggage" except black linen hay-
eEsaek, containing an old fork and dilapi-
dated cid tin cup, and when 1 had secured il
We shook hands all around. A solemn parting
it was. i told my two comrades to 60 down in
advance and that 7 would meet them outside.
wished TO Huger one minute more. by dear,
dear old friend, whom | was TO leave behind,
who had been with me ON so many trying oc-
sasiOnS when We held our lives il one hand
md our muSkeb IN the OtheF-nOw we wers
about 70 part probably never to meet again.
As the head of the stairway, ne leaning againss
she wall for support, poor David and babe
zach other a fond adieu. Ny heart was full
that did not dare TO look back. and IN mo-
nens l found myself &C the door, Ny two
comrades We're awaiting me. / whispered to
hem to pass out, while l kept watch In tha
doorway. Down into the sink they went and
through the hole in an instant / turned TO
COX nc the guard. IL was still raining hard
Ind ne appeared to be rn0tionlesS AZ his post.
urned upon nay heel The way was clear, and,
,olng down my hands and knees, with enc
,ush, and without touching side, bottom OF top,
cleared the hole and found myself once more