The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-06-27

HUH WulCA WC H1Aknt CS~6PS py SCeAlu& the outer wall, the air-chamber furnish ing receptacle for the earth and stone to be taken out in running the tunnel. The next morning when our cells were unlocked, and we were permitted to as- semble in the hall, went to General Morgan's cell, he having been for several days quite unwell, and laid before him the plan as have sketched it. Its feasi- bility appeared to him unquesti0ned, and to it he gave hearty and unqualified approval. If then, our suppositlon was correct as to the existence of the air. chamber beneath the lower range of cells, a limited number of those occupying that range could escape, and only limited the longer the time required to complete the work, and the greater the danger of discovery while prosecuting it. in making our way over the outer wall, and in es- caping after getting on the outside.
 With these considerations in view, General Morgan and myself agreed upon the following officers, whose cells were nearest the point at which the tunnel
 was to begin, to join us in the enterprise !: Captain C. Bennett, Captain L. D.
 Hockersmith, Captain C. s. Magee, Cap
 tain Ralph Saeldon, and Captain Samuel
 B Taylor. The plan was then laid befsre these gentlemen, and received their ap- proval. It was agreed that work should begin in my cell, and continue from there until completed. In order, however, to do this without detection, it was neces- sary that some means should be found to prevent the daily inspection of that cell, it being the custom for the deputy warden, with the guards, to visit and have swept each cell every morning. This end was accomplished by my ob- taining permission from the warden to furnish broom and sweep my own cell
 For few mornings after this permission was obtained the deputy warden would pass, glance in my cell, compliment me on its neatness, and go on to the inspec. tion and cleansing the other cells. After a few days my cell was allowed to go then we were ready to begin work, having obtained through some of our associates, who had been sent to the hospital, some table knives made of flat steel files. In my cell, as in the others, there was a uar- row iron cot, used as bedstead, which could be folded and propped up to the cell wall. My estimate was that the work could be completed within a month. ca the 4th of November work was begun iu the back part of my cell, under the rear end of my cot. We cut through six inches of cement, and took out six layers of brick put in and cemented with the ends up. Here we came to the air chamber, as had calculated, and found it six feet wide and four feet high, and running the entire length of the range of cells. The cement and brick taken out in effecting an entrance to the chamber were placed in my bed-tick, upon which slept, during the progress of this DOT tion of the work, after which it was re- moved to the chamber. We found the chamber heavily grated at the end, against which large quantity of coal had been heaped, cutting of any chance of exit in that way. We then began tunnel, running it at right angles from the side of the chamber, and almost di- recuy beneath my cell. We cut through the foundation wall of the cell block five feet, through twelve feet of grouting, to the outer wall of the east wing of the prison, through this wall, six feet in thick ness, and four feet up near the surface of the yard, in an unfrequented place be- tween this wing and the female depart ment of the prison. During the progress of the work, in which we were greatly as- sisted by several of our comrades who were not to go out, notably among them Captain Thomas w. Bullitt, of Louisville, Ky, sat at the entrance to my cell studiously engaged on Gibbons Rome" and in trying to master French. By this device was enabled to be constantly on guard without being suspected, as had pursued the same course during the whole period of my imprisonment. Those who did the work were relieved every hour. This was accomplished and the danger of the guards overhearing the work as they passed obviated by adopt ing system of signals, which consisted in giving taps on the floor over the chamber. One knock was to suspend work, two to proceed, and three to come out. On one occasion, by oversight, we came near being discovered. The piis- or CTS were taken out to their meals by ranges, and on this day those confined in the first range were called for dinner while Captain Hockersmith was in the tunnel. The deputy warden, on calling the roll, missed Hockersmith, and came back to inquire for him. General Nor gan engaged the attention of the warden by asking his opinion as to the propriety of remonstrance that the general had prepared, to be sent to General Burn- side. Flattered by the deference shown to his opinion by General Morgan, the warden unwittingly gave Captai Hook ersmith time to get out and fall into line for dinner. While the tunnel was being run, Colonel C. C. Morgan, a brother of General Morgan, made rope, in links, of bed ticking, thirty-6ve feet in length, and from the iron poker of the hall stove we made hook, in the nature of a grap- pling-iron, to attach to the end of the rope.
 The work was now complete with the exception of making an entrance from each of the cells of those who were to 20 mt f0 inc rh amhAr Thss ~on1I c~I. G>