The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-07
LIBBY TUNNEL.
Who Is Entitled to the Honor of Planning and
Digging 1t?
To the Editor of the National Tribune:

To the Editor of the National Tribune:
There seems to be doubt in the minds of
many persons throughout the country, and with
many prisoners of war; who were captured dur
ing the summer of 1864. as to whom the credit is
due for planning and completing the tunnel in
Libby prison, from which so many officers made
their escape on Feb 9, 1864.
l am informed that Col A. D. Streight Of the
Flfty-firs Indiana very worthy soldier and
gentleman, of indianapolis Ind, has made
claim to have the honor of originating the plan
and experimenting and perfecting the ar
rangements for the tunnel, from which 100 Of
fcers made their escape.
Lieutenant w. w. Glazier, Second New York
Cavalry, of Fowler N. Y. in his book published
in 1868, says: Colonel Thomas E. Rose Seven
ty-seventh Pennsylvania, conceived the plan,
and the work was carried on under his super
vision. None was admitted into the secret but
the workmen." The working party was organ
lied by Colonel Thomas e. Rose and Captain A.
q. Hamilton, of the Twelfth Kentucky Cavalry,
and associated with them in sworn secrecy were
twelve other officers, as follows:
Major George IL. FitZsimmons, Thirtieth In
diana.
Major D. B. Mcdonald, One hundred and
first Ohio.
Captain Terrence Clarke, Seventy ni-
nois.
Captain John F. Gallagher, Second Ohio.
Captain n. S. Randall, Second Ohio.
Captain j. M. johnson. Sixth Kentucky.
Captain John Tucker. Fifth Kentucky.
Lieutenant j. G. Fisher, Seventh Indiana Ar
tilery
Lieutenant John Mitchell, Seventy ninth I'LL
nois.
Lieutenant j. D. Simpson. Tenth Indiana
Lieutenant David Garbet. Seventy -seventh
Pennsylvania.
Lieutenant E. W. Foster Thirtieth Indiana.
was captured May ), 1864, and taken in the
latter part of the month to Macon Ga. where
met the officers who had been removed from
Libby Prison, and in my conversation about
the tunnel the credit was given to Colonel Rose
and Captain Hamilton, and from memory would
mention the following officers to verify my
statement, should they be living:
Major Harry White, Sixty seventh Pennsyl-
vania, Indiana Pa.
Captain J. NJ. Dushane One-hundred- and
forty second Pennsylvania, Counellsville Pa.
Lieutenant c.. P Heffiey, One-hundred and
forty second Pennsylvania Berlin. Pa.
Captain w. A. Robinson, Seventy-seventh
Pennsylvania, Pittsburg, Pa.
Captain w. H. Irwin, One-hundred and third
Pennsylvania, Pittsburg, Pa.
Captain G. A. Manning, Second Massachusetts
Cavalry, Oldtown. Mass.
Lieutenant +. c. Gay, Eleventh. Pennsylvania
Donegal, Pa.
Lieutenant L. p Fortescue, Twenty ninth
Pennsylvania. Philadelphia. Pa.
Captain b. +. Fischer, Signal Office, Philadel-
phia, Pa.
Lieutenant F. e. Moran. Seventy third New
York, United States Mint. Philadelphia Pa.
Should Colonel Streght lay claim to the
honor, which must be matter of history. to
have the honor placed where it properly belongs,
would be glad to hear him, through your col
umns in his own defense, or give the credit to
Colonel Thomas E.. Rose, now captain Sixteenth
United States Infantry. and Captain A. G. Ham
ilton. to whom the honor evidently and properly
belongs j. T. CHALFANT,
Late Captain Eleventh PENNSYLVANIA
PITTsBURG LOCOMOTIVE WORKS, Pittsburg