The National tribune., 1885-03-26
drawing off sawyers boots, woke him up, and

drawing off Sawyer's boots, woke him up, and
he was sent to Libby Prison.
We had seen a spy executed in the yard Of
Castle Thunder but short time before, and to
see two such splendid fellows meet such fate
worked the prisoners up into fearful state of
mind. Nothing else was talked OF, and various
were the expressions of feelings. Some said
they did not dare hang them-it was all sham.
| Others thought desperation would drive them
TO do anything. Some asked why they mad
not dared hang DIR. Rucker, who had been
tried, found guilty and sentenced to be hung,
and for whom all Surgeons were being held as
hostages. Burnside was criticised by many for
his hasty hanging of prisoners. Poor kind
hearted old Chaplain Brown never recovered
for the part he was compelled to take in it.
Shortly after this occurrence, a cavalry raid
to White House captured Gen Il. +. Lees son
and a son of Gen. Winder who were recruiting
from wounds and sickness in the neighhor-
hood and a notice was served npOn the rebel
authorities that they would be held as hostages
for the safety of Capts Flynn and Sawyer. We
all now felt that they were safe and would not
be hung In short time they were sent over
TO the dungeons of Libby Prison, but when the
rebel authorities learned that Lee and Wlnder
We're receiving similar treatment they were
soon released and sent among us agaln-the
heroes of the prison. Thus ended that episode
of Libby Prison, and i hope they received
their lust recompense of reward and out
lived the rebellion.
There had not been any exchanges for long
while. DIR. WOrthngton had been uncondi-
tionally released for some kindness, believe,
shown some rebel wounded. Then followed the
release of the nine Chaplains Here wish TO
mention an act of kindness the writer met with
f. ON an unexpected source. When the rebel
Chaplains arrived in Richmond one of them
called at the prison and inquired if he could be
OF any assistance to me, rs he had been request
% tD a a L thanked
rosy-cheeked young man. dressed in new black
broadcioth. He did not say who the TREND
was, or what his own name was but as he took
his departure he shook hands and hastily left
through the door, leaving a roll of Confederate
money in my hands. 1t was godsend TO me,
as up TO that time i had been penniless. /
never saw him again. but a gentleman told me
he was Methodist minister named Robert
Hardy, and died afterwards in New Orleans.
In November, Assistant Surgeon e. +. Colds
borough. of the 5th Md, was paroled for 40 days
10 see if something could not be done to release
Surgeons. rs DIR. Rucker, who had been the OBJ
stacle in the way, had made his escape from
Jail. He carried many letters to influential
parties in Washington, and his garments were
a complete mail bag. His mission was success
full aud about the last of the month about 100
Surgeons took their departure from this den of
misery.
An amusing incident occurred in the attempt
Of Maj. Harry White, of the 9th Pa, to escape
as a Surgeon, having taken the name of an
other person. He reached City Point, but was
detected Just as he about to be transferred
10 the Union boat and sent back to Libby
Prison again.-YANKEE.