The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-08-22

be made through the outside foundations
from which point the tunnel had to be exca-
waited some so feet TO place inside of the in
closure before mentioned. Tho appliances for
doing this work were limited. Knives and an
old hatchet or two were used.
A WOODEN sPITTooN WAS USED As CAR
to transport the dirt as it was dug from the
person working back into the basement, a
string attached to two sides Of it enabling il to
be pulled back and forth. Consequently the
work progressed slowly. Once, thinking they
had got far enough, they carefully made small
opening to the surface, when finding they were
directly under the beat of the prison guard, it
was hastily closed, and the tunnel extended.
Feb. it was understood 10y those in the Sc
oret that all was ready for the escape. 1t had
been arranged that certain number should
20 out each night for three nights in suCces-
sion; that being as long as we could probably
keep the roll-call all right. AT roll-call each
day the men were formed in four ranks, and
the files counted. This in each of the three
rooms on the second floor. They were counted
in the first room by a rebel Sergeant, who then
went downstairs, and mp into the second room,
and counted there. aud then into third room.
Doors between rooms were supposed TO be
closed but in fact there was an opening in them,
csncealed by shelving through which enough
men could pass TO keep the count in the aggre-
tdAt all llEuE Ahuub - luS t8isb oeSSHtfN
was made to pass out. 1t being discovered by
many who were not in the secret, they became
SO excited that a crowd was gathered around
the starting point. Soon the cry was raised
that the rebels had discovered il, and were
coming in, and the prisoners scattered to their
quarters.
AFTER ALL HAD oUIRTED DOWN,
a number more succeeded in getting out, but
the original plans having all been broken up,
we were unable to tell how many had escaped,
and consequently our plans for keeping the
count all right were frustrated, and at the
morning roll-call the prison officials discovered
that there had been quite an exodus during the
night One hundred and nine succeeded In
getting out OF this number about onc-haiI
reached our lines. The others were recaptured
siRgly and in squads. and returned TO Libby.
The rebels, after discovering the opening TO the
tunnel. sent dsrky boy TO crawl through,
before they were able to find where the outlet
was located. One OF the prisoners. who was
very large man, in attempting to crawl through,
came very near sticking fast and IL was only
by the exgrtions Of those in front and rear OF
him, that he succeeded in getting through.
THIS ESCAPE CAUSED THE REBELS
TO redouble their vigilance, and we hardly
dared look out the windows for fear OF being
shot at; and it was nothing strange 10 have
roll-call by name which was very slow and
tedious affair, occupying several hours Not
long after. when the Federal troops on one or
two occasions came very near reaching Rich
mend, and the rebels feared an uprising among
tie prisoners, one Of the prison officials very
c0olly informed ono OF the prisoners that 1000
pounds OF powder had been placed under Libby,
and in case any attempt was made To break
out the prison would be blown up. At this
time there were over .l00 officers confined in
Libby.
Nov. 70 it was announced that the Surgeons
had been exchanged. Everybody at once went
20 work writing long letters 10 be seereted
on the persons Of the fortunate doctors. aud
IN that way were smuE2lcd through the
blockade. Finally, on the cath, the Surgeons
were notified TO be ready to leave in few
moments, rs the rchel Surgeons bad arrived.
They were told TO disGoTse the letters they had
concealed aboHt their persons, and few did
so. They were searched below, but with what
success those remaining did not know. Let
ters were concealed ia variety Of wsys-in
the lining Of hats, coats pants. boots. under
shoulaeT-straps, bandaged RToand sore legs,
twisted up in small wads and carried loosely
ia the pockets, concealed in plugs OF tobacco,
l0aves OF bread, etc.
IN DEsCEfBISG INCIDENTS IN LIBBY LIFE
there are two things about which but very
little can be said in a public way and yet both
occasioBed a great deal OF discomfort at all
times, and frequently caused much suffering.
j refer 20 the sanitary arrangements Of the
prison and the vermin with which it was in
fesied. A squad Of darkics. who were kept In
the lower part Of the prison. once week
usually, sometimes once In two weeks scrubbed
the floors in = very slipShod manner. Many or
the prisOneTs, for = long time after they were
captured, had very limited supply OF clothing.
frequently but a Aingie piece of underwear.
The writer. for some months. had only ono
nfsf - nd Irssl,f
without and many others were in the same
predicament. Three OF IA bad bat one towel
between us for a long time. aAd that had been
given us by somo loyal friends In Winchester
after our capture. The closets were such only
In name, and Just as pnblic hs any part OF the
building. aud were kept in filthy condition
Tor the want Of being properly arranged.
Privacy was 4 thing simply impossible. Many
Of the officers received In Libby their FIRST in-
PRODUCTION to what afterwards became the very
familiar grayback. When over LOO officers
were in the prison they were badly cTEmped
Tor room, and at night were stretched cut on
the floor in close proximity to each other
LIKE sARDISEs Is Box.
in this condition OF afairs the gernin fairly
reyciled, aud ali that could be done was 10 fight
day by day, as it were, for your lives 10 keep
the enemy within any kind Of bounds. Skir-
mishing for the enemy became an almost con-
slant occupation. This, like almost everything
else that traHspired in prison. was turned into
= eource Of msrriment by some.
In the latter part of the Summer Of 1853 our
Government sent TO Richmond for distribution
among the Federal prisoners 1900 complete
outfits Of clothing. They were consigned 10
Brig. Gen. Neal Dow, who was sc that time
the ranking officer among the prisoners in
Libby. BY some means or other he had ex-
cited the special enmity Of the rebel officials
and they would not permit him 20 have any
thing 70 do with the distribution, aud caused
the following order 10 be issued:
CoAsAKDAzT's OFFICE
u. 3. MILITARY PRIsoEg
EIcHAoaD, Dec. 5, 1863.
Special Order No. =.
A committees Of Federal officers TO he called
Board of Distribution" In hereby appointed 10
consist OF the following members: I.egt.-Coi