Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-10
OUTSIDE AssrsrAycr Hoprp yon.


During the distribution Of clothing he be-
came acquainted with most Of our prisoners
and many Q hopeful word did he whisper In
their ears. The plan was thus fast maturing
In his mind and many dispositions he had OPP
portunities TO make. He felt now sure that IL
only 1000 Union cavalry would make q dash
into the city he could hberste all the prisoners
and take the rebel capital. For this purpose
he wrote to Gen. Fitzpatrick, Col. Devin, Col
Custer, Col. Dahlgren and Col McIntosh (all
cavalry and selected me 10 eommunicate
with the War department. at Washington.
IL needed but this auxiliary assistance for
the successful execution Of his plan
Everything was ready, but he never heard q
word from any Of those officers or from the
War department, though he learned afterward
that they all received his letters conveying the
inteiiigenee. There II rarely any doubt that
the idea of delivering the prisoners by cav
airy raid IN Richmond. credited 20 Fitzpatrick
Cesnola's letter, although il would have beer
great inaprudenee for Gen. fitzpatrick TO
make the attempt without a preconcerted plan
OF action with the prisoners themselves.
THE PLAN FOR THE ESCAPE OF THE OFFICER
PRISONERS
from the Libby was as clever as interesting.
They organized all sorts OF amusements, among
which were minstrel exhibitions, which gave
them great latitude for applause and for
noises of every kind. There was q very seri-
GUS object in these exhibitions of fun and
frolic which the guard in attendance was not
acquainted with. They drew largely they
were so funny. The personnel of the guard of
duty found pleasure in attending them; every
body was in good humor. But the sphynx was
there watching and waiting to turn the humor-
GUS into a tragic scene. Cesnola was the
sphynx, who only wanted a word of encourage
ment from Washington to give the word that
was to bring about the metamorphosis.
But NO WORD CAME
and Cesnola, night after night, retired 10 his
prison couch disappointed if not disheartened.
A word from him while the play and shouting
were going on and the doors would have been
closed, the confederate guards mixed with the
audience seized and gagged, their uniforms
taken and put on the chosen braves. who. thus
disguised, were to descend and seize the re-
naming guard on duty down stairs and az the
gates.
This first step successful il would have been
easy to accomplish the rest.
IF THE CAVALRY HAD COME.
One thousand Union cavalry dashing into
Richmond at that moment and twenty thousand
desperate, well-organized men liberated in less
than an hour would have taken possession OF
Richmond. But, alas! not a word came from
outside and time was passing, and even ambi-
ton was taking possession Of some of the Of
uctrs. VINO snoulO command WAS a question:.
Gen. Neal Dow was the senior officer and would
have been entitled by the United States mill
tary regulations to the command, but he was
not competent for such q work.
VANITY AND AMBITION
unfortunately reigned even within those walls
Of squalor and death. Col. Cesnola was mex,
in rank, and moreover he had conceived the
plan, but he was foreigner and that he
should become the hero of this daring deed
was repulsive to national vanity. And 80 the
matter was whispered and even too loudly, for
one morning they found that new precautions
had been taken, and that the guarding force
was more than trebled. The secret was out.
Who betrayed? One Union officer was sus-
pected, but Col. Cesnola as well as others in
the secret would not believe that person guilty
OF so much treason. But the fact remains that
the indifference to the appeal Of Col. Cesnols
to cavalry officers and, through me, TO the War
department at Washington delayed the matter
until the confederates got hold of the secret
that was to liberate ourprisoners and lay the
city of Richmond at their mercy. Thus this
daring conception and plan of Gen. Cesnola
aborted and Mr.. Stanton was saved from the
ignominy Of refusing 10 assist our prisoners in
their attempt to escape and probably to cap
ture the rebel capital I. 8. VERDI.