The morning call., 1892-01-03

Captain Sawyer of the First New Jersey
Cavalry said:
:" suggest that the duty be performed by
one OF our chaplains.'
The suggestion was accepted and the three
Union chaplains were called down from the
upper story. The Rev. Mr.. Brown consented
to perform the unweleome task. and amid
the Intense hush he stepped forward and
drew out slip Of paper. With trembling
hands he untolded it and called out in a
broken voice:
Henry Washington Sawyer, First New
jersey Cavalry"
Every eye. including those of the Conled-
crate officers. were turned sympathizingly
toward the officer, who was the coolest man
in the room.
well, he remarked with a smile, ait
bad to be some one, and can stand it as
we'll as any Of you"
The second name was that of Captain
John Finn, Fifty-frst Indiana. Captain
Finn showed natural emotion and was
greatly oppressed. The rest of the party
was dismissed, and the two doomed men
we're taken TO General Winder's office
were they were told they might write to
their friends. Captain Sawyer wrote TO his
family and read the letter aloud TO a Con-
federate officer. His voice was firm until he
came TO the last farewell to his wife and
children. Then the brave man broke down.
and, begging the indulgence OF those around
child Finn had no letter to write, aud
asked for priest His request was granted. p
Then they were ordered to be kept in close
confinement until the day fxed-fOr execu-
ton, Fortunately, however. that day never
came. In due time they were exchanged
and returned to their families.
On Tuesday evening, February 9, 1864,
everything being ready, Colonel Rose gath
cred his friends in the kitchen, softly took
out the bricks and, waiting until the last
man had descended. babe Colonel II. c. Ho-
bart gO0d-by and followed the Others He
paused at the bottom until he heard the
ladder drawn up and the bricks replaced
The party numbered fifteen, the under
standing being that the second fifteen
should follow an hour later, the procession
belng Kept up as long as possible. Colonel
Rose was the hrSt to enter the tunnel, with
Hamilton at his heels. Through the long
dark passages they made their way. and in
few minutes emerged into the yard. The
gate leading to the canal was open and the
coast clear.
AT tins luncture an unexpected state of
affairs threatened to overt brow everything.
The secret had spread am ng the prisoners
and the prospect of escape threw them into
tile widest excitement They began furi-
Gus struggle 10 enter the opening and for a
time fought like wild beasts. Fortunately
the noise did not attract the guards and
something like order was finally obtained.
One hundred and nine officers, including
eleven cOi0nelS. seven majors, thiTty-two
captains and tifty-nine leulenants. passed
through the tunnel aHd entered on the Wild
race for liberty.
At roi-cal the next morning the Libby
authorities learned the astounding truth.
The fireplace had been SO skinfuly restored
that for time no one could tell how the
escape had been brought about. The Rich
mond papers pronounced the whole thing
miraculous" and the wondering crowds
fiocked tbither for several days. One of
their number happened to remove a plank
in the yard and the secret was revealed. A
dog dropped into the tunnel, passed the
whole length and then II was made plain
how the men had escaped