The National tribune., 1895-02-14
A FATAL ATTEMPT.
Death of Col. Rau1ston In DanyiI1e Prison
While Trying TO Escape.

WINE 10 Escape.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In looking
over the picket Shots of Jan. 3, noticed
something from j. Shipey, Co. G, 9th Pa.
Reserves, about Col. Raulston, of the oath
n. Y. Cav, being shot in Danville Prison,
Va, 10y the rebel guards.
There have been number of accounts
published regarding the death OF Col. Rauls-
ton during the past few years, all Of which
have interested me to great extent.
wrote in 1891 to his brother, Col. J. B.
Raulston, of Chicago, ILL.,, and in answer
received letter containing these state
ments:
Col. VIM. c. Raulston was captured Sept.
30, 1864, while accommodating in front OF his
regiment during an engagement near the
Weldon Railroad, about 10 miles south oil
Petersburg. He was confined in Libby
Prison in Richmond and afterwards at other
Confederate prisons. and about Dec. / was
transferred TO Danvile, Va At this place there
were about 1900 Union soldiers confined in
tobacco factories. the officers, about 500 in
number, being separately confined in a to-
bacco warehouse on the corner of Union and
Spring streets, owned by J. w. and c. G.
Holland, situated near the center of the
town, and within short distance of the
the enlisted men.
time December, 1864 consisted mainly of
provisional organization of citizens and a
small body of Regular troops, the main
body of the Confederate garrison having been
withdrawn TO reinforce the armies operating
against Sherman.
plan, or rather several plans Of escape
were considered by the Union officers. The
one adopted was that six officers, volunteers,
should 60 upon the lower floor of the build
ing, where six sentnels were posted, and
each selecting his man disarm him, and then
sound signal, at which the prisoners were
TO rush down stairs and attack the guard,
which lay with arms stacked in the yard
adjoining the prison building.
On the 10th of December the attempt
was made to carry out the plan. Col
Raulston was one of the six who volunteered
TO disarm the sentinels on the lower floor.
The Federals were permitted Tin accordance
with CUSTOM 10 walk about on this floor,
half q dozen at q time, and SO no special
notice was taken of them.
The six volunteers stealthily approached
the sentinels, and succeeded in dsarming
them. The signal agreed upon was sounded,
but to the dismay of the leaders the prison.
ers hesitated, confusion followed, and the
opportunity was past recall.
The long roll was sounded, the Confed-
crates sprang to arms, and in less than a
minute the prison was surrounded by q
strong line of guards. Fire alarms were
rung, and the citizens en- masse turned out
under arms to help suppress the revolt of
the Union prisoners.
Col. Raulston and his brave companions,
seeing that the attempt had failed, sought
to gain the stairway and ascend to the upper
floor. They all succeeded in reaching the
upper floor except the Colonel, who was
last to retire, and was shot by Confederate
soldier through window as he was ascend
ing the stairway. He was placed in an
army wagon. and removed to Confederate
hospital, where he died on Dec. 10.
He was buried respectfully in the prison
burying-ground, and Col. j. B. Raulston.
of the Slst n. Y, commanding at Fort HAIR
rison at the time was notified by the Con-
federate commander ut Danville of his
brothers death and burial
After the close of the war the remains
were removed to oswego. n. Y, where they