The National tribune., 1899-02-23

Illness fertile mind the probability OF the
existence of subterranean passages or ventl-
lators beneath the prison floors. The dryness
of his cell strengthened the supposition. A
beam of hope now shone in his heart. he
began to think; and when, on the morning
of Nov. 3, 1863, the Warden gave him affront,
he determined to escape if possible.
Having matured his plan, Capt. Hines
made it known to Capt. Sam Is. Taylor, an
alert young officer, a scion of the family OF
"Old Rough-and- Ready "-Gen. Zachary
Taylor Illness plan did not involve the
liberation of all Confederates in the
prison. Owing to the location of cells, the
plan simply contemplated the deiiverance OF
the prisoners occupying seven cells on the
ground floor--l Hines, Taylor, Sheldon, Dick
Morgan. Hockersmith. Bennett, and McGec.
The cells were arranged in tiers, Gen.
Morgan's cell being in the second story, I'M
mediately above that OF Capt. Hines
Having received the Endorsement of Capt.
Taylor Hines communicated with the re-
naming five on the ground floor, saying
nothing to Gen. Morgan Without delay
they went to work, beginning III Hines $
| cell he claiming the honor of assuming all
responsibility Working with ease-knives,
which they had surreptitiousiy retained
several LAYERS of brick and cement, until, as
expected, they reached the air chamber,
which was 60 feet long, three feet high, and
| three feet wide They successively dug
through from the other cells, the holes being
| lust sufficiently large for the men to squeeze
through. Two men working at a time, be-
ing relieved every hour, the labor was con-
! tinuous through the day-about five hours.
| Hines kept watch and supervised the work.
| At first the debris was hidden in the beds,
but after reaching the air chamber it was an
easy matter to dispose of it there. OF course.
there was always danger Of discovery and
punishment Having accomplished the
greater task of cutting. through or under the
| massive outer wall, they peeped into the
prison yard, Nov. 26.
Now, for the first time, Gen. Morgan was
informed of what had been done. At con-
sultation held in Gen. Morgan's cell on the
afternoon of Nov. 81, they determined to
make a break for liberty that night. Nature
favored them. Clear skies had given way
| to rain-laden clouds. However, serious
dangers were yet to be encountered. There
were sentinels in the yard, and vicious dogs
were unclaimed at night. The outer wall
must be scaled, and there must be no delay
when once in the yard.
| Undaunted, they made preparation. Col.
| Dick Morgan, who much resemb!ed his
brother, magnanimously exchanged cells
with the General. This had to be done be-
fore 5 o'clock, as all the cells were locked al
that hour. The turnkey went his rounds
every two hours during the night, and when
| at 9 O'Clock. he looked into the Generals cell
and saw Col Dick Morgan with book before
his face reading, he thought matters were al
right as usual Gen. Morgan was the only
prisoner allowed light after O'Clock. From
5 until Capt. Hines calmly read one o.
Charles Levers novels, and then quietly
slept until midnight.
Just after II o'clock the seven prisoner!
dropped from their cells into the air chamber
and forthwith crawled into the yard. Senti
nels were standing near, but owing to the
rain and darkness the escaping men were
neither heard nor seen. While silently max
ing their way toward the eastern gate one o
the dogs ran up to them, growled, and walked
awav. Without serious misadventure they
reached the double gate, 80 feet high, and
scaled it, using an improvised rope made o
bedticking by Calvin Morgan. The rope wa:
20 feet long, having at one end an iron hook
made from a small poker.
Descending to the street they were in i'm
minent danger of discovery, there being ;
bright gas light near the gate and sentine
not far away According to prearrangement
the men Immediately separated, Morgan ant
Hines, however, remaining together. Hine