The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1902-12-13

The enclosed telegram is forwarded
for your information. You will at once
take measures TO prevent the accom-
plishment of such purpose as the sur
prise of your post and the release of
the prisoners there. Report by return
of the bearer the strength of your gar
ison.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) F. H. SHERIDAN,
Major General.
COPY OF TELEGRAM.
Washington, August II.
1890 P. M.
Major General Z. r. S. Candy:
This department is informed that an
operation is on foot in New Orleans to
go to the Dry Tortugas and by surprise
or stratagem seize that place and re-
lease the prisoners there. Immediately
receiving this telegram, please send
special messenger to notify the COM
mander at Key West and Dry Tortugas
to take strict measures to guard
against any strategem, or surprise, and
secure the safety of their commands.
You will also use effort to defeat its
object. You will also notify the divis-
ion commander and request his COOP
GRAFTON. Acknowledge the receipt of
this telegram.
-(Signed) E. NJ. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
Official
(Signed) P. Fl. SHERIDAN.
Major General.
AS instructed, Lieutenant Carpenter,
bearing these dispatches, arrived at
Fort jefferson, Fla, during the month
of September, whilst Major Willis E.
Craig, One Hundred and Sixty first N
Y. Volunteers, was in command. Cap
tain Prentss, provost marshal in
charge, forwarded the required infor-
nation relative to the strength Of the
garrison and the measures adopted in
our method of confinement, which
seemed to be satisfactory, as we were
not molested nor restricted in any par
| ticular in the privileges thus far grant
! ed, and things went on as usual until
| September %, the day the One Hun
| dred and Sixty1-flrst N. Y. Volunteers
were relieved by the Eighty second
| United States Colored Infantry, Major
George E. Wentworth commanding,
the period of Dr. Mudd's attempt to
escape.
DIR. MUDD's POSITION.
| DR.. Mudd occupied quarters at the
post hospital building, where he had
been given the position Of ward mas
ter. We never met except at morning
and at night, going and returning from
work I was perfectly ignorant that
he entertained the idea Of attempting
escape His secret was kept entirely
within himself. At the time I was con-
fined to my bed with very severe case
of break-bone fever, when the news
reached me of DR.. Mudd's attempt al
escape. and 1 was informed by Captain
Prentiss that he thought that it would
have an injurious effect upon each OF
us, as each would be held responsible
for the acts of the other.
Strict post orders were forthwith is
sued in DR.. Mudd's case, and he wa'
ironed and placed within one of thu
cells attached to the guardhouse, ant
compelled during the day to perform
the most mental labor on the island. Il
fact, they could not hunt up hare
enough work with which to vent tlsei
spleen upon him. 1t was legitimatel.
his place to escape from his imprison
ment if he could, and it was the plac
of his iailers to prevent it If possible
without resorting to such cruelties a
were afterward imposed upon us. 500
the need of persecution became en-
grated, from which each was to bea
like part. 1T could be read upon tn
countenance of every officer. and ru
mors gradually ripened into facts.
!. Major General Foster commandin
the Department of Florida, arrived UP
on the island, verbally left instruction
with the commanding officer, and l wa
removed from the office of the proves
marshal. where I had been employee
soon after l landed at the fort, unde
the plea that these positions Shout
alone be given to men in their ow
army or service capable Of fulfillin
) the required duties thereof.
y PLACE LEADERS IN IRONS.
In a very short time thereafter tn
following communication was receive,
at the post:
Headquarters of Middle Florida,
Second Separate Brigade D. T.
Tallahassee. September 3, 1865.
To the Commanding Officer, Sub. DIS
trict, Key West:
Sir: Official information has been re
ceived at these headquarters fror
WASHINGTON that a plot exists to re
lease the prisoners at Fort Jefferson
You will take the proper precautior
to prevent any uprising of the prison
] ers, and, in case you find this informa