The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-10

tho tunnel was completed. The news
dim recesses of the basement dra-
matte scene was taking place. Men,
Wild with the thought of escape.
fought like demons TO be tho next to
enter the tunnel, which was only wide
enough to allow a man to lie on his
face aud pull with his hands while he
pushed with his feet In this way the
men crawled for about nfty-thrce feet
until they came to the opening in the
lot. While the escapes were taking
place an officer stood by the opcniny
INTO the basement and whispered to
each soldier as his turn came:
Feet first; back to the wall get
down on your knees make a half-face
TO the right, and grasp the spike in
the wall below with your right hand
lower yourself down: feel for the
knottcd rope below with your legs"
The prisoner, following directions
would then drop into n bed or straw
ana cross TO the tunnel opening Only
one man was allowed In the tunnel al,
Il time, and as It required about three
minutes to pass through the tunnel.
cons dcrablc time was lost, and tho
restrained themselves with the great
est 'mpatiencc.
After 100 officers had passed to
saf1ty, the noise OF the struggling men
In the basement warned the guards
mat something was wrong. and they
investigated. finding tho tunnel.
Scarchers started on tho trails OF the
escaped prisoners and majority were
recaptured. Those who cvaded re-
q n I'M q,
Tore they finally won their way
through TO the Federal lines on the
Pamiunkcy River.
During i1scnpe from Salisbury Prison
Ono OF the most daring plots oc-
Cured in the old and abandoned cot
ton warehouse at Salisbury. y. G..
which was used as Confederate
prison. Three Northern newspaper
CORRESPONDENTS We're held as prisoners
OF war in the crowded bastilc. Two
OF them. j. II. Browne and W. T.
Davies. became trusted prisoners and
We're sivan passes that would admit
them 10 hospital diapensary on the
outside Of tho prison. There was still
another line OF guards however, that
stood between them and liberty. The
inncr guards had become accustomed
to the two men passing. ana soon did
not require them to show their passes
X NaS IN ms TACT mat the COrrc-
spondents saw an avenue of escape
and bringing out their companion
scribe who was without this privilege.
On the winter evening Of Deccmbey
"a. 1864, Browne loaned his pass to
Richardson. the third of the CORES
pondents. and tho three walked to the
gate. taking with them boy who car
ried box flied with medicine bottles.
When they reached the gate. Richard
son turned to the boy, saying in \ loud
voice for the benefit of the sentinel:
II am going outside TO get these bot
ties filled. l shall be back in fifteen
minutes, and want you to remain right
here to take and distribute them among
The hospitals DO not go away"
Yes. Sir" exclaimed the lad as Rich
ardson turned to pass tho sentry But
the latter held his muslsct before tho
man.
"FIavc YOU pass, sir?" he asked.
Certainly j have a pass" replied
| Richardson. "IIavc sou not seen II
enough to know It BY this timc?"
The assurance of the man confused
tho sentinel.
Perhaps have he replied, but
they are strict with US, and am not
quite sure"
The pass was examined and Richard
son was allowed to pass. The other two
were passed on recognition. \ line of
guards still barred their way in the
twilight. The two companions went
direct 10 the disponsary and Richardson
dropped under IL convenient shelter To
wait for darkness. When night came