The Washington herald., 1913-11-28

was necessary to cut the floor under six
cells from beneath. This was so skill
fully done that only a shell Of cement
remained over each cut.
1t was planned to wait for a rainy
day before attempting to escape. but on
learning that a new keeper was due to
arrive-which meant rigid inspection
Gen. Morgan decided that the attempt
must be made at midnight on Novem-
ber g.
When the prisoners went to their cells
at s o'clock Gen. Morgan stepped into
his brothers cell. No. p, on the ground
tier. while Dick Morgan went up to
the generals cell, No. IS, second tier.
When the guard came to see that all
was well he did not notice the change.
as the brothers, who looked alike, pre-
sented their backs TO him.
After the guard had made his mid
night round the shell OF cement in the
floor of six cells was broken, and six
men descended to the air chamber. while
a seventh. Capt. Hines, dropped through
the familiar hole in No. 20.
But a few minutes were needed to
traverse the chamber and the tunnel,
force the sod from the shaft, and gain
the yard.
The night was favoring. for rain was
falling, and the guards, with the dogs
who aided them, had sought shelter
The prisoners stealthily crossed the yard
to wall twenty feet high that con-
nected with an outbuilding. In this was
with loops, was thrown over the gate,
and the men climbed it and lowered
themselves on the other side.
Audacity Aids Morgan.
The main wall, twenty-five feet high,
was still before them. A graphing hook
had been made from a prison stove poker.
This was thrown upon the walltop and
caught there. One by one the men
crossed the wall by the rope. When all
were over it was found that Gen. Nor
gan had left his carpet bag on the other
side. Hockersmith and Taylor went back
for il.
When they returned the group started
for the railroad station. All had pro-
vided themselves with civilian dress They
met no one. happily. for each was armed
with knife, and they were prepared 10
brook no restraint
Cen Morgan had secured a railroad
timetable (at a cost of $50 and knew that
a night train for Cincinnati was due.
Tickets were purchased, and when the
train drew out II carried the escaped
prisoners.
In the car they entered was a Federal
officer in uniform Morgan. fearing that
he might be asked for a military pass. at
once seated himself beside the officer. and
engaged him in conversation, which a
bottle of brandy, offered by Morgan, en-
livened.
As the train passed the penitentiary
the officer said: That is the hotel where
Morgan stops, I believe"
To this Gen. Morgan replied, '"Yes, and
will stop, II Is to be hoped. I drink. to
Morgan-may he ever be as closely kept
as he is now"'
In the early morning the train slowed
down outside Cincinnati Gen. Morgan
and Capt Hines walked to the rear pIat-
form and swung on. They aIighted near
a pile of lumber on which were seated
a group Of soldiers. One of the men oues-
toned them as to why they jumped off
the train. Morgan replied that he lived
out that way. No further questions were
asked him. Walking to the river, Morgan
and Hines hired a boy to row them
across.
Once on the Kentucky shore they were
among friends, by whose aid they sue
ceeded in crossing the State to Tennes-
see. where they rejoined the Confederate
army.
Tomorrow-Attack on Fort Sanders,
Copyright. 1881