Escapes
Information about prison escapes in Richmond, VA during the Civil War

Written Accounts

1866 (ca.), The Camp, the Battle Field, and the Hospital...; by Linus P. Brockett; excerpt (by John F. Porter) describes the author's part in the famous Libby Prison escape and subsequent journey to Williamsburg
1866-01-11, Richmond Examiner; two U. S. soldiers escape from Castle Thunder by walking out the door
1866-01-24, Richmond Examiner; four negroes tunnel out of Castle Thunder and escape
1866-02-12, Richmond Examiner; 30 negro prisoners escape from Libby Prison by digging through the wall.
1866-02-28, Richmond Examiner; 11th US deserter escapes from the Penitentiary but is quickly recaptured. Notice of several other escaped convicts, and criticism of the guards
1866-07-17, Richmond Dispatch; fascinating account of the execution of a former USCT soldier for murder. Execution took place inside Libby Prison
1880-12-07, Richmond Dispatch; Penitentiary convict escapes while working at Chimborazo – shots fired. Eventually recaptured
1880-12-16, Richmond Dispatch; guard who shot and killed an escaping convict from Chimborazo fails to make bail and is jailed awaiting trial.
1883-07-20, Burlington (Vt.) Weekly Free Press; brief description of Miss Van Lew’s wartime activities – includes story of mob threatening to burn her house down before the evacuation
1885-05-14, National Tribune; excellent account by Col. Thomas Rose of the organization and completion of the Libby Prison tunnel

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