Wealth is only a relative term at last. He was well-off in Libby who had two pewter spoons, an extra tin cup or plate; rich who possessed a ham and a box of crackers—a millionaire if, in addition to these, he had a pound or two of tobacco. The silver ware in our wealthiest mansions is never looked after as carefully as were the extra spoons, forks, or plates, which a man or mess claimed; and when they disappeared, as they sometimes would, as much skill and craft would be employed to recover them as a corps of detectives would display when a bank has been robbed, or a palace plundered. Many pined away with melancholy, and the history of the hearts which have been crushed would be a sad one; many left us during my stay for the hospital—from thence it was not far to the grave. There were, however, stout hearts which would not yield to discouragement—men who never for a moment yielded to despair; they had faith in their Government, in the justice of the cause for which they were suffering, and, best of all, some of them had faith in God.
[CHAPTER VII.]
THE ESCAPE.
The last night—Farewell to Libby—Sufferings and dangers—The north star our guide—The faithful negro—A false friend—Almost retaken—The contrast.
It came at last—the last night, the night of release; and the working party was assembled in the cellar for the last time. There was a shade of sadness on many a brow; for we were about to go forth two by two, to separate to meet again—when? Perhaps never! The party consisted of
Col. Rose, 77th Pennsylvania Infantry.
Maj. Fitzsimmons, 30th Indiana Infantry.
Capt. Hamilton, 12th Kentucky Cavalry.
Capt. Gallagher, 2d Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Capt. Clark, 79th Illinois Vol. Infantry.
Capt. Lucas, 5th Kentucky Vol. Infantry.
Maj. M'Donald, 100th Ohio Vol. Infantry.
Capt. Randell, 2d Ohio Vol. Infantry.
Capt. I. N. Johnston, 6th Ky. Vol. Infantry.
Lieut. Fislar, 7th Indiana Battery.
Lieut. Simpson, 10th Indiana Infantry.
Lieut. Mitchell, 79th Illinois Infantry.
Lieut. Davy, 77th Pennsylvania Infantry.
Lieut. Sterling, 29th Indiana Infantry.
Lieut. Foster, 30th Indiana Infantry.
It was agreed that ten minutes should elapse after the first two passed out, before the second couple should start. Lieut. Fislar and myself were the third couple. After emerging from the tunnel we faced to the right, and passed across the lot to the passage through the brick building, already described, into the street; and in doing so we passed within forty feet of the sentinels. We were not observed, and you may be sure we did not linger, and soon we were out of sight of the hated place.
One hundred and nine persons thus escaped from eight o'clock at night to three in the morning, notwithstanding that the night was clear and beautiful, and all had to pass between two gas lights; of these, however, only about one half succeeded in reaching the Federal lines.