The
blockade was drawn so tight scarcely an ounce of medicine could be
obtained for the Confederate army. Davis offered the Washington
Government to let their own surgeons come to Richmond and carry medicine
and food to their prisoners. His request was refused.
The only thing Grant conceded was his consent to Kilpatrick's attempt to
free and arm these 15,000 prisoners and loose them with fire and sword
in the streets of the Confederate Capital.
Little did the men, women and children of Richmond dream that they were
lying down each night to sleep on the thin crust of a volcano.
Captain Welford in the pursuit of Socola and Miss Van Lew had found that
the woman on Church Hill persisted in her visits to the prisons. Libby,
which contained a number of Union officers of rank, was her favorite.
On the last day of February his patient watch was rewarded. He had
placed a spy in Libby disguised as a captive Union soldier.
This man had sent the Captain an urgent message to communicate with him
at once. Within thirty minutes Welford confronted him in the guardroom
of the prison.
The Captain spoke in sharp nervous tones:
"Well?"
"I've something big--"
He paused and glanced about the room.
"Go on!"
"There's a plot on foot inside to escape--"
"Of course.
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