xiii, 287 pages : illustrations, portraits ; 24 cm
Notes:
Includes bibliographical references (pages 265-269) and index.
Contents:
Captured -- On to Richmond -- Fresh fish -- The prison and the city -- Chickamauga and Colonel Rose -- Libby life -- Elizabeth Van Lew -- Colonel Rose takes over -- Tight fit -- From skirmishing to catechism -- The final tunnel -- Acts of cool daring -- Exertions almost superhuman -- The hospital -- Trapped in rat hell -- Big mistake -- Breakthrough -- Breakout -- First night -- A day of amused excitement -- A bare chance -- Saved by slaves -- Pluck and luck -- Freedom -- Rose and Streight -- Make all the damn noise you please -- Aftermath -- Epilogue: two buildings.
Summary:
"The Greatest Escape: A True American Civil War Adventure tells the story of the largest prison breakout in U.S. history. It took place during the Civil War, when more than 1200 Yankee officers were jammed into Libby, a special prison considered escape-proof, in the Confederate capitol of Richmond, Virginia. A small group of men, obsessed with escape, mapped out an elaborate plan and one cold and clear night, 109 men dug their way to freedom. Freezing, starving, clad in rags, they had to still travel 40 miles to Yankee lines and safety. They were pursued by all the white people in the area, but every Black person they encountered was their friend. In every instance, slaves risked their lives to help these Yankees, and their journey was aided by a female-led Union spy network. Since all the escapees were officers, they all could read and write well. Over 50 of them would publish riveting accounts of their adventures. This is the first book to weave together these contemporary accounts into a true-to-life narrative. Much like a Ken Burns documentary, this book uses the actual words the prisoners recorded more than 150 years ago, as found in their many diaries and journals." -- Publisher's website.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.