Samuel T. Buckley 2nd New York Cavalry Writes from Castle Thunder on February 12th, 1864 – He Describes the Great Prison Tunnel Escape from Libby
Buckley was captured at Liberty Mills, Virginia on September 22nd, 1863 and sent to Castle Thunder, a former Tobacco Warehouse in Richmond, Va. LETTERS FROM CASTLE THUNDER ARE QUITE SCARCE. CAPTAIN GEORGE W. ALEXANDER WAS IN CHARGE AND KNOWN AS A CRUEL COMMONDANT. He had a vicious guard dog named Nero, of which much has been written. See our listing of an original CDV of Nero just listed. The letter is 4-pages in nice dark ink and is in fine condition. Here is the content:
- Castle Thunder Richmond Feb. 12th, 1864. Friend Thompson, I have to apologize for not writing you sooner, but I know you would have all the news from Richardson Brown and have waited since this departure for some definite action in my own case before writing. I wrote to Richardson on Monday including clippings from the daily papers.
- THIS HAS BEEN A WEEK OF EXCITEMENT – FIRST THE “YANKEE RAID” WHICH HAS RESULTED AS ALL PREVIOUS ONES IN SMOKE. NEXT THE ESCAPE OF ONE HUNDRED AND NINE YANKEE OFFICERS FROM LIBBY…
- As you will perceive it was managed adroitly & carried out thus far successfully. A large number will doubtless be recaptured but some will succeed in reaching Yankeedom. [Note: Buckley tried to enclose an account of the Libby escape, but this was apparently confiscated as he next writes…]
- For fear you may not get the account enclosed, I will give you the substance.
- THEY AFFECTED THIS ESCAPE BY MEANS OF A TUNNEL FROM THE EAST END, DUG ACROSS THE ROAD UNTO A VACANT LOT, A DISTANCE OF FIFTY-NINE FEET. THE FIRST THAT WAS KNOWN OF THIS ESCAPE WAS AT ROLL CALL. AMONG THE NUMBERS WERE COL.’S STREIGHT, BOYD, ELY, HOBART, KENDRICK, MCCREERY, ROSE, SPOFFORD, TILDEN, WEST, MILES, EIGHT MAJORS, THIRTY-TWO CAPTAINS & FIFTY-NINE LIEUTS.
- Only two have been thus far recaptured. There has nothing new as of interest transpired since my letter to R. Your friend Bringle has been sent home and Peter Ford is performing the arduous duties of Sergt. Captain Isly was elected by the room for the position, but it was disapproved by Capt. Richardson.
- Merritt’s time is equally divided between cooking for the mess and looking after Snyder. He had a skirmish with Worrel before he has gotten out of bed this morning in which Worrel came out second best.
- Upon the whole our time rather drags since you and the other numbers of the “Aristocratic” mess left, and I long for the time to come when we shall again be an undivided family.
- The box question is still unsettled. The authorities refuse to deliver any more till they have assurances from the north that supplies are delivered to southern soldiers.
- I have written to Maj. Norris of the Signal Corps, to get his assistance in procuring ours. He promised Hendrick to see that it was promptly delivered. I have been looking daily for a line from R or Brown with an account of their new prison. Several letters arrived for them by the last boat but were not brought into this room. I understand they were put in a package & forwarded to Salisbury immediately. I have learned nothing new regarding my own case. I have very little faith of anything favorable. I suppose my next destination will be to Salisbury.
- THE CASTLE HAS FEWER INMATES THAN AT ANY TIME SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE. CAPT. DEATON, OF EAST TENN. CONVICTED OF RECRUITING WITHIN THE LINES IS SENTENCED TO BE EXECUTED ON FRIDAY NEXT.
- You will doubtless remember the man. He is the one who made such a fuss in the cell. He seems wholly crazed. My kindest regards to R& B and all acquaintances with you. Write as often as you can make it convenient. I will attend to your messages if I have an opportunity. Very truly yours, Sal. T. Buckley
One of only a few letters we have seen from Castle Thunder.
#L2-12-64NY – Price $695
