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 he in the guardroom
of the prison. The Captain spoke in sharp nervous tones Well Ive something big He paused and
glanced about the room. Go On Theres a plot on foot inside to escape Of course. They're always
plotting to escape weve no real prison system no discipline. Hundreds have escaped already. Its
nothing new This is new, the spy went on eagerly, They let me into their councils last night.
Theres going to be a beg raid on Richmond the men aside are going to fight their way out, arm
themselves and burn the city. When they get the signal from the outside theyll batter down the
walls and rush through Batter down the walls Yes, sir How Theyre loosed two big rafters and
have them ready to use as battering cars Your pure of this Sures. Gods in heaven Go in and see
for yourself
Captain Welford gave a low whistle. This big news. There are enough prisoners in Richmond to
make an army corps eleven hundred in here twentyfive hundred at crew and Pembertons at Belle
Isle and the other stockades at least fifteen thousand in all. They are guarded by a handful of
men. If they realize their power, they can better their way out in five minutes and sweep the city
with blood and fire he stopped suddenly, drew a deep breath and turned again to the man. Thatll
do for you here. Take a little rest. Youd as well go back into a lions den when they find out that I
know. Theyd spot you sure and tear you limb from limb.
The spy saluted. Report to me a week from today at the office. Youve earned a vacation. The
man saluted again and passed quickly out. Captain Welford asked the Superintendent to call his
prisoners together. I have something to say to them. A thousand silent men in blue were gathered
in the assembly room of the old warehouse. Captain Welford boldly entered the place carrying a
box in his hand. He placed it on the floor, sprang on it and lifted his hand over the crowd Ive an
announcement to make, gentlemen, he began quietly amid a silence that was death like. The
Department which I represent has learned that you are planning to batter down the walls and join
a force of raiders who are on the way to capture Richmond
He paused and a murmur of smothered despair, inarticulate, bitter, crept through the crowd. To
forestall this little scheme, I have planted a thousand pounds of powder under the building. I
have mined every other prison. The first one of you that lifts his finger to escape gives the signal
that will blow you into Eternity Dick stepped from the box and made his way out without
another word. He could feel the wild heart beat of baffled hope as they followed him to the door
with despairing eyes.
A murmur of sickening rage swept the prison. An ominous silence fell where hope had beat high.
The same strategic announcement was made in every prison in Richmond. No mines had been
laid. But the story served its purpose. Fifteen thousand men were bound hand and foot by fear.
Three hundred soldiers guarded them successfully. Not a finger was lifted to help their bold
rescuers who were already dashing toward the city. Colonel Ulric Dahlgren was crossing the
James above Richmond to strike from the south side, while General Kilpatrick led the attack
direct from the north, Dahlgren cross the river