From the Richmond Examiner, Tuesday, 5/7/1863, p. 1
KILLED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ESCAPE. - About four o'clock
yesterday morning, two prisoners, William Campbell, of the Fourteenth Louisiana
Regiment, and Charles Carroll, alias Byzer, a deserter from the Fifty-third
Virginia Regiment, but formerly of Wheat's Battalion, attempted to escape from
Castle Thunder. The attempt resulted in Carroll being shot dead, and Campbell
being shot at and recaptured.
The prisoners were confined in the condemned cell, but by
cutting their way through the partition wall, gained the windows of the portico
on Cary street. Carroll, when about leaping down, was hailed by the sentinel,
but, not answering, the sentinel fired, shooting him between the eyes, through
the head, killing him instantly.
Campbell, who had sent Carroll ahead to draw the fire of
the guard, then ran down the main gangway, and in the confusion caused by the
firing, rushed by the guard into the street. He was pursued by detective George
W. Thomas, who fired two pistol shots at him without effect, but captured him at
the corner of Eighteenth and Main streets.
The above was Campbell's fourth escape, but in every
instance he was recaptured. The body of Carroll was buried yesterday. The
deceased was an Irishman by birth.
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