From the Richmond Sentinel, 10/23/1863
Murder at Castle Thunder. – Yesterday morning, between the hours of
two and three o’clock, four men succeeded in effecting their escape from
Castle Thunder. A previous attempt of the same parties having been discovered
and frustrated by the vigilance of the officers, they were confined in the
condemned cell. Obtaining by some means, the necessary tools, they cut through
the floor into the commissary’s room beneath, descending into which, they
secured the arms placed there for safe keeping; then, in a body, rushing out
into the room used for the reception of visitors, they overthrew the sentinel on
guard inside the door, who being disabled by the fall, could not further arrest
their flight.
They next encountered the sentinel in front of the prison on Cary street. He
happening to be immediately in their path, one of the number rushed upon him and
placing the muzzle of his gun close to the head of the guard, who, in vain
attempted to stop their egress, discharged the piece. The whole load entered the
lower portion of the head, inflicting a frightful wound, and of course, causing
instant death. Three or four shots were fired in rapid succession at the fleeing
murderers, but with what effect is not known. – A crowd of soldiers on duty at
the prison were soon collected around the scene of this lamentable disaster, but
here a singular incident occurred. The large dog, (belonging to Capt. Alexander,
the commandant of the prison,) whom doubtless all have seen and admired who have
ever visited the Castle, took a position alongside the dead body and would not
permit any to approach until the proper officers came up and relieved him of his
charge; even then he followed the corpse into the building, seemingly determined
to keep watchful guard over the remains until the last. The exhibition of
affection for the deceased soldier was truly touching and indeed remarkable. The
name of the deceased was Sutton Byrd, a private in Company C, 53d North
Carolina. The names of the parties who committed this cold blooded murder are E.
D. Boone, Ed. Carney, Tho. Cole and J. A. Chipman. The first is a noted ruffian,
having made several escapes from different places, and was closely confined a
few days ago for an attempted escape. The others were of a like desperate
character, being confined upon serious charges.
The poor boy’s father is here and accompanies the remains to his home in
North Carolina. – Gen. Winder very properly and kindly ordered an escort to
accompany the remains to the cars.
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