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 him in the
guardroom of the prison. The Captain spoke in sharp nervous tones Well I’ve something big
He paused and glanced about the room. Go on Theres a plot on foot inside to escape Of
course. Theyre always plotting to escape were 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 big raid on
Richmond the men inside are going to fight their way out, army corps eleven hundred in here
twenty five 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 batter 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 our 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 this
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 hep
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 attach direct from the north, Dahlgren crossed the river