in and out of Libby Prison
150 years ago today a rebel raid surprised a couple Union generals, who were then sent off to Libby Prison for a month. General-in-Chief Lee reported that no shooting was necessary
From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in February 1865:
DARING DASH OF REBEL CAVALRY. – A dispatch from Wheeling dated the 21st inst. states that a party of rebel cavalry dashed into Cumberland, West Virginia, before daylight that morning, surprised and captured the pickets, and carried off Generals Crook and Kelley.
It seems to have been a very daring and well-planned affair.
Cavalry have been sent in pursuit.
From the Richmond Daily Dispatch February 25, 1865: …
General Crook (center) while safe in Union hands
Bold exploit — the Yankee Generals Crook and Kelly captured.
The following interesting official telegram was received at the War Department last night:
“Headquarters, February24, 1865.
“Hon. J. C. Breckinridge, Secretary of War:
“General Early reports that Lieutenant McNeil, with thirty men, on the morning of the 21st, entered Cumberland, captured and brought out Generals Crook and Kelly, the adjutant- general of the department, two privates and the headquarters flag, without firing a gun, though a considerable force is stationed in the vicinity.
“Lieutenant McNeil and party deserve much credit for this bold exploit.
“Their prisoners will reach Staunton to-day.
“R. E. Lee.”
Another account.
The following telegram was received yesterday:
“Harrisonburg,February 24. –Major-Generals B. F. Kelly and George Crook, and Major Thayer Melvin, of General Crook’s staff, are here, en route for Richmond. They were captured in Cumberland, Maryland, last Tuesday morning at 3 o’clock, by Lieutenant Jesse McNeil and forty- five of his men, and fifteen of General Rosser’s furloughed men.–They will reach your city by the cars on the Central railroad to-morrow.”
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did the captured generals glimpse Richmond’s Washington monument while at Libby? (April 1865 photo)
