American History Tellers Daring Prison Escapes | Escape from Libby Prison | 5
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Oct 1, 2025 Join historian Dr. Robert P. Watson, an expert onLibby Prison, as he dives into the gripping tale of the 1864 Union escape from one of the Confederacy's most notorious jails. Watson shares why he was drawn to this story, detailing the brutal conditions prisoners faced, including hunger and lice. Learn about intrepid leaders like Colonel Rose, their ingenious tunneling methods, and the vital role of spy Elizabeth Van Lew in the audacious plan. Discover the aftermath of the escape and the chaotic manhunt that followed.
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Libby Was A Warehouse Turned Deathtrap
- Libby Prison was a converted warehouse that held ~1,000 Union officers in extreme squalor and overcrowding.
- The prisoners suffered hunger, lice, cold, and sadistic guards which made escape a constant thought.
Ordinary Men, Extraordinary Leadership
- Thomas Rose was a schoolteacher-turned-officer who led by example and orchestrated the escape.
- Major Andrew Hamilton was a home builder and MacGyver figure who invented tools to dig the tunnels.
Survival By Improvisation
- Libby lacked beds, toilets, medicine, and adequate food, forcing prisoners into life‑saving adaptations.
- Crowding led men to sleep spooned together and rotate hourly to survive frostbite and sores.
