 The day was chosen as a new Union military commander was coming to Columbus, and Morgan knew that the prison cells would be inspected at that time.Together, after the daily midnight inspection, Hines, John Hunt Morgan and five captains under Morgan's command used the tunnel to escape.Aided by the fact that the prison sentries sought shelter from the raging storm occurring at the time, the Confederate officers climbed the wall effortlessly, using metal hooks to effect their escape.