midnight
Then lowering two of our number into the cellar , we succeeded in removing enough of the stone foundation to allow the escape of one man at a time through the aperture . Our arrangements were hastened by the assignment of a particular day on which we were to be transferred from our prison , and conveyed to Richmond . Though we should have been glad to enter the city under some circumstances , we did not feel very desirous of going as prisoners of war . `` On the night selected we waited impatiently till midnight . Then , as silently as possible , we removed the planking , and afterwards the stones of the basement wall , and crept through one by one . All this was effected so noiselessly that we were all out without creating any alarm . We could hear the measured tramp of the sentinel , as he paced up and down in front of the empty prison .