Civil War Breakout

Great Escapes #3

by W.N. Brown

Civil War, 1863. Virginia. Union soldiers Colonel Thomas Rose and Major A. G. Hamilton were captured by the Confederate Army and taken to Libby Prison—one of the most horrific prisons ever run.

Few ever made it out of the overcrowded, vermin-infested prison alive.

But neither fear, nor darkness, nor squealing rats could keep Rose and Hamilton from freedom. They and other POWs would fight against the odds to attempt the largest prison escape in American history.

Genres: Historical, Middle Grade

128 pages, Hardcover

Published July 7, 2020

Reviews

[Karen Leonard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Desperate to escape from the rat infested Libby Prison, two Union soldiers organize an escape through a tunnel that takes months to dig. Realistic, suspenseful and educational. Great for readers in Grade 4-5 who enjoyed Dear Canada and I Survived series.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is based on the true and factual events of the Libby prison break in 1864. From what I could find the main details are all true, obviously I am sure the dialogue is fictionalized. But one of the escapees later wrote a book about his escape so there is at least some great source material.
There was on instance of swearing, "I'll be damned if I stay here."
A couple references to "rat hell". This was in the cellar and they had to walk over the rats to get to their tunnel site.
There are also gross descriptions of their living conditions, such as food covered with maggots, a trough for a toilet, rats, lice racing, etc. as well as descriptions of violence. One prisoner when he is being recaptured, picks up a gun and smacks his warden with it in defense.
And this is just personal but there was one section where it talked about why the north and south started fighting that it was over slavery. I didn't personally appreciate the over simplification. But again just personal.
Over all I liked it. If your kiddos like "Nathan Hale's Hazardous tales", or the "I survived" series they would most likely like this one as well. I don't know about any pictures as I listened to it, but I'd say it was written for the middle-lower grades, maybe 8-12 range so I'd bet there were some pictures.

[The History Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for middle grade readers about the infamous breakout from Libby Prison. 109 Union soldiers crawled out through a tunnel dug under the very feet of the Confederate guards in February of 1864. This book is perfect for older elementary or early middle schoolers to learn about this daring feat.

[Wyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was a great book that really kept you interested

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on the true story of the courageous escape of 109 Union prisoners of war from the notoriously horrific Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia, the capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War. For elementary students learning about Virginia history, there are some great references to true heroes of the time, including Elizabeth Van Lew, Union spy, and the courageous free Black men and women who were part of the Van Lew spy ring. You'll need a strong stomach for the prevalence of rats, but elementary readers will enjoy the suspense!