Elizabeth and the Libby Prison
Union soldiers who were captured by the Confederacy were held at the Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia. Elizabeth, being her devious self, wanted to free the soldiers in jail. At first, she asked the lieutenant if she could work as the hospital nurse, but was denied. Elizabeth then applied as the Secretary of the Treasury Memminger. This job gave her access to the prison. She sweet talked her way into the job. While Elizabeth worked, she bought clothes, medicine, and bedding for the Union prisoners. The conditions at the prison were harsh, and many of the men became ill. So, Elizabeth persuaded Confederate doctors to take the sick Union prisoners to hospitals. To help the prisoners escape, Elizabeth made coded letters and gave them to Union soldiers. She wrote down Confederate battle plans so the Union would be prepared for the next battle, and her procedure for escape. Elizabeth usually put the messages in empty egg shells within a basket of eggs. The codes were also found under fine print in books and in "double bottoms" of dishes. Guards would often search her belongings, but rarely found the messages. In the end, she was able to free several prisoners form the Libby Prison.
