17th Mississippi diarist Robert A. Moore was now a lieutenant and so he was assigned officer of the day on Aug. 25, 1863, which entailed mounting the brigade’s prison guard.

The next day, Wednesday, was clear and pleasant, perfect for skedaddling, apparently.

“I released the prisoners & guard last night by the Gen.’s consent,” Moore recorded, “& gave them orders to report this morning but two of the prisoners failed to report, having run off during the night. Quite cool.”