The Greatest Escape — A True American Civil War Adventure
Did you know that the largest prison breakout in U.S. history took place during the Civil War? Or, that more than 1,200 Yankee officers were jammed into Libby, a special prison considered escape-proof, in the Confederate capitol of Richmond, Virginia? Come to our November 15 meeting, and hear how a small group of Union officers, obsessed with escape, mapped out an elaborate plan, and on a cold, clear night, 109 men dug their way to freedom. Learn how these freezing, starving men, clad in rags, managed to travel 40 miles to Yankee lines and safety. Also, hear how they escaped pursuit by all the white people in the area, with the help of every Black person they encountered. Marvel at how slaves risked their lives to help these Yankees, and how their journey was aided by a female-led Union spy network. Our speaker, Doug Miller, will tell us how he spent 20 years reading over 50, personal, riveting accounts, written by some of the survivors, about their adventures. Doug will weave together these contemporary accounts into a true-to-life narrative. Much like a Ken Burns documentary, he will use the actual words of the prisoners, recorded more than 150 years ago, to tell this fascinating story. You do not want to miss this program.

Mr. Douglas Miller
Douglas Miller is a documentary filmmaker and writer/producer on more than twenty documentaries aired on the History Channel, the Discovery Channel, and Showtime, notably the series The Color of War, Modern Marvels, and Boneyards. He lives in Studio City, CA.