From the Richmond Whig, 9/17/1861

THE REASON WHY. - We have heard it alleged, in explanation of the escape of so many Federal prisoners from the factories in this city, that the sentinels are more vigilant in keeping outsiders out, than in preventing the egress of insiders. There is some plausibility in this allegation, as it is a fact that if a citizen projects his big toe half an inch over the “line,” on the sidewalk in front of either factory, he ill be requested to make a retrograde movement of the offending foot; whilst those who are passed in are suffered to depart, without much, if any, questioning. The officers in command should reform this practice, if it be still continued, as it is far more important to keep strangers in than to prevent them from entering.