GRAPE AND CANISTER FIRED UPON THEM.

ATTEMPTED ESCAPE OF THIRTEEN THOUSAND PRISONERS AT SALISBURY, N.C.

(From the Richmond Enquirer, Nov. 28.)

On Thursday last a serious attempt was made by the federal prisoners confined at Salisbury, N. C., to make their escape, which was rapidly and effectually quelled at the expense of considerable Yankee blood. It appears that a plot had been formed among the prisoners---of whom there are at Salisbury some thirteen thousand---to over-power the interior guard of the encampment, then break through the line of the parapet guard, and, after securing all the arms they could, to march through Western North Carolina into Tennessee, and make good their escape.

In the first part of their programme they succeeded. The interior guard were soon overpowered, and two of the unfortunate men were killed while resisting. They then attacked the parapet guard, who fought bravely against the terrible odds until the alarm had been fully communicated to the garrison, and two pieces of artillery were thrown into position bearing upon the encampment. Two of the parapet guard were killed in their gallant defence. In good time the artillery opened, and, after a few raking discharges of grape and canister, the insurrectionists cried out for mercy, and declared that they would make no further effort to get away. By this time they were completely surrounded with artillery and infantry, and it is well for them that they ceased their demonstration and sued for mercy.

In ten minutes more the whole camp would have been one scene of slaughter. As it was about forty were killed and a large number wounded. Thus a very foolish attempt to escape from Confederate durance has ended. It will prove, no doubt, a lesson to prisoners in the South. But for the coolness, and, it may be added, the consideration, of the officers commanding the garrison the punishment inflicted upon these misguided captives would have been far more serious, if, indeed, it had not amounted to the annihilation of the entire body.