Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1812-08-28


sending out detachments for various purposes
who could not return, and from other causes
mt now satisfactorily known. This remain
ing number was barely sufficient to man the
essential stations There were none to relieve
them. The effects of fatigue and want OF
sleep began to be felt Those of hunger and
thirst must soon be added, for their stock OF
provisions and water was small, and supply
was impossible. To a military man of judg
ment and experience, like general Lee, these
circumstances would naturally appear in all
their force lie saw the defence necessarily
and rapidly becoming weaker, while there
was reason to believe that the attacking force
would greatly and rapidly augment. Being a
soldier too himself he would not doubt sol
diers honour, nor believe that gen Stricken,
who had served like himself in the war of our
revolution, could abandon those who surren-
dered their arms on the faith of his word
General Lee therefore gave his opinion early
and strongly in favor of a surrender.
Several others no doubt from similar mo-
tves, and some in Difference to his opinion,
declared for the same course. But Mr.. Han
son, more ardent because younger, smarting
under wrongs unredressed AMI flushed by the
hope ofgaining in the end glorious victory,
and less confding because better acquainted
with the weakness, timdity and disposition
OF the persons on whom they were invited to
rely, strongly and pertinaciously opposed this
sentiment to the last, contending that if the
defence was really impracticabe which he by
no means believed, it was better to die there
with arms in their hands, than to surrender
for the purpose ofbeing led through the streets
like malefactors, and in the end massacred
by the mob, against which he insisted that
no e.feetual protection wo1li be afforded, or
ought-to be expected The opinion of gene
raj Lee, however, finally prevailed, and the
whole party to the number OF between twenty
and thirty surrendered themselves into the
hands ofthe civil authority An escort OF
horse and foot was provided by gen. Stricl,-
err, and they were conducted from the house
to the jail. This took place between and
o'clock in the morning
In going to the Jail, they were to pass by
large pile of paving stones, which had been
provided for paving the streets. While the
negotiation for the surrender was going on,
plan was laid to massacre the party at this
pile Of stones and company from Fells
Point headed by Mr. Worrel, was to Join
the Mob at that place for the purpose The
plan waste drive off, or knock down the es-
cort with the stones, end then beat the pri-
soners to death. But the pile of stones was
passed few minutes before the party from
the Point arrived, and thus the scheme was
frustrated, not without two Of the gentlemen
receiving severe blows with stones, said to be
aimed at Mr.. Hanson. This important fact
was related on the same day to q gentleman
BY one of the Chiefs of the Mob who very
cody added -" 1t is only short delay for
we snail take them out OF the jail to night,
and put them to death"
This intention was publicly and frequently
avowed in the course of the day: an express
invitation to that effect was given in the prin
cipal Democratic paper of the city; and the
preparations for carrying it into effect, were
openly made A particular incident will
shew how well it was known, or how conf
dainty expected.
A youth of the name of NJ Cubbin, clerk
in the counting house of Hollias & MBlair,
had opened the counting house in the morn
inc, as usual, and after attending to his CT
binary business, was led by curiosity or acct
dent into the neighborhood of the Jail, at the
moment when the party from the house en-
tered it. Being with the crowd he was hur-
gied into the Jail nv mistake, and was actual
" locked up with the party. Messrs. Hol-
Inns and MBlair finding his situation and
knowing what would probably happen at
night, exerted themselves to the utmost with
some of their friends, to eject his release,
which they effected little before night, with
very great difficulty. Those gentlemen des-
pairing. it must be presumed, of success.
made no effort as far as is known to prevent
the catastrophe. Some of their friends, how
ever, and particularly Col James A. Buch
anan exerted themselves to the utmost, as it
10 said and believed, but to no purpose.
Il l.
informed ofthe intended massacre, an order
was obtained in the legal form to call out the
military for the protection ofshe Jail. This
"A 70 oanarol Strick bt,A H.,