The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1815-06-17

substance of Whist he reeolded respecting this boo
dy aifair OF which he was an eye Witness and mar
rowiy escaped the fate Of his unfortunate fellow
eaptiyes.
.lL4S!S 7CPE Of'.4.nERTC.7.N.PRLS O. N,EPS
"0n the 9th of April, at O'clock, p. NJ. capt T.
e.. Shorthand, keeper ot the Darttneoi prison hap
pcned to discover a small hole which had been Kicked
through OF the inner walls OF the prison. by some
ut cur boys Who preferred any employment to idle
ness Upwards OF five thousand prisoners were at
tas time, c,illy walking al the yards of,he diff rent
prisons, not dreaming ot the approaching tragedy and
wholly unconscious Of the existence of the little hole
from which It was to originate. Instantly the ring
ng of alarm bell, saiuted their astonished ears
and scarcely had they time to ioot their surprise
whenthe drum bent to arms
Curiosity alone prompted them to turn their at
tention 10 the gate, the only avenue through which
they might iearn the cause of this extraordinary a.
hsm. Each one was eager to get nearest to the
Of information, ill from the pressure OF some
thousands, tue gate gave way, the crowd with it, and
those in the pressed forward rapidly, the fore
n'stound it impossible to resist the current but were
pushed entirely through the passage.
AT this moment, captain Shorthand, at the hesd
Of the troops of the garrsn entered the inner square
ofthe prison, and drew up his men in position to
charge the prisoners, who were gazing with worder
on tins military movement, not d Gaming that them
selves were lis object. The officers of the garrison
perceiving the bloody intention Of the keeper would
have no hand in the business, declined giving any Or
After viewing, in speechless astonishment a mano.u-
,re that at length seemed menace their own safety
the prisoners though unconscious OF blame, began TO
think most prudent to retire, and every one hasen-
ed towards their respective prisons, with all possible
alaerity.
" The order TO fire given by the keeper.
and promptly obeyed. a full voliy of musketry was
discharged into body of several thousand men, all
retreatng in the most peaceabe manner
" Through the gatesand iron paling that separ4ted
the troops from the prisoners, these volies re-
pedted JSr several rounds while the defenceless
Victims, dead and wounded fell thick on every side
heir flight was in disorer and the doors of the cells
they were seeking to regain, were clogged with
the wounded, who bad fallen in the passages, and the
nnwoundcd who were flying over them.
=" Their murterous pursueis had now entered the
yards OF each prison, making general charge on man
and boy, seathing their ruthless bayonets in the bo-
nies OF the retreating prisoners, and completing the
work OF destruction by the discharge ofanother voley
OF musketry in the backs of the lndmost, who were
forcing teeir passage over the wounded, into their pri-
"Nor did they stop here bat patroled the ward to
md some solitary fugitive who had sought safety in
night One poor afrighted wretch had fled close to
the wall OF one of the PRISONS fearing move lest he
should meet his death. Him those demons of hell
discovered and the bloody Shorthand gave the fatal or
per- la vain the trembling victim fell upon his knees
III that mpioring acknowledgements their compassion
begged them to spare life almost exhausted by
suffering and confinement He pleaded to brutes-
he appealed to tigers FIRE - cried Shorthand ~
several balls were discharged into his bosom
:, his inhuman monster having gIuttea bis
Nero appetite with blood" retired with the troops.
Saving the scene OF his heroism SLIPPERY m Iife-bood
81 deenceiess freemen SLr.y-th,ee americans
ofed 10 CRAFTY the spleen Of British tllr7eu Sc
ven OF them were relieved by death from the task of
Ssliieg the degrading tale.
:" he wounded were removed from the scene of
slaughter, as soon practicable, and placed in the
hospital, under the direction of Doctor Magrath head
surgeon OF tie department. who used every exert il,
power to alleviate their sueings aud restore them
IIf. harra aFala a,
aid received the wounded who had escaped thither
previous to the doors being closed His tenderness &
humanity are acknowledged with gratitude by his pa
TENTS
dispatch was Immediately sent to Plymouth. TO
Inform the admiral andthe military commandments oil
the tagIeal events. On the following morning, a
strong reinforcement srrived(rom Plymouth, usder
the command of colonel, who took charge of the
garrison information Of which was immediately given
to the prisoners, accompanied with request that
committee be appointed from among them to receive
an explanation respecting the transactions Of the pre-
cedng evening. But the survivors, smartng under a
painful sense of their unparalleled wrongs unanimous
" answered (by letter. that the citizens Of the Uni
ted States OF America they should conceive it dis.
grace and degradation OF their national character to
hold any correspondence with the murderer of their
couutrymen. But that the colonel desired confer
renee with the prisoners, il would be met on their
part with pleasure and the satisfactory explana-
ton otevery part of their conduct should be given
Accordingly, the colonel attended, at the gate Of
the prison. accom- psnedby capt. Shorthand with Vi
sage OverspIead with gloom, and glowing with con-
se'ous guilt He family attempted to Justify his con.
duct and pleaded DUTY He feared the prisoners
were attempting to escape
The colonel patiently heard the stories on both
sides OF the question, and promised that it should be
submitted 10 the decision OF coroners inquest next
day, and that thorough invest cation oil every relative
circumstance should then take place
The prisoners then hostcd the colors halEmast
every prison, and visited the wounded in the hospi-
IA depaitment. But here scenewa presented too
shocking for humanity Tables were spread and CO.
vered with fractured legssnd arms that had just been
severed from the bodies of our grooming fellow. cap
tives. There lay seven Of our counuymen, marked
with horrid wounds and bereft of le-here above so
were expressing their anguish in half smothered COM
plants audible groans Our feelings better be
conceived than described.
A committee OF SIX was then appointed to take
the dcpesitOns Of these best acquainted with the facts
relating to this affair, and making every proper ar
raugement for furnishing the with the most
material evidence All these dispositions exactly a.
greed with the statement here gwen.
2" In the afternoon admiral arrived at the prison,
bended by The captain OF a se'enty-four. After 20
Htey introducing themselves, they informed the pr-
that they came, sanctioned BY the proper au-
uoy To make inquiries into the past conduct Of capt
Shorthand, during his agency, and promised that he
shcCid be strictly Intercepted on the subject They
Left with many fair that strict and i'm
partial investigation should take place with respect to
bis cOnduct.
I" One circumstance dat occurred during the MAS |
sACAE ought not to- be OMITTED. One og the soldiers
that belonged 20 the regiment that performed