Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-07-22

absence OF nearly ali OF the officers who might
have restrained it well as from the great diff
iicuity ofputting al end 10 firing when once
commenced under such circumstances. Captain
Shorthand was from this time busily occupied with
the tGrnieys in the square, receiving 5. taking care
OF the wounded. Ensign White remained with
his guard ut the breach, and leuts. Ayelyne and
Forge, the only other sr:balterns known to have
been present, continued in the square with the
main bodies OF Their respective guards.
The time fdav, which was the officers din
ner hour, will in some measure explain shis, as IT
caused the absence OF every officer from the pri-
son whose presence was not indispensable there.
And tins circumstance which has been urged as
an argument 10 prove the intention Of he prison.
ers % take this opportunity TO escape. tended to
increase the confusion, and 20 prevent those great
exertions beng made which might perhaps have
obviated portion at least OF the mischief which
ensued.
At the same time that the firing was going on
IN the square, cross fire was also kept up from
several of the platforms on the walls round the
PRISON where the sentrles stand, by struggling
parties OF soldiers who ran up there for that pur-
posc.f AS Far as this Ere was directed to dsperse
the men assembled round the breach, for which
purpose twas most efiectua itseems to stand upon
the same ground as that in the first instance in
the square. But that part which it is positively
sworn was directed against struggling parties of
prisoners running about the YSrds and cndeavor-
according to Their usual practices had left open,
does seem as stated, 20 have been wholly without
object or excuse, and TO have been w2aton at
tack upon the live Oflefenceiess, and that time
unoffending individuals.
In the same, or even more severe terms, we
must remark upon what was proved IS to the fir
ing into the door ways of.he prascns, more part-
cularly into that of No. 8 prison, at a time when
the men were in crowds al tn, entrance From
the position Of the prison AMI Of he door, and
from the marks Of the balls winch we're pointed
out to us, as we'll as from the evidence, it was
Gear this firing must have proceeded from SOL
d.ers very few feet from the door way and al
though it was certainly sworn that the prisone rs
were at the time of part ofthe firing al least, con-
tInung TO insult and occasionally to throw stones
atthe soldiers, and that tey were standing in the
way of, and impeding The turnkey who WAS there
for the purpose of clos ng the door, ye, still there
was nothing stated which could in our VI ew al all
justly such excessively harsh and severe treat
ment othelpiess and unarmed PRISONERS when all
idea Of escape was At an end.
Under these Impressions we used every endea-
YOUR to ascertain if there the least prospect
OF mdemnlfyng any of the soldiers who hac been
guilty of the particular outrag here alluded to.
OF OF tracing AM particular death at that tin 9
TO the firing of any particular individual, but
without success and all hopes of bringing tl.s
offenders to punishment should seem to be at an
cad.
In conclusion, we, the undersigned, have ONLY
to add that whilst welament, rs we do most deep.
~, The unfortunate TRANSACTION Which has beer
the subject OF this nqu ny, we Gnl ourselves to-
tally unable to suggest any steps TO he taken as
those parts of It which seem most to call COR re-
dress and punishment.
Signed cIIAs. KING,