Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-06-17

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and that thorough investigation OF every
relative circumstance shoald then take
place.
g The prisoners then hoisted the colors
haJ-mdst on every prison, and visited the
wounded in the hospital Department. But
here scene was presented too stocking
Tor humanity. Fables were spread ana
covered with fractured legs and arms. that
had just been severed from the bodies Of
onr grooming fellow-captives. There Law
seven of our countymen, marked with
horrid wounds and bereft of life--here
above fifty were expressing their anguish
IN half-sInothered complaints or audible
groans. Our feelings can better be con
lceived than described.
g a committee Of six was then appoint
ed to take the dispositions Of those best &C.
quainted with the facts relating to this af-
| TAR. and make every proper arrangement
ior furnishing the coroner with the most
material evidence. All these dispositions
exactly agreed with the statement here Gil
ven.
g In the afternoon an admiral arrived at
the prison, attended by the captain of a
lseventy-tou. After politely INTRODUCING
themselves, they informed the prisoners
that they came, sanctioned by the proper
! authority. to make inquiries into tie past
conduct OF captain Shorthand, during his
agency, and promised that he should be
strictly Intercepted onthe subject. They
lett us witt, many fair assurances that
strict and impartial investigation should
take place with respect to his conduct.
One circumstance that occurred dur
ing the massacre ought not to be omitted.
One of the soldiers that belonged to the
same regiment that performed this work of
blood, was lighting lamp at the door of
No. S, one OF the prisons when the car.
mage commenced, and, in the hurry to re-
treat, was forced inside among the wound
ed and exasperated prisoners. In the
height OF their resentment, the eye of ven
geance was for a moment directed to the
only enemy which chance had thus thrCwn.
IN their power. Ii was but for a moment.
The dignity of the American characterwas
not thus to be sullied. To the astonish-
ment of this affrighted soldier, who was
every moment expecting TO be inundated
on the altar OF vengeance. as some atone
mentto the names of our murdered coun-
trymen, he received assurances OF safety
and protection. :. Americans never murder
their prisoners ;rest easy. Your life shall
be preserved to distinguish between the
humanity OF q British soldier. and that of
an american saitor.o Accordingly, when
the doors were opened to discharge the
wounded, this man was delivered up to his
astonished comrades, in perfect safety.
This was triumph of sentiment, that
might have filed the British soldiers with
admiration at its sublimity, and the deep
est shame for their own littleness.
g On the eighth, the coroner's jury arriv-
ed, consisting ofsixteen farmers. and COM
menced taking tie different dispositions of
each party.-The evidence on the part of
the keeper of The prison. consisted of the
very soldiers VINO committed the murder
byhis orders. The verdict of the Jury. 10
the disnay and astonishment Of every un-
preludieed man, was--Jigstitfa5le komi-
ci4e!!!
:. The following facts were fully and
completely proved, on the part Of the pri-
soners, and comprise the substance of their
evidence before the jury Of inquest viz.
g That thehole inthe wall wss unknown
to more than three-fourths Of those confin-
edin the yard where it was made. and not
a person belonging to No. I, 9, 2, and 4,
knew that such thing was ever made or
intended.
g That no kind of combination for the
purpose of escape had ever existed or even
been thought Of; and nothing had ever
been said or done, directly or indirectly,
to give color to such change or suspicion.
g That curiosity, and nothing else, urg-
ed them to the gate, aud that this curiosity
was excited by the sudden ringing of the
alarm bell.
g That TIE lock on the gate was broken
by man in a state of INVESTIGATION, and
done without the knowledge of the prison
ers.
g That the few prisoners that were for
ced through the inner gate, could not re-
sist the pressure Of the crowd behind, who
were pressing forward to learn the cause
of the alarm.
" That no violence was offered by the
prisoners but every one commenced re-
firing, when they saw the troops advanc-
ing.
q That captain Shorthand took sole
charge Of the troops, and was heard to or
der them to FIRE.
" That the prisoners were all that while
running before the soldiers to gain the in
side Of their prison.