Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-07-08

poSetl---
That he was standing at the market gate at
the time captain Shorthand came into the market
square with large party of soldiers CT beng
then about o'lock,) They immediately formed
a line in the square-at that time humber OF
prisoners got into the square from the yard of No
1pfison, and had advanced Few steps the sol
diers then changed, sad the prisoners immediate
iyretreaed TO Their prison, without the least re-
sIstaiice. After the prisoners had retired 20 the
yards OF the prison, the soidiery formed a line
and commenced firing into the yards, The prison
gates being closed by the prisoners shortly after
they kept Jap heavy fire, and saw one man fall.
immediate ely hasteDed 10 No. prison., but on
reaching No. z, tosnpd there was n party of SOL
diers on The wall, firing from every direction I
then got safe in No. z, where, after remaining at
thenorth end window a few moments, Isa7v man
{ a prisoner leaning against the 10aH. apparensiy
1cc,mded, .oit his haRds az a sw6bkcaflag posture
az tie same nne sGe several soiisrs present and
fire at ne p'iso,er, and he immediately jeR dead on
the spot.
ENoCH RURNHAM.
No. g.
Edward Co5r, being duly sworn, deposed, that
on the 9th April, about O'Clock in The after
noon, few PRISONERS belonging TO No. and Z
prisons, broke hole through the wall opposite
No. prison, as they sad, 20 get bali out ofthe
barrack yard, which they had lost IN their play
After they had broke through the wall, the Off
Ger and soldiers that were IN the barrack yard,
told them to desst or they would fire upon them
Immediately after that, the drum beat to arms,
and the square was filled with soldiers, and IL
out telling The prisoners to go to their prison. I'M
mediately commenced TO charge and fire upon
them. Immediately started TO 20 to No. S prl-
son, and the soldiers on the platforms on the
walls commenced firing. and should think near
forty fired at myself and three others-I am sure
there were no other men IN sight, at that time
between No. S. and prisons. In gong round
NO. cooS;l@ise, prisoner vas shot and killed,
very near me-
EDWARD COFFIN.
Attest, Henry Allen.
Thomas B. YHotf, having been duly sworn, de-
posed
About o'clock in the evening of the 9th ar
April, l was called on by q number of persons
requesting me, rs one of the committee to put
q stop to some boys whom they SAID Were picking
q hole drough al inner w'sll, for which, the,
SAID our provisions would be stopped TO pay for
l asked what was Their intentions in making the
hole they said it was for the purpose Of OBJ.
tanning ball which they had lost in their play
then repaired with number of respec able
men, TO make them desist; but before we got in
the yard quick firing commenced. On my
walking up the yard met by a number of
prisoners retreating TO their prisons, much alarm
ed; one of which 1 observed was badly wounded;
he was bleeding freely from his wounds l could
see the yard was clear of prisoners, on not more
than two or three TO be seen, and they retirne,
fast i requested the wounded man to lean on
me, and would assist him m some med cai a d.
We had not advanced but few steps when we
were fired on. ] advanced, assuring the soIdiery
we had no hostile intentions. then took the
fainting man in nv arms, when volley of mus
kerry was discharged full at us. l then retired
immediately there was but one of my prison
doors unlocked, which was on the back of the
prison. On turning the corner OF the cook-house
found myself unexpectedly open TO the fire Of
soldiers on the ramparts of the south wall their
fire was kept UP in so brisk a manner that it ap-
peared almost impossible to enter without being
shot but finding my situation very dangerous
was determined to enter the prison or de in the
attempt. For that purpose myself, with "a num-
Der of others that had been standing behind the
wing Of the cook-house, sailed out for the pur-
pose of gaming our prison door, when a volley of
musket balls showeFed in amongst us, killing.
two and wounded others. On our entering the
prisons, our doors were shut to keep them from
firing in. Some little time after the turnkey in
quired for me; went forward to the window
he requested me TO deliverup the dead & wound
cd, was insuited by the soldiery, and on nv
replying, was charged upon, and witl.~dificui-
ty escaped without being butchered they
likewise insulted the wounded as gave them up
and threw the dead down in the mud, and spurn.
ed at them III very unfeelng manner.
THoS. b. MOTT.
No. IL
], WiHinm .7EfcheU, being duly sworn mon
the holy eyangelists of Almighty God, depose &
say
That, on the evening Of the 9th of APRIL when
the alarm commenced was in the lower mart
OF No, 1 yard. I walked up towards the gate 10
learn the cause when had got about half way.
heard a single musket fred, and immediateiy
after whole volley. then saw several men
carrying one that was wounded, the soldiers
Keeping up the whole time steady fire. and
the prisoners all endeavourng to get into the pri-
sons the lower doors beng closed in the inte-
rim, It was with much difficulty they could get
in, The soldiers pursuing them the Whole time &.
charging on them with bayonets and after get
ting INTO the prison, heard The firing of musRet
ny IN all directions round the pgison-and further
Che deponent saith not
WILLIAM MITCHELL.
No -.
!, JOlh g. CdtoheE, having been duly sworn
depose and say
That twas walking in the yard, towards the
gate. The First ] knew, was the soldiers com
lnginto the yard, with captain Shorthand al tbair
head, when an immediate FIRE began from the sol
diers, and one man fellwithm six feet ofme.-
While IN the act of rendering this man assistance.
heard captain Shorthand order the soldiers to
klll the damn'd rascal-meaning me iynnedi. i
ately The soldiers came ard priokcd me with
Their bay0ncts. and ] was forced 20 min 70 the