Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-06-17
capped ;he fate of bis unfortunate fellow
captiYes.
ENTNAcT.
.Nrssacre of American P.isoners.

NJ. captain I.G. Shorthand, keeper Of the
Oartmoor prison, happened to discover a
small hole which had been picked through
one of the inner walls of the prison, by
some of our boys, who preferred any en-
pioymeut to idleness. Upwards Of live
thousand prisoners were, at this time, CT
Willy walking in the yards o. the different
prisons, not dreaming OF the approaching
tragedy, and wholly unconscious of the
existence of the little hole from which it
was to originate. Instantly the ringing OF
an alarm. bell, saluted their astonished
ears and scarcely had they time to ioos
their surprise, when the drum beat to
arms
g Curiosity alone prompted them to turn
their attention to the gate, as the only ave
nue., through which they might learn the
cause of this extraordinary alarm. Each
one was eager to get nearest to the source
of information, till from the pressure of
some thousands, the gate gave way, the
crowd with it, and those in the rear press
ed forward so rapidly, the foremost found
Il impossible to resist the current, but were
pushed entirely through the passage.
=" At this moment, captain Shorthand, at
the head of the troops of the garrison, en-
tered the inner square of the prison, and
drew UP his men in position to charge
the prisoners, who were gazing with won
der on this military movement. not dream
ing that themselves were its object. The
officers of the garrison perceiving the bloc
DIV intention OF the keeper would have no
hand in the business, declined giving any
orders, and resigned their power to captain
Shorthand. After viewing, in speeches.
establishment, maneuyre that at lenetb
seemed 10 menace their own safety, the
prisoners, though unconscious of blame.
began to think il most prudent to retire.
and every one FASTENED towards their res
pective prisons, with all possible alacrity.
The order TO fire was now given by
the keeper, and promptly obeyed. A full
yolley of musketry was discharged into a
body OF several thousand men, all retreat
ing in the most peaceable manner:
s. Through the gates aud iron pailing that
separated the troops from the prisoners.
were these vollies repeated, for several
sounds! while the defenceless victims.
dead and wounded, fell thick on every
side. Their flights was in disorder, and
the doors of the cells they were seeking to
regain, were soon clogged with the wound
ed, who had fallen in the passages, and the
mwounded who were flying over them.
:. Their murderous pursuers had now
entered she yards of each prison, making
a general charge on man and bow, sheath
ING their ruthless bayonetsin the bodies Of
the retreatiug prisoners, and completing
the work of destruction by the Discharge
oil another vOlley of musketly in the 6acES
OF the hindn0st who were forcing Their pas
sage, over the wounded, into their prison,
9 Nor did they stop here but patroled
the yard to find some solitary fugitive whoI
Rad sought safety in fight One poor af-
frighted wretch had fed close to the wall
of one of the prisons, fearing to move, lest
he should meet his death. Him those de-
mons ofhell discovered, and the bloody
Shorthand gave the fatal order. In vain
the trembling victim fell upon his knees,
and in that impioring attitude besought
their compassion, begged them to spaee a !
life almost exhausted by suffering and con-
iinement. lie pleaded to brutes-he APP
pealed to tigers. {" Fire!" cried Short
land, and several balls were discharged in
TO his bosom
This lnhuman monster, having now
" glutted his Nero appetite with blood,
retired with the troops, leaving the scene
Of his heroism slippery with the life blood
of delenceless freemen SiUty ttree .aine-
ricans 5led to crafty the spleen .ofa Bril-
tist turnkey Seven Of them were relieved
by death from the task of telling the de-
gfad;ng tale.
" Tie wounded were removed from the
scene Of slaughter, as soon as practicable.
and placed in the hospital, under the di-
rection Of Doctor Msgrath, head surgeon
OF tie department. who used every exer-
ton in his power to alleviate their suffer-
ings .end restore them to health. He de-
handed admittance INTO the prisons, and
received the wounded who had escaped
thither previous to the doors being closed.
his tenderness and humanity are acknow-
lodged with gratitude by his patients.
g y dispatch was Immediately sent TO
Plymouth, to inform the admiral and the
military cOmInandants of the traeicalI
events. On the following morning. q
strong reinforcement arrived from Ply
mouth, under the command Of colonel.
who took charge of the garrison informa-
ton OF which vas Immediately given 10 the
prisoners, accompanied with o request that
a committee be appointed from amoRe them
70 receive an explanation resDectiflo The
transactions If fhe. y,,e.~ 4, H., 49,, 80.