The Portland gazette., 1818-07-21
ALBANY, SUNDAY, JULY %.
.fGGRAY.AYED ASN.ASSIA,dlION,

ALBANY, SUNDAY, JULY II.
.SCGRAYA1ED ASS.ASSLA.AlION,
With heartfelt emotions OF sorrow, we
announce :he untimey and distressing
death of the gallant Major BENJAMIN
BIRDSALL, OF the u. 5. Army. He was
shot ON parade this evening, few minutes
before eight, and his immortal spirit lett Its
tabernacle of clay, in one hour and dtffy fire
minutes afterwards. He was shot by sol
dier by the name of Hamilton, who had
/ been enlisted about three months. The
murder was deliberate, and the monster
exults at its perpe tration-he is in prison.
Majo Birdsall was in conversation with
Lieut. Scott, in from, ofhis markee. Ham
ilton presented himself before them, and
said Z" Major I an here" On being order
ed back 10 the ranks he made ready and dis
charged his Rife-the ball entered on the
right side, passed near the heart, and lodg-
ed IN the flesh near the back bone
In defending the rights Of his country,
;his high minded soldier met danger in its
most terrific forms-he was mutiiated in
the most cruel manner by having his face
literally shattered to pleces-has under
gone surgical operations ofthe most agon-
izing nature-suffered pains
his wounds but just healed--his prospect OF
returning happiness had barely began to
dawn, ard be has fallen the victim ot unhro-
Uoked ASSASSINATION.
MONDAY MORNING.
In addition o the foregoing, we have been
politely furnished with the following par
ticulars, by Lieut., Scott -
Major Birdsall was sitting in conversa-
ton with Lieutenant Scott, at the canton
ment, between this city and the seat OF
Gen. Stephen Van Rensseiaar--the compa-
ny was coming on parade--HamiIton came
within few yards, took deliberate aim and
fred On presenting his piece they rose,
and when the Major was falling he grasp
&c the Lieutenant hand, shook it warmly,
and said Scon, I am gone, take charge ot
the men," and directly after exclaimed " MY
God, ~ tat can all this mean 7" Mr.. Seen
enqired if he was in much pain, he answer
ed g II am in great hatn }" thc Lieutenant
expressed hope that the wound was not
| mortal, and was answered II am gone I"
Three men were Immediately dispatched
for surgical aid, and q number Of The acul
~ were on the spot in few minutes. The
citizens rushed to the camp in such nam.
bers that the posts of centinels were neces,
sarily doubled TO give fresh air 10 the de-
ceased.-He expressed wish 10 be with
his family, and was carried 10 his residence
ri l..
were Immediately posted round the house
to prevent the crowd from stopping the
free circulation of air. He said, but Iittle
| after he arrived at the house, and experien-
ced the agonleS OF death, while the surgeons
at his request, were undressing him. He
5realhed laintly for many minutes after, ap-
parently free from pain, and expired with
out struggle, or visible conyulsion of body
or wildness Of MUD. His immortal soul
fitted to the mansion Of rest, and left lis
now moulderiOg dust, the index of mind
alive TO every amiable and digniftd feeling
OF human nature, and heart glowing with
humanity and patriotism
| There can be no possible reason OWNED
for prompting the monster 10 SO foul .
murder, but the saiiating OF hendlike ma
lisnity. We are informed by Lieut.. Scott
that Hamilton Is OF refractory, quarrel
some disposition, with an uneoyernable
temper Tie was seized, bound, and in the
guar d-house IN less than minute after hr.
ing, and kept till formally demanded q
Lieut.. Scott by the civil authority. While
IN the guard. house he put his head out o,
the window, and said, 6 have done wha,
! have been wanting &c do for long time /,
lie devised plan for efEec,ing his sur.
pose secretly, by decoying the maior ou, d
sight, but falling in this, and bent upon the
black hearted design, the hardened wre;cf
came boldly TO the work of death. A few
days previous 10 The lamented catastrophe
the desperate mysteriously accosted m,
Major, with Aal0r, I mil tell you some
Ting fdaf via make you oaen yonr eyes !