Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1831-09-01
INsuRRECTIoN OF THE BLACKS.

lNoC hnEC lION VI If1Es DLAIho'
We are indebted to the kindness of our
friend LYFsRD for the following extract of a
letter from the Editors Of the Norfolk Her
aid, containing the particulars Of most rHur
derons Iasurrsction among the blacks Of
Southampton county,. Virginia-Bait GAG.
NoRFeLK, cath Aug. 1881.
| have a horrlele, heart rending tale to
relate, and lest even its worst features might
be distorted by runner and sxasgeratisn,
have thought it proper to give ysu all and
the worst Information, that has as vet reach
ed US through the best sources of intelligence
which the nature Of the case will admit.
A gentleman arrived here yesterday ex-
press from Suffolk, with intelligence from the
upper part Of Southampton county, stating
that band Of insurgent slave. (some Of them
believed 10 DO runawsys from the neighbour
ing Swamp had turned out on Sunday night
last, and murdered several whole families, a
mounting to 40 or so individuals. Some of
the families were named, and among them
was that oil Mrs. Catharine Whitehead, sis.
terof our worthy tswnsman, DR. N G. White
head ,-whs, with her son and five daughters.
fell sacrifice to the savage ierscity OF these
demons in human shape
The InsUrrection was represented as one
oil NEST alarmIsg character, though il is
believed to have originated only in desire
to plumber, and net with yisw to more
important osject-as Mrs. Whitehead being
wealthy lady was supposed 10 have large
sum OF money 10 her house. Uniortuaately
large nnn Der Of the effective male psbuIa
ton vas absent at Camp Meeting in Gates
csunty, seme miles eli, circumstance v hicb
gave temporary security to the hrigands in
the preparation of then sutcherles; and the
panic which they struck at the moment pre-
vented the assembling Of force snfIicientte
check their career.
As seen as this intelligence was received
cur authorities met, aud deciSed on making
Immediate application 10 Col HOUSE, Gem
mandlns at Fortress Monroe, who Al o'cloek
this evening embarked in the steapboa. Has,p-
ton, with three Companies and piece Of ar
iillcry for Suffolk. These trosps were rein
forced in the Reads by detachments irpm the
u S snips Warren, asd Natchez, the whele
amounting to nearly 500 men.
Totay another express arrived from Snf-
felix, confirming the disastrous news of the
preceding one, adding still more to the Nun
Der Of the slain. The Insurgents are believ
ed to have ffsm 100 to l5e meuated men.
and about the same number on foet. They
are armed with fowling pieces, clubs, SC
and have had a rencoqnter with small mum
Der 81 the militia, who killed six and tssk
eight of them prisoners They are said 10
be on their way to South Quay, probably
making their way for the Dismal Swamp, 10
which they will be able to remain fer a short
time in security For my part, | have no
fears Of their dsins much further mischief
There is very little disaffectisn in tse slaves
generally, and they cannst muster a force
sufficient to eject any OBJECT Of importance
The few who have thus rushed head.ng into
the arena, will be sbst down like crows or
captured and made examples OF. The mill-
tia are collecting in all the neighbsring csun-
ties, aud The utmost vigilance prevails, I
subjein list Of the victims Of their savage