Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-09-01
INSURRECTION IN VIRGINIA
AND MASSACRE OF WHITES.

our readers in Saturdays Gazette, has
been fully confirmed by the two last
mails. We give below, extracts Of sew
cral letters, and some Of 'be newspaper
accounts Of this heart rending occur
renee.
Communicated by Mr.. Layford, under date Of
NORFOLK, oath August, 1881.
/ have a horrible heart rendering tale
to relate, and lest even its worst feature
might be distorted by rumor and exag-
geration, have thought it proper to give
you all and the worst information, that
has as yet reached us through the best
sources of intelligence which the nature
of the case will admit.
A gentleman arrived here Yesterday
express from Suffolk, with intelligence
from the upper part of Southampton coun-
ty, stating that band of insurgent slaves
(some of them believed to be runaways
from the neighboring Swamps, had turn
ed out on Sunday night last, and mur-
dered several whole families, amounting
to 40 and 80 individuals. Some of the
families were named, and among them
was that Of Mrs. Catharine Whitehead,
sister of our worthy townsmun, DR.. \. &.
Whitehead, who, with her son and five
daughters, fell sacrifice to the savage
ferocity Of these demons in human shape.
The InsurrectiOn was represented as
one of IA most alarming character, though
it is believed to have originated only in a
design to plundcr, and not with view to
a more important obiect-.s - Mrs. White
head being n wealthy lady, was suppos-
ed to have had large sum in her house.
Unfortunately large number of the eff
iective male population was absent at
Camp Meeting in Gates county, some
miles off, circumstance which gave
temporary security to the brigands in the
perpetration Of their butcheres; and the
panic which they struck at the moment
prevented the assembling of force suf-
ticient to check their career.
As soon as the intelligence was re-
ceivcd, our authorities met, and decided
on making an immediate application to
Col. House, commanding at Fortress
Monroe, who, at 6 o'clock this morning,
embarked on board the steamboat Hamp-
ton, with three companies and piece of
artillery for Suffolk. These troops we're.
reinforced into the Roads by dctach-
men,s from the y. S. ships Warren and
Natchez, the whole amounting to nearly
800 men.
To-day, another express arrived from
Suffolk confirming the disastrous news Of
the preceding one, and adding still more
To the number of the slain. The insur-
gents are believed to have from 100 to
80 mounted men, and about the same
number on foot They are armed with
fowling pieces, clubs, sc. and have had
a renconter with a small number Of the
militia, who killed six and took eight of
them prisoners. They are said to be on
their way to South Quay, probably maxi
ing their way for the Dismal Swamp, in
which they will be able to remain for a
short time in security. For my part, ]
have no fears Of their doing much further
mischief. There is very little disafiec-
ton in the slaves generally, and they
cannot muster force sufficient to effect
any object Of Importance. The few who
have thus rushed headIong into the !are-
ma, will be shot down like crows, or cap
tured and made examples of. The mill
tia are collecting in all the neighboring
counties, and the utmost vigilance pre-
walls.
Muskets, pistols, swords and ammuni-
tion have been forwarded to Suffolk to-
day, by Com. Warrington, at the request
of our civil authorities and n number Of
our citizens have accoutred and g rmed
themselves as troop Of cavalry, and set
Southampton is bounded by the counties ofTsle
of IA ipht IN Tho North apd No.,h.un,u. a..