Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-01-30
RIOTS ON TIE LINE OF THE CANAL.

We regret to have to inform our readers that
the account ofthe paciGcation Of the riot among
the laborers upon the Chesapeake and Ohio
Canal. above and below Williamsport Tin
Washington county, Md turns out to be pre-
mature. Since the return of the Hagerstown
volunteers, with a number of the men under ar
rest. fresh and fatal hostilities have broke out,
in the course of which, as appears by the fol-
lowing account, a number Of lives have been
lost:-Not. Int.
WnLIAMspoRT, (Md.) January IS.
Since the foregoing event, great commotion
has existed among the hands. Very little work
has been done, and a state of alarm and war
like preparation has taken place. On Thurs
day last, we are informed, a party OF C0TkOnianS
comitted excuses along the line above this
place. Yesterday morning a small party We're
seen approaching this place from above, and
were met on the Aqueduct and driven back by
an opposing party of their countrymen in the
town. In this affray one man was very serious
ly beaten and wounded. The citizens of the
town, with commemorate alacrity, soon put
themselves in military order, under arms for the
balance of the day, and the greater part of the
night.
This scene was soon followed by another
which resulted in a disastrous battle and seve-
oil utdlliS. n puit( vi 4 ~ 10 Il HOHSJO| %
consisting Of about three hundred men, headed
by intrepid leaders, were announced as APP
preaching from below. Their design, they
stated to be, to pass up the line of the canal to
the upper dam, for the purpose of exhibiting
their strength, and not to commit a breach Of
the peace, unless attacked. They were armed
in part with guns, but principally with helves,
clubs, &c. They passed up quietly over the aque-
duct and on their way, as we learn, three or
four hundred more of the same party fell in
to their ranks. At the upper dam, in a field on
the other side Of Middlekautf's, they met the
enemy in battle array, drawn up on the top of
d hill, about three hundred in number, and arm
ed. in part, with military weapons.
The information we have is, that the attack
or at least a challenge to the combat, was made
by the latter party. Volleys of shot were ex-
changed; some men were seen to fall, and
the party above began to fall back and dispense
before the superior forces of their enemy. A
pursuit ensued through the woods, where fire.
quent firing was heard, and no doubt many
lives were taken. Persons uhO bdrerSed the
fed after the battle raS orer, ObSerUed fre men
IN the agonieS ofdeaM, ehohad been SHOT through
the head; several de0d bodies Were seen Ia the
WOodS, and q number DOunded Ia euery direction.
Those who observed the battle described it as one
of the greatest rage and most deadly violence.
All the deaths and wounded are reported to
have been of the C0rkOniaaS.
ABDUL Ten CIOCh last lISul lIlc FtClOl lOIS pdi-
ty returned, and passed quietly through this
place, hating a few moments in one of the public
streets, to their respective sections and shan
tees below the town. Quiet was restored tor
the balance of the night.
We have thus attempted merely a sketch of
the horrid barbarities committed in this neigh
borhorhood through the past week. The pub
lie peace had been outraged, and the civil au-
thorities condemned. 1t remains for the officers
of justice to take the necessary steps to repair
the gross violations Of the law.
PosTscRIPT.-Since writing the above, a prin-
cipal leader ofone of the parties has been ar
rested for examination. The volunteer COM
panies have arrived from Hagerstown, comman-
ded by Col VIM. H. FITzHUGH, who is also
Sheriff of the County, and are now in readi-
ness to aid the civil authority. An express has
been despatched to the Seat of Government for
a sufficient re OCULAR force, to be sent on and sta
toned here, or at other suitable points along
the line of the Canal to preserve order among
the laborers, and for the purposes of general
observation-disclosures.