North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-01-08

narfrnoor Massacre.

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che walls ~ DafSmoof Prison, 10 1918.
tong after peace was DECLARED between
England and America -- Sixty Amer
leans were either killed O, xognde by the
command uf the fefoeious and Infamous
Capisln shofIlsnd.
The iournal from which the following
vstfact j. made il signed by sixty-uIne
Amrrieaa ssiicefs--msssers,l ieutenanls and
mates II yessels. who soIemnly attest its
truth in every particular.
On thr 9th Of April, al nine O'Clock, p.
NJ. Captain r. G.. Shorthand, keeper Of
the Dsflmoof prison, happened 10 diseov-
er = snail hole which had bren picked
through me NJ the inner walls of the pri-
son. nv sDme If our boys. who preferred
any employment to idleness. Upwards Of
FIVE thousand prisoners were al this time
civiily walking in The yards 81 the differ
rnl prisons, not dreaming 81 The approach
ing tragedy, and wholly unconscious Of the
existence of the little hole from which il
was "a originate. Instantly III: ringing
Of an alarm bell saluted their aslonished
ears; and scarcely had they time To look
their surprise, when the drum beat To
arms.
Curiosity alone prompted them to turn
their attention To the gate, as the only a.
venue through which they nigh. learn the
cause nf this extraordinary alarm Each one
was eager TO get nearest the information
I'LL from the pressure Of some thousands,
the gate gave way, the crowd with II, and
thos. in The rear pressed forward 50 rapid
~ that the foremost found IL impossible TO
resist the current bat were pushed entire
" through The passage.
Al this moment, Cap. Shorthand OF the
heal of the troops ~ the garrison, entered
the inner square Of the prison, aud drew
up his men in a position To charge The
prisoners. who were gazing with wonder
at this military movement, not dreaming
that themselves were lis objects. The
officers ~ The garrison peFceiving the bloody
Intention ol the keeper, would have no
hand in The business, declined giving any
orders, and resigned their power Ia Capt.
Shorthand. Alter viewing, in speeches
astpuislment, a nanPnyre that at length
HfftflfN III HAtidtN ANAff bNH odttkN tllt
prisoners, though unconscious OF blame,
began TO think il most prudent to retire
and every one FASTENED towards their re-
speclive prisons, with all possible alacrity,
The order TO fire was now given by the
kcrper, and promptly obeyed. luli vol
lev Of mnskety was discharged into a body
of several Thousand men, all retrealing in
the most neaceahle manner.
Through the gates aud iron palings that
separated the troops from the prisoners,
were these volIirs repeated for several
rounds, while the deRnceIess victims, dead
and wounded, fell thick on every side.
Their fight was IN disorder, and the
dnors Of the cells they were seeking 10 re-
gain, were soon ciogced with the wounded,
who had fallen in the passages, and the
urwounded who were flying over them.
Their murderons pursuers had now en-
tered the yards of each prison, making a
general charge on man and boy, sheathing
their ruthless baynneis IN the bodies of the |
relreating prisoners, and completing the
work OF destruction by the discharge of
another voey OF musketry in The backs Of
the hindmost who were forcing their pas
sage, over the wounded, into their prison.
Nor did they stop here-hut patroIed the
yard to find some solitary fugitive who had
sought safety in fight. One poor alright
ed wretch had fed close to the wall of the
prisons, fearing To move, lest he should |
meet his death Him those demons OF hell
discovered, and the bloody Shorthand gave
the fatal order In vain the trembling VIC
lin fell on his knees, and in that dcpIoring
attitude besought their compassion, beg
eed them to spare life almost exhausted .
nv suffering and confinement. He pleaded (
TO brutes-he appealed 10 tigers. Fire." /
cried Shorthand, and several balls were
discharged into his bosom!
This inhuman monster, having now
glul,ed his Nero appetite with blood, re-
tired with the troops, leaving the scene Of
his heroism, slippery with the life-blood Of
defenceess ffeemen, Sixty-ihree Ameri-
cans bled to crafty the spleen Of a British
Turnkey. Seven Of them were relieved by
death from the task Of telling the degta-
ding tale.
The wounded were removed from the
scene Of slaughter, as soon as practicable,
and placed in the hospital, under the d.
reclion of Mr. McGruih, head surgeon Of
the department, who used every exeriion
in his power 10 alleviate their suffering
and restore them 20 health. He demand
Ell sdmittance into the prisons, and receiv.
rd the wounded who had escaped thilher
,rev;ous 10 the doors heing closed His |