Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-03-28
FrOm a Now York Papar.
THE BLOODY SCENE ON BOARD TIE


PRINCETON.
The annexed letter to a gentleman of this city,
Is from Mr.. Phelps OF the u. ). Senate, who was
an eye witness of the awful carnage on board the
Princeton, and who escaped the explosion, by a
species of providenia interference. Ii is awful
~ graphic.
WAsmINcToN March 3D., 1911.
My Dear Sir-iour kim letter of yesterday
came TO hand this evening. My escape from
death by the tremendous occurrence on board the
Princeton, was narrower than you or the public
are aware. i stood at the breech of the gun, and
suppose nearer to it Than any man, except those
employed in dischareing il. 1 had with me a
young lady from Maryland, Miss Somerville,)
whom had just introduced 10 Col Benton, and
who was The only lady on board exposed. The
Colonel and were both prostra,ed, and le is on
his back still. My hat Disappeared, and have
made no inquiry for it. The young lady's bonnet
went with It-her dress torn. My surtuut
was torn open, and my paniaoons dclnulished.--
Her lace was scorched, AID the poor girl stood
like statute, unconscious. did not lose my
consciousness icr nohent l took glance at
The scene, caught her round the waist, and carried
her below. 1 witnessed scene there which |
shall not attempt 10 deScrbe-it was one OF ago
ny, phrenZy The shrIeks of a hundred females
wives, daughters, sislers-ihe beauty. the
| loneliness OF the land, are still ringing in my
ears. The impiorng appeals 10 know the fate of
The nearest and dearest object of their affection,
cannot be forgotten. Sir, sand one, '.they will
not tell me about my husband" | knew her not,
out she was at thai moment a widow. Her hus-
Dahd was blown 10 atoms. Another, i'm State of
/ frenzy, was caught in the arms OF her husband,
and assured, by his ardent embrace and fervenl
Kiss, that he was safes but the agonized being
VINO had at That moment, made that trying appeal
to me, augnrcd too surely that she would feel
that embrace more. The sternness Of mans
nature VIII encounter pan--nay, meet death bold.
~, but the agony of woman's heart in doubt and
uncertainty oil the truth, yet fearing the worst,
snrpasses ali. My friend. you will hardly believe
me, when tell you, was cam-collecied. 1t
was no Time for tfepdaton. / felt as if introdu-
ced into the presence of my Maker The scene
was uneArihIy: every selfish feeling vanished
even my OWN life was of account. | was ia
Ken 10 The portals OF eternity, and felt that was
surveying not the paliry interests of time and
sense, but mans eternal destiny. The first tear
which started IN my eye. fell upon the few lines
| which conveyed To my beloved and devoted wife
the assurance that she was not a widow, nor her
children fdthcrcss.
But it is past! The friends who, but mo-
nient before the fatal accident, were seated with
me at the festive board. blest with health and
clothed with hcnor-the select and distinguished
lew, nations pride and nations ornament, are
now IN The presence OF their G., d, whittier mus,
soon follow. My worthless life has been spared
may II not have been for the purpose OF better
preparation! AGlcu. s. s. =: