The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-03-02
BY THE SOUTHERN MAIL.
Washington.
Correspondence of the H.rsld.l
WAsUtNaToN Doth Feb IQA

Further Particulars Of the Great CalIn,,fy
From the multitude OF accounts which must have
reached you since wrote to you last evening, you
will have obtained the leading particulars in addi-
ton to those sent, of the awful catastrophe which
has literally plunged nation in grief and agony
All the usual forms OF language utterly fail in con-
veying any adequate conception of this horrible
amity | think there was very little, if any sound
sleep in this city last night. Muhtudes Of eyes
were never closed in sleep at all others were filled
with tears from night till morn, but 1t is most pain
full to add that not few eyes could shed no tear.
Among these last was Mrs. Gilmer-poor, distract
ed woman-whose eyes, as Mr.. Wise said. were
=" arid ashes"
Many, many stout hearts have broken and melted
now which never softened before. Think Of those
berett-and terribly bereft. All, think, who
were killed had large families to deplore their
timely end. Had they died natural death, in the
ordinary of Providence, their loss would
have been most painfully distressing. But to be 80
taken from time to eternity! Who can, unmoved,
contemplate the fact! "Tell me said Com Ken
mons wife" Oh tell me, if he is dead don't de-
ceive me'' Mr.. Holmes, M. c., from S. c., igno-
rant of his death, and in the kindness OF his heart,
assured her that he was not dead, but safe. Still
she was not content Mr.. Holmes pledged her
his honor that he not dead. This was over
heard by Mr.. Sykes, M. c., from New Jersey who
| beckoncd him away from the frantic woman to
| sure him that he was mistaken-that Com. Kennon
| was dead.
The reports of the frenzed remarks Of Mrs.
| Gilmer, mainly true. Senator flanagan de-
| scribes her wandering in her mind-"No, no
he is not dead he cannot be dead He was with
me but moment ago! Bring me my husband =
where is he Dead! Yes, he is deadv' and then,
with vacant smile of incredibly, again denying
the evidence. "Oh, that she could weep" said
her surrounding friends. But she wept not.
few minutes before the fatal explosion toasts
were drank at the table. Judge Upshur was called
on for his toast. In attempting to comply, he took
up accidentally an empty bottle, and pleasantly re-
marked that the dead bodies (alluding to the emp
ty bottles) must be cleared away before he could
give his toast Accidentally another empty bottle
was pushed within his reach-and he again repeat
| ed the joke, which was seized upon with applause,
that the dead must be taken away. This drew from
Captain Stockton the reply that there were plenty
of living (meaning bottles) to supply the place of
the dead.
At the same time the President gave the
toast-"The Princeton and her three guns-the
Peace Maker, the Oregon, and Captain Stockton
but the greatest of them is Captain Stockholm
IhcSc cSulIs 6cHtcIIIeH tHcH WltHuIcW IIOm
convvial table to make room for others--and
within ten minutes Judge Upshur himself was
lifeless "body."
1t is most remarkable circumstance that song
and wine should have been, as they undoubtedly
were, the means of saving, no one knows how
many lives For in the hilarity of the occasion,
songs were called for. And the Captain and
others withdrew to attend the firing of the
"Peacemaker' the third time (and at the request
of Secretary GilmeD Mr.. Waller the Presidents
y son-in-law, commenced singing song by general
e request This detained the party for the most part
below, to the preservation Of many lives.
: While going down to the Princeton in the morn
ing, Commodore Kenn pleasantly remarked to
Captain Saunders Gf have his name right that
, if any accident should happen to him this occa-
sion, that he rs. would be next in command at
y the Navy Yard. Little did either of them then
think that the event would be so soon and so aw-
! fully realized.
. Senator Phelps, OF VT, escaped with young
e lady upon his arm, almost miraculously. In that
I spirit of manly confidence and honorable pride
which gentleman of gallantry likes to exhibit he
insisted upon taking the lady very near the fatal
gun upon its discharge. Senators Benton and
Phelps, and this young lady were, therefore, stand
ing almost within reach of the gun when il burst.
; The hats Of all three were blown overheard and
lost. Ali were knocked down-as has been already
stated
And it is worthy Of notice that a large numbe r
of persons had their clothes burnt we'll nigh of of
them, who were not otherwise injured.
The following is a list of the wounded, as have
this day learned:-
Captain stockton-badly burned in the face but not 90
riously injured
Lieutenant Hunt also burned in the face but not se
riously
Mr. Perinc, the Secretary of tho Princeton has the
hearing OF his right injured the extent Of ultimate
damage not yet knownhis le also has bit of iron
edged in the flesh and the bone is somewhat injured
The gunner, II 5. King also badly hurt. He was
, AIKEN TO Alexandria.
\ james Green, seaman.
VIM. Taylor, both legs broken, ordinary seaman.
Al e. n Robinson seaman.
: John Kissick, badly hurt, quarter master.
James II Dunn, mari ne.
i | James Traso. ordinary seaman.
| Charles Lewis, captain forecastle.
VIM. H. Canning, fireman.
John Potter, ordinary seaman.
{ | have been on board the Princeton this morn
ing, and have learned that il is hoped the wounded
( subordnates will all recover. They all remov.
= ed to the Navy Yard, with the exception Of the
, gunner and officers.
!. The Hon. Henry A. Wise, Robert Tyler, anc
numerous ether gentlemen went down this morn.
ing TO meet the committee appointed by the Presi
dent to make formal investigation into the mat.
ter, and prepare for the funeral
On arriving at the Princeton found that collins
for all the deadwere already board and several OF
the bodies had been already washed and put in
their final resting place. While this sad work was
going on. the committee alluded to, composed of
Com. Shubrick, Captain Ramsay, Col. Murray, of
n Y, Reuben M. Whitney, and others, were pre-
pairing their report which will be published
The report not only honoraby acquits Captain
Stockton, and all the officers Of the Princeton Of
the least blame, but deeply sympahiscs with him
and the afflicted Estates the authority OF Lieut.
Hunt that the gun was only loaded wihtwenty-five
nonnds of nouder-thaf II had been fired with for