New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-03-02
From our Evening Edition OF yss,erdaF.
The dreadful affair at Wa.hingt on-Fur-
Their Particulars.

The dreadful affair at vashington-Fur-
Their Particulars.
The deep and narrowing anxiety in the public
mind to become acquainted with all the clrcum-
stances of the awful catastrophe at Washington
recorded yesterday induces US to extend the space
in our Evening Edition as much as possible. We
90 on with our extracts without further preface:
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2S-Niehr.
The awful and tremendous tragedy of the Prince
ton on the excursion above mentioned, will not at
late hour it ito attempt to describe Some wonder
ful condolences were remarked in connection with
it, Ii occurred opposite the tomb OF Washing
Ton; the gun was called 1.-The Peacemaker:''
Mr.. Upshur had FIVE minutes before observed that
one might be made 10 reach .Nerico." The Ter
an Charge was near Mr.. Upshur, and had been in
earnest conversation with him for some time The
Charge wept bitterly the mangled corse. Ii
was adys day for visiting the Princeton, and tlrong
of ladies were on board, but not one was severely
hurt. One lady had her bonnet carried away by
an iron fragment. Another lady, whose husband
was wounded rushed among the dying, and
raised him up and bore him away where there was
| wafer. Mr.. WILKINS was present, and moment
was Secretary of War, he could not stand fire, and
he turned himself round behind mast, but he had
| not fairly done il before the fatal explosion took
place. ANXIOUS.
The correspondent OF The Plebeian says:
When the rush was made TO the bow to lend
aid to the sufferers, Messrs. Upshur and Gllmer
were both still breathing. A heavy piece of the
Peacemaker's metal lay across their bodies. AS
soon as this was removed and the attempt was
made to straighten them they both ceased to
breathe. Mr.. Gilner had a tremendous cash
over the right eye, which alone would have caus
ed his death he was dreadfully acerated all over,
however. MIR. Upshur had both his legs and one
arm broken, and wide and frlghtiul wound IN
the abdomen. Commodore kennon was struck
fair in the face and his countenance shocklngly
mashed. He and Col. Gardiner, Mr.. Maxcy
and the Presidents servant were killed on the
spot. Mr.. Benton was able to be conveyed home
this evening, and Capt Stockton, It is believed
has suffered internally and is very low.
The Presidents Youngest son was saved by
Mr. Mass, who playfully prevented him from 60
ing to sec the gun fired, and dragged him back to
take wine with HIM.
The President, about 10 at night, drove down
in carriage to Browns Hotel and took the two
Misses GARDENERS up to the White House.
The correspondent Of the Philadelphia Ledge
writes:
Meantime the table had again been set for the
gentlemen, and we repaired down to Join the
general merriment. Captain STOCKTON was the
first toast and the cabin re-echoed the cheers and
paudits Of the company. "The President" was
then drank, followed by nine cheers, to which
the President repedby giving I" the Oregon, the
Peacemaker, and Captain Stockton" A num-
Der of toasts were then proposed and drank with
all the honors of Mr.. Benton, Col. Smith, of n.
York, Senator Woodbury., and others, and at last
Miss Wickliffe, daughter of the Postmaster Cen
eral, proposed "the American Flag, the only
thing American that will bear stripes" This
was received with laundering appause-the
Young ladys health was drank with three times
three and herself declared worthy of marrying
hero Scarcely was that toast drank when the
whole scene was changed into wretchedness and
wo.
Another account says
At this moment Mr.. Upshur had his hand on
the Presidents arm, and said, "Come, MIR. ~
Ter, let's 60 up and see the gun fired' Just then
Col. Dade asked Mr.. Waller Nhe Presidents
son.in.law) to sing an old song about l776. The
President replied, No, by George, Upshur, |
old favorte of mine; you go up, and IL JOIN you
directly" Accordingly, away went Upshur and
Gilmer, Wilkins and Nelson, to see the gun fired.
Messrs. Benton, Phelps, flanagan. Jarnagin,
Miss Woodbury., Mr. and Mrs. Wethered, Chas.
Augustus Davis, Mr.. David Gardiner, Virgil
Maxcv, Commodore Kennon, and many others
went on deck The President remained below
listening to the song and just as Mr.. Waller came
IN tho name of WASHINGTON - off went the gun.
Z" There said Mr.. Schaumberg, (mastcr of the
ceremonies "that's in honor Of the name; now
for three cheers And just as they were about
to give them, boatswain's mate rushed into the
cabin covered with powder, and said that the big
gun had exploded, and killed many of those on
deck.
The correspondent OF the Philadelphia Ledger
thus graphically and patheically describes scene
more truly agonising than any which the Tragic
Muse herself has ever painted.
The most heart-rendng scene, however, was
that which followed. The two daughters OF
Mr. Gardiner, of New York, were both on board,
and lamented the death of their father, while
Mrs Gilmer, from whom they in vain attempted
to keep the dreadful news of the deathof her bus
band presented truly spectacle fit to be depicted
by a tragcdan.
There she sat on deck, with her hair dlshevel-
ed, pale as death, struggling with her feelings,
and with the dignity of woman. Her lips
ouiverng, her eyes fixed and upturned, without
tear. only the corners little moist, sollloquZ-
ING {" Oh certainly not Mr.. Gimer cannot be
dead Who would dare to iDjure him? Yes,
oh Lord have mercy upon me! Oh Lord, have
mercy on him." And then still more apparently
calm and seeming to be collected with the furies