True Democrat. (Paulding, Miss.) 1845-18??, 1845-09-03
MARMADUKE GARDNER

HORRIBLE MASSACRE AT ALGIERs.--The
last acounnt from Algiers bring intelligence
Of one of the most atrocious and diabolcal
cases of massacre that ever occurred in the his
tory Of any age or nation. tits thus recorded
in the Retorme, Partisan paper
On the 18th Of June, the expedition arrived
before the grotto of the Dahara, in which the
Arabs had taken refuge Two of these hillocks
(mametous) are united by very deep raviae.
This wall is called the Cantera. It forms one
ofthe largest grotos Of the Dahara, and since
the time Of the Turks the Arab tribes have
here found a refuge against tyranny. The
Cantera on one side has two entrances, placed
the one above the other. On the side, there are
only two very narrow assures. Col Pelssier
drew up his column in front Of the large OPEN
ings A hot fire was raised from the opening
which was answered by a flsilade from the
troops that was less effective than it would other
wise have been from the darkness Of the place.
During this time the troops were busy gather.
ing bundles Of wood, and heaping up stubbe
and other rubbish Colonel Pelissier intended
nothing less than 10 smoke and burn the thou.
sands Of Arabs whom he supposed to be block
ed up in these subterTanean caverns The bust
ness commenced. The combustibes were
thrown into the Iavne. Fire was put to them,
and the fire waskept till evening This oc-y
CURED on the 18th OF June. On the morning
ofthe 18th, the Arabs vfnured to come out Of
the cavern. They came to hear the propositions
Of the Colonel They were made to pass
through the camp, where they could see the
immense heaps prepared for their destruction,
the lighted torches, &c. They returned TO their
caverns, there to perish with their wives, their
children, and their properly The conditions
made by Colonel Pelissier we're so severe that
they could not listen to them. Then the fire
commenced. Il lasted the whole day from two
o'clock, and was continued throughout the
night The soldiers were kept to this detesta-
bic work by gangs, and It was, / assure you, a
for them amidst the heart rending
cries and sounds which arose from the interior.
For long time the fire rose in double column
at the two entrances to the cavern but on the
2Oth there only remained a mass Il half burnt
and smoudering charcoal, and al sounds from |
The interior had ceased
Il was decided that the cavern should be en- !
erred. A lhousand persons were accumulated
IN this horrible dungeon, from which there was /
no issue At the bottom dead bodies were found
sanding, the faces Of The victims being pressed
lgaius the assures Of the rocf, 10 the iruitleSs
hope Of getting m0uihful ofsir 10 brsaihe-
About seventy persons who were sill living,
'xPired as soon as they were brought into the
'pen ar Others died from icing crushed by
1ieces Of rock, which was deisebed By The
leat A great number were found with aabs
i yaiagas upon their bodieS Some had q
Treai number Of wounds, and i was eTidcnuhai
q The oaurss ofthsi dreadful night, end il The
lldH Of The horrible darkness a terrible srug-
he had occurred, Of which these were tie
lsrks- Alteady, nearly 600 bodies bad been
iken oui Of he cavern, and there are many
iore ysi IN il, which we have been uuablsto
each Eigh huudre5 msn. women sB8 child
n have psrithed Thswhols ofths Rishs is
Iisrminzicd.