The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-11-24

AMI OdnlOHS LOT nGlp III case OF necu.-
While matters were thus in progress on
the side Of the people, the Government
were not idle. They called out four
companies of troops, and s%tationing them
in different parts OF the city TO watch and
keep down the rising spirit Of instruction
proceeded TO lorlity those parts Of the
Iaagea town and gates which need
ed it, and having SEM word to
the Government of the different Can
tons of the stale of matters in Geneva,
made an effort at reconciliation with the
committees sent from the other side Of the
river. All attempts at accommodation
having failed, and the people getting more
and more wild, cannon were brought TO
bear and the soldiers stationed near the
ends Of the different bridges for the pur-
pose Of carrying the barricades at one,and
putting an end TO the affair, at least for
the present.
The show Of cannon, however, did not
frighten the people; for while the gun
stood facing the bridge Immediately i'll
front of our Hotel, a large number of per-
sons, led on by an IL .grey-headed man,
proceeded to draw togethertwo dilligences
and a lot of wagons and carts, and barri-
caded one end O ftho bridge, amid hurrahs
and shouts from the other side Of the riv-
er. Deserters from the Soldiery were nu-
merous, and those who could not effect a
passage over the bridges, took small boats
and running the risk of being fired on
hy their comrades, made their way to the
side Of the insurgents. The firing com
menced at about 2 p. NJ. of the 9TH SIM
utlaneously a. the Porte Cornavin and on
the Place Ju Bel Air. which commands
one central bridge, and finally al the
bridge directly in front of the Hotel
de Ecu, where we were quariered. For
the first half hour the firing was incessant
on the government side principally with
cannon, and on the part Of the people
mnskets and carbines, as they had no
large guns. b. and myself were taking a
view of operations from one of the win
dows of the Hotel, when we observed the
people beginning to scatter from the
square, and a discharge of the cannon,
loaded with grape, Immediately following,
we were pretty well convinced that the
affair was growing serious. There was
but one man killed at the first discharge
Of the piece, and he, poor fellow! stand
inc directly in front Of Us, dropped as
quickly as if lightning. instead OF 3 leaden
bullet, had struck him.
The streets were now quickly cleared,
and the gun being brought to bear more
directly upon the barrlcades Of the bridge,
! the discharges were constant and tremen-
dous. The windows Of the Hotel were
broken by the conclusion, and those
fronting the river were fully exposed TO
muskeirv on the opposite bank. The
troops e~ndeayoring to advance upon the
| bridge were driven back by the directed
fire Of the insurgents, and being also ex-
posed 10 chance shots in the real from
persons secreted in the adjoining houses,
they gave up the idea of forcing the bar
ricades, but one soldier, bolder than the
rest. proceeded in face Of a heavy fire,
with torch and SOM splinsers, 10 burn
the diligence. In this he succeeded, for
in a few moments the whole pile was in
lames-diligence, wagons, carts, and all.
About this time a chance ball from a car
on the other side Of the river, entered a
window Of our dinnig-Ioom, and grazing
the table on which they were preparing
to set dinner. lodged in a mirror over the
fireplace. This was a significant hint TO
Monsieur Kohler, our landlord, TO have
dinner served in another and more shell
tered room.
The ~carnonading continued at the sew
eral points until evening, but without pro-
! ducing any decisive results. Daring the
night, the four bridges were set on fire.
but owing TO the heavy rains, they only
slightly damaged. a train. however.
had been laid on each, which would have
been fred, and the bridges blown us, had
the government troops attempted a pas
sage. Things were quiet an our side Of
the river, ell being satisfied that hard
fighting by daylight was sufficient, with
out being under arms al Dight. Sentries
were placed al every important point, and
the gates were strictly guarded. In order
that the ladies ofour party might no lon
ger be exposed to SO trying an ordeal as
The day had proved. we determined du-
ring the night to make our escape early In
+he morning, if il were possible. Fol
lowing the suggestions OF our own iudg-
ments. (for the people of the Hotel APP
peared as ignorant of the real state Of the
CITY as persons well could be- we or
dered our luggage down al half-past A.,
and taking a hearty breakfast, set out on
foot for tie shore Of the Lake, beyond the
city gates. As we came near the first
gate. we found a file Of soldiers drawn up;
and looking behind, saw, to our surprise,
a company of cavalry approaching in bat
tie array. A squad of men advanced
from the gate and warned the cavalry