The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-09-18

In consequence of the appearance Of officer Kline,
an important witness, at Lancaster to- day the fur
Their investigation postponed until Thursday
next, at nine O'Clock. a. III.
Altogether, the civil posse furnished By Marshal
keyser at the request Of the United States Mar
shall, twenty two arrests have been made, the
prisoners now all being confined in Moyamen.
sing. The testimony against some OF them isvery
strong.
Some thirty officers remain duty, and are
using the most active exertions in ferreting out
the offenders.
Correspondence of the Baltimore Clipper.
The Christiana Slave Riot.
The SLAVE Riot in Pen,isyipania-Ihe Condition Of
the Wotinded-Aeeounto Of the Afray furnished by
Participant
MoNKToN. BALTIMORE Co., Sept. Is
Being on a short visit to this section ! have
thought that relation of the circumstances con.
nected with the recent murder of Mr.. Edward
Gorsuch by band of fugitive slaves in Lancaster
county, Pennsylvania, | have obtained them,
might be acceptable TO your numerous readers,
whose minds. | doubt not, In common with every
resident in this vicinity anxious to learn the
true particulars Of the lamentable occurrence. Be
ing DESTROYS OF ascertaining for myself the correct
history OF the transaction, | this morning paid
visit to the residence of Mr.. Joshua Gorsuch, (ne
phew OF the deceased) who resides about three
miles from this place, accompanied by Joshua
tlutchins and John Bowen, esqs., who kindly offer
ed to conduct me thither. found Mr.. Gorsuch,
been very seriously injured, able to be about and
converse freely in regard to the painful occurrence
in which he had taken such active part. He
was still suffering from weakness and severe
pain in the head. His principal injury Is severe
wound in the back of the head, from which serious
results were at first apprehended. But, under the
skilful of his physicians, he is now rapidly
covering. Owing to the confusion and excitement
which existed at the time of the atfray and subse
quently, it s natural to suppose that Mr. Gorsuohs
recollection of many incidents may not be entire
y correct yet, of every important fact and occur
renee which came under his observation, he APP
peared TO have very distinct remembrance.
On the Tuesday evening previous to the occur
renee, Mr.. Gorsuch says he and several others
went up TO Penningtonville, reaching there that
night. This place Is not far from Chrlstiana, and
here he expected to meet the elder MIR. Gorsuch,
his son, and the United States Marshal, whom they
were to bring with them. Knowing the slaves were
living somewhere in the vicinity of Christiana MIR.
Gorsuch says he was anxious to go IN search OF
them that night, but failed in meeting with MIR.
Edward Gorsuch or the marshal and, having no
warrants, were in doubt about proceeding. After
long and tiresome wandering in search OF Mr..
Edward Gorsuch, he at length found him toward
daybreak on Wednesday morning. II appeared
that Mr.. Edward Gorsuch had had his suspi-
cions aroused towards coored man who came
up in the same train with him from Phiadel-
phia, and who had been seen watching them when
they got out of the cars at Peningtonvile. To
avoid this fellow, the old gentleman and his son
had taken circuitou5 route, and thus they were
unable to meet Mr.. Joshua Gorsuch, anticipated.
Finding it impracticabe to do any thing at this
time, "wednesday mornipg,) il was deemed beet
to seek some place where they could remain until
night, and they accordingly determined to go up
to Gallaghersville some distance from the place in
which the negroes were living, in order 10 avoid
being noticed and arousing suspicion AT this
time two men, who came up from Philadelphia
with Mr. Gorsuch to assist him, left and promised
to return at night, but, they never did 80, II Is
supposed that they were in the employ OF the abo-
xIa,- tbn
at Christana were informed Of the movements for
the arrest of the fugitives.
The party went to Gallaghersville in the cars;
and, as further precaution, went two miles Beyond
the place and walked back During the day the
marshal arrived, and after conference it was de-
termined to endeavor to make the contemplated ar
rests that night. Two of the fugitives named Mel
SON and Hammond, were supposed to be living
about two miles from Gaag hersviiie and the other
two, Josh. and Noah, were thought to be near
Chrstiana. Being unacquainted with the country.
and having for precauion sake to avoid the public
road, and pursue circuitous paths, il very late
at night before the party, which now embraced
seven persons, including the deputy marshal, Kline,
reached the vicinity of the house in which the slaves
Nelson and Hammond supposed TO be har-
bored
Whilst on their road thither they passed small
house, and were greatly surprised to hear as they
passed the sound of horn, blown, as was thought,
by some one in. the house. Seeing no one, how
ever, they continued on their way, and finally,
they judged, were near the house they were seek
ing. just as they reached lane some one was
heard singing close by, and MIR. Edward Gorsuch
Immediately recognising the voice as that of his
own slave Nelson, forward and found that his
conjecture was correct. He at once called to the
negro, telling him that he knew him, and that he
had better give himself up, as it would be better
for him. The negro, however. turned and ran,
pursued by his master and the entire party. Pur
suing the fugitive along the lane short distance,
they suddenly came upon small house, into
which he darted and ran up stairs, fastening the
stair door behind him. MIR. Gorsuch and the others
followed into the house. But, although ii was per-
fecty dark, being yet some time before day break,
il ascertained that those in the house had
all taken refuge up stairs. The marshal, after
holding consultation with the others, advised
that some should go for more assistance, being
unwilling to attempt the arrest of the parties with
out more force, although it was highly probable
that there were not more than five or six persons
in the house. Mr.. Joshua Gorsuch says he strong
ly opposed this advice, and urged capturing the
fugitives at once.
After much time had been lost in useless delibe-
ration, day began to dawn, and presently horn
was sounded by some one in the room above them
which was repeated at intervals for considerable
time. This being understood a signal for assist
ancc, the marshal began to threaten those above,
and called upon them to surrender at once. Old
Mr.. Gorsuch wanted to go up stairs himsel and rea
son with Nelson, but he was prevented from making
the attempt by the marshal Presently some one
above stairs commenced throwing out billets of
wood upon those below, who were now standing in
front of the house. One of the pieces struck Mr..
Joshua Gorsuch, and another fell upon Dr. Thomas
Pearce. injuring both slightly. just about this
time black fellow was seen to emerge from corn
field Immediately opposite the house, having a
scythe in his hand. The marshal, being advised,
summoned him TO aid him, when he Immediately
turned and disappeared. Some one here fired a
gun out of the second story window, the charge
passing directly over the elder Mr.. Gorsuch's
head, and it was apparent to all that the aim had
been made for him. He was standing at the
time about fifteen feet from the window, and it
was surprising that he escaped receiving some of
the shot. Immediately another gun was pointed
out the window toward Mr.. Joshua Gorsuch, but
in thia the merely er nloded and the