The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-09-19

History OF ,he Chrisi,ana Tragedy.
MEssRs EDITORS; Having seen various and contra.
dictory reports concerning the tragic fate OF my father
and the attendant circumstances, have thought best
10 per form the painful task of giving you some facts IN
reference thereto, which may be relied upon.
Nearly three years ago four negroes between The ages
OF 10 and %, fled from my fathers, III Baltimore county
nineteen miles from the city, into Pennsy lsana lhese
negroes were 10 be free at the age OF ~ ana ms iac
they knew II had come TO the knowledge OF my iaiher
that they had sold wheat, stolen from him 10 i.ee ne
gro. warrant got out Tor me arrest OF me iiee
negro which coming TO the ears OF MS 'he5
resolved (he EVENING" 10 make goou lher escape.
This was in November. During the winter 1t was re.
ported that these men suffering Tor food coored
man was sent 10 nd heh am e no,hn, n
be said 10 them about their theft They were found but
did not return :, -,
and papers, attended BY deputy marshal and two con-
stables from Philadelphia, my father, his son, (Dickn
SON. his nephew, tDr Thos l. g Pearce,) Joshua Cor.
SUCH Nathan Nelson and Nicholas Huichns, set out the
first OF last week for the OF intended arrest The
plan arrest the fugilives Wednesday morning.
but this was frustrated by the appearance of the dep
uy marshal, who had the authority and the papers Both
the Philadelphia constables returned TO the city, with the
understanding that they were to come back at night with
marshal. The delinquent marshal made his appear
ance on "Wednesday morning about o'clock, urging as
excuse for his failure that he had been followed by
negro, whom he knew to be spy. In endeavoring TO
elude his pursuit and prevent the discovery OF his posse
by rapid driving he broke his wagon. It was then agreed
that they would attempt the arrest Thursday morning.
return on "wednesday night but these did not come,
Deputy Marshal Henry H. Kline, and the five gentle
where two Of the unaways supposed TO live, jus,
about morning dawn. This house stands near the head
of the Great Valley. in Lancaster county. about two
miles from the village OF Chrsliana The valley here is
about threequarters OF mile broad, quite ough-ke in
shape, and bordered with wood Across this valley runs
narrow, rough lane. About $50 yards from The south
border of the valley, and 100 yards from the lane
that it, stands the house of the fugitive,
nected with the larger lane by short lane twelve feet
wide, AS THIS party at this early hour were proceeding
house, one OF the negroes who recognised as Mel
son, the mouth of the short lane and, upon
ing these men, ran towards the house, all the party in
full chase The negro barrel made his escape. One man
stationed at each corner OF the house TO guard the
windows The house is two stories in height, and the
The marshal and my father entered the house. Mr..
Kline asked for the owner OF the house, told them he
purpose OF arresng Mr. Gorsuch's slaves Nelson and
Joah. He then read to them the warrants, and while
doing this he heard them loading their guns up stairs
The marshal and ray father started both together to go
up stars the latter having first called TO Nelson that he
him, and told him that if he would come down
peaceably and 60 home with him, he would treat him as
kindly as before he ran away. Resistance, he said,
would do good, for he with the proper officer
and authority and he would not leave the premises with
out his property While they were on the steps and in.
tending TO proceed of the negroes struck at them
with staff shod with sharp iren My father then turned
and went out the door. Just he got out gun was
fired at his head from OF the windows, but the aim
HIM, hred his pistol IN the window. Again they went
in, and starting TO up the steps, an axe was thrown
down al them, which however. passed harmlessly by
them. In this way llttle Skim shIng kept up be-
tween the negroes at the windows and the young men
outside and between those the head OF the steps and
the two men IN the house.
During this period The read three times,
the law was explained they were advised and entreated
TO give up the slaves and assured that the
would be made even If blood must be shed A missile
had been thrown out OF the window. and had wounded
Pearce in the heads he had attempted 10 shoot but the
In al A laut shaNytY III
definite time TO decide the watch was held, but before
the time expired white rode up TO the bars IN the
lane HIS presence inspired the blacks they immediate
ly raised shout, and became confirmed IN Their oppo
sition When the marshal the man at the bars, he
he went to him and called upon him IN the name OF the
United States arresng the ugives, showing
his warrant reading his authority and telling him the
inevitable consequence OF refusal Another white man
was also present during this conversation The reply
that he would not assist, and that they had better
go home, for they could make no arrest there or blood
would be spilled.
Before during, and after the conversation with this
al the bars negroes arriving from every quar-
ter horseback, and others on foot, armed with
guns, pistols clubs, cutters, &c. They seemed to
be scattered all around upon the hst OF their ARRIVAL
but most OF them gathered in knots near the place
where the white man on horseback and the marshal
talking, engaged in loading Their guns. AL the
close OF the conference the marshal called on his PARTY
TO retire. saying that he would press the arrest fur
ther and that he would hold this responsible for the
property Then the marshal and two OF the young men
left My father was then near the house, his son
(Pearce) and Joshua Gorsuch not far from him, still
guarding the house 10 keep the slaves from escaping
Just the marshal and the two young men left, the
Quaker the horse said something TO the negroes that
had assembled him, when they set up most hide
yell, and rushed towards the house, the negroes
in the house the time rushed out and, whoop-
ing like savages, met the advancing gang around my
father. There were four men. all armed with pistols it
is true opposed about hundred nfurated, blood
thirsty, bowling demons. As these two gangs
met in the lane, the attack made upon the
diminished band by negro from behind, striking my
father on the head which caused him 10 fall forward
his knees, when he shot several times and cut
the head with the corn-cutiers.
When the young man near him saw hum TALL, DickIn-
son and Joshua ran him and discharged their pistols
into the crowd that numbering him, Pearce having
been cut off from them by the negroes VINO advanced
from the bars As Dickinson was shooting Immediately
his father, his revolver knocked out Of his hand
by club striking him upon the the wrist Then
negro shot him in the right side and arm, lodging more
than seventy large shot in him. The negroes were
wboopng and yelling with savage glee over their victim,
and the son, nephew and cousin started TO their
OF the awful conflict, into the longer lane that extends
across the valley and the woods either side Dickin
son. staggering under the stunning effects of his wounds
blood gushing from his mouth and streaming from his
side, took the southern end OF the lane. and, in
distance OF hundred yards, reached the edge OF the
wood falling down by large stump exhausted Some
OF the hends followed and would have most cruelty muir
dered him but old negro, who bad been in the ARRAY,
threw himself his body and called upon them for
Dr. Pesrce and Joshua Gorsuch took the other end OF
the lane leading TO the woods the other side of the
valley, which than half mile distant Pearce
kept the lane, and after him rushed the whole band oil
negroes shouting and shooting every iump-a distance
OF three hundred yards. In his flight, he overlook the