The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-06-28
DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO BREAK
PRISON.

The San Francisco Herald, Of the 18th IN
slant has the following account OF desperate
.u,empt Of some prisoners to break out Of the
prison brig in the harbor Of that city:
There were thirty-two prisoners in all con.
| fined upon the brig, the most daring and reck.
Jess Of the State convicis. These were guar.
ded by four men. at the head of whom was
George Kohler, q son of Frederick Kohler,
ESQ, and not more than twenty years of age
The prisoners had taken out some plans
fromthe partitions between the various cells,
and twelve or fifteen of them congregated
in one cell. One Of the keepers named
Hall went down stairs to make the con.
yicts bring up some tubs before taken them
out to work. The first cell he opened was
the very one in which they had assembled, and
the moment he entered the door dozen of the
scoundrels rushed upon him. Being unarmed,
ne Kept them at bay for a short time by his skill
IN pugilism, but he was overpo wered by num-
bers and borne to the ground. AS he fell he
seized one of his assalants by the hair. and gave
him so severe butring that he was glad to let
60 bis hold. In the midst Of the scuffie Hall
. led out, "Look out on deck, there" and thus
gave the guard notice. The prisoners having
now mastered their single opponent, rushed on
deck, where ferocious attack was made on
Koher. He presented his revolver and told
he fired. His shot not taking effect, he endeav-
ored to cock again, but the exploded cap pre-
vented the cylinder of his pistol from revolving,
and as the prisoners rushed upon bin he struck
one, big Dutchman. over the heaO with the
heavy barrel, that laid his face open and bled
him profusely.
Leaping upon him, they bore him to the deck
and attempted TO throw him overheard. He
fought desperately, and while the contest was
going on the other guards rushed up with their
arms and fired several shots at the desperadoes.
In the meantime a Capt. Davis, one Of the pri
soners, who was allowed from his peaceable
character mole liberty than the rest, seized
boat hook and tough; the rascals gallantly, do
ing his utmost to drive them off Koher. He was
forced by the prisoners, however, to Jump over
board, and swan to the island, where he in-
stantly raised the alarm and gathered half
dozen men armed to the teeth, with whom he
quickly returned TO the brig. There matters
had come to a crisis One of the prisoners,
perfect desperate, named Cyrus Williamson,
broke from the rest and attempted to run down
into the cabin where the arms were kept. He
was slightly wounded by a shot from one of
the guards. and then run through the body by
Hall with bayonet, receiving wound which |
pro- mortal. In the confusion kohler re- |
aclved shot in his shoulder, fred by one of
ms Supporters, but we are glad to learn that |
his wound is not of Il serious character.
The convcts were forced before the guards, |
and Kohler having now recovered and armed |
himself with revolvers, final assault was |
made with charged bayonets upon the ruffians,
and with the assistance of the reinforcements
under Davis they were forced below and Sc
cured. One other of the prisoners had peice
of his ear shot off. They all appeared per-
fectly desperate, and on reaching the deck
shouted to MIR. Kohler, "You are the damned
rascal we intend to k ill., Williamson was
the ringleader, and when pistol was presented
at him, and the order given to stand he rushed
in, exclaiming, damn your pistol" and sue
ceeded in turning it aside before it was dis
charged.