The Ohio union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1849-1854, 1853-10-12


were imprisoned at Winchester, Virginia;
portion at Fredericksiown, Maryland,
and part Of them al Lancaster, Pennsyl.
yania. 1850
A few months after the surrender Of
CORVALLIS at Yorktown, and in the Spring
Of 1882, most barbarous and horrid
transaction Of the royal refugees was per.
pelraled, which excited the Indignation OF
the whole American Army. and imperious-
ly demanded the vengeance evoked by The
rules and discipline Of war. 1t was the
cruel murder Of Captain Joshua Huldy.o of
New Jersey, who being commanding Of
ficer Of a detachment Of men stationed at
the Block House, in Monmouth County,
was attacked by party of refugees from
New York, Sunday the 24,h of March,
and after bravely defending himesll, and
had expended his ammunition, was taken
prisoner, and carried to New York. He
was closely confined until April 9Th, when
without even the form Of a trial, he was
ordered 10 be hinged. Accordingly, on
the 18th he was taken over to the New
Jersey shore, by party of rufugees,
under the direction Of Captain Lippencoii,
and there hanged on tree, and left with
the following label affixed to his breast:
I'VE, the refugees, having with grief be-
held the cruel murders of our brethren, and
finding nothing but such measures daily
carrying inlo execution, we therefore de-
lermine not TO suffer without taking ven
geance for the numerous cruellies and thus
begin; and say may those lose their lib.
critics who do moi follow on; and have
made use of Captain Huddy as the first
object TO present 10 your view, and further
determine 10 hang man for man while
there is a refugee existing. Up goes Hud
dy for Philip Whife."
The refugees pretended TO justify this
violent act by asserting that Captain Hud-
dy, sometime before, had made prisoner
one Philip White, Of their party, and after
having manned him. broke both Of his
legs and laun.ingly told him to run. But
that was vile ialsehood. II has been full.
ly proved that Captain Huddy was close
ly confined prisoner in New York at the
time, and for many days before White
was taken; letter dated at Freehold, Mon
mouth county, the 18th of April, Of the
same year, relates that White was taken
the last Of March; that after having given
tokens of surrendering as prisoner he
took up muskel and shot son Of Col.
HenGrickson; and afterwards while being
conducted by guard of light horse 10
Freehold, he attempted 10 make his escape,
and being several lines called on to sur
render, and still persislirg in his course,
he at last leap, bog that was impossible
10 the horse; and there received stroke
on tie head with sword, which killed him
Instantly.
The foregoing facts were clearly proved
by the aflidavits Of the persons who were
present, and by the voluntary testimony oI
one Aaron who was ,aken prisoner with
the said White. The wsnlon execution o
Captain Huddy SO cxasperated the inhabi
tanls Of that part of New Jersey, that they
presented respectful memorial 10 Gen
eral Washington, claiming justice for the
murder of one of their fellow citizens
or retaliation in case justice should be re-
fused.
Gen. Washington Immediately address
ed Sir Henry Clinton, then in command Al
New York, on the subject, and assured
him that unless The perpetrators of the
murder were delivered up, he should bt
under the painful necessity Of retalialing
In the meantime all the general officers
and those commanding brigades or regi
ments we're ordered 10 oassemhe al Genera
IIeaih's quarters TO deliberate and decid,
! on the following questions!
First, shall resort be had IN retaliation
} for the murder of Captain lluddy!
, Second, on whom shall it be inflicted
Third, Low shall The victim be desig
mated!
In order that each officer should be fre,
from all bias, and, uninlluenced BY eucl
other, General Washington ordered tha,
without conversation on the question, eacl
I should write his own opinion and address
the same sealed 10 the Commsnder.in chief
, by this method his excellency obtained
. the spontaneous expression Of The feeling
2 Of each individual officer, and they wer
, unanimously of the opinion that retaliation
, ought 10 be resorIed To; that il should b.
, inflicted upon an officer of equal rank viii
, Captain Huddy, and that the victim shoul
{ be designated by lol
E An order was sent from the war de
pariment to the commanding officer a
! Lancaster, 10 send q refugee captain, lakeI
+. at diGcreion, if there was one among th
b. prisoners, and If there was one Of that de
+. srripli0n, then to assemble oil the captain
: under his charge, and select one Of then
n by lot. The captains, thirteen in number
were accordingly assembled in room il
, Lancaster, and informed for what pu-pos
D they were called together. After bein
|. seated their names were taken on thirlee
e slips Of paper and put into ha. or box
n Twelve slips Of blank paper were then pu
+. into another hat, together with one upo
e which was written the word unfortunate.
s Two small drummers were called into III
e room; one drew from the hat or box iha
n contained the names, and handed 10 III
y commssary nf prisoners, and the other II
: the Aid Of the commanding officer.
!. dea,h.like stiffness pervaded the room as
e each feared the awful doom impending :
d On the eleventh paper drawn was the nam
e OF MAURICE AsGlLL, and the fatal ballot u
q which wns written ihe word .nnEnrLlInnLi