New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1854-08-28


in front of the Jail. The invading party, armed
cap d-pie, rode up ard halted almost in contact
with Capt. Dwight's boys; a few men dismounted,
and with implements, rushed into the house to
the door Of the jail, which soon gavs way, and
Ely was shown to his co zealots, mounted q
spare horse, was presented with gallon bottles
which be received without the usual ceremony
Of II pledge you," wiped the hung hole with
the palm Of his hand, raised Ii to his mouth, and
took hearty swig Of ---. Returning the
bottle, the word was given: 's Right about faces
move - and away they went, trotting and
pacing with aquiekstsp north ward, and we, tn .
| toWn-noys, were dismissed, to go home and
do the chores.
At the time Of disbanding the American armys
money was scarce, the country deeply in debt,
and Daniel Shays, among others, was owing
debts which he could not pay, nor get an equiv
alent for his services in the army; and discon-
tent was prevailing all over the country. Com
plants we're unavailing. In Massachusetts,
called the 'sCradle of Liberty formidable
number had selected Daniel Shays TO present
their grievances for redress, which, if it could
( not be done peaceably, then oi ct armis.. The
latter alternative was adopted. But, previous
| to Shays appearing at the head of an armed
mob, so called an attempt was made to stop the
courts Of justice. court was to be held at
Springfield; q few warm paTtisans had assem-
bled about the courthouse, in plain sight of the
old brick school house, where / attended school,
\ and from my window saw all that was going on.
4 Mr.. Sheriff Porter, with his insignia of Office
and side-ar preceded the judges; and when
the Sheriff came to the door steps, which had
been taken possession of by the mobility, he
sung out at the top of his voice: Clear the way
for the COURT" But the party in possession did
not bulge an inch, until the Sheriff drew forth
| his glittering sword, and made several bold and
| cutting thrusts upon the naked air. At this
moment, young man full of zeal stepped for
| ward, seized the leader by the collar. drew him
| forth-the others gave way, the court entered,
opened and closed in due form 4 Oh, yes !''-the
two persons clinched each other trough and
tumble, and both rolled into the brook which
passed under the court house. I had looked on
with intense interest, but could no longer resist
| the impulse, but sung out: Master, they are
at It'll" detaching my hat from the peg, without
leave or license, rushed out Of the school to see
| the whole fun, and mingle with the crowd The
| master and whole posse of urehins soon followed.
Matters were soon fastening for rebellion,
and daily becoming more serious and alarming.
| A large party were collected under a leader
alotc Capt. shays. with whom it was "neck or
nothing
1t had been soleanly resolved to take possess
sion Of the public stores, s'peaeeably if they
| could" Shays party were assembled about half
| a mile north of the courthouse, and the Govern
ment party, so called, assembled under Capt.
Joseph Williams, in front of the court house,
and were ordered to load with powder and ball
When ordered to load, one who stood near to me
| turned his cartridge ball downward and rammed
it home
A compromise took place: Shays and party
were permitted to march upon the Continental
| Hill unmolested, with music and colors flying;
nominaly, to take possession of the public
ground, do no injury, and in the same peacea-
l bic manner to retire.
This momentary victory or ascendancy, how
ever, only stimulated the moboeracy to devise
ways and means to come into actual possession
of the public stores and arsenal; for which pur-
pose troops were collected and assembled under
three leaders, and certain day and hour, to be
determined upon BY Capt Shays, when to meet
on Continental Hill. The express conveying the
intelligence from Capt. Shays' headquarters to
Capt. Parsons, commanding the troops stationed
at Chepec, northerly, and to Capt. Luke Day
and party at West Springfield, was intercepted.
Parsons was to approach from the north, Day
from the west, and Shays, with the main body,
from the east. Not knowing that the expresses
had been intercepted, Shays, at the time ap-
pointed came In sight of the public buildings
and halted, not knowing whether Day and Par
sons were in attendance or not. Gen. Shepherd,
who commanded the Government party, had
caused line Of demarcation to be made, and
sent intelligence to Shays that if he passed that
line, it would be necessary to defend the public
property. The Government troops were mostly
seereted behind the buildings, and on scouting
parties IN the bushes; but the field pieces were
stationed in front across the road, with the Gem
erals guard the General and suite on the left of
the pieces, all in plain sight of Shays advance
guard, consisting, as then said, of 400 old Con-
| tnental soldiers headed by one Capt White
with whom | afterwards became personally
acquainted, and who was a brave man. l was
attached to Gen. Shepherds life guard, and SO
situated as to have the whole field of operatiods
in my eye.
Shays, with number of men mounted, rode
forward to the front of his party, and were in
conference nearly an hour. They might have
been puzzled that no intelligence had been
received from Day and Parsons; but he would
not now retire without testing the the principle
of attack and defense. 1t had been reported as
the opinion of shays' party, that g Government
Puppies" meaning the cannon, would not dare
open their mouths and bark
MY station was IN the rear rank, having in
|, front an old Continental soldier, who had seen
; service, and was provided with large pack
. blanket and three days provisions Should
. Shays party march upon us, it was expected
t there would be bloody fight, threats having
!, been made, that before they would give up, the
r town should be laid in ashes Gen Upper,
one of Gen. Shepherds aids, rode in front Of the
e men stationed the right of the field-pieces
1 :
, ranks, he might do it, and retire without incur
ring disgrace Or dishonoring himself
0 Only one retired, who complained of 5ellg-
II acne, and his place was supplied by youth
8 who came leaping and jumping toward thu
d ranks. should myself have been very glad te
h have been out of harms way, but stationed a.
y was, had rather subject myself to the conse
: quenees than retire, although | did not expee
e to return to the walls of Yale college with {
lie whole skin. To encourage me in my resolution
IS had d living breast work before me the ole
I'd soldier and his pack made my caleula
er tons accordingly that should the opposite part,
I give US shot, and bullet pass in the direction
~ where stood, that the force of the bullet woult
IN be checked by the body and pack of my old sol
If der: thus stood directly behind him, watch
I'd ing for chance to be-not hurt Bravo wha
tn q bold soldier was T.
- Soon as Shays and his mounted council begal
to move again toward the rear, his adyanc
IN guard, of 400 old soldiers, under Capt. White
r, distinguished by his short, blue dress coat be
IN gan their march, eight deep, toward the Goy
to ernment party. General Shepherd, true to Il
r, promise Of defending the Hill, the pieces bein