The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1855-06-23

their rebound from the walls OF the building
Again the Captain protested against this cx
posurc o.. his men 10 the fury OF the mob. and
feared some Of them would be killed. if the
ORDER We're not .iyen to fire. He was told
that We all shared the danger alikr. and al
ter little further delay. and another com
crivcd a, all the others hal been, the order
was given to fire bv sections from the left
The ORDER WAS repeated by the commander
and while the arms were at present, the Cap
tain a keel if he should fire: The reply was
wait little" 1t was thought that the or
der TO fire would terli,v the mob, but the
shower OF missiles continued as before, will
every expression Of rage.
As soon as the men recovered arms with,
out firing. they began TO drop off from tn,
left, two men badly hurt, being carried oil
the ground where they lay, by their comrades
until not more than six or el.it mu>kcts re-
manned. The captain was assured. as he ha,
been before in TIE armorv. that we should be
supporfc, hv the Rifle Guards who were cv
cry moment expected When our number,
were So .rratv reduced. we filed off around
the east end 0: the City Hall. away from the
mol. and marched down Middle street TO-
wards the armorv Of the Rifle Guards. Nca,
the foot OF Free street. met that compan,
marching mp in double files. when we fell in
on the right and the Ordcrwas given to quick
en- the step.
At this moment Capt Roberts informed
me that his rifles were cmn'v. and he had nc
bayonc'>: he had not been able to find either
balls or caps to fit. ! communicated this
to the captain of the Light Guards. and add
rl that should take the Rifle Guards into
his armorv. and arm them with his muskctS
llithcr we accordingly repaired at quick step.
On arri,in. at the armory. an attempt was
made TO throw difficulties in the way of our
taking the mu>kctS. but they were pcremp-
t"rilv demanded and Capt. Roberts of the
Rifle Guards. Immediately upon receiving
the order, marched his men INTO the armo-
~ and exchanged his rifles for the niu>kcts.
4 further delay row occurred in procuring
ammunition. 4 few cartridge were secur-
cd, which were living on the table. and do
mand was made upon the Captain of the Light
Guards for those which his men had. \ few
cartridges only were recovered In the mean
time the roar Of the mob, with the rattle ard
crash OF missiles and tie occasional volics
OF pistol shots from the police, came up in
mingled confusion from below
ut this iunrturc. Alderman Libhev came
INTO the armOrv, from the street. and said
ii any thin. were ~ be done. not a moment
should be lost: that the police could not
hold ont five minutes longer but would tall
sacrifice to the fury of the mob. The Light
Guards were then called ont to Join Us. and
one Of them fell into our ranks with two or
three other citizens who came forward and
volunteered TO take mu>ketS. when W. march
cd down, >cni;ny forward a warming of our
coming
we i'ed down the steps into Middle street,
and entered the doors of the Agency on that
street; one Of the Guards was struck in the
forehead and badly hurt as we entered The
voice OF the Infatuated mob outside. and a,
the door on Congress street. drowned every
other sound: nevertheless they were warn
ed that they would be- fired upon and three
or four vO!!eyS of four shots each. were fired
The gas was then lighted in the store. hv
which the persons there were exposed to the
missiles OF the mob and to pro,rc; the mcn-
beers Of the Rifle Guards and the police from
being struck by these. they were drawn out
"f the building into Middle street. the door
tcn. open. and the mob on Congress street
was warned that any person attempting to
enter would be fired upon, the mob having
broken open the doors. which they had been
t'attcrnc for more than two hours The mob
and the armed force maintained this attitude
for considerable time. an occasional stone
being hurled through the building fro " Con-
.ress street. But the greater part OF the mob
Withdrew soon after and the remainder were
driven out OF The streets l.y the bavouct. I'h.
Erinc Of the Rifle Guards WAS at i've minutes
past i I o'clock, ard the bui!,.in. was attack
cd a. early as half past $.
Information was brought me l., several
persons, that !l" mob had retired with lou,
threats, and with the intention OF procuring
arms and of r"turnin" TO the conflict Mes
sengers were immediately despatched in ,!if-
ferent directions, with instructions TO visit
the hannts and puriiru> Of the rioters. and to
',;"ing instant intcll .cnrc Of any appearance
III a rev gathering; and in the mrantme we
hastily prepared for any further dutv which
might devOlve upon Us. But the scouts re-
turned with the report that all was quiet
Very soon after the firin. from the tuldin".
the police made arrests OF persons who had
been active in the riot. and attempts at torci-
bic rescue were made hv the mob One man.
powerful. colicctc ! a squad of fol-
lowers. and waylail three policemen who
sverc taking ,iotcr to Jail. hnt the police ar
rested him and dispersed his followers Nv cx-
hlhitinc their pistols. do not hesitate to char
actcrzc this mob As more determined and te-
rocous than any other by which this city was
ever disgraccd. 4
learn from undouhtcd sources that the
mob spirit had been gathering form and force
Tor month before it broke ont. and that it
had been stimulated and tosterr,i bv r,cn OF
influence, whom VIZ NAV Vet be- able To con.
meet distinctly with it. The Project had been
known in this city early in May, in Boston
Two weeks before its execution. and it was
spoken o! in Saro. North Yarmouth, Gorham
mi Paris on the mcrnns OF tina; dav, as am
credIbly informed.
The rlngcaler of:h" moo who lost his liz. {
IN 1t. was strong and muscular m:n. a sailor. :
and le!i Boston a,lay or two before to avoid
an arrest and learn ON reliable authority.
hat ne was engaged in the Kin. riot in this
nv. about i've years since. lie engaged in I
This ,umuit deliberately. having spoken of it t
IN the afternoon, and having refused the al !
vice to keep away from it.
In conclusion. have only to adj; that all I
he members o. the police. without exception. !
rom the beginning to the end of the affair, I
we're perfectly cool and collected, betrayny !
10 symptom OF bcin. Hurried: and the same I
$ trne of the commander and all the members T
It the Rife Guards. Every thing on the part I
i ;he authorities which occurred under nv 0
'oace. WAS done will, GtIibcration as we'll as
With Hrmness and decision.