The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-07-26
From the Petersburg Inteligencer, June 70
AN AMERICAN SAMSON.

markable as to win him the title of "The
Western Samson" He knew nothing of his
birth or parentage, but supposed he was born
in Portugal, whence he was stolen when a
child, and carried to Ireland. His earliest
recolections were those of boyhood in the lat
ter country. While yet a lad, he apprenticed
himself to sea-captain for seven years, to pay
for passage to this country.
On his arrival, his time and services were
sold to Mr.. Winston, of Virginia, in whose
service he remained until the breaking out of
the Revolution. Being of an adventurous turn
of mind he sought and obtained permission of
his master to join the army, and was engaged
in active service during the whole contest.
Such was his strength and personal bravery,
that no enemy could resist him. He welded
a sword the blade of which was FIVE feet in
length, as though it had been feather, and
every one who came in contact with him paid
the forfeit of his life.
AT Stony Point, he was one of the "forlorn
hope,' which was advanced to cut away the
abattis, and, next to Major Gibson, was the
first man to enter the works. At Brandywine
and Monmouth, he exhibited the most. fearless
bravery, and nothing but his inability to write
prevented his promotion to a commission.
Transferred to the South, he took part in most
of the engagements in that section, and toward
the close of the war he was engaged in con-
test which exhibited in striking manner his
self-confdence and courage.
One day, while recommending, he stopped at
the house of a man named W, to refresh
himself. While at the table, he was surprised
by nine British troopers, who rode up to the
house, and told him that he was their prisoner
Seeing that he was so greatly outnumbered, he
pretended to surrender, and the dragons, see
ing he was apparently peacefully inclined after
disarming him, allowed him considerable free
dom, while they sat down to partal6e of the
food which he had left when disturbed.
Wandering out in the door-yard, he was ac-
costed by the paymaster, who demanded oil
him everything of value about him, at the risk
of his life in the case of refusal. 81 have
nothing to give" said Francisco, so use your
pleasure" "Give up those massive silver
buckles in your Shoes" said the dragon
"They were the gift of friend" replied Fran.
cisco, sand give them to you, | never shall
take them, if you will you have the power
but will never give them to any one"
Putting his sabre under his arm, the soldier
stopped down to take them. Francisco seeing
the opportunity, which was too good to be lost,
seized the sword, and drawing it with force
from under the arm of the soldier, dealt him a
severe blow across the skull. Although Sc
verely wounded, yet being brave man, the
dragoon drew pistol, and aimed it at his an
tagonist, who was too quick for him, however
and as he pulled the trigger, blow from the
sword nearly severed his wrist, and placed him
hOrs de combat.
The report of the pistol drew the other
dragons into the yard, as well as W, who
very ungenerously brought out a musket, which
he handed to one of the soldiers, and told him
to make use of it. Mounting the only horse
they could get, he presented the muzzle at the
breast of Francisco, and pulled the trigger
Fortunately it missed fire, and Francisco closed
in upon him. A short struggle ensued, which
ended in his disarming and wounding the
soldier.
Tarleton's troop of four hundred men were
now in sight, and the other dragons were
about to attack him. Seeing his case was des-
perate, he turned toward an adjoining thicket,
and, as if cheering on a party of men, cried ont,
"Come on, my brave boys! now's your time ;
we will soon dispatch these few, and then attack
the main body!" at the same time rushing at
the dragons with the fury of an enraged tiger.
They did not wait to engage him, but fled
precipitately to the troop, panic struck and dis.
mayed. Selling upon the traitorous villain,
W, Francisco was about to despatch him !;
but he begged and plead so hard for his life
that he forgave him. and told him to secrete for
him the eight horses which the soldiers had
left behind them. Perceiving that Tarleton had
despatched two other Dragons in search of
him, he made off into the adjoining wood, and,
while they stopped at the house, he like an old
fox doubled upon their rear, and successfully
evaded their vigilance.
The next day he went to W for his
horses, who demanded two of them for his SER
vices and generous intentions. Finding his sit
uation dangerous, and surrounded by enemies
where he should have found friends, Francisco
was compelled to make the best of it, and left
with six horses, intending to revenge himself
upon W at future time; "but," as he
said, Providence ordained that should not
be his executioner; for he broke his neck by
fall from one of the very horses'
Many other anecdotes are told of Francisco,
illustrative of his immense strength and person
al prowess. At Camden, where Gates was de-
feated, he retreated, and after running along
the road some distance, he sat down to rest
himself He was accosted by British dra-
COON, who presented pistol, and demanded
his immediate surrender. His gun being emp
ty, he feigned submission, and said he would
surrender-at the same time, remarking that
his gun was of no further use to him, he pre-
sented it sideways to the trooper, who, in reach
ing, threw himself off his guard, when Francis
co, quick as thought, ran him through with the
bayonet, and as he fell from his horse, he
mounted him and continued his retreat. Over
taking his commanding officer, Colonel Mayo,
of Powhatan, he gave him up the animal, for
which act of generosity the Colonel afterwards
presented him with thousand acres of land in
Kentucky.
The following anecdote, exemplifying his
peaceful nature and his strength, is also told of
Francisco. How true it is we cannot say, but
we tell it as it was told to US many years ago,
while he was still living in Buckingham county.
One day, while working in his garden, he was
accosted by a stranger, who rode up to the
fence and inquired if he knew where man by
the name of Francisco lived.
Raising himself up from his work, and eye
ing his interrogation, who appeared to be one of
the "half-horse, halfaligator," breed of Ken
tuckians, he replied: "Well, stranger, don't
know of any other person by that name in these
parts but myself"
"Well, ! reckon you amt the man want
want to find the great fighting man I've heard
tell so much about. The Teller they say can
whip all creation, and Kentuck to boot"
81 can't tell you, stranger, where you'll find
that man. l don't know such a man." said
Understanding his work, as hint to the
other that the conference was ended but the
Kentuckian was not to be bluhed off, as he
would term it. "Look ERE, stranger" said he,
to the charge, "what might your
name BET"
any name is Peter Francisco, at your SER
vice"
"Ahl" returned the other, "you're just the
man want to find AT the same time, riding
inside the fence, he dismounted and tied the
animal-a rough, ungainly Indian pony-to
one of the posts.
any name is Big Bill Stokes, all the way
from Old Kentuck. / am the Kentucky game