Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-05-24
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PETER FRANCISCO,
The Samson of the Western Hemisphere

Western Virginia, man whose strength was
so remarkable as to win him the title of the
FWestern 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
recollections were those of boyhood in the lat
ter country. While yet lad he apprenticed
himself to sea captain, for seven years, in
pay for passage to this country. On his ar
rival his time and services were sold to Mr..
Winston of Virginia, in whose service he re-
mained until the breaking out Of the revolu-
tion. Being of an adventurous turn of mind,
he sought and obtained permission of his mas
ter to join the army, and was engaged in ac-
tive 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
Severy 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 Glib
Brandywine and Monmouth, he exhibited the
most fearless bravery, and nothing but his in
ability to write. prevented his promotion to
commission. Transferred to the south. he
took part in most of the engagements in that
section, and towards the close of the war he
was engaged in contest which exhibited in
striking manner, his self-confdence and
courage.
One day while accommodating, he stopped
at the house of man by the name of W,
to refresh himself. Whilst at the table, he
was surprised by nine British troopers, who
rode up to the house and told him he was their
prisoner. Seeing that he was so greatly out
numbered, he pretended to surrender, and the
dragons seeing he was apparently peacefully
incliRed, after disarming him, allowed him
considerable freedom, while they sat down to
partake of the food which he had left when
disturbed Wandering out into the door yard,
he was accosted by the paymaster, who de-
manded of him everything of value about him
at the risk of his life in case of refusal. Il
have nothing to give said Francisco, $50 use
your pleasure Give up those massive sill
yer buckles in your shoes, said the dragoon.
They were the gift of friend, replied Fran
cisco, 'and give them to you l never shall
take them if you will, you have the power,
but never will giue them to any one.
Putting his sabre under his arm, the soldier
stopped down to take them. Francisco, see
ing 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 severe blow across the skull. Although
severely wounded, but being brave man, the
dragoon drew pistol and aimed it at his an
tagonist, however, and as he pulled the trig-
ger, blow from the sword nearly severed his
wrist, and placed him hors du combat. The
report of the pistol drew the other dragons
into the yard, as well as W, who very
ungenerously brought out Rusket which he
handed to one of the soldiers and told him to
make use of it. Mounting the only horse
they could get at, he presented the muzzle at
the breast of Francisco, and pulled the trig-
ger. Fortunately, it missed fire, and Fran
cisco closed in upon him. A short struggle
ensned, which ended in his disarming and
wounding the soldier. Tarleton's troop of
400 men were in sight, and the other dragons
were about to attack him. Seeing his case
was desperate, he turned towards an adjoin-
ing thicket, and as if cheering on party of
men he cried, Come on, my brave boys, now's
your time we will despatch 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, panc-struck and
dismayed. Selling upon the traitorous viii
tain W, Francisco was about to despatch
him, but he begged and plead so hard for life,
that he forgave him and told him to secrete
for him the eight horses which the soldiers
had left behind them. Perceiving that Tarl-
4on 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 services
and generous intentions. Finding his situa-
tion 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 a future time sbut,' as he
said, Providence ordained that | should not
be his executioner, for he broke his neck by a
fall from one of the very horses
Many other anecdotes are told of Francisco
illustrative of his immense strength and ner-
sonal prowess. At Camden, where Gates
was defetaed, he retreated, and after runnino
along road some distance, he sat down to
rest himself. He was suddenly accosted by a
British dragoon, who presented pistol ant
demanded his immediate surrender. His gur
being empty, he feigned submission, and said
he would surrender, at the same time remark
ing that his gun was of no further use to him
be presented it sideways to the trooper, who
on reaching for it threw himself off his guard
when Francisco, quick as thought, ran him
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