Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-01-31
REBELLIoN IN THE STATE PRISON.


occurrence, in that Institution give it fresh in
terest. Ed. PnGSix,l
A more impressive exhibition Of moral cour-
age, opposed to the wildes, ferociy under The
most appalling circumstances, was never seen,
than that which was witnessed by the officers
Of the Massachusetts State Prison in the great
rebellion which occurred about five years since.
Three convcts had been sentenced, under the
rules of tho Prison, 10 be whipped in the yard,
and by some off1Il of one Of the other prison
ere, a door had heen opened at midday, COM
mrnicang with the great dining-hall, and
through the wardens lodge with the street
The dinner hall is long, dark and damp, from
lis situation near the surface Of the ground, and
in This all the prisoners assembled, with clubs
and such tools as they could seize in passing
through tho workshops. Knives, hammers
aad chises, with every variety OF such wea-
pons, were in the hands oil the ier0cious spir-
its, who were drawn away from their encroach
menIs on society, forming congregation of
strength, vilcness and talent, that can hardly
b. equaed on earth, even among the famed
bigands Of Italy. Men of all ages and char
aciers, guilty Of every variety Of infamous
crimes, dressed in the molly and peculiar garb
Of the institution, and displaying the wild and
dcmouiac appearance that always pertains 10
imprisoned wretches, we're gathered together
for the single purpose of preventing the pun
ishment which was to be Inflicted on the NOR
row upon their cOmtades. The warden, the
surgeon, and some other officers of the prison,
were there at the time, and were alarmed at
,ho EEsI, t,a
flict necessary to restore order. They huddlcd
together, but could scarcely be said TO consult,
as the stoutest o! them lost all presence ofmind
in overwhelming fear. The news rapidly
spread through the town, aud subordinate Of
tcer, Of most mild and kind disposition, hur.
ried 40 the scene, and calm and collected into
the midst Of The officers The most equable
tempered, and the .mildest man in the govern
ment, was, in this hour Of peril the frmcst.
lie Instantly despatched request TO Major
wainwright, commander cf The marines station
ed at the navy yard, Toe assistance, and declar-
ed his pnrPose to eater into the hall and try
the force of firm demeanor and persuasion upon
the enraged multitude. All his brethren ex-
claimed against an attempt SO full OF hazard
but in vain They offered him arms, sword
and pistols, but he refused them, and said that
he had no fear, and, in case Of danger arms
woald do him no service and alone, with only
a little rattan, which was his usual walking
stick, he advanced into the hall, to hold parley
with the selected, congregaed, and enraged
villains Of the whole commonwealth. lie de-
manded their purpose in thus coming together
with arms, in violation of the Prison laws.
They replied they were determined to obtain
the remission Of the punishment Of their three
comrades. He said that it was impossible, the
rules of the prison must be effected, and they
must submit AT the hint of submission they
drew little nearer together, prepared their
weapons for service, and as they were dimly
seen in the farther end of the hall, by those
who observed from the gratngs that opened up
to the day, more appalling sight cannot be
conceived, nor one of more moral grandeur,
than that of single man standing within their
grasp, and exposed to be torn limb from limb
Instantly, if word or look should add TO the
already intense excitement. That excitement,
too, was Of the most dangerous kind 1t broke
not forth in noise and impreca,ion, but was
seen only in the dark looks, and the strained
nerves that showed deep determination. The
officer exposiuiaied. He reminded them of the
hopeessness of escape, that the town was alar-
med, and that the government Of the prison
would submit 10 nothing but an unconditional
surrender. He said that all those who would
go quietly away should be forgiven for this of.
fence; but that if every prisoner'was killed in
the contest, power enough would be obtained to
enforce the regulations Of the prison They
replied that they expected some would be kill
ed but that death would be better than such i'm
prsonment, and with look and tone which be-
speak an ndomitable purpose, they declared
that not man should leave the hall alive till
the logging was RENTED AT this period of
the discussion their evil passions. seemed to be
more inflamed and one or two offered to destroy
+he officer, who still stood frmer and with a
more temperate impulse, than did his friends
who saw from above, but could not avert the
danger that threatened him.
Just at this moment and in about fifteen min
ute5 from the commencement of tn, tumnlt the
officer saw the feet of the marines, whose pres
ence alJne he relied on for succor, filing by the
small lights. Without any apparent anxiety
he had repeatedly turned his attention TO their
ly time of escape, before conflict for life be-
came as was expected, one of the most dark
and dreadful in the world. lie stepped slowly
backward still urging them 10 depart before the
officers were driven 10 use the last resort of
firearms. When within three or four feet of
the door, it was opened and closed Instantly
again, as he sprang through, and was so unex-
pectedy restored to his friends
Major Wainwright was requested to order
his men to fire down upon the convics through
the little windows, first with powder and then
with ball till they were willing to retreat; but
he took wiser as we'll as a holder course.
Relying upon the effect which firm determine.
ton would have upon men so critically situat-
ed, he ordered The door 10 be again thrown OPP
en- and marched in al the head of thirty men
who filed through the passage and formed at
the end OF the hall opposite to the crowd Of
criminals huddled together at the other. He
slated that he was empowered 10 quell the re-
bellion, that he should not quit that hall alive
I'll every convict had returned TO his duty.
They seemed balancing the strength Of the two
parties, and replied that some of Them were