The weekly Anglo-African. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1859-1861, 1859-10-29

There was only one return fire from the
The broken telegraph was soon repaired,
through the exertions of Superintendent
Westervelt and Talcott, who accompanied
The expedition. The announcement that
was opened with Baltimore
pave the Press representatives abundant
employment. There was no beds to De
had, and daylight was awaited with ankle
ty. Its earliest glimpses were awaited OF
to survey the scene.
A visit to the different localities in which
the corpses of the insurrectionists were ly
ing stark and bloody, peep close or far
off according to the courage Of the observ-
er at the Malakof of the insurgents, was
the established order of sightseeing, varied
with discussion of all sorts of terrible ru-
mors.
The building in which the insurgents
had made their stand was the fre-englne
house, and no doubt the most defensible
building in the armory. 1t has dead brick
walls on three sides, and on the fourth
large doors, with window sasbes above,
some eight feet from the ground.
A dead stiffness surrounded the build
ings, and except that now and then man
might be seen peeping from the nearly
closed door, and dogs nose slightly pro
truding, there was no sign of life, much
less of hostility, given.
Various opinions were given as to the
number of persons within, and the amount
of resistance they would be able to offer.
The cannon could not be used without
endangering the safety of Col. Washing
ton, Mr.. Dangerfeld, Mr.. Ball, and other
citizens whom they still held prisoners.
The doors and walls of the building had
been pierced for rifles, but it was evident
that from these holes no range could be
had, and that without opening the door
they would be shooting in the dark. Many
thought that the murder Of the prisoners
held was determined upon, and that afght
to the death would be the ending of their
desperate attempt.
Whilst the people thus looked and spec
ulated, the door was opened, and one of the
men came out with flag OF truce, and de-
livered what was supposed to be terms OF
capitulation. The continued preparations
for assault showed they were not accepted.
Shortly after o'clock, Lieut.. E. B. Stuart
of the 1st Cavalry, who was acting as aid
for Col. Lee, advanced to parley with the
beseiged, Samuel Strider, Esq, an old and
respectable citizen bearing flag of truce.
They were received at the door by Capt.
Cook. Lieut. Stuart demanded an uncon-
ditional surrender, only promising them
protection from immediate violence, and a
trial by law. Capt. Brown refused all
terms but those previously demanded,
which were substantially, That they
should be permitted to march out with
their men and arms, taking their prisoners
with them; that they should proceed I'M
pursued to the second toll-gate, when they
would free their prisoners; the soldiers
would then be permitted to pursue them,
and they would fight if they could not es-
cape.7 OF course this was refused, and
Lieut. Stewart pressed upon Brown his des-
perate position, and urged surrender.
The expostulation, though beyond ear
shot, was evidently very earnest, and the
GOODNESS of the Lieutenant, and the cour-
age of his aged fag-bearer won warm
praise AT this mnrna,a4 4bnSi'y+'-7ntn rs chs
were arranged all around the building, cut
ting off an escape in every direction. The
marines, divided into two squads, were
ready for dash at the door.
Finally, Lieut.. Stuart having exhausted
all argument with the determined Captain
Brown, walked slowly from the door.
Immediately the signal for attack was
given, and the marines, headed by Colonel
Harris and Lieut.. Green. advanced in two
lines on each side of the door Two pow
erful fellows sprung between the lines, and
with heavy sledge hammers attempted to
batter down the door.
The doors swung and swayed, but APP
peared to be secured by a rope, the spring
of which deadened the effect Of the blows
Failing thus, they took hold of ladder
some forty feet long, and, advancing at
run, brought it with tremendous effect
against the door. AT the second blow it
gave way, one leaf falling inward in a
slanting position. The marines immedi-
ately advanced to the breach, Major Russell
and Lieut.. Green leading. A marine in
front fell.
The firing from the interior was rapid
and sharp. They fired with deliberate aim
and for moment the resistance was seri-
Gus and desperate enough to excite the
spectators to something like pitch Of fren-
zy. The next moment the marines poured
in, the firing ceased, and the work was
done; while cheers rang from every side,
the general feeling being that the marines
had done their part admirably.
When the insurgents were brought out,
some dead and others wounded, they were
greeted with excavations, and only the pre-
cautions that had been taken saved them
from immediate execution. The crowd, |
nearly every man of which carried gun,
Swayed with tumultuous excitement, and |
cries of "Shoot them y "Shoot them !" rang
from every side. The appearance of the
liberated prisoners, all of whom, through
the steadiness of the marines, escaped unin-
Jury, changed the current of feeling, and
prolonged cheers took the place of bowls |
and execrations.