The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-08-16
The Penis OF Privstecrins.
uov A BLACK NAN TOOK cAnr or uxsrr,.
We have to record an example of strategic
akin and brarry-in which negro sailor I'M
.h,e 10 read % write, was the chief actor 4:

We have TO record an example OF strategic
slill and brarry-in which negro sailor I'M
.ble to read 81 write, was the chief actor
The schooner y. J. waring Of Brookhayen,
smith. master, LETT New York on the 9TH ofJu-
Iy- hound 10 Montevideo. On the 18th, when
only $50 miles from Sandy Hook, she was
brought to by the privateer JEFF Davis, which
took nom her q quantity Of provisions, anu
then put on board prize crew OF i've men, Ia
king away Capt. Francis smith, the two mates,
and two seamen. leaving the steward, two sea-
men, and Mr.. Bryce Mackinnon, passenger
on board. The brize crew were Montague Ami.
pl n Charleston pilot, In command, one named
Stevens rs mate, MalcOlm Sidney ~ second
mate, ami three Incn. The steward Ofthe War
ing was colored man. named William rillman;
the two sailors, both white were William Sted-
ding and Donald Mcleod. The parties, not
counting the passenger, stood six to three while
the pirates alOue understood navigation. The
schooner Was headed for Charleston, the pirates
hoping to run into that port in spite VI the
blockade.
The negro steward, TillrHan. saw nj once that
ifthe vessel could enter that or any other SOUTH
cru port he would probably be sold into life
long slavery, and his sense Of this terrible DAN
ger Was made more acute by overwhelming
conversation among the pirates, IN when they
spoke of the price he would bring In Charles
ton. He had also heard the prize master say
TO one OF the men, ''You talk TO that steward
and keep him in good heart; by -. be will new
err see the North again " The worst that would
probably befall the white sailors was imprisOn-
iaent for a longer or shorter time during the
continuance OF the war; but the black steward
had before him fate worse than death, anu
with spirit worthy Of Patrick llenry's im-
mortal declaration, give me liberty or give me
80 - anrt rfah N
attempt. lie conferred with the two white sea-
men, but they, having less at stake than him
self, declined adopting any plan OF escape. say
iux that none of them would know how to nav
igate the vessel IL they should succeed In get
ting control For three days more the brave
negro reflected upon the subject-his wit and
courage not psralyEed but stimulated by the
awful danger Of his situation. Having care
fully weighed the chances OF success againt the
hazard cf defeat-the value ut two pirate lives
against his own inalienable right 10 freedom
he at length made an appeal Ia the white sailor
Shedding, "a German saying: I'll you are
man to stick to your word. we can take TINS
vessel easy. am not going 10 Charleston a
live man; they must take me there, II ut all.
dead" Shedding assentel 20 the Negroes plan
and they waited and watched for On opportuni-
~ TO carry Il into eject.
On Tuesday night July 10th, the vessel being
lesion, the hour TO strike the blow arrived, aud
the MAN was ready The pirate Captain and
his two mates were asleep-dreaming perhaps
OF the profits to accrue from the sales OF the
vessel. the cargo, and the black ehattel who had
given proof Of his value by his skill rs stew
ard Shedding was at the helm. lie gave the
signal 10 cough) agreed upon between himself
aud Tillman, but the latter being too fast asleep
To DO thus awakened, he went to his birth and
hill I'm, II
The negro awoke at once, and with Ratchet
killed first the pirate Captain, Montague Amt
eli, then Malcolm Sidney the second mate, both
of whom were IN the cabin. lie next rushed
upon deck and killed the first mate, Stevens.
who was sleeping on the companlon-way. lie
then with the aid Of Shedding, threw the three
bodies overheard. All this was but the work OF
seven minutes Mackinnon, the passenger who
WAS sleeping near the pirate Captain, was
awakened by the scream which followed the Ia
tai blow upon his skull IL needed but few
words TO make him comprehend the state OF AZ
fairs and though he took mo- part In the trag-
edy, he was not unwilling to escape. even by
such means. from the hands OF the pirates
The sailor Donald Mcleod, and the two PriVa-
teer sailors, named Milnore and DOrsey-the
former from South Carolina, the latter nom
New Jersey-were asleep up 10 this time, and OF
course entirely ignorant Of what had been done.
Minor was called into the cabin and ironed.-l
Dorsey upon learning the condition OF Affairs,
begged for his life. and agreed to assist in work
ing the vessel IL he were not confined. Mcleod,
though one OF the seamen OF the Waring was
distrustel by his companions. and constantly
watched. The black hero now took command
Of the vessel aud brought Il safely into New
York, arriving on Sunday last. The two pirate
sailors we're at once sent 10 prison, while Iill-
man aud his companions are detainet "a Wit
nssses. The schooner was anchorei on the
Battery, where she was the object OF much cn-
riosity. The object Of much curiosity, how
ever, was the hero Tllman, Who was visited by
many people at the M@rshal's OHi5c, all Otwhom
commended him Tor his GOODNESS and bravery.
The Underwriters have expressed their inten-
ton 10 reward Tiluan and Steddins handsome
liz, which they eau well afford to do, rs the VAL
ue of the vessel and cargo i estimated at SlOO,-
600 Tillmln SAYS that at first he had thought
OF securing all the men, AMI bringing them All
TO New York alive in irons, but he f1uni this
was impracticable. To Use his own language,
"There was too many for that; there were i've
of them and only three Of vs.. Atter this said
well, I will get al can back alive. and the rest
/ will kill" lie says he was born Of tree coli
orel parents in MILFORD, Del, and Is twenty
seven years of age. His parents moved to
Providence II. |. when he was Ia years old and
he has since callcl that place his home. lie
has followed the sea for ten years. lie sOt me-
dun height, rather strongly built, crisp hair,
of nearly unmixel negro blood. and bears IN
his countenancO an expression of honesty.
strong common sense, with some touches vi hu'