The New York herald., 1862-02-21
COCK FIGHTING IN THE METROPOLIS.

till proper survey had been held.
COCK FIGHTING IN THE METROPOLIS.
How IL Is Conductcd-Details Of n Main
Fought between New York and Phila-
delphia-$15, 600 Staked ON tho Result
The Police Nom Est, Sc, &c.
For fortnight past the sporting fraternity have been
the qi pire for cock aght which came or in this
city Wednesday night, and which trial for superb
ority between Philadelphia and New York Matters had
well arranged by those having the affair in hand
that the police with all their vigilance %, did not
ceed getting the slightest clue to its Upon
reading the details given below, the public win wonder
that such things trsnspre within tho limits Of the
Metropolitan district guarded by force OF two thousand
and q, expense Of nearly 81 COO 0oo per annum
Still surprised will they 10 TO know (Which Is the
fac that Geek fights regularly two evenings zach
week i'll this city, without the slightest obstruction Ear
the police concerned.
The nght that took place on "Wednesday night OF
at well known Cricket Court" in tho Bowery. The
mode OF ngress peculiar, and had been constructed
with special reference TO visitation from the police
Passing through the oyster salocn, eating house, in
front, the vster found himself room largo and airy
enough, but not lighted. one well posted, however,
would turn short TO the right and find door opening
intensely dark and narrow passage. The door closes
behind you quickly, from the force Of spring To the
left and seemingly attached TO the wall small rope
which answers a conductor BY allowing it 10 trail
through the half opened hand This passage is some
twenty feet in length, and terminates abruptly steep
tight Of ladder steps. AT the top of these steps very
landing. Should you take three in advance
you would be precipitaed to the bottom another fight
leading 10 the passage way going out AT the right Of
this landing door opens into eighteen feet square,
well but not brilliantly lighted At side Of the room
is bar, and opposite this stove, around which paay
Of clustered, talking 90 Chick" and already
laying money their fayorte. AT the end Of the
is table, On which weights FOR scaling the
fowl Over this the twenty printed rules for the
government OF the cockpit suspended. Ono OF these
provides that the pit shall be at least eighteen feet
diameter and sixteen inches high and that the floor OF
the same shall be carpeted Another that fowls who
DO not scale within two ounces of each other shall not he
considered fairly matched A weigh master Is ap-
pointed, whose business to scale the fowls and whose
decision in matters Of weight must be considered final
Az the cocks sealed their weight is placed upon a
sheet Of paper, from which matches are made up by
pairs who approach enough 10 each other this
resrec to answer The requirements OF tho rule above
quoted
The paper being hung up, the crowd gather around
and the betting begius, but does grow lively some
time until the fowls have been well shown up White
sacks, resembling grain bags, are lying about the floor
different points OF the ROOM the contents of which be
trsyed by The note Of valiant chanticeer
proceeding thereTrom who is anxious TO be out doing
battle with his adversary.
Matters being adjusted the 'doorman' cries out. on
behalf os the main, Ih y are getting ready for the
pit. get your tickets gentlemen"
All parties stop out TO tho table, except those who
going 10 hght the fowls, and procure tickets very
narrow door in the southeast corner OF the room dis
closes another steep aud narrow stairway, wide enough
admit only at time This leads up TO the Jck
pit. This latter structure has circle about twenty
feet diameter aud twenty inches high Around the
pit circular rising 20 the roof for the
modaion of the bsitcrsr and other spectators. The
fowls brough, in By their respective lighters and the
steel heels or gas fastened securely in place of
their natural spurs which have been removed. Placing
these ga eighth Of inch out OF the proper angle
puts the chick al the OF his antagonist and
him lose the fight Squeezing the fowl just prev ious
to his 'stoeing the mark will weaken him several
ounces These impostons sometimes practsed TO
"
The fght Wednesday evening main fought
between Philadelphia aud New York, and was 10 be par
ticipaicd in by chicks and eight cocks side.
making thirty fowl. fifteen matches firiy dollars to
match and $500 % the odd or eleventh mat the
terms Of the light Betting was quite lively previous to
the etrs OF the first match, which was made at ten
minutes before nine O'Clock.
fwilsm Rrummix, Of Philadelphia. against John Mul
holland, OF New York, both parties agreeing Jake
somerndykc, Of New York judge and referee
announced as the pttes stepped In and soked their
fowls, preparatory TO delivering them at the mark.
Five 10 four eight twenty to sixteen aud forty
to thrty-two the odds offered by New York and
taken By philadephis ms the chickens received their
I'shins tonch and were delivered at the score me
fight was short sickcnDg, desperato-agan and again
the cruel steel gans woro buried In the nccks of
each, until the heads of the fowls were deluged in
blood, and they obliged 70 stop from sheer
harstion. Tho pitters counted ten, and the birds
making no move, were picked up and re-delivered
az the score-oue Of them with both eyes gone,
and the other nearly blinded. They spring together
again and nfct terrible punishment. New York knock
ing hs adversary clean Oh his pins and the excitement
becoming intense.
give TO two Mulholand, = shouted man, well
known about Fulton market, who occupied front seat
and had been betting heavily. 'Tsn to one, twenty
one. fty to one he continucd as Philadelphia yielded
the palm OF superiority aud rolled over the door OF
| The pit dead under the bcak OF his adversary.
"New York wins the fight, says the Judge; and the
audience, some two hundred 10 number, and having
more than average sprinhling Of gray heads, stimuli
taneously come forward aud mnge together to settle
their scores claim their winnings and cancel their lossos
On this match about two thousand dollars changed
hands While this business was going forward the pit
ters removing the ga from the fowls, the scales
brought in, and the winning cock weighed and de-
clared call right" by the Judge. From the moment Of
tween the hg's. There very essential difference
In the Scenes that ensued the twelve successive bat
ties that fought II what is designated close
ly contested 'man," involving losses and gains 10 the
amount OF SIS 900, and was won by Philadelphia, the
latter getting battles OF thirteen The ing
continued until halfpast three O'Clock in the morning
The Forty-fourth New York state voIun-
| teers.
/ TO THE EDITOR OF rue HERALD.
| CAMP BvuERfED, HALLs HUI, Va, Feb IS, 1862.
see by your paper Of Yesterday In aving an account
OF reconnaissance made by the Forty-four regiment
slight mistake which has gone the Of the paper,
for so long time that my command wish me 10 correct
Ellsworth avengers" We not and never have been
the avengor Of any man. We did volunteer TO avenqs
Colonel lsworths death that was done on the spot 5y
young Brownsl Wecams 10 assist to the extent OF our
power In upbodng the constitution Of the United slater
and 10 put down this rebellion. Our regiment was formed
n homer Of the lamented Colonel Ellsworth and is known
Ersorth Nh fesims Il The Geld orr number Z ms
Forty ourth regiment New Ycr State Volunteers By I'M
sertng the above In your valuable paper you will greatly
obigs the Forty fourth regiment Respectfully yours,
Il r..,.l A, q =