The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-08-03
THE PITTSBURGH MASSACRE.
A Pittsburgh Papers Picturesque Account
of the Battle ON the Hillside.
From the Pittsburgh Post.

people lost their lives occurred between
and o'clock. At the latter hour
there was vast assemblage of men, wom-
en- and children lettering about the
outer depot. The crowd was quiet and
orderly, and, as the day had thus far
passed without the loss OF life, many of
the more conservative and thinking
spectators INDUCED the hope that the
troubles would be finally settled in
peace. without conflict. But how sad
was their disappointment, and how
quickly it came | Even while they were
indulging in the hope MUIR
muir and cries of "there they come,
arose from the multitude. All eyes
we're turned eagerly toward the Union
depot. In the distance was seen march
ing up in measured time solid column
of soldiers. Their bright bayonets
glistened in the rays of the sun. Their
weary feet came down in measured tread,
and the entire line moved with the regu-
larity and precision OF clockwork. Eager
to catch a better view of the moving
column, this vast multitude surged to
and fro till there was imminent danger
of helpless women and innocent children
being crushed to death. AS the troops
slowly approached the crowd became
more and more excited, and many OF the
more cautious moved to places OF greater
safety. Others rushed madly toward
the troops, eager to learn their inten-
tions and unconscious of the danger
which awaited them. The monotonous
tapping of the drum was distinctly heard
as the Philadelphians drew near, and
Superintendent Pitcairn and Sheriff Fife
could be readily recognized at the front
of the row. Surrounding the Sheriff
was the posse of constables, and officers
who had been summoned to his aid to
arrest the ringleaders of the strike on the
warrants issued by Judge Ewing. Then
the crowd began to scatter to make room
for the moving column. AS the troops
drew nearer the silence of the spectators
and strikers was broken by storm of
Kisses, boots, yells, and cheers. Steadily,
however, the troops marched into the
very midst of the crowd, and the next
moment the Sheriff and his men had
mingled with the surging mass. The
Sheriff endeavored to make himself
heard, but this was impossible, owing to
the confusion, but still the soldiers
pushed slowly into the crowd until the
order to halt was given. At this time
the hillside was literally covered with
men, women and children, mostly spec
tators, who were in manner penned up.
There was no escape in front; there was
no escape behind except by scaling a
steep hill. The two Philadelphia regi-
ments, drawn up in double line, began
to march backward and forward to clear
the tracks, and the crowd gave way be-
fore them. Superintendent Pitcairn and
Sheriff Fife occupied a prominent posi-
ton in the front, standing side by side.
Several prominent citizens excitedly
rushed to the Official and inquired In
an eager and excited manner of the pro-
gramme that had been prepared. With
pallid lips Mr.. Pitcairn replied that
"God only knew what could be done
In the meantime the cries and yells OF
the crowd grew louder and fiercer, and
the excitement became still more In
tense. The Jefferson Cavalry. were
drawn up on the right of the platform,
while the Fourteenth and Nineteenth
| regiments were posted on the hillside,
above the tracks, as was hutchinson
battery, with its two large brass pieces
frowning down on the excited throng
The Philadelphia troops, numbering
800 men, now made preparations to dis
perse the crowd. They were ordered t.
form hollow square, and it was intend
ed to place the two Calling guns will
which they came provided in the center
The order was given to this effect, anC
the jostling and scuffling began. TIL
3 military were hemmed in ON all sides b.
t the strikers and their friends, so tina
their movements were made with grea
! difficulty. Finally, three sides of TIN
square were formed, one side facing TIN
hill, another facing the east, and thu
troops of the third also stood facing tn,
people on the hill, with their backs t.
l Twenty eighth street. The soldiers wer
compelled 10 force the men back in orde
to form the eastern line, and during tn
, scufling which followed the civilian
grasped the bayonets of the military
"You sympathize with our cause anc
you wouldn't shoot a working man,
., cried the daring fellows who thus toyeC
with the deadly instruments in the hands
of the visitors. This rashness encour
aged the crowd in the rear; the mer
there continued yelling and hooting, ant
many insulting epithets were hurled int
: the faces of the visiting soldiery, while
d, the shouts of derision were no less exas
perating. The local troops on the hillside
all the while remained passive. The Ligh
Blues of Philadelphia were here ordered
to charge on the crowd. They performed
} soldiers duty in obeying the order
Great confusion followed, and the excite
ment became still more intense. Pressed
: by the mass of excited people, the mill
! tia men fell back. Then an order wa
l issued to the Dark Blues of Pbiladel
phia to charge with fixed bayonets
The Dark Blues responded. The jan
7 was great, however, and the crowds
I struggled fiercely but Intellectually t.
make way for the glittering, menacine
bayonets. One man was pierced by
l bayonet. and when the crowd saw the
blood trickling from his face every per
T son became exasperated. The people
on the hillside began to scramble towarC
: the top. In the meantime the struggle
e continued on the platform. Then some
malicious boys on the adjacent hill LEI
drive volley of stones into both the
ranks of the militia and the crowd Of
people. This was the signal for the