Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1882-01-18
A BATTLE WITH SLAVES.
Thrilling Incident of the Capture of the Slave Ship
Erie by the United States Steamer Mohican,

thrilling Incident of the Capture of the Slave Shin
Erie by the United States Steamer Mohican.
III. D. Todd, U. s. N, in Pbila. Weekly Times1
When everything seemed ready the
large hatch, in four parts, was thrown
vide open. In an instant the whole
hatchway was full of frenzied sayaoes.
who sprang upon us with the most
hldeous yells, eyes glazing like maniacs,
striking and tearing at every one and
everything. Having no idea of the
cause of this sudden revolt, we were
naturally startled beyond description,
but were able by putting all our strength
into the first blows to knock or hurl
those foremost in the attack headlong
INTO the 5eething mass below, though
soon to be passed up again to the con
t1lct or made stepping stones for others
to climb upon, SO that the hatch was
always full. Maddened by the blows.
with blood streaming and wild with ex-
element, they fought indiscriminately
with the first that came in their wav.
striking in every direction and clutching
at our throats like wild beasts. The
fighting was hand o-hand and horrible
700 against 1O-but, fortunately, not
more than thirty at time could reach
us, the hatchWay not being large enough
to contain more. AS those in advance
fell, crushed and badly injured, we we're
confronted by others fresh and more
desperate, and the fight went on with
all the fury of madmen. Knocking
them senseless without mercy as they
fell we had to guard against being
dragged down with them to be torn to
pieces by the Infatuated crowd beneath.
There was no time for orders; officers
and men stood side by side, helping each
other when possible or whenever one
was overpowered, all knowing that with
any break in our line or giving away at
any point meant death in its most hor1id
form, for If the slaves could gain foot
lngon the deck it would soon be over.
The hardest struggle was where the
large ladder came up to the deck, and at
one time It looked hopeless, as those be-
low nearly succeeded in crowding those
III front against our strongest efforts.
Our swords were useless; each one had
too many against him, and we had to
rely principally upon the heavy ends of
our thick cowhides.
After some time we managed to take
advantage of an opportunity and closed
the other parts of the hatchway from
the ladders, and then with the whole of
our small force combining at the ladder,
we were able to crush them there and
force this part also securely on. When
we finally had them Gagged below there
came up yell of defeat which seemed to
shake the ship. The sounds which we
had heard all night were their screams
and struggles for freedom and food. In
stead of 900 slaves subject to control
with proper care, we found ourselves
with 900 crazy savages frantic from
thirst and hunger, to be controlled only
by being overpowered. Great as the
dangers before appeared they were
nothing to what now surrounded us.
We determined to try again by open
ing a small part of the hatch sufficiently
to allow one OF two only to pass up at a
time, keeping enough of our number to
fight back the others that would strug-
gle to force through. Thus one by one
they came up, and finding themselves
surrounded and overpowered were
forced down on deck without resistance
and guarded with cowhides until circle
of twelve was formed, when water and
food were placed in the center. Another
circle was then begun. and this method
continued until we had succeeded by af-
ternoon in seating and placing water and
food before the whole 900.