Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1882-07-01

| RCNA
four days later, when an armed mob,
supposed to be 1.500 strong, took pos
session of the court house in Northamp-
ton, and notified the officials that it was
"inconvenient that the court should
sit until there was chance for redress
of grievances. The court could do
4 nothing else but adjourn sine die. No
court was held in Northampton for the
next eight months. At this state of
affairs great anxiety was felt through
ont the country, Washington, in his cor
respondence with Eastern statesmen,
speaking in the strongest terms con-
corning it. The week following the
Northampton affair, the court was pre-
vented from its session in Worcester, as
also a little later at Concord and at
Great Darlington. A mob also made
an attempt of that description at Taun-
ton, but they found in the Judge Rev.
olutionarv General, who, at the head of
the militia, told them that he should
sit there as Judge or die as General,
whereat they gave way
As the rioters were liable to indict-
naent for treason, and as the General
Jury reported to the Supreme Court,
they determined to prevent the session
of that court which had not been be.
fore disturbed. It was to meet in
Springfield near the end of September,
1856. But the loyal citizens were
aroused, and, under General William
Shepherd, of Westfieid, an experienced
officer, took possession of the Court
House three days beforehand. A thou
sand rioters assembled, and four days
/ Springfield was in terror and in immi-
nent danger of a scene of carnage.
Happily the danger was averted and the
court protected, though it could trans
act no business. The attempt of this
court to meet in Berkshire at the APP
pointed time was abandoned. The Gov
ernor of the State at this time was
James Bowdoin, whe was disposed to
grapple vigorously with the insurrec-
tionary spirit, but whose hands were
practically tied by the unwillingness of
the Legislature to raise money for
troops, or otherwise to enact stringent
measures. The leading spirit among
the insurgents was Daniel Shays, OF
Pelham. His home was on Pelham
! East Hill, on the west slope of what is
now Prescott Hill. He was in the Rev
olutionary army four years and won the
rank of Captain. He did gallant SER
vice at Bunker Hill, Stony Point, and
at the capture of Burgoyne.
On the Esd of September, Shays ad-
dressed note to the Selectmen of each
Hampshire town, calling upon them to
arm their militia, provide each man
with sixty pounds of ammunition, and
lNn 4 % n%
ing, and calling convention at Hadley.
Belchertown voted not to be represented
IN this convention, but at later stage
of the town meeting the friends of this
party rallied and voted thirty-fve to
thirty-two TO send delegates. They ap-
pointed Amasa Scott, Elijah Parker and
Simeon Bardwell. These energetic
measures spurred the Legislature to
more vigorous action, though they ad-
journed without raising money for
troops. Their leniency was ascribed TO
cowardice. The rebellion was now un.
der full headway and acts of lawlessness
were frequent. In December q court
was to be holden in Worcester. Shays
gathered not less than 1000 men in
that city, eighty from Belchertown and
many from other Hampshire towns. No
attempt was made to hold the court at
the appointed time and the party re-
tired, some going to their homes, but
many remaining with Shays under arms.
Meanwhile a committee of seventeen
had been appointed to raise men in
Hampshire. The committee for the
Fourth Regiment were Captain Shays
of Pelham. Captain Kinds of Green
wicb, and Captain Billings of Amherst.
December 26, with 300 men, Shays
prevented session of the court in
Springfield. Thoroughly alarmed the
Governor ordered levy of 4,400,
1900 of them from Hampshire, the
merchants of Boston having provided
the money. He made Gen. Benjamin
Lincoln commander. Gen. Shepard, by
order of the Governor and Secretary of
War, held the U. S. Arsenal at Spring
field, and the Hampshire troops were to
report to him.
On the eve of Jan. "a, 1857, the posi-
tion was this Shepard with 1000 men
reached Wilbraham. Two days march
in his rear was Gen. Lincoln, making
all haste. Luke Day, rebel, had 400
men in West Springfield Eli Parsons,
another rebel, had 400 i'll Chicopee.
The rebels had twice as many as Shep-
ard. BY starting at once they hoped
to gain the arsenal before Lincoln should
come up. On the 25th the rebellion
| had bloody elimination.
(The lecture gave detailed narrative
Of the events of this day, but it can here
be only outlined in the briefest manner. J
A messenger gave Shepard warning of
of the approach of Shays, so that be
was ready to receive him. Shays counted
on the support of Parsons and Day, but
he had failed to secure a concert of
action. The two parties met at p. m, =,
Jan. 25. After repeated warnings to
the contrary. Shays marched directly
into the face of the government troops,
whereupon he was received by an ar.
tillery fire, which put his men to tout
with the cry of murder upon their lips
and with the loss of four men killed
His force spent that night at or on the
way toward Ludlow, and on the next
day joined Parsons in Chicopee.
The 26th passed with hostile demon
stration and on the 9th Lincoln
brought up his 5000 men who, without
long delay, went ont to meet the insur-
gents. Some crossed the river to drive
out Day. The cavalry galloped up the
river on the ice to prevent the junction
of the enemy's divided force. The enc
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