Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-02-11

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I saD then, all running do1cn to the apest
shore.
ter to Captain McComber, and after
little reflection he replied:
"Yes, that is what wish you could
get, but I am not hopeful. From the de-
fiant attitude Of the mutineers am
ready to believe that they will suffer us
to shoot them down before they surren-
der. johnson is likely to be the very
first one to fall. shall send out flag
of truce and give them one hour in
which to surrender. If they do not come
in, we shall proceed to hunt them down. "
A sergeant of marines, accompanied
by six men, was at once dispatched to
the camp of the mutineers. l did not
go along, but I can tell you what hap
pened. OF sailors, guards and convicts
at the outset there had been about 80
men. OF this number 43 were left. The
marines found these men drawn up in
line in front Of their tents. Most Of
them were convicts. and, having lived
like wild beasts for SO many days,
more villainous looking lot Of men one
never beheld. Not gesture was made
nor shout uttered. They waited in ST.
lence until the sergeant had advanced
within few yards and delivered his
message. Then Ben johnson stepped
out and said:
go back to your Captain McComber
and tell him that not a man of us will
give in. To be captured and taken into
port and tried means the hangmans
moose for every one Of us. We will die
right here! Begin your man hunt as
soon as you will! We have no firearms,
but the fun will not be all Oh your
sider'
When the sergeant returned and re-
ported, tho captain separated his men
into three detachments. Each detach-
ment carried supply of handouts, and
the orders were to take the mutineers
alive if possible. Captain Clark and l
volunteered with tho first company or
detachment We might have been ex-
cused, but as the convicts had escaped
from us we felt legally and morally
bound to aid as far as we could in their
capture.
Stretched ont through the woods, but
still in touch with each other, the three
detachments moved to the north.
About two-thirds of the distance to
camp tho detachment on the extreme
left was suddenly attacked as they
forced their way through the thickets
by the whole body Of mutineers, who
were armed with stout clubs, and many
had lashed their sheath knives to long
poles to use as lances. AS they attacked
the marines and sailors the mutineers
cried: ''No quarterl No quarter"
They fought to kill. nor would one Of
them surrender when called upon. The
fight did not last over five minutes, but
in that time three marines were beaten
or stabbed to death, two others badly
hurt and four convicts were killed.
When the mutineers retreated, they car
ried off four muskets and the ammunl-
tion belonging to them and took refuge
in broken but thickly wooded piece of
ground beyond their camp.
Seeing that he had underestimated
their strength and desperation, Captain
McComber sent aboard for mountain
howitzer and supply Of shells, and as
we advanced again the bursting missiles
were thrown into tho coverts ahead.
Twice during the afternoon we tried to
open communication with the fellows
by means Of a flag Of truce, hoping they
had had enough Of fighting and would
surrender, but each time the flag was
advanced they fired on the bearer. AT
sundown, when we returned aboard our
respective vessels, we had lost four men
killed and three wounded, and we had
killed eight of the mutineers, all con-
victs. The last four had keen killed by
shells from the howitzer.
Nearly all the provisions taken from
tho Hindu when we set the men ashore
four weeks previously had been wasted
or consumed. Before retiring to the
beach we destroyed what was loft and
burned the camps, and as there was no
longer any wild fruit Oh the trees the
fellows would have to fight US next day
on empty stomachs. Captain McComber
had decided to land larger force OF
men and more guns and give the mutt
neers no further show. By having men
enough to stretch across the island the
defenders must at last be driven to the
open beach on the north shore.
When the bark was brought around
to the east side of the island, she was
anchored about mile from the beach.
The sailors who had assisted us and
three Of the marines were then with
drawn, while Haskell, the second mate
and myself stood guard at night in ro-
tation with the marines. On this night,
after our battle ashore, we went on duty
at midnight. took the poop deck, the
mate the waist, and Haskell the bows.
Little or no danger was apprehended
now. The wind that night was from
the west, thus giving us the lee of the
island and smooth water.
Twas greatly fatigued after the days
excitement, and ut l O'Clock i'll the
morning committed what was little
short Of a crime sat down and fell
asleep. did not realize that had even
closed my eyes, but had slept for half
an hour. when Mary Williams. who