Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-28
The Dil;sent Reporter Writes Of ''s:-
mon,' and of :. General Samp-
son. Two Dangerous
Negroes Much Dis
cu,,ed in 1876.
cussed in 1876

daring and lofty villain Of his color that
I ever heard of-bold, intrepid, assuming
and comma nding, a rigid dlsciplin1arian
authoritative and tyrannical to hts tol-
lowers, and fearless of his enemies. ap1ns
the forms and customs of n army. ana
the manners and Sentiment of greas
man. With these qualifications for be-
coming a dangerous neighbor, he had col
lected considerable company Of runa-
WAYS. and set the world at defiance. Plum
dering mastering. feasting and frolick1nS
almost to public view In open day; cor
rupting-poisoning the mind OF every
slave in the two counties, who came with,
In the intoxicating whirl OF his insurrec-
tionaI vortex: and those who saw him not
not could talk Of nothing else. amongst
themselves. but his great success, his
grand schemes, etc. The gossip stories in
circula ton believed In by the negroes
as gospel, were heightened to the utmost
extravaganza OF romance. The day OF
liberty, in their deluded imagination, had
begun to dawn. for Sampson has openly
boasted that he had two regiments ready
enlisted, and In state OF training-to
strike whenever ne gave the signal. He
had been repeatedly shot at, and never
injured; so that he was supposed by the
negroes to be, as he told them he was
invulnerabIe. A very large reward< had
been offered TO any one who would XIII
him. in consequence Of his violating the
astity of lovely young female Of
family ard fortune in Northampton; but
without success. At last his day arrived
Upwards of thirty resolute men in South
ampton assembled secretly, were told
where he intended to hold night revel.
In the midst of the frolic they surrounded
the camp, posted six men to take dell5er-
ate aim at him alone. The rest OF the
company was held as reserve to tire OF
not, according 70 circumstances, Then
a negro was sent In to the front Of the
camp. apparently for the purpose of gain
ing admission as one of the mess. He
hailed, and was answered within. 1mmc-
diately the command, ITO arms! was
given by Sampson, according to his IN
variable practice when friend or foe ap-
proa ched. His line was formed. and all
shouldcred arms tthere being. as is report
ed about nineteen of them, and all well
armed with nuskets. pistols, swords, etc-l.
He demanded who called and what was
wanted? The negro replied that he want
ed to see the general, and to get admis-
sion. Sampson skipped forward to admit
him. when instantly he received the entire
contents Of all the six muskets- He fell.
nearly cut to pieces in his head and breast
by the balls and buckshot.
All the other negroes, except one or
two. made their escape. Now mark the
sequel. This happened on a Wednesday
or Thursday. and Simon came in the
following Saturday-only two days. after
the dispersion Of the runaways. The con-
clusion in my mind is irresistible that he
was with this precious general"
and al least his aide de camp, assisting in
planning and preparing to execute an in
surrection. T have been thus particular
because the affair has been the sole topic
Of ne.ghborhood gossip of late, and to
show you what precious company my man
Friday has been in.
It is superfuous to observe after this
that nothing but my sudden death shall
prevent my selling him in a way that will
be considered severe punishment to him.
and a warning to the others. I would
prefer sending him to New Orleans as
he would then be carried too far to return
and do me an injury. If that however. is
impracticable. I shalt try to sell him to
the coal pits. If that cannot be accom-,
plished, a Georgian must have him. II
there is any packet from Norfolk to New
Orleans. and the captain can be relied
On in, money matters. I should like to
know when he will make trip there and
whether he would take Simon on commits
sion to sell. This would be the safest
plan, and would insure the best price; for
il he goes to Georgia $50, to $500 will be
the most shall get. If he is sold In New
Orleans. $500 to sl,00o will be got. $500 TO
500 will be the coal pit price.
Your affectionate son.
This master entertained very strong
sentiments against selling slaves, this be.
ing an isolated case. The morality OF