Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1911-06-10
THE FAMOUS BLACK
HOLE OF CALCUTTA
Place Of Confinement OF
British Subjects


fined, and most OF them suffocated
to death in the Black Hole OF Cal
cutta, on the capture Of that city on
June 20. 1855. Following the capture
14g British gentlemen, merchants and
others in the service of the East
India Company, were seized by order
of Surajah Dowlah, and thrust into
this dungeon in the fort by his sold
iers. These latter saw that the place
was too small for such number, but
they feared TO awaken the nabob, then
asleep, for further orders. One
hundred and twenty-three of the suf-
ferers died before morning, having
been sufocated by the heat crushing
and stencil Of a dungeon only eigA-
teen feet square.
The genius OF tyranny could not
possible devise a more excruciating
mode OF torture and death than these
unfortunate victims Of the fate Of
war experienced. Mr.. Hollwell one
Of the few survivors OF the melan-
choly catastrophe, has given to the
world an affecting narrative OF all
the circumstances attending it, which
readers should peruse, if possible, as
possessing a considerable degree Of
tender and sustained interest.
Briefly summarized Mr.. Howell
says: Figure TO yourself, if possible
the situation of 146 wretches, ex-
hausted by continual fatigue and ac-
ton, thus crammed together in
cube of about eighteen feet, on a
close, su1try night, in Bengal, shut up
to the eastward and southward-the
only quarter from which air could
reach us-by dead walls, and by a
wall and door to the north, open only
to the westward by two windows,
strongly barred with iron, through
which We could receive only a small
circulation of fresh air What must
ensue appeared to me in lively and
dreadful colors the instant l cast my
eyes around and saw the size and sit
uation Of the room"
Mr. Hollweu further relates that
among the numerous guards he dis
covered one who seemed to have a
small trace Of humanity in his counre-
nance. He engaged him in CONVEX
sation and urged him to commiserate
the sufferings TO which he was a wit
ness and attempt to separate the hui
man wedge, and offered him ten thous-
and rupees for this act of tenderness.
He said it was impossible. He was
offered double this sum, but again an
Inounced that it was impracticable.
The mass had been but five min
utes confined before every one fell
into perspiration so profuse, which
brought on ringing thirst, which
| still increased as the body was drain
ed Of its moisture. Various expedients
were thought Of to give more room and
air One was to put off their clothes.
This helped some, and every hat was
! put in motion to produce a circula-
ton
One of the number proposed that,
for relief, every man should sit on
his hams, but in attempting to rise
some could not recover their legs and
fell to rise no more, for they were in
stantly trod to death, or suffocated.
When the whole body sat down they
were SO closely wedged together that
they were obliged to use many efforts
before they could put themselys i'll
motion to get up again.
In several hours every mans thirst
grew intolerable and their respira-
ton was difficult Their situation
was much more wretched than that
of so many miserable animals in III
exhausted receiver. There was not
q sufficient quantity Of fresh air 10
continue life, not yet enough Invested
of its viyifying particles to put a
speedy end to it.
The prisoners offered many insults
to the guards to fire in upon them.
but they refused. Finally everybody
except those situated in and near
the windows began to grow delrious.
water! water!" became the general
cry A small quantity Of water was
brought. Those who quilted the Win
COW to drink, in forcing their pas
sage pressed down those in their way
and trampled the INTO death
Can it gain belief that this scene
OF misery proved entertaining to
the brutal wretches without? But
so it was and they took care to keep
the prisoners supplied with water,
that they might have the satisfaction
Of seeing TEN fight for it, as they
phrased it, and held up lights to the
bars that they might lose no part Of
the inhuman diversion.