The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1912-06-13
William Cunningham, Jailer a
New York Revolution
Martyr"


keep the poor wretches quiet OF
nights"
SO runs an old letter written In
New York during the darkest days OF
the American Revolution. The Brit
ish had captured New York and Phila'
delphia. To both cities-but chiefly to
New York-they brought thousands Of
patriot soldiers. captured in battle
and many non-combatants who had
rlsked freedom and life to help the
cause of liberty by money, gifts or by
patriotic speeches.
These unlucky captives were not
treated like prisoners Of war. They
were housed and fed-or. rather.
starved-ln a way the law nowadays
would not, permit for cattle or swine.
And the man in charge OF them was
a BLACKBOARD whose own countrymen
loathed him. william Cunningham.
Cunningham was the son OF Brit.
fish Dragon and was born in the
regimental barracks at Dublin. In 1774
be came TO America and settled In
New York. where he made a living for
some time by breaking" colts and by
giving riding Lessons. When the Revo-
luton broke out. In 1775, he became
involved In a political row with some
local patriots and was forced to fee
20 Boston. there to seek the protection
OF the British army.
His noisy loyalty 10 King George
I'll. got him into trouble there and at.
tracted the notice OF Thomas Gage.
the English general. Gage appointed
him provost marshal 20 the royal
army His chance for revenge" had
come.
Cunningham was sent back TO New
York and was put in charge Of the
Revolutionary prisoners there and In
Philadelphia. There were several i'm
promptu prisons in New York where
the patriot captives we're lodged One
was the city hall. another the famous
old Sugar House." another. Kings
(now Columbia) college: another the
new gaol" (the old hall OF records
in City Hall park, torn down only a
few years ago). and-worst OF all
the prison ship Jersey" mocred on
tue Brooklyn shore. Churches were
also turned into jails.
In the prison ship the csptivos we're
herded by hundreds IN dark. fonl pens.
destitute OF pure air and sunlight
They we're given such food as a dog
might we'll scorn. and In such tiny
quantities as would not suffice to
keep a dog alive. The water they
drank was filthy. No medical care
or chance for cleanliness or exercise
was granted them. Prison fever and
other msladies scourged their ranks.
They died like so many flies. To such
fearful condition were they reduced
that the lowest city outcasts were
touched by pity and secretly sent
them food.
The fate OF the captives In the new
gaol, or hall OF records. was little bet
ter. Here is an extract from Pin
tard's account Of their suferings:
$50 closely were they packed to-
gether that when they lay down at
night to rest. on the hard oak planks.
and they wished to turn. II was all
together, by word Of command
right'-1eft'-being 30 wedged as to
form almost q solid mass OF human
bodies"
All war IL cruel. But such torture
as this was inexcusable. And Though
the British government might perhaps
have bettered matters had they chos-
IN TOT the lions share of the blame
was Cunningham's. Here Is q portion
OF his sworn confession. made in 1871.
Just before his own execution:
Il 'shudder to think Of the murders
I have been accessory TO. both with
and without orders from government.
especially while In New York. during
which time there were more than two
thousand prisoners starved by stop
ping their rations (Which sold.
There were also 275 American pris-
oners executed. A guard was des-
patched to forbid people to look out
from their doors or windows on pain
Of death. after which the prisoners
were conducted. gagged. at midnight.
Just behind the upper barracks. hung
without trial and then buried"
Cunningham went back to England
after the war and took to riotous liv-
ing. Being short Of money to squan-
der on dissipation. he forged a draft.
For this crime he was tried. con-
demned. and. on August 10. 1871. was
hanged.
He is said to have been responsible
for the shameful death Of nearly $500
American patriots. Nor could mere
hatred for the colonists account for
this wholesale slaughter. since he dis.
honestly sold for his own profit the
provisions allotted 70 tham