Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1913-07-26


that 1t is never rebuilt. That is what
Capt. John Morgan, the master buc-
cancer, did in 1871, when he led his
band of cutthroats down from the
hills upon Panama. After he had fin
ished with that big, fourishing city
there was so little left of 1t that the
Spanish moved FIVE miles west along
the coast and there built new Pan
ama-the Panama we know today.
The story Of Morgan's Justly famous
exploit, often told. never grows stale.
1t is wonderful story of desperate
bravery, endurance, suffering and ruth
less cruelty, and as John Esquemeling
was the first to relate 1t in detail, so
he has been the best. Howard Pyle
has we'll said: "In the case of the
Esquemeling history, it should be de-
modern brush would destroy the
whole tone of dim colors Of the past
made misty by the lapse of time"
SO wish had space to quote the en-
tire story of Morgan and Panama as
Esquemeling who was one of the
band, tells it. Some Of it, at least,
must be given in his quaint language,
beginning with the capture by a part
of Morgan's fleet of Fort San Lorenzo
| at the mouth Of the Chagres river.
Says Esquemeling:
Captain Brodely being made COM
mander, in three days after his de-
parture (from st. Catherine's) ar
L L.. f--kk - he n
| Chagre, by the Spaniards called st.
Lawrence. This castle is built on a
high mountain at the entry Of the
river, surrounded by strong palisades,
or wooden walls, filled with earth,
which secures them as well as the
best wall of stone or brick. The top
OF this mountain is, in manner, d.
viasd into two parts. between which
is : ditch thirty feet deep. The castle
hath but one entry, and that by a
drawbridge over this ditch. To the
land II has four bastions. and to the
sea two more. The south part is to-
tally inaccessible, through the craggi
ness of the mountain. The north Is
surrounded by the river. which here is
very broad. At the foot OF the castle
or rather mountain, is a strong fort
with eight great guns, commanding
the entry of the river. Not much low
er are two other batteries, each of si1
pieces. to defend likewise the moutl
| of the river.
mo sooner had the Spaniards per
ceived the pirates, but they fired in
cessantly at them with the biggest o.
their guns. They came to an anchor
in small port about league from
the castle. Next morning, very early
they went ashore and marched
through the woods to attack the castle
on that side. This march lasted til
two of the clock in the afternoon, be
fore they could reach the castle. by
reason of the difficulties Of the way
and it's mire and dirt; and though
their guides served them very exact
ly, yet they came SO nigh the castle
at first that they lost many of theil
men by its shot, they being in an opeI
place without covert"
The pirates bravely assaulted the
castle, sword in enc hand and fire
ball In the other. but were repulset
with heavy loss. Renewing the at
tack under cover of darkness, there
happened q very remarkable acciden
which occasioned their victory. On
Of the pirates being wounded with al
arrow in his back. which pierced hi
body through, he pulled it out boldl.
at the side Of his breast. and winding
little cotton about 1t. he put it int
his musket, and shot II back to tn
castle. but the cotton being kindle'
by the powder. fired two or three
houses In the castle. beinl
matched with palm leaves, which tn
Spaniards perceived not so soon a
was necessary; for this FIRE meeting
with parcel Of powder. blew 1t up
thereby causing great ruin. and NJ
less CONSERVATION TO the Spaniards
who we're not able to put a stop to It.
Full advantage was taken Of this b,
the buccaneers. and they set FIRE L
the palings and gained a foothol'
within them, despite many flaming
pots full OF combustible matter, ant
odious smells. which destroyed man,
of the English" All next morning
the fight ragged. but about noon thu
English gained a breach through
! which they fought their way to tn
heart of the castle. "The Spaniard
who remained alive cast themselves
down from the castle into the sea
choosing rather to die thus (few o
none surviving the fal) than to asl
quarter for their lives. The governo
\ himself retreated to the corps d.
guard, before which were placed TIVE
pieces of cannon; here he still de
tended himself, not demanding an.
quarter, till he was killed with mus
ket shot In the head"
In a few days Captain Morgan ar
rived with the rest Of his feet and or