American Prisoners of the RevolutionDandridge, Danske
History
American Prisoners of the Revolution
Dandridge, Danske
United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Prisoners and prisons
“Soon after, some of the officers going on shore, I was ordered into the
boat. We landed at the Governor’s slip--it being then near night. This
was the first time since I had been on board the Greyhound that I
had had an opportunity to escape from her, as they were before this
particularly careful of me; therefore I was determined to get away if
possible, and to effect it I waded round a wharf and went up a byway,
fearing I should meet the officers. I soon got into the street, and made
the best of my way towards Irishtown (the southern suburbs of Halifax)
where I expected to be safe, but unfortunately while running I was met
and stopped by an emissary, who demanded of me my business, and where I
was going? I tried to deceive him, that he might let me pass, but it was
in vain, he ordered me to follow him.
“I offered him what money I had, about seven shillings, sixpence, to let
me go, this too was in vain. I then told him I was an American, making
my escape, from a long confinement, and was determined to pass, and took
up a stone. He immediately drew his bayonet, and ordered me to go back
with him. I refused and told him to keep his distance. He then run upon
me and pushed his bayonet into my side. It come out near my navel;
but the wound was not very deep; he then made a second pass at me, and
stabbed me through my arm; he was about to stab me a third time, when
I struck him with the stone and knocked him down. I then run, but the
guard who had been alarmed, immediately took me and carried me before
the Governor, where I understood the man was dead.
“I was threatened with every kind of death, and ordered out of the
Governor’s presence. * * * Next day I was sent on board the Greyhound,
the ship I had run from, and we sailed for England. Our captain being
a humane man ordered my irons off, a few days after we sailed, and
permitted me to do duty as formerly. Being out thirteen days we spoke
the Hazard sloop of war, who informed that the French fleet was then
cruising in the English Channel. For this reason we put into Cork, and
the dispatches were forwarded to England.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account