[Letter from Littleton Dennis Teackle to Charles Nicoll Bancker, July 28, 1812, Vol. 3]

Tuesday Morn^g 1/2 past 8.
Baltimore 28 July 1812

My dear friend,

During the 12 hours last past this devoted City, has been the Theatre a terrible Tragedy.

Yesterday it was publickly [illegible] that an attack would be made upon the [office of the] Federal Republican. The house was consequently provided for defence by 12 or 15 Gentlemen from Montgomery who escorted down Mr. Hanson the preceding day, if was General Lingan, an old revolutionary officer together with about 20 Gentlemen of this City, the whole under the command of General Harry Lee of Virginia with extra muskets, pistols, &c &c in the dusk of the evening the Mob began to assemble at 9 they commenced the bombardment with Stones and other heavy substances. A black [catridge] was fired, and soon after by some means Mr. Rufus Bigelow (lat. of B. and Proud) was draged from the house, instantly knocked down, and supposed dead. However his friends rescued him, medical aid was called, and he was safely lodged in the Assembly room of Mallet contiguous to the scence, where the Panharmonicon¹ was performing to a crowded audience, including per an hundred Ladies or more. The bombardment centered without resistance from the house till about 10, when all the windows being broken, the door burst open, Stones rolling like thunder in the passage the demolition of the fabric seeming inevitable; the Mob began to enter, when a volley of 6 fires was discharged.

336

from the bottom of the stairs, and the like from the 3^d story directed to the front door, two men were killed and several wounded. The Brigadier Gen^l. Stricker then ordered out two troops of Cavalry, but it was found very difficult to procure the signatures of two Majestrates to legitimate the order. About this time Mr. Francis Hopkinson escaped from the house², and made good his retreat to the aforesaid General without matterial injury. The fire dispersed the mob from about the door in all directions. It was reported that a deputation were gone for Artillery. About midnight, they were reinforced by a body of armed Men beating Drums, and recip[rocating] most hideously. This scene continue till past one. The Cavalry were collected under the Command of Major Barney (who is said to have been one of their principal instigators). The troops were reluctant to act. This inspirited the mob, and a second attempt to invade the house was Made, headed by a certain Doctor Gale, said to have been the chief ostensible leader. He was warned not to enter but proceeded, and was shot through the heart. A suspension ensued. the cavalry continued at rest. Two majistrades by permission entered the house, for pacific purposes. They were advised that the Gentlemen who defended the Castle would not submit to the rule of a mob, and that so well ordered was their defense that it was Morally impossible to dislodge them. At 2 Mr David Hoffman from the house, was siezed by the mob, knocked down by many clubs, and draged along the street, to be hanged at the lamp post. At this moment

a single discharge upon the group that surrounded Mr H., killed another Man. The Cavalry then moved down and the Major succeeded in silencing the yells for a moment to harrangue them. One of them said, "Major you are a desertor." With a spring, a significant look, and striking his sword against his thigh, he replied "I am upon another service now."

At 1/2 past 2 I retired to rest, having till then been a spectator of these horribly disgusting proceedings. At 7 this morning, I revisited the scene, and found the addition of two companies of infantry before the house. General Stricker, Montgommery the District Attorney, Judge Scott, Mr Daniel Murray and several others were admitted as Mediation. The Genl called out, "Gentlemen, will you permit the Men from the house to be conducted to jail in carriages." Some cried out "yes", but more "no."

At 8 it was agreed that they should be escorted to prison. three to be released on bail, to be tried in an adjoining county. The life of Mr Hoffman was preserved by a Miracle, as the mob were about to hand him, a certain Mr. Causten, with a friendly intent, called out "take the rascal to the watch house and we'll hand 'em all together." It had the desired afect. He was taken to the watch house and relieved by his friends. About 4 this morning, in spite of the presence of the cavalry, a nine pounder³ was brought up, and station'd in the alley fronting the house. A period was fixed for the surrender of

337