amed Drury, who had come on business with Mr. Williams--he was pursued,
overtaken and shot. Mrs. Vaughan was the next place we visited--and
after murdering the family here, I determined on starting for
Jerusalem--Our number amounted now to fifty or sixty, all mounted and
armed with guns, axes, swords and clubs--On reaching Mr. James W.
Parkers' gate, immediately on the road leading to Jerusalem, and about
three miles distant, it was proposed to me to call there, but I
objected, as I knew he was gone to Jerusalem, and my object was to reach
there as soon as possible; but some of the men having relations at Mr.
Parker's it was agreed that they might call and get his people. I
remained at the gate on the road, with seven or eight; the others going
across the field to the house, about half a mile off. After waiting some
time for them, I became impatient, and started to the house for them,
and on our return we were met by a party of white men, who had pursued
our bloodstained track, and who had fired on those at the gate, and
dispersed them, which I new nothing of, not having been at that time
rejoined by any of them--Immediately on discovering the whites, I
ordered my men to halt and form, as they appeared to be alarmed--The
white men, eighteen in number, approached us in about one hundred yards,
when one of them fired, (this was against the positive orders of Captain
Alexander P. Peete, who commanded, and who had directed the men to
reserve their fire until within thirty paces) And I discovered about
half of them retreating, I then ordered my men to fire and rush on them;
the few remaining stood their ground until we approached within fifty
yards, when they fired and retreated. We pursued and overtook some of
them who we thought we left dead; (they were not killed) after pursuing
them about two hundred yards, and rising a little hill, I discovered
they were met by another party, and had haulted, and were re-loading
their guns, (this was a small party from Jerusalem who knew the negroes
were in the field, and had just tied their horses to await their return
to the road, knowing that Mr. Parker and family were in Jerusalem, but
knew nothing of the party that had gone in with Captain Peete; on
hearing the firing they immediately rushed to the spot and arrived just
in time to arrest the progress of these barbarous villians, and save the
lives of their friends and fellow citizens.) Thinking that those who
retreated first, and the