Captain John Capron also acted as adjutant after Lieutenant Ferguson."He was prompt in his arrangements, and as quick as a flash."

Among the officers, were Colonel Manning, Colonel A. J. M'Conico, Majors Maurice and Richie, Captain Hamilton Shields* (whose activity, efficiency, and usefulness in directing and supervising the several public works of defence, and whose intelligence and gentlemanly bearing as an officer, rendered him justly conspicuous in the army, and gained for him many friends, and the esteem of the citizens of the borough generally); Captain Taylor, of the Richmond Riflemen; Captain Arthur Cooper,† of the cavalry; Alexander Taylor, of the Petersburg Blues; Courtney, of King and Queen; Magagnoes, of the Norfolk Independents; Marshall, of the Riflemen, from Powhatan; M'Candlish, Jarvis, George Ott, Thomson, Foster, and Graves; Dixon and Smith, Washington County; Poindexter, from Louisa; Woodson, from Prince Edward; Sale, from Amherst; M'Mullion and Dickson, from Rockbridge; Baily, from Shenandoah; Richardson and Cromer, from Frederick; Rowland from Botetourt, Gregory, from Berkeley; Davenport, from Jefferson; Cackley, from Bath; Sergeants Buchanan and Jennings; Lieutenants Newton, King, Powell, &c.

There were also, Colonels Chilton, M'Donald, Coleman, and Parker; Majors Washington, and Hunter; Captains Baker, Quarles, Nimmo, Clark, Gilbert; Adjutants Vincent and Ball; Lieutenants Campbell, Rogers, &c.‡

The first place selected for a parade-ground and encampment was on Briggs' Point, comprising the space bounded by Plume's Cove on the north, Newton's Creek on the east, Marion Street on the south, and Fenchurch on the west. This piece of land was then a spacious and beautiful green. Here the tents were

Subsequently founder and editor of the American Beacon.

For nearly twenty years city inspector.

In these statements, the reader may find that the names of individuals are omitted who acted a prominent part in the military affairs of this period. If the name of any officer, however, who was justly distinguished is not included, the omission may be regarded as purely accidental.

erected; and the busy, bustling, and noisy, though monotonous scenes of the camp, were experienced and exhibited for several months. There was another parade-ground in a field near the old Presbyterian Church, corner of Charlotte and Catharine Streets, and there was one on the north of the lot now embraced in the Cedar Grove Cemetery. It included the present AlmsHouse grounds. The second regiment encamped and paraded on a lot near Armistead's Bridge, and opposite a rope-walk and tannery, then in operation on the west side of the road leading to the bridge.*

During the exciting times, when the soldiery were congregated at this place and vicinity, many interesting events transpired,quite enough to fill a large volume. But we must pass on without attempting to present them to the reader. There was one circumstance, however, which claims a passing notice.

Adjutant BALL, of the 4th Regiment, and attached to a Rifle Company from Winchester, Frederick County, was a young gentleman of great respectability, and extraordinary promise. He was highly distinguished for his genius, which had been cultivated by an excellent education. He manifested such remarkable talents as an artist, especially in the line of engraving, etching, &c., that he had already attracted the attention of men. of long-established reputation in these important and useful departments of artistic skill.

He was on his way with orders from Fort Nelson to Norfolk, in May, 1813, and when about passing the post of one of the sentinels, he was accosted, and accordingly answered as usual. The sentinel, not being satisfied, apparently, with his answer, called him, and he started towards him; whereupon the sentinel fired; and the ball passing through a vital part, he fell,-a victim to an unaccountable intent to murder him thus voluntarily and barbarously. The excitement was tremendous; for he was a favourite with all who knew him; his attainments and gentlemanly deportment had rendered him conspicuously known in the community. The law, however, after some difficulty, was allowed

* An account of the sickness among the troops will be found in another part of the work.

to have its course with the guilty, murderous man. An immense concourse of persons attended the funeral, and there was every manifestation of sorrow and sympathy for the deceased, whose remains were buried in the cemetery at Portsmouth, where a suitable monument was erected to his memory by his fellowsoldiers.

The assassin was tried, and found guilty of murder; but the lawyers obtained a new trial for him, and he escaped with his life to the penitentiary, where he remained for a long term, suffering a punishment which only partially atoned for the dreadful crime he had committed. The death of Adjutant Ball was not only considered a loss to the army, and to his native town, but to the State and the country, to which, it was thought by those who knew him, that his mental ability promised highly important

services.

On the night of the 20th of December, 1813, the privateer schooner Tartar grounded on Cape Henry, and bilged. The weather being severely cold, and the wind high, the sufferings of the crew were exceedingly severe. Six of the men froze to death, and many others were frost-bitten.

Towards the close of the following day, the British, after considerable trouble, succeeded in burning the vessel, together with her cargo, consisting of nearly a thousand barrels of flour. A small company of Princess Anne Militiamen kept them off for some time with muskets, although the enemy returned a constant and heavy fire of cannon at the shore. The British squadron at that time occupied Lynnhaven Bay.

1814. "Brigadier General Parker, lately appointed to the command of the army at this place," said a judicious writer of this period, "has resigned, in consequence, we understand, of the promotion over him of younger officers. This step must add to the good opinion already so universally entertained of General Parker; for what officer, who could claim distinction in his profession, would continue to serve under circumstances so degrading and palpably unjust? General Parker, as an old, experienced, and meritorious officer, of courage and talents highly approved, wanted not the splendour of an accidental achievement to light him on to promotion; and if favouritism has conferred that on

another which belongs exclusively to him, he had no honourable alternative but to resign. There is no one, we believe, who is any way interested in the safety of this place, but must regret the circumstance of General Parker's resignation, though every candid and honourable mind must accord in the sentiment, that he could not do otherwise, consistently with the dictates of hoUntil a new appointment takes place, the command will devolve upon Lientenant-Colonel Freeman."

nour.

March 9th. The following melancholy accident occurred on board the Constellation: Midshipman Hall, being in the mizzentop for the purpose of seeing the top-gallant yards sent down, accidentally fell from thence upon the deck (a distance of a hundred feet), and alighting on his head, was instantly killed.

CHAPTER XVII.

1814-1815.

Market-house, &c., Destroyed by Fire-Carelessness-Inefficiency of Means in Extinguishing Fires-Want of System, Energy, and Engines-Prices Current -Dr. Slaughter's Will-Legacies-Colonel Nivison-Philip R. Thomson, Esq. -His Honourable and Generous Conduct-The Slaughter Fund-American Beacon-Its Founders and Editors-Destruction of the Office by Fire-Contest for the Re-issue, &c.

MARCH 25. A fire broke out in the market-house, which, with fourteen tenements on the square, was consumed. The fire was communicated by accident, in an apartment in the market-house occupied by the watchmen of the town.

The means of extinguishing fires at that time certainly exhibit a very striking contrast to the large and efficient companies, splendid engines, and orderly arrangements, of our fire department, for stopping the progress of the devouring element at the

present day. The following account of the fire appeared at the time:

"It seems almost incredible that a fire should break out in a market-house. Such an event we believe never occurred before; and, in the present instance, can alone be ascribed to the unhappy circumstance of having an apartment in it for the accommodation of the watchmen, through whose cruel neglect the dreadful calamity has been brought upon our town.* It appears that some of the watchmen, previous to retiring from the watch-room, took the ashes out of the stove, and deposited them in a barrel; and, some live embers being among the ashes, they set fire to the barrel, which communicated to the casings. of the room. How many accidents of this kind have been produced by this dangerous practice! and still we see there is nothing more common.

"It has often been our painful duty to notice the want of means and method at all the fires that happen in our town; but, on this occasion, there appeared to be an uncommon degree of apathy in the crowd, who had assembled rather, it would seem, to gaze at the sight than to render service. But if every one present had shown the best disposition to exert himself, his good intentions would have been unavailing, for the want of means as well as system and regularity. There was no one to direct, and no one to command. The fire-wardens were not recognised, in the general bustle, as possessing any authority, and if they gave orders or directions, they were utterly disregarded. There was one small engine, out of order, and that was private property; about a dozen buckets, and not a single axe or fire hook. Such, in spite of all remonstrance, continues to be the state of things whenever we have a fire; and will still continue, we suppose, until the town is fairly burnt down piecemeal."

The Norfolk Bible Society was organized this year.

October 28. "PRICES, NORFOLK MARKET.-Pork, $10 per cwt.; beef, $10 per cwt.; mutton, 12 cents per pound; veal, 12 cents per pound; butter, 62 cents per pound; salt (homemade), $4 50 per bushel."

*The present watch-house is in the south end of the market-house.