Page:Devonshire Characters and Strange Events.djvu/815

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THE PRINCETOWN MASSACRE
691

haps. After the soldiers were in the yard those on the ramparts did not fire. … While the prisoners were running to No. 7 they were cut off by a cross-fire from the ramparts."

Andrew Davis, prisoner. "I went up to No. 1 gate; when I got there, five or six men were bringing a man, who appeared to be badly wounded, into the Market Square. I heard Capt. Shortland order them to let go the wounded man; one of them (this was John Hubbard) remonstrated against it, and Capt. Shortland struck him with his fist. The man then went outside of the gate into the passage, between the two gates, and said to Capt. Shortland, 'You'll recollect you have struck me twice; and I'll have satisfaction for it?' Captain Shortland told him to go into the prison, or he would order the men to fire on him."

John Odiorne, prisoner, had given evidence before the coroner. He repeated now: "I heard an order to fire, which was from Capt. Shortland as near as I could judge of any man, who had his back to me; it was Captain Shortland's voice; he was about 100 yards from me. I am as positive as I can be under such circumstances that the order came from him. Captain Shortland appeared to be in a great passion. When entering the square he looked very red, and spoke loud; am confident there was no disposition to break out."

Gerard Smith, prisoner, gave no material evidence.

Robert Johnson, prisoner. "I know Gatchell; I was at the gate No. 7 when Captain Shortland spoke to him. I ran directly into the gate from No. 5; at the first firing a wounded man lay about five yards from the gate. Gatchell and two or three others came up to take him away to the receiving-house. When he got into the passage, between the railings, Captain Shortland