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The Virginia Gazette
Williamsburg, Virginia
What is this article about?
Extract of a letter from an anonymous honorable gentleman, a prisoner in New York, dated Dec. 26, 1776, detailing severe prisoner distress: 20-30 dying daily from cold and hunger, left unburied; criticizes British clemency and urges retaliation to protect survivors.
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Sir,
The distress of the prisoners cannot be communicated by words, 20 or 30 die every day; they lie in heaps unburied.
What numbers of my countrymen have died by cold and hunger! perished for want of the common necessaries of life! I have seen it. This, sir, is the boasted British clemency. I myself had well nigh perished under it. The New England people can have no idea of such barbarous policy; nothing can stop such treatment but retaliation. I ever despised private revenge, but that of the publick must be in this case just and necessary. It is due to the manes of our murdered countrymen, and that alone can protect the survivors, in the like situation. Rather than experience again their barbarity and insults, may I fall by the sword of the Hessians.
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Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
New York
Event Date
Dec. 26, 1776
Outcome
20 or 30 die every day; they lie in heaps unburied; numbers of countrymen have died by cold and hunger; writer had well nigh perished
Event Details
Extract of letter from prisoner describing distress of prisoners unable to be communicated by words; perished for want of common necessaries of life; seen by writer; boasted British clemency criticized as barbarous policy; calls for retaliation as just and necessary to protect survivors; prefers death by Hessian sword over experiencing barbarity again