Elizabeth Town Gazette

PHILADELPHIA, March 28.

STATE PRISON REVOLT.

Early this morning, an attempt was made by a number of the convicts in the State Prison in this city, to effect their escape. They succeeded in making their way into the prison yard, which is surrounded by a wall. Fired upon by the citizens, several of them were wounded, and one killed, and they were driven back into the prison. They threw stones and brickbats at those who were firing on them, and bruised, though but slightly, two or three gentlemen. A detachment of marines was marched into the prison, and the walls surrounded by armed guards, for the purpose of subduing the revolters into obedience, and preventing a renewal of their attempts to escape.

We learn that the revolt among the convicts was general: and every man confined in the cells was released by the ringleaders, to enable them to join in the insurrection. Almost every bar inside the prison was wrenched from its proper position; all the locks of the doors and cells were broken; and one of the doors, at the southeast corner of the yard, communicating with the department for untried prisoners, was forced open by a large jack used to raise stone, in order to let in about 200 men to their aid. It was at this spot that a prisoner, whose name is Runner, was killed by a shot.

The revolters gained access to the outer gate leading into Sixth-street; and they attempted to cut through a large bolt, which locked outside.

At this point a detachment of volunteers was prepared to fire on them, if they had succeeded in forcing the gate. A prisoner by the name of Charles Johnson, was wounded in the hip by two or three balls. One other was also wounded.

At twelve o'clock every thing was restored to quiet; the prisoners have been suffered to return to their work.—A part of the military have been dismissed, enough remaining to form a strong guard.

The guard will be kept up until the damage can be repaired; and the principal actors in the affair are secured by strong bolts and chains.

From the Union of March 29.

It has been thought prudent to station a guard at the prison, until it is repaired: and this duty is to be performed in turn by the volunteers, their service having been promptly offered by Gen. Cadwallader and accepted by the Mayor and the Sheriff.

We understand there was some disturbance in the prison last evening at sun down. About 150 of the prisoners refused to go to their rooms: they had collected heaps of stones, &c. for another scrape; but the volunteers marched in and we presume, obtained obedience.