When was it published?

June 30, 1842 in Litchfield Enquirer

Domestic News June 30, 1842

Litchfield Enquirer

Q: What keywords are associated?

Dorr Sword, Dorr Rebellion, Satire, Providence Journal, Boston Transcript, New Bedford Bulletin

Litchfield, Litchfield County, Connecticut

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What is this article about?

Satirical newspaper piece mocking Thomas W. Dorr's dramatic display of a sword during a speech, claiming it belonged to a fallen officer in Florida, but actually from Lt. Riell who died of dysentery en route to Providence; includes poem, humorous casualty table, and epigram.

Merged-components note: Satirical news items about Dorr's rebellion, including story, poems, and table of 'casualties'.

Clipping

OCR Quality

85% Good

Full Text

THAT "BLOOD STAINED SWORD."—Mr. Dorr made a great flourish, on Monday, says the Journal, about his sword, which he drew and brandished about in a most fearful manner, and told a great story about its having belonged to an officer who fell fighting for his country.—The sword belonged to a Lt. named Riell, who died of the dysentery on the passage from St. Marks to Providence, and all the blood that was ever on it would not wet the point.

To which the Boston Transcript adds:

"Gov. Dorr then drew the sword he had on, from its scabbard, and added that it belonged to an officer who had fallen in Florida—that it had been presented to him by a brother of the fallen man while he was in New York. It had already been dyed in blood, and if necessary would again be dyed in blood should the suffrage cause demand it."
Then up arose the man of might,
The valiant Governor Dorr,
And said, "I am resolved to fight—
My voice is still for war.

"Behold this sword!"—and at the word,
It from the scabbard flew—
It has drawn blood in Florida,
I draw it now for you.

Killed,	0
Wounded,	0
Missing,	481
Scared,	960
Horribly frightened,	789
Fainted on the battle ground,	73
Women in hysterics,	22
Powder burned, (said to be, but doubted)	1.4 oz
Shot expended,	0
Temperance pledges broke,	390
Governors missing,	1

EPIGRAM.

"I will permit no more arrests!"
Cried Dorr with eloquent appeals,
He safely spoke, for he was blest
With rapid and trustworthy heels.

New Bedford Bulletin.

What sub-type of article is it?

Rebellion Or Revolt Politics

What keywords are associated?

Dorr Sword Dorr Rebellion Satire Providence Journal Boston Transcript New Bedford Bulletin

What entities or persons were involved?

Mr. Dorr Gov. Dorr Lt. Riell

Where did it happen?

Providence

Domestic News Details

Primary Location

Providence

Event Date

Monday

Key Persons

Mr. Dorr Gov. Dorr Lt. Riell

Outcome

satirical table reports: killed 0, wounded 0, missing 481, scared 960, horribly frightened 789, fainted on the battle ground 73, women in hysterics 22, powder burned 1.4 oz, shot expended 0, temperance pledges broke 390, governors missing 1.

Event Details

Mr. Dorr brandished a sword during a speech on Monday, claiming it belonged to an officer fallen fighting for his country in Florida and had been dyed in blood, vowing to dye it again for the suffrage cause; the Journal reports it actually belonged to Lt. Riell who died of dysentery en route from St. Marks to Providence with no blood on it; includes poem and epigram mocking Dorr.