"On returning to the house, Hark went to the door with an axe,
for the purpose of breaking it open, as we knew we were strong
enough to murder the family should they be awakened by the noise;
but, reflecting that it might create an alarm in the
neighborhood, we determined to enter the house secretly, and
murder them whilst sleeping. Hark got a ladder and set it against
the chimney, on which I ascended, and, hoisting a window, entered
and came down stairs, unbarred the doors, and removed the guns
from their places. It was then observed that I must spill the
first blood, on which, armed with a hatchet and accompanied by
Will., I entered my master's chamber. It being dark, I could not
give a death-blow. The hatchet glanced from his head; he sprang
from his bed and called his wife. It was his last word. Will.
laid him dead with a blow of his axe."

After they had taken the lives of this family, they went from
plantation to plantation, dealing death-blows to every white man,
woman, or child they found. They visited vengeance upon every white
household they came to. The excitement spread rapidly, and the whites
arose and armed themselves in order to repel these insurrectionists.

"The first news concerning the affair was in the shape of a
letter from Col. Trezvant, which reached Richmond Tuesday
morning, too late for the columns of the (Richmond) "Enquirer,"
which was a triweekly. The letter was written on the 21st of
August, and lacked definiteness, which gave rise to doubts in
reference to the 'insurrection.' It was first sent to
Petersburgh, and was then immediately dispatched to the Mayor of
Richmond.

* * * * *

"Arms and ammunition were dispatched in wagons to the county of
Southampton. The four volunteer companies of Petersburgh, the
dragoons and Lafayette artillery company of Richmond, one
volunteer company from Norfolk and one from Portsmouth, and the
regiments of Southampton and Sussex, were at once ordered out.
The cavalry and infantry took up their line of march on Tuesday
evening, while the artillery embarked on the steamer 'Norfolk,'
and landed at Smithfield.... A member of the Richmond dragoons,
writing from Petersburgh, under date of the 23d, after careful
examination, thought that 'about two hundred and fifty negro