NARRATIVE OF THE MUTINY, &c. 261 



vr. Captain Sampson's Report. 



To Colonel Alexander Beatson, Governor, Sfc. c^'c. Sfc. 

 Sir, 

 Having received a letter from the Town Major, dated the 

 29th of December, 1811, directing me to state, for your informa- 

 tion, the circumstances of the night of the 23d instant, as far as 

 they came within my knowledge, I send you the following 

 Report. 



At half past eight o'clock on the evening of the 23d, Major 

 Wright sent for me, by Sergeant Russell of the grenadiers, a con- 

 fidential non-commissioned officer, who informed me, that he had 

 every reason to believe the troops meant to rise in the course of 

 the night. In my way to Major Wright's, I met Mr. Doveton, 

 who told me, he had positive information to the same effect ; and 

 requested me to go to the barracks, and let the soldiers know, 

 that measures would be adopted on the 24th, much to their satis- 

 faction. Major Wright, anl some other officers of the regiment, 

 with Captain Cole of the artillery, and myself, hurried up to the 

 barracks. I went into the rooms occupied by my Company, and 

 perceived an unusual agitation among the men. I enquired what 

 was the matter, and informed them, as Mr. Doveton had requested, 

 ' that measures would be adopted the next day, much to their 

 satisfaction,' and ordered them to bed. My explanation appeared 

 to satisfy the whole of them, with the exception of Berwick and 

 Anderson, privates, who were intoxicated, and whom I forced to 

 their cots. After this, while we remained, every thing was quiet. 

 I enquired of Captain Knipe, hov/ the grenadiers were .^ he re- 

 plied, ' perfectly still, and at rest for the night.' All the officers 

 then quitted the barracks, and went down the town : but keeping 

 on the alert. Major Wright and myself went with Captain Cole 



