Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. III
Two ('oroman ee savages, -- their barbarous names were Tacky & .laniaica. -- were (he projectors of a conspiracy in which were evinced more than oidin-.iry skill atid caution -- Easter nionday was to he the fatal sign.il for a geueral missacre. <; the first movement proved the ilestruction of the garrison, ?i the seizure of the Fort at Port Maria, where the slaves belonging to C:ipt:r:n Forrest male themselv. s masters of the ammunition, arms, & stores. The inha!)itan's of the neiylibT- ing country were assemble.l to celebrate the holiday, Si they w«Te all b.irbarously butchered at the supper (able. The slaves advanced h reir"a ed wi'h a rapid diligence which surprised the securily. & elu led the jiursuit. of tliejr victims. -- Every hour produced sonir« hori-iil tale of a str:inge& wanton cruelty; & the sad tidings were spread with the speed of grief St terror. Martial law was proclaimed, & Moore headed the two llritish reirimen's in person, while the Maroons acted as auxiliaries -- The d scipline I troops found, to ihe-r cost, that however despicable their foes might appear, caption & vijriiau'e were still the most important lessons in the art of war. Moore was twice taken in ambuscade, & narrowly escaped the mo«' barbnious of den'tis. He ha I spared through humrinity, but he now punished from ueees^i'y. Af ersonie examples of success & severity, he set a price upon the heads of t^e rebels, i^: it was not long before he was plentifully supplied with tlietu, bv their freaeherous c -untrymen. On all occasions of danger, h-; insti'iel & guided the \ nl >r of his troops, & was often obliged (o exiiose h's peison & eyert h's a'l'li'ies. Rut though his men were diciplined h bold, this new s)>ec'es ot warfaie. so pn'nful & lingering, so obscure & ignomin'ous, wear'c.l (lie^r ))niienee, & eons'inied their hopes.