Sunday, May 18th, a deputation of the Committee was delegated to call at the door of the jail and request the Sheriff to deliver up the prisoner, Casey.  Upon arriving at the door three raps were made.  Sheriff Scannell appeared.  The delegation desired him to handcuff the prisoner and deliver him at the door.  Without hesitation, the Sheriff repaired to the cell of Casey and informed him of the request of the Vigilantes.  The Sheriff, after going through some preliminaries, brought the prisoner to the front door of the jail and delivered him into the hands of the Committee.  My company was stationed directly across the street lined up on the sidewalk.  Immediately in front of us was a small brass cannon, which a detachment had shortly before secured from the store of Macondray & Co.  It was the field piece of the First California Guard.  It was loaded, and alongside was the lighted match, and all was in readiness should any resistance be offered.  Other companies were stationed so as to command the entire surroundings.  We marched from the general headquarters of the Committee at 41 Sacramento street (Fort Gunnybags), one block from the water front, up that street to Montgomery, thence to Pacific and along Kearny to the jail, which was situated on the north side of Broadway, between Kearny and Dupont streets.  Other companies came via Stockton and Dupont streets[2].

Casey was then ironed and escorted to a coach in waiting and, at his request, Mr. North took a seat beside him; Wm. T. Coleman and Miers F. Truett also riding in the same conveyance.  Another conference was held with the Sheriff, requesting the prisoner, Charles Cora, who had murdered General Richardson, to be turned over to the Committee.  Scannell declined and asked time to consider.  The Committee gave the Sheriff one hour in which to decide.  In less than half that time the Sheriff appeared at the door of the jail and turned Cora over to the Committee.  The Committee reached the rooms on Sacramento street about 2 o’clock.  Casey was placed under guard in a room above headquarters.  Cora was also removed to the Committee’s rooms in the same manner as Casey, the Committee having to go back to the jail for the second time.  About three hundred men remained on guard at the Committee rooms after their removal there.

Fort Gunnybags.

Our headquarters and committee rooms were at the wholesale liquor house of Truett & Jones, No. 41 Sacramento street, about a block from the water front, and embraced the block bounded by Sacramento, California, Front and Davis streets, and covered by brick buildings two stories high.  The name “Fort Gunnybags” was ascribed to it on account of the gunnybags filled with sand which we piled up in a wall some six feet through and about ten feet high.  This barricade was about twenty feet from the building.  Guards were stationed at the passageways through it as well as at the stairs and Committee by the members of the Monumental Fire Engine Company No. 6, stationed on the west side of Brenham Place, opposite the “Plaza.”  Our small field pieces and arms were kept on the ground floor, and the cells, executive chamber and other departments were on the second floor.