Deputy U.S. Marshal James Batchelder

James Batchelder

Deputy Marshal James Batchelder was shot and killed while he and other deputy marshals were attempting to keep a mob of citizens from taking a prisoner at the courthouse in Boston, Massachusetts. The prisoner was an escaped slave from Virginia and was about to be returned to that state.

A group of abolitionists attempted to keep the man in Massachusetts so he would not be returned to slavery, but when their legal pleas failed, they stormed the courthouse by breaking down the main door. Shots were exchanged between the group and the deputy marshals. Deputy Marshal Batchelder was fatally wounded. The other marshals were able to hold the group off.

A total of 18 people were arrested as a result of the incident. Two of them were charged in connection with Deputy Marshal Batchelder's death.

Deputy Marshal Batchelder was survived by his wife.