Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-07-14


From The Journal du Havrc. June IS
Riod among American Sailors at Hayre,
France-A Great Deal OF Blood shed
Arrests, &c.
Several times of late we have had to chronicle
savage pugilistic encounters between American
seamen, but yesterday part of our city was
thrown into confusion by disturbance which
took the form of a real battle, in which knives,
marling-spikes, hand-spikes and other weapons
were freely used, and which was only put down
by the energetic and reiterated intervention Of the
police. new and singular feature was given TO
this melee by the fact that in addition to the orig
na cause Of the fight il further intensified by
the tenacious hostility which reigns between the
white and black crews 1t is well known that the
white and coored sailors keep entirely aloof from
each other while shore, and even take their
meals in separate clearinghouse. II will be
easy to understand, then, the savage ardor with
which they sieze upon every occasion to display
their mutual hate, and how, under such circum-
stances, triling quarrel may end in a bloody
melee. The affair Of yesterday is case in point.
1t commenced as follows: :
An American sailor entered cafe from the
quay Casimir Delavigne, with q portion of his
dress dsarranged. In attempting to pass TO the
back part of the shop he was opposed by the wo-
man in attendance, whom he repulsed with vio-
lence. Another sailor who was present took sides
ter. But the first continuing to maltreat the wo-
man, the two seamen repaired to the street and
fought. colored man here interiered, and the
sailor, thus opposed by superior numbers, was
soon defeated.
This happened ms we have said, in the morn
ing; but at about one o'clock in the afternoon
number Of white seamen, from the crews Of sew
eral ships, collected together, armed with knives
and stones, and proceeded TO the house of NJ.
Rooney, Rue Dauphine, where the colored sea-
men take their meals. The negroes, excited by
the menaces Of the whites, assailed them from the
house, and followed them to the quay Casimir
Delayignc. Here the whites made stand, and
the combat took place at this point II was car
ried on warmly that the combatants seized iron
bars from the merchants who were shutting their
stores in dread Of this terrible scene.
Unfortunately, the police force in this quarter
was not strong and the efforts Of few agents 10
separate the enraged combatants were, for long
time, entirely ineffective. Corporal Epson, the
marine gendarmerie, in his courageous endeavors
70 preserve the peace, received several wounds,
and had his sword broken, although he did not
call IL into service. Nj. Lebevre, of the brigade
Of Surete, was also energetic in his endeavors TO
arrest the progress Of the fight. Among the white
and colored seamen many have received serious
wounds, bruises, and Commissions; eyes noses, SC,
bear witness 10 the ferceness Of the battle.
Among tho most seriously hurt is an American,
who was carried in state Of nsensbity TO the
house Of NJ. Michan, druggist, run de- la Cirque.
IL has been rumored that he was killed on tho
spot, but i is certain, tho contrary, that his
wound will not prove fatal.
At about three o'clock, an additional police
force having arrived on the ground, the fight was
stopped, and a number Of arrests were made.
The affair then seemed terminated, but so
fierce was the hatred Of the combatants that a
short time afterwards another bloody episode in
the history Of the day took place near the gate Of
Maria Theresa. The combatants included some
Of those who bad been engaged in the fight of the
morning, recruited by the addition Of others, who
had previously been inactive. The police was
upon its guard, but was not yet in sufficient force.
IL was not until after three hours fight that the
agents Of the police force, tho marine gsndamsrie,
aided by company Of custom-house officers who
we're returning from a procession, were able 10
put final stop 10 this succession Of deplorable
scenes In this latter phase Of the combat great
deal Of blood was again split. Police agent Bredel
received a knife wound in the right ear and upon
the hand, and was otherwise maltrented 80 severe
ly that he is obliged TO keep his bed. II is, how
ever, believed that he will soon be on his feet
again.
Patrols Of police have been organized in the
quarter where the fight took place. Sixtv-fwo
arrests have been made, which shows that the az
fair was a serious one. a close inquiry into all
the circumstances has been commenced