Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-07-13
From the n 7. Mirror, July 9th.
Fearful Riots and Loss of Life


generally orderly than usual, and there were
comparativtly few drunken and disorderly cases
There was a marked falling of, too in the matter
of fire crackers and pistol firing, caused doubtless
nv the fact that pyroechnrs of all kinds are about
double the price they were last year. The militia
~ displly one of the finest have witnessed
in the City this anniversary for MANY years and
indeed but for the riots which subsequently, took
place the celebration was one calculated TO reflect
great credit upon the City. So far as the active
D rites engaged in the riots, however, are con-
cerned, the only regret is that they could not be
allow ed to continue the fight until they externina-
ted each other.
The first hostile demonstration was made by a
party calling themselves dead Rabbits which is
composed of some of the worst class class who re-
sid. IN that disgraceiu locality '.The Five Points"
and are said to be attached to an engine company
or at least be under the control of some of the
members Of No. 81. They belong to one faction of
the Democratic party, and have long been at epmi-
ty With another faction called 'tThe Bowery Bows"
whose headquarters are st drinking house No 40
Bowery. About one o'clock on Sunday morning
the "Dead Rabbits" got into a muss near the Bow
cry Theatre and attacked two policemen who
sought refuge at No. 40, where they were followed,
but finding the door shut against them they pro-
ceeded to throw brckbats, stones &C., at the win
Gows and door of the place. breaking nearly every
pane of glass in the sashes. They afterwards at
tackled another officer, who entered No. So which
they served in similar manner but were driven of
by party who happened to be inside and retired
to the saloon at the corner of Bayard street and the
BoweFy,
They had been there but few minutes, however,
when party Of the Bowery Boys from No. SO made
a rush at the place, but the bbits scampered to
their holes, and escaped Between and O'Clock
they returned to No 40 BOwery, but finding no
one TO fight with, fred volley Of stones at the
Stadt Theatre, and went off,
Early Saturday morning the Bowery Bows
astr making preparations to resist any attack
-, D,hh hut moth
o'clock, P. NJ, when dispatch was received at the
White street Police that there was riot in the vi
cinity of Mott and Bayard streets.
A force was dispatched to the place. but were
received by a shower of brick bats, stones &C..
and were compelled to retre '"Tbe Bowery boysD
hearing of the affair." fastened there and rallied on
the side Of the Police and terrible onslaught was
made on the Rabbits, with bricks pistols, sc. The
Rabbits in the meantime fed to the tops of the
houses, and kept up such constant firing upon
their sssaiiants that they retired to the easterly
side of Elizabeth street, and there made barri-
cade with old wagons, &C. and, thus sheltered,
used their firearms TO some purpose. Continued
reinforcements of Police sent from White
street. and at length, about P. NJ, the barbados
were removed, and order partially restored.
During the continuance of the affray, commits
soner Draper made a requistion for the military
upon Gen. Sanford, and he ordered our the Seven
ty-6rst Regiment, Col. Vosburgh; Seventh, Col
Duryee and Eighth, Col LYONS, who were kept un-
der arms during the night Of Saturday and day and
evening of Sunday, at their respective armories,
awaiting orders.
Six deaths, the result of the riot were reported
on Sunday morning, and probably more than a hun
dred were wounded, many Of whom cannot recover.
great many arrests made.
Mr. Superintendent TalmAJge issued en- order to
the Police on Sunday morning, to zee that every
rum shop closed on that day, as one of the
means OF preserving the public peace and he went
himself to that the order obeyed and make
a note of the delinquents. During the entire day.
the Sixth ward was in state of fearful excitement
and both the Rabbits" aud "Bowery Boys were
anxious to renew the fight but Mr.. Talmadge was
assured by each party that they would not be the
aggressors
During the evening. the Irish in the Five Poiuts
got into fight The Kerryonians and the Peters
Of Worth Street. Bowery and Little Water street,
we're the beligerents, and firearms, bricks, and
other missiles were used with deadly effect SIEVE
raj men got upon the roof OF the house on the cor
ner of Worth Street and Centre, tore the chimney
half down, and pelted the crowd below with the
bricks
About seven o'clock General Hall came on the
ground, and seeing the desperate of affairs,
started for the military.
The list Regiment we're ordered TO White street.
They armed with the Mimic musket and TWEEN
ty-four round of ball cartridge per man. They FORM
ed line with two hundred men in Elm street at bali
past eight. The sth Regiment, Col Lyons,
two hundred men, with ten round OF ball per man.
formed on the same ground
The 7th Regiment, Col. Daryee, assembled at La
fayette Hall Il eight O'Clock. They had Eve hun
dred in fatigue dress, and the full corps Of
drummers. Five rounds of be cartridge were
served TO each man. and Eve more kept 10 reserve.
Gen. Hall present when the ammunition was
served out and detailed his plan of operations 10
Col Duryee. He stated that he would take three
hundred policemen aud close every house in the dis
affected district; what the policemen could not do,
the soldiers would. The regiment then marched
down 20 the Armory, in Elm street
Gen. Hall then ordered out the Ninth Regiment,
Col, Pitkin; the FftY-6fth Regiment, Col. lie Gal
aud called for the Fourth Regiment Of Artillery,
Col Hincken.
About haiepass o'clock IL was reportad among
the rioters that the Nati0nal Guard and other reg
iments were within two blocks when 4 general
scampeFing took place. and the streets we're speed
lily cleared, che wounded being dragged toto the
houses Of their friends The number Of wounded
IL not known, had any death been reported last
night Several arrests we're made.
About o'clock the sTh Regiment, ~ith loaded
do~n White, Centre and Worth streets toto the
Points Tue 7lss Regiment with = similar pun
liar number Of p0iicsmen, marched through PeasI
aud Park streets into the Points Gen. Hail vas
in command Of the two Regiments. Not tAe
slightest opposition Sas made to she approach OF
the force The streets Eere cleared aud ths hous-
Is locked up BY she Police. They next pass
through Baysrd street % tie Be~eFy. aud OppoSits
the .BoWery Theatre saw g icaF-sheeIed lumber
wagon. containing cast iron II PoandsE, shea
vas 10 possession OF the BegeFy boys. Il vas
seized sud taken % White street. IL had been
captured from ne shabhiis.a
Ii Mulberry streei, tie saiitaFy wa assAfed b