Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-06-19

The report of Captain Tyler, showing the agency
and conduct of the marines in quelling the recent
violence and bloodshed committed at our city cleo
lions, will be found fellow, prepared by the Captain,
and transmitted by the Commandant of the marines
to the Navy Department
MARINE BARRACKS
Washington, June 2, 1857.
SIR: In compliance with your order, received
about II O'Clock on yesterday Immediately collect
ed the available marines al headquarters and the
navy yard amounting in all to one hundred privaes,
with a due proportion of non-commssioned Off
GERS This force ! divided into two companies the
first was commanded by Bfevet Major Zelin, the
second by Captain Maddox, with a subatern 10 each
company, Lieutenants Henderson and Turner
After supplying my command with ball cartridges
loaded and proceeded direct to the City Hall. On
my arrival there reported to the mayor of the city
of Washington, in obedience TO an order from the
Navy Department received by me, through you, to
the effect that was to obey such orders the mayor
might wish executed, 18th view 10 clearing the
polls the different precincts of the municipal elec-
ton, then being held in the city of Washington
The mayor forthwith proceeded 10 The first precinct
of the Fourth ward, accompanied by me and my
command. We arrived upon the ground. and
Immediately drew up my command in line front
of the precinct, which had the effect to clear the
pre- cnct. The mayor then proceeded to address the
officers of the election and those around the precinct
bu, did not listen to hear his remarks. Immediately
thereafter and perhaps while The mayor was yet de.
IveriDg his address, committee-consisDg of two
persons came from the market house with mes
sage to me, to the effect that those in charge of
cannon planted at the market house would fire upon
me if | did not Immediately abandon my position in
front of the precinct; replied, then will take your
cannon and sraightway proceeded with my COM
mand to the market house. On arriving opposite TO
the cannon halted my command, faced it to the
front, and with the first platoon of the first
company. with Major Zeilin at its head |
charged and took possession OF the cannon. My
| 81 flo IF
life as ssiblc, had have fired before charging,
the loss of life would have been immense The
charge of bayonets, however, was sufficient without
the fire to disperse the rioters in every direction In
their fight they did not forget, however, to discharge
their revolvers Pistols were also freely fired from
| behind the wooden enclosure at the market house,
which were returned by single shots from the first
platoon, sill in charge of the common. About This
time the marines in line were fired upon by another
gang of rioters from the opposite of the street,
dangerous y woundng one ntn in the face belonging
to The Fl st company, which caused the blood to
spout from his mouth and nostris. This fire was
returned by portion of the marines belonging to
the I'd company, commanded by Captain Maddox
being still engaged in looking out for those who
| had fled from the cannon and taken refuge around
and about the market house but, on hearing the
report of this fire from the I'd company, laced
about and behed several persons The opposite side
OF the street in the agonies of death, and many
others, to all appearance, badly wounded. imme-
diatey down the line and ordered the men cease
firing, and not another shot was fired by any Of
them. After reIoading the discharged muskets | re-
manned upon the ground about 30 minues and then,
at the request of The yor marched my command to
the City Hall, where remained until the cars from
Baltimore in in the afternoon, when |, with my
command, accompanied the mayor to the railroad
notwithstanding from i'm that he expected
other rioters from Baltimore in The In that
event. the mayor thought the depot would be the best
place to settle with them and in that opinion |
tirely concurred but none came. remained at the
depot until half past o'clock and being entirely
satisfied that all and would be quiet for the night
[ ordered Lieut.. Henderson to the Barracks in com.
mand Of the men, and went home myself and retired
to rest. am, very respectfully,
H. B. TYLER,
Captain of Marines commanding
ARcH'D HENDERSON, Brevet Brigadier General and
Commandant of the Marine Corps
The facts and statements in the preceding report
bege very serious reflections It has been our good
fortune to know for many years the author of this
report. Those who know him best value him the
most. There is one in the District tho untes
more close than the Captain does the refnements of
honor, the valor of the soldier, and the kindness of
gentleman. He knows that the duties of soldier
of the highes' confidence and responsibility and
that there crises in human affairs which require
the exer;on of frmness, promptitude, and decision.
1t often happens that such qualities alone pre-
serve the public peace, and prevent the illusions of
|
the report before rs.
free, uubought, unmolested exercise of the cleo
oral franchise, according to the laws and constlu-
ton ct the country, is sacred right and an invaua-
BILE blessing precious TO freemen and formidable to
tyrants only. No political party that aims at power
by striving to bully and intmidate the voters is
worthy the confidence Of the people the benefits of
good government; and every attempt 10 control the
polls by lawess violence and intimidation should be
batHed by determined, persevering resistance. The
wicked and concerted efforts made in various quar-
tiers of the Union 10 murder outrig democratic
brethren Tor dlscharging their duties at the polls
strikes at the very foundations upon which noble
ancestors reared the great fabric of American insti-
| buttons, and is a crime which, in magnitude and
atrocity, as far transcends any mere personal out
rage the welfare of the Union exceeds the value
of any individual
The lawless miscreants who hailed from Baltimore
on the morning of cur city election were hired 10 as
sau our democratic brethren, to control the polls
and to revive, if posnible, the expiring embers of the
know nothing confagratiOn. Wicked hopes, hui
vain
We lament the bloodshed which our contest for
equal rights and sacred laws brought upon innocent
persons. But 60 not scruple 10 affirm that all
the blood and havoc which stained city were
caused by the unprovoke ed violence OF the plug uges
and their aders and abettors. Theft assaults
sudden and murderous that neither the dispersed mi
lltla nor any volunteer company could be formed and
marched to the scene of outrage in time to prevent
the hutchery of the democratic voters. In such
crisis the most convenient and expeditions assistance
became necessary ; and for calling out the marines
to assist the civil magistrates and police the govern
ment is entitled to the highest praise. The marines
TOO, well merit the confidence of government for, b,
their trmness and promptiude they stopped TIT
saug her, repealed the rufans and restored to Wash
ington the blessings of law and order.
We cannot close this article without bearing wit
to The promptitude, energy and daring displayed
| nv HeDderR0n he