Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1860-08-03
5rIrtteo 1tlisteIIanp.
The Troubles at occoquan, Va.
Lincoln and Hamlia Pole CIT Dorm. -
Scenes. Incidents dc,

w lllldm county, a., enueu On rTluay
asst, happily without bloodshed. A corr
respondent of the Alexandria Gazette
yisited Occoquan on Friday, learned all
he particulars of the affair and was pre-
sent at all the transactions. From his
'eport we make up the following summa-
~ of the proceedings:
The Erection Of the Pole.-On the
ith of July last the black-republicans, of
whom some sixty reside in the vicinity
Of Occoquan, instituted an association
and agreed to erect pole--to bear aloft
a flag with the names Of Lincoln and
Hamin, The pole was accordingly
erected. Upon the raising of the pole,
the pole-raisers were armed with muskets,
and made quite military demonstration
A meeting was held, at which black-re-
publican speeches were made by w. G. |
Athey and j. Wright, the latter Of
whom, a newcomer, is said to be quite
an orator.
Subsequent Bragadocia. Many per-
sons in the neighborhood opposed the
erection of the pole, believing it to be
standing menace to the peace of the coun-
ty. but at first there was no indication of
an attempt to disturb it. The republi-
cans, when spoken to on the subject, an
swered that there was no one in the
county who dared to touch the pole"
" there were men enough to defend it,
&c. On one occasion an old resident of
the neighborhood was assaulted because
he had declared that the pole was a nui-
sance and on another threats were made
to ride upon n rail gentleman living
near by because he had spoken Southern
sentiments freely in Occoquan Letters
were published in the Wheeling Intclli-
gencer declaring that = the people in the
county wanted the pole removed, but had
not the heart to do it.
Indignation Meeting.-This raised
much feeling in the neighborhood, and at
a meeting at Brentsyille, some time about
last court, it was agreed that the flag was
an insult to the people of Virginia, and
incendiary in the object it was raised to
promote, and should be torn down on
Friday, the 9th day of July.
The Republican" Preparations. =
Intelligence Of this determination soon
reached Occoquan, and on Monday night
a republican meeting was held there to
devise measures for the defense of the
flag pole On the following morning
Mr.. j. c. Athey visited Washington,
and sent to Gov. Letcher the following
dispatch
We, the citizens of Occoquan, are
threatened with invasion by an armed
mob of three hundred men from distant
part of the county, on Friday next, at
twelve o'clock, NJ and call upon you for
protection in this emergency, otherwise
we shall have to defend ourselves.
w. G. ATHEY, on behalf of citizens"
To which the Governor responded in
stanter, as follows:
"Orders will be issued at once to Gen.
Hunton for the protection of your citi-
zens. john LETcHER.
The Governor accordingly sent orders
to Gen. Hunton, who directed Colonel
Brawner to hold troop Of horse in read
mess to give such protection as was me-
When the dispatch was re-
ceived on Tuesday night from Governor
Letcher, great rejoicing was manifested
by the republicans.
Whilst in Washington, Athey made
arrangements with certain republicans"
to furnish 40 or so fire arms of approved
make, with ammunition therefor, which
were to be sent to Occoquan on Tuesday
night, by wagon. The dispatch from
Gov. Letcher, however, induced the
abandonment Of this plan At the meet
ng at Occoquan, and amid great enthu-
'iasm, it was resolved that the pole should
De defended to the death unless the as
jailants numbered more than three to one
If the republicans.
The Women Adempt 10 CIT lie Pole
Dorm. On the night of Thursday, seve-
al of the wives Of the residents at Oc-
.oquan, fearing bIoodshcd would occur
he next day, attempted to demolsh the
,ole. In the attempt the wife Of Mr..
DUTY was seriously wounded by blow
rom her axe. The men gathered how
ver, and took the women away from
round the object Of their attack.
The T,eeaty-SerenM Of July.-On tho
morning of the 9th, (Friday, the ere
ublicans" hoisted the American flag, and
he party ensign bearing the names of
lincoln and Ilamlin. During the morn
ng most Of the women left the village,
nd the place seemed quite deserted, but
% preparations were made for defense,
nd memorial to the Colonel asking
rejection, was prepared and numerous
J signed.
At 30 o'clock the Prince William
'avolry, Capt Thornton commanding
uttered the village and ranged themselves
! the neighborhood Of the pole. They
ere followed by company about forty
rong, under command Of Captain NJ
itzhugh and Major Carter, who, paying
0 attention whatever TO the horssmen,
uietly formed 10 a hollow square around
le pole, facing inwards. Whilst this
,mpany was surrounding the pole, Mr..
os. 7. Janney advanced TO the captain
the troop Of horse and claimed pro.
elton for his property, upon which the
DO stood.
At the word Of command, james w.
lckson, Of Fairfax, a stalwart yeoman, I
rang forward and gave the frat blow,