The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-07-29
THE TROUBLE AT oCCOQUiN, VIRGINIA.


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traction OF the black Republfean Ii.
Oerty Pole-The Cause OF the Difficult.
", sc.
SPECIAL DESPATCH TO THE HERALD.
WASHINGTON, July %, 1850
Yesterday afternoon party Of forty men under the
command OF Capt N. Ftzhugh and Major Carter in the
presence and in Defiance If not by the consent Of Gov
Letcher's Prince William Cavalry corps Capt. Thornton
commanding, entered the village of occoquan Virginia,
and cut down liberty pole erected by the republican
from which 1oaed the American flag, and upon which
was inscribed the names of Lincoln and Hamn. The
Alexandria Gazette OF to day describes the fol-.
lows -
On the 4h Of July the black republicans Of whom some
sixty reside in the vicinity Of Occoquan instituted
socation, and agreed to erect pole TO bear aot flag
with the Of Lincoln and Hamlin The pole was &C.
cordngy erected the following persons assisting in the
pole raising Underwood, w. c. Athey Robert Cur
it's Oliver Underwood, II. W. Rves, j. W. Miller, William
Davis (boy), Stephen Hamml, John Taylor Andrew Un-
derwood Marion Grigg Coulter James Could Thomas
Rves Jr., H. +. Duty W. H. Johnston, T. L. seecman
John Wright, William Western, A. A. Selecman, Edward
Roberts Qngshman), Tasco Harris Gree negro), Jim
Snyder (ree ncgro), and Albert Harris (frcc negro)
Upon the raising Of the pole the pole rases armed
with muskets and made quite military demonstration
meeting held at which black republican speeches
were made by W. Athey and J. Wright Many persons
in the neghbohood opposed the erection of the pole but
at FIRST there indication of attempt to disturb
it. TIE republicans when spoken to the sub.
ject answered, "That there in theycountry
who dared TO touch the pole-here enough TO
defend it," &C. On one occasion old resident of the
neighbohood assaulted because he declared that the
pole nuisance and another threats made TO
ride upon rail gentleman living by, because he
had spoken Southern sentiments freely in Occoquan. This
raised much feeling in the neghborhood and at meeting
at Brentsvie time about last Court it agreed
that the flag insult to the people Of Virginia. and
incendiary in the object raised to PROMOTE and
should be torn down on Friday, the 9th day of July.
Intelligence Of this determination reached Deco.
guam, aud on Monday night a republican meeting
held there to devise measures for the defence
of the flag pole. On the following morning Mr.
j. C. Athey visited Washington, and sent to Co.
vernon Letcher the despatch which published yes
terday Whilst in Washington Athey made arrangements
with certain republicans To furnish forty fifty firearms
of approved make, with ammunition therefor, which
to be sent 10 Occoquan Tuesday night by wagon
The despatch from Governor Letcher however, induced
the abandonment OF this plan.
On the morning Of the 9th yesterday the republ.
cans hoised the American flag and the party ensign
bearing the Of Linsoln and Hamlin AT halfpast
three O'Clock the Prince William Cavalry Capt Thornton
commanding, entered the village, and ranged themselves
in the neghborhood Of the pole. They followed by
company Of about forty strong under command of
Captain Ftzhugh and Major Carter, who, paying no
attention whatever TO the horsemen quietly formed in
hollow square around the POLE facing inwards. Whilst
this company was surrounding the POLE Mr.. Joseph T.
Janney advanced To the captain troop of horse and
claimed protection for his property, upon which the pole
stood.
At the word Of command, James W. Jackson of Fair
fax stalwart yeoman, sprang forward and gave the
first blow Others followed, redoubng stroke on stroke
Duringithe time there interruption, save the re-
publcans and others who stood at by would
cry out, "An't your axe dull2 Hope you're having a
good time" &c. In few minutes, however, there was
cry Of stand from under ~ the pole came TO the
ground.
Instantly the crowd gave three cheers when the repub.
leans responded by " Three cheers for Hamlinn All
we're quickly at work the fallen pole and in less time
than II takes 10 tell IL was chopped W and The pieces
Carried on. The fig was sent to Brentsvilc.
So soon the Gag pole eyelled, Captain Fiizhush
ordered about face" and his company marched OF,
sauted as they went by mingled Jeers and applause.
During the evening there some excitement and
personal rcncontre took place between Colonel Era
anu Jofph Jhnney, in WHICH the at'er was confider
ably injured The crowd cleared away during the evening
and at shutdown all was quiet.
The republicans say they will put up another pole on
the same SITE
report reached here tonight, through parties who
were at occoquan yesterday that the greatest excite
ment prevailed at that place when they ef that several
republicans had been attacked and fights resulted
statement is that Mr. Janney, Bell and Everett man.
old settler Virginia. large property holder and the
Of the land where the liberty pole was erected
bru,ay saed and beaten because he asserted that
he had the right to declare his principles upon his
own homestead, and to permit others exercise their
rights within bis grounds II IL pleased him 10 do 80