The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-08-03
r., Trouble a, Oeeoquan, ye.

despatch nom Washington to the N. York
Herald gives the following account Of the des-
,ruc,ion OF the Republican liberty pole at Do
coqusn, Va;
Yesterday afternoon o party Of forty men,
under the command Of Capt NJ. fitzhnsh anu
MAJOR Carter. In the presence and In aen n,.
IL not by the consent, OF Gov. Leteher ,N,
william Cavalry Corps, Capt Thornton y;r.
mandng, entered the village OF Oceolus,i hy
ginia, and cut down liberty pole saI meri.
can aag. and upon which Was inserioVA '"e
names Of Lincoln and Hamiin. A.. ...,. a.
The Alexandra Gazette describes the scene ~
follows u,.., Re,nhl,can.-
Of whom some sixty reside IN the vicinity y,
occoouan, instituted an ASSOCIATION anu agr.eu
to erect pole to ,S Ss1 M,% a,Tn The pole ras
names OF Lincoln anu hanin' INV Po'S "es
accordingly raised.
Ifr,n he erection OF Il the pole raisers were
,rmei with muskets, shd made quite military
REORGANIZATION. A meeting was held. at which
Black Republican speeches were made by W.
q. Athey and J. Wright. Many persons in the
neighborhood opposed the erection Of the pole,
but at first there was no Indication OF an at
tempt To disturb IL The Republicans, when
spoken 10 on the subject, answered, That there
the pole-there were men enough 10 defend II,
sc. On one occasion an old resident OF the
neighborhood was assaulted because he declared
that the pole Vas nuisance, and on another
threats were made 10 ride upon rail senue-
man living near by. because he had spoken
Southern sentiments freely in Occoluan. Ihis
raised much feeling in the neighborhood, and
ut meeting at Brentsyille, some time about
last court, Il was agreed that the hag was an
insult 20 the peopleof Virginia, and ineendiary
In the object 10 was intended to promote, and
should DO torn down ON Friday. the 9Th day
OF July. :,
Intelligence Of this determination soon reached
Occo9uan, and Republican meeting was held
there 10 devise measures Tor the deienSe VI '1e
Atbey visited Washington, and sent to Gov.
LeteLer the dispatch which we published yes
tere.y. Whilst in Washington, Athey made
arrangements with certain Republicans TO fur
nish forty or ffty firearms OF approved make,
with ammunition therefor, which were to be
sent 10 Occoquan on Tuesday night by wagon
The dispatch from Gov. Letcher, however, in
duccd the abandonment OF this plan,
On the morning Of the 9th the Repubiicans
nolsted the American flag and the party ensign
bearing the names OF Lincoln and Hamlin. At
half past 2 O'Clock the Prince William cavalry,
Cam Thornton commanding, entered the VII.
LACE and ranged themselves IN the vicinity OF
the pole. They were followed by COMPANY
Of about forty strong, under command OF 'apt.
Fitrhugh and Major Carter, who, paying no
attention whatever TO the horsemen, quietly
formed in q hollow square around the pole,
facing inyards Whilst this company was sur
rounding the pole, Mr.. Joseph I. Janney al.
yaneel 10 the captain Of the troop OF horse AMI
claimed protection for his property, on which
the pole stood.
Al the word Of command. James W. jackson,
of Fsrf,x. stslwart yeomsn, sprang iOrwaru
and gave the hrst blow. Others followed, re-
doubling stroke ON stroke. During the time
there Was no interruption, save the Republicans
and others who stosl at the corners near by
would cry out, "Aint yoar axe dull Hope
YOU'RE having good time," sc. In lew
moments, however, there was cry OF island
from under 80 and the pOlc came to the ground.
Instantly the crowd gave three cheers, when
the Republicans responded by Three cheers
for Lincoln and HamlG." All were quickly at
work on the fallen pole, and in less time than
Il takes to tell il was chopped up and the pieces
carried off The dag was sent to BrentsVilie.
So soon AZ the hag-pole was leVelled, capt
Fitthugh ordered .About face" AMI his COM
pany marched OF. ssluted as they went Dy
mingled jeers and applause.
During the evening there was some excne-
rnent, anil a personal rencontre took place be
tween Col Brawner and Joseph /. Janney, IN
which the latter WAS considerably injured. The
crowd cleared away during the evening, and at
shutdown all was quiet.
The Republicans say they will put az another
pole ON the same site.
A report reached here tonight, through par
ties who were at OccOquan yesterday, that the
greatest excitement prevailed at that place when
they LEFT; that several Republicans had been
attacked, and severe fights resaltel. One stale /
ment i that Mr.. Yanney, Bell and Everett
msu-an old settler in Virginia, large prop
crty boI,ler. and the owner OF the land where
the liberty pole was erccted-was brutaly as
sailed aad beaten because he asserted that he
bsd the right "a declare his own principles ON
his hi, own homestead, and To permit others to
exercise their rights within his own grounds IL
il pleased him TO do -.