The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-14

Fight Between Rioters and the Home
Guard-Several Persons Killed.


81. Louis, May IL, 1881.
The city the Of another terrible Tragedy last
night About six O'CLOCK 4 large BODY Of Home Guards
entered the city through Fhth street from the Arsenal,
where they had been enlisted during the day and fur
nisbed with arms. On reaching Walnut greet lie
troops turned westward, large crowd lining
the pavement TO witness their progress At the
Of Fifth stree. parties among the spectators beg N
hootng, hissng, and otherwises abusing the companies
they passed, and boy about fourteen yours Old dis
charged pistol into their ranks. Part Of the
pany Immediately turned and fred upon the crosd and
the whole column was instantly ia confusion breaking
their Iks and discharging their muskes down
own line and among the people on the sidewalks The
shower of calls for few minutes was terrible, the bu
lets flying every direction entering the doors and win
dows Of private residences, breaking shutters, and
smashing bricks in the third story.
The utmost and CONSERVATION prevailed, spec
tators fleeing in all directions and but for the random
firing OF the troops OF people must have been killed
As moss Of the firing directed down their ranks
the troops suffered moot severely four OF their number
beng instantly killed and several wounded.
Jerry Switzer, river engineer, John Garvn and Viii
Lam Ca0y, all citizens, were killed.
Charles ii. Woodward was wounded in the shoulder.
lis entire arm viii have 10 be amputated.
Geafrey, working in the garden Of Mr.. Cozens,
ceived three minnie balls in his body.
Michael Davis tEd an ankle shattered.
James +. WEIGH badly shot in the foot. Several
others were less seriously wounded.
The house OF Gr Matthews received three bullets One
o. his daughters was struck by spent ball ony one OF
u
Immense crowds OF people Tiled the after
occurrence The most intense indignation was expressed
cited crowd and induced them to dispense under the pro-
mise that 70 further whence should be DONE The city
was comparatively quiet during the evening aud night,
heavy rain preventing the 3sgerrbln9of large crowds
The State troops were released from the arsenal last
evening and caue TO the city on steamer, fearing 70
themselves among the Germans Of the lower wards
even under escort They s complain bitterly OF bad
treatment during their confinement at the arsenal Gen
Eros. officers gave their parole under orotes and
b m fnsra2 Vpc q anna
when taxing the oath no. 10 bear arms against
the Cpited states.
streets nave been hronged with excited people long
procession loudly censured those authority pu:,
loaded arms in the hands OF inexperienced volunteers
shoot down noGensive citizens. AL good citizens depre
cate the action OF awlees parties, and Justly blame
troops for iDdiscrimnate firing into the crowds Of
cent people without orders and against the
cessary marching OF soldiers through the city.
In order 10 aay the excitement apd restore confidence
70 the people, General Harvey has issued proclamation
TO the people Of St. Louis aud the State which has bscn
posted throughout the city, expressing deep regret at the
state Of things existing mere plsdgng himself to DO all
public authorities to aid him in the diechsrge OF his
duties He says the military force under his command
viii only be used at the last extremity and hopes he will
not be compelled to resort TO martial law but simply
states that the public peace DE preserved and the
lives Of the people protected He says he mas 10
thorty change tho location OF the Home Guard quar-
tered in the city but to avoid al cause OF circulation Of
the excitement If called upon to aid the LOT Al authorities,
will use the regular army IN preference 10 acco.d dance
with this proclamation, battalion OF regulars has been
sent TO the city and psced under the direction OF the
Police Commissioners, 10 act military police corps.
Considerable Ia wlesness has prevailed the past
days. and several innocent Germ have been shot in
the streets. The feeling against Germans is mes,
intense, the regular volunteers and Home Guard beng
composed mainly Of that class Of citizens and through
their acts 60 mary innocent people have been killed
Several persons, charged with hrng the troops and
sbootrg in the streets, have been arrested and the
police are on the alart
The OF the surrender OF Camp Jackson creates in
tense excitement at Jefferson City, and TIE Harris Mill
tary bin passed both House and Senate IN fifteen