Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-06-21

Buildings Riddled win BHiiers-~-Tne
killed ana Wouuded---ststement OF
uv.vvfenessee.


From the 81. Louis Republican June is.
An unprovoked and wsnton outrage, involving
the lives Of several peaceful cizens was yesteraa
committed on our streets by battalion OF colonel
KaIlmsnn's ssIome Guards.
Absnt ten o'clock yesterday morning dctach-
rnsnt Of Colonel Esllmanu's regiment, returning
frcm a trim Up the North Missouri Railroad, whittier
thew had been under orders to guard the bridges,
PASSED down Seventh street, to their rendezvous in
the lower Fart of the city. As usual in cases of
military movements in the city, curiosity prompted
large numbers of people to assemble on the side
walks and at the doors and windows OF residences,
to survey the maneuvers of the troops. Their
passage was in no way interrupted, and, as far as
We can learn, there were no exhibitions Of
any kind calculated to arouse the least feeling of
hostility. There was no hoeting or abusive langu-
age on the part Of the spectators On the contrary,
while many cheered the men as the marched along,
those who did not feel disposed to join in these
demonstrations remained silent and passive obser-
vers.
Upon reaching point midway between Olive
and Pine streets, the centre of the column showed
signs of extraordinary commotion, consequent up
on an explosion of fire arms Immediately SITTER
wards the troops in advance wheeled, and almost
simultaneously volley of bullets was ehowered
upon the house on the east side of Seventh street.
extending the whole length Of the block from Pine
to Olive. The greater part of the fire seems to have
been directed towards the balcony Of the Recorders
Court situated in the second story Of the building
known as the Missouri Engine House, where num-
Der of persons, officers Of the Court, policemen and
others were standing. The marks of seventy-two
bulIots were counted upon the walls DOORS shutters
and windows in the neighborhood. but il issupposed
from the indiscriminate and awkward character of
the firing, thst much larger number of guns were
discharged, the balls passing above the houses.
The disaster from this volley was, under the cir
alx nd oil
ulous Four persons were Instantly killed, two
MORALLY wouAden, and few others slightly hurt.
The crowd was of course seized with a panic, and
fed in every direction. Preparations were, we be-
lieve, made for the second fire, but this was with
held as by that time there was no enemy in sight.
Meantime Captain J. W. Bissell, who had as
sumed command of the battalion, made himself
busy by warning persons in the neighborhood to
rornove their valuables, etc. he told young man
in attendance at Armheld's drug store, corner Of
Seventh aud Olive, to take out all the books, money
and papers, for they would blow up the engine
house adjoining in less than five minutes. The
came warning, we are informed, was extended to
the proprietOrs of grocery and provision store
next door. For some reason, however, the threat
wss not carried into effect.
II was reported that the first shot previous to the
wheeling of the head Of the column, was fred upon
the troops from the balcony of the Recorders Court
and this would seem to explain the attentions of the
most positive and convincing statements of trust
worthy witnesses that such was not the case.
E. G. Brooke, Deputy City Marshal, states that
he was standing the balcony in front Of the Re
Corders Court leaning against the south window,
looking ct the troops When the first shot was dis
charged, he was looking toward the south cor
ner of Olive and Seventh streets The head If the
column was then near Pine street. Marshal Brooke
observed the troops obliquing" around wagon
that was backed up against the curb-stone. While
they were going through tie mar 9uvre he saw o
gun discharged from the ranks, saw the blaze from
the muzze and the smoke, and then turning toward
Pine street he the front ranks turn In conside~
rable disorder and level their muskets at the baco-
nv He heard DO order to fire. Then stepping in
eide the court room Marshal Brooke gave the alarm
to the persons in the room, who immediately has
tened out of the range of the volley that in mo-
ment after Numbered along the street.
Officer Pratt was standing the balcony in front
of the north window. He was shot below the heart,
the ball passing through his bedy, and never spoke
afterward. Marshal Brooke states most positively
that the first and only firing done by the Home
Guards. He pronounces the report that some one
fred pistol from the Recorders Court balcony q
lie There were two or Ihree other persons on the
balcony besides Brooke and Pratt.
When the commotion took place in the Recorder s
Court the prisoners in the dock inquired what they
must do. Marshal Brooke told those WHO had been
arrested on trifing charges to leave but required
those arrested on State charges to remain. There
were two or three of the latter, among when was
St. Clair. held for murder They rushed for the
windows to escape, when Deputy Marshal Frenzel
followed as far as the balcony, but was MORALLY
wounded in the legs, receiving four balls
It is stated that a captain in the detachment OF
soldiers that fred was slightly wounded in the back
by ball proceeding from the weapon discharged
previous to the general firing. The wound was
trihing and made apparently by ball striking his
back. below his shoulder, and glancing along in an
upward direction, grazing the skin slightly in Its
course.
Dr. Newman, who lives in the first house north Of
Olive street. AMI saw the whole affair, Gays he was
sitting on his steps, and had been counting the
soldiers they passed his house. Whilst doing SO
they commenced Gaping their guns, when the loud
clicking Of the locks alarmed his wife, and she got
up and asked him what it meant. He told her not to
be alarmed as all was quiet, and there was no dan
ger. Immediately after, and just as the rear guard
had passed his house. he observed the discharge Of
a musket, in the ranks. At once, the Whole body
wheeled and fred into the Recorders Court, and
building adjoining. There was no shot previous to
the general firing, except that Of the soldier in the
ranks. If there had been he would have noticed It,
No disorder of any kind, not even word addressed
to the soldiers was INDUCED in, far as he could
see by any one in the vicinity. The troops as they
passed his house. exhibited great deal Of disor-
der. Mrs. Newman and her daughter also witnessed
the affair, aud saw the musket discharged BY the
soldier, and we're positive no other was fred II the
vicinity.
Mrs. Hough, the wife of the President of the Ma
rine Insurance Company, witnessed the commence
ment Of the firing. She was sitting in the window
of her house. gazing at the troops as they passed
While doing so her daughter asked why they were
cooking their guns. Immediately after she saw one
of the muskets pointed up into the air and dlseharg
ed, followed by general firing from the whole
hoo frnr1 he md
when ball struck close to the SILL tearing away
brick She knew no shot preceded the general
firing except the discharge Of the musket by the
soldier as her residence is situated close to where
the occurrence took place, and size would have no
tced it. She was positive no pistol or oteer Weap-
on was discharged from any place IL the Vicinity.
Mr.. VIM. II. Langdale, whose store is dlrectly
opposite the place where the firing occurred says
he was standing the door when the troops passed.
| he saw several putting caps on their guns Inc
man who fred the shot he saw get cap from sol
der his right and after placing 1t on ms musket
was doing something with the lock, when the piece
went off The sergeant, who was only few feet
| from him. turned and reprimsnded him sharply for
it. de then looked up the street and saw the head
of the column turn around in disorder and shoot
| The officers did not give any command, but seemed
TO do ali in their power to prevent the hiring. lie
| was positive there had been other shots fired
whatever He was standing in the door at the time,
and the shot fired took place directly IN front OF
him. and only distant few feet so that he could not
| be mistaken.
The reporter of the EUsaing Ne,ps, who was in the
Recorders Conrt at the time of the firing gives the
following statements obtained Immediately after the
| occurrence:
Henry Siebcr, German, who was standing on
the sidewalk near the drug store. Southeast corner
of Seventh and Olive states positively to us that as
the rear rank of the detschmeut passed the point
where he stood, Que o. the soldiers took his rihe
from his shoulder, and seemed to be placing cap
on the tube, or doing something else to 1t. While
holding his gun in this position it discharged,
apparently by accident Immediately thereafter,
Mr.. Siebert Gays he heard something like an order
given, but is not certain whetherit was command
to fire or not. AT any rate, the detachment com
menced firing chiefly at the Engine Honse in which
the Recorders Court was sitting, and at the house
near by.
Mr.. John G. Dill, clerk of the Recorders Court,
was standing on the balcony at the second story OF
the Engine House, overhanging the street. as the
soldiers passed by. His statement comedies with
that of Mr.. Sebert. He Gays he saw the gun dis
charged apparently by accident, in the ranks when