, 1862-06-28
A Malicious Assault.

SESSION III JnlS CITY, an ARRAY occurred between
soldier belonging to the garrison, and citizen
named Anderson, residing some miles from this
place, in Oregon. Offensive words were passed
between them, when Anderson seized a stone and
threw it violently at the soldier striking him on
the head and telling him PROSTATE to the ground.
Citizens who witnessed the act, denounce it as un-
justifable and cowardly. The city marshal was
present, but for reasons best known to himself
did not arrest the offender. Anderson was intox-
cated and quarrelsome and should have been ar
rested. Another officer of the law Immediately
issued warrant, but in the meantime Anderson
had escaped. The warrant for his arrest was
promptly placed in the hands of the marshall
There was quite gathering of soldiers present,
who were aware of the above facts, some of whom
even saw and read the warrant. On the same
evening an armed company of soldiers marched
through our streets, took possession of our city,
and surrounded the jail building in which the
marshal was at the time attending to his duties.
They demanded his arrest, and threatened to ef
feet it before they left the city. Shouts of chang
him, " shes id secessionist," and other mob
like expressions were used. 1t was to all intents
and purposes a mob, and the crowd were becom-
ing excited and boisterous, when Capt Curry ap-
preached the spot and succeeded after a short
controversy in getting them into line and marched
them back to their quarters. On Sunday the
marshal proceeded to the residence of Anderson,
who promised to come in and be tried by the
courts provided the Colonel of the post would
guarantee that he should not be molested by
mob We understand Anderson has left for Sal
mon river. On Monday morning tie marshal ten
dered his resignation to the Council, a meeting of
which body was Immediately held and another
officer appointed.
Admitting that the officer in this instance was
grossly derelct in duty it furnishes no pretext for
mob in our midst, nor does it Justify the opinion
which seems to prevail at the garrison that our
officers are secessionists, and therefore soldiers
cannot maintain their rights in our community
Excepting, perhaps, the officer in question-and
we know not the motives which actuated him
there has been no disposition throughout this dis
turbance on the part of either citizens or officers
upon the soldier On the contrary, citizens prompt
ly demanded his arrest, and the necessary papers
were Immediately issued. We know the officers
of this city whom the garrison people denominate
secessionists and we know the people whom they
class the same because forsooth they are opposed
to mobs The Colonel in command at the garri-
son has the means of putting this thing to the
test If the officers and people of this city are
secessionists, he can exercise the authority i'm
posed upon him, and thereby demonstrate the
truth of this affirmation The garrison folks are
prone to complain that the men are abused in
our streets, that they "can't come up here with
out being insulted," &c. This is all bosh. They
forget that soldiers have in many instances while
in our city imbibed too much of the ardent, and
become abusive and disorderly; and this has oc-
CURED too in instances within our own knowledge
without particle of harm to the offender. As
long as men will drink and thereby become riot
GUS and quarrelsome, measures should be adopted
so far as may be to guard against occasions for
disturbance. If there was a disposition to this
end, means might be easily adopted to put an end
to all controversies between soldiers aud citizens
controversies which invariably occur in this city
and not within the garrison limits. We do not
mean to deny soldiers the right to visit the city,
nor if within our power would we prohibit their
coming but it seems to us it would be prudent
and proper, and highly beneficial at this time of
inimcal attitudes, if the commanding officer would
initiate the example of Gen. Wright under similar
circumstances, and in general confne his men
within the garrison limits; at least until the hos
side. Let the soldiers as a general thing, stay
within their limits for awhile and we will guaran
tee that it will have the effect to bring about a
better state of things.