Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-11-27
A case of Tarring and Feathering

military commission was sitting in New Or
leans to try number of Btcessi0Iists who had
tarred and teathered II man numed Ellis propre
tor Of the "Pe0ple's Course at the Hopkins
plantation. 1t appears from the evidence that
n race was recently run on the course when iw 10
men, named Harrison and Adams required E.la
to stop the sport, and GU his refusal they seized
him and arraigned him before IL mock tribunal,
in which Adams sat as judge, and ordered him
to leave the State within twelve hours, that the
accused parties were all present except Harrison;
that he tgds tried as Abotltionisi and UnioRist
dangerous TO the peace and dignity Of Me Colteder.
ats States. After the decision he was required 10
sign paper, acknowledging himself an abolition
list, agreeing to give up the track, and accepting
the decision. This he refused to do. He was
then taken uptwo flights of stairs and put in close
confinement.
''Some hours afterwards, at midnight, he was
taken cut, under ostensible orders for the parish
prison, but he was taken towards the swamps.
lie asked TO see his friend, Thomas Askew, but
they refused TO wake him at that hour"
Ellis himself testi6es as follows; "On arriving
at the swamp quite crowd of people had col
ected, who called for Burnett, who came for
ward He asked what he had done that he should
be treated thus and ii they were going to murder
| him when Adams, who was there as master of
the ceremonies said If he had signed the paper
all his troubles would have been avoided. Adams
asked him II he had any money and how long il
would take him to settle up his affairs. He said
he had some eight or teu dollars, and handed
that with his club book to Adams. lie again 1-
quired what they were going to do with him,
when, with an insulting reply, he was told to take
off his Clothes and on mis- refusal, he was struck
several times, aud they were torn. lie asked fol
fifteen minutes to prepare himself, thinking they
would kill him, but it was refused
"Adams then gave orders that he should bt
thrred and feathered, and told them to put it OF
good and the process was preceded with. III
did not know the men who executed it, After i
was over Adams called out, sMums the word ]
any man here reveals what has been done to ,nigh
he shall not HOe Jorty-eight hours afterwards. AL
who are OF this mind suy aye!' The crowd re.
sponded, AYE, Nyel' 'Al who are OF diferen
minds said Adams, win say nay But not
nay was heard. Adams then told Ellis Their
were one hundred and thirty nine engaged in tn
affair, that he could not live if he revealed wha
had passed, and that God himself could not saw
him,
''With a kick and push, as soon as this wa
over, he was told TO go and sec his id Lincol
iriends. Aud in this cruel condition he endea
vored to make his way hOmewards, which wa
no easy matter, between his feelings at what b
had gone through, his lot knowing where b.
was, the fear and phame of being seen, and th
physical misery his condition caused him"
General Butler hearing of this outrage imme
diately arrested the offenders aud organized
military commission to try them. The case ha
not been concluded when the Potomac left.