The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1863-04-23
Ofe Daily dnnrttar.
Correspondence of the New York Herald.
THE FOOD cue STI0 n
The Bread Riot in Richmond.
HEADoUARrERs, Army PoToNAc, |
April IL, R62.

April IL, &62
A refugee from Richmond, who left
that city on Tuesday, gives an interest
ing account of the riot of the I'd inst
Considerable excitement had prevailed
for some time in consequence OF the ex-
orbitant prices, and rumors OF popular
movement had been in circulation for
several days Females had begged in
the streets, and at the stores, until beg
cling did no good, and many had been
driven to robbery to sustain hfe. On the
morning of the I'd inst large meeting,
composed principally of the wives and
daughters of the working classes, was
held in the African church, and a COM
mittee appointed to wait upon the Gov
ernor to request that articles of food
should be sold at Government rates.
After the passage of sundry resolutions
the meeting adjourned, and the commit
tee proceeded to wait upon Governor
Letcher That functionary declined to
take any steps in the matter, and upon
urging the case the ladies were peremp-
torily ordered to withdraw. The result
of the interview was soon made public,
when a body of females, numbering
about three hundred, collected together,
and commenced helping themselves to
bread, -four, meat, articles of clothing,
&c. The entire city was at once thrown
into CONSERVATION. Stores were closed,
the windows barred, doors bolted, and
every precaution taken against forcible
entries; but hatchets and axes in the
hands of women rendered desperate by
hunger made quick work, and building
IA w. rOl-
The destruction commenced on Carey
street, above Fifteenth street, and was
becoming general in that section of the
city, when the City Guard, with fixed bay
onets, arrived at the scene of operations
A few individuals attempted to resist the
women, but without success. One man
who struck female was wounded in the
shoulder by shot from revolver, and
the threatening attitude of those armed
with hatchets, &C., intimidated others
from attempting force. The Mayor soon
appeared, and, mounting a stool on the
sidewalk, proceeded to read the riot act
During the reading of that document a
portion of the crowd suspended opera
tons, but no sooner had the Mayor con-
cluded, than the seizure of provisions
commenced again more vigorous than
before. At this juneture an attempt was
made to arrest the more violent, but the
party Immediately scattered, and, enter
ing Main street, resumed operations.
Governor Leteher then appeared, and,
mounting vehicle in the center of the
street, addressed the throng, character
izing the demonstration as a disgrace
and stigma upon the city, and announc-
ing that but FIVE minutes would be given
them in which to dispense. If in that
time the order was not complied with,
the troops would be called upon to act
Again the crowd broke up, and in few
moments burst into the stores on Frank
lin street But little damage was done
here, however, and the riot finally sub
sided, but not until after the arrest of
about forty of the women, and the prom
Use nf tho Gere=za- tS-solivvo the wants
of the destitute. A large amount of
bread and bacon was carried off, and all
epgaGedubfFbftSh Or bfbsfsfohs. Steps have
been taken to provide for the immediate
wants of some of the families; but great
suffering still prevails and is daily in
creasing. Another uprising is feared,
and precautionary measures for its sup
preston have been instituted; but great
aneasiness is felt throughout the city,
and merchants are adding to the strength
of doors and shutters in every possible
manner. The effect of this riot upon the
troops about Richmond was very demon
alizing. The authorities are much exer-
eised over it, and the greatest vigilance
is enjoined upon the police force. The
leading men of the city attempted to cir
culate the report that the women were
Irish and Yankee hags," endeavoring
to mislead the public concerning the
amount of loyal sentiment in the city,
but miserably failed The fact of their
restitution and responsibility was too
palpable, and the authorities are forced
to admit the conclusion that starvation
alone melted the movement.