Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1864-05-19
Col. Streight's Report Of the Clay
County Disturbances.

Ia 8 lSBiAxApoIas. May 1. 1864.
70 AS Ereellency. Cor. o. p. Norton:
sDsAR SiE--0n Monday last, was
invited TO speak at meeting to be held at
Brazil, yesterday at one o'clock, p. NJ.
for the purpose oil raising recruits for the
Oae Hundred Days Service. When 1
arrived at the depot, | was informed that
there was a party of men encamped at s.
school house. soma four milcs Northeast Of
the town, who had avowej a determine
tion to attack the citizens Of that place.
gave the subject but little attention at
frst. but, after couversing with several of
the citizens. concluded to visit the desig-
mated place. with Lieut.. -Stunkari. for the
purpose 81 asccrtsining the truth of the
case. We had proceeded about three miles
onthe National road east ofthe town. when
We cams to cross road. at which place
were congregsted from twelve to fifteen
men. each of whom was armed either with
fifis or shot gun loaded AID capped. We
stopped and entera into conversation with
them concerning che state of the Country
and the object OF their meeting We had
boon there but few minutes, when large
party cane.pp. aud in, the course of an
hour and q hall some three hundred men
had congreSstcd, who were armed as before
dsscribed--nany of them had revolvers
visible upon their persons in addition to
the guns above reierredto. | talked with
them freely as TO their object in congre-
eating. and discovered that they wers fully
organized into military command. MANY
of them made very violent ehreats against
thsspeople Of Brazil. All with when talk.
Sd expressed the most bitter Contempt and
hostility toward the State and National
authorities. nsir. tho most abusive cpl
thets against both. After convorsiug with
them freely. ! became fully convinced that
thsy were assembled for reasonable pur-
poses. In the meantime HAD ordered two
companies Of the Indiana Legian (near
RraziD TO DC assembled as soon as posi-
bic. They were mostly in town, and re-
sponded promptly. l then informed the
reasonable. armed mob, that If they did
not dispense at once I would give chem
an opportunity of testing the sincerity of
their declarations by giving them battle
without delay; and, notwithstanding
numerous violent declarations to the con.
trsry. when I ordered the Legion brought
up, they began TO disperse. travelling the
several roads, and in q few moments had
all left. 's
Lieutenant Stunkard and myself, to-
gether with five or six Union men, who
hadeollected there during the conversation,
then returned to the town, and on our
arrival we found the people in a state of
qYcitpp.onf In carcaoono, oF ~ otbar ,,or,v
numbering some forty or fifty men, sim
ilariy armed. which was approaching the
town on the National road from the
West. The citizens had already sen. a
delegation requesting them to leave their
arms behind, hoping thus to avoid blood
shed. The pretended commander had re-
fused to comply. and expressed deter
mination to do as he pleased: but in the
meantime had halted about half mile
from town. at once ordered one COM
pany Of the Legion forward on the road in
that direction. and proceeded immediately
to ascertain if possible the determination
of the hostile party. On arriving where
they were, inquired for the officer in COM
mand, and after short conversation with
him, sscertained that he was expecting
to form Junction with the other party at
Bazil. showing complete concert of action.
told him that he and his party were at
liberty to 60 either to the town or return
home. whichever they saw fit. but that no
: military display would be allowed, unless
they Joined the regular military organi-
cation; and that their presence was looked
upon by the people as hostile demostra-
Enthusiastically they must dispense at
once. or should use the necessary means
to, sceomplish this object at the earliest
possible moment. At first they seemed
inclined to stand,their ground. Just be-
fore the company had orderd up arrived
they left hurriedly!f-T~ ere --.-l
Thus ended what seemed at one time to
bs.s more serious difficulty than mere
words. These people seemed to we'll
understand each other. though tho citizens
of Clay county knew but a small number
oftbem.s They were mostly on horse
back. Some were recognized who lived
twenty-five miles away. asked many of
them their names, hut all refused to give
their names or the names of their com
rades, though some of them were recog-
nized, aud expect soon to be able to
furnish you with the names of several of
the leaders and most violent parties be-
longing TO the gang. will here remark
thss they were very hard looking set Of
men; not an educated. gentlemanly appear
ing man among them, and it is my opin-
ion that unless some of their leaders are
speedily arrested we may look any day
for startling news from Clay county.
Most respectfully your obedieut servant,
4. ID. STaErcdT,
Ca1anal s1ct Ind;a,o Viz