The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-09-12
Horrible Murder.


Horrible Murder.
we give the following letter, from
gentleman of the first character,
writing from Newberry, giving an ac-
count of Almost horrible murder COM
mittcd in that precinct. We had heard
the facts stated before, in private
letters, to the same fleet, but less full
In detail. We doubt nothing of the
statement. It was only what was to
be expected from the employment of
negro troops throughout the State.
We trust that proper steps will be
taken, by the proper authorities, for
bringing to punishment the enactors
of this cold-blooded tragedy. We have
submitted the statement to General
Amcs, the Commanding General in
this Department., and shall bring to
his and to public notice every atrocity,
OF this or any sort, which shall be re-
ported to us on any respectable au-
thority. We repeat our invitation to
all aggricved parties, to submit their
facts on proper aflidavits. We shall
take care that they shall reach the
proper authorities:
i On Thursday evening, September
7th, the 33d Regiment of U. S. C. L.
reached Newbcrry, by rail, from some
point above. The command was
camped near the town during the
night. intending to march early next
morning towards Orangeburg. Some
negro quarters near the railroad depot
We're made the Rendezvous for all
who could get out of camp, and night
was made hidcous by their profanity
and loud talking-the result of drink.
we take it for granted. During the
night, one of the negroes entered a
car In which some ladies were spend
ing the night-having come up from
Aston and having no other available
arrangements, as the car arrived from
below at IL o'clock p. M. These
ladies' were under the protection of
Mr.. Calvin Grocer, of Galveston.
Texas, in bearing and appearance q
perfect gentleman. Some words en-
sned and the negro, being very inso-
lent and using offensive language.
Grocer attempted to eject him from
the car into which he had intruded.
A fight ensucd, in which others par
tlcipated; and, in sclf-defencc, Grocer
used knife on one of the negroes.
Shortly afterwards Sergeant and six
armed negro soldiers returned and
seized Grocer, pinioned his arms and
took him from the depot. They kept
HIM In custody until day break, when
he was taken to a convenient point
and deliberately 'shot TO dcnh mHh
muShrhw." The Sergeant in charge.
to make his death u sure thing, fired a
pistol ball through his head. A hole
was then dug and the yet warm but
ilfeless body was thrown in, head fore
most, IN most disgraccful and brutal
manner, and only partly buried.
Soon after the battalion took up tho
line OF march for Orangeburg. The
ladies, exposed in an open car, were
IN a most painful agony of mind, and
before leaving for Greenville on Fri
day morning, brought the murder TO
the attention of the local authorities
A coroner's jury was duly impannelled,
and, after protracted investigation.
brought In verdict that the deceased
came to his death by shots fired from
muskets in the hands of u file of sol
dlers from the 33d U. S. G. T., &c.
The remains of Mr.. Grocer were
decently inferred, after funeral services
at the Methodist Church. amid the
regrets G. the entire community. ~