The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-12-28
The Riot mt Alexandria, Va.
WASHINGTON Dec a. 1855

The Alexandria (Virginia) Journal, in giving an &c
count Of the riot there on Christmas, says-
whiskey flowed in streams from many restaurants,
and from dealt ont as literally TO the c0lored
people TO the whites Early IN the morning il was
observed that all the young reconstructed well
armed. Rio,ng commenced at an early hour in the
morning, and by O'Clock P. NJ. had assumed such
fearful proportions that the Mayor found II necessary TO
call upon the military authorities TO suppress IT, Three
companies Of Hancccks veterans forthwith ordered
and proceeded TO arrest every found engaged in
rotng and disordery conduct Many persons had been
on the scene Of action il was found that between fifty
and hundred Of the ringleaders OF the various dstur
hanscs then going throughout the city were mostly
sent 10 the slavepcn and tnerc compelled TO remain
during the remainder Of the day. Some OF them
yesterday morning released, while the more guilty are
still in confinement
IT seems the first reports were exaggerated, as the
Journal gays Some fifty or one hundred badly
beaten; but far have been able to learn but
two were BADLY injured to preclude the hope Of
recovery.
During the ,lay mott rnpr0v okod riot reported
have occurred at Chappc Hall, where number Of col
cred people were holding rarity white man by the
Of MITCHELL who liz sad TO have participated in tho
riot was seriously wounded in the head, and at ono
o'clock In The afternoon bis death was currently re-
ported.
from the Washington Chronicle, Dec. 81
serious disturbance occurred N Alexandria on Christ
mas Day, which near resulting fatally to IuEUer
Of colcred men, and indeed may yet so rsllt II sp
pears that large number Of men, nearly as we can
learn chiefly cx- Confederate soldiers took II into their
heads celebrate Christmas by general onslaught on
tile negroes They commenced by imbibiDg freely Of
those beverages usually INDUCED in largely at this par
crlor season Of the year and having attained very high
pitch Of dutch COURAGE" resolved themselves into a
Of volunteer patrol organization and started ont on
general reconnaissance around the city, many Of them
armed with pistols and other weapons, and wherever
they met with darker skin than their own n
time during the forenoon, had matters very much
their wny, going about the streets sngly or in
squads freely displaying their weapons and boldly bal
loolng for JEFF Davis, General Lee and other leading
rebels Three colored soldiers, belonging Il. Battery
Rogers while standing ut the Of Prince and Fair
fax streets wore set upon party o. IN ess sqans and
corner & Duke ana where asse Go
hy, and inaueura,ed general melee The colorc& meg
defended themselves and shots were freely exchanged
white man named Mitchell reciviDg severe wound IN
the head, which, lis thought Will prove fatal The
dnefen. Parts ris'' Of tho city all through the
day, and number Of colored men were assaulted and
beaten, besides several wounded with pistol SHOTS
Among tho John Anderson, ehot in the head
and Robert Sanders skull fractured They were both
removed 10 the hospital but are not expected to recover
The riot having become serious, about one r. M Mayor
Ware appIied 10 tho military for assistance teIo-
graphic despatch sent to General Augur who sent
Instructions 10 use many troops as were necessary 70
order and preserve tho peace In pursuance o.
these instructions three companies Of the Eighth reg
mcnt Hancocks corps, were called out and some three
score or moro Of conspicuous among the rioters
were arrested 40 sent 10 the savcpen.
The affair 10 have been arranged beforehand, IL
we may Judge from the accounts that have reached ~,
as every appearance Of having been deliberately
entered upon, and the appear TO have come out IN
the morning fully prepared for IT, many Of them wear
could scarrely have believed Il possible that such
madness could have existed almost within the
shadow Of the Capitol The rians who thus give vent
TO their blind rage and prejudice against tho coorcd race
arc the enemies the South now has II rs 70 be
hoped they will meet the punishment they go richly
merit and he taught lesson this subject which will
not soon fade from their memories Every man con-
victed OF participating in this dsgraceful affair should
suffer the full penalty prescribed by law II may be that
further information will place the matter In less unfa
vorabe light but far can Judge nj present. the
disturbance entirely the work Of the white men, and
from no provdcaton whatever, but on the other hand
had every appearance Of being premedted and precon
cefted