Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-07-07
Rioting at N orfolk-Th late
Election.

control OF affairs is left with the civ
authorities, the city has been in stat
bordering on anarchy. The feeling be
tween the blacks and whites is so bite
that several riots have occurred. TIL
first took place on the evening of the 22d
in circus pavilion, when a difficulty oc
Cured between a United States soldie
and negro. The difference between
them was of trivial nature, but tn,
soldier was soon joined by other compan
ions, attracted by the angry words
The soldier at once commenced beatin,
the negro. Other blacks came to tn,
rescue, and general melee ensued.-
Clubs were freely used, and even knive
and pistols came into requisition. TIL,
latter deadly weapons were mostly il
the hands Of the soldiers. The negroe.
employed cayenne pepper and macaboy
snuff, throwing pungent dust into the
faces of their adversaries. Word wa,
sent to Col. Howard, and he dispatched
a force of fifty men, who dispersed the
rioters. On the 23d street fights between
the soldiers and negroes were frequent
In the evening terrible fight broke ou
near the scene of the first night riot
The combatants were white men wear
ing United States uniforms, (their caps
displayed neither corps badges nor regi-
mental numbers), and negroes. T h e
fight was short, sharp and decisive. The
negroes were badly beaten and fled in
wild disorder. L ensued a scene
that beggars description the flying ne>
groes were chased by the victorious SOL
diers and beaten without mercy. Men
in citizens clothing joined in the unequal
pursuit. Twenty-Five white men run
ming after one negro was the order of pur-
suit Main street resounded with the
cries of chang him." "kill him" t.
the niger" When the negroes were
overtaken they were knocked down and
merciIessly kicked and trampled. Not
satisfied with this, the rioters proceeded
to restaurant frequented by colored
men, stove in the door, destroyed the mir
rors, decanters and glasses, broke up the
furniture, and in short destroyed every
thing about the premises. Not a rioter
was arrested. The police were t o o
weak to interfere, and the military did
not appear, (were not called UPON, as
on the previous evening. OF election
day, oath, the writer says:
The day dawned brightly over the
lawless city; the polls were opened and
the election began. The scenes at the
polls were simply disgraeefui,a broad bur-
lesque. Never did we see or hear of
such voting. Scores of men voted who
wore the rebel uniform, brass buttons
and all. They took the Alexandra oath,
though they were in arms against the
government as late as asst April
Gentlemen who have lived in Norfolk
for two years, and served two years in
the Union army, were compelled to take
the Alexandria oath by the secessionists
at the polls. Every vile epithet in the
language was bestowed upon the Union
men. The old intolerant and defiant
spirit of slavery was rampant. The me-
gro was the great stalking horse of the
'amnestied.' All Northern residents
and Union men are stigmatized as mig
ger worshipers.' 1t was loudly threaten
ed, yesterday, that all white men in favor
of negro suffrage would be driven out of
Norfolk within six months,
The long, bitter day ended at last
The result can only be given in round
numbers at this writing. The ballots
were not all counted up to midnight last
night. To-day, being Sunday, the votes
cannot be counted. w e can't at this
writing give result with absolute
certainty, though, o f course, in round /
numbers. I h 'Tabb,' or Secession
licked, is elected; it has from 250 to 800 |
majority. The Union N say they
were defeated by Lees army, This as
sertion has great deal of truth for its
foundation. The second name on the
'Tabb' ticket is that Of Walter II. Taylor,
late Adjutant General on Lees staff. W.
II. Taylor is elected to the Office of City !
Register, the second office of trust and !
in the municipality o! Nor.
folk. John J. Lee, elected as Council
man on the same ticket, is an ex-rebel
officer. Mr.. T b himself,
though he did not participate openly in
the rebellion, is States rights man of
The straightest sort. He defined his po-
sition in speech at a public meeting in
his city about four weeks ago. He said
a great deal for Virginia and Norfolk,
but not one word for the Union, not one
word for the struggle, the triumphant
close of which made glad the hearts of all
oyal men. OF course the amnestied all
voted for Tabb. The votes of the uni
ormed rebel soldiers we're recorded I'M
Ter protest; bnt the protest, it is feared,
will be UNDECIDED. 1t will be, as far as
he dominant party in Norfolk is concern
ID, that is certain.
Not a negro was TO be seen in the
streets. There were several bar-room
lights, however. There were many bro
zen heads, shattered panes of glass and
battered doors. Toward midnight the
treets became clear, and the dreaded
election night passed off in comparative
luiet."