The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-09-11

soners, while the coloIed men passed on to the
Mechanics Institute, There were very few persons
injured in the encounter, probably not mole than
two three It was very trifiing affair, and was
tier this the colored people who were not inside
the Mechanics Institute were assembled in front of
that building in Dryades street, occupying that
position between Common and Canal streets. At
the time the hostile citizens collecting in
Canal and Common streets, but slightly separated
persons, including the Convention and those friendly
to II, both inside and outside of the building est-
mate aG about five or SIX hundred men.
While things remained in this condition, at about
y O'Clock, as nearly as can ascertain the nOur, a
street and passing through Thea crowd of citizens
entered thence into Drvades street, which brought
them upon the collection OF negroes in front of the
Institute.
simultaneously with this my staff officer met a
party Of near 100 police going down Carondelet
street, whose officer informed him they were going
to suppress the riot. This party turned down Com
mon street, and on reaching Baronne street de.
iached portion of its force TO occupy the rear out.
let Of Mechanios' Institute that Street Tne rest
passed on to Dryades street. where IL came upon
the colored crowd on the side opposite TO those who
came from Canal. These bodies OF police are said TO
have been summoned to the spot by the ringing OF
Everything shows preconcerted action The 20.
lice, armed with pistols and clubs followed and
ported by citizens charged upon the negroes, having
given no notice to disperse, and having made no
attempt to peaceaby arrest them. There was pile
OF bricks at hand, and the colored people defended
themselves with these and their sticks we as with
such pistols as they had less than one to every tenth
man. They were soon oyerpowered, and those who
could do so found refuge IN The Convention hall.
1he building was afterwards assaulted, the police
firing their p tolls into The windows, and when an
entrance was effected they forced their way up TO
the landing the second story and there found the
door OF the hall barricaded.
AT length, by strategy, those in the hall were
induced to omen the door wnen the police rushed In
andempted their reyovers INTO the assemblage Those
Within being ieeby armed could make but little
resistance, and the policemen retiring to reload
turned 10 repeat the same operation. When any of
the Conventonlsts succeeded in being passed out to
the rc mt of the building, they were there met by
Gordon OF police surrounded by another Gordon of
cIIlzens and attempting to surrender TO the first,
they were frequently shot down by the men whom
they begged 10 take them into custody. This course
was continued until the work was completed
During the riot, ii company arrived rear OF
the building, b' which passage many were trying to
escape, and at once halted to unite with the police
men the and take part in the work or slaU Ehter.
Other large bodies OF police, regularly organized,
also came in from the stat on houses sooner or later,
to unite with the already ENGAGED 1t also
reported that men we're passed through the crowd
by friendly policemen, who tied about their necks
white handkerchets evidence that they be.
onged to some one OF the organization'Bo citizens
present l do not report these things as perfectly
correct in every particular for l hold my JUDGMENT
in abeyance untl access can be had to the evidence
which the Commission win adduce. They are how
ever, cTediblv reported to me, and they leave no
to doubt that the riots OF the Both ut present
picture of auOcity unparalleled in American his
Tory.
At the time when locatedhe troops in the cen tire
the city, and cleared the crowds from the ao ia
cent streets was OF course ignorant OF most of the
particular incidents OF the riot but the evidence
overwhelmll that the police had been talthless to
its duty, and had been riotous throughout that IN
truth it led the riot, and 1t therefore necessary
10 take this lorce under control All negroes al
Union citizens of Louisiana and all Northern en-,
far as could learn, in state terror. The
approach OF pclceman they regarded "a that of
eXecuiioner. Prominent citizens sought refuge
cones alment in the houses of friends, and even
the Governor of the State, during the nj hit, sent
for guard to protect his life.
For days subsequent to the riot the meeting of
two three the police near the house of Union
man was regarded as sufficient to justify renewal
It night or q demand for military guard, and with
this state OF feeling whether it nad any just foul da
ton or not, renewal of riot and disorGer might az
any moment have been anticipated Persons b( ing
frightened would naturally. at the approach of
fanced danger, gather together for defense, and
bloodshed would probably FOLLOW,
1t was necessary TO reassure them. which could
only be done by an announcement OF military pro-
lection, and notice to kthe police that they were
taken under the supervision of a power that would
hold them TO accountability tor their acts. To
ing martial law. 1t not one OF the ordlr arY
cases calling for such STEP where the civil force
having resisted to the last degree the violence OF the
mob and is overcome, asks Tor assistance, and puts
Itself under the protection OF the military power,
but the unusual of the civil force becoming
the ageressor and giving way to eXcesses which had
10 be restrained.
Most OF these killed received one more pIstol
shots, and oil the wounded, DIR Hartsuff found fifty
one such wound ed on the part OF the Convention
party against seven on the part of the police
ii of this goes 10 establish which party armed
and organized and which exercised the violence,
notwl hstandlng that nearly every policeman swears
not see shot fired by them. am sir, your obedi.
ent servant, BAIRD,
Brey, Ma ior. Gen. Commanding Department.