Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-03-01
The DisDnnding Of Negro Troops at City Point

The Disbandiug Of Negro Troops At City Point
Action of the Common Council of Petersburg.
The Common Council Of Petersburg held a special
meeting Tuesday, in reference to a matter that con-
Germs this community nearly or quite as much as it
does that city. We copy from the Iader Of yester-
day;
The meeting having been called to order and pre-
limiuaries gone through with, the Mayor stated
that the Council had been convened in consequence
Of a despatch from Judge Joynes to the following
RICHMOND, 26th February.
/ have called on the Governor in relation to the
proposed disbanding Of troops at City Point. He
promised TO see General Terry ON tho subject at once.
Why is not a committee sent from Petersburg TO
make representations on the subject@ | advise a
WV. T. JoYNEs.
Mr.. r. A.. Young stated that to expedite the action
of the Council, he had prepared and would offer the
following preamble and resolution
WHEREAS, the Common Council OF the city OF
Petersburg has heard, that it is the intention o. the
United States Government 10 disband at City Point,
IN this state, u large body Of colOred troops, prOha-
bly, 10 the number OF five or SIX thousand, and that
orders have already been issued TO that effect; and,
whereas, it Is the opinion Of the Common Council
that, if carried out, it will not only prove a great an
nOyance 10 the peaceable citizens Of the whole
country around, and lead to serious violence and
breaches of the peace, but very greatly disturb aud
endanger the good order and safety OF the citizens
OF this city and Of all the neighboring counties,
therefore,
q" ResoIred. That a deputation from this body be
sent over forthwith 10 the city of Richmond 10 in
woke the aid Of the Governor Of the State in prOcur-
ing a countermand ug Of such orders, and, il neces-
sary, to proceed To Washington City and invoke the
aid Of the President or other proper functiOnaries
there, in procuring a revocation of the same"
Mr.. Young thought that the Committee should
consist Of members Of the Council and one or two
influential citizens.
Mr.. Paul very much feared that it was too late to
effect any cO]untermanding of the order. &, He heard
Que thing in connection with the disbandmeut which
caused him serious alarm, viz that the men were 10
be allowed TO retain their arms. The disarmament
with guns in their hands Of 50 large a force, and
their dispersal through the country, would certainly
be fraught with danger to the citizens of the unprO-
tected surrounding counties. He thought that some
effort should be made to obtain 4 rcScindment OF the
order allowing the men when discharged to retain
their arms.
Mr.. Butterworth stated that there was in force an
act Of Congress allowing all discharged soldiers the
retention Of their arms at Government prices.
Mr.. j. NJ. DOunan thought that the day Tor pre-
venting the rendezvous OF these troops ut City Point
had passed, and that every effort had better be
directed to the disarming OF the Troops when dis
charged.
Mr.. Young's resolution was then put to the house
and carried without a dissenting voice.
The Mayor appointed NesSrS. Young, Collier and
Dodson the committee on .he part OF the Council,
and, on motion Of Mr.. Paul, MeSSrs. David May
and Daniel Lyon, ST., were added to the commit
tee.
On motion Of Mr.. Potts, Judge JOynes was re-
queSted to act with the committee, and the meeting
Adjourned.