The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-05-15

Martin had struck him during the melee.
Eugene Lewis, post-oiiice clerk, sworn,
stated that on Tuesday last young Martin
came into the office, and giving slip of
paper with the name of Henry Cox on it,
asked for a letter mailed for Cox on the
l4th of April. He asked Martin several
questions, and concluded by asking if the
letter was drop letter. Martin replied ::
"Drop letter, h-ll You are Yankee !;
and if YOU come out here III whip YOU"
Witness remarked to Martin that if he
would act like gentleman he would wait
on him. Martin then left. In about an
hour afterwards gentleman came into the
Office and asked for the same letter, which
he said was advertised on the 2Stl of April
He told the gentleman that young man
had been there an hour before and inquired
for the letter in such way that he could
not Understand him, and in a very ungen-
tlcmanly manner. Witness then looked IN
the box for advertised letters, and found
the letter asked for. On Thursday eve
ming last. witness learned that party of
Young men were outside the poSt-oflice
who intended to attack him. He informed
the postmaster of it. The latter advised
him to go out with the rest Of the clerks.
He did so; and as the party reached the
post-ofiice gate, Martin made an attack on
him. The ARRAY then took place, and
during il, he saw Martin strike at Gordon
with a knife. Witness was not struck
during the ARRAY.
Several other post office clerks appeared,
and testified to substantially the same facts
as had been given by the other parties.
The evidence for the defence was then
taken.
William Tabb, sworn, stated that on
Thursday evening he was passing by the
pOst-office about the time of the ARRAY.
He saw Martin make at Lewis, and Cor
don interfere. Gordon struck Martin
twice, and struck at him the third time.
Saw Martin strike at Gordon with knife.
Witnessed interfercd upon seeing the inc
quality of the conflict, the superiority OF
numbers being against Martin. No ar
rangcmcnt had been made between Mar
tin and himself to wait for Lewis. They
happened to be passing at the time, and
hearing of the affair, stopped to see falr
play. Martin did not attack Lewis with
any weapon. He started towards him as If
TO strike him. No interference was made
by any of Martins friends until Gordon
struck him.
Claiborne BarkSdalc, Jr., testified to the
same facts, having been with Tabb at the
time of the affair.
Wallace Dean Swon.-Was with Martin
when he went to the poSt-oilice. They
were passing the office when Martin re-
marked that there was clerk III the office
who had insulted him, and he wanted to
see him. Witness and friends determined
TO he present and sec fair play. Witness
was present ut the affair, but gave no adj
ditional facts.
Mr.. Marmadukc Johnson here opened
his argument for the defence. Gordon,
before the counsel had gone far, stated
that he could produce evidence to show
that these parties had met III front OF the
post. office, prcmeditating an attack, ana
that there was another one in the crowd
who had a knife in his hand.
Mr.. Johnston then continued his arg'l-
mcnt, contcnding that Martin had been at
tackled by Gordon, and was not guilty OF
attack. His Honor interrupted him III the
midst of the defence, saying that he did not
wish 10 hear any further argument, as he
was not trying the case. Quite sharp
parlev followed, which was wound up by
Ills IIonor's continuing the case until to-
dav, when the witnesses mentioned by
Gordon should appear.