Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1866-09-05

HID. Q'Rs, Dept. OF La. New Or
leans, july 50th, lS66.-I9 Hon. Ed!oa''
H. Stanton, Secretary of War, Washing
ton, d. e.. SIR: | have the honor to in
form you that a very serious riot has occur
red here to-day, | had not been applied to
by the convention for projections, but the
Lieutenant Governor and the Mayor had
freely consulted with me, and | was so fully
convinced that 1t was so strongly the intent
of the city authorities to preserve peace, In
order to prevent military interference, that
| did not regard an outbreak as thing to
be apprehended. The Lieutenant Govern
or had assured me that. even if writ of ar
rest was issued by the court, the sheriff
would not attempt to serve II without per-
mission, and for to-day they designed to sus-
pend It. L ordered "a steamer to be at Jack
son Barracks, three miles below the city, at
an early hour in the morning, and tug to
be ready to bear orders to the commanding
officer of the lst Infantry, stationed at that
point. At IL o'clock, A. NJ. Lieut.. Gov.
' oorhies, came to see me, and after conver-
sation, he feeling confident at the time of
the ability of the police to preserve order, L
proposed to bring to the city four compa
MES, one hour III advance of the supposed
meeting of the convention, at clock, u.
NJ, to be kept near by, in case they should
be required to keep clear the streets in the
vicinity of the hall lii which the convention
was to meet. He agreed with me that it
would be very desirable, but left me- not ap-
pretending difficulty. At II clock, NJ, |
drove to see Judge Howell, president of the
convention, to request that arrangements
might be made to keep any crowd that might
assemble, to molest the convention, out Of
the streets, so as to avoid an accidental coils
ion When | reached his house | learned
that the convention was to meet at II o -
clock NJ, and that he had gone to it. Re-
turning to my headquarters, l soon received
a letter from the Lieut.. Governor informing
me that large parties of negroes were collec
ting from all quarters and coming into the
centre of the city, yet he was not sure OF his
information. However, L at once sent Tor
the troops. Very soon afterwards L learn
ed that a riot had taken place near the con
vention hall, and | sent staff ofhcer to IN
vestigate the facts. On his return he re-
the convention had adjourned tor want of a
quorum, but would meet again at l J o clock
p NJ This reassursd me but lagaln sent
to hasten the arrival of the troops. Imme-
diatey after this the riot assumed serious
character The police, aided by the citizens,
became the asSailants and, from the evl-
dence, | am forced to believe, exercised
great brutality In making their arrests. FL
nally they attacked the convention hall, and
a protracted struggle ensued. Inc people
inside the hall gave up. Some who surren
dered were attacked afterwards and brutal
ly treated. Quite large number were IN
jured L cannot now say how many. Gov.
Hahn, DR.. Dostie, Mr.. Fish, and perhaps
other members of the convention among the
number. On the arrival of the troops
al ba
stored. From the evidence of bad feeling
on the part of the citizens and of sympathy
with them on the part of the police, L felt
compelled to declare martial law In the city
and to appoint military governor, from
which | hope good results will ensue. en-
close herewith copies OF my correspondence
with the Mayor and of dispatch which
the lieutenant Governor claims to have re-
ceived from the President. regret that no
reply to my despatch to you of Saturday has
yet reached me. General Sheridan is still
absent in Texas. | remain, sir, very re-
spectfully your obedient servant,
A BAIRD, B vt. Maj. Gen. Com. Dep.
STATE OF LOUISIANA, MAYoRALTY OF
n. O., CITY HALL, July %, lS66.-Brecet
Uajor Gen. Bdird, Commanding Depart
nsent Of Louisiana. GENERAL: A body of
men claiming to belong to the convention
of 1864, and whose avowed object IS to sub
vert the present municipal and State gov
ernments, will, learn, assemble in this city
Monday next. The laws and ordinances OF
the city which my oath of office makes OBJ
ligatory upon me to see faithfully executed,
declare all assemblies calculated to disturb
the public peace and tranquility as unlaw
ful. and as such to be dispersed by the May
or, and the participants held responsible for
ba Sona It is INV intention IN
disperse this unlawful assembly, if found
within the corporate limits of the city, by
arresting the members thereof and holding
them accountable to existing municipal
laws, provided they meet without the sane
ton of the military authorities. l will es
TEEN it favor, General, if, at your earliest
you will inform me whether
this projected meeting has your approval,
SO | may act accordingly. | am, General, |
respectfully, j. L. MONROE, Mayor.
NAT. BURBANK, lst LIT. and a A. At. |
HEADoURTERs DEPARTMENT OF LoUIsT-
ANA, New ORLEANS. La, July 26, Iooo;-
Hon. John T. Monroe, Mayor Of Ne'o Or- |
leans: SIR: | have received your commu-
ncation of the 25th inst, informing me
that a body of men claiming to be members |
of the convention of 1864. whose avowed |
object is to subyert the present municipal |
and State governments, is about to assem-
bic in this city, aud, regarding this assem-
blaee as one of those described in the law as
calculated to disturb the public peace and
tranquility, and therefore unlawful, you be-
lieve it to be your duty, and that it is your
to disperse this unlawful assem-
bly, if found within the corporate limits of
the city, by arresting the members thereof, |
and holding them accountable to the exist
ing municipal laws. provided they meet
without the annrohafinn of the military au- |