The New York herald., 1866-09-03
THE CAMP MEETING RIOT IN MARYLAND.
Additional Parficulnrs-The Affair Not Bas
kepOrted-7he Negroes share i'm ths
blame.


Additional Parficulnrs-TheA Affair Not so bad
as Keported-7hc Negroes share in the
Blame.
From the Baltimore Sum- Sept III
An affair occurred Thursday night about half past
eleven O'Clock, the camp ground Of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, Baltimore Conference, which rumor
yesterday magnied exceedingly, and to which in
quarters attempts we're made 10 givo an undue coloring
The camp, composed OF some IS sents. was held ia
sss od aSss sTes %ss IT, from %
Washington Railroad. and about closing Thursday
night, when riot ensued between white and colored
men which at first It was thought might result most
seriously.
With view learning the real facts in the case we
yesterday despatched reporter the spot elected
the folowing:Ihe camp under the superntendence OF
the Rev. John Lanahan, presiding Elder was being
closed on the night In question, when q number
way 70 the portion OF the ground in the rear OF
the preachers stand, allotted to the colored peo-
system OF annoyance by throwing watermelon rinds'
clapping Of hands, &C The coored people became in
dgnant N this, and some Of the men made serious
threats aud riot began spreading the ground
suiting in the seriously vountng OF Mr. Milton Benson
white who shot through the back OF the neck the
al passing out at the mouth. Andrew Adams colored
snot In the right side under the arm Elias Hamilton
colored in the foot, aud a coIored man, unknown,
wounded IN the arm.
Yesterday an investigation Of the affair took place on
the abandoned camp grounds before Justices George
Warded, William Downs, and @ A. jones' there being
some thirty witnesses examined many them co.ored
people The testimony or william Downs, Rev George
Leitch the minister present the time aud Air. George
shipey, showed that number OF young approached
the camp res the coored portion OF the ground and
has been the camp meetings In this section
began Joke and laugh at the proceedings Of those
present; that several OF the coiored men, who was
known, had early in the evening armed themselves
with hcavy clubs cut from The woods became angry
and m scuife that ensucd white man was knocked
down Word having been sent to Mr.. George Shplsy,
one OF the managers, he, with the minister, went
among tho colorcd people and endeavorcd 10 pacify
them promising them fun protection, and asking them
to lay down their clubs
rhe coored men appeared very defiant saying tba,
thcy wanted no protectlon 'ney would defend them
time some from the outside throw stone, which,
appears struck coorcd woman, when several Of the
colored men called out, "Raliy boys, rally" An en-.
deavor WAS made que the disturbances, but largo
yellow man appears in the evidence, hred pistol
when the whites rereated towards the preachers stand
cscs A OF the widest confusion cnsued every
'front.' OF the stand endcavorng 70 get away Tho
colored men moved forward and two more shots
fred is testified BY them, when the shots were 70.
turned by some OF the whites
Young Benson, who had been taking part in the de-
votions was in the act OF rising from the
bench, received ball through the back Of his neck.
The fight was kept up for some minutes the colgred men
After strenuous exertons by Rev. Geo Letch, Mr..
George shpley, Mr. VIM Downs and Others, the colorod
induced 70 withdraw from the grounds. Much
excitement prevailed when II was discovered that Ben.
son was wounded and party OF the whites took pos.
session Of the tents OF the ccorcd people and set them
on nre destroying the contents consisting Of clothing
furniture. &c.
The oniy arrest thus far has been ,ha, Of colored
n1m6d
having been engaged In the riot II specifically
testified by Que witness that Ssocke.t Ind struck 4
white man with club and declared he sorry he had
not killed him. aud nothing less than the killing Of half
dozen would satisfy him Several OF the colored wit
testified to other cocrsd men having pistols and
clubs
warrants have been issued for several persons white
and black but up last further arrests had
beeu made Considerable indignation expressed
yesterday among the white residents of the vicinity and
demands were made thss such scenes OF lawlessness
shsIl no, be permitted Many we're Of tho opIuion that
the coorcd people have boon urged TO this conduct
by ,nhammatory appeals made 10 then The wound
receiyed by Mr. Benson u thought 20 be exceedingly
tr pverous inssmuch he II incapable Of receiving
nourshncnt He lying al the residence of hts father
Mr. Basil Benson, OF Anne Arundel county, In very
critical condition.