Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1866-09-19
The Camp M Letting Massaerei in Maryland

.f. -
The Baltimore American gives the fol-
lowing additional particulars Of the attack
on the colored camp meeting in Anne Arun-
del county, Maryland:
We are credily informed that during the
whole of the evening previous to the assault
the camp abounded with armed men, having
clubs as well as pistols, and that threats were
made by them, not only against the negroes,
but against some Of the preachers, who were
styled dds bolitionists." During the even
ing numerous efforts were made by these
l1en to get up a fight with the negroes, and
, store they could accomplish their purpose q
black boy holding a horse was violently as
saulted. Later In the evening a black man
was knocked down, watermelon rinds were
thrown into the tent where the negroes were
w~orshipping, and burning cigars thrust vio-
lently into the faces of some of those who
were kneeling in prayer. All this could not
get up a riot, and il was not until a stone
was hurled against the head of a colored wo-
man, who was knocked PROSTATE, that the
negroes rallied in self-defense and drove
their assaIlants, who retreated among the
white women and children in the camp, and
kept up an indiscriminate fire into that DOR
ton of the camp devoted to the colored peo-
pie. The object undoubtedly was to break
up the whole camp. The scene of terror is
described as truly awful. The negroes. how
ever, did not pursue their assaiIants. but re-
tired to their quarters, and awaited a second
attack, which was three times made, and
three times repulsed. It was during those
attacks, and the consequent confusion, that
the young man Benson was shot while kneel-
ing along side ola reverend gentleman whose
name was frequently mentioned with oaths
and epithets by the sssailants. The Sun saws
that this young man was shot by the negroes.
while those who were in the altar with him
declare that the preachers stand was in d.
rect line between him and the negroes, and
that the shot came from the direction of the
rioters. One gentleman assured US that it
was as impossible for q shot from the negroes
to have reached the point st which vouno
Benson was kneeling as it would have been
s'to have shot him through a brick waIL1,-
All these gentlemen were on the ground any.
ious to testify to the truth, but it was not the
purpose of those who conducted the inyesti-
ton to elicit the truth.
The Sun states that these young white men
were amusing themselves with what is usual
in hat section, joking and laughing at the
proceedings OF the negroes, and throwing
canteleupe rinds at them. This shows mai
The negroes were actually engaged in worship
surrounded bytheir wives and Children. when
the riot commenced, and, after repulsing
their ASSISTANTS, returned to their devoti6pS
Those who are familiar with the PROCEEDINGS
on a camp ground know that the CLOSING
of the camp are to the earnest Metbo2
dist, whether white or black, the most solemn
and impressive, and that it must have been
a serious assault that could have aroused them
TO resistance at that hour.
We are also informed that after the negroes
had retired, anu the rioters had burnt their
tents and effects, the whole ground was Ia
ken possession ofby these men, andal further
worship put an end to. That many of them
and publicly boosted of their services
the rebel army, and, showing their pistols,
expressed their regret that they had not
with them the rifles with which they fought
the rebel army. They also threatened
many of the whites by name, and so effect
Tally intimidated them that even now it
would be dangerous for those in the vicinity
10 vindieate the truth Of the affair.