The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-08-28

NEGRO SHOT IN Resisting AN OFFICER
We understand from some passengers by the
steamer Eelus, from the Eastern Shore, on
yesterday, that negro man was shot by the
Sheriff of Northampton county, under the fol-
lowing circumstances: .t- 4SGAHjI
1t seems that q number of negroes had
formed themselves into a military company,
uniformed and armed with concealed weap-
ons. On Court day, this company assembled
for drill. Whilst marching through the
streets of Eastville, by the right flank, Capt.
Cornelle, worthy and respected gentleman
from Massachusetts, who follows the sea, and
was half seas over, became sntangled with,
and jostled the men in the leading files, and
was struck by them. Whereupon. the gal
liant tar squared himself, and knocked down
four Of the negroes; and but for the slight
mistake Of. striking between tive men in the
second rank of files, bid fair to have put the
whole company to flight But his violent
blow meeting with no resistance, he was pre-
cipitated on his face. The negroes closed
upon and stamped him, and hurt him severe
ly, many Of them crying out, "kill the d-n
rascal" He was rescued by some gentlemen
present. and dragged into a neighboring
house and the doors closed, as indeed were
"
their occupants. The negroes became very
riotous, and yelled and shouted, ..See how the
pale faces rum" the towards are afraid OF as"
we'll show them h-ll yet" Upon this, the
whites became excited and a band was
formed for the violent dispersion Of the ne
groes. .ei H-g
But many prudent and discreet gentlemen,
unwilling to see mob formed which might
hol n1 ~ fo laI
them from acting, whilst they could appeal
to the Court then in session, to take action in
the premises, and have the assembly dis
persed in legal manner. Whilst the court
was celebrating, Ely Mapp, lit does not
very clearly appear how, or why,) became
engaged single handed with large crowd of
negroes, and was pretty roughly handled.
The negroes then dispersed The citizens
were greatly disturbed. and upon investiga-
ton and inquiry, became convinced that un-
der radical teaching. the negroes were drilling
for soIne outbreak or disturbance, which
might lead to ruinors consequences. War
rants were issued, or supposed to be issued,
for the apprehension Of Captain Cornelle, Ely
Mapp, and all the negroes engaged in the
riot. In the meantime, Captain Cornelle had
gone to SEA, and most of the ringleaders had
HoQ Tue Eastern 0nOr6. lWO Vi tneLn, now
ever. were apprehended and lodged in Jail at
Eastv,lle. On yesterday the Sheriff ascer-
tanning that third was engaged at negro
protracted meeting, summoned pessc for the
purpose Of arresting him. The negroes seemed
disposed to resist his authority, supposing
that he came to break up their meeting. But
upon the Sheriff's assuring them that he came
for no such purpose. but only to arrest a
leader in the riot at Eastville. they remained
quiet, except one man. who rushed forward,
calling upon all to follow him. Whilst in
the act OF drawing pistol on the Sheriff, he
was shot by this officer, in the forehead.
Whereupon the negroes dispersed The man
escaping in their midst, whom the Sheriff
came to arrest. This man we have also
heard was charged with an attempt to break
the Jail in order to rescue the two prisoners in.
csroerated there. II has not come to us.
however, in such an authenticated manner, as
to justify our mentioning it except as a ru-
nor. The negro Ely was not killed, nor
could we ascertain that his wound was so
serious as to cause his death.