Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-08-25


t.n: Comparative quiet has been restored 10
tbe cry by The military, who still occupy the
streets. There is, however, apprehen sions Of
aiieht disturbances in the lower faubosrg OF
the city.
In consequences OF the limited force at my
command, Am compelled 10 make use Of the
~ police, wboee conduct in the riot was rep
fepensible. There is every reason 10 fear the
imminent peril TO which the lives and property
OF Union men OF this city will be subjected by
reetorstiOn OF the reins OF power 70 the present
cI'h authorities OF the city.
A. BAIRD, Major General.
War Depsrtment.-rhe folio wing telegram re-
crived iI:l5 p. m, July 81, 1885, from New Or.
leans. La, July 81, 1865
Acjor GeneraIO o. o. Haward: The riot has been
the city. About forty persops have been killed
and large number wounded, nearly all being
frieRdly TO rna C invention.
A. BAIRD, Brevet Major General.
Gece U. IS. Military Telegraph. Headquarters
War Departmpnt-The folio wing telegram re-
c.ived Ills p. m, 1uly 81, 1866, from New Or
leans, July 81, 1866:
HIS EzrelIenry Pr<ssd<at Johnson: Your dis.
patch received. General Baird has declared
martial law in thIs city. The grand Jury has
indicted the mem bers OF the con vention, who
met yesterday, as an unlawful assembly. Pro-
cess for ths ir arrest in hands Of sheriff sus-
fended by General Baird until he receives di-
rect Instructions frem Washington. showed
him your dispatch TO ne.
ANDREW J. HEBRON, Attorney General.
Office U. s. Military Telegraph, Headquarters
War Department-fCipher.- THE following
tsfrgram received els p. m. Aug. l, 1866, from
New Orleans. La, Aug. l, 1866:
u. s. Grant, General You are doubtless
aware Of the serious riot which occurred ia
this city on the 30th. political body, styling
itseif the convention OF 1864, met on the 31th
for, rs 1t Is alleged, the purpose OF remodeling
the present constitution OF the State. The
leaders were political agitators and revolution
ary men. and the action of the convention was
liable 10 produce breaches Of the public peace
had made up my mind TO arrest The head men
II the proceedings of the con yention were cal.
culated to disturb the tranquility Of the De-
partment, but l had no cause for action until
they committed the overt act. In the mean
time, official duty called me to Texas, and the
Mayor Of the city, during my absence, sup
pressed the convention by the use OF the police
force, and In SO doing attacked the members of
the convention and party of two hundred
negroes with firearms, clubs and knives in a
manner 30 unnecessary and atrocious as to
compel me to say that it was murder. About
about one hundred and sixty wounded Every.
thing is now quiet, but deem IL best TO main
tain military supremacy in the city for a few
days, until the affair is fully Investigated l
believe the sentiment ofthe general comm unity
is great regret At this unnecessary cruelty, and
that the police could have made any arrest they
saw Mt without sacrificing lives.
p. II. SHERIDAN, Major Gen. Cong.
Office D. S. Military Telegraph, Headquarters
War Observation-Disclosures The fonow,ug
telegram received Gao p. m, Aug. |, 1866, from
New Orleans, Louisiana, Aug. i, 1866:
q. S. Grant General: You need feel no
uneasiness about the condition of affairs here
L think i can arrange matters without diff-
Guilty. p. II. SHERIDAN,
Major General Commanding.
Var Department. Washington City, Aug 1,
J s66.-(C Cipher. l-Nojor General Bard, Nep or.
!ed"s:.Please report Immediately the condi-
tlon OF things at New Orleans, in cipher
EDWIN Nj. STANTON, Secretary OF War.
Sent $50 m.
Office u. s. Military Telegraph, Headq uarters
War Department.-fCIpher The following
telegram received n. m, Aug 3, 1SG6, from
New Orleans, Louisiana, Aug. 2. 1866:
Hon. Ed,oin M. Stanton, Secretary of Var-Au
Is quiet upon the surface, but there are still
sHght disturbances in some localities The
poNee are still afraid to go upon their beats
slngly, and some Radical citizens are afraid to
sleep IN their houses. The proclamation OF
martial law was necessary, because the police
are Regarded by large portion Of the commu.
f1dent it saved many lives and great excess
Its administration extends only to holding the
city authorities and the police under the sIper
vision diane Military Governor. 1t should be
Kept until military investigation can determine
whether any of the city Off GERS are guilty.. I
would then advise its withdrawal The Gov.
ernor felt compelled TO ask for a military guard
for bis protecton. A. BAIRp.
Breyet Mslor General.
II 1elegram.l-Ezecutivs Office, Washington,
August l, loG6.-kGjor General AbsdLom Baird
Comm onding. DC, Ae1 Orleans, Louisiana -
You will not interpose any obstacle in the way
aid may be required by them for the preserya.
ton of public peace.
The foregoing telegram is transmitted to Won
by order OF the President; You will acknowl.
Assistant Adiutant General
War Department, Adjutant g Generals Office.
Washih gton, august l, 1856. Received 6:IU D.
N. Sent p. m.
Gopher l-OGree Q. S. Military 7sleorapk, Head.
quarters War Depaftment.-fhe following tel.
egram received 9:2O q. m, Aug Sd, 1866, from
New Orleans, La, Aug. I'D, 1856:
Breret Aojor Gen. ID. To1aserd, Asst Adi't
General " cur despatch received. No obsta-
cles will be imposed In the way of the civil au-
thoTities. A. BAIRD, Brey, Major Gsnl.
GTelegrsm. I-Erecutire Once, Washiuy ytou
Aug. /, ls66.-Albert roorhees, Lieutenant Coo.
erRor, OF Andrew j. Heron, Aaorney General
NeW Orleans Were the CIV il au horities State
or Federal, conferred with by Gen. Baird, be.
tore he declared martial law. Gould not the
civil authorities, State or Federal, enforce tss
law and preserve order with the aid of he
without the aid OF martial lawl
hope that order has been restored, and the riot
not as disastrous as represented. Please show
this despatch 10 Gen. Baird.
The foregoing telegram is transmitted to you
by order OF the President. You will please &C.
+. ID. TOWNSEND, Asst Adj't Genl.
War Department, Adjutant Generals Office
Washington, August I, 1866. Received 6:IOp.
NJ. Sent $50 y. IN.
Office q. s. Military Telegraph, Headquarters
War DepsrtmenL-The following telegram re.
ceiyed $40 p. m. August 2, lSG6, from New
Orleans. La, August 2, 1866:
Breret MAJOR Gen. T.. d. Townsend, A. A. G.,
WdshiEgtoR, ID. C.:-Despatch received. Civil
autboritits were not, 10 my knowledge, con-
ferrsd with by Gen. Baird as TO proprlety Of
declsring martial law. Civil authorities could
easily enforce the law and preserve order with
the ard OF the military. Martial law wholly
Order fully restored before ar
rival OF troops. The rioting was almost entire.
ly confined to Immediate vicinity of Me-
chances Institute, and suppressed by police In
less than two hours. and before arrival of
troops. Left copy OF your despatch at Gen.
Bairas headquarters.
ALBERT VoRHERs, Lieut. Gov.
ANDREW ]. HEBRON. Attor'y Gen.
Gen. Cards headquarters.
Office U. s. Military Telegraph, Headquarters
War Department-[Cipher.l- The following
telegram received p. m, August ., 1866, from
New Orleans, La, August g 1856:
Z. y. Grant General, Washington, ID. c. The
more information / obtain OF the affair OF the
3Oth IN this city, the more revolving il becomes.
1t was not riot; it was an absolute massacre
by the police, which was not excelled in mur-
derous cruelty by that of Fort Pillow. 1t was
a murder which the Mayor and police OF the
city perpetrated without the shadow of q