The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1866-09-08
Riot at the Ca,mp Nyeefing.

A riot occurred mt the camp meeting near
Jessup's Cut, in Anne Arundel county, in
this State, on Thursday night of last week.
about II o'clock. The ARRAY originated
while the negroes were at worship by some
white men throwing water melon rinds into
the circle, when general melee took place,
which resulted in the firing of tie negro
tents and the commitment of other dcpre
dations. A young man who was kneeiug in
prayer at the time was shot and seriously
injured. The Baltimore American gives the
following account of the affair:
We are crediby informed that during the
whole of the evening, previous to the as.
saalt, the camp abounded with armed men.
having clubs az well as pistols, and that
threats were made by them not only against
the negroes, but against some of the preach
erS. who were styled id aboltionists. -
During the evening numerous efforts were
made by these men to get up n fight with
the negroes, and before they could accom-
plish their purpose black boy holding n
horse was violently assaulted. Letter in the
evening n black man was knocked down.
watermelon rinds were thrown into the tent
where the negroes were worshipng. and
burning cigars thrust violently into the faces
OF some of those who were kneeling in
prayer. All this could not get up IA riot.
and 1t was not until stone was hurled
against the head of the colored woman who
was knocked PROSTATE. that the negroes raj
lied in self defence, and drove their assall.
ants, who retrcated among the white women
and children in the camp, and kept up an
indiscriminate fire into that portion of the
camp devoted to the colored people. The
object undoubtedly was to break up the
whole camp. The scene of terror is descrb.
ed as truly awful The negroes, however,
did not pursue their assailants, but retired
to their quarters, and awaited Il second at
tack, which was three times made and three
times repnlsed. 1t was during those attacks
and the consequent confusion that the young
man Benson was shot whilst kncelng along,
side of a Rev. gentleman whose name was
frequently mentioned with oaths and cpl
thcts by the assaiants. The SIN says that
this young man was shot by the negroes,
whilst those who were at 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 gentlemen assured us that it
was as impossible for shot from the negroes
to have reached the point at which young
Benson was kneeng, rs it would have been
''to have shot him through brick wall. -
All these gentlemen were on the ground
anxious and willing to testify to tbe truth,
but it was not the purpose of those who
conducted the investigation to elicit the
truth.
We are also informed that after the NEGROES
had retired and the rioters had burnt their
tents AID effects that the whole Ground was
taken possession of by these men and all
further worship put an end TO. That many
of them openly and publicly boosted of their
services in the Rebel army. and, showing
their pistols. expressed their regret that they
had not with them their rifles with which
they fought IN Tie Z. bel army. They also
threatened many of the whites bv name. and
so ctflctuallv inundated them that even
now it would be dangerous for those in the
vicinity to vindicatc the truth of the affair.
We hope that the Frecdmen's Bureau will
take the matter in Charge. and have IA full
investigation made. There has been enough
of this vilanr practce1 in MARYLAND without
punishment being inflicted upon the pcrne.
traitors. Churches have been burned. uuot.
Tending men murdered or assaulted. and
other outrages committed. and the honor and
dignity of the State require that the guilty
nartlcS should no lonwrr 20 unwhinnrd ot