Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-08-25
THE new ORLEANS RIOT.
Official History of the Affair.

War Department.-The following telegram re-
ceired at OBS p. m. July n, 1866, from New
Orleans, La. July -, fS66:
HIS ExceHeaey President Joansoa-Sir Gov
Wells has. in compliance with the proc lama
ton OF Il. K. Howell, president pro km.. signed
writ OF election 10 fill vacancy i'll convention of
1884, and forwarded the same TO the Office of
the Secretary OF State.
ALBERT VOORHEES,, It. Gov La
AND'w J. HEBRON, Atty Gen. La.
Office U. s. Military Telegraph, Headquarters
War Departmen The following telegram re-
eeivsd 2p. m, July g, 1856. from New Orleans,
July 2S, 1866:
FresiGent johnson Radical mas meeting,
composed mainly OF large number OF negroes
last night. ending in a riot. The committee of
arrangements OF said meeting assembling TO.
night Violent and ncendtary speeches Ia ide
Negroes called TO arm themselves. You Bit.
terly denounced. Speakers: Field, Dostie.
Hawkins, Henderson, Heirward. and Others
Gov. Wells arrived last night, bnt sides with
the convention move. The whole matter be-
fore grand jury. but impossible to execute civil
process without certainty of riot. Contempla-
ted TO have the members Of the convention ar
rested under process from the criminal court
of this district Is the military to interfere to
prevent process of cnurt!
ALBERT VOORHEES,, 1t Gov La
AND'w j. HERRoN. Airy Gen.I
Telegram Executire Mansion, washington.
ID. e.. July 2sth, 1866 To Albert VOORHEES,, Lieu
Gorernor of Louisiana, NeV Orleans, La: The
military will be expected to sustain and not
obstruct or interfere WIN the proceedings of
the courts. A dispatch on the subject of the
convention was sent 10 Gov. Wells this morn
ING. ANDREW JOHNSON.
Telegram Ezeeutire Office, Washington. ID.
G.. July 9sih. lS66.--TO Ais Ezccllency, Gerer,,or
VeUs ftV Orleans. La: / have been ad dyised
that you have fssned proclamation conye-
ming the convention elected in 1864 Please
inform me under and by what authority this
has been done, and by what authority this con-
vention can assume to represent the whole
people OF the State of Louisiana.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
War DeFar,ment.-The following telegram re-
eeiyed $50 n. m, July 2Sth, lS66, from New
Orleans, July 3. 1866:
President Johnson: Your telegram received,
L have not issned proclamation cOnvening
The convention OF 1854. This was done by the
president OF thai body, by virtue of n resOIu-
non adlOuTnlnE the convention subject TO mis-
order. and in hat case also authorizing him 10
call on the prODer OFF GERS 10 issue writs OF
election in uDrepresented parishes. NV pro.
ciamation is in response TO that CALL ordering
IN election on toe Sd Of September. As soon
as vacancies can he ascertained, an election
will be held 10 I'll then when the ent. re State
Will be Represented. Your obedient ser want
J. MADISON WELLS, Governor La
Office L. y. Military Telesroph. Headquarters
War Department.-The following telegram re-
ceiyed 10 20 D. N , July IS, 1865, from Neu,
Orleans, La, July 2S, 1c66:
Hon. EdtciR n .Sfontn, Secretary of Var A
of Governor Wells 10 meet here on Monday.
The Lieutenant Governor and city authorities
think 1T unlawful, and propose to break il up
by arrosting the delegates. l have given no
orders on the subject, bnt have warned the
parties that could not couutenance or permit
such action without Instructions to that effect
rom the President. Please instr uct me me at
once by telegraph. A. BAIRD
Brevet Major General.
Office Z. s. XihtG-y 7slegroph, Headquarters
War UepartmepI.-The following telegram re-
ceived 40 y. m. July 80, 1866, from New
Orleans, July 80, 1866:
The President United States We are in the
midst of a terrible riot, caused by the assem-.
bling Of the convention. Owing 10 the mixed
condition of affairs among the State officers 1
see no hope OF quiet without you give us a
military governor. Cannot General Granger
be sent herel T. j. HEBRON,
Late Major General Y, $. A.
TELEGRAM Exeeutiue Mansion, Washington.
ID. e. July 81, lS6j.-To AndreU j. Herrca, At,or-
aer General Of Louisiana, NeiO Orleans:-You
will call on General Sheridan, or whomsoeys YER
may be in command, for sufficient force to sus.
tain the civil authority in supprOsing all ilie.
gal or unlawful assemblies who usurp or
assume TO exercise any power or authority
without first having obtained the consent Of
the people OF the State. Ii there is to be n con-
ventioD, let il be composed of delegates chosen
fresh from the people Of the whole State: the
people must be consulted IN reference to
changing the organic law Of the State: usurpa-
ton will not be tolerated. the law and the Con-
stitution must be sustained. and thereby peace
and order ANDREW JOHNSON.
Office l.. 8. Military Telegraph, Headquarters
War Department.-The following telegram re-
ceived a:45 =. m, j uly 20, 1s66, from New Or
leans, July 80, 1866:
His ErceileleQ President Johnson: Convention
met. riot H6ke ont in the city. So far the
police has the upper hand. Several white and
coored persons killed. Called on Gen. Baird
Tor assistance, which is cheerfnliy rendered
Intense excitement. Convention broken up.
Albert VOORHEES,, 1t. Gov Louisiana
C9ice L. S. Military Telegraph, Headquarters
War Department-The following telegram re-
ceiyed 1e45, p. m. July 81, 1866, from New
Orleans, La, July 80, 9p m, 1866:
Secretary 81 Var: A serious riot has occurred
here to-day. i have been in full consultation
with the city authorities, and have kept my
troops well in hand for such an emergency
The riot commenced unexpectedly, and before
the troops could reach the scene OF action a
mum ber OF persons were killed or wounded 1
have felt compelled TO declare martial law,
and have appointed a military governor of the
city. All is quiet now. Several prominent
are killed or wounded.
A. BAIRD, Brevet Major General.
Headquarters Department Of Louisiana, New
Orleans, La, July 30, 1s66.-Hon. EdiCiil H.
Stdnto", secretary T War, Washington, ID. c.
Sir have the honor to inform YOU thar q
very serious riot has occurred here to -day. i
had not been applied TO by the convention for
protection, but the Lieutenant Governor and
/ was so fully convinced that il was so strong
ly the intent of the city authorities 70 preserve
the peace, in order 10 prevent military inter-
ference, that did nor regard an outbreak as a
thing TO be apprehended. The Lieutenant Gov
erhor had assured me that, even if a writ Of
arrest was issued by the court, the sherin
would not attempt TO serve II, without my per.
mission, and, for to-day, they designed to sus.
pend IL j ordered a steamer 10 be at Jackson
Barracks, fhree miles below the city,J at an
early hour in the morning, and tug to be
ready 10 bear oIGers TO the commanding officer
of the lat infantry, stationed at that point. At
liz O'Clock q. m, Lisutenant Governor Voor-
hees came 10 see me, and. after conversation,
(he feeling confident a. the time of the ability
OF The pol ce 70 preserve order.) proposed 10
bring 70 the city four companies one hour in
advance of The supposed meeting OF the con-
ventcn AZ SIX O'Clock p. M. to be kept near by,
IN case they should be required 10 keep clear
The streets in the vicinity Of the hall in which
the convention was TO meet. lie agreed with
me- that IL would &c very desirable. but left me
not apprehending difficulty. A. - o clock m,
drove 10 see Judge Howell, president of
he ccnvsp.ion, 70 recuPs, that arrangements
H-igh; os made 70 keep any crowd thai might
assemble 10 pTotec, he con yentiOn ont OF the
stTse's. "a IS "a avoid an accidental col
l.sIon. NEsn l reached has house 1 learned