The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-10-16
FROM NEW ORLEANS
Report of the Military Commission
Who is the Responsible Party.

ed to investigate the New Ofieaho Li5S9d-
ere, and the causes leading thereto. This
Commission consisted of Major General j.
A. Mover, Brig. Gen. S. NJ. Quincy, and
Brig. Gen. Irwin Gregg. A full examina-
ton of all persons supposed capable of
throwing light upon the matter was made,
and after sitting all the testimony the Corn
missioners came unanimously to the con
clusion that the Administration at Wash
ington is responsible for the atrocity; that
it was planned by the supporters OF the
Presidents Policy; that three-fourths OF
the police were ex-rebel leaders; that fire.
men were seen acting as and with the po,
police, making arrests as special police, and
lending the assistance of their iron wrenehes
in the congenial occupation Of dispatchlng
the wounded; that the alarm bell was rung
as a signal for general attack; that the sig
nal was not the general fire alarm; but was
recognized throughout the city as indica-
ting that the attack had commenced; and
as call to arms of all who might desire
to participate therein. "Look out for
work now," was the cry in the streets as
the first strokes of the bell sounded. The
assassins were organized militarily, and
such expressions were heard as "There goes
Hays brigade" "Damn you, you are fight
ing Hays brigade" 4" Is all Hays brigade
up" "No; if it had been not one Of you
would have escaped
After detailing the scenes Of the massa
ere the Commission 90 on to call attention
to the brutal treatment and most inhuman
neglect of wounded and dead prisoners at
the various stations, before they were, by
military orders, removed to the military
hospitals.
In conclusion, several results are arrived
at, as follows:
l. "The Board will state it as their
firm conviction, that but for the dec}ara-
ton of martial lar, ard the presence ofI
the troops, fire and J2ood$hed mould hare
RACED throughout the night IN all negro
quarters of the city, and that the hves and
property Of Unionists and Northern men
would hare been at the mercy Of the mob. |
The Conservators of the peace being for
the time, the iostjgators Of violence, no
thing Uould hare remained but an arm
ing for Selfdefence, and a scene might
hare ensued unparalleled IN the history
of the age. AS in the Gordon riots in /
London, and the more recent draft riots in
New York, the affair would have passed
beyond the power of the originators, into
the hands of that class whose only object
would have been plunder and destruction
irrespective Of party. In the Boards opln-
Jon, the property of the Southern merchant
not less than the life of the negro and the
Unionists, was that night under the pro-
lection of the Federal bayonet alone" I
2. "The Board would state that in their
opinion, the whole drift and current of the
evidence tends iuesistably to the conclusion
that there was among the class Of violence
known to exist in this city and among the
members of the ex-Confederate associations
before alluded to, a preconcerted plan and
purpose of attack upon this Congention,
provided any plausible pretert therefor
could be found. Threats to members to
"prepare their cofins," warnings to friends
TO keep clear Of the vicinity, anonymous
letters dissuading those whose purpose to
be present was known, all these taken to-
gether, the Board regard as Of a significance
which can hardly be misinterpreted.
Though not in evidence, it is within the
personal knowledge of the Board that a
mock obituary notice of the demise of the
Convention on the 30th of July, was some
weeks previous posted in this city,"
8. "Whether, and to what degree, Mayor
Monroe can be regarded as an accomplice
in, or knowing to this purpose of attack,
will, probably, by direct testimony, never
appear. Whether any definite instructions
were given to the police, the Board regard
rs immaterial. He knew their feelings to-
wards this party of negro suffrage to be
identical with the mob. ThreeJourths Of
them acre er- Confederate soldiers, and
at least one Of three officers, appointed by
himself, notorious thug, assassin and
former leader of the rery men Of blood
aCho might be expected to be foremost IN
the attack. Had the police been sent to
the hall in advance, with orders to pre-
serve the peace, they could have had no
excuse for the attack on the Convention; !;
on the contrary, they must have acted in
It's defence; and this was the advice of
Gen. Heron. But if the police are kept
away until an attack is made AMI fighting
ensues, then precipitated in mass upon the