The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1866-08-30
THE VIEW ORLEANS RIoTs.

/ T. : - II
We give below some important correspon-
dence in relation to the New Orleans Riots
It will be seen that Gen. Sheridan fixes the
blame on the rebel authorities of New Or
leans. .>s-
OFFICE U. s. MILITARY TELEGRAPH,
TCopv.1 H'DQR's WAR DEPARTMENT.
The following telegram received 12.45 T.
NJ, July 81, 1866, from New Orleans, La,
July 80, P. NJ, 1866:
Secretary Of War:
/ have been in full consultation with the city
authorities, and have kept my troops well in
hand for such an emergency. The riot COM
menced unexpectedly, and before the troops
could reach the scene of action number OF
persons were killed and wounded L
have felt compelled to declare martial law,
and have appointed a military governor or
the city. All is quiet now. Several proml-
nent gentlemen connected with the conVen-
ton are killed or wounded. A. BAIRD,
Brevet Major General.
H'DQ'Rs DEPARTMENT OF LOUISIANA,
[Copyl NEW ORLEANS, La, July 80, 1866.
Hon. Eaaoin NJ Stanton, Secretary Of Var,
Washington, ID. G:
SIR: have the honor to inform you that
a very serious riot has occurred here to-day.
/ had not been applied to by the convention
for protection, but the Lieutenant Governor
and the Mayor had freely consulted. with me,
and was so fully convinced that it was so
strongly the intent of the city authorities to
preserve the peace, in order to prevent mill
tary interference, that did not regard an
outbreak as a thing to be apprehended.-
The Lieutenant Governor had assured me
that, even if a writ of arrest was issued by
the court, the sheriff would not attempt to
serve it, without my permission, and, for to-
day, they designed to suspend it. l ordered
steamer to be at Jackson Barracks, three
miles below the city, at an early hour in the
morning, and tug to be ready to bear Or
ders to the commanding officer OF the LIST ill.,
fantry, stationed at that point AT III
o'clock A. NJ, Lieutenant Governor VOORHEES,
came to see me, and, after conversation, Che
feeling confident at the time OF the ability OF
the police to preserve order0 proposed to
BRING to the city four companies one hour IN
advance of the supposed meeting of the con-
vention at six o'clock p. NJ, to be kept near
by, in case they should be required to keep
clear the streets in the vicinity of the hall in
which the convention was to meet. He
agreed with me that it would be very desir-
able, but told me not apprehend difficulty. AT
IL o'clock NJ, drove to see Judge Howell,
president of the convention, to request that
arrangements might be made to keep any
crowd that might assemble to protect the
convention out of the streets, so as to avoid
an accidental collision. When / reached his
house l learned that the convention was to
meet at - o'clock NJ, and that he had gone
to it, Returning to my headquarters, l soon
received a letter from the Lieutenant Cover
nor, informing me that large parties ofnegroes
were collecting from all quarters and coming
into the centre of the city; yet he was not
sure of his information. However, 1 at once
sent for the troops. Very soon afterwards l
learned that riot had taken place near the
convention hall, and / sent staff officer to
investigate the facts. On his return he repor-
ted having met Judge Howell, who said the
convention had adjourned for want of quo
rum. but would meet again at L! o'clock T.
NJ This treasured me; but again sent to
hasten the arrival of the troops. Immediately
after this the riot assumeda serious character.
The police, aided by citizens, became the as
Sailants and from the evidence | am forced
to believe exercised great brutality in ma
king their arrests. Finally, they attacked
the convention hall, and a protracted strug-
gle ensued. The people inside the hall gave
up. Some who surrendered were attacked
afterwards and brutally treated. Quite a
large number were injured | cannot say
how many. Governor Hahn, DR.. Dostie, Mr..
Fish, and perhaps ether members of the con-
vention, among the number.
On the arrival of the troops 1 soon cleared
the streets, and quiet was restored. From
the evidence of bad feeling on the part of the
citizens, and of sympathy with them on the
part of the police, L felt compelled to declare
martial law in the city and appointa militia
~ governor from which 1 hope good results
will ensue.
l enclose herewith copies of my correspon-
dence with the Mayor, and of a despatch
which the Lieutenant Governor claims to
have received from the President.
l regret that no reply to my despatch to
you of Saturday has yet reached ME. Gen
era Sheridan is still absent in Texas.
remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedi-
ent servant A. BAIRD,
Brevet Major General,
Commanding Department.