Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-12
mayors OFFICE:

While engaged in the City Hall on We'd
nesday morning, at meeting of the City
Council, my attention was directed by some
one TO difficulty aboutto occur, orwhich had
occurred, in front Of said Hall, Flower end of
the market, to which place | Immediately
repaired. Upon reaching which spot, found
Policemen Starky and Mckinney starting off
TO the Provost Marshal's Office with colored
soldier in charge. Immediately turned to
Col. Trauernicht asking what vas the cause of
the difficulty, who being, or seeming to be, so
thoroughly overcome with excitement, made
no reply. The crowd then seeming to dis
perse, i turned and walked in the direction
of my Office before reaching which place,
some gentlemen approached me and stated
that there was a prospect of very serious
difficulty on College street, to which place |
Immediately went
On reaching the scene of the difficulty. |
found Col. Trauernicht on his horse, in the
midst Of the large crowd there assembled,
and inferred, from his conduct, that he was
encouraging the riotous proceedings of the
colored soldiers, who were threatening to
rescue the soldier then in charge of the DO
hcemen. approached Col Truaernicht, ask
ing him to dismount and aid me in sup
pressing the difficulty He did very soon
dismount and offered to assist me, when /. as
Mayor, commanded the peace. / then ap-
preached the soldier holding his gun in a
shooting attitude, commanding him to give
up his gun. Officers Steele and Reddick were
also demonstrating with him with the same
view, and officer Steele told him if he did
not do so he would knock him down, and did
strike him one or two blows.
After supprcssing the riot to great de-
gree, | requested Col. Trauernicht to accom-
pany me to my Office that an investigation
might be had with view to arriving at all !
the facts in the case, which he did very
readily; and, after consultation, and hear
ing several statements, the whole affair was
set for hearing by my request before the
Provost Marshall at o'clock, P. NJ, at the
same time stating that desired a thorough
investigation, and if any of my officers were
in fault they should be dismissed. Some
time after the crowd had dispersed and the
prisoner sent to the Provost MarshaPs,
Col Trauernichtwith several other gentlemen
remaining in my office, a man whom re-
cognized from his uniform to be a Colonel,
came in very abruptly and rudely, and as /
considered, ungentlemanly; remarking in
substance, that he had learned that his SOL
diers had again been badly treated and ask
ing for particulars, when | replied to him
that difficulty had occurred, and which /
exceedingly regretted and furthermore,
that hearing had been set for o'clock,
when / would be pleased to see him-when
he began harangue of abuse upon the cit
liens for what he alleged to be prejudice and
continued bad evil treatment to his soldiers
also remarking that the citizens of Nash
vile were set of secessionists or d-n
secessionists, and that he would not tolerate
such any longer-that he intended to up
hold his soldiers, &C.. In the meantime,
him, asking whether he came to
ascertain the facts in the case, or to insult
me ofthe city; and that he should not use |
such language in my Office. He persisting,
| ordered him out of my office-which re-
peated-telling him that if he did not do
SO, that | would put him out He accor-
dinghy, as ordered, left. 49,
- IS wv. MATT Brown, = =
Mayor.