Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-08-05
New Orleans Correspondence.
THE RIOT-sCENEs by AN EYE WIT.
NESS.

NESS.
| Correspondence Of Union and Americana
NEW ORLEANS, July 81, 1861 write
you what | saw heard and learned Of the
riot which has just occurred in the Crescent
City, and which may influence the destiny
Of this and all Southern States, and which
therefore, should be examined with great
care, and about which our judgement should
be very cautiously and deliberately formed.
It seems that, as in our State, a Convention
was called and assembled, for the purpose
of modifying the Constitution Of Louisiana.
This was done and the Convention adjourned
stRe die.
Recently it was determined 10 re-cOnvoke
this Convention, whose existence had expired
with the accomplishment of the object for
which it was created. The President of the
Convention was requested to call together
the Convention for their action on the new
constitutional amendment submitted now to
the States. The President refused so to do.
A President pro TEN. was chosen, by whom
the call was made, and the Governors proc
lamation was issued accordingly. Prior to
the meeting, and at night, kind of mass
meeting was held, three-fourths Of whom
were negroes.
A more complete mob was never seen.
Speeches of the most inhamatory character
were made, and the negroes invited to at
tend en- mass, and properly armed, to meet
any force that might be brought against
them. This invitation was received by the
mob with NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of applause,
and the conclusion of the speeches was re-
ceived with great cheers and music from the
band. No attempt was made to arrest any
one, no breach of the peace having occurred
At the.appointed houratwenty-six only of the
old Convention met at the Mechanics Insti-
tute. Numerous negroes, male and female
were also there.
The Convention finally determined to a.
wait the arrival of quorum. During the
recess a large crowd of negroes came march
ing to the Institute, armed with knives,
sticks, clubs, pistols, etc. One of them ran
against or knocked down white spectator
A policeman sought to arrest the offending
negro, and was resisted with brickbats,
clubs, etc Other policemen came to the as
sistance of the first
A fight ensued in which the police were
overpowered. At this moment a general !
panic seized the citizens, and stampede en-
sued among the spectators, who rushed |
through the streets stating that the police |
were whipped and being chased by the ne
groes. An order was Immediately given to |
close doors, and amid the slamming and the
breaking of panes of glass the confusion be-
came indiscribable. The police were rein
forced, a combined and steady attack made
upon the negroes, their ranks broken, some |
rushed into the Mechanics Institute, others |
in various parts ofthe city. Pursuit followed.
Those in the Institute sought to relieve |
those below, and firing poured through the
windows upon the police, who returned the |
fire At last a white flag, or handkerchief, |
was displayed from the building; the police
demanded, Do you surrender" and at
tempted to enter the hall. The fire was re-
newed. From this moment it became evil
dent that the place must becarrjed by storm,
which was finally done. This ended all or
ganized resistance to the police and shortly
the riot ended.
After quiet was fully restored, the LIST
regulars came at double quick to Canal
street, and took possession of all that portion
in the vicinity of the Institute, and at once
posted sentinels and drove off the whites.
Directly after a negro regiment marched
down Magazine street to Canal and united
their forces to the LIST regulars. A battery
of artillery and cavalry Il don't know how
many followed.
Gen. BAIRD issued proclamation declar-
ing martial law, and appointing a Military
for New Orleans This order was
annulled by the President, and
thus ended the riot Fifty would, perhaps,
cover the number of killed, white and black.
The number of wounded cannot be easily
Puddles of blood could be
seen on the streets, and in some places the
sewers were discolored by it. The ringlead-
er of the riot was killed and Ex-Governor
HAHN severly wounded. hope that may
never again witness such scenes, and that
his may be the last riot in the United
States.
After all, the riot simply means this-a
preach of the peace was committed; the Of
ender attempted to be arrested; resistance
ollowed, and that resistance was overcome
A relief to the white offenders was that 10
negro was disturbed or even rudely adj
dressed who was not Immediately connected
With the resistance, and the solicitude of
employees to protect their servants was most
pleasing, and the disposition Of the more in
elligent negroes 70 have nothing to do with
he riot, plainly showed that the ignorant
lone were made the dupes of wicked men.
/