New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-10-03
TRE NEW-ORLEANS MASSACRE.
Report Of the Military Commission
TUE ADMINISTRATION RESPONSIBLE FOR
THE CRIME.
The Massacre Planned by supporters Of
JohnsOn's Policy.
YHB ALARM BELL RUNG AS A SIGNAL FOR
GENERAL ATTACK.
Three. FOurths of the Police EX.Rebel
Soldiers.
as All Of Hsyss Brigade Up" "NO; If it had
Been, Not One Would Rave Escaped"
Andrew JOhnson's Defense of the Massacre
Refuted by the Facts.
SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE N. Y. TRIBUNE.

WAsHHsToN Tuesday, Oct ., lstb
The following is the report Of the Military Com
mission appointed TO investigate the causes OF the late
Tlots. as furnished TO the War Department:
SIR: The Board having maturely considered the
evidence, would respectfully report as follows:
The immediate causes Of this riot, which the Board
are directed to investigate, are in their opinion, TO
be found in the violent feelings of hostility toward the
eocalled Convention Of 1854 which has for some time
prevailed in the community, and which was finally,
hy the course Of events famed into the fame Of an
actual outbreak of not, blOodShed, and massacre
The Board do not consider themselves called upon
20 decide or discuss in any manner the question OF the
legal existence and powers Of the Convention as SUCH
Whether any attempt at official action on their part
would have been recognized by the Courts as OF any
legal validity is point admitting of grave doubt.
This however, was not the question under discussion
between the civil and military authorities, the de-
eison of which was, as it appears pregnant OF the
greatest of consequences 20 the State and to the Ma
ton. That question was, whether the persons claim
ing TO constitute such Convention should be allowed
10 assemble
The Board will endeavor TO state briefly and com
vrehensively, the action Of the civil and military
authorities upon this point, and will make short
comparison Of testimony thereon, with view oil
deciding the cause and fixing the responsibility for
The non-arival of the United States troops in time TO
prevent the bloodshed which took place. The events
Of the day will then be considered in chronological
order, the Board making the best summary in their
power, Of the yoluminous evidence which they have
taken and which in their opinion points Nth irresist
lie force 10 the quarter WAIeh tie GeeoHNtabh1y Jor
crime ,eA be found TO rest.
In the excited state ofpublc feeling before des-
cribed. Mayor Monroe applies by letter TO Gen.
Baird to know if be can be allowed TO disperse this
aeed anlautl assembly by e arrest Of its members by
III. poyice. Gen. Baird replies in effect that 1t IS
mot for The Mayor 10 decide that these e1zens erimi
GALS and that he ell not permit the arrest, but that
siotous attack on the assembly be anticipated which
The police may be unable to quel prevent in that
ease the whole of the military power will be fur
nished, if required TO assist in keeping the peace
Ba MAJOR Monroe makes application for military
aid. Gen. Baird also states his objections to
allowing the arrest BY the sheriff, but promises to
telegraph TO Washington for instructions lie does 80
telegraph. and rscsipes no ansuer The other party
teegraphs and are answered that the military Will be
expected to sustain the Courts. This does not
remove Gen. Bairds objections to the arrest. II is
agreed that the sheriff shall not make the arrests but
that Gen. Baird shall indorse his objections on the
warrant, and forward the whole case TO Washington
So far, nothing said Of o not, except Gen. Bairds
offer of troops should one be anticipated Gen. Bard
is unwilling to assume the attitude Of protecting the
assembly unless called on by the civil authorities to
aid in preventing or suppressing riot.
Let us now compare the evidence as TO when and
by whom be was so called on.
Lieut.-Gov Voorhies says:
then mentioned 70 the General whether he would not have
troops vicinity Of the Mechanics Institute that day to
preyent any disturbance This the day Of the riot 1t
must have been toward 10 O'Clock when made the request
Gen Baird pleased with it. because coming from our
AIDE He said he would do with pleasure and gave ime
date orders left stepped up 70 the Mayors Office
10 zee troops had been sent did not say what troops
only asked for troops When made that statement to the
Mayor he seemed pleased with the arrangement LUIS was
about II o'clock"
See, also, Lieut. Gov. Voorhees, letter Of July 30;
After leaving you called upon the Mayor who was
pleased the cooperation he could have from the mill
tay department
Major-Gen. Baird says;
soon after II O'Clock the LeufenanGovernor called upon
me tod the Governor the dispositions had made Of the
troOps said also that afraid my actions would be
isiner ed aud would be said that was guarding
The Convention would have been glad to have posted few
,e In the street Gov VOORHEES, expressed pleasure and
agreed to with pleasure and said that be wond be glad TO
and that he would see that my motives were not
mnterpreted then said would send for few companies
This was the first understanding between and any one and
The first proposition made with regard 70 having troops present
Shortly after O'Clock Mayor Monroe in hurledy to see
ne asked when the troops spoke Of bringing up Woud
arrive expected them that they ought TO be IN
CanAsi by that very time He then asked me- W they DC
white troops viii they along with the police replied
lhat part Of them vOue whteroopshe First Infantry
and that you'd them pat do, he riot no aatier 'oAO
1pas tine did be ask for the assist
ance Of troops with the exception Of the request implied In
these three interTogsOrieS"
Mayor Monroe says;
On Saturday previous AUTHORIZATION called on Gen
Baird gave him understand feared difficulty provided
there few United States troops sent there to preserve
Order kaogng Jul s0eR there bed telling orng betSeen
my police and ne Negroes md those o apoTed his C0renhon
Ii was previously agreed before Saturday between Gen
Baird aud myself that small force Of troops would be sent to
Mechanics Institute relied my proclamation to keep
white people away Gen Baird informed me that
would a small detachment Of troops told him such
soos ne case he Ca.seaon might assemble o. e mog Of
NE ossentg ,refg Ten 1aiEaes sat iasgfT 70 report 10
4Aethe, ne military had pei go' dee Or no' Thi about
10 oeoek 10 Bp sucDrss he continued 10 Ieiu and report
nat ne Dtar had ne, armed bGd been agreed
tehoeca Ge Iaird aad myself informed Gen Baird on
l5eny and Saturday that tins Copg'unon was 70 assemble
AZ y O'Clock Oh Monday u would DC 0ocesay 20 Lave
eu itsc previous 10 that hom and hc informed ne Dat he
At ..tff