The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-05-16
the RECENT RIOTS IN MEMPHIS, TENN.
From the 1rmy and Macy Journal, Aay IA.

| IRON We army ana Nd6y journal, Nag IA.
From an official source we have received the
| following detailed account of the recent disturb
| ances at Memphis. 1t may be relied upon as
| correct statement of the circumstances of the
recent riot, OF which only imperfect reports have
| thus far been presented to the public:-
On the afternoon of May l, 1865, the police en-
| deavored 10 arrest some discharged colored SOL
| diers, who were disorderly, in South Memphis
| but were resisted and driven away. This called
! forth the whole police force, which was ioined
| by large number of the lower classes for the
ostensible purpose of assisting in arresting the
offenders of the law, but upon arriving at the
scene OF the disturbance a general onslaught
was made upon the negroes, who compose the
main portion of the inhabitants of that locality
The riotous proceedings continued to increase
until late hourln the evening, when the Mayor
OF the city addressed the following communca-
tion to MaiorGeneral Stoneman, commanding
the Department of Tennessee:
MAYORS OFFICE CITY OF MEMPHIS, May To
Major General Stoneman, Commanding, Etc -
There is an uneasness IN the public mind growing
out of the occurrences OF to-day which would be
materially calmed if there was assurance OF mill.
tary cooperation with the civil police suppre ssinR
all disturbances of the public peace. l should be
happy to have 1t in my power to give this assurance
at once. 1t would lntmidate the lawless and serve
TO allaY the apprehensions OF the orderly. there
fore request that you will order force of say 200
ready to cooperate with the constabulary force of
the city IN case of any 1urther continued awesn ness
servant, JOHN PARK Mayor,
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF TENNEssEE.
MEMPHIS, Tenn, May Hon John Park, Mayor
OF City OF Memphis, Memphis, Tenn Dear Sr,-I
am in receipt of yours of this instant In reply [
have the honor to inform you that the small force of
Regular infantry stationed at this pOst-In all not
mole than 100 srong-wlll be directed to hold tseIf
IN readiness 10 cooperate with the civil authorities
OF Memphis in case of further continued lawess.
ness This teTce ls in camp in the tort, whore you
can communicate with the commanding officer i'm
case you shall find that you need his assistance and
support. should prefer that the troops be called
upon only IN case OF an extreme necessity, which
you must be the judge. am, very respectfully your
Obedlent servant, GEORGE SroNEMAN
h1jo" General Commanding.
AT the same time or ders were sent to CAPTAIN
Allyn, commanding detachment OF the 10th
United States Infantry, stationed at Fort Picker
ing, TO be IN readiness with his force as occa-
sion might require. The disorders continuing
and several parties having been killed and
wounded, the troops we're ordered out and 1he
rioters dispersed. Though comparative quiet
was restored, the public mind remained at an
intense state OF excitement and occasional
cases ot shooting occurred throughout the re.
mainder of the night and the day of the 2d
After midnight Of the I'd, vari0ns churches
school-houses, and buildings which we're used
by the Freedmen's Bureau and negro popula-
lation, and located in various parts Of the CITY,
were burned. Most ofthOse buildings belonged
to the United States Government, and one of
them contained considerable amount of cloth
irg and stores for destitute whites and Blacks all
OF which was consumed.
On the Sd the indiscrminate firing continued,
and, as is the case generally in like disturb
anees, lnohensive and innocent parties were
killed and wounded. The excitement increased,
and the apprehensions Of the people were so
little allayed that the following communica-
| tion was addressed to General Stoneman during
| the afternoon:-
MEMPHIS, Tenn May Major General Stone.
| man, u. A., Commanding Department OF Ten
nessee-Sir;-.I am requested by the citizens COM
posing meeting held this morning at the Court
House, TO lay before you The following resolutions,
Wnlch were passed unanimously, and to request
| from you your cooperation in any measures that
may be taken in pursuance thereof.
Respectfully, II. G. BRINKLEY.
| RESOLUTIONS.
ReSoIved, That the Mayor Of the city, and Sheriff
OF the county, tOgethe with the Chairman of this
meeting w. r. Greenlawl be authorized TO sum-
mon force of citizens of sufficient numbers TO act
IN connection with the military, which shall cOnst-