The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-25
The Official Dispatches Concerning the
New OIleans Riot


clal dispatches concerning the late terrible
riot in New Orleans. Many OF these had
already been made public. The chief inte-
rest of the public will fix upon the dispatches
Of General SHERIDAN, not heretofore pub
lished, except in garbled form.
Not to trouble our readers with full repe-
titiOn Of the dispatches, which we have
already printed, we will make brief sum-
mary OF the affair in historical order.
The first despatch is to the Presi-
dent, under date of New Orleans, July
q, from VOORHEES, and HEBRON, inform
ing him that Governor WELLS had ordered
Writs OF election for vacancies in the Con-
vention. The second is from the same par
ties on the 2Sth, giving an account of the
mass meeting addressed by DosTIE and
other Unionists, informing him of the action
OF the Grand Jury with reference to the men,
bers of the Convention, and their contemplated
arrest, but that it would be impossible TO
serve civil process without the certainty of
a riot, and winding up by inquiring els
the military to interfere TO prevent process
of court?" This question was evidently sug-
gested from q fear that General BAIRD, the
officer in command in New Orleans. might
not consent to the breaking-up OF the Con-
Vention.
The reply to this from the President, under
same date, is, that "the military will be ex-
pected to sustain, and not to obstruct or in
terfere with, the proceedings of the court"
On the same day. the President telegraphs
to Governor WELLS, demanding of him by
what authority he had called the Convention
together. To this Governor WELLS replies
that he has not called it together, but that it
had been ordered to convene by the President
of the Convention, in accordance with reso-
luton of that body, empowering him so to do.
On the same day the following despatch
was sent by General BAIRD to Secretary
STANToN:-
"Hon. + OWN NJ. STANTON, Secretary of War;
A convention has been called, with the sanction of
Governor Wells, to meet here Monday. The
Lieutenant Governor and city authorities thiuk It
unlawful, and purpose to brea il no by arrestng
jeCt but have armed the parties that 1 could not
coUntenance permit such &C ion without instruc-
tiOns to that effect from the President. Please
"A BAIRD, BTevet Major General"
There was no reply made to this, except in
so far as the Presidents despatch of the same
date to VOORHEES, and HEBRON may be con-
sidered reply to it.
On the 30th, the President telegrapbed to
ANDREW j. HEBRON, the Attorney General
of Louisiana, as tollows:-
"You will call on General SHERIDAN, or whoever
may be in command for sufficient torce to sustain
the OWL authority in suppressing all Illegal or un
any power or authority without first having OBJ.
tanned the consent OF the people of the state II
there is 10 be convention let it be composed of
delegates chosen fresh from the people of the whole
State. 1he people must be first consulted in refer
eence to changing the organic law & OF the state: ne
Constitution must be sustained, and thereby peace
and order. ANDREW JOHNSON"
The same day the President received the
following despatch from Lieutenant Governor
VOORHEES, -
"Io his Excelency President johnson :-Conven.
ton met. rot broke out in the city. SO far the
cOlored persons killed. Called ION General BARD
for assistance, which is cheeruly rendered Intense
excitement. Convention broken up.
"ALBERT VOORHEES,,
Lieutenant Governor LOUISIANA"
Also, on the same day, the following from
Major General FRANCIS j. HEBRON, a Union
officer, whose graphic account of the riot has
already been published
"The President of the United States I'VE are in
the midst OF terrible riot caused by the assembling
of affairs among the State officers, see no hope OF
quiet without you give a military Governor. Can
not General GRANGER be sent here!
"Late Major. General u. 8. A"
General BAIRD also, under the same date,
sent the following despatch to the Secretary
OF War;
"To the Secretary of War: "A serious riot has
occurred here to-day. have been IN tull consulta.
ton with the city authorities, and have kept my
III
riot commenced unexpectedly, and before the troops
could reach the scene of action number OF persons
were killed and wounded. have felt compelled to
declare martial law, and have appointed military
Governor OF the city. All IS quiet now. Several
prominent gentlemen connected with the COnVen-
ton are killed or wounded
General BAIRD, the same day, also sent a
second and more lengthy despatch to the Sc
cretary Of War, giving full particulars OF his
own action in the premises. In this despatch
he says:-
The police, aided by the citizens became the as
saiaDta ana, from the evidence, / forced 10 be-
leye. exercised great bIuIaitY in making their ar.
rests. Finauy Ihey attacked the convention halt
and protracted struggle eusued. The people INSIDE
the hall gave up. some Who surrendered were at.
tackled afterwards and brntallV treated Onite n
large number were HaSH ahSTed r. SsSGnot now say no
perhaps, other members OF the Convention among
fhe number On the arrival OF the troops / soon
cleared the streets and quiet was restored"
He also regrets that he had received nc
reply to his despatch of the 28th asking in
structions.
On the S1st General BAIRD sends des
patches to the Secretary of War, TO the Ad