The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1866-10-19


Arms-The Aftfaek.
4 IFTom the Ns9phis Av>lAnshs, Ootobsr s;hI
(. For some time past the planters living
on and about the Burgett plantation
have been watchful Of the con-
duet and maneyers of the ne
groes around them, who, our informant
states, number somewhere in the yiein-
ity Of FIVE hundred. As many as three
or four times have they (the planters)
been warned by their friends here TO
watch their every act, as it was known
that they had purchased arms and am
munition in this city, and had mwit-
tingly hinted at their murderous de-
signs On Tuesday last number of the
negroes arrived here, and, obtaining a
keg Of powder and a couple Of bags Of
shOt; left the same evening on the Nato-
ma lot ths plantation. A mile or two
TINS side OF the plantation the negroes
went ashore and INSTANTLY started for a
little trading boat lying about thr.a
hundred yards below. Here they found
SIX rides offered for sale. They pur-
chased these articles also, and, with the
ammunition, buried them In the woods
On Friday evening, while the negroes
were weighing cotton, the suspicious of
the oyerseer was aroused by hearing
them interpret the text Of Dixie with
the words Tomorrow weIl have fun
&c. He said nothing, but when the
time arrived dismissed the negroes from
their labor, and repaired as quickly
as possible to his own quarters,
where he found the owners of the
plantation the brothers Burgett. He
related to them what had occurred, and
suggested the propriety of Immediately
taking such measures Of defence as in
their Judgment was necessary 10 pre-
serve the lives of all the white people
about the place. In the meantime they
had learned that on the following day
the negroes intended 10 attack them in
the open field. They then determined
on deyising plans, which they thought
would entirely circumvent those Of the
negroes, and obviate the necessity Of
shedding blood. With this end in view,
they started next morning for the field,
two of the party riding of toward the
road, and the other two riding in the
rear of the plantation. The brothers,
Isaac and Henry, took the road, each be-
ing armed with q shotgun and a revol-
yer. They had not advanced far before
they were met by body of about fifty
negroes, who ordered them off their
mules, accompanying the order with
rapid and indiscriminate firing. For
tunately none of the shots had any eff
feet. Mr.. Isaac Burgett quickly alight-
ed from his animal, and raising his gun
10 his shoulder, fired, killing the leader
of the crowd and wounding two Others.
His brother, Mr.. Henry BIugett. had by
this time got in the rear Of the scoun-
drels, and, together with the other two
gentlemen, who, il will be remembered.
poured volley into their ranks, which
had the effect of scattering them in all
directions. 1t was here that the other
negro was killed and two more wound
ed. By this time some ten OF twelve
white men had gathered around the
place and succeeded in arresting and
placing under guard the entire gang
Forty new rifles, thirty-five revolvers, a
keg of powder, and two large bags Of
shot were captured. In about an hour
after the capture two more squads Of ne
groes were discovered about a half mile
of, but Immediately dispersed in confu-
sion upon hearing of the disastrous de-
feat of their Infamous brother plotters
and assassins. An examination, after
ward, Of about twenty of the negroes.
showed plainly that il was concOcted
BY heads far more capable Of doing
mischief than those of the ignorant, de-
luied negroes: but the planters lacked
the courage of executing their damna-
Bile schemes. This part Of the work
they left 10 n negro named Bill Dickin-
son, who assumed the leadership, and
who. as is stated above. was killed.
This outbreak, which was 10 result in
the murder of all the whites in the
murder Of all the whites in the neigh !
bOrhoOd, to be followed by an indiscrim- 4
mate piundering, was planned and or
iginated here in Memphis This il the /
testimony Of the negroes. They say, |
too, that they were forced into the in
surrection by the negro leaders who /.
told them that if they would but once (.
take possession Of the plantations, their /.
Tlend IN gempnls ana lne NOTtn HOuld /
stand by them. The result Of such teach !
ing is plain. 1t is 10 incite the negro, .
with his low, brutal nature, To murder,
rapine and bloodshed. What can be
plaineri We answer. nothing: and IN
this occurrence the world is furnished
with another illustration Of ii. True "
is that in comparison with the Jamaica
outbreak il Is but insignificant. But
the same principle is involved, though .
on a smaller scale. A desire to possess .
the lands undistuTbed; desire to nd .
Of white rulers, or have such 4
rulers as they themselves wOuld choose. /
Who could tell where it would end had .
il been successful IN the beginning, and .
with the numerous bands OF negroes I
coming up as reiufOrcementsi This .
matter should be thoroughly investiga- Z
ted. and the investigation should begin !
in Memphis. II is due 10 the planters 7
that the villianies Of the Radicals should l
be exposed, and their heinOus plottings
put an end TO.