Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-05-04
4tnion and Smrrieaa,
FRIDAY. MAY &. 1866.
THE MEMPHIS RIOTS.
INTERESTING PARTICULARS.
WHITE MEN AT THE BOTTOM OF 1T!
From the Memphis Argus. May p

J
dav, beginning about $50 p. NJ. 1t began by
two policemen going TO arrest man who
sold liquor in South Memphis. The negro
soldiers who were yesterday mustered out oi
service, and had been patronizing the drink
ing saloon, charged the two police, killing
one. The other, running up Main street
aud down Second collected about fifteen OF
his comrades, who wentdown to rescue their
companion, but were again repulsed by the
negro force. The police then sent back to
the station-house to get the police force OF
the city. Capt Garrett took all the force
and proceeded down Second 30 Beale, and
thence 10 the left to DeSoto, taking down
that TO South street. There the melee be-
gan in earnest. Some five or six policemen
and citizens were shot-two or three said TO
be killed and several wounded.
When the police reached the South street
bridge, about one hundred or one hundred
and fifty negro soldiers and white men from
this part OF the eity-mostly Of the lowest
class-were scattered in every direction, be-
hind houses, fences and rayines, opened an
irregular but destructive fire upon the police
and citizens indiscriminately.
The police and those Of the citizens who
were armed returned the fire, but were for a
time forced 10 retire before the hot fire of
the negroes. After some time they rallied
and charged the bridge about two squares
east of Main, on South street. This they
carried, and forced the negroes and their
white allies to fall back beyond the Misss-
sippi and Tennessee Railroad depot The
police here made stand, but the negroes
ianked them and came very near cutting
them off from town. The police by this
time, under the command Of Capt Garrett
and Lieut.. Riley, had exhausted all their
ammunition, and seeing the armed force
thanking them, started TO retreat up Main
street, but Just as they arrived opposite Nor
ris Cemetery, there being an embankment,
and a hedge on the west side of Main--the
negroes having succeeded in making their
flank movement, fired a volley into the re-
treating force Of police and citizens, several
men falling at the shot Of the negroes, but
one Of our reporters who was on the ground,
having been slightly wounded at South
street bridge, took no time TO see how many
were able TO get away. The police charged
again. and the few shots took effect, some
dozen falling at the fire Two negroes who
had been captured, in attempting to make
their escape, not far from the intersection Of
Shelby and Union streets, were shot down,
but it was hard 10 tell who shot them, as
they were between friends and foes. The
negroes pressed the retreating column Of
policemen and citizens rs far as the Second
Presbyterian Church, on Beale and Main
streets.
ln this melee there were some three or
four policemen wounded, among them were
James Finn and Mr. Slatterly. The last
named gentleman and our reporter were
wounded by the same shot, in the charge
over South street bridge. Mr.. S. was shot
through the thigh, only a flesh wound.
Henry Dunn, engineer on fire engine 80. 3,
was mortally wounded, and has since died.
1t is thought Mr.. Finn will die. Some six
or eight negroes were killed and several
wounded Two Of the killed are now at the
Police station house.
As our reporter was passing down Causey
street, there appeared TO be much excite
mcnt, as well as in all other parts Of the CITY,
from Adams down, but in passing through
Causey there was much sympathy manifested
for the negroes Some Of the lower class
went so far as TO curse the posse commifdts
who were following the police, and wished
them, with the policemen, in fhe Internal
regions. MANY of the white citizens-but
none that could be called respectable
maneuvering. Some of them conducted the
flank movement from the fort to the ambus-
cade ON Main, opposite the Morris Gene
terry.
Ahcr the stampede of the policemen on
Main street, they rallied again at GayosG,
and stopped the fugitives, making a stand
The negroes advanced as far As the next
street below Beale and fired several shots,
but hurt no one. There the police were
scattered 10 cover Front, Main and Second
streets, about ten TO each street, the remain
ing force retiring TO arm and equip them
selves. This they did as soon as possible and
returned 10 the scene of action.
Some reports say that several negroes
were killed up in town rs FAR rs Jefferson
street
l0:i5 p. N.-The regular troops stationed
at the Fort were called out to qucll the riot.
Some reports say that this was refused by
General Stoneman; others that they came at
the time, and the negroes and their white
accomplices were forced to retreat to the
forts. No further particulars since our re-
porter left, at the time of statiOning troops
and police on the three streets mentioned
above. There are still occasional shots be-
ing fired As we go 10 press.
shots fired, but the results have not been
obtained.
The whole number Of casualties. up TO the
time of going to press, are two white men
killed and several wounded about six or
eight negroes killed and several wounded.
Very naturally, the riot created the most
intense excitement throughout the southern
portion Of the city. As soon as il became
l. L. i ,,1V
zagroes and policemen, and not one Of the
scores of ordinary negro brawls that almost
daily and nightly disgrace the vicinity of
South street, curiosity TO see the melee over
came discretion. Hundreds emerged from
houses and strcamcd TO the scene Of the
firing from alleys and streets, all eager TO
witness the conflict. Quite a number of
negroes -non-participants-w chanced to
be in the neighborhood and did not incline
TO aid their black brethren, were seized with
n terrible panic and their flight in every
direction, addedtnot a little 10 the excite
mont On Shelby street, about seven o'clock,
probably fifty OF this class were seen hasten
ing towards the river rs rapidly as their legs
could carry them, evidently as much alarmed
at the negro riotrrs rs the policemen. At
this time the majority Of the residences on
: NiiAAAN NAlfNAt ptAMttll 1 lItAtNAil ana ' anCe,
were cmpticd Of their occupants. who were
clustered in positions favorable for a view
OF the conflict, which by this time was car
ried ON in a desultory manne. as far up as
Vance street, on Main.
The fugitive negroes, one and all,
asserted that the negro mob was making
for Shelby street. Fortunately il did not,
and Of the large crowd Of spectators, no one
was injured.
In front Of the Gayoso House, about dark,
a negro man was shot in the face. but bv
whom we have not ascertained. The mob
was at mo- time in that locality, and the ball
was doubtless fired by some excited person
who supposed that all the negroes on the
streets were engaged in the riot. The man
was bleeding profusely, and seated in the
door of a hack, awaiting the arrival Of some
one 10 dress his wounds.
These particulars are from the direct OBJ
seryation Of our reporter, and SO far as facts
aud not rumorSare concerned, we vuuch for
their truth. Those white persons who
allied themselves with the rioters should be
held up 20 the eTeCration of all good citi-
zens; and the great pity is that they did
not fall victims instead of some innocent
men who happened to be wounded or killed
in the action.
RIOT, CHAPTER SECOND.
NEGROES DRIVEN FROM THE CITY.