The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1866-05-16
THE WAR OF RACES
Terrible ARRAY Between Whites
and Negroes Last Evening.
DREADFULs SCENES IN SOUTHERN
MEMPHIS.
POLICEMEN, FIREMEN, CITIZENS AND NEGROES
ENGAGED IN THE ARRAY.


ENGAGED IN THE ARRAY.
One Of the most dreadful riots that ever
occurred in the city of Memphis, took place
Yesterday afternoon, between 5 and O.
clock, on South street, near the intersec-
ton Of Causey street in which HenrylDunn,
engineer Of No. 2. fire engine was killed:
two policemen were MORALLY wounded and
seven negroes killed outright.
The frightful ARRAY in which white per-
sons and negroes were engaged indiscrimi-
nately, created the greatest excitement in
the vicinity of the place where it occurred
and the news spread like wild fire through
every part of the city. People left their
stores and their houses, and rushed in
a most excited manner into the streets.
Squads were formed and went off in
great numbers to the scene Of the riot.
Rumors Of the most exciting character flew
from mouth to mouth, and the widest re-
ports were abroard regarding the number
who had been killed and wounded.
There were at least half dozen rumors
relative to the origin OF the riot, but the
real origin appears to have been as follows:
A negro was driving wagon along South
street about the time referred to above,
which came into collision with another,
which young man (white) was in charge
Words passed between the pair as to who
was to blame for the collision: and finding
that they were unable to settle the matters
by words, an appeal was made to their
whips, which they used most freely over
each others shoulders. No one appears to
be able to tell who struck the first blow, but
this was forgotten in the fearful consequent
res that ensued. While the alteration
was going on, saveral negroes interfered,
and the young man was in serious danger
of being maltreated when policeman for
tunately made his appearance at the scene
of action. He made an attempt to seize
the negro who was using the whip, when
pistol was leveled at his head. He
promptly drew his revolver, and two other
members of the force came to his assistance
The riot then became general negroes flock
ed to the spot in great numbers, who COM
menced firing at the policemen and the citi-
zens indiscriminately, and one of the officers
James Finn, fell mortally wounded at the
first volley being shot through the groin
with bullet from pistol in the hands Of
negro who fired while only few PAGES
from the unfortunate policeman. The other
officers nobly stood their ground although
almost overpowered by numbers.
In a few minutes, however, they were
reinforced by members Of the fire brigade
belonging to the No. 2 fire engine, from the
Shelby street station. BY this time the
firing had become general and large crowd
had collected at the place. Mr.. Henry
Dunn, engineer of No. 2 steamer accom-
panied by his brother 6remen, went gallant
ly to the support Of the officers, and while
doing all in his power to quell the riot, he
fell mortally wounded to the earth. being
shot through the head by negro. The
wound was fearful one and the brains
protruded from the aperture made by the
bullet. The fremen, who were armed with
hose-keys and revolvers. after carrying their
wounded comrade into an adjacent drug
store, where he received every attention
but it was Of no avail returned to the sup
port Of their comrades and the officers.
Many citizens from the adjoining streets
Joined in the ARRAY, and by we'll directed
volleys several negroes. who had taken an
active and an early part in the riot, were
slain in the sffray.
At this time-six o'clock-the riot was
at its height, and Officers Slattery and Nal
Ion, the only policemen who had arrived
on the ground, had fallen severely wounded
In the meantime message had been dis
PATCHED to the police Office for reinforce
nents, and fortunately Mr.. Sheriff Winters
happened to be in the Office at the time
Tie got into vehicle and drove down at q
rapid rate to the navy yard, to solicit IRON
Maj Gen. Stoneman. the General com
manding this district, for the assistance o
the troops under his command, to quell the
riot. Sheriff Winters states that Gen
Stoneman replied when he made the re
quest, that as the citizens of Memphis hat
petitioned to have the troops removed from
the city, they would require to protec
themselves as best they conld rs he hat
no troops at his disposal for that purpose
The duty having deyolved upon the Sheriff
to quell the disturbances he took the mos
prompt measures to do so. He returned
without delay to the station, summoned al
the policeman he could procure and accom-
panied by Captain B. G.. Garrett, Chief 0
Police, the men were marched to the scene
ofaction. AS they moved along the streets
at the "double qnick," Sheriff Winter
summoned every citizen whom he met tt
take his place IN the column, in order tina
he might have an efficient posse comitatu
to put down the riot "a ct ormiS il it wer
necessary. AS they passed along they me
many affrighted citizens coming into tn
city for assistance, who reported the mo-
of negroes to be of the most formidable di
mansions. Sheriff Winters and Capt Gar
rett gave orders to their men to be prepar
ed for any emergency. Reyolvers were 60
out, aud when the officers reached tn
ground they found the negroes drawn up il
almost regular line OF battle. All, 0
nearly all, were in uniform, and each on
was armed with revolver. The officer
were saluted with a volley on their arrival
which they quickly returned, doing som
good execution. A negro who seemed t.
act as the ring leader, fell at the first fire
This caused a general stampede to be mad
BY the negroes, who were closely pursuet
by the officers, firing rapidly. AT thi
juncture policeman in chase of a negro
who had been an active participant in tn
affray, observed Judge Leonard on horse
back and going up to him menacingly, pis
toll in hand, ordered him to go in pursul
of the colored individual, who was runnin
at rapid rate down the street. Judg
Leonard Immediately went off in pursui
but the negro sought the shelter of u cabi
near at hand and escaped.
Sheriff Winters, with his posse, the
proceeded to scour the streets with tn
men under his command, and ordered q
the negroes to return to their DWELLING
which all did promptly fearful of the cor
sequences if they dared to disobey the o.
I L.. :. u L. al o,t fn