The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-09-05
THE NEW ORLEANS RIOTS.

THE NEW ORLEANS hAO1S.
We give below some important correspol
dence in relation to the New Orleans Riots
It will be seen that Gen. Sheridan fixes til
blame on the rebel authorities of New o.,
leans.
OFFICE o. S. MILITARY TELEGRAPH,
[Copy] H'DQR's WAR DEPARTMENT.
: The following telegram received 12.45 P,
NJ, July 81, 1866, from New Orleans, La
July 80, P. NJ, 1855:
Secretary Of Var:
A serious riot has occurred here to-day
have been in full consultation with the cit.
authorities, and have kept my troops well il
hand for such an emergency. THE riot com
menced unexpectedly, and before the troor'
could reach the scene of action q number {,
persons were killed and wounded.
have felt compelled to declare martial law
and have appointed military governor G
the city. Ali is quiet now. Several promi
nent gentlemen connected with the conven.
ton are killed or wounded. A. BAIRD,
Brevet Major General.
H,Do'Rs DEPARTMENT OF LOUISIANA,
TCopy] NEW ORLEANS, La, July 30, 1866.
Hon. Edsoin N, Stanton, Secretary Of War,
Washington, d. G:
SIR: have the honor to inform you that
a very serious riot has occurred here to-day.
I had not been applied to by the convention
for protection, but the Lieutenant Governor
and the Mayor had freely consulted with me,
and I was so fully convinced that it was so
strongly the intent of the city authorities to
preserve the peace, in order to prevent mili-
tary interference, that / did not regard an
outbreak as thing to be apprehended.-
The Lieutenant Governor had assured me
that even if writ of arrest was issued by
the court, the sheriff would not attempt to
serve it, without my permission, and, for to-
day, they designed to suspend it. ordered
a steamer to be ut jackson Barracks, (three
miles below the city, at an early hour in the
morning, and tug to be ready to bear or
ders to the commanding officer of the 1st in
fantry. stationed at that point. AT III
o'clock A. NJ, Lieutenant Governor VOORHEES,
came to see me, and, after conversation, Che
feeling confident at the time of the ability of
the police to preserve order0 proposed to
bring to tue city four companies one hour in
advance of the supposed meeting of the con-
vention at six o'clock P NJ, to be kept near
by, in case they should be required to keep
clear the streets in the vicinity of the hall in
which the convention was to meet. He
agreed with me that it would be very desir
able, but told me not apprehend difficulty. At
IL O'clock NJ. / drove to see Judge Howell,
president of the convention, to request that
arrangements might be made to keep any
crowd that might assemble to protect the
convention out of the streets, SO as to avoid
an accidental collision. When reached his
house learned that the convention was to
meet at 12 o'clock NJ, and that he had gone
to it. Returning to my headquarters, l soon
received letter from the Lieutenant Cover
nor, informing me that large parties ofnegroes
were collecting from all quarters and coming
into the centre of the city; yet he was not
sure of his information. However, at once
sent for the troops. Very soon afterwards l
learned that riot had taken place near the
convention hall, and sent staff officer to
investigate the facts. On his return he repor-
ted having met Judge Howell, who said the
convention had adjourned for want of quo
rum, but would meet again at 1 o'clock P.
NJ This reassured me; but again sent to
hasten the arrival of the troops. Immediately
afterthis the riot assumeda a serious character.
The police, aided by citizens became the as
sailants, and from the evidence am forced
to believe exercised great brutality in ma
king their arrests. Finally, they attacked
the convention hall, and protracted strug-
gle ensued. The people inside the hall gave
up. Some who surrendered were attacked
afterwards and brutally treated. Quite a
large number were injured I cannot say
how many. Governor Hahn, DIR. Dostie, MIR.
Fish, and perhaps ether members of the con
vention, among the number.
On the arrival of the troops soon cleared
the streets, and quiet was restored. From
the evidence of bad feeling on the part of the
citizens, and of sympathy with them on the
part of the police, l felt compelled to declare
martial law in the city and appoint a militia
ry governor, from which l hope good results
will ensue.
enclose herewith copies of nay correspon-
dence with the Mayor. and of despatch
| which the Lieutenant Governor claims to
have received from the President.
I regret that no reply to my despatch to
you of Saturday has yet reached me Gen
| eraI Sheridan is still absent in Texas.
Iremain, Sill, very respectfully, your obedi-
ent servant, A BArRD,
Brevet Major General,
Commanding Department.