Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-07-18

the Conservative party ten or fifteen steps
towards the colOred league, and fred two
pistol shots toward the league
There il now a conflict OF testimony as
TO the party who fred the first volley sue
ceeding these pistol shots. Many witness
es testified that the pistol shots were followed
by volley from the entire Conservative
party, and that that was returned by the
armed men of the colored league; while
others testify that Immediately on the firing
of the pistol shots the armed men OF the
league faced about and fred a yolley, kill
ink Michael H. Cody, jr., and wounding
six white and several black Conservatives.
GOODNESS OF THE BLACK BUTCHERS.
No doubt that the firing of the colored
league was very deliberate and very accu-
rate, as nearly as many Conservatives were
killed or wounded as there were arms In
the hands Of the colored men and 1t was
evident that none of the arms were re-
loaded and fired a second time.
SHOT IN THE BACK.
1t is worthy of remark, that the
twenty-seven colored men whose wounds
were dressed by Dr. D. B. Cliff, of Frank
lin, were all wounded in the back, or in
the back part of the limbs, showing clearly
that they were fired upon from the rear
and flank by the Conservative party while
marching in procession, or after they had
broken ranks and were running away from
the Conservative mob.
THE INNOCENT LEAGUE.
There was nothing in the conduct of the
league, or any member of it, to justify this
murderons assault upon it. There is no
no doubt that some of the banners
borne in the procession were in bad
taste. For example, on enc was inscribed,
Remember Fort Pillow when you go to
the polls" on another, "The Radicals build |
school-houses, the Conservatives burn
them" These Inscriptions were doubtless
the work of some of their white friends. |
The procession of colored men marched
under the flag of the United States, and
the man who carried the flag was wounded |
in the head. The testimony does not show
that there was any particular objection to
the banners carried on the 9th, though at
a meeting some days previously the Sheriff
had forbidden the league to take their ban
ners into the courthouse, where a Repub
Iican meeting was to be held. The flag of
the United States was one of these banners.
QUIET RESTORED.
On the 8th inst visited Franklin, and
found the town quiet, and the people APP
parently very sorry that the affray had oc
cured All parties, especially the white
Conservatives, seemed very solicitous that
the company Of United States troops sent
there by Gen. Duncan on the 9TH should
remain.
The Circuit Court met on the 9Th at 10
o'clock, and there was consequently no
occasion for the military authorities TO ia
terfere further than to prevent another
outbreak. The courts of Williamson county
have heretofore been noted for their Impair
tial administration of justice where colored
people were concerned. 1t is perfectly safe |
in this case TO leave the whole matter of
the Franklin ARRAY to the action of the
Circuit Court Of Williamson county, be-
lieving thai the Judge and District Attor-
ney will do all that should be done to bring
the guilty to Justice. l am informed that
the wounded have been well provided for,
and that Conservatives as well as Radicals
contributed provisions and money toward
providing for the sufferers.
l am, General, very respectfully your
obedient servant,
w. p CARLIN,
BVt. Maj. Gen, Asst. Com'r.