The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-08-03

hAo-OIAlEnlbNiS. - w eCppy tueiOl-
lowing special dispatches from the
New York Times, of the Both and 31st
July: ~ 81.
Conga1B1A, s, c., Monday, July 90
VIM. J.. Armstrong, representative of
the Congressional Republican Com
mittee, and J. @. Thompson, cores
pondent Of the New York Times,
were murderously assaulted, at 8
o'clock, last night, in the Nickerson
House, on account Of their participa-
ton in the Republican Conyep ton.
Both gentlemen made speeches be-
fore the Convention. No words pass
ed between the parties before the
assault, and not a shadow of provo
cation was given. Two of the assail-
ants are of our first families, and all
are violent rebels. No fatal injuries
were sustained by the parties assail-
ed. Gov. Orr was present during
the last of the riot, and advised peace
by urging the assailed to retire to
their rooms. Radcliffe, the most
prominent assailant, is 6. brother of
the Chief of Police. The rioters were
boisterous till near midnight, when
they were arrested and Immediately
liberated on bail General Burton,
Post Commandant, was appealed to
this morning. He has the rioters
now under military arrest. The civil
authorities are pleading for the pri-
soners, and promising that tney shall
he punished. The colored people
are i'll II high state of excitement.
The best and most peaceably dis
posed citizens profess to deplore the
affair.
COLUMBIA, S. c., Tuesday, July 80.
Gen. Sicliles was last night informed
of the assault which had been COM
mitted at this place upon Hon. VIM.
j. Armstrong and your correspondent,
and telegraphed to Gen. Burton for
particulars. Details of the murder
Gus attack were sent him, and this
morning orders came to transfer the
assailants to Charleston, where they
will be arraigned before Military
Commission on Thursday. Two pub
lie meetings were held here today
regarding the matter. One by Con-
servatives, disclaiming sympathy with
the rioters; the other by Republicans,
who regard the attack as made on free
speech. The city is quiet now, though
much bitterness prevails. Gov Orr's
private secretary is necessarily work
ing for the release of the prisoners
into civil hands.
The above dispatches contain gross
misrepresentations-to use no more
harsh term. The facts of the case
so far as we can learn, after particular
inquiry--are these: NTessrs. Charles
Radcliffe and Owen DAILY were in the
sample room attached to Nickerson's
Hotel, on Sunday night, when Mr..
W. j. Armstrong (who had been sent
ont by the Republican Executive
Committee of Washington to stump
the State) entered and called for
segar; while lighting it, one of the
parties mentioned above, threw the
contents of a glass of liquor in his
face. He turned and asked what this
meant, when the other, it is said,
struck him. Whether or not Mr.
Armstrong had provoked the assault,
we are not able to say. At all events,
fight then ensued, when Mr.. J. Q.
Thompson, Northern newspaper
reporter, hearing the confusion, came
forward, and finding his friend en-
gagged, joined him, and seizing n bar
ber's pole, used it with considerable
effect. The fight lasted some time,
and the noise attracted the attention
OF several persons, who finally inter
fered and put stop to the difficulty;
but the four whose names are men,
toned above vera tba only lo