The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-07-25
Major General o. o. HoiUGrd, Commits
sioner, Etc., Washington, d. c.:

: HAssIsrASr CoMMIssIoNER's OFFICE,
NASHVILLE, July 10, 1867. }
Major General O. o. Ro,UGrd, Commits
sioner, Etc., Washington, d. c.:
Geptcral-I have the honor to submit
the following report OF the affair that
occurred at Franklin, Williamson
county, on the 9th inst, between the
Colored League on the one part, and
body of Conservatives, composed prln-
cipally of fex-rebel soldiers and negroes,
on the other. In order to a correct un-
derstanding of the causes which culmi-
mated in a riot and bloodshed, on the
9th. at o'clock P. NJ, 1t is proper TO
recur to series of occurrences which
took place few days previously. The
Colored League had recently procured
drums and fife, and had been march
ing about the outskirts of the town,
after supper, for several evenings with
out disturbing any one. On different
occasions they were interrupted by col
ored Conservatives, (Dick Crutcher and
A. ]. Godsay, passing through
their column while marching, firing
shots, &c.) In consequence OF this
interference some members OF the
League consulted lawyer and promt-
nent citizens, to ascertain If any legal
steps could be taken to protect them
ing that there was no legal remedy, the
League armed some of its members for
protection. They were again disturbed
and fred on, and returned the fire with
out injury to any one. The occurrence,
taking place out of town, was, perhaps,
not known to many citizens. a general
feeling of insecurity seemed 10 seize
upon the members of the League, and
the idea prevailed that their professions
and marching were objected TO by many
persons, and fears were entertained that
attempts might be made to prevent
81, Thnrp fa nj HnT1kH
but that the Conservatives viewed the
marching and displays of the League
as a military demonstration, and feared1
that 1t might result in strife. 1mpu-
dent remarks and foolish boasts were
made by individuals of both parties.
and each had come to regard the other
with Jealous eye. On the 9Th inst.
there was political meeting, which
was addressed by Mr.. John Trtmble
aud Mr.. Elliott, Republican candidates
for Congress and the State Legislature
respectively. This meeting passed on
quietly aud Rmicably. In the afternoon
a colored Conservative, named Joe. VIII.
liams, passed through the town, and
was prevailed upon to return and
speak. After he had spoken a short
time, the Radicals became dissatisfied
with his style, and attempted to-
Mr.. ]. C. Bliss, member OF the
League, was assaulted by Colonel John
l.. House and a party of armed men,
who seemed to be acting under his or
ders. BE WAS struck by this Colonel
| House. and insulted by abusive epi-
thets, Mr.. Bliss then went among the
members OF the League in very e1-
cited condition, and attempted to get
pistol with which TO defend himself or
attack Colonel House. This alterca-
| tion between Bliss and House, and the
efforts OF the Conservatives TO prevent
the Radicals from leaving the meeting,
created great excitement among the
marched away, then, from the place
where the speaking occurred and nred
q few shots in the air as they moved oui
as a salute, as they claim. Their Whlte
| friends urged them to disperse, and go
| TO their homes, which they seemed nn-
willing to do, feeling that their l1oeTtles
were fnfringed upon. However, they
were prevailed upon to march out OF
town to a grove, where they We're aa-
! dressed by Mr., Elliott and Mr.. Ciih,
| both of whom again urged them to dis-
perse and 90 to their homes. They
seemed to object to this for two reasons:
The first was, that the CONSERVATIVES
would attribute their retirement 70
cowardice; the second, that they haa
planned torchlight procession for the
evening, which they were unwilling 10
abandon. But they finally decided to
| march into the publicsquare, and there
! break ranks and disperse to tner
homes, giving up the plan OF torch
| Light procession. Thls WAS auout nA1i-i ltALi
past eight o'clock In the evening" In
the meantime it was manifest that q
collision was expected, and the Con
| servatives were preparing tor py
Il gathering arms and ammunition into tne
| store of Colonel John L. House, ana
perhaps other places around the square