Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-05-14
Negro Riot 81 Richmond.

grOes of Richmond. From the Enquirer of
last Friday, We copy the following account Of
riot which occurred in that city on Thurs
day.
During the engine trial at the Basinson
yesterday afternoon, Captain Charters, of the
Richmond Fire Brigade, while measuring the
distance to which the Delaware engine had
thrown its jet, was jostled from behind by a
negro. whom he ordered to get out of the
Way-an order which, by virtue of his posi-.
ton, he had perfect right to give. Theme.
gro replied by striking the Captain 4 heavy
blow on the back of the head, which prostra-
ted him in the mud. A Delaware fireman
who was standing by, retaliated by knocking
the negro down with speaking trumpet, and
Immediately afterwards the negro was arrest
ed by Policeman SOuthall, and a white man.
supposed to be the party who struck the ne.
gro. was arrested by Policeman Shocks
The negroes present Immediately COM
meHced an attack upon the police. RevoI-
vers were drawn, stones and brick bats hurled
aud, at the corner of 9Th and Gary, the vris-.
oner was torn by the mob from the hands Of
Nlr. Southall, who struggled desperately. and
pursued the negro, but was assaulted bv
large crowd OF negroes, one of whom struck
him on the shoulder with brick. iu6ictiDo
severe wound. He succeeded, however in
recaptnring the negro, when he was seized
from behind by negroes, who held both of
his hands and attempted to deprive him of
his revolver, when Sergeant j b, Peasants
coming to the rescue, drove off, temporarily,
the assaiants.
A running fight ensued on Seventh street
up which the police marched the prisoner tn.
wards the Station House The cry of Freed
men to the Rescue" was raised, and from all
quarters the negroes fOckea to aid in the at
tack on the officers of the law Stones and
brlckbats were buried, and furious bowling
mob lowered around the policemen whom
they assailed with continuous storm OF mis-
sileS
AT the corner of Seventh and Broad streets
another rush was made by the mob. the pris-
oner rescued for the second time, and Cap
tam jenkins, who had by this time come to
the aid OF his officers, was severely cut IN the
back OF the head by brick bat. The prison
er was. however, Immediately re- arrested aud
carried to the station house door where he
was again torn from the hands of the officers
aud borne in triumph up Marshall street, tho
vast crowd of negroes surgDg unanimously
along, yelling and shouting exultingly, CRYING
This is OMr country" We've cleaned 'em
out, I'VE gin it to EN-" and other exclama-
tiOns of similar nature
The fugitive was pursued, overtakeu, and
at the corner of 9th and Broad streets AMIN
arrested, but hardly had he fallen into the
hands of the officers before he W rs again torn
from them and released, and succeeded in ma
king his final escape.
During the melee youth named Irving
was assaulted by the negroes, and took refuge
IN Mrs. BldgoOd's boarding house, on the
corner of Main and 7th streets. The house
was immediately beset by rhrong of negroes.
who endeavered to force an entrance, but
were prevented by the police, who guarded
every avenue.
A brother of the boy, strongly resembling
him in personal appearance, attempting 10
pass out, was seized by the negroes, who
would have torn him to pieces but for the in
reference Of the police, who, with some diff
hculty, rescued him aud bore him to the sta>
On-house for protection aE5-
Although thus far successful in their mt
rageous defiance of the law, the negroes did
not appear to be satisfied but gathered in i'm,
mense numbers around the station house and
on Broad street, and encouraged each. other
by giving utterance to the most ,incendiarv
and threatening language. ,...l.. .s-. $50.
General Schoteld being Informed of tie
disturbance soon appeared upon the scene,
accompanied by heavy detachment of troops.
Standing in an ambulance he addressed the
negroes, warned them of the dangers of the
course they were pursuing and commanded
them to disperse and 20 home.
The troops were then ordered to clear the
streets. and much against their will the ne.
| groes dispersed before the bayonets of the
soldiers, threatening to divide into equals
and 'clean out Richmond to night"
Such is brief, unvarnished record of the
occurrences Of yesterday; occurrences which
plainly denote that the harvest sown by pes
tilent agitat0rs is about to bring forth fruits
worthy OF the seed and the sewers. The ne
grOes have plainly manifested their intention
not to be trammeled by the restraints of laws
which guarantee equal rights to all have
| proclaimed their readiness to fight, and threat
ened the whites with determination.
The moderation displayed by the police
and white citizens was little short of marvel
lous, and shows to what sacrifices our peopIe
are willing to submit to preserve peace, but
we solemnly wars the infatuated men, who.
blinded with insane ideas of their numbers
and prowess, seem bent on iuaugurating u
war OF races, that if the whites are driven into
such conflict the consequences will be more
terrible to the blacks than they can we'll con.
ceive of. That they will hearken to or heed
sound advice We dare not even hope. War
they seem bent upon, and war we suppose
they will have. but when that war is begun
they will too late repent of having followed
the incendiary counsels of the vile wretches
who have urged them to their doom.
T. 5. II T. h-The city is quiet. the
streets patroled by soldiers The stores ON
Broad street were closed before dark on ac-
count of the threatening demonstrations of
the mob.
EXCURSION OF CAPTTALIsTs.-A party
of large capitalists of Philadelphia have ar: