Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-08-07


At the time of the riot. The official report
fully sustains the truth and correctness of
the carefully sifted account which appeared
in our clumns, while it effectually refutes
the one sided and perverted accounts which
appeared in the Conservative organs. The
Franklin riot was as much a rebel affair as
those of New Orleans and Memphis.
= Blu. r.. AND A. L., STATE OF Tenn, J
ASST. COMMISSIONERS OFFICE,
Nashville Tenn, July Is, 1867.
Major General o. O. Houdrd Commissioner,
ETC., Washington d. c.
GENERAL: have the honor TO submit
the following report on the ARRAY that oc-
Cured at Franklin, Williamson county, on
the 9th inst, between the cclored Loyal
League OH the one part, and body Of Con-
servatives, composed principally Of ex-re-
bel soldiers and negroes on the other.
To a correct understanding Of the causes
which eliminated in riot and bloodshed on
the 9Th, at 81 o'clock P NJ, it is proper to
refer to a series Of occurrences which took
place few days previously.
The Colored League had recently pro-
cured a drum and fife, and had been march
ing about the outskirts of the town after
supper for several nights without disturb
ing any one. On different occasions they
were intercepted by colored Conservatives
Dick Crutcher and A. j. Gadsey, passing
through their column while marching, firing
shots, etc. In consequence Of this inter-
ference, some members of the league con-
suited a lawyer and prominent citizens, to
ascertain if any legal steps could be taken
to protect themselves against these distur-
Dances Finding that there was no legal
kat cF re
members for protection. They were again
disturbed, fired on and returned the fire
without injury to any one. The occurrence
taking place out Of town, was, perhaps, not
known to many citizens.
A general feeling Of insecurity seemed to
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 at
tempts might be made to prevent their con-
tinuance. There is no doubt that the Con-
servatives viewed the marching and dis
plays of the League as a military demon
stration, and feared that it might result in |
strife. Impudent remarks and foolish boasts |
were made by individuals of both parties |
and each had come to regard the other with |
u jealous eye.
On the 9th instant, there was a political |
meeting which was addressed by Mr. John
Trimble and Mr.. Elliott, Republican candi-
dates for Congress ard State Legislature,
respectively This meeting passed off qui-
city and amicably in the afternoon a col
Ored Conservative named Joe Williams
passed through town and was prevailed
upon to return and speak. After he had
spoken short time the Radicals became
dissatisfied with his style and attempted to
withdraw from the meeting. A Mr. j. G.
Bliss, member Of the League, was assailed
by Col. John Holse and q party Of armed
men who seemed to be acting under his or
ders. He was struck by this Col House,
and insulted by abusive epithets Mr. Bliss
then went among the members of the
League in very excited condition, and at
tempted to get pistol with which TO de-
fcnd himself or attack Col House. This
alteration between Bliss and House, and
the efforts Of the Conservatives to prevent
the Radicals from leaving the meeting, Gre
ated excitement among the members of the {
League. They were marched away then !
from the point where the speaking occurred, !
and fired few shots in the air rs they
moved off, as salute, rs they claim. Their
white friends advised them TO disperse and
60 TO their homes, which they seemed un-
willing TO do, feeling that their liberties
were infringed upon. However, they were
prevailed upon TO march out of town to a
grove, where they were addressed for an
hour and half by Mr. Elliott and Mr.. /
Cliff, both Of whom again urged them to
disperse and go 10 their homes They :
seemed TO object to this for two reasons
the first was thatt Conservatives would
attribute their retirement to cowardice; the
second, that they had planned a torch light
for the evening, which they were unwilling !
TO abandon but they finally decided to
march into the Public Square and there a
break ranks and dispense to their homes. |
giving up the plan Of torch light process 9
sion.
This was about half past eight o'clock in !
the evening. In the meantime it was man
ifest that collision was expected, and the
Conservatives were preparing for il by gath {
ering arms and ammunition into the store
of Col John House, and perhaps ether
places around the Square, during the after I
noon; also, the number Of arms seemed TO !
have increased among the members of the c
Loyal League, numbering, perhaps ten =
muskets, and few pistols, the number not c
known. n
At half past eight the League marched q
towards the Public Square, and the party 3
OF Conservatives, estimated at from p to X
30, apparently under command of Colonel =
House, formerly Of the rebel army, took po-
sition under cover Of the wall Of Houses
store, facing the Square
As an indication Of the feeling of tho
Conservative party about this time, the fol-
lowing evidence is copied from the original =
deposition Of Matilda Ann Fennel
saw the procession coming down the {
street IRON the grove / started to 90 up :
anu meet the procession / wanted to let tic
.no IN. Know that the rebel darkes wanted En- En-
u. - An ~ them l heard them say so, and len
W, I'm Is,o,i Il was wrong / heard L. Cad Rmaa
n -. iI@nA johnson and Martin BOxlev, say yor
nv "1to gong to fight for their own side raj
80, - t,ioWhlows niggers, they were s ssr
gong 10 nave more of them donbla3 NJ, -, s sa
tins corner than little 49,, 80. o'i sta
meet the procession in order 80 ,olI P ~ e sS5
DC well armed, for my husband yras - y aga
They would not let me 20 mn a,,S "a IL At
stopped at Houses corner nv - was SAT
Frank johnson and Martin Rovlo G''.syy' In,
had muskets IN their hands Tha,- IA , e e9s
10 go on back or they would nut so 0,u iile hE
The loads in me went back" VI 81, sio
Just at this time an efficient officer Of a. 4
law could have interiered and provontlS
bloodshed. All that was necessary was for
either party TO dispense and 90 to their L
homes, or TO refrain from firing Tho act W.
ng Mayor of the city was well aware that We
conflict was imminent in facth stated to
nc that be knew it would take place. but eoS
made no effort to prevent the outbreak q
here was no police force in town; no in j.
ication whatever Of the presence Of a civil
government. 1t seems that the town had A
cen given up willingly to the mob a
The Colorcd League seemed fully 10 OK Ca
ect a conflict on reaching Houses store. con
l -. al r,rnhahlv heon informed Of the as