Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-05-17
THE BROWNSVILLE RIOT.
Plain and TruthfuI Account De.
rived froIa Fye-witnesses.
From the Memphis Appeal. May 18th.

From the Memphis Appeal. May 18th.
Some riotous proceedings-the legitimate
result of the infamous teachings of Radical
demagogues who for selfish motives are
seeking to embitter the blacks against the
whites-occurred in Brownsville, Tenn,
on Monday. As was anticipated, the affair
is being greatly magnified and distorted by
the Radical press and leaders with the
view of fastening the organization of
Brownlows militia in West Tennessee, and
crushing out the little civil liberty yet re-
manning. The disturbances will be harped
upon and falsifed about until it disap-
pears beneath some new sensation produced
by the Radical leaders for the same end.
The Radical Senatorial and (Haywood)
county conventions were appointed for that
day in Brownsville, and large number of
white and colored Radicals assembled at
the courthouse. Many delegates to the
Senatorial convention were present from
Memphis. The nomination for Repre-
sentative was proceeded with, w. H.
Moore, Esq, being chosen unanimously.
Several violent harangues were made of a
nature calculated to embitter the feelings
of the Colored people against the whites of
the Conservative party. OF this character
was one by Ham. Carter (colored) of Mem
phis, WHO'S said to have bitterly denounced
former Shareholders" 'slave traders"
ETC., asserting that every man who
had ever traded in, or whipped his slaves,
deserved to have his heart cut out,
and be killed without mercy. In this
infamous strain he proceeded for some
time, evidently with the view of stirring
the colored people present to the highest
pitch of excitement. He was followed by
one Major j. w. Smith, of the Freedmen's
Bureau, who is understood to have done
extensive pipe-laying for the Senatorial
nomination. Smith sought to impress upon
the colored people that, now that the
Rebels had been whipped, the govern
ment intended to take their land from
them and parcel it out among the colored
people. He regarded this as the proper
course; and his remarks if possible, were
more incendiary than those of Carter.
Prior to the re-assembling of the conven-
ton in the afternoon, large number of
colOred people gathered about the court
house, where were also eight or ten young
white men, portion of whom were under
the influence of liquor. The negroes COM
menced cheering for VIM. q. Brownlow,
and the whites ieered. Soon the colored
portion ofthe ecrowd increased to between 300
and 400, the cheering and ieering continu-
ing. Evidently fearing an assault en- maSSe,
as we learn from a gentleman who wit
messed the riot, one of the young men
drew a repeater and fired several shots
in the air but none at the crowd, doubt
less hoping to intimidate the blacks. 1t
could be plainly seen that the shots were
not toward the crowd. A moment after
wards shots came from the colored mass,
and in shorter time than is required to re-
cord the fact, the firing became general.
Our informant estimates that between fifty
and seventy-fige shots were heard. OF
course the greater portion were fired by
the negroes. The entire riot did not last
three minutes, for as soon as the firing be-
came brisk the colored rioters dispersed in
every direction. Several persons were
slightly wounded The bellicose Smith is
said to have disappeared early in the ac-
ton, leaving his dupes to themselves. 1t
is currently reported that prominent
Memphis Radical, finding himself almost
alone in the courthouse, and fearing that a
stray shot might deprive the country of
his valuable services during the campaign,
had a white handkerchief hung out in
token of surrender. Not being able to at
tract attention, he finally retreated much
demoralized 1t is unnecessary to state
to those acquainted with the character Of
the citizens of Brownsville, that irrespec-
tive of party, they deprecated the disturb
ance, and did all in their power to prevent
it. Unfortunately it was one of that class
of difficulties which arise and terminate in
a few moments, rendering it next to inn
possible to determineupon whom the blame
should rest There can be no doubt that
but for the Infamous harangues of Carter
and Smith there would have been no
trouble. BDt it is to the interest of these
Radical leaders to embroil the whites and
blacks in trouble, and it viii be done
whenever opportunity offers.