The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-05-29
The Richmond Riot.

The Richmond Dispatch contains full report of
the riot in that city the eth inst. We have only
room for condensed statement The cause OF the
difficulty is thus given:
From the facts given US by those upon the spot at
the time, the disturbance seemed to have commenced
somewhat as follows: A freedman who was crowding
into the space reserved for the remen and their
gines were gently pressed back by Capt. Charters,
with the request that he would stand aside The freed
man persisted in holding his position. He was pushed
back with more force, and reassuming his position,
struck at the captain, who is not positive whether
not he was struck by him. several blows came from
the crowd who were standing around member OF
a city company who was standing near the captain,
was struck one or two blows, and became engaged
with one of the colored men who struck him. This
was the inception to the general disturbance.
We omit the details of the melee which followed
and the several attempts at rescue and copy the ac-
count of what took place at the station-h house:
The attempt proving failure, the police proceeded
to the staon-house after being reinforced by three
or four more policemen. When they reached the door
of the statonhouse the Cry of Freedmen to the res
cue; id it, don't let him be taken n." was raised
and shower of paving-sto were poured upon the
policemen, three of whom were struck. Then, with
a yell, the crowd of freedmen, numbering several
thousand rushed towards the door, and by main force
carried the prisoner Off The policemen did not fire
upon them, as they had orders to use every other
means but the extreme Of firing or taking lie.
The crowd carried the rescued prisoner Off amid loud
and defiant cheers. His name could not be learned.
| The mob seemed after the rescue, entirely at sea,
and without purpose. 1t moved from corner to cor
ner, and attracted in many instances, by police,
men moving rapidly in any direction; and with all
their shouts and threats, they not very danger
Gus, for one could walk quietly among them without
being disturbed.
large crowd was assembled Broad street, near the
theatre, and gave vent to all sorts of threats. We
standing near party of negroes, who were con-
versng very loudly and excitedy, and heard the re-
mark: 4" Dem policemen shan't arrest dat man-No,
dey shant Shan't rest nobody" One of the party
remarked: +" Look here man. don't talk so loud dare IS
a reporter standing dare!" tI don't care a d-n if
it is" said the other. Time done come fer US
to talk out and stand up for rights! In several
places the remark was heard: We got Judge I'm
derwood here now; we gwyne to do what we please.
| He'll protect us !"
squad of policemen from the lower ward came
over to the corner of Seventh and Broad Streets and
stretching themselves Broad ordered the crowd
to disperse. The crowd would not move, but detied
the policemen They walked close up to them and
shook their fists in their faces, making such excama-
tons as, 81 dare you to shoot; jess dare you to
shoot, d-n you We dare you!" The police would
not fire upon them they had orders not to fire, in
expectation of the arrival of the military.
The crowd was finally dispersed in the following
manner:
Gen Schofeld and Gen. Brown shortly afterwards
| arrived III an ambulance Gen. SchOheId addressed
tile crowd thus: "a great many of you don't know
am Gen. Schofeld, the commandaut of this depart
ment. Loud cheers I wish you all to go to your
homes and remain there"
| The crowd did not move. Calls made for a
speech but the General replied; did net come to
make speech I want yoa to disperse Immediately"
The crowd still refusing to disperse the General
dered the presence of the military. Accordingly,
company "H, Twenty ninth regiment, Lieutenant E.
P. Colby commanding, sent for, and was soon on
the ground The Lieutenant at proceeded to
perform his task and well did he do it, for in short
time the street was almost quiet though there
had never been disturbance Only difficulty was
necessary in restoring quiet One OF the soldiers had
to knock negro through window to keep him with
in bounds.