Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-10-05

however, have been sent mere by
Mayor Alden; | was ordered by General
Cooper to report to and assist him to
take charge Of this building"
Mayor Brown-This is the -- out
rage on a civilized community that ever
heard of.
Blackburn have to obey my orders.
| do not wish to use any force but will
carry those orders out.
Mayor Brown-Show your orders; |
will not surrender the Office unless you
can show written orders, and if you have
not yet brought such orders, you must
get them.
Blackburn Major Alden gave me
verbal orders to take possession Of this
office.
Mayor Brown insist upon your fur
nlshing me. with written orders. | want
to know to whom am surrendering.
After econsiderabl hesitation on the
part of Blackburn, he took from his
pocket the following document
HEADQUARTERS TENN, STATE Gg4ARDs,
NASHVILLE, October 2, 1867.
Gen. Joseph A. Cooper, Commanding State
Guards:
GENERAL: A. L. Alden, Esq, Mayor
elect of Nashville, reports to this de-
partment that he is resisted in entering
upon the Office to which he has been
elected and qualified. You will there
fore aid him with whatever force is
necessary to enable him TO overcome any
illegal resistance or interference he may
encounter in entering upon the discharge
of his official duties. By command Of
Governor Brownlow.
GSigned1 II. II. THOMAS,
Acting Private Secretary.
The general commanding having re-
ceived the foregoing instructions, orders
Capt. Joseph H. Blackburn, command
ing Co. A, lst Tennessee State Guards,
to proceed at once with his command to
the City Hall, and render A. L. Alden,
ESQ, mayor elect and qualified, such
assistance as is necessary to enter upon
the discharge of his official duties
By command of Brig Gen. j. A.
Cooper. u. NJ. NELSON,
Col. and A. d. c.
Although Blackburn was thus COM
polled, by the firm demeanor of Mayor
Brown, to "show his ORDERS" he was
evidently very uneasy, and appeared to
doubt whether he had not gone beyond
the instructions Of his superiors (as we
have not the slightest doubt he had.
Mayor Brown here requested q copy
of the documents
Blackburn replied that he could not
permit a copy to be taken just then"
but would give Mayor Brown his word of
honor that he should have copy.
Some one suggested that the papers be
copied at once, whereupon Mayor Brown
remarked: Gentlemen, this business
is between myself and Captain Black
burn he has given his word of honor
that i should have copy of the orders,
and / believe him.
The crowd, which filled the room, was
then requested to retire. Capt Black
burn then went into the Auditors room
with the Mayor, left the orders to be
copied, and returned to the Mayor 8
Office
AS soon as Mayor Brown entered the
room, he said Gentlemen, | have sur
rendered my office, but l want you to
understand that | yield only to the
bayonet"
Captain Blackburn here ordered his
FIVE men to rejoin the company outside.
During their whole stay in the room they
manifested considerable uneasiness.
Each had revolver buckled around his
waist, and grasped cooked pistol, which
was concealed in his right hand coat
pocket. Three of them wore shabby
Jeans suits, while the other two had on a
sort of hybrid uniform, composed OF
Jeans pants and blue jackets All five
sported shockingly bad hats. There was
nothing whatever of the soldier in their
aspect.
Capt Blackburn had two ivory-handled
revolvers buckled around his waist, while
his Lieutenant was equipped with two
naves
The negroes now began to gather
around, and filled the open space in front
of the market house They knew their
day had come.
When Mayor Brown came out Of the
City Hall he was greeted with three such
hearty cheers as were never before heard
in Nashville 1t was magnificent tri
butte to the courteous gentleman and
, faithful officer, as well as an indignant
protest against the foul wrong that had
Just been perpetrated. As such, it was
gratefully acknowledged by the reci
pient. The feeble cheer for Alden and
Brownlow, which followed from the
negroes, was entirely lost in the en- E
thusiasm by which the community recog-
nized the eminent public services of w.
Matt Brown, the lawful Mayor Of Nash