Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1867-05-16
THE RIOT IN RICHMOND.
From the Richmond Enquirer Of Friday

preceding day:
During the engine trial at the Basin on yes
terday afternoon, Captain Charters, OF the Rich
mond Fire Brigade, while measuring the DIS
lance to which the Delaware engine had thrown
its Jet, was iostled from behind by negro,
whom he ordered to get out of the way-an
order which, by virtue of his position, ne had
perfect right to give The negro replied by
striking the Captain heavy blow on the back
of the head, which Frustrated him IN the mud.
A Delaware fireman, who was standing by, re-
taliated by knocking the negro down with
speaking trumpet, aud Immediately afterwards
the negro was arrested by Policeman Southall,
and white man, supposed to be the party
who struck the negro, was arrested by ponce
man Shocks.
The negroes present Immediately commenced
an attack upon the police. Revolvers were
drawn, stones and brickbats hurled, and, at the
corner of Eigth and Cary, the prisoner was
torn by the mob from the hands of Mr.. Southa!l,
who struggled desperately, and pursued the
negro, but was assaulted by large crowd OF
negroes, one whom struck him on the shoulder
with brick, inficting very severe wound
He succeeded, however, in recapturing the ne
gro, when be was seized from behind by ne
groes who held both of his hands and attempt
ed to deprive him. of his revolver, when Ser
geant J. b. Peasants coming TO the rescue,
drove off, temporarily, the assailants.
A running fight ensued on Seventh street, up
which the police marched the prisoner towards
the station house The cry of " Freedmen to
the rescue" was raised, and from all quarters
the negroes focked to aid in the attack on the
officers of the law. Stones and brickbats were
hurled, and fuyious bowling mob lowered
around the policemen whom they assailed with
a continuous storm of missiles.
At the corner of Seventh and Broad streets
another rush was made by the mob, the priso-
ner rescued for the second time, and Captain
Jenkins, who had by this time come to the aid
of his officers, was severely cut in the back Of
the head by brickbat The prisoner was,
| however, Immediately rearrested and carried
to the station house door, where he was again
torn from the hands of the officers and borne
| in triumph up Marshall street, the vast crowd
of negroes surging unanimously along, yelling
and shouting exultingly, crying This is our
country" "We've cleaned EN- out, owe GIN 1t
to EN-" and other ordinations Of a similar
nature.
The fugitive was pursued, overtaken, and at
the corner Of Sixth and Broad streets again ar
rested, but hardly had he fallen into the hands
of the officers before he was again torn from
them and released, and succeeded in making
his final escape.
During the melee youth named Irving was
assaulted by the negroes, and took refuge in
Mrs. Bidgood's boarding house, on the coroner
| of Main and Second streets The house was
| Immediately beet by throng of negroes who
endeavored to force an entrance, but were pre-
vented by the police, who guarded every ave.
nue..
A brother of the boy, strongly resembling
him in personal appearance, attempted to pass
out. was seized by the negroes, who would
have torn him to pieces but for the interference
of the police, who, with some difficulty, res
cued him and bore him to the station house foI
protection.
Although. thus far successful in their out
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 str ct, and encouraged each other by
giving utterance to the most incendary aud
threatening language.
General Schofeld being informed of the dis
turbanoe soon appeared upon the scene, accom-
panied by heavy detachment of troops
! Standing in an ambulance he addressed the
negroes, warned them of the dangers Of the
course they werepurSuing and communications
TO dispense and go home.
The troops were then ordered to clear The
streets. and. much against their will the ne
groes dispersed before the bayonets Of the SOL
/ diers. threatening to divide into squads and
"clean out Richmond tonight"
OF the conduct Of General Scholeld and the
military, the Dispatch has the following:
General Scho6eld addressed the crowd thus
"a great many of you don't know am Gener-
al Schoield. the commandment of this depart
ment. loud cheers / wish you all 10 &C
I to your homes and remain there"
The crowd did not move. Calls were made
for a speech, but the General replied: " did
not come to make q speech; want You to dis
perse Immediately" The crowd still refusing
to dsperse. the General ordered the presence
of the military. Accordingly Company al, >
Twentv-niuth Regiment, Lieutenant f. P. Col
/ by commanding, was sent for, and was soon on
/ the ground. The Lieutenant proceeded at
once 10 perform his task and well did he dc
/ it. for in a short time the street was almost as
quiet as though there had never been distur-
banee. Only one difficulty was necessary in
restoring quiet. One Of the soldiers had tc
knock negro through window to keep him
within bounds.
! Another Negro Riot