Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-09-17
THE. MILITIA OUTRAGE AT
JACKSON.
GIDEON Wells,
Secretary of the Navy.


The Assassination Of Mai. Thomas III.
Hartmus-Escape Of the Murderer
Meeting of the Citizens-A Touching
Statement Of their Grievances and
Appeal for Relief.
THE ASSASSINATION.
The West Tennessee Wing of the 18th,
gives the following statement of facts at
tending the cowsrdly assassination of Maj.
Hartmus, at Jackson, Tenn, on Tuesday
night, 10th inst, which differing, in some
respects from that given here, we republish
Between the hours of nine and ten on
that night, Major Hsrtmus entered, the
store of w. J. q j. T. Hayley where there
were three drunken mililiamen cursing and
abusing Mr.. VIM. j. Galloway, because the
latter had a small walking cane in his hand.
Mai. Hartmus remarked to them that it
was simply a walking cane and that his
friend Mr. Galloway had certainly a right
to carry it. This mild speech so enraged
the ruffians that one of then drew his pistol
and threatened to shoot him, After this
demonstration Major H. walked off and
tried to avoid them, but they thirsted
for his blood and logged his steps where
ever he went. About half an hour after the
occurrence at Hayley's store Major Hart
mus was walking down Lafayette street,
unaccompanied by any one, and had
reached the point opposite the mouth of
the alley between Keith & Trice and
Freedlob's store, when he discovered, too
late to retreat, the same three militiamen
lying in wait for him a short distance up
the alley. They sprung upon him, striking
him a severe blow on one of his arms and
after partially disabling him, one of the
fends shot him in the stomach, the ball
entering about two inches abova the naval
and coming out just above the right hip.
After the bloody deed was done the
assassins fed in the direction Of their
camps.
The country east ofhere has been secured
to find the fugitives, but no trace could be
found.
1t is now almost certain that the offend
ers left on the o'clock train of the Mobile
and Ohio railroad, Wednesday morning, as
three men in militia uniform were seen to
get off that train at Humboldt and immedi
ately left on the Louisville train.
PUBLIC MEETING OF CITIZENS, AND REPORT
ORA COMMITTEE.
On Wednesday, 11th inst, the Mayor of
Jackson issued a proclamation calling
meeting of the citizens, to take some action
towards selfprotection from the lawless
acts of the militia. A large number of the
citizens assembled, and were addressed by
leading members of the community. A
committee was appointed to report to an
adjourned meeting on Friday, 18th, which
was held accordingly, and received and
adopted the following report;
The committee appointed at public
meeting, called by a proclamation of the
Mayor of Jackson, to inquire into the Vio-
lations oil law and the public peace, caused
by the presence and acts of bodies of militia
stationed here, and report what action
should be taken by the people and civil
officers for their protection and enforce
ment of the laws would most respectfully
report
That since the close of the war; Jackson
and Madison county have been entirely
peaceable and quiet up to the time of the
advent of the militia. All the laws were
fully and fairly administered without resist.
ance or force; all elections passed off
without disturbance; offenders were ar
rested, tried, and when guilty, punished
and that no town or county in Tennessee, /
either before or since the war, has been |
more orderly and law-abiding than jack |
son and Madison county.
That the officers of the civil law met |
with no opposition in the discharge oftheir |
several duties; the Sheriff at no time re- |
quiring posse or assistance and for more |
than twelve months not even carrying a |
pistol; and yet arresting all against whom
process issued-and so with all the other |
officers of the county.
That all thereports of bloedshed, oppres-
sion of Union men and colored men for po-
litical or other reasons, terror and disor-
der, election frauds, Except on the part of
the Register) published at Nashville and
elsewhere, are wholly untrue az charged, |
and the committee believe that the au-
thorities at Nashville, and the editors who
have made these publications. have been
grossly imposed upon by interested and
malicious parties--such as have been de-
feated in obtaining Office and those who
desire their Offices, services and compen-
sation continued. This has been demon
present at the investigation Of the alleged |
ofences-not a single case exists as has
been charged in these publications.
That committees have been appointed /
by the people in public meetings, and by
the municipal authorities, to confer with
the military, to offer their assistance to
ascertain the facts in regard to the charges,
and to challenge an investigation. Public
trials have been had and not a single
charge, as made, sustained. All these ef-
forts Of the people and city authorities
have proven abortive.
That our people have borne these ma
licious ISLANDERS, and the effects resulting
from them, with patience and heroism I
unparalleled. Our property has been de-
preciated in value-our trade paralyzed-
our schools depOpulated and almost de-
stroyed, and our people denounced as
Rebels, rioters and muderers ank yet /
they have endured on with the hope, dis
tant. perhaps, of a relenting on the part of
their defamers and oppressors, without re-
sorting to violence in single instance.
That all the Supreme Judges, Chancel-
lors. Circuit Judges and Attorneys General,
who have attended and held court in Jack
son. with all the county officers, have pub
licly Endorsed the peaceable and law
abiding character of our people, and de-
precsted these malicious ISLANDERS and op-
pressions-yet the militia is still quartered
on US, and yesterday Judge Bond was com
PEELED to adjourn the Circuit Court on
account Of the presence and acts Of the
term not half through and
only a small portion of the business dis
posed off-thus ending the administration
Of the civil law against the will OF the
Judge, officers and people.
That it is seriously feared from the in
crease in the disorderly conduct Of the mill
tia, the personal and public insults offered
the citizens--the assaults made upon them
the taking of their personal property. |