Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-07-09
Full Particulars and List of
the Casualties.

The most intense excitement prevailed
in this city throughout Sunday, rumors
having gained circulation that bloody riot
had occurred on the previous night at
Franklin, small city eighteen miles south
Of this place, on the Nashville aud Deca
tur railroad the scene cf the memorable
battle of Franklin. With every repetition
the wild reports gathered additional hor-
rors, and by nightfall the number said to
have fallen in the riot had reached an al
most incredible figure. The same little
excited groups that always gather when
big news is afoat, assembled upon the
street corners and at the hotels and other
public places to gossip and enlarge upon
the meager bits that had been dropped
from conversations of passengers bro ught
up by the Southern trains in the m orn-
ing. In the afternoon company G of
the 45th infantry, under Capt u. w. BIrke,
marched into the city and moved toward
the Nashville and Decatur depot, where
they got aboard the four o'clock train Tor
Franklin This served to increase the ex-
ctement, and speculations were rife as to
whether a detachment Of militia would
not follow them. No reliable information
could be gained, however as to what had
occurred, or the danger of more trouble,
until yesterday.
THE RADICAL MEETING AT FRANKLIN ON
SATURDAY.
Il was we'll understood here that Rsdi-
cal meeting had been held at Franklin on
Saturday, and from this it was generally
supposed the riot had grown. The fhcts
however, show a somewhat different case.
A Radical meeting had been called az that
place, and at one o'clock in the afternoon
crowd of about $500 blacks and whites.
many of them armed, had assembled at
the courthouse, where the speaking was to
be done Abe Smith, a colored man en-
ployed at the capitol, introduced d. NJ.
McFall, Radical candidate for Representa-
tive of Williamson county in the Lower
House of the General Assembly, who was
followed by w. y. Elliott, candidate for
State Senator. Elliott spoke about an hour
and half when John Trimble, one of the
Radical nominees Tor Congress in this { the
fifth district, took the stand and made the
last speech, occupying two hours, and the
meeting quietly broke up at five O'clock.
The drums, flies and banners were laid up
in the courthouse, and a portion of the
crowd moved homeward
In the assembly that listened 10 the Radi-
cal speeches were goodly number of Con
servatives, who expressed no little surprise
at their tone, as nothing but vituperstion,
SANDER and abuse, the usual concomit5nts
Of Radical harangues, had been looked for
General good feeling appeared 10 preFail,
and no harsh words had passed in any por-
tion Of the crowd
ARRIVAL OF JOE WILLIAMS.
At about halfpast Eve o'clock, Joe Viii
liams, the great colored Conservative ora
tor. who had been addressing a large meet
ing at Spring Hill, thirteen miles distant,
rode into town in ahuggy, accompanied by
| Alfred Newsom, a colored man. They
| drove up to the store of Colonel John M.
| House where tkey were greeted by Luther
| Ewing, the President of the ColOred Con
servatiye Club, who invited Williams to
| address the club at the courthouse.
Williams replied that it would be impos.
sible for him TO do So as it was important
that he should be in Nashville that night.
Ewing again urged, but Williams still re-
fused. and in a few minutes started off to-
ward Nashville.
| After crossing Harpeth river, Newsom
demonstrated with Williams, saving that
he should not think of going on TO Nash
vile until next day, as their horse had
been driven long way, and could not we'll
stand the fatigue of the drive home. Some
further talk followed, when Willis ms
finally concluded 10 turn back.
rHF IEAaUK WELCOME WILLIAMS.
As they again reached the Square, they
were observed by a large number Of the
colored Loyal League, who were on their
way 90 the League rooms. As the buggy
came up. the Beaguers crowded around II,
some Of them shaking hands with and vel
| coming Williams while others received
him by tipping the vehicle, and calling
upon him 10 get out aud make speech
| Williams repeatedly declined, bat they
would not listen to him, and he was
forcibly lifted from his'seat 10 the ground
Two of the leaders of the League then
| locked arms with him, and the three
marched toward the courthouse, followed
by the crowd, who cheered for Williams,
| and shouted Come and hear the Rebel
| Joe Williams speak The bell OF the
| courthouse rang cut clearly and loudly,
| and people from al quarters began TO
| flock aroun5. as the colored orator mounted
the steps.
THE SPEECH or WILLIAMS
As he commenced his speech, the deepest
interest was manifested by the large assem-
blv. and their attention wNr Hveied npoa
ne speaker as he proceeded Everything
vas srderiy and quiet, and there appeared
no possible prospect Of any trouble, though
a number OF the League were armed with
revolvers, and swords dangled at the sides
Of their leaders
rus LONG ROLL. SOUNDED AND THE MEET
fSG BROKEN Up.
A nanber Of mean whites, who were
watching the course matters were taxing,
could not brook the idea that the coiored