Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-09-25
with pistols, music playing and the crowd noisy
and threatening ia their conduct

Will pistols, music playing and the crowd noisy
and threatening in their conduct.
murphy and one Phillip Joiner. negro. in hug
gy III the rear, as the head columu approached
the square. one of cur citizens James inns who
was intoxicated. approached within few feet of
the column and ord red the n,usic to step, which
was not obeyed. The column NOV ed on and
When ABOUT twenty steps fr, III h,m, his gun was
nred, whether Intentionally unintenti1nally is
not known, but 1t Was reported in dilere,.t cirec-
lions, and the contents struck the ground about
twelve feet fl ON him. when the column fired bold
~ some shots at Johns, most Of them in the di-
rectOn or Naples store, thin forty ps from
the column, at which place there was Eumher of
our citizens all unarmed. woundug six of our
cltlZens. Immediately about twenty of our cti-
zens sprang to their arms and fired into the col
umn, by which two negroes were killed and
number unknown wounds d The negro ; hume
dlately broke to hi clusters O. ii Der one hun
dred yards north vi the Court House. At this
point there was IN att mpt made by Pierce raj
ly his routed forces but citizens Immediately
took about thirty. Part of them, who were mount
ed, made a charge and completely routed the
whole force-Pierce flying through the woods and
fields. and Murphy and Phillip Joiner escaping III
buggy up the road towards Albany
Seven negroes we've kilt in this affair, and
from the best Information We have been able to
procure, between thirty and forty were wounded
all OF whom have been properly cared for.
1t Is source OF deep regret that the calamitous
consequences of this sad affair fell exclusively
upon the poor deluded negroes, who were led on
bv these wicked white men-Murphy, Pierce and
Putney-who made good their ESCAPE in the hour
OF danger, with but little injury to themselves
The SAD result IS to be attributed more to the
sharpness and shrewdness of these gallant lead
ers III efecting their escape than to any want of
intention on the part Of our people.
We hereby dlsayoW any purpose intent on
the part of ourselves Or cur citizens, to violate
the law or the peace Of the State in what was
done. We were willing aud so expressed ourselves
to these leaders, tor them to bold their political
meeting at the court House in our town if the
negroes disarmed, but we did
think. aud still think, that it duty to obey
the orders of the Sheriff. civil officer of the
State, in breaking up this unlawful assemblage-
We felt that as their number vastly exceeded that
OF our citizens present. and that if this meeting
had taken place, the lives of our wives and chill
dren would be at the mercy of an Infatuated
mob While the consequences are to be regret
ted, and we DO not boast of what was done by
our people, we feel that they have but discharged
| painful duty, imposed upon them by wicked and
corrupt white men, now engaged in leading astray
into acts of lawessness the colored people OF our
country. We appeal to the law-making powers
OF GeorSla, and to the lawful authorities of the
United States Government TO check theE progress
Of theae strollinG criminals that are proving
about the homes and disturbing the peace and
| quiet OF our war-stricnen people.
Statements from the military and civil authori
ties give full particulars of tho liot.
The Governor has addressed message to the
| Legislature recommending that the President bt
| petitioned for troops. The matter is being con
sidered to-day.