Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-05-08
The Terrible Tradegy in Pitt.

We make the following interesting ex-
tracts from a private letter from friend,
detailing the terrible tradegy which occur
red last week in Pitt Whatever may have
been the offence committed by Carney,
whether innocent or guilty, the most blood
thirsty and fendish outrages have been per-
petrated yet chronicled in the history of
military governments in the South Can
the Union be reconstructed by such means?
Can the bleeding hearts of Southern peo-
pie be notified by such acts? Will the pas
sions and bad blood engendered by the
war be appeased by such cruelties ? Will
good government, civilization, religion, be
promoted by the exercise of such authori-
ty ? Will this terrible transaction be thor
oughly investigated The honor of the
service requires it. Truth, justice, human
ity, demand it:
y = We are, indeed, in truly
deplorable condition. Do you see any
liged to abandon the old State and seek
peace and quiet and protection outside of
the unfortunate South [ have heard the
particulars of terrible tragedy that was
enacted on Sunday morning, Goth April,
and if such be the mode of executing the
laws have no hope. Brevet Major Wyl-
lys Lyman, 10th U. S. Infantry, was, by
Special Order No. 72, Hdqrs. Military Post
Goldsboro', dated 10th April, 1868, order
ed to take twenty men and go to Green
vile, Pitt county, and stake quarters in the
Court House until Friday, April Oath, 1868,
when he was to return to Post Hdqrs. -
The purpose of this was stated to be to pre-
vent any unlawful intimidation of voters at
the election and to secure the due enforce
ment of the laws of the State and the Or
ders Of the military commander. [ have
seen o copy of the order endorsed upon the
order for transportation, SO that there can
be no doubt upon the point. Major Ly-
man with his men (negroes) went to Green
vile. On Friday morning a sentinel on
duty the night before, reported having
fired upon some one who returned the fire.
Major Lyman declined to leave the place
on that day, and therefore had to wait un-
til Monday following, as you know the
steamboat goes up only on Mondays, We'd
nesdays and Fridays. The election passed
off quietly. So far as have heard there was
no disturbance. On Saturday night Maj.
Lyman, with fourteen of his men, left
Greenville, crossed Tar River and went
some eight or ten miles up the Williamson
road to the house of Mr.. Reddick Car
ney, an old man some siXty-fve years old,
who had become obnoxious to the Z. S.
Troops. It seems that in 1865, a negro
was found dead in the road. There was
no evidence, so far as know, to connect
old Carney with the killing. do know of
evidence tending very strongly to show
that other parties were guilty of the
homicide. For this an attempt was made
to arrest the old man, which resulted in the
death of the Lieutenant IN command of the
troops making the attempt. To my knowl-
edge, at least, no further notice was taken
of the affair. Mr. Carney lived at home !;
made no pretence OF concealment went
about the county on public occasions, and
to public places, the Court House included,
just as any other citizen, and was liable to
arrest at any time. Gen. Candy removed
Mr.. Gray, the former Sheriff, and placed
in Office Mr.. Rich, the present representa-
tive. Mr. Rich remained in Office until he
resigned, on going to the Convention. Mr..
Foley. the present Sheriff elect, succeeded
Mr.. Rich. To my knowledge, at least,
neither of these Sherifs ever attempted to
use the power of the county placed in their
hands. These Sheriffs were the officers of
the law, and if Carney was not arrested, it
was not their fault.
Major Lyman surrounded Carney's house
about daylight on Sunday morning, and
demanded surrender. There were pres
ent in the house Mr.. Reddick Carney and
wife, Mr.. Whitehurst and wife (Carney's
daughter), who were there on visit, Geo.
Carney and an unmarried daughter. Mr..
Whitehurst, the son-lnl law, surrendered,
saying he had nothing to do with it. Mr..
Reddick Carney, and his son George, re-
\ !
The women were allowed to leave the
house. but came off in their night clothes.
The attack commenced, the Carneys and
the soldiers both firing Two soldiers
were killed, whereupon Whitehurst, who
was sitting on the porch, was fired into and
wounded in three places, once in bowels
mortally, it is presumed. A soldier, it is
said, also dubbed his musket to knock his
brains out but desisted, Whitehurst beg
ging for his life, saying he was prisoner
in their hands, that he had nothing to do
with the matter, had surrendered, &c. The
house down stairs was plundered and pill
laged and set on fire.
During the melee Major Lyman, who
was covered by tree, received slight
wound in the arm. Meanwhile the fire
spread and the flames increased AS the
house was about to fall in young Carney
as he came, when he was shot and killed,
falling out of the door, where he was al
lowed to remain until his body was SO
! burned and charred that no one could have
recognized him. The old man stayed up
stairs defiant to the last, and persisted in
the flames of his own roof tree. After the
place was cool enough to be examined the
| bones Of q human frame could be identl-
fed. These are, [ think, the facts. The
Major went back to Greenville with his
dead and living soldiers, and on Monday
returned to Post Headquarters.
Now, if the laws are executed i'll this
manner, prefer to go some where else.-
1t makes me feel very despondent, yet some
how or other [ cannot think that General
Candy will approve of such things as this
An officer is sent to certain point for a
specified purpose, with orders to return at g
given time. He accomplishes the purpose
but disobeys the order to ret1rn /; goes tc
a point to which he was not ordered, sur
rounds a mans house, sends the women
out with nothing but their night clothes
on, sets fire to and plumbers the house.
kills the son, burns alive the father, who
was resisting, and wounds mortally the son