The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-08-30
Radical Negro Movements in Union

The following communication has
been furnished by a prominent gem
tlemsH of Union District. whose
assertions can be fully relied upon.
IT il dated Unionville, s. o., August
9th, 1868:
MR. EDITOR: The contemplated
armed demonstration upon, this
place, few weeks since, under the
leadership of radical negro named
John Bates, which was frustrated, by
the prompt and peaceful action of
our white citizens, is fresh in the
minds of most of our people.
John Bates, who then gave his
orders to his armed bands, announced
then, as one with authority, and as
signed by his Excellency Governor
r. X. Scott, that armed preparation
was made by hundreds of negroes,
from this and adjoining Districts, to
march upon this place, break open
the Jail, let loose q negro charged
with q high criminal offence, piiiage
tho stores, is we'll known here. In
the object of peace, and to avoid q
pealed to Governor Scott, rs the
should-be great conservator of the
peace of the State. He considered
the matter, and sent up young man,
one of his clerks, to see John Bates,
and have the anticipated difficulty
stopped. =
At the first depot in this District,
the messenger of peace met negroes
armed with muskets, and, through
some Of them, Bates was notified to
meet him at Unionville the next day.
He came; private conference was
held in the room of the young man;
and Bates consented to go to Colum-
bia. With this, and other reasons,
the expected raid was sverted.
After the return of John Bates,
our people hoped that quiet would
prevail, and, instead of armed guards
and armed men treading down the
products of the field, we would have
quiet and order, and would sec peace
ably-disposed men cultivating the
crops, which they had contracted to
do. But. instead of change, Bates
has risen from Major of battalion to
Commander-in-Chief of the military
forces of this District. A few days
ago, while going to Columbia, he
told o colored man that he could
raise 1000 men in twenty -four hours.
Bates lives on the premises of n
widow lady; keeps his armed guard;
has his public meetings on her lands,
where armed negroes congregate, con-
trary to her wishes. TO these meet
ings his men gather, passing through
cultivated fields.
Last Friday, he marched out with
about sixty or eighty men, q portion
armed, to hold meeting in another
portion of the District. They march
ed through cultivated fields, con-
trary to the orders of the owners.
When demonstrated with, replied,
what can one man do with hundred?
They took possession of n church,
used by white people, on the way,
where the night was made hideous to
the neighborhood, by their loud
noise and boisterous conduct.
On their return next day, their
behavior was such, in passing houses,
rs to be amenable to the criminal
courts, for riot, if we had law or
judges.
The fruits of such procedures may
be seen in the neighborhood, in
worthless crops, and by the number
OF stock stolen from the plantations
A few miles from Bates headquar-
ters, two white ladies were riding
along the highway, week or so
since, when one of them was pelted
by stones thrown by n negro, and re-
ceived o severe blow on the side of
her face.
Bates is a preacher, rs well as
politician, and military officer.
Says he is to receive $500, if the ra-
dical ticket is successful in this Dis
trict. Visits Columbia very frequent
ly, and has impressed the negroes
with his Importance and power, by
the general orders he gives and reads
from tho Executive Department of
the State, las he says,) and other i'm
portant papers which ne distributes.
The writer has hoard q negro say
that he joined the league, because
Bates said that if he didn't, he would
have his head.
Yesterday, Bates was expected to
arrive from Columbia, ard about
sixty or eighty negroes, many of
them armed with guns, were Mt San
tue Depot, in this District, awaiting
L.,