New-York tribune., 1868-10-10
LETTER rROM CAPT. pIERCE.

Capt. William r. Pierce has addressed the
following letter to the editor Of The Macon IeegGh,
nnder date Of Albany, Ca. sept 80:
Bditors Macon Idegrapt The report made to the
Georgia Legislature Of the Camilla Outrages, resting
upon tie statements Of strong partisans some OF whom
rOuld not have observed some things they state, and
which Ons very material matters necessary 10 a
lair understanding Of it, has gwen footing for Col Ben
Hill TO write a very unjust letter. which have read in
Tour paper from THE NEW YORK TRIBUNE IL assumes
lhat the Republicans who went 70 Camilla were an
armed military organization prohibited by the Govern
Or's proclamation. That they were not such body IS
slldlen some Of whom we're first notified of the meeting
by music along the road and all Of them assembled for
5ne sur Of ken lad shotgrns; but then we know it is
aud has been for several yeats Custom IN this
latter when they have them, often to carry them openly
on pablc and private occasions But they unOrgan
provided either for attack resistance and those
who had guns had no ammunition after the first fire. and
mi!a were Notified that MI Murphy had issued circulars
ordering the freedmen TO bring their arms with them
there There is not and cannot be- proof OF such circ
lars ! positively deny they were ever issued, the
by any one, were simply printed posters naming the
speaker aid tie time and place 0f speaking.
Prom such false rPots the people Of Camilla professeo "
lie ALARMED ana II seems thev ""'"'" s,orif Nth
IA. ANN. ssiSsi against sas snti the &c crowd
tnteTing the Town wtn arlns qnite io~ocIama
sued, IN which the sheriff spoke oi the opcT said
we would speak there at al haLstas j." rtwS
cther language ke tlSt which nc lew we We're
charged me Nltn5 Oh llt CVHlloig
I1Sions to allay their excitement We reminded VtH
that il was their custom TO carry aymsi tngt 1h,S
o--ned fhe arms; that We had never told
,pem 70 bnng arms; that we wanted peace
and enaly even agreed 10 eoaGqPa 6 Snr adSeT
nile therefrom at Dr DasheIs provided he would con
snt 20 M but owing the reign OF terror IN that neigh
Loybood he did consent We then sent notice 70 me
sheriff whom our messenger met connR tOMau pa, u,
tme he was alone and did not protest against our enter
Ing town Mr. Putney who u planter ~ tis ms eoeny
and certainly Is as credible witness a. te s , sig
In hs printed afdayt that demanded OF the SeIi as
peace Ofcer that be preserve the Icaee on .ne lt ~
tke CaTnlhans and that there would be no DISORDER Oh
our part aud that promised TO Try TO Keep the peace
hui doubted his ability 10 do fo rms statement u
strictly true ana where eOnfadl'ted eaVt lnIs
last remark the Sheriff the eject Of what ne sad ws
not 40 much that we should fear them 1s that they
feared did not anticipate, and stllI less desired
diIsulty. Certainly own interest required no
should occur; and would rather have Ietuiheu 10 A.
bany and borne the stigma OF cowafdce abd Iost tn1
race than that 10 should have happened 80 sure "as
ihat there would not be difficulty that Mr. Putney aho
tnyssf the public square ashten ifo
puI buggy aud standing the poTtco oI the sOu
sse oi The Court House. when the orderly and poao.
crowd wore entering The northwest sIde OF low
elen hey we're nred ORoD. bad 10 gun Nj F0'