The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-26
THE RIOT m GEORGIA.
Report Of Major Observation-Disclosures Fer.
sons Killed Wounded.

WASHINGTON Sept %, 1862
General Howard, Commissioner OF the Freedmen's
Bureau to-day received a report from Brevet Major
y. H. Howard, Sub Assistant Commissioners OF the
Freedmen's Bureau the State OF Georgia, giving
m account Of the recent riot at Camilla.
Major Howard relates the circumstances OF the
not already published and says that on the even
ing Of the 18th inst. he was waited upon by large
body of freedmen, much excited, who expressed a
desire proceed at once on foot to Camilla to the
rescue OF the republicans there.
Major Howard counselled them to remain qniet
promising that the AFFAIR at Camilla should be
thoroughly investigated and If any great wrong had
been done the proper legal remedy should be APP
piled, and the freedmen departed apparently sat
killed.
Al a distance OF ten miles from Camilla inc
mob was still pursuing and shooting the fuguves.
Major Howard says 1t Is believed that the arms
brought to Albany, Ca, recently and cons'gheo 70
Rush, Johnson Co. were sent TO GAMMA IL Ii
also said that ]. w. Armstrong, Jr. Oh Tue iouhg
Mems Democratic Club went 10 Camlla lor the pur-
pose of instigatng the people there to prevent the
speaking.
Major Howard forwards partial Inst OF the killed
and wounded. numbering thirty -four, all Of whom
were freedmen except three.
letter from John Murphy, one OF the whites, ac-
companies the report. he says "a they were enter
ING Camilla the party was fred upon by mob; that
A humber Of persons were wounded but that Pierce,
the candidate for Congress, was not hurt. Putney
White, who was in the buggy with them,
wounded in the arm and had several bullet holes
through his clothes. He estimates that 200 or 800
shots were fired in all.
later report from the sub assistant commissioner,
dated at the headquarters OF the Freedmen's Bureau
ut Albany, Ca, September 20, addressed TO Colonel
J. X. Lewis on the star OF General Sbley says the
affair at Camilla seems TO have been massacre.
freedman, who was prisoner at Camilla, but who
escaped during the night, says that he helped
move one dead and four wounded freedmen from
the road within a hundred yards OF the Court House.
The white men, his captors boosted to new corners
OF twelve freedmen killed In pond near DR..
Dasher's two miles from Camilla.
Another freedman took refuge in a swamp, where
he lay concealed all night, with four others near
him. He says that during the early part of the night
the white men were securing the woods shouting,
Sursing and shooting the freedmen. The pursuers,
he says were accompanied by blood hounds, and he
heard the cries and shreks OF the ugitiyes as they
cslaght by the dogs and shot. Two Of the men
near him, becoming frightened, endeavored TO
escape and both were shot within his hearing.
The same Ofloer also writes:-
II reported late ~ four P, N. to-day
september 2O) That up 10 eight O'Clock this morD
ing they were still pursuing the freedmen with
horses and dogs There has been intense excite
ment in town all day. The town has been filled
with freedmen. They have swarmed about my
office by hundreds 1t has been difficult to
restrain them from proceeding en- na0sse to Camilla
have addressed them, counseling peace and order,
telling them that the offenders should be punished
and their lives protected But have no heart for
my work. | felt no assurance that my promises
would ever be fulfilled The MayOr addressed Them
as did some citizens bur the freed people scored al
them and would not listen TO them, ana had the
Whole burden 10 bear.
At this hour (midnighD all is quiet.
In conclusion, they viii prepare affidavits OF the
wounded men and forward an Official report.
Major Howard telegrapned TO General SibIey on the
Zst inst. that unless protection is immediately az
forded To freedmen he should earnestly request 10 be
scleved from further duty In the Bureau.
Anldavits OF Those Commemorative Message
of Governor Bullock.
ALBANY, Ca, Sept II. 1865.
A. d. NUNSALIY, oi Senate, C. c. Duncan, of House
observation-disclosures lind below the sworn state
ment OF the best citizens OF Mitchell county
report
Georgia nichsn Personally appeared before the
a Fosr f9s sheriff 5s
nary Of said county W. A. Byrd Wade @ Cor, b. r Br.
sndsr oath :on Saturday, the ish instant It
saay S , had issued ' h circular john aaa
circulated , The same among the eoored men OF
The political meeting advertised day place
Robert Cochran, ST. Thomas Jones others who came
fom the in the direction Of Albany stating that armed
church waiting for the delegation from Albany heades by
were to be speakers FOR the request
citizen. NJ g. Poere, sheriff with committee Of six other
armed being maresed II procession s e our
pU, down iecon would be made their
nns the town ana holding h G hs, ns meeting ps;o. The
leaders procession aud they replied ths, they
s% and we're Of Carrying hem
!hey went The sheriff replied s" as peace oeg wa.
political meetings and assured them that they
armed as hey then TIA; there would be
81 the and he would not oe responsible for the
shorty afterwards the column moved into town in
Puney white in buggy armed with doube barrel
ssn, spencer 1ae and two pistols with quantity o. am.
containing band and number OF armed negroes;
aud four hundred attended 6y shout twenty mounted out
sa s wsS ns Ss S Of w M s "
syng and the crowd noisy and threatening In their conduct
rear A. he bead Of the column spproseSed the
:laAre, one Of ou, einsns' James Johns, who was
column aud ordered the music stop, which not obeyed
his gun whether Intentionally Internationally
ss od was g911SS N ss s d To S ana %
soamn 1rsd SSsy' soe o. The sh1 AZ Jona s mo-. o,
the column which place there number OF
eniIens AL unarmed woundinr sH OF our Citizens Inne
the column by which negroes were killed ana
u thick timber 100 yards north the Court House
ibis gon. there was an ATTEMPT %sas sy re 20 rally ais
part Of them mounted made charge snd completely routed
murphy and PHI Joiner escaping IL buggy up the road
towards Albany. Seven NEGROES were xra al o, WHOM
pose FROM the best fuformaton able pro.
ass sss rop envy saee for Of deep
that the ssamioas eonsslpenees o. ,s. ahr le easa
white men, Murphy, Pierce And fuuey, who made good
injury 10 This sad resd 10 be attributed
sharpness shrewdness of these gallant leaders in
su.cting their escape than the want o intention the
part people. We hereby disavow purpose or In
part 81 ourselves ciizens To violate the
peace In what DONE We willing,
eprsc ourselves 70 these leaders for them a. hold
political meeting the court house In town. ~ the
neros d.armed but did think and sii think that
II duty obey the orders " the sheriff "a
civil oacer Of this STATE breaking up this unlaw-
fui assembaee. We felt that their numbers
vastly citizens present. that " this meet
had taken place that the lives OF our wives and children
be a Of Infatuated mob. While The con
and do not boast ~ Whist
by people We feel hatey have but discharged
painful duty imposed upon them by wicked and corrupt
white engaged Ia leading ss,tsy into acts OF law.
cooe people Of country We appeal 10 the
powers % eorgis and the lawful authorities OF
Oh. United states government 30 check e prore- VI these
stroinr criminals proving about the homes and
disturbing the peace and gnr 81 our waratrcken people
sorgta, Hitih,H Coanty.-Pefsonsly came before me
James !. Morgan who heng sworn hat on saturday
last while procession moving the road from
Albany place no them and heard the following
conversation john murphy who was N buggy win