The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1868-08-29
ONE ofthem obeyed and otborO

parry AuoCA uCUALS HOb W OBEY.
Those freedmen who did not
ground their arms, on the contra.
airy cooked their pieces, bringing
them to the position of ready.
When they made ready Mr.. Bright
told them to fire away, but if they
did, not one would be left alive in
five minutes, whereupon under the
advice of their comrades, thew
grounded arms, put down their
arms and surrendered. About 40
surrendered, maybe more or less.
There were 80 guns of various
descriptions. Saw three pistols in
the pile, two Colts and one horse
mans, found near this party.-
Witness recognizes among the
prisoners at the bar, Amrstead
Bailey, Henry Mcdonald, Owen
Jefferson, Jack Johns, John Jones,
Jim Robertson, Sam Watson, Wi.
ley Billiard, Stephen Clinton,
Reuben Jenkins, Geo Washington.
Sam Harris, Stephen Brazeal, Ike
Mitchell and Rias Davis, as the
same he recognized among those,
who surrendered as above stated.
All this was in the parish of Bos
sier on the Oath day of August,
1868. These parties said they
went there to have a club meet
ing; that they were warned to meet
there by Isaac Williams runners
or couriers, so Jack Johns and
Jim Robertson informed witness.
That portion of the parish was
thrown into great excitement in
consequence OF the presence in
this armed band Of freedmen, and
the people were apprehensive of
depredations being committed, so
much so that messengers were
sent to Shreveport, calling on the
military authorities at that point,
for assistance to quell this insur-
rection, The whole community
was thrown into commotion, from
the cause of the rumors atloat as
to the objects and intentions of
this armed assembly, and found
it necessary to assemble for self
protection.
The general rumor through the
neighborhood, WAS that the freedmen
were collecting from various quarters
of the parish for fight with the whites;
that the freedmen had been informed,
that an effort would be made to break
up their club, or prevent the meeting
of the club by the Sheriff of the parish.
Rnmors of this disturbance had been in
circulation for several days, before the
capture of these parties. Isaac Will
liams was not present when these other
freedmen were captured. On the eve-
ming of the same day witness saw Isaac
Williams in the custody of the United
States soldiers, commanded by Capt.
Farrsn. Capt. F. was then going
down to suppress the riot above allud-
ed to. The citizens composing the
posse who arrested The prisoners at
the bar, were abaut $50, composed of
citizens of Bossier, Claiborne and
Bienville. Other accessions afterwards
extended the number to 200 or ESQ.,
The prisoners we're brought on to Fill
more. from which point they were sent
to the Parish Jail of Bossier. The
prisoners were treated humanely and
fed at Fillmore, and none of them were
maltreated. Witness only assisted in
bringing to Fillmore. This unlawful
assembly above referred to, was at or
near Isaac Williams house. Jim Rob-
inson. one of the prisoners at the bar,
told witness that they assembled on
the occasion in question by couriers or
runners of Isaac Williams.
Cross Examined. Witness saws he
has never known Isaac Williams be-
ing in riot previous TO this. Some Of
the party made ready with their guns.
Remembers seeing some of them with
arms, and some without arms, on said
occasion referred to. Witness saw
Henry Mcdaniel in the line, but does
not remember seeing him with any
arms. Witness saw Stephen Brazeal
in the line, with gun in his hand.
Witness saw Armistead Bailey in the
party referred to. Witness saw Sam
Harris in the party with arms. Wit
ness saw Reuben Jenkins, John Jones,
Sam Watkins, Jim Robinson and
Wiley Billiard ip the assembly. Did
not see Ben Sanders. He did not see
Jack Warner. George Sanders was
captured in the feld-saw him i n the
crowd.
(Signed,) E. j. HAMILTON.
j: e. Pilkington, sworn-says he lives
in Bossier parish. eight miles west of
Bellevue. On last Monday the Oath
day of August witness captured the
prisoner Tom Wash, a freedman as
courier sent by Joe Hughes and JEFF
Moore. Witness learned through the
freedman on his place that Tom Wash
had been on his place notifying the
freedman TO assemble at Mr.. E. r.
Moore's place for the purpose of fight
ing the white men. They were told
if they did not go they would be shot.
Witness recognises Tom Wash one
NJ tho 90 n q