Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-08-19
THE ArRAsn an WArNEsnono.

7 a 4. -
J HeitHbfe TnteIEIgenee = Confirmed
seoundrelisn OF the Wayne County
Snerih, Who Takes the Liberty" Of
Firing UPon q Bedy Of Wen Unag-
gravated.
The following information furnished by
capt Newt Corbeit, of the firm of Corbett
q BOYD, steamboat agents, a gentleman
VINO enjoys confidence and respect wherever
ne IS known, may be taken by our readers
as truthful representation of affairs in
"ayne county. Capt Boyd arrived in the
CITY from Wayne county on Monday, but
being compelled to go TO his home on the
Edgeheld side of the river, he stopped but
few moments in the city. He states that
while at Clifton, village in Wayne county.
situated on the Tennessee river, on Satur-
day last, that three gentlemen from
WaynesbOro arrived in the village and re-
ported. substantially, that the negroes, some
Two or three hundred innumber, were drill
ing with arms at the Furnace as previously
stated by US. That party Of twelve or
fifteen masked horsemen rode to the Fur-
uaee and demonstrated against the military
maneuyers, and suggested 10 the negroes
that they turn over their arms to the pro-
prietor of the works that they might be
IN turn transferred to the State authorities.
remarking at the time that if armed per-
sons were allowed to march and counter
march through the country that the direst
calamities might result from il. The ne
groes being approached in this mild and
pacific manner readily assented, saying as
they did 30 that they had been advised bg
tchite men to commence drilling, that the
militia were to be called out, and of course
every man must be at his post. After this
result the horsemen rode back TO Waynes-
boro peacably and quiet.
Arrived in the town they were met BY a
murderoas volley of mnsketry from a stock
ade near by the Wsynesboro iail, fired by
the Sheriff and his possee, who during the
absence Of the horsemen at the furnace
had collected his crowd. The result of the
volley was the wounding of one man seri-
ously in the shoulder, two others slightly,
and the killing outright of four horses.
The horsemen returned the fire, but it is
thought without effect, as their assailants
were shielded by the stOckade. They then
turned and rode of, aud soon after dis.
persed for their homes.
These we believe TO be the true facts.
That the drilling of the armed negroes,
apparently unauthorized at this fevered
State Of the public mind, was disorderly,
lawles5 and provocative of great evil, all
will admit, that the appearance of these
horsemen en- n1dsqte was wrong, we readily
admit, but the action of the Sheriff and
his posse we must condemn in the strongest
terms. No man, simply because he hap
pens 70 be an officer and in favor with the
powers that be, should be allowed to pros
titute his power TO any such, and if the au-
thorities would but investigate the affair
and sift it to its bottom, this officer should |
be summariiy punished. That the whole
affair is deprecated by all the good citizens
of Wayne county is evident from the fact
that on Saturday last large peace meet
ing was held at Waynesboro, at which time
speeches were made and resolutions offered |
denunciatory of the unfortunate occurrence. |