The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1868-09-05

UOld witness and others III the
hearing of Isaac, that he wanted
them to be at the School house,
at 10 o'clock next day, at which
time he expected the battle to
commence. Told those who had
arms to leave them. Isaac said
at that time, he wanted some of
the men to go with him to Shreve-
port, and sent two of his boys to
get his mule and horse. Isaac
said he wanted to send for arms
and ammunition, that he had sent
the week before for 100 guns and
90 pistols, but had not received
them, and that he was going him
self. Isaac said he was going to
Gen. Flood, in Shreveport, for
ammunition and arms.
Dan Jones was drilling that
evening, 50 or 40'men. Witness
saw among them Reuben Williams,
Jas Robinson, Harry Oneill, Dan
Jones, Henry Jones and Calvin
Williams. Witness heard Isaac
Williams say that he had heard
that some white people were going
to kill him. Said the fight would
commence Monday. The messen-
ger sent to Shreveport the week
before, was John Hines; Hines
told him SO. As witness was on
his way to Isaac Williams on last
Sunday, he met Jordan, who told
witness hewas going over Foxskin
Bayou, to inform Ben Sanders to
report at Isaac Williams as quick
as he could get himen there. Jord
an did not say who sent him. Wit
ness heard that the freedmen were
meeting at Sharan meeting house
armed, and were expecting fight,
and he went over to find out about
1T. On the Saturday before wit
ness saw a party of men drilling
at Isaac Williams; all of them
armed, some with guns, some with
pistols, some with guns and pis-
tolls, and some with sticks, and
some with swords tied around
their bodies with pillow lines. Wit
ness wanted his brother out of the
crowd, whom he heard was with
Sam Shayer'S, alias Sam Harris,
crowd. Witness was afraid to go
among them because they had
made threats against him, and
had sent on Thursday before the
riot, Capt. Dan Jones, 1t. Henry
Jones, LIT. Henry OneiIl and Sergt.
Calvin Williams to arrest him,
They wanted to take him to head
quarters, or Williams, for the pur
pose OF making him account for
not going there, and for something
he had said about them. Witness
would not be arrested, but they
arrested old man Josh JONES'
Dan Jones said he was ordered bv
the Colonel to arrest him. He
had heard Dan Jones, at another
time call Isaac Williams Colonel.
Henry johnson, t. m. c., sworn
says he heard Henry Jones say
the country belongs to us and let's
have it. He said that they did
not intend that any of their men
should be arrested-did not care
what he had done, if he had killed
a cow, hog or anything.
Miles Porter, f. N. C., sworn
Says he was at Isaac Williams on
Monday late, and saw a band of
freedmen commanded bv
Ben Sanders. Ben Sanders (Captl
sent word by Robert Baker and
Reuben Williams, to be at Isaac
Williams at 10 O'clock on Mon.
day morning. They told him to
go armed, that there was going to
be a fight there that day, and that
all who did not go would be ar
rested. They, the party, said they
were going to fight for their coun-
try. Witness was at Williams ON
Saturday before the arrest; there
was meeting that day; the men
were armed with guns and pistols;
he saw one sword. Heard some
OF the party call Isaac Williams,
General. Witness went to Isaac's
with Reuben Williams, Geo San.
lers, Wiley Hardy, Joe Dallas
and Wood McNeily, all of whom
except the last named, witness re-
cosnizes among the prisoners.
Cupid Allen, f. m. c., sworn
Says he was at DR.. Skannars Sun
day night. Tom Grissett came
after witness and told him there
was going to -be a battle at Isaac
Williams on Monday, and that
they wanted him to go down to
Williams next day. Williams
was also present and said to wit.
ness that he was going to- Shreye-
port to get men and guns to fight.
Witness asked what he was going
to fight for. Isaac answered and