The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-02-07

political character OF the gathering. O4,sIuo
mounted on block Of wood, the negro Eaen, s
stood, with d long hand bill in his hangs from
which he was attempting to read something 10
the crowd OF blacks who surrounded MN. ne
was once arrested for a violation OF GeneiaI
Orders No. as, in holding political meet
without having notified the proper autnorluess'
AS General Anderson came out or the DulIo-
ing to collect his small force, to make some
show of power, in order that the command to
disperse might be rendered effective, Lleuten-
ant Wray inf rmed him that he had seen
negro man in the crowd brandlshing pistol
and calling on the people to resist, telling them
to ''shoot the damned police" Sergeant Sla-
ven was at once ordered to arrest HIM. The
negro resisted violently, but the sergeant
struggled manfully, and held tight to ms
prisoner. On ali sides the rapidly augmenGng
crowd commenced to surge ana sway, Uloiens 0nd
hands were laid on the officer, stones ana
b1ickbats erethrown, and in moment the
sharp crack crack! of pistols was heard. ser
ceant Sleyen took the man across the street,
and lodged him safely in one Of the buildings
of the Central Railroad Company. Inc ponce
officers drew their pistols and commenced
firing, Lieutenant Howard was about to arrest
a rio Gus negro when yolley OF orlchs Was ats
thrown at him, striking him in all parts OF the
BODY. One Of the missiles struck him IN the
head, irficting deep cash, several lnehes IN
length, directly over the right eye, and knock
inc INN from his horse. He arose immediately
and ha!f-stunned by the force Of the blow,
made his way into the depot, where his wound
was dressed by Dr.. Reed. HIS pistol was
Knocked out of his hand, and was afterwards
found in the hands OF negro, with TWO OF 'ne
chambers discharged.
Inst as Lieutenant Howard was wounded, q
negro IN the crowd who was near LeutenanG
Bell. raised Q pistol aud deliberately hred az
that officer. The ball entered the aeshy part
of the leg, infictins severe wound. Al tne
same time he was struck back OF the head Wlen
brick, and feeling faint WIS compeleo 10 nS' us
mount and was taken home IN q cart. DE-
Buloch was called to his assistance, ano eA-
tracted the ball; and whom We heard from the
Tientenant late last evening, he was doing as
well as could be expected.
Mounted on their horses, the officers were
excellent targets for the shots and stones de-
livered b1 the crowd OF rioters. General An
derson was struck number Of times, as we.e
the other officers, but no serious wounds were
inflicted. Sergeant Moran attempted to arrest
o negro named William Wallace, who fought
like tiger. Other negroes attacked and beat
the Sergeant who delivered numberless
trenchant blows in return. Once he attempted
to shoot Wallace, finding matters growing
desperate, and with the muzzle OF his pistol
close to the negroes mouth he pulled the
trigger, but the cap snapped without e1plod'
ing the charge. He finally dragged his prisoner
into the depot buildings and secured nlm'
While struggling with Wallace, Sergeant Mo-
ran was stabbed in the head with knife.
These warehouses were turned into lmpromptu
guardhouses, and all prisoners taken were
hustled therein.
Il WAS fierce while it lasted, but the end soor
arrived. Ths officers fought nobly-fve or siI
men against two thousand The odds were
fearful. but victory rests not always With the
LARGEST numbers. Heretofore, al all meetings,
a police torce has been in attendance, and had
the proper notification been given In this IN
stance, such would have been the case yester-
day, and no inracton OF the p4pno peace
would probably ,haye occurred. But the I'M.
mense crowd doubtless thought they could
make short work OF the fi7e or six men who
we're attempting to dispense them; but they
reckoned without their host. Lieutenant Wray
struck negro on the head with the butt OF his
pistol and broke the weapon oil short, LEAVING
the barrel in his hand. General Anderson ha1
gone up to the place in buggy, which ne gave
IN charge OF Police Gelston-tne latter, eager
charge Of the horse and buggy. This person,
whose name was Marshall, Jumped IN tue
buggy and drove OFT AS be left three pistol
shots aud volley OF brickbats were sent alter
him, striking the horse and breaking one 81
the shafts OF the buggy.
FJr several minutes brlckbat5 In the alr wee
thick as leaves in Vallsmbrosa. Crowds OF
people repaired to the scene Of the battle, and
the nelghborIng windows and house-tops
swarmed with spectators. Frightened l!dles
and children, terrified Dy the sound OF tae
firing, sought refuge, while men hastened for
waru to aid the ponce. The employees OF the
Central Railroad Company rend -red efficient
service to the forco, although without arms OF
any kind. They guarded prisoners and heif:
to make several capt res. About fifty shots
were fired during tue engagement, which last
ed but few minutes. Af,er the return OF the
force to the barracks an examination was made,
and 1t was found that sixteen shots had bseh
discharged by the police. The first firing WAS
done by the negro rioters.
The courage OF the valiant two thousand
soon oozed out. They found that they had
more to do than they expected, and when q
reinforcement OF police came In sight they
scattered like leaves before an autumn wind.
In q moment the building was cleared Of every
living soul, and running like sheep they crowd
ed down West Broad-street; others rushed out
towards the caual, while another portion took
a back track through Margaret-strt'et. The
police pursued to the river and canal, and then
abandoned the chase, having entirely clei1ed
the ground, Of which they remained masters.