The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1869-12-09
Another Raid Upon Illicit Distillers.

Some ofthe streets Of the Fifth Ward,
Brooklyn, are literally flooded with
whiskey this morning, the fumes of
which were almost sufficient to intoxi.
cate regiment.
A paragraph published last evening
to the effect that all the troops doing
garrison duty in harhor defcnces had
received marching orders, caused con.
siderable comment and speculation
Some said it was another Feuian scare,
while others commended that the troops
had been called out to watch Cubans.
The real object, it appears, was not sus.
pected outside Of tho initiated.
A short time since, it will be re-
1menbered, the officers Of the Internal
Revenue Department made raid upon
the Illicit dislillerics in the Fifth Ward,
and seized number Of stills. Hereto.
fore the officers, when attempting to
make seizures in this section, have been
assaulted and beaten in the most brutal
manner. The Government resolved to
break up this wholesale illicit distilling
business, and the order for the military
to hold ihems elves in readiness to march
at a moments notice was for the pur
pose of making one fell swoop on the
distillers of the Fifth Ward. IL is
needless to say that the distillers we're
completely taken BY surprise, and when
the troops arrived on the ground they
found them busily at work in the VA.
rious sheds, stables, cellars, &c. There
were upwards Of five hundred regulars
marched through the city at 6 o'clock
this morning to the locality in question.
They were all fully equipped, having
six days ratlous aud sixty rounds
cartridges. Operations we're immediate.
ly commenced in Little street By the
revenue officers, who were under com.
mand of Major General Pleasonton, col.
lector Of the 4th Internal Revenue Dis.
trict, N. Y. He planned the expedition
10 question. He was accompanied by
four deputies aud fifty men. Thes.
deputies were armed with axes. and
designated by white satin badges, worn
upon the lappsls Of their coats, with the
words /" Internal Revenue Department"
Some Of the distillers eudeayored to
get away with their effects, but they
were overhauled by the troops, who were
guarding ut every available point.
The forces consisted of Co. NJ, First
U. s. Heavy Artillery, of Fort Hamil-
ton, and three other companies of the
same garrison; 200 n,n from Cover.
nor's Island; 100 men from Fort Wads.
worth, 5. h.; one company from Willet's
Point. The battalion from Governors
Island WINS under command of Lieuten.
ant Colonel Kiddo, General Abbott com.
handing the Willet's Point forces. In
Water street Go. NJ LIST Heavy Artillery
formed barricade with arms stacked,
extending across the street, while
videttes were thrown out in advance of
main guard. lIere Eve barrels of whis-
key were torn out from some small
wooden structures and were carted TO
the Navy Yard as rapidly rs possible,
while crowds Of men, women and chill.
dren stood gazing attentively at the
work, The scene was strange one
Aronud the doors Of the bar.rooms, and
on the street corners in groups, rough.
looking men were earnestly discussing
the position Of affairs. From appear.
ance majority Of the men had been
engaged in the business, aud had boon
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