Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-01-29
ARKANSAS.
Gov. CIaytOn's Views in Regard 60 the
Militia


Militia
MEMPHIS, Jan. 2S-In an interview
with the agent of the Western Associated
Press to-day, Gov. Clayton, Of Arkansas
gave the following account Of affairs in
that State. 1t is his desire that the
whole truth should be known, and moth
ing covered up. The militia had COM
mitted outrages, but the offenders as far
as practicable had been summariIy dealt
with, five having been executed out Of
the force numbering one thousand. On
the whole, the militia had acted as well
as any militia would have done. Many
of the outrages reported have not been
done by the State troops, but by maraud'
ers, who followed their wake, represent
ing themselves as militia whom the State
was too poor to uniform. This evil could
not be remedied, but the officers had
instructed citizens to shoot down all pre-
| tended militia.
Another cause Of outrages was that no
commissary trains had been organized, it
being impracticable, and he had ordered
the officers to subsist their commands of
the country and giving vouchers; where
claimants could establish their loyalty to
the State, they would be paid. In re-
gard to calling out the militia, he gave
his reasons almost identicaliy with Por-
ter's report to Gen Grant. Said many
good Republicans differed with him in
regard to that line of policy, but he was
determined to cure evil for all time by
making the work short, sharp and de-
cisiVe.
Seven counties which had been under
martial law have been restored to civil
rule. No counties in the United States
are now more peaceful, as the militia had
driven out or exterminated the outlaws
iniesting those sections, and relieved the
citizens Of the terrorism that the military
operations had caused and the incon-
venience of having them in the vicinity
had impressed upon peaceful citizens, who
were hitherto passive and inactive, the
importance Of seeing the laws enforced
Martial law still exists in Drew, Ashley,
Bradley, Crittenden, Mississippi, Greene
and Craighead counties, but the militia
force, which now numbers about four or
five hundred is being gradually reduced,
and, from Appearances, in short time the
necessity for troops will cease to exist.
In regard to operations in Crittenden
county, opposite here, he said the militia
had committed outrages on ladies, but
four of them had paid the penalty with
their lives. All have been punished SCI
verely who have been guilty of INSIDE
meanors. In regard to the execution of
Harvey, Tiger and McAllister, he said
they had been regularly tried, convicted
and justly punished, but he would have
preferred.their being executed in public,
as an example. AS for the stories of
prisoners being tortured in order to make
them confess, they were wholly untrue.
|. d. Waford, now in Jail at Marion had
been sentenced to death by a court-mar,
tial and would certainly be executed.
In conclusion he said the effect Of his
policy had exceeded his most sanguine
expectations. Its effects were felt in
TENNESSEE. Brownlow would now have
no trouble, as there would be fighting,
and finally, that it had given Arkansas
peace.
Gov. Clayton and staff left for Helena
this evening on the Richmond.
MEMPHIS, Jan. 2S.-Avalanche' Little
Rock special this morning says the bill
authorizing the Governor to appoint col,
lectors in each county, was reconsidered
by the Senate yesterday and referred
back to the committee.
The resolution calling On the Governor
for Information by what authority the
brigand Monks entered the State from
Missouri with armed men acting under
him was tabled.
The bill ousting the Public Printer has
not yet been reported back By the House
Committee.
The Merchants National Bank of Lit
tie Rock suspended to-day. The liabili-
ties are reported to be very heavy, the
greater part of which falls on the Gov
eminent and New York.
LITTLE Rock, Jan. 27.-Intelligence Of
a frightful outrage, perpetrated near Pine
Knob, in Johnson county, has just reached
this city.
Invitations have been out for several
days to a wedding which was to take
place on Friday night last. The parties
were highly respectable, the bride being
a young and beautiful girl, niece of one
of the former Judges Of the Supreme
Court of Arkansas. Just after the com
pany had assembled, and before the mar
riage ceremony was performed, a company
OF negro militia, commanded by q white
man, surrounded the house, and, putting
out the lights, laid violent hands on
the ladies' The gentlemen present were
fortunately not without arms, and, after
a sharp fight, they drove the marauders
off A sister Of the bride was seriously
and perhaps MORALLY wounded. Four
of the militia were shot in the melee.
The affair created great excitement, and
the people turned out in pursuit. The
Radicals say the object of the negroes
was not rapine, but that they went TO ar
rest man.
Gov. Clayton continues TO declare that
he will do nothing, saying that the ne
groes may do as they please. His object
seems to be to provoke disturbance as an
Reuse for his acts of executive violence.