The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-02-22
FROM FORTRESS MONROE.
CoIored SHuabbIes.

FORTRESS MONROE, FEB. H.-There has been
quite an excitement in Hampton for the past
day or two, occasioned by some 1lored "sqaat
teIsn resisting the Sheriff, who was serving
writs of eectment on them. 1t appears that
there ale some eight or ten shantIes built on
the farm of MIR. st. Clair, situated just north
of Hampton, which were built there by colored
persons during and since the war, and are still
occupied by them. Mr.. St. Clair has tried 10
vain to prevail upon them to pay their rents or
move off his premises, but without effect.
Finding that lenient measures were OF no avail,
he resorted to the law, and put the matter in
the hands ofthe Sheriff Captain Tltlow, armed
with the ,writs, proceeded to the premises
and made known his business, when he was
informed that theywere going to remain, and that
he had better go; and in order to add strength
to their argument, one OF them produced
double barrelled pistol and leyelled it at the
captain, who, considering that discretion was
the better part of Valor in this case, tell back
for recruits. On reaching Hampton he secured
the services OF number OF the citizens, who
accompanied him second time to the scene
They were received by the squatters who In the
meantime had received large reinforcement to
their numbers, with shower of bricks, stones,
and other missiles, and were compelled to oeat
a hasty retreat. Captain WtlOw, the sheriff
considering that the thing had gone about tar
enough, sent TO Camp Hamilton for
the commanding officer OF that post
to send him guard, IN order that ne
offenders. A guard was sent, but only small
one, as the case was not supposed to be of a
serious nature, who in turn were driven back.
The sergeant in charge deeming it inexpedient
10 fire upon the mob, and thus risk the lives OF
his men, Tetured to the camp, and reported
action, when the company were turned out and
marched 10 the scene. Upon arriving, there
was a general falling back on the part OF the
squattcrs, for they have holy horror OF the
breach-loaders which the company carry. A
line was then formed about the shanty, little
by 10 cabin, and it was soon raZed to the
ground. Three of the ringleaders, including The
one that drew the pistol on the sheriff, were
arrested, conveyed TO Hampton, and are now
confined there. Captain TitloW is an old
volunteer officer, and has only been appointed
sheriff of Elizabeth City county by General
Stoneman within the past two weeks. He is a
strong radical, but says that duty is duty, and
proposes calling for troops and finishing up the
business, which it is hoped may be accomplished
without further difficulty.
Personal.
Captain Wood of the British Navy, but now
attached to the British Legation in Washing
ton, arrived here yesterday on the steamer
PeriWinke. from Portsmouth, on a visit. He
called on the commanding officer, who con-
Quoted him about the works, examining the
targets upon which the recent experiments
were made etc., after which he returned to
Norfolk.
MIR. Fargo, of the firm of Wells, Fargo & Co
arrived here this morning on visit TO General
Barry.
There is considerable uneasmess evinced by
the army officers Of this post in regard to the
army appropriation bills now before Congress,
| and the morning papers are eagerly scanned to
| learn the --latest from the 'front.'
The ship Southern Rights, from Norfolk, with
| an assorted cargo of cotton, con, Iosin, etc.
| Tor Liverpool is in the Roads awaiting favor
able weather.