The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-07-16
THE EIGHTY-yOInTH ssUNJUSTlFiABLE
NvRDEREHS.o

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
AS public opinion is now so much exercised on
the conduct Of the National Guard at the late riot
feel impelled in the interest OF Company c. Eighty
fourth regiment to give my testimony on the part
taken by the members OF that regiment. ] VIII give
facts that came under my own observation. We
served out with ABOUT forty rounds oil blll car
fridge, ana We loaded our pieces before leaving our
arnlory. We marched to Police Headquarters,
where we halted for short time. The order was
given to "rall H." ana we marched down Mulberry
street as far Prince, the police going before us
and dispensing the mob. We marched back through
Mott street to Police Headquarters. Sandwiches
and coffee were then served out TO the men. The
order was again given to '.ai H." and We marched
up Broadway and did not halt III we arrived at
Eighth avenue and Twenty ninth street. As soon
rs tine procession moved Company ID, which
was in rear, cheered for the Orange
order arms Our boys stated in the most positive
and emphatic terms that we would not march II
such conduct was allowed in the regiment We
sent our lieutenant to Lieutenant Colonel Mitchell,
who had command o! the regiment, ana he Informed
him with regard to the cheering and Inc dlssats.
faction OF the members OF Company c. The Lieri-
tenant Colonel came to the men ana ordered that
the cheering lie stopped Immediately.
We narcned along on the left OF The procession,
the Twenty-second marching on the right, until we
arrived at Twenty-fourth street On the way I
heard q few Shots bu. do not know by whom they
were fired. | saw some boys and men Oh the
wooden awnings at the street corners AMI they ran
There was great deal OF excitement about tnIs
time. When we reached Twenty -iOurth street the
command ''Fours lett" was gwen, aud we faced
towards Seventh avenue. Just as we were executing
this movement heard heavy voley Tired from our
regimentIlt appeared to come mainly from the
leIt looked around and saw the people falling In
all directions.
With the scenes which followed the pubic are al
ready familiar. l looked anxiously to sec II any
person was Killed, and could see the bod rowing
In small streams from several persons There was
one man In particular whose lace was covered
with blood that the features could not be recognized.
On the corner was woman lying doubled up and
mOiOnlesS Some OF the wounded were moving
their arms and trying to rise or crawl away. but
did not see one who was able to get up The grOans
OF several we're terrible. The men around me seemed
stupefed at the horrible spectacle, winch Was tue
more thrilling because unexpected.
Pre-, emily Lieutenant Colonel Mitchell came run.
ming along from the right and police captain with
INN. The former was waving his sword vehementy
and calling Oh the men 10 cease firing. The police
then charged up Twenty-fOu:ih street. plying their
retreat before them. We were ordered 10 march
To the rear anu we cOuntermarched 10 Twenty-ntntn
street, where we again fell IN 10 guard the pieces
sion. On our march back ! SAW several dead
Fourth avenue and hated for short time opposite
the Binle House, after which our company relieved
o company OF the Ninth which guard IN
Stuyvesalt place. The regiment soon alter marched
TO the arDOry.
This Is in brief the history OF the bloody AFFAIR.
The record oil the Eighty-lOurtn regiment Is no
longer "a respectable one and Company VIII part
company VITA such "a regiment We cannot shoul-
der this crime nor accept the disgrace. The icg,-
ment he'd out 10 uphold the law, 10 protect the
people and To add 10 It's reputation Tor courage and
discipline. Ii returned with the Stains OF most UNI
jusiilabe murders on Its coiOrs / VIII never again
shoulder mnske' IN the EghTy H%Es p regiment EoHs
COMPANY G, Eighty fourth regiment