New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-07-17
RESPONSIBILITY FOR TIE FIRING.

EFFORTS TO FIX IT UPON THE S4rH REGIMENT.
In the haste and excitement Of reporting the
circumstances under which the left companies OF the
saith Regiment fred the rioters at Twentyfourth-st
and Eghthave., the prOyocation which they received
was made 10 appear much less than it really was; and
THE TRIBUNE well as other papers condemned them
for firing hastily Later information represented the
attack of the mob at this point very determined aud
Justified fully the defensive action of the troops. Never
theess what appears TO he preccncerted scheme to TX
the responsibility the saith and TO augment 1t has de-
veloped itself Several officers and prvates OF the S4h
Regiment and others OF other commands have
fastened 10 condemn their comrades for firing when they
did. Few of these statements however, viii have tie
effect of plain, unvarnished narratives OF fact as they
betray much feeling and a little INSTRUMENTATION,
which mars the efficiency Of the Guard and which, for
the sake OF the organization ought to be punished Or
6eers taud privates Of Company Of the Sith have
strongly condemned their comrades, one Of
them, James F. Ross, in communication TO
The Herald, calling their action crime and
"uuiustifabe murder" Sergeant JAS g. X. Washburn
OF Company c, in q letter TO THE TRIBUNE, intimates
that this bitterness in Company is due to the fact that
many Of the members are Roman Catholics, and very
hostile in feeling toward the Orangcmcn whom they
were called out to protect
Lieut.-Col. c. b. Mitchell has called at TIVE TRIBUNE
Office and made the following statement OF the action Of
his command;
The regiment assembled at the armory at A. m. on
Wednesday, and there drilled until $780, when
received orders TO report az Police headquarters soon
after this directed to support the police
persng mob assembled near and around Hibernia Han
IL Prnce-st, which we did, the police making brilliant
and successful charge. Immediately afterward were
ordered TO report to Cen varan at the corner of Twen
position the left OF the OF
the head OF the column and protecting their left
flank. We felt much gatifed at being placed in what
considered one OF the most exposed positions. We
eighth and Twenyniuthsts Soon aftervard the 18th
9Th Regiments came up, and the column began to move
the night flank OF the procession. On reaching the
vicinity of TwentyiOurth-st ANA Eghthave. for some
reason halt made the right OF regiment then
resting about Is feet south OF the southeast corner OF
Twentyfourthst and Eghth-ave, and our left about 50
feet north the northeast OF the street
1t was then that Capt. james Douglas, commanding
Company H. near the LETT of the regiuent was struck IN
sidewalk who is said TO have been Immediately shot
dead From the houseops on both sides OF the avenue
hidngpace the mob were firing pistols and throwing
The Major and other officers OF the regiment saw
woman waving pocket-haudkerchief from a window,
while II IN behind II came pun OF smoke IRON pistol
fired by unseen hand. party OF men were Seen be-
hind large sign-bOard top Of one OF the buildings
and were ordered away by Capt Taylor OF COMPANY H.
They obeyed but returned, and one OF them thrust
pistol around the end OF the sign In order 10 IRE our
inen. again went up from the ranks Tor them to
leave and 10 those inside the houses TO close Their win
dows and get away which many OF them did. FoI mo
line that William JENNIE OF Company had been shot ~
been stabbed From the housetops ana Windows the
firing was then renewed heavier haa before, ana was
returned by general nTe IRON Companies L
and the extreme left. They fired instinctVey in
selfdefense, orders TO do having been given by
their officers. The held officers hurried along the iron
OF the line, ordering the 10 cease firing, AFTER which
order no shots were fired from the regiment Al the
time that the firing occurred the left OF our regiment
the police making a charge body OF rioters
who were the sidewalk al the southeast corner OF
Eighth ave. and Twentyfourhst. The members OF the
regiment shouted 10 the police 10 lie down, which they
did and any shots that fired from this part Of the
line went their heads Had any reckless or random
shots been INDUCED In, has been stated the police
could hardly have escaped being hit by the bullets.
We wish 20 shtk responsibility for our action on
that day. We think that justified In firing
when they did their lives, and the hires Of those vh9,
they specially bound 10 protect, undoubtedly
III danger from the shots or missiles red At them by the
mob both the sidewalks and in the surrounding
houses The position Of the regiment Of danger
and IL was az that time the most exposed-and had the
firing been delayed moment longer general fire along
the whole line would inevitably nave become necessary.
The action OF the Of the regiment that OCCASION
and dining the entire day. has been commended aud
cOinpiui nted by the Police Commissioners and fully
yudjcaten 10y the suljOned letter from Gen. Varan. IL
has heen sn that the General at first expressed differ
emf opinion This before lie had become fully
Acquainted with the facts. II the men had waited for
oTdeTe tbc Ob.encouraged 10 believe that the troops