The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-04-07
Military Arrests.


der command of Lieutenant McDougal,
with Deputy United States Marshals
Leahey and Bonsel, arrived in our town,
and Immediately commenced making
arrests, under warrants, VIC learn, alleg-
ing murder and conspiracy, dating buck
to the election riot at this place in Octo-
Der, 1870. Also, about noon another
small detachment arrived from New
berry, under command of Lieutenant
Miller, with Chief Constable Hubbard
and Deputy United States Marshal
Hendricks. This detachment had ar
rested. as they came up, some eight or
nine citizens, whom they brought with
them, and lodged in Jail.
The arrests we're conducted quietly
and decently, 80 far as we have learned,
except that very little time was allowed
persons arrested to make preparation for
leaving home, and they were hurried
away in unnecessary haste. Several
were arrested without knowing for what,
and no warrants were presented. In
one case, citizen who was arrested had
pair OF new boots in his hand, but was
refused, by the soldier in whose charge
ho was placed. permission to change.
Ibis conduct, however, in justice to tie
officers, We will say, we do not believe
would have been sanctioned or permit.
ted by them; and in justice to the
officers we must say that We have heard
OF no other than courteous bearing on
their part, and We trust to be able to
give good account OF them when they
leave. If, however, we should hear of
anything to the con trary, we shall not
hesitate to speak of it, as there is no ex-
cuse for soldier conducting himself
otherwise than gentlemanly. AS to
Lieutenant Miller, he has been among
us before, and it affords US pleasure to
be able to testify to his high soldiery
bearing and gentlemanly department, at
the same tiu6, Nc believe the service
has in him an officer who will do his
duty faithfully. This any officer may
do, yet do his whole duty, without sub
jecting unfortunates, who may fall into
his hands, to unnecessary rigor or harsh
ness. Arresting innocent men, and
dragging them from their families, as we
believe in this case, is great hardship,
even though it be done with the utmost
care and tenderness. The scenes we
witnessed on last Sunday, in this village,
were enough to have touched heart of
stone-wives, sisters, mothers and little
children clinging to the necks OF hus.
bands, brothers, sons and fathers, and
sending up vail of grief that was
pitiable in the extreme. The fate of
others who had preceded, prison bars
and dungeons were brought vividly to
their minds. But faith in tho innocence
of the accused should be, and doubtless
is, consoling reflection to them. Yet
it ia hard fate for quiet, pcnceable citi-
zens, many of them advanced in years,
to be deprived of their Liberties and
thrown into loathsome prison, their
business neglected and suffering because
of their imprisonment What are we to
think of government that, instead of
protecting, lends its soldiers to party
ring to oppress its citizens? Does this
look like giving us even peace, to say
nothing of protection?
Some of the soldiers resorted to low
tricks to extort money from their color
ed friends while they were here, by
levying small tax per capita, charging
from twenty-five to seventy-five ve cents
for the privilege of passing through the
picket lines on the outskirts of the town.
In one case, the darksy had no money,
but had pooket-knife; so they politely
appropriated that little article of the
poor negro. and left him to whistle for
another. This was done by those the
negroes call Goods people," It may
also give faint idea of the kind Of ruff
fans, (some of them, at lcast,) by whom
we are governed at present. In justice
to others among them, however, whose
conduct was more becoming o soldier,
we must say that NO have heard of less
i'll behavior among them than we had
anticipated. We will also remark that
we feel sure the officers in command did
not sanction or approve the conduct
alluded to above. We nre willing to
praise, and it affords us pleasure to do
so where it is deserved, yet we are not
afraid to blame where censurc is due,
and no threats of Vengeance upon our
self or others shall deter us from pub
fishing facts of outrages as they may
occur In this connection, it gives MS
pleasure to mention kindly and hu-
name act concerning the arrest of Col.
B. S. Jones, who, suffering from o
wound lately received, being arrested on
Sunday ut his residence noar Clinton,
was permitted to romain nt home. This
kindness is due alike to Lieutenant
Miller and to Chief Constable Hu ubbard.
Other kindnesses were shown the pri-
soners, and we have been requested by
some of them to say that their treatment
80 far has been oil they could wish or
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