The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1873-03-15
THE POLICE WAR IN NEW ORLEANS.
Ono Man Killed and Eight htwoundcd-Thc
Unitcd States Troops Interfere.

III the carly part OF yesterday rumors
prevailed to the effect that something
of a serious nature was on foot. It was
generally supposed that the success at
tending the demonstration on the pre-.
vious evening would be followed up by
an attack on the different stations
throughout the city. a thousand ditfe-
rent reports prevailed during the morn
ing, but at noon the excitement had
gradually subsidized, there being nothing
further done to warrant tho feeling.
Later in the day, however, and about
nlghtfnll, 1T became evident that move
ments of some sort were on foot, Bodies
OF men were assembling at different
points in the central portion Of the city,
and arms were freely displayed. 1t
was said upon the streets that one of
the large political clubs had offered
Gov. McEnery four thousand men early
i'll the afternoon, and the increased
number of bodies appearing seemed to
justify this assertion.
y company of about one hundred
was assembled at the lower part OF
Camp street, another on poydras and
Magazine, and another gathering was
reported in the neighborhood OF the
Sugar Sheds. About $3.50 I. squad of
militia moved down Royal street, and,
emerging into the plaza in front Of the
st. Louis Cathedral, fired into the sta
tlonhOuse. The fire was returned from
the building, a ball grazing General
Ogden's shoulder.
The militia retrcated, but in about
twenty minutes were reinforced by
some three hundred men. Pickets were
then stationed Al the intersection of
Royal with Toulouse, st. Peter with
st. Ann, at head of st. Peter street, and
at the corner OF Chartres and st. Ann
There was also a guard placed ut the
corner Of Charities and Toulouse:
After this first brush, the Station
House was closed and bolted.
The stores of Mr.. 4. Burond, J. Gull
fouX and l.. Il. Lee, containing arms,
werc broken open by the militia and
the contents appropriated.
AT about 9:45, Gen. Badger, with
three companies Of police, numbering
eighty each, and one piece of artillery,
formed at the corner of st. Louis and
Chartres street. The piece was soon
after liinbered up and taken down the
street, the police marching by fours on
the banquette. When they reached
Toulouse street the firing comm enced,
raking volley being delivered from
corner OF Jefferson street. The police
returned the fire, but, in confusion, had
some difficulty in unlimbering the
piece.
Ihere was continuous muslSetry firing
for about FIVE minutes, when at last the
gun was gotten into position and dis
charged twice down Chartres street.
This created some indecision in the
ranks of the militia, and they fell back
momentarily, but quickly rallied and
firing was resumed. A final shot was
discharged from the gun, and the mill
tia retreated into Jackson Square, the
police remaining on Chartres, between
Toulouse and st. Peter streets.
At 10 o'clock the militia were being
rapidly reinforced from all quarters of
the city, the squads moving in tho di-
rection of Jackson Square.
So far as known, one man was killed
and eight wounded on the side OF the
militia. There was only one casualty
reported among the police, a man being
slightly wounded in the arm.
Lieutenant King, OF General Etnory's
staff, arrived on the scene Of action, at
the corner of st. Peter and Levee, at
1880 o'clock, and asked for the uconl-
mander Of the mob.'' Some one in
formed the officer that this was not
mob, but the real citizens Of New Or
leans. Col. Ogden and Gen. Wagga-
man coming up, the United States
officer informed them that he came
from Gen. Emory, and had orders to
request the militia to disperse, adding
at the same time that Gen. Emory had
received instruction to that effect from
Washington.
Col. Ogden responded that he would
order the men to retire and disperse
Immediately. He requested that Mr..
Bond, who held Il position in the court
buildings, would be permitted to pass
through the lines with his men. The
| officer said he could merely submit this
request to the commander of the police
Col. Ogden went down and endeayored
| to have Mr.. Bond released, but his
efforts were Of no avail.
| We learn that about this time Gen.
Waggaman, commanding the militia,
was met by Gen. Smith, United States
army, in front of the Cathedral. Gen.
Smith requested Gen. Waggaman in
the name of the United States to dis
perse, which the latter at once complied
with, remarling at the Same time:
"Gen. Smith, despite your courtesy,
l cannot say that I am glad to meet