The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-04-28
First Blood Drawn In the Arkan.
SaS War,
Collision Between the ss4ilIser.
enlS at Little Rock,

LITTLE Rock, ARK, April 81 About
five o'clock, the colored troops, under
command Of Colonel King, while para
ding the streets preceded by a brass
band, after marching around the streets,
were halted in front of the Metropolis
tan hotel. The band played lively
air,and the troops fronted the hotel and
yelled for Governor Baxter. He ap.
peared on the balcony, and made them
a speech amidst the widest cheers He
stated that an insurrection has broke
out, and the archives of the Govern
ment were in the hands of the insur-
gents: that they had been called togeth
er for the purpose of vindicating the
rights of the people of Arkansas, not
the rights Of Elisha Baxter He stated
that he was making preparations and
intended to assert his rights as Govern.
or Of the State He counseled them to
be patient and qniet and conduct them
selves orderly, and in due time the prop
er order would be given them to assert
the rights of the people
At the close of the speech the hand
played "Red, White and Blue +" By
this time Main street above the head OF
Colonel Whites column, at the intersec.
ton of Main and Markham streets, was
filled with men, principally Brooks SYM
pathizers, who were looking on The
sidewalks were also crowded, and the
upper stories of all the buildings around
either had armed men in them or citi
zens. Colonel Rose was sitting on his
horse in the center of the street. When
the band ceased three cheers were given
for Colonel White, and he made short
speech. Addressing the Governor he
stated that the colored men had come
here to see that Baxter was re-instated
in the State House, and let it take one
day or one year they would stand by
him. All they prayed for was orders to
take the State House
AT this there was again the widest
cheering and the band commenced play
ing just then Colonel Rose rode up
to Colonel White and said something to
him about making hostile demonstra
ton. just then some one in one of the
upper buildings fred shot into the
Baxter crowd, which was rapidly fol-
lowed by others from the direction of
the crowd standing in the street near
the Metropolitan Hotel. This action
caused the Baxter men to return the
fire. The colored troops rapidly re-
treated from the streets, and firing was
very lively for few minutes, the Bax-
ter men running up street and the 9th
ers giving way. Amidst this Colonel
Rose rode rapidly to the City Hall,
called out his company, harricaded the
street temporarily with hook aud ladder
trucks, and formed his men behind it
across the street in solid column to pre-
vent an advance of the Baxter men,-
About two hundred shots were fired,
and the street was cleared OF men in 8
short time. Severa al Baxter men were
wounded. Major D. T. Hall, who was
in the Anthony House, received wound
in the head from which he is not ex.
pected to recover. General w A
Crawford received painful wound on
the head, though it is not fatal One
or two Others were slightly hurt In
the midst Of this the company of the
United States troops at the Federal
Court room and the two pieces of ar
tillery were removed to the corner ot
Second and Louisiana streets, and made
ready for action. General Newtor
mounted horse and got all his mer
out on various streets ready to repel ar
attack. Since dark the men have beer
marched back to their quarters and The
excitement is about over During the
excitement colored woman jumped
out of the secoEd story of the Metro
politan and broke her leg