The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-08-27
THE TUNICA WARlIl


permitted 10 pursue again our usual aVO-
cations. The ominous Halt no more
salutes our ears, or makes us shudder 10
think how near we may be to fire, piIlage.
rapine and death. The black cloud of
war has rolled back, and we shall try and
pen the record as it passed.
The initial point is too we'll known to
require mention here, and we commence
at the opening of hostilities.
One week ago to-day threats were
made by prominent colored men that un-
less Smith was returned to Jail before
Monday morning, Austin would be given
to the flames, and its inhabitants, regard
less of sex or age, slaughtered.
Mayor Woodson with commendable
zeal summoned white men, and as many
colored ones as could be relied on, in
town, to meet him at the Court House
with arms to protect life and property
and we pen it with shame when we say
it was but feebly responded TO by our
citizens. Other and more serious rumors
still coming in led him to dispatch mes
senger to the hills for men, and in com
pany with Deputy Sheriff Deering 10 try
and raise company of colored men from
the north end OF the county, where the
trouble had not spread, TO aid in defend
ing the town.
Only twenty-three colored men re-
sponded to the call, who subsequently
left before peace was restored.
With Sunday evening came Col Andy
Hudson, and Capt Flynn, with two hun
dred mounted and well armed men from
this, Tate and Desoto counties, who i'm
mediately threw out pickets and made
ready to receive the advancing negroes.
When the White passed up Sunday,
nearly every lady and child in town and
too many men boarded her and left for
safe, and less warm habitations.
Monday brought more troops from the !
hills, and all around town were heard the !
flies and drums of the enemy.
AT 10 o'clock A. NJ, negro pckets were !
discovered two miles east of town, and "A |
squad of twenty-five mounted mel was |
sent out to capture them which they did !
After the negro pickets had been |
marched into the lines they attempted TO |
escape when one of their number, Vess
Lightner, was instantly killed and Al |
bert Hart, an inofensive old darkey; was
accidentally shot in the arm and in the |
groin, but not MORALLY.
Monday at p. NJ. messengers were |
sent to Helena to telegraph for State or
National aid, and to get food and ammu-
milton, both of which we were sadly in |
need of.
AT F. NJ, the negroes attacked the |
Court House in force, but were repulsed .
at the first fire by the white men. In the
stampede the darkies threw away great
many of their guns, which were after
wards picked up by our boys In the |
above fight no white men were wounded,
and only two negres, neither seriously.
Tuesday morning the negroes were dis
covered near o. X, and Captain Brown,
who had just arrived with fifty mounted
men, was ordered to advance and engage
them. He found one company at Worm
ley's lane, which fled to the swamps after
firing at the column. Going further
down he found another company in Cap
tain Halls cotton field, which he charged,
capturing nine and wounding two negroes.
Later in the day Some companies Of
darkies were seen marching towards o.
X. and concentrating there. Scouts were
sent out, who brought back news that
nine hundred armed negroes were there,
and others still coming. For some reason
never satisfactorily explained to us, the
white men from the hills now refused
longer to defend town that was almost
entirely deserted by its own inhabitants,
and prepared to leave. AT this juncture
DIR. p. Z. Chapman proposed to 90 to the
with a flag Of truce, aud if pos
sible get assurance Of safety and protec-
ZION. He found the enemy drawn up in
line of battle two miles below town and
offered the following terms, which were
That the white troops should evacuate
the town.
That the colored men should march
into the town, throw out guards, and
prevent pillage.
That the lives of all officers and civil
Iians, with this property should be de-
Tended.
That all differences should be held in
allowance until the return of Captain NJ.
j. Manning.
When informed that the above had
been acceeded to, the white troops under
Col. Hudson, quietly marched out Of
town.
At p. NJ. the negroes marched into
town, about two hundred and fifty strong,
ana after marching through our principal
streets, entered the Jail captured the pris-
)ners who had been captured from them, ,
and broke ranks. After this a number
If them attempted to break into the store
IF Lowenhaupt and Kahn, but were pre-
vented by Louis Cheshier who went inside {
md gave them tobacco through the win +
low. Not satisfied with this they broke
INTO the store IF l.. Alexander, and de-
spite the efforts Of all fairly Quilted it; APP
parently having got what they came after,
hey commenced running home through
he woods and cotton fields. We are glad
20 say that not one of the cOlored men con-
lected with the robbing OF the stores was
belonging TO this county; they were all
rom "Sweet Coahoma."
A. Pm. the town was in possession Of
,he following citizens; DR. j. G. Nelson, Z
J. McCanm, l.. VI. Deering, r. w. l.. {
Askew, j. b. Belcher. j. NJ Began, and
DR.. Z. L. Chapman. About dozen +
3olored men who had been prevailed upon I
% guard the stores were supprized and [
captured by the troops from Memphis I
under Gen. Chalmers, who had come
Town on the steamer A. j. " hite, and
anded three miles below town, and sur .
rounded it before they were discovered !
by the guards. q
Scouts we're sent in all directions for /
miles around, who finding no armed men :
at s p. NJ. to o. X, where, r
under orders from Gen. Chalmers, they I
for home, taking with them the
thanks and good wishes OF all.
Thursday, 8 A. M, Col. Hudson re- ,
turned with 800 men, having been in ,
formed that the negroes had violated their !
promises and were pillaging the town.
Finding ali quiet, they returned home :