Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-08-12
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
ESPECIAL DISPATCHES TO THE GAZETTE.
The Arkansas Troubles.

| MEMPHIS, Aug l2.-Parties VINO arrived
here by the steamer ST. Francis, say that the
negroes occupied Austin at p. IL. yesterday.
MEMPHIS, Aug. l2-Cap'an James lee nt
the steamer ST. Fraucis, which arrived from
below, this morning, says, after the negroes
who had Austin surrounded were repulscu yes
terday,' they disappeared aud the story was
| soon circulated hat they were numbering the
women aud children, left unprotected 90 The
surrounding plantations, which caused the men
who had been defending the place to start TOR
their houses to protect their lamlles. Austin
was soon left without any dcttuie!s except one
or TWO white men aud the negroes came III aud
took possession and proceeded to break open
saloons aud stores and help themselves. AT
last accounts they had committed no act OF vlo-
lence towards the few whites who were unable
to get away, but as they we're becoming drunk,
fears were entertained that they would burn
the village Messengers were sent to Capt. Lee
asking him to land there, but he had large
number of refugees on board some OF whom the
negroes had threatened to kill DR.. Phillips,
late Republican member of the Legislature,
being of the uumbcr aud they begging OF him
not to do So he passed on up without landing.
Gen. Chalmers came upon the ST. Fraucls to
Peters Landing, where the st. Fraucls met
the whites with reiniorcemeuts from here. lie
was requested by the deputy sheriff III the alb
sence vi the sheriff to take command OF the
men and he went back with them. They will
laud at 20. X" landing aud endeavor TO
cut off the retreat OF the negroes from HILL 5
aud doubtless ere this the whole force has been
captured The negroes had no suspicion OF
the approach of this force and were too busily
engaged in debauchery to be prepared to meet
them Gen. Chalmers is man aud his being
in command gives assurance that no blood will
be unnecessarily shed
1t is proper to state that parties have moth
ing to do with this trouble and that Mayor
Woodsuu aud a number Of other men who
have been prescribed by the negroes are rcpub-
llcans.
News from Austin is aDxiou-ly xlrctcd this
morning, but as it is twenty miles to the near
est telegraph station, 1t is not probable that
anything definite will be obtained Before noon.
The Appeals special from Helena this morn
ing after recountlng the occupation OF Austin
| by the negroes as already reported, says: At
Bennett Landing Col. Morgan held 4 coun-
Gil aud stated that it was TOO hazardous to
| make az assault on the black entertainments
at Austin owing to want OF proper authority.
suitable Dumber of men and ammunition, and
| he preferred landing at Nom abuve Austin,
WuCTC Hc COuIu pidSS III a. OSt'Si Soii-
dition and await executive authority. General
Chalmers came on board. lie objected to land
ing at Moons, and insisted GU landing at 20.
X. or Shoe Fly, most Of the officers agreeing
with him. To this Col. Morgan objected as be-
| ing in the midst of the euemy aud subjccting
the comula1d to immediate attack from all
sides while unprcpared for it. He then ordered
back the comm issary supplies which had been
landed and Can't. Iwley : company which had
been thrown out as skirmishers and calling the
officers together told them he felt it was his
duty under the circumstances not to take the
risk. TO this move the officers objected. Gen.
Morgan then esgued and Col. Chalmers was
elected commander aud landed at Shoe Fly.
LATER The following has just been re-
celvcd
HELENA, Aug -. -Theo. FL. Allen & Co.:
Send US rcnforccments by the ST. Francis.
Send guns with fixed ammunition, if possible.
Send rations Tor ten days for 500 men.
(Signed) j. X. CHALMERS.
From this it would seep that Gen. Chalmers
has decided NOT IN attack TODAY