The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-23

lieutenant Cushman Ordered to Report
the Skirmish from Memphfs-No Fir
ing by the Regulars.

Lieutenant Cushmnm Ordered to Report
the Sktrmish from Memphfs-No Fir
tng by the Regulars.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. April %, 1874
Lieutenant Cushman, OF the Sixteenth infantry,
stationed AT Little Rock, arrived here this after
noon to communicate with the President concern
sng the firing on Colonel Rose last night, which he
says he could not do there In consequence OF the
violent partisan feeling in the telegraph ONCE.
According to his statement, Colonel Rose had Sc
cured an armistice between the rival factions
which was to continue until nine O'Clock this
morning. but that last night Colonel King White,
with q regiment OF armed negroes, marched down
- the Anthony House, where he made a violent
and infiammatory speech 10 them calling upon
Baxter to allow him to go ahead and clear
ont Brooks, the federal or any other id
troops. Colonel Rose, hearing the disturbance,
mounted spirited horse and rode down to inform
White that he was not complying with the terms
Of the truce in marching his men to that point.
Colonel Rose was unarmed except with q sword,
and was accompanied by an orderly armed with
On reaching White Colonel Rose asked him what
he meant by breaking the truce, and ordered him
heard and fired his pistol at Colonel Rose and
shouted TO his men 10 fire, which they
=; wsIs assn sss 4: s seas raj
ported, Colonel Roses orderly attempted
to draw MS pistol, but ms horse became
could draw it from the holster. AS soon firing
commenced Colonel Rose rode back to the engine
house, wnerc Company G, Sixteenth infantry, was
stationed, and ordered the men to run out hook
ana ladder truck ana form barricade which was
speedily done, and the men placed behind 1t. Dur
inQ the excitement q private accidentally fired on
his gun, and the cry was raised 1.-The regulars are
going to shoot" and in less than ten minutes the
street was deserted
Lieutenant Cushman states positively that, with
the exception above stated, not single shot was
ored by the United states troops or by Brooks
garrison in the barricades.
He states that many ludicrous scenes occurred
huring the melee. Among others the Methodist
preacher was standing in front OF the Anthony
House when the firing began, and, Jumping
through a show window, ne cut his head and bel
lowed, "Im shot Pm sh0tl'' and it was with diff
Aculty that he was convinced that such was not
the fact.
Lieutenant Cushman says that Baxter has nearly
5000 men under arms, OF whom some 500 or 500 are
from Pope. Johnson and Saline counties. num-
Der OF these were either in the Confederate
federal army during the late war, and are
armed with superior weapons. They can be
relied on IN fight, and the feeling tow
ards the Brooks faction among this class
10 very bitter ani daily growing worse. As gen.
era thing, Bakers forces are poorly ofiicered. On
the other side, Brooks has some 900 men behind
the barbados at the State House. OF whom two
thirds are negroes. They are well commanded,
and have two ancient 6-pounders IN position. Bax-
ter's men are engaged in resurrecting 20-p0under
siege piece, lett there during the late war
Colonel Rose, with MS handful of soldiers, Is
master Of the situation, but AFFAIRS daily grow
ing ugier.