The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-02
Midnight Sl<irmishing i'm
Little Rock.
RELEASE OF PRISONERS


The aggressive force was composed Of forty
mounted men, provided with horses from the
pundered stables at Pine Bluff, ,and Of 200 foot
soldiers. They were all well armed with Spring
field and Enfield rines and heavy shotgunA
THE SCENE OF CONFLICT.
The village Of New Gascony consists OF one store
and three or four dwelling houses 1t is situated
about sixteen miles below Pine BluH, on the left
bank of the Arkansas River.
UNEVEN NUMBERS AND SHORT FIGHT.
Brooks men numbered about 100, commanded
by Captains Murphy and vandesande. They were
poorly armed and had only bird shot for ammu-
milton.
Colonel White surrounded the store which they
OF bullets The Brooks partisans returned the fire,
but were soon overpowered by the superior force
which attacked them. They were taken prisoners
and all were Immediately disarmed.
THE KILLED AND WOUNDED.
The casualties in this amateur battle were quite
considerable In number and some OF them OF
tragic, while many Of them were at least OF seri-
Gus. nature. On the Brooks side there were ten
negroes killed and twenty wounded. or Baxter's
force, half Of whom were whites. there were three
killed and seven wounded. Several Of the horses
were killed and wounded.
LEADER HURT.
Captain vandesande, one OF the leaders on the
side Of Brooks, was dangerously wounded. He
had been colonel in the federal army.
TRIUMPHAL RETREAT.
Most Of the defeated warriors, having been dis
armed, were released. The men OF Whites COM
mand then embarked on q steamboat and arrived
at Pine Blufr at late hour last night. Murphy
and vandesande were brought along as prisoners
The wounded we're lett at New Gascony, and to-
day Sheriff Vaughan, OF JEFFERSON county, sent
two surgeons to the village to attend them.
THE PRISONERS ON BOTH SIDES RELEASED.
The Gazette remarks, edltorially, that the war is
opened, and win extend throughout the State
unless the Presidenr takes speedy action in the
matter II Brooks and Baxter Tight, few more
King Whites would settle the present trouble.
1t is rumored that Baxter is much annoyed at
this proceeding by White, and that ne and his
generals do not seem to agree. Churchill, doubt
less because Of recent experience. thinks that the
policy Of making arrests on either side
is nonsense. Governor Baxter is OF the
same opinion. Blocher, who commands tins
post. wants to arrest all who sympathize with
Brooks This afternoon, however, all the pris-
oners in the State House were released and also
all those who were confined in Baxter's guard.
houses.
FIRING ALL NIGHT.
Late last night several adherents Of Baxter ad-
vanced towards Brooks line and nred pistol shots
at his advanced pickets. Nobody was hurt. Stray
pistol and gun shots were heard at all hours Of
the night.
DEMOCRATIC APPEAL IN FAVOR OF BROOKS.
A number Of prominent democrats have just
issued an address to the people, in which
they say that after personal consultation
with Mr.. Brooks, they confidently assure
the citizens Of the State OF his fidelity
to his platform OF 1872; that the charge
that he has bartered principle for once Is utterly
groundless; that he will not defraud the people OF
their votes at the fall elections and that the ma
jority Of the Legislature have privately declared
that they will not meet at Baxters call.
COVERT THREAT.
They appeal to the people not to be deluded into
the movement looking to his election by force,
which would result in ruin to themselves and dis
aster to the State They ask OF the people for
him fair trial. and they say that then all will be
well; and they declare that he was truly elected
and is Governor.
The --latest from Pine Blun-King
Whites Proclamation OF Martial Law
I'm Jefferson County-sacking Farms
and Plantations.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark, May Ill PM
Sheriff Vaughn was arrested to-day by King
White and imprisoned King White and his com.
mand left there this afternoon to attack Brooks,
force organizing In Arkansas county under
shntman and savage amounting to about
800 men, partially armed, but not well
supplied as regards ammunition. It ia
stated that Whites command has been sacking
plantations, impresslng horses guns and so forth,
Major General Cotterson has been relieved Of the
command OF the militia OF the state and assigned
to command the troops at the capital. Major
General Pagan has been assigned to command all
State guards and militia in the state. He has
appointed his stan, all OF whom. except two, are,
like himself prominent ex-Coniederates. He also
has published an address to the people OF the
State, indorsing Brooks and giving reasons for