New-York tribune., 1874-08-13
THE MISSISSIPPI TROUBLES.
AUSTIN OCCUPIED BY THE NEGROES

AUSTIN OCCUPIED BY THE NEGROEs'
THE WHITES LEAVE TIE TOWN UNPROTECTED ANo
SEEK THE SAFETY OF THEIR FAMIIlEs-lhI NE
GkoEs TAKE POSSESSION DURING THEIR AID
sENCE-THR BLACKS SACK THE VILLAGE AND
GET DRUNK-GEN. CHALMERS IN COMMAND of
THE WHITE FORCES
MEMPHIS, Tenn, Aug. 12.-Capt. James Lee
of the steamer St. Francis. which arrived from pei""
this savs that after the who had sur
rounded Austin were repulsed yesterday they ulS"P'
peared and the story circulated ihat tncF "0o
numbering the women and children left hhpro'co'o'
the surrounding plantations which caused thc men VIM
had been defending the place TO start for ther ho'o
70 protect their families Austin soon left without
any defenders except or two white men, anu 'no
negroes came in took possession and proceeded 10
break open saloons and and help themselves AT
the last accounts they had committed no acts OF '
lence toward the few whites who were unaDle " se'
away but as they were becoming drunk fears "erc en
tertaned that they would burn the village Messehger7
were sent to Capt Lee asking him to land there put e
had large number of refugees board, some oiwhom
the negroes had threatened 10 kill, Dr. philips, late e
publican Member of the Legislature being oil the mum
ber They begged him not to stop so he passed on up
without landing.
Gen Chalmers came up on the st. Francis 10 fe'ei
Landing where the ST. Francis met the whites with tne
reGnforcements from here. He was requested Dy 'no
Deputy Sheriff. tho absence OF the Sheriff. 10 'ihe
command of the men, and he went back with them.
They will land at o X Landing and endeayor to cut OH
the retreat Of the negroes from the hills and doubtless
ere this the whole force has boon captured as tue
negroes had suspicious OF the approach OF TINS orce
aud too busy engaged IN deDauch 10 Oe preparcu
to meet them. Gen. Chalmers is man OF weil-Kho"h
courage and cooness and his being in command gives
an assurance that blood will be unnecessarily shed
II is proper to state that politics have nothing to do
N4un 1-nn
number Of other who have been prescribed by the
negroes are republicans. News from Austin ~
anxously expected this morning, but as II Is twenty
miles to the nearest telegraph station 1t not prooape
that anything definite will be obtained before noon
The AppeaPs special from Helena this morning, after
recouuting the occupation Of Austin by the negroes
as already reported, says: At Bennett LlndinS
Col Morgan held council and stated that
il was too hazardous 10 make an assault on
the blacks intrenched at Austin, owing to the want
OF proper authority and "a suitable number OF men and
Ammunition and he preferred landing at Moons, above
Austin where he could place himself in better condition
and await executive authority. Gen. Chalmers came on
board objected to landing at Moons. and insisted
on landing at o or Shoe Fly, most of the officers
agreeing with him. To this Col Morgan objected as
beng in the midst of the enemy and subiectine the
command TO immediate attack from all sides while un-
nrenared for H. He then ordered back the commlssary
supplies which had been landed, and Capt Flnleys
company which had been thrown out as sklrmishers
and calling the officers together told them that he fel
IL was his duty under the circumstances not to take the
risk To this most of the officers objected Col Morgan
then resigned, and Gen. Chalmers was elected COM
mander and landed at Shoe Fly
The following received later
HELENA, Ark, Aug. II, 1874.
THos II. ALLEN & Co.: Send us reeniorcemehis @ Dy
ST. Francis send guns with fixed ammunition Ii pos
Sipic 'e"u i''0"' ''' j. r CHALMERS.
II would seem from the above that Gen. Chalmers had
decided to attack to-day