The New York herald., 1874-08-13
Negroes Said To Be Numbering Women
and Children Outside Of Austin.
The Place Abandoned by the Whites
and Sacked by the Negroes.
A CALL FOR REINFORCEMENTS.
Authority from the Governor to
Suppress the Riot.
MEMPHis. Tenn, August Ia. 1874.

MEMPHIS. Tenn, August IA 1874.
Captain James Lee OF the steamer st. Francis
which arrived from below this morning says alter
the negroes, who had Austin surrounded were
reputsed yesterday. they disappeared, and the
story soon circulated that they were numbering
the women and children lett unprotected on the
surrounding plantations, which caused the men
VINO had been defending the place to start for
their homes TO protect their families Austin was
soon lett without any defenders excepting one or
two white men, and the negroes came in
and took possession, and proceeded to break
open saloons and stores and help them
selves. At the last accounts they had committed
no acts OF violence toward the few whites who
were unable to get away; but as they were be-
coming drunk fears were entertained that they
would burn the village. Messengers were sent to
Captain Lee asking him to land there; but he had
large number Of refugees on board some Of
whom the negroes had threatened to kin-Dr.
Phillips, late republican member Of the Legisla-
ture, being Of the number-and they begging him
not to do so he passed on up without landing.
General Chalmers came up on the st. Francis to
Peters Landing, where the st. Francis met the
v hites with the renforcements from here. He
was requested by the Deputy Sheriff. In the alb
sence Of the Sher1n, to take command Of the men,
and he went back with them. Tney will land at
o. X. Landing and endeavor to
OUT oFY THE RETREAT or rHE NE0RoRs
from the hills, and doubtless ere this the whole
force has been captured, as the negroes had no
suspicious OF the approach of this force and were
too busiiy engaged in debauch to be prepared TO
meet it. General Chalmers Ia q man OF well known
courage and GOODNESS, and his being In command
gives an assurance that no blood will be unneces-
sarily shed. 1t is proper to state that
POLITICS HAVE NOTHING TO DO
with this trouble, and that Mayor woodson and
number Of other men who have been prescribed
BY the negroes are republicans.
The Appeals special from Helena this morning,
after recounrng the occupation OF Austin BY the
negroes. as already reported, says:-"At Bennett
Landing Colonel Morgan held council and stated
that 1t was too hazardous to make An assault on
the blacks intrenched at Austin, owing to the
want OF proper authority, suitable number OF
men and ammunition, and he preferred landing at
Moons, above Austin, where he could place him.
self In better condition and await Executive
authority. General Chalmers came on board. He
objected to landing at Moons and insisted on
agreeing with him. TO this colonel Morgan
subecttng the command to immediate attack from
all sides while unpfepa!ed for it."
THE EXCITEMENT IN MEMPHIS.
The excitement here in regard to the Austin
founded rumors of young men Of this city being
killed in the attack on the place. The iOilowng is
posted about the city,
Reliable men wanted to report on board the steamer
Il son % e. It s to AZ So a@ @:
and equipped, to report at the same time and place
White viii aSsa 81 til. ABOVE Stas A'0s
This poster has added to the excitement. It IS
the ST. Francis. Three pieces Of artillery are ex-
pected from Arkansas this afternoon.
The Appeals Helena special, dated at twenty
minutes past eleven this morning. says some thirty
Mlssisstppians, straggers from sne force which
left Memphis yesterday Tor Austin, arrived there
this morning on the steamer White and put up &C
Ortawar's Hotel. The colored people, unable to
understand the presence OF an armed squad Of
the Mayor obi aimed posse ssaon Of arms and had
them placed on the wharf boat for shipment by
arst steamer: ON the arrival OF tho little steamer
Trader the Mssssippians escorted by the Mayor,
Sheriff and other of1cials, and followed by large
crowd OF negroes, were marched on board the
nothing reliable from Austin to-day Negroes re.
port fight shere last night, and that six or eight
whites were killed
JACKSON, Miss, August II 1874
To Colonel MARIos CAxrsxLI, Helena
and life saved. A. AMEs, Governor.
Another special to the Appeal from Helena,
makes
THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT.
at shoe Fly, five miles below Austin, this morning.
and marched into the town without opposition at
thkee O'Clock. The citizens had abandoned the
place the previous evening, and the negroes, alter
holding the place a few hours and sacKIng il lett
for their homes. The Memphians found about
thirty negroes In the town, who surrendered at
once eight OF whom were arrested and sent to
jail. The others were nOn-cOmbatants and were
not moiested. Everything up to nine A. NJ, when
1 left, was quiet. AS TrOtter's Landing I learned
that the negroes were organizing for the purpose
Of retaking Austin, and their pickets were stop
ping everybody.
Colonel Campbell, formerly Sherin of De Soto
county, Mississippi has crossed the river here and
gone to Austin to endeavOr to restore peace. He
then ordered back she cOmmfssary supplies which
had been landed, anu Captain Finley's company.
which had been thrown out as skirmshers, and,
calling the Olcers together he told them he ielt
was his duty under the circumstances not to take
the risk TO this most OF the Officers objected
Colonel Morgan then resigned and General
Chalmers was elected commander, and landed at
Shoe Fy.n
The following has just been received
HsLENA ARK, August ~ 1874
Send us reintorcements by st. Francis. Send guns
with fixed ammunition. II possible send raons
days Tor 800 men, j. H. CHALMERS.
From which it would seem that General Chal.
Troops Dfsbandod and Peace Restored.
MEMPHIS. August IL. 1874