Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-11-24
THE RICHMOND DIFFICULTY.
GENERAL IMBODEN's STATEMENT

Having published Geo. Johnsob's statement
of the unhappy affir which occurred between
him and Gen Imboden, in Richmond, 90 Sat-
urday last. we print the latter's version, which
is as follows
A little after o'clock | walked alone from
my house to the depot. Being half hour too
early, found no one there but the employees
of the road. Presently Col. 81. Z. CabeIl ar
rived aud soon afterwards We were Joined by
Col. VIM. P. Burweli and Col. E. W. Hubbard,
as we were all delegates to tn" st. Louis Con
veutiou. holding the credentials Of the par
ty, as we'll az part of their railroad tickets,
We had little conversation about the matter
when Col. Cabell and [ stepped across the
street t. get a saudwich-on our return t. tn.
platform, the train having arrived, the crowd
had bacome large Tor the place, We therefore
stepped into recess where baggage is checked.
Col. Cabell took seat on one of the baggage
wheelbarrows ADD | 90 small box near by
Uheu We continued our conversation.
lo a shult time observed Bradley johnson
making his way hurtedy along the platform
When be had slightly passed where We We're
sitting he discovered US, being then some teu
ing full at me, remarked 10 an excited tone, 10
keeping with his manner, "Ah. General Im-
boderr, | believe" Up to that moment had
90 suspicion of hostile intent on his part, as
for week we had often met 10 the Offices of
the lawyers, taking dispositions in the contest
ed elections. But when he spoke observed
shat be had his hands either 10 his pockets or
under bis Cat, aud knowing the mans nature
and character, the whole scheme was instantly
revealed to my mind. He had come there
armed to find me 10 a crowd of men, women
aud children, unsuspect!Dg, unarmed, and de-
fenceless, to shoot NE down without persooal
risk to himself Quick as thought | spraug to
my feet, and sprlugiug forward as he advanced
q step or two, grasped at his throat with my
left hand aud aimed a blow at his face with
my right, which he part ally eVaded by sud-
den movement, receiving it on the left side Of
bis head He struck at me, at the Instant
sprang at him, | supposed with small cane,
as was barely conscious that my left arm had
been hit. had 90 q very heavy new and stiff
overc0at, buttUned up TO my throat which
greatly hampered my movements, but | dealt
him blows on the head 10 rapid succession, at
the same time forcing him back perhaps 6f-
teen feet from where the fight began, intsud-
ing to pitch him under or between the cars.
but he brought up against POST, aud that
checked his backward career. After his blow
on my arm, he struck me Oh the lett cheek
once with his fist. and then drew pistol With
his right baud, ihDk. from hip pocket.
This | had expected when he ceased striking
with that hand, aud was ready f r it. For
,unately the light from gas iamp revealed
the pit, as soun as drawn, when saizad his
wrist with fun grasp of 10Y LETT haud and
held it down. 1t occurred 10 me at that mo,
mebt to attempt to jerk the pistol out OF his
hand, get away from HIN, and shoot him. But
at the instant | attempted to do 50 policeman
seized me and commanded the peace. | ex-
claimed, Don't hold me- He is armed aud
am net y But the policeman holding 90 to
me and holding Oh to Johnson's pistol hand.
the crowd closed in and secured Johnson
A gentleman from Brooklyn, who gave US his
name, told Coloue Burwell and myself that he
took the pl>t ] from johnson. Johnson then
exclaimed ''Jobey, the arrest Then ad.
dressing me, said, Il have cowbided you, and
have been looking for you all day, but thought
you had gone 10 The morning." That Was the
attempted to be used, and | replied udig-
aanty, You have not done it, sir; but you
shall hear from me again" Wheu recolIectiug
| was 10 the custody Of an officer, | scoroed to
handy epithets, aud turning to the officer de-
maoded to know why was held 10 arrest for
simply defending myself against murdcrous
assault. The officer refused TO release NE, aud
Mr.. Stearns having just come up offered to 20
to the station house where to avoid commit
ment, I had to give bond and agree to coodi-
tons need GOT detail. As to Johnson's allie
gitoos that "he had been looking for me all
day, but thought [ had gone away 10 the
moroing.' | state that from 10 a. 20. until
p. m. was more than a dozen times up aud
dowu Main street on both sides in front of bis
Office | was repeatedly in the Offices of L. H.
Maury & Co., Col. r. l.. Maury, and Mr..
St rns, the latter Office being my place of
bus ness. johnson can look 10 from his OVID
window. was 10 numerous stores on Main
street before noon aud afternoon. |
walked the street and t.ked with many
persons during the day. | recall General p.
T. Moore, Colonel H. G. Cabel, ColoDel
Maury, Col. Forbes, Mr. McPhail, Col. Bur-
well, Mr.. Ragland Joseph Hall and Others
Two gentlemen tell me that they remember
seeing johnson near me on the sidewalk on
either side OF the street during the day. But
1t was Dlght then, and some of the gang who
were with him after, and probably before the
fight at The depot, were not handy on Main
street. For the accuracy of my account of the
fight, | refer to Col. Cabell, who saw it all, and
to Col. Burwel for its conclusion. To avoid
arrest | begged Col. Burwell to occupy the
attention OF the officer few moments, and |
would escape and take the train up town, aud
get out OF the State untrammeled, but the
officer would not lose sight of mea moment
1t struck many that there was DOT half the Wig
lance exercised over Johnson as over me. %
this state of facts without Comment or discus
son which is out of order now, submit this
much to the public as all they are entitled to
know J. D. IMBoDEN.
Official Announcement.
The following is the Presidents official an