New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-01-28
Tho Army In Lauisiapa.

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The following letter from Captain Allyn.
United States Army, who was stationed at
Colfax, was addressed to the editor of the
New York Tribune, and it appeared in that
journal on the twentieth instant. The
Tribune was "swift servant" to attempt
to bring contempt upon the officers of the
army, and did not hesitate to pervert the
truth. This letter is plain statement OF
facts. During the summer, and until after
the fourteenth OF September, but 100 SOL
diers were in the entire State. If thousands
are here now, and their presence is dis
agreeable to disturbers of the peace, the
White Leaguers have only themselves to
thank. Captain Allyn says:
SIR-In an editoril article in the Tribune
of December 80 last the following language
is used: "And their swift servants IN the
army were disgracing their uniforms by
arbitrary arrests and imprisonments." The
spirit in which these words were written
seems SO utterly at variance with the tone
OF the Tribune during the long number of
years in which it has been a source of
pleasure to me to read it, that can not
refrain from calling your attention to it.
That the army was used during the past
year in Louisiana as the instrument Of the
United States courts to enforce their de-
crees is only too true, and is q source of
regret to the people of the country and to
the army itself only as it showed that such
a condition of affairs, SO lnimical to good
order and to the observance Of the law, ex-
listed in that State, that the processes of the
highest courts OF the land could not be
executed with safety by the United States
marshals witout an armed posse. That the
editor of the Tribune does not or will not
believe that such a state existed will never
alter the facts of the case as seen and
known by tho be who were upon the ground
during the summer and fall of 1874. Such
q condition Of things is unfortunate indeed.
To search for the cause OF it is not
the purpose of this letter. A protest is to
be recorded against the words Of disgrace
which has been launched against the
soldiers of our nation; which have been
used to degrade in the eyes OF the people of
the United States body of officials, the
officers OF the army, whom it has been the
pleasure and the duty of the p-ess, from
time to time, to hold up as an example TO
all branches Of the government service.
Pardon is asked it. under the sting OF AL
unjust reproach, feelings arise to too great
heat, as it will be my aim to write dis
passionately.
Let us now on to the telling of the deeds
wherein the army has dlsgraced itself. In
Louisiana, up to the fourteenth day OF Sep
TENDER, there were only two companies Of
regular troops. both of the Sixteenth In.
fantry, one stationed at Baton Rouge, COM
manded by Colonel Hale, and the other
stationed at Colfax, commanded by my
self-a force Of less than 100 men. This
had been tine condition Of military matters
for two and half months. During this
period no arrests were made by the troops
aiding United States marshals. Two arrests
were made, however, by the sheriff of Grant
parish, aided by soldiers furnished by me,
who were mounted by the parish officials.
The reason for this use of troops was as fol-
lows: Two most cOwardly and brutal muir
ders had been committed in cold blood.
The perpetrators were connected with the
Grant parish riot. The sheriff was utterly
unable to execute the warrants placed in
his hands. 1t was regarded as all-impor-
tant that the peace and quiet Of the neigh
bOrhOod should be preserved IN order to
prevent scenes of riot and blOodshed. It is
needless to say that the criminals were
white men, for had they been black, the
whole country would have aided the sheriff.
In the interests OF humanity and of justice
it was decided to assist the officials A
posse was required, and though the requis.
ition could have been refused, the circum-
stances impelled me to obey it. The sheriff
made the arrests thus assisted. At the
preliminary examination nc person cogri-
zant of the facts dared to appear and ties.
tify. Mark the words, ''dared to appear
and testify" and the prisoners were dis.
charged. The life of witness who had
told what he knew Of the matter would
have been cut Oft in single day if he went
outside Of my camp. This is no exaggera.
ton. The effect produced was good: for
= rel 0nrINo fta Thoru
was no al oitrary arrest or imprisonment in
this instance, for the law was observed in
Every particular. and executed by its Off
GERS. In this transaction there was naught
political whatever. No self Justification is
sought, for none is deemed necessary for
he course pursued. Such is the history of
military arrests up to the fourteenth Of
september.
At this date new element was intro.
luced a revolution with arms overthrow |
he government recognized by the President |
thief of the army, as the legitimate govern.
nent of the State. During the excitement
this, and the pending political |
campaign, many acts of violence. in viola |
ion of the laws of the United States. took |
,lace. Warrants issued by the United |
states courts were placed in the hands of |
he marshal for service, under instructions !
rom the Department OF Justice, and under |
:ders from proper military authorities,
r pops were distributed at several points in |
he State, to assist the United States mar.
hal in making arrests. Under the law of |
he land. when legal requisition is made
" the United States marshal upon a com.
officer of the United States troops
or a pOssee to assist in making arrests OF |
PERSONS tor whom the marshal has warrants
UGH posse must be furnished. The army
lad no voice in making these laws. II it
lad voice the laws would never have
zen made. The legislators of the United
tates made the laws, and glorious
Instance exists of the uss of them in
nte bellum days in Massachusetts, in
he city of Boston, to return
fugitive slave. The posse furnished.
he instructions of the military COM
aandecs require several things in di.
Getting the manner in which this duty is to
e performed. The posse is to be com.
landed by commissioned officer; its mill
airy character is to be preserved; it acts
through its commander as an escort to pro. |
ect the marshal in the execution of his
yarrants; and the order Of the marshal GO
trough the military commander, who exc
utes them it they come within the line of
is duty as commander Of military posse. |
these orders do not come within the line
such duty, and are deemed improper or
legal, they are not executed. The mar
1al, thus escorted and assisted. makes the
rrests in person upon the warrants he