Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-01-01
Testimony of General Ogden, Com
mander of the White
League.
His Account of the 14th of September
InSurrectiOn.

New Orleans, December 81. At IL is o'clock
the Congressional committee re-assembled in
room Of the United States Circuit Court. A large
number of spectators were present.
The first witness called was General F. y. Og-
den, who said
81 am the commanding officer of the White
League in this city. The object and purposes of
the White Leagues are clearly defined in their
constitution
THE constitution was here submitted and reatD
Witness continued
"Our organization is simply for defensive pur
poses. The condition of affairs in Louisiana
called for such an organization. 1t establish
ed in July, 1874, and we called it White League
because we could only rely ON the white people in
our condition. With political affairs we have
thing to do In the city Of New Orleans our roll
will call out from $500 to 5000 men. l have Or
gained out Of these two regiments of infantry
and one Of artillery. We have officers for these
regiments. Governor Penn authorized me to Or
ganize militia when he was acting Governor
was under Governor PENIS orders on the l4,h of
September. Some of the organizations now
armed-1 cannot say how much, as l have not re-
ceived my reports. We have artillery only
what we made ourselves for the 18th of Septem-
ber Some of the arms were captured by parties
outside of my command. Those Immediately I'M
der my command took none of the captured guns
Some of those outside parties who took the guns
have since reported and claim to be members of
the White League. don't know the strength of
the League in the Parishes"
To Mr.. Phelps-lmmediately ON the organiza-
ton of the League it assumed military charac-
ter; we had no armory. The guns held by the
members of the Crescent City White League
were obtained by themselves. We have had very
irregular meetings since the l4th of Sept. We
have other companies who sec meet often. |
have issued no orders since the l4th of Sept.
gardng drill; the officers of the company see to
that; sometimes prevented drills; the League
has not met lately for discussion; the last meet
no W. ahouf two wppkS then cal1c1 "A m q
ing of Crescent City White League Club. The
meeting was TO get funds to pay the expenses of
procession held after election; also passed
resolution of non interference with the returning
board. We passed 10 resolutions limiting that
any member should discharge any negro who vo-
ted the republican ticket; we had no pledge that
any body should vote any particular ticket Before
the election summoned my staff and few other
gentlemen to take steps to police the city. Three
men were to be placed near each poll to prevent
disturbance. did this because had been told
that measures would be taken to create a quarrel.
The Leagues in the State are not under my COM
mand, though believe they would obey me if
issued orders. do not know that any republican
is member of our club; gentleman who was
in the Federal army fell in with us ON the 18th Of
Sept. New Orleans Is not as prosperous in bust
as heretofore. The decline of prosperity IN New
Orleans is owing to our administrations. Some of
our trade with Texas has been taken away by st.
Louis don't know whether the loss of our Texas
formed me that many colored men voted the con-
servative ticket at the election. Many colored
men came to me for protection from the republi-
cars: after the elelection was over gave it to
them.
To Mr.. Potter.-I put out men on election day
to prevent disturbance as anything of that kind
would be construed into intimidation. The or
gauizatiou grew out of the condition of affairs
here. Our people were in terror of the Metropoli-
tan police, who committed outrages and were
mt mt iptn tha n N ha rTarA M
usurpation. The Metropolitan Brigade were
alarmed. They turued out on the streets and
drilled with arms. There was negro militia
company and heard there was BLACK League,
but never saw it.
To Mr.. Foster On the l4th of September we
went out on the streets to get arms belonging to
us that were on board a ship. The police were on
the levee, and as We were going to get the arms
was informed of the advance of the police. Then
formed my lire of battle. The White League
was not an Organization formed for the purpose
of helping the democratic party, but for helping
both parties in preserving the peace. The meet
ing that day demanded the abdication Of the gov
eminent. was acting in concert with the peo-
pie. One of the purposes of the organization on
the morning of the l4th was to get these arms
The League did not know my purpose. acted
not with the committee of 20, but with commit
tee of citizens. My purpose that morning was
peaceful one.
To Mr.. Potter. - We surrendered the State
House to Col. Brooks. During Penn's Governor
ship the city was perfectly quiet. Politics are
pretty much divided on the color line. We made
efforts to gain some of the colored vote, but
used no intimidation. If the federal government
had not interfered we would have had perfect
quiet here. During the few days of the Penn
government do not believe it would have boen
prudent for mgn to express sympathy with the
Kellogg government, on account Of the excite
ment.
General Ogden was asked on the conclusion Of
his evidence, by Mr.. Potter, to furnish the names
of the negro men who called him for protec
ton. which he did.