The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-02-03

AS to Black League, witness never hear,
Of one in his police district, and there ha
never been at any time any danger of an up
rising of the negroes; they have neither tn
inclination nor the courage. Regarding tn
emeahe Of September IA, witness said: On tn
| 18th Of September large quantity Of arm
| arrived at Leeds's foundry and were.distribu
| ted to the White League; this created goot
deal OF excitement; a mass meeting was hell
on the following Monday, and the peopl
| were advised to 90 to their homes and arm
| themselves,
The different White League companies
were at their several rendezvous. At hal
past three, received orders from Gen. Long
street to move part Of the command in the
vicinity of the Custom House. Then ordered
the citizens to dispense. Sent Taylor down
Canal rect, with squad of cavalry, to order
dispersion. Taylor was fired upon and one
Of his men wounded. Gen. Longstreet order.
ed witness to change the front Of his com.
mind.
Saw detachment OF Leaguers coming
down the Levee, behind the freight, and
thereupon ordered Capt. Gray to open with
Gatlin gun.
The Leaguers then replied, when general
firing ensued. The Leaguers were protected
" the freight
The Meiropolitans were routed.
Witness wa, badly wounded and thereafter
knew but little of what TRANSFERRED. Was
kindly treated by the Leaguers and was con-
veyed by them to the hospital. Heard no
threats to kill witness after being wounded.
Some few blackguards who were not in the
fight may have made such threats, or sug-
gested them. There was an attempt made on
tbs 5th March, 1873, to install the McEnery
sheriff An attack was made upon the Third
Precinct Station, but the police were more
successful than on the 14th of September.
This defeat of the metropolitans by the
Leaguers had the effect Of greatly intimi-
dating the negroes. This extended to the
day OF the election. There were police sta
toned at the polls, who were in some in
stances driven away. White Leaguers were
at the polls. The election in the city was not
fair one.
Witness then related the school troubles,
affirming that the movement originated with
the High School boys. Daring this trouble a
colored church, wherein men, women and
children were at worship, was fired into one
night by body of white men. This was ST.
Johns Church. on Second street.
Witness brought forth a memorandum, and
cited instances of police being driven from
the polls, and the registration papers Of ne
groes being taken from them and torn up.
Had command of the troops that went to st.
Martinsvile in 1873 Went there to quell
disturbances that prevailed, and to install
officials who had been ousted by an armed
body Of men. Witnesses command numbered
about one hundred and fifty men. Had a
skirmish with DeBlanc and his men. When
the United States troops appeared in the coun-
try, the trouble ended. The parish was in a
condition of lawlessness.
Since the 14th of September the White
League organization has remained intact.
They still drill, but whether with arms can
rot say. They have kept the arms used or
ton after it was known that United States
troops would be on hand, that the White
League would remain away. Officer Jones,
No. 22i, Fifth Precinct alleged that ladders
were taken from the truck Of Hope ,, to be
used at the S ate House for scaling purposes
on the 4th Of January. Jones says he obt1ined
the information from a member OF the COM
pany. Has not heard OF any White League
meetings recently, but to the best Of witness
belief, it was ia full force on the 4th Of Janu-
AIRY.
The White League stood in threatening
attitude to the Kellogg Government until the
4th Of January. If the troops were with
drawn, they would now overthrow the Kellogg
Government. They have not surrendered the
arms taken from the State.
TO Mr. Zacharie- Thinks the White League
was the force behind the coup detat in the
House on the 4th of January.
The schoolboys who were engaged in the
expelling of negro children from the school
were supported morally and could not have
been arr sted by the police without trouble.
To Mr. Zacharie-The White League was
not known in the State in 1873
General Campbell was in command Of the
State House on the 4th Of January. The or
ders which passed over the wires relative to
The disposition Of troops on the 4th of Janu-
airy, witness heard good many of them
are known to witness, because they were
read by the. operator at the Central Station
There was a suggestion from General Sheri
dan relative to the disposition Of troops. The
White League is composed Of gentlemen Of
good character. The expressed dislike to the
police is no doubt on account of the idea that
they are the hired soldiers of the State Gov
eminent. Supposes that any employee of the
State Government, or man engaged in the
Custom-House. who voted the Democratic
ticket would be discharged.
Outside Of the States quota, it did not cost
over five thousand dollars to equip the Metro
oolitan Brigade. Part Of the States quota of
arms We're appropriated to the arming of this
brigade. Compared with other cities, New
Orleans is very turbulent. Thinks the barri-
,ading of the State-House was Gen. Camp
DELI idea. There were about one hundred
policemen in the Sate-House. Cannot say
low many arms We're placed in the State
House. Had no idea that the White League
n Conservative citizens would attack the
on the 4th Of January, because
# the presence of the United States troops.
Thinks there was reason to apprehend violence
n the 4th of January. Has been several
ines called upon to dispense riotous assem-
,lages of negroes on the Levee. In one of
hese riots stevedore was killed.
j. X. Beckwifh.
Is United States District Attorney, which
'osition he has filled since 1870. The witness
elated at length what he knows Of the Colfax
flair, derived from evidence in the trial of
he Grant parish prisoners before the United |
tates District Court. He gave his opinions
$ to the effect this massacre had upon the |