Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-08-20
Massed Near WaynesbOrO
A Collision Imminent
White Scouts Fired on by Negroes

NEW YORK, Aug. 19.-The Times has a
special from Augusta, Ga, about the re-
ported attempt at inSuTTectiOn Of negroes.
1t says; Two days since a letter was
found at WilliamsOn's store, in Washing
ton county, the place where the eOlOred
militia company drills, ordering the maSsa-
ere of whites on the 2Jth inst. The order
was signed by a man named Harris, and
stated that Rivers, a cOlored militia general
Of South Carolina, would be present and
| direct the movement. The order said,
"kill every white man and take every gun
you can get, have all your companies ready;
kill with axes, hoes, pitch-forks, and get
gun-powder and shot as you kill" After
commencing work in Washington county,
the negroes were directed to move toward
Barton in jefferson county, where they
would be joined by Gen. Rivers. At first
many thought this ahOax, gotten up for the
purpose Of soaring the whites,
but yesterday a letter was found
in Jefferson county directed to color
ed companies, giving substantially the
same instructions. The whites, apprehend-
ing danger, telegraphed to Macon for am
munitiOn, which was promptly furnished
and distributed to the local companies.
Every preparation was made for conflict,
but measures were also taken TO prevent a
collision. By dusk this evening, eighty
negroes, charged with being ringleaders in
the movement, had been arrested. It is al
legged the correspondence captured indicates
the existence of a conspiracy among the |
negroes, extending through the counties Of
Washington, Jefferson, johnson and Burke. |
II is now feared the whites will not wait !
for the process Of Law, but lynch the pris- |
Oners. Moderation is cOUnseled, but fears |
for the worst are entertained. Many be |
lieVe the affair has been greatly exaggera-
ted, and that no mischief was intended. |
A letter somewhat similar to the order /
above mentioned was intercepted in Han
cock county some time ago and the whites
then armed for a conflict, but none came.
AT present there is the greatest excitement
prevailing in the counties threatened and /
the slightest impTudence may cause the
most disastrous consequences.
An editorial notice of the above dispatch
in the Times says: Up to the present
point the alarm seems ludicrOus, but when
we think Of the possible fate Of the ne
grOes in the hands of the militia, crazy
with fear, it has serious look.
AUGUSTA, Aug. l9.-Arrests Of alleged
negro insuTectiOnists in johnson, Wash
ingtOn and Jefferson counties we're con-
tinued to-day.
Thirteen Armed Negroes
came into Wrightsville and surrendered
themselves. In Burke county a collision
between whites and blacks seems hourly
imminent.
Both Races are Under Arms,
and the negroes are reported massed few
miles from WaynesborO. White scouts
were fired on by the negroes this morning.
The Burke county people sent here to-day
for troops, but Gov. Smith declined 10 let
any companies 20. A number Of volunteers
left for WaynesbOrO tonight, and it is
feared fight will soon take place. About
100 arrests have been made in different
A dispatch from Washington county re-
ports sfiairs quieter to-day than yesterday.
About Lfty more arrests were made. Con-
fessiOns were made duplicating those ar
rested. Ex-GOy. johnson, who is Judge
of the Middle Circuit Court, ordered the
special term Of the Superior Supreme
Court to resume Monday week to try the
offenders.
A dispatch from Burke comfy reports all
quiet up TO IL tonight. People are con
hdent OF their ab lity TO suppress any at
insUrTectiOn. The ringleaders
will be arrested. Excitement is subsiding.
The negroes have no cause for the cOntem-
plated rising. All the trouble is
caused by few worthless and
designing negroes who live upon
the credulity Of the colored people. The
whites will act on the defensive, and en-
deavOr to arrest the ringleaders, who will
be tried a. the special term Of the Superior
Court. No further trouble is apprehended,
as tie steps taken will be effective in pre-
serving peace and good order.