Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-12-15

Tie letter of the Secretary Of War is dated
December IL, 1876, and ~inclose5 the report of
tho General OF the Army and o communication,
with its Enclosures, received from the Attorney
General. Thcletter of the latter ~incloses copies
of papers on file in his Office containing informa-
ton which lie states shows the necessity for
sending troops to Petersburg, Va, on the It'll
OF November last, the day tthe election. The
following is Gen. Sherman's report.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF UNITED STATES,
WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 1876.
Hon. j. u. Cameron, Sec,eta1yg Var.
SIR:-ln compliance with your reference Of
the Ilh instant OF the resolution of the Senate,
calling for q report whether troops were
stationed 10 the city OF Petersburg, in the State
of Virginia, on the eth of November, 1875, and
il SO, under what authority and for what pur.
pose" / have The honor to report that com.
paDy &, Capt. Breckenridge, OF the ID United
States artillery, was posted at Petersburg, Va,
from November 4. to November II, when it
was recalled to its proper station, Fort Foote,
Maryland. TO a more complete understanding
Of the case, | will add that on the "a day of
November q gentleman came to mo from the
Attorney General, representing that there was
reason TO apprehend O breach OF the peace at
Petersburg, Va, and asking Il detachment Of
troops to be sent there. You being then absent,
[ saw Judge Taft in person, and he advised
that q company of soldiers be scut TO Peters
burg if practicable, and the next day, being 10
New York city, saw General Hancock, in per-
SOD, and alter some inquiries as to the troops
available | ordered him to send the above des'
iguatcd company to Petersburg. to remain
during the ~election OF November +, and then
to return to its post.
! inclosa l. copy q: his orders, also copies OF
General Orders Nes. So and So, which include
all the orders aud Instructions made to troops
arriving IN districts where disturbances were
apprehendcd.
| have the honor 10 be your ob't. asr't,
W. 4. SHERMAN, General.
The ~Iuclosurc embraces GfidaVit5, &c, rela-
| live to the necessity Tor troops at Petersburg,
covering some thirty pages Of manuscript.
The first is the sworn statement OF George N.
Marble to the effect that on the 18th day Of
| May last he was engaged, in a building u short
distance FROM the polls, distributing republican
tickets, when au armed body ofthe opposition,
with officers and marching in line, assaulted G
| few colored men 10 front Of his building with
clubs aud stones, which they used without
semblance Of mercy, besides shooting one man
10 til! face after they he'd Knocked linn down
with Il stouc. Marble, who had escaped from
the building at the beginning Of the attack,
was Immediately arrested and carried before
the judges Of the election. who committed him
to jail for melting a riot, without any hearing.
When brought before the Mayor 10 one ap.
peared before him to make complaint, and
| Marble was discharged. He adds that he firm.
Is believes the republican voters OF the city
| will not go out at the fall eletion unless the
| Government will furnish them atople protec'
ton by sending troops for that purpose.
Other afidavits in relation to the outrages
in May, and expressing the belief that the pres
encc OF troops vas necessary to protect republl'
cans at the polls, and which were made public
at the time the troops were sent to Petersburg,
follow. Letters from l.. L. Lewis, United
States Attorney, aud G.. p. Ramsdeil, United
States Marshal, are also appended. They re-
late to the same subject, and also TO the later
| disturbance on the Both oil October, wien
Messrs. Segar, Ball and De2sndorf were as
saultct, and a republican meeting broken up.
Copies OF Virginia newspapers aud some print.
ed copies Of orders from the War department
are also embraced in the Enclosures.