New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-07-23


have been well to have waited until that in
quest had given to the world the result Of
| its determination before casting this fire
brand into this assembly.
But l do not propose to address this
House longer upon this subject. arose
| simply to give my reasons for asking that
the letter be read which send to the
ler himself; 1t is signed by him; there is no
hiding of his signature. He desires that the
world shall know what part he took in the
| matter.
Mr. Couger-Is he the same General But
| Ter that is charged in the other letter with
| being engaged in this affair
Mr.. Hartridge-Hs is the same General
Butler.
Mr.. Douglss-And gentleman, as
know
Mr. Conger-He may he gentleman, but
ask is he the person charged in the other
letter.
Mr.. Hartridge-He is the same General
Butler who is slandered by that communi-
cation
Mr.. Cook-And he is the peer of any man
on this door.
Mr. Hartridge-I ask that the letter that
| send to the clerks desk be read as pOr-
ton Of my remarks.
Mr.. McDougal-Will the gentleman yield
to me for question.
Mr.. Hartrldge-Lst the letter be first
read.
Mr. McDougal.-Is this General Butler
an officer of the militia of South Cardinal
Mr.. Hartridge-Let the letter oe read.
The clerk read the following from the
Augusta Constit,tionaiist, published in Au-
gusta, Georgia, July ID. 1876
Tho following is General N. C. Buffers
account of the Hamburg militia riot of Sat
urday night The General begins By saying
that
Certain newspapers, editors and report
ers have done me- 30 much injustice by false
reports in reference to the recent disturb
snce in Hamburg, that it is due to myself to
make to the public statement of nay con-
nsctiOn with it.
ION Friday evening, July Z. Colonel
Charles Shaw, with his brother, Rev. Viii.
liam Shaw, were at Eigeield Courthouse.
to see Mr.. II. w. Addison and Mr.. A. J.
FORTS and myself on business. After trans
acting it, Colonel Shaw said to me that Mr..
Robert j. Butler. who lives near Ham burg
in Aiken county, desired me to be at Ham
burg on the following evening Saturday
at four o'clock to represent professionally
his son. Thomas Butler. and sOn-in.la
Henry Gelsen, in a trial TO be held before
Trial Justice Prince Rivers.
'.Mr. Butler has been a lucrative client OF
niue for many years. l inquired Of Colonel
Shaw if he knew the nature of the case to
be tried. and he said he knew nothing ex-
cept what he had heard; that these two
young men had had an alteration with q
company of negro militia in the streets Of
Hamburg on the fourth Of July. and that
Mr.. Robert Butler had complained to R:v-
ers, the Major General of militia and TRIAL
justice. and he supposed the tria: referred
to that matter accordingly left Edgetield
o. nine O'Clock the next morning in buggy.
When had gone about seven miles on the
old stage road met Dr.. John Wise. vino in
CURED If I had heard the news from Ham.
burg. I replied that l had heard nothing
special, but was On my way TO Hamburg to
attend trial before Rivers. He said tn.
information had reached his leighbOrhood
that the the negro militia had threatened to
lynch Thomas Butter and Henry Gelson if
they were not convicted, and that several
young men had gone in that direction.
when nearing the town l sent vo-d 20
Mr.. Robert Butler to meet me in Hamburg
AID give me the facts of the case IN which
ne wished me to appear. Mr.. Butler did
meet NE IL short time; and I there. TOR
the frst time, ascertained the char ac.er of
the trouble. had nothing whatever 10 do
with the matter up to that time. Knew
nothing bu. what l have stated. Ny bus;-
ness there was simply professional. l had
nothing about me but one Law book, and
no more idea Of there being collision than
an utter stranger. | learned after reaching
Hamburg that Mr.. Henry Sparnick OF
Aiken, was in town. as the attorney of the
colorsd militia. and sent for him with
view Of arranging for the trial or edecting
some arrangement between the parties.
Mr.. Sparnick met me. and I think will do
me the justice to say that my earnest effort
was to prevent any further trouble. if pos
sible, and he appeared equally anxious.
MIR. Robert Butler then interpOsed and
said 70 Mr.. Sparnick that if these men
would make Acknowledgements for their
abuse and maltreatment of his son and SON.
in-law he would be satisfied. l said nothing
about any apology myself. Il was then
proposed that We hold conference with
the officers of the militia company and
Prince Rivers and see if we could not ad-
just matters. l made this proposition to
Mr.: Sparnick and ne assented, saying he
had influence with the negroes and ne
thought We could arrange it. He went of.
as supposed, to bring bis clients, and did
not return. Sam Spencer, negro man,
came to Mr.. Damm's store, where l was
with Mr. Robeet Butler, his con and son-in-
law, and said that he desired to see me
privately.
II at once went into Mr.. Damms back
room. he said he was sorry to see so much
oAClttmeut, anu tApEossou regrets at IL.
When he said that he thought inasmuch as
Trial Justice Rivers was to hear the case
he would prefer not to be in the conference.
l agreed with the propriety of that position
and ne then said that the officers of Doc.
Adams's militia company would meet me,
but did not like to come to me at Damms
store, as there were armed men there, but
would meet me at his tSpencer's) Office if
agreeable to me. l said certainly; l would
IA
preferred. He then went OF, and did not
return. The time appointed for the trial
having arrived. proceeded with my clients
to the trial Justices office. Rivers was not
in, and after a time his clerk went for him,
and he opened his court. l inquired, as a
preliminary question, whether he was sit.
ting az civil or military officer. He re.
piled that that depended upon the facts as
they would bs developed; that he was then
acting as peace officer. l remarked that
l was Indifferent as to the character Of the
court, as we only desired to arrive at the
facts, and inquired if the accused parties
would bs present. He said that he did not
know, but would have them called, which
his constable proceeded to do from the
door.
about this time Sam Spencer came in
and said to me that he thought if the trial
could be suspended the matter could be
settled. | replied that he must see the trial
justice, and if he would suspend had no
objections; whereupon Rivers announced
the case suspended for ten minutes, and l
was invited by the intendant of the town,
a negro named Gardner, to the council
chamber for the purpose of meeting the
militia officers of Adams's company. re.
paired at once to that place and remained
there about quarter of an hour, nobody
appearing but Gardner, with whom had
some talk as to the necessity of something
being speedily done, and that l thought
the best solution Of the matter was that
these people should deliver up their arms as
a maana of safflinn tho nraSonf d;fHonlfu