The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-07-27
THE HAMBURG OUTRAGE.
Six Negroes Shot in Cold Blood-A Blot
on the Civilization of the South-The


Story Told by Gov. Chamberlain.
The following letter from Gov. Chamber
lain, of South Carolina, to Senator Robertson,
of that State, at Washington, details the story
of the late riot at Hamburg, S. G. The riot
was caused by the whites, and was attended
with the atrocity of six unarmed negroes being
shot in cold blood. Gov. Chamberlain says
that the punishment of the offenders is de-
manded by the honor of the State.
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, Executive CHAMBER
COLUMBIA, July 49, 1876 {
The Hon. T. J. Robertson, United States Senator,
Washington, D. G.
DEAR SIR: Your request for a statement from
of the recent bloody affair at Hamburg, in this
State was duly received. L have waited before
plying until official reports and statements should
be received. There are now before me the official
reports of the Attorney General and the Adjutant
and Inspector Generals the testimony taken at the
Coroner's inquest, and the written statements OF
several other persons who were present and wit
messed the whole or parts of the affair. will pre-
sent to you, briefly possible, the leading facts
as they appear from the evidence to which have
referred. @t
On the 4th of July instant company of the State
militia (colored) were marching along one OF the
streets of Hamburg. The street was over 100 feet
wide, and the company was marching IN coumn OF
tours. While marching it was met by two young
white men in buggy, who insisted in keeping their
course in the street without regard to the move
ments of the militia, and drove against the head of
the column, which thereupon halted. Some par
leying took place, which resulted in the company
yielding, opening their ranks and allowing the
Young men to proceed ON their course. On the fol-
lowing day the young referred to took out war
rants of arrest against some OF the officers OF the
militia company, who were brought before trlal
Justice for trial. The trial afterward adjourned
till o. m. Saturday. the 9Th inst Before that
hour arrived on Saturday many white citizens from
the country around Hamburg began to gather in
the town, armed with guns and pistols. The mi
litia company, in the meanwhile, had assembled at
their armory in the village, and at the hour set for
trial the defendants did not appear At this point
has hnn
that the militia officers having detied the authority
OF the trial Justice, the citizens called on to
assist the trial Justice by acting as his posse.
Nothing Of the kind in fact, occurred. The mi
tia failed to appear because OF their fear OF injury
at the hands of the armed white men, and the trial
Justice, after formally calling them, took no fur
Their steps to their presence in his court, on
account of the excitement and the evidences of an
impending conflict.
While affairs were in this condition, there being,
according to all accounts, from 200 to 300 armed
white men from the surrounding country in the
town, demand was made by the whites for the
surrender to them of the arms of the militia An
hour or two passed in negotiations concerning this
demand the whites informing the militia company
that if the arms were not given up IN short time
nost of the witnesses say in half hour) the whites
would open fire the militia. The militia refused
to deliver up their arms, saying that the demand
wholly unwarranted and illegal, and that they
had reason to fear for their lives if they gave up
their arms. A brisk fire was then opened by the
whites upon the building in which the militia were
assembled, and, soon after, one OF the attacking
party was killed by shot from the militia in the
building. Apiece Of artillery was thereupon brought
across the bridge from Augusta loaded with CAMS.
ter and fired several times at the building. This
had the effect to cause the militia to endeavor to
make their escape from the rear of the building.
The Town Marshal of Hamburg--a colored man
who leaving the building, was instantly shot by
the attacking party. While thus endeaYoring to
escape from the building 20 or 25 of the militia
were captured by the attacking party, and kept I'M
der guard for several hours. Finally, about O'Clock
on the morning of the 9Th of July-Sunday-af
consultation among their captors, and with complete
apparent deliberation five of the captured militia
men mPrched OUT one by one, and shot to
death in the presence of large body OF their cap
tors. The rest of the captured party were either
turned loose or broke loose and ran. They were
fired upon they ran, and three OF them severely
wounded-one Of them probably mortally.
Attorney General Stone thus succincty reports
this part of the affair." g Six men took A. I. Alta
way out of the ring He and his mother begged
for his life but in vain He was told to turn around
and was shot to death by the crowd David Phillips
was next taken out and was similarly killed Pom
pey Curry was next called out. He recognized
among the bystanders Henry Getzen and DR.. Pierce
Butler, and called on them to keep the other men
from killing him. He ran, and was shot as he ran
one bullet striking him in the leg below the knee
Afterward Albert Myniarst, Moses Parks, and
Hampton Stevens were killed. Stevens did not be-
long to the company"
The Attorney General who has personally visited
Hamburg, thus concludes his official report to me-
E'Making due allowance for in minor details
the facts show that the demand on the militia to
give up their made by persons without
lawful authority enforce such demands, or to re-
ceiye the arms had they been surrendered; that
the attack the militia to compel compliance
with this demand was without justification or ex-
cuse and that after there had been some twenty or
twenty-five prisoners captul ed and completely in
the power of their captors, and without means of
making further resistance, five of them were de-
liberately shot to death and three more severely
wounded" Sucn was the affair at Hamburg. II
you can find words to characterize it's atrocity and
barbarsm, the triviality of the causes, the muir
derous and inhuman spirit which marked it in all
its stages, your power of language exceeds mine
the slaughter of Custer and his soldiers, for they
were shot in open battle. The victims at Hamburg
were murdered in cold blood after they had sur
rendered and were utterly defenseless. No occa-
sion existed for causing the presence OF single
armed citizen in Hamburg the day of this mas
sacre No violence was offered or threatened to
any one. It is indeed said, usual, that 'the mig
gers were impudent; :" but the evidence shows that
all the actual physical aggression the part of
the whites; that they made demand which they
had no right to make, and that when that demand
was refused, it should have been, they pro-
ceeded to enforce it by arms, and crowned their
success in enforcing their demands by brutal
murders.
Shame and disgust must fill the breast of every
man who respects his or human nature as he
reads this tale. TO me in my official capacity,
wherein you will testify have done my utmost, at
no little risk of personal and political detraction
from my political friends, to remove abuses and re-
store good government aud harmony to our people,
the occurrence Of such an appalling example OF
human passion and deprav1ty comes as deep NOR
tfcation and encouragement. What hope can we
have when such cruel, bloodthirsty spirit waits in
our midst for it's hour of qualification? Is our
civilization so shallow? Is wantonly
cruel? Such acts call for condemnation and pun
ishment-for condemnation as bloody blot on the
record of your race and mine, cruel affront to
race whose long-suffering, patience, and forbear
challenge the admiration and gratitude of the
world, and shameful dishonor to the name of
South Carolina; for punishment as a violation of
the laws of the State, and wanton blow at the
peace and happiness of our State. am glad to
testify to the horror which this event has excited
among many here who have not been wont to
heartily condemn many Of the past bloody occur
rences at the South. Nothing, however, short of
condign and ample punishment discharge the
obligation of society and State toward the au-
thors Of such causeless and cruel massacre. Very
respectfully, your obedient servant,
d. II. CHAMBERLAIN,
Governor of South Carolina.
The Affair Discussed in Congressman
other Account of the Slaughter.
The bill for the nrOtaction of the Texas