New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-12-15
THE TROOPS AT PETERSBURG.


direct vote will now be pressed in the Senate.
THE TROOPS AT PETERSBURG.
snvc,,I. MESSAGE OF PRESIDENT GRANT--A sAR-
Castle sHoT AT THOSE WHO ARE COMPLAINING.
10 the Senate of the United States In answer to
,aoluton of the Senate of the 9th inst requesting
attenuation as to whether troops of the United
states were stationed at the City of Petersburg in
the State of Virginia on the 9TH of November 1876,
and if So under what authority and for what pur-
submit the inclosed letter from the Secretary
of War to whom the resolution was referred, to-
Oether with the report of the General of the Army
and accompanying papers. These Enclosures VIII
give all information called for by the resolution
and / confidently believe will justify the
action taken. 1t is well understood that
the presence of the United States troops
at polling places prevented the full exercise OF
the franchise by any citizen OF whatever poltical
faith. IT, then, they have had any effect upon the
ballot cast il has been to insure protection to the
citizen casting it, in giving it to the candidate OF his
unbiased choice without fear. and thus securing the
very essence of liberty. 1t may be That the
presence of "a United States soldiers, under the
command of captain and lieutenant, quartered 10
the CustomhOuse of Petersburg, Va, on the Tth OF
November at considerable distance from any poll
ing place, without any interference on their part
whatever, and without gong near the polls during
the election may hare secured different result rom
,hat woud hare been obtained II they had not been there
Ito maintain the peace in case of riot on TIC race OF
The returns But if such is the case, it is only proof
that in this one Congressional district in the State of
Virginia the legal and constitutional voters have
been able to return, elected, the candidates OF
their choice. U. 5. GRANT.
Ereeutipe Mansion, Dec ID, 1876.
rYTEhe italics and the parenhesis the Presidential
The letter of the Secretary of War is dated Dec.
IL 1876 and incloses the report of the General OF
the Army, and communication with its Enclosures
received from the Attorney General. The letter OF
the latter incoses copies of papers on file in his Of
fee containing information which, he states, shows
the necessity for sending troops to Petersburg, VA
on the 9TH of November last, the day of the cleo
ton. The following is Gen. Sherman's report
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES,
WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 1876.
Tie Hon, ]. ID. CAMERON, Secretary Of Var.
eIa: In compliance with your reference OF the 7th
inst to the resolution of the Senate calling for report
whether troops OF the United States were stationed III
the CITY of Petersburg in the State of Virginia. the
Ito Of November 1876 and If under what authority
and for what purpose the honor TO report that
Company b. Capt Breckenridge of the I'd United States
Artillery was posted at Petersburg, Va, from Nov
4 until Nov. IS, when 1t was recalled To us
proper station Fort FoOte, Nd. To more complete I'M
derstandng of the case will add that the ID day Of
November gentleman came to me from the Attorney
General representing that there reason to appre-
bend breach Of the peace at Petersburg Va and ask
ing detachment OF troops to be sent there You being
then absent saw Judge Taft in person. and he advised
that company Of soldiers be sent to Petersburg prac
teable and the next day, being in New-YOrG City, saw
GEN Hancock person. and after inquiries as 10
the troops available ordered him to send the above des
ignated company Petersburg TO remain during the
election Of Nov and then to return 10 ITS post in
close copy of his orders also copy of General orders
Nos IS and o. which include all orders and instructions
made to the troops arriving in districts where disturb
ances were apprehended have the honor TO be your
obedient servant W. I. SHERMAN, General
The inclosure embraces afidavits &C., relative to
tho necessity for troops at Petersburg. covering
some thirty pages of manuscript. The first is the
sworn statement of Geo. N. Marble, to the effect
that on the 25th day of May last he was engaged
IN building short distance from the polls In dis
tributng Republican tickets, when an armed body
Of the opposition party, with officers and marching
in line assaulted free colOred man IN front OF MS
building with clubs and stones, which they used
without semblance of mercy, besides shooting one
man in the face after they had knocked him down
with stone. Marble who had escaped from the
building at the beginning of the attack was imme-
diaiely arrested and carried before the judges Of
election, who committed him to Jail for "inciting
riot without any hearing whatever. When brought
before the Mayor no one appeared TO make com
PLANT and Marble was discharged. He adds that
be firmly believes that the Republican voters Of the
city will not 90 out at the Fall election unless the
Government will furnish them ample protection by
sending troops for that purpose.
Other aiidayits in relation to Outrages in May,
and expressing the belief that the presence of troops
Sas necessary to protect the Republicans at the
polls, and which were made public about the time
troops were sent to Petersburg, followed. Letters
from L. L. Lewis, United States Attorney, and Z. L.
Ramsdel United States Marshall are also appended.
They relate to the subject. and also to the late
disturbance to the 30th of October, when Messrs'
Segar, Ball, and Dezendorf were assaulted. and
Republican meeting broken up. Copies OF Virginia
newspapers and some printed copies of orders from
the War DepaFtmentare also embraced in the in
closures.