The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-07-22


moments the streets were filed with peo-
pie Fastening in the directions OF the two
military headquarters. The crowds In the lower
portion OF the city, composed principally OF the
working classes gathered around the armory Of
the Sixth regiment, which is situated on the cor
ner OF Front and Gay Streets and adjoining the
stream known as Jones' Falls. The armory occu-
pies the second and third noors OF a large ware
house, and Is nearly opposite the shot tower. The
neichborhood. although not to he considered the
Sums Of the city, Is Inhabited principally by the
poorer classes and Is adjacent to many haunts Of
vice.
sURGIxG MASS.
The crowd collected rapidly on all sides OF the
building, and In less than half an hour the streets
approaching 1t were blocked up with a surgne
mass OF humanity, numbering fully five thousand.
Four policemen stood at the door OF the arm0ry for
tho purpose of preventing the entrance OF any but
members OF the regiment These the crowd
openly dened with boots, Kisses and curses,
coupled with every manner or abuse. When
man in soldiers uniform appeared or attempted
to make his way through the crowd he was set
upon, beaten, and In one or two thrown over
the bridge into the stream below. Some seeing
what awaited them, and being unarmed, returned
to their homes The crowd commenced hurting
missiles at the building, and the whiz OF an oc-
casonal bullet was heard amid the din caused by
their shreks and bowls.
RETREAT OF THE GUARDS.
II becoming evident that the guard at the door
were only endangered by the stones thrown nc
them they were ordered In side and the doors,
which were OF heavy plate glass, were closed. The
retreat OF the guard was hailed by the mob an
indication that the military were intimdated, and
a shower Of bricks and stones were hurled at their
retreating forms, and the doors, and windows shat
tered and an ofiicer badly injured
The crowd in the street meanwhile was con.
stantly increasing and becoming every moment
more and more furious The Captain OF the police
Of that district next appeared upon the scene and
expressed his inability to do anything with the
force at his command to quell the riot.
PREPARING THE FRAY.
Inside the armory all was busy with quiet prep.
aration The companies were being formed and
each man furnished with twenty rounds OF ammu-
nitIon The members appeared calm and collected
notwithstanding the assaults made upon the outside.
At fifteen minutes past eight I. M, the prcpara-
tons being completed, the order given for Com.
pany to leave the armory the police having been
previously notified to open the doors ana then
stand aside. The door only wide enough to
admit Of the passage OF two men at once, and NJ
their appearance perfect shower OF missiles fell
upon them, followed by the more deadly contents
Of revolvers and other smallarms The utmost
but, regaining their composure, marched out into
the street. AS they formed IN line the first rank
drew up their rifles and poured deadly volley into
the mass OF humanity in front OF them, which scat
tered the crowd Temporarily in every direction.
THE MOB RALLY.
few moments delay Oh the part or the troops
enabled the mob to return to the field from tho
alleys and cellars where they had taken refuge,
and a second attack was made, not only with bricks
and stones but with numerous smallarms. This
was repuised, as had been the former. The houses
In the neghborhood were pierced with bullets,
and the windows for u square shattered; the
street was strcwn with debris, and the dead
and wounded were LETT wctering in blood where
they fell. AL this time the troops had
moved but few yards from the armory
and the crowd was constantly augmented by peo-
pie hurryng TO the spot In search OF friends whom
they feared might he in the ne'ee, news OF which
had reached all sections or the city in an Incredible
short time. After leaving the armory the soldiers
marched mp Gay TO Baltimore street. followed, in
fact surrounded, by the howiiAe mob. On turning
into Baltimore street they were again attacked.
1t was nearly nine O'Clock and the streets
were throngcd with people in the pursuit
OF their legitimate business. These were
swayed aside by the throng surrounding
the troops, and every moment or two fas. OF
wild tumult OF the scene tt
cF DESPERATE FIGHTING.
Between Gay and Calvert, on Baltimore street,
In which location all the newspaper Offices are
situated the troops actually fought their way step
by step, and the battle did not cease until the
depot had been reached.
ACTION THE FIFTH REGIMENT.
The Fifth regiment, which Is the crack corps OF
the city, assembled az their armory at the same
hour as the Sixth. and left for the depot
at about seven O'Clock The route OF the Finn lay
IN direct line south, through Eutaw street, u
distance OF about one mile to the depot on cav.
ng The armory they were greeted with cheers and
rounds OF applause from an immense crowd Of the
better portion OF the citizens. They numbered 80
men, each OF whom we're, like the sixth, provided
with twenty rounds OF cartridges. All
along the route they met with demon
STATIONS OF approval from the people who
fhrongcd the sidewalks. On their arrival
at Camden Station the tone and humor of the
crowd took a decided change. and they were
hooted and Jeercd by several hundred men who
had congrcgatcd in that neighborhood No notice
was taken OF 1t until the rear companies filed into
the depot, when they were attacked by the mob
with stones, bricks and budgeons. and many OF
them seriously injured a squad OF police, who
went 10 their relief were also roughly handled and
driven back by the rioters and several OF them
knocked down and severely beaten. Several mus
kcts were also taken from the PROSTATE guards
men, which wcre however, recapturcd In u gallant
charge made by one OF the companies with liked
bayonets The extra ammunition for the regiment
had been carried into the armory and placed in
front Of the ticket ONCE. An attempt was made
by the rioters TO capture this but they were twice
rcpulsed.
AT CAMDEN STATION.
Shortly after nine O'Clock Camden station was
surrounded by crowd numbering at least ten
thousand men. Notice sent 10 each Of the sta
lion houses for all the available force at their
mand but pending their arrival the mob was con-
stantiy becoming augmented number OF men
seized upon engine and, opening the throttle,
jumped or leaving 1t TO pursue its way along the
track. IL shortly came In collision with n box
car and was turned over down the hill Efforts to