The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-12-30
THE PITTSBURGH RIOTERS.
dDJUTaNT-0E ENERIL LATTI'S REPORT
or THE DISTuRBINCEs
Declaring that the Mob was Encouraged by
Public Sentiment and by the Press-The
National Guard Deserted by the sherfm.

AN~'"""' Deserteu Dy Shertu.
HARRISBURG, Dec. 29.-Thc following Is an
abstract OF the Adjutant Generals report Of the
labor disturbances OF last july
After being notified by the Pennsylvania Rail-
road officials that their trains had been stopped
at Pittsburgh. and that conflicts had ensucd
when an attempt was made to run them he
started for Harrisburg. and. while en- route.
received telegram from the Sheriff OF
Allegheny county that mob existed in
Pittsburgh and were stopping railway trains.
Cen Pearson was directed TO aid the civil au-
thortics with troops under his command at
Pittsburgh. On July 90. having received do
spatch from Cen Pearson. informing him that
strong force would be necessary to qucll the
disturbance, the Adjutant- General Immediately
left Tor Pittsburgh. A but 26O out Of the 900
In the Pittsburgh division of tho National
Guard had reported for duty. and IA matters
were getting worse. four other divisions were
ordered under arms Upon his arrival he was
astonished to find that public sentiment wns in
accord and sympathy with tho strikers. II not
openly support ing their course vet 10y its nc
Guicecence and non condemnation Of their un-
lawful acts certainly afording popular en-
'Vni"E''i"'". n'", = "i~i e. e"rre~' 'hn rvl-
disposed In all that had been done 10y them.
This sympnthy was almost unanimously en-
dorsed 10y the newspapers Of Pittsburgh which.
aged the action OF the State authorities or 81 fnr
countenanced those who were obstrutng
travel as to warrant them. with their passions
innamcd as they were. In assuming that law
abiding citizens believed their course to be Just
and proper.
The first detachment Of Philadelphia troops
arrived at Pittsburgh ut T. NJ July 81 $50
strong. Gen. Pearson in response to inquiries.
said he had cconndcnce in his strength. At 5;25
L. NJ. July 2l. a telegram WAS received from
Gen. Pearson. from tn. outer depot saying
that the troops had fired into the crowd
"sa and sha, numsr OF wd1 tho Later were ssSd
despatch from Gen. Pearson said that fifteen
were KILLED ana wounded, Tho rioters num-
bered 10000. and iired the first shots. After the
Hiring the Phiaislphia soldiers were desert ri
by tn sheriff and oihrreiNilians md not SIN
clc officer of the city " county. cuop"rtci with
The military. Gen. Pearson having left Gen.
Brinton in command Of the round house. said
he could not 20 hA X. that hr WIS marked man.
Gen. Lntta considered Gen. Parsons useful
nrs- at an end ani instru,t,d him to procure
other quarters. Gen. Pearson subsequently
of him. but was instructed that when he WIS
wanted h. would be sent for. This virtually
relieved Gen. Pears On from the command.
, Much cr.ucism has been pns-ed upon Zen
Pearson for his action. hut after he lrit the
oESrws hSTS 0 H. H. mi msas Hs s 'GSS in %Hn
his troops. \ number of fruitlrss attempts
were then made to provision the imprisoned
military IN the round house and a despatch
brought 10y spy caused great alarm for the
ultimate safety of the whole body Of troops and
the probability of their destruction by fir" The
riot had now assumed such magnitude as to
make II advisable to concentrate the forces.
These Instructions wer. not followed. but
another and different direction WIS taken.
Every effort was made TO have the only com
mands accesslhle-Col. Guthric's Eighteenth
Col. Hugh Rodgers. with his detachm"n, at
Walls Station. eleven miles distant move to
| the relief OF Gen. Brinton Guthrie was
| dered 10 the relief Of tho troops in the round
| house. but this attempt was rendered unncces-
sary by the withdrawal of Brinton's command
| from the round house. During the night OF
the 22d Gen. BrHtnn sent n communication
In regard TO- his troops. still suffering. aS /
know from their want Of sunr istencr Brnton
WAS ordered To- remain in position al the stock
yards and await orders. and assume command
| order To- recuperate his men Gen. Brinton was
| then directed 10 return TO Altoona and await
| further orders. and was advised oi IN intended
| riot and "A movement To- burn Harrisburg.
About this time the mob appears 10 have OK
! hau~ted itself. and burning aud llllaging
| reas, 81. Hearing of thr atcnng dem nStra.
tiun- AZ ali prominent railroad points East. AMI
! particularly at Harrisburg. the military were
| ordered On tp duty t. protect state property.
| Freling tho ncccessiiy Of my pres 'n'c 0i the
capital, started for that place rs early as pos
-ihle.
The Adiu,ant- General is unwilling to pass
| judgment "r fix responsibility for tho conflict
| between the troops and the rioters on any one.
military standing IL the several commanders
| engaged Tho report recommends the rcorsan-
izatiOn Of the National Guard. and lis euuipmc Mt
| with L uital states fatigue Uniform.