Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-03-20
louisiana.

Matters were assuming feVerlsh cast around
the Statr!lIousc,u New Orleans, yesterday and
Thugs looked moro than ever like coufict. by
8 81 0 clock IN the morning there were gather.
cd about the St. L0us and Royal street en-
frances about thousand negroes, who served
to make the place pandcmonium. These ne
groes were evidently from the country, and
were there to join Packard's militia, which be
is now engaged in recruiting. lie now admits
that h. will, as So0n as possible, take back the
pricc stations, AID says he would got remain
10 tie building lwo hours if he had all Of his
arms back. 1t can be put down as a settled
fact that within 4 very few days at the iarthcst
Packard will break the peace. His hackers at
the station house are hot for war; and nothing
but Tic probable outcome is talked about. 1t
is reported he is already negotiating for the
purchase Of arms, and all funds collectlble are
20 be used in securing them. The Packard
faction boast that they do not want the troops
% Interfere, and they assert it might makes
right they have might
The n. q. Dclnocla! Of yesterday evening
says: "Our citizens should be prepared for the
turning loose on the streets Of gang Of iguo-
rant negroes, led by bad men, for that now is
evidently the policy of Packard. The situation
is assuming much more Of war-Ike attitude
than ever before since January 9, and the re-
sppGsibilty Of the matter will rest on Packard,
aud The fruits lie will gather will be most bit
ter.
The Nichols police have arrested Packard's
recruiting officers. Several have been locked
up, charged with attempting to create riot and
cnlistIpg men to overthrow the government of
Louisiana They will have q bearing to-
day.
Attorney General Ogden, OF New Orleans,
has filed in the Fifth District Court petition
for writ of ciectment against S. B. Packard,
claiming 10 be Governor, G. B. johnson, claim
ing to be Superintendent of Education, and
and others residing 10 the ST. Louis Hotel
building known as the State House. The pc.
tition sets forth that these persons are unlaw-
fully in possession Of said building, and 10 the
name of the State asks that the present occu-
pants be dispossessed tberefrom and the right.
full claimants, officers Of the Nichols Govern
ment, be given possession. The court has not
yet been called upon to take action 10 the prem
ses, but it is likely such action will be invoked
very sa0n.
4 New Orleans special says upwards of 800
negroes we're enrolled in the Packard militia
yesterday making The total force Of men at the
State House about 500
THE TRIAL OF MAJOR RENo.-The trial of
Major a. Reno, Tth cavalry, commanding Fort
Abercrombie, which has been progressing be.
fore the court. martial at St. Paul, is drawing
to a close. Ex-Governor Davis summed up
for Reno yesterday, and the Judge advocate,
Major Burr, will close today. The trial is
private. but it is Known that charges were
brought by Capt }. NJ. Bell stationed at Fort
Abercrombie. specifying Infamous proposals to
Bells wife, and slanderous conversation and
writiog concerning her.
These charges were understood to have been |
sustained by evidence of Mrs. Bell, aud by |
evidence OF an army chaplain that Reno has
cast decided reflections on the character Of Mrs. |
Bell when talking 10 him, 1.-THE chaplaln.) The |
opinion 10 many circles is general that Reno |
will be found guilty and his dismissal from the
service recommended.
Mr. John r. Ford, Of Baltimore, and Mrp.
Edwin Booth had Very pleasant interview of
, social nature only with the President and
Mis-. Hayes, yesterday. The President spoke
r complimentary terms 20 Mrs Booth of her
talented husbaud-IhO has never been in
" ashington since Lincoln : assassination.