The Grange advance., 1877-01-03
MILITARY INTElFERENCE

STATES: In answer to the resolution of the
Senate OF the 9Th inst, requesting informa-
tion as to whether troops OF the United States
the State Of Virginia, on the 7th Of November,
1876, and ifso, under what authority and for
what purpose, submit the enclosed letter
from the Secretary OF War, to whom the reso-
luton was referred, together with the report
OF the General Of the army, and the accompa-
nying papers. These Enclosures will give all
and confidently believe will justify the ac-
tion taken. It is we'll understood that the
presence of United States troops at the polling
places never prevents the full exercise of the
franchise by any citizen of whatever political
faith. If then they have had any effect what
ever upon the ballot cast it has been to in
sure protection to the citizen casting it in CIV
ing it to the candidate OF his unbiased choice
Without fear, and thus securing the very es-
sence Of liberty. It may be that the presence
or "a United States soldiers, under command
of a captain and lieutenant, quartered in the
Dustan house, at Petersburg, Va, on the 7th
of ofNovember, at considerable distance from
any polling place, without any interference
near the POLLS during the election may have
secured q different result, from what would
have been obtained if they had not been
there ssto maintain peace in case of riot" on
the face 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
as elected the candidates OF their choice.
.sxa:,.,,f q. S. GRANT.
ExEcuTIvE MANSION, Dec. Ia, 1876 go '.'
The letter of the secretary of war is
dated Dec. IL 1876, and encloses the
report of the general of the army, and
a communication with it's enclosures
received from the attorney general.
The letter Of the latter encloses copies
Of papers on file in his office, contain
ing information which he states shows
the necessity for sending troops to
Petersburg, Va, on the 7th of Novem.
ber last. the day of election. The fol.
lowing is r. ~ ..q~4.. .,. .,...---
, s3 GEN. sHERMAx's REPORT. -,
Head quarters army OF the United States,
Washington, Dec. 9. 1876. Hon. J. D. Came
ron, Secretary OF War SIR: In compliance
with your letter of the 9TH inst, to the resolu-
the troops Of the United States were stationed
in the city OF Petersburg nthef Stateof Vir-
ginia on the 9TH day OF November, 1876, and
it so, under what authority and tor what pur-
pose. have the honor to report that COM
pany B, Capt. Breckenridge, Of the ID United
states Nnt artery T2s posted nsP PGte1sbur
to its proper station, Fort Foote, Maryland
To a more complete understanding Of the case
l will add that on the 2d day of November a
gentleman came to me from Attorney General
representing that there was reason to ap-
prehend breach of the peace at Petersburg,
Va, and asking detachment OF troops to
be sent there. You being then absent, saw
company Of soldiers be sent to Petersburg if
practicable, and the next day being in New
York city saw Gen. Hancock III person. and
after some inquiries as to troops available, l
ordered him to send the above designated
company to Petersburg to remain during the
election of Nov. z. an then return to its post,
lenclose copy Of his orders, also copies OF
all orders and Instructions made to. the troops
arriving in the districts where disturbances
were apprehended. l have the honor to be
your obedient servant,
''@'.'- ''. '..' w. T. SHERMAN. General
'1f"e '<5s' THE ENCLOSURES
embraced affidavits, ,etc II Telatiye to- Che
necessity oftroops at Petersburg, cov-
ering some thirty pages of manuscript.
The first is the sworn statement of
George N. Marble, to the effect that on
the 25th day of May last he was en-
gagged in a building, a short distance
from the polls, distributing Republican
tickets, when an armed body of the
opposition with officers marching in
line, assaulted a few colored men in
front Of his building with clubs and
stones, which they use without mercy,
besides shooting one man in the face
after knocking him down nswith stone.
Marble, who had escaped the
building at the beginning of the attack.
was Immediately arrested and carried
before the judges of election who com.
mitted him TO jail for melting a riot
without any hearing, whatever. When
brought before the mayor. no one ap-
peared before himto make complaint,
and Marble was discharged He adds
| that he firmly believes that the Repub.
lican voters Of the city will not go out
in the fall election unless the Govern.
ment will furnish them ample prrotec.
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