The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1878-06-14

~~SSA A~HSAs Al WV SShSo tSoohOuui lSCC-
ord:
On the 18th of October, 1876, this tele-
gram was sent by Gen. Sherman to Gen.
Kuger, who had previously been transferred
Q Columbia, South GaIolina:
IS SssttEADQtARTERsi0f or THE ARsf7, fse@
WASHINGTON, October IA, 1876
TO Gen. Ruger, Columbia s. c.:
We are all back from California. IF you
want anything, say so want all meas
ures to originate with you. Get along with
the minimum force necessary, but you shall
have all we can give if you need them.
w. L. SHERMAN, General.
On tho 10Th of October Gen. Ruger an
swered that telegram, as follows:
COLUMBIA, S. c., October 16,>1S76.
To Gen. W T.. Sherman Washington ID. c.:
Think have troops sufficient unless cir
cumstances change. Have nineteen COM
panies in the State now, Stations of one to
four companies. Have some companies still
in reserve. No special disorder has occurred
since Ellenton riot last month If / need
more troops will ask for them. shall be
here to-day. RUGER.
Notwithstanding that telegram from Gen
Ruger, in which he said that all was peace.
full and quiet there, and that if he needed
more troops he would call for them, and
without further information, the very next
morning q proclamation was issued by
President Grant, from Washington City,
declaring South Carolina in insurrection and
there followed numerous telegrams from the
general Of the army, ordering all the troops
from the Atlantic coast, from the extreme
North to as far South as Fortress Monroe,
into the State of South Carolina.
Here is specimen. of the kilograms sent {:
HEADQUARTERS OF SHE ARMY.
WAsHINGToN, October II, 1876.
70 Gen. W s. Hancock, Commanding
Military Division Atlantic, New York
Isa sIi IS neses,aryso rofinsoroe Cen. Ru-
6f to the maximum possible, and we may
have to order every available man from the
North Atlantic posts.
Acknowledge receipt.
w. Il. SHERMAN, General.
In obedience to these orders from Washing
ton, all available forces were sent into South
Carolina and other Southern States under
pretence of preserving order, but with the
purpose and effect Of carrying the election.
Actual military possession was taken of
those States, and the elections were con-
trolled in violation of the Constitution of
your county, in violation of law, and in
violation of every principle of justice and
right.
Not only that, it did not stop there; mil
itary possession of those States was contin-
ued until long after the elections. The
Legislature of South Carolina was organ
ized, not by the members who were elected
to it, bu, by the Administration here in
Washington through the use of Federal
troops. I hold here in my hands the Off
cial kilograms relating to that organization.
There was dispute about certain members
from Edgefeld and Laurens who held the
certificate of the Supreme Court they wero,
to be elected. Governor Chamberlain sent
this telegram to Washington City:
COLUMBIA, s. c., December /, 1876.
Hon. J d. Cameron, Secretary of War,
Washington
Cannot Edgefcld and Laurens men be
removed? They are now acting as men,
bers, mud have no credentials. If they are
removed the House can act and order be
restored. Cannot We be protected against
unlawful instrusion, when we have no pow
or TO enforce the exclusion 4sg -,s5sS-
q ~ U. H, CHAMBERLAIN, Governor.
Then followed a telegram from the at
torney.general. to Governor Chamberlain,
and also one to Gen. Ruger from the secre.
tary Of war. Here they are:
WASHINGTON, December 2, 1875.
Governor d. IT. Chamberlain, Columbia,
S 3. q. Jal .sh.r a.aale .1.g
The President thinks that you should ex-
ercise your owu resources rs Governor 10
behalf of tho Legislature which you have
recognized by assisting it to purge itself of
uuauthorised persons. .,aa,45 Ss.i,S s.t,5i
If you are resisted in this Gen, Rugsr
has been instructed to enforce your xaithOr-
lily. a, s,, KS 4 ALPHosbto TAffs
n,4s@ Attolnes- Gonexfi