The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1878-06-14
THE BAYONET ERA IN THE SOUTH CARROLL.
MA STATE-HOUSE.

In the course Of his speech on the Army
bill delivered in the House or Representa-
tives few days ago, the Hon. Milton 1.
Southard, of Ohio, introduced some very
interesting kilograms and testimony relating
to the dark days of 1877 in Columbia
We copy this portion Of his remarks from
the official report in the Congressional Rec
ord:
On the 18th of October, 1876, this tcle-
gram was sent by Gen. Sherman to Gen.
Ruger, who had previously been transferred
to Columbia, South Carolina
T-TT HEADoTARTERs OF THE ARMY, sss
WASHINGTON, October Ia, 1876.
To Gen. Rugcr, 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. Il. SHERMAN, General.
On the 10th of October Gen. Ruger an
swered that telegram, as follows:
COLUMBIA, S. c., October 16,~1S76.
To Gen. w Z. Sherman Washington ID. g.:
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 Ellcnton riot last month. If need
more troops will ask for them. shall be
here to.,lay. 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 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 PIE ARMY.
WASHINGTON, October II, 1876
70 Gen. w s. Hancock, Commanding
Military DiVision Atlantic, Ncw York
-g6 Iu:.
isfs Hifi be necessary to reinforce Gon Ru-
ger 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-
trollcd in violation of the Constitution of
-, ~ al &c l,u,
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
ICED, not by the members who were elected
to it, bu, by the Administration here in
Washington through the use Of Federal
troops. hold here in my hands the Off
cial kilograms relating to that organization.
There was dispute about certain members
from Edgefeld and Laurcns 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 Var,
"'otfHJtOH
Cannot Edgcfcld and Laurcns men be
removed? ? They are now acting as mem
bcrs, and 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
d. II. CHAMBERLAIN, Governor.
Then followed telegram from the at
torney general to Governor Chamberlain,
and also one to Gen. Ruger from the sccre-
tary Of war. Here they are:
WAsLnNGToN, December 2, 1876.
Governor ID. III. Chamberlain, Columbia,
s.. g.
The President thinks that you should ex-
erciso your own resources as Governor in
behalf of the Legislature which you have
recognized by assisting it to purge itself of
unauthorized persons.
If you are resisted in this Gen. Ruger
has been instructed to enforce your author
ity. ALPHosNo TAFT, =,
Attorney-Gcneral.
nRn prn : ~ T,