The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1878-10-17

companies royalty OF Sl luT eaCu Illus
ket, or $4,000 for the whole, which,
Kimpton, being paymaster, discounted
and paid at $1,000. J. B. Dennis also
swears that he was paid commission on
the Winchester purchase, which he dl-
vided with T. j. Moses.
Although the contracts for the pur-
chase and change of arms and ammuni-
tion amounted only to S1S0,750, yet the
records of the State Treasurer's Office
from September, 1870, to October, 1871,
shows payments for this purpose 70 the
amount, within q fraction, of $3.50, 900.
Where the difference went to can only
be coDjectured.
Having thus expended more than
100000 in enrolment, $3.50. 900 in the
purchase of arms and ammunition, the
distribution of such arms and ammuni-
ton commenced, preparatory to the
memorable political campaign of 1870.
The militia thus organized presented an
army of near 100000 men--a large pro-
portion of them armed and equipped.
The very few white companies allowed
were disbauded and arms taken away,
because the colored militia expressed
strong dissatisfaction at any white COM
panies being enrolled and armed.
Numbers of persons, both male and
female, were on the militia roll, and paid
for supposed political influence; the Ad-
jutant and Inspector Generals office per-
verted from its Legitimate business to an
electioneering and corrupting bureau /;
arms, ammunition and accoutrements
issued, helter-skelter, to nominal officers
and men who could neither read or write
10000 cartridges actually being dis
tributed TO several counties ut one time.
It would seem that the ring selected
well the most ignorant and untutored to
do their nefarious bidding, as it could
hardly be imagined that persons of the
commonest understanding could be in.
veigled into such monstrous frauds and
reckless waste of public money. And all
this occurred in time of the profoundest
peace. However much the wild waste of
money is to be deplored, denounced and
punished, if practicable, yet the terrible
effect upon the peace and harmony of
the people of the State cannot be i'm
agined, much less portrayed in words.
What can the good people Of the United
States or of the civilized world think of
the heartless wretches who placed arms
and ammunition into the hands of thous-
ands of poor, ignorant, deluded and be-
trayed negroes as proper and necessasy
instruments by which to carry on an elec-
ton? The lamentable result may long
remain in the distinct and seeming an
tagonism between the races III the State !;
and that it did not culminate in general
bloodshed and havoc is not to be credited
either to the humanity or good conduct
of the Republican organizers or leaders.
AS illustrative of the object for which
the militia was organized, the political
complexion given to it, aud to show the
low espionage TO which the white people
of all classes were subjected, your COM
mittee would refer to the letter of B. G.
Yocum, q notorious carpet-bagger and
colonel of negro regiment; also other
letters from deputy constables upon the
same subject, only few being selected
for publication from large number in
the hands of your committee. One
prominent fact stands out in bold relief:
that whilst the white people were taxed
thus oppressively for arms and ammuni-
ton, there was settled design and pur-
pose that no white company should be
organized or armed, and even the few
arms purchased by private means occa-
stoned pretended trepidation and alarm,
and was made the special subject for OBJ
servation and sensational reports. The
writers of the letters submitted were
mainly strangers imported by Governor
R. K. Scott and John ]. Patterson, as
will appear from the evidence under the
head Of EARNED Force"
CHESTER, S. c., Sept. 2, 1870.
Capt. John B. Hubbard, Ctief Constable:
SIR: 1 have written the Governor con-
cerning cavalry company that appears
to have been accepted by his Excellency
as part of the militia in this county.
Now I will tell you what such policy
ANTS to. The present companies that
have already been armed and equipped
are loyal, peaceable, orderly and efficient,
and can be controlled for the good of the
country. They are insenced over the
prospect of having an armed and author
lied enemy to contend against, and say if
the Governor is going to ARIA the white
K. KS to operate against them, he, the
Gov, can take back the guns and COM
missions that has been already sent to
this county. 1t may be very fine for the
Gov. to make such experiments, but it
does not suite the loyal citizens of Chester.
It might be satisfaction to some TO
prove to the world that these, men are yet
disloyal and will resort to oloolshed to
satisfy their depraved dispositions. But
if such should come, it will not be so
funny if our best men get killed by those
villins. The Gov. says punish them for
their crimes, there is no sense in such
talk. Does he .hink lot of ignorant
colored men with clumsy muskets in
their hands can catch squad of expe-
rienced soldiers on blooded horses. II so
my knowledge of military movements
are insufficient, and l shall respectfully
resign and give place to such competent
officer. l cannot imagine what kind of
policy it is to arm the very men that
caused my being sent here. This is the
best will say with regard to the case,
and when I see their is no other way but
to have fight, L will gather what men
that will stand by me and make the best
fight can. The opposite party make no
secret of their intention of arIning against
our militia. Very respectfully,
B. G.. YocUM,
Col. 14th Regiment, N. Ct. S. G.
YoRKvILLE, S. c., June 25, 1870.
Captain John B. Hubbard, Chief C0nsta-
BILE, Columbia, s. c.:
DEAR CAPTAIN-I am visiting some
of the Leagues and intend to try and get
into the convention and be elected to the
Legislature. The Democrats are quiet
now but playing possum. Some of them
say they intend to organize all over the
State against SCOTS militia. L have it
from good authority that the whites are
receiving guns through the merchants