The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-01-30
THE BUCKSHOT WAR.
GEN. ROBERT PATTERSON 5 RECoLLEC
TIONS OF THE EVENT.


4 reporter Of the Philadelphia Press
recently interviewed Gen. Robert Pat
terson on the subject Of Gen. Grants
conduct in the Mexican war. Ia the
course of the interview General Patter-
son gave his recollection of the Buck
shot War III the following language
At the time of the BuckshOt War I was in
command of the troops that marched from
this city to restore order and quell the riot.
The difficulty arose from a few OF the lead
ers of the party then in power trying TO treat
the election as a nullity and to retain posses
sion of the Government for three years long
er. Governor Ritner, perfectly well-mean-
ing man, was persuaded to co operate IN the
matter. The friends of David Il. Porter,
Democrat candidate, who had received de.
cided majority of the votes, were determined
not to submit, and assembled at HARRISBURG
in immense mum beTS. They were led ana
commanded by about twenty-five officers of
the old regular army of the war OF lSl2.-
The mob, if ] may use the word, surrounded
the Capitol and entered the Senate chamber
and took possession, tine Speakers and some
of the Senators jumping ont Of the back
windows TO save themselves from the fury OF
the rioters. WheTeupOn an order was sent
to me by the Governor OF the state to proceed
with my division of 600 men TO Harrisburg.
], Of course, wished to 90 prepared for emer-
gencies and obtained from the United states
Arsenal at Frankfort full supply OF ammu-
milton. For the infantry mainly buckshot
cartridges, which cons sted of a cartridge
with twelve buckshot, each as good as bull
let l did this certainly not from any desire
to kill any of those in possession OF the Sen
ate chamber. many Of whom were personal
friends and old associates in the army. In
stead, l was prompted by desire to save my
own people in the event of a conflict at close
quarters, by rapidly laying over few and
dispensing the remainder.
had good reason for this, as my command
consisted in the main of the flower of Phila-
delDhia-thc best young men in l. in fact.
The exceeding good conduct of the officers
and men of that command prevented con-
flict between the troops and the mob. If
blood had been shed the whole State would
have been involved in a civil war. On my
arrival at Harrisburg l. with my staff, re-
ported to the Governor at his residence
Such was the panic at that time in Harris
burg that the Governor deemed II eXpedleut
to have MS door locked and barred, and We
could not get in, UNTIL after repeated knock
ing, q second story front window was opened
raised, and the Governor in person leaned
ont and asked who was there, and what was
wanted. ] looked up, gave him my name,
told him ! was there with my.divisiOn in Ohe-
dicnce TO his orders, and had taken posses
sion of the arsenal and put my command in
q good position. lie. at once came down.
opened the door and asked us in. After we
were seated I asked for his instructions and
desired what he wanted me to do. lie said
sent fOr them. Four or five responded and
he and they asked q variety of questions
among others, if I would obey the order of
the Speaker Of the Senate replied would
not. for that would he sustaining a party,
who, i'm my judgment, had acted very inn
properly and who ought not to be sustained.
l said l had not come for any political pur-
pose and would not sustain any party in the
wrong; that my command was composed OF
both parties, nearly as many OF the one as Of
F q
. gave, because they knew me well enough 10
know ] would not give an improper one. /
was also asked If would obey an order from
the Speaker of the House. ] said J would
not, for two reasons: First, they had organ
. lied themselves into two Houses, a Demo
/ cratic House and Wing House, and that
then did not know which was She right one.
But if there was a TcGulaTSpeak | would
not obey him as he had no right to give me
orders ] was there in obedience to the cOUu-
mands of the Governor, and would obey no
4 one else, but that I would protect the Capt.
tol and the public property aud preserve or
der.
/ was then asked, and pressed fer an an
SWcT 10y some Of the Council or Cabinet, if
would obey the orders Of the Governor.
replied that ! would obey al orders that the
. Governor had right to give One Of the
. questions following was: ''Nhat would You
( cOu-idcra proper Order?' | replied, II will
: consider that when the order is given. II
ordered to clear the Capitol and install in the
chair either or both Of the Speakers | would
not do it.. That must he settled by the Sen
ators and Representatives themselves. IT
. ordered to fire upon those they choose to cal
Rebels [ would not do it, nor would permit
a single shot TO be fired, except i'm Self-de-
feEse, if assaiied by the Rebels, OF in the
protection d public property
! The result was the entire restoration OF
Ordc. iu q few days, both Houses reorgauiz-
ing and clecting their Speakers. and David
+ H. foiteT pelng installed as Governor, as he
ought To have been.
/ desire To- cNo0rrate Governor BitneI from
all that was wrong in this matter, and il was
altogether wrong, because ! believed then
and believe now that he was forced into il
4 by set Of Inscriptions officials who had
surrounded him
heard alterward that some Of the sO-caIied
Rebels had given as high as five dollars foI
bUckshOJ cartridges to take home with then
to show the savage disposition Of the soldiery
and The terrible dangers they had gone
J through.