The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-04
RIcHMoNp.s nRnAp hIor.
jefferson Davis Describes war limo
Incident.

Joiforson Davis Describes n War limo
Incident
Bcanvolr Letter to the Richmond Dispatch.
On the day Of the riot (Apri 2. 1859,
Mr.. Davis said. he received word while in
his Office in Richmond that q serious dis
turbance. which tho Mayor aud Gov.
Lcicher with the State forces under his
command were entirely unable 10 rcprcss,
was in progress on the strcciA lie quickly
proceeded 10 the scene OF tho trouble In
the lower portion Of the city. whittier the
venerable Mayor had preceded him. lie
found large crowd ON Main street, al
though the mass OF the rioters we're con.
gregalcd ON one Of the side streets leading
into that thoroughiarc. They were headed
by tall, daring, Amazonianlooking wom-
an, who had n white feather standing
erect from her hat, and who was
evidently directing tho movements Of
the plundccrs. Tho main avenue was
blocked by a dray from which the horses
had been taken, aud which had been
hauled across the street, and Il was par
iicularly noticeable that though the mob
claimed that they wero starving and
wanted bread they had not confined their
operations toiood supplies. but had passed
by, without any effort TO attack, several
provision stores aud bakeries, while they
had completely Quilted one jcwclry store
and had also looted some millinery and
clothing shops Ia the vicinity.
At the Confederate Armory in Rich.
mond were engaged n number Of armorcrs
and artisans enrolled 10y Gen. Gorgas.
Chief OF Ordnance. To work especially Tor
the Government These men had boon
organized into military company under
the command Of a Captain, whose bearing
was tina, Of a trained, sturdy soldier, ac-
cusiomcd 10 obey orders, aud ready 10 do
his duty unilinchinyly, no matter what
Il might be. This company had been
promptly ordered 10 the scene Of the riot,
and arrived shortly after Mr.. Davis.
Mr. DAVIS mounted the dmy mentioned
aud made brief address 81 the formidable
crowd Of both sexes, urging ihcm 10 ab.
stain from thcr lawlcs, acts lilo reminded
them OF how they had taken icwclry and
tncry instead ot supplying themselves
with the bread, for the lack Of which they
claimed they wcrc suffering. lle con.
cludrd 10y saying you 6ay you are
] NNNtlN hNh hhNN no uloNNNs littt ~ III l
have, ~ not much, but take H." lie
then, cmptying his pockets, throw oil the
money they contained among tho mob,
after which he took cut his watch and said:
we 20 not desire 10 injuro anyone, hui
this lawlvssncs must stop. will Civ,
You I've minutes 10 dispense, otherwise
you will DO fired on" Tho order wa
gwen tho company 20 prepare for firing
and the grim, rcsoluto Old Caplain-w ho,
MI Davis said, was an old resident OF
Richmond. hut whose namo he does moi
recall gave his men tho command,
load" The muskois wcrc then loaded
with buck aud ball cartridges, with stric
Observance Of military usage, aud cyery
one could SEQ that when their stern com
mandcr received orders 20 firc he intended
to shoot 10 Kill. Tho mob evidently full,
realized this fact, aud began TO dispense
aud before the i've minutes had cxpircJ
the trouble was over aud the famous
misnamod bread riot was at an end.