The record-union., 1894-08-28


yet breakfasted. Went to Armory with
staff and ordered Colonel Sperry TO pro-
vide food for the men, as provision had
been made for but half OF the command.
All this time they were standing in the
hot sun. On arrival at the Armory, pro-
ceeded up stairs to officers room. and
there held consultation with Generals
Allen, Sheehan and Dickinson. After
conierring with them, it was decided that
General Sheehan was 10 have the right OF
line by seniority of rank. General Dick
lnson expressed his approval OF this ar
rangement. by reason OF General Shee-
hams familiarity with the depot and sur
rOundings. Before coming to that con-
clusion, however, l asked General Shee-
han If he was certain OF the reliability OF
his troops. He assured me that with
the exception of Company "a, who had
informed him that they would perform
any duty except to fire upon their
friends, he was confident that they were
thoroughly loyal and reliable, every man
having been personally questioned.
After some discussion by the general
officers regarding Company A, it was
decided to order them to remain in the
armory. and take action on the case after
the disposition OF troops at the depot, IL
being the unanimous opinion of ali that
the effect Of disarming the men at that
time would be disastrous on the morale
of our troops, and would correspondingly
encourage the strikers. General Sheehan
was directed to take command of Colonel
GuthrIe's two Sacramento companies ana
Colonel humans two Stockton compa-
nies, who had been ordered TO report TO
him for DUTY and march TO and occupy
the depot. General Dickinson was dl-
rected to cooperate with General Sheehan
TO this end, after which they were to re-
port 10 me.
At about 1880 the troops were formed
in close column of companies, myself and
staff taking position on left of Second
Brigade Signal Corps, and marched to
the depot, which was reached about u
o'clock, Second Brigade in street-column
formation. Upon arrival there, | left the
column, and, accompanied by my stall.
went into the depot and established my
headquarters in the dining-room, meet
ing with no opposition. and fully expect
ing that the troops could occupy the
depot according to my orders.
After some time had elapsed, Major
Douglas Of General Sheehan's staff re-
ported, by direction OF General Sheehan,
that he was meeting with resistance from
the crowd at the west end OF the depot,
but that the east end was perfectly clear,
and that he had been ordered by General
Sheehan to request General Dickinson to
cooperate with him and occupy the east
end OF the depot. General Dickinson re-
piled that he preferred receiving such
instructions from General Dimond."
For further detail regarding General
Sheehan's request to General Dickinson
TO cooperate with him, | quote the fol-
lowing extract from General SAeehan's
report to me:
SACRAMENTO, July 4, 1894.
HIn accordance with verbal orders re-
ceived from General Dimond, the Fourth
Brigade formed in column on the right
of line followed by Colonel j. j. Nunan
with Companies a and B of Stockton,
who had been assigned to the Fourth
Brigade. The troops were marched to
the Southern Pacific Railroad depot. On
the arrival there found the entrance
blocked by a dense mob, who persistently
refused to give way IN order To permit
the troops to march on and occupy the
depot. Bayonets were brought TO
charge in an endeavOr TO force "a passage
through the dense throng, without pro-
ducing any results. During the conflict
1t was noticed by the commander that the
eastern end OF the depot building was
clear, and he ordered Major Douglas of
the staff to suggest TO General Dickin-
son TO order some of his rear companies
to make a detour to the south of the depot
building and advance into it at the east
end. Major Douglas delivered the mes
sage to General Dickinson, who asked
him to get such instruction through
Major General Dimond. Major Doug
las sought General Dimond and stated
the case The Major General ordered his
Abide Camp Major Hooper, to see Gen
eral Dickinson and order him to move as
suggested by General Sheehan. Major
Hooper left the headquarters to carry out
his chiefs Instructions. 1t is not known
whether General Dickinson received this
message"
Herein is the key to the whole situation
and the cause of the failure to gain possess
sion of the depot on the 4tn OF July
Major Hooper positively states that he de
liYered tie above order to General Dickinson
in person, and can prove it. General Dlckin-
son denies this, 1t IS stated. The above was
the only occasion that offered for the use OF a
little strategy, and by sending the message TO
General Dickinson, Sheehan not only proved
that he was doing his utmost 10 gain posses
sion Of the depot grounds, but he also gave
the san Francisco troops an opportunity to
be brought 10 the front, where tney could be
of some service. 1t was only when Sheehan
saw that he would not be supported that he
ordered his troops TO stand last and reported
TO General Dmond and the United States
Marshal. stating that the strikers could not
be dispersed without using force, etc. From
the foregoing it is easy 10 see that If Gen.
eral Dickinson had sent the aid demanded
by General Sheehan, which he latter had
right to eX pect, the strikers would have been
taken in the rear, and no doubt possession
OF the depot would have been gained.
General Dimonds report shows that he ex-
pected General Dickinson to cooperate with
General Sheehan, and the former should have
acted instantly when Major Douglas delivered
the latter'S request.-EDs. RECoRD-UNIoN.
After dispatching Major Douglas on
the above mission General Sheehan kept
the attention OF the throng engaged Tor
some time to give General Dickinson
time to make the movement, but nothing
came of it. General Sheehan then lett
the head of the column and reported to
General Dimond and the United States
Marshal that it was impossible to dis
perse the mob without force, and that if
extremes were 10 be resorted to, he de-
manded the order be given in writing.
After some discussion it was finally de-
cided that the United States Marshal was
the proper person to give the order to
fire, in writing.
Tbereupon, Immediately sent Major
Hooper of my staff, accompanied by one
OF my orderlies, to General Dickinson with
orders TO cooperate fully with General
Sheehan, as suggested by the latter. Ia
due time Major Hooper returned and re-
ported to me that he had delivered the
order to General Dickinson. Shortly
aiterward General Sheehan reported IN
person that he could not force an
entrance without the use of the bayonet,
and upon directing him to do SO if neces-
sary, he demanded that written instruc-
tions (under Section 73l) be given him TO
charge and fire. in accordance with the
laws of the State.
Without the necessary authority from
you, and knowing that the strikers were
committing no overt acts in the way Of
destruction of life and property, in ac-
cordance with the law | was, therefore,
obliged to ask the United States Marshal
TO furnish me with the necessary author
ity. After consultation with the As
sistant United States District Attorney,
he demanded that the command of the
troops be formally turned over to him,
and this having been done he furnished
me with order as follows:
IS AcEa MENrn Iulv 4 1891