The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1896-09-11
Na.S' STRATEGY.
How He Secured the Arms of Colorcd
Miiitiamen.


How He Secured the Arms of Colorcd
Miiitiamen.
The News and Courier gives the foi-
lowi account of how General Watts,
by little strategy, succeeded in sccur-
ing some arms from coIoreu MALTA in
Charleston after several vain attempts
to get them:
The troops were forming in line on
the square ana the bass drums were
being thunped with vlgor on every
side. The colored soldiers were enjoy
ing the material doings to their hearts
content and great crowd of their
friends and relatives fromed four liv-
ing walls around the plaza
General Watts and General Stopple-
beiD, in full regalia, appeared on the
sccnc in due time and the brigade was
turned over to them by General w.
II. Robinson, it's commander. The
usual form of inspection was carried
out while brass band discoursed vio-
lent martial strains. General Watts
inspected every company and when
every one thought it was over the sur
prise came. One Of the companies
was ordered to lay down it's arms on
plaza. After obeying this order, with
wide open eyes, the soldiers wcro
marched to one side and squad from
another company received like treat
ment nntil only four companies re-
mained under arms and they were in
charge of the muskets of the other
companies remained under arms and
they were in charge of the muskets of
the others. The soldiers thus deprived
of the means of defending the great
Commonwealth of South Carolina we're
then summarily dismissed. There was
Just little growing and u few insub-
ordinate mutterings, but the fifteen
cops and the four armed companies
had the bulge on them, and General
Watts secured the victory.
For over a year the Adjutant and In
spector General has been trying to get
tho arms of the colored companies that
wore mustered out of service when the
new enlistment law went into effect.
The companies were notified to turn in
the arms, but they took no notice of
tho orders. Men were sent out to get
them, but the companies refused to
turn them over, and in some instances,
1t is claimed, the men hid the guns SO
that they could not be located
General Watts resortcd to strategy
as last resort. He ordered the militia
for inspection, and included in the or
der the mustered out companies. Tho
idea of grand turn out and parade
was tempting and the fish nibbed.
When General Watts had the men dis
missed and tho guns in charge of the
enlisted militia q police wagon was
driven across the square. Into it was
stacked the whole lot of weapons. and
the load driven off to place of safety.
The guns number in all about two hun
dred, and they will be shipped to Co.
lumbia.
The companies deprived of their
arms and dismissed were: Hawkins
Rites, Hunter Volunteers, Douglass
Light Ipfantry, Governors Rife
Guards, South Carolina Rifles, Ran
dolph Rifles, Lincoln Light Infantry
and Simpson Light Infantry.
Two companies only did not come in
on the inspection idea. Their guns
are still being held back. These COM
panies are: The Attucks Light Infantry
and the Lincoln Republican Guards.
The companies now comprising
Charleston's part of the brigade are:
Carolina Light Infantry, South Caro-
lima Volunteers. Garrison Light Infan-
try and the Mishnw Rifle Guards.
Tho seizure Of the guns on the part
Of General Watts was accomplished
with the aid OF General W. II. Robin
son and the captains of the enlisted
companies. 1t WAS great surprise to
the colorcd people to SEE tho troops
walking away empty handed after
marching around tu.."r arms during
the inspection. General Watts will
get the arms o! thc other two compn-
nles in time. The police officers pre-.
vented disorder du,ing the seizure.