The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-11-22
.A RAGE WAR IN TEXAS.
Fight Between Negro Troops
and Citizens.
Manu- Shots Were Fired.

RelufOrcements sent TO Fort Ring
gold Gnrrison4-Citizens Are Also
Gathering More Men-Army Officers
bought Up Ammunition-One Re-
port Says the Negroes Fired Into
Rio Grande City for Over an Hour
Women and Children Were Terri
ned,
Laredo, Tex. Nov. 21.-Reports have
reached here that there was pitched bat
tie last night at Fort Ringgold, Rio Grande
City. Tex. between a company of the
Ninth United States Cavalry (coloredo,
sarrsoning the fort. and several hundred
citizens, who attacked the post shortly aft
er dark.
Three thousand shots are said to have
been fired during the fight, but the cas-
ualties are not known here.
Tt Is also said that all women and chill
dren have been sent away from Rio
Grande City, and that runners are out
after reinforcements for the citizens.
The military authorities are occupying
the telegraph wires, and full reports can
not be obtained.
That the affair is a serious one is indi-
Gated by the activity in military circles
here.
Mai. Thompson, in command at Fort
Mcintosh, to-day bought up all the Krag-
Jorgensen ammunition In Laredo, and is
hurriedly loading a special train with
mules, baggage, ETC., to take all available
forces here TO the scene of trouble and a
special train is en- route from San Anto>
Mo, with a company from Fort Sam
Houston, on the way to Rio Grande City.
State Adjutant General scurry, with a
force of Rangers, is expected here to-
night also on the way there.
TeIegrams Were Confusing.
Austin. Tex, Nov. 21.-To-day Gov. Say
ers was in receipt of a telegram from the
commanding officer of the United States
troops at San Antonio conveying the infor-
nation that there had been a race riot a
Rio Grande City last night between the
Federal negro troops stationed there and
the citizens Of the town.
About the time this telegram was receiv-
ed another came from the county Judge at
that place and they are somewhat confus-
ing
Inc military commander at San Antonio
Gen. McKibbon, telegraphs that the report
he received from the commander at Fort
Ringgold, near Rio Grande, to-day, states
that all the troops We're in the garrison
on last night at o'clock, when the clti-
zens of that town advanced on the fort
and fired upon the guard. The guard re-
turned the fire and the entire garrison was
al once called to arms.
The citizens continued their firing on the
fort and the soldiers returned the fire and
1naf-y had to bring their Gating guns
INTO play to dsperse the attackers The
commander states that he fears trouble
and seeks for more troops
Negroes Fired snto Town.
The telegram from The county judge
states that the negro soldiers in the fort
there deDoyed in a ravine on the edge
OF the town and fired into and over the
Town for something like an hour and a
man. shooting into a number of houses
"ouh1ing one man and frightening the
women and children so badly that a num-
Der OF them had fed to the surrounding
rahches for safety; that the attack was
ehureiy unprovoked ard that the com
munily was highly incensed and further
trouble was looked for at once.
Cpon receipt of these kilograms, Gov.
Sayers ordered Adjt. Gen. Scurry to the
scene OF action, and he left tonight for
his destination.
Inc Governor also wired to Washington
to have a full investigation of the matter.
ana 10 remove the negro troops at once.
special detail of officers to the scene at
once to investigate.
AN is quiet tonight.
People Were Terrorized.
Ihis afternoon Gov. Sayers sent the fol-
lowing telegram to the Secretary of War.
at Washington:
Iiease direct Immediately impartial
and searching investigation into the con-
euet OF negro soldiers at Fort Ringgold.
N''F county, Texas last night. Also is
troops 'ai VI
o"oWlng telegram just received from
county judge of Star county:
Negro soldiers at Fort Rineeold de-
P.0se1 IN a ravine at south edge of town
p m' last night. and fred over 1900
-o's INTO and over the town. The fusil-
| 9'Atinued at intervals over one and
-"'A hours. One citizen wounded in
,,l. -'lse. Houses all over town pene-
ny balls. Women and children fed
"'ous and ranches. Population ter
''4'l fear the people may decide to
,else Themselves for this dastardly act
t authorities would be powerless to
tO4'oi understand that Lieut.. Rubot-
as. ' G'hnanding, directed this cowardly
W No cause for the act Wire
,r ,''''nston and San Antonio for search
S INVESTIGATION and removal of troops
Joseph D. sayers.
Governor Of Texas"