Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-11-25
TO KILL
COLORED
TROOPERS.
Outrageous Attack Upon
The Ninth Cavalry.
THE MENUNDER ARMS.
Reinforcements Sent to the
Scene of Disturbance.

LAREDO, TEX, Nov. 21.--Reports
have reschad here of q pitched battle
last night at Fort Ringgold, Rio
Grande City, Texas, between a COM
pany OF the Ninth United States Cav
airy (colored) garrisoHing the fort, and
several hundred citizens, who attacked
the post shortly after dark Thres
thousand shots are said Co have been
fired during the fight, bat the casual
ties are not known. Il is also said that
all women and children have been
sent away frem Rio Grande OItv aud
that runners are out after re-inforce-
ments for the citizens.
The military authorities are occupy
ing the telegraph wires, and full re-
ports cannot be obtained.
SERIOUS AFFAIR.
That the affair is serious one is in
dicated by the activity in military cir
cles here. Maj Thompson, in COM
mand at Fort Mcintosh, to-day bought
up all the krsg-JorgenRen smmuui-
tion in Laredo and is hurriedly load
ing q special train with mules, bag
here to the scene Of the trouble, and q
special train is en- route here from San
Antonio with company from Fort
Sam Houston on the way 60 Rio
GrHnde City. State Adjt. Gen echur-
ry, with % force of Rangers, is expect
ed here tonight, also on the way
there.
CONFUSING REPORTS.
AUsTIN, TEX, Nov 2l-To day Gov.
Slayers was IN receipt OF q telegram
from the commanding officer Of the
United States troops at San Antonio,
conveying the information that there
had been q race riot at Rio Grande
City last night between the Federal
colored troops stationed there and the
citizens of that town. About the same
time this telegram was received anoth-
er came from the county judge at that
place, and they are somewhat confus-
ing.
TEE Troops NOT AT FAULT.
The military commander at San An
tonic, Gen. McKibben. teiegraphs that
the report he received from the COM
msnder At Fort Ringgold, near Rio
Grande City, states that all the troops
were in the garrison last night at Z
o'clock, when the citizens OF that town
| advanced on the fort and fired upon
the guavd. The guard returned the
| IRE, and the entire garrison WAS at
| once called 10 arms.
FIRED ON THE FoRr.
The citizens continued their firing
upon the fort. The soldiers returned
| the fire, and finally had to bring
their Gatling guns into pIav to dis
| perse the attackers. The commander
states that he fears further trouble.
and asks for more troops.
| Upon receipt Of these kilograms Gov.
Sayers ordered Adjt. Gen Schurry to
scene of action and he left tonight for
his destination. The governor also
wired to Washington to have q foil in
vestigetion Of the matter and to re-
move the colored troops at onea.
The commander at San Antonio sent q
special detail OF officers to the scene at
once to investigate. All is quiet to-
night.
sAYERs REQUESTS REMOVAL or TROOPS.
This afternoon Gov. Saysrs sent the
following telegram TO the Secretary OF
War at Washington:
please direct immediate impartial
and searching investigation into the
conduct Of Negro soldiers at Fort Ring
gold, Starr County, Tex, last night.
l AAnO ASouO ONuCE lux AluElC0A6bO I6uON~
al OF troops. Following telegram just
received from the county Judge OF
Starr County:
Negro soldiers at Fort RinggoId de-
ployed in q ravine at south edge Of
town at p. m. last night, and fired
over !, 800 shots into and over the
town. The fussilade continued at in
tervals over one and . half hours. One
citizen wounded in his house. Houses
all over town penetrated by balls.
Women and children fed to woods and
ranches. Population terrorized. fear
the people may decide to avenge them
selves for this s.dAstardly act. OWL au-
thories would be powerless to control.
understand Lieut.. Rubottom, COM
manding. directed this cowardly ss-
sault. No cause for the act Wire
Washington and San Antonio for
sesehing investigation and removal OF
troops at once.
JOSEPH D. SAYERs.
Governor Of Texas" "