The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-01-27

message, a negro shot a white man on
Harnett between Third and Fourth
streets. Following this / received your
telegram ordering me TO take command
OF Captain James company. Company
c, Second regiment, North Carolina
State guard.) and preserve peace end
order. which I at once proceeded to do
as best / could. At this time the feel
ing was intense, and believing the
presence of military In the district
where the tragedy occurred would de-
ter the rioters from further violent
acts. / assumed personal command and
marched the company to the point re-
ferred TO and beyond. following the
gathering crowd. I was Joined by the
Wilmington division OF the naval re-
r in charge OF Commander George
l. Morton, which continued a sep
arate and distinct command until
about 4 O'Clock p. m, when he reported
to me in pursuance OF your telegraphic
orders directing him to do so. In the
meantime Commander Morton marched
the naval reserves through q part OF
the territory in which renewed trou-
BILE threatened and. with the infantry
company. / made search for rioters in
contiguous blocks. A building from
which some one or more were firing
at citizens on the streets was sur
rounded and four negroes therein dis
covered We're arrested and safely jail
ed. One negro, the fifth therein, refus-
ed to surrender after repeated COM
mands, n fleeing from the building
was shot. This was the only firing done
by the military, and afforded the very
best results, in proof of which / men
ton h fact that no further shooting
from buildings or deaths followed. AT
this point I took a detail OF ten men.
proceeded to the suburbs OF the city.
n closed all stores and shops and
learned all / could of h situation.
Threatening crowds were encountered,
but one offered determined resist
ance. They sullenly dispersed when
ordered to do so, but gathered at 9TH
er points. Considering the situation
very serious I wired you for reinforce
ments, and your advices that the Gin
ton and Maxton companies and Kin
Ston naval reserves We're ordered here
very much simplified the work de-
manded for the night near at hand
Until the arrival of these troops and
during Thursday night 1 used the
troops in hand for patrol duty in tht
riot section of the city.
Upon the arrival of the MaXton com
pany, Company z, Second regiment
North Carolina State Guard) about l.
D.. M. / assigned ii to duty at the city
hospital for the protection of tn
1 wounded-this was dom in conse
! yuence of threats made by the negroes
to kill two wouided white men an,
recover the negroes wounded, four IL
F.! number, placed there for treatment
| About 1870 p. m. the Clinton company
| Company A, Second regiment) arriv
ed and, at the request of the mayor
it was ordered to do duty. at the jail
I where the prisoners arrested in the az
ternoon were incarcerated. The Kin
ston naval reserves reached Whining
ton about 2:30 a. m. Friday, and wer
assigned to patrol duty for a fey
hours, following which they relieve
Company A, on duty at h jail.
From this time IN the troops here
inbefore named remained on duty con
tinuously, preserving peace and orde
in the city, until Monday morning fol
lowing when, by and with the concur
renee of the mayor, they were relieve
and the nonresident organizations LEI
for their posts-Company A, Clint
and Kinston naval reserves on the 81
a. m. Atlantic Coas Line ~northboun
train, and Company E, Maxton, on til
$3.50 p. m. Seaboard Air Line westboun
train.
The services rendered by the troop
were entirely satisfactory, and promp,
ly assured the citizens of the city tina
they were present for a purpose agree
able to all who desired peace and OF
der; and hence there was honeSt &C
operation during the entire time til
troops were on duty, as evidenced b
the attentions shown by the citizen
in furnishing food, bedding and othe
comforts. 1t would be invidious I
mention in particular any n of tn
commands present or the officers j
charge thereof. The duties performe
were prompt and thorough, and in
every officer n man.
My duty in this would be i'll pei
formed were I to fail to mention tt
invaluable aid rendered by Command
er George L. Morton, of the naval bat
TALON, as second in command.
l hand herewith the following r.
ports, including rosters:
Lieutenant Harry H. McIlhenn,
Wilmington division, Naval Reserves.
Captain T. G. James, Company
> Second Regiment.
: Captain H. j. Hines, Company
Second Regiment.
Captain C. B. Paterson, Company
: Second Regiment.
), Lieutenant w. D. Pollock, KinstC
Division, Naval Reserves.
All of which are approved and re
pectfully forwarded.
o.! The report of Commander George
Morton is also herewith sent.
i Very respectfully,
WALKER TAYLOR,
Lieutenant Colonel Second Regiment.