Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-11-22
BULLETIN.

LAREDO, Texas, November 21.-Re-
ports have reached here that there was
a pitched battle last night, at Fort
Ringgold, Rio Grande City, Texas, be-
tween a company of the Ninth United
States cavalray (colored) garrisoning
the fort, and several hundred citizens,
who attacked the post shortly after
dark.
Three thousand shots are said to
have been fired during the fight, but the
casualties are not known here.
1t is also said that all women and
children have been sent away from Rio
Grande City and that runners are out
after reinforcements for the citizens.
The military authorities are occupy
ing the telegraph wires and full reports
can not be obtained. That the affair
is a serious one is indicated by the ac-
tivity in military circles here.
Major Thompson. In command at
Fort Mcintosh, to-day brought up all
the Krag-Jorgensen ammunition in
Laredo and is hurriedly loading spec
ial train with mules. baggage. etc, 20
take all available forces here to the
scene OF the trouble, and special
train is en- route here from San An
tonic with 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.
CONFLICTING REPORTS.
AUSTIN, Texas, November 21-To-
day Governor Sayers was In receipt OF
telegram from the commanding off,
Ger OF the United States troops at san
Antonio, conveying the information
that there had been a race riot at Rio
Grande City, last night, between the
Federal negro troops stationed there
and the citizens OF that town. About
the same time this telegram was re-
ceived another came from the county
judge at that place, and they are some
what confusing. The military COM
ben, telegraphs that the report he re-
celyed from the commander at Fort
Ringgold, near Rio Grande City, states
that all the troops were in the garrison
last night at Z O'Clock, when the clti-
zens Of that town advanced on the fort
and fred upon the guard. The guard
returned the fire and the entire garri-
son was at once called to arms. The
citizens continued their firing upon the
fort and the soldiers returned the FIRE
and finally had to bring their gatllnz
guns into play 10 dispense the attackers.
The commander states that no fears
further trouble and asks for more
troops.
The telegram from the county Judge
states that the negro soldiers in the fort
there deployed In a raYine on the edge
Of the town and fired into and over the
town for something like an hour and a
half, shooting into number Of houses.
wounding one man and Tightening the
women and children so badly that a
number OF them had fed 10 the sur
rounding ranches for safety: that the
attack was entirely unproyoked and
that the community was highly in
censed and further trouble was looked
for al once
Upon receipt Of these kilograms Coy
ernor Sayers ordered Ad5utsnt General
scurry 10 the scene OF action, and he
left tonight FOR his destination. The
Governor also wired 70 Washington 10
have a full investigation Of thu matter
and 10 remove the negro troops al once.
The commander at San Antonio sent
special detail Of officers to the seems
at once to investigate. An !g quiet
tonight