Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1918-09-07
WHITE arrived GUARD
FIRED ON COLORED
SOLDIERS
FACTS ABOUT RIOT AT CAMP
MERRITT, n. j.

The facts regarding the race riot
at Camp Merritt. N. J. Of August II,
i'll which it was reported that several
men were killed and wounded, were
aSccrtaincd today in an interview
with Col. j. y. Marmon, command
ing officer of the camp, by Walter
+. White, Assistant Secretary Of the
National Association for the Ad-
vancomcnt Of Colorcd People.
Tho morning papers of August 90
stated that the camp was closed to
newspaper reporters and others seek
ing information regarding the dis
turbancc, but the Association, in
keeping with its policy Of aiding the
government in allaying suspicion and
preventing friction between the races.
sent Mr.. White to obtain the facts in
the case. These were given to him
freely by Col. Marmon and show that
the incident was not as serious as
was at first supposed.
On the night when the trouble oc-
CURED two colorcd soldiers were
elected from Y. NJ. G. \. 2 by two
southern white soldiers, when their
presence was resented by the south
orn white men, although there is no
discrimination allowed in any OF the
1 NJ. Y. ~. bulltlHSS, ana the COZ
orcd soldiers had Il perfect right to
be there. AS they left the building
Il chair was thrown at them.
Previous to this incident there had
been one or two minor clashes
between soldiers Of both races who
were chartered in adjacent sections
Of tho camp, which nccc&sitatcd both
using the same general street. The
white soldiers involved were from
Mississippi while the colored were
from Camps Dodge, Taylor, Grant
and Sherman.
About half an hour after the
election of the two soldiers from Y
NJ. G. y. ., Il white soldier was cut
by II colOrcd soldier. Contrary to
press accounts, he was not badly cut
nor has he died. Col. Marmon stated
that his wounds were so trivial that
it has been unnecessary for the
wounded man to apply ut a hospital
for treatment For this reason they
have been unable to learn who the
wounded man is, nor has it been
possible to learn who tho assailant
is.
Shortly after this occurrence,
groups OF soldiers OF both races gath
cred in one of the camp streets and
threats were passed. Fearing trouble
the guard was called out and orders
were gwen to the men to dispense
The guard, consisting OF between
thirty and forty men in charge Of q
sergeant. Standing at short dis
tancH from the guard, officers Of both
the white and colOrcd troops con
fcrrcd as to the best method Of
preventing further trouble.
A orr of hn
moving away in obedience to the
command OF the guard when sud-
denly without 4 command being Civ
en-, shots rang out and five of tho
colorcd men fell. The sergeant in
command of the guard rushed in at
once and knocked up the guns to
prevent further firing. One colored
soldier was killed, four wounded,
none seriously, and all will recover.
Thc most seriously wounded OF the
four has Il bullet wound in his groin
ond one Of the fingers of his left
hand is shot off, evidently by the
same bullet. The man killed was
shot in the back.
The guns OF tho guard were i'm
mediately examined after the shoot
ing and thirteen OF them were found
to have been fred The thirteen
mon to whom these guns belonged
were Immediately arrested and placed
in the guard house. Col Marmon
stated that these men would be tried
for firing without orders and pun
ished if found guilty.
The camp is now entirely quiet
and no further trouble is anticipated
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