Year: 1875




Cross-examined-I don't know Of any orders being
given 10 Kill the whites previous to the order given
through the letter; don't know previous TO the letter
that there any intentions resist the lawful
thory oi the state Early Green said ii too far 10
go.


WE'RE TO BE oBEYED.


Jasper Hicks sworn (in another oase)-u Is my
opinion that Nera Miller belongs to the secret band
have seen HIM with uniform that the band usually
wear; the object OF II was that was TO keep the
secrets OF this Iband and the beck and call
at any season Of the day or night and TO obey all
orders givcn Edmund Smell said he had letter con
tanning orders 10 then but the letter was lost and he
was TO 90 last Saturday and find out what the orders
was, but did not go; the understanding after meeting
was that they were TO kill the white people and take
the land they 10 obey orders OF the officer, no
matter what they was Jerry Carter said they was to
kill the whites and take the land that they had orders
10 that effect Bob Hicks Early Hicks and Jerry Carter
said they going 10 get out OF the band II they
could; after hearing that the order was 70 Kill the
whites and take the lands me and Robert Hicks and
Early Hicks talking it over, and had about the
talk that myself and Early Hicks had; We
thought II troublesome in this that heard things
after joined II that not Informed Of at the
time Of joining Neil Houston, the who sworc us
in says shall have twelve picked out who shall
pick out thirty five responsible men for delegates TO
send to Sandersville TO elect military general the un
derstandng that We were to Kill all the whites, in
cudng infants, children, women and men; none we're
10 be left out


THE LANDS WERE TO BE DIVIDED.


Jasper Hicks sworn Ton another case-lt was a Sc
band they 10 keep all secrets that were In
this band and would be the call any of day
or night that they might be called on; they did
make known the object of the society ut the time
joined: the oath we took that would keep the
meeting private and be subject TO their order at any
time day night; when we Joined this society We
heard that should receive orders at certain time
for the purposes of killing the white people and dvid-
ing the lands called this meeting for the purpose of
selecting thryhve OF the most responsible men OF our
TO 90 To Sandersville and elect military general


WAR BETWEEN BLACKS AND WHITES.


Gilbert Duggan sworn--Asa Gilmore told |
just about man and must stand up for my rights;
there would be war between the blacks and whites
and we must be ready


JAKE MOoRMAE INTERVIEWER


In previous letters have given some account OF the
utierances Of Cordy Harris the second lieutenant TO
speak, and jerry Simons, another subordinate ring
leader in the recent negro movement this part of
Georgia and it will be remembered that both those
stated that they preachers and took part
in any military organization. Cordy Harris, according
to hIs account simply the head centre Of moral
and religious society intended improve the condition
the colored race while Jerry Simons stated that all
he had to do with Morris TO receive and pay over
the money collected by order of that individual Both
denied positively any connection with Oh knowledge
OF any insurrecon meditated violence, of there
being any oppression known TO them to call for or
justify outbreak third prisoner, how
ever Jacob Norman, in military
origin purposes &c win be found of interest He
is a full ll-blooded negro, black coal with heavy
under jaw, low forehead squat nose-n word, gen
uine typical ''nggeri" great, powerful fellow, in
strong physical contrast to the two preachers Cordy
and Jerry He was brought up, as usual, under cover
of dragoon's pistol and while the guard comfortably
seated himself under shade tree at some little dis
tance Jake seated himself at my request and the fol-
lowing colloquy ensued:-


REPoRTER-Jake were you in one OF these military
companies among the coored peopley


JAKB-Fus Lieutenant in Jerry Waters company Ut
this company which the order 'cill the wites"
was sent will be borne in mnd) Had particular
name for the company Jerry Waters said we call it
Company A We got up for mass meeting. Murke-
son and Cordy Harris said it was orders from Morris
and Rivers to have military company. We made 1t
in May. We had no drums; had no arms;
jes' drilled with naked hands no, you put it down
muster; jes mustered didn't drill we had
arms The uniform blue jacket and white pants,
and red feather in our hats had red feather; the
orders was from this man Morris to DO this never
him. jes obeyed orders through Murkeson; he
said 1t privilege and rights thought the red
feather let Morris, this man Morris, know who
belonged 10 the company he sent paper 70 US to that
effect


REpoRrER-Jake haven't you got a gum


JAKR-Got a little single barrelled gun


RKPoRTER-Have the other coored men got guns


JAKE-They got guns; some got single bairelled
guns like me- got double barrelled guns pretty
much all the in my company had guns; there was
some old muskets The orders was 70 take all the old
guns; them that didn't have those take ptchforks,
hoes and axes take anything TO ght take 1t for war
We was Morris at No. IL "a station OF this
on the Central Rairoad) ;.was TO 60 last Friday
RBPoRTER-What did you expect TO get by thiss


JAKE-We expect forty acres Of land TO get il from
the white folks II we elected Grant we would get II
without any trouble; if not must hght Tor it, hurk
said orders come from Cordy Harris. Morrison
Tor Morris, the speaker using them ndiscrimnateyl
would furnish us with powder and shot at No. ii.


RRPoRTER-NOw jake, didn't you know better than
thaty What did you want to go 70 killing people for
that did no harmg


JAKE-I didn't want to do this. All our men said it
wouldn't do We thought Rivers and Morris
strong enough. We knew We wasn't. don't know;
IL the orders


RRPoRTRR-What oath did you take in your military
company


and the witnesses of God that we would join this
military company and support it, let come what would
come so help your God. That was it, that all


REPoRTER-What were your rules


JAKR-What meanl


REroRrER-What 'orders" did you have for your
company


h,p and iasha hiatt fha fusi rula hon
Murkeson put that out and saId Il a man disobeyed
orders turn him to Grant and let him put the
punishment


REPogrER-Jake what is civil rightsS


JAKE-Don't know; think II is every man TO be on
one footing; our rights " get on the white mans car
get jury TO sell your cotton thought the land
to be divided up even; not the property though, tho
horses and mules.


JAKE-Thought If elected him he'd be King;
that's what Murkeson told us after he back from
Waynesboro II We elected him King everything
would belong 10 him; the whole universe would belong
10 him. The white man have to give him the tenth; the
black man give him the TENTH instead Of the third
fourth like now II was my intention to vote for him
he came out


REPoRrER-what do you think of voting and politicss
JAKE-Bad business nowi thought It all right when
we started INTO this thing


REPoRrRR-what do you prisoners think will be done
with your


JAEE-Be hanged, spec, or chain gang; something
REPoRrER-why didn't you have better sense than to
get into this trouble; what did you do il for!


JAKE-I know we did wrong, but thought they could
bear out Cordy Harris the first that
started u.s. he went away out Of his colony down in
Laurens and johnson countiesj getting up money for
Waynesboro.


REpoRrER-what is the reason Of trouble between the
white people and the colored people; what Is wrongS
JAKE-l was living just as well as could wish; he
me, SAID could do better; If could do bet
tcr-well, was willing


Here Jake seemed greatly distressed the perspraton
starting in beads upon his rugged face and he broke
out Ia complaining, mumbllng and moving uneasily
about until taken back within the lines.


COLoRED PROTEST


With one document not before given may close this
letter. Ii Is from some unknown party, evidently
colored man. who writes from Atlanta TO Corda Harris
about the time the drilling and secret meeting in
full blast preliminary to the grand miennia gathering
at Waynesboro, and strongly rebukes Harris contem.
plated plans thus


ATLANTA Ga July 30 75
CoRDIA HARRIS. Tennill, Ca


DEAR sts-We very much surprised the way you
conducting the Republican party you know that
makeinR the weaker and Weaker by
dence Ia leading do. Be quiet this ;
the time to make displays One Of the commission
Of the white military companys OF your county has
long letter to the Officials this and other places
the action Of the katcas Leaders your vicinity
elect the President aud you all your