Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 September 1874 — The Revolution in Louisiana. [ARTICLE]

The Revolution in Louisiana.

here was desperate fighting In N cw Orleans on the l4ih between armed bodicsot citizens and the Metropolitan fortes. Several persons on both Bides were killed or wounded. The following is a summary of the account of the affair, as given by the Associated Press dispatches of that date: A mass meeting of citizens was held in the forenoon* in response to a call signed by fifty business men and firms of the city. In this call it was declared that for nearly two years llit- people had been silent but indignant sufferers ot I outrage aft t* r outrage lie aped upon them by an usurping government; that at last even the right of the people to keep and bear arms had been infringed! in violation of the Federal Constitution; that the citizens were therefore called upon • to close their places of business and as- , womhle together, ami, "in tones loud j enough to be heard throughout the j length And breadt li of the land, declare ! that you are of right, ought to be, and • mean to be free.” r Tlie' called meeting assembled at eleven | a. m., and a series of preambles and resolutions were adopted, declaring that at j the election in November, 1872, John I McEnery was elected Governor by nearly I 10,000 majority, and I). P. Penn IJeuten j ant-Governor by a majority of 15,000; 1 that by fraud and violence Kellogg and his defeated associates had seized the executive chair and perpetuated their official reign by other and continual irregular, fraudulent and violent acts, in the face of the report of a committee of the United States Senate that the existing State Government of Louisiuna was an usurpation: that the acting Governor had, under tlie Registration act passed for the purpose of defeating the popular will, and with a view of controlling the result of the approaching election, refused registration to bona fide citizens, who were denied redress before the courts; that by false and infamous misrepresentations of the feelings and motives of tlie people he had received the promise of Federal aid; that the whites of Louisiana had no desire. to deprive the-colored people of any rights to which they are entitled; that \V. P. Kellogg is a mere usurper, and his government is arbitrary, unjust and oppressive, and could only be maintained through interference: that Kellogg’s immediate ahdication of office be demanded, and a committee of-frre should be appointed to wait upon him with the resolutions and demand an immediate answer. • ‘' The committee called at the Executive office at noon, and, the Governor not being present, were received by Brig.Geu. Dibble, who conveyed the fact of the committee’s call to Gov. Kellogg and made reply in writing that the Governor had directed him to say that he declined to receive any communication from the committee because he had definite and accurate information that there were assembled in different parts of the city several -large bodies of armed men, who were met at the call which convened the mass meeting represented by tlie committee; that lie regarded this state of affairs as a menace; but that should the people assemble peaceably, without menace, lie would deem it one of the highest duties to receive- any communication from them, and entertain any petition addressed to tlie Government. The committee responded through one of their number that there were no armed rioters, that they came on a mission of peace, and that they believed, had tlie Governor acceded to the proposition to abdicate, it would have pacified the people and prevented violence and bloodshed. The committee reported tlie result of tlieir interview to the mass meeting, and the people were then advised to go home, get their arms and ammunition and return to assist the White League, who were then under arms,'to execute plans that would be arranged for them. Tlie people then quietly dispersed. Afterward quite a large number formed in procession and marched up Camp street. A proclamation was then issued, signed by D. B. Penn, as LieutenantGovernor and acting Governor in the absence of Mr. McEnery, reciting the al leged outrages to which the citizens had been subjected for two years, and calling upon the militia ot the State, embracing all persons between the ages of eighteen and forty years, without regard to color or previous condition, to arm and assem- . ble under tlieir respective officers for tlie purpose of driving the alleged usurpers from power. Geu. Frederick N. Ogden was designated Provisional General of the militia, and an address was issued to the colored people bv Penn, as anting Governor, declaring that no harm was intended them, j their property or tlieir rights. I By three p. m. armed men were staj tioned at the intersection of all streets I on the south side of Canal street, from ! the river to Claiborne street. „ About four j p. m. a body of Metropolitans, about 500 I strong, with cavalry and artillery", apj peared at the head of Canal street, and L took a position. Gen. Longstreet coin- | manding, accompanied by an orderly. ' then rode up and down Canal street, ordering tlie armed citizens to disperse, j Fighting subsequently ensued, and seven ! Metropolitans were killed and over thirty f wounded. The citizens’ lqss was* six killed and nine wounded, some sertj ously. , New Orleans dispatches of the loth say that during the latter part of the pre- [ ceding night the White Leaguers reimiined intrenched within their camps, ] .with tliffir pickets guarding every approach to the central portions of the I city. , * j Gen. Ogden, of the Leaguers, conferred ! with the commander of the troops, to assure himself of tlie uon-inter-ferenee of the troops in ease they proceeded to take the State House and l other State buildings. That gentleman I assured him that the troops were there j simply to protect United States property, | and that lie should do no more, j At one o’clock on the morning of the j loth Gen. Longstreet, commanding the j Metropolitans, threw out his pickets as far as Canal street. When this became known a guard of Leaguers advanced and captured about half of them. The rest threw down their arms and fledNothing further transpired until eight o’clock, when the 300 Metropolitansoccupying the State House marched out, sent word to the commander ,of the White League that the State House was voluntarily surrendered, and then proceeded to Gen. Longstreet’s headquarters. Gen. Ogden then took possession and peaceably installed Acting-Gov. "Penn and the other Fusion officers in the possession of the State offices. He then marched a company to the Jackson

Square station, and, before' the demadd was made, the Metropolitans marched out to the number of 400 and, surrendering, were at once paroled. At this time Kellogg and his entird administration were in the Uabtom-House, under bayonet protection. These events alii culminated before eleven o’clock a. m. A little after that hour Gen. Ogden issued a proclamation ordering the troops to disperse to their homes, and desiring the people to resume their avocations, as tlie troubles were ended and a continuation of peace was assured. In response to the proclamation the White League and other citizens bearing aftnte disbanded and returned to their homes. Previously, -about one o’clock ! p. in., they paraded on Carial street, about | 2,500 itrong, with the guns, flags and j other trophies captured the day before. ; At twenty minutes after one o’clock ■ tlie President’s proclamation came to i hand, commanding all turbulent and dis- ! orderly personerto disperse anct submit to the laws of the constituted authorities. Tift reception of this intelligence was marked in many instances by violent and hitter expressions of feeling, extending even to declarations that the Kellogg Government should not be restored, and that if necessary the people would fight the General Government itself in maintaining the Fusion administration. In the afternoon Acting-Gov. Penn issued a proclamation convening an extra I session of the Legislature to meet on the 21st; a proclamation commandingand enjoining all officers throughout the State to at once assume the duties and take possession of the offices to which they. had been heretofore legally elected or appointed; and also a further proclamation to assemble in their respective churches on the 16th for the purpose of “returning to Heaven thanksgiving and praise for the overthrow of the usurping Government and the restoration of the State into the hands of the people.” The Mayor of the city also issued his proclamation, advising moderation, and recommending to the citizens of New Orleans that they “seek no revenge for past injuries, but leave your fallen enemies to the tortures of their own consciences and to the lasting infamy which their acts have wan for them.” Immediately upon the receipt of the President’s proclafuation the bank and insurance Presidents held a meeting and ; forwarded a dispatch to the President, -calling upon him to rccognize-and guarantee the Government of McEnery and T*enn. A riot occurred in tlie Ninth "Ward about midnight, but it was quickly subdued, and at last accounts the entire city was tranquil. On the evening of the 14tli Acting-Gew Penn sent to the President a dispatch announcing the deposition of the Kellogg Government; declaring that the party he represented were sincerely loyal to the United States, and warred only against usurpers, plunderers and the enemies of the people, and asking that he would withhold any aid or protection from the enemies of Republican rights and of the peace and liberties of the people. No answer was made to this dispatch. The total number killed in the fight of the 14th foots up twenty-six Metropolitans and nine White Leaguers. Considerably over fifty were wounded, among the latter Gen. Badger, commanding the Metropolitans, who lost an arm and a leg. The Associated Press dispatches from New Orleans on the 16th furnish the following Intelligence : The city continued quiet, and there was a very general resumption of business. with no gatherings of people or evidences of excitement in any quarter. A telegram had been sent to. President Grant, signed by the Presidents of the Chamber of Commerce, Clearing-House, Cotton Exchange and Merchants’ Exchange, informing him that “ this city is perfectly quiet and from all disturbing elements, and business has been resumed as usual. No further trouble is anticipated.” This dispatch was supplemented by one signed by James F. Casey, dated at the “ Custom-House, New Orleans, Sept, 16,” in which he says: “ The statement that the city is perfectly quiet isjtrue, and business is proceeding as usual. Property and persons are safe from insults or injuries except from some rowdy or drunken man.” The following telegram was also transmitted to President Grant: A petition has been forwarded you to-day by express; signed: by 500 of the leading business men ot this city, "as follows: “ We, the undersigned merchants, representing the commercial interests of New Orleans, and deeply interested in the welfare and prosperity of the State, glndly embrace the recent change of government, and guarantee impartial rights to ail. We respectfully ask the sympathy and support of the Exi ocutive. " (Signed) E. B. Wheelock, Chairman <sf Committee. ; Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge j had turned out the Kellogg officials and | installed McEnery officers in city and ; parish. Livingston Parish had also dej dared for McEnery. The adjacent par- ! ishes would do the same. No disturb--1 ance. . ~ A Shreveport dispatch dated the 16th, j and signed by W-. B. Egan, J.C. Moncure | and A. H. Leonard as committee, says: | The last vestige of -the Kellogg Government ! has disappeared from North Louisiana without a j word or act of violence to whites or blacks. Perfect quiet and order prevail and can only fie disturbed by extraneous interference.' The people are buoyant and now hopeful of a future material prosperity. A New York dispatch of the 16th says D, B. Penn, signing himself “ Lieuteaant- ! Governor and Acting-Governor of Louisiana.” had telegraphed to a newspaper in that city as follows: The North can form no idea of the robbery and spoliation to which we have been subjected. My movement was necessitated by the attitude of the people. They demanded it. I am now in fulf possession of the Government of the State. The colored people are satisfied and contented. A strong brigade j of' colored troops, fully organized and armed, : and in the service of the usurpation, refused to ! tire a shot in its defense. The most perfect ! peace and good order prevail. We are thort oughly loyal to the Federal Government, and in I.the operations of the past two days there have j been ifo excesses or violations of law. This I Government is the only one now in existence in ! Louisiana. ! Gov. Kellogg, in a telegram to the same paper, says: Amid all the troubles which have beset the State. I have reduced State and parish taxation each fully one-third, and measures have been passed providing for a reduction of the State debt and the constitutional-limitation of debts, both on State and city; also, an amendment limiting taxation. The obnoxious features ot the Election and Registration laws, used by the Fasionists in the last election, have been repealed, and, in the appointment of officers of registration, I have voluntarily tendered to the opposition a representation, which they entirely denied to the Republican party at the last election. Finding, as the registration progressed, that they wonld be left still "more in. the minority at this election than ever before if the voters were allowed a free, nntrammeled. unintimidated franchise. they have, by a long-prepared plan, violently overthrown the Government, even before " the election, to prevent the evidence that they had not had a majority before. Upon shallow' pretext of violence, and by incendiary statements and appeals, they have got together their clans, which they havb organized

In secret and drilled in their club-rooms in the city, aud bare taken possession of the public offices by violence and bloodshed. Personally, I have no desire to discharge the very onerous and vexatious duties of Governor, but I feel it it duty I owe to the State and to the party to hold on uu--tilTetieved by Competent authority. ; Gen. Eptory and staff and McEnery j arrived dt New Orleans on the evening of the 16th. McEnery visited the State House gnd received the congratulations of his friends. He would probably relieve Penn on the 17th. Instructions were sent to Gen. Emory from Washington on the 16th to “ under no circumstances recognize the insurgent Government of Louisiana. Within five days from date of proclamation to tlie insurgents such action will be taken aS jthe emergency may require.” The situation of affairs in New* Or- j leans on the 17th was as follows, accord-1 ing to the telegraphic dispatches of that date: Gov. McEnery had addressed a letter to Gen. Emory, protesting that there did not exist in the State of Louisiana any insurrection against the McEnery Government; that there was not anywhere in the State any assemblage of insurgents to disperse; that there was but one Government in existence in the State, which was tlie one elected and chosen by the people in 1872 and legally installed in 1873, of which he (John McEnery) is Governor and D. B. Penn LieutenantGovernor; that throughout the State this Government was recognized, supported, adhered to, respected and obeyed by the people, and was both de jure and de facto the- Government of the State. He then gives a history of recent events iu New Orleans, and attempts to show that the President’s recent proclamation did not rightfully apply to New Orleans or the people of Louisiana, who were not in a state of insurrection. He then distinctly announces that no attempt would be made to forcibly resist the military j forces of the United States, and con- I eludes as follows: “We will occupy the State House and other State property in this city until the appearance and occupation of the same by the authorities of the Government of the United States, when we shall retire, knowing we have surrendered the same alone to the Government of the United States.” McEnery, as Governor, also issued an order acceding to a demand from Gen. Emory that all armed men on the streets should be retired and their arms returned to the arsenal. At six o’clock in the evening, in accordance with previous arrangements, Gen. J. R, Brooke, accompanied by Lieuts. Wallace and Roe, went to the Executive office, at tlie St. Louis Hotel, and after formal salutations Gov. 31cEnery stated to —Gen. —Brooke that he gave him possession of the State Capitol and all other State buildings within the limits of the city, and then read to him an address in tlie shape of a protest, to tlie effect that the surrender was in response to a formal demand of Gen. Emory; that they had neither the power nor inclination to resist the Government of the United States; that the people had overthrown - the Kellogg administration because they could no longer bear its “wrongs, tyranny, arrogance and insults.” Tlie protest concludes as follows: “I know as a soldier you have but to obey the orders of the Government of the United States, but I feel that you will temper your military control of affairs with moderation, aiid in all things exhibit that integrity of purpose characteristic of officers of the army. I now turn over to you, sir, the Capitol and other property of the State under my charge.” At the conclusion of this address Gen. Brooke was seated in the office, and required from Lieut.-Gov. Penn a statement of all records, etc., which were in the building when they took possession. Gov. McEnery and liis followers then withdrew, leaving tlie Capitol of Louisiana in possession of the military officers of the Federal Government. At seven p. m. two companies of the Third Infantry marched down and were quartered in the biiildimg Col. Thomas Boylan, McEnery’s Chief of Police, remained on duty with liis force. The city was very quiet. Gen. Emory had issued a circular announcing the appointment of Gen. Brooke to command tlie city of New Ore leans until such time as the State and city governments could be reorganized. McEnery and Penn had issued an address to the people, advising a cheerful obediencc to the constituted authorises. On the 18th Gen. Emory sent a communication to Gov. Kellogg to the effect that the insurgents lately in arms against the State Government jjad surrendered, and that he would afford him the necessary military support to re-establish the State Government. Gov. Kellogg acknowledges the receipt of the communication and requests Gen. Emory to assume the maintenance of peace and order of the city during tlie coming night, as, owing to the disorganization of the police force, the Commissioners of the Metropolitan police would not be able to get their officers on tlieir beats until the next day. . . - The following order was subsequently sent to the official journal: j EXECUTIVE ORDER. All State officers who have been prevented, during this recent trouble, from performing tlieir duties will immediately resume their official functions. The Board of Metropolitan Police will at once assemble aud organize the jitdice force of New Orleans, and assume the maintenance of the peace and order of. the city. (Signed) Wiixiam P. Kellogu, Governor. A dispatch to Gov. McEnery, received on the 18th, from Bayou Sara reports that town attacked the night before by negroes. The attack was repulsed. Gen. Emory had ordered troops to that point. t In accordance with the Executive order of Gov. Kellogg the old State officers took quiet possession of the Louisiana State-House oil the morning of the 19th. When Gov. Kellogg reached the Executive office Gen. Bupoke approache'd him and informed him that he was prepared to turn over to him the State-House and all the records and public property belonging to the State which had come into his possession at the time ot the surrender of the insurgents to his command. Everything, the General said, would be found in precisely the same condition as it had come into his hands. The Governor accepted the transfer and Gen. Brooke thereupon retired. Gen. George Baldy, Vice-President of the Board of the New Orleans Metropolitan Police, proceeded to the police-station at the head of about 200 police, And the building was quietly surrendered by Acting-Chief Boylan, and the Metropolitans were soon placed on their old beats, Qov. Kellogg advised that the ranks of the- Metropolitans be filled from the retiring force of Chief Boylan.