Fenian Several of the regiments that so promptly responded to the first call of President Lincoln, were composed of members of the "circles" of this fraternity, and officered almost entirely by Fenians. In November, 1863, there were over 15,000 members of the brotherhood in the United States, over half of whom it is claimed were in either the Federal or Confederate armies. The surrender of the latter and the disbandment of the former, not only released this membership, but furnished an excellent recruiting field for the army with which it was proposed to invade Ireland. A congress of the Fenian Brotherhood assembled at New York on the 2d of January, 1866, at which more invasion of Canada, than 400 delegates were present; this was followed on June, 1866. the 22d of February by a military convention, and at this time plans were adopted for an invasion of Canada. Of this the Government was early advised, and precautionary measures were taken to prevent any violation of the neutrality laws. Early in April a party of some 500 men assembled at Eastport, Me., under suspicious circumstances. It was soon learned that an attempt was to be made by the Fenians to occupy the island of Campo Bello, New Brunswick, and that a vessel had sailed from Portland laden with arms and ammunition. One company of artillery was stationed at Eastport and three more were sent there. The vessel was seized on its arrival and the arms held in military custody. The expedition being thus frustrated, its members dispersed and the troops returned to their stations." During the month of May large numbers of men quietly assembled at several points along the northern frontier at Buffalo, Ogdensburg, Malone, and St. Albans-and all the available force of United States troops in the vicinity of New York were sent to the frontier. On the 19th of that month, 1,200 rifles and a large quantity of ammunition were seized at Rouses Point, and on the 30th another similar consignment was taken possession of at the same place. Numbers of men in small parties were observed making their way into Canada all along the line but were unmolested. In the meantime the entire militia force of Canada were in the field, and considerable bodies of these men were stationed at points opposite those occupied by our troops. On the 1st of June a party of Fenians numbering from 1,200 to 1,500, armed but ununiformed, crossed the Niagara River below Buffalo and took possession of an old earthwork on the Canada side, which, under the name of Fort Erie, had been the scene of a severe engagement during the second war with Great Britain. On the 2d, they advanced into the province along a road known as the "Ridge," where they were attacked by a force of Canadian militia; several were killed on both sides and many wounded. The invaders, however, withdrew the same night; some 700 were picked up by the United States steamer a Major-General Meade to Adjutant-General, April 10, 1866. Michigan on attempting to return, and the remainder surrendered the following day to General Barry, commanding at Buffalo. On the 7th, the President issued a proclamation declaring the obligation of the United States to prevent the carrying on of unlawful expeditions and enterprises from its territory; warned all persons against the consequences of such unlawful proceedings, and authorized and enforced Major-General Meade to employ the land and naval forces of the United States and the militia to arrest and prevent it." From this date the invasion ceased. The Fenians continued to pour into Buffalo, but were ordered back by their leaders. Others were turned back from Ogdensburg and Malone, in New York, and from St. Albans, Vt. Large quantities of arms and munitions of war as well as supplies were captured; the men, without means and illy provided with clothing or food, were returned to their homes at the expense of the Government. Fully 10,000 men were engaged in this foolhardy enterprise, which never possessed the slightest elements of success." An active center of disturbance during the reconstruction period was the city of Mobile, Ala., due to a considerable negro population and to the aggressive attitude of the whites. Mobile had contributed an unusually large percentage of her male population to the Southern Riots at Mobile, armies, and since their return there had been many occasions when the presence alone of United States troops had prevented a collision between these inharmonious elements. An attempt of the colored people to ride in the street cars had created so violent a commotion that riots were only averted by their abstaining, on the advice of the military commandant, from an exercise of their right to use the cars. On the 14th of May, 1867, a public meeting was held by the Republicans, at which the Hon. William D. Kelley, a member of Congress from Pennsylvania, was the leading speaker. During his address a disturbance occurred on the edge of the crowd, followed by indiscriminate firing, in which two men were killed and several wounded. The police made no attempt to arrest anyone, and were, as they admitted, powerless to suppress disturbances or to preserve the peace. The district commander directed the commandant of the post to assume the maintenance of public order in the city of Mobile. The city police force was suspended; a provost guard established; all outdoor assemblages prohibited; the carrying of firearms forbidden. A few days later the mayor and chief of police were removed and Union men appointed. a 14 Stat. L., 813. Reports of Major-General Meade, for the year 1866; General Hooker to General Meade; General Barry to General Meade; Major Gibson to General Meade. Major-General Swayne to Major-General Pope, May 20, 1867; General Orders, No. 37, Post of Mobile, May 19, 1867; 977 M., 1867; General Orders, No. 25, Third Military District, May 29, 1867. S. Doc. 209- 8 Riot July 6, 1867. A riot which occurred at Franklin, Tenn., on the 6th of July, 1867, is to be grouped in the same class as those at Memphis and Norfolk; on the one side a body of returned Confederate soldiers, banded ostensibly for the purpose of keeping alive war memories and comradeship; on the other a colored "Loyal League," made up in the majority of discharged colored soldiers. The latter, as appears from manuscript reports on file in the War Department, had been in the habit of marching about the outskirts of town with drum and fife, and having on one or more of such occasions been annoyed by other colored men, several of the members had armed themselves for selfat Franklin, Tenn., protection. On the afternoon of July 6 political meetings had been held by both the radicals and conservatives, the "League" attending the former in a body. There was some bad feeling created by the attempt of a colored conservative to speak at the radical meeting, and some shots had been fired in the air. The "League" had withdrawn from the meeting and gone to a grove some distance from town. While they were absent the conservatives in town were busy in collecting arms and ammunition and promising the "League" a warm reception. The latter marched into town about half past 8 in the evening, and as they turned into the public square they were met by a volley from the conservative party, who to the number of some 25 to 30 were in position behind a low wall. The fire was promptly returned, and desultory firing continued for something over an hour. On the side of the conservatives 1 white man was killed, 6 whites and about 10 colored men wounded; of the League, 27, possibly 30, were wounded. There was no appearance of the police at any time during the affray; the mayor was singularly ignorant of its going on, although residing in the square. Troops were hurried to the scene from Nashville and arrived early on the morning of the 7th, but found everything quiet, the people on both sides regretful of the occurrence and anxious that the troops should remain. The circuit court met at Franklin on the 8th and the matter was turned over to the civil authorities, the troops withdrawing." With the approach of the municipal elections in Memphis and Nashville there were indications of trouble, and as a precautionary measure the troops were so disposed as to be readily at hand should riot or violence occur. Differences had arisen between the governor and the mayor of Nashville as to who were qualified voters, and who the The proper authorities to appoint the officers of election. Nashville election, The governor threatened to call upon the militia to 1867. sustain his appointees; the mayor declared that the election would be held under the municipal supervision "unless pre September 28, a Brevet Maj. Gen. W. P. Carlin to Commissioner R., F., and A. L., July 15, 1867, 622 Cumberland, 1867, vented by the military power of the United States."" The governor followed up his proclamation by calling out the entire State militia and ordering it to proceed to Nashville. There was great excitement and both parties appealed to Washington. As a result the following instructions were issued on the 24th of September: Maj. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS: WASHINGTON, D. C., September 24, 1867 -3.30 p. m. The mayor, city attorney, and common council of Nashville express great fear of collision at time of charter election on the 28th. Go to Nashville to-morrow, to remain until after election, to preserve peace. If you think more troops necessary for that purpose order them there from the most convenient posts in your command. The military can not set up to be the judge as to which set of election judges have the right to control, but must confine their action to putting down hostile mobs. It is hoped, however, by seeing the governor and city officials here referred to, your presence and advice may prevent disturbances. Please keep me advised of condition of affairs. U. S. GRANT, General. General Thomas proceeded at once to Nashville, but his efforts to bring about an amicable adjustment of the difficulty were futile; both parties persisted in holding their election, and refused any compromise. He accordingly ordered to Nashville all the troops at Louisville, Bowling Green, and Franklin, two companies from Memphis, two from Paducah and Humboldt, and one from Union City, as well as Lieb's troop of cavalry. In response to his request for specific instructions, General Thomas was informed on the 26th that his first duty was to prevent conflict: Maj. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS: WASHINGTON, D. C., September 26, 1867-5 p. m. I neither instruct to sustain the governor or mayor, but to prevent conflict. The governor is the only authority that can legally demand the aid of United States troops, and that must be by proclamation declaring invasion or insurrection exists beyond the control of other means at his hands. It is hoped your presence and good judgment and advice will prevent conflict. Maj. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS: U. S. GRANT, General. WASHINGTON, D. C., September 26, 1867-4 p. m. You are to prevent conflict. If the executive of the State issue his proclamation declaring insurrection or invasion to exist too formidable to be put down by force at his own command, and calls upon the United States to aid him, then aid will have to be given. Your mission is to preserve peace, and not to take sides in political difference until called out in accordance with law. You are to prevent mobs from aiding either party. If called upon legally to interfere, your duty is plain. U. S. GRANT, General. a Proclamation of Governor Brownlow, September 18, 1867; Proclamation Mayor W. Matt Brown, September 24, 1867; Papers accompanying Report Secretary of War, 1867, p. 83. Maj. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS: WASHINGTON, D. C., September 26, 1867—9 p. m. I will send you further instructions to-morrow. Nothing is clearer, however, than that the military can not be made use of to defeat the executive of a State in enforcing the laws of the State. You are not to prevent the legal State force from the execution of its orders. U.S. GRANT, General. These dispatches were shown to the mayor, but the latter persisted in his former decision, that unless prevented by the armed interference of the Federal troops he would hold the election under the city charter. On the morning of the 28th, the day of election, United States troops were posted at every polling precinct, as, under the orders of the governor, were also detachments of the State militia, but the latter almost immediately withdrew. The mayor filed a protest; the election proceeded without disturbance, and, there being no further excitement, the troops returned to their stations on the 29th." The beginning of the year 1868 was approximately the date for the first appearance of the organization of restless, reckless, and lawless. spirits, which, under various names, disguises, and appellations, is best known under the generic term Ku-Klux-Klan. The Confederate general, N. B. Forrest, in his testimony before the Congressional committee,' fixes the earliest date for the existence of this organization as the spring of 1866, and the first scene of its operations as middle Tennessee; that it was a sort of offset to the "Loyal Leagues;" was not at first military in its character, and had no political purpose. The Ku-Klux-Klan, 1866-1872. Question. You mean what is called Ku-Klux? Answer. Yes, sir. I think that organization arose about the time the militia were called out, and Governor Brownlow issued his proclamation stating that the troops would not be injured for what they should do to rebels. Such a proclamation was issued. There was a great deal of insecurity felt by the Southern people. There were a great many Northern men coming down there, forming leagues all over the country. The negroes were holding night meetings; were going about; were becoming very insolent, and the Southern people all over the State were very much alarmed. I think many of the organizations did not have any name. Parties organized themselves so as to be ready in case they were attacked. Ladies were ravished by some of these negroes, who were tried and put in the penitentiary, but were turned out in a few days afterwards. There was a great deal of insecurity in the country, and I think this organization was got up to protect the weak, with no political intention at all. The earliest official report of the existence of the organization as a distinct menace to the peace and good order of the community was in a report of Major-General Thomas, who commanded the Department @Annual Report Major-General Thomas, with accompanying papers, September 30, 1867, pp. 82-94. b Testimony of Gen. N. B. Forrest, vol. 13, p. 32. (Senate Report No. 41, Fortysecond Congress, second session.) |