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GENERAL SANDFORD MUSTERS HIS
TROOPS.
In view of this requisition, orders were
issued by Major General Sandford, in consequence of which 1,500
men were gathered together before night, the Seventh Regiment,
the National Guard, being specially counted upon by their
highest officer, gen. Sandford, as being under arms all day in
the city, to be ordered to any point which he should see might
need their presence. As this splendid force paraded the
streets it was regarded with a special interest by
all, in view of the condition of things
among the officials in the Park. The regiment, it was
known, was on its way to Boston for the Bunker Hill
celebration, and much conjecture was expended on the
probability of their being countermanded before their
embarkation in the Sound boat, chartered for that purpose.
Their identity with nearly all the public difficulties
and conflicts of the city, and the fact of their parade, was
looked upon as a very significant omen for the possible result
to be anticipated for the pending difficulties.
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ATTEMPT TO ARREST THE MAYOR BY
FORCE.
Capt. Walling having failed to arrest
mayor Wood on his own personal authority, the Recorder issued a
requisition on the Metropolitan Police Commissioners for fifty
men, which was speedily filled, and the men marched down to the
Park with long clubs, under the command of Sergeant Seabring,
of the Ninth Ward Police.
EXCITEMENT OF THE
PEOPLE. THE PARK.
The news of the arrest of the Mayor, by
force if necessary, spread through the city like
wild-fire, and gathered around the point of interest, the City
Hall, thousands of people of all classes. The most
warlike news was in circulation; tales of terrible deeds
already done and rumors of worse yet to come, formed the
subject of conversation of every animated group. Nothing
was too improbable or impossible for the for the credulous to
swallow.
THE MARCH OF THE
METROPOLITANS.
The advance of the squad of Metropolitans,
under the command of Sergeant Seabring, upon the City Hall, was
speedily ascertained by Chief Matsell, who took every
precaution, and made the most efficient preparations for the
preservation of the peace.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE
DEFENCE OF THE CITY.
Chief Matsell had surrounded the City Hall
with several hundred of the old Municipal force; he arranged
them with the judgment of an experienced general, and having
carefully guarded every avenue, awaited calmly the approach of
the advancing foe.
THE BATTLE OF THE
CITY HALL.
The Metropolitans advanced steadily, and
made their first essay upon a basement door at the back of the
building; in this attempt they were frustrated. They then
attempted to force the back steps, but the solid phalanx of the
Municipals presented an impregnable barrier. From pushing
and hauling they came to blows, when the Metropolitans were
nowhere. The old force handled their clubs with so much
grace and vigor, and were also so superior in numbers, that the
besiegers turned tail and resigned the contest in terrible
disorder, leaving their wounded and incapacitated in the hands
of the enemy. Several of the besieging party were
seriously hurt, and received immediate attention.
THE MILITARY CALLED
TO THE SCENE OF ACTION.
At twenty-five minutes to four
o’clock, being about fifteen minutes after the affray was
ended, the National Guard, under the command of Colonel Duryea,
numbering upwards of six hundred men, all fully armed and
equipped, marched down Broadway on their way to the steamer
Plymouth Rock, which they had chartered for the purpose of
proceeding to Boston to participate in the celebration of the
battle of Bunker Hill. Upon their arriving in front of
the Park, Colonel Duryea received peremptory orders from
General Hill to halt. The regiment was accordingly
brought to a stand still, and were immediately marched to the
lower end of the Park, and countermarched to within the Park,
dispersing the mob from and taking up their quarters within the
iron railings, in front of the Hall, ready for action at a
moment’s notice.
MORE WARRANTS FOR
THE MAYOR.
After the repulsion of the Metropolitan
police, the Recorder issued two warrants against Wood, one
charging him with resisting the process of the courts, and
another with inciting a riot. These warrants were handed
to Captain Speight, of the 21st ward, and Deputy Superintendent
Carpenter for service. Captain Speight visited the
Mayor’s office for the purpose of serving his warrant,
and shortly after returned and reported to the Recorder that
the Mayor refused to recognize his authority, and also that he
informed him (Speight) that he had given bail on one
warrant already. On hearing this the Recorder determined
to have the Mayor brought before him.
AT THE POINT OF
THE BAYONET.
Recorder – Bring him in here, at
all hazards. You have the force, haven’t you?
Speight – I believe we have,
sir.
Recorder – Then bring him here
and if necessary take the Seventh Regiment with you, to aid you
in the exercise of your duty. (Addressing General Hall.)
They are armed and equipped, are they not.
General Hall – Yes, they have
their fixed bayonets, and one cartridge each.
Recorder – Very well, let them
go in with fixed bayonets, they can effect all that is
necessary with their bayonets.
Gen. Hall – Very well sir.
Capt. Speight and Gen. Hall then went
out again, and shortly afterwards returned, the General
informing the Recorder that Major General Sandford had informed
him that the Sheriff had already arrested Wood, and had him
placed under bail.
SERVING OF THE
WARRANTS.
John McKibben, Deputy Sheriff served
the civil process upon the Mayor; and Coroner Perry served
Recorder Smith’s criminal process upon the Mayor.
Both were received with politeness by his Honor, and he
immediately gave the required talk.
THE MILITARY RETURN
FROM THE FIELD.
Finding the clubs of the policemen
were all sufficient to preserve the peace, the noble National
Guard was permitted to depart upon its pleasure trip, and they
left amid the cheers of the people.
THE END – FOR THE
PRESENT.
The appeal to club law having been
disposed of, the issue is now left to the courts of law.
Several actions have been commenced against the Mayor,
the sums demanded for bail being nearly six thousand dollars.
The decision of the Court of Appeals as to the
constitutionality of the new charter will be given in a few
days. If the decision sustains the Mayor, all these suits
will, we presume, be abandoned; if not. Fernando Wood will have
called upon himself a nest of hornets whose stings it will be
difficult to extract. But we have no doubt that he will
be cordially sustained in the position he has taken in defense
of the inalienable rights of the City of New York.
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~~~~ End of the Report ~~~~
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