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the colored Soldiers who were stationed here for a long time and had recently been discharged from the service of the United States, which was most cordially reciprocated by the soldiers.

This has frequently resulted in minor affrays, not considered worthy of notice by the Authorities. These causes combined produced a state of feeling between whites and blacks, which would require only the slightest provocation to bring about an open rupture.

The Immediate Cause

On the evening of the 30th of April 1866 several policemen (4) came down Causey Street and meeting a number of negroes forced them off the side walk. In doing so, a negro fell and a policemen stumbled over him. The Police then drew their revolvers and attacked the negroes, beating them with their pistols. Both parties then seperated defering the settlement by mutual consent to some future time. (See Affidavits mkd "A"). 

On the following day May 1st during the afternoon, between the hours of 3 and 5, a crowd of colored men principally discharged Soldiers, many of whom were more or less intoxicated were assembled on South Street in South Memphis. Three or four of these were very noisy and boisterous. Six policemen appeared on South Street, two of whom arrested two of the negroes, and conducted them from the ground. The others remained behind to keep back the crowd, When the attempt was