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preachers standin in front of these a fire stand had been erected on which a medium sized fire was burning - between this & tents, or a little to west side of the fire, a number of negro men & women were holding a prayer meeting - they seemed to be singing slowly most of the time I was [[strikethrough]] the [[/strikethrough]] near them - rather east of fire stand & between it & their tents & adjoining the prayer meeting some 20 or 30, more or less, negro men were standing, on a little elevation of ground. I suppose the negroes were from 25 to 40 feet away from white crowd. I approached the crowd of negro men first alluded to, saying, as I approached [[strikethrough]] that [[/strikethrough]] "I am a minister" - I asked them to be quiet & not say anything to make a difficulty with the whites & disturb the meeting. [[strikethrough]] They [[/strikethrough]] Quite a number assented in word to my request saying that they wanted to be so, etc - One of their number, turning quickly half round as if to look from me said, "Damn it! [[strikethrough]] we [[/strikethrough]] well stand up for ourselves"! I noticed on getting up to these men that they had, quite generally, rough sticks or clubs, similar to the one before alluded to as in possession of a white man. I left the blacks, went back among whites & from some cause not now remembered had my back toward blacks, being rather on western side of crowd of whites - [[strikethrough]] When [[/strikethrough]] and [[strikethrough]] some 3 or 4 men deep [[/strikethrough]] in the crowd to depth of some 3 or 4 men, when I suddenly heard a cry "Rally boys; Rally!" A shot was fired as from a pistol & then in rapid succession from 20 to 30 or more & I ran toward a place of egress on west side of preachers stand - firing lulled & then commenced again & the latter time about same no of shots [[strikethrough]] were [[/strikethrough]] was fired, but more as to time scattering than before & [[strikethrough]] not so much [[/strikethrough]] I got to my tent near head of ground, & fearing a [[strikethrough]] general [[/strikethrough]] bloody fight made dispositions for the safety of my wife & children & friends. The impression on my mind was that all the whites in rear of preachers stand had like myself sought refuge inside Circle of tents. For a half hour or more, the white men were [[strikethrough]] laughing [[/strikethrough]] & shouting & holloaing in upper part of ground. Then sometime after firing a large body went down to Col'd peoples' ground & [[strikethrough]] Bear [[/strikethrough]] By & by we saw a light at that spot & heard the breaking of dishes & discovered a strong smell of burnt woollen garments etc. There was much excitement all the rest of night - till morning dawned - After morning prayer meeting at the stand, on Friday Aug 31, I walked down to place where Colored peoples tents had stood & saw the smoldering ruins of same - broken dishes - Empty trunks with lids off, etc, etc. (3) About 9 a.m. or 9½ a.m. I was about to leave the ground to take cars for Washington when I was sent for to go to the preachers stand & give testimony before magistrates who were investigating the matter. I gave an outline of the above testimony. I noticed that the clerk did not record all of that given by me, saying in a side tone to the Magistrates - "I guess that's not material" The part referred to gave the animus of the whites. At Hanover Switch about ten ½ oclock a wagon drove off to the north of the R.R. containing some 5 or 7 young men - They went off crying, to a number of gents & ladies (who with me, were awaiting the cars for Washington) in insulting tones - "Wake up! Wake up!" I was confident at the moment that one of them, with a light coat & small white felt hat - round to him a small
Transcription Notes:
The last 2 paragraphs are the top of the next page - page 122.
Annette's review: Changed "The part referred to save the enemies of the whites." from original transcriber to "The part referred to gave the animus of the whites."