Case of white women hissing at Black troops in Baltimore

Case of white women hissing at Black troops in Baltimore

"Lt. Col. John Woolley (prov. Mar.) to Maj. Gen. Lewis Wallace (com. Middle dept) reporting that some ladies were hissing at the passing of colored troops on Exeter Street. They endeavored to make a dog bark at the troops to "show further their sentiments." Woolley would like to take some action (a fine) so that "such people feel that they cannot sneer and hiss at their government or its troops without being brought to account for it." Includes statements of witnesses to the incident.

4/17/1864

Baltimore, MD

Provost Marshal at Baltimore, Maryland, to the Commander of the Middle Department; and the Affidavit of Two Baltimore Police Officers


Head Quarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps,
OFFICE PROVOST MARSHAL,
Baltimore, Sunday April 17th 1864

General. While some of our Colored Troops were passing through Exeter Street this morning the ladies! at the house No 80 indulged in hisses so loud that they were Easily heard across the street. They also brought a small dog to the window & endeavoured to make him bark in order to show further their sentiments. I would like General to have the form of a bond which I can use in making such people feel that they cannot sneer & hiss at this Government or its troops without being brought to account for it. If consistent with your views please have judge Marshal furnish me the form. The arrest of the parties at No 80 & placing them under bond of say 5,000 or 10,000 Dollars would no doubt present an immediate Repetition of their "snakeish" offence Very Respectfully Your Obt Servt
John Woolley
Lt Col & Pro Mar
Major Genl Wallace
Comdg Mid Dept



[Baltimore, Md., April 30, 1864]
W J Smith Sergt of Police Eastern Dist being duly sworn deposes and says on the 17th of April 1864 I was standing on Exeter St opposite No 80 I was watching the troops marching when my Companion officer Sparkling called my attention to the conduct of the women in No 80 one of them was sitting in the window hissing a Dog at the Colored Soldiers passing another of them was shaking her fist and hissing and using some language which I could not hear
The women were the daughters of Mr Cole
W. J. Smith
Witnsss David M Easton
W F Sparklin, officer of Police Eastern District being duly sworn deposes and says
I hereby certify that the statement of Sergt Smith is the truth and that I witnessed the occurrence mentioned above.
W. F. Sparklin
Witness David M Easton
sworn to and subscribed before me this 30th Day of April 1864
A Norwood
Capt & A.P.M.


Mr Coal & Family No 80 Exeter St Charged with Hising U.S Soldiers while Passing their Residence
witnesses Sergt Smith & officer Sparklin of Eastern District
Cor Bank & Bethel


Lt Col John Woolley to Major Genl Wallace, 17 Apr. 1864, and Affidavit of W. J. Smith and W F Sparklin, 30 Apr. 1864, both filed with W-146 1864, Letters Received, ser. 2380, Middle Dept. & 8th Army Corps, RG 393 Pt. 1 [C-4155].