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| Scene of the principal fighting in Pratt Street.1 |
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wharf near Jackson's store, and, dragging them upon the railway track, effect tually barricaded the street.
The tenth car was compelled to go back to the President Street Station, followed by a yelling, infuriated mob, many of them maddened by alcohol.
In the mean time the remainder of the Massachusetts troops, who were in the cars back of the barricade, informed of the condition of affairs ahead,
alighted for the purpose of marching to the Camden Street Station.
They consisted of four companies, namely, the Lawrence Light Infantry, Captain John Pickering; Companies C and D, of Lowell, commanded respectively by Captains A. S. Follansbee and J. W. Hart; and the Stoneham Company, under Captain Dike.
They were speedily formed on the side-walk, and Captain Follansbee was chosen the commander of the whole for the occasion.
He wheeled them into column, and directed them to march in close order.
Before they were ready to move the mob was upon them, led by a man with a secession flag upon a pole, who told the troops that they should never march through the city — that “every nigger of them” would be killed before they could reach the other station.
Captain Follansbee paid no attention to these threats, though his little band was confronted by thousands of infuriated men. He gave the words, “Forward, March!”
in a clear voice.
The order was a signal for the mob, who commenced hurling stones and bricks, and every missile at hand, as the troops moved steadily up President Street.
At the corner of Fawn and President Streets, a furious rush was made upon them, and the missiles filled the air like hail.
A policeman was called to lead the way, and the troops advanced at the “double-quick.”
They found the planks of the Pratt Street Bridge, over Jones's Falls, torn up, but they passed over without accident, when they were assailed more furiously than ever.
Several of the soldiers
1 this is a view of the portion of Pratt Street, between Gay and South streets, where the most severe contest occurred. The large building seen on the left is the storehouse of Charles M. Jackson, and the bow of the vessel is seen at the place where the rioters dragged the anchors upon the railway track.
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