The Daily Dispatch: December 17, 1861., [Electronic resource]

A Wanton Outrage.

‘ Last Monday morning, before many of the denizens of our town had shaken off Somnus and arisen from their beds, the fleet of steamers, towing a battery, came up the river. One of them, the Red Rover, left the battery and proceeded towards a coal-flat at the landing for the purpose of towing it to coal the fleet.

’ As soon as the steamer touched the coal boat a detachment of soldiers came ashore and begun impressing citizens to assist in coaling, clubbing in the most shameful manner — the men using the butt end of their guns and the officer his sabre — several who attempted to expostulate and explain. One man, who for several weeks had been unable to attend to his legitimate business on account of sickness, was beaten and dragged off.

Another, the sole attendant of a sick wife and children, was forced aboard. Our citizens are not apt to submit to insult with impunity, and we are surprised the boat got away without something more serious occurring. There was no need of this proceeding. Had the officers of the fleet made known in the proper manner to the citizens what they needed, we have no doubt their wants would have been cheerfully supplied, as twenty-five men were waiting all day Sunday to assist the set to coal.