The Daily Dispatch: January 28, 1862., [Electronic resource]

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Wearing side arms.

--The practice among soldiers on furlough, or otherwise absent from the post of duty, of wearing pistols and bowie-knives, though remonstrated against by the press and the people for months past, seems now to be more common than ever. The local columns of the newspapers have chronicled bloody affrays and street rencontres, thus giving to residents of other localities an impression that Richmond, once noted for peace and good order, is achieving a reputation for rowdyism which is by no means agreeable to contemplate. The rapid multiplication of grog-shops since the war attracted or drove hither an entirely new population is probably the prime cause of the evil, though if intoxicated men have no weapons to fight with except such as nature gave them, they seldom do much harm to each other. We hope the military authorities will give some attention to this matter.