From the Richmond Examiner, 2/23/1866, p. 3, c. 3

JUVENILE DISTURBANCE ON THE SQUARE. – Yesterday about noon “young Richmond” gave an exhibition of its pugnacious propensities by attacking and stoning a number of negro boys who were attracted to Capitol Square by the anticipated military parade. Lieutenant Merrill of the Freedmen’s Bureau, hearing of the emeute, sallied forth from his headquarters with a posse and soon suppressed the melee and restored order. Several of the white belligerents were arrested, carried over to the Freedmen’s Court and released, with the understanding that they should appear tomorrow to answer an examination. A rumour of the war spreading, and growing as it spread, a posse of policemen soon came up, but the battle had ended before they arrived. It was said two United States soldiers formed an alliance, offensive and defensive with “young Richmond,” and drew their pistols on the negroes, who were finally driven from the Square enclosure. After a careful summing up of the citcut heads and bloody noses we concluded that the loss was about equal on both sides, not counting the prisoners captured from the white side.

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