The Daily Dispatch

LATEST MAIL NEWS.

THE WILLIAMSBURGH RIOT.

The N. Y. Express of Friday morning gives the following account of the riot in Williamsburgh the night previous:

At an early hour last evening, rumors were afloat that a fearful riot would take place in Williamsburgh, in consequence of the excitement caused by the death of Mr. Harrison, who was killed at the riot on Tuesday. Up to half past 10 o'clock, quiet prevailed, and to all appearance no trouble was likely to occur. About 11 o'clock, a procession of men, numbering about 500, came marching four abreast through Fifth street, in a quiet and orderly manner. At the corner of Grand and Fifth streets, they were met by Mayor Wall, who exhorted them to disperse. Mr. G. H. Andrews, of the Courier and Enquirer, also addressed them, and a number left the ranks. Some twenty special deputies then proceeded to the corner of 2d and North 6th streets, where the riot occurred, for the purpose of arresting some ten or twelve of the men charged with being engaged in the election riot-if assistance was required they were to send up two rockets-the procession then proceeded down 5th street.

In front of Ald. Tinsley's house some twenty shots were fired in the air. They then moved down North 5th to 3d street, where an Irishman was standing in the lot, with a loaded musket and bayonet. He said he was on guard, when a number of pistols were fired, and the man ran away, leaving the gun behind as booty. At the corner of 2d and North 7th streets, two more Irishmen were met with muskets; they were badly beaten, and the muskets taken from them.

The procession then marched up and down various streets, but met with no opposition; the houses were all closed, and no one in sight. A cry was then raised to "down with the church."

Mr. Geo. H. Andrews here addressed the crowd, advising them to retire. He was loudly cheered, and many heeded his advice. A firing was kept up throughout the line of march.

On 2d street, between North 6th and 7th streets, some person fired from an alley way upon the procession, without effect. A young man named Bennett narrowly escaped being shot; a ball struck his left shoulder, but having nearly spent its force, lodged in the coat sleeve, without causing a wound.

About 12 o'clock, a party of about 100 men, made an attack upon St. Peter's and St. Paul's Catholic Church, in 2d st. They first tore down an iron cross over the gate entrance way, stoned the front windows, and broke in the panel of the door. A cry was raised for straw and matches to fire the edifice. At this moment Mayor Wall, Sheriff Lott, and Mr. Geo. Andrews appeared, and prevailed upon the crowd to disperse.

About this time, the Jefferson Blues, Capt. Kiehl, and Capt. John Gaus' company of Troop, under Col. Abel Smith, arrived at the City Park in Fourth st., and were drawn up to await orders of the Mayor.

About 1 o'clock this morning, another party had gathered around the church, with the avowed intention of burning it down. The military were furnished with blank cartridges and marched at once to the scene. The rioters, however, had quietly dispersed.

Spies were stationed throughout the city, and the movements of every man in the street were closely scrutinized.

At half past 2 o'clock this morning, the streets were nearly deserted, and no fear of the riot being resumed, the military retired, and so the riot ended without bloodshed.