Alexandria Gazette & Advertiser

From the Providence Beacon, of Oct. 23
RIOT AND REBELLION
We are sorry to say that this community which has always been distinguished for the purity of its morals, and for its domestic felicity and repose, has, for the last two weeks, been disturbed and disorganised by riot and rebellion.
On Saturday evening last a scene of tumult and disorder, a most furious riot took place between our black population and a body of whites, which eventuated in the loss of blood and reputation.
On Monday, we were again thrown into a state of confusion, by a similar transaction differing only in its desolating and wicked consequences.
Early on Monday morning, an infamous placard was posted on the Flag Staff at the Bridge, calling upon all who were disposed to riot and rebel to meet at that place, at 10 o'clock the succeeding night and long before the arrival of the hour, a mob, comprising four or five hundred persons had assembled and at the word of command took up its line of march for a small hamlet, situated at the northern suburb of the town, populated principally by blacks, who located themselves in that quarter, to avoid any intercourse or correspondence with their hostile white neighbors.
When arrived at the spot, a most furious attack was made upon the unoffending and unsuspecting inhabitants, many of whom were engaged in convivial sports and rural games, and in the short space of four or five hours, eleven dwelling houses were levelled to the ground.
The infuriated and misguided mob, not content with prostrating the dwellings of the unfortunate beings, upon whom their vengeance was vented, commenced general destruction among their goods and chattels, destroyed every thing on which they could lay their polluted hands.
The destruction was general, unlimited and without discrimination, save only in those instances, where the mob was bro't up with 'Rum,' or by the inebriating cup were diverted from their unhallowed designs
The next returning sun presented to the beholders, a scene at which humanity revolts with detestation and dismay, and at which the heart sickens, and from the contemplation of which, the mind gladly retires.
The hamlet, which, but a few hours before, bore a smiling aspect, and through which the hum of innocent festivity had been heard, was now silent and forsaken, and the ruins of what it was, barely told the spot where it had existed
It was indeed a lamentable and sorry sight, and the town, in this instance, has incurred an indelible disgrace; and a monument of infamy has thus been erected to perpetuate the atrocities committed by an abandoned and profligate mob.