1878.] ^** [Thayer. 



Movements of Troops in Cities in cases of Riot or Insurrection. By Russell 

 Thayer. 



(Read before the American Philosophical Society, Bee. 20th, 1878.) 



It is indeed fortunate that the cases are few which demand the interven- 

 tion of armed troops for the suppression of lawless mobs intent upon acts 

 of violence. It is nevertheless true that at rare intervals the employment 

 of the military force becomes necessary for the preservation of public order 

 and security. Such occasions have arisen in the recent past, and may oc- 

 cur in the future. 



It will be understood in the treatment of this subject that the troops re- 

 ferred to are militia, although in general the rules to be observed are, of 

 course, the same whether regulars or militia are employed. The general 

 reader will also understand that, the subject being treated from a military 

 point of view, the serious questions of law and fact which precede the call- 

 ing out of troops for the suppression of violence are not considered. The 

 case supposed is simply as follows, viz. : an armed and turbulent mob ex- 

 ists in a large city, the civil authorities are powerless to suppress violence. 

 As a last resort the military force has been duly and properly called upon, 

 and lawfully empowered to act. 



Now, two cases may occur. The mob may exist in the city in which 

 the troops already are ; or the troops may be called upon to go to a remote 

 point to enforce the laws and restore order. These cases will be considered 

 separately. 



Case I. A large city is in a state of tumult. An armed mob exists. 

 The civil authorities have endeavored to suppress the disturbance, and are 

 powerless to do so. The military are called upon. What are the proper 

 precautions to be taken, and the proper movements to be made ? 



It will be presumed that there is in the city one brigade, consisting of 

 three regiments of infantry, a troop of cavalry, and a battery of artillery. 



The commands are promptly assembled at their respective armories fully 

 armed and equipped. A proper supply of ammunition is issued to each 

 command. At the several armories the following dispositions will be - 

 made. A strong, armed guard should immediately be placed at the doors 

 and in front of the building. If a mob collects outside, and threatens to 

 force its way in, the doors and windows should be barricaded with any- 

 thing that may be at hand (chairs, tables, benches, etc., will serve for this 

 purpose), and a proper force is to be placed at each opening to repel any at- 

 tack that may be made. It will, however, in most cases be unnecessary to 

 make such dispositions as these, as in circumstances of this kind the mob is 

 generally occupied at some remote point. It should also be here remarked 

 that it adds much to the esprit de corps of the soldiers, and also materially 

 impresses a mob of undisciplined men, if the troops are in full uniform, 

 provided that uniform is a serviceable one, as it should be. Everything 

 should be adjusted with the same precision as if the troops were going 

 upon parade. White gloves should be worn, the drum corps should be 



I'ROC. AME1I. PHILOS. SOC. XVIII. 102. L. PRINTED JAN. 10, 1879. 



